The stream-dwelling tadpole of<i>Hyloscirtus charazani</i>(Anura: Hylidae) from Andean Bolivia

Abstract

Abstract We describe the lotic larva of Hyloscirtus charazani from Charazani and nearby areas, Departamento La Paz, Bolivia (2700–3200 m a.s.l.). It is morphologically undistinguishable from tadpoles of H. armatus sensu lato. These tadpoles show stream adaptation through a robust body with strong tail musculature, enlarged oral disc, increased number of labial tooth rows, and complete marginal papillae. Furthermore, they have a large saccular structure that underlies the limb buds, encloses the vent tube, and partially covers the hindlimbs during their development. Resumen Describimos la larva lótica de Hyloscirtus charazani de Charazani y de otra localidad cercana, Departamento La Paz, Bolivia (2700–3200 m sobre el nivel del mar). Morfologicamente es identica con renacuajos de H. armatus sensu lato. Estos renacuajos muestran caracteres comunmente entendidos como adaptaciones a la vida en arroyos rapidos, como ser el cuerpo robusto, musculatura de la cola robusta, disco oral ensanchado, un aumento en las filas de dientes labiales y papila marginal completa. Ademas, tienen una estructura sacular grande, bajo los primordios de los miembros posteriores, que contiene al tubo cloacal, y que envuelve parcialmente a los miembros durante su desarrollo. Keywords: AmphibiaHylinaelotic larvaBolivia Acknowledgments We are grateful to James Aparicio from Colección Boliviana de Fauna, La Paz, for field company and issuing permits. The AMNH material was collected during an expedition supported by the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation at the American Museum of Natural History, New York, and the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation at Columbia University, New York, in collaboration with the Museo de Historia Natural Noel-Kempff Mercado, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia and Colección Boliviana de la Fauna, La Paz. RB is grateful to Arturo Muñoz for his companionship during field work. JF and RHB are grateful to Eleanor J. Sterling (Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, AMNH) and Susan Davis for supporting this research. JF acknowledges the American Museum of Natural History, E3B/Columbia University, and National Science Foundation grant no. DEB-0407632 for financial support.