Abstract
The diversity of Panophrys horned toads is considered highly underestimated with a large number of undescribed cryptic species. In this work, we describe four Panophrys species from eastern China which were proposed as cryptic species by molecular data in previous study, additionally provide new information on the biogeography of these four species. Panophrys daiyunensis sp. nov. from southern Fujian, Panophrys daoji sp. nov. from eastern Zhejiang, Panophrys sanmingensis sp. nov. from the hilly area among Fujian, Jiangxi and Guangdong, and Panophrys tongboensis sp. nov. from northeastern Jiangxi, can be distinguished from all recognized congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics. The descriptions of these four new species take the recognized species of Panophrys to 51, which is the largest genus within the Asian horned toads subfamily Megophryinae. Considered as an appropriate arrangement for the Asian horned toads currently and applied in this study to describe the new species, the generic recognition of Panophrys is also discussed.
Keywords: Amphibia, Asian horned toads, cryptic species, diversity, morphology, taxonomy
Panophrys daiyunensis Lyu, Wang & Wang sp. nov.
Chresonymy. Megophrys sp18—Liu et al. 2018
Etymology. The specific epithet daiyunensis refers to the type locality of the new species, the Daiyun Mountain Nature Reserve.
Common names. Daiyun Horned Toad (in English) / Dài Yún Jiǎo Chán (戴云角蟾 in Chinese).
Panophrys daoji Lyu, Zeng, Wang & Wang sp. nov.
Chresonymy. Megophrys sp20—Liu et al. 2018
Etymology. The specific epithet daoji is used as a noun in apposition, and refers to the Master Daoji (道济禅师), also known as Ji Gong (济公). He purportedly possessed supernatural powers which he used to help the poor and stand up to injustice, and became a famous legend in Chinese culture and a well-known deity in Chinese folk religion. Master Daoji was born in Yongning Village situated at the foot of Mt Tiantai where is the type locality of this new species with variable coloration.
Common names. Daoji’s Horned Toad (in English) / Dào Jì Jiăo Chán (道济角蟾 in Chinese)
Panophrys sanmingensis Lyu & Wang sp. nov.
Chresonymy. Megophrys sp15—Liu et al. 2018
Etymology. The specific epithet sanmingensis refers to the type locality of the new species, the Sanming City.
Common names. Sanming Horned Toad (in English) / Sān Míng Jiǎo Chán (三明角蟾in Chinese)
Panophrys tongboensis Wang & Lyu sp. nov.
Chresonymy. Megophrys sp21—Liu et al. 2018
Etymology. The specific epithet tongboensis refers to its type locality, Mt Tongbo.
Common names. Mt Tongbo Horned Toad (in English) / Tóng Bó Shān Jiǎo Chán (铜钹山角蟾in Chinese)
Zhi-Tong Lyu, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Jian Wang, Zu-Yao Liu, Ya-Qiong Huang, Wen-Zhou Li and Ying-Yong Wang. 2021. Four New Species of Panophrys (Anura, Megophryidae) from eastern China, with Discussion on the Recognition of Panophrys as A Distinct Genus. Zootaxa. 4927(1); 9–40. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4927.1.2