How to translate text using browser tools
17 November 2021 Three new tiny species of the microhylid frog genus Cophixalus Boettger, 1892 from central Papua New Guinea
Rainer Günther, Stephen Richards
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

We describe three new species of frogs in the asterophryine microhylid genus Cophixalus from New Guinea's central cordillera. All three are characterized by their very small size (adult body length < 18 mm), reduced first fingers, narrow ridges on the dorsum, and having terminal discs on the fingers smaller than or the same size as those on the toes. They were found on the forest floor or on low vegetation in montane rainforest, where males called at night during or after heavy rain. Each of the new species is known only from one or two locations within a small area of central Papua New Guinea, although the extent of suitable habitat in the region suggests that their distributions may be broader. This study brings to 51 the number of described Cophixalus species known from the New Guinea region, but numerous additional undescribed forms reside in museum collections awaiting formal description, and others undoubtedly await discovery in their natural habitats.

Rainer Günther and Stephen Richards "Three new tiny species of the microhylid frog genus Cophixalus Boettger, 1892 from central Papua New Guinea," Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 134(1), 339-362, (17 November 2021). https://doi.org/10.2988/0006-324X-134.339
Published: 17 November 2021
JOURNAL ARTICLE
24 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Amphibia
central cordillera
Hela Province
new species
Southern Highlands Province
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top