A New Species of Black Bolitoglossa (Caudata: Plethodontidae) from Guatemala
We describe a new species of large black Bolitoglossa from the Sierra de las Minas and adjacent regions of Guatemala based on both morphological and molecular data. The new species, specimens of which were formerly assigned to Bolitoglossa meliana (Melanistic Salamander), is distinguished by its dark coloration, numerous teeth, and large size. We present molecular data to support the distinctiveness of this species and estimate its phylogenetic placement within the subgenus Magnadigita. Molecular data do not support a sister taxon relationship between the new species and B. meliana, despite their outward morphological similarity. This species adds to the already high salamander species diversity of the Sierra de las Minas, much of which has been described recently. Describimos una nueva especie de Bolitoglossa grande y negra de la Sierra de la Minas y regiones cercanas en Guatemala, basados en datos morfológicos y moleculares. La nueva especie, anteriormente asignada a Bolitoglossa meliana, se distingue por su coloración obscura, dientes numerosos y gran tamaño. Presentamos datos moleculares para apoyar el reconocimiento de esta especie y para estimar su posición filogenética dentro del subgénero Magnadigita. Los datos moleculares no apoyan una relación de grupo hermano entre la especie nueva y B. meliana, a pesar de su similitud morfológica externa. Esta especie aumenta la alta diversidad de especies de salamandras de la Sierra de las Minas, mucha de la cual se ha descrito recientemente.Abstract
Resumen
Map of the Sierra de Chuacús and Sierra de las Minas, Guatemala, showing distribution of B. meliana (black dots) and B. tenebrosa (white dots). The type locality of B. tenebrosa is indicated by a white star. Bolitoglossa meliana localities (all in El Quiché): 1) 5 km ENE San Pedro Jocopilas, 2) Santa Rosa Pass, 3) Chuxilic, 9.6 km NE Zacualpa; B. tenebrosa localities: 4) vicinity of Purulhá, Baja Verapaz, 5) Finca San Jorge, Chilascó, Baja Verapaz, 6) San Antonio, Chilascó, Baja Verapaz, 7) La Bella Crest/cabañas de Albores, El Progreso, 8) Volcán de los Monos, 11–12 km N Santa Cruz, Zacapa, 9) Finca Planada, Zacapa.
Mitochondrial gene tree from Bayesian analysis of 16S and cytb genes. Bootstrap proportions from RAxML analysis are given above branches and posterior probabilities from MrBayes analysis are below branches.
(A,B) Paratype of B. tenebrosa (MVZ264289) in life. (C) Paratype of B. tenebrosa (USAC 2114) in life. (D) Bolitoglossa meliana (MVZ 265621) from near Zacualpa, El Quiché, in life.
Maxillary tooth number vs. SVL for (A) males and (B) females of B. tenebrosa (open circles) and B. meliana (closed circles), with least squares linear regression lines fit to points (dotted line for B. tenebrosa, solid line for B. meliana).
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