The amphibian fauna of Mesoamerica is one the most diverse, yet the most endangered in the area, perfectly exemplifying why the region is one of the world biodiversity hotspots. I carried out analyses from three interrelated perspectives: Conservation Genetics, species delimitation and Comparative Phylogeography of two genera of the family Hylidae in most of Mesoamerica: Agalychnis and Dendropsophus. First I performed a species delimitation analysis for the genus Agalychnis, with the specific aim of testing for cryptic diversity within the species A. callidryas, which exhibits wide morphological variation and the uncertainty of whether or not it represents more than one species has not been solved. Secondly, I did a conservation analysis of the genus Agalychnis adopting a comparative approach between endangered and non-endangered species and integrating ecological modelling and genetic information, with the aim of gathering key information for a better management and conservation planning at a regional scale of this genus in particular and Hylid frogs in general. This analysis resulted in the suggestion of short-term alternatives for conservation of critically endangered species and the management of non-endangered species at regional scale. Finally, I applied a comparative phylogeographic analysis between the two genera Agalychnis and Dendropsophus with the general objective of identifying factors and processes underlying species origin and dispersal within Mesoamerica. I proposed hypotheses for the colonization and dispersal of species of these two genera within Mesoamerica, on the basis of genetic data, geographical information, and ecological niche modelling. As part of data gathering for the latter analysis a new country record leading to the considerable extension of the geographical distribution of D. phlebodes is reported.

Historically studies have focused on either the terrestrial or aquatic environments independently. However, these systems are inherently linked through numerous pathways including organisms with complex life cycles. Both abiotic factors and predators of these organisms can influence connections by changing the number of prey moving across habitat boundaries and by changing the phenotype of prey. When the focal organisms are primary consumers, these effects may have important implications for ecosystem processes. My study investigated how terrestrial predators and abiotic factors affect the number and phenotype of herbivorous tadpole inputs into a tropical forest pond. I found that predators and abiotic factors altered survival and timing of hatching and these effects varied temporally. Thus, temporal changes in the relative importance of these threats from abiotic sources and terrestrial predators on prey with complex life cycles may potentially have implications for connections with and food web dynamics in adjacent ecosystems.

External fertilization makes male anurans susceptible to direct intrasexual competition for fertilization opportunities at the egg mass. The red-eyed treefrog, Agalychnis callidryas, is one species in which pairs of males appear to simultaneously fertilize the clutch of a Single female. DNA fingerprinting revealed the presence of multiple paternity in two egg clutches examined from two matings involving a female with two males. The breeding biology of females and the potential costs and benefits of mating with multiple males were examined. Females were found to decrease the number of eggs in matings with multiple males. In addition, amplexed females moving toward Oviposition sites avoided secondary males by moving when approached by secondary males. Mortality to the eggs as a result of multiple males attempting to amplex females is suggested as the reason females avoid multiple males. Males were found to exhibit calling site defense from other males. Males used a combination of auditory and a visual behavior in defending calling sites. The call types are described and the contexts within which calls occur is discussed. Density of frogs was found to be a better indicator of the occurrence of matings involving multiple males than the operational sex ratio (number of males/number of females). / Ph. D.