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| Micryletta subaraji Sankar, Law, Law, Shivaram, Abraham & Chan, 2022 DOI: 10.3897/vz.72.e85020 |
Abstract
The genus Micryletta, also known as paddy frogs, ranges across much of south, east, and southeast Asia. Due to their relatively broad distribution and overall morphological similarities, many species have gone undetected until recently, largely owing to the use of molecular data. Consequently, the species diversity within this genus has quadrupled in just three years from three species prior to 2018, to 12 species in 2021, indicating that the systematics of this genus is still poorly understood. As such, we assembled the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Micryletta hitherto including novel sequences from a previously unsampled population from Singapore to assess the species diversity within this genus. In particular, we investigate the population from Singapore whose specific identity remains in question due to the lack of voucher specimens and genetic material. Our results show that the Singapore population represents a strongly supported and distinct lineage that is most closely related to M. inornata sensu stricto from Sumatra, Indonesia. Morphological and species delimitation analyses corroborate its distinction as a new species, which we describe herein as Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. This and recent new taxon discoveries in Singapore demonstrate that the biodiversity of the highly urbanized island-state is still far from being fully realized and underscores the need for continued systematic surveys and protection of remaining habitats.
Keywords: Amphibian, Kranji Marshes, Micryletta subaraji sp. nov., Systematics, Taxonomy
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| A Distribution of confirmed localities of Micryletta inornata s.s. from Sumatra and Myanmar (blue diamonds) and M. cf. inornata from Kranji Marshes (green circle), and Central Catchment Nature Reserve (white circle) in Singapore. B Photo showing M. cf. inornata in life. C Degraded habitat at Kranji Marshes that M. cf. inornata specimens were detected in. Photos by Law Ingg Thong. |
Micryletta subaraji sp. nov.
Micryletta inornata Law, Thomas, and Law, 2019: 5
Suggested Common Name: Subaraj’s Paddy Frog.
Diagnosis: Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. is a member of Micryletta based on its sister relationship to Micryletta inornata s.s. (Fig. 3). It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by a combination of the following characters: small body size (SVL 18.90 mm in males, 23.04 mm in females), an abruptly rounded snout, lack of webbing between fingers and toes, lack of distinct supratympanic fold, tympanum hidden, the presence of a circular inner metatarsal tubercle, and the absence of an outer metatarsal tubercle. Males of Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. can be distinguished from males of its sister species M. inornata s.s. from their significantly larger head proportions (head width, head length, snout length, nostril-eye length, snout-nostril length, upper eye-lid diameter) and shorter tibiofibula length.
Distribution: Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. is so far only known from Singapore where it occurs in Kranji Marshes and putatively in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It may also occur in other parts of the island where suitable habitat is present.
Etymology: The specific epithet honours the late Mr. Subaraj Rajathurai, who is a pioneer of conservation in Singapore.
Natural History: In addition to the collected specimens, male advertisement calls were heard at an ephemeral pool in a depression created by an uprooted tree. The calling individuals were perched amidst dense undergrowth surrounding this puddle. These ephemeral depressions may be used by male frogs as a means to amplify their advertisement calls. Several other Microhylids (both native and introduced) were recorded in sympatry at the type locality including Microhyla heymonsi, Microhyla butleri, Microhyla cf. mukhlesuri, and Kaloula pulchra.
Ananthanarayanan Sankar, Ingg Thong Law, Ing Sind Law, Rasu Shivaram, Robin K. Abraham and Kin Onn Chan. 2022. Morphology, Phylogeny, and Species Delimitation of Micryletta (Anura: Microhylidae) reveals A New Species from Singapore. Vertebrate Zoology. 72: 457-467. DOI: 10.3897/vz.72.e85020
