END TO UNCERTAINTY. DISTRIBUTION EXTENSION OF Alsodes valdiviensis FORMAS, CUEVAS & BRIEVA, 2002 (ANURA: ALSODIDAE) TOWARDS SOUTHERN CHILE CONFIRMS THE PRESENCE OF THE GENUS ON THE ISLAND OF CHILOÉ

Abstract

The presence of a species of the genus Alsodes is confirmed on the Isla Grande de Chiloé, southern Chile, with morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The species was identified as Alsodes valdiviensis, registered in the vicinity of the city of Castro, which extends its geographical distribution by 157 km to the south of the southernmost population known so far, Cordillera del Sarao, Los Lagos Region. This work clears the doubts about the uncertain historical records and taxonomic confusions about the existence of representatives of the genus Alsodes and their true identity, in the Isla Grande de Chiloé.