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| Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis Chen, Yu, Meng & Qin, in Yu, Qin, Meng, Li, Peng & Chen, 2024 |
Abstract
A new species of the Asian leaf litter toad genus Leptobrachella, L. dayaoshanensis sp. nov., is described based on phylogenetic analysis, morphological characters, and bioacoustic data. This species occurs in the Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve located in Jinxiu County, Guangxi, China. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this new species is closely related to L. verrucosa, as demonstrated by phylogenetic trees. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) medium size (mean snout–vent length (SVL) of 27.9 ± 0.7 mm, range 26.6–28.9 mm in males; 34.4 mm in female); (2) rough dorsal surface featuring small, raised tubercles and ridges; (3) flanks adorned with irregular black spots and creamy white glands; (4) creamy white ventral surface with sparse light-brown spots and irregular tiny textures; (5) brown throat and chest; (6) rudimentary toe webbing; (7) wide lateral fringes on toes; (8) distinct continuous ventrolateral glandular line; (9) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the midpoint of eye when the leg is extended forward; (10) heels that do not meet when thighs are appressed at right angles to body; (11) bicolored iris, with the upper half being copper and gradually transitioning to silver in the lower half; and (12) advertisement calls consisting of two model types, with dominant frequencies of 4.2–6.8 kHz at 21.0 °C. The new species has a breeding season that occurs from March to April and is found in evergreen forests at elevations between 1,000 and 1,600 m.
Key words: Bioacoustics, cryptic diversity, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy
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| The holotype of Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis sp. nov. A dorsal view B ventral view C dorsolateral view D calling in the field E ventral view of hand F ventral view of foot. |
Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis Chen, Yu, Meng & Qin, sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) medium size (SVL mean 27.9 ± 0.7 mm, range 26.6–28.9 mm in males; 34.4 mm in female); (2) dorsal surface rough with small, raised tubercles and ridges; (3) flanks with irregular black spots and creamy-white glands; (4) ventral surface creamy-white with sparse, light-brown spots and irregular, tiny textures; (5) brown throat and chest; (6) rudimentary toe webbing; (7) wide toes lateral fringes; (8) distinct continued ventrolateral glandular line; (9) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the midpoint of eye when the leg is pressed forward; (10) heels not meeting when thighs are appressed at right angles to body; (11) bicolored iris, with upper half copper, gradually transitioning to silver in lower half; and (12) advertisement calls consisting of two types models, with dominant frequencies of 4.2–6.8 kHz (21.0 °C).
Etymology: The species name dayaoshanensis refers to the type locality, Mount Dayaoshan. The suggested English name is Dayaoshan Leaf Litter Toad, and the Chinese name is Da Yao Shan Zhang Tu Chan (大瑶山掌突蟾).
Gui-Dong Yu, Kun Qin, Tao Meng, Peng Li, Wan-Xiao Peng and Wei-Cai Chen. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae) from Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China. ZooKeys. 1219: 105-122. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.121027
