Phylogenetic Systematics of Dart-poison Frogs and Their Relatives (Amphibia:Athesphatanura:Dendrobatidae)

Phylogenetic Systematics of Dart-poison Frogs and Their Relatives (Amphibia:Athesphatanura:Dendrobatidae)
Author: Taran Grant
Publisher:
Total Pages: 268
Release: 2006
Genre: Dendrobatidae
ISBN:

The known diversity of dart-poison frog species has grown from 70 in the 1960s to 247 at present, with no sign that the discovery of new species will wane in the foreseeable future. Although this growth in knowledge of the diversity of this group has been accompanied by detailed investigations of many aspects of the biology of dendrobatids, their phylogenetic relationships remain poorly understood. This study was designed to test hypotheses of dendrobatid diversification by combining new and prior genotypic and phenotypic evidence in a total evidence analysis. DNA sequences were sampled for five mitochondrial and six nuclear loci (approximately 6,100 base pairs [bp]; x̄[arithmetic mean] = 53,740 bp per terminal; total dataset composed of approximately 1.55 million bp), and 174 phenotypic characters were scored from adult and larval morphology, alkaloid profiles, and behavior. These data were combined with relevant published DNA sequences. Ingroup sampling targeted several previously unsampled species, including Aromobates nocturnus, which was hypothesized previously to be the sister of all other dendrobatids. Undescribed and problematic species were sampled from multiple localities when possible. The final dataset consisted of 414 terminals: 367 ingroup terminals of 156 species and 47 outgroup terminals of 46 species. Direct optimization parsimony analysis of the equally weighted evidence resulted in 25,872 optimal trees. Forty nodes collapse in the strict consensus, with all conflict restricted to conspecific terminals. Dendrobatids were recovered as monophyletic, and their sister group consisted of Crossodactylus, Hylodes, and Megaelosia, recognized herein as Hylodidae. Among outgroup taxa, Centrolenidae was found to be the sister group of all athesphatanurans except Hylidae, Leptodactyidae was polyphyletic, Thoropa was nested within Cycloramphidae, and Ceratophryinae was paraphyletic with respect to Telmatobiinae. Among dendrobatids, the monophyly and content of Mannophryne and Phyllobates were corroborated. Aromobates nocturnus and Colostethus saltuensis were found to be nested within Nephelobates, and Minyobates was paraphyletic and nested within Dendrobates. Colostethus was shown to be rampantly nonmonophyletic, with most species falling into two unrelated cis- and trans-Andean clades. A morphologically and behaviorally diverse clade of median lingual process-possessing species was discovered. In light of these findings and the growth in knowledge of the diversity of this large clade over the past 40 years, we propose a new, monophyletic taxonomy for dendrobatids, recognizing the inclusive clade as a superfamily (Dendrobatoidea) composed of two families (one of which is new), six subfamilies (three new), and 16 genera (four new). Although poisonous frogs did not form a monophyletic group, the three poisonous lineages are all confined to the revised family Dendrobatidae, in keeping with the traditional application of this name. We also propose changes to achieve a monophyletic higher-level taxonomy for the athesphatanuran outgroup taxa. Analysis of character evolution revealed multiple origins of phytotelm-breeding, parental provisioning of nutritive oocytes for larval consumption (larval oophagy), and endotrophy. Available evidence indicates that transport of tadpoles on the dorsum of parent nurse frogs--a dendrobatid synapomorphy--is carried out primitively by male nurse frogs, with three independent origins of female transport and five independent origins of biparental transport. Reproductive amplexus is optimally explained as having been lost in the most recent common ancestor of Dendrobatoidea, with cephalic amplexus arising independently three times.

Amphibians of Suriname

Amphibians of Suriname
Author: Paul E. Ouboter
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 388
Release: 2012-05-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9004208003

Suriname has a long history of faunal inventories, with many of its species already described by Linnaeus. Despite that, the amphibians were only treated in a few papers in scientific journals. Amphibians of Suriname is the first overview of our present knowledge of this interesting group for Suriname. The book presents short descriptions and data on the distribution and natural history of the 104 species now known for the country. Most species are illustrated by one or more photographs, and a distribution map is presented as well. Two new species and two new subspecies of frogs are described for Suriname, and for several species a contribution to the taxonomic discussion is given.

Changing Diversity in Changing Environment

Changing Diversity in Changing Environment
Author: Oscar Grillo
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 406
Release: 2011-11-14
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9533077964

As everybody knows, the dynamic interactions between biotic and abiotic factors, as well as the anthropic ones, considerably affect global climate changes and consequently biology, ecology and distribution of life forms of our planet. These important natural events affect all ecosystems, causing important changes on biodiversity. Systematic and phylogenetic studies, biogeographic distribution analysis and evaluations of diversity richness are focal topics of this book written by international experts, some even considering economical effects and future perspectives on the managing and conservation plans.

Advances in the Study of Behavior

Advances in the Study of Behavior
Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 534
Release: 2016-05-13
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0128051795

Advances in the Study of Behavior was initiated over 40 years ago to serve the increasing number of scientists engaged in the study of animal behavior. This volume makes another important contribution to the development of the field by presenting theoretical ideas and research findings to professionals studying animal behavior and related fields. Initiated over 40 years ago to serve the increasing number of scientists engaged in the study of animal behavior Makes another important contribution to the development of the field Presents theoretical ideas and research to those studying animal behavior and related fields

Acta amazonica

Acta amazonica
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 638
Release: 2014
Genre: Natural history
ISBN:

Each issue to contain material in each of seven subject fields: botany, forestry research, environmental sciences, phytochemistry, tropical medicine, zoology and technology.

Threatened Amphibians of the World

Threatened Amphibians of the World
Author: S. N. Stuart
Publisher:
Total Pages: 784
Release: 2008
Genre: Amphibians
ISBN:

"Amphibians are facing an extinction crisis, but getting to the facts has been difficult. "Threatened Amphibians of the World" is a visual journey through the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the conservation status of the world's 6,000 known species of frogs, toads, salamanders, and caecilians. All 1,900 species known to be threatened with extinction are covered, including a description of threats to each species and an evaluation of conservation measures in place or needed. Each entry includes a photograph or illustration of the species where available, a distribution map, and detailed information on range, population and habitat and ecology. Introductory chapters present a detailed analysis of the results, complemented by a series of short essays written by many of the world's leading herpetologists. Appendices include annoted lists of lower risk species and a country-by-country listing of threatened amphibians."--pub. desc.