Validity and Systematic Position of Rana altaica(Rana:Ranidae):Results of a Phylogenetic Analysis

In order to evaluate the phylogenetic position and validity of Rana altaica,we investigated the phylogeny of brown frogs in Eurasia by Bayesian Inference and Maximum Parsimony analyses of a fragment from the mitochondrial DNA gene Cytochrome b.Both analyses resolved R.altaica as nesting deeply within R.arvalis.Most samples of the nominal R.altaica from the Altai region and specimens from Central Siberia shared a haplotype with R.arvalis based on the network analysis.The matrilineal relationships suggested that R.altaica should be considered as a junior synonym of R.arvalis.Furthermore,our study suggested that the species group division of Chinese brown frogs should be re-evaluated within a phylogenetic context.

Discovery of Japalura chapaensis Bourret, 1937 (Reptilia： Squamata： Agamidae) from Southeast Yunnan Province, China

Due to a paucity of surveys in northern Indochina and lack of international collaborations among neighboring countries, recognized distributional ranges for many amphibian and reptile species end at the political borders for some countries, despite seemingly continuous suitable habitat spanning the region. Combining both morphological and genetic data, we report the first discovery of Japalura chapaensis, a rare agamid lizard believed previously to be endemic to northern Vietnam only, along the border region of southeastern Yunnan Province, China. To facilitate future research on the genus Japalura sensu lato in Indochina, we provide detailed descriptions of additional specimens of this rare species, including the first description of coloration in life and an expanded diagnosis, and discuss the species boundary of J. chapaensis with respect to its congeners.

How little is known about “the little brown frogs”:description of three new species of the genus Leptobrachella(Anura:Megophryidae)from Yunnan Province, China

Asian leaf-litter toads of the genus Leptobrachella represent a great anuran diversification in Asia.Previous studies have suggested that the diversity of this genus is still underestimated. During herpetological surveys from 2013 to 2018, a series of Leptobrachella specimens were collected from the international border areas in the southern and western parts of Yunnan Province, China.Subsequent analyses based on morphological and molecular data revealed three distinct and previously unknown lineages, which we formally describe as three new species herein. Among them, we describe a new species that occurs at the highest known elevation for Leptobrachella in China. Four species of Leptobrachella, including two new species, are found in the same reserve. Furthermore, our results suggest that the population from Longchuan County,Yunnan, may represent an additional new species of Leptobrachella, although we tentatively assigned it to Leptobrachella cf. yingjiangensis due to the small sample size examined. Lastly, we provide the first description of females of L. yingjiangensis. Our results further highlight that both micro-endemism and sympatric distributions of species are common patterns in Leptobrachella, that contribute to taxonomic and conservation challenges in these frogs. We provide an identification key for Leptobrachella known to occur in Yunnan. Given the lack of knowledge on species diversity of Leptobrachella along international border areas, we recommend that future studies include transboundary collaborative surveys.

A new genus and three new species of miniaturized microhylid frogs from Indochina (Amphibia： Anura： Microhylidae： Asterophryinae)

We report on the discovery of a new genus of microhylid subfamily Asterophryinae from northern and eastern Indochina, containing three new species. Vietnamophryne （3en. nov. are secretive miniaturized frogs （SVL〈21 mm） with a mostly semi-fossorial lifestyle. To assess phylogenetic relationships, we studied 12S rRNA - 16S rRNA mtDNA fragments with a final alignment of 2 591 bp for 53 microhylid species. Morphological and osteological characters were analyzed using micro-CT scanning and used to describe the new genus. Results of phylogenetic analyses assigned the new genus into the mainly Australasian subfamily Asterophryinae as a sister taxon to the genus Siamophryne from southern Indochina. The three specimens collected from Gia Lai Province in central Vietnam, Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam, and Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand proved to be separate species, different both in morphology and genetics （genetic divergence 3.1%〈P〈5.1%）. Our work provides further evidence for the ＂out of Indo-Eurasia＂ scenario for Asterophryinae, indicating that the initial cladogenesis and differentiation of this group of frogs occurred in the Indochina Peninsula. To date, eachof the three new species of Vietnamophryne Gen. nov. is known only from a single specimen; thus, their distribution, life history, and conservation status require further study.

A new species of Crocodile Newt, genus Tylototriton(Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) from the mountains of Kachin State, northern Myanmar

We describe a new species of the genus Tylototriton from Ingyin Taung Mt.,Mohnyin Township,Kachin State,Myanmar,based on morphological and molecular evidence.The new species is assigned to the subgenus Tylototriton s.str.and is clearly distinct from all known congeners by the following characters:medium body size;thin,long tail,lacking lateral grooves;rough skin;truncate snout;wide,protruding supratemporal bony ridges on head,beginning at anterior corner of orbit;weak,almost indistinct sagittal ridge;long,thin limbs,broadly overlapping when adpressed along body;distinct,wide,non-segmented vertebral ridge;13 or 14 rib nodules;brown to darkbrown background coloration with dull orange-brown to yellowish-brown markings on labial regions,parotoids,rib nodules,whole limbs,vent,and ventral tail ridge.We also briefly discuss biogeography and species diversity of the genus Tylototriton in Myanmar.

Seasonal Dynamics of Male and Female Reproductive Systems in the Siberian Salamander, Salamandrella keyserlingii (Caudata, Hynobiidae)

It is not well known how low temperatures, like a subarctic steppe–tundra climate, influence reproductive traits of ectothermic vertebrates. To begin answering this question, we studied male and female reproductive systems of Salamandrella keyserlingii inhabiting a Tomsk population（southeast of Western Siberia）, Russia, in ecological and physiological terms. In males, before spermiation, the testicular size and weight in late April–early May were greatest of all. Spermiation occurred during breeding immigration in spring when mean air temperature was above 10°С, and at the same time rain fell. After spermiation, the testicular size and weight decreased sharply, and the diameter of the vasa deferentia increased. ＂Spawning＂（i.e., simultaneous extrusion of sperm and oviposition） occurred from late April to late May, and this duration fluctuated in temperature and humidity. The testicular size and weight increased in summer. Sperm mass was detected in the testes by the smear method in April–September, except in June when single fragmented unrealized sperm was detected and in July when spermatids were detected. In females, ovarian weight was greatest in spring before ovulation. From late June, vitellogenesis began in ovarian follicles, in which mint green yolks accumulated. Melanin deposited in the surface of the ovary from July when oviducts were hypertrophying. In contrast, some large-sized females did not show any sexual maturity shortly before hibernation（although these females may be subadults）. These results suggest that low temperatures in Siberia induce early timing of gamete maturation in females, but the females＇ reproductive cycle might also be biennial. A reproductive cycle in males was annual with the completion of the gamete maturation process in August.

A new species of smooth skink (Squamata： Scincidae： Scincella) from Cambodia

Based on morphological and genetic evidence we evaluated the taxonomic status of a newly discovered forest-dwelling population of skink （genus Scincella） from the Keo Selma Wildlife Sanctuary, Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia. From phylogenetic analysis of a 668-bp fragment of the mtDNA COl and diagnostic morphological characters we allocate the newly discovered population to the Scincella reevesii-S. rufocaudata species complex and describe it as Scincella nigrofasciata sp. nov. The new skink species can be distinguished from all other Southeast Asian congeners by the following combination of morphological characters： snout-vent length （SVL） 40.0-52.6 mm; relative tail length （TaL/SVL ratio） 1.25-1.94; prefrontals in broad contact; infralabials 6; primary temporals 2; relative forelimb length （FIL/SVL ratio） 0.20-0.22; relative hindlimb length （HIL/SVL ratio） 0.30-0.33; relative forearm length （FoL/SVL ratio） 0.14-0.16; adpressed forelimbs and hind limbs either overlapping （0.4-2.2 mm） or separated （1.9-2.3 mm）; midbody scale rows 32-33, paravertebral scales 69-74, vertebral scales 65-69; dorsal scales between dorsolateral stripes 8; comparatively slender fingers and toes, subdigital lamellae under fourth toe 15-17; dark discontinuous regular dorsal stripes 5-7; distinct black dorsolateral stripes, narrowing to lateral sides and extending to 52%-86% of total tail length. We provide additional information on the holotype of Scincella rufocaudata （Darevsky ＆ Nguyen, 1983）, and provide evidence for the species status of Scincella rupicola. Our discovery brings the number of Scincellaspecies in Cambodia to five and emphasizes the incompleteness of knowledge on the herpetofaunal diversity of this country.

A new species of the genus Leptolalax (Anura： Megophryidae) from southern Vietnam

We describe a new species of megophryid frog from Phu Yen Province in southern Vietnam. Leptolalax macrops sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological attributes： （1） body size medium （SVL 28.0-29.3 mm in three adult males, 30.3 mm in single adult female）; （2） supra-axillary glands present, creamy white; ventrolateral glands indistinct; （3） tympanum externally distinct; （4） dorsal skin roughly granular with larger tubercles, dermal ridges on dorsum absent; （5） rudimentary webbing present between fingers I-II and I1-111; rudimentary webbing between all toes; fingers and toes without dermal fringes; （6） in life ventral surface greyish-violet with white speckling; （7） supratympanic fold distinct, dark brown in life; （8） iris bicolored, typically golden in upper half, fading to golden green in lower half; （9） tibia short （TbL/SVL 0.44-0.45 in males）; and （10） eyes large and protuberant （ED/SVL 0.15-0.16 in males） From all congeners for which comparable sequences are available, the new species differs markedly in the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequence （P-distance〉5.7%）. The new species is currently known only from montane evergreen tropical forests of Song Hinh District, Phu Yen Province, and M＇Drak District of Dak Lak Province at elevations of 470-630 m a.s.l.. We suggest the new species should be considered as Data Deficient following the IUCN＇s Red List categories. We also report a previously unknownLeptolalax mtDNA lineage from an evergreen tropica forest in the Hoa Thinh District of Phu Yen Province which may also represent an undescribed species.

A new species of genus Fejervarya (Anura:Dicroglossidae) from northern Thailand

We describe a new species of frog in the dicroglossid genus Fejervarya from Ban Monjong, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Analysis of DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial gene 16S, advertisement calls, and morphological distinctiveness support recognition of the new species. Matrilineal genealogy suggests that the new population from Chiang Mai is a sister taxon to the South Asian clade that includes F. syhadrensis, F. granosa, and F. pierreL The new species, Fejervarya chiangmaiensis sp. nov., differs morphologically from its congeners by its relatively small body size and proportions and the presence of dorsal warts and dermal ridges. Discovery of this new species indicates that the biodiversity of amphibians in this region remains underestimated.

A new species of the genus Micryletta(Anura,Microhylidae) from Hainan Island, China

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new amphibian species of the genus Micryletta from Hainan Island, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Micryletta immaculata sp. nov., is diagnosed by a combination of the following morphological characters: medium-sized within genus(SVL23.3–24. mm in males, n=3;27.7–30.1 mm in females, n=2).

A New Enantiornithes(Aves) from the Early Cretaceous of China

A new bird from the early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liaoning, China is described. This new species, Grabauornis lingyuanensis, shares several synapomorphies with the Enantiornithes. The specimen is relatively well preserved. The skeletal morphology of Grabauornis bears close resemblance to that of other Chinese members of this clade. The brachial index （the ratio between the lengths of humerus and ulna） is 0.95, which is close to the average for enantiornithine birds. It indicates that Grabauornis was a rather good flyer, and the presence of an alula in the wing further testifies to this.

Hiding on jagged karst pinnacles:A new microendemic genus and species of a limestone-dwelling agamid lizard(Squamata:Agamidae:Draconinae)from Khammouan Province,Laos

We describe a unique new species and genus of agamid lizard from the karstic massifs of Khammouan Province,central Laos.Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is an elusive medium-sized lizard(maximum snout-vent length101 mm)specifically adapted to life on limestone rocks and pinnacles.To assess the phylogenetic position of the new genus amongst other agamids,we generated DNA sequences from two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and ND2)and three nuclear loci(BDNF,RAG1 and c-mos),with a final alignment comprising 7418 base pairs for 64 agamid species.Phylogenetic analyses unambiguously place the new genus in the mainland Asia subfamily Draconinae,where it forms a clade sister to the genus Diploderma from East Asia and the northern part of Southeast Asia.Morphologically,the new genus is distinguished from all other genera in Draconinae by possessing a notably swollen tail base with enlarged scales on its dorsal and ventral surfaces.Our work provides further evidence that limestone regions of Indochina represent unique“arks of biodiversity”and harbor numerous relict lineages.To date,Laodracon carsticola Gen.et sp.nov.is known from only two adult male specimens and its distribution seems to be restricted to a narrow limestone massif on the border of Khammouan and Bolikhamxai provinces of Laos.Additional studies are required to understand its life history,distribution,and conservation status.

A new species of the genus Theloderma Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia： Anura： Rhacophoridae) from Tay Nguyen Plateau, central Vietnam

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 2-21/4 II 11/^-23/~ III 2-31/4 IV 3-11/2 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, clearlyseparated 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.

On the road to Mandalay: contribution to the Microhyla Tschudi, 1838(Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) fauna of Myanmar with description of two new species

We prese nt a morphological and molecular assessment of the Microhyla fauna of Myanmar based on new collections from central (Magway Division) and northem (Kachin State) parts of the country. In total, six species of Microhyla are documented, including M. berdmorei, M. heymonsi, M. butleri, M. mukhlesuri and two new species described from the semi-arid savarma-like plains of the middle part of the Irrawaddy (Ayeyarwady) River Valley. We used a 2 481 bp long 12S rRNA- 16S rRNA fragment of mtDNA to hypothesize gen ealogical relati on ships within Microhyla. We applied an in teg rati ve taxonomic approach combining molecular, morphological, and acoustic lines of evidenee to evaluate the taxonomic status of Mya nmar Microhyla. We dem on strated that the newly discovered populations of Microhyla sp. from the Magway Division represent two yet undescribed species. These two new sympatric species are assigned to the M. achatina species group, with both adapted to the seas on ally dry environments of the Irrawaddy Valley. Microhyla fodiens sp. nov. is a stout-bodied species with a remarkably enlarged shovel-like outer metatarsal tubercle used for burrowing and is highly diverge nt from other know n congeners (P-distancea8.8%). Microhyla irrawaddy sp. nov. is a small-bodied slender frog reconstructed as a sister species to M. kodial from southern India (P-distance=5.3%);however, it clearly differs from the latter both in external morphology and advertisement call parameters. Microhyla mukhlesuri is reported from Myanmar for the first time. We further discuss the morphological diag no sties and biogeography of Microhyla species recorded in Myanmar.

A new species of Micryletta (Amphibia: Microhylidae) from southern Thailand

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new species,Micryletta dissimulans sp.nov.,from the lowland forests of southern Thailand,which is described based on molecular and morphological evidence.The new species is characterized by a combination of the following characters:small body size (20.3-22.4 mm in males,24.4-26.7 mm in females);slender body habitus.

A new species of the genus Xenophrys(Anura:Megophryidae) from northern Thailand

DEAR EDITOR,Species of Xenophrys are conserved morphologically and live primarily in forests. In Thailand, the genus harbors many cryptic species. Herein we report the collection of specimens from Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, which were identified previously as X. minor. Molecular and morphological analyses find that these specimens differ significantly from other known congeners, and therefore we describe a new species. Further, our phylogenetic analyses indicate that X. latidactyla is a junior synonym of X. palpebralespinosa.

Mountain jade: A new high-elevation microendemic species of the genus Zhangixalus(Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae)from Laos

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new species, Zhangixalus melanoleucus sp.nov., from Phou Samsoum Mountain(PSM) in Xiengkhouang Province, northeastern Laos, based on an integrative taxonomic approach, including morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic lines of evidence. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following diagnostic characters: medium body size(SVL 34.4–36.3 mm in males, 53.7 mm in a single female);dorsum smooth and green;chest and belly lacking spots;flanks, axillae, ventral surfaces of forearms, inguinal.

Corrigendum to the Article Herpetological Diversity of Timor-Leste:Updates and a Review of Species Distributions by O'Shea et al.(2015)

During the entry of specimen data from the paper by O＇Shea et al. （2015） into the database at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution （USNM）, one of us （KAT） realized that several errors existed, likely stemming from inverted specimen numbers, typos, or inadvertently skipping lines while transferring information from lines in a spreadsheet. We here present the corrected entries, listed in the same taxon order as in the original paper.

Counting stripes:revision of the Lipinia vittigera complex(Reptilia, Squamata, Scincidae) with description of two new species from Indochina

We provide an integrative taxonomic analysis of the Lipinia vittigera species complex from mainland Southeast Asia. Based on examination of external morphology, color pattern, and 681 base pairs of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene, we demonstrate the presence of four morphologically distinct lineages of Lipinia in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, showing a sequence divergence ranging 15.5%–20.4%. All discovered lineages are discretely diagnosable from one another by a combination of scalation traits and color patterns. A review of the published distribution data and a re-examination of available type material revealed the following results:(1) distribution of L. vittigera (Boulenger, 1894) sensu stricto is restricted to Sundaland and the Thai-Malay Peninsula south of the Isthmus of Kra;(2) L. microcercus (Boettger, 1901) stat. nov. is elevated to full species rank;the species has a wide distribution from central and southern Vietnam across Cambodia to eastern Thailand;we regard Lygosoma vittigerum kronfanum Smith, 1922 and Leiolopisma pranensis Cochran, 1930 as its junior synonyms;(3) Lipinia trivittata sp. nov. occurs in hilly areas of southern Vietnam, Cambodia, and eastern Thailand;and (4) Lipinia vassilievi sp. nov. is currently known only from a narrow area along the Vietnamese-Cambodian border in the foothills of the central Annamite Mountain Range. We further provide an identification key for Lipinia occurring in mainland Southeast Asia.

First Record of the Poorly Known Skink Sphenomorphus oligolepis(Boulenger,1914)(Reptilia：Squamata： Scincidae) from Seram Island,Maluku Province,Indonesia

Based on four specimens discovered in the collection of the natural History Museum, London, United kingdom, we present a new distribution record for the skink Sphenomorphus oligolepis for seram island, Maluku Province, Indonesia. This find constitutes the westernmost record for the species and extends its range by over 800 km. the species was heretofore only known from apparently isolated mainland new Guinean populations.