Andreas Hertz

A new golden frog species of the genus Diasporus (Amphibia, Eleutherodactylidae) from the Cordillera Central, western Panama

Abstract We describe the frog species Diasporus citrinobapheus sp. n. from the Cordillera Central of western Panama. The new species differs from all other species in its genus in coloration, disk cover and disk pad shape, skin texture, advertisement call, and size. It is most similar to Diasporus tigrillo, from which it differs in dorsal skin texture, relative tibia length, number of vomerine teeth, ventral coloration, dorsal markings, and relative tympanum size, and to Diasporus gularis, from which it can be distinguished by the lack of membranes between the toes, adult size, posterior thigh coloration, and position of the choanae. We provide data on morpho- logy, vocalization, and distribution of the new species, as well as brief information on its natural history.

Two new fringe-limbed frogs of the genus Ecnomiohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Panama

Forest canopy-dwelling frogs are usually among the rarest anuran species observed in the neotropical forest, mainly because they fall outside of the scope of the standard search methods used by herpetologists. During field explorations undertaken in western and eastern Panama in recent years, we discovered two species belonging to the genus Ecnomiohyla, which showed significant differences in genetic distances (16S mtDNA gene) and morphological characteristics different from any known Ecnomiohyla species. The first specimen originates from the Serranía de Jingurudó, Darién province, southeastern Panamá, and is described herein as E. bailarina sp. nov., and the second specimen was found at Santa Fe National Park, Veraguas province, central-western Panama, and is described as E. veraguensis sp. nov. We provide a detailed description of both new species, including comparisons of morphological and molecular characters of almost all members of the genus in lower Central America, as well as an identification key for the entire genus.

A NEW SPECIES OF SIBON (SQUAMATA: COLUBRIDAE) FROM WESTERN PANAMA

Abstract We describe a new species of Sibon from the Reserva Forestal La Fortuna, Chiriquí Province, Panama. The new species is distinguished from all species presently assigned to Sibon by having 17 rows of dorsal scales at midbody and 15 rows one head length anterior to cloaca (vs. 13 or 15 rows of dorsal scales at midbody without reduction on posterior portion of body in all other species of Sibon), and dorsal scale rows that change orientation from the sides of body toward middorsum (vs. maintaining more or less the same orientation). A key to the Lower Central American species of Sibon is provided.

Revision of the genus Lepidoblepharis (Reptilia: Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) in Central America, with the description of three new species

Based on morphological and molecular data, we describe three new species of the genus Lepidoblepharis with granular dorsals from Panama (Lepidoblepharis emberawoundule sp. nov., Lepidoblepharis rufigularis sp. nov., and Lepidoblepharis victormartinezi sp. nov.). The results of our molecular analyses confirm the existence of five deeply differentiated genealogical lineages among Panamanian Lepidoblepharis. We present detailed descriptions of their morphology, including some new valuable scalation characters (ventral and subfemoral escutcheon) and hemipenes, as well as comparisons with the other two species of the genus known to occur in Panama (L. sanctaemartae and L. xanthostigma) and their South American congeners. Last, we provide an updated identification key for the genus Lepidoblepharis in Central America.

Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Hylomantis medinai: distribution extension by discovery of a third population

has not been detected again in Rancho Grande since 1974, and in spite of greatest search efforts carried out by Manzanilla et al. (1995) and Manzanilla (2001) as well as in the time between Januaries of 2005 and 2007 (Javier Valera-Leal, unpublished data) in PNHP between 400 - 1200 m a.s.l., new individuals have not been found neither in the type locality nor in its vicinity.

Distribution extension for Anolis salvini Boulenger, 1885 (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae), in western Panama

We report new localities for the lizard Anolis salvini Boulenger, 1885, along the Pacific slopes of the Cordillera Central in Chiriqui province and the Comarca Ngobe-Bugle of western Panama. These records extend the known geographic distribution of this species about 70 km eastwards. They also extend the known vertical distribution approximately 70 m uphill. Additionally, we provide the first record for the Caribbean slopes, an updated distribution map, photos of specimens from different localities, an analysis of a distress call, and comments on the morphology of this species.

Reptilia, Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae, Potamites apodemus (Uzzell, 1966): distribution extension and first records from Panama

Reporting on the southernmost locality in Costa Rica and the first two localities in Panama, we extend the known geographic distribution of the lizard Potamites apodemus (Uzzell, 1966) roughly 20 km eastwards, 40 km southwards, and 175 m in elevation. We provide photos of Panamanian specimens, comment on their morphology, and map the distribution of this unique species.

Distribution extension for Anolis pseudokemptoni Köhler, Ponce, Sunyer & Batista, 2007 (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae), a microendemic species in the Serranía de Tabasará of the Comarca Ngöbe-Buglé of western Panama

We report new localities for Anolis pseudokemptoni Kohler, Ponce, Sunyer & Batista, 2007, along the Serrania de Tabasara in the Comarca Ngobe-Bugle of western Panama. These records extend the known geographic distribution of this lizard about 6 km eastward and 9 km northwestward, as well as the known vertical distribution approximately 470 m lower and 380 m higher. We also provide photos of specimens from different localities and comment on their morphology. No population of this Panamanian microendemic species, which is classifiable as Critically Endangered, lives inside a protected area.

New distribution records and variation of the two common lowland salamanders Bolitoglossa colonnea (Dunn, 1924) and B. lignicolor (Peters, 1873) in Panama (Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae)

We revise the geographic distribution of two common lowland salamanders in western Panama. We close the widest gap in the known distribution of Bolitoglossa colonnea with a first record for the province of Veraguas and extend its known vertical distribution to a third life zone. For B. lignicolor we present additional localities in the province of Chiriqui and the first record from Comarca Ngobe-Bugle that close the gap between extreme western Panama and the Azuero Peninsula. We present morphological, molecular, and coloration data for both species.

Distribution extension for Anolis gruuo Köhler, Ponce, Sunyer and Batista, 2007 (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae) in the Comarca Ngöbe-Buglé of western Panama, and first records from Veraguas province

We report on new localities for Anolis gruuo Kohler, Ponce, Sunyer and Batista, 2007 along the Serrania de Tabasara in the Comarca Ngobe-Bugle and Veraguas province of western Panama. These records extend the known geographic distribution of this lizard about 80 km eastward, and the known vertical distribution approximately 40 m lower and 630 m higher. We provide photos of specimens from different localities and comment on their morphology. Only the easternmost populations of this Panamanian endemic live inside a protected area.