Genera of Leptodactylid Frogs in México

Genera of Leptodactylid Frogs in México

According to the most recent review of the Mexican amphibian fauna (Smith and Taylor, 1948), six genera of leptodactylid frogs occur in Mxico. One other genus, Pleurodema, occurs in Lower Central America. Smith and Taylor recognized one species of Engystomops, 28 of Eleutherodactylus, three of Leptodactylus, eight of Microbatrachylus, 12 of Syrrhophus, and five of Tomodactylus. Subsequent to the publication of their checklist of the Mexican amphibia (1948), numerous taxonomic changes have been proposed. Many species of Eleutherodactylus have been added to the fauna, either through the extension of their recorded ranges into Mxico from Guatemala or by the recognition of species unknown in 1948, whereas some nominal species have been synonymized. Microbatrachylus has been regarded as synonymous with Eleutherodactylus (Lynch, 1965); four species of Microbatrachylus currently are regarded as valid (Duellman, 1961, Lynch, 1965). Syrrhophus was revised in part by Duellman (1958) and Firschein (1954), and a species of Tomodactylus transferred to Syrrhophus by Dixon (1957), who redefined Tomodactylus and added more species to the genus. Since beginning my studies of the Mexican leptodactylids in 1962, I have become acutely aware of difficulties involved in defining the genera. A revision of Eleutherodactylus and a review of Syrrhophus are nearing completion, but prior to their publication it is desirable to redefine the genera of the Mexican leptodactylids, and in so doing recognize an heretofore unnamed genus. The definitions of Eleutherodactylus and Leptodactylus may need to be altered in the future, since both are widespread in South America and occur in the West Indies. Their definitions as given here are as precise as present knowledge permits. Syrrhophus and Tomodactylus are small assemblages that occur only in southwestern United States, Mxico, and Guatemala. Taylor (1952) synonymized Engystomops with Eupemphix which, although related, should be regarded as generically distinct (Gallardo, 1965). Perhaps the most conservative classification is that of Myers (1962) who, without published evidence, combined Eleutherodactylus,[Pg 506] Syrrhophus, and the South American Lithodytes in a single genus. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 31830
Author: Lynch, John D.
Release Date: Mar 30, 2010
Format: eBook
Language: English