Remarks on “A new Phyllomedusa Wagler (Anura, Hylidae) with reticulated pattern on flanks from Southeastern Brazil”

Abstract

Some species in the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis species group have a reticulated pattern on the hidden parts of the flanks and limbs. These species are quite interesting given their characteristic distribution on mountain ranges, reproduction occurring in streams and rivulets, and by the surprising richness of the group. Four new species of Phyllomedusa were described in the last five years; three were species with reticulated pattern on flanks, endemic to restricted mountain ranges (Brandão 2002, Caramaschi et al., 2006, Giaretta et al., 2007). The most recently described species is Phyllomedusa araguari (Giaretta et al., 2007). However, some information reported in this description in relation to the original description of Phyllomedusa oreades (Brandão 2002) deserves further comments. Phyllomedusa araguari was described based on only three individuals and the authors stated that it can be easily distinguished from the very similar P. oreades by: 1) the presence of a reticulated pattern bordering the upper jaw and encircling the eyes (absent in P. oreades), 2) by having a broader reticulated strip in flanks, 3) a well defined reticulated pattern on throat, belly and ventral surfaces of limbs, 4) less projected nostrils, and 5) white ventral surface in life (pink in P. oreades). Phyllomedusa araguari was also reported as a pond breeder, while P. oreades is a stream breeder.