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Cryptic diversity in the lizard genus Plica (Squamata): phylogenetic diversity and Amazonian biogeography

Intra‐ and interspecific genetic diversity of the lizard species Plica plica (9 localities) and Plica umbra (19 localities) from the Brazilian Amazon was analysed using two mitochondrial (16S rDNA and CO1) and one nuclear (prolactin receptor – PRLR) genes. We generated a maximum‐likelihood and Bayesian hypotheses of phylogenetic relationships, and using the bPTP and ABGD lineage delimiting methods inferred the most likely number of lineages within each species. Both methods delimited five distinct lineages in Plica plica and six lineages within Plica umbra. The nominal subspecies of Plica umbra was comprised of one lineage, while Plica umbra ochrocollaris was comprised of five lineages. In majority of the cases, lineages were restricted to the interfluves of major Amazonian rivers, and different lineages occupied distinct areas of endemism. Phylogenetic relationships of the lineages are largely concordant with the hypothesized formation of the areas of endemism. The geographic structuring of the clades and the delimitation of these clades as distinct lineages suggest the possibility that these lineages represent species. If the observed diversity of lineages within the genus Plica is characteristic of squamate reptiles of the Amazon region, the diversity of squamates is grossly underestimated.

Two new species of Amazophrynella (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) from Loreto, Peru

Amazophrynella is a taxonomically poorly known bufonid genus with a pan-Amazonian distribution. A large part of this ambiguity comes from taxonomic uncertainties regarding the type species A. minuta. In this study we compare morphological and molecular data of topotypic specimens of A. minuta with all other nomical congeneric species. Based on these comparisons, we describe two new species. The first species, A. amazonicola sp. nov., differs from other recognized congeners by having a tip of snout with a small triangular protrusion (in dorsal and lateral view), spiculated body and basal webbing on fingers I and II. The second species, A. matses sp. nov., differs from congeners by the smallest snout to vent length of the genus, edges of nasal protrusion dilated and elliptical shape palmar tubercles. The two species are allopatric, where the first species is known to be associated with white sand forests (=campinaranas), while the second inhabits upland (=terra firme) forests. Both species are diagnosable by a series of substitutions in the 16S rDNA, and both species are highly divergent from their sister taxa (p-distances range from 7-14%).

New Species of Stefania (Anura: Cryptobatrachidae) from Northern Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract A new species of Stefania (Anura: Cryptobatrachidae) from northern Amazonas, Brazil, is described. Three specimens were collected in the Parque Nacional do Pico da Neblina, municipality of São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Amazonas State, northern Brazil, at 110–850 m elevation in dense closed canopy forest and in dense closed canopy montane forest. The new species is characterized by head length slightly greater than width, canthus rostralis concave, toes more than 50% webbed, dorsal skin smooth or shagreened. This is the first record of a species of Stefania endemic to Brazil.

Uncovering the diversity in the Amazophrynella minuta complex: integrative taxonomy reveals a new species of Amazophrynella (Anura, Bufonidae) from southern Peru.

Abstract A new species of the genus Amazophrynella (Anura, Bufonidae) is described from the departments of Madre de Dios, Cusco and Junin in Peru. An integrative taxonomy approach is used. A morphological diagnosis, morphometrics comparisons, description of the advertisement call, and the phylogenetic relationships of the new species are provided. Amazophrynella javierbustamantei sp. n. differs from other species of Amazophrynella by: intermediate body-size (snout-vent length 14.9 mm in males, n = 26 and 19.6 mm in females, n = 20), tuberculate skin texture of body, greatest hand length of the Amazophrynella spp. (3.6 mm in males, n = 26 and 4.6 mm in females, n = 20), venter coloration yellowish, tiny rounded black points covering the venter, and thirteen molecular autapomorphies in the 16S RNA gene. Its distribution varies from 215 to 708 m a.s.l. This discovery highlights the importance of the remnant forest in preserving the biodiversity in Peru, and increase in seven the species formally described in the genus Amazophrynella.

Integrative overview of the herpetofauna from Serra da Mocidade, a granitic mountain range in northern Brazil

Abstract The Brazilian mountain ranges from the Guiana Shield highlands are largely unexplored, with an understudied herpetofauna. Here the amphibian and reptile species diversity of the remote Serra da Mocidade mountain range, located in extreme northern Brazil, is reported upon, and biogeographical affinities and taxonomic highlights are discussed. A 22-days expedition to this mountain range was undertaken during which specimens were sampled at four distinct altitudinal levels (600, 960, 1,060 and 1,365 m above sea level) using six complementary methods. Specimens were identified through an integrated approach that considered morphological, bioacoustical, and molecular analyses. Fifty-one species (23 amphibians and 28 reptiles) were found, a comparable richness to other mountain ranges in the region. The recorded assemblage showed a mixed compositional influence from assemblages typical of other mountain ranges and lowland forest habitats in the region. Most of the taxa occupying the Serra da Mocidade mountain range are typical of the Guiana Shield or widely distributed in the Amazon. Extensions of known distribution ranges and candidate undescribed taxa are also recorded. This is the first herpetofaunal expedition that accessed the higher altitudinal levels of this mountain range, contributing to the basic knowledge of these groups in remote areas.

Introduction of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in central Amazonia, Brazil

This note reports new records of Leptodactylus labyrinthicus in central Amazonia (Manaus, Brazil). We found a small population on the banks of a small polluted tributary of the Negro river. The knowledge about the natural species range suggests that the population was introduced, probably carried to Manaus for commercial production.

New record and range extension of the Horned Toad, Rhinella ceratophrys (Boulenger, 1882) (Anura: Bufonidae), in Venezuela, and confirmation of its presence in Brazil

The Horned Toad, Rhinella ceratophrys , is widely distributed in the northwestern part of the Amazon region. It is known from Venezuela by only a single juvenile from the base of Cerro Marahuaca, Amazonas state. Herein we report four additional specimens from Venezuela: three juveniles also from Cerro Marahuaca, and a subadult female from the southern slopes of Cerro La Neblina, at the southern border of Amazonas state. The specimen from Cerro La Neblina extends the species distribution to the extreme south of Venezuelan Amazonia, 307 km south of Marahuaca, and it represents the southeasternmost record of the species. We also confirm the presence of R. ceratophrys in Brazil based on voucher specimens, and present an updated distribution map.

An optimized protocol for obtaining mitotic chromosomes from cultured reptilian lymphocytes

We provide an efficient protocol for obtaining mitotic chromosomes with well-defined morphology in 17 different taxa of the class Reptilia. We also show that there is no need for adjustments among taxa and no need to sacrifice the animals studied.

Redescription of the Amazonian tiny tree toad Amazophrynella minuta (Melin, 1941) (Anura: Bufonidae) from its type locality

The description of Amazophrynella minuta was published in 1941 by the Swedish naturalist Douglas Melin based on material from Taracuá (Amazonas state, Brazil). This description was very brief and based on the morphology of few specimens with diagnostic characters and color variation not well defined. Moreover, the type series is currently in poor state of conservation. Consequently, taxonomic ambiguity surrounds the nominal taxon A. minuta, which hampers the description of many unnamed congeneric species. Herein, we redescribe A. minuta based on recently collected specimens from the type locality, designate a lectotype, formulate a new diagnosis, provide patterns of morphological variation, measurements and body proportions.

On Rhinella gildae Vaz-Silva, Maciel, Bastos & Pombal 2015 (Anura: Bufonidae): Phylogenetic relationship, morphological variation, advertisement and release calls and geographic distribution

Anurans in the Rhinella margaritifera group have a long history of taxonomic confusion, mainly by morphological similarity between species and lack of acoustic and genetic data for many of the 19 described species. Herein, we presented data for Rhinella gildae based on recently collected specimens from its type locality. We provide patterns of morphological variation, measurements, advertisement and release calls and infer the phylogenetic position of R. gildae. The species geographical distribution was updated, occurring in two Amazonian localities in Maranhão state, and Cerrado areas in Maranhão and Tocantins states and also in a rainforest enclave inside Caatinga domain in Ceará state.