23 julio 2008

Centrolene condor sp. nov.

A new species of glassfrog from the elfin forests of the Cordillera del Cóndor, southeastern Ecuador (Anura: Centrolenidae)

Abstract.-- We describe a new species of glassfrog of the genus Centrolene (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura: Centrolenidae) that inhabits the elfin forests of the Cordillera del Cóndor, an isolated mountain chain separated from the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes by the valley of the River Zamora. This new species is characterized by having vomerine teeth; a subacuminated snout in dorsal view and strongly sloping in profile; a tympanic annulus rather indistinct; shagreened dorsal skin with low warts and abundant spicules; a subcloacal area granular with several enameled warts; humeral spines in adult males; enameled ulnar folds; enameled metatarsal folds; a row of distinct enameled tubercles along the outer tarsal edges; and a green dorsum in life with abundant light and dark flecks. This taxon is the most distinct of a phenetic-set of species that includes Centrolene altitudinale, C. buckleyi, C. heloderma, C. hesperium, C. lemniscatum, and C. venezuelense.

Cita / Citation: Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. & Morales-Mite, M.A. (2008) A new species of glassfrog from the elfin forests of the Cordillera del Cóndor, southeastern Ecuador (Anura: Centrolenidae). Herpetozoa 21 (1/2): 49-56.

Mas información: http://www.cisneros-heredia.org/public

Synonymy petersi ametarsia

Taxonomic identity of Cochranella petersi Goin, 1961
and Centrolenella ametarsia Flores, 1987


Abstract.-- We assess the taxonomic status of Hyalinobatrachium petersi and Cochranella ametarsia based on the examination of type material and recently collected specimens. We conclude that the material assigned to them is morphologically undistinguishable from two previously described species (Cochranella pulverata and Cochranella oyampiensis, respectively) and, therefore, are junior synonyms.

Cita / Citation: Guayasamin, J.M., Cisneros-Heredia, D.F. & Castroviejo-Fisher, S. (2008) Taxonomic identity of Cochranella petersi Goin, 1961 and Centrolenella ametarsia Flores, 1987. Zootaxa 1815: 25-34.

Mas información: http://www.cisneros-heredia.org/public

Cochranella mache

Natural history and intraspecific variation of the Ecuadorian Blue Glassfrog Cochranella mache Guayasamin & Bonaccorso, 2004

Abstract.-- We present new information on the natural history and intraspecific variation of Cochranella mache GUAYASAMIN & BONACCORSO, 2004. It is a nocturnal species associated with small streams across primary and old secondary forests in the Cordillera Mache-Chindul, endemic to the Seasonal Evergreen forests of the West Ecuadorian Region. Intraspecific and sex-related variation is noted in several characters, including dorsal skin texture, expression of the dermal folds, cloacal ornamentation, expression of the supratympanic fold, and extent of iridophores on the hepatic peritoneum. Dramatic chromatic changes in life are reported, showing a unique pattern in Centrolenidae, its dorsal pattern changes from bluish-green with a dull yellow patch on the head and abundant yellow spots, to a lavender/light blue dorsum with a bright yellow patch on the head and abundant orange spots. In order to provide future researchers with useful information to characterize the species, we present a numbered diagnosis for Co. mache that includes all new information.

Cita / Citation: Cisneros-Heredia, D.F., Delia, J., Yánez-Muñoz, M.H. & Ortega-Andrade, H.M. (2008) Natural history and intraspecific variation of the Ecuadorian Blue Glassfrog Cochranella mache Guayasamin & Bonaccorso, 2004. Herpetozoa 21 (1/2): 57 - 66.

Mas información: http://www.cisneros-heredia.org/public

Osornophryne puruanta

A new species of Osornophryne (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Andean highlands of northern Ecuador

Abstract.-- Gleusenkamp & Guayasamin (2008) described a new species of the genus Osornophryne from the vicinities of Laguna de Puruanta and Laguna de San Marcos in the Andean highlands of northeastern Ecuador. The new species is the largest known member of the genus (female snout-vent length = 40.5–47.1 mm; males unknown) and is remarkable for having a smooth dorsal skin lacking conical tubercles and interspersed with numerous glandular pustules. The new species has a clutch size of about 30 eggs and is likely nocturnal.

Cita / Citation: Gluesenkamp, A. G. & Guayasamin, J.M. (2008) A new species of Osornophryne (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Andean highlands of northern Ecuador. Zootaxa 1828: 18-28.

Correo electrónico del autor: Andrew Gluesenkamp andy@gluesenkamp.com.

Pristimantis gagliardoi

A new frog species (Strabomantidae: Pristimantis) from the High Andes of Southeastern Ecuador

Abstract.-- Bustamante & Mendelson (2008) described Pristimantis gagliardoi, a new medium sized (SVL 19.06–33.64 mm) Pristimantis species from the Andean forests of southeastern Ecuador. This species was referred to the P. unistrigatus group. It differs from other members in the unistrigatus group by the presence of large conical tubercles on the eyelid and heel, small conical ulnar and tarsal tubercles, suprascapular dermal ridges, and bronze iris.

Cita / Citation: Bustamante, M. R. & Mendelson, J.R., III (2008) A new frog species (Strabomantidae: Pristimantis) from the High Andes of Southeastern Ecuador. Zootaxa 1820: 49/59.

Correo electrónico del autor: Martin Bustamante mrbustamante@puce.edu.ec.