Revealing hidden biodiversity: Novel insights on reptile and amphibian distribution in western Ecuador.

We present notable distributional updates for 14 species from western Ecuador (seven amphibians and seven reptiles). Our findings include the northernmost confirmed sighting of Pristimantis kuri and the southernmost documented record of Imantodes inornatus and Lepidoblepharis buchwaldi. Additionally, we document new records and notes on the distribution range of Agalychnis spurrelli, Hyloscirtus alytolylax, Engystomops montubio, Pristimantis muricatus, Pristimantis nyctophylax, Pristimantis walkeri, Chironius flavopictus, Chironius grandisquamis, Dendrophidion graciliverpa, Ninia schmidti, and Urotheca fulviceps. These observations significantly contribute to filling information gaps in our understanding of these species' distributions. The data, derived from samples collected across diverse forested areas in the western region of Ecuador (provinces of Bolívar, Cañar, Guayas, El Oro, and Los Ríos), provide valuable insights into the ecology and conservation of these species.

Presentamos importantes actualizaciones distribucionales para 14 especies del oeste de Ecuador (siete anfibios y siete reptiles). Nuestros hallazgos incluyen el avistamiento confirmado más al norte de Pristimantis kuri y el registro documentado más al sur de Imantodes inornatus y Lepidoblepharis buchwaldi. Además, documentamos nuevos registros y notas sobre el rango de distribución de Agalychnis spurrelli, Hyloscirtus alytolylax, Engystomops montubio, Pristimantis muricatus, Pristimantis nyctophylax, Pristimantis walkeri, Chironius flavopictus, Chironius grandisquamis, Dendrophidion graciliverpa, Ninia schmidti y Urotheca fulviceps. Estas observaciones contribuyen significativamente a llenar vacíos de información en nuestra comprensión de la distribución de estas especies. Los datos, derivados de muestras recolectadas en diversas áreas forestales de la región occidental de Ecuador (provincias de Bolívar, Cañar, Guayas, El Oro y Los Ríos), proporcionan valiosos conocimientos sobre la ecología y conservación de estas especies.

A new stream treefrog of the genus Hyloscirtus (Amphibia, Hylidae) from the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park, Ecuador.

Recent surveys in the Río Negro-Sopladora National Park revealed a striking new species of Hyloscirtus. The new species is easily diagnosed from all other congeners by its large body size (64.9 mm SVL in adult female); broad dermal fringes in fingers and toes; prepollex not projected into a prepollical spine and hidden under thenar tubercle; dorsum greyish-green, with paler-hued reticulum, yellow spots and black speckles; throat, venter, flanks and hidden surfaces of limbs golden-yellow with large black blotches and spots; fingers, toes and webbing yellow with black bars and spots; iris pale pink with black periphery. It is currently known only from its type locality, in the high montane forest on the southern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes, southeastern Ecuador. The new species might be related to the H.larinopygion species group based on its morphology.

Two new syntopic species of glassfrogs (Amphibia, Centrolenidae, Centrolene) from the southwestern Andes of Ecuador.

We describe two new species of glassfrogs of the genus Centrolene living in syntopy at La Enramada, province of Azuay, southwestern Ecuador. They were found in a small creek in montane evergreen forests at 2,900 m elevation. The first new species is distinguished from all other members of the genus Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; sloping snout in lateral view; thick, white labial stripe and a faint white line between the lip and anterior » of body; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed warts; uniform green dorsum with light yellowish green warts; and green bones. The new species is remarkable by being sister to a species from the opposite Andean versant, C. condor. The second new species is distinguished from all other Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; round snout in lateral view; thin, yellowish labial stripe with a row of white tubercles between the lip and arm insertion, and a yellowish line between arm insertion and groin; uniform green dorsum; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed spicules; ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; and green bones. The second new species is sister to C. sabini and an undescribed species of Centrolene from southeastern Ecuador. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we present a new phylogeny for Centrolene and comment on the phylogenetic relationships inside the genus.

Red List assessment of amphibian species of Ecuador: A multidimensional approach for their conservation.

Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but faces severe pressures and threats to its natural ecosystems. Numerous species have declined and require to be objectively evaluated and quantified, as a step towards the development of conservation strategies. Herein, we present an updated National Red List Assessment for amphibian species of Ecuador, with one of the most detailed and complete coverages for any Ecuadorian taxonomic group to date. Based on standardized methodologies that integrate taxonomic work, spatial analyses, and ecological niche modeling, we assessed the extinction risk and identified the main threats for all Ecuadorian native amphibians (635 species), using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Our evaluation reveals that 57% (363 species) are categorized as Threatened, 12% (78 species) as Near Threatened, 4% (26 species) as Data Deficient, and 27% (168 species) as Least Concern. Our assessment almost doubles the number of threatened species in comparison with previous evaluations. In addition to habitat loss, the expansion of the agricultural/cattle raising frontier and other anthropogenic threats (roads, human settlements, and mining/oil activities) amplify the incidence of other pressures as relevant predictors of ecological integrity. Potential synergic effects with climate change and emergent diseases (apparently responsible for the sudden declines), had particular importance amongst the threats sustained by Ecuadorian amphibians. Most threatened species are distributed in montane forests and paramo habitats of the Andes, with nearly 10% of them occurring outside the National System of Protected Areas of the Ecuadorian government. Based on our results, we recommend the following actions: (i) An increase of the National System of Protected Areas to include threatened species. (ii) Supporting the ex/in-situ conservation programs to protect species considered like Critically Endangered and Endangered. (iii) Focalizing research efforts towards the description of new species, as well as species currently categorized as Data Deficient (DD) that may turn out to be threatened. The implementation of the described actions is challenging, but urgent, given the current conservation crisis faced by amphibians.

A new species of cat-eyed snake (Serpentes: Dipsadinae: Leptodeirini) from the Andes of southern Ecuador.

Leptodeira is one of the most widespread and taxonomically problematic snake taxa in the Americas. Here we describe a new species of Leptodeira from the Andes of southern Ecuador based on morphological and molecular data. The new species is geographically close and morphologically similar to L. ornata and L. larcorum, from which it can be distinguished by having smaller dorsal body blotches, a longer tail, and shorter spines on the hemipenial body. The shortest genetic distances between the new species and its congeners are 0.02 (16S), 0.05 (cytb), and 0.18 (ND4). The new species is restricted to the Jubones River Basin in southern Ecuador, an area of endemism for other reptile species. Our phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data also supports recognition of the names L. larcorum (restricted to Peru) for "L. septentrionalis larcorum", and L. ornata for populations of "L. s. ornata" from central and eastern Panama, western Colombia, and western Ecuador. However, some samples of "L. s. ornata" from Panama and Costa Rica, as well as the new species described herein, are not included within or more closely related to L. ornata, which is sister to the clade (L. bakeri, L. ashmeadii).

Description and phylogenetic relationships of a new trans-Andean species of Elachistocleis Parker 1927 (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae).

Elachistocleis is a Neotropical genus of microhylid frogs with 18 species, most of which occur east of the Andes in South America. Here, we present a new phylogeny of Gastrophryninae and describe and name a new species of Elachistocleis from southern Ecuador-the first to be found west of the Andes and also the first from Ecuador. Our phylogeny is based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial genes 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, COI, and the nuclear genes BDNF, cmyc2, H3A, 28S, SIA1, and Tyr. Elachistocleis araios sp. n., is the sister species of all other Elachistocleis. The finding of this taxon highlights the probability of the existence of more Elachistocleis species west of the Andes.

Genetic delimitation of Pristimantisorestes (Lynch, 1979) and P.saturninoi Brito et al., 2017 and description of two new terrestrial frogs from the Pristimantisorestes species group (Anura, Strabomantidae).

In the genus Pristimantis, species are often combined into taxonomic units called species groups. The taxonomy of these groups is frequently inaccurate due to the absence of genetic data from type series and repeated misidentifications generated by high morphological resemblance between taxa. Here, we focus on the P.orestes species group, providing the first genetic assessment of P.orestes sensu stricto from individuals collected from the type locality, with a reviewed diagnosis and description of advertisement calls. We find that two lineages previously named P.orestes are genetically distinct and should be separated into two different species. Based on genetic and morphological data, we name one of these species P.cajanuma sp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinct from other members of the group by having shagreen dorsal skin, evident dorsolateral folds, broader discs on toes and fingers and pale gray ventral coloration. Additionally, P.saturninoi is placed within the P.orestes species group based on genetic data from its type series. However, we find that one of its paratypes is genetically distinct and belongs to a clade containing a new species we name P.quintanai sp. nov. This new species is morphologically distinguished by lacking a tympanic membrane and vocal sacs in males, and by having expanded discs on toes and fingers, finely tuberculated dorsal skin and irregular white or cream spots in the groin and concealed surfaces of thighs. Our findings highlight the importance of providing genetic characterization and placement from the type series in taxonomic challenging groups, such as Pristimantis. We also suggest that the diversity of species within the P.orestes group will increase as more sampling is achieved in the southern Andes of Ecuador.

ResumenLas especies pertenecientes al género Pristimantis usualmente están agrupadas en unidades taxonómicas llamadas grupos de especies. A menudo la taxonomía de estos grupos es problemática debido a la ausencia de información genética de las series tipo de las especies o debido a identificaciones erróneas generadas por la elevada similitud morfológica entre especies. Aquí nos enfocamos en el grupo de especies P.orestes y proveemos la primera evaluación genética de P.orestes sensu stricto en base a individuos colectados en la localidad tipo de la especie con una diagnosis revisada y descripción de vocalizaciones. Encontramos que dos linajes previamente nombrados como P.orestes son genéticamente distintos y deberían ser considerados como dos distintas especies. En base a evidencia genética y morfológica nombramos a una de estas especies P.cajanuma sp. nov. La nueva especie es distinta de otras especies del grupo por presentar piel dorsal con textura finamente granular, pliegues dorsolaterales evidentes, discos amplios en dedos de pie y manos y una coloración ventral gris pálido. Adicionalmente, P.saturninoi es colocada dentro del grupo de especies P.orestes en base a información genética de especímenes tipo. Sin embargo, encontramos que uno de los paratipos es genéticamente distinto y está dentro de un clado que incluye a una nueva especie morfológicamente similar que nombramos como P.quintanai sp. nov. Esta nueva especie se distingue de otros Pristimantis del grupo por carecer de una membrana timpánica diferenciada, machos sin sacos vocales y por presentar discos expandidos en los dedos de pies y manos, una piel dorsal con textura finamente tubercular y manchas irregulares blancas o crema-blanquecinas en las ingles y superficies ocultas de los muslos. Nuestros resultados resaltan la importancia de proveer caracterizaciones genéticas de especímenes tipos en grupos taxonómicamente complejos como los Pristimantis. Sugerimos que la diversidad de especies dentro del grupo de especies P.orestes incrementara a medida que más expediciones de campo se realicen en el sur de los Andes de Ecuador.

A bizarre new species of Lynchius (Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae) br />from the Andes of Ecuador and first report of Lynchius parkeri in Ecuador.

We describe a new species of Lynchius from the eastern montane forest of southern Ecuador. We also report the occurrence of L. parkeri in Ecuador, on paramos of Yacuri National Park, near the border with Peru. We used morphological and genetic evidence for the description of the new species and the new report of L. parkeri. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference on DNA sequences for mitochondrial and nuclear genes. The phylogeny shows that L. simmonsi is sister to a clade composed of the remaining species of Lynchius and that the new species is sister to L. flavomaculatus. The new species has a prominent and heavily ossified head with noticeably spiculate cranial exostosis that easily distinguishes it from all its congeners. The dorsal region and limbs present several reduced subconical and rounded tubercles and pronounced dermal ridges on the dorsum. We also describe the osteology of the new species based on x-rays of the holotype. Only six species of Lynchius, two known to occur in Ecuador (L. flavomaculatus and L. simmonsi). The description of L. megacephalus sp. n. and new record of L. parkeri double the number of known Lynchius in Ecuador and suggest that the diversity of Ecuadorian and Peruvian Lynchius is still underestimated.

A new species of Pristimantis (Anura, Craugastoridae) from the Cajas Massif, southern Ecuador.

A new species of Pristimantis is described from the highland paramos on the eastern slopes of the Cajas Massif, southern Andes of Ecuador, at 3400 m. This new species is characterized by having a distinctive reddish color, cutaneous macroglands in suprascapular region and surfaces of arm and legs, and by lacking dentigerous processes of vomers. The cutaneous macroglands are similar to those exhibited by several species of the Pristimantis orcesi group, and may suggest a close phylogenetic relationship. The new species could be a latitudinal substitution of Pristimantis orcesi in the southern Andes of Ecuador.

ResúmenDescribimos una nueva especie de Pristimantis desde las laderas orientales del macizo El Cajas en los páramos andinos del sur de Ecuador a 3400 m.s.n.m. Esta nueva especie tiene un color rojizo distintivo y se caracteriza por tener macroglándulas cutáneas en varias regiones del cuerpo, de la siguiente manera: la región supraescapular, las superficies del antebrazo, parte superior del brazo, las manos y el borde de las piernas. Además, carece de procesos dentígeros en los vomerinos. Las macroglándulas cutáneas son similares a las presentes en el grupo de Pristimantis orcesi, y podrían representar una posición filogenética cercana. La nueva especie puede constituir una sustitución latitudinal de Pristimantis orcesi en los Andes sur de Ecuador.

Systematics of South American snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the description of five new species from Ecuador and Peru.

A molecular phylogeny of the Neotropical snail-eating snakes (tribe Dipsadini) is presented including 43 (24 for the first time) of the 77 species, sampled for both nuclear and mitochondrial genes. Morphological and phylogenetic support was found for four new species of Dipsas and one of Sibon, which are described here based on their unique combination of molecular, meristic, and color pattern characteristics. Sibynomorphus is designated as a junior subjective synonym of Dipsas. Dipsas latifrontalis and D. palmeri are resurrected from the synonymy of D. peruana. Dipsas latifasciata is transferred from the synonymy of D. peruana to the synonymy of D. palmeri. A new name, D. jamespetersi, is erected for the taxon currently known as Sibynomorphus petersi. Re-descriptions of D. latifrontalis and D. peruana are presented, as well as the first photographic voucher of an adult specimen of D. latifrontalis, along with photographs of all known Ecuadorian Dipsadini species. The first country record of D. variegata in Ecuador is provided and D. oligozonata removed from the list of Peruvian herpetofauna. With these changes, the number of Dipsadini reported in Ecuador increases to 22, 18 species of Dipsas and four of Sibon.