QUASIPAA TAOI

This new species of frog was recorded on Mount Ngoc Linh, the highest peak in central Vietnam at 2,598m. It was found in the headwaters of rocky streams in secondary evergreen forest at around 1,500m above mean sea level. It is a large frog –the male’s body measures up to 85mm, with the females some 15mm shorter.

Researchers observed several morphological diferences compared to other species in the Quasipaa genus, which are often known as spiny frogs, and genetic testing confrmed it as a separate species. The genetic data also matched it with a specimen recorded in neighbouring Xekong province in Laos. Quasipaa taoi represents the thirteenth known species of Quasipaa and the sixth in Viet Nam.

Recent research has highlighted the extraordinary levels of endemic amphibians in Viet Nam’s Central Annamite mountains. Mount Ngoc Linh itself has been the site of discovery of several new amphibian species.

Like other endemic species with restricted distribution, Q. taoi is at risk from habitat loss, with major threats including agricultural expansion for medicinal plants, illegal logging and tourism development. The species is also collected by local people for food. Because of this, the researchers suggest it should be assessed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. Its continued survival depends on its habitat being protected and well managed.

Van Hoang, C., Phan, T.Q., Nguyen, T.Q. and Ziegler, T. (2022). Hidden in the jungle of Vietnam: a new species of Quasipaa (Amphibia, Anura, Dicroglossidae) from Ngoc Linh Mountain. ZooKeys 1124: 23-42. doi.org/10.3897/ zookeys.1124.89282