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| Xenophrys yingjiangensis Wu, Yu, Chen & Che, in Wu, Yu, Chen, Kilunda, Zhang, Zuo, Zuo, Duan et Che, 2024. |
Abstract
The Gaoligong Mountains, located in the western part of China’s Yunnan Province adjoining northern Myanmar, harbor a striking diversity of species and endemism. Previous studies have shown that amphibian diversity in this region remains underestimated. A field survey carried out in 2023 oversaw a collection of eight Xenophrys specimens from the Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. Subsequent molecular analyses revealed two distinct and previously undescribed lineages. Based on morphological evidence, we formally describe one of the lineages as a new species and tentatively assign the other lineage to X. sp. due to the absence of adult specimens for examination. Our results bring the total number of Xenophrys species to 29 and the number of Xenophrys species known to occur in China to 11. Furthermore, our study reveals that five species and putative species of Xenophrys (X. dehongensis, X. glandulosa, X. periosa, X. yingjiangensis sp. nov., and X. sp.) exhibit sympatric distribution. These findings highlight the need for future research to investigate the mechanisms of sympatric coexistence in Xenophrys. In addition, our study confirms that the amphibian diversity of the Gaoligong Mountains is undoubtedly underestimated. As a result, continued exploration of amphibians in the future is necessary to obtain a clearer understanding of the overall biodiversity in this region.
Key Words: Biodiversity, cryptic species, frog, sympatric distribution, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, Xenophrys yingjiangensis sp. nov.
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| Xenophrys yingjiangensis Wu, Yu, Chen & Che, sp. nov. Views of the Holotype KIZ 053848 in life. A. Lateral view; B. Lateral view of head; C. Dorsal view of hindlimbs; D. Ventral view; E. Ventral view of hand, and F. Ventral view of foot. Photos by Zhong-Bin Yu. |
Xenophrys yingjiangensis Wu, Yu, Chen & Che, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Xenophrys yingjiangensis sp. nov. differs from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) medium adult size, adult male SVL 44.6–49.8 mm (N=5); (2) head slightly longer than wide; (3) tympanum distinct, narrow anteriorly, slightly widening posteriorly; (4) pupil vertically elliptical; (5) vomerine ridges and vomerine teeth present; (6) tongue large, oval-shaped, feebly notched posteriorly; (7) relative finger lengths: II < IV < I < III; (8) the heels slightly overlapping when the tibias are positioned at right angles to the body axis; (9) tibio-tarsal articulation of straightened limb reaching the nostril; (10) lateral dermal fringes on toes distinct, narrow; (11) toes with rudimentary webbing; (12) inner metatarsal tubercle large, elongate; (13) a distinct narrow ‘\ /’-shaped parietoscapular ridge present; (14) flesh pink ventral surface of thighs.
Etymology: The specific epithet “yingjiang” is a Latinized adjective derived from the name of Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China, where the new species occurs. We propose the English common name “Yingjiang horned toad” and the Chinese common name “Yíng Jiāng Jiǎo Chán (盈江角蟾)”.
Yun-He Wu, Zhong-Bin Yu, Jin-Min Chen, Felista Kasyoka Kilunda, Ding-Can Zhang, Chang-Sheng Zuo, An-Ru Zuo, Zheng-Pan Duan and Jing Che. 2024. A Field Survey on the Genus Xenophrys (Amphibia, Megophryidae) confirms underestimated diversity in the Gaoligong Mountains, with the description of A New Species. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(3): 1041-1052. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.127635
