Systematics of the Rhinellamargaritifera complex (Anura, Bufonidae) from western Ecuador and Panama with insights in the biogeography of Rhinellaalata.

ABSTRACT: The Rhinellamargaritifera species group consists of 17 species of toads distributed in tropical and subtropical South America and eastern Central America. The identity of some of its species is poorly understood and there are numerous undescribed cryptic species. Among them, the status of Rhinellamargaritifera is one of the most problematic. Its range includes lowland rainforests separated by the Andes, the Chocoan rainforest to the west and the Amazonian rainforest to the east. This distribution is puzzling because the Andes are an old and formidable barrier to gene flow and therefore should generate vicariant speciation between disjunct lowland populations. Herein we clarify the taxonomy of populations of the Rhinellamargaritifera complex from Central America and the Chocó region of Sout

SUBMITTER: Dos Santos SP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4432321 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature