We carried out a large-scale phylogenetic analysis of fejervaryan (dicroglossid frogs with 'Fejervaryan lines' on the ventral side of the body) frogs, distributed in South and SE Asia, using published and newly generated sequences of unidentified individuals from the northern Western Ghats. The results corroborate the presence of a larger fejervaryan clade with a sister relationship to a clade composed of Sphaerotheca. Two sister clades could be discerned within the lager fejervaryan clade. The unidentified individuals formed a monophyletic group and showed a strong support for a sister relationship with Minervarya sahyadris. The species was found to be highly divergent (16S rRNA-4% and tyr-1%) from its sister lineage Minervarya sahyadris, and the clade composed of these two lineages were found to be deeply nested within the larger clade of Fejervarya. Based on this, the genus Minervarya Dubois, Ohler and Biju, 2001 is synonymized under the genus Fejervarya Bolkay, 1915. The unidentified lineage is recognized, based on phylogenetic position, genetic divergence and morphological divergence, as a distinct species and named here as Fejervarya gomantaki sp. nov. The presence of rictal glands was observed to be a synapomorphic character shared by the nested clade members, Fejervarya sahyadris and Fejervarya gomantaki sp. nov. Based on the presence of rictal gland and small size, Minervarya chilapata, a species from a lowland region in the Eastern Himalayas, is synonymized under Fejervarya and evidence for morphological separation from the new species, Fejervarya gomantaki sp. nov. is provided. For fejervaryan frogs, three generic names (Frost, 2015) are currently in use for two phylogenetic subclades; the genus Fejervarya Bolkay, 1915 for species distributed in South East Asia; the genus Zakerana Howlader, 2011 for species distributed in South Asia and the genus Minervarya Dubois, Ohler and Biju, 2001 nested within the 'Zakerana clade'. In the phylogenetic analysis Minervarya sahyadris and the new species described herein as Fejervarya gomantaki sp. nov. are nested within the 'Zakerana clade'. If the 'Zakerana clade' for the fejervaryan frogs distributed in South Asia is assigned a generic status, the nomen 'Minervarya' should be used as per the principle of priority of the ICZN Code. Taking into consideration the overlapping distribution ranges of members of the sister clades within the larger fejervaryan clade and the absence of distinct morphological characteristics, we also synonymize the genus Zakerana Howlader, 2011, a name assigned to one of the sister clades with members predominantly distributed in South Asia, under the genus Fejervarya Bolkay, 1915. We discuss the need for additional sampling to identify additional taxa and determine the geographical ranges of the members of the sister clades within Fejervarya to resolve taxonomy within this group. [Corrected]

The skittering frog genus Euphlyctis is known to have a distribution range from Arabian Peninsula to Bangladesh through India and Sri Lanka. Although species descriptions were initiated about two centuries ago in the genus with a small number of species described, taxonomic identities and genetic information for many species are still incomplete / inaccurate. Here, we report the systematic status of this group, discuss a series of taxonomic issues, and describe a new species. Based on morphological characters and colour patterns, and their reciprocal monophyly in the molecular tree, two morphological groups, ‘cyanophlyctis group’ and ‘hexadactylus group’ are established within the genus Euphlyctis. We discuss the genetic identity for E. cyanophlyctis, described 220 years ago from the Indian subcontinent, from the surroundings of its type locality. E. mudigere is proposed as a junior synonym of E. cyanophlyctis as it was described from populations here considered to originate from the general distribution area of the latter taxon, and without substantial genetic divergence from other populations here attributed to E. cyanophlyctis. The potential of resurrection of Euphlyctis seistanica due to distinct genetic population in Iran is discussed; this lineage appears to be genetically rather similar to E. kalasgramensis, and the species distinctness of these two lineages requires further study. The validity of E. kalasgramensis is also discussed in the context of the historically earlier nomina, Rana bengalensis and Rana leschenaultii due to distribution range overlaps. The prospects of establishing either Rana cyanophlictis variety fulvus or Rana cyanophlictis variety flavens from Sri Lanka are also mentioned. Based on a comparative account, we report the discovery of a new species of skittering frog Euphlyctis kerala sp. nov. which has a restricted distribution in the western coastal plains of India, south of the Palghat gap. [http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:02B1DE04-C40C-4AAD-AC87-EF97673A4BF5]

The aquatic frog genus ‘Euphlyctis’ is now considered under two separate genera- Euphlyctis Fitzinger and Phrynoderma Fitzinger, with four valid species in each genus, respectively. The current distribution range of the genus Phrynoderma is restricted to peninsular India and Bangladesh, with a probability of availability in Sri Lanka. The genus Euphlyctis has a wide range of distribution from the Arabian Peninsula and the South Asian countries, with a few historical descriptions treated as junior synonyms of the species Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis in India. A new species of skittering frog, Euphlyctis jaladhara sp. nov. is described here from the surroundings of the Thattekad Bird Sanctuary of Kerala, India, which has a predominant distribution in the western coastal plains of peninsular India and some parts of the Western Ghats. The new species has distinct morphological characters and a high genetic distance that distinguishes it from the sympatric species. Discussions are made concerning the validity of the species E. ghoshi and E. kalasgramensis.

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The dicroglossid genus Sphaerotheca was erected by Günther in 1859, with its range of distribution in South Asia. Since then, 13 species have been described and 10 species are considered valid. Many of these descriptions were from low to mid-elevation ranges of homestead areas, agroecosystems and degraded landscapes with a few from forested areas. In the present account, a new species of Sphaerotheca, a genetically distinct lineage with a morphological character set distinguishable from its congeners, is described from the surroundings of Bengaluru city, India. Based on evidence for the origin of the original specimen, we also designated a neotype for Rana variegata Gravenhorst, 1829, a junior primary homonym of Rana variegata Linnaeus, 1758, and permanently invalid name, so that it is now a subjective synonym of Rana (Tomopterna) breviceps rolandae Dubois, 1983.