Lysapsus

Abstract: A new species of Pseudis is described from Sa o Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil It is known from the southern parts of the Serra Geral where it occurs in grassland, inhabiting permanent ponds and still-water zones of slow e owing creeks It is characterized by a paired vocal sac and a bulbous thumb, considerably widened at thebase It is distinguished from P minutusby its different call, body coloration, rounded snout, and a more robust body with shorter hindlimbs Advertisement call, tadpole, and life history are described The taxonomy of the family Pseudidae in Rio Grande do Sul is discussed, supporting the synonymy of Lysapsus mantidactylus and P meridionalis with P minutus

Abstract: Dendropsophini is the most species-rich tribe within Hylidae with 234 described species. Although cytogenetic information is sparse, chromosome numbers and morphology have been considered as an important character system for systematic inferences in this group. Using a diversity of standard and molecular techniques, we describe the previously unknown karyotypes of the genera Xenohyla , Scarthyla and Sphaenorhynchus and provide new information on Dendropsophus and Lysapsus . Our results reveal significant karyotype diversity among Dendropsophini, with diploid chromosome numbers ranging from 2n = 22 in S. goinorum , 2n = 24 in Lysapsus , Scinax , Xenohyla , and almost all species of Sphaenorhynchus and Pseudis , 2n = 26 in S. carneus , 2n = 28 in P. cardosoi , to 2n = 30 in all known Dendropsophus species. Although nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) and C-banding patterns show a high degree of variability, NOR positions in

Abstract: Paradoxical frogs (Pseudae) have been difficult to characterize morphologically, and their phylogenetic affinities have long remained elusive despite several taxonomic revisions of the group. Based on the analysis of 1388 specimens we evaluate morphological characters used to identify and group species throughout their distributions. We also suggest other, previously unreported phylogenetically informative morphological characters and evaluate morphometric differences among species. The geographic distribution of Pseudae in Brazil confirms, to a certain degree, their association with hydrographic basins. Geographic variation in morphology is extensive in some species. Some characters traditionally used to identify species (e.g. stripes on the ventral surface of the thigh) vary extensively among populations, and in most cases do not distinguish among species. Body shape differences, skin texture, size and number of carpal and metatarsal tubercles, supernumerary tubercles, vocal sac structure, dorsal coloration, ventral stripes on the thigh, and geographic distribution need to be considered together to correctly identify species. Size of reproductive Pseudis varies considerably, most likely as a response to local conditions altering larval size at metamorphosis, given that postmetamorphic growth is reduced or absent in Pseudis. The previously suggested suite of ecological characters that allow disproportionate larval growth are therefore substantiated, while the paradox of a conserved body plan coupled with extensive character variation is implicated as the cause for confusion in the taxonomy of paradoxical frogs.