Two new terrestrial narrow-toed frogs (Niceforonia: Strabomantidae, Anura) from remote unexplored mountains in the Ecuadorian Andes

We explore the hidden diversity of the terrestrial frog genus Niceforonia, based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we describe two new species. Both species are found in pristine unexplored old-growth forest of the Andean slopes of Ecuador. Niceforonia dracula sp. nov., is only known from its type locality at the base of the iconic Cerro Golondrinas, located in the northwesternmost part of the Andes of Ecuador, Carchi Province. This new species is characterized by the presence of low occipital and dorsolateral folds, pale ventral coloration, greatly enlarged toe discs, and circunmarginal grooves in fingers and toes. Niceforonia quilloturo sp. nov. is known from several nearby localities in the upper Pastaza watershed, and is characterized by slightly enlarged tip in fingers and toes, presence of low occipital folds, plus small white pale pointy warts with dark belly and ventral surfaces. Ventral coloration is sexually dimorphic: dark brown with small white points in females and cream, yellow-orange peppered with small black flecks in males. Phylogenetic evidence is concordant with allopatric distribution in Niceforonia dracula sp. nov. and N. elassodiscus, while most of the taxa on the eastern of the Andes show parapatric distribution patterns, including Niceforonia quilloturo sp. nov., and related Niceforonia peraccai. Additional undescribed taxa are intermixed within Niceforonia nigrovittata, thus future systematic revision of the genus is needed.