DOCSLIB.ORG

New Records of Amphibian Fauna from Tura Peak Reserve Forest, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya, Northeast India

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
New Records of Amphibian Fauna from Tura Peak Reserve Forest, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya, Northeast India Journal on New Biological Reports ISSN 2319 – 1104 (Online) JNBR 4(1) 115 – 126 (2015) Published by www.researchtrend.net New records of amphibian fauna from Tura Peak reserve forest, West Garo Hills district, Meghalaya, Northeast India Meena A Sangma and P. K. Saikia* Centre For Biodiversity and Conservation, Animal Ecology & Wildlife Biology Lab, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Gauhati-7881014, Assam, India *Corresponding author: [email protected] | Received: 25 March 2015 | Accepted: 16 April 2015 | ABSTRACT Intensive survey has been carried out from January 2012 to December 2013. The data of amphibians were collected using Active Searching Methods during dark hours, but some amphibians were diurnal and also seen during day hours. Thus, the survey activity was performed from morning 06.00hrs to 21.00hrs. Most of the specimens were collected using handpicked methods and live photographs were also taken using Digital SLR Camera, Canon EOS 1100D model. All the specimens were measured and morphological characters were studied for identification. Observed amphibians species were released back to their natural habitat after identification, photographic records and necessary measurements. Only representative amphibian specimens were collected whenever necessary and preserved it into 10% formaldehyde. Altogether six different species of amphibian fauna have been newly recorded from Tura Peak Reserve Forest of West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya of Northeast India. Those were such as Xenophrys boetgerri, Xenophrys major, Xenophrys zunhebotoensis, Xenophrys glandulosa, Amolops monticola and Theloderma asperum. Key Words: New records, Amphibians, Tura Peak reserve Forest, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, Northeast, Active searching method. INTRODUCTION India is incredibly rich in species diversity. About and eleven genera (ZSI, 1995). So, the present 138 species of amphibians are endemic to India survey for amphibian species in Tura Peak Reserve (Maiti & Maiti, 2011). The amphibians in India are Forest of West Garo Hills might even help to largely confined to highly diversified habitats of record more of different amphibian species of the Western Ghats and North-East region (Inger & Meghalaya. Dutta, 1986). From North-East India 105 amphibian species have been reported (Ahmed et STUDY AREA al., 2009). The richest expression in diversity and abundance of amphibians of the Northeast India is Meghalaya or “Home of Cloud” is one of the met with in the state Meghalaya as evidence from important states of Northeastern region of India and the accounts of amphibian by Boulenger (1890, a part of the mega biodiversity area of the world. It 1920), Kripalani (1961), Yazdani & Chanda has actual forest cover 15,657 km2 69.8% of the (1971), Pillai & Yazdani (1973, 1977, 1979, 1980) total geographical area) but the recorded forest area and Sahu & Khare (1983). In Meghalaya alone is about 9496 km2 (42.34% (FSI, 1997). Garo Hills there are 33 species of amphibia under six families is situated on the Western part of Meghalaya and 115 Sangma and Saikia JNBR 4(1) 115 – 126 (2015) __________________________________________________________________________________________ bounded on the North-West and North by Assam, most important part of Tura range of Garo hills East by West Khasi hills district and South and the running through East –West alignment, extending South West by Bangladesh. Tura Peak reserve from Tura, west Garo hills to Siju and South Garo forest of west Garo hills of Meghalaya lies between hills. Tura Peak is stands next to Nokrek Peak or 25°00 and 26°10 N latitude and 89°45 and 92°45 Nokrek Biosphere reserve that supports large E Longitude. The original name of Tura is Durama numbers of biodiversity components. Imbama, the name of goddess who looks after the Tura peak supports tropical moist deciduous mountain. Total area of the Tura Peak Reserve forest mixed with some evergreen species (Ray & forest is around 3.94 km2 with a height of about Alam, 2002). It has two beautiful waterfalls- 983m msl. It is located 5.6 km away from the Rongbangdare and Rengsangrap. It has many small eastern part of Tura town (Samson, 2006). It is a streams without names and three streams - Fig 1. Sketch map of Meghalaya and Garo Peak study area of Meghalaya. Chitoktak, Gandrak, Rongkhon which are strewn of West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. At with huge boulders and stones. All these three present it has five districts; East Garo hills, West streams are flowing down from Tura peak Garo hills, North Garo Hills, South Garo Hills and popularly known as “Tura A.bri” by the Garos. South-west Garo hills. There are three important Since, it has small streams surrounded by huge mountain ranges in these districts. They are (1) trees, small trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers and Tura Range (2) Arbella Range and (3) Ranggira patches of bamboo, it is a good site for Range. Tura range is one of the most important inventorying of amphibian species and studying its ranges in west Garo hills. There are many mountain micro-habitat. The entire area under Garo hills was peaks located in this range. They are Tura Peak, organized as single administrative district in 1873 Nokrek Peak, Meminram Peak, Nengminjok Peak, and Tura as its Headquarter. In October 1979, the Chitmang Peak, Balpakram Hills and Dura banda. district was bifurcated into two districts; West Garo Many Biologists have explored Nokrek Peak Hills and East Garo Hills. South Garo Hills came (Nokrek Biosphere Reserve) and Balpakram hills into existence on 18th June 1992 after the division (Balpakram National Park) as it is rich in both flora 116 Sangma and Saikia JNBR 4(1) 115 – 126 (2015) __________________________________________________________________________________________ Plate-1: Phographs shows the (a) Rengsangrap Waterfalls in the mid-zone of Tura Peak Reserve Forest and (b) Gandrakdare Waterfalls on the foot of Tura Peak Reserve Forest. and fauna. Tura Peak has its own charm and beauty methodology. To achieve the expected goal, for the people of Tura Town but neglected by several visits were made in different localities of Biologists. S0, we have chosen Tura Peak as our the study area such as Chitoktak, Upper study area. Chandmary, Upper Babupara, Nikranga.ding and It has a fairly high temperature for the most Boldaka.ding. The amphibians were either aquatic, part of the year, i.e. from March to October with terrestrial or arboreal, all the collections were made August as the hottest month having the mean in different habitats such as streams, side of maximum and mean minimum as 24.3°C and streams, sandy soil, decaying logs, inside certain 17.8°C respectively (Temperature record for holes on trees, bamboo leaves, tree stumps, fern Meghalaya, 1978-1981). It has average annual leaves, moist soil, shaded forest ground, under dead rainfall about 2689mm of which more than two- leaves, under big boulders the sampling areas were thirds are received in the four months, May to designed as per the habitats. Most of the amphibian August. It has lower Gondwana rocks consists of surveys were done after dark (18.00 hrs) but certain pebble bed, sandstones and carbonaceous shale amphibians are diurnal and it could be seen during with streaks and lenses of coal. the day time. Thus, 16 hrs field surveys were made from morning 06:00 to 12:00hrs and afternoon Methods of study 13:00 to 16:00 hrs and from evening 16:00 hrs till Intensive survey of amphibian species has been night 21:00 hrs. During survey at night, search light carried out from January, 2012 through December have been used with an input of DC 7.5v 500mA. 2013. The data of amphibians were collected using Most of the amphibian specimens were collected systematic sampling survey and active searching using handpicked methods, but some of them were method, as described by IUCN amphibian survey also collected using small hand-made nets attached 117 Sangma and Saikia JNBR 4(1) 115 – 126 (2015) __________________________________________________________________________________________ to 1.50m handle, specially prepared for the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION purposes. The captured live specimens were photographed with Cannon Camera Model-EOS New Record from Meghalaya 1100D with EFS 18-55mm Image stabilizer Macro We have uncovered altogether 14 species of 0.25m/0.8ft. Its Snout to vent Length (SVL) was amphibian fauna in Tura Peak reserve forest, of carefully measured with Digital slide Caliper which, 12 species were newly recorded from entire Model No. 6/150mm and its morphological Meghalaya state. Those were such as Xenophrys characters were studied for species identification boettgeri (Boulenger, 1899), Xenophrys glandulosa with the help of published literature. The (Fei, Ye & Huang, 1991), Xenophrys major microhabitat of each species were observed, (Boulenger, 1908) and Xenophrys zunhebotoensis locality, altitude (using Garmin GPS) and date of (Mathew & Sen, 2007) under Megophryidae collections were noted down. Single specimens family, the species Theloderma asperum from each genus was collected and preserved in (Boulenger, 1886) under the family Rhacophoridae, 10% formalin and kept carefully for future the species Hylarana erythraea (Schlegel, 1837), references in Biodiversity Museum of Gauhati Fejervarya teraiensis (Dubois, 1984), Occidozyga University whereas, the other studied specimens borealis(Annandale, 1912), Polypedates maculates released back into their own natural habitat. All the (Gray, 1838), Amolops monticola (Anderson, 1871) observed specimens were represented using tabular and Polypedates assamensis (Mathew & Sen, form. Table-1: A. Body length and microhabitat use by newly recorded amphibian fauna in the study area. Scientific name/Family Common Vernacular Length Microhabitats No. Name Name (cm) encountered Megophryidae: Pale- Diplok 8 cm Wooded forest, 3 Xenophrys boettgeri shouldered Brimchang shaded ground. Frog Xenophrys glandulosa Glandular Diplok 13 cm Side of streams, 9 (Fei et al, 1991). Horned Toad Nokma forested area. Xenophrys major Major‟s Diplok 7.5 cm Among dried leaves 8 (Boulenger, 1908) Horned Toad Miksim not far from streams. Xenophrys Zunheboto‟s Diplok 8.5 cm Shaded forest 1 zunhebotoensis (Mathew Horned Toad Mikchak grounds.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Internet-Based Southeast Asia Amphibian Pet Trade
    Rebecca E. Choquette et al. THE INTERNET-BASED SOUTHEAST ASIA AMPHIBIAN PET TRADE by Rebecca E. Choquette Ariadne Angulo Phillip J. Bishop Chi T. B. Phan Jodi J. L. Rowley © BROOBAS/CC BY-SA 4.0 © BROOBAS/CC BY-SA Polypedates otilophus Amphibians, as a class, are the most threatened vertebrates on the planet, with 41% of species threatened with extinction. Southeast Asian amphibian species in particular have been impacted by a high rate of habitat loss, and overharvesting for consumption, traditional medicine, and the pet trade has placed further pressure on populations. Collection for the pet trade is a online availability and demand for the pet trade of Southeast Asian amphibian species. We found postings for 59 Southeast Asian posts associated with the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, the United States, Russia, and Germany. We highlight several species 68 TRAFFIC Bulletin Rebecca E. Choquette et al. The internet-based Southeast Asian amphibian pet trade Aet METHODS alet al et alet al et al study. et al et al et al researchers. Amphibian Species of the World et alet al et al et al et al et alet alet al. et al Yuan et al et al et alet al TRAFFIC Bulletin
    [Show full text]
  • Anuran Diversity Distribution Patterns in Lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India
    Herpetology Notes, volume 11: 781-789 (2018) (published online on 27 September 2018) Anuran diversity distribution patterns in Lower Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India Jayanta K. Roy1,2*, Ramie H. Begum1, and M. Firoz Ahmed2 Abstract. The present study was conducted to estimate the anuran species diversity distribution patterns at Lower Dibang Valley with respect to secondary habitat conservation. Time-constrained Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) were conducted for amphibians followed with opportunistic observations during the study period. We compared the species diversity from three land use/land cover types that explained the available habitats and the importance of secondary forest in recolonizing anuran species during the course of study. Interestingly, anuran diversity measured from secondary/abandoned jhum and primary forest areas were found to be relatively equal (Shannon index; H: 2.77 and 2.76). The highest percentage of unique species was recorded from primary forest followed by secondary/abundant jhum and agriculture/settlement areas. However, secondary/abandoned jhum areas provided refuge for most anuran species normally inhabiting primary forest. We found beneficial human interaction along with secondary succession for creating habitat heterogeneity in secondary/abundant forest; and thus supports maximum anuran breeding habitats and species diversity in secondary/abundant jhum areas. Hence, secondary/abundant habitats were also important for anuran habitat conservation along with primary forest. We reported four new distribution records from Arunachal Pradesh: Nanorana chayuensis, Hydrophylax leptoglossa, Odorrana chloronota and Theloderma moloch. Keywords. Arunachal Pradesh, anuran diversity, habitat heterogeneity, land use/land cover, Lower Dibang Valley Introduction et al., 2005), followed by vegetation cover and local microclimate (Rios-Lopez and Aide, 2007).
    [Show full text]
  • Seeing Red: Analyzing IUCN Red List Data of South and Southeast Asian Amphibians Alexandra Gonzalez [email protected]
    The University of San Francisco USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center Master's Theses Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects Spring 5-18-2018 Seeing Red: Analyzing IUCN Red List Data of South and Southeast Asian Amphibians Alexandra Gonzalez [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.usfca.edu/thes Part of the Biology Commons Recommended Citation Gonzalez, Alexandra, "Seeing Red: Analyzing IUCN Red List Data of South and Southeast Asian Amphibians" (2018). Master's Theses. 1090. https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/1090 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses, Dissertations, Capstones and Projects at USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of USF Scholarship: a digital repository @ Gleeson Library | Geschke Center. For more information, please contact [email protected]. González 1 THESIS SEEING RED: ANALYZING IUCN RED LIST DATA OF SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMPHIBIANS Submitted by Alexandra González Department of Biology, University of San Francisco In partial fulfillment of the requirements For the Degree of Master of Science University of San Francisco San Francisco, California 2018 Committee: Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Dever Dr. Patricia Francis-Lyon Dr. Naupaka Zimmerman González 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To my committee members, Dr. Patricia Francis-Lyon and Dr. Naupaka Zimmerman, thank you for guiding me and for inspiring me to increase my technical abilities. I could not have done this without your support. To my advisor, Dr. Jennifer Dever, thank you for always believing in me and for bringing out the best in me.
    [Show full text]
  • Red List of Bangladesh 2015
    Red List of Bangladesh Volume 1: Summary Chief National Technical Expert Mohammad Ali Reza Khan Technical Coordinator Mohammad Shahad Mahabub Chowdhury IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature Bangladesh Country Office 2015 i The designation of geographical entitles in this book and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature concerning the legal status of any country, territory, administration, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The biodiversity database and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily reflect those of IUCN, Bangladesh Forest Department and The World Bank. This publication has been made possible because of the funding received from The World Bank through Bangladesh Forest Department to implement the subproject entitled ‘Updating Species Red List of Bangladesh’ under the ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection (SRCWP)’ Project. Published by: IUCN Bangladesh Country Office Copyright: © 2015 Bangladesh Forest Department and IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holders, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holders. Citation: Of this volume IUCN Bangladesh. 2015. Red List of Bangladesh Volume 1: Summary. IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. xvi+122. ISBN: 978-984-34-0733-7 Publication Assistant: Sheikh Asaduzzaman Design and Printed by: Progressive Printers Pvt.
    [Show full text]
  • The Advertisement Calls of Theloderma Corticale (Boulenger, 1903), T
    NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 17 (1): 65-72 ©NWJZ, Oradea, Romania, 2021 Article No.: e201513 http://biozoojournals.ro/nwjz/index.html The advertisement calls of Theloderma corticale (Boulenger, 1903), T. albopunctatum (Liu & Hu, 1962) and T. licin McLeod & Ahmad, 2007 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) Philipp GINAL*, Laura-Elisabeth MÜHLENBEIN and Dennis RÖDDER Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. * Corresponding author, P. Ginal, E-mail: [email protected] Received: 17. September 2020 / Accepted: 21. December 2020 / Available online: 28. December 2020 / Printed: June 2021 Abstract. Based on the species specificity of anuran vocalization, bioacoustics can be utilized in terms of species identification and species delimitation. The genus Theloderma comprises 23 to 29 species, depending on inclusion of the (sub)genera Nyctixalus and Stelladerma, from which the majority of 14 species was described in this century. In spite of numerous publications about species descriptions and phylogenetics, studies about life history traits, particularly about advertisement calls, are lacking for the most species. In this study, acoustic signals of the mossy or bug-eyed frogs Theloderma corticale, T. albopunctatum and T. licin were recorded, and detailed temporal and spectral advertisement call properties are presented and compared to other congenerics (T. auratum, T. stellatum, T. vietnamense). We found that the advertisement calls of the six herein compared species are species-specific and are significantly distinguishable from each other. While the temporal features (i.e. arrangement in call groups, note repetition rate) are species-specific call properties, the spectral features (i.e. dominant frequency) can partially overlap among the small-sized species.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Article (PDF)
    e Z OL C o OCCASIONAL PAPER NO. 285 RECORDS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA Studies of Lower Vertebrates of Nagaland NIBEDITA SEN ROSAMMA MATHEW Zoological Survey of India, Eastern Regional Station, Risa Colony, Shillong - 793 003 Edited by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata Zoological Survey of India Kolkata RECORDS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA OCCASIONAL PAPER NO. 285 2008 1-205 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1 MAP OF NAGALAND SHOWING DISTRICTS ................................................................. 3 FIGURES 2-14 .......................................................................................................................... 4 PISCES ..................................................................................................................................... 11 SYSTEMATIC LIST .......................................................................................................... 11 SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT ................................................................................................ 17 FIGURES 15-113 ............................................................................................................... 79 AMPlllBIA ............................................................................................................................. 107 SYSTEMATIC LIST ......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Biogeographic Synthesis of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Indochina
    BAIN & HURLEY: AMPHIBIANS OF INDOCHINA & REPTILES & HURLEY: BAIN Scientific Publications of the American Museum of Natural History American Museum Novitates A BIOGEOGRAPHIC SYNTHESIS OF THE Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF INDOCHINA Publications Committee Robert S. Voss, Chair Board of Editors Jin Meng, Paleontology Lorenzo Prendini, Invertebrate Zoology RAOUL H. BAIN AND MARTHA M. HURLEY Robert S. Voss, Vertebrate Zoology Peter M. Whiteley, Anthropology Managing Editor Mary Knight Submission procedures can be found at http://research.amnh.org/scipubs All issues of Novitates and Bulletin are available on the web from http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace Order printed copies from http://www.amnhshop.com or via standard mail from: American Museum of Natural History—Scientific Publications Central Park West at 79th Street New York, NY 10024 This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (permanence of paper). AMNH 360 BULLETIN 2011 On the cover: Leptolalax sungi from Van Ban District, in northwestern Vietnam. Photo by Raoul H. Bain. BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY A BIOGEOGRAPHIC SYNTHESIS OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF INDOCHINA RAOUL H. BAIN Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Herpetology) and Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History Life Sciences Section Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, ON Canada MARTHA M. HURLEY Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History Global Wildlife Conservation, Austin, TX BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Number 360, 138 pp., 9 figures, 13 tables Issued November 23, 2011 Copyright E American Museum of Natural History 2011 ISSN 0003-0090 CONTENTS Abstract.........................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Taruga (Ranidae: Rhacophorinae), a Relict Endemic Genus of Foam Nesting Tree Frogs from Sri Lanka
    Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 39 (2): 75-94, 2010 TARUGA (ANURA: RHACOPHORIDAE), A NEW GENUS OF FOAM-NESTING TREE FROGS ENDEMIC TO SRI LANKA Madhava Meegaskumbura1,4,5,*, Suyama Meegaskumbura1,5, Gayan Bowatte1, Kelum Manamendra- Arachchi2, Rohan Pethiyagoda3, James Hanken4 and Christopher J. Schneider5 1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 2Postgraduate Institute of Archaeology, 407 Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka 3Ichthyology Section, Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia 4Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, 24 Oxford Street, Cambridge MA 02138, USA 5Department of Biology, Boston University, 5 Cummington Street, Boston MA 02215, USA Accepted 08 December 2010 ABSTRACT Phylogenetic relationships among foam-nesting clades of Old World tree frogs are analyzed using both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA data, with particular focus on Sri Lankan members of the genus Polypedates. A distinctive, highly supported endemic Sri Lankan clade is identified, and recognized as a new genus, Taruga. This clade, which had previously been assigned to the genus Polypedates, includes P. eques, P. fastigo and P. longinasus. A combination of characters distinguishes adult Taruga from Polypedates: Taruga possess a dorsolateral glandular fold that extends from the posterior margin of the upper eyelid to the mid-flank (vs. a supratympanic fold that curves over the dorsal margin of the tympanic membrane in Polypedates); a prominent calcar at the distal end of the tibia (absent in most Polypedates); a more acutely pointed snout; and 6–10 prominent conical tubercles surrounding the cloaca (absent in Polypedates). Tadpoles of Taruga eques and Polypedates cruciger are distinguished by several characters, including features of the buccal cavity and the form of the vent tube.
    [Show full text]
  • Gopherus Agassizii (Agassiz's Desert Tortoise) - Attempted Predation
    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282860818 Natural History Notes: Gopherus agassizii (Agassiz's Desert Tortoise) - Attempted Predation. Article in Herpetological Review · September 2015 CITATION READS 1 189 3 authors, including: Jeremy Mack Kristin Highberg Berry United States Geological Survey United States Geological Survey 15 PUBLICATIONS 133 CITATIONS 86 PUBLICATIONS 1,875 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Short- and long-term changes in Mojave Desert vegetation after disturbance View project Conservation genetics of Gopherus View project All content following this page was uploaded by Jeremy Mack on 15 October 2015. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 407 NATURAL HISTORY NOTES CAUDATA — SALAMANDERS lodged dragonfly naiad deeper into the digestive tract. Although dragonfly naiads are very common in ponds and similar areas AMBYSTOMA VELASCI (Plateau Tiger Salamander). MORTAL- where A. velasci is present, it still remains to be studied what pro- ITY. Ambystoma velasci is a salamander endemic to Mexico, and portions of them occur in the diet of A. velasci. has been reported to feed on any vertebrates and invertebrates Special thanks are due to Efrén Hernández-Navarro and José that can possibly be swallowed (Lemos-Espinal and Dixon 2013. Antonio Corona for their assistance in the field, and to Larry Da- Amphibians and Reptiles of San Luis Potosí. Eagle Mountain vid Wilson for the improvement of this note. Publishing, LC, Eagle Mountain, Utah. 300 pp.), including con- ADRIAN LEYTE-MANRIQUE, Laboratorio de Biología, Departamento specifics (Vite-Silva et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproduction and Paternal Care in the Asian Bird Poop Frog, Theloderma Albopunctatum (Liu and Hu, 1962)
    Herpetology Notes, volume 12: 439-441 (2019) (published online on 01 May 2019) Reproduction and paternal care in the Asian bird poop frog, Theloderma albopunctatum (Liu and Hu, 1962) Peter Pogoda 1,2,* Knowledge on the natural history, behaviour and above the water surface and the tadpoles fall into the reproductive biology of many amphibians is still water after hatching (Kunz et al., 2010). Observations completely lacking. To collect such data, it is necessary on behavioural data in context with the reproduction to stay in the field and observe individuals over a long biology are only known from amateur herpetologists time period. This is a difficult task, as many species show and hobbyists rearing mossy frogs at home (e.g. Arinin certain behaviours only under specific conditions and and Ryabov, 2006; Bagaturov, 2011; Kunz et al., 2010; at certain seasonal periods. Further, many species are Ryboltovsky, 2016; Tapley, 2009). small, inconspicuous and/or occupy hardly accessible Motivated hobbyists with an interest in amphibians habitats like the canopy or crevices. Collecting data on and reptiles are an important source for data on natural a species’ biology is thus time-consuming and costly, if history traits and reproductive behaviour and can not impossible, in free living populations. provide valuable information for ex-situ conservation The herpetofauna of South-East Asia has gained (Michaels et al., 2014). Behavioural observation and enormous interest of researchers from all over the collection of data on life history traits is much easier world resulting in the description of many new species when the animals are kept as close to their natural in the last decades, while only a few studies had their conditions as possible, because artificial conditions focus on the ecology of the herpetofaunal community might have substantial influence on a species’ behaviour (Galoyan et al., 2017).
    [Show full text]
  • A New Species of the Genus Theloderma Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Tay Nguyen Plateau, Central Vietnam
    ZOOLOGICAL RESEARCH A new species of the genus Theloderma Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Tay Nguyen Plateau, central Vietnam Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Jr.1,2,*, Ivan I. Kropachev3, Svetlana S. Gogoleva4,5,6, Nikolai L. Orlov7 1 Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biological Faculty, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia 2 Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam 3 Tula Exotarium, Tula 300004, Russia 4 A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia 5 Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, South Branch, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 6 Zoological Museum of the Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 125009, Russia 7 Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia ABSTRACT separated from lighter dorsal coloration by straight contrasting edge; (18) ventral surfaces of body, throat, A new species of small tree frog from a primary and chest greyish-blue with indistinct brown confluent montane tropical forest of central Vietnam, Tay blotches; (19) upper eyelids with few (3–5) very Nguyen Plateau, is described based on morphological, small flat reddish superciliary tubercles; (20) limbs molecular, and acoustic evidence. The Golden dorsally reddish-brown, ventrally brown with small Bug-Eyed Frog, Theloderma auratum sp. nov.,is bluish-white speckles. The new species is also distinguishable from its congeners and other small distinct from all congeners in 12S rRNA to 16S rRNA rhacophorid species based on a combination of the mitochondrial DNA fragment sequences (uncorrected following morphological attributes: (1) bony ridges genetic distance P>8.9%).
    [Show full text]
  • Zootaxa, a New Species of the Genus Philautus
    Zootaxa 1925: 1–13 (2008) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2008 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) A new species of the genus Philautus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Truong Son Range, Quang Binh Province, central Vietnam NGUYEN QUANG TRUONG1,2, RALF HENDRIX3, WOLFGANG BÖHME2, VU NGOC THANH4 & THOMAS ZIEGLER5,6 1Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, Vietnam. E-mail: [email protected] 2Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113 Bonn, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] 3University of Bielefeld, Department of Animal Behaviour, Morgenbreede 45, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] 4Vietnam National University, Hanoi, University of Science, Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Zoological Museum, 334 Nguyen Trai Str., Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam. E-mail: [email protected] 5Cologne Zoo, Riehler Straße 173, D-50735 Köln, Germany. E-mail: [email protected] 6Corresponding author Abstract We describe a new species of the rhacophorid genus Philautus from the Truong Son, based on two voucher specimens from montane evergreen and karst forests within Quang Binh Province, central Vietnam. Philautus quyeti sp. n. is distin- guished from all other small-sized rhacophorid treefrogs with reduced finger webbing by the combination of the follow- ing characters: size relatively small; head longer than wide; vomerine teeth absent; tympanum distinct, rounded, wider than disc of finger III; supratympanic fold indistinct; dermal fringe along outer side of forearm, tibia, tarsus and toe IV absent; skin not lumpy or spinulous, dorsal head, back and upper part of flank rough with small sharp tubercles; dark brown pattern forming an inverse Y, notably a triangular spot between eyes that is separated into two bands that continue posteriorly on the back; throat and margin of throat and chest yellow white with brown marbling.
    [Show full text]