Amolops shuichengicus, Lyu & Zeng & Wan & Yang & Li & Pang & Wang, 2019

Lyu, Zhi-Tong, Zeng, Zhao-Chi, Wan, Han, Yang, Jian-Huan, Li, Yu-Long, Pang, Hong & Wang, Ying-Yong, 2019, A new species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from China, with taxonomic comments on A. liangshanensis and Chinese populations of A. marmoratus, Zootaxa 4609 (2), pp. 247-268 : 259-264

Amolops shuichengicus sp. nov. Lyu and Wang

Holotype. SYS a007151 ( Fig. 3 A–D), adult male, collected by Zhi-Tong Lyu and Yu-Long Li on 6 June 2018 from Yushe Forest Park (26.47° N, 104.80° E; 2041 m a.s.l.), Shuicheng County, Guizhou Province, China.

Paratypes. Eleven adult specimens from the same stream as the holotype (2000–2100 m a.s.l.). Four females ( SYS a004956–4958 and SYS a004971) and one male ( SYS a004972) collected by Zhi-Tong Lyu and Run-Lin Li on 20–21 June 2016; six males ( SYS a007152/ CIB 106883 , SYS a007154–7158) collected by Zhi-Tong Lyu and Yu-Long Li on 6–7 June 2018.

Etymology. The specific name “ shuichengicus ” is an adjective derived from “shuicheng”, referring to the type locality of the new species, the Shuicheng County. We suggest its English common name “Shuicheng Torrent Frog” and Chinese name “Shui Cheng Tuan Wa (ẈṂmü)”.

Diagnosis. The new species is assigned to genus Amolops based on the morphological and genetic similarity of the specimens to those of other species in the A. mantzorum group.

Amolops shuichengicus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characteristics: (1) body small and slender, with SVL 34.6–39.6 (36.8 ± 1.6, n = 8) mm in adult males and 48.5–55.5 (51.2 ± 3.2, n = 4) mm in adult females; (2) dorsal skin relatively smooth with several small raised warts on the posterior part of back; (3) dorsal skin brown with light green blotches or spots, flanks yellowish green; (4) presence of vomerine teeth; (5) tongue deeply notched posteriorly; (6) presence of cream maxillary gland from lower edge of eye to the anterior of supratympanic fold; (7) presence of supratympanic folds and glandular dorsolateral folds; (8) tympanum indistinct; (9) the circummarginal groove absent on the disk of the first finger; (10) presence of supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers III and IV; (11) absence of outer metatarsal tubercle and tarsal glands; (12) males without vocal sacs; (13) smooth nuptial pad on the first finger in breeding males.

Comparisons. Within the Amolops mantzorum group, A. shuichengicus sp. nov. is morphologically most similar to A. granulosus but differs from the latter by the presence of maxillary gland from lower edge of eye to the anterior of supratympanic fold (vs. absent), indistinct tympanum (vs. distinct), dorsal surface relatively smooth without spinules (vs. rough with white spinules), and absence of vocal sacs in males (vs. present); A. shuichengicus sp. nov. is significantly different from A. xinduqiao by the presence of supratympanic folds (vs. absent), presence of dorsolateral folds (vs. usually absent), head width smaller than head length, HDW/HDL 0.88–0.96 (vs. head length equal to width or slightly wider than long), indistinct tympanum (vs. distinct), and supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers III and IV (vs. below the base of fingers II, III and IV); A. shuichengicus sp. nov. differs from A. loloensis , by the small body size, SVL 34.6–39.6 mm in adult males and 48.5–55.5 mm in adult females (vs. 54.5–62.0 in males and 69.5–77.5 in females), presence of vomerine teeth (vs. absent), presence of dorsolateral folds (vs. absent), and supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers III and IV (vs. below the base of fingers II, III and IV); differs from A. jinjiangensis , by the small body size (vs. 44–54 mm in males and 58–65 mm in females), and dorsal surface relatively smooth without tubercles (vs. rough with tubercles); differs from A. mantzorum , by the small body size (vs. 49.0–57.0 in males and 59.0–72.0 in females), indistinct tympanum (vs. distinct), and presence of dorsolateral folds (vs. absent); differs from A. lifanensis , by the small body size (vs. 54.0–56.0 mm in males and 61.0–79.0 mm in females), and presence of dorsolateral folds (vs. absent); differs from A. tuberodepressus , by the small body size (vs. 48–56 in males and 61–70 in females), indistinct tympanum (vs. distinct), and presence of dorsolateral folds (vs. absent); differs from A. viridimaculatus , by the small body size (vs. 72.7–82.3 in males and 83.0– 94.3 in females), indistinct tympanum (vs. distinct), and presence of dorsolateral folds (vs. absent).

In addition, Amolops shuichengicus sp. nov. can be readily distinguished from other 48 congeners by the combination of following characteristics: the relatively small body size, SVL <40 mm in males and <58 mm in females (vs. SVL> 42 mm in males or> 60 mm in females in A. ricketti , A. hainanensis , A. aniqiaoensis , A. bellulus , A. cucae , A. nyingchiensis , A. assamensis , A. caelumnoctis , A. formosus , A. himalayanus , A. kohimaensis , A. kaulbacki , A. nidorbellus , A. splendissimus ); the absence of a circummarginal groove on the disk of the first finger (vs. present in A. afghanus , A. marmoratus , A. indoburmanensis , A. panhai , A. medogensis , A. albispinus , A. ricketti , A. sinensis , A. wuyiensis , A. yatseni , A. yunkaiensis , A. daiyunensis , A. hongkongensis , A. hainanensis , A. torrentis , A. akhaorum , A. aniqiaoensis , A. chakrataensis , A. chayuensis , A. chunganensis , A. compotrix , A. cucae , A. daorum , A. monticola , A. nyingchiensis , A. vitreus , A. wenshanensis , A. assamensis , A. kohimaensis , A. splendissimus , A. australis , A. gerutu , A. larutensis and A. cremnobatus ); the presence of vomerine teeth (vs. absent in A. wuyiensis , A. yunkaiensis , A. daiyunensis , A. hongkongensis , A. hainanensis , A. torrentis and A. daorum ); the absence of parotoid-like swelling above tympanum (vs. present in A. longimanus ); the presence of supratympanic fold (vs. absent in A. akhaorum , A. aniqiaoensis , A. archotaphus , A. bellulus , A. chunganensis , A. compotrix , A. cucae , A. daorum , A. gerbillus , A. iriodes , A. mengyangensis , A. nyingchiensis , A. vitreus , A. wenshanensis ); the absence of outer metatarsal tubercle (vs. present in A. marmoratus , A. archotaphus , A. compotrix , A. cucae , A. vitreus , A. assamensis , A. jaunsari , A. australis , A. gerutu , A. larutensis ); the absence of vocal sacs in males (vs. present in A. marmoratus , A. panhai , A. wuyiensis , A. yunkaiensis , A. daiyunensis , A. hongkongensis , A. torrentis , A. akhaorum , A. aniqiaoensis , A. archotaphus , A. chunganensis , A. compotrix , A. cucae , A. daorum , A. iriodes , A. mengyangensis , A. monticola , A. vitreus , A. wenshanensis , A. assamensis , A. formosus , A. kohimaensis , A. minutus , A. spinapectoralis , A. australis , A. gerutu , A. larutensis and A. cremnobatus ).

Description of holotype. Head length slightly larger than head width (HDW/HDL = 0.95); snout moderate (SNT/HDL = 0.43) and rounded in profile, projecting beyond lower jaw; nostril round, located midway between tip of snout and eye; loreal region concave; top of head flat; eye relatively moderate (ED/HDL = 0.35); canthus rostralis distinct and blunt; pineal ocellus visible; tympanum indistinct; supratympanic fold present, from back of eye extending to shoulder; maxillary gland from lower edge of eye to the anterior of supratympanic fold; vomerine teeth present; tongue deeply notched posteriorly.

Forelimbs slender; hands moderately long (HND/SVL = 0.31); fingers relative length I <II <IV <III; tip of the first finger slightly dilated, tips of other fingers dilated to wide oval disks with circummarginal grooves, relative width of finger disks II <IV ≈ III; subarticular tubercles prominent, rounded; supernumerary tubercles below the base of finger III and IV; three metacarpal tubercle indistinct; no webbing, but with lateral fringes on fingers.

Hindlimbs long and slender (TIB/SVL = 0.55); tibia-tarsal articulation reaching nostril when hindlimb stretched alongside of body; relative toe lengths I <II <V <III <IV; tips of all toes expanded to small round disks with circummarginal grooves, disks on toes smaller than those on fingers; subarticular tubercles oval and distinct; inner metatarsal tubercle prominent, outer metatarsal tubercles absent; webbing formula: I 1-2 II 1-2 ⅓ III 1 ½-3 IV 3-1 V; lateral fringes of toes I and V developed; tarsal glands absent; heels overlapping when hindlimbs flexed at right angles to axis of body.

Dorsal skin of body relatively smooth with several small warts on the posterior part of back; week supratympanic folds and week glandular dorsolateral folds present; flanks relatively granular with small raised warts; dorsal limbs smooth; ventral surface relatively smooth.

Measurements of holotype (in mm): SVL 36.0; HDL 12.2; HDW 11.5; SNT 5.3; IND 4.5; IOD 3.5; ED 4.3; HND 11.0; RAD 7.6; FTL 19.2; TIB 19.6; F3 W 1.5; T4 W 1.2.

Coloration. Body dorsally brown with light green spots; flanks yellowish green, sprinkled with black or brown blotches; incomplete dark transverse bars on dorsal surface of limbs; dorsal discs of digits grey; canthus rostralis and temporal area dark brown, lips and loreal region light brown with several dark blotches; maxillary gland cream. Chest and belly white with yellowish green blotches; throat white with reddish brown blotches; ventral surfaces of limbs fleshcolor.

In preservative ( Fig. 4 ), dorsal surface transformed into dark olive, color on flanks fade into dark olive, transverse bars on limbs distinct; ventral surface of throat, chest and body white, ventral surface of limbs dark olive.

Variation. Measurements of the type series are given in Table 4 . All paratypes are very similar in morphology. Supratympanic fold distinct in male SYS a007154 ( Fig. 3E ); dorsolateral fold distinct in female SYS a004956 ( Fig. 3F ) and SYS a007154; metacarpal tubercles and supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers III and IV distinct in SYS a004957–4958 and 7152.

Secondary sexual characteristics. Males obviously smaller than females; absence of vocal sacs in males; smooth nuptial pad prominent on the first finger in breeding males; not bearing spinules in breeding males.

Distribution and ecology. Currently, Amolops shuichengicus sp. nov. is only known from the type locality, the Yushe Forest Park in Shuicheng, Guizhou. These frogs were found in rocky, fast-flowing streams (2000–2100 m a.s.l.) surrounded by moist subtropical secondary evergreen broadleaved forests and preferred to stay on the leaves of brushwood. All individuals were found on the bush leaves above the same stream, while without any calling; tadpoles have never been found. All females found in June were gravid with oocytes. Much of the species' ecology and behavior remains unknown and surveys are required in Guizhou and neighboring Yunnan and Sichuan to investigate the population status and the distribution of this species. We suggest this species to be listed as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Figures

FIGURE 3. (A)–(D) Dorsolateral view, ventral view, left hand and right foot showing the morphological features of the male holotype SYS a007151 of Amolops shuichengicus sp. nov. in life. (E) Male paratype SYS a007154 in life. (F) Female paratype SYS a004956 in life.

FIGURE 4. The morphological features of the male holotype SYS a007151 of Amolops shuichengicus sp. nov. in preservative. (A) Dorsol view. (B) Ventral view. (C) Lateral view of head, showing maxillary gland and indistict tympanum. (D) Right hand. (E) Right foot.

Tables

TABLE 4. Measurements (in mm; minimum–maximum, mean ± 1SD) of the type series of Amolops shuichengicus sp. nov.

Specimens No.	SYS a004972	SYS a007151	SYS a007152	SYS a007154	SYS a007155	SYS a007156	SYS a007157	SYS a007158	SYS a004956	SYS a004957	SYS a004958	SYS a004971
Sex	Male	Male	Male	Male	Male	Male	Male	Male	Female	Female	Female	Female
SVL	38.7	36.0	37.1	36.7	34.6	36.1	39.6	35.6	49.2	48.5	51.5	55.5
HDL	13.6	12.2	12.9	13.3	12.6	13.2	13.1	12.4	16.7	15.9	16.8	17.8
HDW	12.0	11.5	11.6	12.1	11.7	12.0	12.5	11.5	15.6	15.1	15.9	17.1
SNT	5.5	5.3	5.3	5.3	5.1	4.9	5.5	5.5	6.6	7.0	7.2	7.3
IND	4.6	4.5	4.4	4.6	4.4	4.1	4.9	4.1	4.9	5.1	5.3	6.0
IOD	3.3	3.5	3.6	3.1	3.1	3.5	3.5	3.3	3.6	4.1	4.1	4.2
ED	4.8	4.3	4.7	5.0	4.3	5.0	4.9	4.1	5.4	5.3	5.5	5.7
HND	10.3	11.0	11.5	9.8	11.6	10.9	11.7	11.7	13.9	14.2	15.9	16.2
RAD	6.4	7.6	8.4	8.9	8.2	7.9	8.4	8.1	9.5	9.1	9.7	9.9
FTL	19.5	19.2	20.1	20.4	19.5	19.7	21.7	20.3	23.5	23.8	25.6	24.3
TIB	20.1	19.6	20.4	20.2	19.7	19.3	21.8	20.3	24.0	25.1	26.2	27.0
F3 W	1.1	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.6	1.6	1.7	1.7	1.5	1.9	1.9	2.4
T4 W	0.9	1.2	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.5	1.5	1.4	1.7	1.8	2.1	2.0
HDL/SVL	0.35	0.34	0.35	0.36	0.36	0.37	0.33	0.35	0.34	0.33	0.33	0.32
HDW/SVL	0.31	0.32	0.31	0.33	0.34	0.33	0.32	0.32	0.32	0.31	0.31	0.31
HDW/HDL	0.88	0.95	0.90	0.91	0.93	0.91	0.95	0.93	0.94	0.95	0.95	0.96
SNT/HDL	0.41	0.43	0.41	0.40	0.40	0.37	0.42	0.44	0.40	0.44	0.43	0.41
SNT/SVL	0.14	0.15	0.14	0.14	0.15	0.13	0.14	0.15	0.13	0.14	0.14	0.13
IND/HDW	0.39	0.39	0.38	0.38	0.38	0.34	0.39	0.35	0.32	0.34	0.34	0.35
IOD/HDW	0.28	0.30	0.31	0.26	0.27	0.29	0.28	0.28	0.23	0.27	0.26	0.25
ED/HDL	0.35	0.35	0.36	0.37	0.34	0.38	0.38	0.33	0.32	0.33	0.33	0.32
ED/SVL	0.12	0.12	0.13	0.13	0.12	0.14	0.12	0.12	0.11	0.11	0.11	0.10
HND/SVL	0.27	0.31	0.31	0.27	0.34	0.30	0.29	0.33	0.28	0.29	0.31	0.29
RAD/SVL	0.16	0.21	0.23	0.24	0.24	0.22	0.21	0.23	0.19	0.19	0.19	0.18
FTL/SVL	0.50	0.54	0.54	0.56	0.56	0.54	0.55	0.57	0.48	0.49	0.50	0.44
TIB/SVL	0.52	0.55	0.55	0.55	0.57	0.54	0.55	0.57	0.49	0.52	0.51	0.49