Detection of Cryptic taxa in the genus Leptophryne (Fitzinger, 1843) (Amphibia; Bufonidae) and the description of a new species from Java, Indonesia

Abstract

We investigated phylogenetic relationships among populations of two species within the genus Leptophryne, L. cruentata and L. borbonica, using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. As a result, we identified two distinct lineages within populations currently considered Leptophryne cruentata: 1) a lineage containing L. cruentata from the type locality, and 2) a lineage from Mt. Slamet and Mt. Ciremai. On the basis of genetic and morphological differences, we describe the Mt. Slamet and Mt. Ciremai populations as a new species, L. javanica sp. nov. The new species is distinguished from L. cruentata and L. borbonica by the following combination of morphological characters: the presence of distinct yellow mottling on the dorsum; relatively small body size (SVL male 22.2–24.0 mm, female 29.6 mm); relatively short hindlimbs (HLL 37.0–40.9 mm); relatively short fourth toe (4ToeL 4.3–6.0 mm); basal webbing on the hands, but well developed on toes; very protruding snout and an indistinct tympanum. In our preliminary phylogenetic analysis, we also detected four distinct lineages within Leptophryne borbonica: 1) a lineage containing true L. borbonica from west Java, 2) a lineage from Lampung (Sumatra I), 3) a lineage from northern Borneo, and 4) a lineage from Bengkulu (Sumatra II). Further studies are needed to determine taxonomic status of these lineages.

Hiding in plain sight on Gunung Muria: A new species and first record of rock gecko (Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887; Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Java, Indonesia

“…km, and Belitung Island (the type locality of C. purnamai) by ~470 km. The African-Asian Frog genus Chiromantis also occurs in Java (Riyanto & Kurniati 2014;Wostl et al 2017), as do other recently described reptiles and amphibians (Riyanto et al 2014;Hartmann et al 2016;Kieckbusch et al 2016;Wostl et al 2017;Hamidy et al 2018). These novelties have shown Java to be a more herpetologically interesting place than heretofore believed, even though it was believed to have been relatively well studied during the long history of exploration during the Dutch colonial period.…”

Distribution Record of Leptophryne borbonica (Tschudi, 1838) (Anura: Bufonidae) from Malang, East Java: Description, Microhabitat, and Possible Threats

“…The morphological characters observed are mostly suited to the description of L. borbonica (Inger & Stuebing, 2005;Hamidy et al, 2018) with similar web formulas from Hamidy et. al (2018) (I ½-1 II 1-2 III 1½-3 IV 3-1 V; our direct examination: I 0-1 II 0-2 III 1-3 IV 2¾-1 V), with no black triangular marking behind the eyes, unlike stated by Iskandar with black triangular on some specimens from another localities (Iskandar, 1998)…”

“…This species was distributed only in Borneo, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, and also Java Island with type locality from West Java (Iskandar, 1998), and also was recorded in Tengger Mountain, without exact location (Ardiansyah et al, 2014;Iskandar & Colijn, 2000). Other species found in this genus is Leptophryne cruentata (Tschudi, 1838) which is distributed only in West Java and Central Java (Iskandar and Colijn, 2000;Mumpuni, 2014), and newly recorded species namely Leptophryne javanica Hamidy, Munir, Mumpuni, Rahmania & Kholik, 2018 which is endemic, protected, and only distributed on the conservation area in the slopes of Mount Slamet and Mount Ciremai in West Java (Hamidy et al, 2018). Distribution mapping, the collection of habitat preference data, the population size of species, and the description related to the possibility of cryptic species in this genus (Hamidy et al, 2018) are very important due to the limited information about this species in East Java.…”

“…Other species found in this genus is Leptophryne cruentata (Tschudi, 1838) which is distributed only in West Java and Central Java (Iskandar and Colijn, 2000;Mumpuni, 2014), and newly recorded species namely Leptophryne javanica Hamidy, Munir, Mumpuni, Rahmania & Kholik, 2018 which is endemic, protected, and only distributed on the conservation area in the slopes of Mount Slamet and Mount Ciremai in West Java (Hamidy et al, 2018). Distribution mapping, the collection of habitat preference data, the population size of species, and the description related to the possibility of cryptic species in this genus (Hamidy et al, 2018) are very important due to the limited information about this species in East Java. Thus, we report a new distribution with a description of the Hourglass-toad from East Java region as well as its ecological implications related to the possibility of habitat threats to the sustainability of its population.…”

“…based on the observed location. According toHamidy et. al (2018), L. borbonica occurs in both lowlands and…”