[Herpetology • 2014] Kurixalus motokawai • A New Cryptic Tree Frog Species Allied to Kurixalus banaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

 A new species of the genus Kurixalus is described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses. Morphologically,Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov. is most similar to K. banaensis but they are clearly separated from each other in mitochondrial DNA sequences. In phylogenetic analysis the new species clustered in the same clade with Kurixalus banaensis and K. viridescens. However, the new species differs from K. banaensis by having a smaller body size, a higher ratio of forelimb length/SVL in both sexes, a smaller ratio of first toe length/SVL in males, snout tip less markedly pointed, and only weakly developed dermal appendages on the outer edges of fore-and hindlimbs. Kurixalusmotokawai sp. nov. also differs from K. viridescens by having a smaller size in females and a brown dorsum with dark markings.

Keywords: Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov.; mtDNA phylogeny; taxonomy; Central Highlands; Gia Lai Province; Kon Tum Province

Thien Tao Nguyen,Matsui Masafumi and Eto Koshiro. 2014. A New Cryptic Tree Frog Species Allied to Kurixalus banaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology 21(4); 295-302.
http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/917
researchgate.net/publication/269809299_A_NEW_CRYPTIC_TREE_FROG_SPECIES_ALLIED_TO_Kurixalus_banaensis_(ANURA_RHACOPHORIDAE)_FROM_VIETNAM