Description of two cryptic species of the Amolops ricketti group (Anura, Ranidae) from southeastern China

Abstract

Two cryptic species, which were previously reported as <i>Amolopsricketti</i>, are revealed on the basis of significant morphological and genetic divergences. <i>Amolopssinensis</i> <b>sp. n.</b> from central Guangdong, northeastern Guangxi and southwestern Hunan can be distinguished by the longitudinal glandular folds on the skin of the shoulders and other character combinations. <i>Amolopsyatseni</i> <b>sp. n.</b> from the coastal hills of west Guangdong can be distinguished by the dense tiny round translucent, or white, spines on the dorsal skin of the body, dorsal and dorsolateral skin of the limbs, and other character combinations. The phylogenetic interrelationships of the <i>A.ricketti</i> group have been inferred as (<i>A.wuyiensis</i> + <i>A.ricketti</i>) + (<i>A.yunkaiensis</i> + (<i>A.albispinus</i> + (<i>A.sinensis</i> <b>sp. n.</b> + <i>A.yatseni</i> <b>sp. n.</b>))). This work indicates that the current records of <i>A.ricketti</i> might be a species complex composed of multiple species, and further work is needed to figure out this puzzle.