Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

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FunkyRes
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Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

Post by FunkyRes »

And by "we" I mean people who, like, have degrees and get published, not me.

Hyla regilla was described by Baird and Girard in 1852,

In the very same journal, Hallowell described Hyla scapularis - and the description, it seems pretty clear it is P. regilla complex to me, and I believe it is considered a junior synonym to Hyla regilla described just a few pages before it in the same issue of the same journal.

The description simply says Oregon territory.

If the locality though was within current P. sierra range, since P. sierra was not described until 1966, wouldn't that actually make P. sierra a junior synonym to Pseudacris [=Hyla] scapularis?

Does anyone know the specimen number and more precision with respect to where it was collected?

From the description, it was collected by a Dr. Shumard for the Academy, which I presume would be the same Academy that has the type specimen for Oregon Red-spotted gartersnake since it was described a page earlier and also specifies collected by a Dr. Shumard.
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Gary N
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Re: Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

Post by Gary N »

Hyla regilla sierra Jameson et al., 1966 - type locality ‘‘1 1/4 miles SSE of Tioga Pass Ranger Station (east of entrance to Yosemite National Park)."

No need to invalidate the species if it doesn't exist; Comments in the 2017 SSAR names list indicate P. sierra will untimately be included in the synonymy of P. regilla (again.)
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Brian Hubbs
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Re: Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

Post by Brian Hubbs »

Hmmm, is the Baja Treefrog going to go the same way? That would make entries in the database much simpler...but I would lose 2 species because of it. :lol:
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Gary N
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Re: Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

Post by Gary N »

If it happens, the 3 species will probably become 1 again.
Brian Hubbs wrote:Hmmm, is the Baja Treefrog going to go the same way? That would make entries in the database much simpler...but I would lose 2 species because of it. :lol:
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jonathan
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Re: Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

Post by jonathan »

This all sounds really mean, everyone deserves to be validated.
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FunkyRes
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Re: Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

Post by FunkyRes »

So I guess Hubbs changing to Trila Regilla books is out...
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Chad M. Lane
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Re: Should we invalidate Pseudacris sierra?

Post by Chad M. Lane »

Yes. LOL
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