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| Leptobrachium smithi from Northeast India |
Abstract
The Megophrid genus Leptobrachium Tschudi, 1838 represents a group of megophryid frogs characterized by a stocky body with wide head, slender, long forelimbs, and short hindlimbs. Currently the genus is represented by 32 species, of which two have been reported from India. Recently, in describing L. rakhinensis from Rakhini State of Myanmar, Wogan (2012) suggested the presence of the species also in India because the Rakhini Hills are biogeographically contiguous to Assam Hills of Northeast India.
Comparing the detailed morphometry and colour pattern of L. rakhinensis and L. smithi with the Northeast India populations of Leptobrachium, we conclude that the Northeast Indian populations closely resemble L. smithi in all aspects, and we recommend to apply the nomen L. smithi for those populations.
Key words: Taxonomy; Leptobrachium smithi; distribution; Northeast India
Dipankar Dutta, Abhijit Das, Amalesh Dutta, Jayanta Gogoi and Saibal Sengupta. 2013. Taxonomic Status and Distribution of Leptobrachium smithi Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999 (Anura: Megophryidae) in India with New Locality Records. Tropical Natural History. 13(2): 87-95
