ABSTRACT
Background: Since the establishment of the Vu Quang National Park in 2002 in Ha Tinh Province, central Vietnam, several surveys on the amphibian fauna have been undertaken in this protected area. In 2009, Nguyen et al. provided a list of 23 amphibian species from Vu Quang National Park. In addition, a new species was described in 2021 from the National Park, namely Vietnamophrynevuquangensis. New information: As a result of our field surveys in 2013 and 2023, a total of 29 species of amphibians was recorded from the Vu Quang National Park. Six of them are recorded for the first time from Ha Tinh Province, comprising three species of Megophryidae, one species of Dicroglossidae, one species of Ranidae and one species of Rhacophoridae. In addition, we provide morphological data and ecological notes on the aforementioned species.
ABSTRACT
Based on morphological and molecular analyses, we herein describe a new species of Achalinus from northern Vietnam. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. differs from its sister taxon, A. emilyae, and other members of the genus Achalinus by at least 4% in terms of genetic divergence based on fragments of the mitochondrial COI and Cytb genes and a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) maxillary teeth 27-29; (2) suture between the internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; (3) loreal not fused with prefrontal, extending from the nasal to the eye; (4) supralabials six; (5) infralabials five; (6) postocular absent, temporals 2+2, only the upper one in broad contact with eye; (7) dorsal scales in 25(23)-23-23(21) rows, keeled; (8) ventrals 139-141 in males, 141-154 in females; (9) subcaudals 75-84 in males, 69 in the female, all unpaired; (10) cloacal entire; (11) dorsum reddish brown to brown. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. consists of two subclades, the first one occurring on the northern side of the Da River in Son La and Tuyen Quang provinces and another subclade found on the southern side in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces. These two subclades are separated from each other by 1.8 to 2.3% genetic divergence and are slightly differing in ventral scalation.
ABSTRACT
A new species of small tree frog is described from northwestern Vietnam based on morphological differences and molecular divergence. Gracixalustruongisp. nov. is distinguishable from its congeners and other small rhacophorid species on the basis of a combination of the following characters: size relatively small, SVL 32.2-33.1 mm in males, 37.6-39.3 mm in females; head slightly wider than long; vomerine teeth absent; snout round and long RL/SVL 0.17-0.19 in males, 0.16-0.17 in females; spines on upper eyelid absent; supratympanic fold distinct; tympanum distinct; dorsal skin smooth; throat smooth and venter granular; tibiotarsal projection absent; webbing of fingers rudimentary, toes with moderately developed webbing; dorsum moss-green, with an inverse Y-shaped dark green marking extended from interorbital region to posterior region of dorsum; external vocal sac absent in males; males with a nuptial pad on finger I. In the molecular analyses, the new species has no clear sister taxon and is at least 4.5% divergent from other congeners based on a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene.
ABSTRACT
Background: The Hekou Torrent Frog (Amolopsshihaitaoi) was recently discovered from southern China and northern Vietnam in 2022. The knowledge about natural history and feeding ecology of this species is virtually lacking. New information: Based on our recent fieldwork in northern Vietnam, we report a new population of A.shihaitaoi from Ha Giang Province. In this study, we provide novel data on the diet of A.shihaitaoi, based on stomach content analyses of 36 individuals (17 males and 19 females). A total of 36 prey categories with 529 items, comprising 515 items of invertebrates and 14 unidentified items, were found in the stomachs of A.shihaitaoi. The dominant prey items of the species were Hymenoptera (Formicidae), Orthoptera (Acrididae), Lepidoptera (Lepidoptera other), Mantodea (Mantidae) and Araneae. The importance index (Ix) of prey categories ranged from 7.1% to 11.5%. Hymenoptera (Formicidae) had the highest frequency of prey items, found in 36 stomachs.
ABSTRACT
Abstract The phytochemical investigation on Vitex negundo leaves has led to the isolation of one new iridoid glucoside (8α-hydroxy-4-carboxyl-5ßH-9ßH-iridoid-1α-O-(6'-O-(6,7-dihydrofoliamenthonyl)-ß-á´ -glucopyranoside, 3), together with three known compounds, namely agnuside (1), 6'-O-E-caffeoylmussaenosidic acid (2), and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (4). The HPLC analytical study was also performed to quantify the content of agnuside (1) in dried leaves. The results indicated the very high content of 1 (3.04 ± 0.02%). The method was also validated by various parameters, including linearity (R2= 0.9999), precision (intra-day RSD ≤ 2.50%, inter-day RSD= 0.76%), and accuracy (recovery rates 96.58-101.86%). The animal testing data showed that the extract did not reduce pain at the doses of 9.6 and 28.8 g /kg (leaf weight/body weight) in the hot plates and pain measuring models but showed the pain reduction in the acetic acid-induced pain model. The extract at the dose of 5.6 g/kg (leaf weight/body weight) also had effects on the acute inflammation in the carrageenin-induced edema model. The extract at the dose 9.6 and 28.8 g/kg (leaf weight/body weight) also showed significant chronic anti-inflammation, comparable to methylprednisolone at the dose 10 mg/kg on the mouse peritoneal
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Mice , Rats , Lamiaceae/anatomy & histology , Vitex/adverse effects , Analgesics/classification , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/classification , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods , Plant Leaves/adverse effects , PhytochemicalsABSTRACT
The Tylototriton asperrimus complex from northern Vietnam is reviewed based on morphological comparisons and analysis of the mitochondrial marker NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2). Based on molecular divergences, which were revealed to be higher than in other congeners, in concert with morphological differences, two new species and one subspecies are described herein: Tylototriton pasmansi sp. nov. differs from T. asperrimus sensu stricto by 3.2 to 3.6 % genetic divergence and a combination of distinct morphological characters, such as head slightly longer than wide, distinct mid-dorsal ridge, relatively wide distance between the eyes, tips of fingers reaching the eye when foreleg is laid forward, labial and gular folds present, central belly skin with tubercles shaped like transverse wrinkles and distinct, pointy to round rib nodules. The population of T. pasmansi sp. nov. consists of two subclades, the nominotypic one occurring on the eastern side of the Da River (or Black River, including Hoa Binh and Phu Tho provinces), and another occurring on the western side (including Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces). These two subclades differ by 2.5 to 3.1 % genetic divergence and distinct morphological characters. The western subclade is herein described as Tylototriton pasmansi obsti ssp. nov., which differs from the nominotypic form by a wider head, longer and narrower snout, shorter femur length, and an overall less granulose skin, without an increased concentration of warts on the body sides. A second new species, Tylototriton sparreboomi sp. nov. is described from Lai Chau Province. It differs from T. asperrimus sensu stricto by 4.1 to 4.2 % and from Tylototriton pasmansi sp. nov. by 3.6 to 4.5 % genetic divergences as well as by a combination of distinct morphological characters, such as head longer than wide, tips of fingers reaching nostril when foreleg adpressed along head, rib nodules distinct, round and relatively enlarged, and wide distance between the eyes.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Son La Province is located in north-western Vietnam and the province contains a large area of 440,000 hectares of natural forest. A wide range of elevations and the complexity of landforms have given this province a great diversity of natural habitats and a high level of biodiversity potential. However, the snake fauna of Son La province is still poorly studied. Previous studies documented 56 species of snakes from this province. NEW INFORMATION: As a result of our field surveys in Phu Yen, Song Ma, Thuan Chau and Van Ho districts, we report five species of snakes for the first time from Son La Province, northern Vietnam, namely Boiga cyanea, B. guangxiensis, Lycodon meridionalis (Colubridae), Protobothrops cornutus and P. mucrosquamatus (Viperidae), with novel data about morphological characters. In addition, we provide an updated checklist of 61 snake species from Son La Province. The snake fauna of Son La Province also contains a number of species of conservation concern: 11 species listed in the Red Data Book of Vietnam (2007), four species listed in the IUCN Red List (2020) and four species listed in the Vietnam Governmental Decree No. 06 (2019).
ABSTRACT
Three new species of the xenodermatid genus Achalinus are described from northern Vietnam based on morphological and molecular evidence: Achalinus juliani sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: 1) maxillary teeth 28; 2) suture between the internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; 3) internasal not fused to prefrontal; 4) loreal not fused with prefrontal; 5) infralabials 6; 6) mental separated from anterior chin shields; 7) two elongated anterior temporals, in contact with the eye, and two posterior temporals; 8) dorsal scales in 25-23-23 rows, keeled; 9) ventrals 173-179; 10) subcaudals 77-91, unpaired; 11) a total length of at least 413 mm (with a maximum tail length of 109 mm, and a tail/total length ratio of 0.22-0.37); 12) dorsum in preservative reddish to greyish brown above, with the lower and posterior head sides being paler; venter greyish cream, with the underside of the tail being somewhat darker. Achalinus timi sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: 1) maxillary teeth 27; 2) suture between the internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; 3) loreal fused with the prefrontal on each side, with the prefrontal extending towards the supralabials; 4) dorsal scales in 25-25-23 rows, keeled; 5) ventrals 170+1; 6) subcaudals 72, unpaired; 7) a total length of at least 177.9 mm in males (with a tail length of 37.9 mm, and a tail/total length ratio of 0.21); 8) dorsum in preservative reddish to greyish brown above, with wide portion of the vertebral region being distinctly darker; the lower head sides somewhat paler; infralabial and chin shields light greyish brown; venter greyish cream, with the underside of the tail being somewhat darker and the chin region somewhat paler. Achalinus emilyae sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: 1) maxillary teeth 27 or 28; 2) suture between internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; 3) internasal not fused to prefrontal; 4) loreal not fused with prefrontal; 5) infralabials 5; 6) mental separated from anterior chin shields; 7) two anterior temporals, only the upper one in contact with eye, and two posterior temporals; 8) dorsal scales in 23-23-23 rows, keeled; 9) ventrals in females 157-161; 10) subcaudals in females 63, unpaired; 11) a total length of at least 519.5 mm (with a maximum tail length of 95.1 mm, and a tail/total length ratio of 0.18 in females); 12) dorsum iridescent pale yellowish brown with a dark longitudinal mid-dorsal stripe. In terms of pairwise genetic distance (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, COI), the three new species differ by at least 12.7% from other members of the genus, including themselves. The total number of Achalinus known is increased to twelve and the number of Achalinus species known from Vietnam is increased from three to six. Currently ten species of xenodermatids are known to exist in Vietnam: Achalinus ater, A. emilyae, A. juliani, A. rufescens, A. spinalis, A. timi, Fimbrios klossi, F. smithi, Parafimbrios lao, and P. vietnamensis.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Snakes , Animal Distribution , Animal Structures , Animals , Ecosystem , Female , Head , Male , Phylogeny , VietnamABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The family Megophryidae is one of the most poorly known groups of amphibians in Son La Province, Vietnam. In the herpetofaunal list of Vietnam in 2009 only two species of megophryids were recorded from this province and recent studies have documented five additional species of Megophryidae from Son La Province. NEW INFORMATION: Based on recent field work in northern Vietnam, we report six new provincial records of the family Megophryidae from Son La Province, namely Leptobrachium ailaonicum, Leptobrachella sungi, Megophrys feae, M. jingdongensis, M. microstoma and M. parva. In addition, morphological data were provided for each species, based on newly collected specimens. Our findings bring the species number of the family Megophryidae to 13 in Son La Province.
ABSTRACT
We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus on the basis of seven specimens collected from karst forests of Son La and Dien Bien provinces, Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus taybacensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: medium size (SVL up to 97.5 mm); dorsal tubercles in 13-16 irregular rows; ventral scale rows 30-38; ventrolateral folds present without interspersed tubercles; each thigh with 11-13 enlarged femoral scales; femoral pores absent in males and females; precloacal pores 11-13 in males, five or 15 pitted scales in females, in a continuous row; postcloacal tubercles two or three; lamellae under toe IV 16-20; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged; dorsal head with dark brown marking, oval, triangle and arched shape; five brown dorsal bands between limb insertions. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as a member of the Cyrtodactylus wayakonei species group, and strongly supported as the sister taxon of C. cf. bichnganae from Son La City in all analyses.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Phylogeny , Animal Distribution , Animal Structures , Animals , Ecosystem , Female , Forests , Male , VietnamABSTRACT
We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus on the basis of four specimens collected from the limestone karst forest of Phu Yen District, Son La Province, Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus sonlaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 83.2 mm; dorsal tubercles in 13-15 irregular rows; ventral scales in 34-42 rows; ventrolateral folds prominent without interspersed tubercles; enlarged femoral scales 15-17 on each thigh; femoral pores 14-15 on each thigh in males, absent in females; precloacal pores 8, in a continuous row in males, absent in females; postcloacal tubercles 2 or 3; lamellae under toe IV 18-21; dorsal head with dark brown markings, in oval and arched shapes; nuchal loop discontinuous; dorsum with five brown bands between limb insertions, third and fourth bands discontinuous; subcaudal scales distinctly enlarged. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species is nested in a clade consisting of C. huongsonensis and C. soni from northern Vietnam and C. cf. pulchellus from Malaysia based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. In addition, we record Cyrtodactylus otai Nguyen, Le, Pham, Ngo, Hoang, Pham & Ziegler for the first time from Son La Province based on specimens collected from Van Ho District.
Subject(s)
Lizards , Animal Distribution , Animal Structures , Animals , Bayes Theorem , Ecosystem , Female , Malaysia , Male , Phylogeny , VietnamABSTRACT
We describe two new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus on the basis of a new reptile collection from the limestone karst forest of Hoa Binh Province, northwestern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus otai sp. nov. from Hang Kia-Pa Co Nature Reserve and Cyrtodactylus bobrovi sp. nov. from Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Nature Reserve can be distinguished from each other and from their congeners by their genetic distinction and morphological differences in number of precloacal pores, femoral scales, ventral scales, lamellae, subcaudals and dorsal tubercle arrangement, as well as in size and color pattern. In phylogenetic analyses, both new species are nested in a clade containing taxa from northwestern and northcentral Vietnam and northern Laos, i.e., C. bichnganae and C. cf. martini from northwestern Vietnam, C. puhuensis from northcentral Vietnam, and C. spelaeus, C. vilaphongi, and C. wayakonei from northern Laos.
Subject(s)
Lizards/classification , Animal Distribution , Animal Structures/anatomy & histology , Animal Structures/growth & development , Animals , Body Size , Ecosystem , Female , Forests , Lizards/anatomy & histology , Lizards/genetics , Lizards/growth & development , Male , Organ Size , Phylogeny , VietnamABSTRACT
We report six new records of skinks from northwestern Vietnam: Eutropis macularius, Scincelladevorator , S.monticola, S.ochracea, Sphenomorphuscryptotis and S.indicus. Our new findings increase the species number of skinks (Scincidae) to nine in Dien Bien Province and to 14 in Son La Province. We also provide additional natural history data of aforementioned species.
