The Tadpole ofProceratophrys bigibbosa(Peters, 1872) (Anura: Odontophrynidae), with a Description of Its Buccopharyngeal Morphology and Proposal of Novel Synapomorphies for theP. bigibbosaSpecies Group

The Proceratophrys bigibbosa species group comprises four species and is the only group likely to be monophyletic within the genus. I describe the tadpole of P. bigibbosa and its buccopharyngeal morphology. Comparisons among Proceratophrys larvae in the light of a phylogenetic tree suggest that a conical vent tube, tail fin originating in the body/tail junction, large A2 gap, and trapezoid median ridge may represent putative synapomorphies for the P. bigibbosa group.