ABSTRACT
The genus Rhadinaea is a diverse clade of New World dipsadid snakes, with 22 species arranged in six recognized species groups. The most recently described species, Rhadinaea eduardoi, was described based on a unique specimen collected in the Santa Catarina Juquila municipality in the Sierra Madre del Sur of southern Oaxaca, Mexico. Here, based on a reexamination of the holotype and the results of a phylogenetic analysis of the holotype of Rhadinaea eduardoi and representatives of several genera closely related to Rhadinaea, we reassessed the generic assignment of Rhadinaea eduardoi. In our phylogenetic hypothesis, R. eduardoi was nested within a strongly supported clade of Coniophanes fissidens samples, thus making Rhadinaea paraphyletic with respect to Coniophanes. Additionally, our reexamination of the holotype of Rhadinaea eduardoi revealed that the alleged presence of a subpreocular scale is only true on the right side of the head, and that this scale appears to be a malformed preocular scale; also, a reduction in dorsal scale rows is present; and posterior enlarged maxillary teeth are grooved. Herein we consider that Rhadinaea eduardoi should be placed in the synonymy of Coniophanes fissidens. Consequently, we recognized only five species groups within the genus Rhadinaea.
ABSTRACT
We describe a new species of direct-developing frog of the genus Eleutherodactylus from the Pacific lowlands of Guerrero, Mexico. Eleutherodactylus erythrochomus sp. nov. is a saxicolous species that inhabit caves or crevices formed by groups of large granitic boulders, which create contrasting climatic characteristics to the surrounding habitat. This new species is geographically restricted to the Tierra Colorada region, a biologically important area that harbors microendemic taxa. This species is the first microendemic amphibian described from this region. The new species can be easily differentiated from congeners by having long and slender limbs, lacking a lumbo-inguinal gland, and expanded digital pads. Further exploration and conservation measures should be conducted at the type locality of this new species in order to preserve and understand the herpetofaunistic composition occurring therein.
Subject(s)
Anura , Ecosystem , Animals , Caves , Mexico , Phylogeny , Silicon DioxideABSTRACT
We present an updated checklist of the amphibians and reptiles for the state of Guerrero, Mexico. This list is based on bibliographic records, the revision of scientific collections and the authors' field notes. The herpetofauna of the state includes 259 species (78 amphibians, 181 reptiles), of which three are introduced. The conservation status of all native species was assessed using three independent systems (NOM-059, IUCN and EVS). Finally, the geographic distribution of amphibians and reptiles is discussed in the context of both the biogeographic provinces within the state and the influence of road location on specimen collection patterns.
