[Herpetology • 2018] Theloderma auratum • A New Species of the Genus Theloderma Tschudi, 1838 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Tay Nguyen Plateau, central Vietnam

Theloderma auratum 

Poyarkov, Kropachev, Gogoleva & Orlov, 2018

 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.018 

ABSTRACT 

A new species of small tree frog from a primary montane tropical forest of central Vietnam, Tay Nguyen Plateau, is described based on morphological, molecular, and acoustic evidence. The Golden Bug-Eyed Frog, Theloderma auratum sp. nov., is distinguishable from its congeners and other small rhacophorid species based on a combination of the following morphological attributes: (1) bony ridges on head absent; (2) smooth skin completely lacking calcified warts or asperities; (3) pointed elongated tapering snout; (4) vocal opening in males absent; (5) vomerine teeth absent; (6) males of small body size (SVL 21.8–26.4 mm); (7) head longer than wide; ED/SVL ratio 13%–15%; ESL/SVL ratio 16%–20%; (8) small tympanum (TD/EL ratio 50%–60%) with few tiny tubercles; (9) supratympanic fold absent; (10) ventral surfaces completely smooth; (11) webbing between fingers absent; (12) outer and inner metacarpal tubercles present, supernumerary metacarpal tubercle single, medial, oval in shape; (13) toes half-webbed: I 2–2¼ II 1½–2¾ III 2–3¼ IV 3–1½ V; (14) inner metatarsal tubercle present, oval; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; (15) iris bicolored; (16) dorsal surfaces golden-yellow with sparse golden-orange speckling or reticulations and few small dark-brown spots; (17) lateral sides of head and body with wide dark reddish-brown to black lateral stripes, clearly separated from lighter dorsal coloration by straight contrasting edge; (18) ventral surfaces of body, throat, and chest greyish-blue with indistinct brown confluent blotches; (19) upper eyelids with few (3–5) very small flat reddish superciliary tubercles; (20) limbs dorsally reddish-brown, ventrally brown with small bluish-white speckles. The new species is also distinct from all congeners in 12S rRNA to 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA fragment sequences (uncorrected genetic distance P>8.9%). Advertisement call and tadpole morphology of the new species are described. Our molecular data showed Theloderma auratum sp. nov. to be a sister species of Th. palliatum from Langbian Plateau in southern Vietnam. 

Keywords: Theloderma auratum sp. nov.; mtDNA phylogeny; 12S rRNA; 16S rRNA; Kon Tum; Gia Lai; Endemism; Taxonomy

 Figure 4 Dorsolateral view of male holotype of Theloderma auratum sp. nov. (ZMMU A-5828) in life (in situ) 

Photo by Nikolay A. Poyarkov

Theloderma auratum sp. nov.

....

Etymology: The specific name “auratum” is a Latin adjective in the nominative singular (neutral gender), derived from Latin “aurum” for “gold”, referring to the golden-yellowish dorsal coloration of the new species.

Recommended vernacular name: We recommend the following common name in English: Golden Bug-Eyed Frog. Recommended vernacular name in Vietnamese: ´Êch Cây Sân Vàng.

Distribution and biogeography: The known distributions of Theloderma auratum sp. nov. and its sister species Th. palliatum are shown in Figure 1. To date, the new species is known from montane evergreen tropical forests of Tay Nguyen Plateau in the central Annamite (Truong Son) Mountains, and has been recorded in Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. It is anticipated that Theloderma auratum sp. nov. also occurs in the adjacent montane forests of Tay Nguyen Plateau; in particular, records from Quang Nam Province of Vietnam and Xekong Province of Laos are anticipated. 

Natural history notes: Our knowledge on the biology of Theloderma auratum sp. nov. is scarce. The new species was recorded in primary polydominant tropical montane evergreen forests of Tay Nguyen Plateau at elevations ranging from 800 to 1 400 m a.s.l.. Animals were recorded only in patches of primary undisturbed forest with complete multi-layered canopy and heavy undergrowth, suggesting the new species is a strict forest-dwelling specialist. At the type locality in Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve (Gia Lai Province), the forest where the new species was recorded is dominated by large trees of the families Podocarpaceae (Dacrydium elatum, Dacrycarpus imbricatus), Magnoliaceae, Burseraceae (Canarium sp.), Myrtaceae (Syzygium sp.), Hamamelidaceae (Simingtonia sp.), Lauraceae (Litsia sp.), Rhodoliaceae (Rhodolia sp.), Fagaceae, Sterculiaceae (Scaphium sp.) (Figure 10). ....

Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Jr., Ivan I. Kropachev, Svetlana S. Gogoleva and Nikolai L. Orlov. 2018. A New Species of the Genus Theloderma Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Tay Nguyen Plateau, central Vietnam. Zoological Research. 39(3); 156-180.   DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2018.018

  

[Herpetology • 2007] Pseudocophotis kontumensis • A New Species of Pseudocophotis (Agamidae) from central Vietnam

Pseudocophotis kontumensis 

  Ananjeva, Orlov, Nguyen & Nazarov, 2007

Abstract

A new agamid lizard, Pseudocophotis sp. nov. from central mountain region of Vietnam (Kon Tum Province) if described. The new species strongly differs from another agamid species of Eastern Himalaya-China-Indochina region by combination of pholidosis, morphometric characters and coloration.

Keywords: arboreal Agamidae; Draconinae; Pseudocophotis; Pseudocalotes; Japalura; central Vietnam; a new species

Ananjeva, Natalia B., Nikolai L. Orlov, Quang Truong Nguyen and Roman A. Nazarov. 2007. A New Species of Pseudocophotis (Agamidae: Acrodonta: Lacertilia: Reptilia) from central Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology 14 (2):153-160 http://www.folium.ru/rjh/index.php/rjh/article/view/207

researchgate.net/publication/263858423_A_NEW_SPECIES_OF_Pseudocophotis_(AGAMIDAE_ACRODONTA_LACERTILIA_REPTILIA)_FROM_CENTRAL_VIETNAM

[Herpetology • 2013] Azemiops kharini | White-head Burmese Viper • On the Taxonomy and the Distribution of Snakes of the Genus Azemiops Boulenger, 1888 (Ophidia: Viperidae: Azemiopinae): Description of a New Species from northeast Vietnam and southeast China

Azemiops kharini Orlov, Ryabov & Nguyen 2013
White-head Burmese Viper

via John C. Murphy http://squamates.blogspot.com

Abstract

Description of a new species of Burmese vipers of genus Azemiops Boulenger, 1888 (Reptilia: Ophidia: Viperidae: Azemiopinae) from northeast Vietnam and southeast China is given. It leads to changing the status of the monotypic genus Azemiops. Critical analysis of literature for all period of study and analysis of distribution of two species of Azemiops genus as well as natural history data are discussed.

Azemiops sp. nov.,
Nguyen Binh District, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam,1300 m a.s.l.

Photo by Nikolai L. Orlov.

 White-head Burmese Viper Azemiops kharini has a broader distribution than the Black-head Fea’s Viper Azemiops feae. 

Distribution: the east of the Red River; eastern China (eastern Yunnan, Guangxi, Guizhou, eastern Sichuan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, and Shaanxi provinces) and it is present in northern Indochina (northeastern Vietnam)

Nikolai L. Orlov, Sergei A. Ryabov, Tao Thien Nguyen. 2013. On the Taxonomy and the Distribution of Snakes of the Genus Azemiops Boulenger, 1888: Description of a New Species. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 20 (2): 110-128.

http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/816

http://www.herpnation.com/hn-blog/john-c-murphy/a-second-species-of-azemiops-viperidae/

http://squamates.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-second-species-of-azemiops-viperidae.html

[Herpetology • 2010] Rhacophorus spelaeus • A new species of Rhacophorus (Anura: Rhacophoridae: Rhacophorinae) from Khammouan Province, Lao PDR

Rhacophorus spelaeus sp. nov., northeast of Thakhek District, Khammouane Province, Lao PDR. 

Photo by Nikolai L. Orlov.

Abstract 

A new species of rhacophorid frog of genus Rhacophorus Kuhl et van Hasselt, 1822 is described on the base of the morphological study of the material collected in Thakhek District, Khammouane Province, central Lao PDR. 

Keywords: Rhacophoridae, Rhacophorus, new species, Phou Hinboun, limestone, caves, Khammouan Province, central Laos.

Orlov NL, Gnophanxay S, Phimminith T and Phomphoumy K. 2010. A new species of Rhacophorus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae: Rhacophorinae) from Khammouan Province, Lao PDR. Russian J Herpetology. 16:295-303

http://www.folium.ru/rjh/index.php/rjh/article/view/114

http://www.folium.ru/rjh/index.php/rjh/issue/view/11

[Herpetology • 2008] Species of Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 (Agamidae: Sauria, Reptilia) of Vietnam: Results of molecular and morphological study

Abstract

On the basis of morphological and molecular data, taxonomic diversity of the agamid genus Acanthosaura in Vietnam is discussed. This genus is represented in Vietnam by four species of two complexes, A. capra and A. lepidogaster. DNA analysis and the absence of reliable finds suggest to exclude A. crucigera and A. armata from the faunal list of Vietnam. The recently described species A. nataliae Orlov, Nguyen and Nguyen, 2006 of the A. capra complex is considered. Two species are recognized in the A. lepidogaster complex, one of which, A. coronata Günther, 1861, Smith (1935) regarded as a synonym of A. lepidogaster (Cuvier, 1829).

Ananjeva, N.B.; N. L. Orlov and S. A. Kalyabina-Hauf 2008. Species of Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 (Agamidae: Sauria, Reptilia) of Vietnam: Results of molecular and morphological study. Biology Bulletin (MAIK Nauka). 35 (2): 178-186 DOI: 10.1134/S106235900802012X

http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/31518440/species-acanthosaura-gray-1831-agamidae-sauria-reptilia-vietnam-results-molecular-morphological-study

[Herpetology • 2006] Acanthosaura nataliae • A new Acanthosaura allied to A. capra Günther, 1861 (Agamidae, Sauria) from central Vietnam and southern Laos

Acanthosaura nataliae Orlov, Truong & Sang, 2006

http://flic.kr/p/bUj6PT

A new agamid species from central Vietnam and Southern Laos is described. It is distinguished from A. armata, A. coronata, A. crucigera, and A. lepidogaster by lacking a spine on the occiput between the tympanum and nuchal crest. The new species differs from coronata and lepidogaster by having a large crest and from armata, crucigera, and lepidogaster by lacking a dark marking on the nape. It most closely resembles A. capra, but differs from it by having large keeled scales intermixed with small scales on the lateral and dorsal surface of body (scales relatively uniform in capra). Strong difference in coloration in live of adult males and females of compared species of genus Acanthosaura are described.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a matronym for Natalia Ananjeva (Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia) in recognition of her many contributions to the study of agamid lizards. 

Orlov, Nikolai L., Quang Truong Nguyen and Van Sang Nguyen 2006. A new Acanthosaura allied to A. capra Günther, 1861 (Agamidae, Sauria) from central Vietnam and southern Laos. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 13 (1):61-76.

http://conservationlibrary.amnh.org/index.php?document_id=165&globalnav=document_library

[Herpetology • 2005] Bungarus slowinskii | Red River krait • A new species of krait (Squamata: Elapidae) from the Red River System of Nothern Vietnam

Red River krait | Bungarus slowinskii 

Kuch, Kizirian, Nguyen, Lawson, Donnelly & Mebs 2005

We describe a new species of krait (Elapidae: Bungarus) from the Red River drainage in northern Vietnam. The new species differs from all congeners except its sister species Bungarus bungaroides by the combination of divided subcaudals, dorsal scales arranged in 15 rows, black and white rings on body and tail, and in color pattern of the head as well as hemipenis morphology. The new species differs from B. bungaroides, a distantly allopatric species ranging from eastern Nepal to northern Myanmar, in molecular characters and color pattern. We propose a vicariance hypothesis in which speciation coincided with the uplift of intervening mountain ranges in southwestern Yunnan (China) and/or Late Tertiary glaciations.

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bungarus&species=slowinskii

Etymology: Named after Joseph Bruno Slowinski (1963-2001), American herpetologist, who died from snakebite at age 38. For an obituary see Donnelly & Crother 2003. For more biographical details see James (2008).

Vol 18, No 4 (2011)

Published December 25, 2011.

Cover photograph: Bungarus slowinskii, Ban Cup, Huong Lap, Bang Huong Hoa Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, 400 m a.s.l. elevation, 04.05.2005. Photo by Nikolai L. Orlov.

Kuch, U., D: Kizirian, Q.T. Nguyen, R. Lawson, M.A. Donnelly, & D. Mebs. 2005. A new species of krait (Squamata: Elapidae) from the Red River System of Nothern Vietnam. Copeia 2005(4): 818-833.

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Kharin, Vladimir E.;Nikolai L. Orlov, Natalia B. Ananjeva .2011. New Records and Redescription of Rare and Little-Known Elapid Snake Bungarus slowinskii (Serpentes: Elapidae: Bungarinae) Russian Journal of Herpetology 18 (4): 284–294.

Abstract

The present paper contains the redescription of rare and little-known species of the family Elapidae, Bungarus slowinskii, previously known only from holotype and paratype found in Na Hau Commune, Van Yen District, Yen Bai Province, and Nam Tha River, Nam Tha Commune, Van Ban District, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam. Redescription includes data on osteology and craniology and describes new records in Vietnam and Laos.

Keywords: Bungarus genus, Bungarus slowinskii, new records, redescription, craniology, osteology, Vietnam, Laos.

----------------------------------

Even today, he pays tribute as Karl P. Schmidt, in the naming of new species such Bungarus slowinskii (2005), Cyrtodactylus slowinskii (2002) and Pantherophis slowinskii (2002)
http://www.repticlic.com/t4143-hommages-a-3-herpetologistes-morts-au-combat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Bruno_Slowinski

[Herpetology • 2000] Triceratolepidophis sieversorum • A New Genus and Species of Pitviper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Vietnam

Triceratolepidophis sieversorum  

Ziegler, Herrmann, David, Orlov & Pauwels, 2000

Abstract

A new genus and species of pitviper from the Annam Mountain Range, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam are described. The description is based on a single male specimen. This member of the Trimeresurus group is characterized by the presence of raised horn-like multiple supraoculars and by having the unique structure of the dorsal scales showing a keel consisting of three horn-like upraisings as well as the unique microdermatoglyphic pattern of the Oberhäutchen, which is tessellate fimbriate. First notes on its biology are provided and possible relationships of this new and striking taxon are discussed.

Keywords: Reptilia, Squamata, Serpentes, Viperidae, Crotalinae, Triceratolepidophis genus nov., Triceratolepidophis sieversorum species nov., Phong Nha Nature Reserve, Vietnam.

Ziegler, T., Herrmann, H.-W., David, P., Orlov, N.L., Pauwels, O.S.G. 2000. Triceratolepidophis sieversorum, a new genus and species of pitviper (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Vietnam. Russ. Jour. Herpetol. 7(3): 199-214.

http://pauwelsolivier.com/taxaCoDescribed.html

http://www.bryanlstuart.com/site/Publications_files/Hermann%20et%20al.%202002.pdf

http://www.seh-herpetology.org/files/bonnensis/233_Nguyen.pdf

[Herpetology • 2008] Odorrana yentuensis • A new species of Cascade Frog (Anura: Ranidae) from Yen Tu Mountain Range, northeastern Vietnam

photo by http://vncreatures.net/event39.php

Yen Tu Cascade Frog

Odorrna yentuensis Tran, Orlov & Nguyen, 2008

Abstract

Anew species of cascade frog of genus Odorrana is described from Northeast Vietnam, Yen Tu Mountain Range [Tam Kham, Thanh Son, Son Dong district, Bac Giang Province (Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve)]. This small species of the genus Odorrana is characterized by a combination of the following characters: SVL (mm): males 44.33 – 45.49, mean 44.87; females 59.33 – 61.94, mean 60.85; body relatively short; oblique ridges, reaching upper part of rounded choanas; ventral skin smooth; lacking ventral spinules and ventrolateral cluster near to the insertion of the forearm. Dorsal skin is slightly rough, and hind part of the dorsal surface below sacrum is very rough (shagreen) because of small sharp tubercles completely covering this area; dorsum of body is light brown with rare dark spots of irregular shape; ventral side of body light, yellowish white, without spots; dorsolateral fold is accompanied by black edging, interrupted backwards; fore- and hindlimbs from above brown with dark transversal bands, from below, yellowish without spots; webs of feet gray. Comparison with other species of Odorrana genus and data on natural history are provided.

Keywords: Anura, Ranidae, cascade frogs Odorrana, Huia, Amolops, a new species, Northeast Vietnam, Bac Giang Province.

Tran, Orlov & Nguyen, 2008. A new species of Cascade Frog of Odorrana Fei, Yi et Huang, 1990 genus (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae) from Bac Giang Province (Yen Tu Mountain Range, northeast Vietnam). Russian Journal of Herpetology (Russian J. Herpt.). 15(3), 212-224.: http://www.folium.ru/rjh/index.php/rjh/article/view/161

[Herpetology • 2005] Odorrana (Rana) khalam • A new cascade frog (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Laos and Vietnam

Odorrana (Rana) khalam,

Stuart, Orlov & Chan-ard, 2005

STUART, B. L., N. L. ORLOV, AND T. CHAN-ARD. 2005. A new cascade frog (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Laos and Vietnam. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 53:125–131.

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/53/53rbz125-131.pdf

[Herpetology • 2003] Rana bacboensis, R. hmongorum, R. daorum, R. banaorum, R. morafkai and R. megatympanum • Cryptic species of Cascade Frog Rana chloronota complex from Southeast Asia : Taxonomic Revisions and Description of 6 new species from Vietnam

Abstract

The Southeast Asian cascade frog, Rana livida (Blyth, 1856), has long been suspected to be a complex of species. Several different forms are described from across its vast range. The loss of type material and disparate sampling efforts are challenges. Is variability in this species due to geographic variation or to the presence of multiple species? We use concordant evidence from morphology, morphometrics, cellular DNA content, and allozyme electrophoresis to investigate diversity in R. livida from Vietnam. Three distinct species are recognized on the basis of morphology, as are four other suspect groups (morphotypes). Discriminant function analyses of morphometric data detect patterns of morphological variation among all seven groups. Pairwise comparison of cellular DNA content using t-tests shows significant differences among sympatric morphotypes, suggesting they represent distinct species. This hypothesis is supported by an analysis of 14 allozymic loci, in which fixed allelic differences are found among specimens in sympatry and allopatry. Examination of available type material of four junior synonyms of R. livida results in their recognition as species. One of these species, R. chloronota, is a wide-ranging species erroneously referred to as R. livida. Seven species occur in Vietnam.

We describe six new cryptic species belonging to the Rana chloronota complex, redescribeR. chloronota, R. livida, R. sinica, and R. graminea, and give comments on R. leporipes. Three of these new species (R. bacboensis, new species, R. hmongorum, new species, and R. daorum, new species) occur in montane forests in northern Vietnam, and two (R. banaorum, new species and R. morafkai, new species) are known only from the Tay Nguyen Plateau of Vietnam’s Central Highlands. One species, R. megatympanum, new species, occurs in portions of both northern Vietnam and the Central Highlands. An identification key for the Rana chloronota complex from Vietnam is provided. The finding of six cryptic species within a small portion of the geographic region of R. chloronota suggests that many more cascade ranids await discovery. This documentation has serious implications for conservation; each of the new species occurs in sympatry with at least one other member of the complex. Consequently, far more species are being affected by habitat loss than was previously thought.

— New species —

Rana bacboensis, new species

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name, derived from Bac Bo, the Vietnamese name for northern Vietnam (often referred to as Tonkin), reflects this species’ distribution.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY: Rana bacboensis occurs in forested montane river systems across northern Vietnam. These rivers vary from shallow and slow moving to torrential and deep. Specimens may be found on boulders and logs, both in and around the water and in the adjacent forest. Radiographs revealed that females feed on large invertebrates, including small freshwater crabs. Females were collected in April–May and October. The holotype, collected in October, has fully developed ova, and two females (ROM 26358, 29529) collected in the spring have undeveloped ova suggesting a fall breeding season. No calls are associated with this species. The tadpoles are unknown.

REMARKS: Cascade ranids bearing white eggs lay them under rocks, sheltered from the sunlight (Pope, 1931; ROM field notes, 1996). In contrast, the black eggs of R. bacboensis might be found where they are exposed to sunlight to promote development, are quirement for some species with melanic eggs (Duellman and Trueb, 1986).

Rana daorum, new species

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a patronym for the ao people (pronounced –D‘‘zao’’) of northern Vietnam.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY: This species is known from the vicinity of Sa Pa village,

Lao Cai Province in northern Vietnam. The photograph of a froglet of R. livida (in Karsen et al., 1998) also documents the occurrence of R. daorum in Hong Kong. The distinctive granular dorsolateral fold of R. daorum is clearly visible in the misidentified frog.

In early May, male Vietnamese R. daorum are actively calling by 1000 hours on partially submerged rocks in cascades as well as in vegetation adjacent to the streams. Females, although not as common, can be found slightly farther away from streams in more dense vegetation. One male (ROM 26394) was found in amplexus with the holotype (fig. 6E).

REMARKS: Rana daorum differs substantially from R. graminea (Boulenger, 1899; Bourret, 1942) despite having a dorsolateral fold. Its small, forked xiphisternum differs from the large, deeply notched element of other members in the Rana chloronota complex and the subgenus Odorrana (sensu Fei et al., 1990) and more closely resembles that of male Huia nasica (Yang, 1991b). Huia nasica shares range, habitat and morphological similarities with the Rana chloronota complex: greatly expanded finger and toe disks, tremendous sexual dimorphism in size, white eggs, paired gular pouches, and a high chirplike call (Boulenger, 1920; Pope, 1931; Bourret, 1942).

Rana hmongorum, new species

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a patronym for the Hmong (pronounced ‘‘huhmung’’) people, an ethnic group in the northern montane regions of Vietnam. Their assistance made it possible for us to document the fauna of Hoang Lien Mountains.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY: This species is only known only from the vicinity of

Mount Fan Si Pan at approximately 1900 m or above. Adults were found along the cascades of a waterfall and along the mossy slopes of a human-made culvert.

Rana morafkai, new species

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name honors David Joseph Morafka, Research Associate

of the Royal Ontario Museum and California Academy of Sciences, in recognition of his

unfailing friendship, his unselfish development and perpetuation of multiple, independent research programs, and for his catapulting the careers of many conservation biologists.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY: Rana morafkai is known only from the Tay Nguyen Plateau of the Central Highlands, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam. It inhabits forested montane river systems. Specimens may be found on or near rapids or waterfalls. In at least May and June, male specimens may have distended gular pouches, indicating that this species breeds in spring.

REMARKS: This species has been previously referred to as R. livida by Inger and Chanard (1997) and Inger et al. (1999).

Rana banaorum, new species

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a patronym for the Ba Na people, an ethnic group living on the Tay Nguyen Plateau (Central Highlands) of south-central Vietnam where this species occurs.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY: Rana banaorum is known only from the Tay Nguyen Plateau of the Central Highlands, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam. It inhabits forested montane river systems on or near rapids or waterfalls of primary and disturbed second growth. In May and June males have tight, leathery gular pouches, suggesting that they are not calling and that the breeding season occurs during some other time.

REMARKS: Inger and Chanard (1997) and Inger et al. (1999) noted that specimens of Rana chloronota (as R. livida) from An Khe have more pronounced dorsolateral folds than elsewhere in Vietnam. These frogs do not fit Bourret’s (1942) interpretation of R. graminea as a ‘‘northern variety’’ of R. chloronota. These differences likely reflect the occurrence of three sympatric species of the R. chloronota complex from this region. Some male R. banaorum have indistinct, microscopic spinules on the dorsal surface of the leg extending to the feet, forming a ‘‘saw-tooth’’ formation along the lateral edge of toe (seen in FMNH specimens that are not part of the type series).

Rana megatympanum, new species

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in opposition, derived from the Latin prefix ‘‘mega’’ (meaning very large) and ‘‘tympanum’’, in reference to the relatively large tympanum of this species.

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY: Rana megatympanum is known from northern and north-central Vietnam. It occurs in montane rivers that vary from shallow and slow moving to torrential and deep. It may be found on boulders and logs, both in and around the water as well as in the adjacent forest. Radiographs revealed that large invertebrates (both insects and crustaceans) form part of the diet. Vocalizations and tadpoles are unknown.

REMARKS: The dorsolateral fold and very large tympanum of male R. megatympanum potentially make it Bourret’s (1942) ‘‘northern form’’ of R. chloronota (5 R. graminea). However, R. graminea is bright green above (Boulenger, 1899) in contrast to the olivebrown dorsum of R. megatympanum.

Fig. 11. Members of the Rana chloronota complex. (A) Male and female and (B) male R. chloronota, Nghe An Province, Vietnam. C. R. graminea, male, Hainan Island, China, (NLO field series 26375). D. R. bacboensis,new species, holotype, a female from Nghe An Province, Vietnam. (E) Female holotype and male paratype in amplexus, and (F) juvenile paratype of R. daorum, new species, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.

Fig. 14. Members of the Rana chloronota complex from Vietnam. A. Paratype of R. hmongorum,

new species, male from Lao Cai Province. (B) Female, brown (night) phase, (C) female, green (day) phase, and (D) male of R. morafkai, new species, from Gia Lai Province. (E) Female and (F) male of R. banaorum, new species, from Gia Lai Province. (G, H) female of R. megatympanum new species.

Bain, R.H., A. Lathrop, R.W. Murphy, N. Orlov, and T.C. Ho. 2003. Cryptic species of a cascade frog from southeast Asia: taxonomic revisions and descriptions of six new species. American Museum Novitates. 3417: 1–60.
http://cbc.amnh.org/center/staff/pdf/bain-pub/Bainetal2003.pdf