New amphibian species discovered in east China's Fujian

Boulenophrys lichun is pictured in Ningde, southeast China's Fujian province, Feb. 2, 2024.(Xinhua)

GUANGZHOU, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- A biodiversity research team from Guangdong Polytechnic of Environmental Protection Engineering has identified a new amphibian species, Boulenophrys lichun, in the city of Ningde, east China's Fujian province. The discovery has been recently published in the international zoological journal ZooKeys.

The new species is a member of the Boulenophrys genus. It has a yellow-brown body, a small horn-like protrusion on its upper eyelid, and a distinct "X" shape on its back. Unlike many amphibians, the Boulenophrys lichun lacks webbing between its toes.

Lin Shishi, the research team leader, explained that the species' name is inspired by "Lichun", meaning the "Beginning of Spring", which is the first of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms. The Boulenophrys lichun's breeding season begins each February, with its calls signaling the arrival of spring and the start of the agricultural season.

To enhance research and conservation efforts, the team reviewed six Boulenophrys species found in Fujian, creating a distribution map and identification guide for the genus in the province.

According to Lin, the new species is primarily active in the hilly regions of eastern Fujian. With the continuation of ecological surveys in south China's coastal mountain ecosystems, biodiversity conservation is moving more toward specialized and detailed phases. ■