A New Species of Scutiger from Sichuan, China, Previously Misreported as S. chintingensis (Anura: Megophryidae)

Comprehensive surveys on the distribution of the endangered Chinting alpine toad (Scutiger chintingensis) were recently conducted, revealing important findings regarding its population characteristics. This study integrated morphological and molecular analyses to clarify the taxonomic status of these populations. Based on detailed morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, the population from Wolong, Wenchuan County, Sichuan, China, is identified as a new species, which is formally described herein. The new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by a unique combination of following characteristics: (1) small body size, SVL 42.2-46.9 mm in adult males, SVL 54.3-56.3 in adult females; (2) vomerine ridges and vomerine teeth absent, maxillary teeth present; (3) internasal distance and interorbital distance relatively large; (4) subarticular tubercle absent on fingers and toes; (5) dorsal and lateral skin rough with densely-distributed horny spines in males, smooth and lacking black horny spines in females; (6) vocal sac absent in males; (7) pair of pectoral glands and pair of axillary glands present on chest in males, axillary gland about two-thirds pectoral gland in size; (8) in breeding males, pectoral glands and axillary glands covered by dense spines, belly rough with horny spines, nuptial spines present on dorsal and lateral surface of first and second fingers and inner side of third finger, dense spines on inner forelimb aligned, extending from wrist to near axilla. This study highlights the critical importance of accurate taxonomic identification, particularly for endangered species, as misidentifications can misguide subsequent biological research and conservation efforts.