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| Leptobrachella guinanensis Chen, Li, Peng & Liu, in Chen, Li, Peng, Liu et Huang, 2024. |
Abstract
A new species of the genus Leptobrachella, L. guinanensis sp. nov., is described in this study based on morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic data. The species was discovered in the Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve in Shangsi County, Guangxi, China. Phylogenetically, L. guinanensis sp. nov. is closely related to L. ventripunctata. However, there are distinct morphological differences betweenisp. nov. and L. ventripunctata, as well as three other sympatric species (L. shangsiensis, L. shiwandashanensis, and L. sungi). These differences include body size (SVL 30.5–32.5 mm in males; 38.7–41.8 mm in females in the new species vs 25.5–28.0 mm in males, 31.5–35.0 mm in females in L. ventripunctata), the absence of brown spots on the ventral surface (vs chest and belly creamy white with many scattered brown spots in L. ventripunctata), 1/3 toe webbing and wide toe lateral fringes (vs no toe webbing and no lateral fringes in L. ventripunctata), and distinct dermal ridges under toes (vs absent in L. ventripunctata). Furthermore, the dominant vocal frequencies of the new species range from 7.3 to 8.3 kHz, which is unique compared to other Leptobrachella species and represents the highest dominant frequencies ever recorded. The Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve is now home to four known sympatric species of Leptobrachella.
Key words: Bioacoustics, morphology, phylogeny, sympatric species
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| The holotype of Leptobrachella guinanensis sp. nov. A dorsal view B ventral view C dorsolateral view D rear of the back and dorsal view of thighs E ventral view of hand F ventral view of foot. 1, tubercles on the crossbars; 2, femoral gland; 3, a pair of glands under the vent; 4, toe webbing; 5, wide lateral fringes on toe. |
Leptobrachella guinanensis Chen, Li, Peng & Liu, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Leptobrachella guinanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 30.5–32.5 mm in males; 38.7–41.8 mm in females; (2) 1/3 toe webbing, wide lateral fringes; (3) dorsal surface shagreened with small, raised tubercles and longitudinal ridges; (4) ventral surface creamy white without dark brown spots; (5) throat immaculate creamy white and its margin concentrated brown spots; (6) iris bicoloured, upper half light copper, transitioning to silver in lower half; (7) crossbars of hindlimbs with tubercles; (8) distinct dermal ridges under the toes; (9) a pair of glands under the vent; (10) tibia-tarsal articulation reaching to centre of eye; (11) relatively higher dominant frequency of advertisement calls (7.3–8.3 kHz).
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| Leptobrachella guinanensis sp. nov. A more tubercles and longitudinal ridges on dorsum and hindlimbs surfaces (NNU00875) B light brown on dorsum (NNU00569) C ventral view of the gravid female (NNU00880) D eggs creamy white without black poles. |
Etymology: The species name guinanensis is derived from the geographic distribution of this species, specifically the southern Guangxi region. The suggested English name for this species is Gui Nan Leaf Litter Toad, while the Chinese name is Gui Nan Zhang Tu Chan (桂南掌突蟾).
Wei-Cai Chen, Peng Li, Wan-Xiao Peng, You-Jun Liu and Yong Huang. 2024. The Fourth Species of Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) found at Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China. ZooKeys. 1192: 257-279. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1192.98352
