A new semiarboreal species of the Rhinella festae group is described from montane forests of the Cordillera Azul National Park between 1245 and 1280 m a.s.l. in the Cordillera Oriental, San Martín region, northern Peru. The new species is morphologically and genetically compared with members of the Rhinella acrolopha group (former genus Rhamphophryne) and members of the R. festae group. The new species is characterized by its large size (female SVL 47.1–58.3 mm, n = 4), eight presacral vertebrae, fusion of the sacrum and coccyx, long protuberant snout, snout directed slightly anteroventral in lateral view, cranial crests moderately developed, absence of occipital crest, presence of tympanic membrane, dorsolateral rows of small conical tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin, hands and feet with long digits, fingers basally webbed and toes moderately webbed. Phylogenetically it is a member of the R. festae group which is most closely related to R. chavin and R. yanachaga from Peru. Morphologically the new species shares similarities with R. tenrec and R. truebae, members of the R. acrolopha group from Colombia.

Amphibia , phylogeny, Rhinella acrolopha group, Rhinella lilyrodriguezae new species

The family Bufonidae Gray, 1825 comprises a clade of neobatrachian anurans commonly known as “true toads” of approximately 600 species and more than 50 genera (Frost 2016). Rhinella Fitzinger, 1826 (former part of the genus Bufo) is one of the most diverse bufonid genera currently composed of 91 species and broadly distributed throughout the Neotropical region (Pramuk 2006, Frost et al. 2006, Pereyra et al. 2015, Frost 2016). In Peru, the family Bufonidae has 54 species assigned to seven genera (AmphibiaWeb 2017): Amazophrynella (4), Atelopus (18), Nannophryne (2), Rhaebo (3), Rhinella (25), Truebella (2). Six similarity-defined groups within the genus Rhinella in South America are traditionally recognized based on anatomical and external characters, as follows: Rhinella acrolopha, R. crucifer, R. granulosa, R. margaritifera, R. marina, R. spinulosa and R. veraguensis groups (Martin 1972, Duellman and Schulte 1992, Grant and Bolívar-G. 2014)

The former genus Rhamphophryne Trueb, 1971, now a part of Rhinella, comprised several species of bufonid toads distributed in South American tropical forests. Most of the diversity of this genus occurs in montane forests, with nine species in northern Colombia and eastern Panama (R. acrolopha Trueb, 1971; R. lindae Rivero & Castaño, 1990; R. macrorhina Trueb, 1971; R. nicefori Cochran & Goin, 1970; R. paraguas Grant & Bolívar-G., 2014; R. rostrata Noble, 1920; R. ruizi Grant, 2000“1999”; R. tenrec Lynch & Renjifo, 1990; and R. truebae Lynch & Renjifo, 1990) and one species extending also to the upper Amazonian Basin of Ecuador (R. festae Peracca, 1904). From early on, the monophyly of the genus was not supported by Cannatella (1986) and Graybeal and Cannatella (1995). These authors noted that the only diagnostic feature of Rhamphophryne was the anteriorly ossified sphenethmoid forming a protuberant snout, which is variable in some species (R. nicefori and R. rostrata).

Recently, based on morphological and molecular data, the generic name Rhamphophryne was synonymized with Rhinella Fitzinger, 1826 by Chaparro et al. (2007) following results of Pauly et al. (2004), Frost et al. (2006) and Pramuk (2006). Grant and Bolívar-G. (2014) adopted the nomination Rhinella acrolopha group consisting of the species of the former genus Rhamphophryne, nevertheless, they did not formally propose delimitation of this species group. In a phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene of available species, Moravec et al. (2014) proposed a new species-group name, Rhinella festae group, for a clade of toads containing the following seven species: R. chavin (Lehr, Köhler, Aguilar & Ponce, 2001); R. festae; R. macrorhina; R. manu (Chaparro, Pramuk & Gluesenkamp, 2007); R. nesiotes (Duellman & Toft, 1979); R. rostrata; and R. yanachaga (Lehr, Pramuk, Hedges & Córdova, 2007). This monophylum is assumed to be integrated by certain species of the R. acrolopha group and some species of the R. veraguensis group (Pramuk 2006, Chaparro et al. 2007, Pramuk et al. 2008, Moravec et al. 2014, Grant and Bolívar-G. 2014). The Rhinella veraguensis group defined on morphological similarities by Duellman and Schulte (1992), modified by Padial et al. (2006) and Chaparro et al. (2007), is now recognized as a paraphyletic group. As a result, both R. acrolopha and R. veraguensis groups are artificial groupings lacking synapomorphies that define each species group. It is evident that comparison of molecular data of other Rhinella species is necessary to precise species composition of the individual species groups within the genus Rhinella. For example, a close relationship between [R. festae + [R. macrorhina + R. rostrata]] and [R. chavin + [R. manu + R. nesiotes]] was uncovered by Pyron and Wiens (2011). Grant and Bolívar-G. (2014) pointed out that sequences of R. macrorhina and R. rostrata were not included into the genetic analysis made by Moravec et al. (2014). However, we argue that the GenBank samples of “R. macrorhina” and “R. rostrata” used in studies of Van Bocxlaer et al. (2010) and Pyron and Wiens (2011) are probably both R. macrorhina and must be carefully evaluated due to lower quality of DNA sequences (see Taxon sampling for more details). Herein, we follow Moravec et al. (2014) and assign the below-described new species into the Rhinella festae group.

The Cordillera Azul National Park (herein CAZNP) located in the Cordillera Oriental of the Andes, Loreto, San Martín, Huánuco and Ucayali regions, is one of the most diverse natural protected areas in northern Peru. CAZNP has an extension of more than 13,000 km² with an altitudinal range from 200 to 2400 m a.s.l. between the Huallaga and Ucayali rivers (INRENA 2006, Alverson et al. 2001). Rodríguez et al. (2001) conducted the first herpetological surveys of the CAZNP and recorded 58 species of amphibians and 24 species of reptiles from the basins of the rivers Pisqui and Pauya, Loreto. The recent discovery of new species of woodlizards (Enyalioides azulae Venegas, Torres-Carvajal, Durán & De Queiroz, 2013; and E. binzayedi Venegas, Torres-Carvajal, Durán & De Queiroz, 2013) and poison frogs (Ranitomeya benedicta Brown, Twomey, Pepper & Sanchez-Rodriguez, 2008; R. summersi Brown, Twomey, Pepper & Sanchez-Rodriguez, 2008; and Ameerega yoshina Brown and Twomey, 2009) within the CAZNP have increased the knowledge of the faunal diversity of this region. Most recently, Tasker and Twomey (2015) recorded 74 species of amphibians in the San Martín and Loreto regions of the CAZNP. As part of the aforementioned survey, Kaitlin Tasker and Juan C. Cusi conducted fieldworks in the surroundings of the Park Rangers Center N° 53 “Shapaja” at CAZNP, close to Tocache city in 2013, resulting in a discovery of a morphologically distinguishable Rhinella species, which was tentatively reported under the name Rhinella cf. festae by Tasker and Twomey (2015).

Here, a thorough comparison of this new bufonid from the Cordillera Azul National Park with other related Rhinella species is provided, its phylogenetic position based on DNA barcoding data elucidated, and the taxon formally described as a new species of the Rhinella festae group.

Fieldwork and deposition of specimens. Six specimens of the new species were collected inside the CAZNP (Fig. 1). All specimens were euthanized using an anesthetic 7.5% benzocaine gel on ventral surface of the individuals (McDiarmid 1994, Angulo et al. 2006). Tissue samples (liver and muscle pieces) were removed prior to preservation and stored in 96% ethanol, while specimens were fixed using 10% formalin and stored in 70% ethanol. All specimens were deposited at the herpetological collection of the Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (MUSM), Lima, Peru.

Figure 1. 

Map showing the type localities of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (○, yellow), selected species of the former genus Rhamphophryne (⊡, blue; with numbers 1 R. acrolopha 2 R. tenrec 3 R. lindae 4 R. nicefori 5 R. rostrata 6 R. ruizi 7 R. paraguas), species of the Rhinella festae group (⊙, red; with letters a R. macrorhina b R. festae c R. chavin d R. yanachaga e R. manu, f: Rhinella cf. nesiotes) and type localities of Rhinella nesiotes (★, green star) and Rhinella tacana (✙, cross, green). Abbreviation PRC: Park Rangers Center.

The specimens were compared with species previously assigned either to the Rhinella festae group or the R. acrolopha group (see Appendix) and original species descriptions. The coordinates of the type and reference localities of species of the R. acrolopha group were obtained using Global Gazetteer version 2.3 (http://www.fallingrain.com/world/index.html). The geographic coordinates were based on the datum WGS84 and maps were designed using ArcGIS version 10.0.

Morphological characters. Morphometric measurements in millimeters (mm) were taken with a digital caliper Mitutoyo (nearest to 0.1 mm). Measurement abbreviations used throughout the text are:

SVL snout–vent length;

HW head width (at level of angle of jaw);

HL head length (from angle of jaw to tip of snout);

ED horizontal eye diameter;

IOD interorbital distance;

EW upper eyelid width;

EL eyelid length (upper eyelid length);

IND internarial distance;

E–N eye-nostril distance (straight line distance between anterior corner of orbit and posterior margin of external nares);

NSD nostril-snout distance;

SL snout length (between anterior corner of eye and tip of snout);

FL forearm length (between flexed elbow and proximal edge of palmar tubercle);

HNDL hand length (between proximal edge of palmar tubercle and tip of Finger III);

FEML femur length;

TL tibia length;

FOOTL foot length (distance from proximal margin of inner metatarsal tubercle to tip of Toe IV).

Fingers and toes are numbered preaxially to postaxially from I–IV and I–V, respectively. We determined comparative lengths of Toes III and V by adpressing both toes against Toe IV; lengths of fingers I and II were determined by adpressing the fingers against each other. Condition of the tympanum was assessed by visual examination under stereoscope. Specimens were sexed by examination of gonads and secondary sex characters. Ovarian eggs number and coloration were observed by dissection of a gravid female. The measurements of each egg were obtained of the maximum diameter, calculating the mean and standard deviation. Format of the description and diagnosis follows the standards of Trueb (1971), as modified by Grant (2000“1999”), and Grant and Bolívar-G. (2014).

Webbing formula follows Savage and Heyer (1967), Myers and Duellman (1982) and Savage and Heyer (1997). X-ray radiographs were obtained using a Carestream DirectView Vita CR computerized radiography system (http://www.carestream.es/computed-radiography/vita-cr-systems.html; 44 kV, 32 mAs) and were taken of the dorsal surface of each specimen collected. Images were edited with Adobe Photoshops CS6 for MacBookPro. Coloration in life of specimens was described based on digital photographs and field notes.

Phylogenetic analysis and systematics. The maximum likelihood (ML) analysis and Bayesian phylogenetic inference produced trees with the same topologies and strong support for the main clades. Our phylogenetic tree supported the R. festae group (Bayesian posterior probabilities 1.00/ML bootstrap 97) and the distinctiveness of the morphologically identified new species of Rhinella from the Cordillera Azul National Park. The new species was most closely related to a sister group composed of R. yanachaga and R. chavin (Fig. 2), both from mountains in central Peru. In the R. margaritifera group, our analysis also showed that three new samples of the recently described R. yunga (MUSM 31950, 31966, NMP6V 75552) from Rio Huatziroki, a buffer zone of the Protected Forest Pui Pui, Junín, Peru, are genetically identical to the type material (Fig. 2). In addition, our analysis inferred one new, yet unnamed lineage (a candidate species) of the Rhinella margaritifera species group from Ayte, Junín (Cordillera Central) and Alto Mayo, San Martín (Cordillera Oriental) in the Peruvian Amazonia. Rhinella cf. margaritifera from Bolpebra (Bolivia) is nested together with two samples from Peru and one Bolivian sample of R. cf. paraguayensis. Within the R. veraguensis group, four new samples of R. cf. leptoscelis (an adult specimen MUSM 32726 and conspecific torrenticolous tadpoles PE 008A, PE 008B, PE 008C) from Rio Bravo, Protected Forest Pui Pui, Junín, Peru proved to be closely related to two published sequences from Cordillera Yanachaga, Pasco, Peru (KF992153, KF992154).

Figure 2. 

The Bayesian consensus tree resulting from analysis of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene dataset for South American Rhinella species based on the data from Moravec et al. (2014) with a special focus on the R. festae group. New samples are in bold. Bayesian posterior probabilities/maximum likelihood bootstrap values for the main clades (species groups) and within the R. festae group are indicated above each node. Three specimens of the new species collected in the Cordillera Azul National Park, Peru, are in red.

Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/8FD9CFFD-7311-42A5-85E2-2AB00CF4F7E7

Rhinella cf. festae : Tasker and Twomey 2015: Pag. 1, figs 7–9.

Suggested English name

Lily Rodriguez’s Beaked Toad

Suggested Spanish name

Sapo picudo de Lily Rodríguez

Holotype

MUSM 32204 (field number KT 75, Figs 3–6). An adult gravid female collected ca. 20 km from Park Rangers Center N° 53 “Shapaja” of the Cordillera Azul National Park (08°11'15.1"S, 76°12'36.8"W, 1260 m), Alto Biavo District, Bellavista Province, San Martín Region, Peru, collected on 27 September 2013 by K. Tasker and J. C. Cusi.

Paratypes

Five individuals (Figs 7–8): an adult female MUSM 32206 (field number KT 76), two juveniles MUSM 32211 (field number KT 84), 32213 (field number KT 72) collected with the holotype; two adult females MUSM 32201 (field number KT 89), MUSM 32205 (field number KT 87), same locality as holotype, collected on 28 September 2013 by K. Tasker and J. C. Cusi.

Diagnosis

A large species of the Rhinella festae group confirmed by 16S DNA barcoding. The new species can be diagnosed by the following combination of characters: (1) large size, SVL 47.1–58.3 mm in females (n = 4), males are unknown; (2) eight presacral vertebrae; (3) sacral vertebrae fused with coccyx; (4) snout long, acuminate, pointed to rounded terminally in dorsal view; snout protuberant, directed slightly anteroventral in profile as a “shark snout”; (5) cranial crests moderately developed; (6) canthal, supraorbital, postorbital and supratympanic crests continuous, distinctly elevated in female, slightly elevated in juveniles; pretympanic crest present, occipital crest absent; (7) tympanic membrane present, tympanic annulus weakly defined; (8) mandibular angle not protruding; (9) parotoid glands moderately large, roughly triangular to rounded in outline, slightly swollen laterally, incorporated into lateral row of tubercles; (10) dorsolateral rows of small, conical tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin; (11) hands and feet with long digits, fingers basally webbed and toes moderately webbed; (12) skin on dorsum smooth with scattered conical tubercles in females; (13) subarticular tubercles diffuse, round to ovoid; (14) supernumerary tubercles present, round but poorly developed; (15) cloacal sheath absent; (16) in life, dorsum light brown to greenish brown with irregular brown, dark brown or black markings; with or without grey white middorsal stripe; venter cream yellow to brownish grey with minute light cream spots; iris silvery greenish with irregular black mottling.

Comparisons with other species

The new species shares similarities with members of the Rhinella festae and R. acrolopha groups. Three species of the R. acrolopha group from Colombia and Panama (R. truebae, R. lindae and R. tenrec) are large-sized toads similarly to R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (maximum SVL 65.9 mm in R. truebae, 62.2 mm in R. lindae, 60.8 mm in R. tenrec and 58.3 mm in R. lilyrodriguezae). The new species is most similar morphologically to R. truebae and R. tenrec, but is distinguished by lacking the occipital crest (which is low in R. truebae and R. tenrec). Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. can also be distinguished from R. tenrec by having a sacrum fused with the coccyx, cranial crests moderately developed and tympanic membrane present (sacrum not fused with the coccyx, cranial crests poorly developed, tympanic membrane absent in R. tenrec); from R. truebae and R. lindae by having a dorsolateral row of small conical tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin, hands basally webbed, and feet moderately webbed (dorsolateral fold formed by the tubercles fusion, hands and feet extensively webbed in R. truebae and R. lindae). Rhinella lindae possesses a snout slightly directed upwards (snout directed slightly anteroventral as “shark snout” in R. lilyrodriguezae).

Other species of the Rhinella acrolopha group are R. acrolopha, R. nicefori, R. paraguas, and R. ruizi. These species are differentiated from R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (characters in parentheses) by the absence of the tympanic membrane (present), hands and feet extensively webbed in R. paraguas and R. ruizi, and reduced webbing in R. acrolopha and R. nicefori (hands basally webbed and feet moderately webbed), sacrum not fused with the coccyx except in R. paraguas (fused), seven presacral vertebrae except in R. paraguas (eight) and the presence of occipital crest except in R. paraguas (absent). Rhinella nicefori and R. ruizi have hands and feet with short digits (long digits). Rhinella paraguas and R. ruizi have cranial crests very low (moderately developed). Rhinella nicefori has a dorsolateral row of enlarged tubercles extending from the posterior margin of the parotoid gland to a point about three-fourths the distance between the axilla and groin (conical tubercles extending to groin). Rhinella acrolopha possesses a snout directed markedly anteroventrally (directed slightly anteroventral as “shark snout”) and a dorsolateral row of depressed tubercles extending from the posterior margin of the parotoid gland posteriorly to a point about two-thirds distance between axilla and groin (conical tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin).

The remaining species of the R. acrolopha and R. festae groups from Colombia and Ecuador (R. festae, R. macrorhina and R. rostrata) are distinguished from R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n. by lacking the tympanic membrane (present), by having hands and feet extensively webbed (hands basally webbed and feet moderately webbed), seven presacral vertebrae (except for R. macrorhina which has eight), snout directed markedly anteroventrally in R. festae and R. macrorhina and straight in R. rostrata (directed slightly anteroventral). Rhinella festae and R. macrorhina have occipital crest well developed (absent). Rhinella macrorhina is distinct in having a sacrum not fused with the coccyx (fused), and a dorsolateral row of small tubercles extending from posterior margin of parotoid gland posteriorly to a point about one-half distance between axilla and groin (tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin). Rhinella festae possesses dorsolateral row of slightly enlarged, conical tubercles extending from posterior margin of skull to a point about three-fourths distance between axilla and groin (tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin) and hands with short digits (long digits).

Peruvian species of the R. festae group (R. chavin, R. manu, R. nesiotes and R. yanachaga) are distinguished from R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n. by having smaller females (maximum SVL 21.4 mm in R. manu, 23.6 mm in R. nesiotes, 45.7 mm in R. yanachaga, except in R. chavin with 54.8 mm; vs. 58.3 mm in R. lilyrodriguezae) and by having webbing of hands and feet fleshy (membranous in R. lilyrodriguezae). Rhinella chavin possesses a snout rounded in lateral view (snout protuberant, directed slightly anteroventral as “shark snout”), large [about twice ED], ovoid parotoid glands (moderately large [about same size as ED] and triangular), dorsolateral row of large, nearly round elevated tubercles beginning above insertion of forelimb extending to inguinal region (small, conical tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin), elevated, elongate glands on forearm, tibia and outer dorsal margin of the foot and hand (glands absent) and hands and feet with relatively short digits (long digits). Rhinella nesiotes has a snout rounded in lateral view (snout protuberant, directed slightly anteroventral as “shark snout”), lacks cranial crests (moderately developed), low ovoid parotoid glands (moderately large and triangular), lacks dorsolateral row of tubercles (present) and hands and feet with relatively short digits (long digits). Rhinella manu has a snout pointed in lateral view (snout protuberant, directed slightly anteroventral as “shark snout”), large [about twice ED], oblong parotoid glands to the point of being nearly spherical (moderately large [about same size as ED] and triangular) and inconspicuous cranial crests (moderately developed). Rhinella yanachaga is most similar to R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n. from cloud forests of central Peru, both have cranial crests, tympanic membrane distinct, moderately large [about same size as ED] parotoid glands, dorsolateral rows of small, conical tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin, fingers and toes relatively long and long, slender extremities. Nevertheless, R. yanachaga differs from R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n. by having a snout slightly protruding in lateral view (snout protuberant, directed slightly anteroventral as “shark snout”), well developed webbing on hands and feet (hands basally webbed, and feet moderately webbed), dorsal skin smooth without keratin-tipped tubercles in females (dorsum smooth with scattered conical tubercles in females) and dorsal coloration in life is dark brown with small, irregular, green spots and markings (dorsum light brown to greenish brown with irregular brown, dark brown or black markings).

Description of the holotype

Gravid female; body robust; SVL 58.3 mm; head triangular in dorsal view; head wider than long (HW 1.12 times HL), head width 30% of SVL; head length 27% of SVL; head narrower than body; snout acuminate, rounded terminally in dorsal view; not bulbous at tip; distance from the nostril to the tip of the snout (3.2 mm) is noticeably less than the distance from the nostril to the eye (5.8 mm), constituting 20% of head length; snout long, protuberant, directed slightly anteroventral as “shark snout” in profile (Fig. 3); snout with a ventral keel; canthus rostralis angular, rounded in lateral view; loreal region concave; nostrils small, rounded, not protruding, directed laterally, beyond anterior margin of lower jaw; internarial area concave; eye diameter equal to half the interorbital distance (ED/IOD = 0.5), ED noticeably shorter than E-D; canthal ridges angular evident; cephalic crests moderately developed; pre-, supra-, postorbital crests distinct, continuous; occipital crest absent; supratympanic crest evident, expanded laterally; pretympanic crests well defined; tympanic annulus weakly defined, superficial tympanic membrane present, not in contact with parotoid glands or postorbital crests; tympanum diameter smaller than eye diameter; parotoid glands moderately large (about same size as ED), roughly triangular in outline; upper eyelid covered with many, low, keratin-tipped tubercles; dorsal and lateral surfaces of head bearing many warts; forearms long, slender; forearm length 26% of SVL; dorsal surface of forelimbs spiculate, bearing densely scattered subconical tubercles; hand length 28% of SVL; hands with long fingers; relative lengths of fingers I < II < IV < III; finger tips rounded; fingers basally webbed, extended between fingers II–IV; Finger IV bears well-defined lateral fringes (Fig. 4A); palmar tubercle prominent, round, larger than oval thenar tubercle, about one half size of the palmar tubercle; subarticular tubercles diffuse, low, round to ovoid; supernumerary tubercles low, poorly developed, indistinct; hindlimbs long, slim; tibia length 40% of SVL; tibia longer than foot; dorsal surface of hindlimbs spiculate with subconical tubercles; foot length 39% of SVL; toes long; relative lengths of toes I < II < III < V < IV; toes tips rounded; toes moderately webbed, with the following formula: I 1–2- II 1-–2 III 1–3⁺ IV 3⁺–2 V; free portions of all toes bear well-defined lateral fringes (Fig. 4B); tarsal fold absent; inner metatarsal tubercle large, slightly elliptical, weakly protuberant; outer metatarsal tubercle round, smaller than inner metatarsal tubercle, half the size of inner metatarsal tubercle; subarticular tubercles diffuse, low, round to ovoid; supernumerary tubercles indistinct, skin on dorsal surface of the body with numerous small, round, elevated tubercles, bearing single keratinized tip; flanks with lower density of tubercles than dorsum; dorsolateral row of small, conical tubercles extending from parotoid gland to groin, not forming a distinct dorsolateral fold; skin of venter and throat, chest and venter granular; cloacal opening directed posteriorly at the mid-level of the thighs); tongue narrow, about 2.5 times as long as wide, not notched posteriorly, posterior one half free; choanae small, ovoid, widely separated and partially concealed by palatal shelf of maxilla.

Figure 3. 

Holotype of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (MUSM 32204, head length = 15.9 mm), A lateral, and B dorsal views of head. Photos by J. C. Cusi.

Figure 4. 

Holotype of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (MUSM 32204), A palmar, and B plantar views of right hand and foot. Scale bar 5 mm. Photos by Juan C. Cusi.

Measurements (in mm) of the holotype

SVL: 58.3; HW: 17.8; HL: 15.9; ED: 4.4; IOD: 9.3; EW: 3.9; EL: 6.4; IND: 4.3; E–N: 5.8; NSD: 3.2; SL: 9.1; FL: 15.4; HNDL: 16.3; FEML: 23.7; TL: 23.4; FOOTL: 22.6.

Coloration of the holotype in alcohol

(Fig. 5). General dorsal coloration light brown; dorsum and hind limbs with small, irregular, dark brown spots and markings; flanks cream, with a discontinuous, well defined, broad, black ventrolateral band beginning behind tympanum and extending to inguinal region; dark grey transverse bars on shanks; tympanum brown; upper lip cream without bars or spots; dorsolateral row of tubercles reddish brown, sharply contrasting with the black discontinuous ventrolateral band; throat, chest and venter gray with minute light cream spots; ventral surfaces of thighs gray with minute dark grey spots; ventral surfaces of hands and feet dark gray; subarticular and supernumerary tubercles cream on hands.

Figure 5. 

Holotype of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (MUSM 32204) in alcohol, A dorsal, and B ventral views. Scale bar 10 mm. Photos by J. C. Cusi.

Coloration of holotype in life

(Fig. 6). Diurnal coloration of dorsum and flanks dark brown; flanks with irregular, dark green dorsolateral blotches extending from behind the parotoid glands to sacral region; dorsolateral row of tubercles light brown; throat dark gray; chest and belly grey with minute light cream spots extending to the thighs; lower side of the belly cream yellow; iris silvery greenish with irregular black mottling.

Figure 6. 

Holotype of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (MUSM 32204, SVL = 58.3 mm) in life. A Laterodorsal and B ventral views of the coloration during the day. Photos by K. Tasker.

Variation

(Figs 7–9). Considerable variation between nocturnal and diurnal coloration was observed. The nocturnal coloration of an adult female (MUSM 32201, Fig. 7 A, B) was described as follows: dorsum light brown dorsally; whitish grey middorsal stripe extending from tip of the snout to cloaca; light cream parotoid glands; broad, whitish grey dorsolateral stripe on each side of flanks extending from behind the eyelids to groin; flanks with continuous, broad, black ventrolateral band extending from tympanic posterior region to groin; tip of the snout, eyes, eyelids, crown of head and tympanum light brown; upper lip, angle of the jaws and ventrolateral region of the flanks is whitish grey; dorsolateral row of tubercles reddish brown just above the black ventrolateral band; forelimbs and hands are brown, dorsum of the hands with whitish grey blotches in direction to the fingers; hindlimbs brown with transversal dark brown bars. The diurnal coloration of the same specimen (Fig. 7C, D): dorsum and flanks dark brown; gray middorsal stripe from tip of the snout to cloaca; parotoid glands cream brown; venter brownish grey marbled with cream; throat darker brown. An adult female (MUSM 32205; Fig. 8) lacked a middorsal stripe and had flanks with irregular dark grey spots at night. During the day, the same specimen was characterized by a dark green dorsolateral stripe on each side of body extending from parotoid gland to groin; venter brownish grey marbled with cream; irregular dark grey spots on thighs, lateral and lower side of the belly; white blotches on middle area of the belly. Two females (MUSM 32206, 32201) were of similar coloration as MUSM 32205.

Figure 7. 

Paratype of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (MUSM 32201, SVL = 57.5 mm) in life. A Dorsal and B laterodorsal views of the coloration at night C Laterodorsal and D ventral views of the coloration during the day. Photos by K. Tasker.

Figure 8. 

Paratype of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. (MUSM 32205, SVL = 47.1 mm) in life. A Dorsal and B laterodorsal views of the coloration during the day. Photos by K. Tasker.

The remaining paratypes show some variation in nocturnal color pattern. The overall dorsal coloration of the juveniles (MUSM 32211, 32213) is light grey with darker irregular markings forming a “dead-leaf pattern” from between eyes to cloacal region. Cranial crests are more prominent in adults than in juveniles. All specimens, except the holotype, have tip of snout acuminate in dorsal view. Radiographs show that all specimens have eight presacral vertebrae and a sacrococcygeal articulation (Fig. 9). For variation in measurements see Table 2.

Figure 9. 

X-ray of the paratye Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. MUSM 32206. Photos by J. C. Cusi.

Table 2.

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Morphometric measurements in mm of the holotype and paratypes of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. See text for abbreviations.

Measurements	Holotype	Paratypes
	MUSM 32204	MUSM 32201	MUSM 32206	MUSM 32205	MUSM 32211	MUSM 32213
Sex	Female	Female	Female	Female	Juvenile	Juvenile
SVL	58.3	57.5	55.5	47.1	34.9	27.8
HW	17.8	18.0	17.2	11.4	11.6	9.4
HL	15.9	15.1	14.1	8.9	9.0	9.2
ED	4.4	4.3	4.3	4.2	3.7	3.2
IOD	9.3	8.8	8.8	8.4	5.6	4.9
EW	3.9	3.9	3.9	3.7	3.4	2.8
EL	6.4	6.8	6.0	6.2	3.9	3.2
IND	4.3	4.4	4.3	4.1	2.5	2.1
E-N	5.8	5.7	5.6	5.5	3.4	3.9
NSD	3.2	3.2	3.0	2.9	1.7	1.3
SL	9.1	9.0	8.7	8.1	5.8	4.9
FL	15.4	15.2	14.1	13.5	9.1	7.2
HNDL	16.3	16.4	15.1	13.7	8.7	6.5
FEML	23.7	23.5	22.0	20.3	13.2	11.7
TL	23.4	23.2	21.4	19.9	13.1	11.3
FOOTL	22.6	23.3	22.0	20.9	13.5	10.8

Etymology

The specific epithet lilyrodriguezae is a noun in the genitive case and a patronym for Dr. Lily Rodriguez, for her contributions to the knowledge of the Peruvian amphibians and her initiatives that have promoted the creation of numerous natural protected areas in Peru, such as the Cordillera Azul National Park.

Distribution, ecology and conservation status

Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. is only known from the Shapaja sector within the CAZNP in northern Peru, at elevations between 1245 and 1280 m a.s.l. (Fig. 1). It was encountered in montane forest during the dry season. The type locality was accessed by a hike of 7 hours across a small trail from the Misterioso River (natural boundary between natural protected area and a forest concession dedicated to wood extraction). The species has nocturnal and semiarboreal mode of life (all individuals were found at night between 20:33 and 22:49 on leaves of bushes between 10 and 100 cm above the ground, along a small creek). A negative impact of logging, soil removal and noise pollution was observed around the localities of the new species. Subsistence game hunting and exaggerated fishing by local population are other factors threatening the local biodiversity.

One gravid female (MUSM 32204, SVL 58.3 mm, holotype) contained 185 ovarian eggs (left ovary: 95; right ovary: 90) with an average diameter of 2.8 ± 0.2 mm (3.2–2.7 mm, n = 20), which are pale cream yellow in preservative. The presence of numerous, large, pigmented eggs and association of the individuals with water bodies suggest endotrophic larvae (e.g., direct development or nonfeeding tadpoles that develop in water or moist soil; Peloso et al. 2014), as can be expected in R. manu, R. paraguas and R. tacana (Grant and Bolívar-G. 2014, Catenazzi pers. comm.) The call of Rhinella lilyrodriguezae was not recorded. Other anuran species that occur in the area of the type locality include Hyloscirtus cf. phyllognathus, Pristimantis peruvianus, P. ventrimarmoratus, Rulyrana cf. flavopunctata, and Osteocephalus mimeticus (juveniles). We classify Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. as “Data Deficient” according to the IUCN red list criteria (IUCN 2016) based on the limited information on its geographic range.

An early comprehensive revision of the former genus Rhamphophryne (= Rhinella acrolopha group) based on external morphology and osteology hypothesized multiple evolutionary histories and complex morphological variation within the genus (Trueb 1971). Knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships among most of the species of the R. acrolopha group remains largely unknown mainly due to few collected specimens (R. truebae, n = 1; R. lindae, n = 2; R. nicefori n = 5; R. tenrec, n = 11; Trueb 1971, Rivero and Castaño 1990, Lynch and Renjifo 1990), absence of available genetic material, and the fact that several species seem to be seriously threatened (e.g., R. rostrata is possibly extinct in the wild, Bolívar and Lynch 2004, Stuart et al. 2008).

Our 16S rRNA analysis supports the monophyly of the Rhinella festae clade of Moravec et al. (2014) and confirms the inclusion of species previously assigned to this group. Furthermore, our analysis adds R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n. and Rhinella sp. C to the R. festae group. Although we did not include R. manu in our tree (due to the unavailability of 16S rRNA sequence data), its incorporation into the R. festae group is highly likely; as already showed by Chaparro et al. (2007) in one clade comprised by [[R. festae + R. chavin] + [R. manu + R. nesiotes]] using combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. On the other hand, the species R. rostrata and R. nesiotes are tentatively removed from the festae group (sensu Moravec et al. 2014) due to absence of available genetic material that confirms their inclusion into this group. The specimen UTA 53310 “R. nesiotes” from Serranía de Bella Vista, Bolivia used by Pramuk (2006), Chaparro et al. (2007), Pramuk et al. (2008) and Moravec et al. (2014), is now identified as Rhinella cf. nesiotes to occur at about 1000 km south of the type locality of Rhinella nesiotes, which inhabits in an isolated mountain ridge between the Pachitea and Ucayali rivers, Central Peru. This identification is justified on the basis of geographic distance, the scarce knowledge of the distribution range of the species and the occurrence of species morphologically similar in the Bolivian area as R. tacana, possibly confused with it (Fig. 1). In absence of molecular data, we cannot assign Rhinella nesiotes, known from four specimens collected at Serranía El Sira in Peru, to any recognized groups. Furthermore, a morphological examination of Bolivian material and comparison with Peruvian specimens of R. nesiotes is required. Thus, according to our current knowledge, the Rhinella festae group contains the following eight species: R. chavin, R. festae, R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n., R. macrorhina, R. manu, R. yanachaga, R. cf. nesiotes and Rhinella sp. C. The recently described R. tacana extended from Serranía Eslabon, northern Bolivia to Urubamba River Basin, southern Peru (Padial et al. 2006, Chávez et al. 2013) is morphologically most similar to R. manu, and is expected to be part of the festae group. The Rhinella festae group represents a morphologically and genetically diverse group of toads broadly distributed in the region of eastern slopes of the Cordillera Occidental from Colombia, upper Amazon Basin and lower Andean slopes of Ecuador and eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental from Peru and Bolivia. Our phylogenetic analysis supports the unique position of R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n., which is distributed in montane forests of the Cordillera Oriental, San Martín, northern Peru. Rhinella lilyrodriguezae sp. n. is a semiarboreal species because it was observed climbing on leaves and branches (approximately 1 m above ground) close to lotic aquatic bodies of medium-size and moderate water flow, and dwelling on the ground during the day. All species of the R. festae and R. acrolopha groups display diverse types of habitat use. Some species are semiarboreal (R. chavin, R. lilyrodriguezae sp. n., R. nesiotes, R. paraguas) or arboreal (R. manu, R. yanachaga), others are terrestrial (R. festae, R. macrorhina, R. rostrata). Most members of both groups inhabit rainforests and montane forests at elevations between 1200 m and 3600 m, except for R. tenrec occurring in the Chocó lowlands, and R. festae inhabiting the Amazonian lowlands.

Finally, the monophyly of the Rhinella festae clade as proposed by Moravec et al. (2014) is further supported by our present data, and species composition is modified by inclusion of additional taxa previously assigned to the R. acrolopha group (i.e. R. macrorhina and Rhinella sp. C), as supported by high morphological similarity and molecular affinity. However, additional molecular data are required for any conclusive observations. Our study constitutes a starting point for understanding the diversification within this radiation. Additional morphological and molecular evidence from a larger number of taxa is needed to reach a better knowledge of the evolution, systematics and biogeography of this interesting South American lineage of bufonid anurans.

We are grateful to A. Catenazzi and anonymous reviewers for their comments that improved our manuscript J. C. Cusi is sincerely grateful to K. Tasker for funding the fieldwork and for the opportunity to participate in the research within the natural protected area. We thank Tatiana Pequeño and Jorge Martinez at CIMA (Investigación y Manejo de Areas Naturales: Cordillera Azul) for providing access, permits and information on localities in the Cordillera Azul National Park. We are grateful to J. Córdova for granting access at the Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru (MUSM). Radiographs were provided by S. Zevallos at ECODVet Veterinarian (http://www.ecodvet.com). The work of JM and VG was financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic (DKRVO 2014/14, 2015/15, 2016/15 and 2017/15, National Museum Prague, 00023272).

Specimens examined

Rhinella chavin (9 specimens). PERU: HUÁNUCO, Pachitea, Chaglla, Palma Pampa, 20 km southeast of Chaglla, 3010 m: MUSM 20028 (holotype), MUSM 18439–18446.

Rhinella manu (8 specimens). PERU: CUSCO: Paucartambo, Kosñipata: MUSM 21129, 27931, 30385; Rocotal: MUSM 26282, 27932; Mirador Tres Cruces: MUSM 27929, 27933; San Pedro: MUSM 27930.

Rhinella nesiotes (4 specimens). PERU: HUANUCO, Puerto Inca, Yuyapichis, Comunidad El Sira: MUSM 29386, 29387, 29390, 29404.

Rhinella yanachaga (4 specimens). PERU: PASCO: Oxapampa, Oxapampa, Yanachaga-Chemillén National Park (PNYCH), W side of the Cordillera Yanachaga near Río San Alberto, 2600 m: MUSM 19994 (holotype); village San Alberto: MUSM 33309-33310; Buffer zone of the PNYCH: MUSM 33520.