Taxonomic Relationships within the Pan-Oriental Narrow-mouth Toad Microhyla ornata as Revealed by mtDNA Analysis (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae)

Abstract

A molecular phylogenetic survey was conducted using mtDNA sequences of 12S and 16S rRNA, and cyt-b genes to examine taxonomic relationships among populations of the Pan-Oriental microhylid, Microhyla ornata, from India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, China, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. Two discrete clades are recognized within this species, one consisting of populations from India and Bangladesh, and the other encompassing the remaining populations. In the latter clade, populations from the Ryukyu Archipelago are clearly split from the rest (populations from Taiwan and the continent) with considerable degrees of genetic differentiations. Each of the three lineages is judged to represent a good species, and the name Microhyla ornata is restricted to the South Asian populations. For the populations from Taiwan and a wide region from China to Southeast Asia, the name Microhyla fissipes should be applied, whereas the Ryukyu populations are most appropriately referred to as Microhyla okinavensis, although further substantial genetic differentiations are recognized among some island group populations within this last species.

First report on the amphibians and reptiles of a remote mountain, Gunung Tebu in northeastern Peninsular Malaysia

“…The two adult specimens (USMHC 1031, SVL 21mm; USMHC 1052, SVL 26mm) match Berry's (1975) diagnosis of Microhyla ornata specimens from Peninsular Malaysia that M. fissipes were once synonymized with by Parker (1928) but subsequently removed from synonymy by Matsui et al (2005). Snout is obtusely pointed; tympanum hidden; finger tips slightly swollen; first much shorter than second; tips of toes similar to fingers; toes with slight rudimentary webbing; subarticular tubercles very distinct; two small but prominent, subequal metatarsal tubercles.…”

“…Dring's (1979) specimens from Sungai Kelebang were collected from disturbed areas and were often within the vicinity of Microhyla heymonsi and Microhyla borneensis. Matsui et al, 2005 Lata Belatan: USMHC 1031, 9 July 2012; USMHC 1052, 10 July 2012…”

Genetic divergences of South and Southeast Asian frogs: a case study of several taxa based on 16S ribosomal RNA gene data with notes on the generic name Fejervarya

“…The genus Microhyla consists of 31 nominal species that are widely distributed throughout South and Southeast Asia (Frost, 2013 Matsui et al (2005), while the "M. okinavensis" specimen from Ishigaki Island became a sister taxon related to M. mixtura from Sichuan (16S diversity = 4.5%). Because the type locality of this species is Okinawa Island, the Ishigaki population is a candidate species.…”

Systematic relationships of Oriental tiny frogs of the family Microhylidae (Amphibia, Anura) as revealed by mtDNA genealogy

“…ornata: Matsui et al, 2005) should be grouped in Diplopelma by implication. Placement of the following taxa, described after Dubois (1987) is undetermined: M. erythropoda, M. karunaratnei, M. maculifera, M. marmorata, M. nanapollexa, M. pulverata, and M. sholigari.…”