A new species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Vietnam and Cambodia

Zootaxa. 2015 Nov 5;4039(3):401-17. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4039.3.1.

Abstract

We describe a new, medium-sized Leptolalax species from the Kon Tum Plateau of Vietnam and adjacent Cambodia. Leptolalax isos sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of an absence of distinct dark brown/black dorsolateral markings; toes with rudimentary webbing, wide lateral dermal fringes in males and weak or absent lateral dermal fringes in females; most males with wide lateral dermal fringes on Finger II, a body size of 23.7-27.9 mm in 38 adult males and 28.6-31.5 mm in 9 adult females, near immaculate white chest and belly; absence of white speckling on the dorsum; and a call consisting of 2-3 notes with a dominant frequency of 5.9-6.2 kHz (at 22.4-22.8º C). Uncorrected sequence divergences between L. isos sp. nov. and all homologous 16S rRNA sequences available are >10%. At present, the new species is known from montane evergreen forest between ~650-1100 m elevation in northeastern Cambodia and central Vietnam. Habitat within the range of the new species is threatened by deforestation and upstream hydroelectric dams.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Distribution
  • Animal Structures / anatomy & histology
  • Animal Structures / growth & development
  • Animals
  • Anura / anatomy & histology*
  • Anura / classification*
  • Anura / genetics
  • Anura / growth & development
  • Body Size
  • Cambodia
  • Ecosystem
  • Female
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Organ Size
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Vietnam

Substances

  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S