Range extension of Odorrana nagao (Anura, Ranidae) to south-western China, with comments on the limestone-associated Odorrana lipuensis species group

Odorrana nagao , a member of the predominantly limestone-associated O. lipuensis species group, was recently described from limestone karst forest in Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam and was previously known only from its type locality. During fieldwork in Laoshan Provincial Nature Reserve, Malipo County, Yunnan Province, China, three adult female Odorrana , referable to this species group, were collected. We examined their taxonomic identity using mitochondrial DNA sequence data and morphological comparisons. We document the occurrence of Odorrana nagao in China and the presence of the O. lipuensis species group in Yunnan Province. Molecular phylogenetic analyses placed the Chinese specimens with the type series of O. nagao with strong support, while their identification was further supported by low mitochondrial genetic divergence and agreement in external morphology. The newly-examined specimens extend the known female snout–vent length from 47.1–54.7 mm to 47.1–59.5 mm. This record extends the known distribution of O. nagao northwards across the China–Vietnam border, increases the recognised Odorrana fauna of China from 47 to 48 species and brings the number of species recorded from Yunnan to 17.