Over the top: Three new species of terrestrial breeding frogs (Anura, Terrarana, Pristimantis) from the highlands of the Cordillera de Huancabamba, northwestern Peru

Abstract

We describe three new species of Pristimantis frogs from northwestern Peru on the basis of morphological and genetic differences. Pristimantis chinguelas sp. nov. is similar in appearance to P. wagteri but it differs by having a longer supratympanic fold, head rounded in profile, groins and posterior surfaces of thighs in a different color pattern. Pristimantis nunezcortezi sp. nov. may be confused with P. cryptomelas, but it is differentiable by having heels with a single low tubercle, skin on flanks areolate, and by lacking prominent postorbital ridges.

Pristimantis yonke sp. nov. is externally similar to P. morlaco from Ecuador, but can be distinguished by being smaller, having an acuminate snout, oval palmar tubercle and lacking dentigerous processes of vomers. All species inhabit the paramos and adjacent elfin forests of the mountain ridges north of Abra de Porcuya, the lowest east-west pass in the Peruvian Andes. Despite habitat loss being evident in the area, we do not have enough data to assess their conservation status.

We suggest all the new species should be placed in the Data Deficient category of the IUCN Red List.