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Muzaffer Mustafa Harlioglu - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effect of serotonin injection on the reproductive parameters and haemolymph methyl farnesoate level in the narrow‐clawed crayfish Pontastacus Leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823)
Aquaculture Research, 2019Co-Authors: Ardavan Farhadi, Muzaffer Mustafa Harlioglu, Ökkeş YilmazAbstract:The effects of serotonin injection (1, 5 and 10 µg/g body weight) on spermatozoal production, vas deferens index (VDI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), testicular index (TI), gonado‐somatic index (GSI), ovarian egg number, total protein, methyl farnesoate (MF) levels of haemolymph, amino acid and fatty acid profiles of hepatopancreas were evaluated in Pontastacus Leptodactylus. In male P. Leptodactylus, the highest spermatozoal number (9.3 × 10⁶ ± 1.2) and MF level (0.66 ± 0.06 ng⁻¹ ml) were observed after injection of 10 µg/g of serotonin (p .05). It was also found that serotonin injection caused an increase in the level of MF in male P. Leptodactylus but a reduction in female P. Leptodactylus (p .05). It can be concluded that serotonin injection affects the reproductive parameters such as spermatozoal production, VDI, TI, GSI, HSI and haemolymph MF levels in P. Leptodactylus.
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artificial extrusion of spermatophores for insemination of the narrow clawed crayfish pontastacus Leptodactylus eschscholtz 1823
Aquaculture Reports, 2019Co-Authors: Ardavan Farhadi, Muzaffer Mustafa Harlioglu, Seyfettin GurAbstract:Abstract The extrusion of spermatophores using electrical stimulation and dissection techniques from the vas deference was performed to test the feasibility of artificial insemination in Pontastacus Leptodactylus. The electrical stimulation to males showed a significant success of 66.6%. The rate of spermatophore ejaculation was affected by male size (P 6.5cm carapace length) males (1.4 ± 0.1; 92.3%) compared to medium (5.5–6.5 cm carapace length) (1.1 ± 0.1; 75%) and small ( 0.05). Viability was 80.4 ± 2.2% and 83.8 ± 1.9% for electrical stimulation and dissection techniques, respectively. The spawning rate was 100% in inseminated females using spermatophores obtained from the dissected males. Using electrical extrusion, not enough spermatozoa were obtained to induce spawning in female P. Leptodactylus. Further studies are needed to improve the outcome of the electrical extrusion technique. The present study represents a step forward for the development of artificial insemination in P. Leptodactylus.
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The annual cycle of spermatozoa content in the vas deferens and some reproductive parameters in the narrow-clawed crayfish Pontastacus Leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823)
Elsevier, 2019Co-Authors: Ardavan Farhadi, Muzaffer Mustafa HarliogluAbstract:Understanding the annual dynamic of gametes in crayfish is useful for successful management of crayfish population. The annual variations in spermatozoa content of vas deferens, gonado-somatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), vas deferens index (VDI), and testicular index (TI) were investigated in male Pontastacus Leptodactylus. The spermatozoa content, GSI, HSI, VDI, and TI of P. Leptodactylus significantly (P
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Visibility of precursors of the gonopods in a freshwater crayfish, Astacus Leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823 (Decapoda, Astacidae)
Crustaceana, 2016Co-Authors: Muzaffer Mustafa HarliogluAbstract:Astacus Leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823 is an important, marketable species of crustacean, consumed intensely as a luxury food in many countries. Because A. Leptodactylus is less cannibalistic than other crayfish species, is more fecund, and has a fast growth rate, it is accepted as a considerably suitable crayfish for culturing in extensive pond systems. Information on the reproductive biology and anatomy of crayfish is important for developing suitable production methods. Sex recognition may also be essential in separating males and females in crayfish rearing (i.e., to prevent cannibalism, males grow faster than females). Although male reproductive system morphology and spermatophore formation in crayfish, including A. Leptodactylus , have been studied in detail, this study is the first to demonstrate the visibility of precursors of the gonopods and, thus, the actual presence of gonopods, which of course determine the male sex, in a freshwater crayfish. The present study shows that the first signs of secondary sexual characters (i.e., precursors of the gonopods) can be distinguished in the form of small tubercles on the first abdominal somite in male stage 4 juveniles, and the gonopods themselves are distinguishable in male stage 5 juveniles in A. Leptodactylus . In conclusion, sex differentiation in A. Leptodactylus can be realized already in stage 4 juveniles. Further studies should be carried out on the presence and shape of precursors of gonopods in stage 4 and gonopods in stage 5 juveniles of species of astacid crayfish in order to facilitate solving taxonomic problems in the family Astacidae.
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effect of dietary n 3 series fatty acids on sperm production in the freshwater crayfish astacus Leptodactylus eschscholtz astacidae
Aquaculture International, 2013Co-Authors: Muzaffer Mustafa Harlioglu, Ayşe Gül Harlioğlu, Onder Aksu, Kenan Koprucu, Serpil Mise Yonar, Tuba Cakmak Duran, Mehmet Nuri Cakmak, Sinan Ozcan, Filiz Kutluyer, Hande GundogduAbstract:The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of three different rates of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC n-3 PUFA) on the sperm number of Astacus Leptodactylus. The experiment was carried out with the four following treatments: control group (not supplemented LC n-3 PUFA), D1 (1 %), D2 (2 %) and D3 (3 %). The sperm number of A. Leptodactylus was counted; the reproductive system was weighted; and the macroscopical analysis of the testes and vasa deferentia (DVD) were conducted. In addition, gonado-somatic index (GI) and testes index (TI) were also calculated. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the crayfish fed LC n-3 PUFA supplemented diets (D1, D2, D3) and control in mean sperm number (P 0.05), but there was not a significant difference in the TI of the crayfish fed control, D1, D2 and D3 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, diets containing different levels of LC n-3 PUFA significantly increase the sperm number of A. Leptodactylus, and they are crucial for the production of higher number of sperm in this species.
Cei, José Miguel Alfredo María - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Relaciones serológicas en Leptodactylus del grupo Pachypus
2020Co-Authors: Cohen De Hunau, Raquel, Cei, José Miguel Alfredo María, Castro M. P.Abstract:Se compararon especies argentinas del grupo pachypus: Leptodactylus ocellatus, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus pentadactylus, Leptodactylus laticeps. Las distancias serológicas reveladas por los tests photronreflectométricos de precipitinas, permiten establecer relaciones de parentesco relativamente antiguas entre laticeps y pentadactylus y ocellatus y chaquensis, respectivamente. En un sistema tridimensional éstas dos últimas especies crípticas, ya bien diferenciadas serológicamente, se ubicarían juntas, a igual distancia de las otras dos especies, si bien todas pertenecerían al mismo grupo, en comparación por ejemplo a formas de cavícola. Observaciones por electroforesis en gel, permiten subrayar la peculiaridad del patrón seroproteínico Leptodactylus laticeps, confirmando una diferenciación probablemente precoz e independiente de esta especie chaqueña.A comparison was made of the argentinian species of the pachypus group: Leptodactylus ocellatus, Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus pentadactylus, Leptodactylus laticeps. The serological, distances were shown by photronreflectometric measurements of precipitation, revealing the relatively ancient relationships between laticeps and pentadactylus and between ocellatus and chaquensis respectively. In a three-dimensional system, these last two cryptic species show perfectly good differences serologically, and can be placed the same distance from the other two species, and they all belong to the same group, in comparisons, for example, to the forms of the cavicola group. Observations by acrylamide electrophoresis permit the emphasizing of the peculiarities of the serum-protein pattern of Leptodactylus laticeps, confirming a different and probably early development of this chacoan species.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse
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Mapa preliminar de la distribución continental de las “sibling species” del grupo Ocellatus (género Leptodactylus)
2020Co-Authors: Cei, José Miguel Alfredo MaríaAbstract:Se resumen brevemente los caracteres fisiológicos y morfológicos que han permitido reconocer como especies crípticas a Leptodactylus ocellatus (forma del Litoral, Costa Atlántica, Uruguay y Centro Sur de Argentina) y Leptodactylus chaquensis (forma de las regiones áridas del Chaco). Estas formas se comprendían anteriormente en el taxón lineano Leptodactylus ocellatus. Se refieren observaciones histológicas comparativas sobre la actividad cíclica gameto- genética del testículo, la que permite reconocer y separar las poblaciones con aparente autorregulación hormonal, de la zona árida, o L. chaquensis, de las poblaciones de ciclo espermatogenético continuo, influido sólo por factores ambientales, propias de los ambientes silvestres o de pradera húmeda, mesopotámicos, litorales, pampásicos y de los planaltos brasileños (L. ocellatus).A preliminary map of the continental distribution of the sibling species (Leptodactylus chaquensis, Leptodactylus ocellatus) formerly included in the linnean species Leptodactylus ocellatus, is here presented. Physiological and morphological characters supporting their taxonomic validity show some adaptative trends in accordance with the ecological and climatic environmental factors. Some critical considerations are reported on the adaptative value of the discontinuous sex cycle of Leptodactylus chaquensis, inhabitant of the arid chacoan belt.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse
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Indole-, imidazole-, and phenyl-alkylamines in the skin of thirteen Leptodactylus species
2020Co-Authors: Roseghini M., Cei, José Miguel Alfredo MaríaAbstract:The skin of thirteen Leptodactylus species and sub-species has been examined in regard to its content in biogenic amines. This tissue presents, especially in Leptodactylus pentadactylus labyrinthicus and some other species, an unusually rich miscellany of amines, including at least two indolealkylamines (5-hydroxytryptamine and bufotenidine), three hydroxyphenylalkylamines (p-tyramine, candicine, leptodactyline) and five imidazolealkylamines (histamine, N-methylhistamine, N,N-dimethylhistamine, spinaceamine and 6-methylspinaceamine). It is concluded that the Leptodactylus skin must possess aromatic acid decarboxylase activity, tryptophan-5-hydroxylase activity and N-methyltransferase activity. The skin of nearly every Leptodactylus species and sub-species is characterized by a particular spectrum of amines, which evidently may help in systematies of these species.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse
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The Identification of New Histamine Derivatives in the Skin of Leptodactylus
2020Co-Authors: Vitali T., Roseghini M., Cei, José Miguel Alfredo MaríaAbstract:Extracts of the skin of some South American amphibians belonging to the genus Leptodactylus contain, in addition to 5-hydroxyindolealkylamines and hydroxyphenylalkylamines, remarkable amounts of imidazolealkylamines. The species most rich in these compounds are Leptodactylus pentadactylus labyrinthicus and Leptodactylus laticeps. The skin of the former species contains not only histamine, N'-methyl- histamine and N', N'-dimethylhistamine but also two imidazo-c-pyridine derivatives hitherto unknown in nature: spinaceamine and 6-methylspinaceamine. The new findings permit a notable enlargement of our knowledge in the field of biogenic imidazolealkylamines and illustrate new possible metabolic pathways for histamine.Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse
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Changes in Plasma Sex Steroids in Females of Two Sympatric Leptodactylus from Subtropical South America
2020Co-Authors: Mosconi G., Cei, José Miguel Alfredo María, Ibañez N., Álvarez B B., Carnevali O., Battisti A., Polzonetti-magni A. M.Abstract:Leptodactylus ocellatus is a well-known neotropical anuran in Argentina and Brazil, typically inhabiting marshes and streams, from sea level to 1000-1200 m in the Pampean mountains. Leptodactylus ocellatus is sympatric with L. chaquensis in Paraguay and on the Parana borders. Previous work (Cei, 1948,1949,1950,1980; Cei et al., 1955) with these two sibling species, L. ocellatus and L. chaquensis, revealed diversity in their reproductive cycles. Leptodactylus ocellatus exhibits less gametogenetic discontinuity and variety of secondary sex characters; the annual ovarian cycle of L. chaquensis, involves a fallwinter period of atresia for the residual mature oocytes from the former cycle, and at the same time a progressive auxocytic activity. The spring-summer period of mating and egg-laying of L. chaquensis is followed by resorption of retained oocytes. Moreover, in both sexes, a striking seasonal rhythm in the development of secondary sex characters has been found, together with dramatic growth of skeletal humeri and significant variation in serum calcium values (Cohen 1962a, b, 1963).Material digitalizado en SEDICI gracias a la colaboración del Dr. Jorge Williams (FCNM-UNLP).Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse
Ivana Maguire - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the pontastacus Leptodactylus astacidae repeatome provides insight into genome evolution and reveals remarkable diversity of satellite dna
Frontiers in Genetics, 2021Co-Authors: Ljudevit Luka Bostjancic, Ivana Maguire, Lena Bonassin, Lucija Anusic, Leona Lovrencic, Visnja Besendorfer, Frederic Grandjean, Christopher M Austin, Carola Greve, Alexander Ben HamadouAbstract:Pontastacus Leptodactylus is a native European crayfish species found in both freshwater and brackish environments. It has commercial importance for fisheries and aquaculture industries. Up till now, most studies concerning P. Leptodactylus have focused onto gaining knowledge about its phylogeny and population genetics. However, little is known about the chromosomal evolution and genome organization of this species. Therefore, we performed clustering analysis of a low coverage genomic dataset to identify and characterize repetitive DNA in the P. Leptodactylus genome. In addition, the karyogram of P. Leptodactylus (2n = 180) is presented here for the first time consisting of 75 metacentric, 14 submetacentric, and a submetacentric/metacentric heteromorphic chromosome pair. We determined the genome size to be at ~18.7 gigabase pairs. Repetitive DNA represents about 54.85% of the genome. Satellite DNA repeats are the most abundant type of repetitive DNA, making up to ~28% of the total amount of repetitive elements, followed by the Ty3/Gypsy retroelements (~15%). Our study established a surprisingly high diversity of satellite repeats in P. Leptodactylus. The genome of P. Leptodactylus is by far the most satellite-rich genome discovered to date with 258 satellite families described. Of the five mapped satellite DNA families on chromosomes, PlSAT3-411 co-localizes with the AT-rich DAPI positive probable (peri)centromeric heterochromatin on all chromosomes, while PlSAT14-79 co-localizes with the AT-rich DAPI positive (peri)centromeric heterochromatin on one chromosome and is also located subterminally and intercalary on some chromosomes. PlSAT1-21 is located intercalary in the vicinity of the (peri)centromeric heterochromatin on some chromosomes, while PlSAT6-70 and PlSAT7-134 are located intercalary on some P. Leptodactylus chromosomes. The FISH results reveal amplification of interstitial telomeric repeats (ITRs) in P. Leptodactylus. The prevalence of repetitive elements, especially the satellite DNA repeats, may have provided a driving force for the evolution of the P. Leptodactylus genome.
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species specific differences in dynamics of agonistic interactions may contribute to the competitive advantage of the invasive signal crayfish pacifastacus leniusculus over the native narrow clawed crayfish astacus Leptodactylus
Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, 2016Co-Authors: Sandra Hudina, Goran Klobučar, Karlo Hock, Andreja Radovic, Jelena Petkovic, Misel Jelic, Ivana MaguireAbstract:AbstractSpecies-specific differences in dynamics of agonistic interactions may influence the outcome of interspecific competition and potentially contribute to competitive advantage of one species over another. In this study, we compared the dynamics of agonistic interactions of one of the most successful crayfish invaders of European freshwater ecosystems, the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) and the widespread native European species currently undergoing range expansion in Croatia and Europe, the narrow-clawed crayfish (Astacus Leptodactylus). Comparisons between P. leniusculus pairs and the A. Leptodactylus pairs demonstrated significant differences in frequency and duration of agonistic encounters: P. leniusculus dyads engaged in fewer fights, but their duration was significantly longer. In staged interactions between size-matched interspecific pairs, agonistic behaviour of P. leniusculus individuals translated into dominance over their A. Leptodactylus counterparts. This indicates that the ...
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Comparative Karyotype Investigations in the European Crayfish Astacus astacus and A. Leptodactylus (Decapoda, Astacidae)
Crustaceana, 2011Co-Authors: Mirjana Pavlica, Ivana Maguire, Goran Klobučar, M. Mcžić, Maja Šrut, Jelena MlinarecAbstract:This study reports on the chromosome number and karyological characteristics of the endangered species of European crayfish, Astacus astacus and A. Leptodactylus (Decapoda, Astacidae), both native to Croatian freshwater habitats. The karyotype of A. astacus and A. Leptodactylus consists of 2n = 176 and 2n = 180 chromosomes, respectively. The haploid chromosome complement of A. astacus consists of 52 metacentric, 35 metacentric-submetacentric, and 1 acrocentric chromosomes. Fluorochrome staining with 4,6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) has revealed that the karyotypes of A. astacus and A. Leptodactylus are characterized by large heterochromatic blocks located at centromeric and intercalary positions on the chromosomes. Interstitial heterochromatic blocks were more frequent in A. astacus than in A. Leptodactylus. In both species pairing of chromosomes in meiosis was regular with the majority of bivalents in a ring- and a dumbbell-form. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has revealed that two 45S rDNA loci were present in the investigated species. In A. astacus one of the two 45S rDNA-bearing chromosome pairs was highly heteromorphic, exhibiting a three-fold size difference between 45S rDNA sites on homologous chromosomes. Such a size difference was significantly less pronounced in A. Leptodactylus. The karyotype differences between A. astacus and A. Leptodactylus suggest changes in chromosome number as well as position of repetitive DNAs have played a role in the karyotype evolution of the species of Astacus.
Ariadne Angulo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Cryptic species complexes, widespread species and conservation: lessons from Amazonian frogs of the Leptodactylus marmoratus group (Anura: Leptodactylidae)
Systematics and Biodiversity, 2010Co-Authors: Ariadne Angulo, Javier IcocheaAbstract:Morphologically cryptic species act as a wild card when it comes to biodiversity assessments and conservation, with the capacity to dramatically alter our understanding of the biological landscape at the taxonomic, ecological, biogeographic, evolutionary, and conservation levels. We discuss the potential effects that cryptic species may have on biodiversity assessments and conservation, as well as some of the current issues involving the treatment of cryptic species both at taxonomic and conservation levels. In addition, using a combination of advertisement call and morphological data, we describe a new species of the Leptodactylus marmoratus group from the upper Amazon basin, and we assess how cryptic species can affect conservation assessments of species in the Leptodactylus marmoratus group by examining how recent findings affect our understanding of the distribution of what is assumed to be a widespread Amazonian species, Leptodactylus andreae.
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A new species of Leptodactylus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, with remarks on the systematics of associated populations
Zootaxa, 2006Co-Authors: Antonio De Padua Almeida, Ariadne AnguloAbstract:Adults and tadpoles of a new species of the genus Leptodactylus are described from southeastern Brazil. Leptodactylus thomei sp.nov. can be found amidst the leaf litter within cocoa plantations along the northern coastal region of the state of Espirito Santo. It can be distinguished from other species of the Leptodactylus marmoratus group by its advertisement call, which is described, together with agonistic calls, and compared to advertisement calls of other species of the group that occur in southern and southeastern Brazil. The systematics of associated populations is discussed.
Maria Laura Ponssa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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systematics of the neotropical genus Leptodactylus fitzinger 1826 anura leptodactylidae phylogeny the relevance of non molecular evidence and species accounts
South American Journal of Herpetology, 2014Co-Authors: Taran Grant, Ronald W Heyer, Arley Camargo, Maria Laura Ponssa, Edward L StanleyAbstract:Abstract. A phylogeny of the species-rich clade of the Neotropical frog genus Leptodactylus sensu stricto is presented on the basis of a total evidence analysis of molecular (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and non-molecular (adult and larval morphological and behavioral characters) sampled from > 80% of the 75 currently recognized species. Our results support the monophyly of Leptodactylus sensu stricto, with Hydrolaetare placed as its sister group. The reciprocal monophyly of Hydrolaetare and Leptodactylus sensu stricto does not require that we consider Hydrolaetare as either a subgenus or synonym of Leptodactylus sensu lato. We recognize Leptodactylus sensu stricto, Hydrolaetare, Adenomera, and Lithodytes as valid monophyletic genera. Our results generally support the traditionally recognized Leptodactylus species groups, with exceptions involving only a few species that are easily accommodated without proposing new groups or significantly altering contents. The four groups form a pectinate tree, wi...
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Patterns of skull development in anurans: size and shape relationship during postmetamorphic cranial ontogeny in five species of the Leptodactylus fuscus Group (Anura: Leptodactylidae)
Zoomorphology, 2012Co-Authors: Maria Laura Ponssa, M. Florencia Vera CandiotiAbstract:The effect of allometric ontogenetic changes on morphology has been examined primarily in larval stages of anurans. To our knowledge, such studies after metamorphosis are non-existent, and this information is important because the skull acquires its adult configuration in that period. Using geometric morphometrics, we studied postmetamorphic shape changes in the skull of five species of the Leptodactylus fuscus Group (Leptodactylus bufonius, Leptodactylus elenae, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus latinasus, and Leptodactylus mystaceus), a group of small- to medium-sized frogs. Size change is an important factor in explaining shape change during postmetamorphic growth in four of these species; ontogenetic trajectories have in general parallel directions and similar rates of shape change. L. latinasus skulls tend to differ in size and shape from the others, and the allometric model, although significant, explains low percentages of shape change. The diverging slope of its ontogenetic trajectory indicates non-heterochronic, allometric repatterning change regarding the ontogenies of L. bufonius, L. elenae, and L. fuscus. Conversely, ontogenetic scaling appears as the main mechanism modeling shape change as regard to L. mystaceus; hence, we suggest that a process of progenesis determines the small, juvenile-like cranium of L. latinasus. The disparity analysis shows a broader morphological divergence in metamorph morphospace than in adults, suggesting that postmetamorphic stages can contribute with informative characters to phylogenetic analysis. Differences in shapes between metamorphs and adults indicate that many changes occur after metamorphosis, but whether these changes result from internal or ecological requirements at different stages remains unknown.
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Osteology, natural history notes, and phylogenetic relationships of the poorly known Caribbean frog Leptodactylus nesiotus (Anura, Leptodactylidae)
Zootaxa, 2010Co-Authors: Maria Laura Ponssa, Michael J. JowersAbstract:The Leptodactylus melanonotus group consists of 15 species, but references to skeletal characters are available for only three species: L. leptodactyloides , L. melanonotus, and L. diedrus . Leptodactylus nesiotus is a member of the melanonotus group known only from the type locality, Bonasse swamp, on the Southwestern peninsula of Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. This species has been categorized as vulnerable given its restricted distribution. Herein, we report the adult osteology of L. nesiotus, the skeletal characters are compared with the available data from other Leptodactylus species. A phylogenetic analysis recovers a paraphyletic L. melanonotus group relative to the L. latrans group. A monophyletic “ latrans-melanonotus ” clade is supported by five synapomorphies. L. nesiotus is recovered as the sister species of L. validus , a relationship supported by two synapomorphies: T-shaped terminal phalanges and a dark-colored stripe on the outer surface of arm . In addition, we report on the ecology of this poorly known species.
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Cladistic analysis and osteological descriptions of the frog species in the Leptodactylus fuscus species group (Anura, Leptodactylidae)
Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research, 2008Co-Authors: Maria Laura PonssaAbstract:The genus Leptodactylus is predominantly Neotropical (a few species have colonized the southern Neartic region) and is distributed from Texas to Argentina and on certain Caribbean islands. Leptodactylus was divided into five groups of species: Leptodactylus melanonotus, Leptodactylus ocellatus, Leptodactylus fuscus, Leptodactylus pentadactylus and Leptodactylus marmoratus. Among these, the L. fuscus group is the one with most species, with 27 taxa. Characters unverified in most of the species are used to define the L. fuscus group. However, the monophyly of the group has never been tested rigorously in a quantitative phylogenetic context. Thus, the main goal of this study was to test such monophyly and to construct a phylogeny of the L. fuscus group. A matrix of 114 characters scored across 43 taxa was constructed, with 31 characters taken from external morphology, 58 from adult skeletons, 16 from larval chondrocranium, 5 from ethology and 4 from morphometric data were included. Out of all the species examined, 23 belonged to the ingroup and 20 to the outgroup. The data set was analysed with implied weights, by using TNT software. The monophyly of the group was strongly supported in the fittest cladogram obtained. The optimizations of some characters on this hypothesis support traditional evolutionary hypotheses. The optimizations also suggest the presence of paedomorphic character states in some species, which is also discussed. Resumen El genero Leptodactylus es predominantemente Neotropical (pocas especies han colonizado el sur de la region Neartica) y esta distribuido desde Texas a la Argentina y en ciertas islas del Caribe. Actualmente Leptodactylus esta dividido en cuatro grupos de especies (los grupos L. fuscus, L. melanonotus, L. ocellatus y L. pentadactylus). Entre ellos, el grupo L. fuscus es el mas abundante, con 27 taxa. Caracteres no verificados para la mayoria de las especies definen al grupo L. fuscus. La monofilia del grupo nunca ha sido testeada rigurosamente en un contexto filogenetico. El principal objetivo de este trabajo fue testear la monofilia y proponer una filogenia para el grupo fuscus. Ademas se realizo una descripcion osteologica del grupo fuscus. Se construyo una matriz con 114 caracteres y 43 taxones. Se incluyeron 31 caracteres de morfologia externa, 58 de osteologia, 16 de condrocraneo, cinco etologicos y cuatro morfometricos. Entre las especies estudiadas 23 pertenecen al grupo interno y 20 al grupo externo. El set de datos fue analizado considerando a los caracteres bajo pesos implicados, usando el programa TNT. La monofilia del grupo es soportada en el cladograma de mayor ajuste obtenido. La optimizacion de algunos caracteres soporta hipotesis evolutivas tradicionales. Las optimizaciones tambien permitieron detectar caracteres pedomorficos en algunas especies.
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On the osteology of a distinctive specie of the genus Leptodactylus : Leptodactylus laticeps (Boulenger, 1917) (Anura, Leptodactylidae)
Zootaxa, 2006Co-Authors: Maria Laura PonssaAbstract:The osteology of Leptodactylus laticeps is described. This species is the most distinctive member of the pentadactylus species group, and possibly of the genus Leptodactylus, based on external morphology, skin secretions and some aspects of its life history. This paper notes some characters that differ from or were previously overlooked in, description of the Leptodactylus. These are: 1) arrangement cotylar type II, 2) sacral diapophyses expanded, 3) nasals contiguos or in contact with frontoprietals, and 4) an anterior ramus parasphenoid which can or cannot reach the palatines. Some characters could be useful for species diagnoses and/or phylogenetic studies, such as elongation of the pars facialis of maxilla, maxillary teeth found almost reaching quadratojugal or extending beyond quadratojugal, nasals with posterolateral projections very prominent, nasals almost or in contact with each other; high number of vomerine teeth, tip of palatines not acute, and an alary process of premaxilla which is oriented slightly postero-dorsally.