On the occurrence of Hemiphractus scutatus (Spix, 1824) (Anura: Hemiphractidae) in eastern Amazonia

Abstract

Hemiphractus Wagler, 1828 is part of Hemiphractidae Peters, 1862, a family that harbors species of frogs characterized by the deposition of eggs on the females' dorsum. Both the genus Hemiphractus and the species Hemiphractus scutatus (Spix, 1824) are only known to the Andean mountain range and western half of the upper Amazon Basin. Herein, we provide the first records of H. scutatus from the eastern Amazonia (middle Tapajós River region, Pará State, Brazil), which extends its geographic range ca. 1,000 km from nearest known occurrence record and are among the lowest known levels for the species elevational range. Comparisons of morphologic and molecular data with available voucher specimens and published information on the species revealed variation that we interpret as intraspecific polymorphism. Phylogenetic analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial gene 16S recovered the newly discovered specimens as most closely related to samples from Peru. These results add new evidence in the known biogeographic patterns of the genus and species, and ongoing plans to build hydroelectric plants in the middle Tapajós River region can negatively affect this unique population. © 2018 Moraes and Pavan.