A new species of frog belonging to the genus Polypedates Tschudi is described from the state of West Bengal, Eastern India. A mid-sized frog, SVL ranges from 47.9–53.6 mm in males and 72.0 mm in the single female. The species is diagnosable in showing the following suite of characters: digits lack webbing, inner and outer metacarpal tubercles present; no dermal fold on forearm; toes webbed, webbing formula I1–1 II0.5–2III1–2IV2–0.5V; an inner metatarsal tubercle present; tibio-tarsal articulation reaches between eye and nostril; and skin on forehead co-ossified to cranium. Additionally, males possess paired vocal sacs. The new species is compared with known species of the genus Polypedates.

Keywords: Amphibia, West Bengal, India, Polypedates, new species, 16s rRNA

Jayaditya Purkayastha, Madhurima Das, Kingshuk Mondal, Shibajee Mitra, Anirban Chaudhuri and Indraneil Das. 2019. A New Species of Polypedates Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from West Bengal State, Eastern India. Zootaxa. 4691(5); 525–540. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4691.5.6

Researchers discover new frog species in West Bengal | India News, The Indian Express indianexpress.com/article/india/researchers-discover-new-frog-species-in-bengal-6102971/ via @IndianExpress