TAXONOMIC NOTES ON RHACOPHORID FROGS (RHACOPHORINAE: RHACOPHORIDAE: ANURA) OF SOUTHERN PART OF ANNAMITE MOUNTAINS (TRUONG SON, VIETNAM), WITH DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SPECIES

Abstract

We present a review of taxonomic status and distribution of rhacophorid frog species (Anura, Rhacophoridae, subfamily Rhacophorinae) found in isolated mountain systems of southern Vietnam (Annamite Mountains) and neighboring regions. On the basis of morphological and molecular evidences we reconsider taxonomy of Vietnamese rhacophorids with special focus on genera Theloderma sensu lato, Philautus sensu lato, Raorchestes , Feihyla , Kurixalus , Chiromantis , and Rhacophorus . Two new species of rhacophorid frogs of the genus Theloderma are described from high-elevation montane forest in Chu Yang Sin Mt. (Dak Lak Province) and lowland monsoon tropical forest in Annamite foothills in Binh Phuok, Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces of Vietnam; we discuss taxonomy of other small Theloderma species and provide two new combinations. These new species are different from the other members of Theloderma in their appearance, morphological details and coloration. We provide a redescription of Raorchestes gryllus (Smith, 1924), reconsider taxonomy of Rhacophorus calcaneus group and give a description of one new Rhacophorus species. The new species is different from other Rhacophorus species on the basis of strongly expressed pointed projection at tibiotarsal articulation and coloration. Ecology and natural history of newly described taxa are discussed. We also give a present-day list of rhacophorid frogs found in Vietnam.