[Herpetology • 2022] Pristimantis morlaco • A New Pristimantis Species (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Province of Azuay, southern Andes of Ecuador

Pristimantis morlaco

Sánchez-Nivicela, Toral-Contreras & Urgiles, 2022

DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2022.2123731

 Researchgate.net/publication/364271473

Abstract

In this study, based on morphological and molecular evidence, we described a new species of the Pristimantis genus inhabiting the mountains and dry inter-Andean dry valleys in the Azuay province, including urban and semiurban areas in the city of Cuenca. The new species is characterized by coarsely granulated dermal texture, papillae in the tip of the snout, and an advertisement call consisting of a combined series of three and two notes. Morphologically, the new species is similar to P. cajamarcensis, P. ceuthospilus, P. jimenezi, P. lojanus, P. phoxocephalus, and P. torresi. However, it can be differentiated from this species by its dermal texture, absence of tubercles in the dorsum, and its pinkish-brown coloration with dark irregular reticulations and the interorbital white stripe. The new species forms a strongly supported clade distributed in southern Ecuador and northern Peru with P. cajamarcensis, P. ceuthopilus, and two other Pristimantis with taxonomic uncertainty. Our results highlight the importance of taxonomic studies to document the biodiversity in the Andean region and to develop monitoring and conservation plans that include species that inhabit urban and semi-urban areas.

KEYWORDS: Cuenca, urban areas, taxonomy and systematics

Pristimantis morlaco sp. nov. 

   

Juan C. Sánchez-Nivicela, Eduardo Toral-Contreras and Verónica L. Urgiles. 2022. Una nueva especie de Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) de la provincia del Azuay, Andes sur de Ecuador [A new Pristimantis species (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the province of Azuay, southern Andes of Ecuador]. Neotropical Biodiversity. 8(1); 305-322. DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2022.2123731 

Researchgate.net/publication/364271473_Una_nueva_especie_de_Pristimantis_de_la_provincia_del_Azuay_Andes_sur_de_Ecuador

RESUMEN: En este estudio, basándonos en evidencias morfológicas y moleculares, describimos una nueva especie del género Pristimantis que habita en las montañas y valles áridos de la provincia del Azuay, incluyendo zonas urbanas y periurbanas de la ciudad de Cuenca. La nueva especie se destaca por presentar una textura dermal externa fuertemente granulada, una papilla proyectada en la punta del hocico y un canto de advertencia que consiste en series combinadas de tres y dos notas, Morfológicamente, la nueva especie es similar con P. cajamarcensis, P. ceuthospilus, P. jimenezi, P. lojanus, P. phoxocephalus y P torresi, por presentar una quilla en la punta del hocico, sin embargo, su textura dermal fuertemente granular, ausencia de tubérculos, y su coloración rosácea con reticulaciones irregulares oscuras y una características barra interorbital blanca, la distinguen de estas especies. Con P. cajamarcensis, P. ceuthopilus y otras dos especies con incertidumbre taxonómica, forma un clado distribuido en el sur de Ecuador y norte de Perú. Nuestros resultados resaltan la importancia de aumentar estudios taxonómicos a fin de documentar eficazmente la biodiversidad en la región andina, así como, la importancia de desarrollar planes de monitoreo y conservación que incluyan a especies que habitan en áreas urbanas y semiurbanas.

Palabras clave: Áreas urbanizadas, cuenca, taxonomía y sistemática

[Herpetology • 2022] Hope in the Dark: Discovery of A Population related to the presumably Extinct Micro-endemic Blunt-headed Salamander (Ambystoma amblycephalum: Ambystomatidae)

Ambystoma cf. amblycephalum

in Hernandez, Dufresnes, Raffaëlli, Jelsch, ... et Nuñez, 2022. 

DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2022.2029323

ABSTRACT

We report on the discovery of a population related to the Blunt-headed Salamander (Ambystoma amblycephalum), a micro-endemic axolotl from Mexico scientifically confirmed only once since its original description in 1940, and now presumably extinct. In 2018, paedomorphic and metamorphosed adults, as well as clutches and larvae, were found in a cattle pond at Nahuatzen, Michoacán state, Mexico, ~60 km away from the type locality (Tacícuaro). Morphometric comparisons suggested high similarity with the type series of A. amblycephalum, while mitochondrial DNA barcoding (16S and control region) revealed close (but imperfect) matching to a reference sequence. We gathered data on life history and ecology of this population, which could be the only extant relic of A. amblycephalum. Its highly limited distribution and presumably low population density are hallmarks for a high risk of extinction, and alarms on the critical situation of many micro-endemic salamanders of Mexico, hence calling for immediate conservation actions.

KEYWORDS: Axolotl, diversity, endemism, extinction, michoacán, genetic barcoding

Ambystoma cf. amblycephalum

 (a) The breeding site at Nahuatzen, 

and photographs of (b) a paedomorphic adult; (c) a terrestrial adult; (d) a tadpole.

Axel Hernandez, Christophe Dufresnes, Jean Raffaëlli, Emmanuel Jelsch, Sylvain Dubey, Ana Luisa Santiago-Pérez, Verónica Carolina Rosas-Espinoza and Pablo Berea Nuñez. 2022. Hope in the Dark: Discovery of A Population related to the presumably Extinct Micro-endemic Blunt-headed Salamander (Ambystoma amblycephalum). Neotropical Biodiversity. 20(1); 35-44. DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2022.2029323

[Herpetology • 2020] Noblella worleyae • A New Species of Noblella (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Río Manduriacu Reserve on the Pacific slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes

 Noblella worleyae 

Reyes-Puig, Maynard, Trageser, Vieira, Hamilton, Lynch, Culebras, Kohn, Brito & Guayasamin, 2020

DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2020.1809287 

  ecomingafoundation.wordpress.com 

ABSTRACT

With the third most biodiverse amphibian fauna in the world, Ecuador has bolstered this claim with a particularly high rate of species descriptions in recent years. Many of the species being described are already facing anthropogenic threats despite being discovered within privately protected reserves in areas previously not sampled. Herein we describe a new species of terrestrial frog in the genus Noblella from the recently established Río Manduriacu Reserve, Imbabura, Ecuador.  Noblella worleyae sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having a dorsum finely shagreen; tips of Fingers I and IV slightly acuminate, Fingers II and III acuminate, without papillae; distal phalanges of the hand slightly T-shaped; absence of distinctive suprainguinal marks; venter yellowish-cream with minute speckling and throat with irregular brown marks to homogeneously brown. We provide a detailed description of the advertisement call of the new species and present an updated phylogeny of the genus Noblella. In addition, we emphasize the importance of the Río Manduriacu Reserve as a conservation area to threatened fauna.

KEYWORDS: Western Andean slopes, terrestrial frog, phylogeny, conservation

Figure 5. Dorsal and ventral color patterns of  Noblella worleyae sp. nov. in life.
 (A, D) Dorsal pattern and ventral pattern of ZSFQ 2504, paratype, adult male, SVL = 15.5 mm;
(B, E) dorsal pattern and ventral pattern of ZSFQ 2502, paratype, adult male, SVL = 15.9 mm;
(C, F) dorsal pattern and ventral pattern of ZSFQ 550, paratype, adult male, SVL = 17.3 mm;

(G, J) dorsal pattern and ventral pattern of ZSFQ 552, paratype, adult female, SVL = 19.1 mm;
(H, K–L) dorsal pattern and ventral pattern of ZSFQ 550, paratype, adult male, SVL = 17.3 mm;
(I) dorsal pattern of an uncollected specimen.

Photographs by Jaime Culebras (a, b, d, e), José Vieira (c, f), Ross Maynard (g–k) and Scott Trageser (l).

 Noblella worleyae sp. nov. 

Proposed standard English name. Worley´s Leaf Frog

Proposed standard Spanish name. Cutín Noble de Worley

Diagnosis: The new species (Figures 3–6) presents the following characteristics: (1) skin of dorsum finely shagreen; (2) tympanic annulus and membrane visible externally, supratympanic slightly visible; (3) snout rounded in dorsal and lateral view (eye-nostril distance 55% of eye diameter, Figure 3); (4) dentigerous processes of vomers absent; (5) fingers not expanded distally, tips of Fingers I and IV slightly acuminate, Fingers II and III acuminate, without papillae (Figure 3); Finger I shorter than Finger II (Figure 3); nuptial pads not visible; circumferential grooves absent; (6) distal phalanges slightly T-shaped; phalangeal formula of hands: 2, 2, 3, 3 (Figure 6); (7) supernumerary palmar tubercles present, mostly at the base of the digits; subarticular tubercles rounded, proximal tubercles prominent; diminutive rounded ulnar tubercles present; (8) one elongated and subconical tarsal tubercle, two tarsal tubercles (inner tubercle 2–2.5x the size of the outer), small pigmented supernumerary tarsal tubercles, toes slightly expanded and slightly acuminate on Toes I and V, and cuspidate tips on Toes II–IV, papillae absent (Figure 3); (9) Toe V shorter than Toe III, distal portions of circumferential grooves present on Toes II–V, phalangeal formula of feet: 2, 2, 3, 4, 3 (Figure 6); (11) in life, dorsum brown to dark brown and densely splashed with light brown, brownish-gray, or turquoise, presence of a middorsal line continuing along the posterior lengths of hind legs cream to light brown; flanks light brown to dark brown with scattered irregular white to turquoise marks; venter yellowish-cream with minute speckling; throat with irregular brown to homogeneously brown marks (Figure 5); (12) female SVL 18.1–19.1 mm (n = 3, mean = 18.7); male SVL 15.5–17.9 mm (n = 4, mean = 16.6).

Etymology: The specific name is a noun in the genitive case and is a patronym for Dr. Elisabeth K. Worley (1904–2004), Professor of Marine Biology at Brooklyn College, naturalist, science communicator, educator, and mentor.

Carolina Reyes-Puig, Ross J. Maynard, Scott J. Trageser, José Vieira, Paul S. Hamilton, Ryan Lynch, Jaime Culebras, Sebastián Kohn, Jorge Brito and Juan M. Guayasamin. 2020. A New Species of Noblella (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Río Manduriacu Reserve on the Pacific slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. Neotropical Biodiversity. 6(1); 162-171. DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2020.1809287 

Another new frog species discovered in our Manduriacu Reserve

  ecomingafoundation.wordpress.com/2020/08/26/another-new-frog-species-discovered-in-our-manduriacu-reserve/

    

Ecuador es el tercer país más diverso en anfibios, y la descripción de especies en los últimos años ha aumentado considerablemente, evidenciando la presencia de nuevas especies en áreas privadas protegidas, muchas de las cuales enfrentan amenazas antropogénicas. Aquí describimos una nueva especie de rana terrestre del género Noblella de la vertiente pacífica de los Andes ecuatorianos en la Reserva Río Manduriacu, provincia de Imbabura. Noblella worleyae sp. nov. se diferencia de sus congéneres por la presencia de un dorso finamente granular, puntas de los dedos I y IV ligeramente acuminados, dedos II y III acuminados, sin papila; falanges distales de la mano ligeramente en forma de T; ausencia de marcas distintivas suprainguinales; vientre crema amarillento moteado con diminutos puntos  ,garganta con marcas cafés irregulares a homogéneamente café. Proporcionamos una descripción detallada del canto de la nueva especie y presentamos una filogenia actualizada del género Noblella. Además, enfatizamos la importancia de la Reserva Río Manduriacu como un área de conservación para fauna amenazada.

Palabras claves: estribaciones occidentales de los Andes, ranas terrestres, filogenia, conservación

[Herpetology • 2020] Osteocephalus sangay • Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of A New Species of Treefrog of the Osteocephalus buckleyi Species Group (Anura: Hylidae)

Osteocephalus sangay 

Chasiluisa, Caminer, Varela-Jaramillo & Ron, 2020

Sangay casqued Treefrog | Rana de casco del Sangay || DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2020.1729306 

 twitter.com/santiak

ABSTRACT

The Osteocephalus buckleyi species group is widely distributed in primary and secondary forests of the Amazon Basin and Guiana Region. Based on integrative analysis, including morphological and genetic data, we estimate the phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries among populations of the Osteocephalus buckleyi group from the Ecuadorian Amazon, focusing on the O. verruciger-O. cannatellai species complex. Our results uncovered the existence of one confirmed candidate species from Sangay National Park and one unconfirmed candidate species. Here, we describe the new species which is morphologically and ecologically distinct from other Osteocephalus species. The new species is unusual because it shows quite distinct morphology, but low genetic distances compared to its closest relatives.

KEYWORDS: Biodiversity, Ecuador, molecular tools, new species, Osteocephalus

Figure 7. Color variation in life of adult specimens of Osteocephalus sangay sp. n. 
A–B QCAZ 58832 (holotype), (SVL = 52.39 mm), adult female; C–D QCAZ 58839, (SVL = 52.82 mm), adult female; E–F QCAZ 58825, (SVL = 48.40 mm), adult female; G–H QCAZ 58840, (SVL = 41.31 mm), adult male.

Osteocephalus sangay sp. n.

Proposed standard English name: Sangay casqued Treefrog. 

Proposed standard Spanish name: Rana de casco del Sangay.

Diagnosis: The diagnosis and comparisons are based on six adult females and two adult males. Coloration corresponds to live individuals. Osteocephalus sangay sp. n. can be diagnosed by the following characters: (1) mean SVL 40.82 mm in males (range 40.32–41.31; n = 2), 49.65 mm in females (range 46.68–52.82; n = 6) (Table 1); (2) skin on dorsum bearing keratinized tubercles in males and scattered tubercles in females; (3) skin on flanks areolate; (4) hand webbing formula varying from I basal II12/3–3+III22/3–21/3IV to I basal II2–31/3III22/3–21/2IV; foot webbing formula varying from I12/3–2−II1+–2III1−–2−IV2−–1−V to I11/2–2+ II1+–21/3III11/3–2+ IV2-–1-V; (5) dorsum light to medium brown with irregular dark brown marks; (6) venter varying from cream to tan with dark brown dots; (7) cream suborbital mark present; irregular black labial stripe; (8) flanks cream with darker reticulations and brown blotches dorsally; (9) dermal roofing bones of the skull weakly exostosed; (10) bones green in life; (11) iris bronze with irregular black reticulations and olive green ring around the pupil; (12) paired lateral vocal sacs, behind jaw articulation; (13) larvae unknown.

Figure 2. Distribution of the Osteocephalus verruciger-O. cannatellai complex (clades A–G). Localities are based on sequenced specimens from Ecuador, Peru and Colombia deposited at Museo de Zoología of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador QCAZ, Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad CORBIDI, and Natural History Museum University of Kansas. Black points refer to locations visited by Rich Haensch [1903], collector of O. verruciger syntypes.

Figure 8. Dorsal and ventral view of species within the Osteocephalus verruciger-O. cannatellai complex.
A–B Osteocephalus sangay sp. n., QCAZ 58825, (SVL = 48.40 mm), adult female;
C–D O. cannatellai, QCAZ 67133, (SVL = 62.24 mm), adult female; E–F O. cf. cannatellai, CORDIBI 10534 (from Cordillera Kampankis, Peru), adult male;
G–H O. cf. verruciger (clade D), QCAZ 58827, (SVL = 62.61 mm), adult female; I–J O. cf. verruciger (clade D), QCAZ 58833, (SVL = 47.50 mm), adult male. 

Photographs by G. Pazmiño, J. C. Sanchez and A. Catenazzi.

Distribution and ecology: Osteocephalus sangay is known from eastern Ecuador, Morona Santiago province, Sangay National Park, at four nearby localities (maximum distance between localities: 3.7 km), and elevations between 1551 and 1795 m above sea level. Osteocephalus sangay occurs sympatrically with O. verruciger at the type locality (Figure 2). This region corresponds to Eastern Montane Forest (based on Ron et al. [2019] classification). Specimens were found at night in primary terra firme forest, perching on vegetation up to 2 m above the ground.

Etymology: The specific epithet sangay refers to the area where the species was discovered: Sangay National Park, in Morona Santiago province. The park has more than 3220 lakes and three volcanoes: Sangay, Tungurahua and Altar. The word sangay originates from the native-American Shuar word “Samkay” that means to scare, in reference to violent explosions of this volcano. Sangay National Park is one of the most amphibian species-rich national parks in the world with a total of 100 species [Ron et al., 2019].

Valeria D. Chasiluisa, Marcel A. Caminer, Andrea Varela-Jaramillo and Santiago R. Ron. 2020. Description and Phylogenetic Relationships of A New Species of Treefrog of the Osteocephalus buckleyi Species Group (Anura: Hylidae). Neotropical Biodiversity. 6(1); 21-36. DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2020.1729306  

twitter.com/santiak/status/1232735301971435520

[Herpetology • 2017] Rediscovery of the Nearly Extinct Longnose Harlequin Frog Atelopus longirostris (Bufonidae) in Junín, Imbabura, Ecuador

Atelopus longirostris  (Cope 1868)

female Longnose Harlequin Frog || DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2017.1327000 

Abstract

We report the recent finding of four adults of Atelopus longirostris, a Critically Endangered species that was last seen in 1989, when catastrophic Atelopus declines occurred. The rediscovery of A. longirostris took place in a new locality, Junín, 1250–1480 m asl, Provincia Imbabura, Ecuador, on 28–31 March 2016. The four frogs were found in two isolated small patches of native forest in a fragmented area heavily modified for agriculture and livestock; one patch protected by the Junín Community Reserve, and another non-protected private patch near the reserve. We found high prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in the amphibian community of Junín, but A. longirostris tested negative. The finding of A. longirostris after 27 years is surprising and fits an apparent pattern of mild conditions that might be promoting either the recovery or persistence in low numbers of some relict amphibian populations. The frogs are the first founders of an ex situ assurance colony in Jambatu Research and Conservation Center. Expansion of the Junín Community Reserve is urgently needed to add the currently non-protected patch of forest, where A. longirostris also occurs. The restoration of the forest in degraded areas between both forest patches and in the related river margins is also necessary. This restoration will grant the connectivity between both isolated metapopulations and the normal movement of individuals to the breeding sites in the Chalguayacu and Junín River basins. The latter should be protected to prevent any kind of water pollution by the opencast copper exploitation of the mining concession Llurimagua, which is underway. Atelopus longirostris belongs to a group of at least 29 species of Ecuadorian Atelopus that are critically endangered, 15 of which remain unsighted for at least one decade, and most of them might be extinct. Further synchronous, multidisciplinary and integrative research is needed, aiming to understand the most aspects of the biology of species of Atelopus to support in situ and ex situ conservation actions.

Keywords: Atelopus longirostris, Bufonidae, Ecuador, extinction, rediscovery

Figure 2. Atelopus longirostris habitat at Junín, Provincia Imbabura: 
(A–B) Aerial views from an altitude of 11.09 and 2.89 km, taken from Google, digital Globe; red arrows indicate collection sites at site 1, the reserve of Cabañas EcoJunín (right) and site 2, a private property (left), scale = 667 and 108 m in A and B, respectively. In figure B note the nearly complete disconnection between the private forest and Chalguayacu river caused by forest clearing, (C) forest at reserve of Cabañas EcoJunín, (D) Chalguayacu river.

 Photos C–D by EET. 

Figure 2. Atelopus longirostris habitat at Junín, Provincia Imbabura: ((E) female CJ (sc 5521) on a leaf of Rubiaceae, (F) male CJ (sc 5582) on a leaf of Piperaceae.

 Photos E–F by GPO. 

Figure 2. Atelopus longirostris habitat at Junín, Provincia Imbabura:
(A–B) Aerial views from an altitude of 11.09 and 2.89 km, taken from Google, digital Globe; red arrows indicate collection sites at site 1, the reserve of Cabañas EcoJunín (right) and site 2, a private property (left), scale = 667 and 108 m in A and B, respectively. In figure B note the nearly complete disconnection between the private forest and Chalguayacu river caused by forest clearing, (C) forest at reserve of Cabañas EcoJunín, (D) Chalguayacu river, (E) female CJ (sc 5521) on a leaf of Rubiaceae, (F) male CJ (sc 5582) on a leaf of Piperaceae. Photos C–D by EET, E–F by GPO. 

Elicio Eladio Tapia, Luis Aurelio Coloma, Gustavo Pazmiño-Otamendi and Nicolás Peñafiel. 2017. Rediscovery of the Nearly Extinct Longnose Harlequin Frog Atelopus longirostris (Bufonidae) in Junín, Imbabura, Ecuador.  Neotropical Biodiversity. 3(1); 157-167. DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2017.1327000

Reportamos el reciente hallazgo de cuatro adultos de Atelopus longirostris, una especie en Peligro Crítico, la misma que fue vista por última vez en 1989, cuando se produjeron declives catastróficos de Atelopus. El redescubrimiento de A. longisrostris tuvo lugar en una nueva localidad, Junín, 1250–1480 msnm, Provincia de Imbabura, Ecuador, entre el 28–31 de marzo de 2016. Las cuatro ranas se encontraron en dos pequeñas parcelas de bosque natural en un área fragmentada y densamente modificada para agricultura y ganadería, la una parcela forma parte de la Reserva de la Comunidad Junín y la otra está en un área privada no protegida cercana a la reserva. Encontramos alta prevalencia de Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) en la comunidad de anfibios de Junín, aunque no se encontró en A. longirostris. Su hallazgo después de 27 años es sorprendente y se ajusta a un patrón aparente de condiciones benignas que estarían promoviendo sea la recuperación o persistencia de poblaciones relictas de algunas especies de anfibios. Estas ranas son los primeros fundadores de una colonia de manejo ex situ en el Centro Jambatu de Investigación y Conservación de Anfibios. Se necesita con urgencia la expansión de la Reserva de la Comunidad de Junín para incluir todos los bosques en donde A. longisrostris habita. Es también necesaria la restauración de los bosques en las áreas destruidas que quedan entre los parches de bosque y en la rivera de los ríos. Esta restauración garantizará la conectividad entre metapoblaciones aisladas y también el desplazamiento normal de individuos a los sitios de reproducción en las cuencas de los ríos Chalguayacu y Junín. Estas cuencas deben ser protegidas para evitar cualquier tipo de contaminación en el agua producida por la explotación de cobre a cielo abierto de la concesión minera Llurimagua, la cual está en ejecución. Atelopus longirostris pertenece a un grupo de no menos de 29 especies de Atelopus de Ecuador que están Críticamente Amenazadas, 15 de las cuales no han sido vistas en al menos una década y la mayoría de ellas podrían estar extintas. Se requiere ejecutar más investigaciones simultáneas, multidisciplinarias e integrales para entender la mayoría de aspectos de la biología de las especies de Atelopus, y las cuales apoyen a los programas de conservación in situ y ex situ.

Palabras claves: Atelopus longirostris, Bufonidae, Ecuador, extinción, redescubrimiento