Rhinella angeli, Rojas & Peña & Ávila & Carvalho & Perez & Farias & Gordo & Hrbek, 2022

Rojas, Rommel R., Peña, Pedro Perez, Ávila, Robson W., Carvalho, Vinicius Tadeu De, Perez, Renata, Farias, Izeni Pires, Gordo, Marcelo & Hrbek, Tomas, 2022, Two new surprising species of leaf-litter toad of the Rhinella margaritifera species group (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Peruvian Amazon, Loreto-Peru, Zootaxa 5150 (4), pp. 487-515 : 498-504

Rhinella angeli sp. nov.

Synonyms

Bufo sp. nov. (pinocho) (Rodrigues & Knel, 2003)

Bufo sp. nov. (pinocho) ( Gordo et al. 2006)

Bufo sp. nov. ( Pérez et al. 2006)

Holotype. CRBIIAP -2126 adult male collected at Sacacaca , Yavari-Mirin basin (4° 32’ 3’’ S, 72° 30’ 17’’ W) Department of Loreto, Province of Ramon Castilla , District of Yavari, Peru by Pedro Perez Peña on 22 November 2011 at 9:00 am ( Figure 2 A–E ).

Paratypes. MZUNAP-AN 551 adult female collected at Sierra del Divisor National Reserve (6° 21’ 59” S, 73° 27’ 43” W) Department of Loreto, Province of Requena , Perú by Jose Luis Ramirez. CRBIIAP-2127 adult male collected at Miricillo locality (4° 22’ 42” S, 73° 6’ 38” W) Department of Loreto, Province of Ramon Castilla , Perú by Pedro Perez Peña. CRBIIAP-2128 adult female collected at Panguana locality (4° 22’ 38” S, 73° 6’ 21” W) Department of Loreto, Province of Ramon Castilla , Perú by Pedro Perez Peña. CRBIIAP-2129 juvenile collected at Nueva Esperanza locality (4° 22’ 31” S, 73° 6’ 3” W) Department of Loreto, Province of Ramon Castilla , Perú by Pedro Perez Peña. CRBIIAP -2130 juvenile collected at Taguado locality (4° 22’ 12” S, 73° 5’ 42” W) Department of Loreto, Province of Ramon Castilla, Perú by Pedro Perez Peña ( Figure 3 A-L) .

Diagnosis. Rhinella angeli sp. nov. is diagnosed by: (1) presence of a very long fleshy proboscis (20% of HL) on its snout that can hang flaccid or stand stiffly straight, (2) snout-vent length 36.2-37.5 mm in males and 40.1-48.6 mm in females, (3) cephalic crests poorly developed, (4) vertebral apophyses absent, (5) absence of bony knobs at the lower angle of jaws, (6) dorsolateral row of tubercles present, (7) texture of dorsum highly granular ( Figure 2 A–H ).

Holotype measurements (mm). SVL 37.4; HL 11.8; HW 12.3; IND 2.3; END 3.4; ED 4.1; UEW 3.4; IOD 6.6; POCH 1.4; POCL 3.6; HTD 2.6; VTD 2.5; PGL 7.8; HAL 8.8; FAL 8.5; THL 16.5; TL 10.9; TAL 8.6; FL 13.2.

Comparison with other species. Rhinella angeli sp. nov. differs from all other species belonging to the R. margaritifera species group by their pronounced fleshy proboscis in the nose ( Table 3 , Figure 4 A–H ). From similar species (characteristics of other species in parentheses), two have been reported as having proboscis (less pronounced than the new species): R. dapsilis and R. proboscidea . The new species is additionally distinguished from R. dapsilis by snout-vent length smaller in males (36.2–37.5 mm) and females (40.1–48.6 mm) (vs. 50–59 mm in males and 63–94 mm in females) and poorly developed cephalic crests (well developed). From R. proboscidea the new species is promptly distinguished by the presence of pronounced fleshy proboscis (snout acute referred as a proboscis), by the granulose dorsal skin in males (smooth dorsal skin in males), and poorly developed crests (developed). Also, from its phylogenetically most closely related described species R. magnussoni the new species is distinguished by the absence of a dorsolateral line of tubercles that extends from behind the eye alongside the base of the legs (present), absence of bony knobs at angle of jaws (presence), presence of pronounced fleshy proboscis (absent). Finally, small-bodied toads from R. margaritifera group have been confused with R. castaneotica , from which the new species is also distinguished by the presence of external tympanum (not distinguished), the snout strongly acute in lateral view (protruding) and the presence of a long fleshy proboscis (absent).

Description of holotype. CRBIIAP-2126, adult male. SVL 37.4 mm. Body robust. Head wider (12.3 mm) than longer (11.8 mm). Snout strongly acute in dorsal and lateral view, strongly acute with fleshy ridge extending to tip of snout in lateral view. Cephalic crests not developed, granulose with keratinized borders. Supraorbital crest not developed, granulose with a few coalescent granules. Supraorbital crest low, granulose, occasionally with a few coalescent granules. Preorbital and postorbital crest low. Infraorbital crest low, curved, granulose. Supratympanic crest low and short, straight, with granules of irregular size and form. Parietal crest absent. Canthus rostralis without crests, concave. Interorbital and inter nostril region flat, nostrils strongly protuberant directed dorsolaterally. Eye to nostril distance equal to eye diameter, larger than inter nostril distance. Upper eyelid width about 62% of eye diameter. Tympanum distinct, rounded; its horizontal diameter representing 88% of the vertical diameter and equal to inter nostril distance. Corner of mouth triangular. Bony knobs at the lower angle of jaws absent. Parotoid elongate. Vocal slits absent; choanae small, ovoid, lateral, widely separated; tongue free. Dorsolateral line of small-pointed granules extends from the posterior border of the parotoid gland to the groin. Vertebral apophyses absent. Skin on dorsum and limbs highly granular, with many small, rounded tubercles, irregularly distributed. Small tubercles covering lips, eyelids, interorbital and loreal region. Forearms slender, covered with small, scattered tubercles on the edges. Fingers free, with tips slightly enlarged; length of fingers 2<4<1<3. Lateral fringes with small conical tubercles present on fingers edges. Palmar tubercle ovoid, large, smooth; thenar tubercle oval, about one third of the palmar tubercle; subarticular and supernumerary tubercles present, rounded. Robust hindlimbs, thigh length larger than tibia length, thigh + tibia length approximately 75% of the SVL; foot length 82% of tibia length, tarsal length 65% of foot length. Inner metatarsal tubercle oval, two times larger than the outer metatarsal tubercle; subarticular and supernumerary tubercles present, small, round. Length of toes 1<2<3<5<4; toes half-webbed, webbing formula: I1-2 II 1-2 ½ III 1-3 IV 3-1V. Lateral fringes with small conical tubercles present on toes.

Color in life ( Figure 4 A–H ). Doral coloration light brown. A light brown vertebral line from the interorbital region to the cloaca, surrounded by a dark brown spot. Black small spots distributed at midbody. Dark brown bands on arms and legs, and dark brown blotches on flanks and tympanic region. Venter cream with scattered dark brown blotches on chest. Loreal and tympanic region with dark brown blotches. Dark brown throat, arms and legs cream in ventral view. Iris gold, with black reticulations.

Colour in preservative. Similar to that in life. In alcohol 70% the body coloration is slightly faded, mainly in dark brown blotches ( Figure 3 A–L ).

Morphological variation. The type series includes 6 specimens (2 adult males, 2 adult females and 2 juveniles). The new species is phenotypically variable, although all of the specimens present the characteristic fleshy proboscis. Sexual dimorphism is present ( Table 4 ). Patterning on the dorsum varies, with specimens presenting brown chevrons extending from the head to the vent. Dorsal coloration varies from dark to light brown ( Figure 2–3 ). Specimens can present dark brown spots in the midbody. Dorsal tubercles present variable sizes, conical with keratinized apices in larger individuals. Dorsal skin texture does not vary between sexes, being covered with scattered conical tubercles in males and females. Some individuals have a thin clear brown line that extends from the rostrum to the cloaca along the central dorsum. Dorsolateral region may vary in color, from dark brown to light brown. Color of the gular and chest region varies from dark brown to creamy brown. Ventral coloration also varies from almost immaculate light brown to heavily pigmented with dark brown blotches. Tubercles on vent can vary and depend on individual size. Younger specimens present crests with highly scattered granules and reduced amount of keratin.

Distribution and natural history. Rhinella angeli sp. nov. is known from the Loreto Department, Peru, western Amazonia ( Figure 5 ) in the localities of Sacacaca, Miricillo, Panguana and Nueva Esperanza in the Yavari-Mirin river basin, as well as the localities of Taguado, Corrientes and Cauchuyo in the Tahuayo-Quebrada blanco river basin and the Sierra del Divisor Natural Reserve. We also reported specimens from the Matsés National Reserve, right bank of the Yaquerana River (reported by Gordo et al. 2006). Individuals were found in the primary forest, in upland (= terra firme) forests away from rivers, within root mass of bushes or in leaf litter. Specimens were visualized and collected in diurnal surveys. The species are found between 75 to 180 m a.s.l. When individuals were disturbed during surveys, they tried to camouflage in the litter by expanding their forelimbs and hindlimbs and becoming immobile ( Figure 6 A–B ). The color of the secretion of the parotoid glands is yellowish ( Figure 6 C ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is honorific to Angel Ruiz Frias, professor of Biological Sciences at Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana-UNAP that left this world due to COVID 19.

Vocalization. Unknown.

Tadpole. Unknown.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Holotype of Rhinella angeli sp. nov. (CRBIIAP-2126); A= dorsal view; B= ventral view; C= lateral view of head; D= dorsal view of head; E= ventral view of right hand; F= ventral view of right foot.

FIGURE 3. Type series and morphological variation in preserved specimens of Rhinella angeli sp. nov. A–C: Holotype (CRBI- IAP-2126—adult male); D–L: Paratypes (D–F= CRBIIAP-2127—adult male; G-I= CRBIIAP-2128—adult female; J–L= CRBIIAP-2129—juvenile).

FIGURE 4. Morphological variation of living specimens of Rhinella angeli sp. nov. A–D= Quebrada Blanco river basin; E–H= Yavari-Mirin river basin.

FIGURE 5. Distribution map of the two new species described herein. Rhinella angeli sp. nov. Yellow color: 1) Nueva Esperanza; 2) Panguana; 3) Mircillo; 4) Sacacaca; 5) Cauchuyo; 6) Corrientes; 7) Taguado; 8) Sierra del Divisor National Reserve; 9) Matsés National Reserve. R. unapensis sp. nov. Red color: 1) Puerto Almendra; 2) Fundo UNAP; 3) Iquitos-Nauta Highway 70 km. Stars indicate the type locality.

FIGURE 6. A–B= Camouflage behavior of Rhinella angeli sp. nov. during field work. C= coloration of the secretion of the parotoid glands.