Congruence Among Character Sets in Phylogenetic Studies of the Frog Genus Leptodactylus

Abstract

Four species groups of the neotropical frog genus Leptodactylus are currently recognized on the bases of morphological and life history characteristics. The L. fuscus and L. pentadactylus groups are related as a monophyletic cluster; the phylogenetic relationships of the L. melanonotus and L. ocellatus groups remain unknown. Five species representing all 4 spp. groups occur in Costa Rica. Protein variability among 4 Costa Rican species as ascertained by electrophoretic and histochemical techniques was examined. The presumptive genetic data were analyzed cladistically with the Wagner method. This procedure constructed a cladogram for the Costa Rican species which was congruent with the phylogenetic relationships proposed for their species groups from morphological and life history characteristics. This congruence among phylogenetic inferences based on different character sets argues for the continued recognition of species group relationships as currently viewed within the genus.