Unrevealing the leaf frogs Cerrado diversity: A new species of Pithecopus (Anura, Arboranae, Phyllomedusidae) from the Mato Grosso state, Brazil

PLoS One. 2017 Sep 27;12(9):e0184631. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184631. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

The Neotropical frog genus Pithecopus comprises currently 10 species. A recent molecular phylogeny suggested the existence of two subclades within it, one of them including P. palliatus, P. azureus, P. hypochondrialis, and P. nordestinus (lowland species). Herein we describe a new species of this subclade from Pontal do Araguaia, in the Brazilian Cerrado in the Mato Grosso state. Recognition of the new species is supported by adult morphology, advertisement call and molecular data. The new species differs from Pithecopus highland species by its smaller head width and lack of the reticulate pattern on flanks. From lowland species, the new form differs by being significantly smaller in snout vent-length, advertisement call with the greatest number of pulses, and high genetic distance. Interestingly, we also report on occurrence of P. hypochondrialis (its sister species) at an adjacent site (about 3km). Also, we report on the occurrence of the new species in the Chapada dos Guimarães and Santa Terezinha, both also in the Mato Grosso state.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anura / classification*
  • Biodiversity*
  • Brazil
  • Ecosystem
  • Phylogeny

Grants and funding

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) provided scholarships to IAH and FSA. São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) provides a PhD scholarship [Process #2015/10728-7] to FSA. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) gave a research grant [Processes #446935/2014-0, and #152548/2011-4] and a fellowship [Process #305261/2010-0] to AAG. The Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) provided grants [Process #APQ- 01724-14] to AAG. São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) [Process #2010/17464-1, and #2012/12169-7], Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the grants to DPB. São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) provided grants [Processes #2006/60055-0, #2008/50325-5, #2011/51694-7, and #2014/23388-7] to SMRP.