Rawien Jairam

Cryptic diversity in Amazonian frogs: Integrative taxonomy of the genus Anomaloglossus (Amphibia: Anura: Aromobatidae) reveals a unique case of diversification within the Guiana Shield

Lack of resolution on species boundaries and distribution can hamper inferences in many fields of biology, notably biogeography and conservation biology. This is particularly true in megadiverse and under-surveyed regions such as Amazonia, where species richness remains vastly underestimated. Integrative approaches using a combination of phenotypic and molecular evidence have proved extremely successful in reducing knowledge gaps in species boundaries, especially in animal groups displaying high levels of cryptic diversity like amphibians. Here we combine molecular data (mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear TYR, POMC, and RAG1) from 522 specimens of Anomaloglossus, a frog genus endemic to the Guiana Shield, including 16 of the 26 nominal species, with morphometrics, bioacoustics, tadpole development mode, and habitat use to evaluate species delineation in two lowlands species groups. Molecular data reveal the existence of 18 major mtDNA lineages among which only six correspond to described species. Combined with other lines of evidence, we confirm the existence of at least 12 Anomaloglossus species in the Guiana Shield lowlands. Anomaloglossus appears to be the only amphibian genus to have largely diversified within the eastern part of the Guiana Shield. Our results also reveal strikingly different phenotypic evolution among lineages. Within the A. degranvillei group, one subclade displays acoustic and morphological conservatism, while the second subclade displays less molecular divergence but clear phenotypic divergence. In the A. stepheni species group, a complex evolutionary diversification in tadpole development is observed, notably with two closely related lineages each displaying exotrophic and endotrophic tadpoles.

A new Dendropsophus Fitzinger, 1843 (Anura: Hylidae) of the parviceps group from the lowlands of the Guiana Shield.

Many Amazonian frog species that are considered widely distributed may actually represent polyspecific complexes.. A minute tree frog from the Guiana Shield originally assigned to the allegedly widely distributed Dendropsophus brevifrons proved to be a yet undescribed species within the D. parviceps group. We herein describe this new species and present a phylogeny for the D. parviceps group. The new species is diagnosed from other Dendropsophus of the parviceps group by its small body size (19.6-21.7 mm in males, 22.1-24.5 mm in females), thighs dorsally dark grey with cream blotches without bright yellow patch, absence of dorsolateral and canthal stripe, and an advertisement call comprising trills (length 0.30-0.35 s) composed of notes emitted at a rate of 131-144 notes/s, generally followed by click series of 2-3 notes. Its tadpole is also singular by having fused lateral marginal papillae and absence of both labial teeth and submarginal papillae. Genetic distances (p-distance) are >5.3% on the 12S and >9.3% on the 16S from D. brevifrons, its closest relative. This species occurs from the Brazilian state of Amapá, across French Guiana and Suriname to central Guyana and is likely to also occur in adjacent Brazilian states and eastern Venezuela. This species is not rare but is difficult to collect because of its arboreal habits and seasonal activity peaks.

Range extension and distribution of the invasive Moreau’s Tropical House Gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnès, 1818) (Squamata: Gekkonidae), in Suriname

We document a population of Moreau’s Tropical House Gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnes, 1818), at a remote Amerindian village, Kwamalasamutu, Suriname, South America. This village is approximately 370 km southwest of the northern coastal region where the presence of H. mabouia was previously recorded. Numerous individuals and a gravid female provide evidence of a viable population. The morphological characters of the two female specimens examined fall within the range of characters recorded from African and Ascension Island specimens. Due to its overland inaccessibility, we believe that colonization occurred anthropogenically through air or boat transport from the coastal region.

First record of Amapasaurus tetradactylus Cunha, 1970 (Squamata: Gymnopthalmidae) in Suriname

A new country record for the Guiana Shield endemic Amapasaurus tetradactylus is noted for Suriname. The only specimen was captured during a Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) of Conservation International in the upper Palumeu river, south Suriname. This range extension shows the presence of A. tetradactylus in yet another country of the Guiana shield. A range extension of 290 km southwards is noted for this new record.

Common Names Index

This index presents a list of Common Names that occur in this book on Amphibians of Suriname. The entries are arranged in alphabetical order.Keywords: amphibians; Suriname

Species that may occur in Suriname, but not yet recorded for sure or known from one specimen collected in the far past only

This chapter presents species that may occur in Suriname, but not yet recorded for sure or known from one specimen collected in the far past only. It presents 7 species such as Anomaloglossus Degranvillei, Adelophryne Gutturosa, Eleutherodactylus Johnstonei, Trachycephalus Hadroceps, Caecilia Albiventris, Siphonops Annulatus, and Typhlonectes Compressicaudus.Keywords:Adelophryne Gutturosa; Anomaloglossus Degranvillei; Caecilia Albiventris; Eleutherodactylus Johnstonei; Siphonops Annulatus; Trachycephalus Hadroceps; Typhlonectes Compressicaudus

Gymnophiona Family Caeciliidae

This chapter presents short descriptions, data on the distribution, reproduction and natural history of the species of family Caeciliidae now known for the country. It discusses 5 species such as Caecilia gracilis, Caecilia tentaculata, Microcaecilia rabei, Microcaecilia taylori, and Microcaecilia unicolor under this family.Keywords:Caecilia gracilis; Caecilia tentaculata; family Caeciliidae; Microcaecilia rabei; Microcaecilia taylori; Microcaecilia unicolor

Conservation of Amphibians in Suriname

Suriname has one of the highest forest covers and one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world. Suriname is a country that, relative to its size, is rich in amphibians. It still has a good chance to preserve this natural heritage by the promotion and implementation of a sustainable development, nowadays usually called green economic development. Thirty four species are extremely rare, and known only from five or less localities or specimens. Rare species may be vulnerable. The number of species remaining is 19. Of this group the distribution of 6 species includes at least one protected area, leaving 13 species that are extremely rare or have a very limited distribution and are not protected in Suriname. If the chapter looks at threats for the 34 species that are rare, these are mining, the construction of hydro-electric reservoirs, savanna burning, land degradation, the pet trade and sea-level rise.Keywords:hydro-electric reservoirs; savanna burning; Suriname