The missing piece of the puzzle: larval morphology of Xenohyla truncata (Anura: Hylidae: Dendropsophini) and its implication to the evolution of Dendropsophini tadpoles

Author(s)

dos Santos Dias, Pedro Henrique ; Marcondes, Barbara Caroline ; Pezzuti, Tiago Leite ; Candioti, Florencia Vera ; Araujo-Vieira, Katyuscia ; Prodocimo, Maritana Mela ; da Silva, Helio Ricardo ; Dill Orrico, Victor Goyannes ; Haas, Alexander

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ZOOMORPHOLOGY; v. N/A, p. 16-pg., 2022-10-15.

Abstract

Dendropsophini is a highly diverse clade with a controversial phylogenetic and taxonomic history. Different generic arrangements have been proposed and the monophyly of several clades supported or rejected. Previous evidence suggested that larval morphology could play an important role in our understanding of the evolution and diversification of Dendropsophini, although data are missing for most lineages, including the sister group of Dendropsophus, Xenohyla. Herein we describe the internal morphology of the tadpoles of X. truncata and compare our results with available information for members of Dendropsophini and closely related lineages. We propose that the presence of a fan-like papilla in the buccopharyngeal cavity, a single element suprarostral, and a triangular process at the base of the muscular process are synapomorphies for Dendropsophini; moreover, the presence of a divided m. subarcualis rectus II-IV seems to be a synapomorphy for Pseudini and, the nasal sac insertion of the m. levator lateralis could be a synapomorphy of Dendropsophini + Pseudini. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/24979-2 - The evolution of the larynx in anurans: a study of the laryngeal structure in the most species-rich genus of Neotropical treefrogs (Hylidae: Scinax)
• Grantee: Katyuscia de Araujo Vieira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral