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In this work, we show that Bufo levicristatus Boettger, 1885 is a senior synonym of Bufo scitulus Caramaschi & Niemeyer, 2003, and not a junior synonym of Bufo ornatus Spix, 1824, as previously considered. In addition, we present evidence that Bufo scitulus Caramaschi & Niemeyer, 2003 complies with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature requirements for a reversal of precedence over the name Bufo levicristatus Boettger, 1885, and so the name Bufo scitulus is to be maintained for this species.

Histology is often underappreciated for the detection of the amphibian pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, the cause of the potentially lethal skin disease chytridiomycosis. We evaluated the sensitivity of histology to detect chytrids in 20 wild specimens of 2 frog species from Uruguay that were clinically normal, but confirmed by PCR to be infected by B. dendrobatidis. We detected maturing and sporulated sporangia in 15 of 20 (75%) frogs, which is more sensitive than previously reported for histology. The effort needed to identify chytrids in histologic skin sections of Physalaemus henselii and Pleurodema bibroni required examination of 3.2 and 8.7 mm of skin sections for each frog species, respectively.

True toads of the genus Rhinella are among the most common and diverse group of Neotropical anurans. These toads are widely distributed throughout South America, inhabiting a great diversity of environments and ecoregions. Currently, however, the genus is defined solely on the basis of molecular characters, and it lacks a proper diagnosis. Although some phenetic species groups have traditionally been recognized within Rhinella, the monophyly of some of them have been rejected in previous phylogenetic analyses, and many species remain unassigned to these poorly defined groups. Additionally, the identity and taxonomy of several species are problematic and hinder the specific recognition and description of undescribed taxa. In this work, we first perform phylogenetic analyses of separate mitochondrial and nuclear datasets to test the possible occurrence of hybridiza-tion and/or genetic introgression in the genus. The comparative analysis of both datasets revealed unidirectional mitochondrial introgressions of an unknown parental species into R . horribilis (“ghost introgression”) and of R . dorbignyi into R . bernardoi; therefore, the mitochondrial and nuclear data-sets of these species were considered separately in subsequent analyses. We performed total-evidence phylogenetic analyses that included revised molecular (four mitochondrial and five nuclear genes) and phenotypic (90 characters) datasets for 83 nominal species of Rhinella, plus several undescribed and problematic species and multiple outgroups. Results demonstrate that Rhinella was nonmono-phyletic due to the position of R . ceratophrys, which was recovered as the sister taxon of Rhaebo nasicus with strong support. Among our outgroups, the strongly supported Anaxyrus + Incilius is the sister clade of all other species of Rhinella. Once R . ceratophrys is excluded, the genus Rhinellais monophyletic, well supported, and composed of two major clades. One of these is moderately supported and includes species of the former R . spinulosa Group (including R . gallardoi); the mono-phyletic R . granulosa, R . crucifer, and R . marina Groups; and a clade composed of the mitochondrial sequences of R . horribilis. The other major clade is strongly supported and composed of all the spe-cies from the non-monophyletic R . veraguensis and R . margaritifera Groups, the former R . acrolophaGroup, and R . sternosignata. Consistent with these results, we define eight species groups of Rhinella that are mostly diagnosed by phenotypic synapomorphies in addition to a combination of morpho-logical character states. Rhinella sternosignata is the only species that remains unassigned to any group. We also synonymize nine species, treat three former subspecies as full species, and suggest that 15 lineages represent putative undescribed species. Lastly, we discuss the apparently frequent occurrence of hybridization, deep mitochondrial divergence, and “ghost introgression”; the incomplete phenotypic evidence (including putative character systems that could be used for future phy-logenetic analyses); and the validity of the known fossil record of Rhinella as a source of calibration points for divergence dating analyses.

Observations on stereotyped defensive behaviours are presented for 7 frog species of the Neotropical genus Odontophrynus from Argentina and Uruguay. Seven stereotyped postures were observed, among which the most common observed were puffing up the body, contracting, and crouching down. Newly reported behaviours include tongue protrusion, eye protection, and some combinations of postures. We provide an account of defensive behaviours already described in Odontophrynus and discuss the correspondence between the terminology used by previous authors and recently proposed classifications. In addition, we highlight defensive mechanisms associated with the body raising posture in Neotropical anurans, which may include intimidating predators, body shape disruption, warning signaling, and exposure of skin macroglands. Fil: Borteiro, Claudio. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Rosset, Sergio Daniel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. División Zoología de Vertebrados. Sección Herpetología; Argentina Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Barrasso, Diego Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; Argentina Fil: Lescano, Julián Norberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina

The genus Scinax currently includes more than 120 species, recovered in two major clades, the S. catharinae and the S. ruber clades. The latter comprises 75 species, most of which remain unassigned to any species groups, while 12 are included in the S. rostratus and S. uruguayus groups. In this paper we present a taxonomic review of the two species currently included in the S. uruguayus group, discussing some putative phenotypic synapomorphies of this group. Although S. pinima and S. uruguayus have been considered as distinct species, this has been based on scant evidence, and several authors doubted of their distinctiveness. Our study of available specimens of S. pinima and S. uruguayus corroborates that both are valid and diagnosable species based on phenotypic evidence. Furthermore, our results show that S. pinima previously known only from its type locality, has a much widespread distribution than previously thought (including the Brazilian states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul), which, added to the biological information presented here allows to suggest the removal of this species from the "Data Deficient" IUCN Red List category to "Least Concern". Also, we describe a new species formerly reported as S. aff. pinima and S. uruguayus from NE Argentina and some localities from the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul. All species are diagnosed and characterized using adult and larval morphology, osteology, vocalizations, cytogenetics, and natural history.

The study of early development in Neotropical Leiuperinae frogs (Anura, Leptodactylidae) has been addressed by several works in recent times. However, a comparative develop- mental approach under a phylogenetic context was not available. Herein we analyzed the morphological and ontogenetic diversity of embryos belonging to 22 species of the three largest genera in Leiuperinae. We find that in most cases, variations fit with the phylogeny at the inter- and intrageneric levels. Embryo kyphosis and whitish color are synapomorphies for the clade grouping Physalaemus and Engystomops. The presence of a third lower tooth row on the oral disc is plesiomorphic for Leiuperinae, only changing in derived clades. The configurations and developmental trajectories of the lower lip are exceptionally diverse. The developmental sequences optimized on the phylogenetic tree recover an early differentiated first lower tooth row a synapomorphy of Pseudopaludicola and Physalaemus, and an early differentiated second row as synapomorphy of Pleurodema. On the other hand, few features are highly conserved in the subfamily, such as the adhesive glands universally present in a type-C configuration. Our results also suggest that the morphology and ontogeny of embryos is in some cases associated to the environment where they develop. A large body size, poorly developed transient respiratory structures, large yolk provision and delayed development of the digestive tract occur convergently in embryos inhabiting cold, oxygen- ated environments. Embryos that develop in warmer water bodies in xeric environments show more complex and persistent transient respiratory structures and an early onset of hind limbs development. Our survey highlights that morphology and early development of anurans can be a valuable source of information for phylogenetic studies, and provide fun- damental bases to explore and discuss how evolutionary changes can be shaped by envi- ronmental conditions. Fil: Grosso, Jimena Renee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina Fil: Cardozo, Dario Elbio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Borteiro, Claudio. Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Rodriguez de Oliveira, Mariana. Universidade Federal da Bahia; Brasil Fil: Bonino, Marcelo Fabián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Barrasso, Diego Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; Argentina Fil: Vera Candioti, María Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina

In recent decades, a renewed interest in comparative studies of embryonic ontogeny in anurans is taking place. Toad embryos are often employed as model organisms, and scarce attention has been put on interspecific variations. In this work we analyze the development of transient embryonic and larval structures in 21 species in five genera of Bufonidae. These species vary in their ovipositional mode and the type of environments where the embryos and tadpoles develop, including ponds, streams, and axils of leaves of terrestrial or epiphytic plants. Comparative anatomical studies and sequence heterochrony analyses show that primary morphological variations occur in the morphology at the tail-bud stage, the arrangement and development of the external gills, adhesive gland type and division timing, growth of the dorsal hatching gland on the head, configuration of the oral disc, emergence and development of the hind limbs, and presence of the abdominal sucker. Some of these transformations are best ex...

We communicate the finding of a subcutaneous neoplasia in a female specimen of the toad Melanophryniscus montevidensis (Bufonidae) from Uruguay. The lesion extended from the cephalic to the abdominal region, and both gross and microscopic features were typical of lipomas. This is to our knowledge the fourth case reported in amphibians.

Amphibian parasites of the Order Dermocystida (Ichthyosporea) are widespread pathogens known mainly from Europe and North America, which cause primarily a disease of skin and subcutaneous tissue in their hosts. The taxonomy of these organisms has been problematic given their conserved morphology, similar clinical disease and pathology. Currently recognized taxa belong to the three closely related genera, Amphibiocystidium, Amphibiothecum, and Rhinosporidium, whereas species of Dermocystidium and Sphaerothecum destruens include fish parasites. Here, we review the taxonomy of Dermocystida based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis, principally of amphibian parasites, including DNA sequences obtained from amphibian hosts collected in the central-eastern region of South America. A new taxonomic arrangement is proposed, which includes the designation of type material for Dermocystidium pusula, synonymization of Amphibiothecum with Dermocystidium, and the restriction of Amphibiocystidium to its type species A. ranae. We also review the taxonomic status of Dermosporidium hylarum until the present work included in the synonymy of the human and animal pathogen R. seeberi, and considered herein as a valid taxon, however. In addition, a new species of Sphaerothecum parasitic to amphibians is described, being the first record of this genus in the southern hemisphere and in an amphibian host. Fil: Borteiro, Claudio. Universidad de la República; Uruguay. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina Fil: Maronna, Maximiliano M.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Pontes Baêta Da Costa, Délio. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Sabbag, Ariadne Fares. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Debat, Claudio Martínez. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Haddad, Célio F. B.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Cruz, Juan Carlos. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Verdes, José Manuel. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Ubilla, Martín. Universidad de la República; Uruguay

Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural. Sección Herpetología; Uruguay. Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico (Nordeste). Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina. Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Química y Naturales. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina. Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Química y Naturales. Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva; Argentina. In a recent work, Ohler and Dubois (2018) discussed the correct application of Article 23.9 of the Code (Anonymous,1999; 2012) and illustrated it with some concrete cases in which the authors considered that the Article wasmisinterpreted. Article 23.9 of the Code allows the ?reversal of precedence?, that is, that when a senior homonym orsynonym has not been used as a valid nomen after 1899 (Article 23.9.1.1) and its junior synonym or homonym has beenused as valid for the same taxon in at least 25 works published by at least 10 authors in the immediately preceding 50years and encompassing a span of not less than 10 years (Article 23.9.1.2), the junior homonym or synonym must bemaintained as valid (Article 23.9.1). One of the cases considered by Ohler and Dubois (2018) is the treatment given byCaramaschi and Niemeyer (2010) to the names Hyla prasina Burmeister, 1856 (under the combination Hypsiboasprasinus), and Hyla quoyi Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1828.

We studied in this work the prevalence of two eukaryotic skin pathogens in a population of the frog Boana pulchella (Anura, Hylidae) from southeastern Uruguay, the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Rhizophydiales) and the protoctistan Valentines rwandae (Ichthyosporea, Dermocystida), between 2012 and 2014. In both cases higher prevalences were recorded in cooler seasons, winter and early spring for B. dendrobatidis (0.78 and 0.95 respectively) and autumn for V. rwandae (0.33 and 0.49), with mean temperatures between 11.5 and 17.8°C. No cases of infection were detected in summer. In both cases the probability of infection was strongly influenced by season (and also the year for B. dendrobatidis), but in neither case the occurrence of the other pathogen was significant. The parasitic cycles seem to occur independently and are likely strongly associated to environmental temperatures. Future field studies on amphibian eukaryotic pathogens from temperate areas of South America should consider seasonal variations., En este trabajo se estudió la prevalencia de dos patógenos cutáneos eucariotas en una población de la rana Boana pulchella (Anura, Hylidae) del sureste de Uruguay, el hongo Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Rhizophydiales), y el protista Valentines rwandae (Ichthyosporea, Dermocystida), entre 2012 y 2014. En ambos casos las prevalencias más altas se registraron en épocas frías, invierno y primavera temprana para B. dendrobatidis (0,78 y 0,95 respectivamente) y otoño para V. rwandae (0,33 y 0,49), con temperaturas medias entre 11,5 y 17,8°C. No se detectaron casos de infección en verano. La probabilidad de infección en los dos casos está fuertemente influenciada por la estación (y además por el año para B. dendrobatidis), pero no por la ocurrencia del otro patógeno. Ambos ciclos parasitarios parecen ocurrir independientemente, y son probablemente condicionados en gran medida de la temperatura ambiental. Futuros estudios de campo sobre patógenos eucariotas en anfibios de zonas templadas de Sudamérica deberán tener en cuenta variaciones debidas a la época del año., Asociación Herpetológica Argentina

We report a case of nasal rhinosporidiosis in a dog native to Uruguay, being the sixth report of Rhinosporidium seeberi infection in this host from South America. Diagnosis was made by histopathology of biopsied tissue and specific PCR assay from nasal swab material. The patient was a 3-year-old male dog, of the Dogo Argentino breed, living in a rural area in southeastern Uruguay. An account of published cases in dogs worldwide is provided. As seen in other hosts, male dogs seem to present a predisposition for acquiring the disease.

We report infection by Ichthyophonus sp. in a South American amphibian, the hylid frog Hypsiboas pulchellus in Uruguay. This frog had a large subcutaneous mass over the urostyle and dorsal musculature comprised of parasitic cysts with mild granulomatous inflammation but otherwise appeared healthy.

Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina

We present gross and histologic evidence of coinfection in amphibians by fungal-like parasites of the order Dermocystida (Amphibiocystidium sp.) and the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. The condition was observed in frogs Hypsiboas pulchellus (Hylidae) from Uruguay in 2009 to 2012. This report is the first of dermocystids in Neotropical amphibians since 1940.

We describe the external morphology, buccal cavity, chondrocranium, hyobranchial skeleton, and musculature of the tadpole of Rhinella achavali (Achaval's Toad), along with its karyotype. Tadpoles were found in a small, permanent stream and were showing schooling behavior. The characterization of the proposed species groups within Rhinella cannot be currently improved using external larval morphology, as it seems to be much conserved within this genus. Buccal cavity morphology confirms the distinctiveness of the Rhinella veraguensis (Veragua Toad) group with respect to other known Rhinella. Musculoskeletal character states are similar among bufonids, although within this family the basal genus Melanophryniscus shows some distinctive states. The karyotype is composed of 22 bi-armed chromosomes, with secondary constrictions in pair 7, as found in the other species in the Rhinella marina (Marine Toad) group.

The main goal of this manuscript is the reevaluation of the taxonomic status of the teiid lizard Contomastix charrua, known only from Cabo Polonio, a small coastal rocky outcrop in southeastern Uruguay. This species was erected on the basis of the presence of a second pair of ceratobranchials and longer cornua in the hyoid bone, in addition to a reduced expression of the pattern of coloration as compared with C. lacertoides. Nevertheless, we found that both species have indistinguishable hyoid morphology, bearing C. lacertoides a noticeable second pair of ceratobranchials. Besides, we realized that the pattern of coloration in this species is more variable than previously considered. As a result of the present work, C. charrua is included in the synonymy of C. lacertoides. In addition, we provide some observations on the holotype of Cnemidophorus grandensis, a junior synonym of C. lacertoides.

Eupemphix fuscomaculatus Steindachner, 1864 was described on the basis of a single specimen collected at Caicara, Mato Grosso, Brazil. This species, currently included in the genus Pleurodema, experienced a confusing taxonomic history and is supposedly known only from the holotype and seven specimens from Rio Apa, Paraguay, collected by Alfredo Borelli in 1893–1894. Examination of Steindachner's holotype and Borelli's specimens revealed that they are not conspecific, E. fuscomaculatus is a junior synonym of Physalaemus biligonigerus (Cope, 1861 “1860”), and the specimens from Rio Apa, Paraguay, could not be distinguished by their morphology or ploidy either from Pleurodema bibroni or P. kriegi, and are referred here as Pleurodema bibroni based on ecological considerations. Contrary to a recent proposal, the presence of vomerine teeth is not considered diagnostic for the genus Pleurodema, as they are absent in seven of the 13 species of Pleurodema examined. In addition, we propose to amend the typ...

The hylid frog genus Scinax is the most species-rich within Hylinae, with more than 100 recognized species grouped in the S. catharinae and S. ruber clades. The karyotypes of 14 species of the S. catharinae clade and 14 of the S. ruber clade were analyzed, several of them for the first time. All studied species presented 2n = 2x = 24 biarmed chromosomes (FN = 48) and no identifiable sex chromosomes. There are two alternate states associated with the size and morphology of pair 1, corresponding to the S. catharinae clade and to the S. ruber clade. The morphology of pairs 2 and 6 also differentiate the species of both major clades. Species of the S. ruber clade in general have Ag-NORs in pair 11, as is commonly observed among hylines with 2n = 24. The Ag-NORs' position in the long arms of pair 11 is interstitial in S. fuscomarginatus, S. fuscovarius, S. nasicus, S. similis, S. squalirostris, and S. uruguayus, and terminal in S. acuminatus, S. curicica, S. duartei, S. granulatus, S. hayii, a...

The native species of amphibians and reptiles of Uruguay were categorized according to the IUCN Red List criteria. Out of 47 amphibian species, seven are listed as Critically Endangered (CR), five as Endangered (EN), one as Vulnerable (VU), three as Near Threatened (NT), and two as Data Deficient (DD); the remaining species are considered to be Least Concern (LC). Among the 64 species of reptiles evaluated, one is listed as Critically Endangered (CR), seven as Endangered (EN), two as Vulnerable (VU), one as Near Threatened (NT) and seven as Data Deficient (DD); the rest are considered to be Least Concern (LC). The use of these results as an additional criterion in the definition of protected areas in Uruguay will contribute towards the conservation of the aforementioned threatened species and their associated ecosystems.

In this work, we studied chromosome morphology, Ag-NOR, and C-banding patterns in the Neotropical leiuperid frogs that compose the Physalaemus henselii species group: Physalaemus fernandezae, Physalaemus henselii, and Physalaemus riograndensis. The chromosome diploid complement in all species was 2n = 22 and consisted of seven large to medium and four small chromosome pairs. Chromosome fundamental number (FN) varied, because pair 11 was metacentric in P. henselii and P. riograndensis (FN = 44) but telocentric in P. fernandezae (FN = 42). Each species presented a single pair of Ag-NORs, which are located in the secondary constriction of pair 11 in the case of P. fernandezae, in pair 8 in P. riograndensis (as in many other Physalaemus species), and in pair 5 in P. henselii, which is a unique character state among leiuperids. There were no substantial interspecific differences in C-banding pattern, and the heterochromatic bands were mainly located in the centromeric regions of all chromosomes....

The food habits of the Broad‐snouted Caiman (Caiman latirostris) were studied in northwestern Uruguay. The most common prey were insects, the shrimp Pseudopalaemon bouvieri, the snail Pomacea canaliculata, fish and birds. Spiders, crabs, amphibians, snakes, turtles and mammals were consumed less frequently. Arthropods were the most frequent prey for juvenile caiman. Fish and snails were consumed by all size classes. The proportion of stomach contents with invertebrates decreased with increasing caiman size, and that with vertebrates was greater in the diet of larger caiman. Diet composition and ontogenetic shift are similar to that of other crocodilians considered as opportunistic generalist predators. Se estudiaron los habitos alimenticios del Yacare (Caiman latirostris) en el noroeste de Uruguay. Las presas mas comunes fueron insectos, el camaron Pseudopalaemon bouvieri, el caracol Pomacea canaliculata, peces y aves. Aranas, cangrejos, anfibios, serpientes, tortugas y mamiferos fueron consumidos menos f...

Pleurodema bibroni and P. kriegi are poorly known species with a troublesome taxonomic history. They are cryptic taxa, currently considered as valid species on the grounds of biogeographic and ecological differences. The first is known from much of southern Uruguay and from the northeastern region of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (from sea level to 900 m a.s.l.); the latter is restricted to high grasslands of the Sierras Grandes in central Argentina, between 800–2000 m a.s.l. Herein, we compare their tadpoles and advertisement call and provide some notes on their conservation status and natural history. The tadpoles of both species are very similar, belonging to the benthic ecomorphological guild, and are characterized by: total length about 35 mm at stages 33–36; globose body; short lateral sinister spiracle posterodorsallydirected; pineal end organ visible between the eyes; medial vent tube, with its opening aligned with the ventral fin, directed to the left or to the right; vent tube enclosed in a transparent saccular structure underlying the limb buds; tail length about 60% of the total length, with bluntly rounded tip; oral disc anteroventral, laterally emarginated, with very robust jaw sheaths and marginal papillae arranged in a single or double row with a large dorsal gap; labial tooth row for-mula 2(2)/3(1); gap in A2 wide with the upper jaw sheath partially placed within it; P3 about half the length of the other rows. The advertisement call exhibits the same temporal and spectral structure in both species. It consists of long trills (up to about 45–70 s) that are emitted sporadically; notes are about 0.044–0.062 s, separated by gaps of 0.024–0.058 s (note repetition rate 8.9–13.2/s) and have three pulses. Dominant frequency ranges between 1729 and 2162 Hz. Reproductive season of both species differed, autumn and winter for Uruguayan populations of P. bibroni and spring and summer for P. k r i e gi. Defensive encounter behavior (deimatic behavior) consisting in exhibition of the eye-like lumbar glands was documented in P. bibroni and P. k r i e g i (along with exposure of reddish flash coloration), and also in P. borellii, P. bufoninum and P. thaul. Similar behavior previously unreported for a Pleurodema species lacking noticeable lumbar glands was observed in P. t ucumanum. The analysis of the literature, material in collections and fieldwork done by the authors over the last decade in Uruguay suggests that P. bibroni is undergoing severe decline. It was a common species up to the early 1970’s, but few populations close to each other in southeastern Uruguay are the only ones currently known. The conservation status of P. bibroni is of major concern as most known remnant populations are located in coastal areas with an increasing impact of urbanization. In contrast, P. kriegi seem to have stable populations, many of them within protected areas. Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Universidad Católica del Uruguay; Uruguay. Universidad de la República; Uruguay Fil: Abrevaya, Claudio Marcelo. No especifíca; Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Genética. Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva y Molecular; Argentina. Fundación Miguel Lillo. Dirección de Zoología. Instituto de Herpetología; Argentina Fil: Ferraro, Daiana Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina Fil: Prigioni, Carlos. Ministerio de Educación y Cultura. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay

Physalaemus henselii (Peters, 1872) is a little known leiuperid frog that has not been studied since the 1960’s. Herein, we redescribe its advertisement call, and assess the female sexual cycle and the reproductive period on the basis of the macroscopic analysis of the ovaries and field observations. The Ovarian Size Factor (OSF) was calculated. The study was made in Departamento de Rivera, northern Uruguay. The advertisement call consists of short (177 ± 21ms), multipulsed (20 ± 3 pulses/note) notes, with a note repetition rate of 1.57 ± 0.13 notes/s. Physalaemus henselii has a female sexual cycle with unimodal distribution of gravid females, which are present from February to September. The OSF and the ratio "females with mature oocytes / females without mature oocytes" reached the highest values from April to June. The number and size of oocytes were positively correlated with female size. The smallest female (SVL =18.94mm, weight =0.78g) with mature oocytes was found in July. The observed sexual cycle with a single annual reproductive period during the cold season (autumn and early winter), is an uncommon fact for anuran species in the region.

We describe the tadpole of Scinax aromothyella from the surroundings of Quebrada de los Cuervos, Departamento de Treinta y Tres, Uruguay. It shares with other larvae of the Scinax catharinae clade the slightly depressed body, a dextral vent tube that reaches the free margin of the ventral fin, and the oral disc with a dorsal gap in the marginal row of papillae and with a concave posterior edge. It is most similar to the tadpole of Scinax berthae, from which it differs in the larger total length of S. aromothyella. Describimos la larva de Scinax aromothyella de los alrededores de la Quebrada de los Cuervos, Departamento de Treinta y Tres, Uruguay. Comparte con las larvas de otras especies del clado de Scinax catharinae el tener el cuerpo levemente deprimido, el tubo proctodeal dextro que alcanza el borde libre de la aleta ventral, y el disco oral con un claro rostral en la hilera de papilas marginales y con su borde posterior concavo. Es muy parecida a la larva de Scinax berthae, de la que difiere en la ma...

The main goal of this manuscript is the reevaluation of the taxonomic status of the teiid lizard Contomastix charrua, known only from Cabo Polonio, a small coastal rocky outcrop in southeastern Uruguay. This species was erected on the basis of the presence of a second pair of ceratobranchials and longer cornua in the hyoid bone, in addition to a reduced expression of the pattern of coloration as compared with C. lacertoides. Nevertheless, we found that both species have indistinguishable hyoid morphology, bearing C. lacertoides a noticeable second pair of ceratobranchials. Besides, we realized that the pattern of coloration in this species is more variable than previously considered. As a result of the present work, C. charrua is included in the synonymy of C. lacertoides. In addition, we provide some observations on the holotype of Cnemidophorus grandensis, a junior synonym of C. lacertoides.

We present a cytogenetic survey of the basal bufonid genus Melanophryniscus that covered 14 of the 25 species currently recognized, representing the three phenetic species groups: M. moreirae, M. stelzneri, and M. tumifrons. All species presented a diploid chromosome complement constituted by 11 bi-armed chromosome pairs (2n = 2x = 22; FN = 44). Some remarkable differences were observed between species groups: chromosome pair 4 was metacentric in species of the M. tumifrons group (also with a distinctive C-positive block) but submetacentric in the M. stelzneri group and M. sanmartini (M. moreirae group); pair 5 was submetacentric in M. sanmartini and metacentric in the rest. Chromosome secondary constrictions and silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions were located either in pair 5, 7, or 8 in the M. tumifrons group, M. sanmartini and M. krauczuki (M. stelzneri group), and M. stelzneri group, respectively; and pair 7 was relatively larger in M. sanmartini and M. krauczuki. Studied cytogenetic characters support the M. tumifrons group and suggest a close relationship between M. krauczuki and M. sanmartini. These results call for a reassessment of species relations within Melanophryniscus under an inclusive phylogenetic study. Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales. Departamento de Genética. Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva y Molecular; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina Fil: Cotichelli, Leonardo. Fundación Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Pereyra, Martín Oscar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina Fil: Borteiro, Claudio. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Netto, Flavia. Instituto de Investigación Biológica del Paraguay; Paraguay. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; Brasil Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Brusquetti, Francisco. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil. Instituto de Investigación Biológica del Paraguay; Paraguay Fil: Bidau, Claudio Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T20:46:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-11-07 We studied the external and oral cavity morphology of the tadpoles of eight species of Hypsiboas in the H. albopunctatus, H. faber, H. punctatus and H. pulchellus species groups. After a review of the available information about larval external and oral cavity morphology, no character state seems to be synapomorphic for Hypsiboas. The presence of a fleshy projection in the inner margin of the nostrils and rounded vacuities of the anteromedial surface of the choanae (pending the confirmation of the latter in Hyloscirtus and Myersiohyla) seems to be synapomorphic for the tribe Cophomantini, as previously noticed by other authors. Some putative synapomorphies are suggested for some species groups of Hypsiboas, but a denser sampling is needed to study the taxonomic distribution of these character states, in order to determine which clades they may support. The presence of lateral flaps with labial teeth in the oral disc is a variable feature of many species in the H. faber and H. pulchellus groups. A spiracular tube free from the body wall is present in some species, mostly in the H. albopunctatus group, but also in the H. rufitelus, H. faber and H. pulchellus groups. Unique ventrolateral cumules of neuromasts are present in H. faber, and also in some species of other groups of Hypsiboas and of the sister genus Aplastodiscus. Our results highlight the importance of studying the taxonomic distribution of many character states that were sometimes overlooked in tadpole descriptions but seem relevant to test phylogenetic hypothesis. Copyright 2008 Magnolia Press. Universidad de la República, Montevideo Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Montevideo Instituto de Limnología, 'Dr Raul A. Ringuelet', CC 712, CP 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires Laboratorio de Genetica Evolutiva y Molecular Facultad de Cienclas Exactas Químicas y Naturales Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Felix de Azara No 1552, CP: 3300, Posadas, Misiones Instituto de Herpetología Fundacíon Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, Tucumán Laboratorio de Anatomía Comparada Facultad de Ciencias Naturales Universidad Nacional de Salta, Avda. Bolivia No 5150, CP: 4400, Salta Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Caixa Postal 199, 13506-900 Rio Clam, Sao Paulo Division Herpetología Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, Angel GalIardo 470, 1405 Buenos Aires Consejo Nac. de Invest. Cientificas Tecnicas (CONlCET) Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Caixa Postal 199, 13506-900 Rio Clam, Sao Paulo

In this work the tadpoles of the neotropical frogs Leptodactylus latinasus, Physalaemus biligonigerus and Physalaemus riograndensis are redescribed. Relevant features of L. latinasus tadpoles are a medial vent tube, labial tooth row formula (LTRF) 2(2)/3(1), and oral disc with a single row of marginal papillae interrupted by a dorsal gap, similarly to other species within the L. fuscus species group. Tadpoles of P. riograndensis have a medial vent tube, LTRF 2(2)/2(1), oral disc with single row of marginal papillae, interrupted by a dorsal gap and usually two ventrolateral gaps. The tadpole of P. biligonigerus has a dextral vent tube, the oral disc presents a single row of marginal papillae (sometimes double ventrally) with dorsal gap, and LTRF 2(2)/2(1). Although considered relevant for the taxonomy of Physalaemus, character variation of larval external morphology is incongruous with the phenetic species group arrangements proposed up to date. A reproductive mode previously unreported for P. riograndensis and P. henselii was observed: foam nests in the humid ground outside ponds. We also report the display of deimatic behavior in L. latinasus, L. ocellatus, P. henselii, and P. biligonigerus, in the last case with exhibition of the eye-like inguinal glands.

Geographic distribution and conservation status of Caiman latirostris (Crocodylia, Alligatoridae) in Uruguay. Populations of Caiman latirostris are known to occur in Uruguay but their geographic distribution remains uncertain. This work presents an update of the species distribution and conservation status in Uruguay. Surveys conducted by the authors confirmed the presence of this species in the previously known distribution range of northwestern Uruguay, where it seems to be widespread and relatively abundant in contrast to earlier reports. We report new localities for C. latirostris, most relevant being those of the Cebollati and Tacuari Rivers, and the Pelotas, India Muerta and San Miguel stream basins, which significantly expand its distribution through important wetlands in the eastern part of the country. The overall distribution is coincident with different landscape types, where lagoons, artificial impoundments, livestock waterholes, rivers, streams, creeks and marshes are inhabited by caiman. Illegal non-commercial hunting was detected all over the country.

Melanophryniscus orejasmirandai is a species of toad known only from two localities in southern Uruguay. This toad isthe southernmost suggested taxon of the M. tumifrons group, whose species are characterized by a glandular frontal swell-ing on the snout. The study of the type series of M. orejasmirandai and of M. pachyrhynus, along with observations madeon many specimens of both species suggested a close relationship between them. The analysis of the variation of snout-vent length, coloration pattern, relative size of the frontal swelling, and presence/absence of the metatarsal gland showedthat characters previously used to separate both species resulted of no diagnostic value. Further comparison of the externalmorphology, osteological characters, and partial sequences of the cytochrome b gene indicated that M. orejasmirandai isa junior synonym of M. pachyrhynus. Melanophryniscus pachyrhynus is characterized by a reticulated orange ventral pat-tern which is shared only with M. peritus, from which it differs by its smaller size. The ornamentation of the nasal bonesunderlying the frontal swelling in M. pachyrhynus seems to be characteristic of the M. tumifrons group. An updated distribution map of M. pachyrhynus and some new localities are also provided.

The Rhinella granulosa group currently includes 12 species distributed eastern to the Andes, from Panama to central Argentina. We studied bioacoustic features of the advertisement calls in seven of these species: Rhinella azarai, R. bergi, R. centralis, R. dorbignyi, R. fernandezae, R. major, and R. merianae. In addition, we analyzed the release calls of R. azarai, R. bergi, R. dorbignyi, and R. fernandezae. The advertisement calls consisted of long trills, composed by notes with a variable pulse number (2-8) that was characteristic of each species. The release calls consisted of a single note, pulsed or not. Both advertisement and release calls clearly varied between species, except for R. dorbignyi and R. fernandezae. The study of specimens sharing exosomatic characters with R. bergi and R. major from a syntopy area, which presented intermediate spectral and temporal call parameters, confirmed natural hybridization between these two species. Fil: Guerra, Cecilia. Instituto de Herpetología, Fundacion Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina Fil: Baldo, Juan Diego. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina Fil: Rosset, Sergio Daniel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentina Fil: Borteiro, Claudio. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay Fil: Kolenc, Francisco. Museo Nacional de Historia Natural; Uruguay

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Chaunus dorbignyi and Chaunus fernandezae are the southernmost taxa of the Chaunus granulosus species group (formerly Bufo granulosus group). The biology of these species has been scarcely studied. In this sense, larval external morphology of Chaunus dorbignyi is described for the first time and compared with other species of the granulosus group, particularly with C. fernandezae. The tadpoles of C. dorbignyi at stages 31–35 are about 15 mm, and belong to the benthic ecomorphological guild. They have a depressed body, a slightly truncated snout, and the spiracle is placed on the posterior third of the body. The tail axis is straight, the dorsal fin begins at tail-body junction and ends broadly rounded. The vent tube is medial, it starts at midline and opens usually to the right, but in some specimens it opens to the left. The oral disc has a single row of marginal papillae, large dorsal gap, medium-sized ventral gap, and labial tooth row formula 2(2)/2. A multivariate analysis of morphometric variables provided differentiation from tadpoles of C. fernandezae, based on interorbital, eye-nostril and fronto-nasal distances, body maximum height and width, and dorsal gap length. However, the general aspect of both species is quite similar, and comparable to the tadpole of a related species, Chaunus pygmaeus. Other known tadpoles of the granulosus group are those of Chaunus granulosus beebei and Chaunus granulosus major, which differ from the above mentioned species in having a more depressed snout and body, and labial tooth row formula 2(2)/3. The observed variability in the vent tube opening of C. dorbignyi (and also in C. fernandezae) seems to depend on how the beginning of the ventral fin is folded, which is attached to the tube. This fact may have lead to different interpretations of vent tube configuration in the granulosus group, and must be taken into account in between-species comparisons.

We studied the oral apparatus, buccal cavity and musculoskeletal features in tadpoles of five species of the genus Scinax (S. acuminatus, S. uruguayus, S. aff. pinima, S. aromothyella, and S. berthae). Observed variation is mainly related to intrageneric grouping. Scinax acuminatus (S. ruber clade, sister taxon of S. rostratus group) has a distinctive combination of a mental gap in the margin of oral papillae, straight labial teeth with few or absent cusps, processus muscularis acute and posteriorly directed, and m. subarcualis rectus I with two slips. Scinax uruguayus and S. aff. pinima (S. uruguayus group) have keratinized sheets ventrolateral to the lower jaw sheath, well-developed infralabial and lateral ridge papillae, robust jaw cartilages, cornua trabeculae with short and widely divergent free portions, processus articularis short and wide, processus muscularis thin and directed anteriorly. Scinax aromothyella and S. berthae (S. catharinae group) have poorly developed, non-colored spurs behind the lower jaw sheath, long and thin processus articularis, wide and rounded processus muscularis, and tripartite cartilago suprarostralis. Anatomical features described are congruent with current phylogenetic arrangements based on molecular, chromosomal, and morphological data, and provide a source of information that can be useful to solve interspecific relationships within Scinax.

Although Physalaemus frogs are prominent members of Neotropical herpetofauna, larval stages are not known from more than half of the species in this genus. Herein, we describe the tadpole of Physalaemus henselii based on samples collected in Departamento de Rivera, northern Uruguay. General aspect and major external morphological features are similar to most of other known tadpoles of Physalaemus. Remarkable character states are a medial vent tube and the presence of dorsal and ventral gaps in the row of marginal oral papillae. Physalaemus henselii has been successively assigned to the P. cuvieri and to the P. henselii species groups, but no conclusions can be drawn in support of these associations from external larval morphology. Instead, we found that some character states may contribute to relate species, like the presence of a ventral gap in the marginal row of oral papillae which is shared by P. albonotatus, P. cuqui, P. cuvieri, P. fernandezae and P. henselii. This character state is unique among non-bufonid anurans, although it is also present in some species of the related genus Pseudopaludicola. In addition, P. albonotatus, P. cuqui and P. cuvieri tadpoles can be differentiated from P. fernandezae and P. henselii by the presence of two small ventrolateral gaps, which are absent in the latter.

Odontophrynus maisuma is a recently described diploid species of the diploid-tetraploid O. americanus complex. It inhabits coastal regions of Uruguay and southern Brazil. Tadpoles of O. maisuma at stages 33–36 are about 47 mm of total length, and similarly to that of other Odontophrynus are typical pond dwelling anuran larvae; the oral disc is small and laterally emarginated, bearing a single row of marginal papillae interrupted by a large dorsal gap. The labial tooth row formula is 2(2)/3(1); sometimes A2 and P1 are not divided. The advertisement call consists of notes that last 570– 785 ms, composed of 43–57 pulses, and with a dominant frequency between 1124–1211 Hz. The chromosome complement is composed by 11 biarmed chromosome pairs (2n = 2x = 22; NF = 44), with evident positive C-bands in the centromeric regions of all chromosome pairs, in the short arms of pairs 2 and 4, and in the long arms of pair 6 and 9. Nucleolar Organizer Regions (Ag-NORs) are located interstitially in the short arms of both chromosomes of pair 4. Preliminary data suggests that erythrocyte morphology could be used to discriminate between diploid and tetraploid tadpoles of Odontophrynus.