Systematics of the spiny-backed treefrogs (Hylidae: Osteocephalus): an Amazonian puzzle

JUNGFER, K.H.; FAIVOVICH, J.; PADIAL, J.M.; CASTROVIEJO-FISHER, S.; LYRA, M. L.; BERNECK, B.V.M.; IGLESIAS, P.P.; KOK, P.J.R.; MACCULLOCH, R.D.; TREFAUT RODRIGUES, M.; VERDADE, V.K.; TORRES GASTELLO, C..P.; CHAPARRO, J.C.; VALDUJO, P.H.; REICHLE, S.; MORAVEC, J.; GVODZIK, V.; GAGLIARI-URRUTIA, G.; ERNST, R.; DE LA RIVA, I.; MEANS, B.D.; LIMA, A.P.; SEÑARIS, J.C.; WHEELER, W.C.; HADDAD, C.F.B.

ZOOLOGICA SCRIPTA

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013 vol. 42 p. 351 - 380

0300-3256

  Spiny-backed tree frogs of the genus Osteocephalus are conspicuous components of the tropicalwet forests of the Amazon and the Guiana Shield. Here, we revise the phylogenetic relationshipsof Osteocephalus and its sister group Tepuihyla, using up to 6134 bp of DNAsequences of nine mitochondrial and one nuclear gene for 338 specimens from eight countriesand 218 localities, representing 89% of the 28 currently recognized nominal species.Our phylogenetic analyses reveal (i) the paraphyly of Osteocephalus with respect to Tepuihyla,(ii) the placement of ‘Hyla’ warreni as sister to Tepuihyla, (iii) the non-monophyly of severalcurrently recognized species within Osteocephalus and (iv) the presence of low (<1%) andoverlapping genetic distances among phenotypically well-characterized nominal species (e.g.O. taurinus and O. oophagus) for the 16S gene fragment used in amphibian DNA barcoding.We propose a new taxonomy, securing the monophyly of Osteocephalus and Tepuihyla byrearranging and redefining the content of both genera and also erect a new genus for thesister group of Osteocephalus. The colouration of newly metamorphosed individuals is proposedas a morphological synapomorphy for Osteocephalus. We recognize and define fivemonophyletic species groups within Osteocephalus, synonymize three species of Osteocephalus(O. germani, O. phasmatus and O. vilmae) and three species of Tepuihyla (T. celsae, T. galaniand T. talbergae) and reallocate three species (Hyla helenae to Osteocephalus, O. exophthalmusto Tepuihyla and O. pearsoni to Dryaderces gen. n.). Furthermore, we flag nine putative newspecies (an increase to 138% of the current diversity). We conclude that species numbersare largely underestimated, with most hidden diversity centred on widespread and polymorphicnominal species. The evolutionary origin of breeding strategies within Osteocephalus isdiscussed in the light of this new phylogenetic hypothesis, and a novel type of amplexus(gular amplexus) is described.