[Herpetology • 2020] Importance of Genetic Data in Resolving Cryptic Species: A Century Old Problem of Understanding the Distribution of Minervarya syhadrensis Annandale 1919 (Anura: Dicroglossidae)

Minervarya sahyadris Annandale 1919

in Phuge, Patil, Pandit, ... et Dinesh, 2020.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4869.4.1 

Abstract

Frogs of the genus Minervarya are cryptic and widely distributed in South Asia. However, many of them lack information about the precise type locality, genetic data, and distribution range. The present study aimed to examine the genetic affinities of a widely distributed species Minervarya syhadrensis around its type locality in the northern Western Ghats (Pune, Maharashtra). We studied the type specimen of M. syhadrensis and collected similar sized Minervarya frogs from Pune district. In the field, we observed two different calls from morphologically similar (M. syhadrensis like) males suggesting the sympatric occurrence of two cryptic species (that we initially named Minervarya species A and Minervarya species B). We analyzed morphology, call pattern, and mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequence of both species. Minervarya species A has a long call with a low pulse repetition rate and higher dominant frequency compared to that of the Minervarya species B. These species cannot be differentiated based on morphometric data. However, they can be sorted out using morphological characters such as the presence of longitudinal skin folds on the dorsal side (Minervarya species A) and differences in foot webbing. DNA sequences of Minervarya species A and Minervarya species B are matching with those of M. caperata and M. agricola respectively. After studying the type specimens of M. syhadrensis and M. caperata, we found morphological similarities (longitudinal skin folds) with the samples of Minervarya species A collected during the present study. Based on the results of our study (morphology and genetic) and available literature, we propose to redefine M. syhadrensis as applying to the lineage initially named Minervarya species A, and to treat the species M. caperata as a junior synonym of M. syhadrensis. Our study will be helpful in further taxonomic revision of the genus, and provides natural history information for M. syhadrensis and M. agricola.

Keywords: Amphibia, Advertisement call, cryptic species, Minervarya syhadrensis, Minervarya caperata, integrative taxonomy

FIGURE 10. Morphological variation in Minervarya sahyadris frogs from different localities in the Western Ghats.
 (A and B) Coorg, (C) Goa, (D) Koyna, (E) Silvasa and (F) Calicut.

 

Samadhan Phuge, Ajinkya Bharatraj Patil, Radhakrishnan Pandit, Nirmal U. Kulkarni, B.H. Channakeshava Murthy, P. Deepak and K.P. Dinesh. 2020. Importance of Genetic Data in Resolving Cryptic Species: A Century Old Problem of Understanding the Distribution of Minervarya syhadrensis Annandale 1919, (Anura: Dicroglossidae). Zootaxa. 4869(4); 451–492. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4869.4.1

[Herpetology • 2019] Fejervarya marathi • A New Species of Fejervarya Bolkay, 1915 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the northern Western Ghats Parts of Maharashtra, India

 Fejervarya marathi 

Phuge, Dinesh, Andhale, Bhakare & Pandit, 2019

Marathi Fejervarya Frog  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4544.2.5 

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Abstract
In the recent past the systematic position and taxonomy of genus Fejervarya, Bolkay is undergoing changes in its systematic position due to fairly good amount of phylogenetic resolution, cryptic morphological characters and lack of systematic sampling for phylogenetic studies across the range of distribution. In our sampling in the northern Western Ghats, we encountered a new lineage sister to the phylogenetic cluster which comprises the 'Rufescens complex'. This new lineage is described here as new species Fejervarya marathi sp. nov. based on distinctness in a combination of morphological characters, genetic distance and geography. The problems in morphological groupings for the Fejervarya frogs of the Western Ghats in the recent studies are discussed with the sub-clade composition based on geography in the phylogenetic tree.

Keywords: Amphibia, Cryptic species, Fejervarya, Marathi, northern Western Ghats

Fejervarya marathi sp. nov., amplecting pair. 

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Fejervarya marathi sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the indigenous language "Marathi" which is one of the predominant language used in the northern Western Ghats. The species epithet is treated as noun in apposition to the generic name. Suggested common name 'Marathi Fejervarya frog'.


Samadhan Phuge, K.P. Dinesh, Ramnath Andhale, Kalyani Bhakare and Radhakrishna Pandit. 2019. A New Species of Fejervarya Bolkay, 1915 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the northern Western Ghats Parts of Maharashtra, India. Zootaxa. 4544(2); 251–268. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4544.2.5  
 facebook.com/SamadhanPhuge/posts/2005419489513885

[Herpetology • 2017] Fejervarya muangkanensis • A New Species of Rain-Pool Frog (Dicroglossidae: Fejervarya) from western Thailand

Fejervarya muangkanensis 

Suwannapoom, Yuan, Jiang, Yan, Gao & Che, 2017

Kanchanaburi Rain-Pool Frog  | ZooRes.ac.cn KIZ.CAS.cn 

Abstract  

We describe a new species, Fejervarya muangkanensis sp. nov., based on a series of specimens collected from Ban Tha Khanun, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The new species is easily distinguished from its congeners by morphological and molecular data, and can be diagnosed by the following characters: (1) small size (adult male snout-vent length (SVL) 33.5 mm; female SVL 40.0–40.9 mm); (2) tympanum small, discernible but unclear; (3) poorly developed toe webbing; (4) no lateral line system in adults; (5) characteristic “Fejervaryan” lines present in females; and (6) femoral glands absent. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA further supports it as a distinct lineage and distinguishes it from its congeners for which sequences are available.

Keywords: Fejervarya muangkanensis sp. nov., Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Figure 3: Dorsolateral view of female paratype KIZ 024678 of Fejervarya muangkanensis sp. nov. in life

 (photo by Chatmongkon Suwannapoom)

Fejervarya muangkanensis 

Etymology: The specific epithet muangkanensis is derived from the common name of the Kanchanaburi province, Thailand. 

Suggested common names:  Kanchanaburi Rain-Pool Frog. 

Ecology: The species is found in small swamps in secondary forests at elevations between 700–900 m a.s.l. Advertisement calls of the males can be heard in small ponds from July to September in Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi Province. Calling males are usually observed within or beside the swamp (Figure 6). 

Distribution: This species is currently known only from Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi Province, western Thailand (Figure 1). 

DISCUSSION 

Although our discovery of F. muangkanensis increases the total number of Fejervarya species of Thailand to nine (Suwannapoom et al., 2016), the diversity of this group may still be underestimated. For example, previous molecular studies have identified several distinct lineages diverged from closely related, recognized species, including Fejervarya sp. hp3 from Pilok, Thailand, and Fejervarya sp. hp2 from Bangkok, Thailand (Kotaki et al., 2010). Future studies should examine morphological characteristics of specimens from these regions in detail to confirm their taxonomic identities. Moreover, as many areas of Thailand are still poorly or never surveyed for amphibian diversity, especially in southern Thailand, unrecognized diversity of the genus could still exist. Closer inspections of previously collected congeners from these regions are necessary to better understand amphibian diversity in Thailand, which could help to manage and conserve this unique diversity effectively. 

  

Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Zhi-Yong Yuan, Ke Jiang, Fang Yan, Wei Gao and Jing Che. 2017. A New Species of Rain-Pool Frog (Dicroglossidae: Fejervarya) from western Thailand. Zoological Research.    DOI:  10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2017.043   ZooRes.ac.cn/EN/abstract/abstract3822.shtml

Scientists discover a new species of rain-pool frog, Fejervarya muangkanensis sp. nov., from western Thailand english.KIZ.CAS.cn/Research/rp/201710/t20171017_184005.html