Three New Species of Phytotelm-Breeding Melanophryniscus from the Atlantic Rainforest of Southern Brazil (Anura: Bufonidae)

Abstract

Three new species of Melanophryniscus are described from the Serra do Mar mountain range of the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. All species are found at intermediate to high altitudes and share phytotelm-breeding as their reproductive strategy. The new species are distinguished from other phytotelm-breeding Melanophryniscus based on different combinations of the following traits: snout-vent length, presence of white and/or yellow spots on forearms, mouth, belly and cloaca, pattern and arrangement of warts, and presence and number of corneous spines. The discovery of these species in a rather restricted geographical area suggests that the diversity of phytotelm-breeding species of Melanophryniscus might be severely underestimated. The conservation status of these species is of particular concern, given that one of them is at risk of extinction not only due to its restricted habitat, but also because of anthropogenic disturbances.

Fig 1. Melanophryniscus biancae sp. nov.

Two adult males from the type-locality (Serra do Quiriri, municipality of Garuva): A, B = MHNCI 9809 (photographs by H. Garcia); C = MHNCI 9810.

Fig 2. Holotype of Melanophryniscus biancae sp. nov. (DZUP 238), adult male.

The lower surface of the right hand and right foot are shown on the bottom right. The scale bars on the top two photographs correspond to 0.5 cm, whereas on the bottom they correspond to 1 mm.

Fig 3. Representative variation in coloration in the type-series of Melanophryniscus biancae sp. nov., all adult males, alive, in dorsal and ventral view.

A = DZUP 237; B = DZUP 238 (holotype); C = DZUP 240; D = DZUP 242; E = DZUP 239; F = DZUP 241. The bar corresponds to 1 cm.

Fig 4. Adult male of Melanophryniscus vilavelhensis (DZUP 208) alive, in dorsal and ventral view, from the type locality of the species (Parque Estadual de Vila Velha, 25°14’50”S, 50°00’17”W, municipality of Ponta Grossa, Paraná, southern Brazil).

The bar corresponds to 1 cm.

Fig 5. Representative variation in coloration in individuals of Melanophryniscus alipioi, alive, in dorsal and ventral view, from the type locality of the species (Capivari Grande, 25°07’49”S, 48°49’15”W, Serra do Capivari, municipality of Campina Grande do Sul, Paraná, southern Brazil).

A = DZUP 284 (juvenile male); B = DZUP 293 (adult male); C = DZUP 290 (adult male); D = DZUP 285 (adult female); E = DZUP 292 (adult male); F = DZUP 291 (adult female). The bar corresponds to 1 cm.

Fig 6. Habitat of Melanophryniscus biancae sp. nov. in the type-locality (Serra do Quiriri, municipality of Garuva).

A = In the middle of the photograph, marshes where the species was found (two people are also present for scale)—in the foreground there are grasslands without occurrence of the plant where the species reproduces. B = Eriocaulon ligulatum (Eriocaulaceae) in marshes, the reproductive site of the new species. C = Base of leaves of E. ligulatum with water tanks where males sing and eggs are laid, except for the water tanks of the dead, yellow leaves.

Fig 7. Geographical distribution of the new species of Melanophryniscus described in the present study.

White, yellow, and red markers indicate occurrence records of M. biancae sp. nov., M. xanthostomus sp. nov., and M. milanoi sp. nov., respectively. Markers with black dots indicate type localities. Background based on SRTM30 elevation data.

Fig 8. Melanophryniscus milanoi sp. nov.

A = Adult male from Morro do Baú (DZUP 206); B = Adult male from Morro do Baú (DZUP 201); C = Adult male from Morro do Cachorro (DZUP 460).

Fig 9. Holotype of Melanophryniscus milanoi sp. nov.

(DZUP 205), adult male, a few minutes after being fixed. The lower surface of the right hand and right foot are shown on the bottom right. The scale bars on the top two photographs correspond to 0.5 cm, whereas on the bottom they correspond to 1 mm.

Fig 10. Representative variation in coloration in the type-series of Melanophryniscus milanoi sp. nov., all adult males, alive, in dorsal and ventral view.

A = DZUP 199; B = DZUP 226; C = DZUP 227; D = DZUP 202; E = DZUP 203; F = DZUP 206. The bar corresponds to 1 cm.

Fig 11. Habitat of Melanophryniscus milanoi sp. nov.

A = Type-locality (Morro do Baú, municipality of Ilhota), around the foothills of the mountain in the top of the photograph. B = Terrestrial bromeliad where a male was calling at Morro Boa Vista (on the border between the municipalities of Jaraguá do Sul and Massaranduba). C = Epiphytic bromeliad where a male was calling in Morro Azul (on the border between the municipalities of Pomerode and Rio dos Cedros).

Fig 12. Melanophryniscus milanoi sp. nov.

in their habitat. A = pair during amplexus—notice the tadpole in the water below. B = Adult male, in most common position of calling males—notice the two eggs, one attached to the abaxial surface of the leave and the other to the adaxial surface (right egg). (These eggs are out of the water because the water flowed out after the leaf of the bromeliad has been away for the camera approach). Both photos taken in the Morro do Cachorro (on the border between the municipalities of Blumenau, Gaspar, and Luiz Alves).

Fig 13. Melanophryniscus xanthostomus sp. nov.

A = Holotype, adult male from Serra do Quiriri (DZUP 192); B = Paratype, adult male from Morro do Boi (DZUP 461); C = Paratype, adult male from Serra Queimada (DZUP 368).

Fig 14. Holotype of Melanophryniscus xanthostomus sp. nov.

(DZUP 192), adult males, a few minutes after being fixed. The lower surface of the right hand and right foot are shown on the bottom right. The scale bars on the top two photographs correspond to 0.5 cm, whereas on the bottom they correspond to 1 mm.

Fig 15. Representative variation in coloration in the type-series of Melanophryniscus xanthostomus sp. nov., alive, in dorsal and ventral view.

A = DZUP 196 (adult female); B = DZUP 194 (adult female); C = DZUP 195 (adult male); D = DZUP 193 (adult male); E = MHNCI 9807 (adult male); F = MHNCI 9808 (adult male). The bar corresponds to 1 cm.

Fig 16. Habitat of Melanophryniscus xanthostomus sp. nov.

A = Type-locality (Serra do Quiriri, municipality of Campo Alegre)—this forest had a fire a few years before that killed many trees, leading to intense sunlight inside and the occupation of dense vegetation in the understory. B = Cloud forest, habitat of the species at Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Caetezal, top of the Serra Queimada (municipality of Joinville). C = Terrestrial bromeliad (Aechmea distichantha) where a male was calling in the water tank in the center of the photo (municipality of Campo Alegre).