The genus Pseudis (Anura: Pseudidae) in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, with description of a new species

Abstract

A new species of Pseudis is described from São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is known from the southern parts of the Serra Geral where it occurs in grassland, inhabiting permanent ponds and still-water zones of slow flowing creeks. It is characterized by a paired vocal sac and a bulbous thumb, considerably widened at the base. It is distinguished from P. minutus by its different call, body coloration, rounded snout, and a more robust body with shorter hindlimbs. Advertisement call, tadpole, and life history are described. The taxonomy of the family Pseudidae in Rio Grande do Sul is discussed, supporting the synonymy of Lysapsus mantidactylus and P. meridionalis with P. minutus.