A new Asian leaf litter toad of the genus Leptobrachella (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae) from central south China

• DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1149.85895
• Publication Date: 2023-02-22T18:16:30Z
• Authors: Jing Liu; Shengchao Shi; Shize Li; Mengfei Zhang; Sunjun Xiang; Gang Wei; Bin Wang
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; China; Insecta; Arthropoda; Sarcopterygii; Ceramiales; Megophryidae; Florideophyceae; Asteraceae; 01 natural sciences; Amphibia; Magnoliopsida; taxonomy; molecular phylogenetic analyses; Gnathostomata; morphology; Caraboidea; Animalia; Stenolophini; Chordata; Plantae; Vertebrata; Tetrapoda; new species; Stenolophus; Rhodomelaceae; Asterales; Bostrychia; Biota; Harpalinae; Arctium; Tracheophyta; Leptobrachella; QL1-991; Osteichthyes; Rhodophyta; Carduoideae; Eurhodophytina; Carabidae; Anura; Zoology; Research Article

A new species of the Asian leaf litter toad genus Leptobrachella from central south China is described. Molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA and nuclear RAG1 gene sequences indicated as an independent clade in genus. The could be distinguished its congeners by a combination following characters: body medium size (SVL 29.2–34.2 mm 15 adult males 34.4–43.1 seven females); distinct black spots present flanks; toes rudimentary webbed, with wide lateral fringes; ventral belly white nebulous brown speckling ventrolateral skin dorsum shagreened fine tiny granules or short ridges; iris copper above, silver below; heels overlapped when thighs are positioned at right angles to body; tibia-tarsal articulation reaches middle eye; dorsal surface tadpole semi-transparent light brown, tail absent, keratodont row formula I: 3+3/2+2: I; call series basically consist repeated long calls, dominant frequency (5093 ± 412 Hz).