[Herpetology • 2025] Nymphargus viglei • A Biogeographic Oddity in A Disappearing Ecosystem: A New Glassfrog (Centrolenidae: Nymphargus) from the Ecuadorian Chocó

 

Nymphargus viglei

Guayasamin, Franco-Mena & Vega-Yánez, 2025

 herpetologia.fciencias.unam.mx/index.php/revista 

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Illustration: Valentina Nieto Fernández.

Abstract

Nymphargus is a genus of glassfrogs primarily known from the Andes. The discovery of a Nymphargus species in the lowland Chocó region represents a biogeographic oddity. Herein we describe this new taxon based on the following main traits: (i) absence of hand webbing, (ii) green dorsum with numerous black flecks and scarce yellow false ocelli, (iii) absence of vomerine teeth, and (iv) relatively large body size (SVL > 30 mm). Despite extensive subsequent herpetological efforts in the area, no additional specimens have been found, underscoring its rarity and vulnerability. Given its limited range in the Chocó ecoregion and the ongoing threats of habitat destruction (i.e., logging, agricultural expansion, mining), we classify this new taxon as Critically Endangered, according to IUCN criteria. Lastly, we analyzed the forest cover of the Ecuadorian Chocó during 1985–2022; during this time period 194,007 hectares have been deforested, representing a 20 % destruction of the original ecosystem. We estimate that an average of 5,243 hectares of forest are lost annually; this data highlights the urgency for conservation actions in the Chocó. 

Keywords: Chocó ecoregion, Amphibia, New species, Singleton, Taxonomy

Nymphargus viglei sp. nov. and similar species in life.
A. Nymphargus viglei sp. nov., holotype. Photo: Greg Vigle. (B) N. prasinus, ICN 19645. Photo: John D. Lynch. (C) N. balionotus, ZSFQ 533. Photo: José Vieira. (D) N. buenaventura, DHMECN 10982. Photo: Juan Carlos Sánchez Nivicela. (E) N. chami, MAR-2869. Photo: Marco Rada.

Nymphargus viglei sp. nov. in its natural environment.

Illustration: Valentina Nieto Fernández.

Nymphargus viglei sp. nov.

Juan Manuel Guayasamin, Daniela Franco-Mena and Mateo A. Vega-Yánez. 2025. A BIOGEOGRAPHIC ODDITY IN A DISAPPEARING ECOSYSTEM: A NEW GLASSFROG (CENTROLENIDAE: NYMPHARGUS) FROM THE ECUADORIAN CHOCÓ [UNA RAREZA BIOGEOGRÁFICA EN UN ECOSISTEMA QUE DESAPARECE: UNA NUEVA RANA DE CRISTAL (CENTROLENIDAE: NYMPHARGUS) DEL CHOCÓ ECUATORIANO] Revista Latinoamericana De Herpetología. 8(2), e1148 (185 – 202). DOI: 10.22201/fc.25942158e.2025.2.1148

 herpetologia.fciencias.unam.mx/index.php/revista/article/view/1148

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[Herpetology • 2024] Centrolene elisae & C. marcoreyesi • Simplifying the Centrolene buckleyi complex (Anura: Centrolenidae): A Taxonomic Review and Description of Two New Species

 Centrolene elisae Franco-Mena, Vega-Yánez, Reyes-Puig & Guayasamin,   

C. marcoreyesi  Franco-Mena, Székely, Culebras, Batallas-Revelo, Pablo Reyes-Puig & Guayasamin, 

in Franco-Mena De la Riva, Vega-Yánez, Székely, Amador, Batallas, Reyes-Puig, Cisneros-Heredia, Venegas-Valencia, Galeano, Culebras et Guayasamin, 2024.

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17712

Abstract 

Centrolenidae is a Neotropical family widely distributed in Central and South America, with its species richness concentrated in the tropical Andes. Several taxonomic problems have been identified within this family, mostly related to species with broad geographic distributions. In this study, we assessed and redefined the species boundaries of the Centrolene buckleyi species complex, and formally described two new species from the Andes of Ecuador. These new taxa are recognized by a combination of morphometric, osteological, acoustic, and genetic data. Following IUCN criteria, we propose that the two new species should to be considered as Endangered (EN), mainly because of their small distributions and habitat loss. The C. buckleyi complex provides insights into the biogeography of closely related Andean species. As in other glassfrogs, speciation in Centrolene seems to be mediated by the linearity of the Andes, where gene flow can be restricted by topography and, also, local extinctions.

Centrolene buckleyi (Boulenger, 1882) sensu stricto

(A) Centrolene buckleyi sensu stricto (adult males, MZUTI 763, DHMECN 13828, ZSFQ 4420).
(B) Centrolene elisae sp. nov., paratypes (adult female, ZSFQ 5367; adult male, ZSFQ 5369; adult male, ZSFQ 4428). (C) Centrolene marcoreyesi sp. nov. (paratype, MUTPL 271, adult male).

 Photographs of C. buckleyi by Juan M. Guayasamin, and Diego Batallas-Revelo; C. elisae sp. nov. by Mateo Vega-Yánez and Daniela Franco-Mena; and C. marcoreyesi sp. nov. by Paul Székely.

 

Egg-clutches of Centrolene elisae sp. nov. from Chamanapamba reserve (A and B)
and of Centrolene marcoreyesi sp. nov. from Guarumales (C and D).

Photographs (A, B) by Daniela Franco-Mena and (C, D) by Jaime Culebras.

(B) Centrolene elisae sp. nov., paratypes (adult female, ZSFQ 5367; adult male, ZSFQ 5369; adult male, ZSFQ 4428).
(C) Centrolene marcoreyesi sp. nov. (paratype, MUTPL 271, adult male).

Centrolene elisae sp. nov. Daniela Franco-Mena, Mateo A. Vega-Yánez, Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig, Juan M. Guayasamin 

Centrolene buckleyi—Guayasamin et al. (2006a)

Centrolene buckleyi [Ca2]—Amador et al. (2018)

English common name. Elisa’s Glassfrog

Spanish common name. Rana de Cristal de Elisa

Definition. (1) SVL in adult males 22.9–25.3 mm (n = 6), in an adult female 27.2 mm; (2) in life, dorsum green, usually with minute whitish spots; anterior half of venter whitish, posterior half translucent; (3) iris gray-white with thin black-brown reticulation and a horizontal brown stripe; (4) humeral spines and vocal slits present in adult males; (5) snout rounded in dorsal profile, inclined in lateral profile; (6) webbing absent between Fingers I and II, webbing basal between II and III, outer fingers III (21/2–22/3)–(21/2–2+) IV; (7) webbing on foot: I (11/2–2−)–(2+–21/3) II (1+–11/3)–(2+–22/3) III (1–11/2)–(21/3–22/3) IV (22/3–3−)–(11/2–2) V; (8) ulnar fold low; inner tarsal fold short; outer tarsal fold low; (9) prepollex concealed; nuptial excrescences present, Type-I; (10) Toe I shorter than Toe II.

Etymology. The species epithet “elisae” is a noun in genitive case, with the Latin suffix “e” (ICZN 31.1.2). We are pleased to dedicate the species to Elisa Bonaccorso (Fig. S2), in recognition for her contributions to bird systematics and biogeography (Bonaccorso, 2009; Bonaccorso, Koch & Peterson, 2006; Bonaccorso et al., 2011; Sornoza-Molina et al., 2018), conservation biology (Lessmann, Munoz & Bonaccorso, 2014; Lessmann et al., 2016; Bonaccorso et al., 2021), batrachology (Bonaccorso et al., 2003; Guayasamin & Bonaccorso, 2004), and her passionate commitment to the education of the next generation of scientists. This is also a recognition for her luminous presence in my life (Juan Manuel Guayasamin).

Centrolene marcoreyesi sp. nov. Daniela Franco-Mena, Paul Székely, Jaime Culebras, Diego Batallas-Revelo, Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig, Juan M. Guayasamin

Centrolene buckleyi [Ca1]—Amador et al. (2018)

English common name. Marco Reyes´ Glassfrog

Spanish common name. Rana de Cristal de Marco Reyes

Definition. Within Centrolene, Centrolene marcoreyesi sp. nov. is defined by the following set of traits: (1) SVL in adult males 24.5–27.0 mm (n = 6), unknown in females; (2) in life, dorsum shagreen usually with low whitish spots; anterior two-thirds of venter whitish, posterior third translucent; (3) in life, iris white-lavender with fine brown reticulations; (4) humeral spines, vocal sac and slits present in adult males; (5) snout rounded in dorsal profile, sloping in lateral profile; (6) webbing absent between inner finger and Finger II, reduced to moderate between outer fingers: III (21/3–23/4)–(21/4–22/3) IV; (7) webbing on feet: I (11/2–12/3)–(2––2) II (1+–11/4)–(21/4–2+) III (11/2–12/3)–(21/3–21/2) IV (2+–21/2)–(12/3–3–) V; (8) inner and outer ulnar and tarsal folds conspicuous; (9) concealed prepollex; nuptial excrescences present, Type-I; (10) Toe I shorter than Toe II.

Etymology. The species epithet “marcoreyesi” is a noun in genitive case, with the Latin suffix “i” (ICZN 31.1.2). With this species, we tribute Marco M. Reyes-Puig (Fig. S2), a notable herpetologist from the herpetology division of the Museo Ecuatoriano de Ciencias Naturales (now Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, INABIO). Marco was the original collector of this new species on a field campaign to Zamora Chinchipe. We honor his work and memory as a brother (Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig), sister (Carolina Reyes-Puig), and friends.

...

Conclusion: 

We provide an integrative analysis of the Centrolene buckleyi species complex and describe two new species, Centrolene elisae and C. marcoreyesi. Our phylogenetic hypothesis suggests that C. elisae is the sister species of C. venezuelense, and that C. marcoreyesi is the sister species of C. sabini. Speciation is most likely driven by the linearity of the Andes and the barriers formed by river valleys. We suggest that the two new species should be listed as Endangered.

 

Daniela Franco-Mena, Ignacio De la Riva, Mateo A. Vega-Yánez, Paul Székely, Luis Amador, Diego Batallas, Juan P. Reyes-Puig, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Khristian Venegas-Valencia, Sandra P. Galeano, Jaime Culebras and Juan M. Guayasamin. 2024. Simplifying the Centrolene buckleyi complex (Amphibia: Anura: Centrolenidae): A Taxonomic Review and Description of Two New Species. PeerJ. 12:e17712. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17712

[Herpetology • 2020] Pristimantis andinodiabolus • A Fantastic New Species from the Pristimantis orcesi Group (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the southern Andes of Ecuador

Pristimantis andinodiabolus 

Sánchez-Nivicela, Urgiles, Cedeño-Palacios, Abad-Peñafiel & Guayasamin, 2020

DOI:  10.1080/23766808.2020.1869449 

  twitter.com/JCSN_Herps 

ABSTRACT

We describe a new glandular terrestrial frog of the Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae) genus. The new species inhabits the high montane forests of the Cañar province in southern Ecuador. It differs from other terrestrial frogs by having a striking dark gray and red dorsal coloration, dorsal skin with a corrugated texture, a small tubercle on the eyelid and heel, absence of vomerine odontophores, and large glandular patches on the supratympanic area, arms and limbs. Our molecular analyses show that the new species is in a clade with P. orcesi and P. erythros. Based on our results, we redefine the orcesi group and suggest that it contains only three species (P. orcesi, P. erythros, and the new species); the group is diagnosed mainly by exhibiting conspicuous dermal macroglands on the head, body and legs.

KEYWORDS: Montane forest, subparamo, macroglands, taxonomy, systematics

Figura 3. Holotipo de Pristimantis andinodiabolus sp. nov., hembra MZUA.AN.1903, en vida.
 (a) vista dorsal, (b) vista frontal, (c) vista lateral, (d) vista ventral. LRC = 42,8 mm.

Fotografías: Verónica L. Urgiles

Pristimantis andinodiabolus sp. nov.

Nombre común en español: Cutín diablo andino

Common name in English: Andean Devil Rainfrog

Etimología: El epíteto específico andinodiabolus proviene de la combinación de dos palabras, “andino” que hace referencia a los Andes, palabra de origen quechua y “diabolus” en griego, que significa diablo o demonio y hace alusión a su combinación de colores rojo brillante con gris oscuro, única entre todas las especies del género en los Andes de Ecuador.

Etymology: The specific epithet andinodiabolus comes from the combination of two words, "Andean" which refers to the Andes, a word of Quechua origin, and "diabolus" in Greek, which means devil or demon and refers to its combination of bright red and gray colors. dark, unique among all species of the genus in the Andes of Ecuador.

Juan C. Sánchez-Nivicela, Verónica L. Urgiles, Jhonny Cedeño-Palacios, Homero Abad-Peñafiel and Juan M. Guayasamin. 2020.  A Fantastic New Species from the Pristimantis orcesi group from the southern Andes of Ecuador [Una fantástica nueva especie del grupo Pristimantis orcesi de los Andes sur de Ecuador]. Neotropical Biodiversity. 6(1); 224-237. DOI:  10.1080/23766808.2020.1869449

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RESUMEN: Describimos una nueva rana terrestre glandular del género Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae), que habita en el bosque montano alto de la provincia del Cañar en el sur del Ecuador. La nueva especie se diferencia de otras ranas terrestres de los altos Andes por su llamativa coloración dorsal gris oscuro y rojo, piel del dorso con una textura corrugada, un diminuto tubérculo en el párpado y talón, ausencia de odontóforos vomerinos, y grandes parches glandulares en la zona supratimpánica, flancos y extremidades. Los análisis moleculares muestran que la nueva especie conforma un clado con P. orcesi y P. erythros. Con base en nuestros análisis, redefinimos el grupo orcesi, el cual contiene únicamente tres especies (P. orcesi, P. erythros y la nueva especie); el grupo se caracteriza por la presencia de macroglándulas cutáneas en la cabeza, cuerpo y extremidades.

PALABRAS CLAVE: Bosque montano, subpáramo, macroglándulas, taxonomía, sistemática

[Herpetology • 2017] Hyalinobatrachium yaku • A Marvelous New Glassfrog (Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium) from Amazonian Ecuador

Hyalinobatrachium yaku  

Guayasamin, Cisneros-Heredia, Maynard, Lynch, Culebras & Hamilton, 2017  
  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.673.12108  

Abstract

Hyalinobatrachium is a behaviorally and morphologically conserved genus of Neotropical anurans, with several pending taxonomic problems. Using morphology, vocalizations, and DNA, a new species from the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador is described and illustrated. The new species, Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n., is differentiated from all other congenerics by having small, middorsal, dark green spots on the head and dorsum, a transparent pericardium, and a tonal call that lasts 0.27–0.4 s, with a dominant frequency of 5219.3–5329.6 Hz. Also, a mitochondrial phylogeny for the genus is presented that contains the new species, which is inferred as sister to H. pellucidum. Conservation threats to H. yaku sp. n. include habitat destruction and/or pollution mainly because of oil and mining activities.

Keywords: Amazonia, Amphibia, Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium, Ecuador, new species

Systematics

Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n.

 Suggested English name: Yaku Glassfrog 

Suggested Spanish name: Rana de Cristal Yaku

Figure 1. Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n. in life.
Top row: adult male, MZUTI 5001, holotype, in dorsal and ventral view.
Bottom row: adult male, paratype, QCAZ 55628. 

Etymology:  The specific epithet yaku is the Kichwa word for water. Water, in the form of streams, is fundamental for the reproductive biology of all glassfrogs. Water pollution, mainly through oil and mining activities, represents one of the biggest threats for Amazonian amphibians, as well as for numerous other water-dependent species.

Evolutionary relationships: All inferred phylogenetic trees show that Hyalinobatrachium yaku and H. pellucidum are sister species (Fig. 2). Trees obtained for each mitochondrial gene trees are congruent with the tree shown in Figure 2.

Distribution:  Hyalinobatrachium yaku is only known from three localities on the Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador at elevations between 300–360 m. The two most-distant sites, Kallana in province of Pastaza, and San José de Payamino in province of Orellana, are approximately 110 km from one another, while Ahuano, province of Napo, is midway between them (Fig. 6). Given the geographic distance between the localities where the new species has been found, it is likely that H. yaku has a broader distribution, including areas in nearby Peru.

Figure 4. Juvenile of Hyalinobatrachium yaku in life, QCAZ 53354. 

 Juan M. Guayasamin, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Ross J. Maynard, Ryan L. Lynch, Jaime Culebras and Paul S. Hamilton. 2017. A Marvelous New Glassfrog (Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium) from Amazonian Ecuador.
ZooKeys. 673: 1-20.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.673.12108

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Resumen: Hyalinobatrachium es un género de ranas Neotropicales con una morfología y comportamiento sumamente conservados, y con varios problemas taxonómicos no resueltos. Utilizando datos morfológicos, cantos y ADN, en el presente trabajo describimos una nueva especie de las tierras bajas de la Amazonía del Ecuador. La nueva especie, Hyalinobatrachium yaku sp. n., se diferencia de todos sus congenéricos por tener una serie de puntos mediodorsales color verde oscuros en la cabeza y cuerpo, pericardio transparente, y un canto tonal con una duración de 0.27–0.4 s, con una frecuencia dominante 5219.3–5329.6 Hz. También presentamos una filogenia mitocondrial del género, la cual incluye la nueva especie y a su especie hermana, H. pellucidum. Las amenazas de conservación para H. yaku sp. n. incluyen principalmente la destrucción y/o contaminación del hábitat debido a actividades mineras y petroleras.

Palabras claves: Amazonia, Amphibia, Centrolenidae, Hyalinobatrachium, Ecuador, nueva especie

[Herpetology • 2015] Systematics of Nothopsini (Serpentes, Dipsadidae), with A New Species of Synophis from the Pacific Andean Slopes of southwestern Ecuador; S. zaheri

Figure 3. Photographs of some Synophis species in life:
a Synophis zaheri MZUTI 3353 b S. zaheri MZUTI 3355 c S. calamitus MZUTI 3694 d S. aff. bicolor MZUTI 3529 e S. lasallei uncat.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.541.6058

Abstract

Within Dipsadinae, some recent authors have recognized a tribe Nothopsini containing the genera Diaphorolepis, Emmochliophis, Nothopsis, Synophis, and Xenopholis, on the basis of a number of putative morphological synapomorphies. However, molecular results suggest that Nothopsis, Synophis, and Xenopholis do not form a monophyletic group, while the remaining taxa are unsampled in recent molecular phylogenies. Here, DNA-sequence data for some Diaphorolepis and Synophis species are provided for the first time, as well as additional new sequences for Nothopsis and some Synophis species. Including these and other existing data for nothopsine species, previous studies showing that Nothopsini is not a natural group are corroborated. Nothopsini Cope, 1871 is restricted to Nothopsis. Diaphorolepidini Jenner, 1981 is resurrected and re-delimited to include only Diaphorolepis, Emmochliophis, and Synophis. Finally, Xenopholis remains Dipsadinae incertae sedis. Known material of Diaphorolepidini is reviewed to generate revised and expanded descriptions and diagnoses at the tribe, genus, and species level. Numerous cryptic species are likely present in S. bicolor and S. lasallei. Finally, a new population from the low-elevation cloud forests of SW Ecuador is reported upon, which is genetically and morphologically distinct from all other species, that is here named Synophis zaheri sp. n.

Keywords: Serpentes, Dipsadinae, Nothopsini, Diaphorolepis, Synophis

Figure 3. Photographs of some diaphorolepidine species in life:
a Synophis zaheri MZUTI 3353 b S. zaheri MZUTI 3355 c S. calamitus MZUTI 3694 d S. aff. bicolor MZUTI 3529 e S. lasallei uncat., and f Diaphorolepis wagneri MZUTI 3901.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.541.6058

Robert Alexander Pyron, Juan Manuel Guayasamin, Nicolas Peñafiel, Lucas Bustamante and Alejandro Arteaga. 2015. Systematics of Nothopsini (Serpentes, Dipsadidae), with A New Species of Synophis from the Pacific Andean Slopes of southwestern Ecuador. ZooKeys. 541: 109-147. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.541.6058

Synophis plectovertebralis SHEIL & GRANT, 2001

ResearchGate.net/publication/256544194_A_New_Species_of_Colubrid_Snake_(Synophis)_from_Western_Colombia