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| Xenorhina ventrimaculata Günther, Dahl & Richards, 2021 DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e66954 |
Abstract
We describe a new species of the asterophryine microhylid genus Xenorhina from the lowlands of northwestern Papua New Guinea. It is a medium-sized species (SUL of two males 29.2 and 29.9 mm; of four females 29.9–33.0 mm) that can be distinguished from congeners by having a single short, triangular odontoid spike (palatal tooth) on each vomeropalatine bone, moderately short legs (TL/SUL 0.40–0.44) and ventral surfaces heavily spotted with reddish-brown blotches or reticula. The advertisement call comprises 7–10 loud, melodious hooting notes lasting 141–165 ms and produced at a repetition rate of 2.19–2.35 notes/s. Description of this species brings to 41 the number of Xenorhina known from New Guinea and surrounding islands.
Key words: Amphibia, New Guinea, Sepik River Basin, new species, advertisement call, taxonomy, ecofaunistics
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| Holotype (SAMA R71741) of Xenorhina ventrimaculata sp. nov. (a) dorsolateral view in life, (b) ventral view in life; (c) ventral view of right hand of preserved specimen, (d) ventral view of right foot of preserved specimen. Ventral view of the preserved type series of Xenorhina ventrimaculata sp. nov. |
Xenorhina ventrimaculata sp. nov.
Diagnosis: A species of Xenorhina characterized by the unique combination of: medium size (SUL of two males 29.2–29.9 mm; of four females 29.9–33.0 mm); vomeropalatines each with one short triangular odontoid spike; legs moderately short (TL/SUL 0.40–0.44); all fingers and toe 1 without, and toes 2–5 with, expanded terminal discs; eye-naris distance greater than internarial distance (END/IND 1.10–1.21); tympanum about same size as eye (TyD/ED 0.95–1.16); dorsal surfaces in life different tones of brown with small blackish spots; ventral surfaces light ivory heavily spotted with reddish-brown blotches or reticula; advertisement calls uttered in series containing 7–10 loud hooting calls = notes each lasting 141–165 ms and produced at a rate of 2.19–2.35 calls/s.
Etymology: The specific epithet is an adjective compound of two Latin words. Venter is a substantive and means belly or underside of the body and maculata is a feminine adjective meaning flecked or spotted. The specific epithet refers to the conspicuously spotted ventral surfaces of most specimens of the new species.
Rainer Günther, Chris Dahl and Stephen J. Richards. 2021. Description of A New Xenorhina species (Anura, Microhylidae) from northwestern Papua New Guinea. Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 621-630. DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e66954
