Genetic delimitation of Pristimantis orestes (Lynch, 1979) and P. saturninoi Brito et al., 2017 and description of two new terrestrial frogs from the Pristimantis orestes species group (Anura, Strabomantidae)

Abstract

In the genus Pristimantis, species are often combined into taxonomic units called species groups. The taxonomy of these groups is frequently inaccurate due to the absence of genetic data from type series and repeated misidentifications generated by high morphological resemblance between taxa. Here, we focus on the P.orestes species group, providing the first genetic assessment of P.orestes sensu stricto from individuals collected from the type locality, with a reviewed diagnosis and description of advertisement calls. We find that two lineages previously named P.orestes are genetically distinct and should be separated into two different species. Based on genetic and morphological data, we name one of these species P.cajanumasp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinct from other members of the group by having shagreen dorsal skin, evident dorsolateral folds, broader discs on toes and fingers and pale gray ventral coloration. Additionally, P.saturninoi is placed within the P.orestes species group based on genetic data from its type series. However, we find that one of its paratypes is genetically distinct and belongs to a clade containing a new species we name P.quintanaisp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinguished by lacking a tympanic membrane and vocal sacs in males, and by having expanded discs on toes and fingers, finely tuberculated dorsal skin and irregular white or cream spots in the groin and concealed surfaces of thighs. Our findings highlight the importance of providing genetic characterization and placement from the type series in taxonomic challenging groups, such as Pristimantis. We also suggest that the diversity of species within the P.orestes group will increase as more sampling is achieved in the southern Andes of Ecuador.

Fifty years after: A taxonomic revision of the amphibian species from the Ecuadorian biodiversity hotspot Abra de Zamora, with description of two new Pristimantis species

“…nov., to the P. orestes species group. In general, the phylogenetic tree in our analysis showed the same topology with the one constructed by Urgilles et al [16], but the addition of the new species to the group changed the kinship between some of the species. Also, differences appeared in the position of some unresolved branches such as P. tiktik or P. saturninoi (Fig 7).…”

“…Molecular data were analyzed using sequences of two mitochondrial genes (12S and 16S rRNA) and one nuclear gene (RAG-1) from 123 individuals of 56 species from 55 different localities from Ecuador and Peru (S2 Table). We used all the GenBank-available sequences for Lynchius [27,28], Pristimantis orestes group [16,29], Huicundomantis subgenus of Pristimantis [30], and 129 new sequences (for 13 species) generated by our study (S2 Table). As outgroups we used Oreobates amarakaeri, O. cruralis, Phrynopus bracki, P. juninensis, Niceforonia brunnea, N. dolops, Bryophryne cophites, Barycholos pulcher, Noblella heyeri, and Strabomantis anomalus (for the Lynchius tree), Pristimantis unistrigatus, P. ceuthospilus, P. imitatrix, P. diadematus, P. rhodoplichus, P. melanogaster, P. wiensi, and P. galdi (for the P. orestes group) and the same Pristimantis species + P. simonsii, P. orestes and P. colodactylus for the Huicundomantis subgenus.…”

“…With the description of P. muranunka, Brito et al [29] recognized the morphological similarities of this species with P. colodactylus (and also with P. proserpens, P. paquishae, and P. tinajillas). In 2019, Urgilles et al [16] recognized P. colodactylus (together with P. vidua and P. tinajillas) as a potential member of the P. orestes group. We provide genetic evidence that P. colodactylus is a member of the P. orestes group, which, together with P. muranunka, P. matildae and an undescribed species, forms a subgroup of closely related, morphologically distinct, bromeliad specialist species (Fig 7).…”

“…This information emphasizes the importance of the region as a center of endemism, and suggests its role as a center of amphibian diversification, particularly for some groups of Terrarana. The advancement of molecular techniques allows precise species identification, which is especially important in areas of diversification and for cryptic species [ 16 ].…”

Three new species of frogs of the genus Pristimantis (Anura, Strabomantidae) with a redefinition of the P. lacrimosus species group

“…1): (1) "basal" for the tubercles at the base of fingers and toes, (2) "penultimate" occurs only on toe IV and refers to the tubercle underlying the distal articulation of the first phalange, (3) "distal" for the tubercles underlying the proximal articulation of the penultimate phalange, and (4) "hyperdistal" for the tubercle underlying the articulation of the last phalange of each finger and toe. Except for the exclusion of hyperdistal tubercles, this terminology has been used in most systematic accounts of Pristimantis at least since Lynch and Duellman (1997) seminal publication (e.g., Duellman and Lehr 2007;Urgiles et al 2019;Valencia et al 2019). We recommend its use, as amended by Ospina-Sarria and Duellman (2019), for future terminological consistency.…”