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Issue: Vol. 5725 No. 2: 2 Dec. 2025
Type: Article
Published: 2025-12-02
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5725.2.2
Page range: 203-230
Abstract views: 37
PDF downloaded: 0

Three New Species of the Genus Scutiger (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from the Gaoligong Mountain Range in China, with An Updated Key to the Chinese Congeners

Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650223; Yunnan; China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yezin; Nay Pyi Taw 05282; Myanmar
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650223; Yunnan; China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yezin; Nay Pyi Taw 05282; Myanmar
Herpetological Research Center; College of Life Sciences; Nanjing Normal University; Nanjing 210023; Jiangsu; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650223; Yunnan; China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yezin; Nay Pyi Taw 05282; Myanmar
Fugong Administrative Sub-Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve; Nujiang Prefecture; Yunnan 673499; China
Gongshan Administrative Sub-Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve; Nujiang Prefecture; Yunnan 673500; China
Gongshan Administrative Sub-Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve; Nujiang Prefecture; Yunnan 673500; China
Lushui Administrative Sub-Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve; Nujiang Prefecture; Yunnan 673100; China
Nujiang Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve; Nujiang Prefecture; Yunnan 673299; China
Nujiang Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve; Nujiang Prefecture; Yunnan 673299; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650223; Yunnan; China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yezin; Nay Pyi Taw 05282; Myanmar
Tengchong Bureau of Gaoligongshan National Nature Reserve; Tengchong; Yunnan 679100; China
Yunnan Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Ecological Conservation of Gaoligong Mountain; Kunming Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Kunming 650223; Yunnan; China; Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Yezin; Nay Pyi Taw 05282; Myanmar
Amphibia cryptic diversity frog Hengduan Mountain southwest Yunnan taxonomy

Abstract

Lazy Toads of the genus Scutiger are a diverse group of alpine specialists in Asia. Despite continuous research on the taxonomy of the genus, the diversity is still underestimated. Integrating both molecular and morphometric analyses, we describe three new species of the genus Scutiger from the Gaoligong Mountain Range in Yunnan Province, China. Morphologically, these three species resemble S. gongshanensis, S. mammatus, and S. boulengeri, respetively, but they can be diagnosed from these recognized species and all other congeners by a suit of morphological characters, including the toe webbing status, numbers of pectoral glands and axillary glands with nuptial spines in breeding males, and the number of fingers covered with nuptial spines in breeding males. Additionally, they show considerable genetic divergences with respect to their morphologically similar species. We discussed the still underestimated diversity in Southwest China, the existing taxonomic problems of the genus, particularly regarding the validity and the whereabouts of type specimens of S. bangdaensis, S. biluoensis, and S. meiliensis, and we provide an updated key to all recognized species of China.

 

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How to Cite

Wang, K., Yu, Z., Wu, Y., Hou, S.B., Wang, D., Xiong, Y., Ye, X.L., Duan, J.P., Li, H.J., Li, J., Jin, J.Q., Yang, S.P. & Che, J. (2025) Three New Species of the Genus Scutiger (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from the Gaoligong Mountain Range in China, with An Updated Key to the Chinese Congeners. Zootaxa, 5725 (2), 203–230. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5725.2.2