A new species of the Rana japonica group (Anura, Ranidae, Rana) from China, with a taxonomic proposal for the R. johnsi group.

ABSTRACT: Rana jiulingensis sp. nov., a new species from Hunan and Jiangxi, southeastern China, is described. The new species is assigned to the R. japonica group. The clade comprising R. jiulingensis sp. nov. and R. dabieshanensis from Anhui is the sister taxon of R. omeimontis from Sichuan. Rana jiulingensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by the significant divergences in the 16S and COI genes, and the combination of following morphological characters: body size medium, SVL 48.3-57.8 mm in adult males and 48.2-57.5 mm in adult females; dorsolateral fold straight; digits without circummarginal grooves; dorsal skin smooth; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching forward beyond the tip of snout; heels overlapping; webbing formula of toes: I 1⅓

SUBMITTER: Wan H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7316803 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature