Rediscovery, redescription and identity of Pristimantis nebulosus (Henle, 1992), and description of a new terrestrial-breeding frog from montane rainforests of central Peru (Anura, Strabomantidae)

The taxonomic status of the strabomantid frog species Pristimantis nebulosus (Henle, 1992), originating from the southern Cordillera Azul in central Peru, is investigated based on examination of the holotype and its comparison with freshly collected topotypic material. Following current standards, we provide a redescription of the holotype. It is in a rather poor state and exhibits certain damages and preservation artifacts, conditions that have hampered an allocation of this nominal taxon to any known living population of Pristimantis in the past. Our detailed specimen-to-specimen comparison provided morphological evidence for the conspecifity of the holotype and freshly collected topotypes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on the mitochondrial 16S gene fragment places P. nebulosus in the P. conspicillatus species group, being closely related to P. bipunctatus and an undescribed candidate species from the Cordillera de Carpish. From both, P. nebulosus differs by considerable divergence in the 16S gene (p-distance 4.1-6.2%). Based on the specimens available, we provide an updated diagnosis for P. nebulosus, compare it to other species in the P. conspicillatus group and describe its advertisement call. In addition, we describe and name the closely related candidate species from the Cordillera de Carpish. It is sister to P. bipunctatus and P. nebulosus, but differs from both mainly by its tuberculate dorsal skin (versus shagreen) and divergence in the 16S gene (3.3-4.1%). We briefly discuss cryptic species diversity in the P. conspicillatus and P. danae species groups and provide justification for the description of a singleton species.

Automated summary

This study investigates the taxonomic status of the strabomantid frog species Pristimantis nebulosus from Peru. The study provides evidence of the conspecificity of the holotype and freshly collected topotypes through morphological comparison. Molecular phylogenetic analysis places P. nebulosus in the P. conspicillatus species group, closely related to P. bipunctatus and an undescribed candidate species from Cordillera de Carpish. The study also describes and names the closely related candidate species and discusses cryptic species diversity in the P. conspicillatus and P. danae species groups.