title: Molecular and morphological data reveal three new cryptic species ofChiasmocleis(Mehely 1904) (Anura, Microhylidae) endemic to the Atlantic Forest, Brazil.
abstract: Three new cryptic species ofChiasmocleisfrom the Atlantic Forest of Brazil are described. Two of these species occur in the northeastern states of Sergipe and Bahia, whereas the third species is found in the southeastern state of São Paulo. The new species can be distinguished from other congeneric species by the molecular data, as evidenced in the phylogeny, and by a combination of morphological characters including: size, foot webbing, dermal spines, and coloration patterns.Chiasmocleisspecies differ in osteological traits, therefore we also provide an osteological description of each new species and comparsions with data reported for other species in the genus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States; Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mauricio C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Forlani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, United States; Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., United States.
authors.forename: João F R
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro , Rio de Janeiro , Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos A G
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo , São Paulo , Brazil.
authors.forename: Hussam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zaher
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Richmond , Richmond , VA , United States.
authors.forename: Rafael O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: de Sá
keywords: Atlantic Forest; Chiasmocleis; Distribution; Molecular; Osteology; Phylogeny; Three new species