Combining citizen science, phylogenetics, and bioacoustics to inform taxonomy and conservation of the Near Threatened <i>Proceratophrys paviotii</i> (Anura, Odontophrynidae)

Herein, basel on novel data gathered by citizens scientists and specialists, we contribute to the improvement of scientific knowledge and conservation of the Near Threatened <i>Proceratophrys paviotii</i> in order to: 1) test for the first time the phylogenetic position and a species delimitation of <i>P. paviotii</i> through a molecular approach; 2) describe a larger sample of its advertisement call to properly encompass the species intraspecific variation; 3) describe for the first time the <i>P. paviotii</i> release call; and 4) provide novel insights on the species conservation status. Our 16S tree confidently grouped <i>P. paviotii</i> with <i>P. cururu</i>, <i>P. renalis</i>, and <i>P. laticeps</i>. The average sequence divergence between <i>P. paviotii</i> and its congeners ranged from 2.2% (<i>P. laticeps</i>) to 9.1% (<i>P. redacta</i>). Advertisement calls consisted of a single note with duration of 0.26-0.58 s, 17-41 pulses emitted at rate of 54.19-77.49 pulses/s and peak frequency of 775.19-947.46 Hz. Release calls consisted of a single note with duration of 0.04-0.43 s, 2-13 pulses emitted at rate of 21.17-81.58 pulses/s and peak frequency of 689.1-1,722.6 Hz. Additionally, our study strongly supports the notion that Citizen Science approaches can yield invaluable information concerning species' geographic distribution and conservation.