Review of the genus <italic>Brachytarsophrys</italic> (Anura: Megophryidae), with revalidation of <italic>Brachytarsophrys platyparietus</italic> and description of a new species from China
Yao Li, Zhang Dan-Dan, Zhi‐Tong Lyu, Jian Wang, Yulong Li, Zuyao Liu, Honghui Chen, Rao Ding-Qi, Zhi-Fang Jin, Changyou Zhang, Ying-Yong Wang
Abstract
The genus-level recognition of monophyletic short-legged toads (<i>Brachytarsophrys</i>) has been recently implicated in the taxonomic debate of <i>Megophrys sensu lato</i>. In the present study, <i>Brachytarsophrys</i> is reasonably regarded as a distinct genus based on significant morphological differentiations and recent molecular analyses. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of this genus is performed, with two species groups proposed based on morphological differences and phylogenetic relationships. Particularly, <i>Brachytarsophrys platyparietus</i> is removed as a synonym of <i>Brachytarsophrys carinense</i> and considered a valid species due to significant genetic divergence and distinct morphological differences. In addition, a new species, <i>Brachytarsophrys orientalis</i> <b>sp</b> . <b>nov</b> ., is described based on a series of specimens collected from southeastern China. This work takes the member species of the genus <i>Brachytarsophrys</i> to seven, suggesting that the diversity of <i>Brachytarsophrys</i> is underestimated. In addition, the genus levels of other monophyletic groups within the subfamily Megophryinae are discussed.<br/>