[Herpetology • 2019] Luetkenotyphlus fredi • Phylogenetic Systematics of the Neotropical Caecilian Amphibian Luetkenotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) including the Description of A New Species from the Vulnerable Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Luetkenotyphlus fredi

Maciel, Castro, Sturaro, Silva, Ferreira, Santos, Risse-Quaioto, Barboza, Oliveira, Sampaio & Schneider, 2019

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2019.07.001  

Abstract

Luetkenotyphlus brasiliensis has been described 168 years ago, being the only known species of that genus up till date. However, the diversity of caecilian amphibians surprises once again, with the discovery of a new species of Luetkenotyphlus from remnants of the critically threatened Atlantic Forest, in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Herein we describe the new species on the basis of its morphology but also present a molecular phylogeny based on three genes (12S, 16S and COI) including more taxa of Siphonopidae together in a same phylogeny than the previous studies. Our phylogeny did not support the monophyly of Siphonops as currently defined, because Siphonops insulanus was recovered within Luetkenotyphlus, forming a monophyletic group, sister to a clade of three Siphonops spp. We have examined a specimen of S. insulanus from the type locality (Ilha de São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil) revealing a shorter premaxillary-maxillary tooth series in comparison to Siphonops. Based on our results, we also allocated S. insulanus to Luetkenotyphlus in order to avoid paraphyly.

 Keywords: Neotropical region, Molecular phylogeny, Taxonomy, Caecilians, Siphonops

Fig. 5. Holotype of Luetkenotyphlus fredi sp. nov. (MPEG 41560) a few minutes after euthanasia. Left, dorsal view of the body. Right, ventral view of the body.

Luetkenotyphlus fredi sp. nov.

Etymology. The name of the species is depicted in honor of Dr. Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha (Fred Rocha), for his important contributions to the knowledge of the herpetofauna worldwide and to its intense efforts for the conservation of the Atlantic forest.

 Adriano Oliveira Maciel, Thiago M. de Castro, Marcelo José Sturaro, Izadora Emanuelle Costa Silva, Jordana Guimarães Ferreira, Rafael dos Santos, Bárbara Risse-Quaioto, Bruno Alenkine Barboza, Jane C.F. Oliveira, Iracilda Sampaio and Horacio Schneider. 2019. Phylogenetic Systematics of the Neotropical Caecilian Amphibian Luetkenotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) including the Description of A New Species from the Vulnerable Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Zoologischer Anzeiger. 281; 76-83.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2019.07.001 

 researchgate.net/publication/334274997_Phylogenetic_systematics_of_the_Luetkenotyphlus 

    

[Herpetology • 2018] Brasilotyphlus dubium • A New Species of Brasilotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) from mountains in Roraima state, northern Brazil and A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Relationship Between Microcaecilia and Brasilotyphlus

Brasilotyphlus dubium 

Correia, Nunes, Gamble, Maciel, Marques-Souza, et al., 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.2 

Abstract 

A third species of Brasilotyphlus, a siphonopid caecilian, is described based on six specimens from two twin mountains in Roraima state, northern Brazil. Brasilotyphlus dubium sp. nov. differs from all other congeners in having a combination of 123–129 primary annuli and 9–16 secondary annular grooves. The first molecular data were generated and analyzed for Brasilotyphlus, and the genus was recovered as monophyletic and nested within a paraphyletic Microcaecilia. The extent of genetic and taxonomic sampling, and moderate phylogenetic support are not considered sufficient enough to place Brasilotyphlus in the synonymy of Microcaecilia.

 Key words: Brazil, caecilians, phylogeny, taxonomy

 Brasilotyphlus dubium sp. nov. Specimen from the type series in life in dorsal view.  

Brasilotyphlus dubium sp. nov.

Etymology. The epithet dubium means “dubious”, reflecting our doubt whether or not Brasilotyphlus should be considered a synonym of Microcaecilia. For nomenclatural purposes, the species epithet is considered a noun in apposition.

 Larissa L. Correia, Pedro M. S. Nunes, Tony Gamble, Adriano O. Maciel, Sergio Marques-Souza, Antoine Fouquet, Miguel T. Rodrigues and Tami Mott. 2018. A New Species of Brasilotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) and A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Relationship Between Microcaecilia and Brasilotyphlus. Zootaxa. 4527(2); 186–196.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.2

 twitter.com/AdrianoOMaciel1/status/1070148052508438528

 twitter.com/ccostah/status/1070115779255959552

[Herpetology • 2018] Skin Gland Concentrations Adapted to Different Evolutionary Pressures in the Head and Posterior Regions of the Caecilian Siphonops annulatus

Siphonops annulatus (Mikan, 1920)

in Jared, Mailho-Fontana, Marques-Porto, et al., 2018.

 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22005-5 

Abstract

Amphibian skin is rich in mucous glands and poison glands, secreting substances important for gas exchange and playing a fundamental role in chemical defense against predators and microorganisms. In the caecilian Siphonops annulatus (Mikan, 1920) we observed a concentration of enlarged mucous glands in the head region. In the posterior region of the body a similar concentration is made up of enlarged poison glands. These accumulations of glands structurally resemble the macroglands previously reported in anurans and salamanders. The skin glands in these regions are each surrounded by collagen walls forming a honeycomb-like structure. The collagen network in the head region firmly attaches to tiny pits in the bones of the skull. The two extremities of the body produce different secretions, containing exclusive molecules. Considering the fossorial lifestyle of caecilians, it seems evident that the secretions of the head and caudal region serve different functions. The anterior macrogland of mucous glands, rich in mucous/lipid secretion, in conjunction with the funnel-shaped head, may act to lubricate the body and penetrate the soil, thus facilitating locomotion underground. The blunt posterior end bearing an internalized macrogland of poison glands in the dermis may act in chemical defense and/or by blocking invasion of tunnels.

A limbless amphibian, known as Caecilian, Siphonops annulatus, widely distributed in Brazil. Scientists from Utah State University in the United States and Brazil’s Butantan Institute report skin gland concentrations adapted to different evolutionary pressures in the head and posterior regions of the amphibian.

photo: Carlos Jared, Butantan Institute 

Carlos Jared, Pedro Luiz Mailho-Fontana, Rafael Marques-Porto, Juliana Mozer Sciani, Daniel Carvalho Pimenta, Edmund D. Brodie Jr. and Marta Maria Antoniazzi. 2018. Skin Gland Concentrations Adapted to Different Evolutionary Pressures in the Head and Posterior Regions of the Caecilian Siphonops annulatus. Scientific Reports. 8, Article number: 3576.  DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22005-5

 facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1634328703311054

Playing both ends: Amphibian adapted to varied evolutionary pressures  phy.so/438499863 via @physorg_com

[Herpetology • 2013] Microcaecilia marvaleewakeae • A New Species of Microcaecilia (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) from the Guianan region of Brazil

Microcaecilia marvaleewakeae  Maciel & Hoogmoed, 2013

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3693.3.9

Abstract

We describe a new species of Microcaecilia from the Guianan region of Brazil, based on a series of eight specimens from the states of Pará and Amazonas. Microcaecilia marvaleewakeae sp. nov. is very similar to M. taylori, but differs from it in having more primary annuli, more secondary grooves, and more secondary grooves that completely encircle the body. The new species also seems to have a relatively shorter and thinner head than M. taylori, but additional specimens of the new species are necessary to check this. A brief discussion of the taxonomy of M. taylori is presented.

Microcaecilia marvaleewakeae  Maciel & Hoogmoed, 2013

photo: Kawashita Ribeiro 

 Adriano Oliveira Maciel and Marinus Steven Hoogmoed. 2013. A New Species of Microcaecilia (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) from the Guianan region of Brazil.
  Zootaxa. 3693(3); 387-394.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3693.3.9 

ResearchGate.net/publication/280117195_A_new_species_of_Microcaecilia_Amphibia_Gymnophiona_Siphonopidae_from_the_Guianan_region_of_Brazil

[Herpetology • 2015] Microcaecilia butantan • A New Species of Microcaecilia Taylor 1968 (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) from northern Brazil

Microcaecilia butantan Wilkinson, Antoniazzi & Jared, 2015

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3905.3.8

Abstract

A new species of siphonopid caecilian, Microcaecilia butantan sp. nov., is described based on four specimens from Belterra, in the State of Pará, Brazil. The new species differs from all other Microcaecilia in having a combination of more than 135 primary annuli and long premaxillary-maxillary tooth series that extend posteriorly beyond the choanae. Some specimens were dug from soil in a cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum) plantation suggesting that this form of agriculture provides an environment suitable for at least some caecilians.

Keywords: caecilians, South America, systematics, taxonomy

FIGURE 2. Microcaecilia butantan sp. nov.
(A) Specimen in life dorsal view. Bar = 5 mm. (B) Specimen in life ventral view. Bar = 5 mm. (C) Habitat at type locality.

Etymology. The specific epithet is in honour of the Instituto Butantan, which enabled the discovery of the species through the Butantan na Amazônia (Butantan in Amazon) project. To promote stability the species epithet is considered to be noun in apposition for nomenclatural purposes.

Suggested English name. Butantan microcaecilia.

Wilkinson, Mark, Marta M. Antoniazzi & Carlos Jared. 2015. A New Species of Microcaecilia Taylor 1968 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) from Brazil.
Zootaxa. 3905(3): 425–431. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3905.3.8 
 http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/zt03905p431.pdf