Showing papers in "Herpetological Monographs in 2020"
TL;DR: This work has shown that parental care behavior in amphibians is influenced by environmental influences such as temperature, diet, and shellfish consumption.
Abstract: Despite rising interest among scientists for over two centuries, parental care behavior has not been as thoroughly studied in amphibians as it has in other taxa. The first reports of amphi...
37 citations
Federal University of Paraíba1, Sao Paulo State University2, National University of Misiones3, National University of the Littoral4, University of Brasília5, Rutgers University6, Federal University of Uberlandia7, National Scientific and Technical Research Council8, Federal University of Bahia9, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul10, University of Richmond11, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte12
TL;DR: The findings reinforce the view that Neotropical diversity is highly underestimated and stress that appropriate geographic sampling in an integrative framework is crucial for the establishment of specific limits among broadly distributed and morphologically cryptic Neotropic frogs.
Abstract: The Leptodactylus latrans species group currently comprises eight medium- to large-sized frog species with a convoluted taxonomic history, particularly related to the specific limits of the L. latrans complex, and the species pair Leptodactylus chaquensis–Leptodactylus macrosternum. Their homogeneous external morphology and continental geographic distribution in South America have posed severe limitations to a comprehensive review, such that taxonomic consensus and species limits remain uncertain. This is further worsened by the presence of chromatic polymorphism among coexisting species that can hardly be distinguished by external morphology. Based on a large-scale geographic sampling including multilocus DNA analyses, and acoustic and morphological data, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of the taxonomic status and species limits of the L. latrans group, focusing on the resolution of the L. latrans complex and the species pair L. chaquensis–L. macrosternum. We gathered 728 mitochondrial sequences from 429 localities, encompassing the entire geographic distribution of the group. Both generalized mixed Yule coalescent and automatic barcode gap discovery species delimitation methods recovered four major mitochondrial evolutionary lineages within the L. latrans complex, also supported by distribution patterns, multilocus molecular, morphological and/or bioacoustic data. One lineage is linked to nominal L. latrans, one revalidated as Leptodactylus luctator, and the other two are formally named and described. Another lineage encompasses all specimens previously assigned to the species pair L. chaquensis–L. macrosternum, clustered as a single evolutionary entity and is now regarded as L. macrosternum. We provide a revised diagnosis for these species based on acoustic data, morphological/chromatic variation, and phylogenetic relationships of all species currently included in the L. latrans group. Our findings reinforce the view that Neotropical diversity is highly underestimated and stress that appropriate geographic sampling in an integrative framework is crucial for the establishment of specific limits among broadly distributed and morphologically cryptic Neotropical frogs.
20 citations
TL;DR: All species of Crossodactylodes occur in highly threatened environments, are restricted to very small geographic ranges, and probably have limited dispersal capacity due to their small body size and dependence on bromeliads, which emphasize the need for habitat protection to safeguard species viability.
Abstract: Crossodactylodes is a poorly known genus of small-sized bromeligenous frogs, endemic to Brazil. They have a patchy distribution across the mountains of the Atlantic Forest and the “campo rupestre” ecosystem. To better resolve their evolutionary relationships, we performed phylogenetic analyses using a multigene DNA matrix and representative sampling within the genus. We then evaluated the evolution of phenotypical and natural history traits with the inferred phylogeny. We recovered Crossodactylodes as monophyletic, diagnosed by seven putative synapomorphies in morphological and natural history characters. Evidence supports some morphological synapomorphies as adaptations to the bromeligenous habit. We found high genetic distances among closely distributed lineages within C. bokermanni and C. izecksohni. Some of these lineages might represent undescribed cryptic species. We provide detailed accounts for each species including data on their geographic range, conservation, and natural history. All species of Crossodactylodes occur in highly threatened environments, are restricted to very small geographic ranges, and probably have limited dispersal capacity due to their small body size and dependence on bromeliads. These factors emphasize the need for habitat protection to safeguard species viability.
8 citations
TL;DR: This study assembled a genetic and morphological data set of 22 Hemidactylus species that form a clade termed the African radiation, which is part of the arid clade of the genus, and reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships using both concatenation-based approaches and species tree inference.
Abstract: The Horn of Africa supports a unique and rich diversity of squamate reptiles. Among them, the gecko genus Hemidactylus stands out as the most species-rich genus of the region. In this study, we assembled a genetic and morphological data set of 22 Hemidactylus species that form a clade termed the African radiation, which is part of the arid clade of the genus. We reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships using both concatenation-based approaches and species tree inference. Hemidactylus laevis, H. ophiolepoides, and H. somalicus have been sequenced and placed in a phylogenetic context for the first time in this study. Our results confirm the phylogenetic placement of these species within the African radiation of the genus. Early diversification within the clade, however, remains obscure. According to the analysis of concatenated data, H. laevis is sister to the rest of the clade, whereas the species tree analyses inferred the African radiation to be formed by two subclades, northern and southern, and H. laevis belonging to the former. We integrate evidence from multiple sources including genetic differentiation at both mitochondrial and nuclear levels, morphological disparification, and coalescent-based species delimitation to support the existence of two new species of Hemidactylus. We provide a formal description of these two new species, one from northern Ethiopia, Eritrea, and westernmost Somaliland, and one from southern Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and easternmost South Sudan. Furthermore, we found that of the morphological traits examined, the numbers of supralabials and infralabials bear phylogenetic signal and we were able to tentatively infer the phylogenetic placement of species for which genetic data are still missing.
8 citations
TL;DR: This work rectifies the major taxonomic problems present in Philippine Eutropis by providing formal descriptions for eight new species, including three of the four new species in the E. multicarinata species complex, and demonstrates that this group includes at least 14 distinct evolutionary lineages.
Abstract: Species descriptions of reptiles historically have relied exclusively on the use of morphological data; however, these external, phenotypic data do not always co-vary with lineage divergence. Consequently, it has become increasingly clear that species diversity has been underestimated in many evolutionary radiations. With the use of an integrative approach, we examined the genetic and morphological diversity present in a nearly endemic Philippine radiation of Eutropis. Results demonstrated that current taxonomy does not reflect evolutionary history and that in many cases, morphological divergence has become decoupled from genetic divergence. As a consequence, species diversity is significantly underestimated. Here, we rectify the major taxonomic problems present in Philippine Eutropis by providing formal descriptions for eight new species. Three of the four new species in the E. multicarinata species complex are sympatric with (and have long been confused with) previously described subspecies (which we also elevate to full species here). The fourth species is endemic to the Caroline Islands, clearly derived from a long-distance dispersal event from the Philippines. The new species in the E. indeprensa species complex are allopatrically or parapatrically distributed across the archipelago. In contrast to the last review of Philippine Eutropis, which suggested the endemic radiation was composed of five species (one of which was composed of two subspecies), we demonstrate that this group includes at least 14 distinct evolutionary lineages, with potential for additional diversity to be discovered pending further study.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of morphology and systematics of Phoxophrys using new specimens of previously rare species was performed using computed tomography data of all currently recognized species in this genus.
Abstract: We review morphology and systematics of Phoxophrys using new specimens of previously rare species. In addition to external characters, we relied heavily on skull morphology visualized using computed tomography data of all currently recognized species in this genus. Phylogenetic analysis of ND4, 12S, and 16S mDNA sequences reveal that Ph. tuberculata is sister to a clade containing Dendragama, Lophocalotes, and insular Pseudocalotes. Phoxophrys tuberculata is only distantly related to Bornean congeners. Phylogenetic analysis of 29 morphological characters scored for all the species of Phoxophrys and a diverse set of 22 outgroup taxa found four well-supported lineages: Ph. tuberculata, a clade of all Bornean congeners, Ph. nigrilabris, and a clade of the four large Bornean species. To resolve paraphyly of Phoxophrys, we revalidate Pelturagonia Mocquard for all Bornean species of this genus. As redefined, Phoxophrys contains a single species: Ph. tuberculata of Sumatra. We describe a new species of Pelturagonia from the Meratus Range of southeastern Kalimantan. The new species is the sister species of Pe. spiniceps. Like that species, it differs from congeners in having large, dorsally projecting scales between the dorsolateral caudal crests and a postorbital process of the frontal bone reaching the postciliary ornament.
4 citations
TL;DR: The diversity of the tropical climbing salamander genus Bolitoglossa (Magnadigita) in Honduras has been underestimated historically, with 11 new species having been described in the past quarter-century, but differences in mitochondrial genealogy and genome size between populations to the east and west of the Mejocote–San Juan Depression are demonstrated.
Abstract: The diversity of the tropical climbing salamander genus Bolitoglossa (Magnadigita) in Honduras has been underestimated historically, with 11 new species having been described in the past quarter-century. Bolitoglossa celaque is known to occur in three disjunct mountain ranges across the Lenca Highlands region of southwestern Honduras, and previous studies have independently demonstrated differences in mitochondrial genealogy and genome size between populations to the east and west of the Mejocote–San Juan Depression. Sampling from all three mountain ranges represented two genetically distinct clades: one associated with the vicinity of the type locality, Montana de Celaque, and the second consisting of several eastern populations from the departments of Intibuca and La Paz. Distinctiveness of these two clades was further investigated and supported by analyses of morphological variation, geometric morphometrics of foot morphology, and comparative osteology. Based on congruent signals from each line of evidence, we restrict the taxon B. celaque to Montana de Celaque and describe the eastern populations as a new species of Bolitoglossa.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this article, Candioti and Florencia present a study of the relationship between the Nacional de Investigación Cientifica y Tecnicas (CICTE) and the NACTE.
Abstract: Fil: Vera Candioti, Maria Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico - Tucuman. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina
3 citations
TL;DR: This study investigates the cranial and postcranial osteology of the Mesopotamian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Saara loricata), previously referred to Uromastyx, and presents a complete description of the bones of the species.
Abstract: The species of the subfamily Uromastycinae are herbivorous burrowing lizards distributed from the African Sahara Desert to the Asian Thar Desert and across the Arabian Peninsula. Although osteological studies on Uromastycinae have a long history, a detailed description of the complete skeleton is lacking. We investigate the cranial and postcranial osteology of the Mesopotamian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Saara loricata, previously referred to Uromastyx). We studied articulated and disarticulated materials from five specimens and present a complete description of the bones of the species. Our study adds to the growing body of literature on the skeleton of agamid lizards. Unlike Uromastyx sensu stricto, in S. loricata no anterior premaxillary foramina exists on the anterior surface of the premaxilla, no contact exists between the frontal and the maxilla or premaxilla, the anterolateral processes of the frontal are unexposed in dorsal view so that the prefrontal and nasal are attached, and the pterygoid does not contact the vomer anteriorly and the quadrate posteriorly. Unlike its congener S. hardwickii, in S. loricata no anterior premaxillary foramen exists on the anterior surface of the premaxilla, a smaller ethmoidal foramen perforates the nasal, a well-developed, posteriorly extended socket-like notch is formed through anterior bifurcation of the jugal, an L-shaped suture line forms between the jugal and postorbital in dorsal view, and an interlocking suture between the surangular and dentary exists in S. loricata.
2 citations
TL;DR: The taxonomy of populations previously referred to as C. bicarinatus is reviewed, revisiting the species definition with an updated diagnosis and inferring its phylogenetic relationships with closely related lineages in southern Brazil is reviewed.
Abstract: Chironius bicarinatus is a conspicuous colubrid snake species, widely distributed in northeastern, southeastern, central-western, and southern Brazil, as well as Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. On the basis of new morphological data of individuals from previously unsampled regions and deoxyribonucleic acid sequences, we reviewed the taxonomy of populations previously referred to as C. bicarinatus, revisiting the species definition with an updated diagnosis, inferring its phylogenetic relationships with closely related lineages in southern Brazil, herein described as a new species restricted to Pampa forests or grasslands and Atlantic Forest semidecidual forests in southern Brazil. The new species can be readily diagnosed from C. bicarinatus and all other congeners on the basis of internal (hemipenis unilobed, unicalyculate, cylindrical, apex with smooth calyces, with spinules restricted to proximal portion, near the medial area; lacrimal foramen with small projection on the anteroventral margin) and external morphology (ventrals 153–165 [153–165 in males, 155–164 in females]; subcaudals 103–146 pairs [129–142 in males, 103–146 in females]; adult dorsal pattern with dark green background, scales sometimes with light blue margin, two conspicuous black dorsal stripes with light green vertebral stripe between them that gradually dissipates to the tail, ventrals with black margin on its edges) and molecular evidence.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined shed skin or scales stripped from 53 native species of snakes from Taiwan and adjacent islands and 13 foreign species, verified the intraspecific variation of microstructures on the scales, conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses of microdermatoglyphics, and developed a guide and key to identify shed skins by scanning electron microscopy.
Abstract: Shed skins of snakes have practical applications and can provide information on biodiversity. We examined shed skins or scales stripped from 53 native species of snakes from Taiwan and adjacent islands and 13 foreign species, verified the intraspecific variation of microstructures on the scales, conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses of microdermatoglyphics, and developed a guide and key to identify shed skins by scanning electron microscopy. We examined several microstructural characteristics of scales including the form and dimensions of oberhautchen cells, denticulations, microridges, nanopits, and nanochannels. Furthermore, we noted scale shape and presence or absence of rounded tubercles on the scales. The microstructures of apical (and central) regions of scales were similar to each other, but different from those on basal and lateral margins, the keel, or apical pits. The microdermatoglyphics on cranial scales (cephalic shields) differed from those on scales from other regions of the body. Those from the dorsal and dorsolateral surfaces of the body, and the dorsal surface of the tail were similar, as were those on scales from the ventral surfaces of the body and tail. For adults or juveniles, there was no significant ontogenetic variation in many microdermatoglyphic characteristics. By conducting phylogenetic mapping, we found that symmetrical (dorsal) scales without apical pit organs or rounded tubercles, keelless and rounded scales, flat microdermatoglyphic patterns (without longitudinal microridges), (sub)lamellate oberhautchen cells, cell borders without denticulations or with tiny and keelless denticulations, and relatively small nanopits at denticulation joints or covering cells, are likely to be plesiomorphic character states. We also examined character evolution models based on the microdermatoglyphics and their phylogenetic signals, conducted phylogenetic generalized least-squares regressions to examine the correlations among snake habitat type and the morphological traits on scales, and confirmed a hypothesis that the evolution of scale microstructures is dominated by both phylogenetic and functional (ecological) constraints. This study also indicates that scale microstructure can be used to identify snakeskin products, roadkill specimens and fragmented samples, scale remnants in predator feces, and wild snake sloughs.