RUI-ARTS. Deciphering the Hidden Diversity of the Neotropical frog genus Elachistocleis (Anura, Microhylidae)

这个奖项的重点是评估一组小的和大多数地下南美青蛙被称为“椭圆形青蛙”的物种多样性。目前已知的物种只有18种，但初步研究表明，可能还有至少30种尚未被确定为独立物种。了解该群体的总体多样性对于发展对当前两栖动物前所未有的下降速度的严格科学理解至关重要，这可以为保护优先事项提供信息。该项目结合了国家和国际两级的研究和教育。其他更广泛的影响包括研究生和本科生的培训，以及早期职业研究人员（博士后学者）的专业发展。Elachistocleis构成了一个很好的模型，以解决有关物种多样性，神秘的物种形成，和繁殖的基本问题。该属分布于南美洲的多个气候和生态区域，是新热带区的第二大属，仅次于Chiasmocleis。初步数据表明，物种多样性被高度低估，目前的分类学的基础上形态单独不反映进化枝的系统发育史。所有目前描述的物种将被采样，重点放在人口以前分配到“E。目前还没有名字的“椭圆形”。许多种群可能代表新物种。物种描述和系统发育重建将使用分子标记和形态学数据的组合。在这些目标的基础上，本项目旨在了解这种蛙类的化石分布模式。此外，该项目将比较和对比Elachistocleis的历史地理学与最近发表的Chiasmocleis的地理学假设。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

ABSTRACTThis award focuses on assessing the species diversity of a group of small and mostly subterranean South American frogs known as “oval-frogs”. The group consists of only 18 known species; however, preliminary studies suggest that there may be at least 30 additional species that have not yet been identified as separate species. Understanding the total diversity of the group is critical to developing rigorous scientific understanding of current unprecedented rates of amphibian declines, which can inform conservation priorities. The project combines research and education both at national and international levels. Other broader impacts include the training of graduate and undergraduate students, as well as professional development of an early-career researcher (post-doctoral scholar). Elachistocleis constitutes an excellent model to address fundamental questions related to species diversity, cryptic speciation, and phylogeny. The genus occurs in a variety of climatic and ecological regions across South America and represents the second largest genus of Neotropical microhylids after the genus Chiasmocleis. Preliminary data suggest that species diversity is highly underestimated, and that current taxonomy based on morphology alone does not reflect the phylogenetic history of the clade. All currently described species will be sampled, with emphasis on populations previously assigned to “E. ovalis” which are currently without name. Many populations are likely representing new species. Species description and phylogeny reconstruction will use a combination of molecular markers and morphological data. Building on these goals, this project aims to understand the patterns of biogeography of this fossorial group of frogs. Furthermore, this project will compare and contrast the historical biogeography of Elachistocleis with a recently published biogeographic hypothesis for Chiasmocleis.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.