The Kurixalus odontotarsus species group includes K. odontotarsus, K. hainanus, K. verrucosus, and K. bisacculus. Owing to the morphological similarity, controversies have lasted for a long time on the taxonomy and species boundary within the K. odontotarsus species group. In addition, recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicated that the traditional Philautus can be divided into two genera and some authors suggested placing Indian and Sri Lankan Philautus in Pseudophilautus, but the generic allocation of Indian and Sri Lankan Philautus and phylogeny of Pseudophilautus need further examination, owing to the limited sampling in previous studies.

On the basis of a broader inclusion of samples, the research group led by Professor Junxing Yang  has investigated the taxonomy and evolution of the Kurixalus odontotarsus species group and Philautus using mitochondrial sequences and morphological evidence. The results indicate that K. odontotarsus, K. bisacculus, and K. verrucosus are three independent species and K. hainanus is a synonym of K. bisacculus. The Tibetan population of K. odontotarsus belongs to K. verrucosus. The designation of the genus Pseudophilautus is supported to accommodate the Indian and Sri Lankan Philautus, and Pseudophilautus may have originated in South Asia and dispersed into Southeast Asia and China. Dispersal of some species from Sri Lanka into India is revealed. These results have been reported on Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (56: 942–950) and Biochemical Systematics and Ecology (38: 402–409) in 2010.