Generic classification of Asian horned toads (Anura: Megophryidae: Megophryinae) and monograph of Chinese species
Zhi‐Tong Lyu, 中山大学生命科学学院/生态学院, 广东 广州510275, 中国, Shuo Qi, Jian Wang, Siyu Zhang, Jian Zhao, Zhao‐Chi Zeng, Han Wan, Jian-Huan Yang, Yun-Ming Mo, Ying-Yong Wang, 中国科学院昆明动物研究所遗传资源与进化国家重点实验室, 云南省高黎贡山生物多样性与生态安全重点实验室, 云南 昆明650223, 中国, 香港嘉道理农场暨植物园, 香港特别行政区新界, 中国, 广西自然博物馆, 广西 南宁 530012, 中国, Kadoorie Conservation China, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Tai Po, Hong Kong SAR, China
Abstract
The subfamily Megophryinae, as a representative batrachian group of the Oriental Realm and one of the most diverse groups of amphibians, has attracted considerable attention due to continued conjecture regarding its generic classification and failure to reach a satisfactory consensus. China boasts the richest diversity of Asian horned toads, containing some two thirds of the total species cataloged. However, most species have a complicated taxonomic history, resulting in multiple misidentifications. As such, an overall clarification of historical records and regional checklists is required. In the current investigation, we established the phylogeny of the Asian horned toads and performed detailed examinations with redefinitions of several important morphological traits. Based on the phylogenetic relationships and morphological differences, we propose a new ten-genus classification for the Asian horned toad subfamily Megophryinae: i.e., <i>Brachytarsophrys</i>, <i>Atympanophrys</i>, <i>Grillitschia</i>, <i>Sarawakiphrys</i> <b>gen. nov.</b> , <i>Jingophrys</i> <b>gen. nov.</b> , <i>Xenophrys</i>, <i>Megophrys</i>, <i>Pelobatrachus</i>, <i>Ophryophryne</i>, and <i>Boulenophrys</i>. Revisions on the diagnosability, distribution, and content of each genus are provided. Furthermore, we present a careful review of the taxonomic history of Asian horned toad species from China and provide a monograph of congeners, including six species of <i>Brachytarsophrys</i>, four species of <i>Atympanophrys</i>, five species of <i>Jingophrys</i> <b>gen. nov.</b> , 10 species of <i>Xenophrys</i>, two species of <i>Ophryophryne</i>, and 60 species of <i>Boulenophrys</i>. Finally, we discuss the importance of traditional morphological traits based on multiple populations in taxonomic work as well as taxonomic inflation caused by the genetic species delimitation.