TAXONOMIC CHAOS IN ASIAN RANID FROGS: AN INITIAL PHYLOGENETIC RESOLUTION

The taxonomy of ranid frogs is in a state of chaos, and Asian ranids are no exception. We undertook an investigation of the phylogenetic relationships of most major groups of Asian ranids using mitochondrial DNA sequences from the 12S, tRNAVal and 16S genes. The resulting phylogenetic hypothesis had varying correspondence with the current taxonomy of the frogs at the subfamilial and generic levels. In order to maintain a taxonomy that reflects phylogenetic history, a number of taxonomic changes are proposed. Within subfamily Raninae, we recognize the genera Rana, Amolops, Hylarana, Odorrana and Nidirana. Recognition of Huia is not supported by our data and the recognition of Pseudorana is equivocal. Tribe Limnonectini is elevated to subfamily Limnonectinae and it contains Limnonectes, Hoplobatrachus and Nanorana. Membership in Genus Limnonectes is redefined. Recognition of genera Paa and Chaparana results in a paraphyletic taxonomy