Leptobrachella eos (Ohler, Wollenberg, Grosjean, Hendrix, Vences, Ziegler, and Dubois, 2011)

Nguyen, Tan Van, Brakels, Peter, Maury, Nathanael, Sudavanh, Somchit, Pawangkhanant, Parinya, Idiiatullina, Sabira, Lorphengsy, Sengvilay, Inkhavilay, Khamla, Suwannapoom, Chatmongkon & Poyarkov, Nikolay A., 2020, New herpetofaunal observations from Laos based on photo records, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (e 248) 14 (2), pp. 218-249 : 222-223

Leptobrachella eos (Ohler, Wollenberg, Grosjean, Hendrix, Vences, Ziegler, and Dubois, 2011)

Rosy Litter Toad ( Fig. 3D–E )

One individual was observed by P. Brakels and N. Maury on 2 June 2019 in Longcheng District site 2, Xaisomboun Province (19°07.497’N, 102°40.502’E; elevation 1,240 m asl) . Several individuals were observed in Xay District , Oudomxai Province by N. Maury on 21 August 2019 (20°39.598’N, 102°04.241’E; elevation 800–1,000 m asl) and by P. Brakels and N. Maury on 24 August 2019 (20°39.598’N, 102°04.241’E; elevation 850 m asl).

Morphological characters of the individuals from Xaisomboun and Oudomxai provinces agreed well with the descriptions of Ohler et al. (2011) and Pham et al. (2014). The photographed individual ( Fig. 3D–E ) agrees with the diagnosis of L. eos in the following characters: small body size; snout obtuse; canthus rostralis distinct, loreal region concave; eye large and slightly projecting from sides of head; tympanum round, distinct; supratympanic fold present; tips of fingers and toes rounded and slightly swollen; toe webbing and large dermal fringes on toes present; dorsal surface of head and body, upper part of flanks with tubercles; dorsolateral fold absent; ventral surface translucent, granules becoming more distinct on belly and body flanks; dorsal coloration brown with dark blotches, in irregular shapes; dark spots on flanks absent; dorsal surface of forelimbs and hindlimbs pinkish-brown with dark bars; throat with yellow spots; chest, belly whitish; webbing dark brown; iris bicolored (orange above, light golden below).

Ecological notes. The individuals in Longcheng District were found at ca. 1900–2130 h either on the leaf litter near rocks close to the stream or in bamboo forest on the leaf litter during a light rain. The individuals from Xay District were found on the leaf litter alongside the road and walking trails, and surrounding habitat was montane to submontane moist evergreen forest and partly riverine forest.

Distribution. In Laos, this species has been previously recorded from Phongsali and Bolikhamxai provinces ( Ohler et al. 2011). These are the first records from Xaisomboun and Oudomxai provinces. Elsewhere, this species has been reported from China and Vietnam ( Frost 2020).

Remarks. Until recently regarded as a member of the genus Leptolalax Dubois, 1980 , but transferred to the genus Leptobrachella Smith, 1925 based on the molecular results of Chen et al. (2018).

Figures

Fig. 3. (A) Nanorana aenea in Mork District, Xiangkhouang Province; (B) dorsal view and (C) ventral view of Quasipaa verrucospinosa in Longcheng District, Xaisomboun Province; (D) dorsal view and (E) ventral view of Leptobrachella eos in Bortaen District, Xaignabouli Province; (F) Leptobrachium smithi in Xay District, Oudomxai Province. Photos: P. Brakels (A–B, D, F) and N. Maury (C, E).