Recent studies have shown that species diversity of the South American frog genus Dendropsophus is significantly underestimated, especially in Amazonia. Herein, through integrative taxonomy a new species of Dendropsophus from the east bank of the upper Madeira River, Brazil is described. Based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses, the new species is referred to the D. microcephalus species group, where it is differentiated from its congeners mainly by having a green bilobate vocal sac and an advertisement call comprising 1-4 monophasic notes emitted with a dominant frequency of 8,979-9,606 Hz. Based on intensive sampling conducted in the study area over the last ten years, the new species is restricted to the east bank of the upper Madeira River, although its geographic range is expected to include Bolivian forests close to the type locality.
Keywords: Amphibia; Amazonian biodiversity; Dendropsophus bilobatus sp. nov.; Dendropsophus microcephalus species group; advertisement call; integrative taxonomy; morphology; upper Madeira River.
Miquéias Ferrão, Jiří Moravec, James Hanken, Albertina Pimentel Lima.