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| Leptobrachella namdongensis
Chung, Nguyen, Luu, Nguyen & Jiang, 2019
RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 67
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Abstract
Based on the results of molecular and morphological systematics analyses, a new species, Leptobrachella namdongensis, is recognised from Nam Dong Conservation Area in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Genetic divergences in the16S rRNA gene between the new form and other species in the genus range from 4.7 to 21.0% and average at approximately 24%. The new species is most similar to L. petrops and L. puhoatensis, but can be distinguished from them and other congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: size medium (30.9 mm in the adult male and 32.1–35.3 mm in adult females); head wider than long; tympanum distinct; throat immaculate white, chest and belly with dark specking on outer margins; toes with basal webbing; supratympanic fold edged by a distinct black line; inter-orbital region with distinct black blotches; iris bicoloured, upper half copper, fading to golden in its lower half; head without dorsolateral markings.
Key words: Nam Dong Conservation Area, phylogenetics, Vietnam, taxonomy
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Fig. 3. Dorsolateral view (A) and ventral view (B) of the holotype (VNUF A.2017.37, male) of Leptobrachella namdongensis, new species in life.
Photos by Vinh Q. Luu.
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Fig. 6. Paratypes of Leptobrachella namdongensis, new species in life.
A, female VNUF A.2017.95 (SVL 32.1mm); B, female VNMN2019.04 (SLV 33.0mm); C, female IEBR 4512 (SVL 32.2mm).
Photos by Vinh Q. Luu.
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Leptobrachella namdongensis, new species
Diagnosis. Leptobrachella namdongensis, new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: size medium (30.9 mm in the adult male and 32.1–35.3 mm in adult females); head wider than long; tympanum distinct; throat immaculate white, chest and belly with dark specking on outer margins; toes with basal webbing and without lateral fringe; supratympanic fold edged by a distinct black line; inter-orbital region with distinct black blotches; iris bicoloured, upper half copper, fading to golden in its lower half; head without dorsolateral markings.
Etymology. Specific epithet is in reference to the type locality of the Nam Dong Conservation Area. We recommend “Nam Dong litter frog” as the common English name and “Cóc mày nam động” as the Vietnamese name.
Distribution and ecological notes. Leptobrachella namdongensis, new species is currently known from Nam Dong Conservation Area and Pu Hu Nature Reserve (NR), Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. All specimens of the new species were found on rocks in small streams or near cascade streams in evergreen forest at elevations between 500 and 740 m a.s.l. (Fig. 7). Leptobrachella namdongensis, new species occurs sympatrically with Leptobrachella ventripunctata.
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| Fig. 7. Habitat of Leptobrachella namdongensis, new species in Nam Dong Conservation Area, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. |
Hoang Van Chung, Nguyen Thien Tao, Luu Quang Vinh, Nguyen Quang Truong and Jiang Jianping. 2019. A New Species of Leptobrachella Smith 1925 (Anura: Megophryidae) from Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 67; 536–556.
