University of Kansas Publications

Museum of Natural History

Volume 17, No. 13, pp. 559-578, 3 pls. 17-19

Date, April 5, 1968

Descriptions of New Hylid Frogs

From México and Central America

BY

WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN

University of Kansas

Lawrence

1968

University of Kansas Publications,
Museum of Natural History

Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Henry S. Fitch,
Frank B. Cross

Volume 17, No. 13, pp. 559-578, 3 pls. 17-19

Published April 5, 1968

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

PRINTED BY

ROBERT R. (BOB) SANDERS, STATE PRINTER

TOPEKA, KANSAS

1968

31-9420

Descriptions of New Hylid Frogs

From México and Central America

BY

WILLIAM E. DUELLMAN

Hyla xanthosticta new species

Plate 17

Holotype.—Adult female, KU 103772, from the
south fork of the Río Las Vueltas on the south slope of Volcán Barba,
near the northwest base of Cerro Chompipe, Heredia Province, Costa Rica,
elevation 2100 meters; obtained on June 26, 1966, by John D. Lynch.

Diagnosis.—A member of the Hyla pictipes group
(Starrett, 1966), characterized by having dorsum uniform green, canthal
stripe bronze-color, flanks and anterior and posterior surfaces of
thighs dark brown with bright yellow spots, throat and belly yellow, and
hands having only vestigial web.

Description of holotype.—Female having a snout-vent
length of 29.3 mm.; tibia length 16.2 mm., 55.3 per cent of snout-vent
length; foot length (measured from proximal edge of inner metatarsal
tubercle to tip of longest toe) 14.1 mm., 48.1 per cent of snout-vent
length; head length 10.0 mm., 34.1 per cent of snout-vent length; head
width 10.3 mm., 35.2 per cent of snout-vent length. Snout in lateral
profile truncate, slightly inclined posteroventrally, in dorsal profile
narrow but truncate; canthus angular; loreal region barely concave; lips
thick, barely flared. Snout long; distance from anterior corner of eye
to nostril equal to diameter of eye; nostrils slightly protuberant,
directed laterally; internarial distance, 2.6 mm.; internarial area
slightly depressed; top of head slightly convex; interorbital distance
3.2 mm., 31.1 per cent of width of head; width at eyelid 2.6 mm.; 24.3
per cent of width of head. Diameter of eye 3.0 mm.; thin dermal fold
extending posteriorly from posterior corner of eye, above tympanum, to
point above insertion of arm. Tympanum distinct, its diameter half that
of eye.

Axillary membrane absent; arms slender; thin scalloped dermal fold on
ventrolateral edge of forearm; thin dermal fold on wrist; fingers long,
tapering; length of fingers from shortest to longest, 1-2-4-3; discs
small, only slightly wider than digits; subarticular tubercles large;
distal tubercle on third finger broad, flat; distal tubercle on fourth
finger strongly bifid; supernumerary tubercles large, round, closely
spaced irregularly on proximal segments of digits; prepollex moderately
enlarged. Web lacking between first and second fingers, vestigial
between second and third fingers, extending from middle of
antepenultimate phalanx of third to base of penultimate phalanx of
fourth. Heels overlap by about one-third length of shank when hind limbs
adpressed; tibiotarsal articulation extends to anterior edge of eye;
thin transverse dermal fold on heel; scalloped dermal fold along outer
edge of tarsus; inner metatarsal tubercle large, flat, elliptical,
visible from above; toes long, slender; length of toes from longest to
shortest, 1-2-5-3-4; discs small, barely wider than digits; subarticular
tubercles large, round, subconical; supernumerary tubercles few,
scattered on proximal segments of digits; toes about two-thirds webbed;
webbing extending from middle of penultimate phalanx of first toe to
middle of penultimate phalanx of second, from distal end of penultimate
phalanx of second to base of penultimate of third, from distal end of
penultimate phalanx of third to middle of antepenultimate of fourth to
middle of penultimate of fifth toe.

Anal opening directed posteroventrally at level of mid-thigh,
bordered below by large tubercles; anal sheath lacking. Skin smooth on
dorsum except for small scattered tubercles, granular on belly and
posteroventral surfaces of thighs. Tongue round, emarginate, barely free
behind. Prevomerine teeth 5-5, on large ovoid elevations at level of
posterior edges of small round choanae.

Color (in preservative): dark purplish brown above, brown on limbs;
first three fingers and first three toes creamy yellow; other digits
brown; flanks dark brown with white spots; anterior and posterior
surfaces of thighs and inner surfaces of shanks brown with cream-colored
spots. White stripes on edge of upper lip, ventrolateral edge of
forearm, outer edge of tarsus, and above anus. Chin and throat white;
belly and ventral surfaces of limbs cream-color.

Color (in life): dorsum green, palest on sides of head; dorsal
surfaces of thighs tan; canthal stripe bronze-tan (reddish copper at
night); flanks, anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs, and inner
surfaces of tarsi brown with bright yellow spots. Throat and belly pale
yellow; ventral surfaces of limbs dull, dark yellow; large, bright
yellow spot on anteroventral surface of thigh; bright yellow tubercles
on median part of ventral surface of thigh. Anal area dark brown with
white stripe above and yellow stripe below; white stripe on outer edge
of forearm, outer edge of tarsus, and edge of upper lip. Iris gold-color
with fine black reticulations and faint reddish suffusion medially;
palpebral membrane clear.

Comparisons.—Hyla xanthosticta is a member of the
Hyla pictipes group that contains debilis,
pictipes, rivularis, and tica. From all of these,
xanthosticta differs by having large yellow spots on the flanks
and thighs, a white labial stripe, and a large yellow spot on the
proximal ventral surface of each thigh. Females of Hyla pictipes
have small creamy yellow spots on the flanks and thighs but have dark
spots on the venter; furthermore, pictipes lacks white stripes on
the upper lip and above the anus, lacks a canthal stripe, and has larger
discs and less webbing on the hand. Hyla tica differs from
xanthosticta by having white mottling on the flanks, dark
transverse bands on the limbs, and larger discs, and lacks yellow spots
on the thighs, and white stripes on the upper lip, limbs, and above the
anus. Hyla rivularis is notably different in having a tan dorsum
and creamy yellow venter with black flecks; moreover, rivularis
lacks spots on the flanks and thighs and white stripes on the upper lip,
limbs, and above the anus. Of all of the species in the pictipes
group, xanthosticta most closely resembles debilis. This
species has a dull green dorsum, usually flecked with brown or black,
and a creamy white venter. The flanks of debilis are creamy white
with small brown flecks, and the anterior and posterior surfaces of the
thighs are bright yellow. Hyla debilis has a dull tan canthal
stripe and white spots on the upper lip; the webbing on the hand is
slightly more extensive, and the discs are slightly larger, in
debilis than in xanthosticta.

The presence of the large yellow spots on the flanks and thighs in
combination with the uniformly green dorsum and yellow venter
immediately distinguishes Hyla xanthosticta from all other known
species of Middle American hylids.

Remarks.—The only known specimen of Hyla
xanthosticta was perched at night on a leaf about one meter above the
ground. The frog was found in humid upper montane forest characterized by
large oaks supporting many bromeliads and heavy growths of mosses. Two
other members of the Hyla pictipes group—pictipes and
rivularis—were abundant along a stream in the oak
forest.

The specific name is derived from the Greek xanthos meaning
yellow and the Greek stiktos meaning spotted, and alludes to the
diagnostic yellow spots on the flanks and thighs.

Hyla pseudopuma infucata new subspecies

Plate 17

Holotype.—Adult male, KU 101770 from the Río
Changena, Bocas del Toro Province, Panamá, elevation 830 meters;
obtained May 18, 1966, by William E. Duellman.

Paratypes.—KU 101771-80; MCZ 55251-2, and UMMZ
126811-12, same locality; collected May 18-22, 1966, by William E.
Duellman.

Diagnosis.—A subspecies of Hyla pseudopuma
characterized by having dark red, instead of yellow, in groin and on
anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs; white stripe above anal
opening; and blunt snout.

Description of holotype.—Adult male having a snout-vent
length of 37.8 mm.; tibia length 20.6 mm., 54.4 per cent of snout-vent
length; foot length (measured from proximal edge of inner metatarsal
tubercle) 18.6 mm., 49.2 per cent of snout-vent length; head length 11.9
mm., 31.4 per cent of snout-vent length; head width 11.4 mm., 30.1 per
cent of snout-vent length. Snout in lateral profile bluntly rounded, in
dorsal profile truncate; canthus rounded; loreal region barely concave;
lips thick, moderately flared. Snout short, distance from anterior
corner of eye to nostril equal to about three-fourths diameter of eye;
nostrils slightly protuberant, directed dorsolaterally; internarial
distance 2.6 mm.; internarial area not depressed; top of head flat;
interorbital distance 3.8 mm., 33.3 per cent of width of head; width of
eyelid 3.2 mm., 28.2 per cent of width of head. Eye large, protuberant,
diameter 4.3 mm.; thin dermal fold extending posteriorly from posterior
corner of eye, obscuring upper edge of tympanum, curving downward to
point above insertion of arm. Tympanum distinct except dorsally, its
diameter 51.1 per cent that of eye, separated from eye by distance equal
to diameter of tympanum.

Axillary membrane absent; arms moderately robust; dermal fold on
outer edge of forearm indistinct, interrupted; transverse fold on wrist
weak; fingers short, stocky; length of fingers from shortest to longest,
1-2-4-3; discs large, width of that on third finger 2.6 mm., larger than
tympanum; subarticular tubercles moderately small, flat, none distinctly
bifid; supernumerary tubercles conical, present on proximal segments;
prepollex enlarged, bearing nuptial excrescence composed of many minute
horny spinules; webbing absent between first and second fingers,
extending from middle of antepenultimate phalanx of second to base of
antepenultimate phalanx of third and beyond to base of penultimate
phalanx of fourth finger. Heels overlap by about one-third length of
tarsus when hind limbs adpressed; tibiotarsal articulation extends to
anterior corner of eye; transverse dermal fold on heel; tarsal fold
absent; inner metatarsal tubercle long, elliptical, flat, barely visible
from above; outer metatarsal tubercle small, conical; toes moderately
long, stout; length of toes from shortest to longest, 1-2-3-5-4; discs
nearly as large as those on fingers; subarticular tubercles small, flat;
supernumerary tubercles large, conical, pigmented, in single row on
proximal segments of each toe; toes about two-thirds webbed; webbing
extending from distal end of penultimate phalanx of first toe to base of
penultimate phalanx of second, from distal end of penultimate phalanx of
second to middle of antepenultimate of third, from distal end of
penultimate phalanx of third to base of penultimate of fourth to distal
end of penultimate of fifth toe.

Anal opening directed posteriorly at level of upper surfaces of
thighs, bordered below by vertical flesh folds; anal sheath absent. Skin
of belly, ventral surfaces of arms, and proximal posteroventral surfaces
of thighs granular, elsewhere smooth. Tongue ovoid, about twice as long
as wide, shallowly notched posteriorly, barely free behind. Prevomerine
teeth 5-6, situated on transverse ridges between posterior borders of
small round choanae. Vocal slit extending from midlateral edge of tongue
to angle of jaw.

Color (in preservative): dorsum grayish tan with large brown blotch
extending from eyelids to middle of back, limbs marked with brown
transverse bars, 2 on each forearm, 3 on each thigh, shank, and foot.
Flanks dark gray with white spots; groin, anterior and posterior
surfaces of thighs, ventral surfaces of shanks, and inner edges of feet
orange-tan; anal region dark brown, bordered above by white stripe;
belly and chin creamy white, latter with grayish brown flecks.

Color (in life): dorsum yellowish tan with olive-brown markings by
night and uniform pale yellowish tan by day; axilla, inner surface of
elbow, groin, anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs, ventral
surfaces of thighs and shanks, inner surfaces of feet, and dorsal
surfaces of first three toes tomato red; flanks dark blue with yellow
spots and reticulations. Throat, chest, and anterior part of belly
creamy white; posterior part of belly orange, becoming red in extreme
posterior region; throat flecked with brown; iris pale bronze with black
reticulations; palpebral membrane clear above, yellowish tan below;
nuptial excrescenses dark brown.

Variation.—The discussion of variation is based on the
type series plus 31 specimens (KU 101781-811) from the Río Claro near
its junction with the Río Changena, at an elevation of 910 meters.
Females are slightly larger than males, but do not differ significantly
in proportions (Table 1). All specimens have the diagnostic red legs and
blue flanks with yellow spots or mottling, but the dorsal pattern is
highly variable. In most individuals the dark markings on the dorsum are
a solid color, but in some the borders of the marks are dark, and the
interior of each mark is nearly the same color as the rest of the
dorsum. A triangular dark mark with the anterolateral corners on the
eyelids is present in all specimens. In some individuals the posteriorly
directed apex of this triangular mark is connected to the apex of
another triangular mark on the back; in other individuals the marks are
narrowly separated, whereas in a few specimens the marks are broadly
connected. A dark blotch usually is present on the posterior end of the
body. One specimen (KU 101771) has many small white spots on the dorsum.
The white stripe above the anus is invariably present, and the
transverse bars on the limbs are present in all specimens, although they
are indistinct in some individuals. The pattern on the flanks varies
from three or four large spots to many (30-44) small spots. All males
have dark flecks or reticulations on the throat; in some individuals the
chest and belly are heavily flecked. Although the amount of flecking is
much less in most females, one individual is as heavily flecked on the
throat and belly as any male.

The change in coloration in this frog is noteworthy. The following
description of metachrosis in seven specimens from the Río Claro
illustrates the change. At night the frogs were yellowish tan above with
slightly darker dorsal markings. The axilla, groin, anterior and
posterior surfaces of the thighs, ventral surfaces of the hind limbs,
and webbing on the hands and feet were tomato red. By day, some
individuals became creamy yellow, others ashy white, and others grayish
tan. The flanks were dark blue with yellow spots.

Comparisons.—The population of frogs described here
closely resembles Hyla pseudopuma Günther in the highlands of
Costa Rica. Both have the same kind of, and variation in, dorsal
markings; conical, pigmented supernumerary tubercles on the toes;
bilobate vocal sac; and large prepollex bearing horny nuptial spinules.
Although at present no evidence for intergradation exists, the
population described here is considered to be a subspecies of Hyla
pseudopuma.

Table 1.—Variation in
Certain Measurements and Proportions in the
Subspecies of Hyla
pseudopuma. (Means Are Given in Parentheses Below the
Observed
Range.)

The two subspecies exhibit few differences in size and proportions,
except that the tympanum is larger in pseudopuma (Table 1).
Hyla p. pseudopuma has dark brown or yellowish tan thighs and
brown flanks with a few creamy white spots; the groin in some specimens
is pale blue. The red color on the limbs characteristic of
infucata is lacking in pseudopuma, which also lacks the
white stripe above the anus characteristic of infucata. The only
noticeable morphological difference between the subspecies, except in
the size of the tympanum, is the shape of the snout. In infucata
the snout is bluntly rounded in lateral profile and truncate in dorsal
profile, whereas in pseudopuma the snout is more acutely rounded
in lateral profile and acuminate in dorsal profile (Fig. 1). This
external difference is correlated with the nature of the underlying
premaxillaries. In infucata the premaxillaries lie in a
transverse plane and have short, nearly vertical alary processes,
whereas in pseudopuma the premaxillaries lie at a slight angle
and have longer alary processes that are inclined posteriorly.

Fig. 1. Lateral views
of the heads of Hyla pseudopuma pseudopuma (left, KU 64884)

and H. p. infucata (right, KU 101784). × 4.

The only other frog in Central America having red webs and anterior
and posterior surfaces of the thighs is Hyla loquax, which has a
broad head, extensive axillary membrane, single median vocal sac, and
uniformly creamy yellow flanks; furthermore, loquax lacks
conical, pigmented supernumerary tubercles on the toes and a large
prepollex with horny nuptial spinules. Hyla rufitela has red
webbing, but in no other diagnostic feature resembles infucata,
for rufitela is green above, white below, and has angular
prevomerine dentigerous ridges.

Remarks.—Most specimens of Hyla pseudopuma
infucata were found on bushes and low trees at night. Three males
and one clasping pair were on the ground. The habitat is humid lower
montane forest where the amount of rainfall is high. Although no
breeding was observed nor calls heard, it is presumed that this
subspecies breeds in shallow, temporary pools, like those utilized by
the nominate subspecies.

The two localities where Hyla pseudopuma infucata is known are
in the maze of ridges north of Cerro Pando on the Panamanian-Costa Rican
border. The Río Claro is a tributary of the Río Changena, in turn a
tributary of the Río Changuinola, which receives many streams and rivers
draining the northern slopes of the highlands in Bocas del Toro Province
before flowing into the Caribbean. We reached the Río Claro and Río
Changena by walking from Finca Santa Clara on the Pacific slopes, over
the continental divide, and down the north slope of Cerro Pando.

The subspecific name is derived from the Latin infucatus,
meaning painted, in allusion to the red colors on the limbs and
webs.

Hyla pellita new species

Plate 18

Holotype.—Adult male, KU 100970 from 33
kilometers north of San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca, México, elevation 1675
meters; obtained on February 20, 1966, by William E. Duellman and Linda
Trueb.

Paratypes.—KU 100971-2 collected with the holotype and
KU 100974-5 from 30 kilometers north of San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca,
México, elevation 1530 meters; same date and collectors.

Diagnosis.—A small yellowish tan Hyla
characterized by tympanum concealed, anal opening not bordered below by
large tubercles, brown bands on shanks, and dark flecks on roof of mouth
anteriorly.

Description of holotype.—Adult male having snout-vent
length of 27.3 mm.; tibia length 13.7 mm., 50.2 per cent of snout-vent
length; foot length (measured from proximal edge of inner metatarsal
tubercle to tip of longest toe) 11.7 mm., 42.9 per cent of snout-vent
length; head length 8.7 mm., 31.9 per cent of snout-vent length. Snout
in lateral profile truncate, rounded above, in dorsal profile rounded;
canthus angular; loreal region slightly concave; lips thin, flared.
Snout moderately long, distance from anterior corner of eye to nostril
slightly less than diameter of eye; nostrils slightly protuberant,
directed anterolaterally; internarial area barely depressed; distance
between nostrils 2.6 mm.; top of head flat; interorbital distance 3.2
mm., 34.4 per cent of width of head. Diameter of eye 2.7 mm.; thin
dermal fold extending from posterior corner of eye to point above
insertion of arm; tympanum absent, not visible through skin.

Axillary membrane absent; forearms moderately slender, having
indistinct tuberculate fold on ventrolateral edge, lacking distinct
transverse fold on wrist; fingers short; length of fingers from shortest
to longest, 1-4-2-3, fourth nearly as long as second; discs small, about
half again as wide as digits; subarticular tubercules large, round,
flattened, distal ones on third and fourth fingers bifid; supernumerary
tubercles large, round, present only on proximal segments; prepollex
barely enlarged, lacking nuptial excrecence. Web lacking between first
and second fingers, extending from base of penultimate phalanx of second
to base of antepenultimate phalanx of third, from middle of
antepenultimate phalanx of third to distal end of antepenultimate of
fourth finger. Heels overlap by about one-fifth length of shank when
hind limbs adpressed; tibiotarsal articulation extending to middle of
eye, tarsal fold present, extending full length of tarsus; inner
metatarsal tubercle flat, ovoid, partly visible from above; outer
metatarsal tubercle absent; toes short; length of toes from shortest to
longest, 1-2-3-5-4; discs small, about two-thirds width of those on
fingers; subarticular tubercles small, round; supernumerary tubercles
small, flattened, irregularly arranged on proximal segments. Toes
three-fourth webbed; web extending from base of disc of first to middle
of penultimate phalanx of second, from base of disc of second to middle
of penultimate phalanx of third, from base of disc of third to base of
penultimate phalanx of fourth and to base of disc of fifth toe.

Anal opening directed posteriorly at level of dorsal surfaces of
thighs, bordered below by vertical dermal folds and few small tubercles;
anal sheath absent. Skin heavily granular on throat, chest, belly and
ventral surfaces of thighs, smooth elsewhere. Tongue cordiform, deeply
notched posteriorly, barely free behind. Prevomerine teeth 3-4, situated
on short elevations between small round choanae; vocal slits absent.

Color (in preservative): pale tan above with dark brown mark in
occipital region and large irregular brown mark extending from scapular
region to sacral region; anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs and
flanks lacking pigment; dorsal surfaces of arms, shanks, and feet tan
with brown transverse bars (two on each forearm, two on left shank, one
on right shank, and one on each foot); entire dorsal surfaces, except
hands and first four toes, peppered with black; venter creamy white;
roof of mouth between, and anterior to, choanae speckled with minute
black flecks.

Color (in life): yellowish tan above with reddish brown flecks (later
changed to pale brown with dull olive-green interorbital bar, blotch on
back, and flecks on dorsum); hands, feet, and anterior and posterior
surfaces of thighs dull yellow; belly white; creamy white stripes on
outer edge of forearm, foot, and above anus; iris pale silver-bronze.

Variation.—Three adult males (including holotype) have
snout-vent lengths of 25.2-27.3 (mean 26.5) mm., and two females have
28.6 and 31.6 (mean 30.1) mm. One juvenile has a snout-vent length of
21.5 mm. No significant variation occurs in the proportions. Males have
6-8, and females have 8 and 9, prevomerine teeth. The tympanum is
completely concealed in all specimens.

All specimens have distinct transverse bars on the limbs; the number
of bars on the shank varies from one to four. Two individuals are dark
brown dorsally; in these the small black flecks either are not visible
or are absent; flecks are present on the dorsal surfaces of four
specimens that are tan or pale brown above with darker brown irregular
markings.

The coloration in life consisted of olive-green or olive-brown
markings on the body and olive-green or brown bars on the limbs. The
dorsal ground color was yellowish tan or pale brown in all
individuals.

Comparisons.—Hyla pellita differs from all known
Middle American Hyla, except mixe, mixomaculata,
nubicola, and pinorum, by having a concealed tympanum. The
first three of these differ from pellita in greater size and by
having many bands on the hind limbs. Superficially H. pellita
resembles Hyla pinorum, which likewise has a tan dorsum
with irregular markings and limbs with transverse bars. Hyla
pinorum differs from pellita by having a proportionately
larger head, no transverse bands on the thighs, and large tubercles
below the anus. Furthermore, in pinorum the quadratojugal
articulates with the maxillary, whereas in pellita the
quadratojugal is reduced to a small spur and does not articulate with
the maxillary.

Remarks.—All individuals were found on low vegetation
along streams in cloud forest at night. No specimens were found when the
type locality was revisited in August, 1966.

Duellman (1960) placed Hyla pinorum Taylor in the synonymy of
Ptychohyla leonhardschultzei Ahl. At that time only the holotype,
a female, of H. pinorum was known. In 1964 Kraig Adler and I
independently collected frogs and associated tadpoles in Guerrero that
subsequently proved to be Hyla pinorum and provided evidence that
Hyla pinorum is not conspecific with Ptychohyla
leonhardschultzei.

The specific name pellita is Latin, meaning covered with skin,
and is here used in reference to the complete concealment of the
tympanum beneath the skin.

Hyla siopela new species

Plate 18

Holotype.—Adult male, KU 100981, from a small
stream on the west slope of Cofre de Perote, Veracruz, México, elevation
2500-2550 meters; obtained on July 30, 1966, by William E. Duellman.

Paratypes.—KU 100976-80, 100982-5, same locality, date,
and collector; KU 105628-9, same locality, obtained on June 18, 1966, by
Howard L. Freeman; UIMNH 57687-57701, same locality, obtained on July
30-31, 1964, by Macreay J. Landy and John D. Lynch.

Diagnosis.—A member of the Hyla bistincta group
characterized by truncate snout with short rostral keel; fingers having
little webbing and bearing large discs; axillary membrane absent;
thoracic fold weak; prepollex large, flat, bearing small nuptial spines;
vocal slits absent; dorsum green or tan with small irregular dark spots;
flanks mottled.

Description of holotype.—Adult male having a snout-vent
length of 44.3 mm.; tibia length 21.1 mm., 47.6 per cent of snout-vent
length; foot length (measured from proximal edge of inner metatarsal
tubercle to tip of longest toe) 20.4 mm., 47.2 per cent of snout-vent
length; head length 13.4 mm., 30.2 per cent of snout-vent length; head
width 13.7 mm., 30.9 per cent of snout-vent length. Snout in lateral
profile truncate, in dorsal profile truncate with weak vertical rostral
keel; canthus angular; loreal region slightly concave; lips thick, not
flaring; snout short; nostrils barely protuberant, directed
dorsolaterally, situated about four-fifths distance from anterior corner
of eye to tip of snout; internarial distance 3.6 mm.; internarial area
not depressed; top of head slightly convex; interorbital distance 4.9
mm., 35.8 per cent of width of head; width of eyelid 3.5 mm., 26.0 per
cent of width of head. Diameter of eye 4.7 mm.; heavy dermal fold
curving posteroventrally from posterior corner of eye, covering upper
one-third of tympanum, to insertion of arm; tympanum barely distinct,
its diameter 2.2 mm., 46.8 per cent that of eye, separated from eye by
distance equal to half again diameter of tympanum.

Axillary membrane absent; thoracic fold weak; arms moderately robust;
fold on wrist heavy; fingers long, slender; length of fingers from
shortest to longest, 1-2-4-3; discs large, that on third finger as large
as tympanum; subarticular tubercles moderately small, round, none bifid;
supernumerary tubercles small, some barely distinguishable, in single
row on proximal segment of each digit; prepollex greatly enlarged, flat
ventrally, bearing nuptial excrescence composed of minute horny
spinules; webbing between first two fingers vestigial; web connecting
other fingers at bases of penultimate phalanges of second and fourth,
and base of antepenultimate phalanx of third fingers. Heels overlap by
about one-third length of shank when hind limbs adpressed; tibiotarsal
articulation extends to posterior edge of orbit; transverse dermal fold
on heel; tarsal fold thin, distinct, extending length of tarsus; inner
metatarsal tubercle large, elongate, flat, visible from above; outer
metatarsal tubercle absent; toes moderately long, slender; length of
toes from shortest to longest, 1-2-3-5-4; discs slightly smaller than
those on fingers; subarticular tubercles moderately small, round;
supernumerary tubercles small, in single row on proximal segment of each
digit; toes about two-thirds webbed; webbing extends from middle of
penultimate phalanx of first toe to base of penultimate phalanx of
second, from middle of penultimate of second to middle of
antepenultimate of third, from middle of penultimate of third to middle
of antepenultimate of fourth to middle of penultimate phalanx of fifth
toe.

Anal opening directed posteriorly at level of mid-thigh; anal sheath
short. Skin granular on chin, belly, and posteroventral surfaces of
thighs, smooth elsewhere. Tongue broadly cordiform, notched posteriorly,
barely free behind. Prevomerine teeth 4-4, situated on posteromedially
inclined elevations between small ovoid choanae. Vocal slits absent.

Color (in preservative): dull grayish brown above with small,
irregularly-shaped black spots on head, back, and limbs; flanks gray
mottled with creamy tan; anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs tan;
belly dull creamy tan; throat marked with gray blotches; anal region and
posterodorsal surfaces of thighs marked with small white spots.

Color (in life): dorsum pale green with black spots and
reticulations; flanks mottled dark brown and creamy white; outer edges
of feet silvery white with brown spots; anterior and posterior surfaces
of thighs dull brown; webbing and first three toes dull yellowish tan;
belly creamy gray; throat silvery white, mottled with gray; iris dull
bronze-color with black reticulations; palpebral membrane clear.

Variation.—The snout-vent length in seven adult males is
47.2-50.0 mm., and in five females, 45.1-52.5 mm. In neither sex do the
average proportions differ noticeably from those of the holotype, except
that the tympanum is relatively larger in females. The ratio of the
diameter of the tympanum to that of the eye is 0.363-0.468 (mean 0.438)
in males and 0.500-0.545 (mean 0.516) in females. The average number of
prevomerine teeth in males is 7.9, in females 8.4.

In life dorsal coloration varied from pale green to olive-green with
darker green or black flecks or reticulations, or pinkish tan to brown
with dark brown flecks or reticulations. Some preserved specimens have
relatively few dark flecks, whereas in most specimens the dorsum is
heavily marked. All specimens have some white markings above the anus
and on the posterodorsal surfaces of the thighs, but in some individuals
the white flecks are expanded and interconnected forming an irregular
white line.

Juveniles have a notably different coloration in life. The dorsum is
uniform pale green; the anterior and posterior surfaces of the thighs,
fingers, first three toes, and webbing are deep yellow. The anal stripe
is creamy white, and the flanks are pale gray with black flecks. The
upper lip, supratympanic fold, and canthal stripe are a bronze color.
The belly is pale yellow with a silvery cast on the throat. Juveniles
having snout-vent lengths from 24.5 to 36.6 mm. are so colored in life,
and uniform dark bluish gray dorsally in preservative.

Comparisons.—The absence of a quadratojugal and the
presence of a greatly enlarged, non-projecting prepollex place Hyla
siopela in the Hyla bistincta group (see Duellman, 1964, and
Adler, 1965). The presence of a rostral keel separates Hyla
siopela from other members of the Hyla bistincta group, which
is composed of two species having long anal sheaths (bistincta and
pentheter), two small species having axillary membranes and
lacking nuptial excrescences in breeding males (charadricola and
chryses), and three species (crassa, pachyderma, and
robertsorum) having short heads, round snouts, short anal sheaths,
and nuptial excrescences in breeding males. Hyla siopela differs
from the last three species in the shape of the snout and from each in
certain structural features; H. crassa has fully webbed feet;
H. pachyderma has large nuptial spines, and H. robertsorum
has more webbing and a shorter tarsal fold. Furthermore, the venter in
H. robertsorum is brown with creamy white flecks.

In structure and coloration H. arborescandens resembles
siopela, but the former is smaller, and males of
arborescandens have vocal slits.

Remarks.—This description brings to eight the number of
species now recognized in the Hyla bistincta group. Hyla
siopela is most closely related to Hyla robertsorum from the
high mountains of the Sierra Madre Oriental in northern Puebla and
eastern Hidalgo. Possibly the four species now recognized in the
crassa subgroup (crassa, pachyderma,
robertsorum, and siopela) are only subspecies of a single
species, but differences in the amount of webbing in crassa and
the nature of the nuptial excrescenses in pachyderma indicate
that they are distinct species.

The type locality of Hyla siopela is a small stream cascading
down the western slope of Cofre de Perote; the lower reaches of the
stream can be reached by a dirt road leading east from the village of
Perote for about 2 kilometers to a small park. The frogs were found in
the stream at elevations of 50 to 100 meters higher than the park. The
stream flows through a ravine supporting open, dry pine forest. Although
the stream was searched thoroughly in February, 1966, no frogs were
found. In July, 1966, adults and juveniles were found in crevices and
under overhanging rocks behind small cascades and waterfalls by day and
sitting on rocks and branches in the spray of cascades at night.

The specific name siopela is derived from the Greek
siopelos, meaning silent, and alludes to the absence of a voice
in this species.

Hyla altipotens new species

Plate 19

Holotype.—Adult male, KU 101001, from 37
kilometers (by road) north of San Gabriel Mixtepec (kilometer post 183
on road from Oaxaca to Puerto Escondido), Oaxaca, México, elevation 1860
meters; obtained on February 19, 1966, by William E. Duellman.

Paratypes.—KU 101002-6 collected at the same locality on
February 19 and 20, 1966, by William E. Duellman, and KU 101008 from 33
kilometers (by road) north of San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca, México,
elevation 1675 meters; obtained on February 20, 1966, by Linda
Trueb.

Diagnosis.—A member of the Hyla taeniopus group
characterized by a yellow venter, yellow flecks on posterior surfaces of
thighs, bronze-colored stripe from snout, along canthus and edge of
upper eyelid to point above arm, pointed snout, smooth dorsum, and no
sexual dimorphism in shape of snout.

Description of holotype.—Adult male having a snout-vent
length of 68.8 mm.; tibia length 36.2 mm., 52.6 per cent of snout-vent
length; foot length (measured from proximal edge of inner metatarsal
tubercle) 31.1 mm., 45.2 per cent of snout-vent length; head length 20.2
mm., 29.4 per cent of snout-vent length; head width 20.0 mm., 29.1 per
cent of snout-vent length. Snout in lateral profile acutely rounded,
protruding beyond tip of lower jaw, in dorsal profile pointed; canthus
angular; loreal region flat; lips thick, barely flared. Snout long;
nostrils slightly protuberant, directed dorsolaterally, situated about
two-thirds distance from anterior corner of eye to tip of snout;
internarial distance 5.6 mm.; internarial area slightly depressed; top
of head flat; interorbital distance 6.0 mm., 30.0 per cent of width of
head; width of eyelid 4.7 mm., 23.5 per cent of width of head. Diameter
of eye 6.2 mm.; heavy dermal fold extending from posterior corner of
eye, over upper edge of tympanum to point above insertion of arm;
tympanum distinct, its diameter 3.4 mm., 54.8 per cent of that of the
eye, separated from eye by distance equal to diameter of tympanum.

Axillary membrane absent; arms moderately robust, lacking dermal fold
on lateral edge of forearm, having transverse fold on wrist; fingers
moderately short, broad; length of fingers from shortest to longest,
1-2-4-3; discs large, that on third finger one-fourth larger than
tympanum; subarticular tubercles large, round, none bifid; supernumerary
tubercles large, granule-like, present only on proximal segments;
prepollex enlarged, not bearing nuptial excrescence. Fingers about
one-half webbed; webbing connects first and second fingers at level of
distal end of antepenultimate phalanx, extending from middle of
penultimate phalanx of second finger to middle of antepenultimate
phalanx of third, and between bases of penultimate phalanges of third
and fourth fingers. Heels overlap by about one-half length of shank when
hind limbs adpressed; tibiotarsal articulation extends to point between
eye and nostril; thin transverse dermal fold on heel; tarsal fold
strong, extending full length of tarsus; inner metatarsal tubercle
small, flat, elongate, barely visible from above; outer metatarsal
tubercle small, conical; toes moderately long, stout; length of toes
from shortest to longest, 1-2-3-5-4; discs slightly smaller than those
on fingers; subarticular tubercles large, round, subconical;
supernumerary tubercles large, conical, in single row on proximal
segment of each digit; toes about four-fifths webbed; webbing extending
from base of disc on first to base of disc on second to base of
penultimate phalanx of third toe, from base of disc on third to base of
penultimate phalanx of fourth to base of disc of fifth toe.

Anal opening directed posteroventrally at mid-level of thighs; anal sheath
long, tubular. Skin smooth on dorsum and on ventral surfaces of shanks,
granular on throat, belly, and ventral surfaces of arms and thighs.
Tongue ovoid, widest posteriorly, neither notched nor free behind.
Prevomerine teeth 6-7, situated on robust transverse ridges between
small, ovoid choanae. Vocal slits absent. Testes large, ovoid, granular;
length of left testis 11.0 mm.

Color (in preservative): brown above with many darker brown spots and
narrow middorsal stripe on back; six or seven dark brown transverse bars
on each segment of hind limbs and four bars on each forearm; flanks
white with dark brown spots; anterior surfaces of thighs creamy white
with brown reticulations; posterior surfaces of thighs dark brown with
creamy yellow flecks; stripe on snout, canthus, edge of upper eyelid,
and supratympanic fold tan; ventral surfaces of feet brown; rest of
venter creamy white; stripe above anus white.

Color (in life): green above with slightly darker green spots; dorsal
surfaces of upper arms and thighs tan with green transverse bars; upper
surfaces of forearms and shanks green with darker green transverse bars;
feet, fourth and fifth toes, and third and fourth fingers tan with brown
transverse bars; other fingers and toes tan with brown flecks. Ventral
surfaces creamy yellow, brightest on throat and chest; flanks and
anterior surfaces of thighs bright creamy yellow with dark brown
reticulations and spots; posterior surfaces of thighs and ventral
surfaces of feet dark brown with yellow flecks; ventral surfaces of
hands and webbing on hands and feet yellowish tan. Labial stripe tan;
stripes on outer edge of forearm, along outer edge of foot, and above
anus cream-color; stripe on canthus, edge of upper eyelid, and on
supratympanic fold bronze-color. Iris pale bronze with black
reticulations and faint median, horizontal copper-colored streak; pupil
horizontally elliptical with ventral notch; palpebral membrane clear
above, pale bluish green with brown reticulations below.

Variation.—In life all individuals had creamy yellow
venters and yellow flanks and anterior surfaces of thighs with brown or
black spots and mottling. Most of the adults were colored like the
holotype, but one was a much darker olive-green, and one was uniform
brown above with a dark brown middorsal stripe. Most subadults
(snout-vent lengths 31.6-50.1 mm.) were pale reddish tan above with
darker reddish brown bars on the limbs and blotches on the back. The
side of the head was dark brown and the stripe along the canthus, edge
of upper eyelid, and supratympanic fold was yellowish tan. Some
individuals had a dark brown middorsal stripe. The posterior surfaces of
the thighs were dull yellowish tan; yellow flecks were present in the
larger individuals.

Table 2.—Variation in
Measurements and Proportions in Hyla altipotens.
(Means Are Given
in Parentheses Below the Observed Range.)

The number of transverse bars on each thigh and shank varies from
five to eight. The white stripe above the anus and the stripe from the
snout along the side of the head are invariably present. In some of the
largest individuals the brown reticulations on the anterior surface of
the thigh extend onto the ventral surface; in these specimens brown
flecks are present on the ventral surfaces on the shanks.

The tympanum is proportionately larger in females than in males; the
variation in size and proportions is given in Table 2. The total number
of prevomerine teeth varies from 13 to 18 (mean, 15) in five adult males
and from 10 to 12 (mean 11) in two females.

The testes in all adult males are granular, ovoid in shape, and
greatly enlarged. The lengths of the left testis in each of the five
males are 11.0 to 23.5 (mean 14.6) mm.

Comparisons.—On the basis of external appearance and
certain cranial characters (large frontoparietal fontanelle, broad
sphenethmoid, large nasals broadly separated medially having thin
lateral processes articulating with the palatines, short squamosal not
articulating with the maxillary, and quadratojugal present and
articulating with the maxillary), Hyla altipotens can be
associated with the Hyla taeniopus group (Duellman, 1965, Lynch
and Smith, 1966). Hyla altipotens can be distinguished from all
of the other members of the group by its narrow head, pointed snout in
both sexes, and uniformly yellow throat and belly.

Small brown individuals of Hyla altipotens superficially
resemble adult Hyla pinorum. The latter species has a covered
tympanum, less webbing on the hands, and a short, blunt snout.

Remarks.—This stream-breeding frog is like Hyla
taeniopus in having greatly enlarged testes, which possibly through
the production of vast quantities of sperm are an adaptation for
successful breeding in torrential streams (Duellman, 1965:164).

All individuals were found in trees and bushes near streams in cloud
forest at night in February. The type locality is the same as that of
Hyla pentheter and Hyla thorectes, discovered by Kraig
Adler in June, 1964. Our field work there in February, 1966, resulted in
finding Hyla altipotens, H. pellita, and Ptychohyla
leonhardschultzei, but no individuals of the species found by Adler.
A visit to the same locality in August, 1966, revealed no individuals of
either H. altipotens or pellita; instead pentheter
and thorectes were found along the stream.

Duellman (1965:166) listed a specimen (TCWC 16184) of Hyla
chaneque from Los Fustes, 3 kilometers east of San Sebastian,
Oaxaca. Rëexamination of this specimen reveals that it is Hyla
altipotens. The frog was obtained by Dilford Carter on April 29,
1960; it was under a rock at the edge of a stream in an oak-pine-cypress
association at an elevation of 1800 meters.

The specific name altipotens is Latin, meaning mighty, here
used in allusion to the supposed potentiality of fertilization by the
production of vast quantities of sperm in the large testes.

Plectrohyla hartwegi new species

Plate 19

Holotype.—Adult male, UMMZ 94428, from
Barrejonel (19 kilometers west of Chicomuselo), Chiapas, México,
elevation 1000 meters, obtained on June 12, 1941, by Eizi Matuda.

Paratypes.—Two subadult males, KU 58873 from Parajé El
Triunfo, north of Mapastepec, Chiapas, México, elevation 2050 meters,
obtained on May 12, 1960, by Miguel Alvarez del Toro, and UIMNH 40837
from Cerro Azul Oaxaca, México, obtained on March 7, 1956, by Thomas
MacDougall.

Diagnosis.—A Plectrohyla having a bifid
prepollex, bold mottling on flanks and ventral surfaces of shanks, and vertical
dark bars on anterior and posterior surfaces of thighs, and lacking vocal slits
and outer tarsal fold.

Description of holotype.—Adult male having a snout-vent
length of 63.8 mm.; tibia length 34.9 mm., 54.7 per cent of snout-vent
length; foot length (measured from proximal edge of inner metatarsal
tubercle to tip of longest toe) 31.1 mm., 48.7 per cent of snout-vent
length; head length 19.7 mm., 30.9 per cent of snout-vent length; head
width 22.6 mm., 35.4 per cent of snout-vent length. Snout short,
distance from level of anterior edge of orbit to tip of snout 70.6 per
cent of length of eye; snout in lateral profile angular, sloping
abruptly from nostrils to jaw, in dorsal profile bluntly rounded,
lacking rostral keel; canthal ridge thickened; loreal region deeply
concave; lips thick, barely flared. Nostrils small, barely protuberant,
directed anterolaterally, situated about two-thirds distance from eye to
tip of snout; internarial distance 5.6 mm. internarial area barely
depressed near convergence of canthal ridges; top of head flat;
interorbital distance 6.4 mm., 28.3 per cent of head width; diameter of
eye 6.8 mm.; width of eyelid 5.5 mm., 24.3 per cent of head width. Heavy
dermal fold extending posteriorly from posterior edge of orbit, covering
upper edge of tympanum; two thinner folds extending ventrally from
longitudinal heavy fold covering posterior edge of tympanum; anterior
and ventral edges of tympanum distinct; length of tympanum 2.9 mm., 42.6
per cent of diameter of eye.

Fig. 2. Palmar view of
prepollical spine of right hand of
Plectrohyla hartwegi
(UMMZ 94428). × 5.]

Axillary membrane absent; arms robust, forearm not noticeably heavier
than upper arm; distinct transverse fold on wrist. Fingers long,
moderately slender; length of fingers from shortest to longest, 1-2-4-3;
discs moderately large, that on third finger larger than tympanum;
webbing vestigial; subarticular tubercles small, conical; terminal
tubercle on fourth finger somewhat flattened; supernumerary tubercles
small, in one row on proximal segment of fourth finger and in two rows
on proximal segments of other fingers; prepollex greatly enlarged,
barely bifurcate; spines not protruding through skin; distal spine much
longer than proximal one (Fig. 2). Heels overlap by about one-third
length of shank when hind limbs adpressed; tibiotarsal articulation
extends slightly beyond snout; heavy transverse dermal fold on heel;
inner tarsal fold heavy, extending full length of tarsus; outer tarsal
fold absent; inner metatarsal tubercle high, elliptical, visible from
above, outer metatarsal tubercle absent. Toes long, slender; length of
toes from shortest to longest, 1-2-5-3-4; fifth toe nearly as long as
third; discs small; subarticular tubercles small, round; supernumerary
tubercles small, in single row on proximal segment of each digit; toes
about three-fourths webbed; webbing extending from base of disc of first
toe to base of penultimate phalanx of third, from base of disc of third
to base of penultimate phalanx of fourth to base of disc of fifth
toe.

Anal opening directed posteroventrally at level of mid-thigh; anal
sheath long with membranous connection to posterior surfaces of thighs.
Skin on dorsal surfaces finely tuberculate; that on throat, chest,
belly, and ventral surfaces of thighs granular, that on ventral surfaces
of arms and shanks smooth. Tongue nearly round, free posteriorly for
about one-fourth its length, barely notched behind. Upper jaw shallowly
notched medially. Maxillary-premaxillary teeth 38-35; prevomerine teeth
5-5, situated on small elliptical elevations between quadrangular
choanae; vocal slits absent.

Color (in preservative): uniform dull brown above and creamy yellow
below; flanks brown with creamy yellow mottling and dark brown spots in
groin; anterior surfaces of thighs creamy yellow with two broad,
vertical, dark brown bars proximally and two narrower, dull brown bars
distally; posterior surfaces of thighs brown with dark brown vertical
bars, interspaces cream-colored or brown. Ventral surfaces of shanks
creamy yellow with bold brown reticulations.

Variation.—The paratypes are smaller, having snout-vent
lengths of 48.3 and 41.8 mm. In these specimens the ratio of the length
of the tibia to the snout-vent length is 55.9 and 57.9 per cent, and the
ratio of the diameter of the tympanum to the diameter of the eye is 47.3
and 43.6 per cent, respectively. Both specimens have 4-4 prevomerine
teeth; one specimen has 37-36, and the other has 40-37,
maxillary-premaxillary teeth. In these small specimens the supratympanic
fold is thin, and the arms are not so robust as in the holotype. In one
specimen (KU 58873) the tongue is not notched posteriorly. The terminal
subarticular tubercle on each fourth finger is broad and flattened in
UIMNH 40837, but conical in KU 58873. Both specimens have bold
creamy-yellow and dark brown mottling on the flanks and dark brown
reticulations on the ventral surfaces of the shanks. There are two dark
brown vertical bars on the anterior and posterior surfaces of each thigh
in KU 58873 and three bars on each surface in UIMNH 40837.

Comparisons.—Plectrohyla hartwegi differs from
all known species in the genus by having boldly mottled flanks, dark
reticulations on the ventral surfaces of the shanks, and dark vertical
bars on the shanks. In all of the other species the anterior and
posterior surfaces of the thighs are unmarked, and the flanks are either
plain or marked with small spots or flecks. Structurally, P.
hartwegi belongs in the guatemalensis group of the genus,
containing avia, glandulosa, guatemalensis, and
pycnochila. The species in this group lack vocal slits and have
either large, rectangular, or bifid prepollices. Plectrohyla
hartwegi differs from all of these species, except
pycnochila, by having a tuberculate, instead of a smooth, dorsum,
and hartwegi differs from pycnochila by having a bifid,
instead of a rectangular, prepollex.

Remarks.—The known distribution of Plectrohyla
hartwegi includes three localities at elevations of 1000 to 2050
meters in the Sierra Madre of Chiapas and extreme eastern Oaxaca. The
specimen from Parajé El Triunfo was found in a rocky stream in cloud
forest at an elevation of 2050 meters. One Plectrohyla sagorum
was obtained from the same stream.

Eizi Matuda sent the holotype to the late Dr. Norman Hartweg, who
recognized that the specimen was unique but was reluctant to name the
species on the basis of a single specimen. Now that two additional
specimens are available, it seems appropriate to associate Hartweg's
name with this new species of Plectrohyla, a genus that Hartweg
first adequately defined.

LITERATURE CITED

Adler, K.

Duellman, W. E.

Starrett, P.

Transmitted July 11, 1967.

PLATE 17

Upper figure, Hyla
xanthosticta (KU 103772);
lower figure, Hyla pseudopuma
infucata (KU 101770). × 2.

PLATE 18

Upper figure, Hyla pellita (KU 100973);

middle figure, Hyla pellita (KU 100970);

lower figure, Hyla siopela (KU 100977). × 2.

PLATE 19

Upper figure, Hyla altipotens (KU 101001);

lower figure, Plectrohyla hartwegi (UMMZ 94428). × 1.

31-9420