Wider Yet Fragmented: Distributional Expansion and Conservation Insights for the Monkey Frog Pithecopus centralis

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ABSTRACT Knowledge gaps in species' geographic distributions—the Wallacean shortfall—limit accurate biodiversity assessments and conservation strategies. The monkey frog Pithecopus centralis , endemic to rocky stream habitats on western Brazilian Cerrado plateaus, has long been considered range‐restricted and threatened. Historically known only from Chapada dos Guimarães (Mato Grosso) and a single record from Barra do Garças, it was presumed to have a highly fragmented distribution. Here, we report three new populations from Poxoréu and Nova Xavantina (Mato Grosso) and Caiapônia (Goiás), substantially extending the species' known range. Mitochondrial cyt‐ b analyses confirmed species identity and revealed six previously undocumented haplotypes, increasing both nucleotide and haplotype diversity. Strikingly, populations within protected areas displayed no genetic variation, whereas those outside reserves contributed most to the mitochondrial diversity. The updated Extent of Occurrence and Area of Occupancy are 64 266 and 52 km 2 , respectively, representing substantial increases compared to previous assessments. Although the species' known distribution has expanded, the availability of suitable habitat may still be limited. Additionally, P. centralis remains highly vulnerable due to habitat fragmentation, agricultural expansion, hydroelectric development and low genetic diversity within protected areas, with a significant portion of its genetic diversity occurring outside reserves. Our findings emphasize the importance of targeted surveys to better define distributional limits and to prioritize the conservation of rocky stream habitats beyond formal reserves, helping to safeguard the evolutionary potential and long‐term persistence of P. centralis .

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