[Herpetology • 2018] Hyperolius stictus • A New Reed Frog (Hyperoliidae: Hyperolius) from coastal northeastern Mozambique

Hyperolius stictus 

Conradie, Verburgt, Portik, Ohler, Bwong & Lawson, 2018

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4379.2.2 

Abstract

A new species of African reed frog (genus Hyperolius Rapp, 1842) is described from the Coastal Forests of the Eastern Africa Biodiversity Hotspot in northeastern Mozambique. It is currently only known from less than ten localities associated with the Mozambican coastal pans system, but may also occur in the southeastern corner of Tanzania. Phylogenetic reconstructions using the mitochondrial 16S marker revealed that it is the sister taxon of Hyperolius mitchelli (>5.6% 16S mtDNA sequence divergence) and forms part of a larger H. mitchelli complex with H. mitchelli and H. rubrovermiculatus. The new species is distinguished from other closely related Hyperolius species by genetic divergence, morphology, vocalisation, and dorsal colouration.

Keywords: Amphibia, Amphibian, endemic, coastal pans

 Werner Conradie, Luke Verburgt, Daniel M. Portik, Annemarie Ohler, Beryl A. Bwong and Lucinda P. Lawson. 2018. A New Reed Frog (Hyperoliidae: Hyperolius) from coastal northeastern Mozambique. Zootaxa. 4379(2); 177–198.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4379.2.2

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[Herpetology • 2017] Distinction of Gracixalus carinensis from Vietnam and Myanmar, with Description of A New Species, Gracixalus sapaensis, from northwestern Vietnam

Gracixalus sapaensis  Matsui, Ohler, Eto & Tao, 2017

Figure 3. Dorsal (A) and dorsolateral (B) views of male holotype (MNHN 1999. 5961) of Gracixalus sapaensis sp. nov. in life.

 amphibians.org 

Gracixalus carinensis was originally described from Myanmar, but samples of the species reported in molecular phylogenetic works were all from Vietnam, far apart from the type locality. Moreover, the voucher specimens used for sequencing seem to have never been critically studied. We newly sequenced specimens from Vietnam and also closely examined morphology of vouchers. As a result, we confirmed that samples treated under this name from Vietnam constitute a single species. Although no molecular data are available for topotypic samples from Myanmar, detailed morphological comparisons revealed that samples from Vietnam are constantly separated from the topotypic samples of G. carinensis by much poorly developed toe webbing. We thus consider the Vietnamese samples as an undescribed species and describe them as Gracixalus sapaensis sp. nov.

Gracixalus sapaensis sp. nov. 

Synonymy. Philautus carinensis: Ohler, Marquis, Swan & Grosjean, 2000, Herpetozoa, 13: 71-87;

Aquixalus (Aquixalus) carinensis: Delorme, Dubois, Grosjean & Ohler, 2005, Bulletin Mensuel de la Société Linnéenne de Lyon, 74: 166;

 Kurixalus carinensis: Nguyen, Ho & Nguyen, 2009, Herpetofauna of Vietnam: 527;

Gracixalus carinensis: Li, Che, Murphy, Zhao, Zhao, Rao & Zhang, 2009, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 53: 509.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Sa Pa, a district in Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam, where the new species occurs.

Range. Known only from northwestern Vietnam (fig. 5): Lai Chau, Lao Cai and Dak Lak (Nguyen et al., 2009, as Aquixalus). The known localities vary from 1250-2340 m in altitude. 

Natural history. Ohler et al. (2000) reported the new species to occur at all the vegetation types they classified (agriculture, scrub, submontane forest, and montane forest) from 1260-2020 m a.s.l. on Fan Si Pan mountains. Specimens were usually found sitting on leaves, rarely branches, up to 2 m from the ground, in the vicinity of mountain streams (median distance observed 3 m). They also reported the new species (as Philautus carinensis) to breed mainly in October-November unlike Ph. odontotarsus (now Kurixalus), and Ph. jinxiuensis and Ph. gracilipes (both now Gracixalus) that breed in July. 

Masafumi Matsui, Annemarie Ohler, Koshiro Eto and Nguyen Thien Tao. 2017. Distinction of Gracixalus carinensis from Vietnam and Myanmar, with Description of A New Species. ALYTES. 33(1-4); 25-37.

http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Alytes_20170317_matsui.etal_.pdf

[Herpetology • 2015] Clinotarsus penelope | กบเขาสูง • When Young are More Conspicuous than Adults: A New Ranid Species (Anura: Ranidae) from Thailand revealed by its Tadpole

กบเขาสูง | Hill Frog | Clinotarsus penelope

Grosjean, Bordoloi, Chuaynkern, Chakravarty & Ohler, 2015

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4058.4.2

photo: C. Deekrachang | siamensis.org

Abstract

Tadpoles of Clinotarsus alticola collected nearby the type locality in Assam, India are barcoded and described. A detailed morphological and morphometrical description of the specimens, along with a study of the anatomy of the buccal cavity are provided. A comparison of these tadpoles with “Clinotarsus alticola” tadpoles from peninsular Thailand and of the genetic variation of a fragment of their mtDNA 16S gene led us to assign the population of peninsular Thailand to a new species, Clinotarsus penelope sp. n. The holotype of the new species is chosen among the tadpole series as no adult could be found in the type locality. Presumed conspecific adults of nearby localities are morphologically described and compared to barcoded adults of Clinotarsus alticola, waiting for further molecular confirmation. The tadpole of the new species differs from that of C. alticola by a much greater size at comparative stages (e.g., 77.7 mm vs. 53.3 mm in stage 36, respectively), a black coloration (vs. a yellow-olive tinge), several ocelli on the tail muscle (vs. only one), a rounded snout (vs. a more pointed snout) and a different Keratodont Row Formula (KRF; nine keratodonts rows maximum on both labia in C. penelope vs. eight maximum in C. alticola). A discussion about the choice of the holotype, the assignment of adult specimens and the future confirmation of this assignment are provided, as well as a comparison with older descriptions of “Clinotarsus alticola” sensu lato tadpoles and with Clinotarsus curtipes tadpoles from Karnataka, India. The lectotype of Clinotarsus alticola is redescribed.

Keywords: Clinotarsus alticola, Ranidae, tadpole, holotype, India, Thailand, Amphibia

Distribution limited to the tadpole data (Fig. 10). Thailand: Namtok Raman Forest Park, Phang Nga Province (type locality). Localities of referred specimens: Kaeng Krachon National Park, Phetchaburi Province; Khao Sok National Park, Surat Thani Province; Khlong Palian at junction of streams arising from Nam Tok Ton Tok and Nam Tok Ton Te,Trang Province, Khlong Rang Waterfall, Ngao National  Park,  Pha  To,  Chumphon  Province. Smith (1930) mentioned the  presence  of  “Rana  alticola”  in  the  province of Nakhon Si Thammarat which fills a gap between the provinces of Surat Thani and of Trang.

Etymology. This species is dedicated to the daughter of the first author, Pénélope. The nomen is used as a noun in apposition to generic substantive.

Grosjean, Stéphane, Sabitry Bordoloi, Yodchaiy Chuaynkern, Paramita Chakravarty and Annemarie Ohler. 2015. When Young are More Conspicuous than Adults: A New Ranid Species (Anura: Ranidae) revealed by its Tadpole. Zootaxa. 4058(4): 471–498. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4058.4.2

ResearchGate.net/publication/287209949_When_young_are_more_conspicuous_than_adults_a_new_ranid_species_Anura_Ranidae_revealed_by_its_tadpole

http://anchan.lib.ku.ac.th/kukr/bitstream/003/19269/1/TAB000125500692c.pdf

[Herpetology • 2004] Cyrtodactylus buchardi | Buchard’s bow-fingered gecko • A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Laos

Buchard’s bow-fingered gecko  |  Cyrtodactylus buchardi David, Teynié & Ohler, 2004

photo by Thomas Calame: http://flic.kr/p/8rVyJ3 

Abstract



A specimen of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827, collected in Xepian National Biodiversity and Conservation Area, Champasak Province, southern Laos, is here referred to a new species, Cyrtodactylus buchardi sp. nov. The holotype, a juvenile male, differs from other known species by the combination of a slender body, a barely visible lateral fold, a slender but short tail, only 12 subdigital lamellae beneath 4th  toe, 25 rows of tuberculate dorsal scales, no precloacal groove, three series of enlarged precloacal scales, no enlarged femoral scales, no distinctly enlarged subcaudal scales, 13-14 supralabials, a dorsal pattern made of five transversal series of irregular blotches, and a nuchal collar not reaching the posterior margin of the eyes. The new species is compared with other species known from the Indo-Chinese Peninsula and Thailand. It appears to be related to Cyrtodactylus angularis (Smith, 1921) and C. papilionoides Ulber & Grossmann, 1991, both from central and eastern Thailand.

Keyt words. – Cyrtodactylus, Cyrtodactylus buchardi new species, Laos, Xepian NBCA, Gekkonidae

David, Teynié & Ohler, 2004. A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from southern Laos. Raffles Bull. Zool. 52 (2): 621-627.

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/52/52rbz621-627.pdf

http://shnao.net/Doc/Teynie/Cyrtodactylus_buchardi.pdf

http://www.shnao.net/species.htm

[Herpetology • 2010] Note on a Collection of Amphibians and Reptiles from Western Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Amphibians and reptiles were collected in Sumatra during two short field trips, around Lake Maninjau in Sumatera Barat Province (West Sumatra Province) and in Jambi Province. On the basis of preserved specimens and / or photographed specimens, the collection includes 17 species of amphibians (1 Caecilia, 16 Anura) and 38 species of reptiles (11 lizard and 27 snake species respectively). A new species of the genus Bufo is described from a single specimen on the basis of a combination of unique characters distinguishing it from Bufo sumatranus Peters, 1871, a similar species also known only from its holotype. Other noteworthy specimens are described in details. Given the poor knowledge of the herpetology of Sumatra, this collection, although limited in size, is important and 3 amphibian and 10 reptile species represent new provincial records. Of special interest is the discovery in West Sumatra Province of Lygosoma quadrupes, previously only known from Sumatera Selatan Province. A preliminary biogeographical hypothesis of the herpetofauna of Sumatra is provided.

Key words: Indonesia, Sumatra, Amphibians, Reptiles, Bufo totol spec. nov., Taxonomy

Teynié, A., David, P. and Ohler, A. 2010. Note on a collection of amphibians and reptiles from Western Sumatra (Indonesia), with the description of a new species of the genus Bufo. Zootaxa, 2416: 1–43.: http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/20809606/2077694276/name/Bufo_totol_Teynie-et-al-Sumatra%5B1%5D.pdf

[Herpetology • 2002] กบเขาสอยดาว | Sylvirana (Rana) faber • from Cardamom Mountains, Southwest Cambodia & Eastern Thailand

กบเขาสอยดาว Sylvirana faber

(Ohler, Swan & Daltry 2002)

ABSTRACT

Reported here are the findings of the first field surveys for amphibians in the Cardamom Mountains of Southwest Cambodia, which were conducted in January -March 2000 and February -April 2001, A total of 34 species of anuran were found in these mountains, including new species of Megophrys, Philautus and Rana (Sylvirana) that are described here. A further 17 species that have not previously been reported from Cambodia were also recorded during these surveys. These results double the size of Cambodia's known amphibian fauna. Species of particular taxonomic interest from the collections are discussed in further detail, and a national checklist of Cambodia's known amphibian fauna is also provided.

KEY WORDS. Amphibians, new species, Megophrys, Philautus, Rana (Sylvirana), Cambodia, taxonomy.

Ohler, A., S. R. Swan and J. C. Daltry. 2002. A recent survey of the amphibian fauna of the Cardamom Mountains, Southwest Cambodia with descriptions of three new species. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 50(2): 465-481. http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/50/50rbz465-481.pdf

Grismer, L. L., T. Chav, T. Neang, P. L. Wood, J. L. Grismer, T. M. Youmans, A. Ponce, J. C. Daltry and H. Kaiser. 2007. The Herpetofauna of the Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary and Checklist of the Herpetofauna of the Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia. Hamadryad. 31(2): 216-241.

กบเขาสอยดาว ควรใช้ชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์ชื่อใด?: http://tistr.or.th/tistr/code/tistrorg/ecological_note/en_200801.pdf

[Herpetology • 2002] Xenophrys (Megophrys) auralensis | Aural Horned Frog • from Phnom Aural, Cambodia's Highest Mountain

Xenophrys auralensis (Ohler, Swan & Daltry, 2002)

Etymology: The name auralensis, indicates that the species was found on Mount ('Phnom') Aural, Cambodia's highest mountain.

Type locality: "Phnom (Mount) Aural in the Phnom Aural Wildlife Sanctuary, Kampong Speu Province, Southwest Cambodia (UTM 1326600N 0309200E) . . . . at an altitude of 800 m a.m.s.l. . . . from a cascade section of a mountain steam in hill evergreen forest".

Holotype: MNHNP 2001.0209.

Fig. 1. Megophrys (Xenophrys) auralensis, new species. Holotype, MNHN 2001.0209, adult male, SVL 76.7 mm, dorsal view, ventralview, lateral view of head

Synonyms

• Megophrys (Xenophrys) auralensis Ohler, Swan & Daltry, 2002

• Xenophrys auralensis — Ohler, 2003

• Megophrys auralensis — Stuart & Emmett, 2006

References:

Ohler, A., S. R. Swan, and J. C. Daltry. 2002. A recent survey of the amphibian fauna of the Cardamom Mountains, southwest Cambodia with descriptions of three new species. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology (Raffles Bull. Zool.). 50:465–481.: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/50/50rbz465-481.pdf

[Herpetology • 2007] Rhacophorus suffry • red-webbed Rhacophorus from Assam

Flying frog (Rhacophorus suffry). The bright green, red-footed tree frog Rhacophorus suffry, a so-called 'Flying frog' because long webbed feet allow the species to glide when falling, was described in 2007. Photo by: © Totul Bortamuli / WWF Nepal

Rhacophorus suffry Bordoloi, Bortamuli and Ohler, 2007

Distribution: India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland)


Abstract
The taxonomic status of Rhacophorus maculatus Anderson, 1871 and its replacement names (alloneonyms) Rhacophorus bimaculatus Boulenger, 1882 and Rhacophorus bipunctatus Ahl, 1927 is assessed and a lectotype (lectophoront) for this nomen is designated. Morphological evidence supports the nomen Rhacophorus htunwini Wilkinson et al., 2005 being a junior subjective synonym of Rhacophorus maculatus Anderson, 1871. Rhacophorus rhodopus Liu & Hu, 1960 is considered a valid nomen with a new junior subjective synonym, Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar & Sanyal, 1985. A new species of red-webbed Rhacophorus is described which can be distinguished by the other species by the presence of web between fingers, green dorsal coloration and red web on feet, the absence of blackish spots on web and on flanks, the absence of complete web between fingers and the absence of distinct dermal appendages on forelimbs, tarsi and feet. A key to the red-webbed species of Rhacophorus is given.

Key words: taxonomy, Amphibian, treefrogs, key, South-East Asia

Bordoloi, S., Bortamuli, T. and Ohler, A. 2007. Systematics of the genus Rhacophorus (Amphibia, Anura): identity of red-webbed forms and description of a new species from Assam. Zootaxa. 1653: 1-20.: http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/z01653p020f.pdf

Photos: hundreds of new species discovered in Himalayan region, threatened by climate changehttp://t.co/mOGP0fS via @mongabay

[Herpetology • 2011] Leptobrachium bompu • Blue-eyed Frog from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Leptobrachium bompu

Abstract

A new species of Megophryidae, Leptobrachium bompu is described from Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is a medium sized member of the genus Leptobrachium. In life, the frog is distinguished by the combination of a series of morphological characters from its congeners. Its entirely greyish-blue coloured eyes differentiate the species from all other species in the genus but Leptobrachium waysepuntiense. The morphological comparison is based on a table of 16 characters discriminant in Leptobrachium species.

Key words: Leptobrachium, Leptobrachium bompu, Megophryidae, Eaglenest, description

Sondhi & Ohler (2011) A blue-eyed Leptobrachium (Anura: Megophryidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Zootaxa. 2912: 28-36.: http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02912p036f.pdf