Phylogenetic Analysis of the Australian Genus <em>Pseudophryne</em> (Myobatrachidae) using Morphological Characters.

<p>The phylogenetic relationships of <em>Pseudophryne</em> and the closely related monotypic <em>Metacrinia</em> are resolved with the use of morphological characters and comparison with representatives species of <em>Crinia</em>, <em>Uperoleia</em>, and <em>Taudactylus</em> as defined out-groups. Characters describing musculature are not sufficient to resolve the relationships, but do provide support when used in combination with osteological and external characteristics. When all data are considered, parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses yield the same hypothesis of relationships within <em>Pseudophryne</em> + <em>Metacrinia</em>. Thus, a monophyletic lineage of <em>Pseudophryne</em> + <em>Metacrinia</em> is supported by four synapomorphies: (1) the absence of toe fringes, (2) wide frontoparietal fontanelle, (3) m. abductor indicis longus arising from the humerus and radioulna, and (4) neopalatine in contact with the maxilla. The columella is shown as a relatively plastic characteristic, present ancestrally but lost in the common ancestor to <em>Pseudophrye</em>+<em>Metacrinia</em> and then reappearing within that taxon as well as one outgroup species (<em>Crinia riparia</em>). Analyses of size data reveal shape trends among the outgroup taxa that differ from the in-group of <em>Pseudophryne</em> and <em>Metacrinia</em>. Interpretations of shape differences are congruent with the placement of <em>Uperoleia</em> as more closely related to <em>Pseudophrye</em>. This study suggests support for re-synonymy of <em>Metacrinia nichollsi</em> with <em>Pseudophryne</em>, but formal change of status depends on access to more complete data.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MS (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - restricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Perry, Christopher Ray

• Pseudophryne
• Phylogenetic analysis
• Osteology
• Myology
• Myobatrachidae
• Biology
• Life Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/971

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-2128