Osteology, taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the frog genus Telmatobufo (Leptodactylidae)

An osteological analysis of the three species of the genus Telmatobufo (T. australis, T. bullocki, and T. venustus) was done. That analysis completes the generic definition based mainly on the osteology of T. bullocki and on morphological larval characters. New information on morphometry, chromosome s, reproductive biology, ecology, geographical range. allozymes, and molecu lar data is provided for each species. A key for the taxonomic determinatio n of adult specimens of Telmatobufo is also presented, An unedited original plate by R.A. Philippi, lost for almost a century, is published for the fi rst timed this plate allowed the restatement of the taxonomical identity of T. venustus. Mahalanobis distance and Rogers' genetic distance were employ ed to assess the morphological and the genetical similarities among the thr ee Telmatobufo species. Employing mtRNA 12S sequences. in combination with polarized allelic frequencies of structural genes. and morphological (exter nal and osteological) characters, a hypothesis on the phylogenetic relation ships of the Telmatobufo species is proposed, worked on principles of maxim um parsimony and maximum likelihood. Finally, a reconstruction of the evolu tionary history and speciation process of this group of endemic frogs of th e temperate central southern Chilean forests is proposed.