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Type: Article
Published: 2008-06-06
Page range: 11–38
Abstract views: 93
PDF downloaded: 42

Three new species of leaflitter frogs from the upper Amazon forests: cryptic diversity within Pristimantis "ockendeni" (Anura: Strabomantidae) in Ecuador

Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston ON K7L 3N6 Canada Lehrstuhl für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätstraβe 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
Section of Integrative Biology and Texas Memorial Museum, The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
Amphibia Anura new species terrestrial frog South America Pristimantis achuar Pristimantis altamnis Pristimantis kichwarum

Abstract

We describe three new species of Pristimantis leaflitter frogs from the upper Amazon basin of Ecuador: Pristimantis achuar, Pristimantis altamnis, and Pristimantis kichwarum. Each of these new species was previously considered to be part of a single species, formerly known as Eleutherodactylus ockendeni (Boulenger) morph B. However, analysis of DNA sequences together with examination of the morphology of more than 600 specimens from Ecuador reveals that multiple species were confused under the same name. The morphological differences among the three new species are subtle but consistent: presence or absence of a black canthal stripe and/or supratympanic ridge, snout-vent length, and ventral colouration. The three species are generally allopatric and geographically restricted, although at some localities two of the species occur sympatrically.Describimos tres especies nuevas de ranas del sotobosque de la cuenca Amazónica Ecuatoriana: Pristimantis achuar, Pristimantis altamnis y Pristimantis kichwarum. Estas especies fueron consideradas antes como una sola especie bajo el nombre Eleutherodactylus ockendeni (Boulenger) morfo B. Sin embargo, el análisis de secuencias de ADN y la examinación de la morfología de más que 600 especímenes Ecuatorianos indican que en realidad existen tres especies. Sus diferencias morfológicas son sutiles pero constantes: presencia o ausencia de una raya cantal negra y/o de un pliegue supratimpánico y su coloración ventral. Las tres especies tienen distribuciones alopátricas y distintas aunque en algunas localidades se puede encontrar dos de las tres especies juntas.

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