Taxonomic inflation and a reconsideration of speciation in the Andes: the case of the high-elevation tree frog <i>Dendropsophus molitor</i> (Anura: Hylidae)

Abstract Dendropsophus molitor is a hylid frog endemic to the Eastern Cordillera of Colombian Andes, where it exhibits extensive geographic variation in size and colour pattern. Previous multivariate analyses acoustic genetic data suggested that northern southern populations D. were distinct lineages, consequently, described as luddeckei. In this study, we conducted morphometric luddeckei test validity recent taxonomic split. We sequenced mitochondrial genes 12S, 16S, COI, nuclear marker POMC, also tested whether MC1R gene was associated with polymorphism these frogs. Phylogenetic recovered polyphyletic species delimitation tests failed recover them separate lineages. Genetic differentiation between mostly explained by high intra- interpopulation absence north-south split, found no differences morphometry populations. addition, coding region not polymorphism. Thus, multiple lines evidence suggest valid should be considered single species. Our study highlights danger inflation face limited sampling lack clear diagnostic characters.