A molecular perspective on the phylogeny of the Hyla pulchella species group (Anura: Hylidae)

FAIVOVICH, J., GARCIA, P. C. A., ANANIAS, F., LANARI, L., BASSO, N. G., WHEELER, W. C.

MOLECULAR PHYLOGENETICS AND EVOLUTION

ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Año: 2004 p. 938 - 950

1055-7903

A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Hyla pulchella species group was performed to test its monophyly, explore the interrelationshipsof its species, and evaluate the validity of the taxa that were considered subspecies of H. pulchella. Approximately2.8 kb from the mitochondrial genes 12s, tRNA valine, 16s, and Cytochrome b were sequenced. The analysis included 50 terminalsrepresenting 10 of the 14–15 species currently recognized in the H. pulchella group, including samples from several localities for sometaxa, several outgroups, as well as two species previously suspected to be related with the group (Hyla guentheri and Hyla bischoffi).The results show that the H. pulchella and Hyla circumdata groups are distantly related, and, therefore, should be recognized asseparate groups. As currently defined, the H. pulchella group is paraphyletic with respect to the Hyla polytaenia group; therefore, werecognize the Hyla polytaenia clade in the H. pulchella group. Two subspecies of H. pulchella recognized by some authors areconsidered full species including Hyla pulchella riojana because it is only distantly related to H. pulchella, and Hyla pulchella cordobaebecause molecular and non-molecular evidence suggests that it is specifically distinct. With the inclusion of the H. polytaeniaclade, H. guentheri, and H. bischoffi, and the recognition of the two former subspecies of H. pulchella as distinct species, the H.pulchella group now comprises 25 described species. All representatives of the H. pulchella group with an Andean distribution aremonophyletic and nested within a clade from the Atlantic forest from south-southeastern Brazil/northeastern Argentina, andCerrado gallery forest from central Brazil