Baishanzu horned toad

The Baishanzu horned toad (Megophrys baishanzuensis) is a species of amphibian found in Baishanzu National Park in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province. It is located in Zhejiang Baishanzu National Park at an altitude of 1400–1600 meters of mountain streams.[1] On January 19, 2021, the press office of the Lishui Municipal Government held a press conference to announce the discovery of new amphibian species in the city.[2]

Baishanzu horned toad
A－E: back, abdomen, side, forelimb, hind limb

Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
According to the paper
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Megophryidae
Genus: Megophrys
Species:
M. baishanzuensis
Binomial name
Megophrys baishanzuensis
Wu, Li, Liu, Wang & Wu, 2020
Habitat
Tadpole

Appearance characteristics

The male is about 30.5 mm long and has inverted triangles and X-shaped brown markings on the back. The tadpole eyes are large, speckled, and have an umbrella-shaped mouth with an enlargement lip.[3]

Discovery

In June 2020, when the Biodiversity Background Investigation Team of the Ecological Environment Bureau of Lishui City investigated amphibian reptiles in Baishanzu National Park, it found the species in a stream.[4]

In view of the morphology, the call and the close relative Kuatun horned toad are different, it is identified as a new species. The researchers believe that differences in the time of call and reproduction may cause the two to reproductive isolation. The Boettger's horned toad in the same habitat are related to them far away.[3]

Since only 15 male adult individuals and 4 tadpoles were found in one stream, the researchers believe that the species should be protected.[3]

References
  1. "中国新闻网". m.chinanews.com (in Chinese). Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  2. "中国发现两栖动物新物种：百山祖角蟾-新华网". www.xinhuanet.com. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  3. Wu, Yanqing; Li, Shize; Liu, Wei; Wang, Bin; Wu, Jun (18 December 2020). "Description of a new horned toad of Megophrys Kuhl & Van Hasselt, 1822 (Amphibia, Megophryidae) from Zhejiang Province, China". ZooKeys. 1005: 73–102. doi:10.3897/zookeys.1005.58629. ISSN 1313-2970.
  4. "浙江日报". zjrb.zjol.com.cn. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
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