Two new species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from northern Vietnam

Abstract

Two new species of Leptolalax are described from two mountain ranges in northern Vietnam (Song Gam and Tam Dao) that are less than 150 km apart. Currently, only two species of Leptolalax, L. pelodytoides and L. bourreti, are described from Vietnam. The two new species are distinguished from other Leptolalax by a combination of characters including skin texture, ventral color pattern, presence or absence of spots on the flanks, and lateral fringes on the toes. Furthermore, the new species can be distinguished from the widely distributed and sympatric L. pelodytoides by their large size, indistinct color pattern, and an absence of granules under the chin. In addition, one of the new species has a higher cellular DNA content than sympatric L. pelodytoides.