Two new species of the genus Euphlyctis (Anura, Ranidae) from southwestern India, revealed by molecular and morphological comparisons

Two new frog species of the genus Euphlyctis, which were shown to be two distinct taxa by mitochondrial DNA analyses, are described from Karnataka State, southwestern India. On the molecular phylogenetic tree, the first new species appears as a sister group with respect to E. hexadactylus. The second new species forms a group with E. cyanophlyctis. The first species differs from E. hexadactylus in having a distinctly smaller snout-vent length and dark brown bold markings on the dorsum, a smaller head, shorter hindlimbs and wider eyelids, relative to snout-vent length. The second species differs from the close relative E. cyanophlyctis in having shorter fingers. Its advertisement calls are composed of trills that are much longer in duration, are composed of more numerous pulses, and have a lower dominant frequency than those of E. cyanophlyctis and E. hexadactylus. Morphological comparisons between the four species are presented. The present study reveals hitherto overlooked cryptic biodiversity in the genus Euphlyctis.