Dataset Information

Frankixalus, a New Rhacophorid Genus of Tree Hole Breeding Frogs with Oophagous Tadpoles.

ABSTRACT: Despite renewed interest in the biogeography and evolutionary history of Old World tree frogs (Rhacophoridae), this family still includes enigmatic frogs with ambiguous phylogenetic placement. During fieldwork in four northeastern states of India, we discovered several populations of tree hole breeding frogs with oophagous tadpoles. We used molecular data, consisting of two nuclear and three mitochondrial gene fragments for all known rhacophorid genera, to investigate the phylogenetic position of these new frogs. Our analyses identify a previously overlooked, yet distinct evolutionary lineage of frogs that warrants recognition as a new genus and is here described as Frankixalus gen. nov. This genus, which contains the enigmatic 'Polypedates' jerdonii described by Günther in 1876, forms the sister group of a clade containing Kurixalus, Pseudophilautus, Raorchestes, Mercurana and Beddomixalus. The distinctiveness of this evolutionary lineage is also corroborated by the external morphology of adults and tadpoles, adult osteology, breeding ecology, and life history features.

SUBMITTER: Biju SD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4720377 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Frankixalus, a New Rhacophorid Genus of Tree Hole Breeding Frogs with Oophagous Tadpoles.

Biju S D SD Senevirathne Gayani G Garg Sonali S Mahony Stephen S Kamei Rachunliu G RG Thomas Ashish A Shouche Yogesh Y Raxworthy Christopher J CJ Meegaskumbura Madhava M Van Bocxlaer Ines I

PloS one 20160120 1

Despite renewed interest in the biogeography and evolutionary history of Old World tree frogs (Rhacophoridae), this family still includes enigmatic frogs with ambiguous phylogenetic placement. During fieldwork in four northeastern states of India, we discovered several populations of tree hole breeding frogs with oophagous tadpoles. We used molecular data, consisting of two nuclear and three mitochondrial gene fragments for all known rhacophorid genera, to investigate the phylogenetic position o ...[more]

PMID: 26790105

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Project description:This study provides detailed morphological descriptions of previously unknown tadpoles of the treefrog genus Boophis Tschudi and analyses of habitat preferences of several of these tadpoles in Ranomafana National Park. A total of twenty-two tadpoles determined via DNA barcoding are characterized morphologically herein, fourteen of them for the first time. Twelve of these tadpoles belong to taxonomically undescribed candidate species which in several cases are so far only known from their larval stages. Our data show that the larvae of some of these candidate species occur syntopically yet maintaining a clearly correlated genetic and morphological identity, suggesting that they indeed are true biological and evolutionary species. Tadpoles considered to belong to the "adherent" ecomorphological guild inhabit fast-running waters and their oral disc is commonly to continuously attached to the rocky substrate, supposedly to keep their position in the water current. Some of these species are characterized by the presence of a dorsal gap of papillae and the absence of an upper jaw sheath. This guild includes the tadpoles of the Boophis albipuncatus group (Boophis ankaratra, Boophis schuboeae, Boophis albipunctatus, Boophis sibilans, Boophis luciae), and of the Boophis mandraka group (Boophis sambirano and six candidate species related to this species and to Boophis mandraka). Tadpoles considered belonging to the "suctorial" guild inhabit fast-running waters where they use frequently their oral disc to attach to the substrate. They have an enlarged oral disc without any dorsal gap, including two nominal species (Boophis marojezensis, Boophis vittatus), and five candidate species related to Boophis marojezensis. An ecological analysis of the tadpoles of Boophis luciae, Boophis schuboeae and Boophis marojezensis [Ca51 JQ518198] from Ranomafana National Park did not provide evidence for a clear preference of these tadpoles to the fast flowing microhabitat sections of the stream, although the tadpoles discussed in this study are typically caught in this habitat.

Project description:Amphibians may be more vulnerable to climate-driven habitat modification because of their complex life cycle dependence on land and water. Considering the current rate of global warming, it is critical to identify the vulnerability of a species by assessing its potential to acclimate to warming temperatures. In many species, thermal acclimation provides a reversible physiological adjustment in response to temperature changes, conferring resilience in a changing climate. Here, we investigate the effects of temperature acclimation on the physiological performance of tadpoles of a stream-breeding savanna tree frog (Bokermannohyla ibitiguara) in relation to the thermal conditions naturally experienced in their microhabitat (range: 18.8-24.6°C). We quantified performance measures such as routine and maximum metabolic rate at different test (15, 20, 25, 30, and 34°C) and acclimation temperatures (18 and 25°C). We also measured heart rate before and after autonomic blockade with atropine and sotalol at the respective acclimation temperatures. Further, we determined the critical thermal maximum and warming tolerance (critical thermal maximum minus maximum microhabitat temperature), which were not affected by acclimation. Mass-specific routine and mass-specific maximum metabolic rate, as well as heart rate, increased with increasing test temperatures; however, acclimation elevated mass-specific routine metabolic rate while not affecting mass-specific maximum metabolic rate. Heart rate before and after the pharmacological blockade was also unaffected by acclimation. Aerobic scope in animals acclimated to 25°C was substantially reduced, suggesting that physiological performance at the highest temperatures experienced in their natural habitat is compromised. In conclusion, the data suggest that the tadpoles of B. ibitiguara, living in a thermally stable environment, have a limited capacity to physiologically adjust to the highest temperatures found in their micro-habitat, making the species more vulnerable to future climate change.

Dataset Information

Frankixalus, a New Rhacophorid Genus of Tree Hole Breeding Frogs with Oophagous Tadpoles.

Publications

Frankixalus, a New Rhacophorid Genus of Tree Hole Breeding Frogs with Oophagous Tadpoles.

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