A new species of Gracixalus (Amphibia, Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Guizhou Province, China

• DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.133735
• Publication Date: 2025-02-21T14:05:05Z
• Authors: Jing Liu; Cai-Chun Peng; Bin Wang; Chao-Bo Feng; Tuo Shen; Shi-Ze Li; Ji-Jun Chen; Hai-Jun Su; Xiu-Jun Tang
• Keywords: Rhacophoridae; taxonomy; QH301-705.5; Gracixalus weii sp. nov.; mitochondrial gene; southwestern China; Biology (General)

A new species of small tree frog was discovered in southwestern China, exhibiting morphological differences and molecular divergence. The species, formally described herein as Gracixalus weii sp. nov. , is morphologically distinct from other congeners by body size (SVL 30.1–34.0 mm males 35.2–36.0 females). In addition, the head width larger than length, with a tympanum, brown to beige dorsum, an inversed Y-shaped dark marking. skin dorsal lateral surfaces head, body, limbs rough sparsely scattered tubercles. toes showed moderately developed webbing, while finger webbing rudimentary. Nuptial pads were found on base I; had single subgular vocal sac, heels overlapping when legs at right angle tibiotarsal articulation reached mid-eye stretched forward. Phylogenetic analyses based DNA sequences mitochondrial 16S rRNA supported sister G. jinxiuensis . Genetically, diverges its 3.4%–14.5% (uncorrected p-distance) closest which 3.4%.