LHASA — Chinese researchers recently discovered a new tree frog species in Metog county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, Xizang Daily reported.

The research, jointly conducted by the region's institute of plateau biology, Southwest University, Xizang Museum of Natural Science and Guangxi Normal University, was recently published in the journal Zoosystematics and Evolution.

During surveys conducted in mountainous areas of Metog county at altitudes ranging from 500 to 1,700 meters, the research team collected tree frog specimens initially thought to be the two-spotted tree frog (R. bipunctatus).

Through detailed morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses, the researchers confirmed that these specimens actually represent a previously undescribed new species, and named it Rhacophorus medogensis.

The newly identified tree frog has a medium body size, with adult specimens ranging from 31.6 to 55.5 millimeters in length. Comprehensive analyses demonstrated distinct morphological differences and significant phylogenetic divergence between this novel species and the two-spotted tree frog.

By reassessing the distribution of the two-spotted tree frog using molecular data, the research team revised the traditional understanding of its range, confirming that it is actually restricted to northern India and central-western Myanmar, rather than being widely distributed across Southeast Asia as previously believed.

XINHUA