Contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Lycodon H.Boie in Fitzinger,1827(Reptilia:Squamata:Colubridae)in China,with description of two new species and resurrection and elevation of Dinodon septentrionale chapaense Angel,Bourret,1933

While considerable progress has been made in the taxonomic studies of the genus Lycodon in Asia,questions remain to be clarified regarding the taxonomy of certain groups,particularly those containing species in China.Not only do many regions in China remain overlooked by herpetologists,resulting in the possibility of undiscovered new species,but the surveyed areas also have suspicious records of recognized congeners that require taxonomic confirmations.Combining both morphological and genetic data,we tackle these outstanding issues in the taxonomy of Lycodon in China.In particular,we discover two new species of Lycodon:one from the previously neglected hot-dry valley in the northern Hengduan Mountain Region close to Tibet,and another recluse and cryptic species from the L.fasciatus complex in the downtown park of a major city in southern Sichuan Province.Additionally,we clarify the distribution of L.septentrionalis in China and resurrect and elevate its junior synonym subspecies,Dinodon septentrionale chapaense,as a full,valid species,and we synonymize the recently described L.namdongensis to the resurrected L.chapaensis comb.nov..Lycodon chapaensis comb.nov.thus represents a new national record of reptilian fauna of China.Lastly,based on literature review,we also correct some of the erroneous records of L.fasciatus and L.ruhstrati in China,point out remaining taxonomic issues of the genus for future research,and update the dichotomous key and distribution of the 20 species of Lycodon currently recorded from China.

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.

AmphibiaChina： an online database of Chinese Amphibians

AmphibiaChina, an open-access, web-based database, is designed to provide comprehensive and up-to-date information on Chinese amphibians. It offers an integrated module with six major sections. Compared to other known databases including AmphibiaWeb and Amphibian Species of the World, AmphibiaChina has the following new functions： （1） online species identification based on DNA barcode sequences; （2） comparisons and discussions of different major taxonomic systems; and （3） phylogenetic progress on Chinese amphibians. This database offers a window for the world to access available information of Chinese amphibians. AmphibiaChina with its Chinese version can be accessed at http：// www.amphibiachina.org.

A new species of the genus Amolops （Amphibia： Ranidae） from southeastern Tibet, China

A new species of the genus Amolops Cope, 1865 is described from Nyingchi, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species, Amolops nyingchiensis sp. nov. is assigned to the Amolops monticola group based on its skin smooth, dorsolateral fold distinct, lateral side of head black, upper lip stripe white extending to the shoulder. Amolops nyingchiensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Amolops by the following combination of characters： （1） medium body size, SVL 48.5-58.3 mm in males, and 57.6-70.7 mm in females; （2） tympanum distinct, slightly larger than one third of the eye diameter; （3） a small tooth-like projection on anteromedial edge of mandible; （4） the absence of white spine on dorsal surface of body; （5） the presence of circummarginal groove on all fingers; （6） the presence of vomerine teeth; （7） background coloration of dorsal surface brown, lateral body gray with yellow; （8） the presence of transverse bands on the dorsal limbs; （9） the presence of nuptial pad on the first finger in males; （10） the absence of vocal sac in males. Taxonomic status of the populations that were previously identified to A. monticola from Tibet is also discussed.

A new species of the Southeast Asian genus Opisthotropis (Serpentes Colubridae： Natricinae) from western Hunan, China

A new species of natricine snake of the Southeast Asian genus Opisthotropis GUnther, 1872 is described from western Hunan Province of China based on both mitochondrial DNA and morphological data. The new species is morphologically most similar and genetically most closely related to O. cheni Zhao, 1999 and O. latouchfi （Boulenger, 1899）, but possesses considerable genetic divergence （p- distance 5.1%-16.7%） and can be differentiated from all other congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters： （1） body size large （total length 514-586 mm） and strongly built; （2） dorsal scale rows 17 throughout, feebly keeled anteriorly and moderately keeled posteriorly; （3） ventral scales 147-152, subcaudal scales 54-62; （4） preocular absent, Ioreal elongated and touching orbit; （5） supralabials 8-9, fifth and sixth entering obit; （6） anterior temporals short, length 1.74-2.04 times longer than width; （7） maxillary teeth subequal, 28-30; （8） dorsal surface of head with distinct irregular yellow stripes and markings edged with ochre; （9） body with clear black and yellow longitudinal streaks, partly fused to several lighter patches or thicker stripes anteriorly; and （10） venter pale yellow, with asymmetric blackish speckles along outer margin. We present an updated diagnostic key to all members of the genus Opisthotropis, and recommendations on the ecological study for the group are provided.

A new species of Mountain Dragon(Reptilia:Agamidae:Diploderma) from the D. dymondi complex in southern Sichuan Province, China

Despite continuous studies on the cryptic diversity of the Diploderma flaviceps complex in Southwest China for the pastdecade, little attention has been given to other widespreadcongeners in China. Combining both morphological and phylogenetic data, we describe a new species of Diplodermafrom populations identified previously as D. dymondi in thelower Yalong River Basin in southern Sichuan Province. Thenew species is morphologically most similar to D. dymondiand D. varcoae, but it can be differentiated by a considerablegenetic divergence and a suite of morphological characters,including having taller nuchal crest scales, smaller tympana,and a distinct oral coloration. Additionally, we discuss otherputative species complexes within the genus Diploderma inChina.

A new species of the genus Scutiger （Anura： Mego- phryidae） from Medog of southeastern Tibet, China

A new species of Scutiger Theobald, 1868 is described from Medog, southeastern Tibet, China, based on morphological and molecular data. The new species was previously identified as Scutiger nyingchiensis, but it can be differentiated from the latter and all other congeners by the following combination of characters： （1） medium adult body size, SVL 50.5-55.6 mm in males and 53.8-57.2 mm in females; （2） maxillary teeth absent; （3） web rudimen- tary between toes; （4） prominent, conical-shaped tubercles on dorsal and lateral surfaces of body and limbs; （5） tubercles covered by black spines in both sexes in breeding condition; （6） a pair of pectoral glands and a pair of axillary glands present and covered by black spines in males in breeding condition, width of axillary gland less than 50% of pectoral gland; （7） nuptial spines present on dorsal surface of first and second fingers, and inner side of third finger in males in breeding condition; （8） spines absent on the abdominal region; （9） vocal sac absent. In addition, the distribution and conservation status of the new species are also discussed

On the Generic Taxonomy of Opisthotropis balteata(Cope, 1895)(Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae): Taxonomic Revision of Two Natricine Genera

The single prefrontal configuration has historically been used as an important diagnostic character for many natricine taxa. For example, the genus Trimerodytes Cope, 1895 was long been regarded as a junior synonym of Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 for their similar prefrontal configurations and the type species, T. balteatus Cope, 1895, has been assigned to the genus Opisthotropis. However, as the number and arrangement of prefrontal vary frequently both at species and generic level, it is questionable whether the synonymization of Trimerodytes reflects their evolutionary relationships. On the basis of recently collected specimens of O. balteata, the generic status of the species was assessed using both molecular and morphological data. Opisthotropis was recovered as polyphyletic with reference to O. balteata, because O. balteata is nested within the genus Sinonatrix Rossman and Eberle, 1977 and is the sister species of the type species of Sinonatrix. Consequently, we herein resurrect the long-overlooked synonym Trimerodytes from Opisthotropis and synonymize the junior generic nomen Sinonatrix with Trimerodytes. In addition, based on morphological similarities between the monotypic genus Paratapinophis Angel, 1929 and Trimerodytes, we doubt about the validity of Paratapinophis. Following taxonomic changes in this work, the taxonomic account of the genus Trimerodytes, updated descriptions of its type species, and diagnostic key to Trimerodytes species are provided.

A new species of the endemic Himalayan genus Liurana(Anura, Ceratobatrachidae) from southeastern Tibet, China, with comments on the distribution,reproductive biology, and conservation of the genus

A new species of the genus Liurana Dubois,1986 is described from Medog County,Tibet,China,based on morphological and molecular data.The new species can be differentiated from all other congeners by the following combi nation of characters:(1)head wider than long;(2)tympanum distinct and large;(3)hindlimb long,tibiotarsal articulation beyond tip of snout when adpressed;(4)belly with flat tubercles,cloacal region with small tubercles;(5)transverse bands distinctly on dorsal limbs,four bands on thigh and three on tibia;and,(6)dark brown marbled patter ns or speckles on white belly.Here,we also discuss the distribution pattern of Liurana in the East Himalaya region,the role of the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the speciation and genetic isolation of congeners,the direct developmental mode of reproduction,and the two different ecotypes of the genus.Lastly,we provide conservation recommendations for the genus in southeastern Tibet.

Phylogenetic Patterns of the Southeast Asian Tree Frog Chiromantis hansenae in Thailand

Although landscape features such as mountains and rivers are recognized often as limiting factors to amphibian dispersal and gene flow, a limited number of studies have investigated such patterns across Southeast Asia. A perfect example of this is Thailand, located in one of the world＇s biodiversity hotspot regions. Thailand represents the corridor between mainland Asia and the Sunda Shelf, a famous and widely recognized biogeographic region, and yet there are few studies on the genetic structure among populations of amphibian species distributed across Thailand. The Southeast Asian tree frog, Chiromantis hansenae has been reported to possess a geographic range that is restricted to Thailand and, presumably, Cambodia~ Here, we investigate phylogenetic relationships among C. hansenae populations using partial sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and nuclear POMC gene. Our results reveal two distinct evolutionary lineages within C. hansenae populations in Thailand. The genetic divergence among populations between these two clades is considerable, and results support inter-population divergence, and high genetic differentiation （pairwise FsT = 0.97）, between two localities sampled in western Thailand （TK1 and TK2）, separated from each other by 40 kilometers only. The results suggest that landscape features across Thailand may have a profound impact on patterns of diversification in the country, underscoring the urgent need for fine-scale investigations of genetic structure of endemic and ＂widespread＂ species.

Perspectives on studying molecular adaptations of amphibians in the genomic era

Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying particular adaptations/phenotypes of organisms is one of the core issues of evolutionary biology.The use of genomic data has greatly advanced our understandings on this issue,as well as other aspects of evolutionary biology,including molecular adaptation,speciation,and even conservation of endangered species.Despite the well-recognized advantages,usages of genomic data are still limited to non-mammal vertebrate groups,partly due to the difficulties in assembling large or highly heterozygous genomes.Although this is particularly the case for amphibians,nonetheless,several comparative and population genomic analyses have shed lights into the speciation and adaptation processes of amphibians in a complex landscape,giving a promising hope for a wider application of genomics in the previously believed challenging groups of organisms.At the same time,these pioneer studies also allow us to realize numerous challenges in studying the molecular adaptations and/or phenotypic evolutionary mechanisms of amphibians.In this review,we first summarize the recent progresses in the study of adaptive evolution of amphibians based on genomic data,and then we give perspectives regarding how to effectively identify key pathways underlying the evolution of complex traits in the genomic era,as well as directions for future research.

西藏两栖纲新纪录2种及缅甸树蛙描述

本文报道西藏两栖纲叉舌蛙科Dicroglossidae新纪录2种,即采于喜马拉雅山中段吉隆沟内的罗斯坦棘蛙Nanorana rostandi(Dubois,1974)和西藏东部昌都地区江达县的倭蛙Nanorana pleskei Güther,1896,前者是中国新纪录,后者是西藏自治区新纪录。首次描述了采自西藏东南部墨脱县的树蛙科缅甸树蛙Rhacophorus burmanus(Andersson,1939)。

云南省爬行动物名录和地理区划更新

云南省作为中国生物多样性最高的省份,其详实的物种本底资料对我国生物多样性研究和保护具有重要意义。本文在前期研究的基础上,结合实体标本,汇总编制了云南省现生、原生爬行动物更新名录。截至2021年12月31日,云南省记录爬行动物25科82属235种,其中龟鳖目4科12属16种,有鳞目蜥蜴亚目6科20属72种,蛇亚目15科50属147种。较《云南两栖爬行动物》确认新增82种,存疑收录21种,移除23种。基于先前云南省爬行动物区划和更新后的物种分布信息,将云南省爬行动物地理分为6个动物地理区,即滇西北横断山区、滇西山地区、滇南山地区、滇东南山地区、滇中高原区以及滇东北山地区;其中滇西北横断山区、滇西山地区、滇中高原区和滇东南山地区的范围与先前研究相比有所调整。结合调整后的爬行动物地理区划,对物种分布、物种特有性、受威胁状况等给出了统计结果。云南省爬行动物特有物种、国内仅见于云南的非特有物种数量较多,受威胁等级高。建议今后继续加大分类学研究投入,对滇西北、滇中特有爬行动物分布集中的区域积极开展栖息地保护工作,同时在最新调整的《国家重点保护野生动物名录》基础上,定期组织专家研讨,对《云南省省级重点保护动物名录》提出更新建议。