Notes on the Type Material of the Neotropical Harlequin Frogs Atelopus varius (Lichtenstein & Martens, 1856) and Atelopus cruciger (Lichtenstein & Martens, 1856) Deposited in the Museum für Naturkunde of Berlin (Anura, Bufonidae)

Abstract

The type material of Phrynidium (= Atelopus auct.) varium, P. varium var. “maculatum”, P. v. var. “adspersum”, and P. crucigerum, all from “Veragoa” (= western Panama) and named by Lichtenstein & Martens (1856), was reinvestigated. Several errors of the subsequent literature are corrected. Although the “varieties” maculatum and adspersum originally were of infra-subspecific rank (from the same type locality and without leaving a nominotypical form), they have been made available through adoption by, later authors. Taking first reviser's action, we place A. varius maculatus and A. v. adspersus into the synonymy of A. varius and designate a lectotype for A. varius and adspersus respectively; hence, they represent objective synonyms. For all three names the type localities are restricted. Atelopus cruciger is a Central American, not a Venezuelan form (as assumed by previous authors). It is placed into the synonymy of A. varius, as well. A lectotype is designated but in lack of knowledge the type locality is not restricted.