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| Gracixalus wuliangshan Liu, Yang, Wang, Li, Hou, Luo & Rao, 2025 |
Abstract
A new species of the genus Gracixalus from Yunnan Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve, China, is described based on morphological and molecular evidence. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from other species of the genus by a combination of the following characters: body size relatively large, dorsal surface brownish yellow, dorsal skin rough with dense, small flatten tubercles, tibiotarsal projection absent, heels distinctly overlapping, tibiotarsal articulation reaching anterior corner of eye, and nuptial pad absent in adult male. The genetic distance (uncorrected p-distance) between the new species and other species of the genus ranged from 2.3% to 14.3% in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. This study brings the total number of recognized species within the genus Gracixalus to 24 with 13 of which occur in China and four in Yunnan Province.
Keywords: 16S rRNA; morphology; systematics; taxonomy; Yunnan Wuliangshan national nature reserve
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The holotype (KIZ2025067) of Gracixalus wuliangshan sp. nov. in life. (A) Dorsal view; (B) ventral view; (C) left view; (D) right view; (E) close-up view of the axilla, groin, and inner side of the thigh; (F) close-up view of the outer side of the thighs; (G) close-up view of the left palm; (H) close-up view of the left sole. |
Gracixalus wuliangshan sp. nov.
Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: body size relatively large, SVL 39.1 mm in male and 44.1 mm in female; dorsal surface brownish yellow with a distinct X-shaped pattern composed of wide dark brown stripes on dorsum; iris light yellowish gray; axilla and groin with light yellow spots; dorsal skin rough with dense small flatten tubercles; snout round; tibiotarsal projection absent; finger webbing rudimentary; heels distinctly overlapping when legs at right angle to body; tibiotarsal articulation reaching anterior corner of eye; internal vocal sac in male; nuptial pad absent in male.
Etymology: The specific epithet is named for Yunnan Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve, in which the species was collected. We suggested “Wuliangshan small tree frog” for the common English name and “无量山纤树蛙 (wú liàng shān xiān shù wā)” for the common Chinese name.
Shuo Liu, Zhongfu Yang, Chunhua Wang, Nengping Li, Mian Hou, Zengyang Luo and Dingqi Rao. 2025. A New Species of the Genus Gracixalus (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Central Western Yunnan, China. Taxonomy. 5(4); 66; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5040066 [26 November 2025]