[Herpetology • 2022] Noblella mindo • A New Species of the Genus Noblella (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from Ecuador, with New Information for Noblella worleyae

 Noblella mindo 

 Reyes-Puig, Guayasamin, Koch, Brito-Zapata, Hollanders, Costales & Cisneros-Heredia, 2022

 DOI: 10.36253/a_h-10742 

Researchgate.net/publication/357348002

twitter.com/Reyes_Puig_C

 Abstract

We describe a new species of terrestrial-breeding frog of the genus Noblella from the northwestern slopes of the Andes of Ecuador, in the province of Pichincha, Ecuador, and report a new locality for the recently described N. worleyae. We include a detailed description of the osteology of both species and discuss their phylogenetic relationships. The new species is differentiated from other species of Noblella by having discs of fingers rounded, without papillae; distal phalanges only slightly T-shaped; toes slightly expanded and rounded distally, without papillae; dorsum uniform brown with irregular suprainguinal dark brown marks; venter yellowish cream, ventral surfaces of legs and thighs reddish to brownish cream; and dark brown throat. The new locality for N. worleyae is located in Los Cedros Reserve, an area highly threatened by mining. We highlight the importance of protecting endemic species of small vertebrates in northwestern Ecuador.

Keywords: Frog, Los Cedros Biological Reserve, endemism, Imbabura, Mindo, Pichincha, phylogeny

Color patterns of Noblella mindo sp. nov. in life.
 (A, C) Dorso-lateral and ventral patterns of holotype, ZSFQ 050, adult female, SVL = 18.3 mm.
(B, D) Dorsolateral and ventral patterns of paratype, ZSFQ 051, adult male, SVL = 16.9 mm.

Photos by Matthijs Hollanders.

  Noblella mindo new species 

Etymology: The specific name “mindo” is a word of unknown meaning in Panzaleo, an extinct pre-Columbian language of northern Ecuador (Jijón y Caamaño 1940). It is used as a noun in apposition, and alludes to the valley of Mindo, where the type locality of the new species is located. The remnant forests of this emblematic valley protect several species of endemic amphibians and reptiles such as Pristimantis mindo, Noblella mindo, and Anolis proboscis.

Diagnosis: Noblella mindo sp. nov.(Figs. 3–8) presents the following characteristics: (1) skin of dorsum finely sha-green, skin on venter smooth, discoidal fold slightly defined, discoidal and thoracic folds absent; (2) tympanic annulus and membrane visible externally, supratympanic fold inconspicuous (Figs. 3, 4); (3) snout short (eye-to-nostril distance 57% of eye diameter), rounded in dorsal and lateral views (Fig. 3); (4) eyelids without tubercles; (5) dentigerous processes of vomers absent; (6) vocal slits and sac present, nuptial pads not visible; (7) fingers not expanded distally, finger tips rounded, without papillae (Fig. 3); Finger I shorter than Finger II (Fig. 3); (8) distal phalanges slightly T-shaped, phalangeal formula of hands: 2-2-3-3 (Fig. 7); (9) supernumerary pal-mar tubercles present (slightly visible) mostly at the base of the digits, ....

Distribution and Natural History: Noblella mindo sp. nov. is only known from El Cinto (0.09022°S, 78.81858°W; 1,673 m), Mindo, province of Pichincha, Ecuador (Fig. 2). Noblella mindo sp. nov. inhabits secondary cloud forests, with the presence of palmito (Bactris gasipaes) plantations and trees that have emerged after the massive logging of forests in the area. These forests have a high humidity index, dense leaf litter layer, and abundant epiphytes. It has a restricted distribution; sampling activities were carried out in a range up to 3km around the type locality, and no individuals nor calls of N. mindo sp. nov. were recorded. The gecko Lepidoblepharis conolepis was found in sympatry. The locality is surrounded by livestock areas and within the type locality forest, there are trails used by farmers to move their livestock. The population of Noblella mindo sp. nov. could be impacted if livestock activity or deforestion expands. Three individuals (ZSFQ 049–051) were found active during the day between 10:00 and 11:00 am; all frogs were on the ground in a 2-meter depth hole.

 

  

Carolina Reyes-Puig, Juan M. Guayasamin, Claudia Koch, David Brito-Zapata, Matthijs Hollanders, Melissa Costales and Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Noblella (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from Ecuador, with New Information for Noblella worleyae.  Acta Herpetologica. 16(2); 63-87. DOI: 10.36253/a_h-10742 

Researchgate.net/publication/357348002_A_new_species_of_Noblella_from_Ecuador

twitter.com/Reyes_Puig_C/status/1475453660318552068

[Ecology • 2017] A Possible Mutualistic Interaction Between Vertebrates: Frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) Use Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) As A Foraging Place

foraging frogs (Pelophylax ridibundus) and flies on buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fur.

 Zduniak, Erciyas-Yavuz & Tryjanowski, 2017.

DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-20574 

Abstract

Mutualisms shape biodiversity by influencing the ecology and the evolution of populations and communities. For example, among many others, birds commonly forage in association with large mammals, including livestock, but so far no similar relationship has been described for amphibians. In this note we describe the association between the Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) and the Anatolian Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in Turkey and provide possible explanations for the existence of direct relations between these representatives of two vertebrate classes. We hope that our note stimulates future research on this subject.

Keywords: Bubalus bubalis, interaction, Pelophylax ridibundus.

Fig. 1. Photographs of the interaction between frogs and buffaloes; sitting buffaloes with many frogs on the fur. 

Fig. 1. Photographs of the interaction between frogs and buffaloes; foraging frogs and flies on buffalo fur.  

Piotr Zduniak, Kiraz Erciyas-Yavuz and Piotr Tryjanowski. 2017. A Possible Mutualistic Interaction Between Vertebrates: Frogs Use Water Buffaloes As A Foraging Place.
 Acta Herpetologica. 12(1); 113-116. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-20574

ResearchGate.net/publication/318239693_A_possible_mutualistic_interaction_between_vertebrates_Frogs_use_water_buffaloes_as_a_foraging_place

Frogs Hitch Ride on Water Buffalo—Never Before Seen
 on.natgeo.com/2vKJqd9  @NatGeo

[Herpetology • 2016] Redescription of Cyrtodactylus fumosus (Müller, 1895) (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with A Revised Identification Key to the Bent-toed Geckos of Sulawesi

Fig. 1. Dorsal views of the known specimens of Cyrtodactylus fumosus:
(A) NMB-REPT 2662 (holotype, adult female); (B) NMBREPT 2663 (subadult male); (C) BMNH 1895.2.27.7 (adult female); (D) BMNH 1896.12.9.3 (adult male). Photographs by Sven Mecke. BMNH 1895.2.27.7 is also figured (in dorsal view) in Boulenger (1897: Plate VII, Fig. 2).

 Mecke, Hartmann, Mader, et al. 2016. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-17874

Abstract

The binominal Cyrtodactylus fumosus has frequently been used for populations of bent-toed geckos occurring on some Indonesian islands, including Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and Halmahera. Unfortunately, incorrect usage of this name for different geographic lineages has resulted in confusion about the true identity of C. fumosus. Examination of the type specimen and additional specimens from Rurukan and Mount Masarang, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, revealed that this population is distinct from other forms heretofore called ‘fumosus’ by a combination of unique morphological characters. In order to stabilize the taxonomy of C. fumosus sensu stricto, and to prevent further confusion, we provide a comprehensive redescription of this species, whose distribution we herein restrict to North Sulawesi. Cyrtodactylus fumosus is one of the most distinctive species among the six bent-toed geckos recorded from Sulawesi, and it differs from Sulawesi congeners by the presence of (1) precloacofemoral scales, including three pore-bearing scales on each thigh, separated from 10 or 11 pore-bearing scales in the precloacal region by 9-11 interscales in males, (2) a precloacal groove in adult males, (3) flat dorsal tubercles in 4-7 irregularly arranged longitudinal rows at midbody, and (4) a distinct lateral fold lacking tubercles. We also provide a revised identification key to the bent-toed gecko species of Sulawesi.

Keywords. Cyrtodactylus fumosus, Cyrtodactylus marmoratus, Lacertilia, bent-toed geckos, reptiles, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, morphology.

Sven Mecke, Lukas Hartmann, Felix Mader, Max Kieckbusch and Hinrich Kaiser. 2016. Redescription of Cyrtodactylus fumosus (Müller, 1895) (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae), with A Revised Identification Key to the Bent-toed Geckos of Sulawesi.
Acta Herpetologica. 11(2); 151-160. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-17874
ResearchGate.net/publication/311983402_Redescription_of_Cyrtodactylus_fumosus_Muller_1895_Reptilia_Squamata_Gekkonidae_with_a_revised_identification_key_to_the_bent-_toed_geckos_of_Sulawesi

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[Herpetology • 2016] Pristimantis urani • Molecular Phylogenetics of the Pristimantis lacrimosus species group (Anura: Craugastoridae) with the Description of A New Species from the Cordillera Occidental, southwestern Colombia

Pristimantis urani 

Rivera-Correa & Daza, 2016 

 DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-16434 

Abstract

The Pristimantis lacrimosus species group, with 24 species distributed in the Neotropics, is a group of arboreal frogs commonly inhabiting bromeliads. Previous studies have claimed the group to be monophyletic but few species have been included in phylogenetic analyses. In this paper, we included five additional species from the northern Andes in Colombia and tested the monophyly of this phenetic group using genetic data under a Bayesian approach. Our results show that the P. lacrimosus group represents two distant and unrelated clades. Clade “A” is endemic to Colombia while Clade “B” encompasses species distributed in Central America, Ecuador and Peru. For the first time, we reveal the phylogenetic position of P. boulengeri and a new species is described. The new taxon is most closely related to P. brevifrons from southwestern Colombia with a genetic distance of 4.3% for 16S and 10.6% for COI. Our results suggest, one more time, that morphological similarity among species in the most diverse vertebrate genus not necessarily agree with its evolutionary history and that more effort in alpha taxonomy needs to be done in order to understand the tremendous radiation of this lineage in the Neotropics.

Keywords. Cordillera Occidental, diversity, external morphology, molecular phylogenetics, taxonomy, systematics.

Fig. 2. Pristimantis urani sp. nov. in life: MHUA-A 7471, SVL 24.2 mm, holotype, adult female

Photo by F. Duarte-Cubides. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-16434  

Morphological description 

Pristimantis urani sp. nov. (Figs 2,5) 

Holotype. MHUA-A 7471, adult female. Colombia, Departamento de Antioquia, Municipio de Urrao, Corregimiento La Encarnación, Vereda El Maravillo, (6º30’36” N, 76º08’40” W; 2295 m a.s.l.), collected on March 14, 2012 by José Fang.

 Paratypes. MHUA-A 7467–68 adult males; MHUA-A 7469–70, MHUA-A 7472 adult females; all collected with holotype.

Diagnosis:  We assigned the new species to the genus Pristimantis on the basis of our phylogenetic results (Fig. 1). The new species is characterized by a combination of (1) skin texture of the dorsum smooth, venter weakly areolate; dorsolateral folds and discoidal fold absent; (2) tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus evident, supratympanic fold not differentiated; horizontal diameter of tympanum 33-38% of eye diameter; (3) snout broadly rounded in dorsal view (truncated by protruding nostrils), truncate in profile; (4) tubercles on upper eyelids and cranial crests absent; (5) dentigerous process of the vomer absent; (6) males with vocal slits and median subgular vocal sac; white, nonspinous nuptial pads present; (7) first finger shorter than the second; fingers III– IV bearing expanded and rounded discs about twice as wide as digits; (8) fingers with narrow lateral fringes; (9) antebrachial and ulnar tubercles absent, but a low ulnar fold present; (10) tubercles on heel and outer edge of tarsus absent; inner tarsal fold absent; (11) inner metatarsal tubercle oval, two-to-three times as long as round outer metatarsal tubercle; supernumerary plantar tubercles small and low, at the base of toes III and IV; (12) toes with narrow lateral fringes; webbing absent; fifth toe longer than third; (13) in life, dorsum light yellow to green-yellow with dark brown marks and blotches (Fig. 2); venter creamy white; (14) adults small, SVL in males 18.7–19.1 mm (18.9 ± 0.28, n = 2), in females 21.0–23.4 mm (22.5 ± 1.02, n = 4).

Fig. 1. Phylogenetic relationships within Clade “A” Pristimantis lacrimosus species group. 

Fig. 3. Pristimantis species of Clade “A”. (A) Pristimantis angustilineatus TG 1484 (Vereda Las Amarillas, Municipio del Cairo, Valle del Cauca, Colombia), adult female; (B) Pristimantis boulengeri MHUA-A 8952 (Parque Regional Natural Ucumarí, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia), SVL 22.0 mm, adult male; (C) Pristimantis brevifrons (Finca San Pedro, Municipio de Dagua, Valle del Cauca, Colombia; not collected), adult male; (D). Pristimantis dorsopictus MHUA-A 7855, (Corregimiento de Santa Elena, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia), SVL 24.0 mm, adult male. TG: Taran Grant field number. Photos by Taran Grant (A), J.J. Ospina-Sarria (C), M. Rivera-Correa (B, D). DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-16434

Geographic distribution and natural history: Pristimantis urani sp. nov. is known only from type locality at elevations ca. 2300 m a.s.l., on the north-western flank of the Cordillera Occidental, Antioquia department of Colombia (Fig. 5). Limited natural history data were obtained during the collection of the series type, except that specimens were found near a creek inside a cloud montane forest, hidden in the axils of Araceae plants. The individuals were collected inactive in the morning (between 11:00–12:20 h). Female MHUA-A 7470 had developed follicles. The only other Pristimantis found to be syntopic with P. urani was P. erythropleura. Vocal behaviour or any aspect of the reproductive ecology of the species is currently unknown.

 Etymology: The specific name is a patronym for Rigoberto (Rigo) Urán, a Colombian cyclist born in Urrao, Antioquia, type locality of the new species. Rigo Uran represents, despite adversity, the struggle to become a great athlete. The new taxon is native to the northern Andes, mountains widely conquered by the Colombian cyclists.

Mauricio Rivera-Correa and Juan M. Daza. 2016. Molecular Phylogenetics of the Pristimantis lacrimosus species group (Anura: Craugastoridae) with the Description of A New Species from Colombia. Acta Herpetol. 11(1); 31-45. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-16434

ResearchGate.net/publication/304645418_Molecular_phylogenetics_of_the_Pristimantis_lacrimosus_species_group_Anura_Craugastoridae_with_the_description_of_a_new_species_from_Colombia

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http://Rivera-Correa.weebly.com/publicaciones.html

Rana bautizada en honor a Ribogerto Urán  http://tinyurl.com/jm7pbkb via @elespectador

[Herpetology • 2015] Kinyongia msuyae • A New Species of Chameleon (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae) Highlights the Biological Affinities Between the Southern Highlands and Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania

 Kinyongia msuyae 

 Menegon, Loader, Davenport, Howell, Tilbury, Machaga & Tolley, 2015

Abstract

A new species of chameleon is described from the Livingstone and Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. The new species is morphologically most similar to Kinyongia vanheygeni. Furthermore, a single, short rostral appendage shows the species similarity to other Eastern Arc endemic Kinyongia species (e.g. K. uthmoelleri, K. oxyrhina, K. magomberae and K. tenuis). Females of all these species lack any rostral ornamentation and are all very similar morphologically. Males of the new species, on which the morphological diagnosis is based, can be distinguished from other Kinyongia by a shorter rostral appendage that bifurcates at the tip. They are easily distinguished from K. vanheygeni, otherwise the most similar species, by differences in head scalation and the length and shape of the rostral appendage. The new species is associated with montane rainforest and is known from only four forest fragments of which two are in the Udzungwa and two in the Livingstone Mountains. Phylogenetically, the new species is sister to K. tenuis and K. magomberae, which together, form a clade that also contains K. oxyrhina. The disjunct distribution of the new species, in the Livingstone and Udzungwa mountains, stretches across the ‘Makambako Gap’ which is a putative biogeographical barrier separating the distinct faunas of the Southern highlands and Eastern Arc Mountains. Evidence from this species however, points to potentially closer biological affinities between the Livingstone and Udzungwa mountains.

Keywords: Southern Highlands, Tanzania, Eastern Afromontane, Biodiversity, Chamaeleonidae, East Africa, new species, reptiles.

Fig. 1. Kinyongia msuyae sp. nov. from Livingstone Mountains in life.
Pictures showing (upper) adult Male, (lower left) close up of male head, (lower right) Adult female.

  Etymology: The species is named after and dedicated to Charles A. Msuya, a pioneer of Tanzanian herpetology, who collected the first known specimen attributable to this species and has spent most of his life studying Tanzanian wildlife.

Michele Menegon, Simon P. Loader, Tim R.B. Davenport, Kim M. Howell, Colin R. Tilbury, Sophy Machaga and Krystal A. Tolley. 2015. A New Species of Chameleon (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae: Kinyongia) Highlights the Biological Affinities Between the Southern Highlands and Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. Acta Herpetologica. 10(2): 111-120. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-17171

ResearchGate.net/publication/288828844_A_new_species_of_Chameleon_Sauria_Chamaeleonidae_Kinyongia_highlights_the_biological_affinities_between_the_Southern_Highlands_and_Eastern_Arc_Mountains_of_Tanzania

[Herpetology • 2006] Paradoxophyla tiarano • A New Narrow-mouthed Frog of the Genus Paradoxophyla (Microhylidae: Scaphiophryninae) from Masoala rainforest, northeastern Madagascar

Paradoxophyla tiarano

Andreone, Aprea, Odierna, & Vences, 2006


Abstract
 A new microhylid frog of the genus Paradoxophyla is described from the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar (Masoala). Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. was found in still waters within rainforest. In external morphology it is similar to P. palmata, hitherto the only known species belonging to this genus, but it differs by a much less extended foot webbing. We also provide a description of the probable tadpole of the species, which is a specialized suspension feeder of the typical microhylid type. The new species also differs from P. palmata in karyology and mitochondrial DNA sequences. Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. is currently known from Masoala, but we suspect that its distribution might extend over a wider area in northeastern Madagascar.
Key Words. Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae, Paradoxophyla, New species, Madagascar

Etymology: The specific epithet “tiarano” (pronounced: tee-how-row-noo) is a Malagasy term composed by two words: “tia”, which means “love” and “to love,” “to like,” and “rano,” meaning “water.” The name means “that one loving the water,” and is used as a noun in apposition, underlining the aquatic habits of this frog.

 Andreone, F., Aprea, G., Odierna, G., & Vences, M. 2006. A New Narrow-mouthed Frog of the Genus Paradoxophyla (Microhylidae: Scaphiophryninae) from Masoala rainforest, northeastern Madagascar. Acta Herpetologica. 1: 15-27.

francoandreone.it/docs/Andreone%20et%20al._Paradoxophyla.pdf

[Herpetology • 2012] Rediscovery and Redescription of the Holotype of Lygosoma vittigerum (= Lipinia vittigera) Boulenger, 1894

Abstract

We report about the rediscovery of the holotype of the Southeast Asian striped skink Lipinia vittigera and provide a detailed redescription together with photographs and drawings. The species was first described by George Albert Boulenger in 1894 as Lygosoma vittigerum based on a specimen collected by Elio Modigliani on the island of Sereinu (= Sipura), west of Sumatra. The original type specimen was considered to be lost for more than a century and was recently rediscovered in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “Giacomo Doria” (MSNG) in Genova, Italy.

Keywords: holotype, rediscovery, re-description, Lipinia, skink, Squamata, Indonesia

Yannick Bucklitsch, Peter Geissler, Timo Hartmann, Giuliano Doria and André Koch. 2012. Rediscovery and Redescription of the Holotype of Lygosoma vittigerum (= Lipinia vittigera) Boulenger, 1894. Acta Herpetologica. 7(2): 325-329

http://www.zfmk.de/web/ZFMK_Mitarbeiter/KochAndr/Publikation_neu/Bucklitsch_etal_2012_Lipinia_vittigera.pdf

http://www.fupress.net/index.php/ah/article/view/11037