Morphology and molecular genetics reveal two new Leptobrachella species in southern China (Anura, Megophryidae)

Abstract

Based on morphological and phylogenetic analyses (16S rRNA mtDNA), two new species of the genus <i>Leptobrachella</i> are described from southern China, namely <i>L.yunkaiensis</i> Wang, Li, Lyu & Wang, <b>sp. n.</b> from Dawuling Forest Station of Guangdong Province and <i>L.wuhuangmontis</i> Wang, Yang & Wang, <b>sp. n.</b> from Mt. Wuhuang of Guangxi Province. To date, the genus <i>Leptobrachella</i> contains 68 species, among which 13 species are known from China. The descriptions of the two new species further emphasize that the species diversity of the genus <i>Leptobrachella</i> from China is still highly underestimated and requires further investigations.