Una fantástica nueva especie del grupo Pristimantis orcesi de los Andes sur de Ecuador

Abstract

We describe a new glandular terrestrial frog of the Pristimantis (Anura: Craugastoridae) genus. The new species inhabits the high montane forests of the Cañar province in southern Ecuador. It differs from other terrestrial frogs by having a striking dark gray and red dorsal coloration, dorsal skin with a corrugated texture, a small tubercle on the eyelid and heel, absence of vomerine odontophores, and large glandular patches on the supratympanic area, arms and limbs. Our molecular analyses show that the new species is in a clade with P. orcesi and P. erythros. Based on our results, we redefine the orcesi group and suggest that it contains only three species (P. orcesi, P. erythros, and the new species); the group is diagnosed mainly by exhibiting conspicuous dermal macroglands on the head, body and legs.