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| Oreolalax longmenmontis
Hou, Shi, Hu, Deng, Jiang, Xie & Wang, 2020
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Abstract
The toad genus Oreolalax is widely distributed in southwest China and northern Vietnam. A new species of the genus is described from Sichuan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA gene sequences supported the new species as an independent clade clustered into the clade also containing O. nanjiangensis and O. chuanbeiensis. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (SVL 51.2–64.2 mm in males); head broad; tympanum hidden; interorbital region with dark triangular pattern; belly with marbling; male lacking spines on lip margin; spiny patches on chest small with thick sparse spines in male; nuptial spines thick and sparse; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching beyond nostril when leg stretched forward; toe webbing at base.
Keywords: Molecular phylogenetic analyses, morphology, southwest China, taxonomy
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| Figure 3. Photos of the holotype CIB20180522001 of Oreolalax longmenmontis sp. nov. in life A dorsal view B ventral view C lateral view D view of chest E view of oral cavity E dorsal view of fingers G view of femoris posterior H ventral view of foot I ventral view of hand. Key: 1 indicates tympanum hidden; 2 denotes a pair of spinal patches with large and sparse spines on chest; 3 denotes nuptial spines on the dorsal surface of fingers I and II; 4 denotes two small posterior femoral glands. |
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| Figure 5. Colour variations in Oreolalax longmenmontis sp. nov. A, B dorsal and ventral view of the paratype CIB20180527002 C, D dorsal and ventral view of the paratype CIB20180526001. |
Oreolalax longmenmontis sp. nov.
Diagnosis:
Oreolalax longmenmontis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Oreolalax by its molecular phylogenetic position and the following morphological characters: the maxillary teeth prominent; back rough scattered with large warts, covered with oval black spots; pupil vertical; tongue oval, notched posteriorly; femoral glands prominent; pectoral and axillary gland present in males in breeding season; inner two fingers with black nuptial spines in males in breeding season.
Oreolalax longmenmontis could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (SVL 51.2–64.2 mm in males); head broad; tympanum hidden; interorbital region with dark triangular pattern; belly with marbling; male lacking spines on lip margin; spiny patches on chest small with thick and sparse spines in male; nuptial spines thick and sparse; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching beyond nostril when leg stretched forward; toe webbing at base.
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| Figure 7. Habitats of Oreolalax longmenmontis sp. nov. in the type locality, Sichuan White River National Nature Reserve in Pengzhou City, Sichuan Province, China A landscape of montane forests B a montane stream with a small pond occupied by toad (insert: the holotype CIB20180522001 in life). |
Distribution and ecology: Oreolalax longmenmontis sp. nov., is currently known only from the type locality, the White River National Nature Reserve, Pengzhou City, Sichuan Prov., China at elevations of 1300–1450 m. The new species inhabits subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and is frequently found near the ponds in the montane streams (Fig. 7). The breeding season is currently uncertain. Three sympatric amphibian species, i.e., Amolops chunganensis (Pope, 1929), Odorrana margaratae (Liu, 1950), and Quasipaa boulengeri (Günther, 1889), were found in the same habitat.
Etymology: The specific epithet longmenmontis refer to the type locality of the species, the central part of the Longmen Mountains, Pengzhou City of Sichuan Prov., China.
We propose the common name “Longmen Mountains Toothed Toad” (English) and “long men shan chi chan” (Chinese).
Yinmeng Hou, Shengchao Shi, Daming Hu, Yue Deng, Jianping Jiang, Feng Xie and Bin Wang. 2020. A New Species of the Toothed Toad Oreolalax (Anura, Megophryidae) from Sichuan Province, China. ZooKeys. 929: 93-115. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.929.49748
