New acoustic and molecular data shed light on the poorly known Amazonian frog Adenomera simonstuarti (Leptodactylidae): implications for distribution and conservation

Abstract

<jats:p>Adenomera simonstuarti is a poorly known species complex inhabiting western Amazonia. Here we reevaluate the species diversity within this complex based on previously documented and newly acquired molecular and phenotypic data. We also redescribe the calling pattern of the nominal species based on the original recording (Peru) and a new recording (Brazil). Our results indicate eight geographically structured genetic lineages and the nominal species with a multi-note call pattern. This is the first association of calls and DNA sequence from a voucher specimen, thereby enabling the assignment of A. simonstuarti to one specific lineage within the complex. The multi-note call was not previously reported and represents an important additional diagnostic character within Adenomera. The geographic distribution of A. simonstuarti is substantially narrowed down to the southwestern portion of the entire geographic range recognized for the complex. The lack of taxonomic resolution in the complex is a major conservation concern by preventing us from evaluating the potential threats and extinction risks of each of the lineages. Future research should follow the protocol of combining calls and DNA sequences associated with voucher specimens as a means to address the taxonomic status of genetic lineages within the A. simonstuarti complex.</jats:p>

Amphibians and reptiles from a protected area in western Brazilian Amazonia (Reserva Extrativista do Baixo Juruá)

“…For example, the microhylid Chiasmocleis avilapiresae (Peloso & Sturaro, 2008), the aromobatids A. ius and A. gasconi (Morales, 2002), and the gymnophthalmid A. indigenorum (Ribeiro-Júnior et al, 2021) were described using this material. Furthermore, specimens collected at the RBJ also provide relevant geographic novelties, supporting distribution extensions for the allophrynid Allophryne resplendens Castroviejo-Fisher et al, 2012(Carvalho et al, 2017, the leptodactylid A. simonstuarti (Carvalho et al, 2020), the dipsadid Erythrolamprus pygmaeus (Cope, 1868) (Kawashita-Ribeiro et al, 2011), and the viperid Botrocophias hyoprora (Amaral, 1935) (Carvalho et al, 2013). Conversely, some of the records reported to the RBJ in the literature are uncertain and noteworthy.…”

“…This distributional pattern suggests that the RBJ's longitudinal zone may represent the maximum limit for their geographic occurrence. This would explain their rarity in our samplings, and they may also constitute isolated populations (see Carvalho et al, 2020). In addition to the Purus River as a geographic barrier, the distribution and dispersal of these species typical from the western Amazonia may be controlled by subtle gradients of climate, soils and vegetation types (see Tuomisto et al, 2019).…”

“…We consider the possibility of candidate unnamed species when genetic divergence was above 3% (16S), 5% (COI), 23% (Gekkota CYTB), and 10% (ND4), based on thresholds recognized in the literature for these loci and taxonomic groups (Fouquet et al, 2007;Bergmann & Russel, 2007;Kok et al, 2018;Carvalho et al, 2021). Newly generated sequences were deposited on GB under the accession numbers MT472181-MT472182 (Carvalho et al, 2020), MZ018807-MZ018827 (Rainha et al, 2021), MW916091 (Ribeiro-Júnior et al, 2021, and OP296595-OP296615, OP314270-OP314276 and OP277918 (this study).…”

“…While the upper course of this river has historically been better explored and is well known for harboring a high species richness of amphibians and reptiles (e.g., see Ávila-Pires et al, 2009;Souza, 2009;França & Venâncio, 2010;Bernarde et al, 2013;Fonseca et al, 2019), its middle and lower courses have largely contrasting less associated information (Pantoja & Fraga, 2012). Despite such undersampling, these river sections are frequently highlighted as having rarely recorded amphibian and reptile species (e.g., Carvalho et al, 2017Carvalho et al, , 2020. However, knowledge advance in this case is still highly restricted to punctual observations, and we lack studies summarizing the information on their assemblages.…”

Reproductive notes and larval development of Macrogenioglottus alipioi (Anura: Odontophrynidae) from the northern Atlantic forest

“…In fact, most of the anuran calls have primarily reproductive functions (see Toledo et al 2015 for a revision). The most common example here is the advertisement call, usually emitted by males to attract co-specific females during the breeding season (Wells 2007, Toledo et al 2015, Kohler et al 2017, being used for species delimitation in taxonomy due to its role in pre-zygotic isolation (Kohler et al 2017, Carvalho et al 2020. However, there are other types of less documented calls that can be emitted in social contexts and can permeate anuran reproduction, as well as the release calls, which can be produced by both males and non-receptive females when grabbed by another male (Duellman andTrueb 1994, Toledo et al 2015).…”