Six new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from Llanganates National Park and Sangay National Park in Amazonian cloud forests of Ecuador

Researchers have identified six new species of rainfrogs belonging to the genus Pristimantis (Strabomantidae) from Amazonian cloud forests in Ecuador, specifically within Llanganates and Sangay National Parks. These discoveries expand the subgenus Huicundomantis and introduce a highly divergent clade consisting exclusively of newly described species. The study utilized mitochondrial and nuclear gene analyses, including 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA, ND1, and RAG1, alongside high-resolution x-ray computed tomography to describe osteological features. Notably, the new species lack vocal slits and tympanic membranes, distinguishing them from related taxa. All six species are endemic to a single locality within their respective national parks, warranting Data Deficient (DD) Red List status. The findings also report the presence of intercalary elements in two species, marking the first such observation in the subgenus Terrarana.

Ortega, J. A., Brito, J., & Ron, S. R. (2022). Six new species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from Llanganates National Park and Sangay National Park in Amazonian cloud forests of Ecuador. PeerJ, 10, e13761. Portico. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13761