Phylogeny of frogs as inferred from primarily larval characters (Amphibia: Anura)

Abstract

This paper presents larval evidence and evaluates its contribution to the discussion of frog phylogeny; 136 larval characters, 6 reproductive biology characters, and 14 adult morphology characters were scored for 81 frog and 4 caudate species. More than 90% of the data matrix entries represent original data derived from personal direct examination of specimens. Some larval characters are described for the first time and many others have not been assessed for specific taxa or in a broad phylogenetic context before. Homoplasy appears common in this and other amphibian morphological data sets. The data supported and confirmed various wellknown clades, among others the Anura, Bufonidae, Ceratophryinae, Discoglossidae, Dendrobatidae, Hyperoliidae, Microhylidae, South American microhylids, Phyllomedusinae, Pseudinae, Pipoidea, Pipidae, and Scoptanura. The Ascaphidae was sister group to all other anurans and the Pipoidea was placed more basally than in some previous analyses. The Eurasian pelobatids formed a clade, whereas Spea and Pelodytes did not group robustly with them. Pelobatoid frogs emerged as a paraphyletic ''transitional'' assemblage including Heleophryne. The resolution of basal neobatrachian splits remained labile, although some subclades within the Neobatrachia were robustly supported. The ''Hylidae'' was paraphyletic, and hyline species were paraphyletic with respect to the Pseudinae. Hemisus clearly was in a clade with the Hyperoliidae and is proposed to be included in that family. Scaphiophryne was confirmed as basal taxon within the Microhylidae. Compared to the larval stages of the most recent common ancestor of anurans, members of the Scoptanura (microhylids except scaphiophrynines) have accumulated the highest number of apomorphic character states in anuran evolution.

Jaw musculature during the dawn of turtle evolution

“…Each of the studies dealing with a set of muscle characters observed by the authors themselves Moro 1996, 2003;Hoyos 1990Hoyos , 1998Hoyos , 1999Haas 2001Haas , 2003aDiogo 2008;Hertwig 2008) is internally consistent (scientifically and terminologically) and leads to traceable results. However, this has so far hindered a combined analysis for several vertebrate groups.…”

“…There are several detailed studies on particular taxa (e.g. Poglayen-Neuwall 1953a;Iordansky 1987;Haas 2001Haas , 2003aDiogo and Wood 2011); however, they have not yet resulted in a cranial musculature based phylogenetic reconstruction of all tetrapods. I suggest critically rechecking the very influential categorisation of Lakjer (1926) (e.g.…”

Morphology of the suspensorial, jaw, and opercle musculature of Beloniformes and related species (Teleostei: Acanthopterygii), with a special reference to the m. adductor mandibulae complex

“…Referring to Haszprunar (1998), 516 one could argue that the elongation of a muscle within the lower jaw is simply an 517 adaptation correlated to food ingestion and hence, it would not have a value for 518 phylogenetic questions. However, as noted by De Pinna (1991) and Haas (2003), such 519 adaptations can be informative on particular hierarchical levels. 520 521…”

"Descrição morfológica e posição filogenética de um anuro novo (Lissamphibia, Tetrapoda) do Cretáceo Superior Continental do Brasil (Formação Adamantina, Bacia Bauru) do Município de Marília, (SP)"

“…Trabalhos utilizando caracteres morfológicos larvais (Haas, 2003) e outros usando caracteres moleculares (Darst e Cannatella, 2004;Austin et al, 2002) O monofiletismo deste grupo demonstra estar bem estabelecido através de uma serie de evidências morfológicas (musculares e larvais) e moleculares (Faivovich et al, 2005;Frost et al, 2006). Os dois gêneros incluídos na análise proposta neste trabalho formam um grupo bem sustentado por 12 caracteres.…”

“…A filogenia do clado Dendrobatide parece bem estabelecida (ver Grant et al, 1997), apesar de recentes trabalhos baseados em dados moleculares levantarem questões sobre as relações dentro deste grupo (Vences et al, 2000;Santos et al, 2003;Vences et al, 2003). Dentre as sinapomorfias osteológicas propostas para este clado estão: presença de processo retroarticular na mandíbula (Ford e Cannatella, 1993); e falanges terminais em forma de "Y" ou "T" (Haas, 2003). Na análise proposta, os dendrobatídeos representados por três gêneros aparecem como um grupo monofilético bem sustentado por 8 sinapomorfias.…”