Zoological nomenclature: Suggestions to increase stability and facilitate the naming of Clades.

Taxon names are at the core of communication related to biodiversity. Thus, systems that regulate such names should prevent unnecessary changes. Unfortunately, the current regulatory codes have some articles that produce confusion or, even, generate name instability.

Phylogenetic relationships of glassfrogs (Centrolenidae) based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes.

Glassfrogs (family Centrolenidae) represent an exceptionally diverse group among Neotropical anurans, but their evolutionary relationships never have been assessed from a molecular perspective. Mitochondrial and nuclear markers were used to develop a novel hypothesis of centrolenid phylogeny. Ingroup sampling included 100 terminals, with 78 (53%) of the named species in the family, representing most of the phenotypic diversity described for the group.

Osteology, skeletal development, and chondrocranial structure of Hamptophryne boliviana (Anura: Microhylidae).

Hamptophryne boliviana is a medium-sized microhylid frog inhabiting the forest-floor leaf litter of South American rainforests. Larvae of this species typically are found near the bottom of small ponds and water-filled depressions in the forest. On the basis of cleared-and-stained specimens, the larval chondrocranium is described, as well as the development of the skeleton and its condition in adults.

The cranial osteology and hyolaryngeal apparatus of Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Anura: Rhinophrynidae) with comparisons to recent pipid frogs.

The cranial osteology (including the hyolaryngeal apparatus) of Rhinophrynus dorsalis (Anura: Rhinophrynidae) is described from whole skeletons and serial cross sections. Some unique features of the extensively ossified skull include the enlarged and protracted olfactory region, for which the nasals form part of the septum nasi; the relatively short maxillaries and broad premaxillaries, and the immense quadratojugal; the extreme forward position of the quadrate; the lack of a firm articulation of the pterygoid and quadrate with the neurocranium and crista parotica; the quadrate lacking the distinct processes typical of other frogs; a single foramen for Nn. II-VII; a large, distinct operculum; and a bipartite hyale.