A new species of the Rana japonica group (Anura, Ranidae, Rana) from China, with a taxonomic proposal for the R. johnsi group

Abstract

Rana jiulingensissp. nov., a new species from Hunan and Jiangxi, southeastern China, is described. The new species is assigned to the R. japonica group. The clade comprising R. jiulingensissp. nov. and R. dabieshanensis from Anhui is the sister taxon of R. omeimontis from Sichuan. Rana jiulingensissp. nov. can be distinguished by the significant divergences in the 16S and COI genes, and the combination of following morphological characters: body size medium, SVL 48.3–57.8 mm in adult males and 48.2–57.5 mm in adult females; dorsolateral fold straight; digits without circummarginal grooves; dorsal skin smooth; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching forward beyond the tip of snout; heels overlapping; webbing formula of toes: I 1⅓ – 2 II 1⅓ – 2⅓ III 1½ – 2⅔ IV 3 – 1⅓ V; absence of vocal sacs in males; and presence of creamy white nuptial pad with tiny hoar spines on the finger I and reddish tubercles on loreal and temporal regions in breeding males. Furthermore, based on our results and the previous literature, R. zhengi is synonymized with R. sangzhiensis, and a new species group, the Rana johnsi group, is proposed for the R. johnsi and R. sangzhiensis. Currently, the Rana contains 41 recognized species, and the phylogenetic placements of several species remain unresolved.

Characterization and Comparison of the Two Mitochondrial Genomes in the Genus Rana

“…Overall, the reconstructed phylogeny at the genus level in our study verified that R. longicrus and R. hanluica belong to the R. japonica group, which is consistent with the results of Wang et al [ 57 ] and Wan et al [ 17 ]. Further studies are required to clarify the phylogenetic position of the genus Rana .…”

“…The two phylogenetic reconstruction methods (ML and BI) yielded identical tree topologies that favored the clades and/or relationships of the family Ranidae (Figure 4). Overall, the reconstructed phylogeny at the genus level in our study verified that R. longicrus and R. hanluica belong to the R. japonica group, which is consistent with the results of Wang et al [57] and Wan et al [17]. Further studies are required to clarify the phylogenetic position of the genus Rana.…”

“…However, prior research indicated that R. longicrus belongs to the R. japonica group [ 15 , 16 ]. Alongside taxonomic revisions, recent investigations on this subgenus have unveiled several new species in China, underscoring the incomplete understanding of the subgenus Rana [ 9 , 11 , 17 ].…”

“…Its type locality is in Shuangpai, Hunan Province [ 18 ]. While most Rana species distributed in southern China are part of the R. japonica group [ 17 , 19 ], Fei et al [ 13 ] classified six Rana species from southern China, including R. hanluica , under the R. longicrus group. The uncertain systematic studies of the genus Rana have hindered a comprehensive understanding of species diversity and biogeographic patterns within the genus [ 12 ].…”

Generic classification of Asian horned toads (Anura: Megophryidae: Megophryinae) and monograph of Chinese species

“…Such classification is also corresponding to the geographic patterns of different genera. We consider this work will be an inspiration for the re-assessment of other groups of amphibians under generic controversy, such as Rana sensu lato , Nanorana sensu lato , and Occidozyga sensu lato ( Hofmann et al, 2019 ; Lyu et al, 2022 ; Wan et al, 2020 ). Asian horned toads have attracted much attention because of their dramatically underestimated diversity.…”