Systematics of Litoria-Iris (Anura, Hylidae) and Its Allies in New-Guinea and a Note on Sexual Dimorphism in the Group

Abstract

Four new species (Litoria havina, L. mucro, L. pronimia and L. ollauro), whose morphology and known or assumed breeding behaviour suggest that they are related to Litoria iris, are described. Three of these species show-marked sexual dimorphism in that the snout of the male bears a dermal 'spike', whereas the snout of the female is truncate. The anatomy of this structure is described and it is speculated that glands on the snout are involved in olfactory stimulation during courtship.