Taxonomic assessment of Zhangixalus puerensis (He, 1999) sensu lato (Anura, Rhacophoridae), with description of two cryptic species

Zhangixalus puerensis sensu lato was previously considered to be distributed in most parts of Yunnan and northern Vietnam. Some studies have implied that Z. puerensis sensu lato contains multiple independent species. However, the taxonomic status of Z. puerensis sensu lato remains unresolved. Based on the sequences obtained from GenBank and our newly-generated sequences, we performed a taxonomic assessment of Zhangixalus puerensis sensu lato. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four distinct lineages within Z. puerensis sensu lato. We described two of the four lineages as two new species. The first new species from Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan, China and Ha Giang Province, Vietnam, can be distinguished from its congeners by having a relatively small body size, head being wider than long, heels not meeting, tibiotarsal articulation reaching centre or anterior margin of tympanum, fifth toe being longer than third toe, nuptial pad being present on first finger and dorsal surface being green with more or less dark-edged brown spots. The second new species from Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China, can be distinguished from its congeners by having a relatively small body size, head being wider than long, heels not meeting, tibiotarsal articulation reaching posterior margin or centre of tympanum, fifth toe and third toe being approximately equal in length, dorsal surface green with no or a few or many dark-edged brown spots. In addition, the taxonomic status of populations previously considered to be Z. puerensis from north-western Yunnan of China and north-western Vietnam needs further research to determine.