Recent taxonomic work on Artoarpus has revealed two undescribed species from Thailand and Vietnam. Artocarpus rubrosoccatus, endemic to peninsular Thailand, resembles A. lacucha but is distinguished by its deep red clavate staminate inflorescences. Artocarpus montanus is found in the montane regions of southern and central Vietnam, and perhaps also in Thailand. This species resembles the vegetative parts of A. lowii and A. excelsus, but A. montanus differs in its longer syncarp processes and its geographic distribution. The vast majority of Artocarpus species are found in tropical lowlands, and A. montanus, along with A. excelsus, represent the only known members of the genus that are restricted to montane habitats. The provisional conservation assessment of both new species is Near Threatened, because although their known areas of occupancy are restricted, both occur in protected areas.
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A new forest frog of the genus Platymantis (Amphibia: Anura: Ceratobatrachidae: subgenus Tirahanulap) from Leyte and Samar islands, eastern Philippines
We describe a new species of frog of the genus Platymantis Günther (subgenus Tirahanulap), from the east-central regions of the Philippines. It belongs to the the previously-defined P. hazelae Group) based on morphological and bioacoustic datasets. The new species is phenotypically and ecologically most similar to members of Tirahanulap, an assemblage of small-bodied arboreal frogs inhabiting montane forests of the central and northern islands of the Philippine archipelago. The new species represents the first taxon in the Cloud Frog species known from the biogeographically unique Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex. Particularly susceptible to local extirpation following deforestation, all known species of Tirahanulap are important indicator species for environmental and conservation assessments, making this new species not only an exceptional addition to Philippine biodiversity but also an important symbol for conservation initiatives in the region.
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- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10222891
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Zootaxa
- Volume:
- 4830
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 1175-5326
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 573 to 591
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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