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| Odorrana calciphila Song, Qi, Wang, Liu & Wang, in Song, Qi, H.-T. Wang, Gong, Liu et Y.-Y. Wang, 2025. |
Abstract
While taxonomy of the odorous frog genus Odorrana has made considerable progress recently, far less attention was given to those newly-described karst-associated species. In this study, the taxonomic status of Odorrana lipuensis group, species living in karst environments, was revisited. Combining the scrutiny of previous literature, molecular analyses using two mitochondrial DNA fragments (i.e. 16S rRNA and CO1) and morphological analyses including a series of additional specimens, we defined the O. lipuensis group and revised the taxonomic accounts of recognised species. Based on these data, we described a new species, O. calciphila sp. nov. from the karst regions in northern Guangdong, China. Apart from this new species, the O. lipuensis group currently contains three other species distributed in southern China and northern Vietnam, namely O. concelata, O. liboensis and O. lipuensis. Morphological comparisons between this group and other congeners, together with a dichotomous identification key for each species within this group, were also presented. Finally, the known distribution, implications of morphological distinctiveness, ecological and evolutionary significances and existing taxonomic issues of these species were also discussed.
Key Words: Identification key, Odorrana calciphila sp. nov., odorous frog, South China Karst, species group
Anura Hogg, 1839
Ranidae Batsch, 1796
Odorrana Fei, Ye & Huang, 1990
Odorrana lipuensis group
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| Species of the Odorrana lipuensis group in life. A1. O. calciphila sp. nov., SYS a009287, male; A2. O. calciphila sp. nov., SYS a009295, female; B1. O. concelata, GEP a055, male; B2. O. concelata, GEP a050, female; C. O. liboensis, SYS a008240, female; D. O. lipuensis, SYS a004898, female. Photos by Jian Wang (B1, B2, D), Han-Ming Song (A1, A2) and Shuo Qi (C). |
Odorrana lipuensis Mo, Chen, Wu, Zhang & Zhou, 2015
Odorrana liboensis Luo, Wang, Xiao, Wang & Zhou, 2021
Odorrana concelata Wang, Zeng & Lin, 2022
Distribution. China (Guangxi, Guangdong and Guizhou)
and Vietnam (Cao Bang and Bac Kan).
Habitat. All species of Odorrana lipuensis group are nocturnal karstic dwellers, found in completely dark karst caves and on damp superficial limestone.
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| The holotype of Odorrana calciphila sp. nov. (SYS a009287, male) in life. A. Dorsolateral view; B. Opisthenar surface of left hand; C. Dorsal view; D. Ventral view; E. Palmar surface of right hand; F. Plantar surface of right foot. Arrows show the nuptial pads and circles show the connection of nuptial pads. Photos by Han-Ming Song. |
Odorrana calciphila Song, Qi, Wang, Liu & Wang, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. This species can be diagnosed from other species of Odorrana lipuensis group by the combination of following morphological characteristics: (1) body size small, SVL 37.9 mm in adult male (n = 1) and 39.9–45.7 mm in adult females (n = 5); (2) relative finger length I < II; (3) dorsolateral folds prominent and swollen in adult females and absent in adult male; (4) bands on the dorsal surface of hind-limb clear; and (5) nuptial pads present on fingers I, II and III, the nuptial pad on finger II connecting with the nuptial pad on finger I.
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| Paratypes of Odorrana calciphila sp. nov. in life and the habitat at the type locality. A. SYS a008923, female; B. SYS a009288, female; C. SYS a009289, female; D. SYS a009290, female; E. microhabitat; F. macrohabitat. Photos by Han-Ming Song (B, C, D, E, F) and Yong-Heng Zhu (A). |
Etymology. The specific epithet, calciphila, is a feminine adjective in Latin, composed of “calcis” (the genitive singular of calx, meaning karstic) and “-phila” (a suffix, meaning beloved), referring to this species’ characteristic of inhabiting the karst landscapes.
Suggested common name. “灰岩臭蛙 (huī yán chòu wā)” in Chinese and
“Limestone Odorous Frog” in English.
Han-Ming Song, Shuo Qi, Hao-Tian Wang, Yue-Ning Gong, Yang Liu and Ying-Yong Wang. 2025. Definition and Taxonomic Revision of the Karst-associated Odorrana lipuensis Group (Anura, Ranidae), with A New Species from Guangdong, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(3): 935-952. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.142746
