We describe the sixth species of bent-toed gecko from Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia. This was first collected on banks Oi Marai River low northern slopes Gunung (Mount) Tambora Sumbawa Island. The new is differentiated Greater Islands (including Sulawesi) and congeners by having following unique combination characters: (1) two scales between second pair postmentals in contact with pair; (2) dorsal surface antebrachium tuberculate; (3) no tubercles brachium; (4) surfaces thigh crus (5) 18...

Since its conceptualization in 1854, 29 species of the colubrid genus Stegonotus have been recognized or described, which 15 (admiraltiensis, batjanensis, borneensis, cucullatus, derooijae, diehli, florensis, guentheri, iridis, heterurus, melanolabiatus, modestus, muelleri, parvus, poechi) are still considered valid today. Original descriptions for members this were published Dutch, English, French, German, and Italian and, perhaps as a consequence these polyglot origins, there has...

We describe a new species of Indo-Papuan groundsnake (Stegonotus) from single adult male specimen collected in 1953 near Kamro, village Maybrat Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. The had been considered member S. batjanensis, well-defined the northern Maluku Islands over 500 km to northwest with which it shares key characteristic having 3rd, 4th, and 5th supralabial scales touching eyes. can be differentiated batjanensis as well all other Stegonotus by its scale projecting forward behind eye...

Cylindrophis is a genus of secretive, semi-fossorial, non-venomous snakes comprising 14 species, characterized by generally cylindrical body, uniform scales (with barely enlarged ventrals), and vestiges pelvic limb bones, the latter terminating in claw lateral to vent. We reconstructed concatenated molecular phylogeny seven taxa based on one nuclear (R35) two mitochondrial (16S, ND2) genes. Analyses recovered Sri Lankan endemic C. maculatus as sister all other sampled Cylindrophis. The...

During a taxonomic revision of species in the genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854, we re-examined over 90% all known museum specimens from this taxon. Of five available to us island Borneo, three are clearly distinct other two. The latter lowland rainforest Sarawak, Malaysia, which includes type locality S. borneensis, and therefore these retain that name. We here describe three, include paratype as new Sabah, Malaysia. can be differentiated borneensis by combination high number ventrals...

The western North American complex of spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa) exhibits isolation-by-distance, genetic subdivision, and speciation in association with its extensive northward range shift postglacial times. southern relict populations R. pretiosa species B existing at high altitudes or desert springs have been subjected to restricted gene flow, inbreeding, bottlenecks produce significant between-population diversity. more recently established northern populations, however, show...

Abstract Self-published taxon descriptions, bereft of a basis evidence, are long-standing problem in taxonomy. The derives part from the Principle Priority International Code Zoological Nomenclature, which forces use oldest available nomen irrespective scientific merit. This provides route to ‘immortality’ for unscrupulous individuals through mass-naming taxa without basis, phenomenon referred as taxonomic vandalism. Following flood unscientific namings, 2013 group concerned herpetologists...

Bent-toed Geckos, genus Cyrtodactylus, are one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate groups, and their range extends from South Asia into Australo-Papua adjacent Pacific islands. Given generally high faunal endemism on Wallacean islands, it is rather paradoxical that diversity in these geckos appears to be so low (21 species Wallacea, 15 Philippines) compared with continental shelf assemblages (>300 Sunda + Sahul Shelves islands). To determine whether this shortfall was real or an...

Abstract A recent revision of the anacondas (Serpentes: Boidae: Eunectes), with description a new species green anaconda, generated extensive publicity, but also provoked considerable controversy due to inadequacies evidence used and errors in nomenclature. We here use case this problematic publication to: (i) highlight common issues affecting delimitations, especially an over-reliance on mitochondrial DNA data, reiterate best practices; (ii) reanalyse data available for establish true...

ABSTRACT Aim We investigated the biogeographical patterns of a widespread arboreal lizard found throughout Wallacea and western Pacific islands. contains longstanding oceanic currents that flow from Ocean into Indian Ocean, known as Indonesian Throughflow. Using genetic data, we aim to estimate timing sequence island colonisation in Lesser Sunda archipelago southern Wallacea, determine proportion dispersal events may have been aided by ocean currents. Levels gene are also explored context...

Abstract Background Despite the significant impact of snakebite on public health in tropics, there is a notable lack research this topic Mozambique. We present an assessment incidence Nicoadala District, central Methods analysed hospital records for 6-y period (2015–2020). Data were obtained from registration books used three centres and descriptive statistics generated to illustrate results. Results Records document 430 reported cases over 6 y (71.7 per year). The highest was 2017 with 48.2...

The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (the Code) aims to support taxonomic science by providing rules for creating and applying taxon names thereby stabilizing output. However, this stability is only achievable when the supported robust scientific practices. We here respond monograph on chelonian genus-series nomina Frétey (2024) critique author’s inclusion unscientific controversial names, with which he undermines herpetological community’s decade-long consensus reject such...

ABSTRACT The aigialosaur Carsosaurus marchesetti is represented by a nearly complete skeleton from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) of Slovenia. Dermal girdle elements include portions clavicles and small interclavicle with short anterior process. Endochondral scapula large unfenestrated coracoid. A mineralized sternum also present. carpus anguid-like consists ten ossified elements. Reduction procoelous nature centrum articular surfaces restricted to caudal series. type C. largest...

Fieldwork conducted throughout Timor-Leste in September 2004 and July 2009 resulted a collection or recording of 263 herpetological specimens (100 amphibians, 163 reptiles), comprising at least seven species frogs toads, 20 lizards, snakes, two turtles, one crocodile. Among the most frequently encountered were toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), rice paddy (genus Fejervarya), rhacophorid treefrogs (Polypedates cf. leucomystax). All three variants represent undescribed similar to Fejervarya...

Abstract We coin the term 'nomenclatural harvesting' to identify a distinct form of taxonomic vandalism, in which practitioners generate taxon names for operational units (OTUs) identified phylogenetic trees published by others, even when there is no scientifically useful or practical basis doing so. This practice can destabilize nomenclature established groups swamping them with questionable new names, and this may have broader impacts application clinical toxinology, studies biodiversity...

Two species of spotted frogs (Rana pretiosa complex) are discernable on the basis allozymes Adh, Fha, Iddh, Ldh-l, Mdh-l, and Mdhp. Frogs from vicinity type locality R. were found to be conspecific with residing in south-central Washington State Cascade Mountains Oregon. Morpho­ metric study 20 characters using multiple discriminant function analysis (MDA) showed that extreme southwestern British Columbia also this species. These populations comprise Baird Girard, 1853 sensu stricto (Oregon...

The Lesser Sunda Archipelago offers exceptional potential as a model system for studying the dynamics of dispersal-driven diversification. geographic proximity islands suggests possibility successful dispersal, but this is countered by permanence marine barriers and extreme intervening currents that are expected to hinder gene flow. Phylogenetic species delimitation analyses flying lizards (genus Draco) using single mitochondrial genes, complete genomes, exome-capture data sets identified...

Frogs in the family Ranidae are diverse Asia and thought to have dispersed Sahul Shelf approximately 10 million years ago, where they radiated into more than a dozen species. Ranid species intervening oceanic islands of Wallacea, such as Hylarana florensis H. elberti from Lesser Sundas moluccana eastern assumed belong subgenus Papurana, yet this has not been confirmed with molecular data. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA five spanning reported ranges compared them Papurana closely related...

Highly differentiated, heteromorphic ZZ♀/ZW♂ sex chromosomes were found in the karyotypes of neotropical leptodactylid frogs <i>Eleutherodactylus euphronides</i> and <i>E. shrevei</i>. The W are largest heterochromatic, female-specific so far discovered class Amphibia. analyses banding patterns with AT- GC base-pair specific fluorochromes show that constitutive heterochromatin giant consists various categories repetitive DNA sequences. both species similar size,...

The Asian toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799), is widespread throughout tropical Asia and very abundant where it occurs. It was relatively recently introduced to Timor, the second largest island in biogeographic region called Wallacea. Timor Island shows an exceptionally high level of endemism a wide range faunal groups there are concerns that D. may have negative impact on this diversity, including vertebrates, through direct predation. To evaluate diet might local fauna, gut...

The archipelagos of Wallacea extend between the Sunda and Sahul Shelves, serving as a semipermeable two-way filter influencing faunal exchange Asia Australo-Papua. Forest skinks (Genus Sphenomorphus) are widespread throughout southern exhibit complex clinal, ontogenetic, sexual, seasonal morphological variation, rendering species delimitation difficult. We screened mitochondrial marker for 245 Sphenomorphus specimens from this area to inform selection 104 samples which we used targeted...