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| Boulenophrys youran Xiao, Shi & Mo, in Xiao, Zhu, Lu Wang, H. Li, Maimaiti, S. Li, Zhang, Liu, Fei, Liao, Tang, Shi et Mo, 2026. |
Abstract
A new species of Asian horned toad, Boulenophrys youran sp. nov., is described from Nanshan National Park in southwestern Hunan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI genes place it within the Boulenophrys omeimontis species group as a distinct lineage. The new species can be diagnosed by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) Body size relatively large, SVL 45.3–51.1 mm in nine adult males, 55.6–58.2 mm in two adult females; (2) head wider than long, males HDL/HDW 0.69–0.83; (3) margin of tongue feebly notched posteriorly; (4) subarticular tubercles present on fingers I, relative finger lengths II < I < IV < III; (5) relative toe lengths: I < V < II < III < IV; (6) vomerine ridges present, vomerine teeth absent; (7) hindlimbs slender, heels overlapping when hindlimbs folded; (8) tibiotarsal articulation exceeding snout tip when leg stretched forward; (9) toes with weak webbing, formula: I1⅓ − 2II1⅓ − 2½III2 − 3½IV3½ − 2V, lateral fringes on toes wide; (10) dense moderate black conical nuptial spines on inner two fingers in breeding males.
Key Words: Boulenophrys youran, diversity, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy
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| Holotype of Boulenophrys youran sp. nov. in life (HUNL XB25061601). A. Lateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Dorsal view; D. Plantar view of right foot; E. Volar view of right hand; F. Dorsal view of left hand. Photos by Leqiang Zhu. |
Boulenophrys youran Xiao, Shi & Mo, sp. nov.
Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) Body size relatively large, SVL 45.3–51.1 mm in nine adult males, 55.6–58.2 mm in two adult females; (2) head wider than long, males HDL/HDW 0.69–0.83; (3) margin of tongue feebly notched posteriorly; (4) subarticular tubercles present on fingers I, relative finger lengths II < I < IV < III; (5) relative toe lengths: I < V < II < III < IV; (6) vomerine ridges present, vomerine teeth absent; (7) hindlimbs slender, heels overlapping when hindlimbs folded; (8) tibiotarsal articulation exceeding snout tip when leg stretched forward; (9) toes with weak webbing, formula: I1⅓ − 2II1⅓ − 2½III2 − 3½IV3½ − 2V, lateral fringes on toes wide; (10) dense moderate black conical nuptial spines on inner two fingers in breeding adult males.
Etymology. The specific epithet youran is a noun in apposition derived from the Chinese word “悠然” (yōu rán), meaning tranquil or composed. It references the verse “采菊东篱下,悠然见南山” from the classical poem Drinking Wine No. 5 by Tao Yuanming (365–427 CE), which depicts a state of serene harmony with nature. The name thus alludes to the species type locality, Nanshan (南山), and evokes the pristine, undisturbed montane streams it inhabits. The English vernacular name “Youran Horned Toad” is here proposed, with the corresponding Chinese name “悠然角蟾” (Yōu Rán Jiǎo Chán).
Bei Xiao, Leqiang Zhu, Lu Wang, Hui Li, Ayinuer Maimaiti, Shize Li, Guoai Zhang, Wuzhou Liu, Dongbo Fei, Changle Liao, Xiaoquan Tang, Shengchao Shi and Xiaoyang Mo. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura, Megophryidae) from Nanshan National Park, Hunan Province, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 53-70. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.175092 [05 Jan 2026]
