A NEW SPECIES OF SEMIARBOREAL TOAD WITH A SALAMANDER-LIKE EAR (ANURA: BUFONIDAE: RHINELLA)

Author(s)

Grant, Taran ^[1] ; Bolivar-G, Wilmar ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Valle, Dept Biol, Grp Ecol Anim, Cali, Valle Del Cauca - Colombia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Herpetologica; v. 70, n. 2, p. 198-210, JUN 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

We describe a new species of the Rhinella acrolopha group (previously Rhamphophryne) from mid-elevations (1800-2500 m) of the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia. It is found exclusively in cloud forest habitats and is not associated with streams or other bodies of water. The species is characterized by possessing eight presacral vertebrae, fusion of the sacrum and urostyle, and nuptial excrescences in adult males, and in lacking conspicuous cranial ornamentation and vocal slits. The most striking characteristic of this species is its middle ear, which lacks a tympanic membrane and annulus but possesses a short stapes that articulates with the palatoquadrate and squamosal in a manner similar to the middle ear of many salamanders. A population of this species in the Serrania de los Paraguas seems to be stable despite drastic declines in many sympatric species. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/10000-5 - A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of amphibian diversification
• Grantee: Taran Grant
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants