The proposed English name of the frog is the Leishan Odorous frog Odorrana leishanensis sp. nov
Researchers have discovered and described a new species of frog of the genus Odorrana in the Leigongshan National Nature Reserve in China. The frog joins 65 species in the genus, with 42 species known to exist in China, and 27 of them endemic to China. The proposed English name of the frog is the Leishan Odorous frog Odorrana leishanensis sp. nov. The Chinese name is proposed as Lei Shan Chou Wa. The researchers speculate the Leishan Odorous frog had an independent evolutionary history from other frogs in the genus.
“Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that Odorrana leishanensis sp. nov. was revealed as the sister to the clade corresponding to the O. schmackeri complex, and is morphologically distinct from the latter (vocal sacs absent, and smaller body size in female),” the researchers wrote in their paper. “This may indicate that the new species has probably experienced an independent evolutionary history.”
Photographs of the holotype MTLS20230729013 of Odorrana leishanensis sp. nov. in life A dorsal view B ventral view C dorsal view of hand D ventral view of hand E ventral view of foot. Part of: Li S-Z, Chen J-J, Su H-J, Liu J, Tang X-J, Wang B (2024) A new odorous frog species of Odorrana (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from Guizhou Province, China. ZooKeys 1192: 57-82. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1192.114315
Coloration of Holotype in Life
The frog’s back is grass green in coloration. The skin shows some irregularly positioned small brown spots. The flanks are a pale yellow in coloration with some black spots. The forelimbs are green on top with black bands and pale yellow on the bottom, as are the hindlimbs. The lower jaw is yellow in coloration with black spots. The ventral surface of amphibian’s throat and chest is brown. the belly is a pale yellow.
Frogs Evolved Millions Of Years Later Than Previously Thought
The females are slightly larger than the males. The males don’t possess vocal sacs and during breeding season, the glandular nuptial pads can be seen on the fingers.
The Leishan Odorous frog is known to occur in the Leigongshan National Nature Reserve, Leishan County, Guizhou Province, China. It can be found at elevations between 1,600 and 1,900 meters in mountain forest areas, with plenty of bamboo and streams nearby. It is not clear if the species occurs elsewhere in China.
The name Leishanensis comes from the county in which the frog was found, Leishan County in Guizhou Province.
The complete paper, “A new odorous frog species of Odorrana (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from Guizhou Province, China” can be read on the Zookeys Journal website.
