The rediscovery of hylodes regius: New information about a rare and microendemic atlantic rainforest torrent frog

Abstract

The genus Hylodes (Torrent frogs) is endemic to the montane Atlantic forests of Brazil, comprising species that are mostly locally distributed and face severe threats to their continued existence. Hylodes regius was described in 1979 from the mist forests on the highlands of the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia in southeastern Brazil, and was then not found for 35 years before we recently discovered what is presently the only known population of this species. We document this find and provide fundamental information that has been lacking for this species, including data on its morphology, male coloration in life, descriptions of its advertisement and territorial calls, a description of the tadpole, natural history notes, and its currently known geographic distribution limits. We provide a phylogeny based on molecular data for the species of the Hylodes lateristrigatus species group, of which H. regius forms part. Additional studies and continuous monitoring coupled with conservation measures are essential for ensuring the persistence of the distinct species of Hylodes in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, in particular because we have indirectly detected the presence of the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.