The systematics of Leptotyphlopidae is historically controversial mostly due to their conserved external morphology in comparison with other snakes. However, recent studies have stressed that anatomical data might be informative for clarifying the leptotyphlopid taxonomy and evolution. We erect a new genus to accommodate Leptotyphlops collaris based on evidence from osteology, hemipenial morphology, and molecular data. We also provide expanded data regarding the intraspecific variation based on additional specimens collected in field trips and literature data, performing detailed comparisons among the new genus and all other New World leptotyphlopids. The new genus is distinguished from other leptotyphlopids by its unique hemipenial morphology and its exclusive combination of osteological and external morphology characters, with molecular data also supporting the new generic arrangement. We also provide a comprehensive discussion of the hemipenial morphology for the subfamily Epictinae based on literature and novel data gathered herein.
Brachycephalus bufonoides was described as a “variety” of B. ephippium based on two specimens which 90 years later was considered full species. Besides its brief original description, nothing else is known for this species. Herein we report the rediscovery of the pumpkin-toadlet Brachycephalus bufonoides from Nova Friburgo, State of Rio de Janeiro, the second most populous area within the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. A detailed osteological description of this species was also provided, including skull, hyolaryngeal skeleton and postcranium skeleton. The laryngeal skeleton of Brachycephalus genus was depicted for the first time. We conducted a molecular phylogenetic analysis of Brachycephalus using DNA sequences comprising two fragments of mitochondrial gene (16S). Both analysis with Bayesian inference and maximum parsimony supported the recognition of B. bufonoides as an exclusive lineage, allocated within the B. ephippium species group in B. vertebralis lineage. We improved the diagnosis and variation of the species, including more collected specimens, coloration in vivo and advertisement call description. Compared with its congeners, B. bufonoides has skin on head and dorsum with dermal hyperossification; skull with hyperossification of postorbital crests; a pair of hyperossified bulges about equidistant between postorbital crests; fourth presacral vertebra with transverse process hyperossified, ornamented and sacral diapophyses hyperossified, which can be seen externally (lineage of B. vertebralis sensu Condez et al. 2020); presence of dermal ossification as separated bulges of each vertebrae; general background color orange with different intensities of dark orange blotches on dorsum, including bordering of sacral region; absence of osteoderms and presence of warts on the dorsolateral surface of body; medium body size (SVL of adults: 12.0–14.5 mm for males and 14.7–16.3 mm for females; Table 1); rough dorsum; advertisement calls with 13 to 17 pulses; presence of pulse period modulation; and advertisement calls with notes longer than 0.2 s (0.22 to 0.31 s). Herein an important contribution for the taxonomy and systematics of this genus is provided, including a large amount of novel information for B. bufonoides from different sources (i.e., molecular, morphological variation, bioacoustic), allowing it to be included in future studies of species delimitation and relationships within Brachycephalus. Also, the discovery of this species reiterates the importance of Nova Friburgo for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest biodiversity.
A new species of the anuran genus Euparkerella is described from a rainforest area in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. Morphologically, the species resembles E. brasiliensis and E. cochranae, but differs from them in acoustic features. Relative to its congeners, the new species is characterized by: (1) medium size; (2) slender body; (3) narrow head; (4) long Finger IV, Toes I and V; (5) tubercles of the hand and foot protuberant; (6) duration of advertisement call longer than three seconds; (7) pulse-section rate slower than two sections/second; and (8) exhibiting pulse clusters. The advertisement calls of E. robusta and E. tridactyla are described and a key based on morphological and acoustic characters is presented for species in the genus.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.