title: A new Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from northern Laos allied to P. abditus Inger, Orlov & Darevsky, 1999.
abstract: The small rhacophorid frog Philautus abditus is geographically restricted to central Vietnam and adjacent Cambodia. Our fieldwork in northern Laos resulted in the discovery of a Philautus species that very closely resembles P. abditus, but is at least 330 km from the nearest known locality of that species. The Laos population differs from P. abditus in mitochondrial DNA and coloration, and is described here as a new species. Philautus nianeae sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by having the combination of a hidden tympanum; no nuptial pads; smooth skin; large black spots on the hidden surfaces of the hind limbs; light venter with dark spotting; and a bronze iris. A second species of Philautus from northern Laos, P. petilus, is transferred on the basis of morphology to the genus Theloderma.
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601, USA; Email: bryan.stuart@naturalsciences.org.
authors.forename: Bryan L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.affiliation: Kasetsart University, Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, Ngam Wong Wan Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Somphouthone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Phimmachak
authors.affiliation: National University of Laos, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 2273, Dong Dok Campus, Vientiane, Laos; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Sengvilay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seateun
authors.affiliation: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 West Jones Street, Raleigh NC 27601, USA; Email: unknown.
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sheridan
mesh_terms: D063147:Animal Distribution; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000818:Animals; D001001:Anura / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D017753:Ecosystem; D005260:Female; D007812:Laos; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D014828:Vocalization, Animal