Abstract
In the genus Pristimantis, species are often combined into taxonomic units called species groups. The taxonomy of these groups is frequently inaccurate due to the absence of genetic data from type series and repeated misidentifications generated by high morphological resemblance between taxa. Here, we focus on the P.orestes species group, providing the first genetic assessment of P.orestes sensu stricto from individuals collected from the type locality, with a reviewed diagnosis and description of advertisement calls. We find that two lineages previously named P.orestes are genetically distinct and should be separated into two different species. Based on genetic and morphological data, we name one of these species P.cajanumasp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinct from other members of the group by having shagreen dorsal skin, evident dorsolateral folds, broader discs on toes and fingers and pale gray ventral coloration. Additionally, P.saturninoi is placed within the P.orestes species group based on genetic data from its type series. However, we find that one of its paratypes is genetically distinct and belongs to a clade containing a new species we name P.quintanaisp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinguished by lacking a tympanic membrane and vocal sacs in males, and by having expanded discs on toes and fingers, finely tuberculated dorsal skin and irregular white or cream spots in the groin and concealed surfaces of thighs. Our findings highlight the importance of providing genetic characterization and placement from the type series in taxonomic challenging groups, such as Pristimantis. We also suggest that the diversity of species within the P.orestes group will increase as more sampling is achieved in the southern Andes of Ecuador.
Highlights
Pristimantis is a species-rich genus of terrestrial frogs that inhabit Central and South America (Hedges et al 2008, Pinto-Sanchez et al 2012)
Because we aimed to provide a genetic delimitation of P. orestes sensu stricto, we collected specimens from the type locality of P. orestes described in Lynch (1979) at 11 km NE Urdaneta, Loja Province in Ecuador
We provide for the first time genetic sequences of P. orestes sensu stricto from four specimens collected at the type locality
Summary
Pristimantis is a species-rich genus of terrestrial frogs that inhabit Central and South America (Hedges et al 2008, Pinto-Sanchez et al 2012). Due to the extraordinary diversity and taxonomic complexity of the genus, Pristimantis species were grouped into phenetic taxonomic categories called species groups (Lynch and Duellman 1997). These groups were delimited based on a handful of morphological characteristics and resulted in the recognition of 11 species groups (Lynch and Duellman 1997). Such classifications are imperfect because they do not account for genetic and intraspecific variation or character plasticity within Pristimantis, yet they are useful in allowing us to recognize potentially diagnostic aspects of the morphology and natural history of individual species. Taxonomic resolution within most species groups remains unclear (Padial et al 2014, Guayasamin et al 2018), in those groups where sufficient taxon sampling has not been accomplished and where molecular data from type series of described species (holotypes or paratypes) is not available
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