Discovery of a new limestone karst-restricted odorous frog from northern Guangdong, China (Anura, Ranidae, Odorrana)

Karstic landscapes play an important role in biodiversity formation and often contain high levels of endemism. However, site-endemic taxa in karstic landscapes are being threatened by exploitation and weak legal protection. In this study, we describe Odorrana concelata Wang, Zeng, & Lin, sp. nov., a limestone karst-restricted odorous frog from northern Guangdong, China. This new species shows distinctive genetic divergence and morphological differences from its congeners. Phylogenetic results suggest that the new species represents an independent lineage that is grouped with O. lipuensis and O. liboensis based on the mitochondrial 16S and 12S ribosomal RNA genes. We recommend the new species be listed as Vulnerable (VU) in the IUCN categorization as it is only known from the type locality with limited microhabitats and is threatened by habitat degradation.

Automated summary

Karstic landscapes are important for biodiversity formation, but site-endemic taxa in these landscapes are threatened by exploitation and weak legal protection. This study describes a new odorous frog species, restricted to limestone karst, with distinct genetic and morphological differences from its congeners. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that it represents an independent lineage grouped with two other species based on mitochondrial genes. The new species is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN categorization due to its limited microhabitats and habitat degradation threats.