[Herpetology • 2017] Rediscovery and Redescription of Tropidophorus micropus van Lidth de Jeude, 1905 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

Tropidophorus micropus van Lidth de Jeude, 1905

DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.160015 

Abstract

Tropidophorus micropus van Lidth de Jeude, 1905, described from the upper Mahakkam River, Kalimantan, Indonesia, is here redescribed, based on new material from upper Baleh, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo), collected after over 100 years. The new locality is ca. 94 km to the north of the type locality, and comprises a new national record.

Keywords: Tropidophorus micropus;  rediscovery;  Scincidae;  Malaysia;  Borneo

Tropidophorus micropus van Lidth de Jeude, 1905 was described from a unique specimen (RMNH 4452, presumed to be an adult male, based on swollen tail base), collected from “Long Bloe Upper Mahakkam” (= Long Blu, also spelt Long Bloéoe, 00.71667°N; 114.2500°E; on the upper reaches of Sungei Mahakam, Kalimantan Timur Propinsi, Indonesia, on the island of Borneo). No images were provided in the original description, and the holotype is illustrated here (Figure 1). Subsequent authors (e.g., de Rooij, 1915) referred to the species, but apparently no further specimens have been collected. The recent records of the species by Stuebing et al. (1999) and Das (2004) are based on misidentified specimens. 

In May 2015, two specimens of Tropidophorus were collected during an expedition to the headwaters of Sungei Baleh, central Sarawak, that we allocate to this nominal species. This constitutes the rediscovery of the poorly known species, as well as the first confirmed record for Sarawak and Malaysia. 

We provide an expanded description of these specimens, including, for the first time, a description of its colouration as well as images.

.....

Figure 2: Tropidophorus micropus van Lidth de Jeude, 1905 (UNIMAS P1168) in life.

Ecological Notes and Distribution: The series was collected from narrow crevices of rocky banks of small streams at the headwaters of Sungei Baleh (Figure 4). Both females contained two yellowish-cream colored ova, and visible externally in life. The new locality provides the first record for both Sarawak and Malaysia, and lies ca. 94 km to the north of the type locality, across Pengunungan Mueller (= Müller Range) that forms the boundary between Sarawak (Malaysia) in the north and Kalimantan (Indonesia) to the south.

Yong Min PUI and Indraneil DAS. 2017. Rediscovery and Redescription of Tropidophorus micropus van Lidth de Jeude, 1905 (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo).  Asian Herpetological Research. 8(2); 147-150. DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.160015

http://www.ahr-journal.com/Upload/PaperUpLoad/504f8f86-90a7-40d9-8d65-4be8b078d79d.pdf

[Herpetology • 2016] Larval External Morphology and Development in Feihyla kajau (Dring,1983) (Anura: Rhacophoridae)

LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg 

Abstract

 The external morphology and development of the tadpoles of Feihyla kajau (Dring, 1983) from Kubah National Park, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo), are described. The species produce small clutches of 7–10 (mean 8.60 ± SE 0.51) eggs within a mass of jelly-like substance that is stuck to leaves near standing bodies of water, such as stagnant pools and swamps. The tadpoles reach 26.7 mm in total length, their body shapes subglobose to ovoid in dorsal view; eyes positioned dorsolaterally; spiracle sinistral; oral disk anteroventral; marginal papillation of oral disk with broad gap on upper lip and no gap on lower lip; oral disk marginal papillae arranged in single row; labial ridges with uniserial keratodont rows; and Labial Tooth Row Formula 4(2–4)/3. Morphological changes during development are documented according to the staging table of Gosner (1960). Development was recorded from Stage 26 until Stage 42. Time taken to reach Stage 42 was 110 days. It is shown that developmental time and stages have a pronounced nonlinear relationship; stages are only ordinal. Ex situ conditions required to raise the tadpoles of the species are described, which include water temperature, food and condition of growing provided.

Key words. Tadpole, growth, description, staging, metamorphosis, Feihyla kajau, Malaysia, Borneo

Indraneil Das, Hairi Hedeir, Yong Min Pui, Stefan T. Hertwigand Alexander Haas. 2016. Larval External Morphology and Development in Feihyla kajau (Dring,1983) (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 64: 319–328.

http://LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol64/64rbz319-328.pdf

[Herpetology • 2004] Kaloula assamensis • A New Species of Kaloula (Anura: Microhylidae) from Assam State, north-eastern India

Kaloula assamensis  

Das, Sengupta, Ahmed & Dutta, 2004

Abstract

A new species of microhylid of the genus  Kaloula is described from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states, north-east India. Kaloula assamensis new species, is compared with congeners from south and south-east Asia. The new species is diagnosablein showing the following combination of characters: SVL up to 38.0 mm; tympanum notexternally visible; choanae rounded, moderately large, at anterolateral edge of palate,separated by a distance greater than twice their length; postnarial ridges across palatenot curving backwards towards inner edge of choanae; finger tips slightly dilated; subarticular tubercles prominent, rounded; webbing on pes to level of distal subarticular tubercles, except on toe IV, where it is to the medial tubercle, reaching tips of all toes asa narrow sheath; toe tips slightly rounded; supernumerary tubercle at base of each digitof manus; tarsus smooth, lacking folds; supratympanic fold extends from posterior edgeof eye to above insertion of forelimbs; lateral glandular flank ridge absent; abdomen coarsely granular; pale brown dorsally, with a dark-edged bright yellow vertebral stripe,commencing from tip of snout and terminating near vent, where it becomes less distinct;a dark-edged broad dark brown lateral stripes, commencing from the postocular region,and extending to inguinal region; stratified colouration on posterior face of thighs and flanks; and light pericloacal ring present.

Keywords:  Kaloula, new species, Kaloula assamensis, Microhylidae, systematics, new species, India.

Diagnosis.- A small (SVL up to 38.0 mm) species of Kaloula, diagnosable from congeneric species in showing the following combination of characters: tympanum not externally visible; choanae rounded, moderately large, at antero-lateral edge of palate, separated by a distance greater than twice their length; postnarial ridges across palate not curving backwards towards inner edge of choanae; finger tips slightly dilated; subarticular tubercles prominent, rounded; webbing on pes to level of distal subarticular tubercles, except on toe IV, where it is to the medial tubercle, reaching tips of all toes as a narrow sheath; toe tips slightly rounded; supernumerary tubercle at base of each digit of manus; tarsus smooth, lacking folds; supratympanic fold ex-tends from posterior edge of eye to above insertion of forelimbs; lateral glandular flank ridge absent; abdomen coarsely granular; pale brown dorsally, with a dark-edged bright yellow vertebral stripe, commencing from tip of snout and terminating near vent, where it becomes less distinct; a dark-edged broad dark brown lateral stripes, commencing from the postocular region,and extending to inguinal region; stratified colouration on posterior face of thighs and flanks;and light pericloacal ring present.

Natural History Notes 

The holotype of the new species was unearthed in a field of mustard (Brassica juncea). The Nameri paratype was found sitting on an herba-ceous plant, ca. 0.3 m above substrate, at 1830h, within an evergreen forest. Other amphibian species found in sympatry with the new speciesat this site include  Megophrys parva, Rana humeralis, R. leptoglossa, Fejervarya aff. limnocharis, Microhyla ornata and Uperodon globulosum. The Sirajuli paratype was found under herbaceous moist vegetation. The eggs, larvae stages and call of the new species remain un-known. The two Orang paratypes were collected during the post-monsoon season, while sittingon blades of the grass Saccharum spp., ca. 1 mabove ground. Seven other species of anurans (including the type series of Kalophrynus orangensis Dutta et al., 2000) were found at this lo-cality. The Pakhui paratype was collected froma fern within a waterlogged area, while sitting ata height of ca. 0.6 m above substrate, at 1920 h.In sympatry were Chirixalus simus, C. vittatus, Polypedates leucomystax and Rana humeralis.

Das, I., Sengupta, S., Ahmed, M.F. and Dutta, S.K. 2004. A New Species of Kaloula (Anura: Microhylidae) from Assam State, north-eastern India. Hamadryad. 101-109.

academia.edu/4173554/New_sps_Kaloula

Saibal Sengupta, Abhijit Das, Sandeep Das, Balhtiar Hussain, Nripendra Kumar Choudhury and Sushil Kumar Dutta. 2009. Taxonomy and Biogeography of Kaloula Species of Eastern India. The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University. 9(2): 209-222.
http://www.biology.sc.chula.ac.th/TNH/archives/v9_no2/7.209-222%20Sengupta.pdf

Anukul Nath, Firoz Ahmed and Hilloljyoti Singha. 2011. Record of Kaloula assamensis (Das et al., 2004) (Anura: Microhylidae) from Bongagaon District, Assam, India. frog leg [Newsletter of the Amphibian Network of South Asia and Amphibian Specialist Group - South Asia].  17. 

researchgate.net/publication/277331346_Record_of_Kaloula_assamensis_Das_et_al_2004_Anura_Microhylidae_from_Bongagaon_District_Assam_India

[Herpetology • 2006] Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, as A Refuge for Borneo’s Montane Herpetofauna

Abstract

Crocker Range National Park in Sabah (East Malaysia), northern Borneo, is an exceptional area for herpetological diversity. Inventories of the Park are incomplete, but show high diversity, as well as regional endemicity shared with the adjacent and more well-known Gunung Kinabalu National Park. The montane ecosystem of the Range offers refuge for a number of rare herpetofaunal taxa, including Stoliczkia borneensis, Rhabdophis murudensis, Oligodon everetti, Philautus bunitus, Ansonia anotis, Sphenomorphus aesculeticola, and undescribed species of squamates of the genera Sphenomorphus and Gongylosoma. The 59 species of amphibians and 45 species of reptiles now recorded from the Range represent 39 and 16.2 per cent of the total Bornean amphibian and reptile fauna, respectively. The high levels of deforestation of the surrounding regions of Borneo, particularly lowland rainforests, highten the importance of protection of primary forests of northern Borneo’s Crocker Range.

Key words. Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, Malaysia, herpetofauna, conservation

Indraneil Das. 2006. Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, as A Refuge for Borneo’s Montane Herpetofauna. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 4(1):3-11. DOI:  10.1514/journal.arc.0040015  http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_4/ARC_4_3-11_e15.pdf

[Herpetology • 2012] Coryphophylax brevicaudus • A New Species of Coryphophylax Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 (Iguania: Agamidae) from the Andaman Islands, India

ABSTRACT 

The systematic position of the agamid genus Coryphophylax (Squamata: Agamidae) is given as monotypic and endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, India. After having surveyed intensively in thirteen different Islands and examined several individuals in the Andamans group of islands, we describe a second species of Coryphophylax from the lowland rainforests of the South Andaman Island. Coryphophylax brevicaudus sp. nov. is differentiated from its congener, C. subcristatus (Blyth, "1860" 1861) by its smaller size, relatively shorter tail, presence of nuchal and dorsal crests in both sexes, midbody scale row counts and colour pattern. The new species lives in sympatry with C. subcristatus. The taxonomic history and systematic status of the genus Coryphophylax are discussed, and the need for continued surveys in the Islands is emphasized.

Key words: Squamata, Iguania, Agamidae, Coryphophylax brevicaudus sp. nov., Andaman Islands, India

 Harikrishnan S., Karthikeyan Vasudevan, S.R. Chandramouli,  B.C. Choudhary, Sushil Kumar Dutta and Indraneil Das. 2012. A New Species of Coryphophylax Fitzinger in: Steindachner, 1867 (Sauria: Iguania: Agamidae) from the Andaman Islands, India.

Zootaxa. 3451:31-45.

ResearchGate.net/publication/255291590_A_new_species_of_Coryphophylax_Fitzinger_in_Steindachner_1867_(Sauria_Iguania_Agamidae)_from_the_Andaman_Islands_India

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03451p045f.pdf

facebook.com/novataxa/photos/409724819080882

[Herpetology • 2000] Cyrtodactylus tiomanensis • A New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Gekkonidae) from Pulau Tioman, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Tioman Island Bent-toed Gecko |  Cyrtodactylus tiomanensis 

Das & Lim, 2000 

photo: Ingomar Kiehlmann  flickr.com  |  LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg

ABSTRACT

 A new species of Cyrtodactylus is described from Pulau Tioman, an island off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The new species can be differentiated from congeners from south-east Asia in showing the following combination of characters: medium-sized Cyrtodactylus (SVL to 83.2 mm); rostral partially divided by rostral groove, contacted posteriorly by two nostrils and two semi-circular supranasals; pectoral and abdominal scales smooth, rounded, semi-circular, imbricate; no preanal groove, a distinct preanal depression; sharp boundary between small scales on posterior surface of thighs and larger ones on ventral surface of thighs; tail without lateral denticles or tubercles forming whorls or segments; supralabials (to midorbit position) 8-11; infralabials 9-11; midventral scale rows at belly to lowestrow oftubercles 36-40; lamellae undertoe IV 20-22; preanofemoral pores 19; and dorsal pattern comprises four pale yellow transverse bands, each narrower than the intervening pale brown areas, edges with dark brown, and a pale yellow nuchal loop joining posterior edges of eyes.

KEY WORDS: Systematics, Cyrtodactylus tiomanensis, new species, Sauria, Gekkonidae, Pulau Tioman, Malaysia.

Cyrtodactylus tiomanensis Palau Tioman Bent-toed Gecko

photo: little-microhyla.blogspot.com

Das, I. and Lim, L.J. 2000. A New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Pulau Tioman. Raffles Bull. Zool. 48 (2): 223-231. http://LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/48/48rbz223-231.pdf 

[Herpetology • 2016] Tytthoscincus batupanggah & T. leproauricularis • Two New Species of Diminutive Leaf-Litter Skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Tytthoscincus) from Gunung Penrissen, Sarawak, Malaysia (northern Borneo)

Tytthoscincus batupanggah 

Karin, Das & Bauer, 2016 

Abstract

We describe two new species of skinks from Gunung Penrissen, Sarawak, Malaysia, in northern Borneo, Tytthoscincus batupanggah sp. nov. and T. leproauricularis sp. nov. Morphological and molecular analyses both corroborate the two new species as unique compared to all other Tytthoscincus and additional Sphenomorphus that are candidates for taxonomic placement in the genus Tytthoscincus. Despite their phenotypic similarity and sympatric distribution, a molecular analysis shows that the new species are not sister taxa and exhibit a deep genetic divergence between each of their respective sister taxa. We discuss how historical climatic and geographic processes may have led to the co-distribution of two relatively distantly related phenotypically similar species. In light of these discoveries, we also emphasize the importance of conserving primary montane tropical rainforest for maintaining species diversity.

Keywords: Reptilia, Endemism, co-distribution, Sphenomorphus, Sundaland, Sunda Shelf, sympatric

Benjamin R. Karin, Indraneil Das and Aaron M. Bauer. 2016. Two New Species of Diminutive Leaf-Litter Skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Tytthoscincus) from Gunung Penrissen, Sarawak, Malaysia (northern Borneo). Zootaxa. 4093(3) 

http://mapress.com/j/zt/issue/view/zootaxa.4093.3.7

http://theherpetofaunalbiologygroup.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/5/14155652/463-_karin_et_al.__tytthoscincus_.pdf

[Herpetology • 2008] Eutropis tammanna • A New Species of Eutropis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Sri Lanka

Eutropis tammanna

  Das, De Silva & Austin, 2008 

Abstract

A new species of lygosomine scincid lizard of the genus Eutropis is described from the dry and intermediate zones of the lowlands (0–190 m asl) of Sri Lanka. Eutropis tammanna sp. nov. is compared with congeners from Sri Lanka and those from southern Peninsular India, and is diagnosable by molecular data and by the following combination of morphological characters: body size small, up to 52.3 mm; transparent window-like disk absent on lower eyelids; prefrontals in broad contact; a single pair of nuchals; postnasal absent; ear opening larger than adjacent scales; dorsal scales with 6–7 keels; midbody scale rows 28–29; paravertebral scale rows 37–40; ventral scales 41–48; lamellae under fourth toe 15– 16; dark labial bars present in both sexes, which are more distinct in males; dark postocular stripe absent; males brown on dorsum, with dark flanks speckled with cream; females similar to males, the pattern less contrasting, lacking paired series of black markings, pale vertebral stripes or dark longitudinal stripes on dorsum. In addition, the rostral, labials, and gular region of presumed breeding males are bright flame scarlet.

 Key words: Eutropis tammanna sp. n., Scincidae, systematics, morphology, Sri Lanka, Bayesian, ND2, DNA, SH test

Indraneil Das, Anslem De Silva and Christopher C. Austin. 2008. A New Species of Eutropis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Sri Lanka. Zootaxa. 1700: 35–52.

http://www.museum.lsu.edu/Austin/PDFs%20Austin/29.%20Eutropis%20Sri%20Lanka%202008.pdf

[Herpetology • 2003] Gongylosoma mukutense | Mukut Smooth Snake • A New Species of Gonglyosoma (Squamata: Colubridae) from Pulau Tioman, West Malaysia

Mukut Smooth Snake | Gongylosoma mukutense (Holotype - ZRC.2.5143).

A new species of Gongylosoma is described from Pulau Tioman, a small island 38 km off the southeast coast of Pahang, West Malaysia, in the South China Sea. This species differs from all other Gongylosoma in having a single, enlarged, posterior temporal; chinshields of equal size; and a thin nuchal band that contacts a vestigial vertebral stripe. The new species forms a clade with G. nicobariense from the Nicobar Islands and G. longicauda from Borneo, Java, and Sumatra and is the sister species of the latter.

Keywords: Biogeography, Gongylosoma, Liopeltis, Malaysia, Pulau Tioman

Grismer, L.L.; Indraneil Das, and Tzi Ming Leong 2003. A New Species of Gonglyosoma (Squamata: Colubridae) from Pulau Tioman, West Malaysia. Herpetologica. 59(4):565-572.  DOI:  10.1655/02-38

http://lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/biology/Grismer_s_Publications__1_/Gongylosoma.pdf

http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=%2F2011%2F6%2F21%2Flifefocus%2F8910292

[Herpetology • 2014] Ansonia vidua | Murud Black Slender Toad • Dressed in Black. A New Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from Gunung Murud, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

Ansonia vidua Hertwig, Min, Haas & DAS, 2014
Adult female, Murud Black Slender Toad 

Abstract

A new species of stream toad of the genus Ansonia is described from Gunung Murud, Pulong Tau National Park, of northern Sarawak, Malaysia, Borneo. Ansonia vidua, sp. nov., is morphologically distinguished from its Bornean congeners by the following combination of characters: medium size (SVL of adult females 33.5–34.4 mm); body uniformly black-brown in life; absence of a visible pattern on dorsum or limbs; presence of two low interorbital ridges; shagreened skin on dorsum, sides and upper surfaces of the limbs with numerous homogeneously small, rounded warts; first finger shorter than second; reduced webbing between the toes and an absence of a sharp tarsal ridge. Uncorrected genetic distances between related taxa of > 4.3% in 16S rRNA gene support its status as a hitherto undescribed species.

Keywords: Amphibia, Ansonia vidua sp. nov., Pulong Tau National Park, systematics

Etymology. The species name vidua means ´widow´ and refers to the uniform brownish-black colouration in life of this species, which is traditionally the colour of choice by widows. We suggest the English vernacular name ‘Murud Black Slender Toad’ for the species.

Ecological notes: The type locality is situated between this unnamed small side stream [the edge of the summit trail to Gunung Murud, Pulong Tau National Park] and the Sugei Murud that runs eastward from near the summit of Gunung Murud down to the plateau of the Kelabit Highlands. The type locality is situated just below the summit ridge of the Gunung Murud massif. In this undisturbed montane mossy forest (Beaman 1999; Beaman & Anderson 1997; Mjöberg 1925), the following species of frogs have been recorded in sympatry: Limnonectes cf. kuhlii, Philautus mjobergi, P. cf. petersi, Pelophryne murudensis and Leptobrachium montanum. The amphibian fauna of Gunung Murud has been described by Das (2005, 2008). The discovery of a new and possibly endemic species from the Gunung Murud massif underlines the importance of the Pulong Tau National Park in the protection of the highly diverse montane amphibian fauna of Sarawak and that of Borneo.

Hertwig, Stefan T., Pui Y. Min, Alexander Haas & Indraneil DAS. 2014. Dressed in Black. A New Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Lissamphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) from Gunung Murud, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo). Zootaxa. 3814(3): 419–431.

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3814.3.9

Ansonia_vidua: theherpetofaunalbiologygroup.weebly.com

[Herpetology • 2014] Calluella capsa • Red Hot Chili Pepper: A New Calluella Stoliczka, 1872 (Anura: Microhylidae) from Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

Calluella capsa Das, Min, Hsu, Hertwig & Haas 2014

photo: Wayne W. Hsu flic.kr/p/buBk9L

Abstract

A new brightly-coloured (olive and red) species of microhylid frog of the genus Calluella Stoliczka 1872 is described from the upper elevations of Gunung Penrissen and the Matang Range, Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo). Calluella capsa, new species, is diagnosable in showing the following combination of characters: SVL up to 36.0 mm; dorsum weakly granular; a faint dermal fold across forehead; toe tips obtuse; webbing on toes basal; lateral fringes on toes present; outer metatarsal tubercle present; and dorsum greyish-olive, with red spots; half of venter bright red, the rest with large white and dark areas. The new species is the eighth species of Calluella to be described, and the fourth known from Borneo. A preliminary phylogeny of Calluella and its relatives is presented, and the new taxon compared with congeners from Malaysia and other parts of south-east Asia.

Key words: Calluella capsa sp. nov., Microhylidae, systematics, new species, Gunung Penrissen, Matang Range, Malaysia

Das, Indraneil, Pui Y. Min, Wayne W. Hsu, Stefan T. Hertwig & Alexander Haas. 2014. Red Hot Chili Pepper. A New Calluella Stoliczka, 1872 (Lissamphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo). Zootaxa. 3785(4): 550–560.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2014/f/z03785p560f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2012] A Significant Range Extension for the Kinabalu Parachute Gecko, Ptychozoon rhacophorus (Boulenger, 1899) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and A New State Record from Sarawak, northwestern Borneo

Ptychozoon rhacophorus
collected from Gunung Penrissen, Sarawak state, Borneo

During a field expedition on May 16, 2011 to Gunung Penrissen, Padawan (northwestern Borneo; 01.12°N, 110.21°E; 1,230 masl; Fig. 1), Sarawak state, East Malaysia, two gecko eggs was collected from the forest floor. The eggs were deposited as a near spherical pair, the hard shelled eggs fused to each other, and attached to the surface of a dry leaf. 

. Identification is based on the presence of the following combination of characters: sharp tapering tail; terminal tail-flap absent; spinose tubercles on dorsum; dorsum lacking dark bands; supranasals not in contact; absence of cutaneous expansion on sides of head (Fig. 2). 

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

Pui Yong Min and Indraneil Das. 2012. A Significant Range Extension for the Kinabalu Parachute Gecko, Ptychozoon rhacophorus (Boulenger, 1899) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and A New State Record from Sarawak, northwestern Borneo. Herpetology Notes. 5: 177-179

http://herpetologynotes.seh-herpetology.org/Volume5_PDFs/Min_Herpetology_Notes_Volume5_pages177-179.pdf

[Herpetology • 2008] Anomochilus monticola | Kinabalu Giant Blind Snake • A New Species of Anomochilus (Squamata: Anomochilidae) from Gunung Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo)

Anomochilus monticola Das, Lakim, Lim & Hui, 2008
 Kinabalu Giant Blind Snake, Mountain Pipe Snake

A new species of Anomochilus is described from Gunung Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo). The new species is diagnosed from the only two other known species in the genus by the combination of the following character states: SVL to 509 mm; an azygous parietofrontal; paravertebrals 269; transverse body rows 17 : 19 : 17; midventrals 258–261; subcaudals 7–8; dorsum unpatterned dark brown, except for pale flecks, one scale wide, on paravertebral region; large pale blotches absent on dorsum; flanks without light line; and a pair of large pale blotches present on either side of venter. A dichotomous identification key to the three currently known species of Anomochilus is provided. With three species of Anomochilus known for Borneo, the island is the center of diversification of this genus of presumably fossorial and cryptozoic snakes.

 Das, I., Lakim, M., Lim, K.K.P., & Hui, T.H. 2008. New Species of Anomochilus from Borneo (Squamata: Anomochilidae). Journal of Herpetology. 42.3: 584-591.

http://jstor.org/stable/40060554 DOI: 10.1670/07-154.1

http://snakesarelong.blogspot.com/2012/04/dwarf-pipesnakes.html

[Herpetology • 2013] Sphenomorphus apalpebratus • A Spectacled Sphenomorphus (Squamata: Scincidae), from the Sacred Forests of Mawphlang, Meghalaya, North-east India

Sphenomorphus apalpebratus  A new species of skink from the Northeastern region of India. This cool species differs from all other Sphenomorphus in showing a lack of movable eyelids and the presence of a spectacle (or 'brille') permanently covering the eye. Its found really high up on the Khasi hills (>1800 m).

Aniruddha Datta-Roy | http://facebook.com/groups/IndianReptileandamphibians

Abstract

A new species of lygosomatine scincid lizard is described from the sacred forests of Mawphlang, in Meghalaya, northeastern India. Sphenomorphus apalpebratus sp. nov. possesses a spectacle or brille, an unusual feature within the Scincidae, and a first for the paraphyletic genus Sphenomorphus. The new species is compared with other members of the genus to which it is here assigned, as well as to members of the lygosomatine genera Lipinia and Scincella from mainland India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and south-east Asia, to which it also bears resemblance. The new taxon is diagnosable in exhibiting the following combination of characters: small body size (SVL to 42.0 mm); moveable eyelids absent; auricular opening scaleless, situated in a shallow depression; dorsal scales show a line of demarcation along posterior edge of ventral pes; midbody scale rows 27–28; longitudinal scale rows between parietals and base of tail 62–64; lamellae under toe IV 8–9; supraoculars five; supralabials 5–6; infralabials 4–5; subcaudals 92; and dorsum golden brown, except at dorsal margin of lateral line, which is lighter, with four faintly spotted lines, two along each side of vertebral row of scales, that extend to tail base. The new species differs from its congeners in the lack of moveable eyelids, a character shared with several distantly related scincid genera.

Key words: Squamata, Sauria, Scincidae, Sphenomorphus, new species, phylogenetic relationships, Meghalaya, India

photo: Aniruddha Datta-Roy 

Datta-Roy, Aniruddha, Indraneil DAS, Aaron M. Bauer, Ronald K. L. Tron & Praveen Karanth. 2013. Lizard Wears Shades. A Spectacled  Sphenomorphus (Squamata: Scincidae), from the Sacred Forests of Mawphlang, Meghalaya, North-east India. Zootaxa. 3701 (2): 257-276. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3701.2.7

http://theherpetofaunalbiologygroup.weebly.com/uploads/1/4/1/5/14155652/412-_roy_et_al._sphenomorphus_meghalaya.pdf
http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03701p276f.pdf

 http://www.academia.edu/4267460/Datta_Roy2013a

[Herpetology • 2009] Ptychozoon nicobarensis | Nicobar Parachute Gecko • A New Species of Ptychozoon (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Nicobar Archipelago, Indian Ocean

Nicobar Parachute Gecko 

Ptychozoon nicobarensis Das & Vijayakumar 2009

Abstract

A new species of Ptychozoon is described from the central portion of the Nicobar Archipelago, Bay of Bengal, India. It has been formerly referred to P. kuhli, a species widely distributed in Sundaland. Ptychozoon nicobarensis sp. nov. reaches an SVL of 100.3 mm, and is diagnosable from congeneric species in showing the following combination of characters: dorsum with a tan vertebral stripe, lacking dark transverse bars; supranasals in contact; cutaneous expansions on sides of head; absence of predigital notch in preantebrachial cutaneous expansion; imbricate parachute support scales; four irregular rows of low, rounded enlarged scales on dorsum; 20–29 scales across widest portion of tail terminus; three indistinct chevrons on dorsum; 7–11 pairs of preanal pores; femoral pores absent; tail with an expanded terminal flap and weak lobe fusion at proximal border of tail terminus. The curious distribution of the new species, centred around the central Nicobars is speculated to be the result of competition with and/or predation by large gekkonid species, to the north (Gekko verreauxi) and south (G. smithii) of the group of islands occupied by the new Ptychozoon from the central Nicobars.

Key words: Ptychozoon, systematics, new species, Nicobar Archipelago, India

Das, I. & Vijayakumar, S.P. 2009. New species of Ptychozoon (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Nicobar Archipelago, Indian Ocean. Zootaxa. 2095: 8–20

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/z02095p020f.pdf

[Herpetology • 1998] Adenomus dasi | Das's Toad • A synopsis of the Sri Lankan Bufonidae (Amphibia: Anura)

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=295217&one=T

© 2009 Andreas & Christel Nöllert

Adenomus dasi 

Manamendra-Arachchi & Pethiyagoda, 1998

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=348055&one=T

© 2011 Milivoje Krvavac

Manamendra-Arachchi, K. and Pethiyagoda, R. 1998. A synopsis of the Sri Lankan Bufonidae (Amphibia: Anura), with description of two new species. Journal of South Asian Natural History (J. South Asian nat. Hist.). 3(2): 213-246.

[Herpetology • 2007] Lipinia inexpectata • New Species of Lipinia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Borneo, Revealed by Molecular and Morphological Data

Dorsolateral view of holotype of Lipinia inexpectata sp. nov. (ZRC 2.5728) in life

Abstract

A new species of scincid lizard of the genus Lipinia is described from isolated localities in Borneo, from Sabah, Sarawak, and Kalimantan. The species was formerly allocated to Lipinia quadrivittata (Peters, 1867), a species known from the southern Philippines and Sulawesi in eastern Indonesia. The new species is compared with congeners from Borneo and other parts of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific and is diagnosable in showing the following combination of characters: small body size (SVL to 40.6 mm); external ear opening absent; lower eyelid with a clear spectacle; midbody scale rows 20; longitudinal scale rows between parietals and base of tail 46–50; lamellae under toe IV 16–17; supralabials 6; infralabials 6–7; subcaudals 68–74; and dorsum tan brown with dark gray-brown stripes. Although morphologically similar to the arboreal L. quadrivittata, the new species from Borneo differs in coloration and its preference for terrestrial habitats. In addition, analysis of DNA sequence data from 293 base-pairs of the cytochrome b gene for the new species and four congeners (Lipinia leptosoma, Lipinia pulchella, Lipinia noctua, and L. quadrivittata) demonstrates it is a separate lineage (> 15% sequence divergence from its sister taxa L. quadrivittata) with an independent evolutionary history

INDRANEIL DAS AND CHRISTOPHER C. AUSTIN. 2007. New Species of Lipinia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Borneo, Revealed by Molecular and Morphological Data.
Journal of Herpetology. 41(1); 61–71
http://www.museum.lsu.edu/Austin/PDFs%20Austin/24.%20BorneoLipinia2007.pdf

[Herpetology • 2002] Lipinia nitens (Peters, 1871): Discovery of a second specimen and a Redescription of the Holotype | Gunung Pueh, western Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

photo by Indraneil Das from reptile-database.reptarium.cz

Abstract

The  rare Bornean skink, Lygosoma nitens Peters (1871), previously known only from the holotype of unknown provenance in Sarawak, is reviewed on the basis of the type and a new specimen from Gunung Pueh, western Sarawak. The species is redescribed and allocated to the genus Lipinia. Lipinia nitens lacks an external ear opening, having in its place a scaly dimple; only six supralabials, with the fourth subocular; longitudinal scale rows at midbody 22; a distinct colour pattern, with dark paravertebral

and lateral stripes, especially on the anterior of the trunk.

Key words: Lygosoma nitens, Lipinia nitens, systematics, Sarawak, Gunung Pueh.

Gunung Pueh, Kuching Division, western Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo)

Das, I. & Greer, A.E. 2002. Lipinia nitens (Peters, 1871): discovery of a second specimen and a redescription of the holotype. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 50 (2): 483-486

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/50/50rbz483-485.pdf

[Herpetology • 1997] Rediscovery of Lipinia macrotympanum (Stoliczka, 1873) from the Nicobar Islands, India

Abstract

 Stoliczka's (1873) Mocoa macrotympanum, known from the holotype collected over 120 years ago from the Andaman Islands, India, is redescrihed on the basis of two specimens from Little and Great Nicobar Islands. India. The species is diagnosed by: small body size (SVL up to 38.1 mm); tympanum exposed; disk on lower eyelid translucent; prefrontals separate; the failure of the adpressed hind limbs to meet the fore limbs; 21- 23 smooth midbody scale rows; 15-17 subdigital scansors under toe IV; three pairs of nuchals; four supraoculars; seven supralabials (supralabial V in midorbit position); six infralabials; and lateral bands starting from the nostrils.

Key words.- Lipinia macrotympanum, Sauria. Scincidae. Great Nicobar. Little Nicobar, India.

Das, I. 1997 Rediscovery of Lipinia macrotympanum (Stoliczka, 1873) from the Nicobar Islands, India. Asiatic Herpetological Research 7:23-26. http://www.asiatic-herpetological.org/Archive/Volume%2007/07_04.pdf

Stoliczka,F. 1873 Notes on some Andamese and Nicobarese Reptiles, with the descriptions of three new species of lizards. J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 42: 162-169

[Herpetology • 2005] Rhacophorus gadingensis • A new species of Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Gunung Gading, Sarawak, Borneo

Abstract

A new species of rhacophorid of the genus Rhacophorus is described from Gunung Gading National Park, Sarawak, western Borneo. Rhacophorus gadingensis, new species, is compared with congeners from Borneo and other parts of southeast Asia. The new species is diagnosable in showing the following combination of characters: SVL 29.5 mm in the larger of the two specimens known; snout obtuse, slightly projecting beyond mandible; head wider than long; fingers and toes webbed; lacking nuptial pads (in males) and a dermal flap along forearm; a weak supracloacal fold; spinose calcar present; skin not co-ossified to forehead, median lingual process absent; supratympanic fold weak; dorsum brown, with a dark interorbital bar; dark brown blotches on dorsum and flanks with blue blotches.

KEY WORDS. – Rhacophorus, new species, Rhacophorus gadingensis, Rhacophoridae, systematics, Borneo.

Etymology. – The new species is named for Gunung Gading, the type locality of the new species.

Ecological notes. – The holotype and paratype were found on vegetation, ca. 3 m and 1 m, respectively, overhanging granite boulders at the edge of a torrential forest stream, > 8 m in width. They were collected ca. 0200-0230 h. The call and larval stages of the new species remain unknown.

The following species of frogs were found sympatric with the new species: Chaperina fusca, Limnonectes laticeps, L. leporinus, L. kuhlii, Meristogenys poecilus, Rana hosii, R. picturata, R. raniceps, Staurois guttatus, Nyctixalus pictus, Philautus tectus, Polypedates colletti, Rhacophorus appendiculatus, R. pardalis, Rhacophorus kajau, Leptolalax hamidi, Megophrys nasuta and Ansonia spinulifer.

Das, I. and Haas, A. 2005. A new species of Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Gunung Gading, Sarawak. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 53(2): 101-107.

http://www.aseanbiodiversity.info/Abstract/53005440.pdf