Rediscovery of the rare Phrynomedusa appendiculata (Lutz, 1925) (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil

Zootaxa ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 5087 (4) ◽  
pp. 522-540
Author(s):  
LEANDRO J. C. L. MORAES ◽  
DÉLIO BAÊTA ◽  
RENATA C. AMARO ◽  
ALEXANDRE C. MARTENSEN ◽  
DANTE PAVAN

The genus Phrynomedusa Miranda-Ribeiro, 1923 comprises rare and little known phyllomedusid species from southern Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Phrynomedusa appendiculata (Lutz, 1925) is known from three localities since its description and considered a “lost species” because it was last sighted 51 years ago. This pervasive lack of knowledge raised a significant concern about its threat status. Here, we present the rediscovery of P. appendiculata from a breeding population in the Atlantic Plateau forests of the state of São Paulo. This new record allowed the gathering of novel ecological, acoustic and morphological data for this species. Most of the novel data agreed with the variation historically reported for the species, but we found subtle divergences that we interpret as intraspecific variation. Moreover, this record also allowed a reassessment of geographic distribution of the species, and the first inference of its phylogenetic relationships based on molecular data (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA). The resulting phylogeny corroborated the generic placement and evolutionary distinctiveness of P. appendiculata, evidencing the species as sister to the clade P. marginata + P. dryade. Based on novel and historical data, we discuss some putative factors influencing the rarity of P. appendiculata and its congeners, and provide conservation perspectives. We expect that the novel data can support further assessments of threat status for this rare species, as well as initiatives aiming its conservation.  

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio C. Forlani ◽  
João F.R. Tonini ◽  
Carlos A.G. Cruz ◽  
Hussam Zaher ◽  
Rafael O. de Sá

Three new cryptic species ofChiasmocleisfrom the Atlantic Forest of Brazil are described. Two of these species occur in the northeastern states of Sergipe and Bahia, whereas the third species is found in the southeastern state of São Paulo. The new species can be distinguished from other congeneric species by the molecular data, as evidenced in the phylogeny, and by a combination of morphological characters including: size, foot webbing, dermal spines, and coloration patterns.Chiasmocleisspecies differ in osteological traits, therefore we also provide an osteological description of each new species and comparsions with data reported for other species in the genus.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Prates ◽  
Paulo Roberto Melo-Sampaio ◽  
Kevin de Queiroz ◽  
Ana Carolina Carnaval ◽  
Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Abstract Recent biological discoveries have changed our understanding of the distribution and evolution of neotropical biotas. In the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, the discovery of closely related species isolated on distant mountains has led to the hypothesis that the ancestors of montane species occupied and dispersed through lowland regions during colder periods. This process may explain the distribution of an undescribed Anolis lizard species that we recently discovered at a montane site in the Serra dos Órgãos National Park, a popular tourist destination close to the city of Rio de Janeiro. To investigate whether this species is closely related to other Atlantic Forest montane anoles, we implement phylogenetic analyses and divergence time estimation based on molecular data. We infer the new species nested within the Dactyloa clade of Anolis, forming a clade with A. nasofrontalis and A. pseudotigrinus, two species restricted to montane sites about 400 km northeast of Serra dos Órgãos. The new species diverged from its sister A. nasofrontalis around 5.24 mya, suggesting a cold-adapted lowland ancestor during the early Pliocene. Based on the phylogenetic results, we emend the definitions of the series taxa within Dactyloa, recognizing a clade containing the new species and several of its relatives as the nasofrontalis series. Lastly, we provide morphological data supporting the recognition of the new species and give it a formal scientific name. Future studies are necessary to assess how park visitors, pollutants, and shrinking montane habitats due to climate change will affect this previously overlooked anole species.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 512 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
FILIPE SOARES DE SOUZA ◽  
ALEXANDRE SALINO

Polypodiaceae is notable for being one of the richest, most diverse, and abundant groups of ferns in tropical and subtropical forests. Currently, 65 genera and approximately 1652 species are recognized in the family. Pleopeltis is a monophyletic genus and comprises approximately 90 species, most of which are exclusive to the Neotropics. The aim of this scientific contribution is a taxonomic treatment of the Pleopeltis species occurring in Brazil. It has been based on the morphological data of specimens from Brazilian and foreign herbaria, as well as on observations and collections made in the field. Eighteen species are recognized in Brazil and occur in all Brazilian biomes, notably the Atlantic Forest (16 spp.). At least one species occurs in all Brazilian states, and the states of Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais (southeastern Brazil) are the richest (11 spp. each). According to the Brazilian Flora Red List, three species are officially threatened, P. alborufula and P. monoides are endangered, and P. trindadensis is critically endangered; however, we suggest including two more species in the official list: P. aturensis and P. stolzei. The taxonomic treatment includes a genus description, identification key to the species, synonyms, species description, distribution maps, illustrations, list of specimens studied, taxonomic comments, and information on habitat and distribution.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5082 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-222
Author(s):  
THIAGO SILVA-SOARES ◽  
RODRIGO BARBOSA FERREIRA ◽  
IAGO SILVA ORNELLAS ◽  
CÁSSIO Z. ZOCCA ◽  
ULISSES CARAMASCHI ◽  
...  

We describe a new species of Rain Frog from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, which harbors high richness, endemism and threatened species of anurans. Ischnocnema crassa sp. nov. is a leaf litter breeder from the montane rainforest of Santa Teresa, state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. Remarkably, the new species is so far unique amongst Ischnocnema for having moderate hand webbing between fingers. Ischnocnema crassa sp. nov. is the third species belonging to I. parva series and we present a new phylogeny based on molecular data and propose a new diagnosis for the series. We provide field and laboratory observations regarding amplexus, antipredator mechanisms, microhabitat preferences and conservation remarks.  Although Santa Teresa is one of the most sampled areas in Brazil, new species are often discovered. Santa Teresa is a priority for amphibian conservation because it harbors 109 species of anurans (9% of Brazil’s species).  


Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4375 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
BRITTANY FINUCCI ◽  
WILLIAM T. WHITE ◽  
JENNY M. KEMPER ◽  
GAVIN J.P. NAYLOR

An integrated taxonomic approach, combining both morphological and molecular data, was adopted to investigate the Hydrolagus lemures-ogilbyi group in the Indo-Australian region. Single mitochondrial markers (CO1 and NADH2) provided evidence supporting the separation of four distinct species in this group. However, detailed morphological data collected from specimens from across their range failed to find any consistent differences, and many features previously considered to be diagnostic were found to be variable. Nuclear DNA data also failed to support the differences found with the single mitochondrial markers and, together with the morphological data, supported the hypothesis that only a single species in this group is present in the Indo-Australian region. In addition, the results failed to support the current generic placement of this group in Hydrolagus, suggesting they belong to the genus Chimaera with doubt over the validity of Hydrolagus as a valid genus. The oldest available name for this group is Chimaera ogilbyi and a redescription is provided. This species occurs throughout Australia, eastern Indonesia (Java, Bali, and Lombok) and northern Papua New Guinea. 


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0249737
Author(s):  
André Rodolfo de Oliveira Ribeiro ◽  
Luciana Pereira-Silva ◽  
Jéssika Paula Silva Vieira ◽  
Isabel Larridon ◽  
Vinicius Santos Ribeiro ◽  
...  

Cyperus prophyllatus, an endangered new species of Cyperus (Cyperaceae) from an aquatic ecosystem of the Atlantic Forest, Espírito Santo State, southeastern Brazil, is described and illustrated. The spikelet morphology of Cyperus prophyllatus is unique among the c. 950 species of Cyperus in having both a conspicuous spikelet prophyll and a corky rachilla articulation, which remain persistent at the base of the spikelet after disarticulation. Our molecular phylogenetic data support the placement of C. prophyllatus in the C3 Cyperus Grade and more precisely in the clade representing Cyperus sect. Oxycaryum, which also includes C. blepharoleptos and C. gardneri. Anatomical and (micro)morphological analyses corroborate the phylogenetic results, provide a better understanding of ecology and taxonomy, as well as reveal compatibility of structures with survival and dispersion in aquatic environments. A distribution map, table with distinctive characters of allied species, and conservation status are made available.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-411
Author(s):  
Nurhayat Özdemir ◽  
Cantekin Dursun ◽  
Nazan Üzüm ◽  
Bilal Kutrup ◽  
Serkan Gül

Abstract The Bufo bufo species group includes four species distributed in the western Palearctic: B. bufo, B. eichwaldii, B. spinosus and B. verrucosissimus. Both B. bufo and B. verrucosissimus are known to occur in Turkey, but their range boundaries and the taxonomic status of B. verrucosissimus are still uncertain. In this study, we analyzed the variation in a set of morphological characters and in two mitochondrial and two nuclear DNA markers to address these questions. Phylogenetic analyses of sequence data support two main clades of common toads in Turkey, corresponding to B. bufo and B. verrucosissimus. The latter is subdivided into two allopatric subclades including populations along the Mediterranean and Black Sea coast, respectively. Discriminant analysis of morphological data showed separation among groups as defined by molecular analyses. We discuss these results and their implications for the evolutionary history of common toads in Turkey.


Check List ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela Duda ◽  
Jeronymo Dalapicolla ◽  
Leonora Pires Costa

Furipterus horrens has its distribution restricted to the Neotropics. In the coastal states of Southeastern Brazil covered by Atlantic Forest, few records are known and the Espírito Santo state has never been included as an area of occurrence of the species. Here, we report the collection and identification, using morphological and molecular data, of a single individual from Floresta Nacional do Rio Preto, Conceição da Barra, which is the first record in Espírito Santo and fills in a gap in the known geographical distribution of this bat in the Atlantic Forest.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-316
Author(s):  
M.A. Chursina ◽  
I.Ya. Grichanov

The recent catalogues of the family Dolichopodidae considered Syntormon pallipes (Fabricius, 1794) and S. pseudospicatus Strobl, 1899 as separate species. In this study, we used three approaches to estimate the significance of differences between the two species: molecular analysis (COI and 12S rRNA sequences), analysis of leg colour characters and geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape. The morphological data confirmed the absence of significant differences between S. pallipes and S. pseudospicatus found in the DNA analysis. Significant differences in the wing shape of two species have not been revealed. Hence, according to our data, there is no reason to consider S. pseudospicatus as a distinct species.


2007 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 414-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puja Saluja ◽  
G. S. Prasad

Two novel anamorphic yeast strains (S-15LT and 3-C1) were isolated from the inflorescences of plants collected in two different towns in Rajasthan State, India. Sequencing of the D1/D2 domains of the large-subunit (LSU) rDNA and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions suggested they are strains of the same species. Phenotypic characteristics such as the absence of fermentation, the absence of sexual structures and ballistoconidia, the assimilation of myo-inositol and d-glucuronate, and positive Diazonium blue B and urease reactions indicated that these strains belong to the genus Cryptococcus. The novel strains differed from Cryptococcus laurentii in six physiological tests and differed from other related species in more than six tests. A phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rDNA and the ITS regions placed these strains in the Bulleromyces clade within the order Tremellales, with C. laurentii as their closest described relative. The novel strains showed 1.6 and 7.5 % divergence in the D1/D2 domain of the LSU rDNA and ITS regions, respectively, with respect to C. laurentii. The divergence from other species was more than 3 % for the D1/D2 domain and more than 9 % for the ITS region. On the basis of the phenotypic and molecular data, strains S-15LT and 3-C1 represent a novel species within the genus Cryptococcus, for which the name Cryptococcus rajasthanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S-15LT (=MTCC 7075T=CBS 10406T).


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