Editorial Type:
Article Category: Research Article
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Online Publication Date: 27 Dec 2011

The Identity of Eupemphix fuscomaculatus Steindachner, 1864 (Amphibia: Anura)

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Page Range: 513 – 522
DOI: 10.1643/CH-10-103
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Abstract

Eupemphix fuscomaculatus Steindachner, 1864 was described on the basis of a single specimen collected at Caiçara, 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 Río 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 Río 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 type locality of P. biligonigerus to the surroundings of La Paz, Entre Ríos Province, Argentina.

Copyright: 2011 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Fig. 1. 
Fig. 1. 

Holotype of Eupemphix fuscomaculatus, NMW 4316. (A) Dorsal view; (B) head, lateral view; (C) detail of the inguinal region; note the flat, rounded, and darkly pigmented inguinal gland; (D) foot; note the small, pointed tarsal tubercle and the compressed metatarsal tubercles.

Fig. 2. 
Fig. 2. 

Specimens of Pleurodema bibroni from Río Apa, Paraguay, MZUT An447-2 except B (An447-3). (A) Dorsal view; (B) head, lateral view; note the tympanum and postcommissural gland; (C) inguinal region; note the prominent oval gland in lumbar position; (D) foot; note the small, elongated metatarsal tubercles and absence of tarsal tubercle.

Fig. 3. 
Fig. 3. 

Holotype of Physalaemus biligonigerus, ANSP 2265. (A) Dorsal view; (B) head, lateral view; (C) detail of the inguinal region; note the flat and oval inguinal gland; (D) foot; note the small, pointed tarsal tubercle and the compressed metatarsal tubercles.

Contributor Notes

Associate Editor: D. Kizirian.

1  Sección Herpetología, Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, 25 de Mayo 582, Montevideo, Uruguay; E-mail: (FK) fkolenc@gmail.com; and (CB) borteiro@gmail.com. Send reprint requests to FK.
2  Universidad Católica del Uruguay, Ocho de Octubre 2738, Montevideo, Uruguay.
3  Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones, Félix de Azara 1552, 3300 Posadas, Misiones, Argentina; E-mail: (DB) diegobaldo@gmail.com; and (FM) fedemarangoni@gmail.com.
4  Instituto de Herpetología, Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.
5  División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”—CONICET, Ángel Gallardo 470, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina; E-mail: (DPF) dferraro@macn.gov.ar; and (JF) julian@macn.gov.ar.
6  Sección Herpetología, División Zoología Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque S/No., 1900 La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
7  Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Received: 13 Jul 2010
Accepted: 28 Jul 2011
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