A New Species of Scinax Wagler (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae) from the Atlantic Forest, Southeastern Brazil
The Scinax catharinae clade comprises the S. perpusillus and S. catharinae groups. The S. catharinae group has 38 species, mostly from Brazil's Atlantic Forest. We describe a new species of S. catharinae group based on external morphology, color pattern, and bioacoustics. The new species calls from herbaceous vegetation of slow-flowing streams from Santa Teresa, State of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. The new species is distinguished from species of the S. catharinae group by the following combination of characters: male SVL 24.8–28.3 mm and female SVL 31.2–38.6 mm; males with hypertrophied forearms and inguinal glands; interocular region with a dark blotch not exceeding beyond the anterior margin of tympanic level; black blotches on a whitish-green background on the inguinal region and hidden surfaces of legs; call type A of 0.301–0.883 s, and 12–30 notes emitted at a rate of 31.4–42.0 notes/s. We also provide remarks on its natural history and conservation status.
Holotype of Scinax pixinguinha (male, MBML 11853): (A) dorsal view (SVL 27.3 mm); (B) ventral view; (C) head dorsal view (HW 9.1 mm); (D) head lateral view (HEL 9.8 mm).
Holotype of Scinax pixinguinha (male, MBML 11853): (A) left hand ventral view (HL 8.4 mm); (B) left foot ventral view (FL 11.5 mm).
Holotype of Scinax pixinguinha in life (male, MBML 11853, SVL 27.3 mm): (A) lateral view; (B) dorsal view; (C) latero-frontal view of the head; and (D) lateral view showing coloration of inguinal region and concealed surfaces of legs.
Variation on the inguinal gland development of males of Scinax pixinguinha: (A) MBML 7913 and (B) MBML 11853.
Variation on the forearm hypertrophy of males (A–C) compared to the absence of forearm hypertrophy of females (D–F) of Scinax pixinguinha: (A) MNRJ 93666; (B) MBML 11855; (C) MBML 10959; (D) MBML 11851; (E) MNRJ 93665; and (F) MBML 11852.
Color pattern variation in life of Scinax pixinguinha: the bright yellow night coloration during fieldwork (left), and the light gray diurnal coloration during captivity (right) of male paratypes (A) MNRJ 93666 (SVL 26.7 mm) and (B) MNRJ 93667 (SVL 27.9 mm).
Oscillogram (above) and spectrogram (below) of a call type A emitted right after a call type B by an unvouchered male of Scinax pixinguinha at the species type locality (A–B). Zoom detailing the pulsed structure of call type B and pulsed notes of call type A (C–D). A distress call (E) emitted by the holotype of S. pixinguinha (MBML 11853).
(A) The breeding habitat of Scinax pixinguinha, slow-flowing stream at its type locality. (B) Calling male (unvouchered) of S. pixinguinha perched on herbaceous vegetation.
Distribution of Scinax pixinguinha. (A) State of Espírito Santo (shaded) in southeastern Brazil, (B) municipality of Santa Teresa (shaded) in Espírito Santo, and (C) the type locality Parque Natural Municipal de São Lourenço (yellow star); Seminário dos Freis (white circle [far left]); Museu de Biologia Mello Leitão (blue circle [middle]); and Propriedade Privada Carreta (red circle [far right]).
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