Systematics of the enigmatic and narrowly endemic toad genus Bufoides Pillai & Yazdani, 1973: rediscovery of Bufoides kempi (Boulenger, 1919) and expanded description of Bufoides meghalayanus (Yazdani & Chanda, 1971) (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) with notes on natural history and distribution

Abstract

Bufoides kempi (Boulenger, 1919) known only from the two historical syntype specimens until now was rediscovered after more than a century from near its type locality in the Garo Hills, Meghalaya, northeastern India. Analysis of mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene reveals congenericity between B. kempi and B. meghalayanus with an inter-specific genetic divergence of 4.67%. Description of B. kempi is expanded based on the six male and two female specimens collected during this study. We provide the first description of calls for this genus, notes on their breeding biology and larval morphology. Additional specimens of B. meghalayanus collected during this study are described to supplement its characterization.