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Type: Article
Published: 2026-03-09
Page range: 29-56
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Revisiting the Taxonomy of Javan Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae), with the Description of a New Species

Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense; Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution; National Research and Innovation Agency; Cibinong; West Java; Indonesia; Herpetological Society of Indonesia
Herpetological Society of Indonesia
Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense; Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution; National Research and Innovation Agency; Cibinong; West Java; Indonesia; Herpetological Society of Indonesia
Herpetological Society of Indonesia; Faculty of Forestry; Universitas Gadjah Mada; Yogyakarta; Indonesia
Herpetological Society of Indonesia; Museum Zoologi ITB; School of Life Sciences and Technology (SITH); Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB); Sumedang; West java. Indonesia
Herpetological Society of Indonesia; Department of Biology; Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Universitas Bengkulu; Bengkulu; Indonesia
Herpetological Society of Indonesia; Department of Biology; University of Indonesia; Depok; West Java; Indonesia
Herpetological Society of Indonesia; Faculty of Biology; Universitas Gadjah Mada; Yogyakarta; Indonesia
Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense; Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution; National Research and Innovation Agency; Cibinong; West Java; Indonesia; Herpetological Society of Indonesia
Amphibia Conservation Cryptic Endemic java Mountain

Abstract

The genus Philautus comprises 52 recognized species, three of which are currently known from Java and are endemic to the island. We conducted extensive fieldwork across Central Java between 2017 and 2025 to reassess the taxonomy of Philautus in this understudied region. We clarified species boundaries and uncovered cryptic diversity within this genus by employing an integrative framework that combined morphological assessments, molecular phylogenetics, and bioacoustic analyses. Our results include a redescription of P. jacobsoni and the formal description of a newly identified montane species, Philautus candrageni sp. nov., from Mount Merapi. We also provide further insights into the taxonomic status of Philautus pallidipes. These findings reveal considerable taxonomic complexity and previously overlooked diversity within Java’s montane amphibian assemblages. They also underscore the importance of sustained integrative research and advocate for targeted conservation efforts for Philautus species across the island.

 

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How to Cite

Herlambang, A.E.N., Gonggoli, A.D., Racho, A., Asti, H.A., Cahyadi, G., Atmaja, V.Y., Fauzi, M.A., Eprilurahman, R. & Hamidy, A. (2026) Revisiting the Taxonomy of Javan Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae), with the Description of a New Species. Zootaxa, 5768 (1), 29–56. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5768.1.2