We present a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the hylid tribe Hylini, with the goals of testing the monophyly of the genera Duellmanohyla, Isthmohyla, and Ptychohyla and providing a discussion on the monophyly of Bromeliohyla, Charadrahyla, Ecnomiohyla, Exerodonta, Megastomatohyla, and Sarcohyla. Our results indicate the paraphyly of Ptychohyla, with Bromeliohyla and Duellmanohyla nested within it, and, as in previous analyses, the paraphyly of Duellmanohyla (due to Ptychohyla legleri and P. salvadorensis being nested within it). To resolve this situation, we restrict the contents of Ptychohyla, redelimit those of Duellmanohyla and Bromeliohyla, and erect two new genera, one to include the former Ptychohyla panchoi and P. spinipollex, and the other for the former Ptychohyla acrochorda, P. sanctaecrucis, P. zoque, and tentatively, P. erythromma. Exerodonta as currently defined is not monophyletic, inasmuch as Exerodonta juanitae is nested within Charadrahyla. Consequently, we transfer this species and, tentatively, E. pinorum to Charadrahyla. Also, we discuss some possible taxonomic problems within Exerodonta. Our results indicate that Isthmohyla is polyphyletic, the bromeliad-dwelling Isthmohyla melacaena being the sister taxon of our only exemplar of Bromeliohyla, B. bromeliacia. For this reason, we transfer I. melacaena to Bromeliohyla, rendering Isthmohyla monophyletic. The former Isthmohyla pictipes Group is shown to be paraphyletic due to having the non-monophyletic I. pseudopuma Group within it. Accordingly, we recognize a redelimited I. pseudopuma Group (contents: I. infucata and I. pseudopuma), an I. zeteki Group (contents: I. picadoi and I. zeteki), and a newly defined I. tica Group (contents: I. angustilineata, I. calypsa, I. debilis, I. graceae, I. lancasteri, I. pictipes, I. tica, I. rivularis, and, tentatively, I. insolita and I. xanthosticta). The three groups of Isthmohyla are supported by molecular evidence with jackknife support values > 90%, and two of them by putative morphological synapomorphies. We discuss the recognition of Dryophytes, Hyliola, Rheohyla, and Sarcohyla and whether it is useful to recognize Anotheca, Diaglena, and Triprion as three distinct, monotypic genera. Finally, we discuss a recent taxonomic proposal involving changes in rank and from ranked to unranked names in hylids that overall we consider to have been poorly justified and only superficially discussed.

The natural history of most species of Telmatobius that live in the Altiplano of the Andes is unknown due to the difficulty of performing long-term studies and the logistics of working in these remote areas with extreme environmental conditions. One of these anurans inhabits the springs of the Ascotán salt flat of Chile. Here, we provide for the first time information on its distribution, habitat, microhabitat, density, diet and reproductive activity. Suitable habitat for the specie is restricted to a few springs that drain into the salt flat. Amphibian density was variable among springs and seasons and diet was composed mainly of bottom-dwelling invertebrates. We also found evidence of selection for some benthonic prey. Reproductive activity occurred mainly at night. Larvae were found during the whole year, which suggests a long larval developmental period. The salt flat is under strong anthropic pressure, although so far this anuran has managed to persist in spite of habitat perturbations. Our biological and ecological data might increase our ability to act and protect this high Andean anuran species.

We describe the buccal cavity and chondrocranial morphology of Phasmahyla cruzi tadpoles in comparison to P. guttata. We also provide a review of some characters for larval phyllomedusids and discuss some evolutionary aspects related to the funnel-mouthed configuration. Our discussion highlights that several characters evolved independently in several taxa with umbelliform oral discs. Nevertheless, we suggest that the dorsal orientation of the suprarostral cartilage and the presence of a prenarial ridge on the buccal roof may represent synapomorphic character states for the genus Phasmahyla.

The trans-Andean genus Epipedobates comprises seven species, of which tadpoles have been described for five. Herein, we describe the tadpole of Epipedobates darwinwallacei and compare it to free-swimming tadpoles of E. anthonyi, E. boulengeri, E. espinosai, E. machalilla, E. narinensis, and E. tricolor. Furthermore, we suggest as putative synapomorphies for the genus Epipedobates the following larval character-states: (i) shelf on the upper jaw sheath, and (ii) subcutaneous melanophores distributed in two transverse bands in the peribranchial area. Additionally, the presence of white spots on the anterolateral and ventrolateral surfaces of the body is possibly synapomorphic but requires further study.

We describe the external morphology, internal oral anatomy, and chondrocranium of Pseudopaludicola canga. The tadpole is diagnosed by the following combined characters: elliptic body, reniform nostril, dorsal fin starting at the body-tail junction and labial tooth row formula 2(2)/2(1) presenting two lateral gaps in the marginal papillae of the lower lip. Regarding the oral cavity, there is a pattern similarity in some characters among the three species of the genus for which the structure has been described; however, P. canga can be characterized by having a pair of infralabial papillae, irregular median ridge, three lingual papillae, fewer papillae in the buccal roof arena, and greater number of papillae in the buccal floor. The chondrocranium of P. canga differs from that of P. boliviana by presenting a distal connection between the pars alaris and pars corporis of the cartilago suprarostralis; and differs from P. falcipes by lacking a processus pseudopterygoideus. Further, our data emphasize the utility of larval characters as additional tools in the diagnosis of species within this genus.

Sphaenorhynchus platycephalus was briefly described on the basis of a single specimen, with only “S-Amerika” as its locality. Although it has been regarded as a distinct species, compelling evidence is lacking. A comparison of all currently described species of Sphaenorhynchus, including type specimens of several species, allowed us to provide morphological evidence that S. platycephalus and S. orophilus are conspecific, with S. orophilus being a junior synonym of S. platycephalus.

Throughout the life cycle of organisms, nutrient intake is necessary for the maintenance of the functions of daily life and in preparation for a variety of biological events, such as molting, migration, hibernation, and reproduction. One of the most energetically costly events is reproduction. Present study sought to elucidate the seasonal variations in the markers of intermediate metabolism (total proteins, uric acid, glucose, total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and glycogen) and body condition indices (gonadossomatic, hepatosomatic, and abdominal fat index) in Tropidurus catalanensis, in order to know the physiological costs of reproduction in this species, also allowing these parameters to be used as markers in studies of environmental alterations. During the study period, 38 males and 35 females were collected. Tropidurus catalanensis is a lizard that inhabits the Pampa grasslands, a biome that stretches across Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Results obtained reveal that this lizard exhibits a clear pattern of seasonal variation in its metabolism, as reflected mainly in levels of plasma total protein, liver glycogen, total lipids, and triglycerides in males and females; and in blood glucose and lipid, and liver protein levels in females. It bears stressing that all body condition indices analyzed varied over the course of the year. The parameters studied can be used to evaluate the impact of changes in environmental conditions on these animals. Winter months appear to trigger a reduction in overall metabolism, most intensely in males. Reproductive period seems to be the biological event that demands greater energy demand, leading to the mobilization of energy stocks mainly in females, where the search for food may be reduced in the months of reproductive peak (spring). The response pattern observed during the reproductive period suggests that this time represents a critical point in terms of the animal's adaptation to its life cycle.

In studies of animal behavior, a detailed description of behavioral displays of a species—the ethogram—is a fundamental step in order to evaluate inter- and intra-sexual interactions. It can also assist in comparative studies by helping to determine derived and plesiomorphic behaviors of a taxon. Behavioral repertoires of lizards have been studied within different contexts, both in field and in laboratory. The striped lava lizard, Tropidurus semitaeniatus, has been studied in its natural history, trophic ecology and autoecology. However, there are no detailed studies of its behavior. Here, we produced a detailed ethogram for the species and describe a new behavior, the dorsum display, an unknown behavior not reported in any Tropiduridae to date. We described agonistic behaviors from recordings of interaction trials in the laboratory. The most frequently displayed behaviors were tongue-flicking, bite, intimidation posture and head bob, among others. We present supplemental material with videos of all displayed behaviors.