DOCSLIB.ORG

The H Rpeto Ogical Jour A

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The H Rpeto Ogical Jour A Volume 13, Number 2 April 2003 ISSN 0268-0130 THE H RPETO OGICAL JOUR A Published by the Indexed in BRITISH HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Current Contents HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 13, pp. 69-79 (2003) A REVISION OF THE SCAPHIOPHRYNE MARMORATA COMPLEX OF MARBLED TOADS FROM MADAGASCAR, INCLUDING THE DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES MIGUEL VENCES1, CHRISTOPHER J. RAXWORTHY2, RONALD A. NUSSBAUM3 AND FRANK GLA W4 'Institute fo r Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Zoological Museum, Un iversiteit van Amsterdam, PO Box 94766, 1090 GT Amsterdam, Th e Netherlands :American Museum of Natural Hist01y, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192, USA 3Division of Reptiles and Amphibians, Museum of Zoology, Un iversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1079, USA 'Zoologische Staatssammlung Miinchen, Miinchhausenstrasse 21, 81247 Miinchen, Germany A revision of the available material hitherto assigned to the endemic Malagasy microhylid toad Scaphiophryne marmorata finds this taxon to be a complex of three species. In this study we resurrect Scaphiophryne sp inasa Steindachner, 1 882 from the synonymy of S. marmorata and describe a new species fromcentral eastern Madagascar. These three Scaphiophryne species are characterized by their distinctly expanded terminal finger discs, a character only shared with S. gottlebei. S. sp inosa is characterized by a highly granular back, with large spiny tubercles above the forelimb insertion and in the tympanic region, while S. marmorata is dorsally covered by less prominent and more regular tubercles. The new species is distinguished from both S. marmorata and S. sp inosa by its large body size (SVL 47-60 mm), a smoother dorsal skin, and reddish terminal fingerdi scs in life. S. sp inosa is distributed in low- and mid-altitude rainforests along the east coast, whereas the new species is only known from mid-altitude rainforest in the Fierenana region. In contrast, records of S. marmorata include eastern mid-altitude rainforests and several more arid western sites. Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, Madagascar, Microhylidae, frog taxonomy INTRODUCTION several species of Scaphiophryneare also known from the mountains and rainforest areas of central and eastern Several of the anuran genera of Madagascar belong Madagascar. According to Blommers-Schlosser & to diverse endemic radiations such as the Mantellidae or Blanc (1991) these comprise Scaphiophryne the microhylid subfamily Cophylinae (Vences & Glaw, madagascariensis, S. marmorata and S. pustulosa. 2001 ). Other genera, in contrast, are Jess speciose and Three further species - S. brevis, S. calcarata and S. have uncertain affinities within their respective higher gottlebei - are known fromwestern and southern Mada­ taxa. Such genera are often distributed in the xeric re­ gascar. gions of western Madagascar and show reproductive Vences et al. (2002b) provided evidence that the modes typical for arid environments (Vences et al., Pseudohemisus pustulosus 1945 2000a). name Angel & Guibe, is a junior synonym of Calophrynus madagascariensis One of these groups is the genus Scaphiophryne, Boulenger, 1882. Consequently, they applied the name which - together with the monotypic Paradoxophyla - Scaphiophryne madagascariensis to populations previ­ is classified in the endemic subfamily Scaphiophryninae ously assigned to S. pustulosa, and verified that no (Blommers-SchJOsser & Blanc, 1991), or even in the available name exists for specimens from the separate family Scaphiophrynidae (Dubois, 1992). Andringitra Massif in south-eastern Madagascar which Scaphiophryne are unique in the morphology of their has thus far been referred to as S. madagascariensis. tadpoles, which are intermediate between the ranoid and Scaphiop hryne madagascariensis and the new form the microhylid type (Wassersug 1984). They reproduce from Andringitra are known from high altitudes along inlentic, often temporarywaters, and Jay a large number the centralmountain chain ofMadagascar, and are char­ of small eggs (Blommers-Schlosser, 1975; Vences et acterized by lacking greatly expanded terminal discs on al., 2002a). This reproductive mode is typical for sea­ fingers and toes. In contrast, S. marmorata is known sonal areas such as savannas (e.g. Rodel, 2000), but from forests in eastern Madagascar, and from relict for­ ests in the arid west (Glaw & Vences, 1994). It is Correspondence: M. Vences, Institute for Biodiversity and characterized by its expanded terminal fingerdiscs (and Ecosystem Dynamics, Zoological Museum, Universiteit van slightly expanded toe discs), a state that so far was Amsterdam, PO Box 94766, 1090 GT Amsterdam, The Netherlands; E-mail: [email protected] thought to be shared by only one further species, S. 70 M. VENCES ET AL. gottlebei from Isalo in south-western Madagascar RESULTS AND SPECIES ACCOUNTS (Busse Bobtne, 1992). Recent fieldwork revealed the & During the revision of the available material thus far presence of additional species with this character in attributed to S. marmorata, we noted the existence of eastern Madagascar. We herein revise the material of two distinct species: a large species with a very granular green-coloured Scaphiophryne with expanded finger and spiny dorsal skin, and a smaller, less granular spe­ discs available to us, resurrect the name Scaphiophryne cies. Careful examination showed that the less granular sp inosa Steindachner, 1882 and describe one highly dif­ species is distinguished from the spiny species by the ferentiated new species. following characters: (I) smaller body size (male SVL 32-49 mm vs. 40-48 mm; Table I); (2) presence of a MATERIALS AND METHODS variable numberof regular larger granules on head and The present revision is based on material in the fol­ body, usually including a symmetrical pair of elongated lowing collections: The Natural History Museum, tubercles in the shoulder region and a smaller pair on the London (formerly British Museum of Natural History) posterior dorsum, these tubercle pairs being especially (BMNH); Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris distinctin subadults ( vs. a large number of irregular dor­ (MNHN);Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino sal tubercles of different size, and absence of elongated (MRSN); Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NMW); symmetrical tubercles in the shoulder region); (3) ab­ University of Michigan, Museum ofZoology (UMMZ); sence oflarge spiny tubercles above forelimb insertion, Zoologisch Museum Amsterdam (ZMA); Zoologisches at posterior end of maxilla, and in tympanic region (vs. Forschungsinstitut und Museum A. Koenig, Bonn presence); (4) tympanum often faintly recognizable, its (ZFMK); Zoologische Staatssammlung Miinchen horizontal diameter larger than 50% of eye diameter (vs. (ZSM). tympanum usually totally concealed, smaller than 50% Specimens were measured withcalip ers to thenearest of eye diameter - if visible); (5) ventral patternvaria ble, 0.1 mm. Measurements taken were SVL (snout-vent but often (especially in juveniles) with contrasting dark­ length), HW (head width at the maxillary rictus), HL light marbling, the dark colour extending onto the (head length, from the maxillary comrnissure to the posterior belly and the femur (vs. absence of contrasted snout tip), ED (horizontal eye diameter), END ( eye-nos­ marbling, usually dark on throat, chest and anterior tril distance), NSD (nostril-snout tip distance), NND belly, light on posterior belly and femur). These differ­ (nostril-nostril distance), TD (horizontal tympanum di­ ences were already visible in juveniles of both species ameter), HAL (hand length, fromthe carpal-metacarpal (e.g. UMMZ 191157; ZSM 303/2000). We also recog­ articulations to the tip of the longest finger), FORL nized a third larger species, with a smoother dorsal body (forelimb length, from the axil to the tip of the longest surface and reddish discs on the fingers and toes. The finger), HIL (hindlimb length, fromthe cloaca to the tip three species showed a relevant molecular differentia­ of the longest toe), FOL (foot length, from the tarsal­ tion in the sequenced fragment of the 16S rRNA gene metatarsal articulations to the tip of the longest toe), (see comments in the section of S. boriborybelow). FOTL (footlength including tarsus, fromthe tibiotarsal articulation to the tip of the longest toe), IMTL and SCA PHIOPHRYNE MA RMORA TA BOULENGER, 1882 (FIG. 1-2) IMTH (maximum length and height of inner metatarsal Diagnosis. A Scaphiophrynewith highly expanded tubercle), FD4 (maximum width of the terminal disc of terminal discs on the fingers; dorsally green with sym­ fourth finger). The sex and maturity of preserved speci­ metrical dark markings, and lacking pink markings; mens were either determined by obvious secondary adult SVL 32-49 mm; typically two symmetricalpairs of sexual characters ofmales in breeding conditions (vocal larger tubercles, an elongated pair in the shoulder region sac) or by dissection and gonad examination. and a smaller pair on the posterior dorsum; absence of Advertisement calls were recorded in the wild or in large spiny tubercles above forelimbinsertion, at poste­ captivity and were analysed on a PC using the software rior end of maxilla, and in tympanic region; tympanum Cooledit (Syntrillium Corp.). Statistical analyses were typically visible with a horizontal diameter > 50% of eye carried out using SPSS forWindows, version 10. Meas­ diameter; ventral pattern often with contrasted dark­ urements are given as range, with mean ± standard light marbling, the dark colour extending onto the deviation
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Does Selective Wood Exploitation Affect Amphibian Diversity? the Case of An’Ala, a Tropical Rainforest in Eastern Madagascar
    Oryx Vol 38 No 4 October 2004 Does selective wood exploitation affect amphibian diversity? The case of An’Ala, a tropical rainforest in eastern Madagascar Denis Vallan, Franco Andreone, Vola H. Raherisoa and Rainer Dolch Abstract The diversity of amphibians before and rainforest habitat showed a non-significant 10.1% after low-level forest exploitation in An’Ala forest in decrease in abundance after logging. It appears therefore central-eastern Madagascar was compared over the that amphibians are relatively resilient to a low-level course of 4 years. Neither abundance nor diversity of of forest exploitation and their diversity is apparently not amphibians generally were significantly affected by affected, at least in the short-term. This and other studies low-level selective logging, although the abundance of have, however, shown that logging commonly results individual species differed. Mantelline anurans were in a shift in species composition, with species typical of the most sensitive, in contrast to the tree frogs of the pristine rainforests being replaced by species adapted to subfamily Boophinae (Mantellidae) and Cophylinae secondary habitats. (Microhylidae). The abundance of Mantellinae anurans decreased by 15.8% after logging, whereas Boophinae Keywords Amphibian, Boophinae, Cophylinae, and Microhylidae anurans increased by 12.1% and diversity, Mantellinae, rainforest, selective wood 3.7%, respectively. In general, species strongly tied to exploitation. Introduction deforestation upon natural animal communities is urgently needed. Tropical rainforests worldwide are cleared and exploited Despite the existence of 16 protected areas in the for many reasons, and trees are often felled selectively, eastern rainforests (ANGAP, 2001), the vast majority of especially if the aim is to remove the most valuable the remaining natural vegetation does not have legal timber rather than clear felling for pasture and/or crop protection.
    [Show full text]
  • Changes to CITES Species Listings
    NOTICE TO THE WILDLIFE IMPORT/EXPORT COMMUNITY December 21, 2016 Subject: Changes to CITES Species Listings Background: Party countries of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meet approximately every two years for a Conference of the Parties. During these meetings, countries review and vote on amendments to the listings of protected species in CITES Appendix I and Appendix II. Such amendments become effective 90 days after the last day of the meeting unless Party countries agree to delay implementation. The most recent Conference of the Parties (CoP 17) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 24 – October 4, 2016. Action: Except as noted below, the amendments to CITES Appendices I and II that were adopted at CoP 17, will be effective on January 2, 2017. Any specimens of these species imported into, or exported from, the United States on or after January 2, 2017 will require CITES documentation as specified under the amended listings. The import, export, or re-export of shipments of these species that are accompanied by CITES documents reflecting a pre-January 2 listing status or that lack CITES documents because no listing was previously in effect must be completed by midnight (local time at the point of import/export) on January 1, 2017. Importers and exporters can find the official revised CITES appendices on the CITES website. Species Added to Appendix I . Abronia anzuetoi (Alligator lizard) . Abronia campbelli (Alligator lizard) . Abronia fimbriata (Alligator lizard) . Abronia frosti (Alligator lizard) . Abronia meledona (Alligator lizard) . Cnemaspis psychedelica (Psychedelic rock gecko) . Lygodactylus williamsi (Turquoise dwarf gecko) . Telmatobius coleus (Titicaca water frog) .
    [Show full text]
  • Polyploidy and Sex Chromosome Evolution in Amphibians
    Chapter 18 Polyploidization and Sex Chromosome Evolution in Amphibians Ben J. Evans, R. Alexander Pyron and John J. Wiens Abstract Genome duplication, including polyploid speciation and spontaneous polyploidy in diploid species, occurs more frequently in amphibians than mammals. One possible explanation is that some amphibians, unlike almost all mammals, have young sex chromosomes that carry a similar suite of genes (apart from the genetic trigger for sex determination). These species potentially can experience genome duplication without disrupting dosage stoichiometry between interacting proteins encoded by genes on the sex chromosomes and autosomalPROOF chromosomes. To explore this possibility, we performed a permutation aimed at testing whether amphibian species that experienced polyploid speciation or spontaneous polyploidy have younger sex chromosomes than other amphibians. While the most conservative permutation was not significant, the frog genera Xenopus and Leiopelma provide anecdotal support for a negative correlation between the age of sex chromosomes and a species’ propensity to undergo genome duplication. This study also points to more frequent turnover of sex chromosomes than previously proposed, and suggests a lack of statistical support for male versus female heterogamy in the most recent common ancestors of frogs, salamanders, and amphibians in general. Future advances in genomics undoubtedly will further illuminate the relationship between amphibian sex chromosome degeneration and genome duplication. B. J. Evans (CORRECTED&) Department of Biology, McMaster University, Life Sciences Building Room 328, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada e-mail: [email protected] R. Alexander Pyron Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 2023 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA J.
    [Show full text]
  • Analyses UICN/TRAFFIC Des Propositions D'amendement Aux Annexes De La CITES, 2016,Ont Pu Être Préparées Grâce À L'appui Des Organismes Suivants
    S Analyses E UICN/TRAFFIC des propositions d’amendement aux S Annexes de la CITES pour la 17e session de la Conférence des Parties Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud 24 Septembre–5 Octobre 2016 L Y Préparées par le programme d’espèces de l’UICN et la Commission UICN de la sauvegarde des espèces et TRAFFIC A N A Analyses UICN/TRAFFIC des propositions d’amendement aux Annexes de la CITES pour la 17e session de la Conférence des Parties Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud 24 Septembre–5 Octobre 2016 Préparées par le programme d’espèces de l’UICN et la Commission UICN de la sauvegarde des espèces et TRAFFIC With the financial support of the EU Austria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management Ministry of the Environment of Finland Ministry of External Affairs and Cooperation Germany, Federal Ministry for the France, Ministry of Environment, Environment, Nature Conservation and Energy and the Sea Nuclear Safety Netherlands, CITES Management Authority, Ministry of Economic Affairs España - Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad New Zealand, Department of Conservation Naturvårdsverket – Swedish Environmental Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office FSVO, Protection Agency, Scientific Authority of CITES Federal Department of Home Affairs FDHA United States, U.S Fish & Wildlife Service Les Analyses UICN/TRAFFIC des propositions d'amendement aux annexes de la CITES, 2016,ont pu être préparées grâce à l'appui des organismes suivants : Allemagne – Ministère fédéral de l’environnement, de la conservation de la nature et de
    [Show full text]
  • Proposal for Amendment of Appendix I Or II for CITES
    Original language: English CoP17 Prop. 39 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________________ Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Johannesburg (South Africa), 24 September – 5 October 2016 CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENT OF APPENDICES I AND II A. Proposal Inclusion of Scaphiophryne marmorata, and Scaphiophryne boribory in Appendix II in accordance with Article II, paragraph 2 (a) of the Convention and satisfying Criteria A in Annex 2a of Resolution Conf. 9.24 (Rev. CoP16) and Scaphiophryne spinosa in accordance to the Article II paragraph 2 (b). B. Proponent Madagascar*. C. Supporting statement 1. Taxonomy 1.1 Class: Amphibia 1.2 Order: Anura 1.3 Family: Microhylidae 1.4Genus, species or subspecies, including author and year: Scaphiophryne boribory Vences, Raxworthy, Nussbaum & Glaw, 2003, Scaphiophryne marmorata Boulenger 1882, Scaphiophryne spinosa, Steindachner, 1882 1.5 Scientific synonyms: 1.6 Common names: English: Marbled Rain Frog, Green Burrowing Frog, green Marbled Burrowing Frog French: Grenouille verte des terriers Malagasy: Sahona bokaboka, Sahon’orana 1.7 - 2. Overview The genus Scaphiophryne Boulenger, 1882 contains eleven described species of medium-sized microhylidae Gunther, 1859 composing the subfamily Scaphiophryninae Laurent, 1946 endemic to Madagascar. Three - S. boribory and S. marmorata and S. spinosa – respectively Endangered, Vulnerable and Least Concern are green-brown in coloration and commonly called green Marbled Burrowing frogs * The geographical designations employed in this document do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the CITES Secretariat (or the United Nations Environment Programme) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Larval Morphology of Madagascan Toadlets of the Genus Scaphiophryne: Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Inferences
    Blackwell Publishing LtdOxford, UKZOJZoological Journal of the Linnean Society0024-4082© 2007 The Linnean Society of London? 2007 1513 555576 Original Articles LARVAL MORPHOLOGY OF SCAPHIOPHRYNES. GROSJEAN et al. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 151, 555–576. With 5 figures Comparative larval morphology of Madagascan toadlets of the genus Scaphiophryne: phylogenetic and taxonomic inferences STÉPHANE GROSJEAN1, JULIAN GLOS2, MEIKE TESCHKE3, FRANK GLAW4 and MIGUEL VENCES2* 1Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Département Systématique et Evolution, UMS 602, Taxinomie et Collections – Reptiles et Amphibiens, case 30, 25 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France 2Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Spielmannstr. 8, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany 3(née Thomas) Institute for Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, University of Cologne, Zuelpicher Str. 47, 50674 Cologne, Germany 4Zoologische Staatssammlung, Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 München, Germany Received September 2006; accepted for publication April 2007 The larval morphology of Madagascan frogs of the family Microhylidae, subfamilies Dyscophinae and Scaphiophryn- inae, is described based on material from the genera Dyscophus (D. insularis), Paradoxophyla (P. palmata) and five species of the enigmatic genus Scaphiophryne: S. brevis, S. calcarata, S. madagascariensis, S. menabensis and S. spinosa. The latter are known to have larvae that are intermediate between the filter-feeding larval type typical for most microhylids and the generalized tadpole of most ranoid and hyloid frogs. However, the two detailed descrip- tions available to date, referring to Scaphiophryne calcarata and S. gottlebei, pointed to important differences in size and oral morphology within Scaphiophryne. Our data confirm that all studied Scaphiophryne have horny beaks but lack keratodonts and are to be referred to the psammonektonic ecomorphological guild.
    [Show full text]
  • An Enigmatic New Scaphiophryne Toadlet from the Rainforests of North-Eastern Madagascar (Amphibia: Microhylidae)
    64 (1): 95 – 102 © Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, 2014. 16.5.2014 An enigmatic new Scaphiophryne toadlet from the rainforests of north-eastern Madagascar (Amphibia: Microhylidae) Achille P. Raselimanana 1, Christopher J. Raxworthy 2, Franco Andreone 3, Frank Glaw 4 & Miguel Vences 5, * 1 Département de Biologie Animale, Université d’Antananarivo, BP 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar, and Association Vahatra, BP 3972, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar — 2 American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, NY 10024-5192 USA — 3 Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti, 36, 10123 Torino, Italy — 4 Zoologische Staatssammlung München, Münchhausenstrasse 21, 81247 München, Germany — 5 Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany — * Corresponding author; m.vences(at)tu-bs.de Accepted 21.ii.2014. Published online at www.senckenberg.de/vertebrate-zoology on 30.iv.2014. Abstract A new species of Scaphiophryne is described from north-eastern Madagascar. The new toadlet species is probably at least partly fossorial as can be judged from its large and sharp metatarsal tubercle, and seems to lead a secretive or strictly seasonal life since very few adult specimens were collected despite intensive field surveys in the region. The new species differs from all otherScaphiophryne , among other characters, by the absence of a tarsal tubercle and reminds the genus Paradoxophyla in its strongly marbled ventral pattern on belly and hindlimbs, and by its triangular head shape with pointed snout. Key words Anura; Microhylidae; Scaphiophryne; Scaphiophryne matsoko sp. n.; Marotondrano Special Reserve; tarsal tubercle. Introduction Madagascar harbors an extraordinary diversity of am- endemic clade (VAN DER MEIJDEN et al., 2007), (4) the phibians, with currently about 290 described species, and hyperoliid genus Heterixalus, and (5) the ptychadenid many others (at least 130) still waiting to be described species Ptychadena mascareniensis (GLAW & VENCES, (VIEITES et al., 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • 2008 Board of Governors Report
    American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists Board of Governors Meeting Le Centre Sheraton Montréal Hotel Montréal, Quebec, Canada 23 July 2008 Maureen A. Donnelly Secretary Florida International University Biological Sciences 11200 SW 8th St. - OE 167 Miami, FL 33199 [email protected] 305.348.1235 31 May 2008 The ASIH Board of Governor's is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 23 July 2008 from 1700- 1900 h in Salon A&B in the Le Centre Sheraton, Montréal Hotel. President Mushinsky plans to move blanket acceptance of all reports included in this book. Items that a governor wishes to discuss will be exempted from the motion for blanket acceptance and will be acted upon individually. We will cover the proposed consititutional changes following discussion of reports. Please remember to bring this booklet with you to the meeting. I will bring a few extra copies to Montreal. Please contact me directly (email is best - [email protected]) with any questions you may have. Please notify me if you will not be able to attend the meeting so I can share your regrets with the Governors. I will leave for Montréal on 20 July 2008 so try to contact me before that date if possible. I will arrive late on the afternoon of 22 July 2008. The Annual Business Meeting will be held on Sunday 27 July 2005 from 1800-2000 h in Salon A&C. Please plan to attend the BOG meeting and Annual Business Meeting. I look forward to seeing you in Montréal. Sincerely, Maureen A. Donnelly ASIH Secretary 1 ASIH BOARD OF GOVERNORS 2008 Past Presidents Executive Elected Officers Committee (not on EXEC) Atz, J.W.
    [Show full text]
  • Microhylidae: Scaphiophryninae) from Masoala Rainforest, Northeastern Madagascar
    Acta Herpetologica 1: 15-27, 2006 A new narrow-mouthed frog of the genus Paradoxophyla (Microhylidae: Scaphiophryninae) from Masoala rainforest, northeastern Madagascar Franco Andreone 1, Gennaro Aprea 2, Gaetano Odierna 2, and Miguel Vences 3 1 Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti, 36, I-10123 Torino, Italy Corresponding author. E-mail:[email protected] 2 Università di Napoli Federico II, Dipartimento di Biologia Strutturale e Funzionale, Via Cinthia, Napoli, Italy 3 Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, Zoological Museum, Mauritskade 61, 1092 AD Amsterdam, The Netherlands [Current address: Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunsch- weig, Spielmanstr. 8, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany] Abstract. A new microhylid frog of the genus Paradoxophyla is described from the rainforests of northeastern Madagascar (Masoala). Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. was found in still waters within rainforest. In external morphology it is similar to P. pal- mata, hitherto the only known species belonging to this genus, but it differs by a much less extended foot webbing. We also provide a description of the probable tadpole of the species, which is a specialized suspension feeder of the typical microhylid type. The new species also differs from P. palmata in karyology and mitochondrial DNA sequences. Paradoxophyla tiarano n. sp. is currently known from Masoala, but we sus- pect that its distribution might extend over a wider area in northeastern Madagascar. Key Words. Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae, Paradoxophyla, New species, Madagascar. INTRODUCTION Most of the amphibians of Madagascar, currently estimated to consist of over 220 species (Andreone et al., 2005), breed in or along forest streams or are independent from water.
    [Show full text]
  • 3Systematics and Diversity of Extant Amphibians
    Systematics and Diversity of 3 Extant Amphibians he three extant lissamphibian lineages (hereafter amples of classic systematics papers. We present widely referred to by the more common term amphibians) used common names of groups in addition to scientifi c Tare descendants of a common ancestor that lived names, noting also that herpetologists colloquially refer during (or soon after) the Late Carboniferous. Since the to most clades by their scientifi c name (e.g., ranids, am- three lineages diverged, each has evolved unique fea- bystomatids, typhlonectids). tures that defi ne the group; however, salamanders, frogs, A total of 7,303 species of amphibians are recognized and caecelians also share many traits that are evidence and new species—primarily tropical frogs and salaman- of their common ancestry. Two of the most defi nitive of ders—continue to be described. Frogs are far more di- these traits are: verse than salamanders and caecelians combined; more than 6,400 (~88%) of extant amphibian species are frogs, 1. Nearly all amphibians have complex life histories. almost 25% of which have been described in the past Most species undergo metamorphosis from an 15 years. Salamanders comprise more than 660 species, aquatic larva to a terrestrial adult, and even spe- and there are 200 species of caecilians. Amphibian diver- cies that lay terrestrial eggs require moist nest sity is not evenly distributed within families. For example, sites to prevent desiccation. Thus, regardless of more than 65% of extant salamanders are in the family the habitat of the adult, all species of amphibians Plethodontidae, and more than 50% of all frogs are in just are fundamentally tied to water.
    [Show full text]
  • BOA5.1-2 Frog Biology, Taxonomy and Biodiversity
    The Biology of Amphibians Agnes Scott College Mark Mandica Executive Director The Amphibian Foundation [email protected] 678 379 TOAD (8623) Phyllomedusidae: Agalychnis annae 5.1-2: Frog Biology, Taxonomy & Biodiversity Part 2, Neobatrachia Hylidae: Dendropsophus ebraccatus CLassification of Order: Anura † Triadobatrachus Ascaphidae Leiopelmatidae Bombinatoridae Alytidae (Discoglossidae) Pipidae Rhynophrynidae Scaphiopopidae Pelodytidae Megophryidae Pelobatidae Heleophrynidae Nasikabatrachidae Sooglossidae Calyptocephalellidae Myobatrachidae Alsodidae Batrachylidae Bufonidae Ceratophryidae Cycloramphidae Hemiphractidae Hylodidae Leptodactylidae Odontophrynidae Rhinodermatidae Telmatobiidae Allophrynidae Centrolenidae Hylidae Dendrobatidae Brachycephalidae Ceuthomantidae Craugastoridae Eleutherodactylidae Strabomantidae Arthroleptidae Hyperoliidae Breviceptidae Hemisotidae Microhylidae Ceratobatrachidae Conrauidae Micrixalidae Nyctibatrachidae Petropedetidae Phrynobatrachidae Ptychadenidae Ranidae Ranixalidae Dicroglossidae Pyxicephalidae Rhacophoridae Mantellidae A B † 3 † † † Actinopterygian Coelacanth, Tetrapodomorpha †Amniota *Gerobatrachus (Ray-fin Fishes) Lungfish (stem-tetrapods) (Reptiles, Mammals)Lepospondyls † (’frogomander’) Eocaecilia GymnophionaKaraurus Caudata Triadobatrachus 2 Anura Sub Orders Super Families (including Apoda Urodela Prosalirus †) 1 Archaeobatrachia A Hyloidea 2 Mesobatrachia B Ranoidea 1 Anura Salientia 3 Neobatrachia Batrachia Lissamphibia *Gerobatrachus may be the sister taxon Salientia Temnospondyls
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Hotspots: Distribution and Protection of Conservation Priority Areas
    Biodiversity Hotspots . Frank E. Zachos l Jan Christian Habel Editors Biodiversity Hotspots Distribution and Protection of Conservation Priority Areas - - Editors Dr. habil. Jan Christian Habel Dr. habil. Frank E. Zachos Muse´e National d´Histoire Naturelle Naturhistorisches Museum Wien Luxembourg Mammal Collection 25, rue Mu¨nster Burgring 7 2160 Luxembourg, Luxembourg 1010 Vienna, Austria [email protected] [email protected] ISBN 978-3-642-20991-8 e-ISBN 978-3-642-20992-5 DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-20992-5 Springer Heidelberg Dordrecht London New York Library of Congress Control Number: 2011936795 # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover illustrations: Front cover: Coral reefs are among the most diverse habitats on the planet. The front cover photograph was taken by Jonas Thormar in the Red Sea and shows a bombora, or isolated piece of reef, near Eilat, Israel.
    [Show full text]