The USP Amphibian Lab Podcast

• Museomics and the systematics of the Atlantic Forest nurse frogs (Dendrobatoidea: Aromobatidae: Allobatinae)

  This paper investigates the taxonomy of Atlantic Forest nurse frogs using museomics, which involves analyzing ancient DNA (hDNA) from museum specimens, alongside morphological data and bioacoustics. Due to extinctions at type localities, previous studies were unable to obtain sufficient evidence to resolve their systematics, prompting the use of hDNA from museum collections to clarify relationships. The findings lead to the establishment of a new genus, Dryadobates, and the identification of 12 species within this group, including two new species, highlighting the importance of museum collections for conservation and taxonomy.Grant T., Lyra M.L., Hofreiter M., Preick M., Barlow A., Verdade V.K., Rodrigues M.T. 2025. Museomics and the systematics of the Atlantic Forest nurse frogs (Dendrobatoidea: Aromobatidae: Allobatinae). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 472: 1–76. https://doi.org/10.1206/0003-0090.472.1.1Audio generated using Google NotebookLM.The AI had trouble pronouncing some names, so here's the API pronunciation:Allobates = ælobeɪtizDryadobates = dɹaɪædobeɪtizolfersioides = olfɝsiɔɪdizcapixava = kæpiʃæbæ

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• A new species of Neblinaphryne (Anura: Brachycephaloidea: Neblinaphrynidae) from Serra do Imeri, Amazonas state, Brazil

  This paper, published in Zootaxa, describes the discovery and formal description of a new species of frog, Neblinaphryne imeri, found in the Serra do Imeri massif in the Amazonas state of Brazil. Researchers utilized a multidisciplinary approach, including molecular, morphological, acoustic, osteological, and myological data, to identify and characterize the species. They compare the new species to the only other known species in the genus, N. mayeri, highlighting the distinctive traits of N. imeri in terms of coloration, physical features, and genetics. The paper also discusses the unique biodiversity of the Pantepui region, where these frogs are found, and suggests the newly described species provides further evidence of speciation driven by geographic isolation in this challenging environment.Fouquet A., Moraes L.J.C.L., Grant T., Recoder R., Camacho A., Ghellere J.M., Barutel A., Rodrigues M.T. 2024. A new species of Neblinaphryne (Anura: Brachycephaloidea: Neblinaphrynidae) from Serra do Imeri, Amazonas state, Brazil. Zootaxa 5514: 73–90. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5514.1.5Audio generated using Google NotebookLM.

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• Museomics reduces taxonomic inflation in the Dendropsophus araguaya complex (Hylinae: Dendropsophini) from the Cerrado

  This article employs museomics, analyzing historical DNA from museum specimens, to re-evaluate the classification of a group of tree frogs, specifically the Dendropsophus araguaya complex, aiming to resolve issues of taxonomic uncertainty. By successfully extracting and sequencing DNA from preserved individuals of D. rhea and D. tritaeniatus, the researchers determined their evolutionary relationships and taxonomic status. Their findings, supported by genetic and morphological data, indicate that D. jimi and D. rhea are synonyms of D. cerradensis, leading to the renaming of the complex and clarification of some previous misidentifications. This work highlights the importance of utilizing museum collections for modern taxonomic studies and has implications for conservation efforts by updating species distributions and statuses.Nakamura D.Y.M., Orrico V.G.D., Da Silva E.M.G., Lyra M.L., Grant T. 2025. Museomics reduces taxonomic inflation in the Dendropsophus araguaya complex (Hylinae: Dendropsophini) from the Cerrado. Journal of Vertebrate Biology74: 24112. https://doi.org/10.25225/jvb.24112Audio generated using Google NotebookLM.

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• Historical DNA Places an Apparently Extinct Gladiator Frog in the Phylogeny of the Boana pulchella Group (Anura: Hylidae)

  This research paper investigates the taxonomic status of the Boana cymbalum frog, considered extinct since the 1960s, by utilizing historical DNA (hDNA) extracted from a preserved museum specimen. Through advanced sequencing techniques, the study successfully places B. cymbalum within the B. pulchella group phylogenetically, confirming its distinctiveness from closely related species like B. prasina and B. pulchella. Beyond genetics, the paper also provides detailed morphological descriptions, analyzes historical audio recordings to characterize its vocalizations, and discusses its conservation status, highlighting the potential for using environmental DNA (eDNA) for possible rediscovery efforts in areas near its last known location. Overall, this work showcases the power of museomics in resolving taxonomic questions for species with limited or no living representatives.Nakamura D.Y.M., Pinheiro P.D.P., Lyra M.L., Faivovich N., Grant T. 2025. Historical DNA places an apparently extinct gladiator frog in the phylogeny of the Boana pulchella group (Anura: Hylidae). Herpetologica.Audio generated using Google NotebookLM.

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