A new species of Boulenophrys from central Hunan Province, China (Anura: Megophryidae)

Abstract

Abstract We re-examined the megophryinid population from Mt. Hengshan, Hunan Province, China previously identified as Boulenophrys brachykolos (under the name Megophrys brachykolos ). Based on newly obtained molecular data, this population appears to be an independent lineage with a relatively distant phylogenetic relationship to B. brachykolos sensu stricto. Furthermore, this population exhibits distinct morphological characteristics that distinguish it from all its congeners. Therefore, we propose to recognize the Hengshan population of B. brachykolos as a new species, Boulenophrys hengshanensis sp. nov. described herein.