Systematics of the leptodactylid frog genus Telmatobius in the Andes of northern Peru

OCCASIONAL PAPERS of the MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas number 162. pages 1-76 24 november 1993 Systematics of the Leptodactylid Frog Genus Telmatobius in the Andes of Northern Peru John J. Wiens 1 Museum of Natural History and Department of Systematics and Ecology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence. Kansas 66045-2454 ABSTRACT The taxonomic status of populations of Telmatobius (Anura: Leptodactylidae) in the Peruvian departments of Amazonas, Cajamarca, La Libertad, and Piura is evaluated using an evolutionary species concept and data from external morphology, osteology, morphometries, larval morphology, and allozyme electrophoresis. Nine species are recognized, and a key for identification is presented. The three named species are redescribed using the type specimens and newly collected material. These species are: T brevipes Vellard, from the Cordillera Occidental of Cajamarca and La Libertad; T. ignavus Barbour and Noble, from the Cordillera Huancabamba in Piura; and T. latirostris Vellard, from the city of Cutervo in Cajamarca. Lectotypes are designated for T. brevipes and T latirostris. Six species are described as new. Telmatobius atahualpai inhabits high elevations in the Cordillera Central in Amazonas. Telmatobius colanensis is known from a single specimen from the Cordillera Colan in Amazonas. Telmatobius degener and T. thompsoni are sympatric species from a locality in the Cordillera Occidental of La Libertad. Telmatobius degener is characterized by several unusual osteological features, and is the only known anuran that lacks premaxillary teeth but retains maxillary teeth. Telmatobius necopinus is known from the lower slopes of the Cordillera Central. Telmatobius truebae. found at several localities in the Cordillera Central, is externally similar to T. necopinus, but is distinct osteologically and biochemically, and is not the sister taxon of that species. Striking variability in the morphology of the columella (middle ear bone) is described within and among species. Generic assignment of the nine species is argued phylogenetically, and the genus Telmalsodes is placed in the synonymy of Alsodes. Key words: Leptodactylidae; Telmatobius ; T. atahualpai, T colanensis, T. degener, T. necopinus, T. thompsoni, T. truebae; New species; Peru; Systematics. 'Present Address: Department of Zoology, The University of Texas, Austin, Texas 78712-1064. © Museum of Natural History. The University of Kansas. Lawrence. ISSN:0091-7958