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Issue: Vol. 2482 No. 1: 24 May. 2010
Type: Articles
Published: 2010-05-24
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.2482.1.3
Page range: 49–63
Abstract views: 71
PDF downloaded: 1

A new species of limestone-forest frog, genus Platymantis (Amphibia: Anura: Ceratobatrachidae) from central Luzon Island, Philippines

Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561, USA
National Museum of the Philippines, Rizal Park, Padre. Burgos Ave. Ermita 1000, Manila, Philippines
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561, USA
University of Santo Tomas, Espana Boulevard, Manila, Philippines
Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Institute, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045-7561, USA
Amphibia Biodiversity Cryptic species Endemism Limestone frogs Platymantis guentheri Species Group SW Pacific

Abstract

We describe a new species of terrestrial limestone forest frog of the genus Platymantis from Biak Na Bato National Park in central Luzon Island, Philippines. Platymantis biak is assigned to the primarily arboreal Platymantis guentheri Species Group, and is distinguished from these and other congeners by features of its external morphology and preferred terrestrial limestone microhabitat. Several distinguishing morphological characters include a moderately large body (32.3–39.9 mm SVL for 23 males and 37.4–42.4 mm SVL for 8 females), moderately expanded finger discs and slightly expanded toe discs, smooth skin, and limb banding pattern. The new species is yet another species in a rapidly growing group of newly discovered Philippine forest frogs with preferences for forested, karst habitats.

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