[Herpetology • 2026] Amolops ammachi, A. bella & A. sendenyu • Systematics, Molecular Phylogeny, Diversification, and Biogeography of Cascade Frogs (Anura: Ranidae: Amolops) from India: An Integrative Assessment with Description of Three New Species

 

 the Amolops marmoratus group from India

A, B. Amolops afghanus. C. Amolops ammachi sp. nov.. D–F. A. assamensis. G–I. Amolops bella sp. nov.. J–M. A. gerbillus. N, O. A. indoburmanensis; 

A. Amolops indoburmanensis haplo 1. 

C. A. cf. indoburmanensis sp. 1.  E. A. jaunsari. 

F, A. nepalicus. H. Amolops sendenyu sp. nov. 

Biju, Ellepola, Sarmah, Upadhyaya, Bisht, Tajo, Hanken & Garg, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3099/MCZ88.1

Photos: S. D. Biju.

 Abstract 

The Cascade Frog genus Amolops, currently comprising 95 described species, is a taxonomically challenging group of Asian frogs. Although the genus has been studied extensively across most of its range, the Indian members remain poorly understood, with sporadic species descriptions and no comprehensive taxonomic revision to date. Additionally, the current taxonomy of Amolops in India remains in flux; the true species diversity is potentially underestimated due to insufficient sampling efforts, misidentifications arising from limited investigations, and lack of a comprehensive comparative framework. In this study, we addressed these gaps through extensive sampling of Amolops across their range in India and by using an integrative morphological and molecular approach to investigate existing diversity. By using a multilocus data set of mitochondrial (16S, CO1, ND2) and nuclear (RAG1, TYR) markers, we present the first comprehensive Amolops phylogeny, including all known Indian species, which enables us to confidently establish species boundaries and infer evolutionary relationships. By assigning available names to well-supported lineages and testing multiple species-delimitation hypotheses, we identified a high level of undescribed cryptic diversity in the genus. Integrative analyses confirm three distinct unnamed lineages, which are formally described here as Amolops ammachi sp. nov., Amolops bella sp. nov., and Amolops sendenyu sp. nov. In addition, we report five new country records for India: three genetically conspecific with Amolops afghanus, Amolops nepalicus, and Amolops wangyali, and two shallowly divergent populations of A. medogensis and A. bellulus. Conversely, five nominal species do not represent distinct taxa and are here treated as junior subjective synonyms: Amolops chanakya synonym of Amolops wangyali; Amolops mahabharatensis synonym of Amolops jaunsari; Amolops senchalensis synonym of Amolops formosus; Amolops shillong synonym of Amolops assamensis; and Amolops terraorchis synonym of Amolops gerbillus. Molecular species delimitation reveals six additional candidate species from India; these lineages are left unnamed due to shallow divergence from established species and warrant further taxonomic investigation. Our time-calibrated phylogenetic analyses suggest that Amolops diversification began around the Eocene-Oligocene boundary, with a mean age of 31.5 Mya (median age: 32.5 Mya; 95% highest posterior density: 28.12–36.67 Mya). The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of extant Amolops was widely distributed across Southeast China, mainland Southeast Asia, and the Malayan Peninsula during the early Oligocene. Through subsequent range contraction, subdivision, and jump dispersal, they spread into adjacent regions with dramatic rapid diversification toward the late Miocene. Biogeographic analyses suggest multiple waves of east-to-west colonization and highlight the role of early Himalayan uplift in mediating a complex “into-and-out-of-Himalaya” dynamic in structuring the contemporary distribution and high cryptic diversity in the genus. Mitochondrial haplotypes also show strong geographic structuring, indicating historical allopatric divergence by secondary contact among regions. These findings additionally improve our broader understanding of diversification and distribution patterns in this unique group.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, Anura, cryptic diversity, evolutionary history, Integrative taxonomy, Himalayas, South and Southeast Asia, species delimitation, monticola Group, viridimaculatus Group, marmoratus Group, tadpole morphology

 

Dorsolateral views of species within the Amolops marmoratus group from India, in life.
A, B. A. afghanus (SDBDU 2023.6459 and SDBDU 2021.322, respectively). C. Amolops ammachi sp. nov. (ZSI A 16551). D–F. A. assamensis (SDBDU 2022.1100, SDBDU 2018.3843, and SDBDU 2025.6858, respectively). G–I. Amolops bella sp. nov. (SDBDU 2011.6959, SDBDU 2011.6913, and SDBDU 2011.6956, respectively). J–M. A. gerbillus (SDBDU 2024.6597, SDBDU 2024.6726, SDBDU 2021.1225, and SDBDU 2024.6598, respectively). N, O. A. indoburmanensis (SDBDU 2018.3870 and SDBDU 2022.5572, respectively). Photos: S. D. Biju.

Amolops ammachi sp. nov.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of the late Ms. Padmini Varkey, a renowned social worker and philanthropist from Kerala, India. She is fondly referred to as “Ammachi,” meaning “mother” in Malayalam, the language of Kerala. Her unconditional love and readiness to help those in need were widely admired. The species epithet ammachi is a tribute to her life and spirit; it is treated as an invariable noun in apposition to the generic name.

Suggested Common Name. Ammachi's Cascade Frog.

Amolops bella sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet bella is from the Latin word bellus, meaning beautiful, and referring to the beauty of the frog. The species epithet is considered an invariable noun in apposition.

Suggested Common Name. Beautiful Cascade Frog.

Dorsolateral views of species within the Amolops marmoratus group from India, in life.
 A. A. indoburmanensis haplo 1 (SDBDU 2024.6670). B. A. indoburmanensis haplo 2, (SDBDU 2021.4629). C. A. cf. indoburmanensis sp. 1 (SDBDU 2009.140). D, E. A. jaunsari (SDBDU 2012.6991 and SDBDU 2012.153, respectively). F, G. A. nepalicus (SDBDU 2026.6929 and SDBDU 2026.6928, respectively). H. Amolops sendenyu sp. nov. (SDBDU 2024.5438). I–K. A. siju (SDBDU 2023.457, SDBDU 2022.1468, and SDBDU 2025.6832, respectively). L. A. yarlungzangbo (SDBDU 2022.6141). Photos: S. D. Biju.

Amolops sendenyu sp. nov.

Etymology. The species is named after Sendenyu Village, Nagaland State, where the type series was collected. The species epithet is considered an invariable noun in apposition.

Suggested Common Name. Sendenyu Cascade Frog.

S. D. Biju, Gajaba Ellepola, A. N. Dikshit Akalabya Sarmah, Radhakrishna Upadhyaya, Karan Bisht, Tage Tajo, James Hanken and Sonali Garg. 2026. Systematics, Molecular Phylogeny, Diversification, and Biogeography of Cascade Frogs (Ranidae: Amolops) from India: An Integrative Assessment with Description of Three New Species. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. 164(1); 1-144. DOI: doi.org/10.3099/MCZ88.1 (11 August 2026)

 

[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