Pristimantis blasi Duarte-Marín & Montoya-Marín & Rivera-Gómez 2022, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Duarte-Marín, Sebastián
name: Montoya-Marín, Manuela
name: Rivera-Gómez, Jackeline
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2022
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Amphibia
Anura
Craugastoridae
Pristimantis
Pristimantis blasi

description: Pristimantis blasi sp. nov.
(Figs. 2–5).
Holotype. ARUQ1291 (Figs. 2–3), adult female collected ESMA Alto Amurrupá, Santa Cecilia, municipality of Pueblo Rico, department of Risaralda, Colombia (5.31444 N, 76.15361 W, 1119 m a.s.l, WGS84), on December 27, 2019, by Manuela Montoya-Marín, Jackeline Rivera-Gómez and Sebastián Duarte-Marín.
Paratypes. (N=8), ARUQ1025–1029, CUS-A 145–147 (Figs. 4, 5), male adults collected with the holotype.
Referenced specimens. One subadult female ARUQ1030, and two subadult males ARUQ1031–1032, collected with holotype.
Definition. Pristimantis blasi sp. nov. is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: (1) skin on dorsum shagreen (with scattered tubercles), becoming finely shagreened laterally and coarsely on the flanks; dorsolateral folds absent; lateral folds present; ventral skin areolate; discoidal fold present, well anterior to groin. (2) Tympanic membrane partially translucent; tympanic annulus evident, ovoid, corresponding to 1/3 (30%–45%) of eye length; supratympanic fold distinguished, which extends from posterior corner of orbit along upper edge of temporal region and curved toward the insertion of the arm. (3) Snout subacuminate in dorsal view, rounded in lateral profile and lacking of papilla; canthus rostralis straight in dorsal view, rounded in profile; two and three subconicals postrictal tubercles. (4) IOD wider than upper eyelid; craneal crest absent; frontoparietals concave at the proximal edge in contact with the exoccipital in lateral view; upper eyelid bearing small low tubercle at the posterior margin. (5) Choanae small, ovoid; not concealed by palatal shelf of maxillary arch; dentigerous processes of vomers prominent, positioned posterior to level of choanae, moderately separated, each dentigerous process of vomers bearing 5–7 teeth. (6) Males with vocal slits and single, median and subgular vocal sac; double nuptial pads glandular and white, present on the dorsomedial surface on the base of the thumb. (7) Finger I shorter than II; discs truncated. (8) Lateral fringes on fingers; palmar tubercle in heart-shape (not divided); thenar tubercle oval, slightly smaller than palmar tubercle; supernumerary tubercles low, distributed on all fleshy parts of palm; subarticular tubercles low, with rounded base and larger than supernumerary tubercles, hyperdistal tubercle present. (9) Antebrachial tubercle present; two and three ulnar tubercles small and subconical, not coalesced. (10) Subconical tubercle on heel and small on outer edge of tarsus, small inner tarsal fold. (11) Oval inner metatarsal tubercles, representing three times the size of outer tubercle; supernumerary plantar tubercles restricted to the proximal segments of the digits subarticular tubercles rounded, prominent. (12) Toes with narrow lateral fringes, toe webbing absent; toe III shorter than toe V; toe III extending to distal edge of the penultimate subarticular tubercle of toe IV; toe V reaching distal edge of distal subarticular tubercle of toe IV; discs and circumferential grooves present on all toes. (13) Two cloacal tubercles present, anterior to cloaca. (14) Polymorphic dorsal pattern (Fig. 4), dorsum darker brown with longitudinal stripes or blotches pale brown, labial bars cream, longitudinal stripe from the posterior edge of the eye, covering 30–50% of the tympanum, which extends to the flanks; flanks darker brown with cream, in anterior surface with some dark blotches; groin, anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs black with yellow light blotches; throat and belly surfaces with black markings on cream or pale yellow; concealed surfaces of tibia with contrasting pattern consisting of black mottling on cream or yellow pale background; pale band across heel; iris red wine in females, copper red in males. (15) SVL adult males 19.2–31.0 mm (mean = 22.4 ± SD = 3.93 mm; n = 8) and female 40.0 mm.
Description of the holotype. An adult female with head wider than body; head width 38.9% of SVL; HL 43.7% of SVL; snout subacuminated in dorsal view and rounded in lateral profile; snout lacking papilla at its tip. Canthus rostralis concave in dorsal view, in transverse cross section is rounded; loreal region straight, lips no flared.Anterior part of nostrils is directed laterally; internarial distance 60.4% of eye-to-nostril distance; eye-to-nostril distance equal to of eye diameter. Upper eyelid bearing small subconical tubercle at the posterior margin, upper eyelid width is 92.2% of IOD and eye diameter 118.4% of IOD. Craneal crest absent. Frontoparietals region concave at the proximal edge in contact with the exoccipital in lateral view. Upper edge of tympanum covered by supratympanic fold, which extends from posterior corner of orbit along upper edge of temporal region and curved toward the insertion of the arm; tympanum size is 38.4% of eye diameter; tympanum superficial, ovoid, and partially translucent; tympanic annulus evident, eye to tympanum distance is 58.9% of tympanum diameter; two postrictal subconical tubercles. Choanae small, ovoid, not concealed by palatal shelf of maxillary arch. Dentigerous processes of vomers prominent, positioned posterior to level of choanae, moderately separated, bearing 5 vomerine teeth. Tongue longer than wide, posterior edge notched, posterior 2/3 not adherent to the floor of the mouth. Skin on dorsum shagreen, with scattered tubercles, laterally finely shagreen and coarsely on the flanks; dorsolateral folds absent. The groin and throat skin are smooth. Venter areolate. Discoidal fold well anterior to groin. Upper surface of limbs is smooth, with absent transversal folds over tibia. Radio-ulna length is 22.5% of SVL and hand length is 144.8% of radio-ulna length. Forearm on outer edge bearing three cream small subconical ulnar tubercles. Elbow fold present. Palmar tubercle in heart-shape (not divided), twice wider than the oval thenar tubercle. Supernumerary tubercles low, distributed on all fleshy parts of palm (among six and seven). Subarticular tubercles are rounded and low. Fingers bearing lateral fringes and truncate disks with rounded borders. Pad on thumb slightly wider than digit above the pad. The pads on fingers II-IV broadly wider than digits, the fingers III and IV the disks nearly as large as tympanum, ventral pads on fingers are broader than long. First finger is shorter than second. Tibia length is 51.0% of SVL; subconical tubercle on heel, three cream small tubercles on outer edge of tarsus. Small inner tarsal fold. Foot length is 50.0% of SVL. Metatarsal tubercles are subconical. Inner metatarsal tubercles oval twice as long as wide, 3 times the size of outer metatarsal rounded conical tubercle. Supernumerary plantar tubercles are low (four), restricted to the proximal segments of the digits. Subarticular tubercles rounded, prominent. Toes bearing narrow lateral fringes, toes lack webbing. The pads on toes wider than digits, the pads on toes size order from highest to lowest is 4>5=3>2>1; pads on toes III, IV and V twice wider than digits; ventral pads truncate, wider than long. Outer pads on toes slight narrower than the pads on outer fingers. Tip of V reaching distal edge of distal subarticular tubercle of toe IV, tip of toe III extending to distal edge of the penultimate subarticular tubercle of toe IV.
Coloration of the holotype. In life, darker brown with irregular longitudinal stripe pale brown dorsally; flanks darker brown with cream, in anterior surface with some dark blotches. Labial bars, nostrils and longitudinal stripe from the posterior edge of the eye cream. Groin, anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs black with yellow light blotches. Throat and belly surfaces with black markings on cream or pale yellow; concealed surfaces of tibia with contrasting pattern consisting of black mottling on yellow pale background; pale band across heel. Cloacal triangle absent. Iris red wine with a black transversal band. In ethanol, the patterns remain, but the dorsum turns gray and ventral surfaces turn cream.
Variation. Measurements and ratios of males and female are shown in Table 1. Some males (ARUQ1025, 1028; CUS-A146) have two small suprascapular tubercles. Male ARUQ1025 have W-shaped scapular fold. Some males (ARUQ1029; CUS-A145–146) have four ulnar tubercles. The dorsal pattern varies from longitudinal stripes or blotches (Fig. 4). The throat may be dark with irregular cream blotches (ARUQ1027–1029, 1031–1032; CUSA146–147). Groin, anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs black with pale blotches (ARUQ1029, 1031–1032; CUSA146–147). Ventrally, finger I, II and concealed surfaces of tibia pale orange with black markings (ARUQ1025, 1027; CUS-A145–146, Fig. 5), Iris copper red in males.
Distribution and Natural history. Pristimantis blasi inhabits primary and secondary in tropical humid forests of the western slope of the Cordillera Occidental, from 1000 to 1350 m a.s.l (Fig. 6). The individuals of this species are nocturnal, being active from 2100 to 2300 h; however, it is possible to find inactive individuals during the day by removing the fallen leaves. The individuals are found in ferns, giant ear plant (Xanthosoma sp.) and trunks at a height from 0.1 to 1.5 m. The advertisement call of P. blasi consists in a pulsed note similar as “Ñec” to the human ear, like P. erythropleura and P. cruentus, unfortunately we were unable to record the vocalizing males. The individuals of this species generally have a strong smell in their groin, similar to the macerated herbs. When finding and handling these frogs, no defensive behaviors were observed other than fleeing quickly or staying immobile in the vegetation when found. Sympatric species include Diasporus quidditus, Oophaga histrionica, Phyllobates bicolor, Pristimantis orpacobates and P. labiosus.
Conservation status of the new species. Pristimantis blasi was found within ESMA Alto Amurrupá (type locality) and NNP Tatamá (González-Durán coms. pers.). In these localities there are secondary and primary forests, and the presence of agriculture, which includes livestock, mining activities and logging. Although P. blasi was not as abundant, 5 to 10 individuals could be found in a few hours of sampling. We suggest that this species should be “Endangered” according to the IUCN category, by criterion “B1(a)” (extent of occurrence less than 5000 km ² and a number of localities <5).
Etymology. We proposed the etymology blasi in honor to Blas Antonio Cárdenas for his valuable work in the conservation of Santa Cecilia biodiversity, for his personal contributions to the ecotourism and the protection of cloud forests in the municipality of Pueblo Rico, which directly benefited the species we describe here (Fig. 6C).
Comparative diagnosis. Pristimantis blasi sp nov. (Fig. 7A) is most similar to five species inhabiting northern of Cordillera Occidental (P. aemulatus, P. cruentus, P. mars, P. orpacobates and P. ruedai), and three species of Cordillera Central and Occidental (P. bicolor, P. erythropleura, and P. penelopus) by having nuptial pad in males, digital discs expanded, digital pads with circumferential grooves, heel tubercle present, dorsolateral fold present (present in some morph of P. erythropleura), venter areolate, inner tarsal fold present, cranial crests absent, toe V reaches distal subaticular tubercle of toe IV and bright flash color in the inguinal region (Fig. 7). It differs from those species by dorsum skin shagreen with low tubercles (smooth in P. erythropleura, P. bicolor, P. ruedai and P. cruentus), cranial crest absent (present in P. orpacobates), frontoparietals concave at the proximal edge in contact with the exoccipital in lateral view, a small subconical on the upper eyelid, vocal slits and vocal sac (absent in P. cruentus, P. orpacobates and P. mars, P. penelopus), iris red wine in females, and groin of thighs black with yellow light blotches (Fig. 8). Additional differences among species are summarized in Table 2.
description: Published as part of Duarte-Marín, Sebastián, Montoya-Marín, Manuela & Rivera-Gómez, Jackeline, 2022, A New Species of Red-eyed frog of the genus Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Western Slope of the Cordillera Occidental, Risaralda, Colombia, pp. 218-232 in Zootaxa 5093 (2) on pages 219-227, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5093.2.5, http://zenodo.org/record/5905199