Plethodontohyla alluaudi | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Anura |
Family: | Microhylidae |
Subfamily: | Cophylinae |
Genus: | Plethodontohyla |
Species: | P. alluaudi |
Binomial name | |
Plethodontohyla alluaudi | |
Synonyms [3] | |
Dyscophus alluaudiMocquard, 1901 |
Plethodontohyla alluaudi is a frog belonging to the Madagascar-endemic subfamily Cophylinae of the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to southeastern Madagascar. It is a terrestrial and fossorial frog that occurs in rainforest, including littoral forest. Despite being locally abundant, it is a difficult frog to find. [1]
The species was originally described under the name Dyscophus alluaudi by Mocquard in 1901, [4] originally described from the locality 'Fort Dauphin'—probably meaning the general area around Tôlanaro rather than the city itself. [5] It was transferred to the genus Plethodontohyla in 1926, [6] where it remained until Guibé transferred it to Mantipus in 1974, [7] but he returned it to Plethodontohyla in 1978. [8] The taxon Plethodontohyla laevis from further north on the east coast of Madagascar was synonymised with the species P. alluaudi in 1991. [9] Blommers-Schlösser assigned a specimen from Mandraka in eastern Madagascar to this species, [10] and subsequent authors interpreted specimens from the area around Andasibe as belonging to this species as well. [11] Genetic sequences from specimens collected in this area were later used as the reference material for the species (summarised in ref. [5] ), and when it was found that the sequences of specimens of these species were more similar to sequences of the species Rhombophryne testudo than to other Plethodontohyla species, [12] it was moved to the genus Rhombophryne , along with a slew of other species. [13]
In 2017 Bellati et al. [5] conducted a thorough review of the taxonomy of this species and its associated synonyms, based on osteology, external morphology, and phylogenetics. They showed (1) that the holotype is a Plethodontohyla species based on its osteology, (2) the holotype does not agree in morphology with the specimens used as genetic reference material for the species, and these are clearly Rhombophryne species based on their osteology, meaning that the species included in molecular phylogenetic reconstructions as P. alluaudi until that point represent an undescribed Rhombophryne species, (3) Plethodontohyla laevis is not synonymous with P. alluaudi, but is probably its sister species (with one candidate species that needs to be clarified falling between these two taxa in their phylogeny), and (4) a further synonym, P. laevis tsianovohensis, probably is synonymous with P. alluaudi. As a result, the authors of that study recommended that the species be reinstated in the genus Plethodontohyla, and P. laevis should be recognised as a valid species.
The Microhylidae, commonly known as narrow-mouthed frogs, are a geographically widespread family of frogs. The 683 species are in 57 genera and 11 subfamilies.
Cophylinae is a subfamily of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar. It has over 100 species in eight genera. Members of this subfamily range from minute to fairly large, and they are highly ecologically diverse. DNA barcode research has revealed a significant taxonomic gap in this subfamily, and an estimated 70+ candidate species were identified. Many of these have subsequently been described, as well as numerous new discoveries.
Cophyla is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar.
Plethodontohyla is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar.
Stumpffia is a genus of microhylid frogs that are endemic to Madagascar. They are mostly brown frogs that typically live among leaf litter. S. contumelia has a snout–vent length of about 8–9 mm (0.31–0.35 in), making it one of the world's smallest frogs, and several others in the genus are only slightly larger. The largest species is no more than 28 mm (1.1 in).
Mantidactylus is a frog genus in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae. This genus is restricted to Madagascar. The genus is divided into several subgenera that form monophyletic genetic clusters and are ecologically similar.
Boophis is the only genus in the mantellid frog subfamily Boophinae. They are commonly known as bright-eyed or skeleton frogs. They show typical 'tree frog' traits, and are a good example of convergent evolution with morphologically similar species in the families Hylidae and Rhacophoridae, among others. This genus can only be found on Madagascar and Mayotte Island (Comoros).
Spinomantis aglavei is a species of frog in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae, endemic to Madagascar.
Blommersia blommersae is a species of frog in the family Mantellidae. It is endemic to east-central Madagascar. Both the generic and specific names honour Rose Marie Antoinette Blommers-Schlösser, a Dutch herpetologist and entomologist who collected the type series. Common name Moramanga Madagascar frog has been proposed for it.
Spinomantis peraccae is a species of frog in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae. It is endemic to Madagascar and widely distributed in the northern, eastern, and central parts of the island. The specific epithet honours Italian herpetologist Mario Giacinto Peracca. Common name Peracca's Madagascar frog has been coined for it.
Rhombophryne is a genus of microhylid frogs endemic to Madagascar. It is currently estimated to include more than 23 species, but only 20 of these are currently described. The common name 'diamond frog' has been proposed and used for members of this genus.
Anilany helenae is a species of frog in the microyhlid subfamily Cophylinae. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Anilany, and is endemic to central Madagascar.
Gephyromantis is a frog genus in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae. This genus is restricted to Madagascar. At present it contains 45 species divided into six subgenera.
Guibemantis is a frog genus in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae. This genus is restricted to Madagascar. At present it contains 25 species divided into two subgenera.
Rhombophryne coudreaui is a species of frog in the family Microhylidae. It is endemic to northeastern Madagascar. The specific name coudreaui honours Jean Coudreau, a colonial forestry administrator in Madagascar who collected the holotype. Common names Coudreau's frog and Betampona digging frog have been coined for it.
Rhombophryne serratopalpebrosa is a species of frog of the Madagascar endemic microhylid subfamily Cophylinae. Genetic evidence revealed that it is a species complex, in need of resolution. This work has made significant progress, and five related species have been described from this complex between 2014 and 2017. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Spinomantis bertini is a species of frog in the mantellid subfamily Mantellinae, endemic to Madagascar.
Spinomantis guibei is a species of frog in the Mantellid subfamily Mantellinae, endemic to Madagascar.
Spinomantis microtis is a species of frog in the Mantellid subfamily Mantellinae, endemic to Madagascar.
Rhombophryne botabota is a medium-sized species of frogs of the Madagascar endemic microhylid subfamily Cophylinae. It is found in the montane rainforests of northern Madagascar. It was described in 2016 from seven specimens.