Theloderma

Abstract: We describe a new species of Theloderma from northwestern Vietnam based on morphological differences and molecular divergence. Theloderma annae sp. nov. is distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following characters: Size small, SVL 27.1–28.5 mm in males, 30.3–32.6 mm in females; head longer than wide; vomerine teeth absent; snout long (SL/SVL 0.16–0.19); spines on upper eyelid absent; tibiotarsal projection absent; dorsal skin smooth; dermal fringes on forearm and tarsus absent; dorsal surface grayish green; and throat and ventral surface of arms and thighs brown with white spots.

Abstract: A new species of the rhacophorid frog genus Theloderma is described from the forested shoreline of the Nam Lik Reservoir, Vientiane Province, Laos. The new species differs from its congeners by having the combination of males with SVL 17.0–20.6; pearly asperities on dorsum; no vomerine teeth; disc diameter of finger III ca. 40% of tympanum diameter; uniformly gray venter; light brown dorsum with darker brown and black markings; and a uniformly bronze iris with small black reticulations. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequence data infers that the new species is most closely related to T. lateriticum from northern Vietnam. Evidence for the monophyly of Theloderma is reviewed.

Abstract: Rhacophorid treefrogs have different reproductive modes: some go through a tadpole stage and some have direct development, and the adults of some species produce foam nests. Philautus is the only genus characterized by direct development. The production of foam nests has been reported in the genera Polypedates, Rhacophorus, Chiromantis and Chirixalus. Recent molecular studies did not provide a robust hypothesis concerning the origin of these reproductive modes in the Rhacophoridae. In order to better understand the evolution of these reproductive modes, we tried to clarify relationships within this group, using DNA sequencing. Our data set consists in a large number of new sequences (1676 base pairs corresponding to threee genes) for five outgroup ranoids and 48 Rhacophoridae, including 16 undescribed species from Sri Lanka and southern India, and all homologous data available in Genbank. After the inclusion of Philautus from India, our data show that the separation of Philautus into clades does not coincide with their geographic distribution. Our data point to the existence of a clade, including the genera Rhacophorus, Polypedates, Chiromantis and Chirixalus, which confirms the results of Wilkinson et al. (2002) and suggests that the ability to produce foam nests has emerged only once in the Rhacophoridae, as already stated by these authors. Resume Evolution des modes de reproduction chez les Rhacophoridae (Amphibia, Anura) Les rainettes de la famille des Rhacophoridae ont differents modes de reproduction: certaines ont un stade tetard alors que d'autres ont un developpement direct, et les adultes de certaines especes fabriquent des nids d’ecume. Philautus est le seul genre caracterise par un developpement direct. La production de nids d’ecume est connue dans les genres Polypedates, Rhacophorus, Chiromantis et Chirixalus. Les recentes etudes moleculaires n'ont pas donne d'hypotheses robustes concernant l'origine de ces modes de reproduction chez les Rhacophoridae. Afin de mieux comprendre l’evolution de ces modes de reproduction, nous avons essaye de clarifier les relations phylogenetiques a l'interieur de ce groupe a l'aide de sequences d'ADN. Notre jeu de donnees consiste en un grand nombre de nouvelles sequences (1676 paires de bases correspondant a trois genes) for cinq extra-groupes de Ranoidea et 48 Rhacophoridae, incluant 16 especes non decrites du Sri Lanka et du sud de l'Inde, et toutes les sequences homologues disponibles sur Genbank. Apres l'inclusion des Philautus d'Inde, nos resultats montrent que la separation de Philautus en clades ne coincide pas avec leur distribution geographique sauf entre la region indienne et les iles de la Sonde. Nos resultats mettent en evidence un clade regroupant les genres Polypedates, Rhacophorus, Chiromantis et Chirixalus. Ce point suggere que la capacitea produire des nids d’ecume n'est apparu qu'une seule fois chez les Rhacophoridae. Une nouvelle taxinomie des Rhacophoridae est proposee, avec une tribu nouvelle, Nyctixalini, reunissant les especes des genres Theloderma et Nyctixalus.

Abstract: We present a review of taxonomic status and distribution of rhacophorid frog species (Anura, Rhacophoridae, subfamily Rhacophorinae) found in isolated mountain systems of southern Vietnam (Annamite Mountains) and neighboring regions. On the basis of morphological and molecular evidences we reconsider taxonomy of Vietnamese rhacophorids with special focus on genera Theloderma sensu lato, Philautus sensu lato, Raorchestes , Feihyla , Kurixalus , Chiromantis , and Rhacophorus . Two new species of rhacophorid frogs of the genus Theloderma are described from high-elevation montane forest in Chu Yang Sin Mt. (Dak Lak Province) and lowland monsoon tropical forest in Annamite foothills in Binh Phuok, Lam Dong and Dong Nai provinces of Vietnam; we discuss taxonomy of other small Theloderma species and provide two new combinations. These new species are different from the other members of Theloderma in their appearance, morphological details and coloration. We provide a redescription of Raorchestes gryllus (Smith, 1924), reconsider taxonomy of Rhacophorus calcaneus group and give a description of one new Rhacophorus species. The new species is different from other Rhacophorus species on the basis of strongly expressed pointed projection at tibiotarsal articulation and coloration. Ecology and natural history of newly described taxa are discussed. We also give a present-day list of rhacophorid frogs found in Vietnam.