Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic position of Osteocephalus festae (Anura, Hylidae) with description of its larva

Abstract

Osteocephalus festae is an Amazonian species recently resurrected from a synonymy with Osteocephalus buckleyi. Because few specimens are known, its morphological variation, diagnostic characters, and distribution are poorly understood. Herein we determine its phylogenetic relationships and provide a complete taxonomic account based on recently collected specimens (adults and larvae) from nine localities in Ecuador and Peru. Osteocephalus festae is most similar to Osteocephalus verruciger from which it differs in having less tuberculate dorsal skin on males, smaller tympanum, and more tooth rows in the oral disk of larvae. A phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA sequences, genes 12S and ND1, shows that Osteocephalus festae is closely related to Osteocephalus buckleyi, Osteocephalus mutabor and Osteocephalus verruciger. A clade consisting of Osteocephalus festae, Osteocephalus verruciger, and Osteocephalus buckleyi is characterized by stream dwelling tadpoles. Surprisingly, we found paraphyly among Ecuadorian populations of Osteocephalus buckleyi and Osteocephalus verruciger. The causes for paraphyly are unknown but in Osteocephalus buckleyi may result from the existence of cryptic species.

O girino de Osteocephalus cabrerai (Anura: Hylidae) da Amazônia Central, Brasil

“…The breeding site of Osteocephalus cabrerai is small streams in terra firme forest, similar to that described for O. mimeticus (small streams; Henle 1981), but differing from O. festae, O. leprieurii (Duméril and Bibron, 1841), O. taurinus, and O. verruciger, which reproduce in temporary or permanent ponds at streams margins (Osteocephalus taurinus also reproduces in temporary ponds distant from streams margins) (Trueb and Duellman 1970, Hero 1990, Rodríguez and Duellman 1994, Schiesari et al 1996, Lescure and Marty 2000, Duellman 2005, Lima et al 2006, Menin et al 2008, Ron et al 2010. Osteocephalus oophagus deposits clutches in small water bodies formed in epiphytes, bromeliads, bases of palm leaves and tree holes (Jungfer and Schiesari 1995, Schiesari et al 1996, Lima et al 2006, Menin et al 2008.…”

“…Variation in the LTRF also was observed in tadpoles of O. festae and O. taurinus (Schiesari et al 1996, Ron et al 2010. The coloration of tadpoles of Osteocephalus cabrerai (as O. buckleyi) in life was described by Hero (1990) and Lima et al (2006) (Trueb and Duellman 1970, Henle 1981, Hero 1990, Jungfer and Schiesari 1995, Duellman 2005, Ron et al 2010.…”

“…However, the tadpoles of O. (Trueb and Duellman 1970, Henle 1981, Jungfer and Schiesari 1995, Schiesari et al 1996, Duellman 2005, Ron et al 2010 2(2)/3-4 2(2)/4 2(2)/4 2(2)/5 2(2)/6 2(2)/6(1) Schiesari et al 1996, Duellman 2005, Ron et al 2010. Variation in the LTRF also was observed in tadpoles of O. festae and O. taurinus (Schiesari et al 1996, Ron et al 2010.…”

“…(Trueb and Duellman 1970, Henle 1981, Jungfer and Schiesari 1995, Schiesari et al 1996, Duellman 2005, Ron et al 2010 2(2)/3-4 2(2)/4 2(2)/4 2(2)/5 2(2)/6 2(2)/6(1) Schiesari et al 1996, Duellman 2005, Ron et al 2010. Variation in the LTRF also was observed in tadpoles of O. festae and O. taurinus (Schiesari et al 1996, Ron et al 2010. The coloration of tadpoles of Osteocephalus cabrerai (as O. buckleyi) in life was described by Hero (1990) and Lima et al (2006) (Trueb and Duellman 1970, Henle 1981, Hero 1990, Jungfer and Schiesari 1995, Duellman 2005, Ron et al 2010.…”

“…festae (Peracca, 1904); O. mimeticus (Melin, 1941) [= O. elkejungingerae Henle, 1981]; O. oophagus Jungfer and Schiesari, 1995;O. taurinus Steindachner, 1862;and O. verruciger (Werner, 1901) (Trueb and Duellman 1970, Henle 1981, Hero 1990, Rodríguez and Duellman 1994, Jungfer and Schiesari 1995, Schiesari et al 1996, Duellman 2005, Ron et al 2010.…”