The taxonomic status of Rhaebo anderssoni (Melin, 1941) (Anura: Bufonidae)
Abstract.-- Bufo anderssoni Melin, 1941 is synonymised with Rhaebo guttatus (Schneider, 1799) based on direct comparison of the holotypes of both and fresh material. All characters of the former fall within the intraspecific variation of R. guttatus. The few characters used in the original description to distinguish anderssoni from guttatus (narrower interorbital space, smaller tympanum and smaller size) are not considered important interspecific differences, but rather dependent on ontogenetic development.
Cita / Citation: Barrio-Amorós, C. L. & Castroviejo-Fisher, S. (2007) The taxonomic status of Rhaebo anderssoni (Melin, 1941) (Anura: Bufonidae). Salamandra 43(4): 250-253.
Correos electrónicos de los autores: Cesar L. Barrio-Amoros cesarlba@yahoo.com, Santiago Castroviejo-Fisher santiago.castroviejo@ebc.uu.se.
06 noviembre 2007
Stress in Invasive Cane Toads
Invasion, stress, and spinal arthritis in cane toads
Abstract.-- The impact of invasive species on biodiversity has attracted considerable study, but impacts of the invasion process on the invaders themselves remain less clear. Invading species encounter conditions different from those in their ancestral habitats and are subject to intense selection for rapid dispersal. The end result may be significant stress on individual organisms, with consequent health problems. Our studies on invasive cane toads in Australia reveal severe spinal arthritis in c. 10% of large adult toads, associated with the same factors (large body size, frequent movement, and relatively long legs) that have enabled toads to invade so rapidly across the Australian tropics.
Cita / Citation: Brown, G. P., Shilton, C., Phillips, B. L. & Shine, R. (2007) Invasion, stress, and spinal arthritis in cane toads. PNAS 104(45). 10.1073/pnas.0705057104
Autor a quien correspondencia debe ser dirigida: Richard Shine rics@bio.usyd.edu.au
Enlace al Abstract (acceso gratis a la publicación completa en paises de Latinoamerica):
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/104/45/17698
Abstract.-- The impact of invasive species on biodiversity has attracted considerable study, but impacts of the invasion process on the invaders themselves remain less clear. Invading species encounter conditions different from those in their ancestral habitats and are subject to intense selection for rapid dispersal. The end result may be significant stress on individual organisms, with consequent health problems. Our studies on invasive cane toads in Australia reveal severe spinal arthritis in c. 10% of large adult toads, associated with the same factors (large body size, frequent movement, and relatively long legs) that have enabled toads to invade so rapidly across the Australian tropics.
Cita / Citation: Brown, G. P., Shilton, C., Phillips, B. L. & Shine, R. (2007) Invasion, stress, and spinal arthritis in cane toads. PNAS 104(45). 10.1073/pnas.0705057104
Autor a quien correspondencia debe ser dirigida: Richard Shine rics@bio.usyd.edu.au
Enlace al Abstract (acceso gratis a la publicación completa en paises de Latinoamerica):
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/104/45/17698
04 noviembre 2007
Underestimation of Species Richness in Neotropical Frogs
Underestimation of Species Richness in Neotropical Frogs Revealed by mtDNA Analyses
Abstract.-- Background. Amphibians are rapidly vanishing. At the same time, it is most likely that the number of amphibian species is highly underestimated. Recent DNA barcoding work has attempted to define a threshold between intra- and inter-specific genetic distances to help identify candidate species. In groups with high extinction rates and poorly known species boundaries, like amphibians, such tools may provide a way to rapidly evaluate species richness. Methodology. Here we analyse published and new 16S rDNA sequences from 60 frog species of Amazonia-Guianas to obtain a minimum estimate of the number of undescribed species in this region. We combined isolation by distance, phylogenetic analyses, and comparison of molecular distances to evaluate threshold values for the identification of candidate species among these frogs. Principal Findings. In most cases, geographically distant populations belong to genetically highly distinct lineages that could be considered as candidate new species. This was not universal among the taxa studied and thus widespread species of Neotropical frogs really do exist, contrary to previous assumptions. Moreover, the many instances of paraphyly and the wide overlap between distributions of inter- and intra-specific distances reinforce the hypothesis that many cryptic species remain to be described. In our data set, pairwise genetic distances below 0.02 are strongly correlated with geographical distances. This correlation remains statistically significant until genetic distance is 0.05, with no such relation thereafter. This suggests that for higher distances allopatric and sympatric cryptic species prevail. Based on our analyses, we propose a more inclusive pairwise genetic distance of 0.03 between taxa to target lineages that could correspond to candidate species. Conclusions. Using this approach, we identify 129 candidate species, two-fold greater than the 60 species included in the current study. This leads to estimates of around 170 to 460 frog taxa unrecognized in Amazonia-Guianas. Significance. As a consequence the global amphibian decline detected especially in the Neotropics may be worse than realised.
Cita / Citation: Fouquet, A., Gilles, A., Vences, M., Marty, C., Blanc, M. & Gemmellet, N. J. (2007) Underestimation of Species Richness in Neotropical Frogs Revealed by mtDNA Analyses. PLoS ONE 2(10): e1109. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001109
Acceso libre al artículo y al pdf / Open access to the article and its pdf: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0001109
<<PLoS ONE (eISSN-1932-6203) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication. PLoS ONE welcomes reports on primary research from any scientific discipline. PLoS ONE is published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), a nonprofit organization. PLoS ONE's start-up phase is supported by a grant from the Open Society Institute.>>
Abstract.-- Background. Amphibians are rapidly vanishing. At the same time, it is most likely that the number of amphibian species is highly underestimated. Recent DNA barcoding work has attempted to define a threshold between intra- and inter-specific genetic distances to help identify candidate species. In groups with high extinction rates and poorly known species boundaries, like amphibians, such tools may provide a way to rapidly evaluate species richness. Methodology. Here we analyse published and new 16S rDNA sequences from 60 frog species of Amazonia-Guianas to obtain a minimum estimate of the number of undescribed species in this region. We combined isolation by distance, phylogenetic analyses, and comparison of molecular distances to evaluate threshold values for the identification of candidate species among these frogs. Principal Findings. In most cases, geographically distant populations belong to genetically highly distinct lineages that could be considered as candidate new species. This was not universal among the taxa studied and thus widespread species of Neotropical frogs really do exist, contrary to previous assumptions. Moreover, the many instances of paraphyly and the wide overlap between distributions of inter- and intra-specific distances reinforce the hypothesis that many cryptic species remain to be described. In our data set, pairwise genetic distances below 0.02 are strongly correlated with geographical distances. This correlation remains statistically significant until genetic distance is 0.05, with no such relation thereafter. This suggests that for higher distances allopatric and sympatric cryptic species prevail. Based on our analyses, we propose a more inclusive pairwise genetic distance of 0.03 between taxa to target lineages that could correspond to candidate species. Conclusions. Using this approach, we identify 129 candidate species, two-fold greater than the 60 species included in the current study. This leads to estimates of around 170 to 460 frog taxa unrecognized in Amazonia-Guianas. Significance. As a consequence the global amphibian decline detected especially in the Neotropics may be worse than realised.
Cita / Citation: Fouquet, A., Gilles, A., Vences, M., Marty, C., Blanc, M. & Gemmellet, N. J. (2007) Underestimation of Species Richness in Neotropical Frogs Revealed by mtDNA Analyses. PLoS ONE 2(10): e1109. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001109
Acceso libre al artículo y al pdf / Open access to the article and its pdf: http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0001109
<<PLoS ONE (eISSN-1932-6203) is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access, online publication. PLoS ONE welcomes reports on primary research from any scientific discipline. PLoS ONE is published by the Public Library of Science (PLoS), a nonprofit organization. PLoS ONE's start-up phase is supported by a grant from the Open Society Institute.>>
09 octubre 2007
Cochranella erminea sp. nov.
Cochranella erminea, a new species of Centrolenidae (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura) from Amazonian Peru)
Abstract.--We describe a new species of Centrolenidae, Cochranella erminea n. sp., from the Amazonian lowlands of the department of Junín, Peru. This new species is diagnosed from other centrolenids by having vomerine teeth, bones green in life, parietal peritoneum and pericardium white, all other visceral peritonea clear, dorsum in life viridian to olive green with abundant enameled (bright white) flecks/spots on flat warts, and scattered larger dark blue spots on warts, extensive webbing between outer fingers, snout in profile slightly sloping anteroventraly, and rounded in dorsal view, iris in life between light grey and slate gray with fine darker gray reticulations. We also present new information on the distribution of C. truebae and C. ametarsia in Peru..
Cita / Citation: Torres-Gastello, C.P., J. Suarez-Segovia, J. & D.F. Cisneros-Heredia. 2007. Cochranella erminea, a new species of Centrolenidae (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura) from Amazonian Peru. Journal of the National Museum (Prague), Natural History Series 176 (1): 1-12.
Mas información: http://www.cisneros-heredia.org/public
Abstract.--We describe a new species of Centrolenidae, Cochranella erminea n. sp., from the Amazonian lowlands of the department of Junín, Peru. This new species is diagnosed from other centrolenids by having vomerine teeth, bones green in life, parietal peritoneum and pericardium white, all other visceral peritonea clear, dorsum in life viridian to olive green with abundant enameled (bright white) flecks/spots on flat warts, and scattered larger dark blue spots on warts, extensive webbing between outer fingers, snout in profile slightly sloping anteroventraly, and rounded in dorsal view, iris in life between light grey and slate gray with fine darker gray reticulations. We also present new information on the distribution of C. truebae and C. ametarsia in Peru..
Cita / Citation: Torres-Gastello, C.P., J. Suarez-Segovia, J. & D.F. Cisneros-Heredia. 2007. Cochranella erminea, a new species of Centrolenidae (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura) from Amazonian Peru. Journal of the National Museum (Prague), Natural History Series 176 (1): 1-12.
Mas información: http://www.cisneros-heredia.org/public
31 agosto 2007
Nymphargus new genus
Revision of the characters of Centrolenidae (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura), with comments on its taxonomy and the description of new taxa of glassfrogs
Abstract.--Anurans of the family Centrolenidae are a diverse clade of arboreal frogs distributed across tropical America. Knowledge of their taxonomy, systematics, ecology, behavior, morphology, and other evolutionary aspects of their biology is deficient. Relationships among centrolenid species remain largely unresolved, with no satisfactory phylogenetic hypothesis, and none of the current genera has compelling evidence of monophyly. Further, understanding the phylogeny of glassfrogs is constrained by species-level taxonomic problems, including incorrect description of characters, incomplete analyses of intraspecific variation, and lack of appreciation of species diversity. Herein, we define and analyze the 23 characters that are useful, in combination, in diagnosing centrolenid species, and thereby provide a reference for the use of future workers. We propose revised classifications for the parietal and visceral peritoneal pigmentation, liver form and coloration of its associated hepatic peritoneum, nuptial excrescences, and hand ornamentation. We comment on the generic and species-level taxonomy of Centrolenidae, proposing the recognition of a new genus and describing a new species from Ecuador. We treat Hyla ocellifera Boulenger as a synonym of Centrolene prosoblepon (Boettger), Hyalinobatrachium cardiacalyptum McCranie & Wilson as a synonym of Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi (Taylor), and Hyalinobatrachium crybetes McCranie and Wilson as a synonym of Hyalinobatrachium colymbiphyllum (Taylor). We also present an annotated list of the species of glassfrogs from the Republic of Ecuador with some distributional remarks.
Resumen.--Los anuros de la familia Centrolenidae forman un clado diverso de ranas arbóreas distribuidas a lo largo de América tropical. El conocimiento sobre su taxonomía, sistemática, ecología, comportamiento, morfología y otros aspectos biológicos y evolutivos es deficiente. Las relaciones entre las especies de centrolénidos permanecen ampliamente sin resolver, sin hipótesis filogenéticas satisfactorias y todos los géneros actuales tienen evidencia clara de su no-monofília. Más aún, el entendimiento de la filogenia de las ranas de cristal está limitado por problemas taxonómicos al nivel de especies, incluyendo la descripción incorrecta de caracteres, análisis incompletos de la variación intraespecífica y la falta de apreciación de la diversidad de especies. En este trabajo, nosotro definimos y analizamos los 23 caracteres que son útiles, en combinación, para diagnosticar todas las especies de centrolénidos, proveyendo una referencia para el uso de futuros investigadores. Proponemos clasificaciones revisadas para la pigmentación de los peritoneos parietal y visceral, la forma del hígado y la coloración del peritoneo hepático asociado, las excrescencias nupciales y las ornamentaciones manuales. Comentamos sobre la taxonomía a nivel genérico y específico de Centrolenidae, proponiendo el reconocimiento de un nuevo género y la descripción de una nueva especie de Ecuador. Colocamos a Hyla ocellifera Boulenger como un sinónimo de Centrolene prosoblepon (Boettger); a Hyalinobatrachium cardiacalyptum McCranie & Wilson como sinónimo de Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi (Taylor); y a Hyalinobatrachium crybetes McCranie and Wilson como sinónimo de Hyalinobatrachium colymbiphyllum (Taylor). Presentamos una lista anotada de las especies de ranas de cristal de la República del Ecuador con algunos comentarios sobre su distribución.
Cita / Citation: Cisneros-Heredia, D. F. & R. W McDiarmid. 2007. Revision of the characters of Centrolenidae (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura), with comments on its taxonomy and the description of new taxa of glassfrogs. Zootaxa 1572: 1-82.
Descargar el pdf de este artículo: HAZ CLICK AQUI
Mas información: http://www.cisneros-heredia.org/public
Abstract.--Anurans of the family Centrolenidae are a diverse clade of arboreal frogs distributed across tropical America. Knowledge of their taxonomy, systematics, ecology, behavior, morphology, and other evolutionary aspects of their biology is deficient. Relationships among centrolenid species remain largely unresolved, with no satisfactory phylogenetic hypothesis, and none of the current genera has compelling evidence of monophyly. Further, understanding the phylogeny of glassfrogs is constrained by species-level taxonomic problems, including incorrect description of characters, incomplete analyses of intraspecific variation, and lack of appreciation of species diversity. Herein, we define and analyze the 23 characters that are useful, in combination, in diagnosing centrolenid species, and thereby provide a reference for the use of future workers. We propose revised classifications for the parietal and visceral peritoneal pigmentation, liver form and coloration of its associated hepatic peritoneum, nuptial excrescences, and hand ornamentation. We comment on the generic and species-level taxonomy of Centrolenidae, proposing the recognition of a new genus and describing a new species from Ecuador. We treat Hyla ocellifera Boulenger as a synonym of Centrolene prosoblepon (Boettger), Hyalinobatrachium cardiacalyptum McCranie & Wilson as a synonym of Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi (Taylor), and Hyalinobatrachium crybetes McCranie and Wilson as a synonym of Hyalinobatrachium colymbiphyllum (Taylor). We also present an annotated list of the species of glassfrogs from the Republic of Ecuador with some distributional remarks.
Resumen.--Los anuros de la familia Centrolenidae forman un clado diverso de ranas arbóreas distribuidas a lo largo de América tropical. El conocimiento sobre su taxonomía, sistemática, ecología, comportamiento, morfología y otros aspectos biológicos y evolutivos es deficiente. Las relaciones entre las especies de centrolénidos permanecen ampliamente sin resolver, sin hipótesis filogenéticas satisfactorias y todos los géneros actuales tienen evidencia clara de su no-monofília. Más aún, el entendimiento de la filogenia de las ranas de cristal está limitado por problemas taxonómicos al nivel de especies, incluyendo la descripción incorrecta de caracteres, análisis incompletos de la variación intraespecífica y la falta de apreciación de la diversidad de especies. En este trabajo, nosotro definimos y analizamos los 23 caracteres que son útiles, en combinación, para diagnosticar todas las especies de centrolénidos, proveyendo una referencia para el uso de futuros investigadores. Proponemos clasificaciones revisadas para la pigmentación de los peritoneos parietal y visceral, la forma del hígado y la coloración del peritoneo hepático asociado, las excrescencias nupciales y las ornamentaciones manuales. Comentamos sobre la taxonomía a nivel genérico y específico de Centrolenidae, proponiendo el reconocimiento de un nuevo género y la descripción de una nueva especie de Ecuador. Colocamos a Hyla ocellifera Boulenger como un sinónimo de Centrolene prosoblepon (Boettger); a Hyalinobatrachium cardiacalyptum McCranie & Wilson como sinónimo de Hyalinobatrachium chirripoi (Taylor); y a Hyalinobatrachium crybetes McCranie and Wilson como sinónimo de Hyalinobatrachium colymbiphyllum (Taylor). Presentamos una lista anotada de las especies de ranas de cristal de la República del Ecuador con algunos comentarios sobre su distribución.
Cita / Citation: Cisneros-Heredia, D. F. & R. W McDiarmid. 2007. Revision of the characters of Centrolenidae (Amphibia: Anura: Athesphatanura), with comments on its taxonomy and the description of new taxa of glassfrogs. Zootaxa 1572: 1-82.
Descargar el pdf de este artículo: HAZ CLICK AQUI
Mas información: http://www.cisneros-heredia.org/public
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)