 |
| Gracixalus tianlinensis
Chen, Bei, Liao, Zhou & Mo, 2018
|
Abstract
We discovered a new species of the genus Gracixalus, Gracixalus tianlinensis sp. nov. which is morphologically almost similar to G. jinggangensis, G. jinxiuensis and G. sapaensis, but is distinguished from these species and all other rhacophorids in China and adjoining countries by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 30.3-35.9 mm in male, 35.6-38.7 mm in female, (2) head length less than head width, (3) vomerine teeth absent, (4) supratympanic fold distinct, (5) axilla and posterior surface of flanks pale yellow, (6) nuptial pads distinct on Finger I and slightly visible on Finger II, (7) dorsum brown to beige, with an inverse Y-shaped dark brown marking, (8) single subgular vocal sac. Our preliminary phylogenetic analyses implied G. tianlinensis sp. nov. is sister to G. sapaensis with well-supported values. Currently, this new species is known to be distributed in montane evergreen forests in association with montane bamboo in Cenwanglaoshan National Nature Reserve, Tianlin County, Guangxi, China.
Keywords: Gracixalus tianlinensis sp. nov.; Rhacophoridae; Southern China
 |
| Figure 1 (A) Dorsolateral, (B) dorsal and (C) ventral view of the holotype in life, (D) ventral view of the hand and (E) ventral view of the foot of the holotype, (F) showing nuptial pads on Finger I and Finger II. |
Gracixalus tianlinensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis: G. tianlinensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Gracixalus based on molecular data and morphological characters. Morphologically, the new species presents an intercalary cartilage between the terminal and penultimate phalanges of digits, tips of digits expanded into large disks with circummarginal grooves and also the vomerine teeth were absent with the pupil being horizontal. Gracixalus tianlinensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other rhacophorids by a combination of (1) SVL 30.3- 35.9 mm in male, 35.6-38.7 mm in female, (2) head length less than head width, (3) vomerine teeth absent, (4) supratympanic fold distinct, (5) axilla and posterior surface of flanks pale yellow, (6) nuptial pads distinct on the first finger and slightly visible on the second finger, (7) dorsum brown to beige, with an inverse Y-shaped dark brown marking, (8) single subgular vocal sac.
Etymology: This species is named after the locality in which it was collected. The suggested English name is Tianlin small tree frog ( 田林纤树蛙 in Chinese).
Weicai Chen, Yongjian Bei, Xiaowen Liao, Shichu Zhou and Yunming Mo. 2018. A New Species of Gracixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from West Guangxi, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 9(2); 74-84. DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.170085
