Three New Species of Narrow-Mouth Frogs (Genus: Microhyla) from Indochina, with Comments on Microhyla annamensis and Microhyla palmipes

Three species of Microhyla from Indochina are described. One species is from the Northern Truong Son (Annamite Highlands) of Vietnam and Laos, characterized by finger I less than one-half the length of finger II; expanded disks at the tip of the digits with dorsal median longitudinal grooves producing the appearance of two scutes; two metatarsal tubercles; extensive webbing on feet: on toe IV web full to distal subarticular tubercle; and marbled belly. The second species is from the Tay Nguyen Plateau, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam. It is smaller than the above species, has full webbing to medial subarticular tubercle of toe IV, and has a dusted belly. Microhyla annamensis is discussed because of its similarity to the two new species above. A third species of Microhyla is described from Ngoc Linh Mountain in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. It is easily separated from congeners of Indochina and China by its small size and the appearance of the first finger as a small, partially free nub. Microhyla palmipes is discussed because of its similarity to the third new species.

Fig. 1.

Localities in Vietnam and Laos: (1) Po-mu Mountain, Huong Son Reserve, Huong Son District, Rao An Region, Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam; (2) Ban Nape, Khamkeut District, Boli Khamxai Province, Laos; (3) Ky Anh–Ke Go, Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam; (4) Phou Vang Mountain, Nakai-Nam Theun Biodiversity Conservation Area, Nakai District, Khammouane Province, Laos; (5) Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam; (6) Navang, Khammouane Province, Laos; (7) Ngoc Linh Mountain, Tra Don Commune, Tra My District, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam; (8) Buon Luoi Village, An Khe District, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam; (9) Sui Kat, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam

Fig. 2.

Holotype of Microhyla marmorata (AMNH 161364/IEBR 71): (A) dorsal and (B) ventral view of body (scale equals 10 mm); (C) head in lateral view (scale equals 1 mm); (D) palmar view of right hand (scale equals 2.5 mm); (E) plantar view of left foot of paratype of M. marmorata (AMNH 161360; scale equals 5 mm)

Fig. 3.

Holotype of Microhyla pulverata (FMNH 254122); (A) dorsal and (B) lateral view of body (scale equals 10 mm), (C) head in lateral view (scale equals 1 mm), (D) palmar view of right hand and (E) plantar view of left foot (scale equals 1 mm)

Fig. 4.

Holotype of Microhyla annamensis (BMNH 1947.2.11.50); (A) dorsal and (B) lateral view of body (scale equals 10 mm), (C) head in lateral view (scale equals 1 mm), (D) palmar view of right hand (scale equals 1 mm), and (E) plantar view of right foot (scale equals 5 mm)

Fig. 5.

Holotype of Microhyla nanapollexa (AMNH 163686/IEBR 72); (A) dorsal and (B) ventral view of body (scale equals 10 mm), (C) head in lateral view (scale equals 1 mm), and (D) plantar view of right hand (scale equals 1 mm)

Contributor Notes

(RHB) Center for Biodiversity and Conservation and Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Herpetology), American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, New York, New York 10024; and (NQT) Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam National Center for Natural Sciences and Technology, 18 Quong Voc Viet Road, Nghia Do, Hanoi, Vietnam. (RHB) bain@amnh.org Send reprint requests to RHB.

Accepted: 26 Apr 2004