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Buergeria japonica (Rhacophoridae) thrives in diverse habitats, from montane forests to the mouths of small rivers opening onto sandy beaches. The osmoregulatory system of B. japonica may differ between populations living in these contrasting environments. In this study, we compared the activity of cutaneous Na+/K+-ATPase in two populations of B. japonica from different habitats (montane vs. coastal). Our results reveal a significant difference between the Na+/K+-ATPase activity of the two populations of B. japonica, with the coastal population having higher Na+/K+-ATPase activity. Because the Na+/K+-ATPase plays a crucial role in osmoregulation in high salinity, these results are consistent with the higher salinity tolerance of the coastal population. It is not known whether the difference in Na+/K+-ATPase activity between populations is a result of local adaptation or phenotypic plasticity. More detailed work will be needed to disentangle the patterns of differentiation in physiological responses to salt in these amphibians.

Here we describe the tadpoles of Theloderma gordoni. These tadpoles can be distinguished from other members of the genus Theloderma by having the combination of the following characters: total length (50.1–54.5 mm, stages 28–33); tail shape (abdominal and dorsal fins with a gradual tapering toward the anterior and posterior portions, without an abrupt tapering in the posterior portion); number of marginal papillae in one row on the oral disc (51–55); degree of pigmentation (body dorsally and ventrally practically black, with a slight bluish tint). We also include a comparative analysis and thorough review of tadpole descriptions of other Theloderma.

I describe a new species of Theloderma from two regions in Myanmar (Chin State in western Myanmar and Kachin State in northern Myanmar). Highly similar in appearance and size to Theloderma albopunctatum and Theloderma asperum, the new species differs by the presence of small, bilateral vocal sac openings absent in T. albopunctatum and T. asperum. Molecular phylogenetic analysis from two mitochondrial and four nuclear gene fragments infers that individuals are members of a unique genetic lineage within the T. asperum Complex.

We report on the reproductive biology of Rhacophorus vampyrus (Rhacophoridae, Anura) from the Lang Bian Plateau in southern Vietnam. Unlike most other members of the genus Rhacophorus, R. vampyrus is a phytotelm breeder and reproduces in water-filled tree hollows. The species shows a unique tadpole mouthpart morphology not reported for any other anurans: presence of a specific serrated horny arch on the upper jaw and two large, fang-like horny teeth on the lower jaw. This, together with the presence of a large extensible stomach and relatively short digestive tract length, indicates an adaptation toward macrophagous feeding. We observed two clutch types in R. vampyrus: fertilized eggs included in a typical foam nest and unfertilized eggs, apparently having a trophic function, enveloped by dense mucous. The digestive tracts of all tadpoles examined contained up to 40 trophic eggs and showed no remains of any other food. Keratinous mouthparts undergo considerable remodeling during tadpole developme...

We describe a new species of Rhacophorus from lowland forests in southern Vietnam. The new species is most similar to Rhacophorus kio, but differs from this and all other Rhacophorus from Southeast Asia by a combination of its large body size (males 72.3–85.5 mm; females 89.4–90.7 mm snout–vent length); green dorsum; white venter; black patch at axilla; bluish-green posterior surface of thighs with pale yellow marbling; low, single-lobed supracoloacal dermal ridge, and white sclera. In contrast to the widely distributed R. kio, the new species is known only from two fragments of disturbed, low-elevation forest approximately 30 km apart in a highly modified agricultural landscape. The continued survival of the new species is threatened by ongoing habitat loss and degradation.

Rhacophorus georgii is a poorly known species from southeast Asia. The morphology and habitat of oviposition and the tadpole of Rhacophorus georgii are described, and counts of ovarian egg compliments reported. Tadpoles were located in water pools in cavities of tree trunks in the Lambusango Reserve, Buton Island, southeast Sulawesi. The tadpole generally conforms to a lentic, benthic morphotype, with an anteroventral mouth, somewhat depressed body and notably elongated tail. Foamy egg masses were located attached to the trunks of trees, 1–3 cm above water-filled tree cavities. Ovarian egg complements recorded were 29–108. These findings make a significant contribution to the knowledge of the frog fauna of Sulawesi.

A new species of rhacophorid of the genus Polypedates is described on the basis of three adult males and a metamorph from Kerala State, southwestern India. The new species is related to Polypedates cruciger from Sri Lanka, Polypedates pseudocruciger from the Western Ghats of India and Polypedates maculatus from northern Sri Lanka and mainland south Asia. It is diagnosed by the following characters: adult male SVL to 55.1mm; unpigmented nuptial pads on dorsal surfaces of Fingers I and II; vomerine teeth set obliquely between choanae; fingers with rudimentary webbing; no dermal fold along forearm; webbing on Toe III reaching disks at tip of digit; absence of a conical lingual papilla; skin of forehead free; snout lacking a dermal flap; heel lacking a cutaneous spur; and a dark hour-glass-shaped pattern on dorsum.

The 3 species of Kassina in southern Africa appear to depend primarily on differences between mating calls and calling sites of the males for pre-mating reproductive isolation.

The Taiwanese population of Polypedates leucomystax megacephalus is distinct from the Bornean population of P. L leucomystax in adult morphology, mating call, and karyotype. Clear differences in the latter two characteristics suggest the presence of a high degree of genetic differ- entiation between the two populations. The Taiwanese population is therefore regarded as a full species, P. megacephalus Hallowell, 1860. Populations from continental China require further taxo- nomic investigation.