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Dias PHDS, Phillips JR, Pereyra MO, Means DB, Haas A, Kok PJR. The remarkable larval morphology of Rhaebo nasicus (Werner, 1903) (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) with the erection of a new bufonid genus and insights into the evolution of suctorial tadpoles. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2024; 10:17. [PMID: 39350283 PMCID: PMC11440901 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-024-00241-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
Tadpoles serve as crucial evidence for testing systematic and taxonomic hypotheses. Suctorial tadpoles collected in Guyana were initially assigned to Rhaebo nasicus through molecular phylogeny. Subsequent analysis of larval and adult morphological traits revealed synapomorphies within the clade encompassing R. nasicus and R. ceratophrys, prompting the recognition of a new genus described herein as Adhaerobufo. The new genus is distinguished from other bufonids by specific phenotypic traits including an enlarged, suctorial oral disc with distinct papillae arrangements, and the presence of certain muscles and narial vacuities at the larval stage. However, only a few adult external characteristics (e.g., enlarged eyelids, infraocular cream spot), seem to be reliably discriminative from related genera. This study underscores the significance of larval morphology in anuran systematics and offers new insights into the evolution of suctorial and gastromyzophorous larvae within bufonids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Dos Santos Dias
- Leibniz Institut zur Analyse des Bioaffiliationersitätswandels, Zoologisches Museum Hamburg, Zentrum für Taxonomie und Morphologie, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | | | - Martín O Pereyra
- CONICET - Agencia INTA General Acha, Avellaneda 530 (8200), General Acha, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - D Bruce Means
- Coastal Plains Institute and Land Conservancy, 1313 Milton Street, Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32303, USA
| | - Alexander Haas
- Leibniz Institut zur Analyse des Bioaffiliationersitätswandels, Zoologisches Museum Hamburg, Zentrum für Taxonomie und Morphologie, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Philippe J R Kok
- Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 12/16 Banacha Str., Łódź, 90-237, Poland.
- Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD, UK.
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Mônico AT, Koch ED, Ferrão M, Fernandes IY, Marques GMG, Chaparro JC, Rodrigues MT, Lima AP, Fouquet A. The small and inconspicuous majority: Revealing the megadiversity and historical biogeography of the Pristimantis unistrigatus species group (Anura, Strabomantidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 201:108203. [PMID: 39303973 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
With more than 600 recognized species, the genus Pristimantis is already the most diverse among vertebrates, but described species only represent a fraction of the actual diversity in this clade. This genus is widely distributed throughout the Neotropics and represents an interesting model for biogeographic studies because Pristimantis spp. are direct developing and generally have narrow ecological niches and low dispersal abilities. The P. unistrigatus species group is one of the most important components in the genus (ca. 200 recognized species) and has been supported by morphological but not by molecular evidence. We assessed the species boundaries and distribution in the P. unistrigatus species group and infer spatiotemporal patterns of diversification related to historical landscape changes in the Neotropics. We gathered three mitochondrial, and two nuclear DNA loci from 416 specimens throughout the range of the group, and including 68 nominal species. We redefine the group based on the obtained phylogeny and found 151 candidate species that composes it, with 83 of these remaining undescribed. We recovered 11 major clades within the group that diverged before 13 Ma. The diversification of the group started during the early Miocene most likely in northwestern South America, currently corresponding to western Amazonia and northern Andes. The other neotropical areas subsequently acted as sinks, receiving lineages mostly during the last 10 Ma, after the demise of the Pebas System and the setup of the modern Amazonian hydrographic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Tamanini Mônico
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia (Ecologia), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
| | - Esteban Diego Koch
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Miquéias Ferrão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Répteis e Anfíbios, Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Igor Yuri Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia (Ecologia), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Giselle Moura Guimarães Marques
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Juan Carlos Chaparro
- Museo de Biodiversidad del Perú, Cusco, Peru; Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, Peru
| | - Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Zoologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Albertina Pimentel Lima
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia (Ecologia), Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Antoine Fouquet
- Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement, UMR 5300, CNRS, IRD, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Martins ACJS, Almeida-Santos M, Ávila RW, Siqueira CC, Rocha CFD. Does the body size, sex, and reproductive modes of leaf litter anurans affect the diversity of parasites? Parasitol Res 2024; 123:244. [PMID: 38878081 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08266-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
We describe the composition of endoparasites associated with leaf litter anurans from an Atlantic Forest area, in southeastern Brazil. We tested if body size, sex, and reproductive modes of anuran hosts influence endoparasite abundance and richness. We sampled 583 individuals from 11 anuran species and recorded 1,600 helminths from 14 taxa. The helminths that infected the greatest number of anuran host species were the nematodes Cosmocerca parva (8 spp.), Physaloptera sp. (8 spp.), and Cosmocerca brasiliense (7 spp.), and the most abundant helminth species were Physaloptera sp. (14.6%), Cosmocerca brasiliense (13.7%) and Cosmocerca parva (12.6%). Both helminth abundance and richness were positively affected by anuran body size and dependence on water for reproduction. Larger hosts can contain a higher abundance of parasites because they may provide more physical space than smaller ones, or it can simply be a function of age. Besides, parasite species richness can be highly correlated with the amount of time a host spends in association with aquatic habitats, a conservative aspect of both parasite and host natural history. Within host species, there was a positive and significant influence of body size on helminth abundance. Haddadus binotatus females had greater helminth abundance than males, probably due to sex-related differences in behavior and/or in physiology. Our data suggest that reproductive modes could also influence helminth infection parameters in other anuran communities and should be considered in detail in future analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cristina Jesus Silveira Martins
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Educação Artes e Humanidades, Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa'e, Dili, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
| | - Marlon Almeida-Santos
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Costa Siqueira
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha
- Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcantara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Soliz MC, Abdala V. Musculoskeletal and tendinous details of selected anomalies in the locomotor system of anurans. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024. [PMID: 38529857 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies on anuran anomalies predominantly examine isolated cases or focus on external and skeletal features. Our study analyzes a comprehensive sample collected from 1991 to 2017, examining the muscle-tendon system in 24 anuran species across adult, juvenile, and metamorphic stages. This extensive sample size allows us to investigate consistent anomaly patterns across different developmental stages and anuran families, exploring potential common developmental or genetic factors. Our detailed anatomical examination, encompassing musculature, tendons, and skeletal structures, revealed that 21% of the specimens displayed anomalies, a noteworthy finding considering the extensive sample size and duration of the studied sample. Of these anomalies, 17% affected the locomotor system, predominantly in the upper limbs. Key anomalies included, forelimbs and hindlimbs brachydactyly, rotation in forelimbs, partial kyphotic lordosis, and scoliosis. Notably, the digit 4 in the forelimbs and digits 4 and 5 in the hindlimbs were particularly susceptible to teratogenic effects, indicating possible prolonged exposure during development. Our study also uncovered combinations of anomalies and identified a phenotype similar to Poland syndrome. The findings validate the "Logic of Monsters" (LoMo theory) by Alberch, although the name itself may not be deemed appropriate, showing that developmental disruptions in tetrapods are not random but follow distinct sequences and patterns. The name, while unfortunate, accurately reflects the unusual nature of these developmental anomalies. This contributes to the evolving "Evo-Devo-Path" framework, highlighting the study's importance in understanding developmental disruptions in tetrapods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica C Soliz
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Salta, Argentina
| | - Virginia Abdala
- Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Cátedra de Biología General, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
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Caicedo-Martínez LS, Henao-Osorio JJ, Arias-Monsalve HF, Rojas-Morales JA, Ossa-López PA, Rivera-Páez FA, Ramírez-Chaves HE. A new species of terrestrial toad of the Rhinellafestae group (Anura, Bufonidae) from the highlands of the Central Cordillera of the Andes of Colombia. Zookeys 2024; 1196:149-175. [PMID: 38566619 PMCID: PMC10985400 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1196.114861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The genus Rhinella (Bufonidae) comprises 92 species of Neotropical toads. In Colombia, Rhinella is represented by 22 recognized species, of which nine belong to the Rhinellafestae group. Over the past decade, there has been increasing evidence of cryptic diversity within this group, particularly in the context of Andean forms. Specimens of Rhinella collected in high Andean forests on both slopes of the Central Cordillera in Colombia belong to an undescribed species, Rhinellakumandaysp. nov. Genetic analyses using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene indicated that the individuals belong to the festae species group. However, they can be distinguished from other closely related species such as Rhinellaparaguas and Rhinellatenrec by a combination of morphological traits including the presence of tarsal fold, a moderate body size, and substantial genetic divergence in the 16S rRNA gene (> 5%). Through this integrative approach, the specimens from the Central Cordillera of Colombia are considered an evolutionary divergent lineage that is sister to R.paraguas, and described as a new species. Rhinellakumandaysp. nov. is restricted to the Central Cordillera of Colombia inhabiting both slopes in the departments of Caldas and Tolima, in an elevational range between 2420 and 3758 m. With the recognition of this new species, the genus Rhinella now comprises 93 species with 23 of them found in Colombia, and ten species endemic to the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Santiago Caicedo-Martínez
- Natural History Laboratory, Integrative Zoological Biodiversity Discovery, Centro de Museos, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad de Caldas, Carrera 23 # 58-65, Manizales 170004, Colombia
| | - Jose J. Henao-Osorio
- Natural History Laboratory, Integrative Zoological Biodiversity Discovery, Centro de Museos, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad de Caldas, Carrera 23 # 58-65, Manizales 170004, Colombia
| | - Héctor Fabio Arias-Monsalve
- Natural History Laboratory, Integrative Zoological Biodiversity Discovery, Centro de Museos, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad de Caldas, Carrera 23 # 58-65, Manizales 170004, Colombia
- Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Caldas, Calle 65 No. 26-10, Manizales 170004, Colombia
| | - Julián Andrés Rojas-Morales
- Natural History Laboratory, Integrative Zoological Biodiversity Discovery, Centro de Museos, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad de Caldas, Carrera 23 # 58-65, Manizales 170004, Colombia
| | - Paula A. Ossa-López
- Natural History Laboratory, Integrative Zoological Biodiversity Discovery, Centro de Museos, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad de Caldas, Carrera 23 # 58-65, Manizales 170004, Colombia
| | | | - Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves
- Natural History Laboratory, Integrative Zoological Biodiversity Discovery, Centro de Museos, Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad de Caldas, Carrera 23 # 58-65, Manizales 170004, Colombia
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Estupiñán RA, Torres de Farias S, Gonçalves EC, Camargo M, Cruz Schneider MP. Performance of intron 7 of the β-fibrinogen gene for phylogenetic analysis: An example using gladiator frogs, Boana Gray, 1825 (Anura, Hylidae, Cophomantinae). Zookeys 2023; 1149:145-169. [DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1149.85627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Boana, the third largest genus of Hylinae, has cryptic morphological species. The potential applicability of b-fibrinogen intron 7 – FGBI7 is explored to propose a robust phylogeny of Boana. The phylogenetic potential of FGBI7 was evaluated using maximum parsimony, MrBayes, and maximum likelihood analysis. Comparison of polymorphic sites and topologies obtained with concatenated analysis of FGBI7 and other nuclear genes (CXCR4, CXCR4, RHO, SIAH1, TYR, and 28S) allowed evaluation of the phylogenetic signal of FGBI7. Mean evolutionary rates were calculated using the sequences of the mitochondrial genes ND1 and CYTB available for Boana in GenBank. Dating of Boana and some of its groups was performed using the RelTime method with secondary calibration. FGBI7 analysis revealed high values at informative sites for parsimony. The absolute values of the mean evolutionary rate were higher for mitochondrial genes than for FGBI7. Dating of congruent Boana groups for ND1, CYTB, and FGBI7 revealed closer values between mitochondrial genes and slightly different values from those of FGBI7. Divergence times of basal groups tended to be overestimated when mtDNA was used and were more accurate when nDNA was used. Although there is evidence of phylogenetic potential arising from concatenation of specific genes, FGBI7 provides well-resolved independent gene trees. These results lead to a paradigm for linking data in phylogenomics that focuses on the uniqueness of species histories and ignores the multiplicities of individual gene histories.
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Müller MI, Morais DH, da Costa LFST, de Vasconcelos Melo FT, Giese EG, Ávila RW, da Silva RJ. Revisiting the taxonomy of Rhabdias fuelleborni Travassos, 1928 (Nematoda, Rhabdiasidae) with approaches to delimitation of species and notes on molecular phylogeny. Parasitol Int 2023; 92:102692. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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8
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Freire EMX, Kolodiuk MF, Gogliath M, Kokubum MNDC, Rêgo BDP, Ribeiro MM, Andrade MJMD, Silva VTC, Sales RFD. The herpetofauna of priority highland areas for conservation of the Caatinga in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, northeastern Brazil. BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2022-1395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract The Brazilian Caatinga has already lost extensive areas of original vegetation, thus it becomes imperative to perform fauna inventories within this region to fill geographical sampling gaps. Herein, we present a taxonomic list of the herpetofauna of a mountain chain located in the central zone of Rio Grande do Norte (RN) state whose region includes two priority areas for conservation of the Caatinga: “CA087 – Serra de Santana” in the west, and “CA078 – Nascente do Potengi” in the east. The sampling was carried out using methods of visual searching, pitfall traps with drift fences, specimens rescued during vegetation suppression activities in wind energy projects, occasional encounters, and third-party records. We recorded 19 amphibian species and 53 reptile species (23 lizards, 24 snakes, five amphisbaenians and one chelonian). About half of the recorded species have distributions entirely or mostly in the Caatinga. The mountain range sampled in this study harbors virtually all species found in nearby lowlands of the “sertaneja” depression of RN state, plus some relevant species with relictual distributions in the Caatinga, highlighting the importance of these highland areas for conservation of the Caatinga herpetofauna.
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Sinsch U, Hecht K, Kost S, Grenat PR, Martino AL. Asymmetric Male Mating Success in Lek-Breeding Rhinella arenarum. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:3268. [PMID: 36496788 PMCID: PMC9740229 DOI: 10.3390/ani12233268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate choice is the attempt of an individual to gain higher reproductive fitness by preferring to mate with some individuals and not with others. We studied the role of mate choice in the mating system of the neotropical toad Rhinella arenarum by assessing male reproductive tactics for mate acquisition and the contribution of female choice for pair formation. In a shallow pond in central Argentina, we estimated male mating success and the corresponding reproductive tactics by focal observation. The variation of phenotypic and genotypic traits (size and shape, longevity, vocalization features, heterozygosity) was related to the observed mating success in 110 males. The phonotactic response of 21 reproductive females to conspecific advertisement call features was tested in arena experiments. Mating success was limited to 32 males, pair formation was size-assortative. The dominant reproductive tactics were advertising from call positions near suitable breeding sites and pre-mating fights with intruding males, whereas the interception of amplectant pairs and the displacement of mated males were never observed. Female phonotaxis was directed to conspecific choruses but complex and simple call structures were not distinguished. We conclude that the mating system is a lek combining pre-mating fights among males and female choice of slightly smaller males. Fights interfere with female choice, undermining size-assortative mating. This is a unique system in the R. marina species group, in which interception behavior dominates reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Sinsch
- Institute of Integrated Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Koblenz-Landau, D-56070 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Katharina Hecht
- Institute of Integrated Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Koblenz-Landau, D-56070 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Silvia Kost
- Institute of Integrated Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Koblenz-Landau, D-56070 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Pablo R. Grenat
- Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N° 36—km 601, Río Cuarto X5804BYA, Argentina
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Sustentabilidad Ambiental (ICBIA), Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto-CONICET, Río Cuarto X5804BYA, Argentina
| | - Adolfo L. Martino
- Ecología, Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físico-Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Ruta Nacional N° 36—km 601, Río Cuarto X5804BYA, Argentina
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Sustentabilidad Ambiental (ICBIA), Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto-CONICET, Río Cuarto X5804BYA, Argentina
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Novaes-e-Fagundes G, Lyra ML, Loredam VSA, Carvalho TR, Haddad CFB, Rodrigues MT, Baldo D, Barrasso DA, Loebmann D, Ávila RW, Brusquetti F, Prudente ALC, Wheeler WC, Goyannes Dill Orrico V, Peloso P. A tale of two bellies: systematics of the oval frogs (Anura: Microhylidae: Elachistocleis Parker, 1927). Zool J Linn Soc 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Oval frogs (Elachistocleis) have a broad geographic distribution covering nearly all of South America and parts of Central America. They also have a large inter- and intraspecific variation of the few morphological characters commonly used as diagnostic traits among species of the genus. Based on molecular data, we provide the most complete phylogeny of Elachistocleis to date, and explore its genetic diversity using distance-based and tree-based methods for putative species delimitation. Our results show that at least two of the most relevant traditional characters used in the taxonomy of this group (belly pattern and dorsal median white line) carry less phylogenetic information than previously thought. Based on our results, we propose some synonymizations and some candidate new species. This study is a first major step in disentangling the current systematics of Elachistocleis. Yet, a comprehensive review of morphological data is needed before any new species descriptions can be properly made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Novaes-e-Fagundes
- Tropical Herpetology Laboratory, PPG Zoologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz , Ilhéus, Bahia , Brazil
| | - Mariana L Lyra
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP), Universidade Estadual Paulista , Rio Claro, São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Vinicius S A Loredam
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP), Universidade Estadual Paulista , Rio Claro, São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Thiago R Carvalho
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP), Universidade Estadual Paulista , Rio Claro, São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Célio F B Haddad
- Instituto de Biociências, Departamento de Biodiversidade e Centro de Aquicultura (CAUNESP), Universidade Estadual Paulista , Rio Claro, São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Miguel T Rodrigues
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil
| | - Diego Baldo
- Laboratorio de Genética Evolutiva, Instituto de Biología Subtropical `Claudio Juan Bidau’ (CONICET-UNaM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Misiones , Posadas, Misiones , Argentina
| | - Diego A Barrasso
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus-CONICET) , Puerto Madryn, Chubut , Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia `San Juan Bosco’ , Puerto Madryn, Chubut , Argentina
| | - Daniel Loebmann
- Laboratório de Vertebrados, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande , Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul , Brazil
| | - Robson W Ávila
- Departamento de Biologia, Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia da UFC, Universidade Federal do Ceará , Fortaleza, Ceará , Brazil
| | - Francisco Brusquetti
- Instituto de Investigación Biológica del Paraguay , Del Escudo, Asunción , Paraguay
| | - Ana L C Prudente
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Coordenação de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi , Belém, Pará , Brazil
| | - Ward C Wheeler
- Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History , New York, NY , USA
| | - Victor Goyannes Dill Orrico
- Tropical Herpetology Laboratory, PPG Zoologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz , Ilhéus, Bahia , Brazil
| | - Pedro Peloso
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Coordenação de Zoologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi , Belém, Pará , Brazil
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Benício RA, dos Santos RS, Freire SM, Ávila RW, da Silva RJ, Fonseca MG. Diversity of helminth parasites in amphibians from northeastern Brazil. Biologia (Bratisl) 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11756-022-01132-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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12
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Ferrão M, de Souza RA, Colatreli OP, Hanken J, Lima AP. Hidden in the litter: cryptic diversity of the leaf-litter toad Rhinella castaneotica– proboscidea complex revealed through integrative taxonomy, with description of a new species from south-western Amazonia. SYST BIODIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2039317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Miquéias Ferrão
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Romildo Augusto de Souza
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Olavo Pinhatti Colatreli
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - James Hanken
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Albertina Pimentel Lima
- Coordenação de Biodiversidade, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
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13
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Batallas D, Brito J. The call of Rhinella festae (Peracca, 1904) (Anura: Bufonidae) from Morona Santiago, Ecuador. NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23766808.2022.2029320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Batallas
- Departamento de Biodiversidad, Ecología Y Evolución de la Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Programa de Doctorado En Biología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva, Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas Y Ambientales COCIBA, Universidad San Francisco de Quito Usfq, Quito, Ecuador
- Unidad de Investigación Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Jorge Brito
- Unidad de Investigación Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Quito, Ecuador
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14
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Ferraro DP. Combined phylogenetic analysis of Pleurodema (Anura: Leptodactylidae: Leiuperinae). Cladistics 2022; 38:301-319. [PMID: 34985147 DOI: 10.1111/cla.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The genus Pleurodema comprises 15 species distributed through the Neotropical region, from sea level up to 5000 m.a.s.l. A total-evidence analysis of Pleurodema is provided based on the parsimony criterion. The combined dataset included morphometric, phenotypic, and DNA evidence (34 taxa, 4441 characters). The parsimony analysis yielded one most-parsimonious tree. Pleurodema was recovered as a well-supported clade composed of two major subclades. One subclade has an identical topology to that of previous analyses, the P. brachyops Clade (P. alium, P. borellii, P. brachyops, P. cinereum, P. diplolister, and P. tucumanum). The other subclade includes the remaining nine species of the genus, exhibiting a topology different from that of previous studies. According to the present phylogeny, this second lineage is formed by the P. nebulosum Clade (P. guayapae + P. nebulosum), P. marmoratum, the re-defined P. thaul Clade (P. bufoninum, P. somuncurense, P. thaul) and the P. bibroni Clade (P. bibroni, P. cordobae, P. kriegi). The reproductive modes of Pleurodema represent a unique combination of features within Leiuperinae, including three egg-clutch structures, two types of amplexus, and lack of vocalization. Also, some species of Pleurodema have been considered fossorial, because they are capable of digging with their hind-limbs and remaining in self-made burrows during dry seasons. The evolution of characters associated with reproductive biology and fossoriality is discussed in light of the obtained results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiana Paola Ferraro
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia" -CONICET, Ángel Gallardo 470, Buenos Aires, C1405DJR, Argentina
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15
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OUP accepted manuscript. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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16
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Schuck LK, Moser CF, Farina RK, Santos NLPSD, Tozetti AM. Self-made home: how and where does the anuran Rhinella dorbignyi build its retreat sites. IHERINGIA. SERIE ZOOLOGIA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4766e2022021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT In this study, we observed that burrows of Rhinella dorbignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) are distributed in a non-random manner in the habitat, suggesting a microhabitat selection for digging. This conclusion was based on a characterization of 36 burrows and surrounding micro-habitat. We established a 1 m x 1 m quadrat with the burrow in its central point (n=36) to measure the percentage (density) and the average heights of grasses, herbs, and shrubs. All measurements were repeated in two unused quadrats (without burrows) to evaluate the available microhabitat (n=72). The burrows are built in specific areas of the habitat with a higher percentage of grass, taller herbs, lower density of shrubs and low shaded sites than the founded at control sites. Based on three-dimensional models of the interior of the burrow (n=15), we observed that all of them were constructed with an elliptical opening that opens into a narrow channel perpendicular to the ground. Channels had a mean maximum diameter of 38 mm and a mean minimum diameter of 18 mm. The mean length of the burrows is 182 mm, and the mean volume is 95 mL.
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17
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Rivera D, Prates I, Firneno TJ, Rodrigues MT, Caldwell JP, Fujita MK. Phylogenomics, introgression, and demographic history of South American true toads (Rhinella). Mol Ecol 2021; 31:978-992. [PMID: 34784086 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The effects of genetic introgression on species boundaries and how they affect species' integrity and persistence over evolutionary time have received increased attention. The increasing availability of genomic data has revealed contrasting patterns of gene flow across genomic regions, which impose challenges to inferences of evolutionary relationships and of patterns of genetic admixture across lineages. By characterizing patterns of variation across thousands of genomic loci in a widespread complex of true toads (Rhinella), we assess the true extent of genetic introgression across species thought to hybridize to extreme degrees based on natural history observations and multi-locus analyses. Comprehensive geographic sampling of five large-ranged Neotropical taxa revealed multiple distinct evolutionary lineages that span large geographic areas and, at times, distinct biomes. The inferred major clades and genetic clusters largely correspond to currently recognized taxa; however, we also found evidence of cryptic diversity within taxa. While previous phylogenetic studies revealed extensive mito-nuclear discordance, our genetic clustering analyses uncovered several admixed individuals within major genetic groups. Accordingly, historical demographic analyses supported that the evolutionary history of these toads involved cross-taxon gene flow both at ancient and recent times. Lastly, ABBA-BABA tests revealed widespread allele sharing across species boundaries, a pattern that can be confidently attributed to genetic introgression as opposed to incomplete lineage sorting. These results confirm previous assertions that the evolutionary history of Rhinella was characterized by various levels of hybridization even across environmentally heterogeneous regions, posing exciting questions about what factors prevent complete fusion of diverging yet highly interdependent evolutionary lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Rivera
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.,Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, University of Texas at Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Ivan Prates
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Thomas J Firneno
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.,Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, University of Texas at Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Janalee P Caldwell
- Sam Noble Museum & Department of Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, 73072-7029, USA
| | - Matthew K Fujita
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.,Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, University of Texas at Arlington, TX, USA
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18
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Armijos-Ojeda D, Székely D, Székely P, Cogălniceanu D, Cisneros-Heredia DF, Ordóñez-Delgado L, Escudero A, Espinosa CI. Amphibians of the equatorial seasonally dry forests of Ecuador and Peru. Zookeys 2021; 1063:23-48. [PMID: 34720623 PMCID: PMC8545738 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1063.69580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonally dry forests (SDFs) are one of the most challenging ecosystems for amphibians, fueling the diversity of this group of vertebrates. An updated inventory of native amphibians present in the Equatorial SDF is provided, which extends along the Pacific coast of Ecuador and northwestern Peru. The study is based on an extensive field sampling (two thirds of the total records) carried out throughout the Equatorial SDF, along with a compilation of the available information on distribution of amphibians in the region from published scientific papers, museum collections and on-line databases. The final dataset included 2,032 occurrence records for 30 amphibian species, belonging to eight anuran families. Additionally, data regarding conservation status, habitat use, spawn deposition site, reproductive mode, and body size, along with an identification key for all encountered species are provided. The results indicate a strong sampling bias with a deficit in the Peruvian part of the study area, and a need for urgent inventories targeted at under-sampled areas, using modern taxonomic methods. The study emphasizes the conservation priorities in the Equatorial SDF, based on the distribution, conservation status and life-history data. This information should be useful for the local authorities and institutions involved in the management and conservation of biodiversity in SDF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Armijos-Ojeda
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador.,Programa de Doctorado en Conservación de Recursos Naturales, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.,Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, calle París s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Diana Székely
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador.,Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, calle París s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Paul Székely
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador.,Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, calle París s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Dan Cogălniceanu
- Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Ovidius University Constanţa, 900470, Constanţa, Romania
| | - Diego F Cisneros-Heredia
- Colegio de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales COCIBA, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito 170901, Ecuador.,Museo de Zoología & Laboratorio de Zoología Terrestre, Instituto de Biodiversidad Tropical iBIOTROP, Universidad San Francisco de Quito USFQ, Quito, Ecuador.,Department of Geography, King's College, London, UK.,Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad INABIO, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Leonardo Ordóñez-Delgado
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador.,Programa de Doctorado en Conservación de Recursos Naturales, Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28933 Móstoles, Madrid, Spain.,Museo de Zoología, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, San Cayetano Alto, calle París s/n, Loja, Ecuador
| | - Adrián Escudero
- Department of Science, Rey Juan Carlos University, 28933, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Iván Espinosa
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs-Lab), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja, Loja 110107, Ecuador
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19
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Pedroso-Santos F, Costa-Campos CE. Anti-predator behaviour of Rhinella major (Müller and Hellmich 1936), with insights into the Rhinella granulosa group. HERPETOZOA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e66909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In anurans, the different types of anti-predator behaviour have been documented in isolation, but some species have shown synergistic strategies in different situations. The display of these types of behaviour may be related to the types of predators in the habitat, which boost defensive responses in their prey. However, most reports are mostly opportunistic and punctual observations, not systematic. Here, we report the occurrence of anti-predator behaviour in the toad Rhinella major (Müller and Hellmich 1936) (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) in the face of different handling modes. Probably the disturbance caused by handling had elicited a predator deterrence response in the individual, causing it to rapidly exhibit such behaviour. These conditions are discussed along with an overview of anti-predator behaviour in species of the R. granulosa group and we re-interpreted these strategies for two species in the group.
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20
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Barnett JB, Michalis C, Scott-Samuel NE, Cuthill IC. Colour pattern variation forms local background matching camouflage in a leaf-mimicking toad. J Evol Biol 2021; 34:1531-1540. [PMID: 34465010 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Optimal camouflage can, in principle, be relatively easily achieved in simple, homogeneous, environments where backgrounds always have the same colour, brightness and patterning. Natural environments are, however, rarely homogenous, and species often find themselves viewed against varied backgrounds where the task of concealment is more challenging. One result of variable backgrounds is the evolution of intraspecific phenotypic variation which may either be generalized, with multiple similarly cryptic patterns, or specialized, with each discrete colour form maximizing concealment against a single component of the background. We investigated the role of phenotypic variation in a highly variable population of the Neotropical toad Rhinella margaritifera using visual modelling and a computer-based detection task. We found that phenotypic variation was not divided into discrete colour morphs, and all toads were well camouflaged against the forest floor. However, although the whole population may appear to consist of random samples from the background, the toads were a particularly close match to the leaf litter, suggesting that they masquerade as dead leaves, which are themselves variable. Furthermore, rather than each colour form being equally effective against a single background, each toad was specialized towards its own particular local surroundings, as suggested by a specialist strategy. Taken together, these data highlight the importance of background matching to a nominally masquerading species, as well as how habitat heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales may affect the evolution of camouflage and phenotypic variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- James B Barnett
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Innes C Cuthill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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