New tree clones in the Central Highlands

Vietnamese and Japanese researchers have discovered and published a new plant clones with samples collected in Kon Tum and Gia Lai provinces, Central Highlands, Vietnam based on analysis of molecular species and solid morphological point.

The article is published in the Russian Journal of Herpetology magazine, Volume 21, No. 4, 2014, page 295-302. This is the second new plant clone of the Kurixalus genus in the Central Highlands in 2014, bringing the total number of tree frog species recorded in Vietnam to 73 species (20% of the total number of tree species in the world's frog family), and is the most diverse country in terms of tree frog species composition in Indochina.

The new tree clone has the scientific name Kurixalus motokawai (imitation of the ka-wa tree) in honor of Dr. Masaharu Motokawa of Kyoto University - mammal researcher with his contributions in the study. biodiversity conservation and conservation in Vietnam.

Kurixalus motokawai male clones.(Photo: Nguyen Thien Tao)

The comparison of mitochondrial DNA sequences showed a clear difference between Kurixalus motokawai and other species in Kurixalus, but the same branch evolved with K.banaensis and K.viridescen. The replica of the ka-wa tree is similar to the female species of K.banaensis, the difference in the size of the male body is smaller, the shape of the muzzle head and the skin appendage in the vented hole. ; and differs from K. viridescens in smaller female traits, brown backs and dark spots.

Kurixalus motokawai female clones.(Photo: Nguyen Thien Tao)

The average size of mock-ka-wa clones, males range from 23.2 to 28.4mm, disc-shaped claws are very clear, this is the characteristic of tree frogs. Muzzle is quite sharp, skin on the back in both male and female individuals is light green and grayish brown, not identical to other colored spots. In some males the head is gray and the back skin is blue and light brown is not uniform. The abdomen is pale white, the same color as the underside of the clinging on both the front and hind legs.