Call a spade a spade: taxonomy and distribution of Pelobates, with description of a new Balkan endemic

Abstract

The genomic era contributes to update the taxonomy of many debated terrestrial vertebrates. In an accompanying work, we provided a comprehensive molecular assessment of spadefoot toads (Pelobates) using genomic data. Our results call for taxonomic updates in this group. First, nuclear phylogenomics confirmed the species-level divergence between the Iberian P. cultripes and its Moroccan relative P. varaldii. Second, we inferred that P. fuscus and P. vespertinus, considered subspecies until recently, feature partial reproductive isolation and thus deserve a specific level. Third, we evidenced cryptic speciation and diversification among deeply diverged lineages collectively known as Pelobates syriacus. Populations from the Near East correspond to the Eastern spadefoot toad P. syriacus sensu stricto, which is represented by two subspecies, one in the Levant (P. s. syriacus) and the other in the rest of the range (P. s. boettgeri). Populations from southeastern Europe correspond to the Balkan spadefoot toad, P. balcanicus. Based on genetic evidence, this species is also polytypic: the nominal P. b. balcanicus inhabits the Balkan Peninsula; a new subspecies P. b. chloeae ssp. nov. appears endemic to the Peloponnese. In this paper, we provide an updated overview of the taxonomy and distribution of all extant Pelobates taxa and describe P. b. chloeae ssp. nov.