A survey of the Leptodactylid frogs, genus <i>Eupsophus</i>, in Chile

Abstract

Chilean species of <i>Eupsophus</i> are reviewed. Only three fundamental groups are recognized: <i>grayi-roseus, nodosus-coppingeri, taeniatus</i>. Synonymy of <i>E. kriegi, E. maculatus and E. verrucosus</i> with <i>E. nodosus</i>, and of <i>E. bibroni, E. calcaratus</i> and <i>E. masareyi</i> with <i>E. grayi</i> is demonstrated. Morphological affinities in pectoral girdle, prevomerine teeth and color patterns in Chilean species are analyzed. Secondary sex characters of <i>grayi</i>, <i>nodosus</i> and <i>taeniatus</i> are compared and illustrated. The present distributions of <i>nodosus</i> and <i>taeniatus</i> express their probable position as ancient and formerly widespread forms. Biological affinities between <i>E. taeniatus</i> and <i>Brazilian Thoropa</i> are mentioned. <i>Eupsophus coppingeri</i> and <i>E. roseus</i> are specialized and rare forms, sympatric with <i>grayi</i> and <i>nodosus</i> in the southern Chilean rain forest belt.