[Herpetology • 2017] How Draco Lizards Fly: A Novel Type of Wing in Animals

 formation of the composite wing during the initial phases of the gliding flight of Draco dussumieri seen from the front (left) and from below (right; corresponding photos of the same phases). The lizard jumps from the tree, reorients the body dorsoventrally and starts to spread the anterior ribs; the extended arms reach behind the back (top). The anterior ribs are further spread by the trunk musculature; the hands grasp the leading edge of the patagium and pull it forward (middle). The patagium is fully extended and controlled by the forelimbs; the glide path becomes more horizontal (bottom). White arrows indicate the positions of the hands.

Dehling, 2016.   DOI: 10.1101/086496 

Abstract

Flying lizards of the genus Draco are famous for their gliding ability, using an aerofoil formed by winglike patagial membranes and supported by elongated thoracic ribs. It has remained unknown, however, how the lizards manoeuvre during flight. Here, I show that the patagium is deliberately grasped and controlled by the forelimbs while airborne. This type of composite wing is unique inasmuch as the lift-generating and the controlling units are formed independently by different parts of the body and are connected to each other only for the duration of the flight. The major advantage for the lizards is that the forelimbs keep their entire movement range and functionality for climbing and running when they are not used as the controlling unit of the wing. These findings not only shed a new light on the flight of Draco lizards but also have implications for the interpretation of gliding performance in fossil species.

  KEYWORDS: Draco, flying lizard, gliding flight, patagium

commons.wikimedia.org 

J Maximilian Dehling. 2016. How Lizards Fly: A Novel Type of Wing in Animals.
 BioRxiv. DOI: 10.1101/086496 

researchgate.net/publication/309839399_How_lizards_fly_A_novel_type_of_wing_in_animals

Dragon lizards fly by grabbing their fold-up wings with ‘hands’ newscientist.com/article/2114847-dragon-lizards-fly-by-grabbing-their-fold-up-wings-with-hands

 

[Herpetology • 2016] Philautus nephophilus • A New Small Montane Species of Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Gunung Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo)

Philautus nephophilus 

 Dehling, Matsui & Imbun, 2016

Abstract

 Three populations of small montane bush frogs previously assigned to Philautus mjobergi were compared using morphological, bioacoustic, and genetic (mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequence) data. The comparison revealed that the population from Gunung Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia, represents a distinct species that is described herein. Although the new species differs from P. mjobergi in few morphological characters, most notably the acuminate snout, it is distinguished from this species and all other Bornean congeners by a unique advertisement call and large genetic differences. The population from Gunung Mulu assigned to P. mjobergi differs from the topotypic population from Gunung Murud in its advertisement call and 16S rRNA sequence and probably represents another, undescribed species.

Key words. DNA barcoding, advertisement call, Philautus mjobergi, Gunung Mulu, Sarawak, frog

Figure 4. A) Holotype (SP 27443; adult male) and B) adult male paratype (SP 27442) of Philautus nephophilus from Silau-Silau trail, Kinabalu National Park, Sabah, in situ prior to collection; C) Philautus mjobergi, adult male from Gunung Mulu (KUHE 54500) in life; D) Philautus mjobergi, paratype, adult male from Gunung Murud (BMNH 1925.9.1.2–6); E) Philautus mjobergi, adult male from near Bario (KUHE 53518) in life.

Etymology: The species epithet is composed of the Ancient Greek words νέφος [néphos], meaning cloud, and φιλεῖν [phileĩn], meaning to love; in allusion to the habitat of the new species in montane forest at Gunung Kinabalu that is often covered in clouds. The species is most active during or shortly after rain.

Distribution, habitat, and natural history: Philautus nephophilus is currently known with certainty only from the headquarters region of the Kinabalu National Park in Sabah where it is found at altitudes between 1,400 and 1,800 m. It probably also occurs at similar altitudes in the neighbouring Crocker Range. Around the headquarters of the Kinabalu NP, it is abundant and one of the most frequently encountered frog species. Calling males form aggregations in lower vegetation and are found on leaves or twigs at heights between 0.3 to 3 m above the ground. Individual males can be spaced from each other by distances of less than one to several meters. Males start calling at dusk and continue until dawn. Calling activity appears to increase after rain and during light rain showers. Calling groups are not found in the immediate vicinity of open water bodies, and the species is presumed to have a direct development without a free-swimming tadpole stage, as is observed in other species of the genus (Malkmus & Dehling 2008, Hertwig et al. 2012).

J. Maximilian Dehling, Masafumi Matsui and Paul Yambun Imbun. 2016. A New Small Montane Species of Philautus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Gunung Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo). SALAMANDRA. 52(2); 77–90

[Herpetology • 2013] Philautus kakipanjang • A New Montane Species of Philautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from western Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo

Philautus kakipanjang

Dehling & Dehling, 2013

Western Long-legged Bush Frog 

Abstract

A new species of Philautus is described from western Sarawak. The new species was collected in lower montane forest in two national parks in Sarawak and recorded from another park. It differs from its congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters, including a long, acuminate snout, long legs, and comparatively extensive toe webbing. The advertisement call of the new species differs from all calls of other species that have been analyzed so far. Comparison of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequence corroborates its distinct specific status.

Keywords: Philautus kakipanjang sp. n., Kubah National Park, Gunung Gading, Gunung Santubong, Gunung Serapi, taxonomy, bioacoustics, DNA barcoding

Maximilian Dehling and Matthias Dehling. 2013. A New Montane Species of Philautus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from western Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo. Zootaxa. 3986:277-288. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3686.2.8

ResearchGate.net/publication/263278064_A_new_montane_species_of_Philautus_(Amphibia_Anura_Rhacophoridae)_from_western_Sarawak_Malaysia_Borneo

[Herpetology • 2010] Philautus juliandringi • A New Bush Frog (Anura: Rhacophoridae: Philautus) from Gunung Mulu National Park, East Malaysia

Philautus juliandringi

Dehling, 2010

Abstract

A new bush frog of the Philautus aurifasciatus group is described from the montane forest of the karst mountain Gunung Api in the Gunung Mulu National Park, eastern Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The new species was hitherto assigned to Philautus longicrus, but differs from this species in snout length and shape, head length, hand length, snout proportions including internarial distance and relative position of the nostril, interorbital distance, eye diameter, nuptial pad shape, and the absence of a row of small, low white tubercles along the edge of the lower jaw. The advertisement call of the new species is described and compared to the calls of all other Bornean members of the P. aurifasciatus group.

Key words. Amphibia, Anura, Rhacophoridae, Philautus juliandringi sp. n., Philautus longicrus, Sarawak, Palawan, advertisement call.

J. Maximilian Dehling. 2010. A New Bush Frog (Anura: Rhacophoridae: Philautus) from Gunung Mulu National Park, East Malaysia (Borneo). SALAMANDRA. 46(2); 63–72. 

[Herpetology • 2015] Rhacophorus indonesiensis | Katak Pohon Totol • A New Species of Tree Frog Genus Rhacophorus (Amphibia, Anura) from Sumatra, Indonesia

Rhacophorus indonesiensis Hamidy & Kurniati, 2015
Adult male paratype MZB Amph 21847 and a non-vouchered female from Birun, showing nocturnal coloration

photo: Mediyansyah || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3947.1.3

Abstract

A small-sized tree frog of the genus Rhacophorus is described on the basis of 18 specimens collected from three different localities on Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Rhacophorus indonesiensis sp. nov. is divergent from all other Rhacophorus species genetically and morphologically. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of: the presence of black spots on the ventral surfaces of the hand and foot webbing, an absence of vomerine teeth, a venter with a white kite-shaped marking, raised white spots on the dorsum or on the head, and a reddish brown dorsum with irregular dark brown blotches and distinct black dots. With the addition of this new species, fifteen species of Rhacophorus are now known from Sumatra, the highest number of species of this genus in the Sundaland region. However, with the increasing conversion of forest to oil palm cultivation or mining, the possibility of the extinction of newly described or as yet undiscovered species is of great concern.

Key words: Tree frog, Sundaland, pond-breeding, elephant wallow

 Rhacophorus indonesiensis | Katak Pohon Totol

biologi.LIPI.go.id

Hamidy, Amir & Hellen Kurniati. 2015. A New Species of Tree Frog Genus Rhacophorus from Sumatra, Indonesia (Amphibia, Anura).
Zootaxa. 3947(1): 49-66. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3947.1.3
ResearchGate.net/publication/274899162_A_new_species_of_tree_frog_genus_Rhacophorus_from_Sumatra_Indonesia_(Amphibia_Anura)

http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2011/12/2002-sumatra-java-rhacophorus.html

[Herpetology • 2015] Rhacophorus malkmusi • A New Species of Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Gunung Kinabalu, Borneo

Figure 7. Photographs of live specimens of Rhacophorus malkmusi and morphologically similar Bornean Rhacophorus species.
A) Rhacophorus belalongensis, adult female (holotype) from Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre, Brunei Darussalam; B) R. gadingensis, adult female from Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia;
C) Rhacophorus gauni, adult female from Sungai Melinau Paku, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia; D) Rhacophorus malkmusi, adult female (paratype) from Sungai Langanan, Poring Hot Springs, Sabah, Malaysia (Photo: R. Malkmus);
E) Rhacophorus gauni, adult male from Sungai Melinau Paku, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia; F) Rhacophorus malkmusi, adult male (topotype) from Sungai Langanan, Poring Hot Springs, Sabah, Malaysia.

Abstract

A new species of Rhacophorus from the eastern slope of Gunung Kinabalu (Sabah, North Borneo) is described. It is similar to, and has previously been confused with, R. gauni, but differs from it by length and shape of head, less extensive webbing between fingers and toes, presence of vomerine ridges and teeth, absence of a pointed tubercle on the upper eyelid, relatively larger interorbital width, and a smaller thenar tubercle. Characteristics of the advertisement call and ecological data are provided.

Key words. Amphibia, Rhacophorus malkmusi sp. n., R. gauni, Sabah, Malaysia, taxonomy

J. Maximilian Dehling. 2015. A New Species of Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Gunung Kinabalu, Borneo. SALAMANDRA. 51(1); 1–11

[Herpetology • 2013] Range extension of Rhacophorus dulitensis Boulenger, 1892 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in western Sarawak, Borneo

Figure 2. Female Rhacophorus dulitensis (NMBE 1056708)
from Kubah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (western Borneo).

Abstract

 We report on a record of Rhacophorus dulitensis from Kubah National Park in western Sarawak. The new record extends the known geographical range of the species 300 km to the west.

________________

Rhacophorus dulitensis is endemic to Borneo, the largest of the Southeast Asian Greater Sunda Islands, where it occurs in primary lowland forest at elevations below 600 m a.s.l. (Harvey et al. 2002; Malkmus et al. 2002). Although not a rare species, it is seldom encountered because it lives in the canopy layer of forests and only descends to lower vegetation in order to breed (Dehling 2011). 

Rhacophorus dulitensis has a scattered distribution in central and northern Borneo. Originally described from Mt. Dulit in eastern Sarawak (3°25’ N, 114°00’ E), it has since been recorded from several localities in central and eastern Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam, Sabah, and East Kalimantan (Boulenger 1892; Inger et al. 2004; Inger and Stuebing 2005; Das 2007; Figure 1).

.......................

J. Maximilian Dehling and D. Matthias Dehling. 2013. Range extension of Rhacophorus dulitensis Boulenger, 1892 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) in western Borneo. Check List. 9(2): 425–426.

http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD238-11

[Herpetology • 2008] Rhacophorus belalongensis • A new treefrog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Brunei Darussalam (Borneo)

Fig 1. Female paratype of Rhacophorus belalongensis sp. n. (UBd GK06-26) in life.

Abstract

A new species of Rhacophorus from the Sultanate of Brunei darussalam (Borneo) is described. Rhacophorus belalongensis sp. n. is similar to Rhacophorus bimaculatus, R. catamitus, R. gadingensis, and R. gauni, but can be distinguished from these species and all other Southeast Asian members of the genus by the combination of the following characters: small size (SVl of adult females and males 34.7-38.2 mm and 25.8-30.9 mm, respectively), snout obtuse, head wider than long and wider than body, row of small white tubercles but no dermal lap along forearm, pointed calcar present on heel, supratympanic fold weakly expressed or absent, tympanum diameter one-third of that of eye, canthus rostralis sharp, interorbital distance equals upper eyelid width and internarial distance, dorsum grey to light brown in life, more or less regularly speckled with small dark brown irregularly shaped spots, lanks and anterior surface of thighs with irregularly shaped sky blue blotches on lanks, iris ruby-coloured, difusing to yellow laterally with distinct black ring along margin. Furthermore, characteristics of the advertisement call and natural history notes are provided.

Key words: Amphibia, Anura, Rhacophoridae, Rhacophorus belalongensis sp. n., taxonomy, natural history, advertisement call, Brunei darussalam, Borneo.

Rhacophorus belalongensis sp. n. (Figs. 1-7)

Holotype: ZMB 70377, adult female, from Sungai Anak Esu, a tributary of Sungai Belalong (4°32’34’’N, 115° 09’33’’E, ca. 60-200 m elevation), near Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre, Temburong district, Brunei darussalam (Borneo), collected by T.U. Grafe and A. Keller, 10 July 2006.

Distribution: The new species is known only from several small tributaries of both Sungai Belalong and Sungai Temburong in the area of the conluence of the two rivers.

Etymology: The new species is named after the Sungai Belalong valley, where it was discovered.

Fig. 3. Female paratype of Rhacophorus belalongensis sp. n. (UBd GK06-25) perching on a newly built foam nest.

Belalong tree frog | Rhacophorus belalongensis

BorneoNewWorld-2010 via WWF

As a result of the Heart of Borneo declaration, 58 percent of Brunei Darussalam’s national territory will fall under some level of environmental protection, good news for new species such as the Belalong tree frog, Rhacophorus belalongensis, discovered in 2008. This species was discovered in the Sungai Belalong basin in the Temburong district, hence its name, and it is miniature: males barely measure more than 3cm and females usually less than 3.8cm species. The species was encountered in the rainforests of Brunei, where it was found on vegetation next to small, fast-flowing creeks at heights between one and three metres above the ground. Scientists also heard the frog calling from the very tops of trees up to 10m high.

Fig. 8. Sound spectrogram of two-click advertisement call given

by a male Rhacophorus belalongensis at 25.2 °C.

Dehling, J. M. & T. U. Grafe. 2008. A new treefrog of the genus Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Brunei Darussalam (Borneo). Salamandra, 44(2): 101-112.

[Herpetology • 2008] Rhacophorus penanorum • A new treefrog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Gunung Mulu, eastern Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Fig. 1. Holotype of Rhacophorus penanorum sp.

n. (ZMB 70718) in life. Photograph taken in the

habitat.

Abstract

A new treefrog of the genus Rhacophorus is described from a small montane stream on the southern slope of Gunung Mulu in eastern Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The new species is distinguishable from its Southeast Asian congeners by the combination of the following characters: small size; snout sharply pointed, forming a low swollen rostral tubercle at its anteriormost tip; supratympanic fold thick and conspicuous; tympanum diameter one-third of that of eye; canthus rostralis sharp; interorbital distance greater than upper eyelid width and internarial distance; vomerine teeth in two oblique series; dermal appendages on trunk and limbs absent; hands and feet not fully webbed; dorsum uniformly yellowish-green in life; iris ruby-coloured in life with a light grey margin; advertisement call consisting of three or four notes, with energy maximum at 4050-4380 Hz.

Key words: Amphibia, Anura, Rhacophoridae, Rhacophorus penanorum sp. n., taxonomy, natural history, advertisement call, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo.

Rhacophorus penanorum sp. n. (Figs. 1-7)

Holotype: ZMB 70718, adult male, from a small stream, 45 minutes by foot below camp four on the southern flank of Gunung Mulu, approx. 1650 m elev., Gunung Mulu National

Park, Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia, collected by J. M. Dehling, 4 January 2008.

Distribution and ecological notes: The new species is known only from the type locality, a small permanent headstream of Sungai Tapin on the southern flank of Gunung Mulu (approx. 1650 m elev.), 45 minutes by foot below camp four. he streambed consists of rock in steep, fast-flowing sections and gravel in sections where the current is slower and the stream forms small, shallow pools. he site is also described in Dring (1983a, 1983b). All specimens were found calling fromleaves overhanging the stream at heights between 1.5 and 2 m. he following species were found sympatric with the new species: Ansonia hanitschi Inger, 1960, A. torrentis Dring, 1983, Leptobrachella brevicrus Dring, 1983, Xenophrys dringi (Inger, Stuebing & Tan, 1995), Limnonectes kuhlii (Tschudi, 1838) - complex, Meristogenys kinabaluensis (Inger, 1966), Staurois natator (Günther, 1858), and Philautus mjobergi Smith, 1925. Dring (1983b) reported Leptolalax sp. (= L. dringi Dubois, 1987) from the site.

Etymology: he species epithet is a patronym honouring the Penan people who live in the Gunung Mulu area. he type locality of the new species is situated on one of their traditional hunting trails.

Fig. 4. Type series of Rhacophorus penanorum sp.

n. (top to bottom: ZMB 70719, 70718, 70720),

showing the variation in daytime-colouration.

Rhacophorus penanorum (Mulu Flying Frog) via frogsofborneo.org

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=0000+0000+0909+0747

Dehling, J.M. 2008. A new treefrog (Anura: Rhacophoridae: Rhacophorus) from Gunung Mulu, Borneo. Salamandra. 44(4): 193-205.:

[Herpetology • 2011] Rhacophorus pseudacutirostris | Sumatran Sharp-nosed Tree Frog • new species from Sumatera Barat (Western Sumatra)

Sumatran Sharp-nosed Tree Frog

Rhacophorus pseudacutirostris, Dehling 2011

Abstract

The taxonomic status of the population of Rhacophorus angulirostris from West Sumatra is reassessed. This record was based on five specimens that had been collected in Padang, West Sumatra, more than a century ago, are stored in the collection of the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Austria, and were assigned to R. angulirostris from Borneo by Inger (1966). Reexamination revealed that the specimens from Sumatra share only few diagnostic characters with R. angulirostris from Borneo. Bornean and Sumatran specimens difer in the presence of a dermal projection at the tibio-tarsal articulation, male body size, snout shape, shape of the canthus rostralis and the supratympanic fold, extent of webbing between the ingers, size of the thenar tubercle, position of the nostrils, internarial distance, the eye-to-nostril distance, size of eye and tympanum, and size and position of the dentigerous processes of the vomers. he specimens from Padang were compared to all other Southeast Asian members of the genus and found to represent a distinct species, herein described as new, that appears to be not even closely related to R. angulirostris. Because the only record of R. angulirostris from Sumatra was based on these specimens, the geographic distribution of R. angulirostris is again restricted to northeastern Borneo. An identification key for the Rhacophorus species from Sumatra is provided.

Key words: Amphibia, Rhacophorus pseudacutirostris sp. n., identification key, Indonesia, Borneo, endemism.

Rhacophorus pseudacutirostris sp. n.

(Figs. 1–3)

Rhacophorus acutirostris (nec Rhacophorus acutirostris Mocquard, 1890, archeonym replaced by Rhacophorus angulirostris Ahl, 1927): Inger (1966, partim).

Rhacophorus angulirostris (nec Rhacophorus angulirostris Ahl, 1927): Manthey & Grossmann (1997, partim); Harvey et al. (2002, partim); Malkmus et al. (2002, partim); Dehling (2008, partim); Teynié et al. (2010, partim).

Holotype: NHW 16301:5, adult male, from Padang, Sumatera Barat (West Sumatra), Indonesia, collected between 1890 and 1904 by Consul Johannes Schild.

Paratypes: NHW 16301:1, NHW 16301:3, two adult females, NHW16301:2, 16301:4, two adult males, same data as holotype.

Etymology: the species epithet is composed of pseud­, the Latinized form of the Greek preix ψευδ­, meaning “false”, and the Latin words acutus, meaning “sharpened”, and ros­trum, meaning “snout”; in allusion to the former confusion of the new species with Rhacophorus acutirostris Mocquard, 1890 (name replaced with R. angulirostris Ahl, 1927) from Borneo. As common name, I suggest Sumatran Sharp-nosed Tree Frog.

— Key to the Sumatran species of Rhacophorus —

Dehling, J.M. 2011 Taxonomic status of the population of Rhacophorus angulirostris Ahl, 1927 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Sumatera Barat (Western Sumatra) and its description as a new species. Salamandra, 47(3): 133-143. http://salamandra-journal.com/index.php?option=com_docman&Itemid=72