Centrolene buckleyi complex

Reyes-Puig 1,2, Juan Pablo, Reyes-Puig 1,3,4, Carolina, Franco-Mena 5,6, Daniela, Jost 2, Lou & Yanez-Munoz 1,2, Mario H., 2022, Strong differentiation between amphibian communities on two adjacent mountains in the Upper Rio Pastaza watershed of Ecuador, with descriptions of two new species of terrestrial frogs, ZooKeys 1081, pp. 35-87 : 35

Centrolene buckleyi complex

Figure 12

Remarks.

This species was recorded in riparian vegetation through previous observations in nearby localities, by auditory and a recent voucher specimen record (DHMECN 16217) in montane forests of the Naturetrek-Vizcaya Reserve from 2270 to 3000 m elevation. According to a photograph, the specimen may be associated with the C. buckleyi species group ( Yánez et al. 2010). Previous analyses of the group’s phylogenetic relationships show a high cryptic diversity in the species complex ( Amador et al. 2018). Therefore, this could correspond to a potentially new species, though additional collections and phylogenetic analysis of these populations is necessary to determine its status. Centrolenid frogs are generally known to live on clean water streams, its presence on Naturetrek-Vizcaya reflecting good ecological conditions and no water pollution in the zone.

Figures

Figure 12. Centrolene buckleyi complex, frontal and lateral views (DH-MECN 16217). Photographs Juan Pablo Reyes Puig.