Amy Lathrop

Royal Ontario Museum · Natural History

We describe three new species of landfrogs, genus Pristimantis, from near the summit of Mt. Kopinang, one of the several high points of the Wokomung Massif, a large horseshoe-shaped tepui (= mesa) in west-central Guyana. Pristimantis koki n. sp. is known from 1,067 to 1,525 m elevation. It is characterized by small-sized adults averaging 12.4 mm SV...

Leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylus) exhibit much cryptic diversity, at least in North America. However, the origins of Central American taxa and their relationships with North American congeners remain unknown. The P. tuberculosus species complex is ideal for evolutionary and biogeographic studies because its geographic distribution extends from nort...

We utilize the efficient GBS technique to obtain thousands of nuclear loci and SNPs to reconstruct the evolutionary history of Mexican leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylus). Through the incorporation of unprecedented sampling for this group of geckos, in combination with genomic data analysis, we generate mostly consistent phylogenetic hypotheses using...

Recent extinctions and drastic population declines have been documented in the Guiana Shield endemic frog genus Anomaloglossus, hence the importance to resolve its alpha-taxonomy. Based on molecular phy-logenies, the literature has long reported the occurrence of an undescribed species in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana in the Pantepui region. We...

Southeast Asia and southern China (SEA-SC) harbor a highly diverse and endemic flora and fauna that is under increasing threat. An understanding of the biogeographical history and drivers of this diversity is lacking, especially in some of the most diverse and threatened groups. The Asian leaf-litter frog genus Leptolalax Dubois 1980 is a forest-de...

Aim: Using the Pantepui palaeoendemic toad genus Oreophrynella, we explored (1) the origin of Pantepui endemism and the hypothesis of Pantepui being a source of diversity for the surrounding areas, including the geologically younger Andes; (2) whether early diversification of Oreophrynella conforms with that of Stefania (Hemiphractidae), another Pa...

The black-spined toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus, is widespread in South and South-East (SE) Asia, although recent molecular analyses have revealed that it represents a species complex (here called the D. melanostictus complex). Invasive populations of this toad have been detected in Madagascar since, at least, 2014. We here trace the origin of th...

Aim To investigate the influence of tepuian geomorphology on species diversification in the Pantepui biogeographical region based on the phylogenetic relationships and divergence times of tepui-endemic clades of stefania frogs (Stefania, Hemiphractidae). Location The ‘tepuis’ and uplands/lowlands of the Pantepui biogeographical region of northern...

The horned toad assemblage, genus Megophrys sensu lato, currently includes three groups previously recognized as the genera Atympanophrys, Xenophrys and Megophrys sensu stricto. The taxonomic status and species composition of the three groups remain controversial due to conflicting phenotypic analyses and insufficient phylogenetic reconstruction; l...

Members of the Crotalus triseriatus species group of montane rattlesnakes are widely distributed across the highlands of Mexico and southwestern USA. Although five species are currently recognized within the group, species limits remain to be tested. Genetic studies suggest that species may be paraphyletic and that at least one cryptic species may...

The number of described species of bent-toed geckos of the Cyrtodactylus irregularis species complex in Vietnam has increased from one to eight in the last six years. We combined morphological and molecular analyses to explore phylogenetic relationships among all described species in the group. The phylogeny required the description of two new spec...

Guyana has a very distinctive herpetofauna. In this first ever detailed modern accounting, based on voucher specimens, we document the presence of 324 species of amphibians and reptiles in the country; 148 amphibians, 176 reptiles. Of these, we present species accounts for 317 species and color photographs of about 62% (Plates 1–40). At the rate th...

Aim To test how Pleistocene climatic changes affected diversification of the Crotalus intermedius species complex. Location Highlands of Mexico and the south-western United States (Arizona). Methods We synthesize the matrilineal genealogy based on 2406 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA sequences, fossil-calibrated molecular dating, reconstruction of...

Aim The role of human activities in species biogeography can be difficult to identify, but in some cases molecular techniques can be used to test hypotheses of human-mediated dispersal. A currently accepted hypothesis states that humans mediated the divergence of two species of spiny-tailed iguanas in the Ctenosaura hemilopha species complex, namel...

We used data from 17 to 20 microsatellite markers to investigate the incidence of multiple paternities in wild Agassiz’s desert tortoises, Gopherus agassizii. Neonates were sampled from clutches of eggs laid by wild mothers in nesting enclosures at Edwards Air Force Base and at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, California. We genotyped 28...

We investigate a cornucopia of problems associated with the identity of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii (Cooper). The date of publication is found to be 1861, rather than 1863. Only one of the three original cotypes exists, and it is designated as the lectotype of the species. Another cotype is found to have been destroyed in the 1906 San F...

The desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, is a threatened species native to the North American desert southwest and is recognized as having genetically distinct Mojave and Sonoran desert populations. The Mojave Desert population is federally listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and the Sonoran Desert population is fully protected un...

Aim The role of human activities in species biogeography can be difficult to identify, but in some cases molecular techniques can be used to test hypotheses of human-mediated dispersal. A currently accepted hypothesis states that humans mediated the divergence of two species of spiny-tailed iguanas in the Ctenosaura hemilopha species complex, namel...

The distribution of the poorly known hylid frog Hypsiboas roraima Duellman & Hoogmoed, on the Guiana Shield is redefined, including new records from Venezuela. The advertisement call of this species is analyzed and Hypsiboas angelicus Myers & Donnelly is associated as a junior synonym of H. roraima.

Aim To assess the genealogical relationships of widespread montane rattlesnakes in the Crotalus triseriatus species group and to clarify the role of Late Neogene mountain building and Pleistocene pine–oak forest fragmentation in driving the diversification of Mexican highland taxa. Location Highlands of mainland Mexico and the south-western United...

We describe a new species of Anomaloglossus from the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana. Anomaloglossus megacephalus sp. nov. is currently known from Maringma Tepui at 1060 m elevation and from Mt. Ayanganna at 1490 m elevation. The new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by the following combination of characters: relatively large siz...

The structure and development of the large, spike-like, biserial teeth of the tadpole of Hoplobatrachus chinensis are unique. The presently erupted, conical tooth has at least 5 replacement teeth of decreasing sizes stacked in-side, and the whole assembly projects only slightly into the oral epithelium. The ventrolateral abdominal wall of Leptolala...

Herein we assess the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of geckos of the genus Phyllodactylus inhabiting the peninsula of Baja California, Mexico using five mitochondrial and two nuclear genes. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony (MP) and Bayesian inference (BI) recovered three distinct peninsular clades with high statistical support...

Considerable confusion exists regarding taxonomy and distributions of Oxyrhopus in northern South America. Specimens and records of Oxyrhopus from Guyana were examined. Oxyrhopus melanogenys, O. occipitalis and O. petola occur in Guyana. Data on morphology and colouration of these species are presented. Species distributions and characters to disti...

A new species of frog, Adelophryne patamona, from 678–1414 m elevation in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana, is described. The new species is distinguished by large size, second phalange of Finger IV longer than wide, tips of digits bearing small pointed discs and small tympanum size. Seventeen specimens of Adelophryne gutturosa were also col- lect...

Recent collections are used to expand existing descriptions of adults of Otophryne robusta and O. steyermarki. The calls of O. pyburni and O. robusta are compared. Tadpoles of O. robusta and O. steyermarki are described. Characters for distinguishing among adults and tadpoles of these two species and O. pyburni are provided. Otophryne is a Guiana s...

Prior to this study, Leptodactylus lutzi was known only from three localities in west-central Guyana. We refer here to a series of 60 additional specimens of L. lutzi collected in Kaieteur National Park, Mount Ayanganna, Mount Wokomung and the Merume Mountains in the Pakaraima Mountains region, substantially extending the knowndistribution of the s...

A new species of Oreophrynella is described from Mount Ayanganna, a 2000 m plateau in the Pakaraima Mountains in west-central Guyana. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Oreophrynella by large size (snout-vent length up to 37.3 mm in females; 26.7 mm in males) absence of frontoparietal crests, orange-colored dorsum, and cream...

A new species of Colostethus (Anura, Dendrobatidae) from French Guiana with a redescription of Colostethus beebei (Noble, 1923) from its type locality, a new species of Colostethus, long mistaken for Colostethus beebei, is described from French Guiana. The New species can be distinguished from congeners by absence of median lingual process, first f...

Six species of Stefania were collected on Mount Wokomung, a tepui in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana. This unusually high diversity of Stefania is similar to that found on a neighbouring tepui, Mt. Ayanganna. The two tepuis support slightly different habitats. Conspecific Stefania from the two mountains differ somewhat in body size, toe disc size...

We examined three disturbed, but distinctly different, sites on the historically forested eastern slope of the Sierra de Baoruco, Provincia de Barahona, República Dominicana, in order to evaluate the impact of habitat alteration on the composition of anoline lizard communities. Five species of Anolis (A. bahorucoensis, A. barahonae, A. coelestinus,...

Ranid frogs of the genus Amolops occur in Southeast Asia and are typically found near waterfalls. Their phylogenetic relationships have not been resolved. We include 2,213 aligned nucleotide sites of the 12S, 16S and tRNAval gene regions of the mitochondrial DNA genome from 43 individuals of Chinese and Vietnamese Amolops, Huia, Hylarana, Meristoge...

The taxonomy of ranid frogs is in a state of chaos, and Asian ranids are no exception. We undertook an investigation of the phylogenetic relationships of most major groups of Asian ranids using mitochondrial DNA sequences from the 12S, tRNAVal and 16S genes. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis had varying correspondence with the current taxonomy...

A new species of Osteocephalus, one species of Hyla, three species of Hypsiboas and one of Myersiohyla were collected on Mount Ayanganna, a sandstone Guiana Shield tepui. Hyla warreni, Hypsiboas roraima, H. sibleszi, Myersiohyla kanaima and the new Osteocephalus were collected in high-tepui forest at 1500 m elevation, while Hypsiboas lemai, H. rora...

Coral snakes (Micrurus) are a diverse group of Neotropical squamates. Similarities in mor- phology and coloration can make identification difficult, especially in areas of species sympatry. Species with triad-type coloration, approxi- mately 30% of all Micrurus species, are among the most difficult to identify. Micrurus ibiboboca Merrem, 1820 is an...

A new species of Dipsas is described from the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana. The new species is characterised by 15 dorsal scale rows with the middorsal row slightly enlarged. four pairs of chinshields with the first pair elongate, elongate loreal entering orbit, one preocular, six upper labials, and head narrow anteriorly, increasing in width post...

ABSTRACT The Southeast Asian cascade frog, Rana livida (Blyth, 1856), has long been suspected to be a complex,of species. Several different forms are described from across its vast range. The loss of type material and disparate sampling efforts are challenges. Is variability in this species due to geographic variation or to the presence of multiple...

Herpetological survey on Mt. Ayanganna in west-central Guyana resulted in the discovery of five species of Stefania occurring syntopically at about 1500 m. Two additional species occur at the base of the mountain. We describe three new species of Stefania and provide redescriptions and range extensions for four other Stefania. The number of Stefani...

A new species of Arthrosaura is described from Mount Ayanganna, Pakaraima Mountains, Guyana. It differs all other Arthrosaura by having four supraoculars, broad gulars, femoral and anal pores each within a single scale, and no abrupt demarcation between the lateral scales and the dorsal or ventral scales. The new species is morphologically closest...

We investigated the relationships of Asian bufonids using partial sequences of mitochondrial DNA genes. Twenty-six samples representing 14 species of Bufo from China and Vietnam and 2 species of Torrentophryne from China were examined. Three samples of Bufo viridis from Armenia and Georgia were also sequenced to make a comparison to its sibling tet...

Two new species of Leptolalax are described from two mountain ranges in northern Vietnam (Song Gam and Tam Dao) that are less than 150 km apart. Currently, only two species of Leptolalax, L. pelodytoides and L. bourreti, are described from Vietnam. The two new species are distinguished from other Leptolalax by a combination of characters including...

Phalangeal elements from 80 individuals from two populations of the Ramsey Canyon leopard frog, Rana subaquavocalis, were sectioned, stained and then examined to estimate individual ages and to determine population age structure and growth curves. Large adults from the Ramsey Canyon population exceeded 100 mm in body length and had as many as 10 re...

A re-analysis of a published data set from Ye et al. (1992) indicates that their phylogeny for the genus Sc~rtiger does not reflect the most parsimonious explanation of the data. The consensus of the resulting trees from the original data set is a "bush" with only three resolved nodes. A re-evaluation of the character states, and their respective p...

The distribution of larval Eutrombicula alfreddugesi (Acari: Trombiculidae) was studied on three species of lizards, Anolis coelestinus, A. cybotes, and A. olssoni (Lacertilia: Polychridae), from the Barahona Peninsula of Hispaniola. The purpose of this study was to quantify distribution of mites from populations of each species of host from montan...

Two new species of Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) are described and illustrated from Amphisbaena manni (Amphisbaenia: Amphisbaenidae) in the Dominican Republic. Oocysts of E. witcheri n. sp. are ellipsoidal to subcylindrical (26.5 × 18.5 μm) and sporocysts are ellipsoidal (10.9 × 8.6 μm). Oocysts of E. amphisbaeniarum n. sp. are cylindrical (29....

Fecal samples from 25 Anolis armouri, 2 Anolis bahorucoensis, 48 Anolis cybotes, and 21 Anolis olssoni (Lacertilia: Polychrotidae) from southern Hispaniola were examined for coccidian oocysts. Two eimerians and 2 isosporans are herein described as new species. Sporulated oocysts of Eimeria schwartzi n. sp. from A. armouri are ellipsoidal, 22.7 (20....

Agonistic behaviour of male Anolis olssoni was elicited in natural habitats near Baraona, Barahona Province, Dominican Republic, through the introduction of tethered males. Videotaped responses consisted of various sequences and combinations of behaviours and modifiers and appeared to vary according to levels of arousal. Male A. olssoni assume a po...

In June 1991 feces from 16 Anolis distichus from Barahona Province, Dominican Republic, were examined for coccidia. Lizards were found to harbor an undescribed isosporan, herein described as Isospora guarocuyai n. sp. Oocysts were subspherical, 20.2 (19.2-21.8) x 17.2 (14.9-19.2) µm, with a bilayered wall ca. 1.5 µm thick. Oocysts contained single...

In a heavily-trafficked hotel courtyard population size and density of this endemic lizard were 53 ± 3.8 and 367/ha, respectively. Males were larger, ranged more widely, and utilized higher perch heights. Active thermoregulation was not observed. Lizards used trunks and branches of trees and bushes 71% of the time and perch heights of ≤2.0 m 83% of...