Rhinella leptoscelis

description

Variation. We describe variation in qualitative characters, measurements, and color in life on the basis of five newly collected specimens from the type locality (MHNC 5975 – 6, 5987 – 9; see associated data under remarks section). No male specimens of R. leptoscelis have been found to date. The holotype and the five new Peruvian specimens show few differences in qualitative characters (Fig. 1 A – B and Fig. 2 A – G), mostly related to skin texture and coloration. The largest adult female (MHNC 5976; Fig. 2 B) has spiny skin texture. The choanae and vomerine teeth were examined in an adult female with convoluted oviducts (MHNC 5975). The choanae are large, round, and anterolateral; between them are the odonthophores, which are no more than two tiny, almost indiscernible protuberances lacking vomerine teeth. Dorsal coloration is brownish-grey in MHNC 5976 and brownish-orange in MHNC 5975, with a longitudinal middorsal pale yellow stripe (this stripe is underlined with black in MHNC 5976). The dorsolateral row of tubercles is brownish-cream in MHNC 5976 and intense orange in MHNC 5975. The flanks are pale grey with darker spots in MHNC 5976, and orange and grey with tiny dark grey sp

Rediscovery, resurrection and redescription of Rhinella leptoscelis (Boulenger, 1912) (Anura: Bufonidae)

diagnosis

Diagnosis. A medium-sized species of Rhinella (Figs. 1 A – B, 2 A – G) distinguished by the following unique combination of characteristics: (1) canthus rostralis concave in dorsal view, sharp in profile, orbitotympanic and postorbital crests prominent, not protruding; (2) tympanum distinct, oval; (3) parotoid glands large, oblong to subtriangular, protuberant, separated from eyelid and tympanum by the supratympanic crest; (4) body surfaces covered by spiny tubercles with keratinized tips; (5) extremities long and slender; (6) a dorsolateral row of conical, enlarged, and elevated tubercles; (7) tarsal fold absent; (8) webbing absent on fingers, basal and serrated between toes; (9) first finger longer than second; (10) iris green in life. From other species of the Rhinella veraguensis species group, R. leptoscelis can be distinguished as follows. From R. amboroensis, R. arborescandens, R. justinianoi, R. quechua and R. veraguensis (Fig. 1 C – D) by having a conspicuous tympanic membrane and toe webbing basal and serrated. From R. arborescandens, R. chavin, R. manu, R. multiverrucosus, R. nesiotes, R. rumbolli, and R. tacana by lacking fleshy interdigital membranes, having fingers sl

Rediscovery, resurrection and redescription of Rhinella leptoscelis (Boulenger, 1912) (Anura: Bufonidae)

discussion

Remarks. Other specimens that we now consider to represent R. leptoscelis are those reported as R. fissipes by Köhler (2000) for Bolivia. The identity of these Bolivian populations was reinvestigated and some differences between the R. fissipes holotype and Bolivian specimens (i. e. tympanum condition) mentioned by Köhler (2000), and the lack of distinct cranial crests in R. fissipes, seem to be reliable characters to distinguish between both taxa. Consequently, R. leptoscelis, and not R. fissipes should now be listed for Bolivia, although the presence of the latter in the country is very likely.

Rediscovery, resurrection and redescription of Rhinella leptoscelis (Boulenger, 1912) (Anura: Bufonidae)

distribution

Distribution. Since the discovery of Rhinella leptoscelis by Ockenden at the end of the Nineteenth Century at Santo Domingo de Carabaya, Puno, Peru (2000 m a. s. l.) (Fig. 3), no additional specimens were allocated to this species. One of the authors (JCC) rediscovered this species during an expedition to the type locality and the surrounded area in November 2006. He collected two specimens (MHNC 5975 – 6) at Santo Domingo de Carabaya, 1658 m a. s. l., and three specimens (MHNC 5987 – 9) at a lower altitude, 1400 m a. s. l. (see Appendix). More recently, we collected additional specimens of R. leptoscelis (Fig. 2 C) in Kimbiri River, Vilcabamba Mountains, Cusco, Peru (Fig. 3; Appendix). Bolivian records of R. leptoscelis (see above) come from Chapare, 1300 – 1400 m a. s. l., Departamento Cochabamba, and from the surroundings of Caranavi, Departamento La Paz, Bolivia (the latter specimens, deposited at CBF, were erroneously reported as originating from Rurrenabaque, Departamento Beni, by Köhler 2000). Thus, Rhinella leptoscelis occurs in well-preserved humid montane forests from the Chapare region in Bolivia to the Vilcabamba mountain range in southern Peru. All known specimens were

Rediscovery, resurrection and redescription of Rhinella leptoscelis (Boulenger, 1912) (Anura: Bufonidae)