[Herpetology • 2026] Adenomera varcena • A New Species of Terrestrial Foam-Nesting Frog (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from the Várzea Forests of Western Amazonia

Adenomera varcena 

Borburema, Moraes, Santos, Ron, Haddad, Giaretta & Carvalho, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2025033 

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  x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

Cryptic diversity within species poses a challenge to traditional taxonomy, often leading to underestimation of species richness and incorrect assessments of extinction risks. The taxonomy of Adenomera frogs has greatly benefited from the integrated assessment of morphological, acoustic, and DNA sequence data. Here we address a taxonomic problem by analyzing the external morphology, color patterns, advertisement calls, and genetic variation of one of the nine molecular lineages of the Adenomera simonstuarti species complex, distributed in western Amazonia. Based on novel data from the upper Juruá River, in northwestern Brazil and Ecuador, we found that this lineage exhibits significant differences in morphology (body size), coloration (absence of a solid stripe on the ventral surface of the forearm), and calls (nonpulsed and formed by a single type of note) in comparison with congeners. This combination of phenotypic traits supports the taxonomic distinction of this lineage, which is formally described as a new species. Interestingly, the new species uses várzea (seasonally flooded) forests as its calling and breeding habitat, a unique feature among forest-dwelling Amazonian species of the genus, which are always associated with terra firme (non-flooded) forests. This study reinforces the relevance of acoustic mating signals combined with DNA sequences in uncovering new species, contributing to a better understanding of the anuran diversity in Amazonia.

Life colors of type specimens of Adenomera varcena, new species, from the upper Juruá River, southwestern Brazilian Amazonia.
 (A–B) Holotype (UFMG-AMP 21999, male); (C–D) female paratype (CFBH 45999)

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Adenomera varcena sp. nov. 

 Etymology.—The epithet varcena is a noun used in Old Latin documents to refer to a floodplain or fertile swath of land on the river bank. The word is cognate with the Portuguese noun “várzea.” The epithet alludes to the várzea forests of western Amazonia, as in the upper Juruá River, the ecosystem used by the new species as calling and breeding sites. Occurrence records in Ecuador include other habitats.

Marianna S. Borburema, Leandro J. C. L. Moraes, Marcus Thadeu T. Santos, Santiago R. Ron, Célio F. B. Haddad, Ariovaldo A. Giaretta and Thiago R. Carvalho. 2026. A New Species of Terrestrial Foam-Nesting Frog (Adenomera, Leptodactylidae) from the Várzea Forests of Western Amazonia. Ichthyology & Herpetology.  114(2):204-216. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2025033 [15 May 2026]

 x.com/santiak/status/2059625569680073046

 x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/2059343264180752721

La diversidad críptica dentro de las especies plantea un desafío a la taxonomía tradicional, lo que ocasiona una subestimación de la riqueza de especies y evaluaciones incorrectas del riesgo de extinción. La taxonomía de las ranas del género Adenomera ha experimentado un avance notable mediante la evaluación integrada de datos morfológicos, acústicos y de secuencias de ADN. En este estudio, abordamos un problema taxonómico mediante el análisis de la morfología externa, los patrones de color, los cantos de anuncio y la variación genética de uno de los nueve linajes moleculares del complejo de especies de Adenomera simonstuarti, distribuido en la Amazonia occidental. Con base en nuevos datos del alto río Juruá, en el noroeste de Brasil, y Ecuador, encontramos que este linaje presenta diferencias significativas en morfología (tamaño corporal), coloración (ausencia de una banda sólida en la superficie ventral del antebrazo) y cantos (no pulsados y formados por un solo tipo de nota) en comparación con sus congéneres. Esta combinación de caracteres fenotípicos apoya la distinción taxonómica de este linaje, que se describe formalmente como nueva especie. Curiosamente, la nueva especie utiliza bosques de várzea (inundados estacionalmente) como su hábitat de vocalización y reproducción, una característica única entre las especies amazónicas del género que utilizan hábitas boscosos, específicamente asociadas a bosques de tierra firme (no inundados). Este estudio refuerza la relevancia de las señales acústicas reproductivas combinadas con secuencias de ADN para descubrir especies nuevas, contribuyendo a una mejor comprensión de la diversidad de anuros en la Amazonia.

[Herpetology • 2025] Crossodactylodes alairi • Historical Fragmentation in Atlantic Forest Explains the Diversification of a Clade of Mountaintop Bromeligenous Frogs (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Crossodactylodes)

Crossodactylodes alairi

 Santos, Gehara, Oswald, Ferreira, Santos, Garcia, Zamudio, Haddad & Magalhães, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/zsc.70001 

 Researchgate.net/publication/393606454

ABSTRACT

The Atlantic Forest domain is a biodiversity hotspot with remarkable amphibian diversity, including over 700 species, 70% of which are endemic. Most of these endemic species have restricted geographic ranges, often confined to mountainous areas, as exemplified by the leptodactylid genus Crossodactylodes. These frogs are characterised by small body sizes, a bromeligenous habit and limited dispersal abilities, with species often restricted to their type localities. Previous studies have revealed geographically structured lineages within the genus, even when separated by short distances. Here, we focused on a clade of Crossodactylodes comprising three lineages from southeastern Brazil, inhabiting montane forest ‘islands’ distinct from surrounding lowland areas regarding vegetation structure and microclimate. We integrated genetic, geographic, morphometric and qualitative morphological data to assess species boundaries through species delimitation analyses and validation procedures. This integrative approach provided evidence supporting the recognition of one lineage as a distinct taxonomic entity, which we formally describe herein as Crossodactylodes alairi sp. nov. Additionally, we applied coalescent simulations and supervised machine-learning approaches to evaluate alternative diversification hypotheses. Our results provide strong support for fragmentation models, suggesting that divergences within the focal lineages were driven by climate-related habitat fragmentation during the Plio-Pleistocene. Given that these lineages inhabit a non-macrorefugium region of the Atlantic Forest, their evolutionary trajectories were likely shaped by survival in isolated microrefugia that offered stable and suitable microclimatic conditions amidst broader environmental changes.

Keywords: Anura, integrative taxonomy, microendemism, microrefugia, Paratelmatobiinae, speciation, species delimitation

Geographic distribution of the three lineages addressed in this study (FG, ST and SL), which occur on distinct mountaintops within the Atlantic Forest in the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. The inset in the bottom right corner shows the vegetation structure in the locality where lineage SL occurs, characterised by low trees, the presence of shrubs and lichens and a high density of epiphytic and ground bromeliads (photo: A. P. Araújo).

Crossodactylodes alairi sp. nov., holotype in life (UFMG-AMP 14201, male, SVL 21.1 mm).

Crossodactylodes alairi sp. nov.

 

Crossodactylodes bokermanni—Almeida et al. (2011, 557 [their appendix 1], in part);

Montesinos et al. (2012, 112 [their appendix 1]).

Diagnosis. Crossodactylodes alairi is diagnosable from its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) absence of vomerine odontophores; (2) adult males lacking vocal slits; (3) absence of dorsolateral fold; (4) inner metacarpal tubercle in adult males weakly widened; (5) discs of fingers II–IV slightly expanded; (6) hindlimbs lacking transverse bars; (7) skin on males dorsum coarsely granular; (8) SVL 17.2–18.6 mm (females) and 17.0–21.1 mm (males); (9) in life, iris uniformly dark brown or light brown with dark brown fine reticulations; (10) upper eyelid margin granular, with a pronounced tubercle in its medial region; (11) disc of Finger I rounded; (12) medial region of the upper lip not anteriorly projected.

Etymology. The specific epithet honours Alair Tedesco, a park ranger who worked at Parque Estadual do Forno Grande for 27 years, dedicating much of his life to conserving the region. Even in retirement, he continues to collaborate with researchers and visitors, enthusiastically sharing his vast knowledge of the area. 

Suggested common names: Alair's bromeliad frog (English); rãzinha-de-bromélia-de-Alair (Portuguese).

Marcus Thadeu T. Santos, Marcelo Gehara, Caroline B. Oswald, Rodrigo B. Ferreira, Fabrício R. Santos, Paulo C. A. Garcia, Kelly R. Zamudio, Célio F. B. Haddad and Rafael F. Magalhães. 2025. Historical Fragmentation in Atlantic Forest Explains the Diversification of a Clade of Mountaintop Bromeligenous Frogs (Leptodactylidae: Crossodactylodes). Zoologica Scripta. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/zsc.70001 [11 July 2025]

  Researchgate.net/publication/393606454_Diversification_of_Crossodactylodes_a_Clade_of_Mountaintop_Bromeligenous_Frogs

[Herpetology • 2025] Rupirana kaatinga • A New species of Rupirana (Heyer, 1999) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Serra do Assuruá, center-north of Bahia state, Brazil

 

Rupirana kaatinga

Mângia, Amaral, Müller & Santana. 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24121 

 Abstract  

The Caatinga, a semi-arid region with drought-adapted vegetation, supports unique biodiversity, including numerous endemic species. Serra do Assuruá in Bahia is one such high-altitude area, rich in ecological niches but largely understudied, especially regarding amphibians, and lacks conservation units. During fieldwork, we discovered a new Rupirana species approximately 200 km beyond its known range. Previously, Rupirana had remained monotypic for over two decades, restricted to the campo rupestre ecosystem in the northern mountain ranges of Chapada Diamantina, Bahia. This unexpected finding in Serra do Assuruá prompted detailed morphological, acoustic, and molecular analyses, confirming it as a new endemic species for the region. While wind farm expansion in remote areas like the Caatinga has enabled important scientific discoveries, including this Rupirana, it also poses risks to biodiversity through habitat changes. These findings highlight the need for enhanced conservation planning in the Caatinga biome, as such discoveries underscore both the ecological value and the vulnerability of these fragile ecosystems. Therefore, balancing renewable energy development with conservation efforts through rigorous environmental assessments is essential to protect these fragile ecosystems.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, Caatinga, conservation, taxonomy

Live specimens of Rupirana kaatinga sp. nov.:
 A) adult male (ZUFMS-AMP20347, field number MAP 8594, SVL 30.45 mm), B), C) and D) adult males not collected,
E) paratype (juvenile ZUFMS-AMP20354, field number MAP 8599), and F) juvenile not collected.

Rupirana kaatinga sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Diagnosed by the following combination of characters: 1) snout vent-length of 26.41-30.45 mm in adult males, 2) snout round in profile and from above, 3) smooth skin on the dorsum, including the arms, legs, and upper eyelids, with only a few small, scattered tubercles, 4) belly and gular region is cream-coloured with light grey vermicular spots, 5) advertisement call lasting 0.075-0.135 s, with 20 pulses per call, 191.7 pulses/s, and a dominant frequency of 1,378.1-1,722.7 Hz.

Etymology: The name ‘Caatinga’ is derived from the Tupi-Guarani language and means ‘white forest’ (‘ka’a’ (forest) + ‘ting’ (white) + ‘–a’ (noun-forming suffix)). This name alludes to the whitish landscape presented by the vegetation during the dry season, when most plants shed their leaves, and the trunks become whitish and dry. The pronounced seasonality in this region significantly influences the life cycles of organisms inhabiting this type of environment to a lesser or more noticeable extent for some species, even determining whether a particular species is recorded in the area or not. We named this new species after the Caatinga region due to its endemism and strong connection to the cycles of rain and drought within this domain (see below). The specific epithet kaatinga is treated as a noun in apposition.

Sarah Mângia, Guilherme do Amaral, Márcia Müller and Diego J. Santana. 2025. New species of Rupirana (Heyer, 1999) (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Serra do Assuruá, center-north of Bahia state, Brazil. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 74 (24121), 24121.1-16. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24121 (14 March 2025) 

 

[Herpetology • 2024] Adenomera cantitata • Unexplored Urban Diversity: A New Species of Adenomera (Anura: Leptodactylidae) Related to Adenomera ajurauna from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern and Southern Brazil

Adenomera cantitata

Cassini, Carvalho, Taucce, Haddad & Solé, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00022 

 Abstract  

The Atlantic Forest is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot because of the high species richness and the remaining natural areas comprising less than 30% relative to its primary vegetation. Even though many anuran species from this biome are ecologically restricted to pristine ecosystems, there are some examples of new species discovered from anthropized areas. Adenomera represents a widespread and abundant frog genus in Atlantic Forest ecosystems, with species occurring in areas with varying degrees of human disturbance. In this paper, we name and describe a new species of Adenomera endemic to the Atlantic Forest typically found in human-altered ecosystems, such as urban and rural sites. The new species was recovered as belonging to the Adenomera marmorata clade, and sister to A. ajurauna. These two species have allopatric distributions in southeastern and southern Brazil, with a single known sympatric occurrence. They display different calls and occupy distinct habitats. The newly described species of Adenomera is an additional case of new species discovered from urban sites in the Atlantic Forest hotspot.

KEYWORDS: Anthropized ecosystems, biodiversity hotspot, cryptic species, species delimitation, sympatry

Adenomera cantitata

Carla S. Cassini, Thiago R. Carvalho, Pedro P. G. Taucce, Célio F. B. Haddad and Mirco Solé. 2024. Unexplored Urban Diversity: A New Species of Adenomera (Anura, Leptodactylidae) Related to Adenomera ajurauna from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern and Southern Brazil. Herpetologica. 80(3); 275-290. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00022 

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A Mata Atlântica é reconhecida como um hotspot de biodiversidade devido à sua alta riqueza de espécies e pelas áreas remanescentes compreenderem menos de 30% de sua vegetação original. Embora muitas espécies de anuros desse bioma estejam ecologicamente restritas a áreas pristinas, há exemplos de novas espécies sendo descobertas em ecossistemas antropizados. O gênero Adenomera é um grupo de anuros abundante e amplamente distribuído nos ecossistemas da Mata Atlântica, com a ocorrência de espécies em áreas com diferentes graus de perturbação humana. Neste artigo, nomeamos e descrevemos uma nova espécie de Adenomera endêmica da Mata Atlântica tipicamente encontrada em ecossistemas antropizados, como áreas urbanas e rurais. A nova espécie é recuperada dentro do clado de A. marmorata, como espécie irmã de A. ajurauna. Essas duas espécies têm distribuições alopátricas no sudeste brasileiro, com apenas uma ocorrência simpátrica conhecida. Essas espécies se distinguem por características do canto e pelo uso de diferentes habitats. A espécie de Adenomera descrita aqui é mais um caso de uma nova espécie descoberta em áreas urbanas no hotspot da Mata Atlântica.

[Herpetology • 2024] Adenomera albarena • A New Species of Terrestrial Foam-nesting Frog of the Adenomera simonstuarti complex (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from White-sand Forests of central Amazonia, Brazil

Adenomera albarena

 Martins, Mônico, Mendonça, Dantas, Souza, Hanken, Lima & Ferrão, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.110133

Abstract

By using integrative taxonomy, we describe a new species of terrestrial foam-nesting frog of the genus Adenomera from white-sand forests of the Rio Negro Sustainable Development Reserve, Central Amazonia, Brazil. Within the A. andreae clade, the new species belongs to the A. simonstuarti complex where it is sister to the lineage from the lower Juruá River. The new species is assigned to the genus Adenomera by having adult SVL smaller than 34.1 mm, by its lack of fringing and webbing between toes and by the absence of spines on the thumb of adult males. It differs from other Adenomera by the following combination of characters: antebrachial tubercle absent; toe tips flattened or slightly flattened, with visible expansions; nearly solid, dark-coloured stripe on underside of forearm; single-note advertisement call; notes formed by 11–21 incomplete pulses; call duration varying between 100 and 199 ms; fundamental frequency 1,765–2,239 Hz; dominant frequency 3,448–4,349 Hz; and endotrophic tadpoles with spiracle present and labial teeth absent. Over the last decade, we have inventoried many permanent sampling modules in ombrophilous forests in the Manaus Region and in the Purus-Madeira interfluve, but the new species was found only in the white-sand forest from West Negro-Solimões Interfluve. Adenomera sp. nov. may be endemic to, or at least a specialist in, this environment.

Key Words: campina, campinarana, integrative taxonomy, tadpoles, West Negro-Solimões Interfluve

Three dorsal colour patterns of Adenomera albarena in life. A. Dark blotches few or absent; B. Many dark blotches; and C. Dorsolateral stripe. Unvouchered specimens.

 Adenomera albarena sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The species Adenomera albarena is recognised by the following combination of characters. (1) Medium size (adult male SVL = 21.2–23.0 mm, n = 21; adult female SVL 22.1–24.3, n = 5); (2) snout of males subovoid in dorsal view and acuminate in lateral view; (3) absence of antebrachial tubercle; (4) toe tips moderately to fully expanded (character states C, D sensu Heyer (1973)); (5) throat in males with condensed melanophores near the jaw and scattered melanophores on the central portion; 6) nearly solid dark-coloured stripe present on the underside of the forearm; (7) Advertisement call composed of a single pulsed note; (8) notes formed by 11–21 pulses; (9) pulses incomplete; (10) dominant frequency 3,448–4,349 Hz; (11) dominant frequency coinciding with the second harmonic; (12) Endotrophic tadpoles; (13) with labial teeth absent; (13) spiracle present; and (14) internarial distance 44–52% of IOD.

Etymology: The specific epithet albarena is formed by the combination of two Latin words: “alba” (white) and “arena” (sand). This is a reference to the white-sand forests of central Amazonia, the distinctive environment inhabited by this species.

Vernacular names: White-sand terrestrial foam-nesting frog (English), 

rana terrestre de arena blanca (Spanish) and 

rãzinha da areia branca (Portuguese).

Natural history of Adenomera albarena.
A. Example of the species’ habitat; B. Unvouchered male vocalising on leaf litter; C. Unvouchered female hiding in the leaf litter; D. Foam nest, artificially exposed for illustration purpose.

Scale bar: ~ 5 mm.

 Bryan da Cunha Martins, Alexander Tamanini Mônico, Cianir Mendonça, Silionamã P. Dantas, Jesus R. D. Souza, James Hanken, Albertina Pimentel Lima and Miquéias Ferrão. 2024. A New Species of Terrestrial Foam-nesting Frog of the Adenomera simonstuarti complex (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from White-sand Forests of central Amazonia, Brazil. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(1): 233-253. DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.110133

   

[Herpetology • 2023] Crossodactylodes serranegra • A New Species of Crossodactylodes (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Paratelmatobiinae) from the Espinhaço Mountain Range, Southeastern Brazil

Crossodactylodes serranegra 

Santos, Pinheiro, Garcia, Griffiths, Haddad & Barata, 2023

DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00035

 Abstract  

The bromeligenous genus Crossodactylodes, endemic to the Atlantic Forest domain and the “campo rupestre” ecosystem in Brazil, currently comprises five named species. Three additional putatively new species have already been proposed in a recent study based on mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Here we employ phenotypic data to corroborate the distinctiveness of one of these lineages, and describe it as a new species, from the Espinhaço Mountain Range in the municipality of Itamarandiba, state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. We also provide information on its natural history and conservation status. The new species is diagnosable from its congeners by a combination of characters, including the presence of vocal slits in adult males, the orange coloration of discs on fingers and toes, and the presence of vomerine odontophores. The new species is the second Crossodactylodes to be reported for the campo rupestre and it was only recorded in a small forest patch composed of low trees, shrubs, mosses, lichens, and a high density of bromeliads.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, Bromeligenous, campo rupestre, species description, taxonomy

Crossodactylodes serranegra sp. nov.

Etymology.—The specific epithet serranegra is a Portuguese word that means black mountain, in reference to the type locality. The epithet is used as a noun in apposition.

Marcus Thadeu T. Santos, Paulo D.P. Pinheiro, Paulo C.A. Garcia, Richard A. Griffiths, Célio F.B. Haddad and Izabela M. Barata. 2023. A New Species of Crossodactylodes from the Espinhaço Mountain Range, Southeastern Brazil (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Paratelmatobiinae). Herpetologica. 79 (2), 108-118. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00035

Researchgate.net/publication/371937566_A_New_Species_of_Crossodactylodes_from_the_Espinhaco_Mountain_Range_Southeastern_Brazil

Pesquisadores da Unesp descrevem nova espécie de sapo

Uso de técnicas de modelagem ambiental e de análise filogenética possibilitou descoberta e descrição do anfíbio. Batizado de C. serranegra, vive apenas no Parque Estadual da Serra Negra. Brasil é o país com maior número de espécies conhecidas de anfíbios.

...

  jornal.unesp.br/2023/08/29/pesquisadores-da-unesp-descrevem-nova-especie-de-sapo

  repositorio.unesp.br/bitstream/handle/11449/244567/santos_mtt_postprint_rcla_new.pdf

[Herpetology • 2023] Pseudopaludicola javae • A New Species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Tocantins State, Brazil

Pseudopaludicola javae

Silva, Andrade, Neto, Dantas, Haga & Garda, 2023

DOI: 10.1670/22-062 

 Researchgate.net/publication/376371785

Abstract

The number of described species of Pseudopaludicola has increased at unprecedented rates over the past two decades. This increase was mainly driven by the sampling effort in regions historically neglected and the use of evidence from bioacoustic, genetic, and morphological datasets combined. Here, we describe a new species of Pseudopaludicola from a transitional zone between Amazonia and Cerrado in western Tocantins State as revealed through morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic analysis. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by its small size; knobbed terminal phalanges; smooth upper eyelids and heel; relatively short hind limbs; smooth, whitish, and subgular inflated vocal sac with few melanophores around the jaw; and advertisement call composed of an irregular series of multipulsed notes with 10–17 nonconcatenated pulses separated by intervals of 3–55 ms, emitted at a rate of 27–51 pulses/sec. The new species occurs in four Tocantins municipalities, all in the Araguaia–Tocantins interfluve. We also provide the first records of Pseudopaludicola jazmynmcdonaldae outside the type locality (Caseara Municipality, Tocantins State), extending its distribution nearly 245 km southward from Caseara. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. is the second species of Pseudopaludicola described recently from western Tocantins.

 Variation in life of Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov.
(A) Male CHUFPB31055 (SVL = 13.8), (B) holotype male CHUFPB31044 (SVL = 15.1), (C) male CHUFPB31056 (SVL = 13.2), (D) unvouchered male,
(E) male CHUFPB31043 (SVL = 14.3), (F) male CHUFPB31059 (SVL = 15.4), (G) male CHUFPB31062 (SVL = 14.0), and (H) female CHUFPB31042 (SVL = 14.8).

Specimens A, D, and E are from Lagoa da Confusã o; the remaining specimens are from Marianópolis Municipality, all Tocantins State.

Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov.

Etymology.—The Javaé are an ethnic group that has been historically present in the regions surrounding the middle Araguaia River, primarily on the world’s largest fluvial island, Bananal Island. This island is flanked on its west side by the Araguaia River and to the east by the Javaés River, which is an anabranch of the Araguaia, also known as ‘‘Braço Menor do Araguaia.’’ Besides the Javaé, Bananal Island is also home to two other indigenous groups, as follows: Karaja ́ and Xambioa ́ . The Javaé people refer to themselves as Iñy, meaning ‘‘human being.’’More than 10 Javaé villages are present on Bananal Island, and the closest village to the type locality is ‘‘Boto Velho’’ village (Inãwébohona in the Iñy language), about 100 km away. Thus, the specific name is in recognition of this singular Brazilian ethnic group that historically occupied the region where the new speciesis found.

 

Leandro Alves Silva, Felipe Silva De Andrade, Ennio Painkow Neto, Silionamã Pereira Dantas, Isabelle Aquemi Haga and Adrian Antonio Garda. 2023. A New Species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Tocantins State, Brazil. J. of Herpetology. 57(3):297-314. DOI: 10.1670/22-062 

 Researchgate.net/publication/376371785_A_New_Species_of_Pseudopaludicola_from_Tocantins_State_Brazil

O número de espécies de Pseudopaludicola descritas cresceu a taxas sem precedentes nas últimas duas décadas. Esse aumento foi impulsionado principalmente pelo esforço de amostragem em regiões historicamente negligenciadas e pelo uso de evidências bioacústicas, genéticas e morfológicas. Nós descrevemos uma nova espécie de Pseudopaludicola de uma zona de transição entre a Amazônia e o Cerrado no oeste do estado do Tocantins revelada através de análises morfológicas, moleculares e bioacústicas. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. é diagnosticada de seus congêneres por seu pequeno tamanho, falanges terminais simples, pálpebras superiores e calcanhar lisos, membros posteriores relativamente curtos, saco vocal subgular, liso e esbranquiçado quando inflado com poucos melanóforos ao redor da mandíbula, e canto de anúncio composto por séries irregulares de notas com 10–17 pulsos não concatenados separados por intervalos de 3–55 ms, emitidos a uma taxa de 27–51 pulsos/s. A nova espécie ocorre em quatro municípios do Tocantins, todos no interflúvio Araguaia-Tocantins. Também fornecemos aqui os primeiros registros de P. jazmynmcdonaldae fora da localidade tipo (município de Caseara, estado do Tocantins), estendendo sua distribuição em cerca de 245 km em linha reta ao sul de Caseara. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. é a segunda espécie de Pseudopaludicola descrita para o oeste do Tocantins nos últimos anos.

[Herpetology • 2023] Adenomera guarani • Redescription of Adenomera diptyx (Boettger, 1885) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) and Description of A closely related New Species

Adenomera guarani

Zaracho, Lavilla, Carvalho, Motte & Basso, 2023

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.888.2205

 ABSTRACT

Adenomera is a genus of Neotropical leaf-litter frogs widely distributed in South America and regarded taxonomic-wise challenging. One of these is the open-habitat Adenomera diptyx from Paraguay, which may correspond to a species complex. An integrative analysis of morphological variation, in combination with acoustic and molecular data of several populations from Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil resulted in the recharacterization of nominal A. diptyx and the description of a new, closely related species. Adenomera diptyx is recognized by its advertisement call given at a high repetition rate (176–299 per minute), and the dorsal color pattern consisting of a light mid-dorsal line and a dark brown interorbital bar with irregular black edges. In comparison with A. diptyx, the new species, Adenomera guarani sp. nov., produces its advertisement call at a lower repetition rate (73–147 per minute), and the dorsal color pattern consists of a light, broad, mid-dorsal stripe and a mask-like patch in the interorbital region. The redefinition of A. diptyx will contribute to future studies focusing on the taxonomic status of other genetic lineages tentatively assigned to this species complex, which could represent additional unnamed species in the open-habitat Adenomera clade.

Keywords: Argentina, Chacoan region, cryptic species, integrative taxonomy, Paraguay

  

Adenomera guarani sp. nov., holotype, ♂ (UNNEC 9074), Corrientes, Argentina, SVL: 21.6 mm.
 Coloration in life.

Adenomera guarani sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Adenomera guarani sp. nov. is recognized within Adenomera by the following combination of character states: (1) body robust, (2) medium size (adult male SVL = 20.1–26.4 mm); (3) light-colored, broad mid-dorsal stripe with diffuse borders, extending from above the vent to the scapular region; (4) a dark mask-like  pattern  formed  by  an  inverted  triangle  in  the  interorbital  region;  (5)  toe  tips  unexpanded  with tapered point; (6) antebrachial tubercle absent; (7) exotrophic larvae; (8) labial tooth row formula (LTRF):  2(2)/3(1);  (9)  single-note  advertisement  call;  (10)  call  notes  formed  by  incomplete  pulses;  (11) relatively high note repetition rate (73–147 per minute); and (12) low pulse number (4–9 per note).

Etymology: The specific name guarani, used as a noun in apposition and refers to the Guaraní, a native indigenous group that inhabited in the past a vast region in South America, including areas where the new species occurs. Currently, a few indigenous communities still live in wild areas. However, the Guaraní language (Avañe′ẽ), is usually spoken by people in Paraguay and other neighboring countries and also utilized to name innumerous geographical features (e.g., rivers, wetlands, hills), animals, plants, towns, and cities.

Adenomera guarani sp. nov. Dorsal color patterns.
A–C. UNNEC 9075 (♂), 9551 (paratype, ♀), 9003 (paratype, ♂) (Paso de la Patria, Corrientes).
D–O.  LGE 25740 (paratype, ♂), UNNEC 9704 (♂), 8366 and 8365 (paratypes, ♀), 8505 (♂), 8293 (♂), 8354 (♂), 11965 to 11969 (♂), (Corrientes city, Corrientes).

Víctor H. Zaracho, Esteban O. Lavilla, Thiago R. Carvalho, Martha Motte and Néstor G. Basso. 2023. Redescription of Adenomera diptyx (Boettger, 1885) (Anura, Leptodactylidae) and Description of A closely related New Species. European Journal of Taxonomy. 888(1), 1–45. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2023.888.2205

[Herpetology • 2021] Physalaemus araxa • Head in the Clouds: A New Dwarf Frog Species of the Physalaemus signifer Clade (Leptodactylidae, Leiuperinae) from the Top of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

  Physalaemus araxa

Leal, Zornosa-Torres, Augusto-Alves, Dena, Pezzuti, Leite, Lourenço, Garcia & Toledo, 2021

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2021.764.1475

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ABSTRACT

In an elevational gradient, the mountain top generally presents a reduced species diversity. However, it is there where we often find microendemic and quite often still undescribed species. That prediction is very common in underexplored Neotropical mountains, like those of the Caparaó National Park – a protected area that includes the highest peak of the Atlantic Forest, a megadiverse domain. Up in its top, we found a dwarf frog of the genus Physalaemus (Anura, Leptodactylidae, Leiuperinae), belonging to the P. signifer clade. After an integrative (morphological, bioacoustical, and genetic) analysis, we were able to describe it as a new species and found it to be sister to P. maculiventris. Due to its very restricted distribution at a site with extreme environmental conditions (which includes fires and frosts) and current instability in national environmental policy, we suggest this to be classified as an endangered species. A brief description of its natural history and the description of the species itself will now enable its proper conservation status categorization and the future planning for conservation actions.

Keywords: Anura, Physalaemus araxa, species description, systematics, taxonomy

Class Amphibia Gray, 1825

Order Anura Fischer Von Waldheim, 1813

Family Leptodactylidae Werner, 1896 (1838)

Subfamily Leiuperinae Bonaparte, 1850

Genus Physalaemus Fitzinger, 1826

Color in live paratypes of Physalaemus araxa sp. nov.
A.  ZUEC-AMP 24119 (paratype), evidencing the color of inguinal region.
B.  ZUEC-AMP 24120 (paratype), in an upright posture with vocal sac slightly inflated, photographed in situ; notice the contrast of the yellow vocal sac with the background.
C–D.  ZUEC-AMP 24098 (paratype), evidencing ventral and dorsolateral colors; notice the distribution of yellow pigmentation ventrally and laterally.

Physalaemus araxa sp. nov.

Physalaemus sp. (aff. maculiventris) – Zornosa-Torres et al. 2020: 4–6, 12–13

Diagnosis: Physalaemus araxa sp. nov. is distinguishable from all congeneric species by having the following combination of character states: (1) presence of an arrow-shaped blotch on the dorsum of the body (Fig. 1A); (2) tarsal tubercle absent (Fig. 2D); (3) gular region and chest predominantly yellow in live individuals, pale cream in preserved specimens (Figs 1B, 3B–C); (4) belly with dark vermiculation pattern on a pale cream, slightly bluish background in live individuals (Figs 1B, 3C); (5) lack of aposematic coloration on ventral surface of hand and foot in live individuals (Fig. 3C); (6) intermediate size within the P. signifer clade (adult male SVL = 17.4–21.5 mm, Table 1); (7) presence of brown, divided, nuptial pad in males (Figs 1A, 2C); (8) supernumerary tubercles on foot absent (Fig. 2D); (9) tarsal fold absent (Fig. 2D); (10) texture of posterior region of belly and ventral surface of thigh smooth (Fig. 1B); (11) advertisement call duration from 69–304 ms (Table 2); (12) tadpole with a proportionally large body BL/TL = 0.39–0.43 (Table 4); (13) dextral vent tube (Fig. 6G); (14) dorsal and ventral fins of the same height (Fig. 6A, H; Table 4); (15) tail tip broadly rounded (Fig. 6A, H); (16) presence of submarginal papillae arranged in small rows; (17) A2 tooth row conspicuously longer than A1 (Fig. 6D); (18) absence of a dermal fold at the body-tail junction; (19) external margins of fins slightly convex (Fig. 6A, H); (20) gular region of tadpole convex.

Etymology: The specific epithet ʻaraxaʼ, is the combination of the Tupi-Guarani indigenous language words ʻaraʼ (meaning ʻworldʼ) and ʻeçaʼ (meaning ʻto seeʼ) meaning ʻthe first place where the sun can be seenʼ, in reference to the sunshine view on the top of hills (Chiaradia 2008). Also used to indicate the highest mountain in a landscape. That is the specific case of the type locality of Physalaemus araxa sp. nov., found on the mountaintop of the highest hill of the Atlantic forest.

Tadpole of Physalaemus araxa sp. nov. at stage 37 (ZUEC-AMP 24214).
D.Oral disc completely opened. E. Details of the right nostril in frontal view.
F. Spiracle in lateral view. G.Vent tube in lateral view.
H. Tadpole of Physalaemus araxa sp. nov. in life (photo not to scale).

Scale bars: F–G = 10 mm; D = 1 mm; E = 0.5 mm.

Fig. 9. Type locality of Physalaemus araxa sp. nov.,
Lagoa da Sombra, at Parque Nacional do Capar

Fernando Leal, Camila Zornosa-Torres, Guilherme Augusto-Alves, Simone Dena, Tiago Leite Pezzuti, Felipe Leite, Luciana Bolsoni Lourenço, Paulo Garcia and Luís Felipe Toledo. 2021. Head in the Clouds: A New Dwarf Frog Species of the Physalaemus signifer Clade (Leptodactylidae, Leiuperinae) from the Top of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. European Journal of Taxonomy. 119-151. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2021.764.1475

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[Herpetology • 2020] Adenomera glauciae • A New Forest-Dwelling Frog Species of the Genus Adenomera (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Northwestern Brazilian Amazonia

Adenomera glauciae

de Carvalho, Simões, Gagliardi-Urrutia, Rojas-Runjaic, Haddad & Castroviejo-Fisher, 2020

DOI: 10.1643/CH-19-329

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Abstract

We describe a new species of the South American frog genus Adenomera, based on external morphology, color patterns, advertisement call, and mtDNA sequences. The new species was collected from the Japurá River basin in northwestern Brazilian Amazonia and is distinguished from all congeners by the combination of large snout–vent length (SVL), toe tips unexpanded, presence of antebrachial tubercle on underside of forearm, and by a multi-note advertisement call composed of non-pulsed notes. This new species is part of the A. lutzi clade together with a candidate new species known as Adenomera sp. P and A. lutzi. The three species have the largest SVL in the genus. The presence of toe tips fully expanded and a single-note advertisement call distinguish A. lutzi from the new species. Acoustic and morphological data are still required to assess the taxonomic identity of Adenomera sp. P. Our new species of Adenomera is the third anuran species described from the Solimões-Japurá interfluve. This flags this poorly known region of lowland forests as an important area of species richness in northwestern Amazonia.

A male paratype of Adenomera glauciae, new species (MCP 13891, SVL = 27.6 mm), photographed in life at the type locality (Igarapé da Fartura, ESEC Juami-Japurá, state of Amazonas, northern Brazil).

Adenomera glauciae, new species

Etymology.— The specific epithet is a matronymic derived from Glaucia M. Funk Pontes, Brazilian herpetologist and former curator of the amphibian and reptile collections of MCT-PUCRS from 2007 to 2019. We name this species in honor of our dear friend in recognition of her scientific and curatorial contributions to the Brazilian herpetofauna and as a tribute to the many hours of work shared through the years. 

Thiago R. de Carvalho, Pedro I. Simões, Giussepe Gagliardi-Urrutia, Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic, Célio F. B. Haddad and Santiago Castroviejo-Fisher. 2020. A New Forest-Dwelling Frog Species of the Genus Adenomera (Leptodactylidae) from Northwestern Brazilian Amazonia. Copeia. 108(4); 924-937. DOI: 10.1643/CH-19-329

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[Herpetology • 2020] Systematics and Historical Biogeography of Neotropical Foam-nesting Frogs of the Adenomera heyeri clade (Leptodactylidae), with the Description of Six New Amazonian Species

Adenomera aurantiaca 

 Carvalho, Moraes, Lima, Fouquet, ... et Haddad, 2020

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa051 

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Abstract

A large proportion of the biodiversity of Amazonia, one of the most diverse rainforest areas in the world, is yet to be formally described. One such case is the Neotropical frog genus Adenomera. We here evaluate the species richness and historical biogeography of the Adenomera heyeri clade by integrating molecular phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses with morphological and acoustic data. Our results uncovered ten new candidate species with interfluve-associated distributions across Amazonia. In this study, six of these are formally named and described. The new species partly correspond to previously identified candidate lineages ‘sp. F’ and ‘sp. G’ and also to previously unreported lineages. Because of their rarity and unequal sampling effort of the A. heyeri clade across Amazonia, conservation assessments for the six newly described species are still premature. Regarding the biogeography of the A. heyeri clade, our data support a northern Amazonian origin with two independent dispersals into the South American Dry Diagonal. Although riverine barriers have a relevant role as environmental filters by isolating lineages in interfluves, dispersal rather than vicariance must have played a central role in the diversification of this frog clade.

Keywords: bioacoustics, biodiversity, Brazil, distribution patterns, diversification, Dry Diagonal, riverine barriers, South America

Adenomera kayapo  

Adenomera kayapo, sp. nov. 

Kayapó terrestrial nest-building frog

Etymology: The name kayapo is given as homage to the Kayapó people (sometimes also spelled as Caiapó). The Kayapó is a large group of Jê speaking people living in the south-eastern portion of Brazilian Amazonia. It is thought that the Kayapó, who name themselves mebêngôkre, once inhabited a vast region between the Araguaia and Tocantins rivers, but were pushed westward by the early colonizers in the 19th century (Turner, 1998). The Kayapó are known to be fierce protectors of their rights and lands.

Adenomera amicorum, sp. nov. 

Santarém terrestrial nest-building frog

Etymology: The epithet is derived from Latin amica, friend, as a plural noun in apposition. The name is a reference to the members of the ‘Allobates femoralis project’ led by one of us (Albertina P. Lima) throughout Brazilian Amazonia. The research team was out in the field at the type locality of the species when it was first discovered in the early 2000s.

holotype of Adenomera aurantiaca (INPA-H 40520: SVL = 20.9 mm). 

Photo by José Cassimiro.

Adenomera aurantiaca, sp. nov. 

Orange-legged terrestrial nest-building frog

Etymology: The epithet is derived from the Latin aurantiacus, the colour orange, referring to the brightly orange-coloured limbs of this species. Such a colour appears to be unique in the genus Adenomera.

 holotype of Adenomera inopinata (INPA-H 40517: SVL=23.5 mm).  

Adenomera inopinata, sp. nov. 

Unforeseen terrestrial nest-building frog

Etymology: The epithet is derived from the Latin inopinatus, unexpected, referring to the unexpected discovery of this species in the region of the middle Tapajós River, where two other unnamed Adenomera species described in the present study had already been collected when A. inopinata was discovered (see Fig. 2).

Adenomera tapajonica, sp. nov. 

Tapajós terrestrial nest-building frog

Etymology: The epithet is derived from the Tapajós River. The distribution range of A. tapajonica comprises a swathe of land entailing the west bank of the middle-lower Tapajós River, limited to the south of the Amazon River (Fig. 2A).

Adenomera gridipappi, sp. nov. 

Gridi-Papp’s terrestrial nest-building frog

Etymology: The specific epithet is a patronymic name for Marcos Gridi-Papp for his invaluable research efforts to advance the knowledge on the anuran vocal system from a functional evolutionary perspective. The honoured scientist trained the leading author of this study in acoustics and vocal anatomy during his Ph.D. program and as part of his current project dedicated to understanding the diversity and patterns of evolution of the acoustic mating signals in leptodactylid frogs. The acoustic characterization of Adenomera frogs has been instrumental to elucidate the species diversity of the genus.

Thiago R. D. Carvalho, Leandro J. C. L. Moraes, Albertina P. Lima, Antoine Fouquet, Pedro L. V. Peloso, Dante Pavan, Leandro O. Drummond, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Ariovaldo A. Giaretta, Marcelo Gordo, Selvino Neckel-Oliveira and Célio F. B. Haddad. 2020. Systematics and Historical Biogeography of Neotropical Foam-nesting Frogs of the Adenomera heyeri clade (Leptodactylidae), with the Description of Six New Amazonian Species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlaa051. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa051

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Pequeninas rãs recém-descobertas homenageiam indígenas e regiões amazônicas

nationalgeographicbrasil.com/animais/2020/08/estudo-anfibios-sapos-ras-adenomera-amazonia-novas-especies-indigenas-kayapos