Abstract
Adenomera simonstuarti is a poorly known species complex inhabiting western Amazonia. Here we reevaluate the species diversity within this complex based on previously documented and newly acquired molecular and phenotypic data. We also redescribe the calling pattern of the nominal species based on the original recording (Peru) and a new recording (Brazil). Our results indicate eight geographically structured genetic lineages and the nominal species with a multi-note call pattern. This is the first association of calls and DNA sequence from a voucher specimen, thereby enabling the assignment of A. simonstuarti to one specific lineage within the complex. The multi-note call was not previously reported and represents an important additional diagnostic character within Adenomera. The geographic distribution of A. simonstuarti is substantially narrowed down to the southwestern portion of the entire geographic range recognized for the complex. The lack of taxonomic resolution in the complex is a major conservation concern by preventing us from evaluating the potential threats and extinction risks of each of the lineages. Future research should follow the protocol of combining calls and DNA sequences associated with voucher specimens as a means to address the taxonomic status of genetic lineages within the A. simonstuarti complex.
Highlights
Indistinguishable species have challenged taxonomists and systematists across several taxonomic groups (Bickford et al 2007)
Understanding and conserving biodiversity levels, partly hidden in complexes of cryptic species, in such a megadiverse region strongly depends on the continued investigation of multiple sources of information to be compared with morphological variation (Padial et al 2010)
We collected five individuals of Adenomera that we associated with A. simonstuarti based on morphology, color patterns, and/or call characteristics, as follows: (1) tips of toes II–IV developed into discs; (2) presence of nearly solid, dark-colored stripe on the underside of forearm; (3) advertisement call consisting of short-lasting (< 80 ms), pulsed notes with the dominant frequency generally coinciding with the fundamental harmonic (Angulo & Icochea 2010)
Summary
Indistinguishable species (cryptic species) have challenged taxonomists and systematists across several taxonomic groups (Bickford et al 2007). A phylogenetic study of the genus based on a comprehensive geographic sampling revealed many putative new species, reported as candidate species (Fouquet et al 2014) Some of these nominal and candidate species of Adenomera exhibit marked genetic divergence among populations and some of them are known to have distinct call patterns, suggesting extensive cryptic diversity within the genus (Fouquet et al 2014; Carvalho et al 2019c, 2019d). T (Fouquet et al 2014; Carvalho et al 2019b)
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