Morphological and molecular data reveal new country records and distribution extensions of some glassfrogs (Anura: Centrolenidae) for Colombia

The Neotropical amphibian family Centrolenidae currently includes 156 named species of nocturnal anurans commonly known as glassfrogs. With 79 species, Colombia is the country with the highest diversity of centrolenids. However, the number of species known to occur in the country remains uncertain because research often results in names being resurrected or placed in synonymy, the description of new taxa, and range extensions of species, including new country records. Based on field trips and assess of additional specimens, herein we report new distribution data for centrolenids species in Colombia. These data include six new distribution records for: (Cochranella granulosa, Nymphargus balionotus, N. chami, N. grandisonae, Hyalinobatrachium mondolfii, and H. pellucidum). Records ofC. granulosaandH. pellucidumare the first records of these species from Colombia. Thus, our study increases to 81 the numbers of glassfrogs for this country. Because mostHyalinobatrachiumhave a conservative morphology, making species identification problematic when only based on external traits, we sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial gene 16S to confirm species identities within a phylogenetic context. We discuss the taxonomic implications of our results for the recognition of species and populations that are morphologically similar toH. talamancae.