Species limits, phylogeographic and hybridization patterns in Neotropical leaf frogs (Phyllomedusinae)

Author(s)

Brunes, Tuliana O. ^{[1, 2]} ; Alexandrino, Joao ^[3] ; Baeta, Delio ^{[4, 5]} ; Zina, Juliana ^[6] ; Haddad, Celio F. B. ^[4] ; Sequeira, Fernando ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Porto, Dept Biol, Fac Ciencias, P-4169007 Oporto - Portugal

^[2] Univ Porto, Lab Associado, Ctr Invest Biodivers & Recursos Genet, CIBIO InBIO, P-4485661 Vairao - Portugal

^[3] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, BR-09972270 Diadema - Brazil

^[4] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Setor Herpetol, Dept Vertebrados, Museu Nacl, Rio De Janeiro - Brazil

^[6] Univ Estadual Sudoeste Bahia, Dept Ciencias Biol, BR-45206190 Salvador - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOLOGICA SCRIPTA; v. 43, n. 6, p. 586-604, NOV 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

The taxonomy of many species is still based solely on phenotypic traits, which is often a pitfall for the understanding of evolutionary processes and historical biogeographic patterns, especially between closely related species due to either phenotypic conservatism or plasticity. Two widely distributed Neotropical leaf frogs from the Phyllomedusa burmeisteri species group (P.burmeisteri and Phyllomedusa bahiana) constitute a paramount example of closely related species with relatively unstable taxonomic history due to a large phenotypic variation. Herein, we analysed similar to 260 individuals from 57 localities distributed across the range of the two species to contrast individual phenotypic with an integrative phylogenetic and phylogeographic multilocus approach. We aim to clarify species limits, investigate potential undocumented diversity and examine to what extent taxonomic uncertainties could lead to misleading hypotheses on phylogeographic and interspecific hybridization patterns. Our molecular analysis supports the recognition of the two currently defined species, providing evidences for one novel and highly divergent evolutionary unit within the range of P.burmeisteri, which encompasses its type locality (Rio de Janeiro city). Spatial patterns of genetic and the colour of the hidden areas of the thigh was not congruent, varying considerably both within and between populations of both species. Genetic data showed signs of admixture between both species but do not corroborate the previously inferred wide area of introgression based on the distribution of the intermediate phenotype. Our results suggest that phenotypic variation can result from local adaptations, geographic isolation and/or evolutionary processes and, thus, cannot be used to reliably diagnose P.burmeisteri and P.bahiana. Globally, this study underscores the need of a geographical broad sampling of widespread species and the combination of molecular and phenotypic data to delineate species limits and phylogeographic patterns in species with complex taxonomy. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/50928-1 - Speciation of frogs in high-altitude environments
• Grantee: Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/50741-7 - Diversity and conservation of Brazilian amphibians
• Grantee: Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 05/52727-5 - Biogeography, phylogeography and diversification patterns of anuran species widespread in the Brazilian Atlantic forest
• Grantee: João Miguel de Barros Alexandrino
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/25370-2 - Diversity and Evolution in Phyllomedusinae (Anura: Hylidae) and its relations with Pelodryadinae.
• Grantee: Délio Pontes Baêta da Costa
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral