ABSTRACT
We describe a new species of the Dendropsophus decipiens Group, morphologically most resembling D. haddadi but genetically more closely related to D. oliveirai and likely endemic from the Atlantic Forest biome, northeastern Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from all species of the D. decipiens Group based on the combination of morphological features, advertisement call and phylogenetic position based on mitochondrial DNA gene sequences. The new species emits simple calls in series of 3-9 notes, each with 9-29 pulses, and dominant frequency varying from 5578-6422 Hz, and exhibit a minimum of 8% genetic distance (16S mitochondrial gene) in comparison to its congeners. The new taxa represent the sixth species of the D. decipiens Group, which likely harbors more undescribed taxa, corroborating the view that Neotropical species richness is fairly underestimated.
Subject(s)
Anura , Animals , Brazil , Forests , Phylogeny , Vocalization, AnimalABSTRACT
We describe for the first time the advertisement calls of three Elachistocleis species (E. surumu, E. magna, E. carvalhoi) and provide additional data on the calls of three other species (E. matogrosso, E. helianneae, E. muiraquitan). Additionally, we evaluate intraspecific variation in morphology and color patterns, and comment on species diagnosis in the genus. The advertisement calls of the six species of Elachistocleis have a stereotyped temporal and spectral structure, which consists of a long sustained multipulsed note with an upsweep in frequency at its onset, followed by a constant frequency along the note. Newly collected Elachistocleis from northern and western Brazil showed intraspecific variation in morphology and coloration that had not been previously reported. Coloration was listed as a diagnostic feature in the original descriptions of the Elachistocleis species evaluated in this study, but color patterns were variable in some species and sometimes did not allow for species differentiation. Our results indicated that the three species with greater degrees of morphological similarity (E. helianneae, E. matogrosso, E. muiraquitan) differed in microtemporal and spectral traits of their calls. Moreover, pulse duration in E. helianneae was very distinct, lasting approximately twice the average pulse duration in calls of the other species studied. Therefore, pulse duration might be an informative trait when assigning specimens to E. helianneae, which is widely distributed across Amazonian lowland forests and in a region of Amazonian savanna. Our results bring novelties on species diagnosis and intraspecific variation in Elachistocleis based on acoustic evidence and morphological/color patterns, and accentuate the importance of taking into consideration multiple lines of evidence as a means for accurate species-level identification in this genus of Neotropical frogs.
Subject(s)
Anura , Vocalization, Animal , Acoustics , Animals , BrazilABSTRACT
Dendropsophus nanus was described from Resistencia, Argentina. The species distribution is widespread in South America east of the Andes. Despite its wide distribution, little information about its advertisement call is available in the literature. Call descriptions from type localities are especially important for the resolution of taxonomic issues, as well as for intraspecific comparisons. Herein we describe the advertisement and the male courtship calls of D. nanus from its type locality. The advertisement call of D. nanus is composed of two types of pulsed notes, herein referred to as "note A" (long note) and "note B" (short note), both with similar dominant frequencies, but different durations. The courtship call is formed by notes that are similar to notes A of the advertisement call, but emitted at lower amplitude. Previous studies demonstrated that the complex call of Eleutherodactylus coqui and Geocrinia victoriana convey separated messages to male and female. Although several previous experiments have been conducted to assess the acoustic interactions of some species of Dendropsophus, more studies are necessary to understand the functions of the two notes of the advertisement call of D. nanus and the calls of other species of the D. microcephalus group.
Dendropsophus nanus foi descrito de Resistencia, Argentina. Essa espécie está amplamente distribuída na América do Sul a leste dos Andes. Apesar da ampla distribuição, poucas informações sobre seu canto de anúncio estão disponíveis em literatura. Descrições de cantos de localidades tipo são especialmente importantes para a resolução de problemas taxonômicos, assim como para comparações intraespecíficas. Aqui, nós descrevemos os cantos de anúncio e de corte do macho de D. nanus de sua localidade tipo. O canto de anúncio de D. nanus é composto por dois tipos de notas, aqui referidas como "notas A" (nota longa) e "notas B" (nota curta), ambas com frequência dominante similar, mas com diferenças nas durações. O canto de corte é formado por notas que são similares à nota A do canto de anúncio, mas emitidas com menor amplitude. Estudos anteriores demonstraram que os cantos complexos de Eleutherodactylus coqui e Geocrinia victoriana transmitem mensagens separadas para machos e fêmeas. Embora vários experimentos anteriores terem sido realizados a fim de avaliar as interações acústicas de algumas espécies de Dendropsophus, mais estudos são necessários para entender as funções das duas notas do canto de anúncio de D. nanus e dos cantos de outras espécies do grupo de D. microcephalus.
ABSTRACT
In this paper, we provide new bioacoustic and distributional data on Bokermannohyla sapiranga, as well as additional comparative bioacoustic data on topotypes of B. pseudopseudis, and re-evaluate the differential diagnosis of the former species with respect to the latter. Head shapes (dorsal and lateral views) presented such variation that should not be used to differentially diagnose them as originally proposed. On the other hand, the presence of a dermal ridge along outer tarsi, and color patterns of the eyes and dorsal surface of hand/toe disks still represent diagnostic characters between both species. We also found differences in temporal (call duration; notes per call), spectral (dominant frequency; harmonics), and structural (pulsed/non-pulsed note structure) traits of their calls. Distribution of B. sapiranga is extended eastward (Paracatu), which corresponds to the first record for the State of Minas Gerais, whereas B. pseudopseudis distribution seems to be restricted to rocky montane field environments of northern Goiás State.
