Scinax curicica, Pugliese, Adriana, Pombal, José P. & Sazima, Ivan, 2004

Pugliese, Adriana, Pombal, José P. & Sazima, Ivan, 2004, A new species of Scinax (Anura: Hylidae) from rocky montane fields of the Serra do Cipó, Southeastern Brazil, Zootaxa 688, pp. 1-15 : 3-12

Scinax curicica sp. nov.

( Figs. 1–2 )

Hyla duartei: Bokermann, 1967 (part): 436

Scinax duartei: Eterovick & Sazima, 2000: 443 Scinax cf. duartei: Eterovick & Sazima, 2004: 63

Holotype— MNRJ 26327, adult male, Alto Palácio (19°15'16''S; 43°32'18''W; 1314 m alt.), municipality of Santana do Riacho, State of Minas Gerais, SE Brazil, collected on 21–23 November 2000 by U. Caramaschi, C. A. G. Cruz, R. N. Feio, L. B. Nascimento & H. Niemeyer.

Paratopotypes— CFBH 289, 796–797, 6380 collected on 0 9 March 1987 by J. P. Pombal Jr. & O.C. Oliveira; MCN 1988–1989, MNRJ 26321–26326 collected on 21­23 November 2000 by U. Caramaschi, C. A. G. Cruz, R. N. Feio, L. B. Nascimento & H. Niemeyer; MCN 3646–648 collected on 27 January 2004 by L.B. Nascimento, B.V.S. Pimenta & C.A.B. Galdino; MNRJ 26339­26340 collected on 18–20 October 2000 by L. B. Nascimento & A. Pugliese; MNRJ 26848­26851 collected on 20 November 1999 by L. B. Nascimento & J. B. Isaac Jr.; MNRJ 26852­26855 collected on 19 November 2000 by L. B. Nascimento, D. C. F. Carneiro & F. M. H. Nunes; MZUSP 56885–56887 collected on 18 December 1979 by M. Rodrigues; MZUSP 57714­57715 collected on 5 February 1986; MZUSP 69225 collected on 4­8 September 1989 by M. Rodrigues; MZUSP 76417 collected on 13 February 1965 by W.C.A. Bokermann & A. Machado; MZUSP 76582­ 76584 collected on February 1972 by W.C.A. Bokermann & I. Sazima; MZUSP 77103 collected on 1–3 November 1972; ZUEC 2106 collected on 28 April to 0 1 May 1972 by I. Sazima & M. Sazima; ZUEC 2246 collected on 02–07 September 1972 by I. Sazima & M. Sazima; ZUEC 2855 collected on 27 October to 0 1 November 1973 by I. Sazima, M. Sazima & O. C. Oliveira; ZUEC 8217–8219 collected on 19­20 December 1978 by A. J. Cardoso & J. Vieira; ZUEC 7509 collected on 07­08 March 1987 by I. Sazima, J. P. Pombal Jr. & O. C. Oliveira.

Diagnosis— A medium­sized species (males 25.2–30.2; females 28.5–31.5 mm SVL) belonging to the Scinax ruber clade (sensu Faivovich, 2002), characterized by (1) snout subacuminate in dorsal view and rounded in lateral view; (2) canthus rostralis straight to nearly curved; (3) brown to gray dorsal background with interocular blotch extending in two longitudinal stripes to inguinal region, with or without interruptions; (4) yellow flash color blotches on hidden surfaces of thighs; (5) fins of tadpole high; (6) advertisement call with a multipulsed note, high number of pulses (29–43 pulses) and long call duration (approximately 1.7s).

Comparison with other species— Scinax curicica is distinguished from the very similar S. duartei by its snout more protruded, canthus rostralis more evident, larger loreal region, and narrower adhesive discs. From the also similar S. caldarum , the new species differs by its head and loreal region wider and canthus rostralis more evident. Scinax curicica differs from S. eurydice , S. fuscovarius , S. hayii , and S. perereca by its smaller size (34.0–52.0 SVL combined size; Bokermann, 1968; Lutz, 1973; Heyer et al., 1990; Pombal et al., 1995b; Kwet & Di­Bernardo, 1999). The new species is distinguished from S. fuscomarginatus by its larger size ( S. fuscomarginatus 18.0­23.0mm SVL; Lutz, 1973) and less developed vocal sac. From S. eurydice , S. fuscovarius , S. crospedospilus , and S. similis the new species is distinguished by its dorsal color pattern with no inverted “parenthesis­like” marking (figures in Cochran, 1955; Lutz, 1973; Kwet & Di­Bernardi, 1999). Scinax curicica differs from S. maracaya by its dorsal color pattern with no dark blotches with light rims ( Cardoso & Sazima, 1980). The new species is distinguished from S. squalirostris by its shorter snout, rounded in lateral view (long and strongly acute in S. squalirostris ). Scinax curicica differs from S. cardosoi by its larger male size and by oblique dorsal stripes (males S. cardosoi 19.6–23.3 mm SVL, dorsum with three parallel stripes; Carvalho e Silva & Peixoto, 1991). From S. alter , the new species differs by its smaller adhesive discs, larger interocular blotch and oblique dorsal stripes (parallel in S. alter ). Scinax curicica differs from S. cuspidatus by its rounded snout in lateral view (acuminate in S. cuspidatus ) and smaller adhesive discs. Furthermore, Scinax curicica is distinguished from S. alter , S. caldarum , S. crospedospilus , S. cuspidatus , S. eurydice , S. duartei , S. fuscovarius , S. hayii , S . maracaya, S. perereca , and S. squalirostris by its distinct advertisement call (see figures in Pombal et al., 1995a).

Description of holotype— Body slender; small size (27.1 mm SVL); head triangular in dorsal view, longer than wide, as wide as the body, its length corresponding to 34% SVL ( Fig. 1 ); snout subacuminate in dorsal view and rounded in lateral view ( Fig. 2 A, B); nostrils dorsolateral, rounded, slightly elevated; canthus rostralis almost straight, slightly marked; loreal region slightly concave; eye medium­sized, its diameter corresponding to 31% of head width; tympanum visible, rounded ( Fig. 2 B); supratympanic fold small; vocal sac single, median and subgular; vocal slits laterally on mouth floor; tongue large, lanceshaped, notched posteriorly, barely free; vomerine teeth in two straight series, close to each other between the oval choanae. Pectoral fold present. Arm slender, forearm moderately robust; hand with inner metacarpal tubercle single, elliptical; outer metacarpal tubercle divided, inner oval and outer elongated ( Fig. 2 C); fingers slender, medium­sized, relative lengths I<II<IV<III, with no evident nuptial pad; subarticular and supernumerary tubercles single, small and rounded on all fingers; finger disks nearly rounded, medium sized; webbing barely visible ( Fig 2 C). Legs moderately robust; foot with inner metatarsal tubercle single and oval; outer metacarpal tubercle single and rounded; toes long, relative lengths I<II<III=V<IV; subarticular and supernumerary tubercles single, small and rounded ( Fig. 2 D); toe disks nearly rounded, medium sized; adhesive disk of toe IV as wide as tympanum. Webbing formula I 2 – 21 /3 II 12/3 – 3­ III 2­ – 31/3 IV 3 – 11 /2 V. S k i n o n dorsum smooth with dispersed tubercles; belly and throat granular.

Color in preservative of the holotype— Light grayish brown in dorsal view, conspicuous interocular blotch dark grayish brown extending into two longitudinal stripes to inguinal region (forming a “V” pattern with blunt apex on head). Dark brown canthal stripe continuing behind the eye, above tympanum, and ending on arm insertion. Posterior surfaces of thighs with irregularly outlined blotches; belly yellowish; ventral region of hands and feet light gray, darkening distally.

Measurements of the holotype (mm)— Snout­vent length 27.1; head length 9.2; head width 8.5; eye diameter 2.6; interorbital distance 2.8; eye­nostril distance 2.0; eye­snout distance 3.6; internarial distance 1.7; nostril diameter 0.4; tympanum diameter 1.2; thigh length 12.6; tibia length 13.9; tarsus length 7.1; foot length 12.4; disc of the 3rd finger width 1.2; arm length 5.7; forearm length 3.8; hand length 7.1.

Variation— A few males display a discrete nuptial pad; choanae oval to elliptical; canthus rostralis straight to slightly concave. Three dorsal patterns were recorded: (1) Longitudinal stripes without interruption and brown interocular blotch that anteriorly may present a straight margin or form a triangle, extending backwards into two oblique longitudinal stripes forming a “V” pattern; dorsolateral region may be slightly pigmented; (2) with some interruption on the interocular blotches or with no longitudinal stripes; dorsolateral region may be slightly pigmented; (3) faint or only vestiges of such patterns. The dorsolateral brown stripes present two patterns: (1) incomplete stripe, ending immediately behind or a little after arm insertion; (2) stripe very distinct until arm insertion and diffused until inguinal region. The disposition of spots on posterior surfaces of thighs presents four conditions: (1) spots disposed with no definite pattern; (2) elliptical spots disposed longitudinally, may or may not form stripes; (3) several spots with irregular edge; (4) transversally elongated spots. Four color patterns on upper surfaces of tibia were recorded: (1) uniform, without spots (2) rounded or oval spots disposed irregularly; (3) bars sometimes interrupted and sometimes with rounded spots; and (4) complete bars. Hand tubercles displayed more variation than foot tubercles. The external metacarpal tubercle is bilobate or divided, elliptical or oval shaped. The arrangement of subarticular tubercles is characterized by the following forms: those of finger IV are simple, bilobate or divided, elliptical or

oval shaped; those of toe V simple and rounded or divided oval. Webbing formulas is I (2– – 2+) – (2+ – 3) II (11/3 – 2+) – (3– – 3+) III (11/2 – 2­) – (3– – 31/3) IV (3– – 3+) – (1+ – 12/3) V.

Color in life— Dorsal background dark brown gray to grayish orange ( Fig. 3 ), some specimens gray; limbs lighter; stripes and markings dark brown to brownish dark gray; tympanum reddish brown; upper half of iris light orange to light brown with sparsely dispersed darker pigment, lower half darker.

Vocalization— The advertisement calls of S. curicica is composed of a multipulsed note ( Fig. 4 ) with duration between 0.76 and 4.5 s (x=1.72; SD=1.85; n=4). The note contains 29–43 pulses with duration of 0.010– 0.012 s (=0.01; SD=0.00; n=4). Pulses interval ranges 0.008– 0.010 s (=0.01; SD=0.00; n=4). Means frequency varies from 0.79 kHz 0.07 (range 0.70–0.84 kHz; n=4) to 4.48 kHz 0.23 (range 4.22–4.78 kHz; n=4). Mean dominant frequency varies from 2.58 kHz 0.12 (range 2.44–2.72 kHz; n=4) to 3.63 kHz 0.05 (range 3.56–3.66 kHz; n=4).

The advertisement call of Scinax curicica differs from those of S. caldarum and S. duartei (all from type localities) by its longer duration and fewer pulses per call ( S. duartei call duration about 0.33 s with four to eight pulses with pulse interval about = 0.03 s; S. caldarum call duration about 0.26 s with seven to thirteen pulses; pulse interval about = 0.01 s). Dominant frequency in S. duartei between ranges 2.15–2.85 kHz; S. caldarum ranges between 2.41–2.61 kHz.

Tadpole— Mean total length 36.9 ± 4.1 mm (n=20; Table 2 ); body triangular, globose in lateral view, oval in dorsal and ventral views ( Fig. 5 A–C), its length about 34% (32– 41%) of total length ( Table 2 ); four lateral lines: two beginning on dorsal region at level of snout, following laterally, profiling posterior part of eyes and ending near the spiracle; two lines beginning at origin of caudal musculature and ending on posterior body margin ( Fig. 5 A–B); snout rounded in dorsal view ( Fig. 5 B); eyes lateral, diameter about 16% (13– 19%) of body height; nostrils small, rounded, placed dorsally, visible in lateral view, nearer to eyes than to snout ( Table 2 ), diameter about 22% (18–26%) of eye diameter; internarial distance 79% of interorbital distance; spiracle single, sinistral, short, not projected, round opening, placed in middle third of body, posterodorsally orientated; spiracle inner wall ending in slight ridge, spiracle lateral wall end anterior to insertion of medial wall; spiracle­snout distance about 73% (64–80%) of body length; vent tube short, dextral, attached to ventral fin. Tail musculature moderately robust, tapering gradually to pointed end; dorsal fin beginning on middle third of body, rising for first third of tail length, then slopping until its end; ventral fin beginning at end of body; tail tip slightly rounded. Oral disc anteroventral, its width about 32% (28–38%) of body width; marginal papillae in most of oral disc but for small gap on upper labium; marginal papillae in lower labium more elongate than those in upper labium, rounded and shorter; submarginal papillae rounded, unordered in angular portion; labial tooth row formula 2(2)/3(1); jaw sheath strong and serrated, upper jaw strangle arched with slight projection in its median portion and lower jaw V­shaped ( Fig. 5 D), keratinous spurs present on both ends of lower jaw sheath, directed inwards.

In preservative (formalin 5%), dorsum, caudal musculature, and legs brown; in profile body translucent; fins translucent with light brown blotches, generally rounded, irregularly distributed (in some specimens blotches also on caudal musculature). Newly­metamorphosed froglets already display dorsal adult pattern.

Tadpoles of S. curicica have more truncated snout than S. duartei in profile ( Bokermann, 1967 considered the snout slightly truncate in a population of S. duartei from Campos do Jordão, São Paulo State). The mean total length of S. curicica in stage 37 is 36.9 mm (27.0–43.0 mm; n=20; the specimen with 27.0 mm has regenerated tail) whereas that of S. duartei in stage 36 is 29.9 mm (29.0– 31.6 mm). Body length of S. curicica tadpole corresponds to 34% of total length and 76% of body height (in S. duartei 32% and 65%, respectively). Scinax curicica tadpole has a body more globose than that of S. duartei , narrower oral disc and about 32% of body width (in S. duartei this relation is 38%).

A comparison of the tadpoles of S. duartei , S. caldarum and S. curicica and the tadpoles of other species of the Scinax ruber group of southeastern Brazil is difficult, as they are very similar externally (Alves & Carvalho e Silva, 1999; Pugliese & Bastos, 2001). Labial tooth row formula 2(2)/3(1) of S. duartei from the Itatiaia region, S. caldarum , and S. curicica is the same as those found in S. alter , S. cuspidatus , S. eurydice and S. perereca , differing, however, from those of S. crospedospilus and S. duartei from the Campos do Jordão region ( Bokermann, 1967; Heyer et al., 1990; Andrade and Cardoso, 1991; Wogel et al., 2000; Pugliese & Bastos, 2001; Alves & Carvalho e Silva, 2002). Body and tail fins of S. curicica are higher than S. caldarum (see Andrade and Cardoso, 1991). Among species of the S. ruber clade, tadpoles of S. eurydice present a prominent snout in lateral view ( Bokermann, 1968; Wogel et al., 2000), a characteristic also found in larvae of S. curicica . The relationships between eye diameter and body length and body height of the new species correspond to 12% and 16%, respectively, whereas for S. alter these correspond to 17% and 31%; for S. cuspidatus they correspond to 16% and 30%; for S. duartei from the Itatiaia region correspond to 18% and 27%; for S. eurydice correspond to 20% and 30%; for S. hayii correspond to 12% and 18%; for S. perereca correspond to 14% and 22%; and for S. similis the relationships correspond to 17% and 27% (see Alves & Carvalho e Silva, 1999; 2002; Wogel et al., 2000; Pugliese & Bastos, 2001).

Natural history— During the day adult frogs are found sheltered under rocks, moss carpets, fallen trunks, leaves of arums, and within bromeliad rosettes, close to the sites where reproduction takes place. Scinax curicica breeds in temporary puddles and ponds and swamps, as well as in backwaters of temporary streams surrounded by shrubby or arboreal vegetation. Males call throughout the whole rainy season (October­March) and even during the dry season provided that there is water available for tadpole development. They vocalize at night, on the shrubby vegetation and, occasionally, on the ground. After a female is attracted to a given calling male, axillary amplexus takes place and the female carries the mounted male to the water. The egg clutch is placed on the bottom of small ponds, marshes, and backwaters of slowly running streams, usually on submerged vegetation, and contains about 400 pigmented eggs.

The tadpoles, fawn with golden reflection in life, are diurnal and dwell at sites with abundant aquatic vegetation during the whole larval period. They are typically found at mid­water in depths of 10–70 cm. Larval development takes about five months. Tadpoles and recently­metamorphosed froglets are found most of the year.

Predation by snakes on S. curicica adults was recorded twice. One frog was found in the gut of a juvenile Bothrops neuwiedii (Viperidae) , and another was recorded being swallowed by an adult Thamnodynastes hypoconia (Colubridae) on the ground at early night.

Distribution— The new species is presently known only from the type locality and from the neighboring Serra do Caraça in Minas Gerais State, SE Brazil.

Etymology— The specific name is a corrupted form of the Tupi Amerindian name “yacuri­ycica” ( Oliveira, 1960). The name is here used as a noun in apposition and is the nickname of our friend and artist from Museu Nacional, Paulo Roberto Nascimento. The English common name Lanceback Treefrog was proposed by Eterovick & Sazima (2004) for this species.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Scinax curicica, holotype MNRJ 26327 in dorsal view.

FIGURE 2. Scinax curicica, holotype MNRJ 26327. (A) Dorsal and (B) lateral views of head; ventral views of (C) hand and (D) foot.

FIGURE 3. Scinax curicica, adult photographed in life; Serra do Cipó, municipality of Santana do Riacho, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil; MCN 3647. Photo by B. V. S. Pimenta.

FIGURE 4. (a) Oscillogram and (b) sonogram of Scinax curicica advertisement call; Serra do Cipó, municipality of Santana do Riacho, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 0 4 July 1974. Air temperature 12 o C; water temperature 17 o C; 2100 h.

FIGURE 5. Scinax curicica, tadpole at stage 37 (ZUEC 11835); from the type locality. (a) lateral, (b) dorsal, (c) ventral views; (d) mouth.

Tables

TABLE 2: Measurements (in millimeters) of selected characters of tadpoles of Scinax curicica from the type locality; (n = 20) in stage 36 – 37 (Gosner, 1960).

Character		Range	s
Total length	36.9	27.0–43.0	4.1
Body length	12.7	10.7–14.6	1.1
Body height	9.7	8.1–11.4	1.2
Tail height	12.9	10.3–16.5	1.8
Body width	8.9	6.4–10.5	1.1
Dorsal fin height	4.7	3.1–6.1	0.7
Ventral fin height	5.1	3.4–6.6	0.8
Snout­spiracle distance	9.2	8.1–10.8	0.8
Interorbital distance	4.4	3.6–5.3	0.5
Internarial distance	3.4	3.0–3.8	0.2
Eye diameter	1.5	1.4–1.8	0.1
Nostril diameter	0.3	0.3–0.4	0.0
Nostril­snout distance	2.4	1.8–3.0	0.3
Eye­snout distance	4.1	3.2–4.8	0.4
Oral disk width	2.8	2.3–3.2	0.3