First Record of <i>Kurixalus odontotarsus</i> (Ye et Fei, 1993) and <i>Raorchestes longchuanensis</i> (Yang et Li, 1978) (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in Thailand

Abstract

Thailand is a global biodiversity hotspot, harboring a striking diversity of species and endemism. However, the amphibian diversity in the region is poorly understood. In this study, the frogs Kurixalus odontotarsus and Raorchestes longchuanensis were collected and recorded for the first time in northern Thailand. This determination was based on specimens previously collected from this region. Morphologically, these specimens displayed good agreement with the original descriptions provided for K. odontotarsus and R. longchuanensis. Phylogenetically, the specimens clustered according to the sequences of type locality of K. odontotarsus and R. longchuanensis with only a small degree of genetic distance. Based on our work, we have extended the latitudinal distribution of K. odontotarsus and R. longchuanensis southward into northern Thailand. Notably, our discovery increases the number of amphibian species recorded in Thailand to 195, and the number of rhacophorid species known to occur in Thailand to 40.