DIAGNOSIS: This clade is supported by 53 transformations in nuclear and mitochondrial protein and ribosomal genes. See appendix 5 for a complete list of these molecular synapomorphies. A morphological synapomorphy suggested for this clade by Faivovich (2002) is the proctodeal tube positioned above the margin of the lower fin.

COMMENTS: Faivovich (2002) was skeptical about the monophyly of the S. ruber clade; however, the present analysis recovers it as monophyletic, with a considerable number of transformations supporting its monophyly.

As in the case of several of the synapomorphies suggested by Faivovich’s (2002) analysis for Scinax, we are unsure as to whether the suggested morphological synapomorphies are optimized identically in our analysis. In particular, we do not know the taxonomic distribution within Dendropsophini for two other synapomorphies proposed for this clade (Faivovich, 2002): the arytenoids with a dorsal prominence developed over the pharyngeal margin, and absence of the lateral m. extensor brevis distalis digiti V (pes). Preliminary observation on the larvae of some species of Sphaenorhynchus (Sphaenorhynchus bromelicola, S. orophilus, S. pauloalvini, and S. prasinus; Faivovich, personal obs.) indicate that their proctodeal tubes are attached to the free margin of the lower fin, similar to the S. catharinae clade, instead of having the characteristic position seen in larvae of the S. ruber clade.

Scinax megapodius and S. trachythorax are considered here to be junior synonyms of S. fuscovarius for reasons discussed in appendix 4. There are two species, Hyla dolloi and H. karenanneae, that upon examination of their type series we consider to be species of Scinax (see appendix 4 for further comments on them).

CONTENTS: Fifty­six species. Eleven assigned to two groups, 43 unassigned to any group.