Polymorphism in a Neotropical toad species: ontogenetic, populational and geographic approaches to chromatic variation inProceratophrys cristiceps(Müller, 1883) (Amphibia, Anura, Odontophrynidae)

Abstract

Quantifying variability is important for understanding how evolution operates in polymorphic species such as those of the genusProceratophrysMiranda-Ribeiro, 1920, which is widely distributed in South America.P. cristicepsdistribution is limited to the Caatinga biome in Brazil. We examined its chromatic variation from a populational perspective, looking at different phenetic polymorphism levels and probable chromotypic association by applying statistical and GIS tools that could facilitate future taxonomic research regarding this and other species. We characterizedP. cristicepscolour patterns and re-evaluated its geographic variation, highlighting potential consequences for the taxonomy of the genus. Our results revealed six principle chromotypes whose frequencies varied among sex and ontogenetic classes. Phenotypic expression appeared to respect defined proportions and evidenced selective value for the species. We conclude that individual variation, together with typological traditionalism may overestimate the polymorphic magnitude at the population level and cause taxonomic inflation. Our data support the usefulness ofP. cristicepsas a model for microevolutionary studies.