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| Leptobrachella xinshaoensis |
Abstract
Based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses, a new species of the genus Leptobrachella from Xinshao County, Hunan Province, China, is described. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene sequences support the new species as an independent lineage. The uncorrected p-distances of the 16S rRNA and COI genes between the new species and its closest congeners are 2.1% and 8.1%, respectively. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 27.8–31.4 mm in males; (2) toes rudimentarily webbed, with narrow lateral fringes; (3) tympanum distinct, surrounded by distinct tubercles; (4) dorsal surface shagreened, with small, raised tubercles and longitudinal ridges; (5) ventral surface creamy white, with dark brown spots on the chest and margins; (6) distinct black spots present on the flanks; (7) heels not meeting when hindlimbs are flexed at right angles to the body axis; and (8) tibia–tarsal articulation reaching between the eye and the tympanum.
Key Words: Leptobrachella, molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphology, new species
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Photographs of the holotype CIB XS20240319001 of Leptobrachella xinshaoensis sp. nov. in life. A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view; C. Dorsal view of head; D. Ventral view of hand; E. Ventral view of foot. (Photos A–E by Jing Liu.) |
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| Color variation in Leptobrachella xinshaoensis sp. nov. A. Dorsolateral view and B. Ventral view of the specimen CIB XS20240319002; C. Dorsolateral view and D. Ventral view of the specimen CIB XS20240319003. (Photos A–D by Jing Liu.) |
Leptobrachella xinshaoensis sp. nov.
Diagnosis. Leptobrachella xinshaoensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 27.8–31.4 mm in males; (2) toes rudimentary webbed, lateral fringes on toes narrow; (3) tympanum distinct, surrounded by distinct tubercles; (4) dorsal surface shagreened with small, raised tubercles and longitudinal ridges; (5) ventral surface creamy white with dark brown spots on chest and margins; (6) distinct black spots present on flanks; (7) heels not meeting when hindlimbs flexed at right angles to the axis of body; (8) tibia-tarsal articulation reaching between eye and tympanum.
Etymology. The specific epithet “xinshaoensis” refers to the name of the type locality, Xinshao County, Hunan, China. We suggest the English name “Xinshao Leaf-litter Toad” and the Chinese name “Xin Shao Zhang Tu Chan (新邵掌突蟾)”.
Liming Jiang, Jing Liu, Yun Huang, Hongyan Zhang and Bin Wang. 2026. Morphological and Molecular Evidence support A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) from central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 253-269. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.175462