New fossil species of the extant genus Lepidobatrachus (Anura, Ceratophryidae) from the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene of central Argentina

ABSTRACT

I describe a new fossil species of the extant anuran genus Lepidobatrachus from late Miocene-early Pliocene sediments of central Argentina. This species was erroneously attributed to the living species L. laevis in prior studies. However, reanalysis of the fossil material demonstrated that some anatomical structures, as well as their taxonomic significance, were misinterpreted. The description and comparative analysis presented here demonstrate that this specimen represents a new fossil species of Lepidobatrachus. Although it possesses most of the possible synapomorphies of Lepidobatrachus, some features of the architecture of the skull of the specimen, specifically the relationships of the palatal surface of the maxilla with the surrounding bones, resemble the skull of other ceratophryid genera. Additionally, the new species differs from all ceratophryids in the absence of a supraorbital shelf. The paleoenvironmental significance of this discovery is also discussed.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank J. Faivovich (MACN), D. Frost (AMNH), A. Kramarz (MACN), E. Lavilla and Sonia Kretzschmar (FML), N. Sánchez (MMH), L. Trueb (KU), and J. Williams (MLP) for the loan of material under their care. N. Sanchez and P. Meder (MMH) kindly hosted my stay in Monte Hermoso. P. Benitez (MACN), S. Brizuela (UNMDP), I. Olivares (MLP), and S. Vizcaíno (MLP) provided suggestions, information, and discussion about the paleoecological significance of the FMH fossils. For significant discussion about the age of FMH I thanks A. Cione (MLP). I also thank S. Barrionuevo for collaborative discussions. I am especially grateful to J. Faivovich for his continuous encouragement and his comments and suggestions that greatly improved the manuscript. Generous comments and suggestions of L. Trueb also contributed to this work. S. Reuil skillfully prepared the fossil specimen. Funds for this project were provided by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Técnica (1895/11, 227/12, 404/13), the Consejo Nacional de Promoción Científica y Técnica (PIP 112-201101-889) and Grant #2013/50741-7, São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).

Handling editor: Jack Conrad.

Citation for this article: Nicoli, L., 2015. New fossil species of the extant genus Lepidobatrachus (Anura, Ceratophryidae) from the Late Miocene-Early Pliocene of central Argentina. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2015.981636.