A bush frog with multiple names: New populations of Raorchestes kempiae (Boulenger, 1919) and reassessment of the taxonomic status of Philautus namdaphaensis (Sarkar and Sanyal, 1985) and Raorchestes manipurensis (Mathew and Sen, 2009)

IF 0.7 Q4 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-06-13 DOI:10.1016/j.japb.2025.05.003

Ravi Shanthy Naveen , Kirty Prosad Nath , Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga , Kaushik Deuti , Ht Decemson , Lal Muansanga , Mathipi Vabeiryureilai , Fanai Malsawmdawngliana , Holiness Warjri , Jayaditya Purkayastha

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

We examined morphological and phylogenetic relationships of the bush frog species Raorchestes kempiae and two other species described from within its distribution range: Philautus namdaphaensis from Arunachal Pradesh and R. manipurensis from Manipur. A short fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was used to assess their phylogenetic relationships. All sequenced specimens, including material from near the type localities of Raorchestes kempiae, Philautus namdaphaensis, and R. manipurensis, were genetically similar, with pairwise uncorrected distances of ≤0.5% in the 16S rRNA gene. Raorchestes kempiae (Boulenger 1919), is the first available nomen for this taxon; therefore, we propose to treat Philautus namdaphaensis (Sarkar and Sanyal 1985) syn. nov. and Raorchestes manipurensis (Mathew and Sen 2009) syn. nov. as junior subjective synonyms of this nomen. This study presents a novel case of remarkable genetic homogeneity across a vast range (Extent of Occurrence: 210,677.79 km²), which is uncommon among members of this genus. Based on the findings here, following the previous work, we also recommend reclassifying it from Critically Endangered to Least Concern.

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多名灌木蛙：肯皮蛙（Raorchestes kempiae）新种群（Boulenger, 1919）和南帕蛙（Philautus namdaphaensis, Sarkar and Sanyal, 1985）和曼普蛙（Mathew and Sen, 2009）分类地位的再评估

曼尼普尔的manipurensis。使用线粒体16S rRNA基因的短片段来评估它们的系统发育关系。所有测序标本，包括来自Raorchestes kempiae、Philautus namdaphaensis和R. manipurensis类型位点附近的材料，在基因上是相似的，在16S rRNA基因上的成对未校正距离≤0.5%。Raorchestes kempiae （Boulenger 1919）是该分类群的第一个可用的雌虫；因此，我们建议将Philautus namdaphaensis (Sarkar and Sanyal 1985) syn. 11和Raorchestes manipurensis (Mathew and Sen 2009) syn. 11视为该名词的初级主观同义词。本研究提出了一个在大范围内显著的遗传同质性的新案例（发生范围：210,677.79 km2），这在该属的成员中是不常见的。在此基础上，我们还建议将其从“极度濒危”重新分类为“最不受关注”。

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来源期刊

Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Agricultural and Biological Sciences-Insect Science

CiteScore

1.70

自引率

12.50%

发文量

审稿时长

27 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity (previous title was Journal of Korean Nature) is an official journal of National Science Museum of Korea (NSMK) and Korea National Arboretum (KNA). The scope of journal is wide and multidisciplinary that publishes original research papers, review articles, as well as conceptual, technical and methodological papers on all aspects of biological diversity-its description, analysis and conservation, and its application by humankind. This wide and multidisciplinary journal aims to provide both scientists and practitioners in conservation theory, policy and management with comprehensive and applicable information. However, papers should not be submitted that deal with microorganisms, except in invited paper. Articles that are focused on the social and economical aspects of biodiversity will be normally not accepted.