Species Of Gastrotheca Research Articles

A new species of marsupial frog (Anura; Gastrotheca) from the Cordillera de Colán in northeastern Peru

We describe a new species of marsupial frog, genusGastrotheca, using morphological characters and molecular data as lines of evidence. The new species was discovered in the páramo and the ecotone between páramo and humid montane forest of Cordillera de Colán, at elevations between 3136 and 3179 m a.s.l., in northeastern Peru. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by the combination of the following characters: coarsely granular skin on dorsum, a green dorsal coloration without pattern, finger I shorter than finger II, turquoise iris, and a venter without blotches, flecks or dots. Furthermore, we include a detailed osteological description of the newGastrothecaspecies based on Micro-CT scanning. Based on our phylogenetic analyses, the new species belongs to theGastrotheca marsupiataspecies group, is sister toG. oresbiosand closely related toG. psychrophila,G. spectabilis,G. stictopleuraand one undescribed species. Additionally, we test for the presence of the fungal pathogenBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd). NoBdinfection was detected forG. gemmasp. nov. specimens butBdprevalence was detected among syntopic frogs.

The advertisement call of Gastrotheca chrysosticta Laurent, 1976 (Anura: Hemiphractidae).

The genus Gastrotheca Fitzinger, 1843 currently harbors 75 species (Frost 2020). These marsupial frogs have a broad latitudinal distribution range in Central and South America, from Costa Rica southward to Argentina (Duellman 2015). The advertisement call features as the pulse structure, call duration, and repetition pulse rate are used by researchers to recognize the species of Gastrotheca (Duellman 2015). The availability of call descriptions is also crucial for recognizing these species with secretive life habits and implementing long-term passive acoustic monitoring programs (Vaira et al. 2011; Akmentins et al. 2014).

Phylogenetic systematics, ecology, and conservation of marsupial frogs (Anura: Hemiphractidae) from the Andes of southern Ecuador, with descriptions of four new biphasic species.

We review the systematics of the species of Gastrotheca (Anura: Hemiphractidae) in the highlands of the southern Ecuadorian Andes. We analyzed phylogenetic, morphological, ecological, and acoustic data from populations in the region. We provide an updated phylogenetic hypothesis inferred from a database that contains 42 species of Gastrotheca, and sequences from mitochondrial (12S, 16S, and ND1) and nuclear (POMC and RAG-1) genes. We describe four new endemic biphasic species for Ecuador (Gastrotheca cuencana, G. elicioi, G. turnerorum, and G. yacuri). In addition, we redefine G. lojana, recently resurrected from the synonymy of G. monticola, and redescribe G. litonedis. Furthermore, we describe the tadpoles and ontogenetic color changes in six species (G. cuencana, G. elicioi, G. litonedis, G. lojana, G. pseustes, and G. turnerorum). Also, we describe the calls of seven species (G. cuencana, G. elicioi, G. litonedis, G. lojana, G. pseustes, G. testudinea, and G. yacuri). The phylogenetic relationships estimated here are congruent with previous phylogenetic hypotheses for the group, except for the placement of G. galeata, G. plumbea, G. orophylax, G. nicefori, and G. griswoldi. Because most sister species in Gastrotheca are allopatric, the evolutionarly scenarios that likely have intervened in shaping the diversity are the uplift of the Andes and the formation of cross-Andean river valleys, which probably promoted conditions that acted as dispersal barriers that led to speciation. Many species of Gastrotheca (44%) are highly threatened. Most monophasic species have not been seen since the late 1980s, whereas the highland biphasic species have survived the catastrophic events that led to the disappearance of many other sympatric anurans. Research and conservation actions are urgently needed for all surviving species treated herein, five of which are either Critically Endangered or Endangered because of their restricted distributions (10-1600 km2), habitat destruction and fragmentation, climate change, and pathogens. Two of the new species, G. cuencana, and G. elicioi, mostly are known from the cities of Cuenca and Loja, respectively, where urbanization threatens their survival. In order to call attention to conservation issues, we name one new species to refer to the Yacuri National Park, and the other three in honor of the people from Cuenca, the Turner family, and Elicio E. Tapia, whose actions are helping to halt amphibian extinctions.

Cutaneous bacteria, but not peptides, are associated with chytridiomycosis resistance in Peruvian marsupial frogs

AbstractAmphibians are a highly threatened vertebrate group, and populations of these animals have declined drastically. An important global threat to amphibians is the pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which causes the disease chytridiomycosis. However, not all species develop chytridiomycosis when exposed to Bd. We compared susceptibility to disease in two species of marsupial frogs and found that Gastrotheca nebulanastes is susceptible, whereas its congeneric G. excubitor is resistant. Since Bd is a skin pathogen, it is possible that cutaneous defenses like symbiotic bacteria and antimicrobial peptides protect the resistant species. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the anti‐Bd abilities of cutaneous defenses between the two Gastrotheca species. Cultivable bacteria and peptides were isolated from the skin and tested for their abilities to inhibit Bd with in vitro co‐culture assays. Twenty‐six bacteria were identified by sequencing their 16S rRNA gene and 19 peptides were profiled by MALDI TOF mass spectrometry. We found that bacteria, but not peptides, differed between the two species in their ability to inhibit Bd growth. The resistant G. excubitor harbored more isolates of cultivable anti‐Bd bacteria both in number and proportion (6/15 vs. 1/11). Also, the one anti‐Bd isolate from G. nebulanastes demonstrated the weakest ability to inhibit Bd growth. Our results highlight the importance of anti‐Bd skin bacteria in providing frog species with protection from Bd and can inform mitigation strategies for other wildlife diseases.

Diversity of marsupial frogs (Anura: Hemiphractidae: Gastrotheca) in the northern Cordillera Central, Peru, with the descriptions of two new species

Two new species of Gastrotheca are represented by adult females, genomic data of these are included in a phylogenetic analysis, whereby they are placed in the northern clade of the subgenus Gastrotheca. One new species, G. spectabilis, is unique within the genus in having a color pattern consisting of white labial, rostral, and canthal stripes. The second new species, G. oresbios, has a dorsal color pattern of dark paravertebral markings and canthal stripe, but no pale labial stripe; thus it resembles G. abdita, which differs by having an inner tarsal fold, a wider interorbital distance, and smooth skin on the dorsum lacking scattered tubercles as in G. oresbios. Of the nine species of Gastrotheca in the northern Cordillera Central, only G. spectabilis, G. ossilaginis, and G. oresbios lack an inner tarsal fold. The third species is represented by two juveniles; it is briefly described but not named. Of the nine species of Gastrotheca known from the high elevations in the northern part of the Cordillera Central in northern Peru, only two are members of the subgenus Duellmania that occurs principally north of the Huancabamba Depression. Only one of the nine species of species of Gastrotheca in the northern part of the Cordillera Central is shared with the Cordillera Occidental in Peru, and none of the species is shared with the Ecuadorian ranges of the Andes

Two new species of marsupial tree-frogs genus Gastrotheca Fitzinger, 1843 (Anura, Hemiphractidae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Two new species of Gastrotheca are described from northeastern Minas Gerais and southern Bahia, in the Atlantic Forestof Brazil. Data on morphology, calls, mitochondrial, and nuclear DNA are provided. Allied to G. fissipes and G.megacephala, the new taxa provide evidence for a higher diversity of species of Gastrotheca than previously thought atthe Atlantic Forest. The data also suggest that G. pulchra, another Atlantic Forest taxon, is more closely related to non-Atlantic Forest species than to the remaining analyzed Brazilian Gastrotheca species. This implies that the Gastrotheca at the Brazilian coastal forests have at least two independent origins.

The advertisement call of Gastrotheca fissipes Boulenger, 1888 (Anura, Hemiphractidae) with comments on its distribution

Hemiphractidae contains five genera (Frost 2011; Duellman et al. 2011), of which Gastrotheca Fitzinger is the most diverse with 60 species in Central and South America. Eight species of Gastrotheca occur in eastern and southeastern Brazil (Izecksohn et al. 2009; Frost 2011). According to Caramaschi and Rodrigues (2007) a comprehensive analyses of phylogenetic relationships between species of Gastrotheca from the Atlantic Rain Forest of Brazil still remains to be done. Thus, they separated the species of this genus in three phenetic assemblages, of which Gastrotheca fissipes is placed alone in a group. According to Duellman (1984) the distribution of Gastrotheca fissipes ranges from the state of Pernambuco to Espírito Santo. Recently, Izeckson et al. (2009) suggested that the species formerly known as G. fissipes represented two distinct species. They described G. megacephala as a new species occurring from Espírito Santo to southern Bahia and restricted G. fissipes to occur only at the type locality, Igarassú, Pernambuco. In the present study we describe the advertisement call of G. fissipes and compare it with the advertisement call of G. megacephala. Additionally we provide new data on its geographical distribution.

A New Species of Marsupial Frog (Anura: Hemiphractidae: Gastrotheca) from the Río Abiseo National Park in Peru

Abstract We describe a new species of Gastrotheca from the Rio Abiseo National Park of the San Martin Region in the Andes of northern Peru. The description is based on a series of 29 specimens that were collected between 1989 and 1999 at two localities (Pampa del Cuy, Alpamachay) in the wet puna of the national park between 3380 and 3470 m elevation. The new species has a snout–vent length of 46.9–57.7 mm (53.5 ± 3.0) in females (n = 21), and 35.3–43.8 mm (41.6 ± 3.2) in males (n = 6). In life, the dorsum is pale grayish brown with reddish-brown paravertebral markings or blotches, and the venter is cream. Females have a single median, dorsal brood pouch and release tadpoles in water as indicated by two specimens found at Gosner Stages 45 and 46. The new species is distinguished from all of its congeners by having the dorsum with two reddish-brown paravertebral markings bearing prominent longitudinal ridges and warts. The new species differs from the two other species of Gastrotheca (G. ossilaginis, G....

A new species of marsupial frog of the genus Gastrotheca Fitzinger (Anura: Amphignatodontidae) from the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil

A new species of Gastrotheca is described from Serra da Jibóia, Municipality of Santa Terezinha, State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. Gastrotheca flamma sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of traits: SVL 55.3 mm; skin on dorsum weakly granulate; skin adherent on head; snout truncate in dorsal view and nearly vertical in profile; tympanum rounded; presence of two small supraocular tubercles (anterior tubercle bigger than posterior one); webbing poorly developed between fingers II-III and III-IV; calcars present; distinct color pattern. Comments on species habitat are provided.

LOSS AND RE-EVOLUTION OF COMPLEX LIFE CYCLES IN MARSUPIAL FROGS: DOES ANCESTRAL TRAIT RECONSTRUCTION MISLEAD?

Using phylogeny-based methods to identify evolutionary transitions has become an integral part of evolutionary biology. Here, we demonstrate the potential for these methods to give statistically well-supported but misleading inferences about character evolution. We also show how inferences of character evolution can be informed using GIS-based methods to reconstruct ancestral environmental regimes. We reconstruct a phylogeny for marsupial frogs (Hemiphractidae) using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences and estimate patterns of life-history evolution across the resulting tree. We find that Gastrotheca species with complex life cycles (i.e., egg, tadpole, and adult stages) are phylogenetically nested among species and genera with direct development (i.e., egg and adult stages only). Assuming a single rate for gains and losses in likelihood reconstructions, there is strong statistical support for the hypothesis that the tadpole stage was lost early in the phylogeny but reappeared within Gastrotheca. Assuming different rates of gain and loss, the model with significantly higher statistical support, the tadpole stage seems to have been lost multiple times but never regained. Given that both hypotheses cannot be correct, at least one reconstruction model must be giving well-supported but misleading results. Several lines of evidence (including GIS-based reconstructions of the ancestral climatic regime) suggest that the former hypothesis is correct, and that the tadpole stage has evolved from direct development within Gastrotheca, the only known case of such a reversal in frogs.

MARSUPIAL FROGS (ANURA: HYLIDAE: GASTROTHECA) FROM THE ANDES OF NORTHERN PERU WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF TWO NEW SPECIES

Nine species of Gastrotheca primarily have allopatric distributions in the Andes of northern Peru. A new species with integumentary-cranial co-ossification is described from montane forest in the northern part of the Cordillera Central in the Departamento de Amazonas, Peru. A second new species from the same area lacks integumentary-cranial co-ossification and differs from all other members of the genus by having a black venter with white spots.

Phylogenetic relationships among marsupial frog genera (Anura: Hylidae: Hemiphractinae) based on evidence from morphology and natural history

Abstract We reassess the phylogenetic relationships of genera of hemiphractine hylid frogs (Marsupial Treefrogs) and discuss the evolution of several distinctive characters within this group using parsimony analysis. Fifty-one morphological and life-history characters were sampled from two species of Cryptobatrachus , three species of Flectonotus , 17 species of Gastrotheca , all five species of Hemiphractus , and one species of Stefania as the ingroup and three hyline, one phyllomedusine, and one pelodryadine species as outgroups. Our results support the monophyly of Flectonotus , Cryptobatrachus , and Hemiphractus . Gastrotheca is paraphyletic with respect to Hemiphractus ; dorsal pouches were lost in the ancestor of Hemiphractus . Direct development is a synapomorphy for Hemiphractinae and tadpoles were regained independently several times. These results stand in stark contrast to the prevailing paradigm regarding marsupial frog relationships.

Phylogenetic relationships among marsupial frog genera (Anura: Hylidae: Hemiphractinae) based on evidence from morphology and natural history

We reassess the phylogenetic relationships of genera of hemiphractine hylid frogs (Marsupial Treefrogs) and discuss the evolution of several distinctive characters within this group using parsimony analysis. Fifty-one morphological and life-history characters were sampled from two species of Cryptobatrachus, three species of Flectonotus, 17 species of Gastrotheca, all five species of Hemiphractus, and one species of Stefania as the ingroup and three hyline, one phyllomedusine, and one pelodryadine species as outgroups. Our results support the monophyly ofFlectonotus , Cryptobatrachus, and Hemiphractus. Gastrotheca is paraphyletic with respect toHemiphractus ; dorsal pouches were lost in the ancestor of Hemiphractus. Direct development is a synapomorphy for Hemiphractinae and tadpoles were regained independently several times. These results stand in stark contrast to the prevailing paradigm regarding marsupial frog relationships.

Superficial mandibular musculature and vocal sac structure in hemiphractine hylid frogs

Three patterns of superficial mandibular musculature are described in hemiphractine hylid frogs. One of these is unique to the morphologically bizarre Hemiphractus. A second pattern is found in Flectonotus and also occurs in some species of Gastrotheca and Stefania. A third pattern involves a differentiated apical element of the m. intermandibularis and is found in Cryptobatrachus, many species of Gastrotheca, and one species of Stefania. Evidence supports the plesiomorphic state of an undifferentiated m. intermandibularis and two derived states of differentiation of that muscle. One of these is the development of supplementary posterolateral elements characteristic of the Phyllomedusinae, whereas the differentiation of an apical element has occurred in at least six independent lineages--the entire Pelodryadinae, three unrelated genera of Hylinae, and two genera of Hemiphractinae. Gastrotheca and Stefania are the only anuran genera known to include species possessing, and others lacking, differentiation of the m. intermandibularis. Vocal sacs and apertures are absent in Cryptobatrachus, Hemiphractus, Stefania, and six species of Gastrotheca.

Cryptic Species of Hylid Marsupial Frogs in Peru

Cryptic Species of Hylid Marsupial Frogs in Peru

Oral structures and their development in egg‐brooding hylid frog embryos and larvae: Evolutionary and ecological implications

Among egg-brooding hylid frogs there is much interspecific variation in the degree of development of the young at hatching. In certain species of Gastrotheca the eggs hatch into free-living tadpoles, whereas in others (and in the genera Amphignathodon, Cryptobatrachus, Stefania and Hemiphractus) the eggs hatch directly into frogs. We examined the oral anatomy of tadpoles and embryos of 22 species of egg-brooding hylids in order to determine the morphological differences between free-living larvae and embryos of species having direct development. All free-living Gastrotheca larvae are morphologically similar and have a large array of oral structures directly associated with a suspension feeding way of life. Among those egg-brooding hylids without free-living larvae there is a complete gradation from those with all of the free-living tadpole oral structures to those with none. Different lineages retain different vestiges of free-living larval morphology, suggesting that direct development has evolved multiple times among these frogs. All of the morphological patterns in the direct-developing embryos can be accounted for by simple truncation or acceleration of the normal tadpole developmental program. We explore the possibility that certain Gastrotheca species with tadpoles may have evolved from species that lack larval stages. The development of oral structures in egg-brooding hylids provides insight into the phylogenetic significance of these charactes in other groups of anurans. Most significantly they reinforce the idea that microhylids evolved from ranoidlike ancestors.

Irreversibility: A Comment on Macbeth's Interpretations

Macbeth (1980), writing about irreversibility, found a conflict between Lande (1978) and Wright's (1968) views and those of Simpson (1953) and Laurent (1964), although he stated from the beginning that the authors concern themselves with two different phenomena. The first is that evolution never goes into reverse in a big way; the second that evolution frequently goes into reverse in a small way. I think the purported conflict does not really exist. Lande's model actually belongs to the second category of simple reversibilities. Indeed, complex organs may well reappear sometimes, if their former disappearance resulted from the action of a suppressor regulatory gene(s), that in turn disappears. The catch is that the structure had not really disappeared; it was still there, genetically. Two herpetological examples can be mentioned in this respect. Frogs and toads have no teeth on the lower jaw. However, some have odontoids, which is in line with Dollo's law. More unexpected is the case of Amphignathodon, a genus of marsupial frogs, which has real teeth, in spite of its close relationships with some species of Gastrotheca like G. cornuta. The most likely explanation is the lifting of a very old inhibition. According to Walls' (1942) theory of the origin of snakes, the eyes have been atrophied in their fossorial ancestors, only to reappear, although somewhat different in the flourishing descendants. Again, the suppression of a suppressor is a likely explanation. When it comes to the really big irreversibility-the unreeling of a movie filmwhich is a far cry from the reappearance of a lost organ (however complex), I can only reassert its high degree of improbability. An original limb structure can reappear without posing an intractable problem, but a return from Equus to Hyracotherium through Pliohippus, Merychippus, Miohippus, Mesohippus, Epihippus and Orohippus is a practical impossibility, whether the mechanisms are neatly genetic or hazily epigenetic.

The Reproductive Behavior of Some Hylid Marsupial Frogs

Most, if not all, species of Gastrotheca are seasonal breeders, and females probably reproduce only once annually. Male Flectonotus pygmaeus and Gastrotheca riobambae assist in the insertion of eggs into the brood pouches of females during mating. Incubation time varies from 24 days in Flectonotus pygmaeus to as long as 120 days in Gastrotheca riobambae. In many species of Gastrotheca, females actively aid in the exodus of tadpoles or young from the pouches. The tadpoles of Gastrotheca argenteovirens and Flectonotus pygmaeus hatch in an advanced stage and require only about two weeks until metamorphosis, whereas those of other tadpole-producing Gastrotheca require up to one year to complete larval development. Differences in reproductive behavior among Gastrotheca seem to be correlated with structural constraints of the brood pouch. The behavior of Flectonotus probably evolved independently from that of Gastrotheca.

MULTIPLE NUCLEI DURING EARLY OOGENESIS INFLECTONOTUS PYGMAEUSAND OTHER MARSUPIAL FROGS

In the great majority of amphibians yet investigated the occurrence of oocytes with more than one nucleus or more than a single liieiotiC figure is exceptional (Humphries, 1956,1966 ; Parnienter, Derezin andParnienter, 1960 ; Humphrey, 1963) . In the tailed frog Asca/'hus (mel, however, Macgregor and Kezer ( 1970) found that oogenesis regularly involves oocytes with eight nuclei, all but one of @yhich disappear before the final stages of oogenesis. When a related species, Leiopelnta hochstetteri, was investigated by Robinson, Stephenson and Stephenson ( 1973) , onlya single binucleate oocyte wasfoundamong 26oocytes examined. In the present paper the occurrence of niultinucleate stages as a regular feature of oogenesis in several genera of marsupial frogs of South America is reported. The multinucleate condition is associated with the early stages of oogenesis; in large, yolky oocytes only one nucleus is present. Most of the marsupial frogs are inhabitants of the humid forests of South America. In these frogs the aquatic larval stages are reduced or eliminated al together, a phenomenon associated with the fact that the female carries the em bryos on her back, either within a pouch of integument or in shallow depressions of the skin. The genera Flectonotus, Cast rotheca, and Amphignathodon are char acterized by pouches, while in Frit@iana, Crvptobatrachus, Ste fania and Henti phractus the embryos are carried in depressions of the skin. For a list of these frogs with locality and references of taxonomic interest see the work of Duellman (1976). Relatively little information is availal)le regarding reproduction and development in marsupial frogs. The relationship between mother and embryos has been studied in some detail in Gastrotheca riohanzbae, a species that carries the embryos in the potich up to the tadpole stage (see del Pino, Galarza, de Albtija, and Hum phries, 1975, for references). Among the species of Gastrotheca that carry the embryos to the young froglet stage, Gastrotheca ovif era is the best known (see Mertens, 1957, for a description of its life history and references). This report describes some features of oogenesis in 33 species of marsupial frogs that correspond to the described species of Ainphignathodon and Henzi phractus as listed by Duellman (1976), to two (of three) species of Flectonotus, one (of six) species of Stefania and 20 (of 32) species of Gastrotheca. In addi tion, the ovaries of three unnamed species of Gastrotlieca were also analyzed. The peculiarities of oogenesis have been studied in more detail in Flectonotns pvgmaeus, Gastrotheca ovif era and Gastrotheca sp., an unnanied species from Venezuela, since in these instances both living and preserved specimens were available. Living specimens of C. niarsupiata, G. excubitor, C. niertensi and C. plum bea were also