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| Bufo rubroventromaculatus Orlov, Ananjeva, Ermakov, Lukonina, Ninh & Nguyen, 2024 |
Abstract
Based on a combination of molecular and morphological data, we herein report a new species within the bufonid Bufo gargarizans species complex. This is a widespread species complex with distribution from eastern Russia and the Korean Peninsula to China and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. Records of this species have been documented in the Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces near the border with Vietnam and, for the first time from Vietnam, in Ha Giang Province. The new record of Bufo cf. gargarizans from Vietnam is from Ha Tinh Province. This species has never been reported from Vietnam so far south, about 550 km south from the previously known locality in Ha Giang Province. The female specimen was found in the Ha Tinh Province, Vu Quang National Park of central Vietnam and two specimens (male and female) were found Ha Giang Province. They are clearly distinguished from B. gargarizans and all the mentioned species by a specific color pattern on the belly and creamy-yellowish throat with large, bright red speckles. Genetic divergences of three Vietnam specimens from Ha Giang and Ha Tinh Provinces in the ND2 gene sequences between the B. sp. nov. and all other congeners ranged from 4.3% (with B. andrewsi) to 7.0% (with B. stejnegeri). We give a description of the morphological characters and coloration of the new record and provide an expanded diagnosis.
Keywords: Bufo sp. nov.; Vietnam; morphology; molecular evidence; DNA analysis
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| Holotype of Bufo rubroventromaculatus sp. nov. IGR 10497, female: (A) in the wild; (B) dorsal view; (C) ventral view; (D) palmar surface of the right forelimb. |
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| Paratype of Bufo rubroventromaculatus sp. nov. ZISP 15118. (A) lateral view; (B) lateral view a part of belly with bright red large blotches. |
Bufo rubroventromaculatus sp. nov.
Diagnosis: Three specimens of toads were assigned to the genus Bufo based on molecular phylogenetic analyses. Bufo rubroventromaculatus sp. nov. is distinguished from other species in the genus Bufo by specific coloration with red speckles on the belly (Figure 4 and Figure 5). Maximal size known for this species (SVL 125.45 mm) (Table 3); head longer than width (maximal HW 60.32 mm, HL 65.42 mm), snout obtuse, protruding in profile; canthus rostralis distinct; pupil horizontally oval; loreal region flat and oblique; snout length greater than eye horizontal diameter (HL 13.7 mm, ED 10.6 mm, ED/SNL 0.77); parotoid gland well developed, elongated; tympanum distinct, small and round; vomerine teeth present; tongue not notched posteriorly.
Etymology: The specific name rubroventromaculatus originates from the type of characteristic coloring of the belly with numerous large red spots of irregular shape.
Nikolai L. Orlov, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Oleg A. Ermakov, Svetlana A. Lukonina, Hoa Thi Ninh and Tao Thien Nguyen. 2024. A New Record of Bufo gargarizans Complex (Bufonidae, Anura) from Truong Son Mounts, Ha Tinh and Ha Giang Provinces, Vietnam based on Molecular Evidence with A Description of A New Species. Diversity. 16(7), 361. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d16070361 [24 June 2024]
