A new species of the genus Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from southern Vietnam

Zool Res. 2018 May 18;39(3):185-201. doi: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.009. Epub 2018 Apr 10.

Abstract

We describe a new species of megophryid frog from Phu Yen Province in southern Vietnam. Leptolalax macrops sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological attributes: (1) body size medium (SVL 28.0-29.3 mm in three adult males, 30.3 mm in single adult female); (2) supra-axillary glands present, creamy white; ventrolateral glands indistinct; (3) tympanum externally distinct; (4) dorsal skin roughly granular with larger tubercles, dermal ridges on dorsum absent; (5) rudimentary webbing present between fingers I-II and II-III; rudimentary webbing between all toes; fingers and toes without dermal fringes; (6) in life ventral surface greyish-violet with white speckling; (7) supratympanic fold distinct, dark brown in life; (8) iris bicolored, typically golden in upper half, fading to golden green in lower half; (9) tibia short (TbL/SVL 0.44-0.45 in males); and (10) eyes large and protuberant (ED/SVL 0.15-0.16 in males). From all congeners for which comparable sequences are available, the new species differs markedly in the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequence (P-distance>5.7%). The new species is currently known only from montane evergreen tropical forests of Song Hinh District, Phu Yen Province, and M'Drak District of Dak Lak Province at elevations of 470-630 m a.s.l. We suggest the new species should be considered as Data Deficient following the IUCN's Red List categories. We also report a previously unknown Leptolalax mtDNA lineage from an evergreen tropical forest in the Hoa Thinh District of Phu Yen Province, which may also represent an undescribed species.

Keywords: Dak Lak Province; Leptolalax macrops sp. nov.; Phu Yen Province; Southern coastal region of Vietnam.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anura / anatomy & histology*
  • Anura / classification
  • Anura / genetics
  • Female
  • Male
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Vietnam

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Associated data

  • GENBANK/MG787987-MG787993

Grants and funding

The work was partially supported by the Russian Foundation of Basic Research (RFBR 15-29-02771) to N.A.P.; Molecular and phylogenetic analyses were completed with partial financial support from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF 14-50-00029) to N.A.P.