A new cryptic species of the Pristimantis lacrimosus group (Anura, Strabomantidae) from the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes

• Published in: Evolutionary systematics Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 151 - 175
• Main Authors: Carrión-Olmedo, Julio C., Ron, Santiago R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 23-07-2021
• ISSN: 2535-0730; 2535-0730
• DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.62661

With 566 species, the neotropical genus
Pristimantis
is the most speciose vertebrate genus. As a result of its striking diversity, taxonomic reviews remain a challenge. Herein, we present an updated phylogeny of the
Pristimantis lacrimosus
group and describe a new species from Llanganates and Sangay National Parks. We also report, for the first time, the phylogenetic position of
Pristimantis degener
,
P. eugeniae
,
P. katoptroides
, and
P. petersi
. Based on our phylogeny, we add two species to the
Pristimantis lacrimosus
group. Through the integration of molecular and bioacoustic evidence, we describe a new species which was hidden under “
Pristimantis petersi
”.
Pristimantis petersioides
sp. nov.
is most closely related to
Pristimantis petersi
and an undescribed species from Peru. It can be distinguished from
P. petersi
by its advertisement call and large genetic differences (uncorrected
p
-genetic distances 7.9% to 8.4% for gene 16S). Moreover, the new species and
P. petersi
are not sister species. We suggest assigning the new species to the Endangered Red List category because it has a small distribution range with deforestation as result of agriculture and other anthropogenic influences.