A Synopsis of Neotropical Hylid Frogs, Genus Osteocephalus

The authors open with a vivid recount of their 1966 expedition to Santa Cecilia, a remote outpost in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where they first encountered a chorus of mysterious tree frogs that defied existing keys. Through meticulous comparison of field captures with decades‑old museum specimens, they reveal at least five distinct species of the genus Osteocephalus, some living side‑by‑side in surprising combinations. Their narrative balances scientific rigor with the palpable excitement of untangling a long‑standing taxonomic puzzle.

Drawing on an impressive suite of tools—external morphology, skull osteology, radiographs, and even rare recordings of mating calls—the study maps each species’ range across the Amazon basin and the Andean foothills. The authors candidly discuss gaps in the data, such as missing karyotypes and limited material from outside Ecuador, underscoring how much remains to be learned. Listeners will come away with a clearer picture of how herpetologists piece together biodiversity from both living frogs and the silent treasures stored in museum drawers.