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| Boulenophrys calciphila Zeng, Wang, Qi, Song, Lyu & Wang, in Zeng, J. Wang, Qi, Song, Cai, Zhu, Lin, Li, Zhou, H.-C. Yang, Lyu, Y.-P. Yang et Y.-Y. Wang. 2026. |
Abstract
Karst landscapes across southern China represent global hotspots for vertebrate diversity and endemism, yet amphibian diversity within such habitats remains insufficiently documented. Herein, we describe Boulenophrys calciphila sp. nov., a new species discovered from fragmented karst hills in northern Guangdong Province, China, extending the documented habitat spectrum of the genus in Guangdong to limestone karst terrain. Detailed morphological comparisons coupled with phylogenetic analyses validate its taxonomic distinctness from all known congeners. This new discovery aligns with ongoing records of range-restricted anuran species uncovered from southern Chinese karst formations, reinforcing karst ecosystems as important reservoirs of amphibian diversity. Our results demonstrate that amphibian diversity within poorly-explored karst regions of northern Guangdong is substantially underestimated and call for focused conservation actions to safeguard these microendemic taxa and their unique evolutionary lineages.
Key Words: Boulenophrys calciphila sp. nov., conservation priority, karst habitat, micro-endemism, taxonomy
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| Life aspect of Boulenophrys calciphila sp. nov. the male holotype (GEP a596): lateral view (A1), dorsal view (A2), ventral view (A3), ventral view of hand (A4), ventral view of foot (A5); and the female paratype (GEP a594): lateral view (B1), dorsal view (B2), ventral view (B3), ventral view of hand (B4), ventral view of foot (B5). Photo by Zhao-Chi Zeng. |
Boulenophrys calciphila Zeng, Wang, Qi, Song, Lyu & Wang, sp. nov.
Common name. Limestone Horned Toad (in English)
huī yán jiǎo chán (灰岩角蟾 in Chinese).
Diagnosis. (1) Moderate size (SVL 49.7–52.7 mm in two adult males, 56.3–59.2 mm in five adult females); (2) snout rounded in dorsal view, canthus rostralis well developed, tongue not notched distally; (3) tympanum distinct; (4) vomerine ridges present, vomerine teeth absent; (5) dorsal skin smooth with sparse granules, discontinuous X-shaped ridge on centre of dorsum, discontinuous dorsolateral ridges present, sparse large tubercles on flanks, dorsal limbs with discontinuous transverse ridges and tubercles; (6) outer margin of upper eyelid with a prominent horn-like ...
Etymology. The specific epithet calciphila combines the Latin calx, genitive calcis (limestone) with the Greek φίλος (phílos) (= loving), in reference to the association of this species with limestone karst habitats.
Zhao-Chi Zeng, Jian Wang, Shuo Qi, Han-Ming Song, Yao-Yu Cai, Yun-Sheng Zhu, Shi-Shi Lin, Yuan-Hang Li, Dan-Yang Zhou, Hao-Cong Yang, Zhi-Tong Lyu, Yi-Ping Yang and Ying-Yong Wang. 2026. A New Species of Boulenophrys Fei, Ye & Jiang, 2016 (Anura, Megophryidae) from Karst Landscapes in northern Guangdong, China. Herpetozoa. 39: 291-302. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e202590 [12-08-2026]
