[WWF • 2011] Extra Terrestrial: Extraordinary new species discoveries in 2011 from the Greater Mekong

Front cover photo: A visually stunning ‘yin-yang’ frog (Leptobrachium leucops), just one of five new amphibian species discovered in the region in 2011 © Jodi J. L. Rowley/Australian Museum.

Extra Terrestrial

Extraordinary new species discoveries in 2011 from the Greater Mekong

126 new species have been discovered in the Greater Mekong in the past year. The total newly identified by scientists in 2011 includes 82 plants, 21 reptiles, 13 fish, 5 amphibians, and 5 mammals

  

Bangana musaei                                                                                     Boraras naevus

Larutia nubisilvicola from peninsular Thailand

  

Trimeresurus rubeus                                                               Leptobrachium leucops

Extra Terrestrial

 | Extraordinary new species discoveries in 2011 from the Greater Mekong

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/greatermekong/news/?207082 

http://awsassets.panda.org/downloads/greater_mekong_species_report_dec_2012.pdf

Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2012/1218-new-species-mekong.html

[Herpetology • 2011] Theloderma nebulosum & T. palliatum • Two new species of Theloderma (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from montane forest in Vietnam

Abstract

Two new species of rhacophorid frogs in the genus Theloderma are described from high-elevation montane forest on the Kon Tum and Langbian Plateaus in Vietnam, on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. Both new species are differentiated morphologically from their congeners by their small body size (<30 mm SVL); absence of vomerine teeth; rugose skin texture with minute, calcified dorsal asperities; no webbing on hands; brownish dorsum; and a bicoloured iris (pale gold in upper third and reddish brown in lower two-thirds). Molecular evidence supports that both new species are members of genus Theloderma, and are distinct from all congeners sampled (uncorrected sequence divergences at the 16S rRNA gene of >8.5% for all Theloderma for which homologous 16S rRNA sequences are available). The new species are differentiated from each other by dorsal pattern, extent of dorsal asperities, and by mitochondrial DNA.

Key words: Anura, Rhacophoridae, Southeast Asia, Vietnam

Cloaked Moss Frog Theloderma palliatum 

| The species, known only from high-elevation forest on the Langbian Plateau in Vietnam, is named after its ability to change from a dull brownish colour to reveal this bold, high-contrast pattern.

Photo: Jodi J. L. Rowley | http://australianmuseum.net.au/

Misty Moss Frog Theloderma nebulosum 

| The species is named after its habitat- mist-shrouded forest on the moutains of the Kon Tum Plateau, Vietnam.

 Photo: Jodi J. L. Rowley | http://australianmuseum.net.au

 Jodi J L Rowley, Le T. T. D, Huy Duc Hoang, Dau Q. V. and Thuy Cao. 2011. Two new species of Theloderma (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam. Zootaxa.   3098: 1–20

researchgate.net/publication/223916590_Two_new_species_of_Theloderma_Anura_Rhacophoridae_from_Vietnam

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z03098p020f.pdf

http://australianmuseum.net.au/BlogPost/Science-Bytes/Two-new-species-of-moss-frog-discovered

[Herpetology • 2011] The Leptobrachium (Anura: Megophryidae) of the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam, with description of a new species; Leptobrachium leucops

Abstract

We sampled two forms of Leptobrachium in syntopy at the type locality of L. pullum at upper elevations on the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam. The two forms differed in morphology (primarily in coloration), mitochondrial DNA, and male advertisement calls. One form closely agrees with the type series of L. pullum (but not to its original description due to error), and the other is described as new. Leptobrachium leucops sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by having small body size (males with SVL 38.8–45.2), the upper one-third to one-half of iris white, a blue scleral arc, a dark venter, and sexually active males without spines on the upper lip. Leptobrachium pullum and L. mouhoti, a recently described species from low elevation slopes of the Langbian Plateau in eastern Cambodia, are morphologically divergent but genetically similar, warranting further investigation into geographic variation in the red-eyed Leptobrachium of southern Indochina.

Key words: Langbian Plateau; Leptobrachium pullum; Vietnam

2011. The Leptobrachium (Anura: Megophryidae) of the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam, with description of a new species. Zootaxa. 2804: 25–40

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt02804p040.pdf

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=413294658723898

[Mammalogy • 2011] Glischropus bucephalus | Indochinese Thick-thumbed Bat | ค้างคาวมือปุ่มอินโดจีน •A new species of Glischropus (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the Indochinese Subregion

Glischropus bucephalus | Indochinese Thick-thumbed Bat Close-up of side of head; paratype; HNHM 2006.34.37, 1 January 2006. G Csorba

Abstract

Within the tribe Pipistrellini, the genus Glischropus is very close to the genus Pipistrellus both in its external morphology and chromosomal features but can be unequivocally distinguished from the latter by the presence of thumb pads and the position of the second incisor. One of the two known species, G. tylopus was thought to have a wide distribution range from Myanmar to the Philippines, while the other, G. javanus is only known from Java. Recently collected Cambodian specimens of Glischropus are distinguished from their congeners by longer forearm and cranial features (the shape of the skull and the upper incisors and certain craniodental measurements) and are consequentially, described here as a new species. Based on thorough examination of the available museum material, it can be concluded that all specimens of G. tylopus previously collected in the Indochinese zoogeographic subregion are in fact representatives of this new species, while G. tylopus in a strict sense is restricted in the mainland to south of the Isthmus of Kra.

Key words: Southeast Asia, taxonomy, thick-thumbed Bat

Etymology. The specific epithet (meaning “ox-headed” in English) refers to the massive and elevated frontal region of the new species relative to its congeners. The proposed English name is ’Indochinese Thick-thumbed Bat’.

Family: Vespertilionidae (vesper bats)

Distribution: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam

Distribution.  This is the first published record of  Glischropus from Cambodia. In Myanmar, Bates  et al. (2005) cited a single record from Blanford (1888–91) who mentioned G. tylopus from the Karen Hills. No further data was given in these papers. 

In Thailand, Lekagul & McNeely (1977) referred to G. tylopus as “...found throughout the country whenever there are forests. It is rare.” but provided skull photographs of a specimen from Borneo (stored in the American Museum of Natural History Museum, New York) which clearly shows the cranial features of G. tylopus sensu stricto. However, Yenbutra & Felten (1986), in listing bat specimens in the Thai national reference collection (TISTR) in Bangkok and the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt, mentioned only a single locality for G. tylopus in the country: Bang Lan Dan in Yala Province, peninsular Thailand. As two other Thai specimens collected south of the Isthmus of Kra (studied in the collections of PSU and HNHM) represent G. tylopus, while one individual caught in Chantaburi Province north of this zoogeographic border proved to be G. bucephalus n. sp., the specimen mentioned by Yenbutra and Felten (1986) likely also represents G. tylopus sensu stricto.

In Lao P.D.R., Guillen et al (1997) and Francis et al. (1999) mentioned the occurrence of Glischropus from two areas (Phou Khao Khoay NBCA and Theun-Hinboun) without further details. However, forearm length measurements in 8 specimens from Laos —ranging from 32.7 to 34.6 mm— suggest these individuals represent G. bucephalus n. sp. (Francis, pers. comm.). Judging from a skull drawing and forearm measurements of five individuals (32.8–35.7 mm) attributed to G. tylopus by Borissenko and Kruskop (2003: pp. 174, 184), G. bucephalus n. sp. also occurs in the Cat Loc area of Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. This is the only published record of the genus from the country to date (Dang Ngoc Can et al. 2008). 

The DNA-barcoded PSU specimen of G. tylopus from peninsular Thailand differed by an average of c. 11% from the three  Glischropus specimens published in Francis  et al. (2010) (Francis, pers. comm.). The latter (assigned in the above paper as G. tylopus) originated from Vietnam and Laos and most likely represent the new species. These genetic data strongly support the view that G. bucephalus n. sp. is widely distributed in the Indochinese Subregion north of the Isthmus of Kra while specimens from peninsular Thailand represent G. tylopus.

Csorba, G. 2011. A new species of Glischropus from the Indochinese Subregion (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). Zootaxa. 2925: 41–48

http://www.hunbat.hu/html/publikaciok_link/cikkek/csorba/Csorba_2011_A%20new%20species%20of%20Glischropus%20from%20the%20Indochinese%20Subregion%20(Mammalia%20Chiroptera%20Vespertilionidae).pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) cardamomensis | งูเขียวหางไหม้จันทบูร | Cardamom Mountains Green Pitviper • Two new species of pitviper of the genus Cryptelytrops Cope 1860 (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Southeast Asia

Cardamom Mountains Green Pitviper

Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) cardamomensis

Abstract

We describe two new species of green pitviper from Southeast Asia that are morphologically similar to Cryptelytrops macrops, but can be distinguished from that species by genetic means, multivariate analysis of morphology and some aspects of coloration. Cryptelytrops cardamomensis sp. nov., is described from southeastern Thailand and the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia. Cryptelytrops rubeus sp. nov. has been recorded from southern Vietnam and eastern Cambodia. These species have previously been confused with C. macrops, hence we also present here a redescription of this species, whose range is now restricted to Thailand, southern and central Laos, and northeastern Cambodia. All three species are present in Cambodia, but have disjunct ranges corresponding to three separate highland regions in southwestern (Cardamom Mountains), northeastern (western edge of the Kontum Plateau) and eastern (low elevation hills on the western edge of the Langbian Plateau) Cambodia for C. cardamomensis, C. macrops and C. rubeus respectively. However, there is still considerable morphological variation between geographically separated populations of C. macrops s.s., and greater sampling in southern and northern Thailand in particular may be required before the species diversity of this group is fully clarified. 

Key words: Cryptelytrops cardamomensis sp. nov., Cryptelytrops macrops, Cryptelytrops rubeus sp. nov., green pitviper, multivariate morphometric analysis, Trimeresurus

Cardamom Mountains Green Pitviper

Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) cardamomensis sp. nov.

Cryptelytrops cardamomensis – Malhotra, Thorpe & Stuart 2011

Distribution. Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) Cryptelytrops cardamomensis is currently known from Koh Kong Province in southwestern Cambodia and Chantaburi Province in southeastern Thailand. (Fig. 1). The species probably occurs in appropriate habitat throughout the Cardamom Mountains in southwestern Cambodia and adjacent southeastern Thailand, and offshore islands (e.g., Koh Chang).

Ecology. Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) Cryptelytrops cardamomensis is currently known from low-lying coastal areas up to 800 m elevation in semi-evergreen, evergreen, and mangrove/melaleuca swamp forest. All specimens were found within a couple of metres above the ground, and most within 10 m of water. No food items were found in the digestive tracts of the types.

Etymology. The name refers to the mountain range wherein the type locality of this species occurs.

Big-eyed Green Pitviper

Cryptelytrops macrops sensu stricto (Kramer 1977) 

Distribution. Kramer (1977) reported the species from Thailand (Bangkok) and Vietnam, and it was presumed to occur in the intervening area. However, it is apparent that the species has a wider distribution (Fig. 1). Viravan et al. (1992) reported it from western, northern and northeastern Thailand, and although the present study has not been able to confirm its presence in western Thailand (unfortunately, the majority of specimens resulting from Viravan et al.’s study, now deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, have since lost their labels carrying the locality information), it is very likely to be present there. One adult female at the QSMI was said to have been obtained from southern Thailand via a dealer based in Thung Song. Mitochondrial DNA analysis showed that it was highly similar to  C. macrops s.s. from the Bangkok region (Genbank accession numbers AF517184, AF517219, AF517163, and AF517176). Nevertheless, the occurrence of this species in southern Thailand must remain speculative at present until it can be confirmed by the collection of additional specimens in the field. Orlov et al. (2002a) also illustrate a specimen (Fig. 20: Pg 191) of C. macrops said to be from southern Thailand. However, this specimen seems to be a misidentified male C. albolabris. The species is also present in southern (Teynié et al. 2004) and central Laos (see also “Material examined”, this paper). 

Malhotra, A., R. S. Thorpe, Mrinalini and B. L. Stuart. 2011. Two new species of pitviper of the genus Cryptelytrops Cope 1860 (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Southeast Asia. Zootaxa. 2757: 1–23. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt02757p023.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Trimeresurus (Trimeresurus) macrops Redescription | งูเขียวหางไหม้ตาโต | Big-eyed Green Pitviper | Two new species of pitviper of the genus Cryptelytrops Cope 1860 (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Southeast Asia

Abstract

We describe two new species of green pitviper from Southeast Asia that are morphologically similar to Cryptelytrops macrops, but can be distinguished from that species by genetic means, multivariate analysis of morphology and some aspects of coloration. Cryptelytrops cardamomensis sp. nov., is described from southeastern Thailand and the Cardamom Mountains of southwestern Cambodia. Cryptelytrops rubeus sp. nov. has been recorded from southern Vietnam and eastern Cambodia. These species have previously been confused with C. macrops, hence we also present here a redescription of this species, whose range is now restricted to Thailand, southern and central Laos, and northeastern Cambodia. All three species are present in Cambodia, but have disjunct ranges corresponding to three separate highland regions in southwestern (Cardamom Mountains), northeastern (western edge of the Kontum Plateau) and eastern (low elevation hills on the western edge of the Langbian Plateau) Cambodia for C. cardamomensis, C. macrops and C. rubeus respectively. However, there is still considerable morphological variation between geographically separated populations of C. macrops s.s., and greater sampling in southern and northern Thailand in particular may be required before the species diversity of this group is fully clarified. 

Key words: Cryptelytrops cardamomensis sp. nov., Cryptelytrops macrops, Cryptelytrops rubeus sp. nov., green pitviper, multivariate morphometric analysis, Trimeresurus

Big-eyed Green Pitviper

Cryptelytrops macrops sensu stricto (Kramer 1977) 

Distribution. Kramer (1977) reported the species from Thailand (Bangkok) and Vietnam, and it was presumed to occur in the intervening area. However, it is apparent that the species has a wider distribution (Fig. 1). Viravan et al. (1992) reported it from western, northern and northeastern Thailand, and although the present study has not been able to confirm its presence in western Thailand (unfortunately, the majority of specimens resulting from Viravan et al.’s study, now deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, have since lost their labels carrying the locality information), it is very likely to be present there. One adult female at the QSMI was said to have been obtained from southern Thailand via a dealer based in Thung Song. Mitochondrial DNA analysis showed that it was highly similar to  C. macrops s.s. from the Bangkok region (Genbank accession numbers AF517184, AF517219, AF517163, and AF517176). Nevertheless, the occurrence of this species in southern Thailand must remain speculative at present until it can be confirmed by the collection of additional specimens in the field. Orlov et al. (2002a) also illustrate a specimen (Fig. 20: Pg 191) of C. macrops said to be from southern Thailand. However, this specimen seems to be a misidentified male C. albolabris. The species is also present in southern (Teynié et al. 2004) and central Laos (see also “Material examined”, this paper). 

Ecology. Cryptelytrops macrops s.s. occupies hilly areas up to c. 600 m. It has mainly been found in dry evergreen and mixed deciduous forest mixed with bamboo forest, but also in dry dipterocarp/grassland vegetation. Most specimens were found within a couple of metres of the ground, but occasionally up to 4 m high. Specimens were frequently found in the vicinity of water. Food items found in the digestive tracts of specimens examined included mammals (NMW 23899:4 from the Dong Rek mountains and AFS96.5 from Lampang Province, Thailand), frogs (FMNH 255252 and 255254 from Champasak and Bolikhamxai Provinces, Laos respectively; FMNH 262715 and 262716 from Stung Treng Province, Cambodia) and reptiles (FMNH 255253 from Bolikhamxai Province, Laos). 

Malhotra, A., R. S. Thorpe, Mrinalini and B. L. Stuart. 2011. Two new species of pitviper of the genus Cryptelytrops Cope 1860 (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Southeast Asia. Zootaxa. 2757: 1–23. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt02757p023.pdf

[News 2012] Part of Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) named 'Queen Elizabeth Land' as gift for Diamond Jubilee

Part of Antarctica named 'Queen Elizabeth Land' as gift for Diamond Jubilee 

Queen Elizabeth Land is a 169,000 square mile chunk of the British Antarctic Territory. It is twice the size of the UK and makes up almost a third of Britain’s claim on the polar continent.

http://soc.li/m9fQBKF via @Telegraph 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Elizabeth_Land

[Herpetology • 2012] Niche segregation in microhabitat use of three sympatric Cyrtodactylus; Cyrtodactylus phongnhakebangensis, C. cryptus & C. roesleri in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Central Vietnam

three sympatric Cyrtodactylus; Cyrtodactylus phongnhakebangensis, C. cryptus & C. roesleri in their microhabitats at the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Central Vietnam

Abstract

We collected field data to characterize and segregate the microhabitat use of the three sympatric bent-toed geckos Cyrtodactylus phongnhakebangensis, C. cryptus, and C. roesleri.  These species were recently discovered to occur in one of the last remaining karstic rainforest formations in Vietnam, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park of Central Vietnam. Between July and September 2010, we found 126 individual geckos in six independent areas by visual encounter surveys.  We assessed habitat data in order to enable a microsite comparison of the different species.  We found syntopic occupation of one study site by  C. phongnhakebangensis  and  C. roesleri, and sympatric occurrence with  C. cryptus.  Our study shows niche segregation in microsite use for C. cryptus and niche overlap for C. roesleri with C. phongnhakebangensis. It may be inferred that the syntopic sibling species did not develop microhabitat partitioning, while the sympatric gecko adjusted to occupy different types of habitat. 

Key Words: Bent-toed Gecko; Gekkonidae; habitat preferences; karst forest; Squamata.

Loos, J., Dang, N. K.., von Wehrden, H. & Ziegler, T. 2012. Niche segregation in microhabitat use of three sympatric Cyrtodactylus in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Central Vietnam. Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 7(1):101−108. http://herpconbio.org/Volume_7/Issue_1/Loos_etal_2012.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis | Cúc Phương Bent–toed Gecko • A new karstic cave-dwelling Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Ninh Binh province, northern Vietnam

Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis Tri & Onn, 2011 

Abstract

A new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus cucphuongensis sp. nov. is described from the karst forest of Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh province, Northern Vietnam. It differs from all other species of Indo-Chinese Cyrtodactylus by the following combination of characters: SVL 96.0 mm; absence of precloacal and femoral pores; 19 subdigital lamellae on first toe, 24 on fourth toe; large, dark spots on top of head; wide, prominent nuchal band; and five or six dark, irregular, broad bands between limb insertions. 

Key words:  Cyrtodactylus, Gekkonidae, description, new species, Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh

Etymology. The specific epithet is named after the Cúc Phương National Park. Suggested common name: Cúc Phương Bent–toed Gecko; Vietnamese name: Thằn lằn chân ngón Cúc Phương.

Distribution: northern Vietnam (Ninh Binh) 

Type locality: karst outcrops adjacent to the main road in Cuc Phuong National Park, Nho Quan district, Ninh Binh province, Northern Vietnam (20°15.324’N, 105°38.060’E) at 100 m elevation.

Tri N.V. & Onn C.K. 2011. A new karstic cave-dwelling Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northern Vietnam. Zootaxa. 3125: 51–63.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z03125p063f.pdf

http://forum.zoologist.ru/viewtopic.php?pid=222997#p222997

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Cyrtodactylus&species=cucphuongensis

[Herpetology • 2011] Cyrtodactylus martini • another new karst-dwelling Crytodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northwestern Vietnam

Cyrtodactylus martini Tri, 2011

Martin’s Bent–toed Gecko

Abstract

A new species of karst–dwelling bent–toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus martini sp. nov., is described from the isolated karst formations of the Hoang Lien Son Mountain range in northwestern Vietnam. It differs from all other congeners by the presence of symmetrical or subsymmetrical reticulations on top of head; no nuchal loop; four precloacal pores separated medially by one poreless scale; 14–18 enlarged femoral scales beneath thighs continuous with precloacal scales; four to six irregular, narrow, yellowish–white bands on dorsum between limb insertions; and six or seven incomplete white rings on tail.

Key words: Cyrtodactylus, Gekkonidae, description, new species, Northern Vietnam

Etymology. The specific epithet honors Mr. Shaun Martin, the Director of Education Program for Nature— WWF in the U.S.A. who sponsored a small grant in 2009 for gecko expeditions in Vietnam.

Tri, N.V. 2011. Cyrtodactylus martini, another new karst-dwelling Crytodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northwestern Vietnam. Zootaxa. 2834: 33–46.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02834p046f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Cyrtodactylus pageli • A new species of karst dwelling Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Vientiane Province, northwestern Laos

Cyrtodactylus pageli Schneider, Nguyen, Schmitz, Kingsada, Auer, & Ziegler, 2011

Abstract

We describe a new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus from northwestern Laos, based on a recent collection from Vientiane Province. Cyrtodactylus pageli sp. n. is distinguished from the remaining bent-toed-geckos by the combination of the following characters: snout-vent length up to 81.8 mm; 9–12 supralabials; 9 infralabials; 9–14 rows of dorsal tubercles; no distinct lateral body fold; 41–46 midbody ventrals; precloacal pores present in both sexes (males 4, females 5 or 6); no precloacal groove; femoral scales not distinctly enlarged; no femoral pores; subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe 19–26; subcaudals transversally enlarged; dark nuchal band, followed by a transversal row of dark neck blotches (rarely forming an additional transversal neck band) in-between nuchal band and first body band; 5 in part irregular dark dorsal bands between limb insertions plus transversal band between hind limbs; tail with banded pattern.

Key words: Squamata, Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus pageli sp. n., taxonomy, Laos

Schneider N., Nguyen T.Q., Schmitz A., Kingsada P., Auer M. & Ziegler T. 2011. A new species of karst dwelling Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northwestern Laos. Zootaxa. 2930: 1–21.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02930p021f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Cyrtodactylus teyniei • A new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from central Laos

Cyrtodactylus teyniei David, Nguyen, Scheider, & Ziegler, 2011

Abstract

A new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827, Cyrtodactylus teyniei spec. nov., is described based on a single adult female from Borikhamxay Province, central Laos. It is distinguished from any other Cyrtodactylus species by the combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 89.9 mm, (2) longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles 19, (3) ventral scales in 38 rows between ventrolateral skin folds, (4) ventrolateral skin folds without tubercles, (5) enlarged femoral and precloacal scales 54 (precloacal scales 8, plus 23 femoral scales on each side), (6) precloacal depression lacking, (7) precloacal pores 14, (8) subdigital lamellae under the firth toe 19–20, (9) enlarged median subcaudals, and (10) nuchal band

absent, dorsum with blotched pattern. An extended comparison with other species of the genus Cyrtodactylus, in particular species recently described from Laos and Vietnam, is provided. Cyrtodactylus teyniei spec. nov. is the seventh species of Cyrtodactylus known to occur in Laos.

Key words: Laos, Reptiles, Squamata, Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus, Cyrtodactylus teyniei spec. nov., taxonomy

David P., Nguyen T.Q., Scheider N., & Ziegler N. 2011. A new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from central Laos (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Zootaxa. 2833: 29–40. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02833p040f.pdf

http://forum.zoologist.ru/viewtopic.php?pid=222997#p222997

[Herpetology • 2010] Cyrtodactylus wayakonei • A New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Luang Nam Tha Province, northern Laos

Cyrtodactylus wayakonei

Nguyen, Kingsada, Rösler, Auer & Ziegler, 2010

Abstract

We describe a new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus from northern Laos, based on four specimens from Luang Nam Tha Province. Cyrtodactylus wayakonei sp. n. is distinguished from the remaining bent-toed-geckos by the combination of the following characters: snout-vent length up to 90 mm; 7–8 supralabials; 9–10 infralabials; rostrum bearing smooth scales; 34–45 scales between fifth supralabials; dorsal tubercles smooth or slightly keeled; 17–19 dorsal tubercle rows; ventrolateral folds slightly developed, with large tubercles; 31–35 ventrals; 85–98 scales around midbody; 151–163 scales between mental and cloacal slit; 6–8 precloacal pores in both sexes; precloacal groove lacking; enlarged femoral scales absent; femoral pores lacking; subcaudals somewhat enlarged, broadened; tail tubercles flat, smooth; head and dorsum with blotched to reticulated pattern.

Key words: Squamata, Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus wayakonei sp. n.; taxonomy; Laos

Etymology. The new Cyrtodactylus species is named after Associate Professor Dr. Sengdeuane Wayakone, Director, Office of Planning and International Cooperation, National University of Laos, in recognition of his efforts to investigate and protect biodiversity in Laos.

Nguyen, T.Q., Kingsada, P., Rösler, H., Auer, M., & Ziegler, T., 2010. A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from northern Laos. Zootaxa. 2652: 1–16. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2010/f/z02652p016f.pdf

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Cyrtodactylus&species=wayakonei

 YUAN, Si-Qi & RAO Ding-Qi 2011. A new record of a Gekkonid (Cyrtodactylus wayakonei) from Yunnan, China. Zoological Research. 32(6): 684−688. http://www.bioline.org.br/request?zr11099

[Infographic | National Geographic • 2004] World of Cranes

The World of Cranes

Truly global citizens, the world's 15 species of cranes range freely over five continents and migrate across deserts, mountains, frozen tundra, and the borders of dozens of nations. As such, they are ambassadors for peace among diverse peoples who unite in efforts to save the elegant birds, and for the preservation of their fragile wetland and grassland homes and migratory staging grounds. Because of habitat loss and development, many species that once thrived in much broader ranges—among them, the red-crowned, black crowned, and white-naped—are now restricted to fragments of protected land in parks, sanctuaries, even disputed areas between hostile nations.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0404/feature2/map.html

Symbols of luck and majesty, cranes have been called "wildness incarnate." But with wildness disappearing and their luck running out, the great birds are getting some help from scientists and self-described "craniacs."

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0404/feature2/index.html

[Paleontology • 2012] Kaatedocus siberi • The skull and neck of a new flagellicaudatan sauropod from the Morrison Formation and its implication for the evolution and ontogeny of diplodocid dinosaurs

Life reconstruction of the skull of Kaatedocus siberi.
Note the lateral spur on the lacrimal and the palpebral element covering the orbit.

Illustration by Davide Bonadonna (Milan) | davidebonadonna.it

Abstract 

A new taxon of diplodocid sauropod, Kaatedocus siberi gen. et sp. nov., is recognized based on well-preserved cervical vertebrae and skull from the Morrison Formation (Kimmeridgian, Late Jurassic) of northern Wyoming, USA. A phylogenetic analysis places it inside Diplodocinae (Sauropoda: Flagellicaudata: Diplodocidae), as a sister taxon to a clade uniting Tornieria africana and the classical diplodocines Barosaurus lentus and Diplodocus. The taxon is diagnosed by a unique combination of plesiomorphic and derived traits, as well as the following unambiguous autapomorphies within Diplodocidae: frontals separated anteriorly by a U-shaped notch; squamosals restricted to the post-orbital region; presence of a postparietal foramen; a narrow, sharp and distinct sagittal nuchal crest; the paired basal tuber with a straight anterior edge in ventral view; anterior end of the prezygapophyses of mid- and posterior cervical vertebrae is often an anterior extension of the pre-epipophysis, which projects considerably anterior to the articular facet; anterodorsal corner of the lateral side of the posterior cervical vertebrae marked by a rugose tuberosity; posterior margin of the prezygapophyseal articular facet of posterior cervical vertebrae bordered posteriorly by conspicuous transverse sulcus; posterior cervical neural spines parallel to converging. The inclusion of K. siberi and several newly described characters into a previously published phylogenetic analysis recovers the new taxon as basal diplodocine, which concurs well with the low stratigraphical position of the holotype specimen. Dinheirosaurus and Supersaurus now represent the sister clade to Apatosaurus and Diplodocinae and therefore the most basal diplodocid genera. The geographical location in the less known northern parts of the Morrison Fm., where K. siberi was found, corroborates previous hypotheses on faunal provinces within the formation. The probable subadult ontogenetic stage of the holotype specimen allows analysis of ontogenetic changes and their influence on diplodocid phylogeny.

Keywords: Kaatedocus siberi , new genus, Morrison Formation, Howe Quarry

Etymology. ‘Kaate’ means small in the Crow (Absaroka) language, one of the Native American tribes of northern Wyoming. ‘Docus’ is an allusion to Diplodocus and the Greek dokos/δoκoς ‘beam’. ‘Siberi’ is after Hans-Jakob ‘Kirby’ Siber, b. 1942, doctor honoris causa of the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Siber is the founder and director of the Sauriermuseum Aathal, Switzerland, and organized and funded the excavation, preparation and curation of the holotype specimen of Kaatedocus siberi.

Hans-Jakob ‘Kirby’ Siber, b. 1942, doctor honoris causa of the University of Zurich, Switzerland. Siber is the founder and director of the Sauriermuseum Aathal, Switzerland, and organized and funded the excavation, preparation and curation of the holotype specimen of Kaatedocus siberi.

http://www.sauriermuseum.ch/de/home/ | http://facebook.com/Sauriermuseum

Tschopp, E.; Mateus, O. V. 2012. The skull and neck of a new flagellicaudatan sauropod from the Morrison Formation and its implication for the evolution and ontogeny of diplodocid dinosaurs. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology: 1. DOI:10.1080/14772019.2012.746589

lusodinos.blogspot.pt/search/label/Kaatedocus

docentes.fct.unl.pt/omateus/kaatedocus

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