Zur Morphologie und Biologie von Telmatobius montanus LATASTE 1902, nebst Beschreibung seiner Larve (Amphibia: Leptodactylidae)

Abstract

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.

Phenetic and Phylogenetic relationships of the ChileanAlsodesandTelmatobius(Amphibia, Leptodactylidae) and proposal of a new genus

“…This species was described by Philippi (1902) based on two specimens from the andean region of Santiago, Chile (33°S.). More complete descriptions were given later on by Schmidt (1928), Müller (1938, Cei (1962), and Busse (1980), increasing the number of animals examined, but no new populations have been described.…”

Amphibia, Anura, Cycloramphidae, Alsodes montanus: new record and geographic distribution map

“…These frogs have smooth skin with small granulations; head short, slightly triangular in dorsal view, hind legs palmate and an uniform reddish-brown color without evident spots (Figure 2B). Some of those characteristics were described for A. montanus and allow distinguishing it from other congeneric species from central Chile (Cei 1962;Busse 1980;Veloso et al 1982). The specimens were deposited in the Herpetological Collection of the Departamento de Biología Celular y Genética of the Universidad de Chile (DBGUCH 0802016-0802018).…”

“…Cei (1962), citing Müller, stated that the species is found from 32°30' to 34°20' S (central Chile) and mentions two localities, Potrero Grande and Laguna Negra, which as far as we know have not been located with certainty. Other studies, dealing with morphology, natural history, phylogenetic relationships, karyotype and ecological aspects of this species, used or mentioned individuals from Farellones Busse 1980;Díaz 1989), La Parva (Busse 1980;Veloso et al 1982;Díaz and Valencia 1985a;b) and Estero Covarrubias (e.g. Busse 1980;Formas et al 1997;Cuevas and Formas 2001;2005).…”

“…Other studies, dealing with morphology, natural history, phylogenetic relationships, karyotype and ecological aspects of this species, used or mentioned individuals from Farellones Busse 1980;Díaz 1989), La Parva (Busse 1980;Veloso et al 1982;Díaz and Valencia 1985a;b) and Estero Covarrubias (e.g. Busse 1980;Formas et al 1997;Cuevas and Formas 2001;2005). In La Parva the species is sympatric with A. tumultuosus, although with some spatial segregation: A. montanus was found more frequently at higher elevations (2800-3000 m; Díaz and Valencia 1985a).…”

“…In La Parva the species is sympatric with A. tumultuosus, although with some spatial segregation: A. montanus was found more frequently at higher elevations (2800-3000 m; Díaz and Valencia 1985a). Specimens from Estero Covarrubias were cited in Busse (1980), where the collectors date and collection number were reported, but not the coordinates or the altitude. Other specimen of this locality, IZUA 824, collected at 2400 m, was included among the specimens examined for the description of new species of Alsodes (e.g.…”