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Raorchestes kollimalai
Gowande, Ganesh & Mirza, 2020
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Abstract
A new cryptic lineage of bush frogs of the genus Raorchestes from the understudied Eastern Ghats of India is described. Molecular phylogenetic reconstructions using mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences suggest that the new species belongs to the Raorchestes charius clade, is sister to the allopatric R. charius of the Western Ghats and support the species-level distinctiveness of the lineage. The new species morphologically resembles R. charius from which it can be distinguished using the following characters: narrower head (HW/SVL 0.31 vs 0.34–0.36), wider inter upper eyelid (IUE/SVL 0.14–0.16 vs 0.11–0.13), greater maximum upper eyelid width (UEW/SVL 0.10–0.12 vs 0.06–0.09) and shorter thigh (TL/SVL 0.32–0.43 vs 0.44–0.51). Acoustic observations from the breeding males further corroborate the distinct specific status of the new species. The discovery of this new species of bush frog from an understudied landscape suggests that additional extensive surveys in the Eastern Ghats would yield several more amphibian lineages yet unknown to science.
Key words: arboreal frog, cryptic species, Kollimalai Massif, Philautus, Rhachophoridae, systematics.
Raorchestes kollimalai sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Raorchestes kollimalai sp. nov. is allocated to the genus Raorchestes based on the following combination of diagnostic characters: relatively small adult body size (SVL 15–45 mm), absence of vomerine teeth, presence of vocal sacs, which appear transparent/translucent while calling, and nocturnal habits. Dorsum light brown with dark brown spots. Canthus rostralis dark brown, a dark brown streak from posterior of the eye through the tympanic region terminating at the shoulder. Legs banded with dark brown. Pupil black with gold specks around it. A medium-sized bush frog (SVL 25.8–29.7 mm, n=3), characterized by wider than long head (HW/SVL 0.31, HL/SVL 0.26-0.30), short or subequal snout in comparison to the eye (SL/SVL 0.12–0.14 vs EL/SVL 0.14–0.15) and by relatively shorter hind limbs (ShL/SVL<0.50).
Etymology. The specific epithet refers to
the type locality, Kollimalai, as a noun in
apposition and hence invariable. Suggested
common name: Kollimalai bush frog.
Gaurang G. Gowande, S.R. Ganesh and Zeeshan A. Mirza. 2020. A New Cryptic Species of Bush Frog (Amphibia: Anura: Raorchestes) from the Southern Eastern Ghats, India.
TAPROBANICA: The Journal of Asian Biodiversity. 9(2); 164–173.DOI:
10.47605/tapro.v9i2.229#herpetology #amphibians #Indianamphibians #frogs #biodiversity #easternghats #frogsofindia #scf #singinawa #sanctuaryasia #sanctuarynaturefounda #WCS #wildlife
