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| Leptobrachella shimentaina J. Wang, Z.-T. Lyu & Y.-Y. Wang, in Wang, Qi, Dai, Lyu, ... et Wang, 2022. DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.73162 |
Abstract
A new species of Leaf Litter Toad, Leptobrachella shimentaina sp. nov., is described from the Shimentai and Luokeng nature reserves of northern Guangdong Province, southern China. The new taxon can be distinguished from all recognized congeners by a combination of discrete morphological character state differences relating to its small body size (SVL 26.4–28.9 mm in six adult males, 30.1 and 30.7 mm in two adult females); a number of apparently fixed color pattern character differences (including eye coloration and color pattern features from dorsal, ventral, and dorsolateral surfaces of its head, body, limbs, and ventrum); the morphological and discrete characteristics of the external phenotype (the skin texture of dorsum and ventrum, the presence of supra-axillary and ventrolateral glands, the wide dermal fringes and rudimentary webbing on toes, and the uninterrupted longitudinal ridges under toes). Two samples of this new species previously were proposed as representing a new, unnamed species. We now substantiate this claim by providing diagnostic comparisons of discrete character differences. In addition, we also discuss taxonomic uncertainty surrounding the identity of two congeners, L. chishuiensis and L. purpurus, which we interpret as indicative of taxonomic inflation in the species-rich subfamily Megophryidae.
Key Words: Leptobrachella shimentaina sp. nov., L. chishuiensis, L. purpurus, morphology, taxonomy
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Morphological features of the holotype of Leptobrachella shimentaina sp. nov., SYS a007684 in life: A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsolateral view; C. Ventral view; D. Character of eye and temporal region; E. Ventral view of hand; F. Ventral view of foot. |
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| Morphological features of a paraype (SYS a007687) of Leptobrachella shimentaina sp. nov. in life. |
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| Morphological features of the paratypes of Leptobrachella shimentaina sp. nov.: A1. A female (SYS a004711 in situ; ventral view of the same specimen’s hand [A2] and foot [A3]; B. Male SYS a007685 in situ; C. Male SYS a007686 in situ. |
Leptobrachella shimentaina J. Wang, Z.-T. Lyu & Y.-Y. Wang, sp. nov.
Shimentai Leaf Litter Toad (in English)
Shi Men Tai Zhang Tu Chan (石门台掌突蟾in Chinese)
Chresonymy: “Leptolalax sp.6” (Chen et al. 2018).
Diagnosis: (1) small body size [SVL 26.4–28.9 mm in six adult males, SVL 30.1 and 30.7 mm in two adult females], (2) iris bicolored, upper half coppery orange and lower half silver, (3) tympanum distinct, (4) supratympanic line black, (5) fingers unwebbed, with distinct lateral fringes in males [absence in females], (6) toes with rudimentary webbing, lateral fringes wide in males [narrow in females], (7) longitudinal ridges under toes continuous, with constrictions at interphalangeal articulations, (8) heels slightly overlapping when adpressed, tibial-tarsal articulation reaching mid-orbit, (9) relative lengths of fingers I = II = IV < III, and toe I < II < III = V < IV, (10) dorsal surface shagreened and granular, lacking enlarged warts, with some granules forming short longitudinal folds, (11) dorsum grayish brown to yellowish brown, with small light orange granules and distinct darker brown scattered markings with irregular light orange pigmentation, (12) flanks with several dark spots, (13) ventral surface grayish pink, with distinct hazy brown speckling on chest and ventrolateral flanks, (14) densely-distributed, small, raised pectoral and abdominal tubercles present; (15) dorsal surfaces of forelimbs and digits with dark transverse bars.
Etymology: The specific epithet “shimentaina” is an adjective derived from “shimentai”, referring to the type locality of the new species, Shimentai Nature Reserve, “ina” is used as a feminine suffix which indicates the relationship of position.
Jian Wang, Shuo Qi, Ke-Yuan Dai, Zhi-Tong Lyu, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Hong-Hui Chen, Yuan-Qiu Li, Yong-You Zhao, Yun-Ze Wang and Ying-Yong Wang. 2022. A New Leptobrachella Species (Anura, Megophryidae) from South China, with Comments on the Taxonomic Status of L. chishuiensis and L. purpurus. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 98(1): 165-180. DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.73162
