Proceratophrys branti, Brandão, Reuber Albuquerque, Caramaschi, Ulisses, Vaz-Silva, Wilian & Campos, Leandro Ambrósio, 2013

Brandão, Reuber Albuquerque, Caramaschi, Ulisses, Vaz-Silva, Wilian & Campos, Leandro Ambrósio, 2013, Three new species of Proceratophrys Miranda-Ribeiro 1920 from Brazilian Cerrado (Anura, Odontophrynidae), Zootaxa 3750 (4), pp. 321-347 : 335-340

Proceratophrys branti sp. nov.

( Figs. 14 –15)

Proceratophrys sp. – Vitt et al. 2005.

Holotype. CHUNB 41977, adult male, collected at the Estação Ecológica do Jalapão, Municipality of Mateiros (10o30’18”S, 46o26’W; 540 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Tocantins, on 21 November 2004, by G.R. Colli.

Paratypes. CHUNB 41978–41979 (males), collected with the holotype; CHUNB 27366, 27368–27373, 27375–27378, 27382, 27610 (males), collected at Mateiros, State of Tocantins, on 13 February 2002, by G.R. Colli; CHUNB 38585 (male), collected at Mateiros, State of Tocantins, on 21 November 2004, by G.R. Colli.

Measurements Proceratophrys bagnoi Proceratophrys branti Proceratophrys dibernardoi Eye-nostril distance ( END) 3.4±0.7 4±0.5 3±0.5 3.5±0.3 2.9±0.4 3±0.3

(2.7–4.3) (3.6–4.7) (2.3–3.8) (3.2–3.9) (2.3–3.4) (2.8–3.4) Interorbital distance (IOD) 7.4±1.1 9.2±1.1 6±0.8 7.5±1.1 5.4±0.3 6.5±1.1

(6.1–8.5) (8.2–10.6) (4.7–7.6) (5.7–8.6) (4.9–5.8) (5.2–7.7) Referred specimens. CHUNB 16120 (male), collected at Palmas (10°7’8”S; 48°13’20”W; 580 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Tocantins, in October 2000, by R.A. Brandão and A.K. Péres Jr.; CHUNB 24007 (male), collected at Palmas, State of Tocantins, on 0 1 March 2001, by R.A. Brandão and G.C. Costa; CHUNB 24618– 24619 (males), collected at Alto Paraíso de Goiás (14°4’38”S; 47°30’38”W; 1340 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Goiás, no date, by G.R. Colli; CHUNB 33953 (male), collected at Chapada Gaúcha (15°23’30”S; 45°34’34”W; 735 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Minas Gerais, on 0 4 November 2002, by P.H. Valdujo and G.C. Costa; CHUNB 36659 (male), collected at Pedro Afonso (9°2’43”S; 48°2’43”W; 250 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Tocantins, no date, by M.B. Lion; CHUNB 38129–38130, 38140 (males), collected at Paranã (12°35’22”S; 47°50’37”W; 315 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Tocantins, on 25 March 2004, by G.R. Colli; CHUNB 50246 (male), collected at Serra da Mesa (13°47’S; 48°17’40”W; 810 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), Minaçu, State of Goiás, in November 1998, by R.A. Brandão; CHUNB 50343 (male), collected at Colinas do Sul (14°12’34”S; 48°3’16”W; 485 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Goiás, on 10 October 2006, by P.H. Valdujo and D. Velho; CHUNB 50946 (female), collected at Minaçu (13°36’29”S; 48°10’38”W; 500 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Goiás, on 0 4 October 2007, by C. Cândido; CHUNB 52398 (female) and CHUNB 52408 (male), collected at Monte Alegre de Goiás (13°19’2”S; 46°53’54”W; 480 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Goiás, no date, by G.R. Colli; CHUNB 62730 (female), 62731, 62736–62737 (males), collected at Combinado (12°52’40”S; 46°40’11”W; 545 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Tocantins, on 20 October 2009, by C. Cândido; CHUNB 62732 (male), collected at Conceição do Tocantins (12°14’45”S; 47°16’29”W; 410 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Tocantins, on 0 9 October 2009, by C. Cândido; CHUNB 62733 (male), collected at Paranã, State of Tocantins, on 0 8 October 2009, by C. Cândido; CHUNB 72516 (male), collected at Parque Estadual da Serra do Lajeado, Palmas (10°9’38”S; 48°10’2”W; 580 m a.s.l.; WGS84 datum), State of Tocantins, on 15 December 2012, by R.F. Magalhães and R.N. Costa.

Diagnosis. A Proceratophrys species belonging to the P. cristiceps group. The species is characterized by: (1) small to medium size (25.8–48.5 mm of SVL in males; 42.4–55.0 mm of SVL in females; Table 1 ); (2) anterior and posterior eyelid tubercles short, round, medial slightly pointed, being the medial one without appendages; (3) snout rounded in dorsal view, vertical in profile; (4) presence of a ocular-dorsal ridge of warts poorly evident, incomplete, interrupted at the sacral region; (5) tympanic region slightly concave; (6) black anastomosed dorsal spots absent; (7) a conspicuous lighter stripe between eyes; white (or very lighter) spots on the anterior and posterior region of eyes; lighter stripes bordering the inner edge of the ocular-dorsal ridge of warts, forming a “X” like pattern; (8) dorsal granules densely covered by spicules, conferring a rough aspect; (9) one row of forearm tubercles; (10) forearm formula L I 3–7, R I 3–8; (11) eyelid formula L 0–3, 3/5-5/5, 1–4; R 0–3, 3/5-5/5, 0–5.

Comparison with other species. Proceratophrys branti sp. nov. differs from other species of the P. cristiceps group by showing anterior and posterior tubercles on border of upper eyelid slightly fused, but without appendages (rounded, not fused in P. cristiceps , P. huntingtoni , P. moratoi , P. redacta , and P. vielliardi ; fused and short ocular appendages in P. goyana , P. concavitympanum , and P. strussmannae ; pointed but not fused in P. cururu ; not fused and conical in P. bagnoi ); by medial eyelid tubercle very long, covering 3/5 to 5/5 of the eyelid border, without points (medial eyelid tubercle never covering all eyelid border and with points in P. goyana , P. cururu , P. aridus , P. caramaschii , P. cristiceps , P. strussmannae , and P. concavitympanum ; medial tubercle with conspicuous flesh appendage in P. bagnoi ); by presence of the ocular-dorsal ridge of warts interrupted at sacral region (continuous in P. goyana , P. bagnoi , P. concavitympanum , and P. strussmannae ; absent in P. moratoi and P. vielliardi ); by having vertical snout profile (obtuse in P. a r i d u s, P. caramaschii , P. carranca , P. cristiceps , P. cururu , P. huntingtoni , P. moratoi , P. vielliardi , and P. strussmannae ); by females presenting SVL 42.4–55 mm (SVL in females varying from 25.9–34.9 mm in P. minuta , P. redacta , and P. moratoi ).

Description of holotype. Adult male; aspect robust ( Figures 14 and 15), head 1.6 times wider than high, 1.3 times wider than long; snout round in dorsal and ventral views (Figures 15 A, B), vertical in profile (Figure 15 C); nares simple, elongated, dorsal, with small opening; anterior and posterior tubercles of upper eyelid, short, conical, slightly pointed; medial tubercle covering 4/5 of upper eyelid border, without point; eyelid formulae L 1, 4/5, 3; R 1, 4/5, 1,dorsum covered by round tubercles strongly spiculated; ocular-dorsal ridge of warts discontinuous on sacral region; inner edge of the ocular-dorsal ridge of warts with light gray irregular stripes; evident light gray stripe between eyes; white spot on anterior and posterior edge of eyes; interocular region concave; all area between eyes and nares covered by spiculated tubercles; canthus rostralis evident; canthal crest present, poorly evident; absence of spicules on the inferior border of eyes; single, white, large tubercle on mouth corner; maxillae presenting dark bars, covered only by spicules, without tubercles; jaw without bars; tympanum hidden, tympanic region slightly concave; two small, round vomerine teeth patches, placed between choanae; choanae large, round; tongue cordiform, with dorsal surface smooth, covered by small, round papillae; absence of grooves on tongue; large vocal slit, single, placed on the posterior margin of the tongue basis; ostium of Eustaquian tube elliptical, placed on the sides of palate, posteriorly to ocular globes, close to the oral corner; forelimbs short, robust; fingers free, without vestiges of interdigital web; relative fingers size IV>V>III>II (Figure 15 D); palmar surface covered by light conical granules, that highlights against the darker background; palmar surface densely covered with darkened spicules in the spaces between palmar tubercles; inner metacarpal tubercle round; supernumerary tubercles on sole and fingers, two outer metacarpal tubercles, being the proximal larger than the distal; subarticular tubercles on basis of all fingers; subarticular tubercle on phalange 2 of fingers IV and V; fingers tips not blackened, round, with discrete fringe on fingers III, IV, and V; forearm row tubercles conical, pointed, organized in a single row, containing five tubercles on left forearm, and seven tubercles on right forearm (L I 5; R I 7); tip of forearm row tubercles without spicules; forearm row tubercles slightly larger than other tubercles on anterior limb; hindlimbs small; foot with plantar surface covered by small, conical, spiculated tubercles (Figure 15 E); subarticular tubercles evident on the basis of all toes; interdigital web poorly developed; foot web formula I 2 – 1 II 2 ½ – 1 III 2 – 1 IV 1 – 1 V; toe tips not blackened, with discrete fringe; inner metatarsal tubercle large, forming a shovel with external margin keratinized; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; subarticular tubercles on phalange 1 of toes I and II, on phalanges 1 and 2 of toes III and IV, and phalanges 1, 2, and 3 of toe IV; relative toes size IV>III>V>II>I; dorsum with complex color pattern formed by irregular brown, gray, black, cream, and strawy blotches; most of the warts in the ridge are more elongated and larger than other ones on the dorsum; flanks and dorsal surface of limbs with smaller granules than those of dorsum; dorsal surface of limbs with dark gray transversal bars; ventral surface covered by diminute, regular, spiculated granules; vocal sac evident, darker than ventral region; ventral region marbled by dark spots; two larger tubercles close to vent.

Measurements of holotype (mm). SVL 35.3; HW 16.9; HH 10.3; HL 12.6; ED 4.3; END 3.2; IOD 6.8; FAL 7.2; HAL 8.8; THL 12.5; SHL 11.5; TAL 5.1; FOL 14.

Color in life. Dorsal background gray to dark gray, with a complex pattern of brown, tan, cream, and strawy blotches. Light gray spots on anterior and posterior margins of eyes; irregular light gray or light brown stripes bordering the inner edge of the ocular-dorsal ridge of warts; irregular cream blotches on dorsum; evident light gray stripe between eyes. Palmar and plantar tubercles pink, especially in younger individuals; external margin of maxillae lighter than dorsum.

Color in preservative. Most of specimens present light gray background on dorsum; some exhibit yellowish coloration on dorsal tubercles (especially those from northeastern State of Tocantins). The lighter stripes became light gray, and ventral black spots became faded.

Variation. Variation in measurements is presented in Table 1 . Females are larger than males ( Figure 16 ). Some individuals presents fingers tips more elongated than others. Dorsal coloration varies from dark gray background to light gray. In some individuals, the interocular stripe is gray instead of light gray. Most individuals (80%) presents the ODR discontinuous from supra-sacral region, but the ODR interruption could be observed on the presacral region (12%), or on supra-scapulae (8%). The IOR is not organized on most individuals (58%), not organized in row in 21% or with medial gap in 21% of them.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a homage to our friend Eng. Agronomist Sérgio Brant Rocha, by his relevant contribution for the creation and establishment of several areas for biodiversity protection in Brazil. Throughout his brilliant career, Sérgio Brant was official of the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA), Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), and Ministério do Meio Ambiente (MMA), where he developed a painstaking work for the creation of some protected areas where this new species could be found, as the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park and Nascentes do Parnaíba National Park. Besides the creation of some of the most relevant protected areas in Brazilian Cerrado, his major contribution was claim for more rigor and earnest policies for nature conservation and public property in Brazil.

Natural History. Proceratophrys branti males call directly from soil, in open Cerrado physiognomies, often related to sand or rocky substrate.

Geographical distribution. Proceratophrys branti occurs in a wide region in central-north portion of Cerrado biome, especially in areas of sandy or rocky soil. Besides its type locality (Mateiros, State of Tocantins), the species was recorded in the states of Tocantins (municipalities of Dianópolis, Porto Alegre do Tocantins, Combinado, Conceição do Tocantins, Paranã, Palmas, Taquaralto, and Pedro Afonso), Goiás (municipalities of Minaçu, Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Colinas do Sul, Monte Alegre de Goiás, Sítio d’Abadia, and São Domingos), and Minas Gerais (Municipality of Chapada Gaúcha) ( Figure 13 ).

Figures

FIGURE 14. Unvouchered male of Proceratophrys branti sp. nov. from Estação Ecológica do Jalapão, Municipality of Mateiros, State of Tocantins, Brazil. Photo: Janalee P. Caldwell.

FIGURE 16. Dorsal view of individuals from series type of Proceratophrys branti. Females on upper row and males on inferior row.

FIGURE 13. A) Distribution of Proceratophrys goyana (circle) and Proceratophrys branti sp. nov. (square), showing their type localities (dot center circle and dot center square, respectively); B) Distribution of Proceratophrys bagnoi sp. nov. (square) and Proceratophrys dibernardoi sp. nov. (circle), showing their type localities (dot center square and dot center circle, respectively). The area selected in the inset map corresponds to the magnified region in each map. Abbreviations for Brazilian states are Bahia (BA), Goiás (GO), Maranhão (MA), Minas Gerais (MG), Mato Grosso (MT), Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Piauí (PI), Tocantins (TO), and Distrito Federal (DF).

Tables

TABLE 1. Mean, standard deviation, and range (in parenthesis) of measurements (in mm) of males and females of Proceratophrys bagnoi sp. nov., Proceratophrys branti sp. nov., and Proceratophrys dibernardoi sp. nov.

	Males (N=4)	Females (N=4)	Males (N=29)	Females (N=7)	Males (N=7)	Females (N=4)
Snout-vent length (SVL)	38.1±7.5 (31.4–47.2)	52.6±6.4 (43.7–58.9)	36±4.8 (25.8–48.5)	47.5±4 (42.4–55)	32.1±2.1 (28.8–34.6)	41.5±2 (39.7–43.6)
Head width (HW)	18.7±3.4 (15.8–22.8)	25.2±4 (21–29.7)	16.4±2.2 (12.9–22.4)	21.6±1.1 (20.4–23.6)	14±1.2 (12.3–15.5)	18±0.9 (17.3–19.2)
Head high (HH)	11.2±2.1 (8.3–13.3)	13.5±2.2 (11.4–16.6)	9.8±1.1 (6.6–12.1)	12.7±0.8 (11.5–13.8)	8.1±0.5 (7.2–8.6)	10.1±0.6 (9.5–10.7)
Head length (HL)	14.1±2.7 (11.8–17.4)	19.5±3.2 (16.1–23.3)	12.9±1.8 (10.3–17.5)	17±1.4 (15.3–19.8)	11.4±0.8 (10.4–12.5)	14.1±1.5 (13.2–16.4)
Eye diameter (ED)	4.6±0.6 (4.1–5.2)	5.9±0.9 (5–7.2)	4.2±0.6 (3–5.4)	5.1±0.2 (4.9–5.3)	3.6±0.7 (3.2–4.7)	4±0.8 (3.2–5.1)