Insects in the city: Determinants of a contained aquatic microecosystem across an urbanized landscape.

Cities can have profound impacts on ecosystems, yet our understanding of these impacts is currently limited. First, the effects of the socioeconomic dimensions of human society are often overlooked. Second, correlative analyses are common, limiting our causal understanding of mechanisms. Third, most research has focused on terrestrial systems, ignoring aquatic systems that also provide important ecosystem services. Here we compare the effects of human population density and low-income prevalence on the macroinvertebrate communities and ecosystem processes within water-filled artificial tree holes. We hypothesized that these human demographic variables would affect tree holes in different ways via changes in temperature, water nutrients, and the local tree hole environment. We recruited community scientists across Greater Vancouver (Canada) to provide host trees and tend 50 tree holes over 14 weeks of colonization. We quantified tree hole ecosystems in terms of aquatic invertebrates, litter decomposition, and chlorophyll a (chl a). We compiled potential explanatory variables from field measurements, satellite images, or census databases. Using structural equation models, we showed that invertebrate abundance was affected by low-income prevalence but not human population density. This was driven by cosmopolitan species of Ceratopogonidae (Diptera) with known associations to anthropogenic containers. Invertebrate diversity and abundance were also affected by environmental factors, such as temperature, elevation, water nutrients, litter quantity, and exposure. By contrast, invertebrate biomass, chl a, and litter decomposition were not affected by any measured variables. In summary, this study shows that some urban ecosystems can be largely unaffected by human population density. Our study also demonstrates the potential of using artificial tree holes as a standardized, replicated habitat for studying urbanization. Finally, by combining community science and urban ecology, we were able to involve our local community in this pandemic research pivot.

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.

Systematics of Huicundomantis, a new subgenus of Pristimantis (Anura, Strabomantidae) with extraordinary cryptic diversity and eleven new species.

Pristimantis is the most diverse genus of tetrapods comprising 532 described species. It contains a large number of morphologically cryptic species that are being discovered with the assistance of genetic evidence. We use molecular, morphological, bioacoustic, and environmental data to assess the phylogenetic relationships and determine the species within an Andean clade of Pristimantis, which is distributed from central Ecuador to northern Peru. We assign to this clade the name Huicundomantis and propose it as a subgenus. Our results show that Huicundomantis is composed of two large clades which we name as the P. phoxocephalus species group and the P. cryptomelas species group. Huicundomantis is composed of 28 species of which 12 have been described and 16 are new. We describe 11 of these undescribed species. The most effective characters to discriminate among species are DNA sequences, qualitative morphology, and advertisement calls. Morphometric and environmental characters are not very useful to define species limits. We clarify the identity of P. riveti and show that populations from southern Ecuador traditionally ascribed to P. riveti are a new species, P. lutzae sp. nov. We also show that P. prometeii is a junior synonym of P. hampatusami. The current diversity and geographic distribution of Huicundomantis are consistent with a model of allopatric speciation. All species have a restricted distribution range (less than 4330 km2) and are assigned to the Red List categories Data Deficient or threatened with extinction. We provide new reasons to increase conservation efforts for these species and their habitat. Taking our results into account, Pristimantis species richness in Ecuador increases from 211 to 221 species, and the number of species endemic to Ecuador from 119 to 129.

ResumenPristimantis es el género más diverso de tetrápodos, contando con 532 especies descritas. Contiene un gran número de especies morfológicamente crípticas que están siendo descubiertas con el uso de evidencia genética. En el presente estudio usamos análisis integrativos, incluyendo información molecular, morfológica, bioacústica y ambiental para determinar el contenido de especies de un clado andino de Pristimantis que se distribuye desde el centro del Ecuador hasta el norte de Perú. Asignamos a este clado el nombre de Huicundomantis y lo proponemos con el rango de subgénero. Nuestros resultados indican que Huicundomantis está compuesto por dos grandes clados que nombramos como los grupos de especies P. phoxocephalus y P. cryptomelas. Huicundomantis contiene 28 especies de las cuales 12 están descritas y 16 son nuevas. En este estudio describimos 11 de las especies nuevas. Los caracteres más efectivos para discriminar entre especies de Huicundomantis son secuencias de ADN, morfología cualitativa y cantos de anuncio. Diferencias morfométricas y ambientales entre especies son de poca utilidad para delimitar especies. En este estudio también clarificamos la identidad de P. riveti y determinamos que poblaciones del sur del Ecuador, tradicionalmente consideradas P. riveti, corresponden a la nueva especie P. lutzae sp. nov. Además, reportamos a P. prometeii como sinónimo junior de P. hampatusami. La diversidad y distribución geográfica de Huicundomantis son consistentes con un modelo de especiación alopatrica. Todas las especies tienen un rango de distribución restringido (menos de 4330 km2) y son asignadas a las categorías de Lista Roja de Datos Insuficientes o amenazadas de extinción. Nuestros resultados son un nuevo argumento para aumentar los esfuerzos de conservación de estas especies y su hábitat. Tomando en cuenta nuestros resultados, la riqueza de especies de Pristimantis en el Ecuador aumenta de 211 a 221 especies y su número de especies endémicas, de 119 a 129.

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

A new species of Pristimantis is described from Reserva Buenaventura, southern Ecuador, at elevations between 878 and 1082 m. A molecular phylogeny based on nuclear and mitochondrial genes shows that the new species is closely related to Pristimantis phoxocephalus, Pristimantis riveti, and Pristimantis versicolor. The new species differs from them and other morphologically similar congeners in having a low W-shaped dermal ridge in the scapular region, a large conical tubercle on the upper eyelid and on the heel, a thin mid dorsal fold, and a longitudinal lateral fold starting behind the tympanic fold and extending along the anterior two thirds of the flank. The new species inhabits cloud forests in the Pacific slopes of the Andes.

ResumenDescribimos una nueva especie de Pristimantis de la Reserva Buenaventura, al sur del Ecuador, entre elevaciones de 878 y 1082 m. Una filogenia molecular basada en genes nucleares y mitocondriales revela que la nueva especie está cercanamente relacionada a Pristimantis phoxocephalus, Pristimantis riveti y Pristimantis versicolor. La nueva especie difiere de ellas y otros congéneres morfológicamente similares por presentar un pliegue bajo en forma de "W" en la región escapular, un tubérculo cónico sobre el párpado y en el talón, un delgado pliegue mediodorsal y un pliegue lateral longitudinal que se inicia detrás del pliegue timpánico y se extiende a lo largo de dos tercios del flanco. La nueva especie vive en bosques nublados de las estribaciones pacíficas de los Andes.