Abstract
The taxonomy and geographic distributions of species of crab-eating frogs (Fejervarya cancrivora complex) in mainland Southeast Asia have been highly uncertain. Three taxonomic names are used in recent literature (F. cancrivora, F. raja, and F. moodiei) but the applications of these names to localities has been inconsistent, especially owing to the lack of available molecular data for F. raja. Morphometric and mitochondrial DNA variation was examined in these frogs, including name-bearing types and topotypes of all three species. Findings corroborate evidence for the existence of two species in coastal mainland Southeast Asia, with F. moodiei having a wide geographic distribution and F. cancrivora sensu stricto occurring only in extreme southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia. Fejervarya raja is shown to be only a large-bodied population of F. cancrivora sensu stricto and is synonymized with that species. Revised descriptions of F. moodiei and F. cancrivora sensu stricto are provided.
Highlights
Southeast Asia harbors high levels of amphibian species diversity and endemism (Brown and Stuart 2012), and new species continue to be discovered and described (e.g., Geissler et al 2014; Phimmachak et al 2015; Sheridan and Stuart 2018)
Clade A contained subclade A1 consisting of F. cf. cancrivora from Indonesia (Pelabuhan Ratu and Sulawesi) and subclade A2 consisting of F. cancrivora from Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Bali) and Malaysia (Selangor), as well as F. raja from Thailand (Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat)
Our study clarifies that two species of crab-eating frogs (Fejervarya cancrivora complex) occur in mainland Southeast Asia: F. moodiei in coastal regions throughout mainland Southeast Asia, with replacement by F. cancrivora sensu stricto in extreme southern Thailand and peninsular Malaysia
Summary
Southeast Asia harbors high levels of amphibian species diversity and endemism (Brown and Stuart 2012), and new species continue to be discovered and described (e.g., Geissler et al 2014; Phimmachak et al 2015; Sheridan and Stuart 2018). Recent evaluations of morphological and molecular diversity of Southeast Asian amphibians have routinely shown that long-recognized geographically widespread single species represent complexes of cryptic species (Stuart et al 2006b; Aowphol et al 2013; Phimmachak et al 2015; Sheridan and Stuart 2018). Fejervarya cancrivora occurs in coastal areas throughout much of Southeast Asia, and as expected owing to its large geographic range, recent molecular investigations have hypothesized the existence of cryptic species and discordance between taxonomy and species diversity within the taxon (Kurniawan et al 2010, 2011). Smith (1930) described a population of F. cancrivora specimens having large body sizes from Pattani, Thailand, as F. raja (originally R. cancrivora raja Smith, 1930)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
