[Herpetology • 2026] Amolops minhlei • A New Species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from Vu Quang National Park—An ASEAN Heritage Park of Vietnam

  

Amolops minhlei

A.V. Pham, C. V. Hoang, T. Q. Nguyen, V. T. H. Nguyen, T. T. T. Nguyen, K. D. Nguyen, Thai, N. V. Hoang & C. T. Pham, 2026 

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.2.4  

 facebook.com/PhamAnhdhsphn 

Abstract 

A new species of Amolops is described from Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh Province, North-central Vietnam based on morphological and molecular differences. Morphologically, Amolops minhlei sp. nov. is distinguishable from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: SVL 31.8–35.8 mm in males, 36.7–45.8 mm in females; head longer than wide; vomerine teeth absent; snout long (SE/SVL 0.16–0.17 in males, 0.16 in females); tympanum distinct, round (TD/ED 0.41–0.42 in males, 0.40–0.43 in females); skin smooth; supratympanic fold indistinct; dorsolateral fold present; webbing formula I0–0II0–1/2III0–1/2IV1/2–0V; dorsum olive green or reddish brown with a few dark spots; a brown dorsolateral stripe extending from behind eye to above vent; dorsal surface of fore- and hind-limbs light grey with brown crossbars, throat, chest and belly white; males with external vocal sac and nuptial pad on finger I; and flanks grey brown with small white glandular spot. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is strongly supported as a member of the A. monticola group. However, the new species differs from other members of the A. monticola group by 10.00–19.66% pairwise genetic divergence in the mitochondrial ND2 gene fragment and 1.56–6.67% in the mitochondrial 16S gene fragment.

Amphibia, 16S rRNA, Amolops monticola group, Ha Tinh Province, molecular phylogeny, ND2, taxonomy

Amolops minhlei sp. nov.

Ếch bám đá minh

ANH VAN PHAM, CHUNG VAN HOANG, TRUONG QUANG NGUYEN, VAN THI HONG NGUYEN, THUY THU THI NGUYEN, KY DANH NGUYEN, TOAN CANH THAI, NGOC VAN HOANG and CUONG THE PHAM. 2026. A New Species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from Vu Quang National Park—An ASEAN Heritage Park of Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5760(2); 225-247. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5760.2.4 [2026-02-23]

 facebook.com/PhamAnhdhsphn/posts/4486775618134704

  

[Herpetology • 2026] Amolops kamal • A New cascade frog of the Genus Amolops Cope (1865) (Anura: Ranidae) from Nagaland, North-East India

Amolops kamal 

Saikia, Sinha, Shabnam, Konwar, Borthakur & Dinesh, 2026

Nagaland Cascade Frog  ||  https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi 

Abstract

The Asian cascade-dwelling frog genus Amolops currently comprises 90 recognised species, with 20 species reported from India. These species are generally classified into ten species groups based on morphological similarities, of which in India, Amolops species are mainly categorised across three groups: A. marmoratus group, A. monticola group and A. viridimaculatus group, with the first group being the most diverse, represented by eight species. Previous studies on the A. indoburmanensis species group and A. marmoratus species group suggest a species complex encompassing multiple cryptic lineages. Between 2022 and 2024, many Amolops specimens tentatively assigned to A. indoburmanensis sensu lato were collected from different parts of North-East India. Morphological variations and molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed multiple distinct lineages within this complex, confirming the paraphyly of the nomen A. indoburmanensis. Herein, we describe a new Amolops species belonging to the A. indoburmanensis species complex from North-East India, Amolops kamal sp. nov. from Nagaland state. The study underscores the rich hidden diversity within the Amolops genus and highlights the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in resolving amphibian taxonomy in the region.

Keywords: Amolops indoburmanensis, Amolops kamal sp. nov., paraphyly, Jotsoma, Kohima

Amolops kamal sp. nov. in live condition.

Amolops kamal sp. nov. 

Nagaland Cascade Frog

  

   Bhaskar Saikia, Bikramjit Sinha, A. Shabnam, Prabir Narayan Konwar, Mridul Kumar Borthakur and K. P. Dinesh. 2026. Description of A New cascade frog of the Genus Amolops Cope (1865) (Anura: Ranidae) from Nagaland, North-East India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 126(2); 131-140. DOI: 10.26515/rzsi/v126/i2/2026/173119

https://recordsofzsi.com/index.php/zsoi/article/view/173119

[Herpetology • 2026] Odorrana yangi • A New Species of the Genus Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) from southeastern Yunnan, China

 

Odorrana yangi   

Liu, Bu, Feng, Hou, Rao & Li, 2026

杨氏臭蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.186067

Abstract

A new species of the genus Odorrana is described based on specimens collected from Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from other species of the genus by a combination of the following characteristics: snout–vent length 43.5–46.9 mm in males, females approximately two times size of males, head length greater than head width, nostril closer to tip of snout than to eye, tibiotarsal articulation reaching tip of snout when hindlimb stretched forward, relative lengths of fingers III > IV > I > II, dorsolateral fold absent, anterior dorsum green with evenly distributed small irregular shaped black blotches and posterior dorsum greyish brown with evenly distributed, large, irregular-shaped, black blotches, external vocal sacs present in adult males. In addition, the new species differs from its congeners by a genetic distance of 3.6%–14.2% in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene.

Key words: 16S rRNA, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy, Wenshan Prefecture

The holotype (KIZ2025143) of Odorrana yangi sp. nov. in life.
A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view; C. Left view; D. Right view.

Odorrana yangi sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Body size small in males (SVL 43.5–46.9 mm), females approximately two times size of males; head length greater than head width; nostril closer to tip of snout than to eye; tympanum relatively large in males (TD/ED 0.53–0.63); heels overlap when hindlimbs flexed at right angles to axis of body, tibiotarsal articulation reaching tip of snout when hindlimb stretched forward; relative lengths of fingers III > IV > I > II; dorsal surface relatively smooth, skin on dorsum shagreened, with some indistinct flat tubercles; dorsolateral fold absent; anterior dorsum green with evenly distributed, small, irregular-shaped, black blotches, posterior dorsum greyish brown with evenly distributed, large, irregular-shaped, black blotches; ventral surface white without distinct spots or patches; external vocal sacs and nuptial pads present in adult males.

The paratypes of Odorrana yangi sp. nov. in life.
male (KIZ2025144) A. Dorsal view; B. Lateral view; C. Ventral view;
female (KIZ2025123) D. Dorsal view; E. Lateral view; F. Ventral view.

 Shuo Liu, Chao Bu, Yanfei Feng, Mian Hou, Dingqi Rao and Song Li. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Odorrana Fei, Ye & Huang, 1990 (Anura, Ranidae) from southeastern Yunnan, China. ZooKeys. 1275: 43-61. doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.186067 [26 Mar 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Amolops guangzhouensis • A New Species of Amolops Cope, 1865 (Anura: Ranidae) from central Guangdong, China

Amolops guangzhouensis  

Song, F.-X. Wang, Qi, H.-T. Wang, Lyu, Cai, Zhu, Zhong, Liu & Y.-Y. Wang, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.2.8

 

Abstract

In this study, a new species of the genus Amolops (Anura, Ranidae), Amolops guangzhouensis sp. nov., is described based on six type specimens collected from Conghua District, Guangzhou City, and adjacent Longmen County, Huizhou City, in Guangdong Province, China. The molecular phylogenetic analysis, based on two mitochondrial DNA fragments (16S and COI), places the new species as an independent evolutionary lineage within the A. daiyunensis group. The morphometric statistical analysis and morphological comparison also distinguish the new species from all other congeners. This species can be differentiated from those close relatives by dorsal surface pattern, tiny translucent white spinules across skin, indistinct supernumerary tubercle below fingers, prominent tarsal gland and tarsal fold, and nuptial pad coloration. The discovery of this new species adds to the growing diversity of this genus and represents the westernmost distribution occurrence of the A. daiyunensis group, implying the species diversity of Amolops in southeastern China might still be underestimated.

Amphibia, Amolops daiyunensis group, Amolops guangzhouensis sp. nov., Guangzhou, principal components analysis, torrent frog

  The holotype of Amolops guangzhouensis sp. nov. (SYS a009405, male) in life:
(A) dorsolateral view; (B) opisthenar surface of left hand, showing the feature of the nuptial pad and nuptial spines; (C) dorsal view; (D) ventral view; (E) ventral surface of right hand; (F) ventral surface of left foot.

Photos by Shuo Qi.

Amolops guangzhouensis sp. nov. in situ:
 (A) the male paratype CIB 119033; (B) uncaptured individuals at the type locality.

Photos by Han-Ming Song and Dan-Yang Zhou.

Amolops guangzhouensis sp. nov.

HAN-MING SONG, FU-XUAN WANG, SHUO QI, HAO-TIAN WANG, ZHI-TONG LYU, YAO-YU CAI, YUN-SHENG ZHU, QI-FENG ZHONG, YANG LIU and YING-YONG WANG. 2026. A New Species of Amolops Cope, 1865 (Anura, Ranidae) from central Guangdong, China.  Zootaxa. 5750(2); 267-293. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5750.2.8 [2026-01-20]

Researchgate.net/publication/400040586_A_new_species_of_Amolops_from_central_Guangdong_China

[Herpetology • 2025] Odorrana sudianensis • Unveiling Hidden Diversity in Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) with Description of A New Species from Yingjiang, China and the First national records of Odorrana heatwolei in Thailand and Vietnam

Odorrana sudianensis Kilunda, Yu, Wu & Che,

in Kilunda, Yang, L. T. Nguyen, Le, Suwannapoom, Stuart, S. N. Nguyen, Zuo, Zhang, Duan, Duan, Yu, Wu et Che, 2025. 

苏典臭蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.162366

Abstract

Species discovery within Odorrana has gradually increased over the years, establishing a remarkable diversity for the genus. During recent herpetological surveys, we collected specimens from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China with additional samples from Thailand and Vietnam. Based on combined morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we describe a new species Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. from Sudian Town, Yingjiang County, China and report new records of O. heatwolei for Thailand and Vietnam. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene fragment, confirm the new species as a distinct evolutionary lineage with a genetic divergence (p-distance) of 4.6% from its closest sister species O. dulongensis. Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. is morphologically distinguishable from all its known congeners by having a robust medium adult body size, a head length longer than wide, a mottled grass-green dorsum with dark brown blotches on the posterior region, absence of dorsolateral folds and circum-marginal grooves for all finger discs expanded with lateroventral grooves. Additionally, the new species record sequences from Thailand and Vietnam nested within the O. heatwolei subclade with a low p-distance (0.0–0.5%) from topotypic sequences of O. heatwolei. Examined specimen shows morphological congruence with topotypic O. heatwolei in key diagnostic traits. Our new species and new species records increase the number of recognised species of Odorrana to 46 in China, seven in Thailand and 23 in Vietnam. We also address existing taxonomic disputes within Odorrana and provide comments and recommendations on the taxonomy of several species within the genus.

Key Words: Odorrana, Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, new species, new species record, Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov., taxonomy

Morphology and colour patterns of Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. in life (holotype KIZ058904, female).
A. Lateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Ventral view of hand; D. Dorsal view; E. Dorsolateral view of head; F. Dorsal view of tarsus; photos by Shen-Pin Yang.

Odorrana sudianensis Kilunda, Yu, Wu & Che, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Odorrana sudianensis sp.nov. is assigned to the genus Odorrana and differs from its congeners based on the combination of the following morphological characters: (1) Robust medium adult body size (SVL 78.9–85.3 mm, based on two females); (2) head length longer than head width (HL/HW 1.08); (3) iris with intricate golden reticulations forming a circumpupillary ring around the periphery; (4) anterior part of dorsum mottled grass green with mottled dark brown blotches covering the posterior region; (5) dorsolateral folds absent; (6) distinct dark brown crossbands on the dorsal surface of limbs; (7) supratympanic fold obvious, weak and short; (8) dorsal and lateral skin slightly granular; (9) tongue cordiform, deeply notched posteriorly; (10) finger discs significantly expanded; (11) circummarginal grooves for all finger discs expanded with lateroventral grooves; (12) inner metacarpal tubercle, large and elongated, two outer metacarpal tubercles, with outer one larger than medial one; (13) supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers present and rounded; (14) web on toes entirely covered; (15) inner metatarsal tubercle oval and present, outer metatarsal tubercle absent; supernumerary tubercles below the base of toes absent, subarticular tubercles of toes oval and prominent.

Etymology. The specific epithet “sudianensis” is a latinised name referring to the type locality Sudian Town, where the new species was collected. We propose “Sudian odorous frog” and “苏典臭蛙” (Pinyin: Sū Diǎn Chòu Wā) as the English and Chinese common names, respectively.

Comparison of morphological characteristics with congeners.
A. Dorsal and B. Ventral views of Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. paratype KIZ058839 (female) in life;
C. Dorsal and D. Ventral views of Odorrana dulongensis holotype (male) in life;

photos by Shen-Pin Yang and Xiao-Long Liu.

 Felista Kasyoka Kilunda, Shen-Pin Yang, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Manh Van Le, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Bryan L. Stuart, Sang Ngoc Nguyen, An-Ru Zuo, Ding-Can Zhang, Zheng-Pan Duan, Pei-Wen Duan, Zhong-Bin Yu, Yun-He Wu and Jing Che. 2025. Unveiling Hidden Diversity in Odorrana (Anura, Ranidae) with Description of A New Species from Yingjiang, China and the First national records of Odorrana heatwolei in Thailand and Vietnam. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(4): 2337-2356. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.162366

[Herpetology • 2025] Amolops cuongi • A New Species (Anura: Ranidae) from the Hoang Lien Range, Vietnam

Amolops cuongi 

Pham, Hoang, Tapley, L. T. Nguyen, H. H. Nguyen, La, Ziegler, Rowley, T. Q. Nguyen & Le, 2025  

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1256.158846

Abstract

A new species of the genus Amolops is described from the Hoang Lien Range, northwestern Vietnam as Amolops cuongi sp. nov. While morphological and molecular data assign these individuals to the Amolops mantzorum group, the new species is distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following diagnostic characters: size small (SVL 33.9–36.9 mm in males; 37.9–44.4 mm in females); head longer than wide; vomerine teeth absent or weakly developed; snout short (SE/SVL 0.15–0.17 in males; 0.14–0.16 in females); tympanum small (TD/ED 0.26–0.37 in males; 0.25–0.35 in females); the absence of circummarginal groove on the first finger; disc of finger III larger than tympanum; supratympanic fold present; dorsolateral fold absent; webbing formula I0–1II0–1III0–1IV1–0V; the presence of a band of small spinules and/or tubercles running from below nares, along upper lip, around lower half of eye, between tympanum and eye and rear axis of mandibles; granular skin on flanks and ventral surfaces of body; in life, dorsal body colouration of dark brown with diffuse-edged blotches of bluish grey, copper and yellowish green or pale green and copper; ventral surface of throat, chest and belly pale cream with white dots; males without vocal sacs; and nuptial pad velvety without spines. In the phylogenetic analysis using a combination of mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA, ND2, and cytochrome b (cyt b) genes, the new species is strongly supported as the most genetically distinct member of the Amolops mantzorum group with genetic distance ≥ 1.53% in the 16S rRNA, ≥ 8.70% in ND2, and ≥ 8.56% in cyt b compared to other members within the genus Amolops.

Key words: Amolops mantzorum group, genetically distinct, molecular phylogenetics, morphology, taxonomy

  Amolops cuongi sp. nov. in life, male holotype (IEBR A. 5139).
A. Dorsolateral view and; B. Ventral view  

 Amolops cuongi sp. nov.

Diagnosis.

Amolops cuongi sp. nov. from the Hoang Lien Range is assigned to the A. mantzorum species group based on the absence of a dorsolateral fold and the absence of a circummarginal groove on the first finger (Fei et al. 2009, 2017). The new species is also supported as a member of the A. mantzorum group based on the molecular analyses (Fig. 2).

Amolops cuongi sp. nov. is distinguishable from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: (1) size small (SVL 33.9–36.9 mm in males; 37.9–44.4 mm in females); (2) head longer than wide; (3) vomerine teeth absent or weakly developed; (4) snout short (SE/SVL 0.15–0.17 in males; 0.14–0.16 in females); (5) tympanum small, round (TD/ED 0.24–0.37 in males; 0.26–0.35 in females); (6) the ....

Dorsolateral view of Amolops cuongi sp. nov. in life.
A. Adult male paratype ILS H.3665; B. Adult female paratype ILS H.3666; C. Adult male paratype ILS H.3683; D. Adult female paratype ILS H.3684; E. Adult female paratype ILS H.3662; F. Subadult paratype HLNP2017 1409 00030; G. Subadult paratype ILS H.3663.

  Anh Van Pham, Chung Van Hoang, Benjamin Tapley, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Hanh Huu Nguyen, Toi Van La, Thomas Ziegler, Jodi J. L. Rowley, Truong Quang Nguyen and Minh Duc Le. 2025. Amolops cuongi (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae), A New Species from the Hoang Lien Range, Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1256: 235-257. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1256.158846

[Herpetology • 2021] Odorrana liboensis • A New Species of Odorous Frog Genus Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) from Southern Guizhou Province, China

 

Odorrana liboensis 

Luo, S. Wang, Xiao, Y. Wang & Zhou, 2021

 https://cstr.cn/32242.14.j.cnki.ahr.200122 

 Researchgate.net/publication/351358154

Abstract

We describe Odorrana liboensis sp. nov., a new species from the Maolan National Nature Reserve, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and ND2 genes supported the new species as an independent lineage, closely related to O. lipuensis. The uncorrected genetic distances between the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA in the new species and its closest congener, O. lipuensis, were 6.06% and 5.19%, respectively. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) having medium body size, with the snout-vent length (SVL) of adult females approximately 1.2 times as long as males at 56.9 ± 1.0 (55.8–58.2 mm, n = 9) in females and 48.7 ± 1.2 (47.1–49.9 mm, n = 5) in males; (2) head length greater than width in males and females; (3) tympanum distinctly visible, greater than one-half the diameter of the eye; (4) eyes big and prominent, width of upper eyelid (UEW) approximately 3/4 of eye diameter (ED); (5) dorsolateral folds absent; (6) two metacarpal tubercles; (7) relative finger lengths: II < I < IV < III; (8) subarticular tubercles on fingers prominent: 1, 1, 2, 2; (9) one metatarsal tubercle; (10) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to between the eye and nostril when the leg is stretched forward; (11) toes with entire webbing to disks; (12) subarticular tubercles on toes prominent: 1, 1, 2, 3, 2; (13) dorsal surfaces of limbs with distinct brownish-black bands; (14) smooth, grass-green dorsum with irregular brown mottling; (15) venter smooth, lacking black spots; and (16) lacking pectoral spinules, lacking vocal sacs, and light white nuptial pad present on finger I in males. The new species is currently only known from the type locality.

Keywords: Taxonomy; morphology; Odorrana; Odorrana liboensis sp. nov.; karst cave; Guizhou

Morphological features of the live adult male holotype GZNU20180608004 of Odorrana liboensis sp. nov. and O. wuchuanensis.
(A) Dorsal view; (B) Ventral view; (C) Dorsolateral view; (D) Tadpole; (E) Type locality of Odorrana liboensis sp. nov. in June, 2018 (dry season);

(F) Dorsolateral view of O. wuchuanensis in life.

Odorrana liboensis sp. nov.  

Differential diagnosis. Odorrana liboensis sp. nov. is assigned to genus Odorrana based upon molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following morphological characters: (1) dorsum is mostly green; (2) tips of digits dilated, tapering, disks with circum-marginal grooves or lateroventral grooves, and vertical diameter longer than horizontal diameter in the disks; (3) supernumerary tubercle below the base of fingers III and IV; (4) feet fully webbed to disks, without tarsal fold; (5) the first finger thick and nuptial pad distinct and (6) dorsal skin smooth, dorsolateral folds absent or fine (Fei et al., 2009; Li et al., 2018a).

  

Etymology. The specific epithet “liboensis” is in reference to the type locality of the new species: Libo County, Guizhou Province, China. We propose the common English name “Libo Odorous Frog” and Chinese name “Li Bo Chou Wa ( 荔波臭蛙 )”. 

Distribution: Known only from the type locality, a cave in Maolan National Nature Reserve, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China, 715 m elevation. 

 

Tao LUO; Siwei WANG; Ning XIAO; Yali WANG and Jiang ZHOU. 2021. A New Species of Odorous Frog Genus Odorrana (Anura, Ranidae) from Southern Guizhou Province, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 12(4); 381-398. DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.200122 [2021-12-25]

 https://cstr.cn/32242.14.j.cnki.ahr.200122

 Researchgate.net/publication/351358154_A_New_Species_of_Odorrana_from_Southern_Guizhou_Province_China

[Herpetology • 2025] Odorrana feii • A New Species of the Genus Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) from Guizhou Province, China.

Odorrana feii  

Li, Mu, Jing, Liu, Cheng & Wang, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.161151 

Abstract

Based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetics, a new species of the genus Odorrana from Xiuwen and Jinsha counties, Guizhou Province, China, is described. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene sequences supported the new species as a sister species to O. lipuensis. The uncorrected p-distances of 16S rRNA and COI genes between the new species and its closest congeners were 2.6% and 4.4%, respectively. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) medium body size (SVL 37.0–39.0 mm in males and 49.4–52.2 mm in females); (2) tympanum distinctly visible, greater than one-half the diameter of the eye; (3) dorsolateral folds absent in males; (4) relative finger lengths: I < II < IV < III; (5) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the nostril when the leg is stretched forward; (6) bands on the dorsal surface of the hindlimb clear; and (7) vocal sacs absent in males.

Key Words: molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphology, new species, Odorrana

Photographs of the holotype MT XW20250504001 of Odorrana feii sp. nov. in life. 

A. Dorsal view; B. Ventral view; C. Dorsal view of hand; D. Ventral view of hand; E. Ventral view of foot. 

(photos A–E by Shize Li).

Color variation in Odorrana feii sp. nov.
A. Dorsolateral view of the female specimen MT XW20250504002; B. Dorsolateral view of the female specimen MT JS20250504003;
C. Dorsolateral view and D. Ventral view of female specimen MT JS20250504003.

(photos A–D by Shize Li).

 Odorrana feii sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Odorrana feii sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Odorrana based upon molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following morphological characters: (1) dorsum is mostly green; (2) tips of digits dilated, tapering, disks with circum-marginal grooves or lateroventral grooves, and vertical diameter longer than horizontal diameter in the disks; (3) supernumerary tubercle below the base of fingers III and IV; (4) feet fully webbed to disks, without tarsal fold; (5) dorsal skin smooth, dorsolateral folds absent or fine (Fei et al. 2009; Li et al. 2018).

Odorrana feii sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) having medium body size (SVL 37.0–39.0 mm in males and 49.4–52.2 mm in females); (2) tympanum distinctly visible, greater than one-half the diameter of the eye; (3) dorsolateral folds absent in males; (4) relative finger lengths: I < II < IV < III; (5) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the nostril when the leg is stretched forward; (6) bands on the dorsal surface of hind-limb clear; and (7) vocal sacs absent in males.

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘Feii’ is in commemoration of Fei Liang, a renowned Chinese herpetological taxonomist who made significant contributions to the study of the genus Odorrana. For the common English name “Fei’s Odorous Frog” and Chinese name “Fei Shi Chou Wa (费氏臭蛙)”.

 Shize Li, Lang Mu, Jiahao Jing, Jing Liu, Yanlin Cheng, Bin Wang. 2025. A New Species of the Genus Odorrana (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from Guizhou Province, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(4): 1949-1964. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.161151 

 

[Herpetology • 2025] Odorrana calciphila • Definition and Taxonomic Revision of the Karst-associated Odorrana lipuensis Group (Anura: Ranidae), with A New Species from Guangdong, China

 Odorrana calciphila Song, Qi, Wang, Liu & Wang, 

in Song, Qi, H.-T. Wang, Gong, Liu et Y.-Y. Wang, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.142746 

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

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.

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.

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 

 Researchgate.net/publication/391521418_Karst-associated_Odorrana_lipuensis_group_from_China

 

[Herpetology • 2025] Nidirana cangshanensis • A New Species of the Genus Nidirana Dubois, 1992 (Anura: Ranidae) from Yunnan Province, Chin

Nidirana cangshanensis 

Liu, Hou & Rao, 2025 

Cangshan Mountain Music Frog | 苍山琴蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.83.18   

Abstract

A new species of the genus Nidirana Dubois, 1992 is described from Cangshan Mountain, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. The new species is morphologically most similar to N. pleuraden (Boulenger, 1904) and N. occidentalis Lyu, Yang & Wang, 2020, but it can be distinct from the latter two species by having a relatively shorter and wider head, relatively larger eyes, relatively smaller tympana, relatively much shorter foot, and a much greater difference in body size between males and females. Phylogenetically, the new species differs from its congeners by a genetic divergence of 2.6–8.6% and 6.1–14.1% in 16S and COI genes, respectively. This study further emphasizes that the diversity of the genus Nidirana is still severely underestimated.

Holotype (KIZ2024164) of Nidirana cangshanensis sp. nov. in life.
(A) Dorsal view; (B) left view; (C) ventral view; (D) right view.

Paratypes of  Nidirana cangshanensis sp. nov. in life. 
(D–F) the male KIZ2024171; (G–I) the male KIZ2024174; (J–L) the female KIZ2024166.

Nidirana cangshanensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Body size medium, SVL 43.6–52.1 mm in adult males and 59.7–64.1 mm in adult females; head relatively short, HDL/SVL 0.34–0.36; head length approximately equal to head width, HDL/HDW 0.99–1.05; eye relatively large, ED/HDL 0.29–0.33; tympanum relatively small, TD/HDL 0.17–0.20, TD/ED 0.52–0.71; tip of every digit not dilated; lateroventral groove absent on every digit; foot short, FTL/SVL 0.52–0.57; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching between tympanum and eye or at eye; heels just meeting; posterior of dorsal skin rough with tubercles; a pair of subgular vocal sacs in breeding males; single nuptial pad present on first finger in adult males; suprabrachial gland large and smooth.

Etymology. The specific name cangshanensis refers to the type locality Cangshan Mountain, in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. We suggest the English common name to be “Cangshan Mountain Music Frog” and the Chinese common name to be “苍山琴蛙 (Pinyin: cāng shān qín wā)”.

Shuo Liu, Mian Hou and Dingqi Rao. 2025. A New Species of the Genus Nidirana Dubois, 1992 (Anura: Ranidae) from Yunnan Province, China. Ecologica Montenegrina. 83; 175-190. DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.83.18  

[Herpetology • 2020] Nidirana occidentalis • A New Species of Nidirana from the N. pleuraden Group (Anura: Ranidae) from western Yunnan, China

Nidirana occidentalis  Lyu, Yang & Wang,

 in Lyu, Chen, Yang, ZENG, J. Wang, Zhao, Wan, Pang et Y.-Y. Wang, 2020.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4861.1.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/344689468

 

Abstract

The Music Frog genus Nidirana was recently resurrected as a distinct genus and contains 14 species distributed in subtropical eastern and southeastern Asia. The species diversity of Nidirana is dramatically underestimated, and half of its species was described in the last five years. In this study, Nidirana occidentalis sp. nov., a new species of Music Frog from western Yunnan, China, is proposed based on morphological and molecular evidences. The new species was previously misidentified as N. pleuraden, but can be distinguished from the true N. pleuraden from eastern Yunnan, and all other congeners, by a combination of morphological characteristics, and significant divergence in the mitochondrial genes (≥ 5.1% in 16S and ≥ 8.9% in CO1). Nidirana occidentalis sp. nov. is assigned to the N. pleuraden group on the basis of morphological characters, but its phylogenetic placement remains unresolved due to weak branch support. Geographically, these two species are isolated by the Red River in Yunnan, supporting the hypothesis that the Red River is an important geographical barrier that drives speciation in flora and fauna. Nidirana occidentalis sp. nov. represents the second species of N. pleuraden group and the 15th species of the genus.

Amphibia, Geography, phylogeny, morphology, Nidirana occidentalis sp. nov.

  Coloration in life and variations of Nidirana occidentalis sp. nov.
A: male paratype SYS a007830; B: male paratype SYS a007831; C: female paratype SYS a007832;
1: dorsolateral view; 2: ventral view.

Nidirana occidentalis sp. nov. Lyu, Yang & Wang 

 Comparisons of morphological characteristics between Nidirana occidentalis sp. nov.  
 (A, SYS a007830) and N. pleuraden (B, SYS a007717).
1: dorsolateral view; 2: close-up of the head, showing relatively larger tympanum in N. pleuraden; 3: close-up of the hand, the arrow showing presence of one supernumerary tubercle at the base of fingers IV in N. pleuraden.

 Zhi-Tong LYU, Yang CHEN, Jian-Huan YANG, Zhao-Chi ZENG, Jian WANG, Jian ZHAO, Han WAN, Hong PANG and Ying-Yong WANG. 2020. A New Species of Nidirana from the N. pleuraden Group (Anura, Ranidae) from western Yunnan, China. Zootaxa. 4861(1); 43–62. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4861.1.3 [2020-10-15]

  Researchgate.net/publication/344689468_A_new_species_of_Nidirana_from_the_N_pleuraden_group_Anura_Ranidae_from_western_Yunnan_China

[Herpetology • 2025] Amolops spicalinea • A New Species of Amolops monticola group (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam

 

 Amolops spicalinea 

 Nguyen, Tapley,  La & Rowley, 2025

 

 Hoang Lien cascade frog | Ếch bám đá hoàng liên sơn  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.3.3 

 

Abstract

Of the 19 species of Amolops reported from Vietnam, 10 are known to occur in the Hoang Lien Range in northwest Vietnam. During field surveys in the Hoang Lien Range, we collected individuals from a population of Amolops that we could not assign to any known species; morphological and molecular data assign these individuals to the Amolops monticola group and we describe a new species to science, Amolops spicalinea sp. nov., in reference to a line of horny spinules running along the body below the dorsolateral fold in males. The new species is morphologically and molecularly most similar to Amolops bellulus from Yunnan Province, China but is distinguished from A. bellulus and other congeneric species by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL of adult males 46.6–52.2 mm, N=3; adult females 60.1–63.0 mm, N=3; (2) vomerine teeth in two oblique rows between choanae; (3) tympanic annulus visible; (4) all finger and toe tips expanded to discs with circummarginal grooves present; (5) skin smooth, except for lateral surfaces of head, below the dorsolateral fold, and the area surrounding cloaca where the texture varies from tiny spinules to large tubercles; (6) dorsolateral fold present with horny spinules along the lower half in males; (7) creamy-white lip stripe extending from tip of snout, terminating in a broken, rugose line above axilla; (8) dorsum reddish brown or greenish brown with numerous small black spots; flanks yellowish brown to dark brown; ventral surface of body orange-yellow with small brown spots present on chest and throat; (9) interdigital finger webbing absent; toes fully webbed to discs except on Toes IV where webbing reaches discs as a fringe, webbing formula: I0–0II0–0III0–1+IV1+–0V; (10) outer metatarsal tubercles absent; (11) vocal sac absent in males, and (12) nuptial pad velvety without spines. Our phylogenetic analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial gene and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genes show that Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. is sister to Amolops bellulus 2 from Yunnan, China. The new species is currently known from only three localities in the Hoang Lien Range between 2288–2493 m asl and is threatened by habitat loss and degradation. This species likely qualifies for being assessed as Endangered in accordance with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species categories and criteria (B1ab).

Amphibia, amphibians, anura, cascade frog, Fansipan, Nam Kang ho tao, Pu ta Leng

 Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. adult male holotype ITBCZ 3648.
(A) Dorsolateral view in life, (B) ventral view under sedation, (C) view of nuptial pad on first right finger under sedation, and (D), view of cloaca and base of thighs to illustrate glandular character under sedation. Not to scale.

Dorsolateral and ventral view of paratypes of Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. in life.
(A and B) adult male ITBCZ 3649, (C and D) adult male ITBCZ 3652,
(E and F) adult female ITBCZ 3650, and (g and h) adult female ITBCZ 3651.

 Amolops spicalinea sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. is placed within the Amolops monticola group based on the following morphological characters: Finger I shorter than Finger II; true dorsolateral folds present (not formed by incomplete series of glands); skin smooth; lateral sides of head dark, with light-colored upper lip stripe extending to shoulder (jiang et al. 2021; Patel et al. 2021; Stuart et al. 2010; wu et al. 2020). the new species can be diagnosed from congeneric  species  by  the  combination  of  the  following  characters:  (1)  SVL  of  adult  males  46.6–52.2  m, N=3; adult females 60.1–63.0 mm, N=3; (2) vomerine teeth in two oblique rows between choanae; (3) tympanic annulus visible; (4) all finger and toe tips expanded to discs with circummarginal grooves present; (5) skin smooth, except for lateral surfaces of head, below the dorsolateral fold, and the area surrounding cloaca where the texture varies from tiny spinules to large tubercles; (6) dorsolateral fold present with horny spinules along the lower half in males; (7) creamy-white lip stripe extends from the tip of the snout terminating in a broken, rugose line above axilla; (8) dorsum reddish brown or greenish brown with numerous small black spots; flank yellowish brown to dark brown; ventral surface orange-yellow with brown spots present on chest and throat; (9) interdigital finger webbing absent; toes fully webbed to discs except on toes IV where the webbing reaches the discs as a fringe, webbing formula: I0–0II0–0III0–1+IV1+–0V; (10) outer metatarsal tubercle absent; (11) males vocal sacs absent, and (12) nuptial pad velvety without spines.

 

Etymology: Specific epithet “spicalinea” from spica, the Latin word for a point or ear of grain and lineata, the Latin noun meaning line or thread in reference to the line of spinules running along the body, below the dorsolateral fold in males. We suggest common name as Hoang Lien cascade frog (English) and Ếch bám đá hoàng liên sơn (Vietnamese).

habitat of  Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. in the hoang Lien Range.
 (A) Collection site on Mount Nam Kang ho tao, Lao Cai Province, (B) Collection site on Mount Pu ta Leng, Lao Cai Province, (C) Male  Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. in situ ITBCZ 3649 on tree branch, 2.0 m above stream, Mount Pu ta Leng, Lao Cai Province.

Luan Thanh NGUYEN, Benjamin TAPLEY, Toi Van LA and Jodi J. L. ROWLEY. 2025. A New Species of Amolops monticola group (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam. Zootaxa. 5594(3); 485-508. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.3.3 [2025-03-03]