Wednesday, November 1, 2017

[Herpetology • 2017] Ameerega munduruku • A New Species of Poison Frog, Genus Ameerega (Anura: Dendrobatidae), from the southern Amazonian Rain Forest


Ameerega munduruku
Neves, Silva, Akieda, Cabrera, Koroiva & Santana, 2017

 SALAMANDRA. 53(4); 485–493.  

Abstract
 A new species of poison frog in the Ameerega picta group is described from Amazonia, states of Pará and Mato Grosso. It inhabits rock outcrops in open areas near streams of the central Teles Pires River system. The new species differs from congeners by the combination of four characters: 24.87–28.59 mm adult SVL, black immaculate dorsum, white ventral side with black vermicular blotches, and an orange stripe in the axillar region. Genetically, the new species is most closely related to A. flavopicta

Key words. Amphibia, Anura, Dendrobatidae, Ameerega sp. n., A. picta group, systematics, taxonomy, Brazil.


Figure 3. Individual of Ameerega munduruku sp. n. in life from the type locality (non-collected specimen) in (a) dorsal and (b) ventral views.

Ameerega munduruku sp. n.

Diagnosis: The following characters diagnose the new species as a member of the genus Ameerega sensu Grant et al. (2006): colour in life aposematic; bright signal spot in the calf region present; light dorsolateral stripe present; light lateral stripe absent (the line visible from the lower lip to groin is an extension of the ventral coloration); presence of the lateral stripe dark; neopalatinae present; dorsal skin slightly granular; finger I > finger II when adpressed; webbing between toes absent; presence of dermal flap.

Life History: We found specimens of Ameerega munduruku sp. n. in Mato Grosso Seasonal Forest and Madeira-Tapajós Forest of the Amazon forest domain. Individuals inhabited rock outcrops near water bodies in glades within forested areas, using rocks on the floor as shelter. Additional individuals were observed inside the forest habitat. The new species is apparently common in the area, and is easily found on fallen trunks, in leaf litter and on rocks. Males were calling at 09:30 h perched on the herbaceous vegetation, ~ 30 cm above the ground. We found one male (not collected) carrying nine tadpoles on its dorsum during the wet season (November 2016). Allobates tapajos and Adenomera sp. were found sympatrically with A. munduruku sp. n. 

Etymology: The specific epithet munduruku is a noun in apposition referring to the Munduruku ethnic group, which inhabits the southwestern parts of the state of Pará and the northern region of the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. 

Distribution: The new species is only known from the type locality (Jacareacanga Municipality, state of Pará) and one site ~ 70 km away on the other side of the Teles Pires River (Paranaíta Municipality, Mato Grosso State) (Fig. 5). 


Matheus Oliveira Neves, Leandro Alves da Silva, Paulo Sérgio Akieda, Rodrigo Cabrera, Ricardo Koroiva and Diego José Santana. 2017. A New Species of Poison Frog, Genus Ameerega (Anura: Dendrobatidae), from the southern Amazonian Rain Forest. SALAMANDRA. 53(4); 485–493.