Darwin’s frogs (Rhinoderma darwinii and R. rufum) are two species of mouth brooding frogs from Chile and Argentina that have experienced marked population declines. Rhinoderma rufum has not been found in the wild since 1980. We investigated historical and current evidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) infection in Rhinoderma spp. to determine whether chytridiomycosis is implicated in the population declines of these species. Archived and live specimens of Rhinoderma spp., sympatric amphibians and amphibians at sites where Rhinoderma sp. had recently gone extinct were examined for Bd infection using quantitative real-time PCR. Six (0.9%) of 662 archived anurans tested positive for Bd (4/289 R. darwinii; 1/266 R. rufum and 1/107 other anurans), all of which had been collected between 1970 and 1978. An overall Bd-infection prevalence of 12.5% was obtained from 797 swabs taken from 369 extant individuals of R. darwinii and 428 individuals representing 18 other species of anurans found at sites with current and recent presence of the two Rhinoderma species. In extant R. darwinii, Bd-infection prevalence (1.9%) was significantly lower than that found in other anurans (7.3%). The prevalence of infection (30%) in other amphibian species was significantly higher in sites where either Rhinoderma spp. had become extinct or was experiencing severe population declines than in sites where there had been no apparent decline (3.0%; x 2 = 106.407, P<0.001). This is the first report of widespread Bd presence in Chile and our results are consistent with Rhinoderma spp. declines being due to Bd infection, although additional field and laboratory investigations are required to investigate this further.

The colour morphs of preserved material as well as of live specimens of the Malgasy frog genus Mantella are described. The discussion of their variability shows that two of the names accepted by GUIBE (1964,1978) are synonyms of the oldest name available, a third, synonymized by him (op. cit.) is revalidated. The proposed taxonomic changes are: Mantella cowani (part., sensu GUIBÉ)=M. laevigata ; M. cowani (part.) and M. pulchra (sensu GUIBÉ) = M. madagascariensis. The latter is divided into three subspecies, one of which is described as M. madagascariensis haraldmeierissp. n. An identification key to all taxa of the genus Mantella is presented.

The presence of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Chile was evaluated in 2 endangered frog species of the genus Rhinoderma. Specimens from a captive rearing facility, wild populations and preserved collection material were analyzed using histological and molecular techniques. The fungus was identified in the rearing facility and in wild populations, but not in the archived frogs. This study confirms, for first time, the presence of chytridiomycosis in Rhinoderma darwinii in Chile.

The cytogenetic analysis of Brachygalaxias gothei, B. bullocki and their hybrids showed differences in the number of biarmed and monoarmed chromosomes, as like as, in their c-banding patterns. The basic karyotype consists in 2n=40 with a FN=58 in B. gothei, and 66 in B. bullocki, and 2n= 38 + 1 and FN =51 in the hybrids. B. bullocki presents a larger quantity of constitutive heterochromatin than B. gothei, and present a polymorphism in the location of one pair of NOR. The taxonomic status of B. gothei is discussed in relation of chromosome results and the hybrid sterility.

As only little is known about the Leptodactylid frog Telmatobius montanus from the Andean range of Santiago de Chile, it has been tried to gather more information about this species. Additional data about the external morphology and its variation are presented as well as photographs oflive and preserved adults. The tadpole is also described, using both live and preserved material. The frog is mainly aquatic, having some adaptations to this environment like an increased skin surface by means of folds that are however not so well developed as in some other members of this genus. The larva, adapted to a mountain stream habitat, has a large mouth and a depressed body. Some general aspects of the behaviour of larvae and adults, in the field and in captivity, are documented. Like in various other Telmatobiinae the larval stage lasts long. Adults eat small water insects, mostly at larval stage, and worms. The tadpole feeds on algae and detritus. Adults sometimes have parasitic mites within their skin, especially in somewhat polluted waters. It is possible that the species was restricted to its present range by means of the introduction of salmonids in the andean streams.