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| Oreolalax yanyuanensis Hou, Zheng, Yu, Wang, Chen & Xie, 2024 |
Abstract
A new species of the genus Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 is described from Sichuan Province, southwest China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial gene sequences clustered the new species as an independent clade nested with O. rugosus, O. liangbeiensis, and O. major. The new species could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (39.8–52.8 mm in male); head broad; tympanum absent; interorbital region with dark triangular pattern; 1/3 toes webbed, with broad lateral fringes, belly smooth, brown yellow or medium yellow scattered variable brown spots; skin on dorsum relatively rough with fine tiny and large warts granules; middle pectoral glands are evident in males; flanks with dark-brown warts granules; upper surface of limbs with dark bars; and iris orange above and creamy-white below. The new species inhabits subtropical alpine scrub and swamp.
Key words: 16S, COI, Hengduan Mountains, new species, Oreolalax species, taxonomy
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| The holotype CIBSH20230603020 of Oreolalax yanyuanensis sp. nov. in preservative A dorsal view B ventral view C lateral view D dorsal view of the left hand E ventral view of the left foot. |
Oreolalax yanyuanensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis:
The new species is assigned to genus Oreolalax based on following characters: maxillary teeth prominent; back rough, scattered with large warts, covered with oval black spots; pupil vertical; tongue moderately broad, notched behind; femoral glands prominent; pectoral and axillary gland present in males.
The new species differs from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate 39.8–52.8 mm in male; head broad; tympanum hidden; distinct black spots present on flanks; toes 1/3 webbed, with broad lateral fringes; dorsal body deep brown or yellowish-brown; belly smooth, middle yellow, scattered fine mottling, abdominal margin more spotted; skin on dorsum rough with dense and varied size granules, warts are covered with dark spots or no spots; iris light orange or light yellow above, creamy silver white bellow; and middle pectoral glands are evident in males.
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| Habitats of Oreolalax yanyuanensis sp. nov. in southeastern Hengduan Mountains region, Sichuan Province, China A, B, C adults’ habitats D tadpoles’ habitat. |
Etymology: The specific epithet “yanyuan” refers to the type locality of the species, Yanyuan County, Sichuan Province. We suggested the common name as “Yanyuan toothed toad”, and the Chinese name as “Yan Yuan Chi Chan (盐源齿蟾)”.
Yin Meng Hou, Pu Yang Zheng, Hao Qi Yu, Bin Wang, Xiao Hong Chen and Feng Xie. 2024. A New Toad of Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura, Megophryidae) from Sichuan Province, southwest China. ZooKeys. 1212: 109-127. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.122222
