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Systematics of spiny‐backed treefrogs ( H ylidae: O steocephalus ): an A mazonian puzzle
Author(s) -
Jungfer KarlHeinz,
Faivovich Julián,
Padial José M.,
CastroviejoFisher Santiago,
Lyra Mariana M.,
Berneck Bianca,
Iglesias Patricia P.,
Kok Philippe J. R.,
MacCulloch Ross D.,
Rodrigues Miguel T.,
Verdade Vanessa K.,
Torres Gastello Claudia P.,
Chaparro Juan Carlos,
Valdujo Paula H.,
Reichle Steffen,
Moravec Jiří,
Gvoždík Václav,
GagliardiUrrutia Giussepe,
Ernst Raffael,
Riva Ignacio,
Means Donald Bruce,
Lima Albertina P.,
Señaris J. Celsa,
Wheeler Ward C.,
Haddad Célio
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/zsc.12015
Subject(s) - biology , monophyly , paraphyly , sister group , synapomorphy , phylogenetic tree , zoology , systematics , evolutionary biology , taxonomy (biology) , clade , gene , genetics
Spiny‐backed tree frogs of the genus O steocephalus are conspicuous components of the tropical wet forests of the A mazon and the G uiana S hield. Here, we revise the phylogenetic relationships of O steocephalus and its sister group T epuihyla , using up to 6134 bp of DNA sequences of nine mitochondrial and one nuclear gene for 338 specimens from eight countries and 218 localities, representing 89% of the 28 currently recognized nominal species. Our phylogenetic analyses reveal (i) the paraphyly of O steocephalus with respect to T epuihyla , (ii) the placement of ‘ H yla’ warreni as sister to T epuihyla , (iii) the non‐monophyly of several currently recognized species within O steocephalus and (iv) the presence of low (<1%) and overlapping genetic distances among phenotypically well‐characterized nominal species (e.g. O . taurinus and O . oophagus ) for the 16 S gene fragment used in amphibian DNA barcoding. We propose a new taxonomy, securing the monophyly of O steocephalus and T epuihyla by rearranging and redefining the content of both genera and also erect a new genus for the sister group of O steocephalus . The colouration of newly metamorphosed individuals is proposed as a morphological synapomorphy for O steocephalus . We recognize and define five monophyletic species groups within O steocephalus , synonymize three species of O steocephalus ( O . germani , O . phasmatus and O . vilmae ) and three species of T epuihyla ( T . celsae , T . galani and T . talbergae ) and reallocate three species ( H yla helenae to O steocephalus , O . exophthalmus to T epuihyla and O . pearsoni to D ryaderces gen. n.). Furthermore, we flag nine putative new species (an increase to 138% of the current diversity). We conclude that species numbers are largely underestimated, with most hidden diversity centred on widespread and polymorphic nominal species. The evolutionary origin of breeding strategies within O steocephalus is discussed in the light of this new phylogenetic hypothesis, and a novel type of amplexus (gular amplexus) is described.