The phylogenetic relationships of the charismatic poster frogs, Phyllomedusinae (Anura, Hylidae)

Abstract

The leaf or monkey frogs of the hylid subfamily Phyllomedusinae are a unique group of charismatic anurans. We present a molecular phylogenetic analysis that includes 45 of the 60 species of phyllomedusines using up to 12 genes and intervening tRNAs. The aims were to gain a better understanding of the phylogenetic position of Phrynomedusa, test the monophyly and explore the relationships among several putative lineages (Hylomantis, the H. buckleyi Group, Phasmahyla, the four species groups of Phyllomedusa, and the species of Phyllomedusa that remain unassigned to any group), and to examine the implications of our phylogeny for the evolution of several characters in phyllomedusines. The analyses resulted in a well-supported phylogenetic hypothesis that provides a historical framework for a discussion of the evolution of characters associated with reproductive biology, gliding behaviour, the physiology of waterproofing, and bioactive peptides. Implications include an earlier origin for eggless capsules than for leaf-folding behaviour during amplexus, two independent origins of gliding, and an earlier origin of reduction in evaporative water loss than uricotelism, which is a result that originally was predicted on the basis of physiology alone. Furthermore, our results support the prediction that bioactive peptides from different peptide families are to be expected in all species of Phyllomedusinae. Hylomantis (as recently redefined) is shown to be paraphyletic and the synonymy of Agalychnis is revised to remedy this problem by including both Hylomantis and Pachymedusa.

Molecular cytogenetics of nucleolar organizer regions in Phyllomedusa and Phasmahyla species (Hylidae, Phyllomedusinae): a cytotaxonomic contribution

“…P. bahiana was originally described as a P. burmeisteri subspecies by Lutz (1950), and was later elevated to species status by Silva-Filho and Juncá (2006). Faivovich et al (2009) provided additional support for this placement based on molecular data. However, Pombal Jr.…”

“…The remaining species are still in need of placement (Faivovich et al, 2009). Faivovich et al (2009) pointed out the need for more detailed investigations of some Phyllomedusa groups. P. nordestina shows a high level of intraspecific sequence divergence (up to 10.4%) in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and P. rohdei appears to be paraphyletic by forming a clade with P. megacephala.…”

“…Based on morphological, molecular, and acoustic characters, 26 species have been arranged into 4 species-groups, i.e., the P. burmeisteri group (Pombal Jr. and Haddad, 1992), the P. hypochondrialis group (Caramaschi, 2006), the P. perinesos group (Cannatella, 1982), and the P. tarsius group (Barrio-Amorós, 2006). The remaining species are still in need of placement (Faivovich et al, 2009). Faivovich et al (2009) pointed out the need for more detailed investigations of some Phyllomedusa groups.…”

Advertisement and release calls of Phyllomedusa ayeaye (Anura: Hylidae) with comments on the social context of emission

“…Short pulsed notes are also characteristic of the release call of Phyllomedusa rohdei Mertens, 1926, similar to its territorial call type 1, but with lower intensity . Release calls composed of short pulsed notes may represent a shared phylogenetic trait because both species belong to the P. hypochondrialis group (FAIVOVICH et al 2010); however, a greater number of studies of this type of call are necessary. Besides phyllomedusines, the release call of the hylid Hypsiboas goianus (Lutz, 1968) showed harmonic structure similar to the advertisement call, although some acoustic variables differed on average from those of the advertisement and aggressive calls (DIAS et al 2014).…”

“…Descriptive aspects of natural history are crucial to investigate the relationship among species and evolution of anuran reproductive behavior (GERHARDT 1994, FAIVOVICH et al 2010). Herein, we described the calling repertoire of P. ayeaye, which will be useful to support its synonymization with P. itacolomi (BAÊTA et al 2009).…”