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| Boulenophrys elongata Zeng, Wang, Chen, Xiao, Zhan, Li & Lin, 2024 Lianfeng Horned Toad | 莲峰角蟾 || |
Abstract
A new horned toad species, Boulenophrys elongata sp. nov., is described from Mt. Lianhua, Huidong County, eastern Guangdong, China. The new species is phylogenetically closest to B. brachykolos, which is restricted to the east of the Pearl River Estuary (i.e., Shenzhen City and Hong Kong SAR). The new species can be distinguished from all recognized congeners by a combination of morphological characters and genetic divergences in the combined mitochondrial 16S, 12S and CO1 genes. We recommend the new species be listed as Data Deficient (DD) in the IUCN categorization, pending further investigation.
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| The female paratypes of Boulenophrys elongata sp. nov. in life. A–D: GEP a151; E: GEP a152; F: GEP a156. |
Boulenophrys elongata sp. nov.
Lianfeng Horned Toad
Lián Fēng Jiǎo Chán (莲峰角蟾)
Diagnosis: (1) small size (SVL 28.2–28.5 mm in two adult males, SVL 35.1–37.6 mm in three adult females); (2) canthus rostralis well developed, tongue not notched posteriorly; (3) tympanum distinct; (4) vomerine ridges and vomerine teeth present; (5) dorsal skin relatively smooth with dense granules, weak discontinuous X-shaped ridge on center of dorsum, dorsolateral ridges absent, sparse large tubercles on flanks, dorsal limbs with discontinuous transverse ridges and tubercles, ventral skin smooth; (6) outer margin of upper eyelid with a small horn-like prominent tubercle, supratympanic fold distinct and narrow, curving posteroventrally to above arm; (7) two metacarpal tubercles distinct, inner one observably enlarged; relative finger lengths I < II < IV < III; distinct subarticular tubercle at base of each finger; (8) body and limbs slender, heels just meeting when hindlimbs folded; tibiotarsal articulation reaching the region from posterior corner to middle of eye; (9) toes without webbing and lateral fringes, inner metatarsal tubercle long ovoid, outer one absent; (10) dorsal surface dark brown to orange brown with irregular dark-brown patches, and dark-brown triangular marking between eyes, dorsal limbs and digits light brown with dark brown transverse bands; (11) subgular vocal sac present in males.
Etymology: The specific epithet “elongata” is a feminine adjective that means slender, in reference to the slender body and limbs of the new species in comparing with other congners from eastern Guangdong, China. For the common names, “Lianfeng / Lián Fēng” means the peak of Mt. Lianhua, in reference to the relatively high distribution range of the new species at its type locality.
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| Microhabitat of Boulenophrys elongata sp. nov. (A) and the uncaptured individual of juvenile (B). |
Zhaochi Zeng, Jian Wang, Honghui Chen, Weiwen Xiao, Binbin Zhan, Yuanhang Li and Shishi Lin. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura, Megophryidae) from Eastern Guangdong, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 15(1);
DOI: 10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2023.0038
