Rhacophorus Kuhl & Van Hasselt, 1822

Grosjean, Stéphane & Inthara, Chantip, 2016, Molecular identifications and descriptions of the tadpoles of Rhacophorus kio Ohler & Delorme, 2006 and Rhacophorus rhodopus Liu & Hu, 1960 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae), Zoosystema 38 (2), pp. 267-282 : 270-275

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.5252/z2016n2a5
publication LSID	urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:744B86B1-8B19-4F59-BFA3-09685DC33314
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4F516B46-4322-FFAE-FF6E-F9B1233BAAB8
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Rhacophorus Kuhl & Van Hasselt, 1822
status

Treatment

Genus Rhacophorus Kuhl & Van Hasselt, 1822 View in CoL

Rhacophorus kio Ohler & Delorme, 2006 ( Figs 2 View FIG ; 3A, B View FIG )

Rhacophorus kio Ohler & Delorme, 2006: 90 .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — A series of 37 tadpoles (MNHN 2010.1072- 1104, MNHN 2010.1142-1143) were identified as belonging to Rhacophorus kio . The specimens were collected in the Wildlife Sanctuary of Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand (19°17’N, 98°57’E), 13.VII.2005, S. Grosjean, C. Inthara and Y. Chuaynkern. Tadpoles were collected in a large puddle (10 m × 2 m and 50 cm depth) on the roadside. The pool was bordered by grass all around, and by shrubs and bamboos on the side opposite to the road where adults were observed high-perched. Tadpoles of Polypedates megacephalus and R. rhodopus were collected in the same pool. The description is based on a DNA voucher specimen at stage 36 (MNHN 2010.1072, BL 20.3 mm). Because the end of the tail was taken for molecular determination and was also damaged, information upon tail fin and tip of tail was taken from another individual at stage 36 (MNHN 2010.1073, BL 21.0 mm, TL 54.4 mm) as well as the ratios given in text.

DESCRIPTION

External morphology

In dorsal view ( Figs 2A View FIG ; 3A View FIG ), body elliptical, widest at level of gills, snout rounded. In lateral view ( Figs 2B View FIG ; 3B View FIG ), body slightly depressed, BW 116% of BH, snout rounded. Eyes moderately sized, ED 8.3% of BL, bulging and not visible in ventral view, positioned dorsolaterally with an anterodorsolateral direction. Pineal ocellus present, at level of the anterior border of eyes. Nares round, moderately sized, rimmed, positioned almost dorsally but directed anterolaterally with an opening direction horizontal, closer to snout than to pupils, RN 62% of NP; NN 46% of PP. Spiracle sinistral, square, of moderate size, positioned ventrolaterally and situated before half of body length, SS 42% of BL; opening at a height intermediate between apex of caudal myotomes and hind limb insertion, oriented posterodorsally and entirely attached to body wall (inner wall present as a slight ridge). Tail musculature moderate; TMH 71% of BH and 60% of MTH, TMW 55% of BW, slightly tapering in proximal part then gradually tapering, reaching tail tip. Tail fins of moderate size; UF 34% of MTH, LF 28% of MTH, upper fin not extending onto body, SU 72% of BL, convex, lower fin straight on more than the proximal half then curved to form the tail tip; point of maximum height of tail located just after proximal third, MTH 120% of BH, tail tip finely rounded. Anal tube short, tubular, medial and directed posteriorly, entirely attached to ventral fin, opening lateral. Lateral line present onto body.

Oral disc. ( Fig. 2C View FIG ) Oral disc positioned and directed anteroventrally, emarginated, of moderate size; ODW 18% of BL and 40% of BW. A row of marginal papillae largely interrupted medially on upper labium, DG 66% of ODW, two rows on the lower labium (submarginal row shortly interrupted medially leaving only one row on a small portion), one or two submarginal papillae laterally on upper labium; papillae moderately small, round. No denticulate papillae. KRF 1:4+4/3, upper rows subequal, A2 with a short gap, lower rows subequal. Keratodonts ( Fig. 2D View FIG ) spoon-shaped bearing 12 to 16 cusps. Jaw sheaths moderately-sized, finely serrated, upper half black and lower half white; upper sheath flat on its most part medially; lower sheath V-shaped.

Colour in life. Back and flanks light olive, anterior part of ventral side very light yellow-grey, abdomen white. Caudal muscle very light olive, fins colourless except a fine light grey area at their edge near middle of tail.

Colour in preservative. Entirely yellowish.

Variation. Variation of KRF was assessed based on 28 oth- er tadpoles in stages 25-41 (MNHN 2010.1073-1087, 2010.1090-1094, 2010.1097-1100, 2010.1142-1143, and two tadpoles lost since the description). Different collective KRF can be found: 1:(3+3)-(4+4)/3 (14%); 1:(3+3)-(5+5)/1+1:2 (75%); 2:3+3/1+1:2 (11%). TL and BL of 36 tadpoles in stages 25-41 (MNHN 2010.1073-1104, 2010.1142-1143, and two lost tadpoles) are respectively 18.7-58.9 mm and 8.6- 21.2 mm. The ratios of 10 tadpoles (MNHN 2010.1073- 1082) in stages 34-36 vary in the following proportions: BW 108-120% of BH; ED 7.8-10.7% of BL; RN 50-76% of NP; NN 46-50% of PP; SS 42-47% of BL; TMH 63- 78% of BH; TMH 55-70% of MTH; TMW 54-65% of BW; UF 33-36% of MTH; LF 24-29% of MTH; SU 73- 81% of BL; MTH 96-122% of BH; ODW 17-20% of BL; ODW 38-42% of BW; DG 62-73% of ODW. Basic measurements and KRF are provided for all available stages ( Table 1) whereas detailed measurements are provided for the stages 34-36 ( Table 3). The lower row of marginal papillae can be shortly interrupted medially.

Buccopharyngeal features

Description based on a tadpole in stage34 (MNHN 2010.1143, BL 13.9 mm, TL 34.4 mm) verified on a tadpole in stage 36 (MNHN 2010.1091, BL 13.5 mm).

Buccal floor. ( Fig. 4A View FIG ). Buccal floor roughly diamond-shaped. Prelingual arena hourglass-shaped, very narrow bearing five pairs of cylindrical papillae pustular on top: most anterior one lying on the floor of the arena and directed dorsally; second pair arising from sides of lower beak at about mid-length of arena and dorsomedially directed; third and fourth pairs at end of prelingual arena, at its narrowest part, one above the other and both transversely directed; fifth pair, the shortest, erupting low from wall bordering arena, behind previous ones, at level of anterior part of tongue anlage. Tongue anlage oval with a posterior protuberance, bearing two small lingual papillae with tiny pustulations at top, dorsally oriented. Buccal floor arena round, delimited by about 30 small buccal floor arena papillae, biggest in front of buccal pockets, flattened and slightly pustular; interior of arena with 35-40 pustules and small papillae regularly arranged. Buccal pockets oblique, anteromedially-posterolaterally oriented, with a wide opening, deep, closer to tongue anlage than to medial end of ventral velum; numerous pustules and small papillae in front of the buccal pockets, posterior part smooth. About 10 pustules between posterior part of buccal floor arena and end of ventral velum. Ventral velum with spicular support, four projections on margin of velum, one above first and second filter plates, four above third, at last two median projections forming median notch; secretory pits present on projections and on margin of ventral velum; glottis below velum almost entirely covered by it. Branchial baskets large and well exposed, wider than high, with three oblique filter plates on each side, filter rows dense with tertiary folds.

Buccal roof. ( Fig. 4B View FIG ). Prenarial arena square, bearing a discontinuous prenarial ridge making up three sides of a square, anterior side composed of four coarse papillae, lateral sides composed of three smaller papillae on each. Choanes moderately fine, transversely oriented; anterior wall pustular bearing a pustulose prenarial papilla positioned on external half of anterior narial wall; narial valve smooth. Postnarial arena hardly observable, at least two pustules in tadpole in stage 36; a pair of postnarial papillae pustular on their tip, curved and oriented medially. Medial ridge rounded, wider than high, pustular on its free edge. Lateral ridge papillae small, pustular anteriorly and oriented transversely. Buccal roof arena round and big, delimited by seven or eight fine buccal roof arena papillae on each side, oriented anteriorly and pustular at tip; interior of arena occupied by about 90 faint pustules arranged slightly more densely posteriorly. Posterolateral ridges present laterally, a small bunch of four-five papillae at each extremity (the groove observed in this specimen is absent from two other and considered for now as an abnormality). Glandular zone wide, about 13 or more secretory pits wide laterally, finer medially; size of secretory pits decreasing anteroposteriorly. Dorsal velum pustular on its free edge, interrupted in its medial part.

Rhacophorus rhodopus Liu & Hu, 1960 ( Figs 3C, D View FIG ; 5 View FIG )

Rhacophorus rhodopus Liu & Hu, 1960: 525 .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — A series of 34 tadpoles (MNHN 2010.1106- 1139) were identified as belonging to Rhacophorus rhodopus . The specimens were collected at Den Ya Khad, Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand (19°20’42”N, 98°39’45”E; altitude about 1470 m above sea level), 14.VII.2005, S. Grosjean, C.Inthara & Y. Chuaynkern. The tadpoles were collected in a pool with very clear water in a small stream. This round pool was small (2 m in diameter) but deep (1.5 m), the bottom was covered by a layer of decaying leaves and it was bordered by shrubs. The tadpoles were associated with those of Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, 1911 . The description is based on a DNA voucher specimen at stage 36 (MNHN 2010.1124, BL 17.3 mm). Because the end of the tail was taken for DNA barcoding and was also damaged, information upon tail fin and tip of tail was taken on another individual at stage 36 (MNHN 2010.1125, BL 17.9 mm, TL 41.7 mm).

DESCRIPTION

External morphology

In dorsal view ( Figs 3C View FIG ; 5A View FIG ), snout subovoid. In lateral view ( Fig. 3D View FIG ; 5B View FIG ), BW 114% of BH. Eyes positioned slightly more dorsally than dorsolaterally, ED 8.1% of BL. Pineal ocellus between anterior part of eyes. Nares elliptical, RN 78% of NP; NN 51% of PP. Spiracle slightly conical, positioned slightly ventrolaterally, opening at a level situated just below apex of caudal myotomes, SS 47% of BL. Tail musculature parallel in proximal half then gradually tapering, TMH 52% of BH and 54% of MTH, TMW 46% of BW. Upper fin slightly convex, UF 34% of MTH, lower fin straight, LF 22% of MTH, SU 71% of BL; point of maximum height of tail located at proximal quarter, MTH 96% of BH. Lateral line present onto body and tail.

Oral disc. ( Fig. 5C View FIG ) Oral disc of moderately large size, ODW 24% of BL and 50% of BW. DG 75% of ODW; papillae cylinder-shaped. KRF 1:5+5/1+1:2, A2 formed of two parts overlapping medially; P1 with a very short gap. Keratodonts ( Fig. 5D View FIG ) spoon-shaped bearing 16-20 cusps. Jaw sheaths black coloured; upper sheath almost flat.

Colour in life. Back and upper part of flanks olive. Lower part of flanks and ventral side transparent with iridescent coiled gut and red gills visible. Caudal muscle olive, fins transparent smoked with diffuse melanophores.

Colour in preservative. Upper part brownish, flanks grey, lower part dirty white translucent. Caudal muscle yellowish on anterior 1/3, posterior 2/3 white, becoming transparent at end of tail. Caudal muscle covered by numerous dots of melanophores. Fins grey transparent with small melanophores. Upper part of hind limbs with very small melanophores.

Variation. The variation of KRF ranges from 1:(0+0)/1+1:2 to 1:(4+4)/1+1: 2 in stage 25 (five specimens) and from 1:(4+4)- (5+5)/1+1: 2 in stages 26-37 (24 specimens). TL and BL of 33 tadpoles in stages 25-37 are respectively 20.0- 51.9 mm and 7.2-19.7 mm. The ratios of 11 tadpoles in stages 34-37 vary in the following proportions: BW 107-122% of BH; ED 8.3-9.7% of BL; RN 56-75% of NP; NN 45-51% of PP; SS 39-45% of BL; TMH 50-66% of BH; TMH 54-68% of MTH; TMW 40-49% of BW; UF 31-34% of MTH; LF 23- 29% of MTH; SU 69-79% of BL; MTH 85-106% of BH; ODW 22-26% of BL; ODW 46-53% of BW; DG 41-75% of ODW. Basic measurements and KRF are provided for all available stages ( Table 2) whereas detailed measurements are provided for the stages 34-37 ( Table 3).

Buccopharyngeal features

Description based on one tadpole (MNHN 2010.1107; stage 37, BL 19.2 mm) verified with another tadpole (MNHN 2010.1123, stage 36, BL 17.9 mm).

Buccal floor. ( Fig 6A View FIG ). Buccal floor triangular. Prelingual arena narrow, bearing four pairs of papillae, one on floor of arena oriented dorsally, one pair of small pustular papillae at same level than previous pair but originating from lateral sides of arena, the two other pairs located in posterior part of arena, originating at lateral sides of arena, one pair above other, papillae pustular on their dorsal part and at tip, oriented transversely. Tongue anlage round with a posterior protuberance, bearing two fine lingual papillae without pustulations at top, dorsally oriented. Buccal floor arena round, delimited by about 13 small buccal floor arena papillae, biggest bifid, flattened and slightly pustular in front of buccal pockets, others fine and smooth more or less flattened; interior of arena with about 50 pustules and small papillae diamondshaped arranged and regularly spaced in posterior part of arena. Buccal pockets anteromedially oriented, with a wide opening, deep slightly closer to tongue anlage than to medial end of ventral velum; numerous pustules and small papillae in front of the buccal pockets, posterior part smooth. About 10-15 faint pustules between posterior part of buccal floor arena and end of dorsal velum. Dorsal velum with spicular support, 18 projections on margin of velum ( Fig. 7), one above first and second filter plate, 14 above third, medial notch little developed and made up by two most medial projections; secretory pits present on projections and margin of velum; glottis partly visible below velum, branchial baskets large, longer than wide, with three filters cavities; filter rows dense with tertiary folds.

Buccal roof. ( Fig. 6B View FIG ). Prenarial arena trapezoidal, bearing a discontinuous prenarial ridge making up three sides of a trapeze, anterior side composed of three coarse papillae, lateral sides composed of three smaller papillae on each. Choanae moderately fine, transversely oriented; anterior wall smooth surmounted by a prenarial papilla pustular on its anterior face, positioned on external half of anterior narial wall; narial valve smooth. Postnarial arena with three pustules aligned transversely; a pair of postnarial papillae slightly pustular, transversely oriented. Medial ridge truncate, wider than high, pustulose on its free edge. Lateral ridge papillae small, cylindrical, pustular anteriorly and anteriorly oriented. Buccal roof arena round and big, delimited by six fine buccal roof arena papillae on each side, oriented anteromedially; interior of arena occupied by about 100 pustules regularly arranged. Posterolateral ridges present laterally, a small bunch of 2-4 papillae at each extremity. Glandular zone wide with more than 10 secretory pits laterally, finer medially; size of secretory pits increasing anteroposteriorly. Dorsal velum pustular, not or very slightly interrupted in its medial part, its lateral parts curved forward.