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Two species of the Leptodactylus latrans complex in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay (currently considered as Leptodactylus chaquensis and Leptodactylus latrans) are readily identifiable based on external morphological features. In contrast, analyses of external morphological features have not been successful in determining species limits of the complex in Brasil, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The purpose of this study is to assess whether variation in a set of external morphological features is of value in determining species limits for a set of localities distributed throughout the range of the L. latrans complex. The morphological data as analyzed in this study provide some suggestions for delineating species limits, but overall, the data as analyzed are not sufficient to determine robust species limits within the L. latrans species complex.

The Leptodactylus bolivianus complex has recently been assessed and determined to be comprised of three species – L. bolivianus, L. guianensis, and L. insularum (Heyer & de Sa 2011). The aim of this study is to amplify data for L. insularum that were not included in the Heyer & de Sa (2011) publication. The earlier paper based distributional data only on specimens evaluated by Heyer. Later literature searches identified further information and a greater number of localities for Leptodactylus insularum resulting in a comprehensive summary and a more precise distribution for the species. The purpose of this paper is to summarize information for the currently understood single species Leptodactylus insularum. Pertinent literature is reviewed and summarized for biology, life history, systematics, nomenclature, conservation, and distribution.

Recent molecular studies demonstrate that the species Leptodactylus pallidirostris and L. validus are conspecific. Leptodactylus pallidirostris was previously considered to occupy portions of mainland South America (Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana), whereas L. validus was considered to occur only on the islands of Trinidad, Tobago, and certain Lesser Antillian islands. The purpose of this paper is to summarize information for the currently understood single species Leptodactylus validus.

Heyer, W. Ronald, and Rafael O. de Sa. Variation, Systematics, and Relationships of the Leptodactylus bolivianus Complex (Amphibia: Anura: Leptodactylidae). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, number 635, viii + 58 pages, 21 figures, 20 tables, 2011.

Various species of frogs produce foam nests that hold their eggs during development. We examined the external morphology and histology of structures associated with foam nest production in frogs of the genus Leptodactylus and a few other taxa. We found that the posterior convolutions of the oviducts in all mature female foam-nesting frogs that we examined were enlarged and compressed into globular structures. This organ-like portion of the oviduct has been called a “foam gland” and these structures almost certainly produce the secretion that is beaten by rhythmic limb movements into foam that forms the nest. However, the label “foam gland” is a misnomer because the structures are simply enlarged and tightly folded regions of the pars convoluta of the oviduct, rather than a separate structure; we suggest the name pars convoluta dilata (PCD) for this feature. Although all the foam-nesters we examined had a pars convoluta dilata, its size and shape showed considerable interspecific variation. Some ...

The usage of the name Rana ocellata Linnaeus, 1758, is plagued by misidentifications and misinterpretations. After an exhaustive bibliographic review, we conclude that the Linnaeus 1758 name refers to Osteopilus brunneus (Gosse, 1851) from Jamaica, while the taxon currently known as Leptodactylus ocellatus corresponds to Rana latrans Steffen, 1815. Herein, we designate and provide descriptions of the neotypes of Leptodactylus latrans (Steffen, 1815), revalidated, new combination, and Osteopilus ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1758), new combination, as a senior synonym of Osteopilus brunneus (Gosse, 1851).

Three types of advertisement calls of Leptodactylus chaquensis from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, Brasil are described – growls, grunts, and trills. Additional variation includes calls that start with growls and end with trills. The growl call has not been reported previously. Tadpoles are described and agree with previous descriptions. A female was found associated with tadpoles for at least 20 d. The female communicated with the tadpoles by pumping behavior and also exhibited aggressive behavior toward potential predators. The data reported herein are the first conclusive evidence that L. chaquensis occurs in the Cerrado of Minas Gerais. Other reported Brasilian records for L. chaquensis come from the southern portion of the Cerrado. Additional field work is necessary to determine whether L. chaquensis occurs in the northern Cerrado (in the states of Bahia, Distrito Federal, Maranhao, Para, and Tocantins).

The advertisement calls of the frog species Leptodactylus lithonaetes and Pristimantis vilarsi are described for the first time based on calls recorded in the Venezuelan State of Amazonas. The call of L. lithonaetes bears an overall resemblance to that of L. rugosus, suggesting a sister-group relationship between the two species. The call of Pristimantis vilarsi is similar to those of other species in the P. conspicillatus species group.

Locality data available for many, if not most, species of Neotropical frogs are based on written descriptions of the collecting sites, not on GPS device determined coordinate data. The pre-GPS device data are imprecise relative to GPS data. Niche modeling is a powerful technique for predicting geographic distributions that provides the best results when the locality data are precise. The purpose of this study is to determine whether imprecise historical locality data are sufficient such that niche modeling techniques can yield realistic new insights to species-level distributions. Two sets of frogs of the genus Leptodactylus that have known different kinds of distributions are evaluated: two species with broad, presumably continuous distributions, and four species known to occur in patchy, disjunct habitats in South America. BIOCLIM, a presence-only environmental niche modeling algorithm,was used to define suitable occupancy areas based on multiple sets of environmental parameters that include: ...

Leptodactylus fuscus is a neotropical frog ranging from Panama to Argentina, to the east of the Andes mountains, and also inhabiting Margarita, Trinidad, and the Tobago islands. We performed phylogenetic analyses of 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, tRNA-Leu, and ND1 mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences from specimens collected across the geographic distribution of L. fuscus to examine two alternative hypotheses: (i) L. fuscus is a single, widely distributed species, or (ii) L. fuscus is a species complex. We tested statistically for geographic association and partitioning of genetic variation among mtDNA clades. The mtDNA data supported the hypothesis of several cryptic species within L. fuscus. Unlinked mtDNA and nuclear markers supported independently the distinctness of a ‘northern’ phylogenetic unit. In addition, the mtDNA data divided the southern populations into two clades that showed no sister relationship to each other, consistent with high differentiation and lack of gene flow among southern populations as suggested by allozyme data. Concordance between mtDNA and allozyme patterns suggests that cryptic speciation has occurred in L. fuscus without morphological or call differentiation. This study illustrates a case in which lineage splitting during the speciation process took place without divergence in reproductive isolation mechanisms (e.g. advertisement call in frogs), contrary to expectations predicted using a biological species framework. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 87 , 325‐341. No claim to original US government works.

A new species of frog is described from Rondonia, Brazil. The new species shares most features with the genus Leptodactylus, although externally it resembles species of Physalaemus as much as species of Leptodactylus. The new species is provisionally assigned to the genus Leptodactylus, the definition of which must be expanded to include an areolate belly and small osteoderms lying above the vertebral column in order to accommodate the new species. The new species is known only from a single cerrado enclave in a predominantly Amazonian rainforest landscape.

Leptodactylus pustulatus is one of the most dis-tinctive species in the genus because of its ven-tral pattern of large bright red to yellow spotsonadarkbackground.Althoughthespecieswasdescribed in 1870 and there has been no confu-sion regarding its taxonomic identity, there hasbeenverylittlepublishedaboutthespecies,par-ticularly with respect to its biology. The lackof biological information for L. pustulatus islikely due to the fact that the species occursin very inaccessible areas ( ooded plains) inpoorly sampled regions of Brazil at transitionzones of Cerrado, Caatinga, and Amazon do-mains. Herein, we describe the advertisementand response calls of L. pustulatus , which turnout to be very different and more complex thanforanyotherspeciesof Leptodactylus forwhichthe advertisement calls are known.We use terms to describe the calls that aremeant to be functionally neutral, as we have noevidence for the biological function of the calls.We use the terms advertisement and responsecalls for the two types of calls we report on.Otherauthorshaveascribedvariousfunctionstoresponse calls, terming them as encounter callsor aggressive calls. We also use the term “unit”to describe what we nd to be rather discreteportions within the advertisement call. Theseunits are intended only to provide a meaningfulway to describe the structure and variation ob

The frog Leptodactylus fuscus is found throughout much of South America in open and disturbed habitats. Previous study of genetic differentiation in L. fuscus demonstrated that there was lack of genetic exchange among population units consistent with multiple species, rather than a single species. We examine advertisement vocalizations of L. fuscus to determine whether call variation coincides with genetic differentiation. Calls were analyzed for 32 individual frogs from 25 localities throughout the distributional range of L. fuscus. Although there is variation in calls among geographic samples, call variation is not concordant with genetic variation or geographic distance and the call variation observed is less than that typically found among other closely related species of Leptodactylus. This study is an example of the rare pattern of strong genetic differentiation unaccompanied by salient differences in advertisement calls. The relative infrequency of this pattern as currently understood may only reflect the lack of detailed analyses of genetic and acoustic differentiation within population systems currently understood as single species with substantial geographic distributions.A rã Leptodactylus fuscus é encontrada na maior parte da América do Sul em formações abertas ou em ambientes perturbados. Estudos anteriores de diferenciação genética mostraram ausência de fluxo gênico entre unidades populacionais, o que é compatível com a existência de diversas espécies em vez de uma única. Examinamos a vocalização de anúncio de L. fuscus com a finalidade de verificar se variações na vocalização coincidiam com a diferenciação genética. Foram analisadas vocalizações de 32 indivíduos provenientes de 25 localidades distribuídas em toda a área de distribuição da espécie. Embora exista variação geográfica na vocalização, essa diversificação não corresponde à diferenciação genética ou à distância geográfica; as diferenças observadas são menores que aquelas tipicamente encontradas entre espécies aparentadas de Leptodactylus. O presente estudo é um exemplo de um padrão evolutivo raro, em que acentuada diferenciação genética não é acompanhada por diferenças marcantes nas vocalizações específicas. A freqüência relativamente baixa deste padrão, como usualmente entendido, pode refletir apenas falta de análises detalhadas de diferenciação acústica e genética dentro de sistemas populacionais correntemente considerados como espécies únicas de ampla distribuição geográfica.

A phylogeny of the species-rich clade of the Neotropical frog genus Leptodactylus sensu stricto is presented on the basis of a total evidence analysis of molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and non-molecular (adult and larval morphological and behavioral characters) sampled from > 80% of the 75 currently recognized species. Our results support the monophyly of Leptodactylus sensu stricto, with Hydrolaetare placed as its sister group. The reciprocal monophyly of Hydrolaetare and Leptodactylus sensu stricto does not require that we consider Hydrolaetare as either a subgenus or synonym of Leptodactylus sensu lato. We recognize Leptodactylus sensu stricto, Hydrolaetare, Adenomera, and Lithodytes as valid monophyletic genera. Our results generally support the traditionally recognized Leptodactylus species groups, with exceptions involving only a few species that are easily accommodated without proposing new groups or significantly altering contents. The four groups form a pectinate tree, with the Leptodactylus fuscus group diverging first, followed by the L. pentadactylus group, which is sister to the L. latrans and L. melanonotus groups. To evaluate the impact of non-molecular evidence on our results, we compared our total evidence results with results obtained from analyses using only molecular data. Although non-molecular evidence comprised only 3.5% of the total evidence matrix, it had a strong impact on our total evidence results. Only one species group was monophyletic in the molecular-only analysis, and support differed in 86% of the 54 Leptodactylus clades that are shared by the results of the two analyses. Even though no non-molecular evidence was included for Hydrolaetare, exclusion of that data partition resulted in that genus being nested within Leptodactylus, demonstrating that the inclusion of a small amount of non-molecular evidence for a subset of species can alter not only the placement of those species, but also species that were not scored for those data. The evolution of several natural history and reproductive traits is considered in the light of our phylogenic framework. Invasion of rocky outcrops, larval oophagy, and use of underground reproductive chambers are restricted to species of the Leptodactylus fuscus and L. pentadactylus groups. In contrast, larval schooling, larval attendance, and more complex parental care are restricted to the L. latrans and L. melanonotus groups. Construction of foam nests is plesiomorphic in Leptodactylus but their placement varies extensively (e.g., underground chambers, surface of waterbodies, natural or excavated basins). Information on species synonymy, etymology, adult and larval morphology, advertisement call, and geographic distribution is summarized in species accounts for the 30 species of the Leptodactylus fuscus group, 17 species of the L. pentadactylus group, eight species of the L. latrans group, and 17 species of the L. melanonotus group, as well as the three species that are currently unassigned to any species group. Se presenta una filogenia del género Leptodactylus, un clado neotropical rico en especies, basada en análises combinados de datos moleculares (marcadores nuclear y mitocondriales) y no moleculares (caracteres de la morfología de adultos y larvas así como de comportamiento) se muestrearon > 80% de las 75 especies reconocidas. Los resultados apoyan la monofília de Leptodactylus sensu stricto, con Hydrolaetare como su grupo hermano. La monofília recíproca de Hydrolaetare y Leptodactylus no requiere considerar a Hydrolaetare como un subgénero o sinónimo de Leptodactylus sensu lato. Se reconocen Leptodactylus sensu stricto, Hydrolaetare, Adenomera y Lithodytes como géneros monofiléticos válidos. Los resultados en general resuelven los grupos tradicionalmente reconocidos de Leptodactylus, con excepciones de algunas especies que son reasignadas sin la necesidad de proponer nuevos grupos o alterar significativamente el contenido de los grupos tradicionales. Los cuatro grupos de especies forman una topología pectinada donde el grupo de L. fuscus tiene una posición basal, seguido por el grupo de L. pentadactylus que es el grupo hermano al clado formado por los grupo de L. latrans y L. melanonotus. Se estimó el impacto de los datos no moleculares en los resultados, comparándose los resultados de evidencia total con los de los análises de datos moleculares solamente. Los datos no moleculares representan un 3.5% de la matriz de evidencia total, pero estos datos tuvieron un impacto significativo en los resultados del análisis de evidencia total. En el análisis estrictamente molecular solamente un grupo de especies resultó monofilético, y el apoyo difirió en 86% de los 54 clados de Leptodactylus compartidos entre los dos análises. A pesar que datos no moleculares no fueron incluídos para Hydrolaetare, la exclusión de evidencia no molecular resultó en el género estar dentro de Leptodactylus, demostrando que la inclusión de evidencia no molecular pequeña para un subgrupo de especies altera no solamente la posición topológica de esas especies, sino tambien de las especies para las cuales dichos datos no fueron codificados. La evolución de patrones de historia natural y reprodución se evalúan en el contexto filogenético. La invasión de afloramientos rocosos y la construción de cámaras de reprodución subterraneas está limitada a los grupos de Leptodactylus fuscus y L. pentadactylus, mientras que la oofagia larval está restringida al grupo de L. pentadactylus. Por otro lado, los cárdumenes larvales, la proteción del cárdumen, y otros comportamientos parentales complejos carecterizan al clado formado por los grupos de especies de L. latrans y L. melanonotus. Los resú- menes de especies incluyen información de sinonímias, etimología, morfología de adultos y larvas, cantos, y distribución geográfica para las 30 especies del grupo de Leptodactylus fuscus, 17 especies del grupo L. pentadactylus, ocho especies del grupo de L. latrans, 17 especies del grupo de L. melanonotus, así como para las tres especies que actualmente no se encuentran asociadas a ninguno de los grupos de especies. Fil: de Sá, Rafael O.. University of Richmond; Estados Unidos Fil: Grant, Taran. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Camargo, Arley. University of Richmond; Estados Unidos. Universidad de la Republica; Uruguay Fil: Heyer, W. Ronald. Smithsonian Institution; Estados Unidos Fil: Ponssa, María Laura. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Stanley, Edward. University of Richmond; Estados Unidos. California Academy of Sciences; Estados Unidos

Populations of many amphibian species are declining worldwide, and a few species appear to have become extinct. In an attempt to evaluate the potential usefulness of remote-sensing techniques as a tool for identifying the causes of these declines, we compiled a database that contains descriptions of 120 locali- ties, both at which declines have been documented and at which no declines are yet known. The number of species involved, dates and degree of declines, habitat characteristics, and other factors are provided for each locality. Four relatively undisturbed areas in northeastern Australia, Costa Rica-Panama, central Colorado, and Puerto Rico were chosen for examination of environmental correlates coincident with mass mortalities at these localities. We used data predicted by models or collected by satellites, airplanes, or direct sampling on the ground to evaluate variations over time in temperature, precipitation, wind direction, UV-B radiation, and concentrations of certain contaminants at these sites. We asked whether unusual changes in these envi- ronmental variables occurred either just in advance of or concurrent with dates of amphibian mass mortali- ties. The variation in certain environmental variables documented by others (Alexander & Eischeid 2001; Middleton et al. 2001; Stallard 2001 (all this issue)) appears unlikely to have directly caused amphibian deaths. But correlations between these environmental changes and the occurrence of amphibian die-offs in- vite further investigation into synergistic interactions among environmental variables and possible indirect causal relationships.

Abstract Whereas morphological analysis of populations recognized as Leptodactylus mystaceus indicates there is one species with modest geographic variation, analysis of advertisement calls indicates there are at least two or perhaps three species involved. The differences found in advertisement calls are sufficient to act as species isolating barriers to recognize at least two species, which action is taken. A consequent result is the description of a new sibling species. The significance of sibling species in the genus Leptodacytylus is discussed briefly.

The frog Leptodactylus validus occurs in northern South America, Trinidad and Tobago, and the southern Lesser Antilles (Grenada and St. Vincent). Mitochondrial DNA sequences were used to perform a nested clade phylogeographic analysis (NCPA), to date colonization events, and to analyze colonization patterns using on a relaxed molecular clock and coalescent simulations. L. validus originated on the mainland and first colonized Trinidad with subsequent independent colonizations of Tobago and the Lesser Antilles from Trinidad. The NCPA suggests a historical vicariant event between populations in Trinidad and Tobago from those in the Lesser Antilles. The colonization of Trinidad occurred approximately 1 million years ago (mya) and the colonization of the Lesser Antillean islands occurred approximately 0.4 mya. The coalescent approach supported the scenario where L. validus dispersed from Trinidad to St. Vincent and from there to Grenada, a dispersal event that could have been mediated by human introduction as recent as 1600 years ago.

Adenomera griseigularis Henle is a junior synonym of Leptodactylus wagneri (Peters). Systematic problems and opportunities are discussed for certain members of the genus Adenomera. Researchers are cautioned that resolution of certain taxa will require non-morphological data.

SYNOPSIS. The distributions and relationships of exemplary species groups of the Neotropical frog genera Cycloramphus and Leptodactylus are discussed in terms of current biogeographic models. From this exercise, the following conclusions emerge: (1) frog biogeography is and will remain primarily a correlative science; (2) both morphological and genetic data are required to choose among alternate biogeographic models; (3) frog speciation events significantly predate recent distributional events complicating the understanding of past and recent distributions; (4) both data and theory are inadequate to completely understand Neotropical frog biogeography at present.

Tadpoles of the Brazilian leptodactylid frog genera Cycloramphus and Thoropa are characterized by having extremely depressed bodies and elongated, nearly finless tails. In this paper we describe internal oral features of Cycloramphus duseni, Thoropa miliaris, and Thoropa petropolitana larvae. These tadpoles are similar internally. Although they are considered "stream adapted" by some authors, they are found on steep, wet, rocky surfaces often near, but not directly in, streams. Internally they differ from typical stream larvae in having less buccal papillation, having an exposed glottis, and lacking secretory ridges on the branchial food traps. These are features that they share with other subaerial tadpoles, be they semiterrestrial or arboreal. Elongated tadpoles associated with streams appear more adapted for avoiding currents than living within them. Extreme elongation in tadpoles characterizes a fossorial way of life.

Niche parameters of breadth and overlap were calculated on a collection of frog larvae made in 1969 in a seasonal tropical location in Thailand to determine what adaptive strategy characterizes seasonal tropical anurans. Calculation of values of niche breadth and overlap show that space is much more important than food in niche partitioning.