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| Leptobrachella verrucosa Wang, Zeng, Lin & Li, in Lin, Li, Lu, Su, Wu, ... et Wang, 2022. |
Abstract
The genus Leptobrachella is a species-rich genus of megophrid frog. Rapid discovery of many new species within this genus emphasizes the importance of regional research. In this study, we describe a new species of Leptobrachella, Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., from northwestern Guangdong Province, China, based on a combination of molecular and morphological data. A key including congeners from the same province, namely L. laui, L. liui, L. mangshanensis, L. shimentaina, and L. yunkaiensis, is provided.
Key Words: Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy
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| Morphological features of the holotype of Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., GEP a062 in life: A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsolateral view; C. Lateral view; D. Ventral view; E. Ventral view of hand; F. Ventral view of foot. |
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| Morphological features of the paratypes of Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., in life: A. GEP a059 (A1 dorsal view, A2 lateral view, A3 ventral view); B. GEP a060 (B1 dorsal view, B2 dorsolateral view, B3 ventral view); C. GEP a061 (C1 dorsal view, C2 dorsolateral view, C3 ventral view); D. GEP a063 (D1 dorsal view, D2 dorsolateral view, D3 ventral view). |
Leptobrachella verrucosa Wang, Zeng, Lin & Li, sp. nov.
Verrucous Leaf Litter Toad (in English)
Mi You Zhang Tu Chan (密疣掌突蟾 in Chinese)
Diagnosis: (1) Small body size [SVL 23.2–25.9 mm in five adult males], (2) iris bicolored, upper half coppery orange and lower half grayish brown, (3) tympanum distinct, (4) supratympanic line black, (5) fingers without lateral fringes, (6) toes with rudimentary webbing, lateral fringes narrow, (7) longitudinal ridges under toes continuous, (8) heels not meeting when adpressed, tibial-tarsal articulation reaching anterior corner of eye, (9) dorsal surface shagreened with numerous conical tubercles, lacking spines, enlarged warts or skin ridges, (10) ventral surface smooth, (11) dorsum grayish brown, with distinct darker brown scattered markings and irregular light orange pigmentations, (12) flanks with several dark spots, (13) ventral surface creamy white with grayish white and dark brown spots.
Etymology: The specific epithet “verrucosa” is an adjective meaning “verrucous”, referring to the tuberculate dorsal skin texture of the new species.
Shi-Shi Lin, Yuan-Hang Li, Yu-Hong Lu, Hong-Lin Su, Shi-Bin Wu, Qi-Qi Zhang, Mei-Juan Mo, Shao-Jun Xiao, Zhong Pan, Hu-Jun Pan, Zhao-Chi Zeng and Jian Wang. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) from northwestern Guangdong Province, China. Herpetozoa. 35: 165-178. DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e89981
