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Developmental instability provides a powerful monitoring tool to detect threats prior to population declines. Consequently, assessing the level of developmental instability by measuring fluctuating asymmetry (FA) of bilaterally symmetrical traits in association with environmental stress has become increasingly attractive. However, many studies failed in detecting a clear connection of FA to environmental stressors. Some of these may have suffered from large measurement error (ME) or the use of inappropriate methods. Here, we compared measurement accuracy and FA outcome from manual calliper measurements with those from non-destructive micro-3D-computed tomography (µCT) based skeletal measurements. Amphibians are assumed to be ideal models for measuring fluctuating asymmetry due to their sensitivity to environmental stress. For our study, we chose two bilateral, metric traits (femur and radio--ulna length) of the European Common Frog, Rana temporaria. Calliper measurements revealed meaningful FA estimates (i.e., FA exceeded ME) for radio-- ulna length only. In contrast, µCT-based measurements delivered meaningful FA estimates for both traits. ME was about twice as high for calliper measurements compared to µCT-based measurements, resulting in inflated levels of FA. Using callipers, we observed higher ME for femur measurements than for radio--ulna, meaning that ME strongly depended on the respective trait. When using µCT, however, we observed comparable ME between both traits. Our study revealed that analyses of developmental instability using manual measurements should be treated with caution. For smaller vertebrates we recommend skeletal measurements with µCT as a valuable alternative due to its greater reliability, thereby allowing for multi-trait analyses with equal accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Polish botanist Józef Warszewicz (1812-1866) travelled extensively in Central and South America between 1844 and 1853 and, apart from plants, also collected frogs subsequently used to describe new species. Several of his locality data proved to be erroneous and especially species purportedly from western Panama were later rediscovered in South America. I revisit parts of his itinerary, the history, type locality, and morphology of Hyla molitor, supposedly from western Panama, but never encountered again, and conclude that it is conspecific either with Dendropsophus labialis or D. luddeckei, both Andean species from Colombia that are morphologically indistinguishable. Speculating that the types of H. molitor may have originated from the surroundings of Bogotá, where Warszewicz had actually been, I consider it a senior synonym with priority over D. labialis and transfer the taxon to Dendropsophus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two new microhylid frog species of the genus Rhombophryne from the humid forests of northeastern Madagascar: Rhombophryne botabota sp. n. and R. savaka sp. n. The former is a medium-sized species, characterised by darkened lateral sides of the head (present in only one other congener, R. laevipes) and a unique combination of morphological, osteological, and molecular characters. The latter is a rather small species, characterised by medially undivided vomerine teeth with two large lateral diastemata, and presence of inguinal spots. Rhombophryne savaka sp. n. is the first species of the genus known from Makira Natural Park, and is reported also from Marojejy National Park and Ambolokopatrika (Betaolana Forest). Although its distribution range is relatively large compared to those of congeners, its known extent of occurrence is less than 2,000 km². As deforestation and habitat degradation persist as threats despite formal legal protection, we suggest an IUCN Red List status of Vulnerable for this species. Rhombophryne savaka sp. n. is possibly endemic to the Marojejy National Park, like several other Rhombophryne species, but is unusual in being found at a relatively low altitude. As such, it is likely to be at high risk of habitat loss and decreasing range, and we propose a status of Endangered for it. We discuss the affinities of these new species and the variability of calls in this genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of rhacophorid bush frogs of the genus Raorchestes are described from the tropical montane wet forests in the Silent Valley National Park in the Nilgiri Hills, a high horst in the Western Ghats, India. Both species can be differentiated from their congeners by morphological and bioacoustic characters as well as differences in the mit°Chondrial 16S gene. Advertisement calls of the two new species are provided and tentative insights into the phylogenetic position discussed. Despite recent revisions of this genus from the Western Ghats, and the fact that the Silent Valley National Park is one of the most important and well-surveyed protected areas, the results of this study highlight the overlooked diversity in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bokermannohyla pseudopseudis is endemic to the Brazilian Cerrado, living in fast-flowing streams in the highlands of northern Goiás State, Brazil. Males have well-developed prepolexes and use steady pools in streams for reproduction, and therefore are likely territorial. Along with its small geographic distribution in high-altitude areas and habitat specialization it is a species at risk of extinction. Still, little is known about the ecology of B. pseudopseudis, hampering a correct evaluation of its conservation status and possible management strategies. We evaluated resource utilisation and sexual dimorphism in one population to test predictions related to territoriality and to evaluate diet specialization. We found a significant sexual size dimorphism, with males being larger than females, suggesting male-male competition. Males presented thicker forearms whereas females had proportionally longer heads. Tadpoles and calling males are found all year round, suggesting prolonged breeding activity, which is also in accordance with a resource defence breeding structure. Males and females did not select prey by size or volume, but males had wider niche breadths than females. Beetles, spiders, and cockroaches were the most relevant prey items, all of which are commonly found in the habitats of B. pseudopseudis. We emphasize that preservation of the habitats of B. pseudopseudis is essential to the management of the species because of its microhabitat restriction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eurasian Pelophylax esculentus hybridogenetic complex, including Pelophylax ridibundus (R), P. lessonae (L), and their hybrid P. kl. esculentus (E), is considered to be one of the most complicated animal hemiclonal systems. It has been attracting the attention of evolutionary and molecular biologists as well as ecologists for decades. Despite the considerable number of studies describing population structure, reproductive modes, and distribution of the species complex, data on the rarely observed REL scenario, i.e., the presence of all three species at one site, are lacking. This study compared the morphological (morphometry, external morphology) and ecological (diet) profiles of all three species from a REL complex population located in the northwestern part of Croatia (Bjelovar-Bilogora County). In terms of external morphology, the species varied interspecifically, but some features, for example, the yellow or green femoral coloration found in P. ridibundus, had not been expected. All three species exhibited a strong predilection for terrestrial prey, but interspecific differences were noticed. This paper aims to provide a better and more comprehensible insight into the ecological relationships of the REL complex, allowing comparisons with other study areas across Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three populations of small montane bush frogs previously assigned to Philautus mjobergi were compared using morphological, bioacoustic, and genetic (mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence) data. The comparison revealed that the population from Gunung Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, represents a distinct species that is described herein. Although the new species differs from P. mjobergi in few morphological characters, most notably the acuminate snout, it is distinguished from this species and all other Bornean congeners by a unique advertisement call and large genetic differences. The population from Gunung Mulu assigned to P. mjobergi differs from the topotypic population from Gunung Murud in its advertisement call and 16S rRNA sequence and probably represents another, undescribed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses new geographic records of three species of the frog genus Hydrolaetare and identification of the species for Hydrolaetare dantasi in Amazonas, Brazil and Hydrolaetare schmidti in Roraima states. Topics discussed include morphometric measurements, their morphological characters and color patterns, and current status of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The article informs that a new species of the proceratophrys cristiceps group has been described from the Sao Francisco River, Minas Gerais , Brazil, which is based on adult morphology and advertisement call. It informs that proceratophrys carranca speies is characterized by medium size, tubercular sagittal crests from eyelids to sacral region, subarticular tubercle of finger with inner meta-carpal tubercle oval and a multi-noted advertisement call. It also informs that proceratophrys differed from all other species of the genus.

The article reports on the advertisement calls and distribution recordings of hylid genus Hypsiboas leucocheilus. It states that calls were gathered using a professional Marantz PMD 660 digital recorder provided with a Yoga EM-9600 external directional microphone. It notes that social context and motivation is one of the variables that may influence the call parameters for the genus. Moreover, it explores the morphological differences, repetition rate, and dominance frequency of identifying Hypsiboas leucocheilus.

The article presents a study which investigates the reduction and development of the dark-sided frog Hylarana nigrovittata sensu in at the Cologne Zoo in northern Thailand. The study involves identification of oviposition which occurred in accordance with dried natural habitat, along with the Important factor to increase the reproduction in captivity, such as an increase in misting with combined raised water levels. Results show the molecular divergence and morphological differences regarding the captive breeding and development stages of the dark-sided frog.