In this work, we described a new species of the Asian horned toad, Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov., based on the type series collected from Gaolan Island, Jinwan District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. Thi...In this work, we described a new species of the Asian horned toad, Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov., based on the type series collected from Gaolan Island, Jinwan District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. This new species is distinguished from all other congeners by a combination of morphological characters and the notable phylogenetic divergence. This discovery of new species in the understudied southwestern Pearl River Delta brings the total number of recognized Boulenophrys species to 68, with 63 found in China,and also highlights the need for further herpetological research and conservation on the understudied and ecologically vulnerable islands.展开更多
Taxonomic studies of the Odorrana versabilis group have been consistently disorganized,and they have often been incorrectly associated with an abandoned subgenus or genus Bamburana in existing literature.In this study...Taxonomic studies of the Odorrana versabilis group have been consistently disorganized,and they have often been incorrectly associated with an abandoned subgenus or genus Bamburana in existing literature.In this study,we conducted an integrative taxonomic analysis using molecular phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and CO1)and morphological examination of 41 specimens collected during herpetological surveys in southern China.Our results confirmed the monophyly of O.versabilis group which exhibited distinct morphological traits.We also identified a cryptic lineage sister with O.exiliversabilis.Additionally,our study revealed that O.trankieni was nested within O.nasuta.Consequently,we redefined the morphological characteristics of the O.versabilis group,described a new species in this group,O.confusa sp.nov.,and proposed that O.trankieni be considered a junior synonym of O.nasuta.One of the most significant findings of this study was the observation of distinct morphological changes in adult males across all species within the O.versabilis group between the non-breeding and breeding seasons.This study contributes to research on various aspects of Asian amphibian fauna,including taxonomy,ecology,evolution,and physiology.展开更多
基金supported by DFGP Project of Fauna of Guangdong-202115Research and Monitoring Service Project of Hengqin National Wetland Park, Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin。
文摘In this work, we described a new species of the Asian horned toad, Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov., based on the type series collected from Gaolan Island, Jinwan District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. This new species is distinguished from all other congeners by a combination of morphological characters and the notable phylogenetic divergence. This discovery of new species in the understudied southwestern Pearl River Delta brings the total number of recognized Boulenophrys species to 68, with 63 found in China,and also highlights the need for further herpetological research and conservation on the understudied and ecologically vulnerable islands.
基金This work was supported by DFGP Project of Fauna of Guangdong-202115Nanling National Park Construction Project(No.ZD22-ZC016AG)2022 Wildlife Monitoring Projects of the Guangdong Forestry Bureau,and the National Animal Collection Resource Center,China.
文摘Taxonomic studies of the Odorrana versabilis group have been consistently disorganized,and they have often been incorrectly associated with an abandoned subgenus or genus Bamburana in existing literature.In this study,we conducted an integrative taxonomic analysis using molecular phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and CO1)and morphological examination of 41 specimens collected during herpetological surveys in southern China.Our results confirmed the monophyly of O.versabilis group which exhibited distinct morphological traits.We also identified a cryptic lineage sister with O.exiliversabilis.Additionally,our study revealed that O.trankieni was nested within O.nasuta.Consequently,we redefined the morphological characteristics of the O.versabilis group,described a new species in this group,O.confusa sp.nov.,and proposed that O.trankieni be considered a junior synonym of O.nasuta.One of the most significant findings of this study was the observation of distinct morphological changes in adult males across all species within the O.versabilis group between the non-breeding and breeding seasons.This study contributes to research on various aspects of Asian amphibian fauna,including taxonomy,ecology,evolution,and physiology.
