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Rakotoarison A, Scherz MD, Mullin KE, Crottini A, Petzold A, Ranjanaharisoa FA, Maheritafika HMR, Rafanoharana JM, Raherinjatovo H, Andreone F, Glaw F, Vences M. Gray versus yellow ventral coloration: Identity, distribution, color polymorphism and molecular relationships of the microhylid frog Platypelis mavomavo Andreone, Fenolio & Walvoord, 2003. Zootaxa 2023; 5352:221-234. [PMID: 38221452 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.2.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The Malagasy frog Platypelis mavomavo from Ambolokopatrika in the North East of Madagascar was originally diagnosed based on its bright yellow venter, but only limited information on this species has become available after its initial description in 2003. Several Platypelis specimens with yellow ventral color have been erroneously assigned to this species due to a lack of DNA sequences from the P. mavomavo type series. On the other hand, the candidate species Platypelis sp. Ca10 from Andranomapanga in the Northern Central East of Madagascar with gray ventral color has been defined based on its genetic differentiation from other nominal Platypelis species. Here we study the genetic variation of P. mavomavo and P. sp. Ca10 based on mitochondrial (16S rRNA) and nuclear-encoded (RAG-1) genes, including a newly determined sequence from the P. mavomavo holotype, which was studied using a museomics approach. We find only limited genetic variation among the samples studied, and this variation is unlinked to ventral coloration but instead reflects geographic distribution. We, therefore, conclude that P. sp. Ca10 is a gray-colored variant of P. mavomavo, and that P. mavomavo is rather widespread in the North East and Northern Central East of Madagascar, with populations in areas bordering the North West (Ambohitantely) and Sambirano (Ampotsidy) geographic regions, and the yellow-bellied morph restricted to the North East (Makira, Ambolokopatrika). Due to the range extension of P. mavomavo, the conservation status of the species requires re-assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mark D Scherz
- Natural History Museum of Denmark; University of Copenhagen; Universitetsparken 15; 2100; Copenhagen ; Denmark.
| | - Katherine E Mullin
- Cardiff University; School of Biosciences; Sir Martin Evans Building; Museum Avenue; Cardiff; CF103AX; UK.
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO; Centro de Investigao em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genticos; InBIO Laboratrio Associado; Campus de Vairo; Universidade do Porto; 4485-661 Vairo; Portugal; Departamento de Biologia; Faculdade de Cincias; Universidade do Porto; rua do Campo Alegre s/n; 4169 007 Porto; Portugal; BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics; Biodiversity and Land Planning; CIBIO; Campus de Vairo; 4485-661 Vairo; Portugal.
| | - Alice Petzold
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology; University of Potsdam; Karl-Liebknecht Str.24-25; 14476 Potsdam; Germany; Museum fr Naturkunde Leibnitz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science; Invalidenstr. 43; 10115 Berlin; Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | - Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali; Via G. Giolitti; 36; 10123 Torino; Italy.
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung Mnchen (ZSM-SNSB); Mnchhausenstr. 21; 81247 Mnchen; Germany.
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute; Braunschweig University of Technology; Mendelssohnstr. 4; 38106 Braunschweig; Germany.
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2
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Ali JR, Hedges SB. The colonisation of Madagascar by land-bound vertebrates. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1583-1606. [PMID: 37142264 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite discussions extending back almost 160 years, the means by which Madagascar's iconic land vertebrates arrived on the island remains the focus of active debate. Three options have been considered: vicariance, range expansion across land bridges, and dispersal over water. The first assumes that a group (clade/lineage) occupied the island when it was connected with the other Gondwana landmasses in the Mesozoic. Causeways to Africa do not exist today, but have been proposed by some researchers for various times in the Cenozoic. Over-water dispersal could be from rafting on floating vegetation (flotsam) or by swimming/drifting. A recent appraisal of the geological data supported the idea of vicariance, but found nothing to justify the notion of past causeways. Here we review the biological evidence for the mechanisms that explain the origins of 28 of Madagascar's land vertebrate clades [two other lineages (the geckos Geckolepis and Paragehyra) could not be included in the analysis due to phylogenetic uncertainties]. The podocnemid turtles and typhlopoid snakes are conspicuous for they appear to have arisen through a deep-time vicariance event. The two options for the remaining 26 (16 reptile, five land-bound-mammal, and five amphibian), which arrived between the latest Cretaceous and the present, are dispersal across land bridges or over water. As these would produce very different temporal influx patterns, we assembled and analysed published arrival times for each of the groups. For all, a 'colonisation interval' was generated that was bracketed by its 'stem-old' and 'crown-young' tree-node ages; in two instances, the ranges were refined using palaeontological data. The synthesis of these intervals for all clades, which we term a colonisation profile, has a distinctive shape that can be compared, statistically, to various models, including those that assume the arrivals were focused in time. The analysis leads us to reject the various land bridge models (which would show temporal concentrations) and instead supports the idea of dispersal over water (temporally random). Therefore, the biological evidence is now in agreement with the geological evidence, as well as the filtered taxonomic composition of the fauna, in supporting over-water dispersal as the mechanism that explains all but two of Madagascar's land-vertebrate groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason R Ali
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - S Blair Hedges
- Center for Biodiversity, Temple University, 1925 N 12th Street, Suite 502, Philadelphia, PA, 19122, USA
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Vences M, Hutter CR, Glaw F, Rakotoarison A, Raselimanana AP, Scherz MD. A new species of Pandanus-dwelling frog from northern Madagascar related to Guibemantis pulcher. Zootaxa 2023; 5306:97-115. [PMID: 37518534 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5306.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Populations of phytotelmic frogs from northern Madagascar assigned to Guibemantis (Pandanusicola) pulcher are known to differ genetically from populations further south in the eastern rainforest belt of the island, but to date, their status has not been analyzed in depth. We combined molecular genetic data with an examination of color pattern to clarify the taxonomy of these frogs. DNA sequences of both mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded genes were consistently differentiated between the northern populations and those occurring further south. Uncorrected pairwise distance in the 16S rRNA gene was 3.7‒4.3% and thus at a level usually characterizing distinct frog species in Madagascar. Furthermore, the northern specimens were characterized by more and smaller purplish-brown spots on their green dorsal surface, and a less distinct brown patch on the flanks. Although fully conclusive evidence for the species status of the northern lineage from bioacoustic differences, sympatric occurrence or narrow hybrid zone is currently lacking, such species-level distinctness is currently the most likely hypothesis. We therefore name the northern populations as Guibemantis (Pandanusicola) pulcherrimus sp. nov. The new species is known from Makira (type locality) and Bemanevika, and specimens morphologically assignable to this taxon have also been recorded from Masoala, Marojejy and Anjanaharibe-Sud.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Vences
- Zoologisches Institut; Technische Universität Braunschweig; Mendelssohnstr. 4; 38106 Braunschweig; Germany.
| | - Carl R Hutter
- Museum of Natural Sciences and Department of Biological Sciences; Louisiana State University; Baton Rouge; LA 70803; USA.
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB); Münchhausenstr. 21; 81247 München; Germany.
| | - Andolalao Rakotoarison
- School for International Training; VN 41A Bis Ankazolava Ambohitsoa; Antananarivo 101; Madagascar.
| | - Achille P Raselimanana
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale; Université d'Antananarivo; BP 906; Antananarivo 101; Madagascar; Association Vahatra; Lot V A 38 LBA Ter Ambohidempona Tsiadana; BP 3972; Antananarivo; 101; Madagascar.
| | - Mark D Scherz
- Natural History Museum of Denmark; University of Copenhagen; Universitetsparken 15; 2100; Copenhagen; Denmark.
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Mullin KE, Rakotomanga MG, Dawson J, Glaw F, Rakotoarison A, Orozco-terWengel P, Scherz MD. An unexpected new red-bellied Stumpffia (Microhylidae) from forest fragments in central Madagascar highlights remaining cryptic diversity. Zookeys 2022; 1104:1-28. [PMID: 36761923 PMCID: PMC9848859 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1104.82396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Madagascan endemic subfamily Cophylinae in the family Microhylidae, is an example of a taxonomic group for which much is still to be discovered. Indeed, the cophyline frogs present a large portion of Madagascar's cryptic and microendemic amphibian diversity, yet they remain understudied. A new red-bellied species of the microhylid frog genus Stumpffia is described from the central plateau of Madagascar. Visual encounter surveys in Ambohitantely and Anjozorobe in 2019 and 2020 identified this previously unknown Stumpffia species, which closely resembles Stumpffiakibomena known from Andasibe in the east. Stumpffialynnae sp. nov. adds another species to the red-bellied species complex, differing from S.kibomena by genetic differentiation in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (3.6-3.9%) and distinct nuclear RAG1 haplotypes, as well as strongly by its advertisement call. The new species is known from across Ambohitantely Special Reserve and Anjozorobe Angavo protected area, but is known only from one complete specimen and eight individual tissue samples. Based on the rarity of the species, the small number of locations in which it has been found, and its disappearing forest habitat, its IUCN Red List classification is suggested as "Endangered". This species is the first Stumpffia described from Madagascar's central plateau, highlighting the importance of conserving the remnant forest fragments in this area and the ongoing need to survey and protect this threatened habitat type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Mullin
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UKCardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | - Manoa G. Rakotomanga
- Conservation Action Plan for Madagascar (‘C.A.P. Mada’), Antananarivo, MadagascarConservation Action Plan for Madagascar (‘C.A.P. Mada’)AntananarivoMadagascar
| | - Jeff Dawson
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, La Profonde Rue, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5BP, Channel Islands, UKDurrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès ManorJerseyUnited Kingdom
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, 81247 München, GermanyZoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB)MunichGermany
| | - Andolalao Rakotoarison
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Antananarivo, MadagascarUniversity of AntananarivoAntananarivoMadagascar,School for International Training, VN 41A Bis Ambohitsoa Ankazolava, 101 Antananarivo, MadagascarSchool for International TrainingAntananarivoMadagascar
| | - Pablo Orozco-terWengel
- Cardiff University, School of Biosciences, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UKCardiff UniversityCardiffUnited Kingdom
| | - Mark D. Scherz
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, DenmarkUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Belluardo F, Scherz MD, Santos B, Andreone F, Antonelli A, Glaw F, Muñoz-Pajares AJ, Randrianirina JE, Raselimanana AP, Vences M, Crottini A. Molecular taxonomic identification and species-level phylogeny of the narrow-mouthed frogs of the genus Rhombophryne (Anura: Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from Madagascar. SYST BIODIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2039320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Belluardo
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, 4099-002, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Mark D. Scherz
- Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark
| | - Bárbara Santos
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, 4099-002, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
| | - Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti 36, Torino, 10123, Italy
| | - Alexandre Antonelli
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, Göteborg, 405 30, Sweden
- Gothenburg Global Biodiversity Centre, University of Gothenburg, Box 461, Göteborg, 405 30, Sweden
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond TW9 3AE, UK
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK
| | - Frank Glaw
- Department of Herpetology, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), Münchhausenstr. 21, München, 81247, Germany
| | - A. Jesus Muñoz-Pajares
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Granada, Avenida de la Fuente Nueva, Granada, 18071, Spain
| | - Jasmin E. Randrianirina
- Section d’herpétologie, Parc Botanique et Zoologique de Tsimbazaza, B.P. 4096, Antananarivo, 101, Madagascar
| | - Achille P. Raselimanana
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animal, Domaine Sciences et Technologies, Université d’Antananarivo, B.P. 906, Antananarivo, 101, Madagascar
- Association Vahatra, lot VA 38 LB Ter A, Ambohidempona- Tsiadana, Antananarivo, 101, Madagascar
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Mendelssohnstr. 4, Braunschweig, 38106, Germany
| | - Angelica Crottini
- CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Universidade do Porto, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, 4099-002, Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, Vairão, 4485-661, Portugal
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6
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Scherz MD. Diamond frogs forever: a new species of Rhombophryne Boettger, 1880 (Microhylidae, Cophylinae) from Montagne d’Ambre National Park, northern Madagascar. ZOOSYST EVOL 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.51372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although taxonomic progress on the frogs of Madagascar is currently proceeding at an unprecedented pace, the goal of completing the amphibian inventory of this hyper-diverse island is still far off. In part this is because more new species continue to be discovered at a high rate, in some cases within well-studied areas. Here, I describe Rhombophryne ellaesp. nov., a new species of diamond frog discovered in Montagne d’Ambre National Park in northern Madagascar in 2017. This new species is highly distinctive in having orange flash-markings on its hindlimbs (not known from any described species of Rhombophryne), and large, black inguinal spots (larger than in all other described Rhombophryne species). It is separated from all named species of Rhombophryne by a substantial uncorrected pairwise distance in the 16S rRNA mitochondrial barcode marker (> 7%) and is most closely related to an undescribed candidate species from Tsaratanana in northern Madagascar. Rhombophryne ellaesp. nov. adds another taxon to the growing list of cophyline microhylids that have red to orange flash-markings, the function of which remains unknown and which has clearly evolved repeatedly in this radiation. The discovery of such a distinctive species within a comparatively well-studied park points toward the low detectability of semi-fossorial frogs and the role of inclement weather in increasing that detectability.
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Rakotoarison A, Scherz MD, Köhler J, Ratsoavina FM, Hawlitschek O, Megson S, Vences M, Glaw F. Frogs of the genus Platypelis from the Sorata massif in northern Madagascar: description of a new species and reports of range extensions. ZOOSYST EVOL 2020. [DOI: 10.3897/zse.96.47088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a new species of arboreal microhylid frog, genus Platypelis, from northeastern Madagascar and report the expansion of distribution ranges of two other species. Platypelis laetussp. nov. is small to medium-sized (24.3–25.6 mm snout-vent length) compared to other Platypelis, exhibits a greenish colored throat and was found in bamboo forest of the Sorata Massif. Its advertisement call consists of a single short tonal note repeated at regular intervals in long call series. Based on DNA sequences of a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, the new species was placed in a clade with Platypelis olgae from the Tsaratanana Massif, and with two other, unconfirmed candidate species from the Sorata Massif and from Andravory, herein named Platypelis sp. Ca12 and Ca13. Molecular divergences among these lineages were substantial, amounting to 7.6‒8.1% uncorrected 16S p-distance to the closest nominal species, P. olgae, from which the new species is also distinguished by a lack of allele sharing in the nuclear RAG-1 gene. We also provide new records of Platypelis alticola and P. tsaratananaensis from the Sorata Massif, supported by molecular analysis. This confirms a wider distribution of these two species that previously were considered to be endemic to the Tsaratanana Massif. However, their populations in Sorata were characterized by a certain degree of genetic differentiation from Tsaratanana populations suggesting they require more detailed taxonomic assessment.
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Rancilhac L, Bruy T, Scherz MD, Pereira EA, Preick M, Straube N, Lyra ML, Ohler A, Streicher JW, Andreone F, Crottini A, Hutter CR, Randrianantoandro JC, Rakotoarison A, Glaw F, Hofreiter M, Vences M. Target-enriched DNA sequencing from historical type material enables a partial revision of the Madagascar giant stream frogs (genus Mantidactylus). J NAT HIST 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1748243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Loïs Rancilhac
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Teddy Bruy
- Sektion Herpetologie, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), München, Germany
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Mark D. Scherz
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
- Sektion Herpetologie, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), München, Germany
| | - Elvis Almeida Pereira
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Laboratório de Herpetologia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - Michaela Preick
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nicolas Straube
- Department of Natural History, University Museum of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Mariana L. Lyra
- Depto de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Rio Claro, Brazil
| | - Annemarie Ohler
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jeffrey W. Streicher
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, UK
| | - Franco Andreone
- Sezione zoologia, Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino, Italy
| | - Angelica Crottini
- Cibio, Research Centre in Biodiversity, Genetics and Evolution, InBio, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal
| | - Carl R. Hutter
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | | - Andolalao Rakotoarison
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Frank Glaw
- Sektion Herpetologie, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), München, Germany
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
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Scherz MD, Glaw F, Hutter CR, Bletz MC, Rakotoarison A, Köhler J, Vences M. Species complexes and the importance of Data Deficient classification in Red List assessments: The case of Hylobatrachus frogs. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0219437. [PMID: 31412043 PMCID: PMC6693689 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Taxonomy is the cornerstone of extinction risk assessments. Currently, the IUCN Red List treats species complexes either under a single overarching species name—resulting in an unhelpfully broad circumscription and underestimated threat assessment that does not apply to any one species lineage—or omits them altogether—resulting in the omission of species that should be assessed. We argue that taxonomic uncertainty alone, as in species complexes, should be grounds for assessment as Data Deficient (DD). Yet, use of the DD category is currently discouraged, resulting in assessments based on poor data quality and dismissal of the importance of taxonomic confidence in conservation. This policy may be leading to volatile and unwarranted assessments of hundreds of species across the world, and needs to be revised. To illustrate this point, we here present a partial taxonomic revision of torrent frogs from eastern Madagascar in the Mantidactylus subgenus Hylobatrachus. Two named species, Mantidactylus (Hylobatrachus) lugubris and M. (H.) cowanii, and several undescribed candidate species are recognised, but the application of the available names has been somewhat ambiguous. In a recent re-assessment of its conservation status, M. (H.) lugubris was assessed including all complex members except M. (H.) cowanii within its distribution, giving it a status of Least Concern and distribution over most of eastern Madagascar. After describing two of the unnamed lineages as Mantidactylus (Hylobatrachus) atsimo sp. nov. (from southeastern Madagascar) and Mantidactylus (Hylobatrachus) petakorona sp. nov. (from the Marojejy Massif in northeastern Madagascar), we show that Mantidactylus (Hylobatrachus) lugubris is restricted to the central east of Madagascar, highlighting the inaccuracy of its current Red List assessment. We propose to re-assess its status under a more restrictive definition that omits well-defined candidate species, thus representing the actual species to which its assessment refers, to the best of current knowledge. We recommend that for species complexes in general, (1) nominal lineages that can be confidently restricted should be assessed under the strict definition, (2) non-nominal species-level lineages and ambiguous names should be prioritised for taxonomic research, and (3) ambiguous names should be assessed as DD to highlight the deficiency in data on their taxonomic status, which is an impediment to their conservation. This would reduce ambiguity and underestimation of threats involved in assessing species complexes, and place the appropriate emphasis on the importance of taxonomy in anchoring conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D. Scherz
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), München, Germany
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM-SNSB), München, Germany
| | - Carl R. Hutter
- Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America
| | - Molly C. Bletz
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | | | - Jörn Köhler
- Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute, Braunschweig University of Technology, Braunschweig, Germany
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10
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Scherz MD, Köhler J, Vences M, Glaw F. A new yellow-toed Platypelis species (Anura, Microhylidae, Cophylinae) from the Maroantsetra region, northeastern Madagascar. EVOLUTIONARY SYSTEMATICS 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.3.33417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe a new species of arboreal narrow-mouthed frog, genus Platypelis, from Ambodivoangy near Maroantsetra in northeastern Madagascar. The new species, Platypelisandosp. nov., is characterised by small body size (under 19 mm), a generally rather slender body, yellowish finger and toe tips, and a dark brown dorsal chevron. Its advertisement call is a single, moderately long, high-pitched whistle repeated at regular intervals. It is the sister species of P.ravus from Marojejy National Park, but differs from that species by considerable pairwise genetic distances (7.9%) in a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and also in bioacoustic and morphological features, especially the absence of yellow on the posterior abdomen. It is also surprisingly similar in external appearance to Cophylaoccultans and C.maharipeo, to which it is not, however, closely related; these species are most easily discerned based on their calls. Platypelisandosp. nov. joins the ranks of several species recently described from Ambodivoangy with close affiliations to species in the nearby Marojejy National Park, that are still divergent at species level. The species qualifies as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria, in line with other species recently assessed from this area, but we urge that more research be conducted in the nearby forests to extend the range of this and other species known only from Ambodivoangy.
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Kotze A, Ralph TM, Barrow LN, Tarrant J, du Preez L, Madisha MT, Dalton DL. Lack of phylogeographic structure in the endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog;Hyperolius pickersgilli(Raw, 1982). AFR J HERPETOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2018.1462064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoinette Kotze
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Genetics Department, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Taryn M.C. Ralph
- Genetics Department, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300 South Africa
| | - Lisa N. Barrow
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA
| | - Jeanne Tarrant
- Threatened Amphibian Programme, Endangered Wildlife Trust, Building K2, Pinelands Office Park, Ardeer Road, Modderfontein, 1609, South Africa
| | - Louis du Preez
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140
| | - M. Thabang Madisha
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Desire L Dalton
- National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, PO Box 754, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
- Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
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Oliver PM, Iannella A, Richards SJ, Lee MS. Mountain colonisation, miniaturisation and ecological evolution in a radiation of direct-developing New Guinea Frogs ( Choerophryne, Microhylidae). PeerJ 2017; 5:e3077. [PMID: 28382230 PMCID: PMC5376113 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Mountain ranges in the tropics are characterised by high levels of localised endemism, often-aberrant evolutionary trajectories, and some of the world's most diverse regional biotas. Here we investigate the evolution of montane endemism, ecology and body size in a clade of direct-developing frogs (Choerophryne, Microhylidae) from New Guinea. METHODS Phylogenetic relationships were estimated from a mitochondrial molecular dataset using Bayesian and maximum likelihood approaches. Ancestral state reconstruction was used to infer the evolution of elevational distribution, ecology (indexed by male calling height), and body size, and phylogenetically corrected regression was employed to examine the relationships between these three traits. RESULTS We obtained strong support for a monophyletic lineage comprising the majority of taxa sampled. Within this clade we identified one subclade that appears to have diversified primarily in montane habitats of the Central Cordillera (>1,000 m a.s.l.), with subsequent dispersal to isolated North Papuan Mountains. A second subclade (characterised by moderately to very elongated snouts) appears to have diversified primarily in hill forests (<1,000 m a.s.l.), with inferred independent upwards colonisations of isolated montane habitats, especially in isolated North Papuan Mountains. We found no clear relationship between extremely small body size (adult SVL less than 15 mm) and elevation, but a stronger relationship with ecology-smaller species tend to be more terrestrial. CONCLUSIONS Orogeny and climatic oscillations have interacted to generate high montane biodiversity in New Guinea via both localised diversification within montane habitats (centric endemism) and periodic dispersal across lowland regions (eccentric endemism). The correlation between extreme miniaturisation and terrestrial habits reflects a general trend in frogs, suggesting that ecological or physiological constraints limit niche usage by miniaturised frogs, even in extremely wet environments such as tropical mountains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M. Oliver
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology & Centre for Biodiversity Analysis, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Amy Iannella
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Michael S.Y. Lee
- South Australian Museum, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Phylogenetics and biogeography of the endemic Madagascan millipede assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Ectrichodiinae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 100:219-233. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Molecular phylogeny of Panaspis and Afroablepharus skinks (Squamata: Scincidae) in the savannas of sub-Saharan Africa. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2016; 100:409-423. [PMID: 27118179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
African snake-eyed skinks are relatively small lizards of the genera Panaspis and Afroablepharus. Species allocation of these genera frequently changed during the 20th century based on morphology, ecology, and biogeography. Members of these genera occur primarily in savanna habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa and include species whose highly conserved morphology poses challenges for taxonomic studies. We sequenced two mitochondrial (16S and cyt b) and two nuclear genes (PDC and RAG1) from 76 Panaspis and Afroablepharus samples from across eastern, central, and southern Africa. Concatenated gene-tree and divergence-dating analyses were conducted to infer phylogenies and biogeographic patterns. Molecular data sets revealed several cryptic lineages, with most radiations occurring during the mid-Miocene to Pliocene. We infer that rifting processes (including the formation of the East African Rift System) and climatic oscillations contributed to the expansion and contraction of savannas, and caused cladogenesis in snake-eyed skinks. Species in Panaspis and Afroablepharus used in this study, including type species for both genera, formed a monophyletic group. As a result, the latter genus should be synonymized with the former, which has priority. Conservatively, we continue to include the West African species P. breviceps and P. togoensis within an expanded Panaspis, but note that they occur in relatively divergent clades, and their taxonomic status may change with improved taxon sampling. Divergence estimates and cryptic speciation patterns of snake-eyed skinks were consistent with previous studies of other savanna vertebrate lineages from the same areas examined in this study.
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Agnarsson I, Jencik BB, Veve GM, Hanitriniaina S, Agostini D, Goh SP, Pruitt J, Kuntner M. Systematics of the Madagascar Anelosimus spiders: remarkable local richness and endemism, and dual colonization from the Americas. Zookeys 2015; 509:13-52. [PMID: 26175602 PMCID: PMC4493342 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.509.8897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the alarming rates of deforestation and forest fragmentation, Madagascar still harbors extraordinary biodiversity. However, in many arthropod groups, such as spiders, this biodiversity remains mostly unexplored and undescribed. The first subsocial Madagascan species of the theridiid spider genus Anelosimus were described in 2005 when six new species were found to coexist in the Périnet forest fragment within Andasibe-Mantadia NP. However, this discovery was based only on a few specimens and the extent of this Madagascan radiation has remained unknown. We here report on a thorough survey of >350 colonies from Périnet, and three pilot surveys into additional Madagascar forests (Ambohitantely, Ranamofana, and Montagne d'Ambre). The morphological, molecular and natural history data from these surveys facilitated a revised taxonomy and phylogenetic hypothesis of Madagascan Anelosimus. This subsocial clade currently comprises six previously known (Anelosimusandasibe Agnarsson & Kuntner, 2005, Anelosimusmay Agnarsson, 2005, Anelosimusnazariani Agnarsson & Kuntner, 2005, Anelosimussallee Agnarsson & Kuntner, 2005, Anelosimussalut Agnarsson & Kuntner, 2005, Anelosimusvondrona Agnarsson & Kuntner, 2005) and 10 new species: Anelosimusata sp. n., Anelosimusbuffoni sp. n., Anelosimusdarwini sp. n., Anelosimushookeri sp. n., Anelosimushuxleyi sp. n., Anelosimuslamarcki sp. n., Anelosimusmoramora sp. n., Anelosimustita sp. n., Anelosimustorfi sp. n., Anelosimuswallacei sp. n.. With the exception of Anelosimusmay and Anelosimusvondrona, all other species appear to be single forest endemics. While additional sampling is necessary, these data imply a much higher local richness and endemism in Madagascan forests than in any other comparable area globally. The phylogenetic results establish a sister clade relationship between the subsocial Anelosimus in Madagascar and the American 'eximius group', and between the solitary Anelosimusdecaryi on Madagascar and a solitary American clade. These findings imply duplicate colonizations from America, an otherwise rare biogeographical pattern, calling for more detailed investigation of Anelosimus biogeography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingi Agnarsson
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Brian B. Jencik
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Giselle M. Veve
- Department of Biology, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | | | - Diego Agostini
- Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, USA
| | - Seok Ping Goh
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jonathan Pruitt
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Matjaž Kuntner
- Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
- Institute of Biology, Scientific Research Centre, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution (CBEE), College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Maddock ST, Day JJ, Nussbaum RA, Wilkinson M, Gower DJ. Evolutionary origins and genetic variation of the Seychelles treefrog, Tachycnemis seychellensis (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) (Amphibia: Anura: Hyperoliidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2014; 75:194-201. [PMID: 24555995 PMCID: PMC4101239 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The hyperoliid frog Tachycnemis seychellensis, the only species of its genus, is endemic to the four largest granitic islands of the Seychelles archipelago and is reliant on freshwater bodies for reproduction. Its presence in the Seychelles is thought to be the product of a transoceanic dispersal, diverging from the genus Heterixalus, its closest living relative (currently endemic to Madagascar), between approximately 10-35Ma. A previous study documented substantial intraspecific morphological variation among island populations and also among populations within the largest island (Mahé). To assess intraspecific genetic variation and to infer the closest living relative(s) of T. seychellensis, DNA sequence data were generated for three mitochondrial and four nuclear markers. These data support a sister-group relationship between T. seychellensis and Heterixalus, with the divergence between the two occurring between approximately 11-19Ma based on cytb p-distances. Low levels of genetic variation were found among major mitochondrial haplotype clades of T. seychellensis (maximum 0.7% p-distance concatenated mtDNA), and samples from each of the islands (except La Digue) comprised multiple mitochondrial haplotype clades. Two nuclear genes (rag1 and tyr) showed no variation, and the other two (rho and pomc) lacked any notable geographic structuring, counter to patterns observed within presumably more vagile Seychelles taxa such as lizards. The low levels of genetic variation and phylogeographic structure support an interpretation that there is a single but morphologically highly variable species of Seychelles treefrog. The contrasting genetic and morphological intraspecific variation may be attributable to relatively recent admixture during low sea-level stands, ecophenotypic plasticity, local adaptation to different environmental conditions, and/or current and previously small population sizes. Low genetic phylogeographic structure but substantial morphological variation is unusual within anurans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon T Maddock
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK.
| | - Julia J Day
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ronald A Nussbaum
- Museum of Zoology and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079, USA
| | - Mark Wilkinson
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
| | - David J Gower
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD, UK
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Evans SE, Groenke JR, Jones MEH, Turner AH, Krause DW. New material of Beelzebufo, a hyperossified frog (Amphibia: Anura) from the late cretaceous of Madagascar. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87236. [PMID: 24489877 PMCID: PMC3905036 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The extant anuran fauna of Madagascar is exceptionally rich and almost completely endemic. In recent years, many new species have been described and understanding of the history and relationships of this fauna has been greatly advanced by molecular studies, but very little is known of the fossil history of frogs on the island. Beelzebufo ampinga, the first named pre-Holocene frog from Madagascar, was described in 2008 on the basis of numerous disarticulated cranial and postcranial elements from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Maevarano Formation of Madagascar. These specimens documented the presence of a hyperossified taxon that differed strikingly from extant Malagasy frogs in its large size and heavy coarse cranial exostosis. Here we describe and analyse new, articulated, and more complete material of the skull, vertebral column, and hind limb, as well as additional isolated elements discovered since 2008. μCT scans allow a detailed understanding of both internal and external morphology and permit a more accurate reconstruction. The new material shows Beelzebufo to have been even more bizarre than originally interpreted, with large posterolateral skull flanges and sculptured vertebral spine tables. The apparent absence of a tympanic membrane, the strong cranial exostosis, and vertebral morphology suggest it may have burrowed during seasonally arid conditions, which have been interpreted for the Maevarano Formation from independent sedimentological and taphonomic evidence. New phylogenetic analyses, incorporating both morphological and molecular data, continue to place Beelzebufo with hyloid rather than ranoid frogs. Within Hyloidea, Beelzebufo still groups with the South American Ceratophryidae thus continuing to pose difficulties with both biogeographic interpretations and prior molecular divergence dates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E. Evans
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph R. Groenke
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Marc E. H. Jones
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alan H. Turner
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - David W. Krause
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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Recknagel H, Elmer KR, Noonan BP, Raselimanana AP, Meyer A, Vences M. Multi-gene phylogeny of Madagascar’s plated lizards, Zonosaurus and Tracheloptychus (Squamata: Gerrhosauridae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2013; 69:1215-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2013.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2012] [Revised: 06/08/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Starnberger I, Poth D, Peram PS, Schulz S, Vences M, Knudsen J, Barej MF, Rödel MO, Walzl M, Hödl W. Take time to smell the frogs: vocal sac glands of reed frogs (Anura: Hyperoliidae) contain species-specific chemical cocktails. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2013; 110. [PMID: 24277973 PMCID: PMC3837199 DOI: 10.1111/bij.12167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Males of all reed frog species (Anura: Hyperoliidae) have a prominent, often colourful, gular patch on their vocal sac, which is particularly conspicuous once the vocal sac is inflated. Although the presence, shape, and form of the gular patch are well-known diagnostic characters for these frogs, its function remains unknown. By integrating biochemical and histological methods, we found strong evidence that the gular patch is a gland producing volatile compounds, which might be emitted while calling. Volatile compounds were confirmed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry in the gular glands in 11 species of the hyperoliid genera Afrixalus, Heterixalus, Hyperolius, and Phlyctimantis. Comparing the gular gland contents of 17 specimens of four sympatric Hyperolius species yielded a large variety of 65 compounds in species-specific combinations. We suggest that reed frogs might use a complex combination of at least acoustic and chemical signals in species recognition and mate choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Starnberger
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, Wien 1090, Austria
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Poth D, Peram PS, Vences M, Schulz S. Macrolides and alcohols as scent gland constituents of the Madagascan frog Mantidactylus femoralis and their intraspecific diversity. JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS 2013; 76:1548-1558. [PMID: 24004086 DOI: 10.1021/np400131q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Acoustic and, to a lesser degree, visual signals are the predominant means of signaling in frogs. Nevertheless, certain lineages such as the mantelline frogs from Madagascar use the chemical communication channel as well. Males possess femoral glands on the hind legs, which recently have been shown to contain volatile compounds used in communication as pheromones. Many mantelline species occur in sympatry, and so far species recognition is regarded to occur mainly by acoustic signals. The analysis of the gland constituents of Mantidactylus femoralis by GC/MS revealed the presence of volatile macrolides and secondary alcohols. The new natural products mantidactolides A (4) and B (6), as well as several methyl carbinols, were identified, and their structures were confirmed by synthesis. The analysis of individuals from different locations of Madagascar revealed the presence of two groups characterized by specific patterns of compounds. While one group contained the alcohols and mantidactolide B, the other showed specific presence of the macrolides phoracantholide I (1) and mantidactolide A (4). Genetic analysis of some individuals showed no congruence between genetic relatedness and gland constituents. Several other individuals from related species had different gland compositions. This suggests that a basic set of biosynthetic machinery might be available to a broader group of related species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Poth
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig , Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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Nie ZL, Deng T, Meng Y, Sun H, Wen J. Post-Boreotropical dispersals explain the pantropical disjunction in Paederia (Rubiaceae). ANNALS OF BOTANY 2013; 111:873-86. [PMID: 23478944 PMCID: PMC3631337 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mct053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pantropical intercontinental disjunction is a common biogeographical pattern in flowering plants exhibiting a discontinuous distribution primarily in tropical Asia, Africa and the Americas. Only a few plant groups with this pattern have been investigated at the generic level with molecular phylogenetic and biogeographical methods. Paederia (Rubiaceae) is a pantropical genus of 31 species of woody lianas, with the greatest species diversity in continental Asia and Madagascar and only two species from tropical America. The aim of this study was to reconstruct the biogeographical history of Paederia based on phylogenetic analyses to explore how the genus attained its pantropical distribution. METHODS Maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference were used for phylogenetic analyses using sequences of five plastid markers (the rbcL gene, rps16 intron, trnT-F region, atpB-rbcL spacer and psbA-trnH spacer). Biogeographical inferences were based on a Bayesian uncorrelated lognormal relaxed molecular clock together with both Bayesian and likelihood ancestral area reconstructions. KEY RESULTS The data suggest an early diverged Asian lineage sister to the clade of the remaining species consisting of a predominantly Asian sub-clade and a primarily Malagasy sub-clade. Paederia is inferred to have originated in the Oligocene in tropical continental Asia. It then reached Africa in the early to middle Miocene, most probably via long-distance dispersal across the Indian Ocean. The two Neotropical species are inferred to have derived independently in the late Miocene from ancestors of Asia and East Africa, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate the importance of post-Boreotropical long-distance dispersals (across three major oceans) in shaping the global pantropical disjunction in some plants, such as Paederia, with small, winged diaspores adapted to long-distance dispersal by various agents including wind, ocean currents or birds. Overland migration is less likely to explain its palaeotropical disjunction between Asia and Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Long Nie
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| | - Tao Deng
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| | - Ying Meng
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
- Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research at Kunming, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Hang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Biogeography, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650201, China
| | - Jun Wen
- Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, MRC 166, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA
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Samonds KE, Godfrey LR, Ali JR, Goodman SM, Vences M, Sutherland MR, Irwin MT, Krause DW. Imperfect isolation: factors and filters shaping Madagascar's extant vertebrate fauna. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62086. [PMID: 23626770 PMCID: PMC3633922 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Analyses of phylogenetic topology and estimates of divergence timing have facilitated a reconstruction of Madagascar's colonization events by vertebrate animals, but that information alone does not reveal the major factors shaping the island's biogeographic history. Here, we examine profiles of Malagasy vertebrate clades through time within the context of the island's paleogeographical evolution to determine how particular events influenced the arrival of the island's extant groups. First we compare vertebrate profiles on Madagascar before and after selected events; then we compare tetrapod profiles on Madagascar to contemporary tetrapod compositions globally. We show that changes from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic in the proportions of Madagascar's tetrapod clades (particularly its increase in the representation of birds and mammals) are tied to changes in their relative proportions elsewhere on the globe. Differences in the representation of vertebrate classes from the Mesozoic to the Cenozoic reflect the effects of extinction (i.e., the non-random susceptibility of the different vertebrate clades to purported catastrophic global events 65 million years ago), and new evolutionary opportunities for a subset of vertebrates with the relatively high potential for transoceanic dispersal potential. In comparison, changes in vertebrate class representation during the Cenozoic are minor. Despite the fact that the island's isolation has resulted in high vertebrate endemism and a unique and taxonomically imbalanced extant vertebrate assemblage (both hailed as testimony to its long isolation), that isolation was never complete. Indeed, Madagascar's extant tetrapod fauna owes more to colonization during the Cenozoic than to earlier arrivals. Madagascar's unusual vertebrate assemblage needs to be understood with reference to the basal character of clades originating prior to the K-T extinction, as well as to the differential transoceanic dispersal advantage of other, more recently arriving clades. Thus, the composition of Madagascar's endemic vertebrate assemblage itself provides evidence of the island's paleogeographic history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Samonds
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, United States of America.
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Diversification of rhacophorid frogs provides evidence for accelerated faunal exchange between India and Eurasia during the Oligocene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:3441-6. [PMID: 23401521 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1300881110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The accretion of the Indian subcontinent to Eurasia triggered a massive faunal and floral exchange, with Gondwanan taxa entering into Asia and vice versa. The traditional view on the Indian-Asian collision assumes contact of the continental plates during the Early Eocene. Many biogeographic studies rely on this assumption. However, the exact mode and timing of this geological event is still under debate. Here we address, based on an extensive phylogenetic analysis of rhacophorid tree frogs, if there was already a Paleogene biogeographic link between Southeast Asia and India; in which direction faunal exchange occurred between India and Eurasia within the Rhacophoridae; and if the timing of the faunal exchange correlates with one of the recently suggested geological models. Rhacophorid tree frogs showed an early dispersal from India to Asia between 46 and 57 Ma, as reconstructed from the fossil record. During the Middle Eocene, however, faunal exchange ceased, followed by increase of rhacophorid dispersal events between Asia and the Indian subcontinent during the Oligocene that continued until the Middle Miocene. This corroborates recent geological models that argue for a much later final collision between the continental plates. We predict that the Oligocene faunal exchange between the Indian subcontinent and Asia, as shown here for rhacophorid frogs, also applies for other nonvolant organisms with an Indian-Asian distribution, and suggest that previous studies that deal with this faunal interchange should be carefully reinvestigated.
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Gehring PS, Pabijan M, Randrianirina JE, Glaw F, Vences M. The influence of riverine barriers on phylogeographic patterns of Malagasy reed frogs (Heterixalus). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2012; 64:618-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 05/16/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Greenbaum E, Portillo F, Kusamba C. Systematics of the poorly known treefrog Leptopelis fiziensis (Anura: Arthroleptidae), with a description of its call. AFR J HERPETOL 2012; 61:113-127. [PMID: 23567891 DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2012.716083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Leptopelis fiziensis was described as a subspecies of L. modestus from specimens that were collected in 1956 in the region in and around Fizi, in present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. We recently discovered L. fiziensis in transitional and montane forest near the type locality and the southeastern Itombwe Plateau, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis (16S mitochondrial sequence data) of these samples and other Leptopelis species recovered L. fiziensis as sister to L. karissimbensis with strong support, and rejected a close relationship between L. fiziensis and both topotypic L. modestus from Cameroon and L. mackayi from Kenya. Herein, we provide a detailed description of the morphometrics, colour pattern, male advertisement call and natural history of this poorly known species. At least one literature record of L. fiziensis from Tanzania has notable differences from our data, and requires further study to ascertain its taxonomic status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eli Greenbaum
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W. University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
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RUANE S, PYRON RA, BURBRINK FT. Phylogenetic relationships of the Cretaceous frog Beelzebufo from Madagascar and the placement of fossil constraints based on temporal and phylogenetic evidence. J Evol Biol 2010; 24:274-85. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02164.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Veith M, Kosuch J, Rödel MO, Hillers A, Schmitz A, Burger M, Lötters S. Multiple evolution of sexual dichromatism in African reed frogs. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2009; 51:388-93. [PMID: 19166951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2008.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2008] [Revised: 12/23/2008] [Accepted: 12/24/2008] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Veith
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Distinguishing Features of the Sub-Saharan Frog Genera Arthroleptis and Phrynobatrachus: A Short Guide for Field and Museum Researchers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.3099/0006-9698(2008)513[1:dfotsf]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Evans SE, Jones MEH, Krause DW. A giant frog with South American affinities from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2008; 105:2951-6. [PMID: 18287076 PMCID: PMC2268566 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0707599105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Madagascar has a diverse but mainly endemic frog fauna, the biogeographic history of which has generated intense debate, fueled by recent molecular phylogenetic analyses and the near absence of a fossil record. Here, we describe a recently discovered Late Cretaceous anuran that differs strikingly in size and morphology from extant Malagasy taxa and is unrelated either to them or to the predicted occupants of the Madagascar-Seychelles-India landmass when it separated from Africa 160 million years ago (Mya). Instead, the previously undescribed anuran is attributed to the Ceratophryinae, a clade previously considered endemic to South America. The discovery offers a rare glimpse of the anuran assemblage that occupied Madagascar before the Tertiary radiation of mantellids and microhylids that now dominate the anuran fauna. In addition, the presence of a ceratophryine provides support for a controversial paleobiogeographical model that posits physical and biotic links among Madagascar, the Indian subcontinent, and South America that persisted well into the Late Cretaceous. It also suggests that the initial radiation of hyloid anurans began earlier than proposed by some recent estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E. Evans
- *Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Anatomy Building, UCL, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; and
| | - Marc E. H. Jones
- *Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Anatomy Building, UCL, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom; and
| | - David W. Krause
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8081
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Greenbaum E, Bauer AM, Jackman TR. Homopholisandblaesodactylus(Squamata: Gekkonidae) revisited: New insights from a molecular phylogeny. AFR J HERPETOL 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2007.9635557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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GROSJEAN STÉPHANE, GLOS JULIAN, TESCHKE MEIKE, GLAW FRANK, VENCES MIGUEL. Comparative larval morphology of Madagascan toadlets of the genus Scaphiophryne: phylogenetic and taxonomic inferences. Zool J Linn Soc 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2007.00329.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Wollenberg KC, Glaw F, Meyer A, Vences M. Molecular phylogeny of Malagasy reed frogs, Heterixalus, and the relative performance of bioacoustics and color-patterns for resolving their systematics. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2007; 45:14-22. [PMID: 17825584 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2007.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2006] [Revised: 06/11/2007] [Accepted: 06/22/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The members of the genus Heterixalus constitute one of the endemic frog radiations in Madagascar. Here we present a complete species-level phylogeny based on DNA sequences (4876 base pairs) of three nuclear and four mitochondrial markers to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among and within all known species of this genus, as well as the phylogenetic position of the monospecific Seychellean Tachycnemis seychellensis. Although the performance to resolve supported clades of Heterixalus species differed among the investigated gene fragments when analyzed separately, we could identify five well-supported species groups within Heterixalus in the combined analysis of all gene fragments. Our data strongly support a Heterixalus-Tachycnemis clade, and indicate the probable monophyly of Heterixalus placed sister to Tachycnemis. However, the diversification of these lineages may have happened in a short interval of time, leading to an unstable placement of Tachycnemis in the single-gene fragment phylogenies. Referring to the hitherto existing classification of Heterixalus, which is predominantly based on chromatic and bioacoustic characters, we examined the relative performance of these data sets relative to our molecular phylogeny. A Bayesian tree reconstructed with a bioacoustic data set yielded a higher resemblance to the molecular phylogeny than a tree constructed using a chromatic data set, which supports the importance of bioacoustic characters for systematic analyses of these anurans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina C Wollenberg
- Zoological Institute, Division of Evolutionary Biology, Technical University of Braunschweig, Spielmannstrasse 8, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Odierna G, Aprea G, Andreone F, Böhme W, Vences M. Cytosystematics of hyperoliid frogs: Phylogeny ofHeterixalus, low karyotypic variability in hyperoliines and separate phylogenetic position ofLeptopelis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1080/11250000601088564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Summers K, McKeon CS, Heying H, Hall J, Patrick W. Social and environmental influences on egg size evolution in frogs. J Zool (1987) 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00213.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Manzano AS, Fabrezi M, Vences M. Intercalary Elements, Treefrogs, and the Early Differentiation of a Complex System in the Neobatrachia. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2007; 290:1551-67. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.20608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Yoder AD, Nowak MD. Has Vicariance or Dispersal Been the Predominant Biogeographic Force in Madagascar? Only Time Will Tell. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2006. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.37.091305.110239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 345] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anne D. Yoder
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708; ,
| | - Michael D. Nowak
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708; ,
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Bossuyt F, Brown RM, Hillis DM, Cannatella DC, Milinkovitch MC. Phylogeny and Biogeography of a Cosmopolitan Frog Radiation: Late Cretaceous Diversification Resulted in Continent-Scale Endemism in the Family Ranidae. Syst Biol 2006; 55:579-94. [PMID: 16857652 DOI: 10.1080/10635150600812551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ranidae is a large anuran group with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and early biogeographic history of ranid frogs, using 104 representatives of all subfamilies and families, sampled from throughout their distribution. Analyses of approximately 1570 bp of nuclear gene fragments (Rag-1, rhod, Tyr) and approximately 2100 bp of the mitochondrial genome (12S rRNA, tRNAVAL, 16S rRNA) indicate that the monophyly of several taxa can be rejected with high confidence. Our tree is characterized by a clear historical association of each major clade with one Gondwanan plate. This prevalence of continent-scale endemism suggests that plate tectonics has played a major role in the distribution of ranid frogs. We performed dispersal-vicariance analyses, as well as analyses constrained by paleogeographic data, to estimate ancestral distributions during early ranid diversification. Additionally, we used molecular clock analyses to evaluate whether these scenarios fit the temporal framework of continental breakup. Our analyses suggest that a scenario in which the ancestors of several clades (Rhacophorinae, Dicroglossinae, Raninae) reached Eurasia via the Indian subcontinent, and the ancestor of Ceratobatrachinae entered via the Australia-New Guinea plate, best fits the paleogeographic models and requires the fewest number of dispersal/vicariance events. However, several alternatives, in which part of the ranid fauna colonized Laurasia from Africa, are not significantly worse. Most importantly, all hypotheses make clear predictions as to where to expect key fossils and where to sample other living ranids, and thus constitute a strong basis for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franky Bossuyt
- Biology Department, Unit of Ecology & Systematics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
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Summers K, Sea McKeon C, Heying H. The evolution of parental care and egg size: a comparative analysis in frogs. Proc Biol Sci 2006; 273:687-92. [PMID: 16608687 PMCID: PMC1560067 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2005.3368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2005] [Accepted: 10/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolution of parental care and egg size has attracted considerable attention and theoretical debate. Several different hypotheses have been proposed concerning the trajectories of parental care and egg size evolution and the order of specific evolutionary transitions. Few comparative studies have investigated the predictions of these hypotheses. Here, we investigate the evolutionary association between parental care and egg size in frogs in a phylogenetic context. Data on egg size and presence or absence of parental care in various species of frogs was gathered from the scientific literature. As a basis for our comparative analyses, we developed a phylogenetic supertree, by combining the results of multiple phylogenetic analyses in the literature using matrix representation parsimony. Using phylogenetic pairwise comparisons we demonstrated a significant association between the evolution of parental care and large egg size. We then used recently developed maximum likelihood methods to infer the evolutionary order of specific transitions. This analysis revealed that the evolution of large egg size typically precedes the evolution of parental care, rather than the reverse. We discuss the relevance of our results to previous hypotheses concerning the evolution of parental care and egg size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Summers
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA.
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FROST DARRELR, GRANT TARAN, FAIVOVICH JULIÁN, BAIN RAOULH, HAAS ALEXANDER, HADDAD CÉLIOF, DE SÁ RAFAELO, CHANNING ALAN, WILKINSON MARK, DONNELLAN STEPHENC, RAXWORTHY CHRISTOPHERJ, CAMPBELL JONATHANA, BLOTTO BORISL, MOLER PAUL, DREWES ROBERTC, NUSSBAUM RONALDA, LYNCH JOHND, GREEN DAVIDM, WHEELER WARDC. THE AMPHIBIAN TREE OF LIFE. BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2006. [DOI: 10.1206/0003-0090(2006)297[0001:tatol]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1225] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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van der Meijden A, Vences M, Hoegg S, Meyer A. A previously unrecognized radiation of ranid frogs in Southern Africa revealed by nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2005; 37:674-85. [PMID: 15975829 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2005.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2005] [Revised: 05/01/2005] [Accepted: 05/03/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, amphibians are represented by a large number of endemic frog genera and species of incompletely clarified phylogenetic relationships. This applies especially to African frogs of the family Ranidae. We provide a molecular phylogenetic hypothesis for ranids, including 11 of the 12 African endemic genera. Analysis of nuclear (rag-1, rag-2, and rhodopsin genes) and mitochondrial markers (12S and 16S ribosomal RNA genes) provide evidence for an endemic clade of African genera of high morphological and ecological diversity thus far assigned to up to five different subfamilies: Afrana, Cacosternum, Natalobatrachus, Pyxicephalus, Strongylopus, and Tomopterna. This clade has its highest species diversity in southern Africa, suggesting a possible biogeographic connection with the Cape Floral Region. Bayesian estimates of divergence times place the initial diversification of the southern African ranid clade at approximately 62-85 million years ago, concurrent with the onset of the radiation of Afrotherian mammals. These and other African ranids (Conraua, Petropedetes, Phrynobatrachus, and Ptychadena) are placed basally within the Ranoidae with respect to the Eurasian groups, which suggests an African origin for this whole epifamily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arie van der Meijden
- Lehrstuhl für Zoologie und Evolutionsbiologie, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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FAIVOVICH JULIÁN, HADDAD CÉLIOF, GARCIA PAULOC, FROST DARRELR, CAMPBELL JONATHANA, WHEELER WARDC. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE FROG FAMILY HYLIDAE, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HYLINAE: PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS AND TAXONOMIC REVISION. BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2005. [DOI: 10.1206/0003-0090(2005)294[0001:srotff]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 466] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Andreone F, Vences M, Vieites DR, Glaw F, Meyer A. Recurrent ecological adaptations revealed through a molecular analysis of the secretive cophyline frogs of Madagascar. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2004; 34:315-22. [PMID: 15619444 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2004.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2003] [Revised: 08/25/2004] [Accepted: 10/19/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The cophyline microhylid frogs of Madagascar show a wide range of habitat specialization, ranging from terrestrial/burrowing and semi-arboreal to entirely arboreal species. The classification of these frogs is thus far mainly based upon morphological, largely osteological, characters that might be homoplastic. Using 1173 bp of DNA sequences from the mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes, we here present a molecular phylogeny for 28 species of all known genera, except for the genus Madecassophryne. The resulting maximum likelihood tree contained four major clades: one represented by the genus Anodonthyla, the second by Cophyla and Platypelis, the third by several terrestrial and semi-arboreal species of the genus Plethodontohyla, and the fourth by species of the genera Stumpffia, Plethodontohyla, and Rhombophryne. The results confirm that several cophyline lineages adapted independently to similar habitats, with multiple shifts among terrestriality and arboreality. The direction of these shifts cannot be ascertained due to unclarified relationships among the most basal lineages, but for one terrestrial species (Anodonthyla montana), it is most parsimonious to assume that it evolved from arboreal ancestors. Our results suggest that the genus Plethodontohyla is probably paraphyletic, and that the classification of this and of the genus Rhombophryne needs to be re-assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Andreone
- Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Via G. Giolitti 36, 10123 Torino, Italy.
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Whiting AS, Sites JW, Bauer AM. Molecular phylogenetics of Malagasy skinks (Squamata: Scincidae). AFR J HERPETOL 2004. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2004.9635506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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45
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Vences M, Vieites DR, Glaw F, Brinkmann H, Kosuch J, Veith M, Meyer A. Multiple overseas dispersal in amphibians. Proc Biol Sci 2004; 270:2435-42. [PMID: 14667332 PMCID: PMC1691525 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphibians are thought to be unable to disperse over ocean barriers because they do not tolerate the osmotic stress of salt water. Their distribution patterns have therefore generally been explained by vicariance biogeography. Here, we present compelling evidence for overseas dispersal of frogs in the Indian Ocean region based on the discovery of two endemic species on Mayotte. This island belongs to the Comoro archipelago, which is entirely volcanic and surrounded by sea depths of more than 3500 m. This constitutes the first observation of endemic amphibians on oceanic islands that did not have any past physical contact to other land masses. The two species of frogs had previously been thought to be nonendemic and introduced from Madagascar, but clearly represent new species based on their morphological and genetic differentiation. They belong to the genera Mantidactylus and Boophis in the family Mantellidae that is otherwise restricted to Madagascar, and are distinguished by morphology and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences from mantellid species occurring in Madagascar. This discovery permits us to update and test molecular clocks for frogs distributed in this region. The new calibrations are in agreement with previous rate estimates and indicate two further Cenozoic transmarine dispersal events that had previously been interpreted as vicariance: hyperoliid frogs from Africa to Madagascar (Heterixalus) and from Madagascar to the Seychelles islands (Tachycnemis). Our results provide the strongest evidence so far that overseas dispersal of amphibians exists and is no rare exception, although vicariance certainly retains much of its importance in explaining amphibian biogeography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Vences
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
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Vences M. Origin of Madagascar's extant fauna: A perspective from amphibians, reptiles and other non‐flying vertebrates. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1080/11250000409356639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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