Systematics and morphological evolution in Holoadeninae (Anura, Brachycephaloidea, Craugastoridae)

Author(s)

Ana Paula Motta

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Rio Claro. 2021-01-14.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências. Rio Claro
• Defense date: 2020-12-04
• Advisor: Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad

Abstract

The subfamily Holoadeninae includes genera mostly distributed in the Andes (Bryophryne, Lynchius, Microkayla, Niceforonia, Noblella, Oreobates, Phrynopus, Psychrophrynella, and Qosqophryne), as well as representatives in the Amazon, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest (Barycholos, Euparkerella, Holoaden, and Oreobates). “Eleutherodactylus” bilineatus is included in the subfamily as incertae sedis and its study and comparison with its relative genera are still necessary to resolve its taxonomy. The Phrynopus genus has recently undergone major changes in its composition. Even though it is a group with interesting variation in its morphology, morphological characters have not yet been tested in a phylogenetic context and no morphological synapomorphy has been proposed for the genus. In addition, species from the clade composed of Phrynopus, Lynchius and Oreobates have an interesting diversity of forms and are present in different habitats distributed in South America, constituting an ideal group for testing evolutionary hypotheses. This study includes total evidence phylogenetic analyses using genotypic and phenotypic data to infer the phylogenetic relationships of Phrynopus, as well as of the genera of Holoadeninae; elucidates the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of “Eleutherodactylus” bilineatus, describing a new genus of Holoadeninae; and shows that the independent occupation of similar habitats is responsible for the convergence in the body shape of species of Lynchius, Oreobates and Phrynopus. It also includes contributions to the taxonomy of Lynchius and Oreobates, which encompass the review of O. heterodactylus and O. crepitans, as well as the description of a new species of Oreobates from Bolivia; description of a new species of Lynchius and a new species of Oreobates from Peru; and new records for the distribution of O. antrum. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/08488-3 - Phylogeny, Morphological Evolution, and Diversification of Oreobates (Amphibia, Anura, Craugastoridae)
• Grantee: Ana Paula Motta Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate