A New Cryptic Tree Frog Species Allied to Kurixalus banaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam

Thien Tao Nguyen, Matsui Masafumi, Eto Koshiro

Abstract


A new species of the genus Kurixalus is described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses. Morphologically, Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov. is most similar to K. banaensis but they are clearly separated from each other in mitochondrial DNA sequences. In phylogenetic analysis the new species clustered in the same clade with Kurixalus banaensis and K. viridescens. However, the new species differs from K. banaensis by having a smaller body size, a higher ratio of forelimb length/SVL in both sexes, a smaller ratio of first toe length/SVL in males, snout tip less markedly pointed, and only weakly developed dermal appendages on the outer edges of fore- and hindlimbs. Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov. also differs from K. viridescens by having a smaller size in females and a brown dorsum with dark markings.

Keywords


Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov.; mtDNA phylogeny; taxonomy; Central Highlands; Gia Lai Province; Kon Tum Province

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2014-21-4-295-302

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