Monday, June 27, 2011

[Herpetology • 2009] Xanthophryne • new endemic Genus with a new species of toad from the Western Ghats of India




Holotype: Xanthophryne tigerinus Biju, Van Bocxlaer, Giri, Loader & Bossuyt, 2009

Bufo koynayensis Soman, 1963
is transferred to a new genus Xanthophryne gen. nov.
and a new species, Xanthophryne tigerinus sp. nov.,
from Amboli in the Western Ghats

Two new genera of toad - India
| Two new endemic genera and a new species of toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Western Ghats of India.
S.D. Biju, Ines Van Bocxlaer, Varad B. Giri, Simon P. Loader and Franky Bossuyt

Abstract
Background: Bufonidae are a large family of toads with a subcosmopolitan distribution. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed a radiation of toads (Adenominae) with distinct adultand larval ecomorphs on the Southern parts of the Indian subcontinent. The Indian torrential species "Ansonia" ornata has a basal position in this clade and does not group with South-East Asian Ansonia. Additionally, the nested position of "Bufo" koynayensis and an undescribed sister species,and their distinct ecologies including a non-typical egg-laying strategy within bufonids, support the recognition of a second distinct genus. In this paper we describe two new genera and one new species from the Adenominae clade.

Findings: Ansonia ornata Günther, 1876 "1875" is transferred to Ghatophryne gen. nov., a genus of torrentially adapted toads that are endemic to the Western Ghats of India. On the basis of close morphological resemblance and distribution, Ansonia rubigina Pillai and Pattabiraman, 1981 is provisionally transferred to this new genus. The Western Ghats endemic toad Bufo koynayensis Soman, 1963 is transferred to a new genus Xanthophryne gen. nov. Based on molecular and morphological evidence, we additionally describe a new species, Xanthophryne tigerinus sp. nov., from Amboli in the Western Ghats.



Xanthophryne tigerinus eggs are laid in clutches in temporary puddles.

Conclusion: The descriptions and subsequent taxonomic changes we propose result in three genera of bufonids recognised as being endemic to the Western Ghats (Ghatophryne gen. nov.,Xanthophryne gen. nov. and Pedostibes), and one to Sri Lanka (Adenomus). The spatial distribution, and arrangement of these lineages at the base of Adenominae diversification, reflectstheir Early Neogene isolation in the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka hotspot.

Xanthophryne tigerinus sp. nov (holotype, BNHS 5175). A, holotype in life; B, dorsal view of head showing prominent granular projections with horny spinules; C, lateral view of head; D, ventral view of hand; E, ventral view of foot; F. Xanthophryne koynayensis, dorsal view of the head, showing scattered granular projections with horny spinules.
Biju et al. BMC Research Notes 2009 2:241 doi:10.1186/1756-0500-2-241


Xanthophryne koynayensis, a male adult (SDB 6040) from the type locality.

Biju, Van Bocxlaer, Giri, Loader & Bossuyt, 2009 : Two new endemic genera and a new species of toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Western Ghats of India. BMC Research Notes, vol. 2, n. 241, p. 1-10 doi:10.1186/1756-0500-2-241