Tadpoles of three sympatric spiny frogs (Anura, Dicroglossidae, Quasipaa) from Wuyishan, China

During a rapid survey in Wuyishan, China, tadpoles of three Quasipaa species were collected from the same stream. Molecular data confirmed that these tadpoles belong to Q. exilispinosa , Q. spinosa , and Q. jiulongensis . Their external morphology was examined and described. Based on our initial observations, the tadpoles of these three species can be distinguished in the field by the following coloration patterns: Q. jiulongensis lacks large spots on the upper tail musculature; Q. spinosa exhibits a dark stripe at the body–tail junction when viewed from above; and Q. exilispinosa has large spots on the upper tail musculature but lacks a dark stripe at the body–tail junction. This study provides the first description of the tadpole of Q. jiulongensis .