Supratympanic Fold Research Articles

Two new species of Leptobrachella Smith 1925 (Amphibia: Megophryidae) from Cao Bang Province, Vietnam.

Two new species, Leptobrachella phiaoacensis sp. nov. and Leptobrachella phiadenensis sp. nov., are described from Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam based on genetic divergence and morphological differences. Leptobrachella phiaoacensis sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: size medium (27.833.3 mm in five adult males and 31.541.8 mm in five adult females); head longer than wide; tympanum distinct; dorsal skin shagreened with fine tubercles; toes webbing rudimentary, with narrow lateral fringes; supratympanic fold edged by a distinct black line; the presence of a dark brown triangle in interorbital region and a W-shaped marking in scapular region; belly from pinkish white to white with dark brown specking on belly periphery; iris bicolored copper in upper part, fading to silvery grey in lower part. Leptobrachella phiadenensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: size medium (27.628.6 mm in two adult females); head wider than long; tympanum distinct; skin on dorsal head and body rough with warts, tubercles and dermal ridges; toes webbing rudimentary, with narrow dermal fringes; supratympanic fold orange; dorsal surface of head and body with some large dark brown markings, a dark brown triangle in interorbital region, edged in white; flank light brown with some dark flecks; belly white with dark specking on outer margins; iris bicolored, copper in upper part, fading to silvery grey in lower part. In terms of genetic distance, the two new species differ from each other and other congeners for which comparable sequences are available by at least 3.7% (16S rRNA gene). Recognition of these new species brings the total number of known species in the genus Leptobrachella from Vietnam to 34.

A New Species of Nanorana (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Northwestern Yunnan, China, with Comments on the Taxonomy of Nanorana arunachalensis and Allopaa.

The genus Nanorana contains three subgenera, namely Nanorana, Paa, and Chaparana, and currently, there are four species known to science in Nanorana (Nanorana). In this study, we describe a new species belonging to the subgenus Nanorana from northwestern Yunnan, China. Phylogenetically, the new species, Nanorana laojunshanensissp. nov., is the sister to the clade of N. pleskei and N. ventripunctata. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from known congeners by the combination of following characters: present tympanum, equal fingers I and II, small body size, yellow ventral surface of limbs, distinct vomerine teeth, indistinct subarticular tubercles, head width greater than head length, slender supratympanic fold, absent dorsolateral fold, nuptial spines present on fingers I and II in adult males, absent vocal sac, and paired brown spines on the chest. Moreover, we suggest moving the genus Allopaa into Nanorana (Chaparana) and consider that N. arunachalensis is neither an Odorrana species nor a member of the subfamily Dicroglossinae (therefore Nanorana), but probably represents a distinct genus closely related to Ingerana or belongs to Ingerana, pending more data. Additionally, we consider that Nanorana minica deserves the rank of an independent subgenus, and we suggest assigning N. arnoldi, N. blanfordii, N. ercepeae, N. polunini, N. rarica, N. rostandi, N. vicina, N. xuelinensis, and N. zhaoermii into the subgenus Paa and placing N. kangxianensis, N. phrynoides, and N. sichuanensis in the subgenus Chaparana.

Amphibian diversity of wetlands of Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh with a note on the morphometric characters of Duttaphrynus melanostictus

Rewa district is gifted with lot of wetlands significantly Bichhiya, Bihar and Tamas wetland is home of 12 amphibian species under 5 family. Of which 1 species belonged to family Bufonid, 2 species to family microhylid, 1 species to family Rhacophorid, 6 species to family Dicroglossidae and 2 species to Ranidae. Morphometric study was carried out for Duttaphrynus melanotic. Significant variation was observed in the morphometric characteristics of D. melanotic with its Lectotype. Supratympanic fold was found to be present and parietal ridge is absent in case of specimens of Rewa, while vice versa in Lectotype. Webbing formula found to be I0-1II0-1½III1-3½IV3½-1½ in case of lectotype, where as in the specimens from Rewa it is I1-1½ II1½-2½ III1½-3½ IV3½-1½.

A new Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from the Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia.

The species-rich, megophryid frog genus Leptobrachella Smith, 1925 is distributed throughout the uplands of mainland Southeast Asia but is conspicuously absent from the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia, where it has been known only by a single, undetermined metamorphic specimen collected nearly two decades ago. We report two adult female specimens of Leptobrachella collected a decade later at a second locality in the Cardamom Mountains and use mitochondrial DNA, nuclear DNA, and morphology to show that it represents a distinct species. Leptobrachella neangi sp. nov., named after its collector, is most closely related in mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to L. fuliginosa (Matsui, 2006) and L. melanoleuca (Matsui, 2006) from western Thailand, but has uncorrected pairwise distances of 8.69-10.99% in a mitochondrial 16S gene fragment from its two sister species. The new species is also readily distinguished from these and other congeners by having the combination of (1) SVL 35.4-36.3 mm in two adult females, (2) distinct dorsolateral glandular line absent, (2) belly transparent, immaculate purplish gray in life, creamy white in preservative, (3) dark inguinal blotch absent, (4) tympanum with black coloration extending from line under supratympanic fold, (5) dorsal skin with small, irregular bumps and ridges, and (6) iris coppery orange around pupil, fading to gold at periphery, not distinctly bicolored. The new species is the first named Leptobrachella from the Cardamom Mountains and the third from Cambodia.

A new species of Zhangixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae), previously confused with Zhangixalus smaragdinus (Blyth, 1852).

We describe a new species of Zhangixalus from southern Yunnan of China, Vietnam, and Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species had been confused with Zhangixalus smaragdinus (Blyth, 1852) in the past. Zhangixalus pachyproctus sp. nov. can be distinguished from Z. smaragdinus morphologically by the protruding vent in adult males, large thick grey reticular mottles below the white stripe on flank, more oblique snout in profile and wider head, longer snout, greater internarial distance, larger tympanum and longer hindlimb. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Zhangixalus with green dorsum by the following combination of characters: body size larger (SVL of adult males: 74.2-83.3 mm; SVL of adult female: 102.4 mm); dorsum smooth; narrow white stripes along edge of the lower jaw, body sides, outer side of limbs and above the vent; absence of brown bands on canthus rostralis, upper eyelid and supratympanic fold; webbing between fingers and toes complete except between the first two fingers; and internal single subgular vocal sac. Phylogeny based on comparison of 16S rRNA sequences suggests that the new species is the sister taxon to Z. smaragdinus and the two species differ by 7.63% in the uncorrected pairwise distance of 16S sequences.

A new species of Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from southern Guangxi, China.

This study describes a new member of the genus Leptobrachella, Leptobrachella shangsiensis sp. nov., based on morphological, acoustic and molecular analyses from southern Guangxi, China. L. shangsiensis sp. nov. differs from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 24.9-29.4 mm in 11 males and 30.8-35.9 mm in 5 females, (2) black supratympanic fold with dark reddish rim, (3) ventrolateral glands distinct, forming a broken line, (4) ventral surface yellowish creamy-white with marble texture, (5) iris copper in the upper and silver in the lower fifth and (6) toe webbing basal and narrow lateral fringes. The male advertisement call of L. shangsiensis sp. nov. consists of one note per call, lacking an introductory note, with a mean dominant frequency of 5.5-6.5 kHz at the ambient temperature of 21.5ºC. Uncorrected sequence divergences between L. shangsiensis sp. nov. and all homologous DNA sequences available for the 16S rRNA gene were found to be > 5.9%. L. shangsiensis sp. nov. occurs in an evergreen forest in Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve located at an elevation of 450-550 m.

A new species of Phrynopus from the northeastern Andes of Peru, its phylogenetic position, and notes on the relationships of Holoadeninae (Anura: Craugastoridae).

We report the discovery of a geographically disjunct and morphologically distinctive species of direct-developing frog of the genus Phrynopus (Phrynopus mariellaleo sp. nov.) that changes considerably our understanding of the distribution of species in this Andean genus. The type locality lies on a subcordillera (Cerro de Campanario area) of the extreme northeastern portion of the Cordillera Central of Peru, on the headwaters of the Mayo River, Amazonas department, at 2575 m asl (6°6'42.9''S, 77°26'24''W). This area is situated 170 km to the NE from the northernmost record of Phrynopus known so far. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of a supermatrix (13269 aligned positions of gene sequences of four mitochondrial and ten nuclear genes) of 105 terminals (representing 93 named and 9 unnamed species of Holoadeninae) recover this new species as the sister to Phrynopus auriculatus, a species occurring more than 500 km south of the type locality of the new species. Both Phrynopus auriculatus and the new species occur at moderate elevations on the easternmost stretches of the Andean subcordilleras; their sister relationship point to a potentially broader distribution of species of Phrynopus along the poorly sampled intervening areas of the eastern hills of the Andes. The new species has a conspicuous and visibly large tympanic membrane (a trait rare in the clade), outlined by a marked bold black supratympanic fold and a black facial mask, and exhibits conspicuous dorsolateral, scapular, and middorsal Y-shaped folds. Specimens were found on the forest floor-a rocky substrate covered by a thick layer of leaf litter, moss and roots-of a primary humid montane forest (Yungas ecoregion) with scattered patches of bamboo (Chusquea spp.). Our phylogenetic analyses corroborate the monophyly of all Holoadeninae genera, including Euparkerella and Psychrophrynella, genera for which tests of monophyly were pending, and corroborates Hypodactylus nigrovittatus as part of Hypodactylus and sister to a clade that includes H. brunneus, H. elassodiscus and H. peraccai.

A new red-eyed of stream treefrog of Hyloscirtus (Anura: Hylidae) from Peru, with comments on the taxonomy of the genus

We describe a remarkable new species of monophyletic genus Hyloscirtus from northeastern Peru. The presence of an enlarged, curved, and protruding prepollical spine; hypertrophied forelimbs; large, thick supracloacal flap and supratympanic fold; large size; nuptial pad absent and iris dark red diagnose this species. We hypothesize that the new species is closely related to H. condor and H. tapichalaca of southern Ecuador due to the apparently synapomorphic occurrence in these species of an enlarged, curved prepollical spine, and small, conical vomerine odontophore processes with 3-6 prominent teeth each without contact between these. Additional research explicitly incorporating H. diabolus new species in a phylogenetic analysis is required to further test our hypothesis and provide a better understanding of the evolution of morphological attributes described herein. Finally we discuss some aspects concerning the taxonomy of the genus Hyloscirtus.

A new microhylid frog, genus Rhombophryne, from northeastern Madagascar, and a re-description of R. serratopalpebrosa using micro-computed tomography.

The rainforests of the Marojejy massif in northern Madagascar are a well-known hotspot of amphibian species diversity and endemism. In the present paper, we re-describe Rhombophryne serratopalpebrosa (Guibé 1975), a cophyline microhylid frog from high altitude on this massif, based on a re-examination of its holotype, and describe Rhombophryne vaventy sp. nov. using characters of external morphology and osteology, illustrated by pdf-embedded comparative 3D models of their skeletons. Rhombophryne serratopalpebrosa differs from R. vaventy sp. nov. by smaller size (28 mm snout-vent length vs. 52.9 mm), skin texture (granular vs. rough and tubercular skin respectively), supratympanic fold shape (strong, long and straight reaching the eye vs. curved and not extending anteriorly beyond the tympanum), relative tympanum diameter (78% vs. 41% of eye diameter), shape of the postchoanal prevomerine palate, shape of the footplate of the columella, length of prepollex, and by other subtle osteological features. Morphological comparisons suggest that a specimen from Ambolokopatrika assigned to R. serratopalpebrosa in previous genetic studies might belong to yet another undescribed species, closely related to R. vaventy sp. nov., whereas DNA sequences of the topotypic R. serratopalpebrosa remain unknown. We therefore emphasise the need for collecting additional material from high altitudes of the Marojejy massif to understand the systematics, as well as the natural history, of this poorly known species. For the new species described herein, we propose a Red List threat status of Vulnerable, in line with other Marojejy endemics from a similar altitude.

Two new charismatic Pristimantis species (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the tepuis of the "Lost World" (Pantepui region, South America)

Two new colourful species of direct-developing frogs of the genus Pristimantis are described from the summit of two isolated tepuis (sandstone table mountains) in the Eastern Pantepui District of the Guiana Shield highlands. Pristimantis jamescameroni sp. nov. is described from the summit of Aprada-tepui from 2557-2571 m elevation, and P. imthurni sp. nov. is described from the summit of Ptari-tepui at 2471 m elevation. Both species share the absence of a differentiated tympanic membrane and external tympanic annulus (but presence of tiny pharyngeal ostia), the presence of nuptial pads in males, and the presence of lateral fringes on fingers and toes, a combination of characters that immediately distinguishes them from all other known Pantepui congeners. The two new species are morphologically similar to each other and are phylogenetically closely related, but they can be distinguished based on colour pattern and morphological characters such as head proportions, dorsal skin texture, and condition of the supratympanic fold. The IUCN conservation status of the new species is considered as Endangered (EN) owing to their apparent very restricted ranges. The number of described Pristimantis species occurring exclusively on tepui (and faunistically related granitic mountains) summits and upper slopes now reaches eleven.

A new species of <i>Leptolalax</i> (Anura: Megophryidae) from Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

We describe a new species of Leptolalax from Gunung Mulu National Park in eastern Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The new species had been assigned to Leptolalax dringi and Leptolalax gracilis in the past. It is shown to differ from both these species and from all other species of the genus by a unique combination of morphological characters including large body size, rounded snout, interorbital distance being smaller than width of upper eyelid, bipartite subgular vocal sac in males, basal toe webbing, shagreened skin with tiny tubercles on dorsum and dorsal side of head, angled supratympanic fold, small pectoral glands, absence of supraaxillary glands and ventrolateral glandular ridges, spotted venter, advertisement call consisting of long series of 8-289 notes, each composed of three or four pulses, and dominant frequency at 7225-9190 Hz, with prominent frequency modulation.

Rediscovery of Pseudophilautus semiruber, a diminutive shrub frog (Rhacophoridae: Pseudophilautus) from Sri Lanka

Ixalus semiruber Annandale, a diminutive (12-mm snout-vent length) frog originally described from the highlands of Sri Lankain 1913, has not been recorded in the succeeding century and is treated as Data Deficient for conservation purposes. Here wereport its rediscovery in Agra-Bopath, a sub-montane forest reserve. Pseudophilautus semiruber is distinguished by a combina-tion of the following characters: size 12.0–13.4 mm SVL; canthal edges rounded; tympanum distinct; vomerine ridge absent;supratympanic fold feebly defined; throat, chest, belly and underside of thigh smooth. It is a high-elevation (1,750 m a.s.l.) diurnal species that inhabits heavily-shaded leaf litter.

<i>Taruga</i> (Anura: Rhacophoridae), a new genus of foam-nesting tree frogs endemic to Sri Lanka

Phylogenetic relationships among foam-nesting clades of Old World tree frogs are analyzed using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data, with particular focus on Sri Lankan members of the genus Polypedates. A distinctive, highly supported endemic Sri Lankan clade is identified, and recognized as a new genus, Taruga. This clade, which had previously been assigned to the genus Polypedates, includes P. eques, P. fastigo and P. longinasus. A combination of characters distinguishes adult Taruga from Polypedates: Taruga possess a dorsolateral glandular fold that extends from the posterior margin of the upper eyelid to the mid-flank (vs. a supratympanic fold that curves over the dorsal margin of the tympanic membrane in Polypedates); a prominent calcar at the distal end of the tibia (absent in most Polypedates); a more acutely pointed snout; and 6–10 prominent conical tubercles surrounding the cloaca (absent in Polypedates). Tadpoles of Taruga eques and Polypedates cruciger are distinguished by several characters, including features of the buccal cavity and the form of the vent tube. Taruga is the sister group of the remaining Polypedates sensu stricto. Key words: Polypedates; Rhacophorinae; systematics; tadpole morphology; molecular phylogenetics DOI: 10.4038/cjsbs.v39i2.2995 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (2): 75-94, 2010

A new species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Mizoram, North-eastern India

A new species of megophryid frog of the genus Leptolalax is described from the Tamdil wetlands of Mizoram State, north-eastern India. L. tamdil new species, is compared with congeners from India and other parts of south-east Asia. The new species is diagnosable in showing the following combination of characters: SVL 32.3 mm in the only male and 31.8 mm in the only female known; dorsum tuberculate; eyelids with tubercles; tympanum and supratympanic fold distinct; supratympanic fold extending to posterior edge of tympanum; macroglands, including preaxillary, pectoral, femoral and ventrolateral glands present; Finger II > I; toe tips not dilated, bearing dermal fringes; relatively long hind limbs, with heels in contact when limbs are held perpendicular to body; dorsum with dark blotches; flanks with small dark blotches; dark tympanic mask present; venter pale; labial bars present and limbs with dark cross-bars.

A new species of small Scinax Wagler, 1830 (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae) of the Scinax ruber clade from Cerrado of central Brazil

AbstractA new species of the Scinax ruber clade from the Brazilian Cerrado Domain similar to Scinax fuscomarginatus, S. parkeri, S. trilineatus and S. wandae is described. It is characterized by small snout-vent lenght, body slender, head approximately as long as wide and slightly wider than body, subovoid snout in dorsal view, protruding snout in lateral view, a developed supratympanic fold, absence of flash colour on the posterior surfaces of thighs, hidden portions of shanks and groin, and large vocal sac. Scinax lutzorum sp. nov. differs from S. fuscomarginatus, S. parkeri and S. trilineatus by its slightly larger SVL; from Scinax fuscomarginatus and S. parkeri it differs by its more slender body; from Scinax fuscomarginatus and S. trilineatus the new species differs by its wider head and more protruding eyes; and it differs from Scinax parkeri and S. wandae by its shorter snout. Comments on the type specimens of S. fuscomarginatus are presented and a lectotype is designated for this species.

A New Species of the Bokermannohyla martinsi Group from Central Bahia, Brazil with Comments on Bokermannohyla (Anura: Hylidae)

A new species of the Bokermannohyla martinsi group is described from Chapada Diamantina, State of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. It is differentiated from the other two species in the group by the combination of slender body (quite robust in B. langei and B. martinsi), non-bifid distal prepollex (bifid in B. langei and B. martinsi), squared shape of the posterior portion of the distal prepollex (pointed process in B. langei and B. martinsi), large size and lateral inclination of the tympanum (quite reduced in B. langei, almost parallel to the longitudinal axis in both B. langei and B. martinsi), absence of dark bars in hidden areas of thighs (dark bars present on anterior, dorsal and posterior surfaces of thighs in B. martinsi), and shape of the supratympanic fold. We report for the first time the occurrence of a mental gland in 16 species of Bokermannohyla.

A New Species of the Genus Physalaemus Fitzinger, 1826 (Anura, Leiuperidae) from Southern Brazil

Abstract A new species of the genus Physalaemus is described from Serra da Pedra Branca do Araraquara, Municipality of Guaratuba, State of Parana, southern Brazil. Belonging to the P. olfersii species group, Physalaemus insperatus sp. nov. is closely related to P. aguirrei and presents well-developed vocal sacs expanded laterally to the supratympanic fold, digits very thin, and large inguinal glands.

A new species of the genus Philautus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Truong Son Range, Quang Binh Province, central Vietnam

We describe a new species of the rhacophorid genus Philautus from the Truong Son, based on two voucher specimens from montane evergreen and karst forests within Quang Binh Province, central Vietnam. Philautus quyeti sp. n. is distinguished from all other small-sized rhacophorid treefrogs with reduced finger webbing by the combination of the following characters: size relatively small; head longer than wide; vomerine teeth absent; tympanum distinct, rounded, wider than disc of finger III; supratympanic fold indistinct; dermal fringe along outer side of forearm, tibia, tarsus and toe IV absent; skin not lumpy or spinulous, dorsal head, back and upper part of flank rough with small sharp tubercles; dark brown pattern forming an inverse Y, notably a triangular spot between eyes that is separated into two bands that continue posteriorly on the back; throat and margin of throat and chest yellow white with brown marbling.

A new species of Nyctibatrachus Boulenger (Amphibia: Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) from the Eravikulam National Park, Kerala, India

A new species of Indian nyctibatrachid frog, Nyctibatrachus sholai (Amphibia: Anura), is described based on a series of 6 specimens from the Eravikulam National Park, southern Western Ghats of the State Kerala, India. The new species is compared with all known congeners. It is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: skin with glandular corrugations with metallic green coloration; head wider than long; snout not projecting beyond mouth; irregular longitudinal corrugations on the dorsum and extending up to the dorsal surface of arms and thighs; faint supratympanic fold; a fold from posterior corner of eye to angle of jaw clearly defined; tympanum partially visible; webbing on toes ¼ th , except that on 3 rd toe reaching penultimate subarticular tubercle; tips of digits and toes flattened to form minute disks with dorsal longitudinal grooves; femoral gland present. The largest specimen in the type series has a snout-vent length of 22.1 mm. A key to the species of Nyctibatrachus is provided.

A NEW SPECIES OF PLATYMANTIS (AMPHIBIA: ANURA: RANIDAE) FROM PANAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

We describe a new species of forest frog (genus Platymantis) from 180-300 m above sea level on Mt. Lihidan in the northwestern part of Panay Island, Philippines. It is assigned to the Platymantis dorsalis species group and is distinguished from congeners by external morphology, various spectral and temporal components of the advertisement call, and a preference for terrestrial, limestone microhabitat. Unique morphological characters include a moderately large body (27.7-34.3 mm SVL for 15 males), slightly expanded terminal finger and toe discs, distinctly rugose dorsal and lateral skin, pronounced supratympanic fold, protuberant rictal tubercle cluster, hidden dorsal and posterior edges of tympanum, and unique coloration.