Acta Herpetologica 10(1): 63-66, 2015 ISSN 1827-9635 (print) © Firenze University Press ISSN 1827-9643 (online) www.fupress.com/ah DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-15155 On a putative type specimen of Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi, 1838 from Chile (Anura: Leptodactylidae) Daiana Paola Ferraro Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI-CONICET), Paraje el Pozo S/Nº (S3000ACT) Santa Fe, Argentina, and División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia” (MACN-CONICET), Ángel Gallardo 470 (C1405DJR) Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: dferraro@macn.gov.ar Submitted on: 2014, 19th November; revised on 2015, 27th February; accepted on 2015, 2nd March Editor: Sebastiano Salvidio Abstract. The original description of the Neotropical frog Pleurodema bibroni was based on material collected at “Monte-Video” [Montevideo, Uruguay], but no type specimen was originally designated. In several publications, a specimen deposited at the National Museum of Natural History of Leiden (The Netherlands, RMNH 2277) and col- lected at Valparaíso, Chile, has been referred as type specimen of P. bibroni. Herein, it is argued that RMNH 2277 is not a type specimen of P. bibroni; nor can it be assigned to P. bibroni, but probably to Pleurodema thaul, a species with which P. bibroni was long confused. Keywords. Leiuperinae, Pleurodema thaul, type series, Uruguay. The Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie (RMNH, currently National Museum of Natural History “Naturalis”) was founded in 1820 in Leiden, The Netherlands (Holthu- is, 1995). The Swiss naturalist J.J. von Tschudi was working at the RMNH during 1837, along with the curator Her- mann Schlegel. During his stay at the museum, Tschudi described several amphibian taxa, which were published in his Classification der Batrachier (1838) and housed at Lei- den collection (Gassó Miracle et al., 2007). Tschudi (1838) described the genus Pleurodema, and included a unique species, Pleuroderma bibroni (incorrect original spelling). This description was based on an unspecified number of specimens collected at “America Merid. (Monte-Video)” [Montevideo, Uruguay] and transported by D’Orbigny to Paris (Tschudi, 1838: 84). Tschudi did not designate type specimens, but he included “Bombinator ocellatus Mus. Ludg.” in the synonymy of P. bibroni. Pleurodema bibroni has been long confused with Pleurodema thaul (Schneider, 1799), a polymorphic spe- cies described for Chile, for which type specimens were not fixed (Ferraro and Lavilla, 2013). Interestingly, these taxonomic confusions occur since their descriptions to nowadays, on the basis of both misidentified specimens (e.g. Donoso-Barros, 1960; Ferraro and Lavilla, 2013) and ADN sequences (Faivovich et al., 2012). The cor- rect use of both binomia was resolved by Donoso-Barros (1969). The current distribution of both taxa extends to other South American countries. Pleurodema thaul has a broad distribution in Chile and a restricted distribution in Southwestern Argentina (Ortiz and Díaz-Páez, 2006; Ferraro and Casagranda, 2009), while P. bibroni inhabits Uruguay, Rio Grande do Sul and Paraná states at Brazil, and northeastern Paraguay (Braun, 1973; Barrio, 1977; Natale and Maneyro, 2008; Kolenc et al., 2009, 2011, 2012; Lema and Martins, 2011; Trein et al., 2014). Several authors cited a few specimens as those pos- sibly used by Tschudi in his description of Pleurodema bibroni. Donoso-Barros (1969) stated that the material used for the description of P. bibroni could not be traced at the Museum of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) without addi- tional information. Hoogmoed (1985) established that syntypes included several specimens deposited at the 64 D.P. Ferraro Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle of Paris (MNHN, not traced at that moment) and one specimen housed at the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie (RMNH 2277) from Valparaíso, Chile, described as “… a specimen of Pleurodema thaul, which was referred by Tschudi (1838) as Syn. Bombinator ocellatus Mus. Ludg …”. Posteri- orly, Ortiz and Lescure (1989) designated the specimen MNHN 4501 as lectotype of P. bibroni, pointing out that this was the only specimen of Pleurodema deposited at that time at MNHN collected by D’Orbigny at the Río de la Plata region. Finally, Gassó-Miracle et al. (2007) con- sidered the specimen RMNH 2277 (assigned to P. thaul) a possible paralectotype of P. bibroni. Herein, the identity of the specimen RMNH 2277 is re-evaluated on the basis of phenotypic characters. Also, the assignation of the specimen RMNH 2277 as type specimen of P. bibroni, as published in several publica- tions, is analyzed according to the rules of the “Interna- tional Code of Zoological Nomenclature” (Anonymous 1999; cited below as ICZN). Photographs of specimens MNHN 4501 and RMNH 2277 were carefully examined, as well as specimens of P. bibroni and P. thaul housed at herpetological collections (see Appendix). When possible, exo-morphological and some anatomical characters were compared. Osteological preparations were made following Wassersug (1976), to dis- tinguish bone (Alizarin Red S) and cartilage (Alcian Blue). Institutional abbreviations follow Leviton et al. (1985) with the exception of Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Iológi- cas (CENAI, now housed at MACN collection). According with the old and hand-written catalogue of the National Museum of Natural History of Leiden, the specimen RMNH 2277 was catalogued as Bombina- tor ocellatus (in litt. E. Dondorp, 9 September 2014), i.e. the taxon considered as synonymous of P. bibroni in the original description (Tschudi, 1838). Also, electronic database shows that this specimen was collected by C. Gaudichaud at Valparaiso, Chile (in litt. R. de Ruiter, 24 January 2011). Specimen RMNH 2277 is today faded and poorly preserved. It is not possible to accurately deter- mine the color pattern, but one or two spots are observed over lumbar gland, as well as dark longitudinal stripes are observed over thighs (Fig. 1 A). These two character states are shared by P. bibroni and P. thaul (Figs. 1 B-C). In addi- tion, a distinguishing character between P. bibroni and P. thaul – a dark band over the upper lip present in P. thaul but absent in P. bibroni – cannot be evaluated in specimen RMNH 2277. Regarding osteological characters, vomer- ine teeths are present in specimen RMNH 2277 and in P. thaul (Figs. 1 D-E), but absent in P. bibroni (Fig. 1 F). Morphological observations added to locality data suggest that specimen RMNH 2277 cannot be assigned to P. bibroni because the specimen possesses vomerine teeths and was not collected in the distribution area for   Fig. 1. A) Specimen RMNH 2277 (Chile: Valparaiso), dorsal view. B) Pleurodema thaul (MLP 4002, Argentina: Neuquén: Los Lagos: Lagu- na Pire). C) Pleurodema bibroni (photo: F. Kolenc; Uruguay: Rocha: Barra de Balizas). D) Specimen RMNH 2277, detail of buccal cavity with voremine teeths. E) Pleurodema thaul (MACN 32114, Argentina, Neuquén, Junín de los Andes), detail of buccal cavity with voremine teeths. F) Pleurodema bibroni (CENAI 6205, Uruguay: Rocha: Barra de Balizas), detail of buccal cavity without voremine teeths. 65Type specimen of P. bibroni P. bibroni. The poor preservation of the specimen RMNH 2277 avoid an unambiguous assignation to any Chilean anuran species, but, considering the presence and shape of the lumbar gland and the locality data, the specimen RMNH 2277 could possibly belong to P. thaul. The specimen RMNH 2277, catalogued as Bombina- tor ocellatus, was considered as syntype of P. bibroni by Hoogmoed (1985). After Ortiz and Lescure (1989) des- ignated MNHN 4501 as lectotype of P. bibroni, the speci- men RMNH 2277 was considered as paralectotype (Gassó- Miracle et al., 2007), apparently based on the concept that if a lectotype is designated between the syntypes, the rest of the syntypes becames paralectotypes (ICZN 1999, art. 74.1.3). This statement is valid if all the specimens under consideration were effectively syntypes. Hoogmoed (1985), as well as Gassó-Miracle et al. (2007), identified the speci- men RMNH 2277 as P. thaul collected at Valparaiso, Chile. However, independently of its taxonomic identification and locality data (which do not match with data of the original description), I consider that the specimen RMNH 2277 is not a type specimen of P. bibroni, because it was explicitly included by Tschudi (1838) as a synonym of the species under description. Specimen RMNH 2277 can be considered, in turn, the type specimen of Bombina- tor ocellatus, fixed by posterior evidence (i.e. the hand- written information of the old catalogue of the RMNH; ICZN, art. 72.4.1.1). However, it is important to note that the binomen Bombinator ocellatus is not an available nomen for at least two reasons: (i) its first mention was not accompanied by a description (nomen nudum), and (ii) it was first published as a junior synonym (ICZN, art. 11.6) and never used as an available name. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to A. Ohler, E. Dondorp, R. de Ruiter, and R. Vonk for sharing information about specimens under their care. Also, A. Ohler kindly provided photo- graphs of the specimen MNHN 4501, R. de Ruiter and E. Kruidenier of the specimen RMNH 2277, and F. Kolenc the live picture of P. bibroni. J. Faivovich, F. Kolenc, and L. Nicoli critically read the manuscript. Thanks also to two anonymous Reviewers that improved the ms. This research was supported by grants PICTs 2011/1895 and 2013/404, and CONICET. REFERENCES Anonymous [ICZN] (1999): International code of zoo- logical nomenclature. International Trust for Zoologi- cal Nomenclature, London. Barrio, A. (1977): Aportes para la elucidación del “status” taxonómico de Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi y Pleur- odema kriegi (Müller) (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodac- tylidae). Physis 37: 311-331. Braun, C.A.S. (1973): Sobre a ocorrêmcia de Pleurodema bibronii Tschudi, 1838 no estado de Rio Grando so Sul, Brasil (Anura, Leptodactylidae). Iheringia (Zoo- logia) 44: 28-31. Donoso-Barros, R. (1969): Posición nomenclatural de un leptodactylido Uruguayo (Amphibia-Anura). Bol. Soc. Biol. Concepción 41: 161-162. Faivovich, J., Ferraro, D.P., Basso, N.G., Haddad, C.F.D., Rodrigues, M.T., Wheeler, W.C., Lavilla, E.O. (2012): A phylogenetic analysis of Pleurodema (Anura: Lepto- dactylidae: Leiuperinae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, with comments on the evolu- tion of anuran foam nests. Cladistics 28: 460-482. Ferraro, D.P., Casagranda, D. (2009): Geographic distri- bution of the genus Pleurodema in Argentina (Anura: Leiuperidae). Zootaxa 2024: 33-55. Ferraro, D.P., Lavilla, E.O. (2013): The identity of Rana lutea Molina, 1782 (Amphibia, Anura). Zootaxa 3608: 264-272. Gassó Miracle, M.E., van den Hoek Ostende, L.W., Arn- tzen, J.W. (2007): Type specimens of amphibians in the National Museum of Natural History, Leiden, The Netherlands. Zootaxa 1482: 25-68. Holthuis, L.B. (1995): 1820-1958: Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie. Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden. Hoogmoed, M.S. (1985): In: Amphibian species of the world. A taxonomic and geographical reference. Frost, D.R. Ed., Allen Press Inc. and the Association of Sys- tematics Collections. Lawrence, Kansas. Kolenc, F., Borteiro, C., Baldo, J.D., Ferraro, D.P., Pri- gioni, C. (2009): The tadpoles and advertisement calls of Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi and Pleurodema kriegi (Müller), with notes on their geographic distribution and conservation status (Amphibia, Anura, Leiuperi- dae). Zootaxa 1969: 1-35. Kolenc, F., Baldo, D., Borteiro, C., Marangoni, F., Ferraro, D.P., Faivovich, J. (2011): The Identity of Eupemphix fuscomaculatus Steindachner, 1864 (Amphibia: Anu- ra). Copeia 2011: 513-522. Kolenc, F., Borteiro, C., González, E.M., Barrasso, D.A., Prigioni, C.M. (2012): Recent findings of the declin- ing frog Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Leiuperidae) in Uruguay. Herp. Notes 5: 181-183. Lema, T., Martins, L.A. (2011): Anfíbios do Rio. Grande do Sul: Catálogo, Diagnoses, Distribuição, Iconografia. EDIPUCRS, Porto Alegre. Leviton, A.E., Gibbs, R.H. Jr., Heal, E. & Dawson, C.E. (1985): Standards in Herpetology and Ichthyology: 66 D.P. Ferraro Part 1. Standard symbolic codes for institutional resource collections in Herpetology and Ichthyology. Copeia, 1985: 802-832. Natale, G.S., Maneyro, R. (2008): Amphibia, Anura, Leiu- peridae, Pleurodema bibroni: Rediscovery. Check List 4: 47-49. Ortiz, J.C., Díaz-Páez, H. (2006): Estado de conocimiento de los anfibios de Chile. Gayana 70: 114-121. Ortiz, J.C., Lescure, J. (1989): Les types d’Amphibiens Anoures du Chili dans les collections du Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle de Paris. Bull. Mus. Hist. Natl. Paris 11: 113-122. Schneider, J.G. (1799): Historia Amphibiorum Naturalis et Literarariae. Fasciculus Primus. Continens Ranas, Calamitas, Bufones, Salamandras et Hydros in Genera et Species Descriptos Notisque suis Distinctos. Friederi- ci Frommanni, Jena. Trein, F.L., Lima, L.P., Ulandowski, L.K.A., Morato, S.A.A. (2014): Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Leiuperidae): Distribution extension and first record for the state of Paraná, Brazil. Check List 10: 417-418. Tschudi, J.J. (1838): Classification der Batrachier, mit Berücksichtigung der fossilen Thiere dieser Abthei- lung der Reptilien. Mem. Soc. Sci. nat. Neuchâtel 2: 1-99. Wassersug, R.J. (1976): A procedure for differential stain- ing of cartilage and bone in whole, formalin fixed ver- tebrates. Stain Tech. 51: 131-134. Appendix. Specimens examined An asterisk (*) denotes cleared and stained speci- mens. Pleurodema bibroni. – The same Appendix that Kolenc et al. (2011, Zootaxa: 1969: 1-35). New speci- mens: URUGUAY: “Monte–video” MNHN 4501 (syn- type, examined by photographs); Barra de Valizas CENAI 6204*, CENAI 6205*. Pleurodema cf. thaul. – CHILE: Valparaiso RMNH 2277 (examined by photographs). Pleurodema thaul. – CHILE: Concepción CENAI 4428-4430; El Correntoso (Chamiza): near Puerto Montt CENAI 1952*; Icalma MLP 1170; Los Andes FML 3309; Mallín de Lago Todos los Santos MLP 3530; Pirehueico FML 3761 (speci- mens); Quebrada El Teniente FML 3310; Valdivia: Selvas de Toltein MACN 4640-4646. ARGENTINA: Chubut Province: Esquel: Parque Nacional Los Alerces CENAI 8826*; Neuquén Province: Aluminé MACN 11648*, MACN 11649*; Isla Victoria MLP A. 1449-1450, CENAI 4107*, MACN 9092*; Junín de los Andes MACN 28701*, MACN 28702*, MACN 28703*, MACN 29214*, MACN 32114*, MACN 32118*; Lago Aluminé: La Angostu- ra MLP 1168; Lago Curruhé CENAI 2170-2171; Los Lagos: Laguna Pire MLP 4002; Río Negro Province: El Bolsón CENAI 3617*, CENAI 3619*; Nahuel Huapi MLP 1276–1277; near Puerto Blest CENAI 1527 (specimen 5)*, CENAI 1527 (specimen 8)*; San Carlos de Bariloche CENAI 7156, MACN 31552. Acta Herpetologica Vol. 10, n. 1 - June 2015 Firenze University Press Obituary: Valery K. Eremchenko (1949-2014) Leo J. Borkin1, Tatjana Dujsebayeva2, Roberto Sindaco3, Matthias Stöck4 Haplotype variation in founders of the Mauremys annamensis population kept in European Zoos Barbora Somerová1, Ivan Rehák2,*, Petr Velenský2, Klára Palupčíková1, Tomáš Protiva1, Daniel Frynta1 Reproductive ecology of Sichuan digging frogs (Microhylidae: Kaloula rugifera) Wei Chen1,*, Lina Ren2, Dujuan He2, Ying Wang2, David Pike3 Toxic effects of carbaryl on the histology of testes of Bufotes variabilis (Anura: Bufonidae) Özlem Çakici Basal frequency of micronuclei and hematological parameters in the Side-necked Turtle, Phrynops hilarii (Duméril & Bibron, 1835) María A. Latorre 1,2,*,#; Evelyn C. López González1,2, #; Pablo A. Siroski1,2,3; Gisela L. Poletta1,2,4 Into a box interiors: clutch size variation and resource allocation in the European pond turtle Marco. A.L. Zuffi1,*, Simonetta Citi2, Elena Foschi1, Francesca Marsiglia1, Eva Martelli1 Where to “Rock”? Choice of retreat sites by a gecko in a semi-arid habitat Andreia Penado1,2, Ricardo Rocha3,4,*, Marta Sampaio3, Vanessa Gil3, Bruno M. Carreira3, Rui Rebelo3 Age structure, growth and longevity in the common toad, Rhinella arenarum, from Argentina Clarisa de L. Bionda1,2,*, Silvia Kost 4, Nancy E. Salas1, Rafael C. Lajmanovich3, Ulrich Sinsch4, Adolfo L. Martino1 On a putative type specimen of Pleurodema bibroni Tschudi, 1838 from Chile (Anura: Leptodactylidae) Daiana Paola Ferraro Re-description of the external morphology of Phyllomedusa iheringii Boulenger, 1885 larvae (Anura: Hylidae), with comments on the external morphology of tadpoles of the P. burmeisteri group Samanta Iop¹, Victor Mendes Lipinski¹, Bruno Madalozzo¹, Franciele Pereira Maragno¹, Sonia Zanini Cechin¹, Tiago Gomes Dos Santos² Book Review: Harold Heatwole, John W. Wilkinson (Eds). Amphibians Biology. Volume 11 - Status of conservation and decline of Amphibians. Eastern Hemisphere. Part 4 . Southern Europe and Turkey Sebastiano Salvidio Book Review: Antonio Romano. Atlante degli anfibi del Parco Nazionale del Cilento Vallo di Diano e Alburni - Distribuzione, biologia, ecologia e conservazione Sebastiano Salvidio ACTA HERPETOLOGICA Journal of the Societas Herpetologica Italica