New record of the viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara (Jacquin, 1787) in Hungary

The lowland populations of the viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara in the Carpathian Basin occur in cold, marshy relict habitats. In one of the largest wetlands in Hungary, Kis-Balaton, in 2016 its presence was confirmed by catching an individual with a small mammal live-trap. This new record is significant, since the nearest known sites of occurrence are at great distance and it is situated between the lowland viviparous populations of the north-northeast and the oviparous populations of the south (in Croatia).

First country record of the fanged frog Limnonectes nguyenorum McLeod, Kurlbaum & Hoang, 2015 (Anura, Dicroglossidae) in China

We report the first record of Limnonectes nguyenorum McLeod, Kurlbaum & Hoang, 2015 outside of Vietnam, namely from China, based on five specimens collected from Daweishan Nature Reserve, southern Yunnan, China. Morphologically, the records from China agree with those of L. nguyenorum from Vietnam, and they also phylogenetically clustered with strong support. In addition, based on the new records from China and the previous descriptions of L. nguyenorum from Vietnam, we provide an extended diagnosis of this species.

Phylogenetic position of Odorrana macrotympana (Yang, 2008) (Anura, Ranidae) and extension of its geographical distribution

Based on a 16S rRNA gene fragment, a molecular phylogeny for the genus Odorrana Fei, Ye & Huang, 1990 was reconstructed, the validity of the poorly-known ranid species O. macrotympana (Yang, 2008) was confirmed and its phylogenetic position was evaluated. In addition, we report the first country record of O. macrotympana from Myanmar, based on our new records from Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Sagaing Division and present a supplementary description of this species. This report also constitutes the first record of O. macrotympana from outside of China.

Molecular phylogeny of Lytorhynchus diadema (Reptilia, Colubridae) populations in Saudi Arabia

This study presents the molecular phylogenetic relationships among Lytorhynchus diadema (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) populations in Saudi Arabia relative to populations from Africa and Asia. This phylogenetic analysis was based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA partial gene fragments using Neighbor-joining, Maximum Parsimony, and Bayesian methods. The results strongly support the monophyly of Lytorhynchus based on two concatenated genes and the 12S rRNA gene separately. Also, a significant separation is observed between the Arabian samples from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman, and the African populations from Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Relationship between anuran larvae occurrence and aquatic environment in septentrional east Palearctic landscapes

The presence of amphibian larvae is restricted by both biotic and abiotic variables of the environment. Some of these variables are still undetermined in the septentrional eastern Palearctic where Rana amurensis, Strauchbufo raddei and Dryophytes japonicus are found in large numbers. In this study, we sampled 92 sites across Mongolia, Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and measured biotic and abiotic water variables, as well as the height of flooded terrestrial and emergent aquatic vegetation at the breeding site. We determined that the presence of anuran larvae is generally, but not always, linked to pH and temperature. Rana amurensis was not significantly affected by any of the variables measured, while S. raddei was impacted by water conductivity and D. japonicus by pH, temperature and vegetation. Our results highlight a potential risk for these species due to the changes in aquatic variables in response to desertification.

The European green toad, Bufotes viridis, in Donaufeld (Vienna, Austria): status and size of the population

The European green toad, Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768), is a rare and protected species in Vienna. In spring and summer 2020, we conducted a survey to assess size and status of its population in Donaufeld, an agricultural area designated for real estate development. Recaptures of photographically registered toads allowed to estimate the population size with 137 individuals (confidence interval: 104–181). Comparatively large body size indicates the presence of a well-established population. Reproductive success was high in the study year. A mismatch mating of a male B. viridis with a female Bufo bufo was observed. Mitigation measures are needed to support this population facing imminent habitat deterioration.

Two new species of snail-eating snakes of the genus Tropidodipsas (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from southern Mexico, with notes on related species

We describe two new species of Tropidodipsas related to the T. fasciata species group as defined by Kofron (1987), and provide morphological and molecular data to support the novelty of both species. A partial molecular phylogeny of the Mexican species of snail-eating snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) is presented, and we discuss evolutionary relationships as supported by our molecular results. We analyze specific relationships of the new species described herein with their closest relatives. We present a distribution map for all species of Tropidodipsas and include photographs of living individuals of each species. Finally, we discuss other taxonomic changes based on our molecular phylogeny as well as conservation priorities of the new species.

Taxonomic reassessment of the poorly known microhylid, Kalophrynus menglienicus Yang & Su, 1980

The taxonomic status of Kalophrynus menglienicus Yang & Su, 1980 was evaluated based on newly collected topotype specimens. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this species should be assigned to the genus Micryletta Dubois, 1987. In addition, morphological diagnosis and descriptions based on the newly collected topotype specimens were provided.

Anti-predator behaviour of Rhinella major (Müller and Hellmich 1936), with insights into the Rhinella granulosa group

In anurans, the different types of anti-predator behaviour have been documented in isolation, but some species have shown synergistic strategies in different situations. The display of these types of behaviour may be related to the types of predators in the habitat, which boost defensive responses in their prey. However, most reports are mostly opportunistic and punctual observations, not systematic. Here, we report the occurrence of anti-predator behaviour in the toad Rhinella major (Müller and Hellmich 1936) (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) in the face of different handling modes. Probably the disturbance caused by handling had elicited a predator deterrence response in the individual, causing it to rapidly exhibit such behaviour. These conditions are discussed along with an overview of anti-predator behaviour in species of the R. granulosa group and we re-interpreted these strategies for two species in the group.

Phylogenetic relationships amongst the snake-eyed lizards of the genus Ablepharus Fitzinger, 1823 (Sauria, Scincidae) in the Iranian Plateau based on mtDNA sequences

We recovered molecular phylogenetic relationships amongst species of the genus Ablepharus in Iran and Iraq. Partial sequences of three mitochondrial genes (cytochrome C oxidase subunit I – COI, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) were analysed. In addition, phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic evaluation of Ablepharus species in Cyprus, India, Greece, Turkey and Syria were performed using partial sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic trees and estimated genetic distances showed that the Ablepharus populations of Iran and Iraq clustered into three distinct clades. One is found in northwest Iran (A. bivittatus in Ardabil, East and West Azerbaijan and Hamedan Provinces). The second clade, formed by A. chernovi, is found only in Uromia. The third and most heterogeneous clade is divided into two subclades, the first includes two lineages of Ablepharus in Khorasan Razavi and Semnan Provinces (A. pannonicus) and in eastern and south-eastern Iran (A. grayanus); the second subclade is distributed in the eastern part of Iraq and west and south-western Iran (Ablepharus sp.). Our analyses indicated that splitting of A. chernovi within the genus occurred in the early Miocene [about 22.5 million years ago (Mya)]. Ablepharus bivittatus diverged 15.2 Mya, in the middle Miocene. Ablepharus pannonicus diverged in the late Miocene (8.4 Mya) and A. grayanus separated in the late Miocene (6.7 Mya). The lineages of eastern Iraq and south-western Iran (Ablepharus sp.) diverged also in the late Miocene (7.0 Mya).