Morphological and molecular evidence support a new species of the genus Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) from central China

Based on morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses, a new species of the genus Leptobrachella from Xinshao County, Hunan Province, China, is described. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16 S rRNA and COI gene sequences support the new species as an independent lineage. The uncorrected p-distances of the 16 S rRNA and COI genes between the new species and its closest congeners are 2.1 % and 8.1 %, respectively.

The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 27.8–31.4 mm in males; (2) toes rudimentarily webbed, with narrow lateral fringes; (3) tympanum distinct, surrounded by distinct tubercles; (4) dorsal surface shagreened, with small, raised tubercles and longitudinal ridges; (5) ventral surface creamy white, with dark brown spots on the chest and margins; (6) distinct black spots present on the flanks; (7) heels not meeting when hindlimbs are flexed at right angles to the body axis; and (8) tibia – tarsal articulation reaching between the eye and the tympanum.