How little is known about “the little brown frogs”:description of three new species of the genus Leptobrachella(Anura:Megophryidae)from Yunnan Province, China

Asian leaf-litter toads of the genus Leptobrachella represent a great anuran diversification in Asia.Previous studies have suggested that the diversity of this genus is still underestimated. During herpetological surveys from 2013 to 2018, a series of Leptobrachella specimens were collected from the international border areas in the southern and western parts of Yunnan Province, China.Subsequent analyses based on morphological and molecular data revealed three distinct and previously unknown lineages, which we formally describe as three new species herein. Among them, we describe a new species that occurs at the highest known elevation for Leptobrachella in China. Four species of Leptobrachella, including two new species, are found in the same reserve. Furthermore, our results suggest that the population from Longchuan County,Yunnan, may represent an additional new species of Leptobrachella, although we tentatively assigned it to Leptobrachella cf. yingjiangensis due to the small sample size examined. Lastly, we provide the first description of females of L. yingjiangensis. Our results further highlight that both micro-endemism and sympatric distributions of species are common patterns in Leptobrachella, that contribute to taxonomic and conservation challenges in these frogs. We provide an identification key for Leptobrachella known to occur in Yunnan. Given the lack of knowledge on species diversity of Leptobrachella along international border areas, we recommend that future studies include transboundary collaborative surveys.

Hiding on jagged karst pinnacles:A new microendemic genus and species of a limestone-dwelling agamid lizard(Squamata:Agamidae:Draconinae)from Khammouan Province,Laos

We describe a unique new species and genus of agamid lizard from the karstic massifs of Khammouan Province,central Laos.Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is an elusive medium-sized lizard(maximum snout-vent length101 mm)specifically adapted to life on limestone rocks and pinnacles.To assess the phylogenetic position of the new genus amongst other agamids,we generated DNA sequences from two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and ND2)and three nuclear loci(BDNF,RAG1 and c-mos),with a final alignment comprising 7418 base pairs for 64 agamid species.Phylogenetic analyses unambiguously place the new genus in the mainland Asia subfamily Draconinae,where it forms a clade sister to the genus Diploderma from East Asia and the northern part of Southeast Asia.Morphologically,the new genus is distinguished from all other genera in Draconinae by possessing a notably swollen tail base with enlarged scales on its dorsal and ventral surfaces.Our work provides further evidence that limestone regions of Indochina represent unique“arks of biodiversity”and harbor numerous relict lineages.To date,Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is known from only two adult male specimens and its distribution seems to be restricted to a narrow limestone massif on the border of Khammouan and Bolikhamxai provinces of Laos.Additional studies are required to understand its life history,distribution,and conservation status.

A new species of the genus Micryletta(Anura,Microhylidae) from Hainan Island, China

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new amphibian species of the genus Micryletta from Hainan Island, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Micryletta immaculata sp. nov., is diagnosed by a combination of the following morphological characters: medium-sized within genus(SVL23.3–24. mm in males, n=3;27.7–30.1 mm in females, n=2).

A new species of Micryletta (Amphibia: Microhylidae) from southern Thailand

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new species,Micryletta dissimulans sp.nov.,from the lowland forests of southern Thailand,which is described based on molecular and morphological evidence.The new species is characterized by a combination of the following characters:small body size (20.3-22.4 mm in males,24.4-26.7 mm in females);slender body habitus.

Mountain jade: A new high-elevation microendemic species of the genus Zhangixalus(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae)from Laos

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new species, Zhangixalus melanoleucus sp.nov., from Phou Samsoum Mountain(PSM) in Xiengkhouang Province, northeastern Laos, based on an integrative taxonomic approach, including morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic lines of evidence. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following diagnostic characters: medium body size(SVL 34.4–36.3 mm in males, 53.7 mm in a single female);dorsum smooth and green;chest and belly lacking spots;flanks, axillae, ventral surfaces of forearms, inguinal.

A new species of Nanohyla(Anura:Microhylidae)from the lowland forests of southern Vietnam

DEAR EDITOR,We describe a new species of Nanohyla from the Song Hinh Protected Forest in Phu Yen Province,southern Vietnam,based on an integrative taxonomic approach.The new species represents a divergent lineage(16S rRNA gene uncorrected P-distance>5.3%),which clearly differs from any other Nanohyla species based on a series of morphological characters,most notably the presence of white spots on the top of its head.Morphologically,Nanohyla albopunctata sp.nov.is characterized by small body size(male snout-vent length(SVL)18.2-20.2 mm);moderately slender body habitus;rounded snout;distinct tympanum;rounded canthus rostralis;loreal region slightly concave;skin on dorsum tubercular,ventral surfaces smooth;mid-vertebral skin ridge and dorsomedial stripe absent;superciliary tubercles absent.

A new species of Micryletta(Amphibia:Anura:Microhylidae)from the Langbian Plateau in southern Vietnam

We report a new species of the genus Micryletta from the montane evergreen forest in the Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park,Lam Dong Province,Langbian Plateau,southern Vietnam,based on molecular and morphological evidence.The new species is diagnosed by a combination of the following morphological characters:body size small(snout-vent length(SVL)22.4 mm,single female);iris uniform black;snout nearly truncate in dorsal view,slightly rounded in profile;tibiotarsal articulation of adpressed limb reaching level of eye;dorsal surface smooth;supratympanic fold present,prominent;outer metatarsal tubercle absent;tips of toes very weakly dilated into small discs;finger webbing absent,toe webbing rudimentary;dorsal surfaces of head and body orange-red with small irregularly shaped dark-brown patches;dorsal surface of limbs pale dark brown with small reddish speckles;body flanks dark brown anteriorly fading to grayish brown posteriorly with brown spots in groin area;lateral sides of head immaculate blackish brown without white patches;coloration of ventral surfaces immaculate dark gray.