Systematics of treefrogs of the Hypsiboas calcaratus and Hypsiboas fasciatus species complex (Anura,Hylidae) with the description of four new species

We review the systematics of the Hypsiboas calcaratus species complex, a group of widely distributed Amazonian hylid frogs. A comprehensive analysis of genetic, morphological, and bioacoustic datasets uncovered the existence of eleven candidate species, six of which are confirmed. Two of them correspond to Hypsiboas fasciatus and Hypsiboas calcaratus and the remaining four are new species that we describe here. Hypsiboas fasciatus sensu stricto has a geographic range restricted to the eastern Andean foothills of southern Ecuador while Hypsiboas calcaratus sensu stricto has a wide distribution in the Amazon basin. Hypsiboas almendarizae sp. n. occurs at elevations between 500 and 1950 m in central and northern Ecuador; the other new species (H. maculateralis sp. n., H. alfaroi sp. n., and H. tetete sp. n.) occur at elevations below 500 m in Amazonian Ecuador and Peru. The new species differ from H. calcaratus and H. fasciatus in morphology, advertisement calls, and mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Five candidate species from the Guianan region, Peru, and Bolivia are left as unconfirmed. Examination of the type material of Hyla steinbachi, from Bolivia, shows that it is not conspecific with H. fasciatus and thus is removed from its synonymy.     

秘鲁亚马孙北部地区蝙蝠新记录

位于秘鲁的亚马孙盆地北部是世界小型哺乳动物多样性最高的地区之一.该文报道了亚马孙流域在秘鲁伊基托斯的蝙蝠物种多样性:这里的蝙蝠物种数约占秘鲁已知152个蝙蝠物种的60%.与在该地区之前开展的研究不同,本次调查范围为城市和农村地区.结果发现1个秘鲁新记录(Eumops delticus)、8个伊基托斯新记录(Peropteryx macrotis、Peropteryx pallidoptera、Anoura caudifer、Lionycteris spurrelli、Vampyrum spectrum、Thyroptera lavali、Cynomops planirostris和Molossus coibensis)和1个秘鲁东北部新记录(Eumops maurus).

Abstract：

The northern Amazon Basin in Peru is one of the most diverse areas for small mammals in the world. In this work, I present information related to the diversity of bat species in the Amazonian region of Iquitos, Peru, where nearly 60% of the 152 bat species known to Peru recorded. Unlike in previous investigations in this area, bat surveys were designed to detect species living in urban and rural areas. The results have added a new bat species (Eumops delticus) to the Peruvian fauna, eight new species for the region around Iquitos (Peropteryx macrotis, Peropteryx pallidoptera, Anoura caudifer, Lionycteris spurrelli, Vampyrum spectrum, Thyroptera lavali, Cynomops planirostris, and Molossus coibensis), and a new species for Northeast Peru (Eumops maurus).     

Solatium hygrothermicum,new potato species cultivated in the lowlands of Peru

Solanum hygrothermicumOchoa, a new potato species, is described. This species is cultivated by some native inhabitants of the warm humid lowlands of Peru, such as the Campasand Aguarunasin the central Amazon basin and Machigangasin southeastern Peru. Cultivation is limited only to some members of the tribes. The species belongs to series Tuberosaand has 2n = 4x= 48 chromosomes. It is the only potato cultivated under the climatic regime of the warm rainforest in the Peruvian Amazon basin, where it is native. Unfortunately, this rare potato is becoming extinct.     

A new species of Amblyodus Westwood, 1878 (Coleoptera, Melolonthidae, Dynastinae) from South America

A second species of Amblyodus Westwood, 1878, Amblyodus castroi sp. n., is described from the northern South America based on 12 specimens from Brazil and Peru (Amazonian subregion). The new species is here compared with the type species of the genus, Amblyodus taurus Westwood, 1878 and both species and their male genitalia are illustrated. Diagnostic characters for the genus are discussed, especially the metatibial teeth. A distribution map including the type species and the new species is provided. The genus Amblyodus is recorded for the first time from Peru and from Brazil states of Pará and Rondônia.     

Genetic structure in the Amazonian catfish Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii: influence of life history strategies

The Dorado or Plateado (Gilded catfish) Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii (Pimelodidae, Siluriformes) is a commercially valuable migratory catfish performing the largest migration in freshwaters: from the Amazonian headwaters in the Andean foothills (breeding area) to the Amazon estuary (nursery area). In spite of its importance to inform management and conservation efforts, the genetic variability of this species has only recently begun to be studied. The aim of the present work was to determine the population genetic structure of B. rousseauxii in two regions: the Upper Madera Basin (five locations in the Bolivian Amazon) and the Western Amazon Basin (one regional sample from the Uyucalí–Napo–Marañon–Amazon basin, Peru). Length polymorphism at nine microsatellite loci (284 individuals) was used to determine genetic variability and to identify the most probable panmictic units (using a Bayesian approach), after a significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was observed in the overall dataset (Western Amazon + Upper Madera). Bayesian analyses revealed at least three clusters in admixture in the five locations sampled in the Bolivian Amazon, whereas only two of these clusters were observed in the Western Amazon. Considering the migratory behaviour of B. rousseauxii, different life history strategies, including homing, are proposed to explain the cluster distribution. Our results are discussed in the light of the numerous threats to the species survival in the Madera basin, in particular dam and reservoir construction.     

New species of Demidospermus (Monogenea: Dactylogyridae) of pimelodid catfish (Siluriformes) from Peruvian Amazonia and the reassignment of Urocleidoides lebedevi Kritsky and Thatcher, 1976

Three new species of Demidospermus Suriano, 1983 were found in mixed infections on the gills of 4 pimelodid catfish collected in the Amazon River basin around Iquitos, Peru, namely, Demidospermus peruvianus n. sp. from Pimelodus ornatus Kner, Pimelodus blochii Valenciennes, Pimelodus sp. (type host), and an unidentified pimelodid. Demidospermus peruvianus n. sp. (type host, Pimelodus sp.) is characterized by the presence of the male copulatory organ with 2 lateral, thickened projections, and the vagina with a loop at its middle. Demidospermus curvovaginatus n. sp. from P. ornatus , Pimelodus sp. (type host), and Pimelodidae gen. sp. differs from its congeners by the presence of a funnel-shaped vagina directed posteriorly and a male copulatory organ with a small lateral projection at its base. Demidospermus striatus n. sp. from P. blochii and Pimelodus sp. (type host) is distinguished by a cup-shaped vagina with conspicuous ridges at the perimeter of the aperture with a short tube directed anteriorly. In addition, Urocleidoides lebedevi Kritsky and Thatcher, 1976 , a parasite originally described from the gills of Pimelodus grosskopfii (type host) from Colombia, is transferred to Demidospermus , based on morphological characters that we observed in type specimens.     

Morphology and surface ultrastructure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dadaytrema oxycephala</Emphasis> (Digenea: Cladorchiidae) with a new host record from Peruvian Amazon floodplain

In this study, a new host record for Dadaytrema oxycephala (Digenea: Cladorchiidae) is described from an important Amazonian ornamental fish. The parasite was identified based in the general morphology and surface ultrastructure of the young and mature trematodes using scanning electron microscopy. The digenetic trematodes were found in the intestine of 15 of 80 specimens (18.7%) of Brochis multiradiatus captured from two floodplain lakes of the Amazonas River, Department of Loreto, Peru and no clinical signs were observed in the parasitized organ. This is the first report of D. oxycephala parasitizing fish of the genus Brochis in the Amazon basin and the first to report this parasite infection in an ornamental fish from Peru. Given that international trade of ornamental fish is a major factor for transboundary spreading of fish parasites and taking account that Peru is the second largest exporter of the Amazonian countries, there is a fundamental need of constant monitoring for diagnosis and timely control of infections by digeneans in order to better prevent introduction in new environments, dissemination and future disease outbreaks.     

Habitat specifity,endemism and the neotropical distribution of Amazonian white‐water floodplain trees

.The Amazon basin is covered by the most species‐rich forests in the world and is considered to house many endemic tree species. Yet, most Amazonian ecosystems lack reliable estimates of their degree of endemism, and causes of tree diversity and endemism are intense matters of debate. We reviewed the spatial distribution of 658 of the most important flood‐tolerant Amazonian white‐water (várzea) tree species across the entire Neotropics by using data from herbaria, floras, inventories and checklists. Our results show that 90% of the várzea tree species are partially or widely distributed across neotropical macro‐regions and biomes. Chi‐square analyses indicated that várzea species richness in non‐várzea macro‐regions was dependent on the flooding gradient and the longitudinal position. Cluster analysis combined with association tests indicated four significant patterns of várzea species distributions depending on species flood‐tolerance (low vs high) and spatial distribution (restricted vs widespread). We predict that the predominance of Andean substrates is the most important factor that determines the distribution of várzea tree species within and beyond the Amazon basin and explains the high floristic similarity to the Orinoco floodplains. Distribution patterns in other extra‐Amazonian macro‐regions are more likely linked to climatic factors, with rainforest climates housing more várzea species than savanna climates. 130 tree species were restricted to South‐American freshwater floodplains, and 68 (> 10%) were endemic to Amazonian várzea. We detected two centers of endemism, one in the western Amazon characterized by low and brief floods, and one in the central Amazon, characterized by high and prolonged floods. Differences in taxonomic composition of endemic centers in the western and central Amazon are the result of different abiotic factors (i.e. flood regimes), as well as the regional species pools from where the species are recruited from. We hypothesize that numerous morphological, physiological and biochemical adaptations permit survival of trees in flooded environments. Furthermore, these adaptations are independently derived across many taxa and result in a highly specialized flora. We attribute higher than expected levels of endemism to the great spatial extent and age of floodplain ecosystems in the Amazon basin, and highlight the role of Amazonian várzea as an potential driver in speciation and diversification processes.     

Cytogenetic and molecular characteristics of Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon sp. (Chondrichthyes,Myliobatiformes, Potamotrygonidae) from the Amazon basin: Implications for the taxonomy of the genus

The chromosomes of two freshwater stingrays, Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon sp., from the Amazon River basin in Brazil were investigated using integrated molecular (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1) and cytogenetic analyses. Potamotrygon motoro presented intraspecific variation in the diploid number, with 2n=66 in the females and 2n=65 in the males, while Potamotrygon sp. had a karyotype with 66 chromosomes, in both sexes. The C-banding revealed the presence of heterochromatic blocks accumulated in the centromeric region of all the chromosomes in both species. The FISH assays with 18S DNA probes highlighted the terminal region of three or four chromosome pairs in P. motoro and seven chromosomes in Potamotrygon sp. The rDNA 5S sequences were found in only one chromosomal pair in both species. The interspecific genetic distance based on the COI sequences, between P. motoro and Potamotrygon sp. from Amazon River was 10.8%, while that between the Amazonian P. motoro and Potamotrygon amandae from the Paraná River was 2.2%, and the genetic distance between Potamotrygon sp. and P. amandae was 11.8%. In addition to the new insights on the cytogenetics of the study species, the results of the present study confirmed the existence of heteromorphic sex-linked chromosomes in P. motoro.     

Phylogeographic patterns of trans-Amazonian vicariants and Amazonian biogeography: the Neotropical rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus complex) as an example

Aim To investigate the phylogeography and execute a historical‐demographic analysis of the Neotropical rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus, thereby testing the hypothesis of a Pleistocene central Amazon corridor of dry forest or savanna that partitioned the Amazonian rain forest into western and eastern portions. Location South America. Methods Using sequences of three mitochondrial genes, we estimated the phylogeography, gene and nucleotide diversity across the South American range of C. durissus. Tree topology tests were used to test alternative biogeographical hypotheses, and tests of population genetic structure and statistical parsimony networks and nested clade phylogeographic analysis (NCPA) were used to infer connectivity and historical population processes on both sides of the Amazon basin. Results Tree topology tests rejected the hypothesis of a coastal dispersal in favour of a central corridor scenario. Gene diversity was similar on both sides of the Amazon basin. Nucleotide diversity indicated that the populations from north of the Amazon basin represented ancestral populations. Analysis of molecular variance (amova ) showed that intra‐population molecular variation was greater than between regions. Historical‐demographic statistics showed significant population expansion south of the Amazon, and little differentiation in the north, indicating moderate past gene flow between north and south of the Amazon. The parsimony network connected clades from the Roraima and Guyana populations with Mato Grosso, suggesting an Amazonian central corridor, and NCPA supported allopatric fragmentation between north and south of the Amazon. Main conclusions The distribution of C. durissus on both sides of the Amazon basin is evidence of changes in the distribution of rain forest vegetation during the Pleistocene. Our results suggest a formerly continuous distribution of this rattlesnake along a central Amazonian corridor during the middle Pleistocene. Allopatric fragmentation inferred from NCPA is consistent with vicariance resulting from a subsequent closure of this habitat corridor. This study emphasizes the potential of trans‐Amazonian open formation species to inform the debate on the past distribution of rain forests in the Amazon Basin.     

A novel Ceratomyxa species (Myxozoa: Cnidaria) infecting an Amazonian catfish

Parasites are important organisms for the health of ecosystems. While the Amazon Basin is home to a great diversity of ichthyofauna, our knowledge of myxozoan diversity in the biome remains relatively limited. The present study describes a new myxozoan species, Ceratomyxa mandii n. sp., parasitizing the gallbladder of the Amazonian catfish Pimelodina flavipinnis (Pimelodidae) from the Solimões River, in the region of Manaus, Brazil. Light and electron microscopy,  small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed. The new species exhibited worm-like plasmodia with undulatory motility. The SSU rDNA based phylogenetic analysis revealed it to be a sister taxon of C. gracillima, which also parasitizes an Amazonian pimelodid fish, possibly reflecting a host-parasite co-speciation process. This study contributes to our understanding of this little sampled group of organisms.     

Revision of Ticorea Aubl. (Rutaceae, Galipeinae)

Ticorea comprises five species, which occur in the Guianas, throughout the Amazonian basin, and on the lower eastern slopes of the Andes in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Two of the five are described here as new: T. diandra, from eastern Ecuador and adjacent Peru, and T. froesii, from Maranhão and Pará, Brazil.     

Taxonomic revision of the South American fish genus Chalceus Cuvier (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characiformes) with the description of three new species

The Neotropical characid fishes of the genus Chalceus Cuvier, 1817, are reviewed. In total, five species are recognized (including three new species). Chalceus epakros sp. nov. is the most widespread geographically, occurring in many rivers of the Amazon basin, the Río Orinoco and in the Essequibo River drainage in Guyana. Chalceus guaporensis sp. nov. is restricted to the upper Rio Madeira, Rio Guaporé and Río Madre de Dios, of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, respectively. Chalceus spilogyros sp. nov. occurs only in the Rio Trombetas, lower Rio Tapajós and lower Rio Madeira drainages. Chalceus macrolepidotus Cuvier occurs in the Rio Negro drainage, middle and lower Río Orinoco basin and in the rivers of the Atlantic slopes of the Guianas, and Chalceus erythrurus Cope in the Rio Amazonas and Rio Solimões to Río Ucayali drainage in Peru. Chalceus ararapeera Cuvier & Valenciennes and Creagrutus pellegrini Puyo are considered synonyms of C. macrolepidotus , and Pellegrinina heterolepis Fowler is placed into the synonymy of C. erythrurus . Characters pertaining to the monophyly of Chalceus are discussed and a key to species is presented.  © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2004, 140 , 103−135.     

Chromosome evolution in fish: sex chromosome variability in Eigenmannia virescens (Gymnotiformes: Sternopygidae)

New data are presented on the sex chromosomes of the fish species Eigenmannia virescens (Gymnotiformes, Sternopygidae). A new finding, involving the occurrence of ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes, is described in specimens sampled from the S?o Francisco and Amazon river basins in Brazil. All individuals had a chromosome number of 2n = 38. The homologs of the sex chromosome pair from the S?o Francisco river basin sample differed only in their morphology, while those from the Amazonian sample differed both in morphology and heterochromatin pattern. A possible model for the evolution of the sex chromosomes in E. virescens is proposed, including data from populations from the Paraná (Brazil) river basin, in which male heterogamety has already been described. The occurrence of different sex chromosome systems in species and populations of the neotropical freshwater fish fauna is discussed.     

A new species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin (Characiformes: Characidae) from the western Amazon basin in Colombia and Peru

Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete n. sp. is described from the Río Caquetá drainage in Colombia and the Río Ucayali drainage in Peru, western Amazon. The new species is diagnosed from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: a conspicuous narrow midlateral stripe, starting on the sides of the body behind the opercle near the lateral line; lateral stripe overlapped anteriorly with a vertically elongated humeral blotch; inner premaxillary teeth pentacuspid; margin of anal fin falcate in mature males.     

Three new species of woodlizards (Hoplocercinae,Enyalioides) from northwestern South America

The discovery of three new species of Enyalioides from the tropical Andes in Ecuador and northern Peru is reported. Enyalioides altotambo sp. n. occurs in northwestern Ecuador and differs from other species of Enyalioides in having dorsal scales that are both smooth and homogeneous in size, a brown iris, and in lacking enlarged, circular and keeled scales on the flanks. Enyalioides anisolepis sp. n. occurs on the Amazonian slopes of the Andes in southern Ecuador and northern Peru and can be distinguished from other species of Enyalioides by its scattered, projecting large scales on the dorsum, flanks, and hind limbs, as well as a well-developed vertebral crest, with the vertebrals on the neck at least three times higher than those between the hind limbs. Enyalioides sophiarothschildae sp. n. is from the Amazonian slopes of the Cordillera Central in northeastern Peru; it differs from other species of Enyalioides in having caudal scales that are relatively homogeneous in size on each caudal segment, a white gular region with a black medial patch and several turquoise scales in males, as well as immaculate white labials and chin. A molecular phylogenetic tree of 18 species of hoplocercines is presented, including the three species described in this paper and Enyalioides cofanorum, as well as an updated identification key for species of Hoplocercinae.     

Biology, conservation and status of the Amazonian Manatee Trichechus inunguis

The Amazonian Manatee Trichechus inunguis (Natterer, 1883) is the only exclusively freshwater sirenian and the smallest of the living species. Its inability to reduce peripheral heat loss limits its distribution to tropical waters. The species is endemic to the Amazonian region, being distributed throughout the Amazon basin, occurring mainly in calm waters and lakes. The species has been commercially exploited since 1542, with the meat and hide being the main products extracted. This commercial exploitation, combined with their very low reproductive rate, has seriously reduced the manatee population. Therefore the Amazonian Manatee is now considered an endangered species. Although it is protected by most of the countries where it occurs, there is no law enforcement, and the species is still captured throughout the Amazon. Data on general biology, physiology and management of the Amazonian Manatee, as well as its status and recommendations for its conservation, are presented.     

Genetic divergence and speciation in lowland and montane peruvian poison frogs

Amazonia is famous for high biodiversity, and the highlands of the transition zone between the Andes and the lowlands of the Amazon basin show particularly high species diversity. Hypotheses proposed to explain the high levels of diversity in the highlands include repeated parapatric speciation across ecological gradients spanning the transition zone, repeated allopatric speciation across geographic barriers between the highlands and lowlands, divergence across geographic barriers within the transition zone, and simple lineage accumulation over long periods of time. In this study, we investigated patterns of divergence in frogs of the genus Epipedobates (family Dendrobatidae) using phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses of divergence in mitochondrial DNA (1778 aligned positions from genes encoding cyt b, 12S and 16S rRNA for 60 Epipedobates and 11 outgroup specimens) and coloration (measured for 18 specimens representing nine species in Epipedobates). The majority of phenotypic and species diversity in the poison frog genus Epipedobates occurs in the transition zone, although two morphologically conserved members of the genus are distributed across the lowlands of the Amazon basin. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that there is a single highland clade derived from an ancestral colonization event in northern Peru by a population of lowland ancestry. Epipedobates trivittatus, a widespread Amazonian species, is a member of the highland clade that reinvaded the lowlands. Comparative analyses of divergence in coloration and mtDNA reveals that divergence in coloration among populations and species in the highlands has been accelerated relative to the lowlands. This suggests a role for selection in the divergence of coloration among populations and species.