A new species of the genus Megophrys Gunther, 1864 (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from Mount Wuyi, China

Scientists have identified a new species of horned toad, Megophrys ombrophila, from Mount Wuyi, China. This discovery was made through a combination of morphological, bioacoustic, and molecular analyses of 12S and 16S mitochondrial DNA. The species is characterized by its rotund body, distinct tympanum, smooth dorsal skin with granules and ridges, and unique reproductive traits. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that M. ombrophila is closely related to Megophrys obesa from Guangdong Province. The study highlights the importance of fine-scale molecular and phenotypic assessments in uncovering cryptic species within the hyper-diverse subfamily Megophryinae.

MESSENGER, K. R., DAHN, H. A., LIANG, Y., XIE, P., WANG, Y., & LU, C. (2019). A new species of the genus Megophrys Gunther, 1864 (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae) from Mount Wuyi, China. Zootaxa, 4554(2). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4554.2.9