Toe Webbing Research Articles

A new species of rain-pool frog (Dicroglossidae: Fejervarya) from western Thailand.

We describe a new species, Fejervarya muangkanensis sp. nov., based on a series of specimens collected from Ban Tha Khanun, Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. The new species is easily distinguished from its congeners by morphological and molecular data, and can be diagnosed by the following characters: (1) small size (adult male snout-vent length (SVL) 33.5 mm; female SVL 40.0-40.9 mm); (2) tympanum small, discernible but unclear; (3) poorly developed toe webbing; (4) no lateral line system in adults; (5) characteristic "Fejervaryan" lines present in females; and (6) femoral glands absent. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA further supports it as a distinct lineage and distinguishes it from its congeners for which sequences are available.

Two new species of Kalophrynus Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Annamite mountains in southern Vietnam

We describe two new mountain-dwelling microhylid species of the genus Kalophrynus from the southern part of the Annamite Mountains in Vietnam. The two new species differ from all known congeners in morphological characters and mtDNA; phylogenetically, they form a sister clade to the large-bodied K. interlineatus (1009 bp, 16S rRNA gene, mtDNA). Both species share the following characteristics: snout pointed in dorsal and lateral views, slightly sloping in profile; tympanum distinct, smaller than eye in diameter; toe webbing moderate; outer metatarsal tubercle present; light dorsolateral line absent. Kalophrynus cryptophonus sp. nov. from Loc Bao, Lam Dong Province is a small-sized species distinguishing from its congeners by a combination of: SVL 27.9-30.4 mm in males, 23.4 mm in female; canthus rostralis indistinct; males with large sharp conical spines on the skin covering mandible margins and finely asperous nuptial pads on the dorsal surface of fingers I-III; dark ocelli in the inguinal region usually present, small, without a light border; anterior palatal dermal ridge short, restricted to medial part of palate. Kalophrynus honbaensis sp. nov. from Hon Ba, Khanh Hoa Province is a medium-sized Kalophrynus, distinguishing from its congeners by a combination of: SVL 26.7-36.8 mm in males; canthus rostralis distinct; males without distinguishable spines on the mandible margins nor the nuptial pads; dark ocelli in the inguinal region present, large, without a distinct light border, anterior palatal dermal ridge developed, parallel to posterior one. Kalophrynus cryptophonus sp. nov. reproduces in hollow bamboo stems; we describe larval morphology and bioacoustics of this species in relation to phytotelm breeding. A review of the distribution of the genus Kalophrynus in Indochina is provided.

A new Leptolalax from the mountains of Sabah, Borneo(Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae).

A new species of Leptolalax is described from Kinabalu National Park in western Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. The new species had been assigned to L. dringi, L. gracilis, or L. fritinniens in the past. It differs from all congeners, including these species, by a unique combination of morphological characters, including small body size, rounded snout, narrower interorbital than upper eyelid, basal toe webbing, smooth skin with tiny tubercles on dorsum and dorsal side of head, small pectoral glands, absence of supraaxillary glands and ventrolateral glandular ridges, spotted venter, advertisement call consisting of long series of 1-149 notes, each composed of three or four pulses, and dominant frequency at 6.90-7.35 kHz, without prominent frequency modulation.

A new montane species of Philautus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from western Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo.

A new species of Philautus is described from western Sarawak. The new species was collected in lower montane forest in two national parks in Sarawak and recorded from another park. It differs from its congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters, including a long, acuminate snout, long legs, and comparatively extensive toe webbing. The advertisement call of the new species differs from all calls of other species that have been analyzed so far. Comparison of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequence corroborates its distinct specific status.

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.

A New Species of Rhacophorid Frog from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Orissa, India

Philautus similipalensis , a new species of rhacophorid frog is described from the proposed Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Orissa, in southeastern India. The new species is compared with congeners from India and Sri Lanka, from which it differs in the following characters: head size, supratympanic fold, finger and toe webbing, indistinct tympanum, skin texture and coloration and tongue without papilla.

Using phytohaemagglutinin to determine immune responsiveness in saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)

Immune responsiveness, the ability of an organism to effectively respond immunologically following antigenic exposure, is an essential component of life history, as organisms require effective immune functionality in order to grow, survive and reproduce. However, immune status is also associated with concomitant trade-offs in these physiological functions. Herein we demonstrate the validation of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) injection in saltwater crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus, to assess cellular immune responsiveness. Following injection of 2 mg mL–1 PHA into the hind toe webbing, we observed a peak swelling response 12 h after injection, with PHA inducing increased thickness compared with webs injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (F5,518 = 145.13, P < 0.001). Subsequent injections increased responsiveness relative to the primary injection response (F5,290 = 2.92, P = 0.029), suggesting that PHA exposure induced immunological memory, a tenet of acquired immunity. Histological examination revealed that PHA-injected toe webs displayed increased numbers of leukocytes (granulocytes, macrophages, and lymphocytes) relative to PBS-injected webs, with peak leukocytic infiltrate observed 12 h after injection. We suggest the use of PHA injection in crocodilians as a measure of cellular immune responsiveness in agricultural (production and animal welfare), ecological, and toxicological contexts.

A new highland species of treefrog of the Dendropsophus columbianus group (Anura: Hylidae) from the Andes of Colombia

A new species of tree frog of the genus Dendropsophus is described from the highlands of the Cordillera Central of theAndes, departamento de Antioquia, Colombia (06º58’50’’N, 75º08’07’’W, 1700 m a.s.l.). Dendropsophus norandinus sp.nov. differs from other Andean Dendropsophus previously described by the following combination of traits: dorsal skinsmooth with minute scattered tubercles; axillary membrane developed; distal subarticular tubercle of fourth finger bifid;ventral surfaces cream with variable brown markings on gula, throat, and outer region of belly; medial area of the bellyimmaculate; in life axilla and groin pale yellow in males and bright orange in females; toe webbing extensive [I (1–1+ )–(11/2–13/4 ) II 1–(2–2- ) III 1–(2–2- ) IV (2–2- )–1 V], and tadpoles with tooth row formula of 0/2. On the basis of morphologicalsimilarities, principally between tadpoles, we tentatively assign this new species to the Dendropsophus columbianus group.

A New Miniature Treefrog of the Scinax ruber Clade from the Cerrado of Central Brazil (Anura: Hylidae)

Abstract We describe a new species of treefrog of the Scinax ruber clade related to Scinax fuscomarginatus from southwest of the state of Goias in central Brazil. The new species is characterized by its small size (snout–vent length of males, 15.9–18.6 mm; females, 18.1–18.7 mm), very slender body, a snout that is strongly acute in lateral view and subelliptical in dorsal view, two lateral broad blackish stripes from the posterior corner of the eye to inguinal region, reduced toe webbing, and advertisement calls that are a single pulsed note with a pulse period of 2–13 ms and a dominant frequency of 2.51–5.95 kHz. Vocalizations of the new species and S. fuscomarginatus, Scinax parkeri, Scinax squalirostris, and Scinax wandae are provided and discussed.

A new frog of the genus Aromobates (Anura, Dendrobatidae) from Sierra de Perijá, Venezuela

A new species of diurnal frog of the genus Aromobates is described from the Sierra de Perijá in the Andes of western Venezuela. The new species is the first dendrobatid reported from this mountain range, though many other congeners are known from the Cordillera de Mérida, also in the Venezuelan Andes. It can be readily distinguished from all congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: dorsal skin granulate, paired and protuberant dorsal digital scutes, finger I shorter than finger II, fringes absent on fingers I and IV, present and conspicuous on all toes, toe webbing basal, dorsolateral stripe present, oblique lateral stripe diffuse, ventrolateral stripe absent. With this new species the number of Aromobates species from Venezuela increases to 13.

Taxonomic revision of one of the Old World's smallest frogs, with description of a new Bornean Microhyla (Amphibia, Microhylidae)

An examination of the holotype of Microhyla borneensis Parker 1928 revealed that this nomen applies to a miniaturized narrow-mouthed frog from Borneo that recently was described as Microhyla nepenthicola Das & Haas 2010. This is confirmed concordantly by body size of the female holotype of M. borneensis, and by its reduced extent of toe webbing and rather rounded, short snout profile. Consequently, the name M. nepenthicola is to be considered as a junior synonym of M. borneensis, and an old report of nepenthiphilous breeding habits of M. borneensis is therefore justified. A sympatric larger species usually treated as M. borneensis has no scientific name and is described here as M. malang sp. nov. The new species and M. borneensis are sister to each other, and together are closely related to M. mantheyi from Peninsular Malaysia. These three species are morphologically very similar, but can be distinguished by body size, color pattern, and extent of toe webbing. Phylogenetic relationships, miniaturization, and larval oral morphology in the genus Microhyla are discussed.

A New Species of the Craugastor rugulosus Series (Anura: Craugastoridae) from West-Central Panama

We describe a new species of anuran from the Cordillera Central, El Copé, Coclé Province, Panama. The species is assigned to the Craugastor rugulosus species series of Neotropical stream-dwelling frogs, which contains 33 species and which ranges from Mexico to central Panama. The new species differs from all other members of the C. rugulosus species series by the combination of the absence of vocal slits and nuptial pads, and the presence of strong toe webbing and a large flap-like tarsal fold. This species experienced population declines in central Panama in 2004 and no remaining populations are known.

Two New Species of Torrent-dwelling Toads Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from Peninsular Malaysia

Two new species of montane, torrent-dwelling toads of the genus Ansonia from Fraser's Hill and Sungai Lembing, Pahang, West Malaysia are described based on morphological and color pattern characteristics. The new species from Sungai Lembing most closely resembles A. leptopus of Borneo but differs from it in numerous aspects of its mandibular asperites, degree of toe webbing, presence of warts at the angle of the jaw, size of tubercles around the tympanum, having an inner metatarsal tubercle, lacking rows of tubercles on the back, having paired vocal slits, and having a light dorsal spot between the scapulae. The new species from Fraser's Hill most closely resembles A. malayana but differs from it in its greater degree of dorsal tuberculation, more webbing on the third and fifth toes and less webbing on the first and fourth toes, and various aspects of coloration. Finally, we express the importance of continuing to conduct montane surveys in remote areas as well as in those areas that are considered to be ...

A new species of big-headed, fanged dicroglossine frog (Genus Limnonectes) from Thailand

A new species of the dicroglossine genus Limnonectes from eastern Thailand and its tadpole are described. Analysis of DNA sequence data from 2518 base-pairs of the mitochondrial 12S and 16S gene regions places the species within the complex of frogs currently referred to as Limnonectes kuhlii and demonstrates it to be a separate lineage (>18% sequence divergence from type-material of L. kuhlii from Java). The new species differs from L. kuhlii by having nuptial pads, a greater snout–vent length, and different relative finger lengths than specimens from Java. It has more extensive toe webbing, a different arrangement of nuptial pads, and a greater snout–vent length than Limnonectes laticeps. The new species, which lacks vocal slits, also can be distinguished from the morphologically similar Limnonectes namiyei from Japan, which possesses vocal slits.

A new, toxic species of Colostethus (Anura: Dendrobatidae: Colostethinae) from the Cordillera Central of Colombia

A new species of Colostethus is described from cloud forest in the Cordillera Central of Colombia at approximately 2100–2500 m above sea level. It is a riparian species not known to occur more than a few meters from the water’s edge. Specimens were collected in grassy vegetation and on and beneath rocks along streams and pools, in both primary forest and in or at the edge of forest clearings. Most specimens were collected during the day, but several were observed to be active at night. The new species differs from other species of Colostethus in lacking pale oblique lateral and ventrolateral stripes, possessing a pale dorsolateral stripe, lacking or having at most rudimentary toe webbing, and possessing a marbled or reticulated ventral color pattern. Adult males of the new species possess a swollen third finger and a gray or black throat. In life, the new species possesses bright lemonor golden-yellow flash marks on the axilla, groin, belly, and concealed surfaces of the thigh and shank, and bluish-white ventral coloration, and it exudes a milky secretion from the skin. The aqueous extract of the skin is toxic, but additional samples are required to determine the nature of the toxic compound(s).

Phalangeal formulae of geoemydid terrapins (Batagur, Callagur, Hardella, Heosemys, Kachuga, Orlitia, Pangshura, Rhinoclemmys) reflect distinct modes of life

Abstract Using radiographies of manus and pes of 133 geoemydid terrapins of nine highly aquatic species (genera Batagur, Callagur, Hardella, Kachuga, Orlitia, Pangshura), four aquatic Rhinoclemmys species, three semiterrestrial Heosemys species, and three terrestrial Rhinoclemmys species, we confirm a correlation between mode of life and phalangeal formulae. Terrestrial geoemydid species tend to have lost phalanges or entire digits, while highly aquatic species with extensive toe webbing generally have retained the full phalangeal number in manus and pes. Phalangeal formulae of species that are not so strictly adapted to aquatic environments, and having less extensive toe webbing, are intermediate, like in the studied semiterrestrial species.

Morphological and Acoustic Comparisons of M. okinavensis (Anura: Microhylidae)

Morphological and acoustic comparisons were made for three morphologically poorly defined Microhyla species, M. ornata, M. fissipes, and M. okinavensis on the basis of samples from south India, Taiwan, and three islands (Iriomotejima, Okinawajima, and Amamioshima) of the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan. These three species differed from each other in various external characters, and could be separated by multivariate discriminant analyses. Mean SVL of males was significantly smaller in M. fissipes than in M. ornata and M. okinavensis. The length of the hindlimb relative to SVL increased from west (India) to east (Amamioshima). Microhyla ornata showed a remarkable diurnal-nocturnal color change and had more extensive mottling on the throat and venter than the other two species. The Iriomotejima population of M. okinavensis had a unique ventral mottling pattern that differed from the patterns in the other two conspecific populations examined, as well as from those in M. ornata and M. fissipes. Excepting the Iriomotejima population, M. okinavensis had more extensive toe webbing than M. ornata and M. fissipes. Temporal acoustic features, especially pulse repetition rate, clearly discriminated the three species. The taxonomic status of the Iriomotejima population deserves future investigation.

THREE NEW SPECIES OF COPHIXALUS (ANURA: MICROHYLIDAE) FROM SOUTHEASTERN NEW GUINEA

We describe three new species of a cryptic species complex of Cophixalus from southeastern New Guinea and adjacent islands. They are readily distinguished from all other Papuan species by their small size, presence of vocal slits in males, absence of toe webbing, relatively long legs, short snouts, and vertical lores. Their calls consist of a series of high-pitched peeps. Intraspecific color pattern is highly variable and variant patterns are shared among species. Members of this complex can be distinguished from each other on the basis of adult body size, extent of development of the first finger and disc, snout width, tympanum size, and advertisement calls. The new species are among the most common frogs where found. Two of the species are currently known only from their type localities, but the third ranges more broadly in the Southeast Peninsula of New Guinea and D'Entrecasteaux Islands.

Distinct Specific Status of the Korean Brown Frog, Rana amurensis coreana (Amphibia: Ranidae)

We used morphological and genetic data to assess the taxonomic status of Rana amurensis coreana and R. a. amurensis. Morphological comparisons revealed these two subspecies to be different from each other in size of body, nature of tubercles on dorsal stripe, degree of development in toe webbing, and condition of lateral spots of trunk. They were also different in sequence of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, with genetic distance as large as those observed among different species of brown frogs. Therefore, Korean populations previously considered a subspecies of R. amurensis should be regarded as a distinct species (=R. coreana).

Osteology in the Cuora galbinifrons complex suggests conspecifity of C. bourreti and C. galbinifrons, with notes on shell osteology and phalangeal formulae within the Geoemydidae

AbstractThirty-six complete skeletons, three shells, and x-rays of the extremities of 32 additional turtles of the Cuora galbinifrons complex have been compared with 38 other geoemydid species from 19 genera. Cuora bourreti differs from C. galbinifrons and C. picturata by a lost phalanx in the fourth finger and fourth toe. Individuals with a shell shape intermediate between C. bourreti and C. galbinifrons, as found on Hainan Island (China), have either the reduced phalangeal formula of C. bourreti (manus: 2-3-3-2-2, pes: 2-3-3-2-1) or the complete number of phalanges (manus: 2-3-3-3-2, pes: 2-3-3-3-1). Only in C. flavomarginata did we also register a lost phalanx in the fourth digit of manus and pes; in the pes of C. mouhotii the same character state may occur. In C. flavomarginata the fifth digit of the pes is also lacking. Some other terrestrial and semiterrestrial geoemydids (Cuora mccordi, Heosemys spinosa, and in part C. mouhotii and Leucocephalon yuwonoi) display a similar pattern of phalangeal reduction, resulting in the loss of the fifth digit of the pes. Likewise, in tortoises (Testudinidae), a further group of terrestrial chelonians, and the terrestrial turtle genus Terrapene (Emydidae) the loss of phalanges or complete digits is known to occur. Malayemys subtrijuga, Morenia petersi, Pangshura smithii and Siebenrockiella crassicollis differ from all other studied geoemydid taxa by an additional phalanx in the fifth digit of the manus (2-3-3-3-3); one P. smithii has on one body side three phalanges in the fifth digit of the pes (2-3-3-3-3). These are highly aquatic turtles with extensive toe webbing. Probably, longer digits (and thus a higher phalangeal number) are a favorable prerequisite for swimming while phalangeal loss seems to be the consequence of walking.Cuora bourreti and C. picturata have consistently in the bony carapace a very rare character state regarding the articulation of the rib tips with the peripheral plates. In both species the rib tips are intercalated between two peripheral plates in the bridge region. Intercalated rib tips like those in C. bourreti and C. picturata were found only in C. m. mouhotii, but not in the southern subspecies C. mouhotii obsti. In C. galbinifrons and all other geoemydid taxa studied the rib tips articulate on the bridge within the underlying peripheral and not between two peripherals. In turtles morphologically intermediate between C. bourreti and C. galbinifrons both characters states are found. This suggests that such individuals are hybrids or intergrades. Three known-locality specimens from Hainan Island display both extremes and an intermediate character state. This, together with external morphology and the occurrence of both phalangeal formulae in approximately the same frequency on that island, argues for genetic introgression of C. bourreti on the Hainan population of C. galbinifrons. We conclude that our findings qualify C. galbinifrons and C. bourreti under the Biological Species Concept as conspecific.