A New Tree Frog of the Genus Kurixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam

Abstract

A small rhacophorid frog from southern Vietnam is placed in the genus Kurixalus through molecular phylogenetic analysis. Because it is divergent genetically and morphologically from all known congeners, we describe it as a distinct species, K. viridescens. The species differs from the other congeners by an immaculate green dorsum, which is usually maculated gray to brown in the other species. With the addition of this new species, Vietnam now encompasses seven species of Kurixalus, and can be regarded as the center of speciation of this genus.