A new genus and species of arboreal toad with phytotelmonous larvae, from the Andaman Islands, India (Lissamphibia, Anura, Bufonidae)

Abstract

A new bufonid amphibian, belonging to a new monotypic genus, is described from the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, Republic of India, based on unique external morphological and skeletal characters which are compared with those of known Oriental and other relevant bufonid genera. Blythophryne gen. n. is distinguished from other bufonid genera by its small adult size (mean SVL 24.02 mm), the presence of six presacral vertebrae, an absence of coccygeal expansions, presence of an elongated pair of parotoid glands, expanded discs at digit tips and phytotelmonous tadpoles that lack oral denticles. The taxonomic and phylogenetic position of the new taxon (that we named as Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n.) was ascertained by comparing its 12S and 16S partial genes with those of Oriental and other relevant bufonid lineages. Resulting molecular phylogeny supports the erection of a novel monotypic genus for this lineage from the Andaman Islands of India.

The complex evolutionary history of the tympanic middle ear in frogs and toads (Anura)

“…We employed the most recent and densely sampled phylogenetic hypothesis available for Anura, that of Pyron 30 , for ancestral state reconstruction, and we discuss bufonid species not included in Pyron’s 30 study but present in other analyses (e.g., well-supported results of 32 33 34 ). We focused original data collection primarily on Bufonidae and relied more extensively on literature accounts for non-bufonids, some of which were unclear or ambiguous about the occurrence of specific structures.…”

An insight into molecular taxonomy of bufonids, microhylids, and dicroglossid frogs: First genetic records from Pakistan

“…( 2009 ) Duttaphrynus stomaticus 16S 27 EU071742 India – – Shouche and Ghate (2007) Unpublished Duttaphrynus stomaticus 16S CCMB D02_B247 KT991344 India – – Chandramouli et al. ( 2016 ) Duttaphrynus stomaticus 16S SDB 4020 FJ882787 India: Western Ghats – – Bocxlaer et al. ( 2009 ) Duttaphrynus melanostictus 16S WLM:DM296164 MW885769 Pakistan: Kotli Sattian, Nalari 33.81554079 73.47496593 This study Duttaphrynus melanostictus 16S WLM:DM303174 MW885770 Pakistan: Islamabad, Bani Gala 33.719659 73.164594 This stud...…”

Direct development or endotrophic tadpole? Morphological aspects of the early ontogeny of the plump toad Osornophryne occidentalis (Anura: Bufonidae)

“…The diversity of endotrophic nutrition modes in Bufonidae allows to explore morphological evolution related to developmental types. In most species with nonfeeding tadpoles a complete larval morphotype is produced, with only some reduction in mouthparts (e.g., Chandramouli et al, 2016; Cruz & Peixoto, 1982; Izecksohn & Cruz, 1972; Leong & Teo, 2009). Nidicolous tadpoles of Altiphrynoides malcomi and viviparous and ovoviviparous embryos of Nectophrynoides tornieri and Nimbaphrynoides occidentalis show instead significant modifications in several body parts (Lamotte & Xavier, 1972b; Orton, 1949; Wake, 1980).…”

“…Finally, direct development has been confirmed in the two Neotropical genera Incilius and Oreophrynella (Gray & Bland, 2016; McDiarmid & Gorzula, 1989) and postulated in Churamiti , Didynamipus , Laurentophryne , and Osornophryne (Blackburn et al, 2017; Channing et al, 2012; Gonwouo et al, 2013; Ruiz‐Carranza & Hernández‐Camacho, 1976). Morphological and developmental aspects are only known for the first three developmental types, and show that whereas nonfeeding tadpoles may exhibit an entire larval morphotype (e.g., Chandramouli et al, 2016), viviparous and ovoviviparous embryos show significant reduction in several structures (e.g., Orton, 1949).…”