The taxonomic placement of the Miocene Patagonian frog Wawelia gerholdi (Amphibia: Anura).

NICOLI, L.; MUZZOPAPPA, P.; FAIVOVICH, J.

ALCHERINGA

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 40 p. 153 - 160

0311-5518

The Miocene frog Wawelia gerholdi, from northern Patagonia, was previously attributed to Ceratophryidae, the clade of extant South Americanhorned frogs, making it one of the oldest records known for this group. However, the only known specimen has juvenile traits and is strongly similarto the australobatrachian Calyptocephalella. We re-examined the morphology of W. gerholdi and provide additional anatomical information andcomparisons with juvenile individuals of Ceratophryidae and Calyptocephalella gayi, the only extant species of Calyptocephalella. We reject aclose relationship between W. gerholdi and Ceratophryidae. Furthermore, the holotype is indistinguishable from juveniles of C. gayi and shares withall the species of this genus a character state combination that seems unique among anurans. Therefore, we consider Wawelia to be a junior synonymof Calyptocephalella. The problematic taxonomic status of numerous fossil species of Calyptocephalella, together with its untested monophyly,also prompts us to provisionally consider the extinct species as a species inquirenda included in this genus, pending a comprehensiverevision of all available remains.