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| Scutiger luozhaensis Shi, Sui, Ma, Ji, Bu-Dian & Jiang,2023 Photographed by Sheng-Chao Shi. |
Abstract
In this study, a new species named Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov. is described from Luozha, southern Tibet, China. Genetic analysis based on two mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COI and the nuclear gene RAG1 revealed that the new species belongs to an independent phylogenetic clade close to S. gongshanensis and S. nyingchiensis and shares no RAG1 haplotype with other species. Morphological comparisons based on examined specimens and literatures indicated that it can be diagnosed from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) body moderate, male body length 47.0–67.2 mm (n = 13), female body length 49.8–66.2 mm (n = 8); (2) maxillary teeth and budding absent; (3) numerous tiny dense nuptial spines present on dorsal surface of fingers I, II and inner surface of finger III of males in breeding condition with similar size; (4) spine patches on belly of males in breeding condition absent; (5) spines on inner surface of forearm and upper arm of males in breeding condition absent; (6) small patches of black spines present near armpit of males in breeding condition absent; (7) adult males without vocal sac; (8) some large warts and tubercles on dorsum gathered into short skin ridges with several spines present on top; (9) space between upper eyelids wider than upper eyelids; (10) spots or irregular cross bands on limbs absent; (11) webbing between toes rudimentary; (12) coloration of dorsal body olive brown to bronze.
Key words: Molecular phylogenetic analyses, morphology, Scutiger, taxonomy, Tibet Autonomous Region
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| Holotype of Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov. (CIB 119115) in life A dorsolateral body B dorsal body C short skin ridges and tubercles on dorsal body D ventral body E lateral head F ventral feet G ventral hand H ventral view of maxillary showing no vomerine or maxillary teeth. Photographed by Sheng-Chao Shi. |
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| Variations of Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov. A, B dorsal and ventral view of an adult male from Lakang Town C, D dorsal and ventral view of an adult female from Lakang Town E dorsolateral view of an adult female from Lakang Town F dorsolateral view of adult female CIB 119120 from Se Town G, H dorsolateral and ventral view of juvenile CIB QZ2021115 from Shengge Town. Photographed by Sheng-Chao Shi. |
Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Scutiger by the followings: (1) maxillary teeth absent or indistinct; (2) vomerine teeth absent; (3) tympanum and tympanic ring entirely absent; (4) pupil vertical, (5) femoral glands indistinct; (6) pectoral and axillary gland present in males, and covered by black spines in males in breeding condition; (7) inner three fingers with black nuptial spines in males in breeding condition (Fei et al. 2009; Fei and Ye 2016).
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Etymology: The specific epithet luozhaensis is named after the type locality, Luozha county. We propose the English common name Luozha lazy toad and the Chinese name common name 洛扎齿突蟾 (Luò Zhā chǐ Tū Chán).
Sheng-Chao Shi, Lu-Lu Sui, Shun Ma, Fei-Rong Ji, A-Yi Bu-Dian and Jian-Ping Jiang. 2023. A New Asian Lazy Toad of the Genus Scutiger Theobald, 1868 (Anura, Megophryidae) from southern Tibet, China. ZooKeys. 1187: 31-62. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.107958
