Herpetology Notes, volume 3: 111-119 (2010) (published online on 23 April 2010)
First and preliminary frog records (Amphibia: Anura) from
Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam
Dao Thi Anh Tran1,3, Quyet Khac Le2, Khoi Vu Le2, Thanh Ngoc Vu2, Truong Quang Nguyen3,4,
Wolfgang Böhme3, and Thomas Ziegler5*
Abstract. We present the first report of anuran species from Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam. Based on a collection of 23
specimens, we record one species of Bufonidae, three species of Megophryidae, three species of Dicroglossidae, four species of
Ranidae, and five species of Rhacophoridae.
Keywords. Anura, new provincial records, Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam.
Introduction
Material and methods
In the most recent checklist of the Vietnamese
herpetofauna, Nguyen et al. (2009) listed 174
species of amphibians, 168 of which belong to
the order Anura. Since this publication, three
new species have been described (Rowley and
Cao, 2009; Bain et al., 2009a,b), and many areas
remain poorly surveyed. Herein we present the
first report on the amphibians of Quang Ngai
Province in central Vietnam, and thereby extend
the known range of a number of species.
Field work was conducted by Khoi Vu Le, Quyet Khac Le, and
Thanh Ngoc Vu in evergreen forest in the vicinity of Mo Nit Village, Son Ky Town, Son Ha District, Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam (14°51’N, 108°31’E; 800 m a.s.l.), from 12–21 July 2008.
The survey site is located in a transitional area between the Kon
Tum Plateau and the lowlands (Fig. 1). Specimens were collected
by hand between 19–23 h. After taking photographs, specimens
were anaesthetized, fixed in 80% ethanol ������������������������
and subsequently stored
in 70% ethanol. Specimens were deposited in the collections of
the Zoological Museum, University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam
National University (VNUH), Hanoi, Vietnam and the Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK), Bonn,
Germany.
Taxonomic identification followed Boulenger (1882), Smith
(1924), Bourret (1942), Inger et al. (1999), Ziegler and Köhler
(2001), Ohler et al. (2002), Bain and Stuart (2003), Bain et al.
(2003�����������������������������������������������������������
, ���������������������������������������������������������
2005), Ohler (2003), Stuart et al. (2005, 2006), Hendrix
et al. (2008), and Orlov et al. (2008). Measurements of specimens, taken to the nearest 0.1 mm using digital calipers were as
follows: SVL (snout vent length): distance between tip of snout
and vent; HW (head width): distance between angle of jaws;
HL (head length): distance between angle of jaws and snout tip;
nostril to snout tip distance: distance between middle of nostril
and tip of snout; internarial distance: distance between nostrils;
snout length: distance between anterior corner of the eye where
the upper and lower lids meet together and the tip of snout; ED
(eye diameter): the horizontal width of the eye at its widest point;
TD (tympanum diameter): the horizontal width of the tympanum
at its widest point; eye to tympanum distance: distance between
posteriormost point of the eye and anteriormost edge of tympanum; upper eyelid width: greatest width of the upper eyelid; in-
1 Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, University
of Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Department of Ecology &
Evolutionary Biology, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, District 5, Ho
Chi Minh City, Vietnam;
2 College of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi,
University of Science, Faculty of Biology, Department of
Vertebrate Zoology, Zoological Museum, 334 Nguyen Trai
Str., Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam;
3 Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig,
Adenauerallee 160, D-53113 Bonn, Germany;
e-mail: [email protected]
4 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, 18 Hoang
Quoc Viet, Hanoi, Vietnam; e-mail: [email protected]
5 AG Zoologischer Garten Köln, Riehler Strasse 173, D-50735
Cologne, Germany; e-mail: [email protected]
* corresponding author
112
Dao Thi Anh Tran et al.
connected with the eye by a bony ridge; an oblique row
of large and pointed tubercles extending from behind
the rictus to above the axilla; few similar but slightly
smaller tubercles along the sides, the largest of these in
a row from behind the paratoid to groin; first finger a
little longer than the second; two metatarsal tubercles
distinct, the inner much larger than the outer; tarsal fold
absent; limbs with dark bars; dark bars also present on
lips.
In Vietnam, this species has a wide range in upland
areas: Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Thanh Hoa,
Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Thua Thien-Hue,
Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong,
Dong Nai provinces (Nguyen et al., 2009).
Megophryidae
Leptobrachium mouhoti Stuart, Sok & Neang, 2006
Figure 1. Map showing the survey site in Quang Ngai
Province, central Vietnam.
terorbital distance: least distance between upper eyelids; finger or
toe length: distance between posterior margin of most proximal
subarticular tubercle or crease of articulation and tip of finger or
toe; width of disc on finger or toe: greatest width of terminal disc
on finger or toe; thigh length: from the center of knee to the center
of the hind limb insertion; foot length: from the base of the inner metatarsal tubercle to the tip of fourth toe. Common names
and distribution records follow Nguyen et al. (2009), except for
the megophryid genera Leptobrachium and Xenophrys. Here we
suggest Eyebrow toad instead of the Spadefoot toad, because Megophrys (Greek) means large eyebrow.
Results
Bufonidae
Ingerophrynus galeatus (Günther, 1864)
Cambodian toad / Coc rung (Figure 2: A)
Specimens examined: VNUH 14.7.’08-1, ZFMK
89773 (males).
Diagnostic features: SVL 24.2–38.4 mm (n = 2), for
further measurements see Table 1; these specimens
agree with descriptions of Bourret (1942), Inger et
al. (1999), and Stuart et al. (2006) on the following
characters: snout short, slightly truncated; interorbital
space flat, as broad as upper eyelid; tympanum vertically
oval, distinct; parotoid gland prominent, subcircular and
Mouhot’s eyebrow toad / Coc may mou-hot
Specimen examined: VNUH 12.7.’08-1 (female).
Diagnostic features: SVL 73.3 mm, for further
measurements see Table 1; head broad, slightly
wider than long; tympanum indistinct, diameter of
tympanum smaller than that of eye, and greater than
distance between the tympanum and the eye; heels not
overlapping when legs are held at right angles to body;
dorsum uniform dark grey; flank grey with small light
spots; venter grey with small light spots; axillary gland
on ventrolateral surface slightly posterior to insertion
of forelimb; femoral gland distinct, round, whitish, on
posteroventral surface of thigh, closer to knee than to
vent (determination after Stuart et al., 2006).
In Vietnam, L. mouhoti is known from Quang Nam
Province (Nguyen et al., 2009). Our finding is not only
the new provincial record for Quang Ngai but also the
southernmost record of this species in Vietnam.
Remarks. Our specimen differs from the original
description of Stuart et al. (2006) by having a vertical
oval tympanum instead of the rounded one.
Ophryophryne hansi Ohler, 2003
Hansi’s mountain toad / Coc nui han-x (Figure 2: B)
Specimen examined: VNUH 12.7.’08-2 (male).
Diagnostic features: Large-sized Ophryophryne (SVL
41.0 mm); thigh long (21.7 mm); tympanum small
(TD 2.2 mm), nearly half (0.44) of eye diameter, for
further measurements see Table 1; dorsal coloration
dark, almost black; supraorbital horn forming a small
projection, dermal cloacal protuberance absent.
In Vietnam, O. hansi has been reported from several
113
Frog records from Quang Ngai province, Vietnam
Figure 2. A: Cambodian toad (Ingerophrynus galeatus); B: Hansi’s mountain toad (Ophryophryne hansi); C: Anderson’s eyebrow
toad (Xenophrys major); D: Poilan’s frog (Limnonectes poilani); E: Spinyback torrent frog (Amolops spinapectoralis); F: Similar
frog (Hylarana attigua); all specimens from Quang Ngai Province.
provinces in the central part of the country: Ha Tinh,
Quang Binh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Kon Tum,
and Gia Lai (Nguyen et al., 2009). The occurrence of
O. hansi in Quang Ngai fills a distribution gap of the
species in Vietnam.
Remarks. Our specimen matches Ohler’s description
(2003), except for two characters: the region of throat
and chest smooth without folding (throat and chest
with folds in Ohler’s description) and the first toe being
longer than the inner metatarsal tubercle (first toe shorter
than the inner metatarsal tubercle in description of
Ohler). The specimen also differs from the Cambodian
specimen mentioned by Stuart et al. (2006) in having
the tympanum diameter being less than half (0.44) of
the eye diameter (diameter of tympanum about 0.62 the
eye diameter in the Cambodian specimen).
Xenophrys major (Boulenger, 1908)
Anderson’s eyebrow toad / Coc mat ben (Figure 2: C)
Specimen examined: ZFMK 89774 (male).
Diagnostic features: SVL 65.0 mm, for further
114
Dao Thi Anh Tran et al.
Table 1. Measurements (in mm) of anuran species from Quang Ngai Province, Vietnam (n = number of specimens; IMTL: inner
metatarsal tubercle length; FTL: first toe length); for other abbreviations see Material and Methods.
Species
Ingerophrynus galeatus (n = 2)
SVL
HL
HW
24.2–38.4 7.0–11.9 8.1–12.2
ED
3.2–4.5
TD
TD/ED IMTL/FTL
1.21–2.2 0.36–0.37
0.68–0.72
Leptobrachium mouhoti (n = 1)
73.3
32.2
32.7
9.1
5.8
0.63
0.56
Ophryophryne hansi (n = 1)
41.0
12.1
13.5
4.9
2.2
0.44
0.64
Xenophrys major (n = 1)
65.0
25.8
26.3
8.6
3.8
0.44
0
Limnonectes kuhlii (n = 1)
55.1
18.5
20.9
7.6
4.3
0.56
0.78
Limnonectes poilani (n = 1)
73.7
27.9
26.5
7.9
4.3
0.54
0.62
Quasipaa spinosa (n = 1)
99.3
37.0
42.1
13.2
4.2
0.32
0.75
Amolops spinapectoralis (n = 2)
44.6–53.3 17.0–22.0 17.2–19.8 6.6–7.9
2.2–2.4 0.30–0.33
0.65–0.90
Hylarana attigua (n = 1)
42.4
16.2
14.3
6.4
3.6
0.56
Hylarana nigrovittata (n = 1)
40.2
16.0
13.4
6.0
3.6
0.60
0.50
Odorrana morafkai (n = 1)
84.4
34.8
30.8
10.2
4.6
0.45
0.57–0.64
0.47
Philautus abditus (n = 3)
23.4–23.9 8.4–10.4 9.6–10.5
2.4–3.4
0.5–1.2 0.16–0.51
0.40
Philautus banaensis (n = 2)
15.9–28.8 9.2–10.9 9.8–12.7
3.4–3.7
1.5–1.6 0.42–0.45
0.33–0.50
Rhacophorus annamensis (n = 2)
62.2–72.9 21.9–25.4 20.4–22
6.7–7.7
3.6–4.4 0.49–0.57
0.41–0.42
Rhacophorus calcaneus (n = 2)
35.6–53.2 14.8–21.8 15.3–22.2 6.0–6.8
1.7–2.8 0.29–0.42
0.50
Rhacophorus orlovi (n = 1)
41.0
16.7
measurements see Table 1; head depressed, wider than
long; frenal region slightly oblique, concave; interorbital
space flat; tympanum distinct, about half of eye diameter;
supratympanic fold present from posterior region of
the eye to the shoulder; tips of fingers and toes slightly
dilated; webbings on toes forming lateral fringes; skin
smooth; dorsum brown with darker symmetric marks
and a triangular patch between the eyes; a dark band
covering the tip of the snout to the nostril and extending
along the temporal and frenal regions up to the shoulder
present; transverse dark bars present on dorsal surface
of limbs; thigh dark brown, with a round white spot
closer to the knee than to cloaca (identification after
Bourret, 1942).
In Vietnam, X. major has been reported from many
localities in upland areas: Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Tuyen
Quang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Vinh
Phuc, Son La, Hoa Binh, Ha Tay, Thanh Hoa, Nghe
An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Quang Nam,
Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, and Dong Nai provinces
(Nguyen et al., 2009).
Dicroglossidae
Limnonectes kuhlii (Tschudi, 1838)
Kuhl’s creek frog, big–headed frog / Ech nheo, ech
tron
Specimen examined: ZFMK 89784 (female).
16.7
5.5
1.8
0.32
0.44
Diagnostic features: SVL 55.1 mm, for further
measurements see Table 1; head broader than long
(HL/HW = 0.88); snout bluntly pointed in dorsal view,
compressed and slightly exceeding the mouth in lateral
view; snout length slightly longer than eye diameter;
upper eyelid width nearly equal to space of interorbital
and narrower than that of internarial; tympanum
present but under skin, about half of the eye diameter,
and separated from the eye about half of its diameter;
vomerine teeth in oblique rows, behind choanae; two
tooth-like prominences in front of lower jaw present;
tips of fingers swollen; length of the first finger equal to
that of the second; dermal fringes present on lateral sides
of the second and third fingers; subarticular tubercles on
fingers and toes prominent and conspicuous; tips of toes
with small discs; toes fully webbed; tarsal fold present;
inner metatarsal tubercle elongated and prominent;
outer metatarsal tubercle absent; upper eyelid skin with
three small, white, round tubercles posteriorly; a dim
light bar between the posterior edges of eye present
(identification followed Boulenger, 1882 and Bourret,
1924).
Limnonectes kuhlii has been known from many places
in Vietnam such as Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Tuyen
1 Quang, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen,
Quang Ninh, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Hai
Duong, Son La, Hoa Binh, Ha Tay, Thanh Hoa, Nghe
An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue,
Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dong Nai,
115
Frog records from Quang Ngai province, Vietnam
and Kien Giang provinces (Nguyen et al. 2009).
Remarks. This specimen differs from the descriptions
of Boulenger (1882) and Bourret (1942) by its rough
dorsal skin with many ridges (versus smooth dorsal skin
in latter descriptions). According to Evans et al. (2003),
this species is almost certainly composed of several
cryptic forms.
Limnonectes poilani (Bourret, 1942)
Poilan’s frog / Ech poi lan (Figure 2: D)
Specimen examined: ZFMK 89775 (female).
Diagnostic features: SVL 73.7 mm, for further
measurements see Table 1; our specimen agrees with
descriptions of Rana kohchangae poilani by Bourret
(1942) as well as Rana cf. blythii by Inger et al. (1999)
on the following characters: Ridges of skin on the
medial border of the three outer fingers present, the
widest on the second finger; all toes fully webbed to
base of the swollen tips; dermal fringes along outside of
the first and fifth toes present; upper half of tympanum
and supratympanic fold are covered by a black streak;
supratympanic fold extending from posterior edge of
eye to shoulder.
The range of L. poilani in Vietnam extends from the
central to the southern provinces: Quang Binh, Quang
Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai,
Dak Lak, Lam Dong, and Dong Nai (Nguyen et al.,
2009). The new record of this species from Quang Ngai
Province fills the distribution gap in Vietnam.
Remarks. This species was referred as a subspecies
of Rana kohchangae by Bourret (1942); it was
subsequently upgraded to Limnonectes poilani (Ohler et
al., 2002; Stuart et al., 2005).
Quasipaa spinosa (David, 1875)
Giant spiny frog, spiny paa frog / Ech gai
Specimen examined: ZFMK 89785 (female).
Diagnostic features: Size large (SVL 99.3 mm), for
further measurements see Table 1; this specimen agrees
with the description of Rana spinosa by Bourret (1942)
on the following characters: head broader than long;
snout rounded in dorsal view and truncated in lateral
view; snout length longer than eye diameter; nostril
rounded, located somewhat closer to tip of snout than
to the eye; tympanum distinct, small, 0.32 times the
eye diameter; supratympanic fold distinct, extending
to shoulder; vomerine teeth in oblique rows, closer
to choanae than to each other; tips of fingers and toes
swollen; subarticular tubercles conspicuous; webbing
between fingers absent; first finger longer than the
second; toes fully webbed, to bases of all toe discs; inner
metatarsal tubercle elongated, about 0.75 times length
of the first toe; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; heels
overlapping when legs are held a right angles to body;
ventral skin smooth; dorsal skin rough and granular,
with many small warts and ridges.
The distribution range of Q. spinosa in Vietnam
spreads from the northern to the central provinces: Lao
Cai, Yen Bai, Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Bac Giang,
Hoa Binh, Nghe An, Quang Nam, and Gia Lai (Nguyen
et al., 2009). The range is further expanded by this new
record from Quang Ngai Province.
Ranidae
Amolops spinapectoralis Inger, Orlov & Darevsky,
1999
Spinyback torrent frog / Ech bam da gai nguc (Figure
2: E)
Specimens examined: VNUH 14.7.’08-3 (male), ZFMK
89776 (female).
Diagnostic features: SVL 44.6–53.3 mm (n = 2),
for further measurements see Table 1; anterior twothirds of tympanum distinct; disc of first finger with
circummarginal groove, distinctly larger than that of
the second finger; male with nuptial pad consisting of
whitish conical spines; outer metatarsal tubercle absent
(identification after Inger et al., 1999).
Our new provincial record of A. spinapectoralis adds
to the known distribution of the species in Vietnam: Da
Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai provinces
(Nguyen et al., 2009).
Remarks. Both specimens completely match the
original description of Inger et al. (1999) except for the
absence of dermal ridge on the tarsus (which is present
in Inger’s description).
Hylarana attigua (Inger, Orlov & Darevsky, 1999)
Similar frog / Ech dong dang (Figure 2: F)
Specimen examined: VNUH 12.7.’08-5 (male).
Diagnostic features: The specimen completely agrees
with the original description of Inger et al. (1999) by
having the following characters: size larger than 40 mm
(SVL 42.4 mm), for further measurements see Table 1;
head slightly longer than wide (HL/HW = 1.19); snout
bluntly pointed in dorsal view and exceeding the mouth
in profile, its length being longer than eye diameter;
116
Dao Thi Anh Tran et al.
Figure 3. A: Buonluoi bubble–nest frog (Philautus abditus); B: Morafka’s frog (Odorrana morafkai); C: Annam flying frog
(Rhacophorus annamensis); D: Vietnam flying frog (Rhacophorus calcaneus); all specimens from Quang Ngai Province.
nostril lateral, closer to tip of snout than to the eye;
upper eyelid width nearly equal to interorbital distance;
tympanum distinct, 0.6 times the eye diameter; first
finger longer than second; finger tips dilated into small
discs, width of the third finger disc about 1.5 times that
of its phalange base; discs of toes larger than those of
fingers; inner metatarsal tubercle oval, prominent, about
half of the first toe length; outer metatarsal tubercle
round, distinct, much smaller than the inner metatarsal
tubercle; dorso-lateral fold distinct and prominent,
extending from posterior edge of the eye to hip; dorsal
skin granular with numerous small tubercles; ventral skin
smooth; a dark band which is lighter and not very clear
at temporal region extending from snout to eye present;
ventral surface of thigh white; nuptial pad covering
dorsal and lateral surfaces of the first finger, from its
base to proximal end of the penultimate phalanx; ventral
margin of the nuptial pad straight.
This is the first report of H. attigua from Quang Ngai
Province. Previously known locations of this species
include Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua ThienHue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, and
Dak Lak provinces (Nguyen et al., 2009).
Remarks. The specimen differs from the description of
Inger et al. (1999) by the tubercles on dorsal skin being
larger than those on flanks (versus larger flank tubercles
in Inger et al., 1999). According to Inger et al. (1999)
and Stuart et al. (2006), H. attigua is very similar to H.
milleti, with which it is co-occurring.
Hylarana nigrovittata (Blyth, 1856)
Black–striped frog / Ech suoi
Specimen examined: VNUH 12.7.’08-6 (male).
Diagnostic features: SVL 40.2 mm; head longer
than wide (HL/HW = 1.13), for further measurements
see Table 1; snout bluntly pointed in dorsal view and
projecting in lateral view, its length nearly equal to that
of eye; nostril lateral, closer to tip of snout than to the
eye; internarial space slightly broader than interorbital
distance; the latter is slightly narrower than upper eyelid
width; tympanum distinct; tips of fingers and toes with
small discs; discs of fingers smaller than those of toes;
first finger longer than second; third finger longer than
snout length; subarticular tubercles on fingers and toes
conspicuos and prominent; inner metatarsal tubercle
oval, prominent, about 0.47 times the length of first toe;
outer metatarsal tubercle small, distinct; skin grainy on
dorsum and flanks, smooth on venter; dorsolateral fold
from posterior edge of the eye to hip, distinct; a large and
pigmented gland present on proximal upper arm, about
one third of upper arm length; a dark band stretches
along snout sides, through the eye, the temporal region
117
Frog records from Quang Ngai province, Vietnam
nearly until groin having; this dark band is broken
up by lighter colouration at the posterior flank region
(determination after Bourret, 1942; Inger et al., 1999,
and Stuart et al., 2006).
The presence of H. nigrovittata in Vietnam has been
reported from the following provinces: Cao Bang, Lang
Son, Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh
Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua
Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai,
Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Lam Dong, Ninh Thuan, Binh
Phuoc, Dong Nai, and Kien Giang. By this new record,
its distribution is herein expanded to Quang Ngai
Province.
Remarks. Although the SVL of our specimen is a bit
smaller than the size range of H. nigrovittata given by
Inger et al. (1999) and Stuart et al. (2006), i.e., from 43.3
mm to 61.8 mm in males and from 45.0 mm to 65.3 mm
in females, its ratios of HL/SVL = 0.38 and TD/SVL =
0.084 agree with the description provided by Inger et al.
(1999): HL/SVL: 0.37–0.45 and TD/SVL: 0.074–0.109.
The ratio of tympanum diameter/eye diameter (TD/ED
= 0.56) of our specimen is smaller than that given in
Bourret (1942): TD/ED: 0.75–0.80. Further research is
required to identify distinct cryptic taxa within the H.
nigrovittata species complex (e.g., Matsui et al., 2002).
Odorrana morafkai (Bain, Lathrop, Murphy, Orlov &
Ho, 2003)
Morafka’s frog / Ech mo-rap-ka (Figure 3: B)
Specimen examined: ZFMK 89777 (female).
Diagnostic features: SVL 84.4 mm, for further
measurements see Table 1. This specimen agrees with
the description of Odorrana morafkai by the following
characters: having a large body size (80–100 mm in
female); head a little longer than broad (HL/HW =
1.13); snout bluntly rounded in profile; nostril lateral,
closer to tip of snout (4.3 mm) than to eye (6.4 mm);
eye diameter about 0.69 of snout length; interorbital
distance somewhat narrower than width of upper
eyelid; tympanum round, distinct, about half (0.45) of
the eye diameter; vomerine teeth in oblique rows; discs
on fingers enlarged, with circummarginal grooves,
about two times the sizes of phalange bases; terminal
phalanges are T-shaped; one subarticular tubercle on
second finger and two subarticular tubercles on third and
fourth fingers; tips of toes expanded; toes fully webbed
to discs, but as fringe from distal subarticular tubercle
of the fourth toe; lateral fringes on the first and fifth toes
weak, extending to terminal phalanges; inner metatarsal
tubercle oval and small; inner tarsal fold absent; skin
on dorsum and flanks smooth; dorsum green with black
spots; forelimbs and hindlimbs brown with transverse
bars (identification after Bain et al., 2003 and Bain &
Stuart, 2005)
According to Nguyen et al. (2009) and Bain & Stuart
(2005), Odorrana morafkai has been recorded from
Ha Tinh, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, and Gia Lai
provinces. Its distribution in Vietnam is expanded by
this new provincial record from Quang Ngai.
Remarks. Our specimen differs from the original
description by having a whitish stripe on lip extending
across upper lip, terminating in glandule above insertion
of arm instead of a yellow stripe and robust hindlimbs
which have tibia length about 0.59 of SVL and foot
length about 0.62 of SVL (the ratio of tibia length/SVL
0.62 and ratio of foot length/SVL 0.82, according to
Bain et al., 2003).
Rhacophoridae
Philautus abditus Inger, Orlov & Darevsky, 1999
Buonluoi bubble-nest frog / Nhai cay dom an (Figure
3: A)
Specimens examined: ZFMK 89778 (male), ZFMK
89779, and ZFMK 89789 (females).
Diagnostic features: Small-sized treefrogs (SVL 23.4–
23.9 mm, n = 3), for further measurements see Table
1; tympanum hidden under skin; webbings on the toes
extensive; dermal fringe and tubercle on limbs absent;
dorsum with a dark mark beginning between shoulders,
bifurcating and ending with a large spot on the flank,
before the groin; large black spots present on anterior
and posterior thigh (determination after Inger et al.,
1999).
In Vietnam, P. abditus was previously known only from
Kon Tum Plateau (Kon Tum and Gia Lai provinces)
(Nguyen et al., 2009).
Philautus banaensis Bourret, 1939
Bana bubble-nest frog / Nhai cay ba na
Specimens examined: VNUH 15.7.’08-1 (male), ZFMK
89781 (female).
Diagnostic features: Small-sized treefrogs (SVL
15.9–28.8 mm, n = 2); dermal fringes along outside of
forearm and tarsus very distinct; head wider than long;
snout rounded; nostril closer to tip of snout than to
eye; interorbital distance larger than that of internarial
and upper eyelid width; supratympanic fold distinct;
vomerine teeth absent; choanae very small, round and
prominent; finger tips with discs, disc on the third finger
118
almost half of the eye diameter; webbings of fingers
extremely low; toe discs slightly smaller than those of
fingers (determination after Bourret, 1942).
This species is currently known from northern and
central provinces of Vietnam: Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh,
Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam,
Kon Tum, and Gia Lai provinces (Hendrix et al., 2009;
Nguyen et al., 2009).
Remarks. Our specimens differ from the description of
Bourret (1942) by having the tympanum being visible
(versus tympanum invisible in Bourret’s description),
as was also remarked by Hendrix et al. (2008) for their
specimens from central Vietnam. Our specimens also
disagree with Bourret’s description by having the snout
length longer than the eye diameter (versus snout length
shorter than eye diameter in Bourret, 1942), and by
the presence of cloacal tubercles (versus dermal fringe
above cloaca according to Bourret’s description).
Rhacophorus annamensis Smith, 1924
Annam flying frog / Ech cay trung bo (Figure 3: C)
Specimens examined: VNUH 12.7.’08-3, ZFMK 89782
(females).
Diagnostic features: Size large (SVL 62.2–72.9 mm, n
= 2), for further measurements see Table 1; head slightly
longer than wide; snout pointed in dorsal view, sloping
in front of nostril; tympanum distinct, about half of eye
diameter and separated from the eye by less than half
(about 0.33) of its own diameter; supratympanic fold
distinct and extending to axilla; discs of fingers rounded,
that of the third finger wider than the tympanum
diameter; all fingers and toes fully webbed; subarticular
tubercles conspicuous; inner metatarsal tubercle low;
outer metatarsal tubercle absent; skin of back smooth
with sparsely scattered flat tubercles; belly and venter
of thighs coarsely granular; a broad dermal fringe along
outside of forearm and hand, and a similar, but narrower
dermal fringe along outside of the tarsus present; heel
with a small blunt projection; a series of tubercles
present below the vent. In preservative, the back is grey
to dark grey; ventrally white, with few small dark spots
on throat and chest; limbs with obscure dark crossbars,
front and rear of thighs brown with irregular lighter
markings (determination after Smith, 1924; Inger et
al., 1999; and Orlov et al., 2008). The specimens also
agree with remarks of Stuart et al. (2006) concerning the
presence of 2–3 small papillae on each side just above
the cloaca.
The new record of R. annamensis from Quang Ngai
Province is located within the distribution region of
Dao Thi Anh Tran et al.
this species in Central Vietnam, including Quang
Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Kon
Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Lam Dong, and Ninh Thuan
provinces (Nguyen et al., 2009).
Rhacophorus calcaneus Smith, 1924
Vietnam flying frog / Ech cay cua (Figure 3: D)
Specimens examined: VNUH 14.7.’08-2 (female),
ZFMK 89783 (male).
Diagnostic features: SVL 35.6–53.2 mm (n = 2), for
further measurements see Table 1; dorsum red brown
or grey brown; webbings between fingers not fully
developed, first finger webbed to subarticular tubercle,
second finger to just below disc, third finger laterally to
distal edge of distal subarticular tubercle, fourth finger
to midway between disc and tubercle; a very pointed
projection at tibiotarsal joint and a low supra-cloacal
projection being present (determination after Smith,
1924; Inger et al., 1999; and Orlov et al., 2008).
This species is known from northern to central
provinces in Vietnam: Vinh Phuc, Ha Tinh, Thua ThienHue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak
Lak, and Lam Dong (Nguyen et al., 2009).
Rhacophorus orlovi Ziegler & Köhler, 2001
Orlov’s treefrog / Ech cay ooc-lop
Specimen examined: VNUH 12.7.’08-4 (female).
Diagnostic features: SVL 41.0 mm, for further
measurements see Table 1; head width subequal to
its length; snout slightly truncated in dorsal view and
rounded in lateral view; tympanum distinct, less than
half of eye diameter; supra-tympanic fold distinct,
ending above arm insertion; vomerine teeth in slightly
oblique rows, arising from anterior corner of choanae;
slender limbs without distinct dermal fringe; folds
along outer edges of fourth finger and fifth toe weakly
developed; finger tips enlarged into discs with circummarginal grooves; width of the third finger disc slightly
narrower than the tympanum diameter; fingers not fully
webbed, webbing between second and third fingers
nearly reaching up to base of disc of second finger
and base of distal subarticular tubercle of third finger;
webbing between third and fourth fingers to above distal
subarticular tubercle; subarticular tubercles on fingers
and toes round; inner palmar tubercle oval; tips of toes
with flattened discs, which are smaller than those of
fingers; webbings between first and fourth toes from the
base of discs of the first, second and third toes to between
distal subarticular tubercles and discs of the second,
Frog records from Quang Ngai province, Vietnam
third and fourth toes; webbing between the fourth and
fifth toes from above the distal subarticular tubercle of
the fourth toe to disc of the fifth toe; inner metatarsal
tubercle longish oval; skin smooth dorsally and laterally;
skin beneath cloacal opening and on posterior end of
thigh with few small whitish tubercles; a light patch on
the temporal region present (determination after Ziegler
& Köhler, 2001 and Orlov et al., 2008).
Rhacophorus orlovi has been known from the northern
to central provinces of Vietnam: Lao Cai, Ninh Binh,
Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua ThienHue, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai (Nguyen et al., 2009).
Discussion
Based on the results of this study and compared with
the data of Nguyen (2002) and Nguyen et al. (2009), the
anuran fauna of Quang Ngai Province is very similar
to that of Kon Tum, a neighboring province, with 13
of 16 species (81.25%) in our amphibian list of Quang
Ngai having been reported also from Kon Plong forest
or Ngoc Linh Mountain in Kon Tum Province. This is
perhaps expected, given that our survey site is located
within the southern part of the Central Annamites
(Sterling et al., 2006). Due to the preliminary nature
of our survey, further amphibian surveys are likely to
reveal a much greater diversity of amphibians than
recorded here.
Acknowledgements. We thank the Forestry Protection
Department of Quang Ngai Province for issuing relevant permits.
Quyet Khac Le and Thanh Ngoc Vu are grateful to Nguyen
Thanh Tuan (Kontum Teachers’ Training College) for his
assistance in the field. For the loan of specimens, we thank Canh
Xuan Le (IEBR, Hanoi), Luc Van Pham and Tao Thien Nguyen
(VNMN, Hanoi). We acknowledge Jodi Rowley for reviewing
this manuscript. This study was partially supported by the Douc
Langur Foundation (USA), Ministry of Education and Training of
Vietnam (MOET, Project 322), and German Academic Exchange
Service (DAAD).
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