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Brazil stands out for presenting the highest amphibian anuran diversity in the world. However, taxonomic studies that address characteristic of larval stage of anurans are incipient, representing only 62% of known species. We assess the species diversity of tadpoles from eastern Maranhão state, mid-northern region of Brazil based on morphological and molecular identification (i.e., 16S rRNA gene fragment), and we also provide characteristics of the habitats occupied by each species. We carried out 30 field samplings during 13 months in 16 environments along an ecotonal area, over five cities inside the limits of state of Maranhão, between the Maranhão Babaçu Forest and Cerrado ecoregions. We searched for tadpoles in a variety of water bodies, and the tadpoles that reached the developmental stage between 34 to 40 Gosner were morphologically identified. The tadpoles collected herein represent 26 species belonging to five families. The external morphology enabled the identification of 24 species, while the molecular data recognized 22 unique evolutionary units. The most represented family was Hylidae (Hylinae 11 spp., Phyllomedusinae one spp.) followed by Leptodactylidae (Leptodactylinae seven spp., Leiuperinae three spp.), Microhylidae (Gastrophryninae two spp.), and Bufonidae (two spp.). Our results show that oral morphology was the most important character for identifying tadpoles based on morphology, and the specific 16S rRNA primer was suitable for molecular identification. This study pioneers the use of both morphological and molecular data to identify tadpoles in the state of Maranhão. It also provides, for the first-time, habitat characteristic for the species. Our study reveals a high number of anuran species sampled at the larval stage in the region, identifies species that require further taxonomic and systematic attention, and extends the geographic distribution of six species, three of which represent new occurrences for the state. Our results strengthen the hypothesis that the diversity of amphibians from Maranhão is underestimated and highlight the importance of herpetological inventories in poorly sampled areas, decentralizing the knowledge of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indonesian island of Sulawesi has a unique geology and geography, which have produced an astoundingly diverse and endemic flora and fauna and a fascinating biogeographic history. Much biodiversity research has focused on the regional endemism in the island's Central Core and on its four peninsulas, but the biodiversity of the island's many upland regions is still poorly understood for most taxa, including amphibians and reptiles. Here, we report the first of several planned full-mountain checklists from a series of herpetological surveys of Sulawesi's mountains conducted by our team. In more than 3 weeks of work on Gunung Galang, a 2,254 m peak west of the city of Tolitoli, Sulawesi Tengah Province, on Sulawesi's Northern Peninsula, we recovered nearly fifty species of reptiles and amphibians, more than a dozen of which are either new to science or known but undescribed. The incompleteness of our sampling suggests that many more species remain to be discovered on and around this mountain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet's Farm is a 157-hectare site located in Highland County, VA. From April 2017--May 2021 efforts were made to document the herpetofaunal biodiversity at this site using a variety of survey methods, including visual encounter surveys, bioacoustics surveys, road surveys, cover boards, and aquatic turtle traps. A total of 20 species, including 13 amphibians and 7 reptiles, were recorded over the survey period. Based on survey results, two species listed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in their 2015 Wildlife Action Plan were identified, including the Woodland Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina [Linnaeus, 1758]) and Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina [Linnaeus, 1758]). Of these, T. c. carolina was identified from shell fragments only. The presence of the Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor LeConte, 1825) was verified as a new county record. DNA barcoding was used to confirm the identities of three species, including the Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus [Green, 1818]), Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata [Green, 1818]), and Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans [Latreille, 1801]). These initial surveys serve to inform conservation management, facilitate research and educational opportunities, and provide a baseline for monitoring changes in the populations of amphibians and reptiles at Sweet's Farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herpetological knowledge of southern Mindanao is one of the largest gaps in Philippine herpetology. To augment this, we generated a comprehensive list of amphibians and reptiles found along the southern slope of Mount Busa in Sarangani Province, Philippines between June 2018 and August 2020 using opportunistic sampling in various microhabitats across different forest types. We recorded at least 68 species of herpetofauna, of which 28 species were amphibians and 40 species were reptiles. Around 65% of the species recorded are endemic to the Philippines. Mount Busa appears to harbor a relatively rich herpetological diversity that is needing conservation and scientific attention. Our study provides a glimpse of the herpetological diversity of southern Mindanao, but we emphasized that more field-based research is needed in nearby areas to improve our understanding of the herpetological community in the region, thereby overcoming Linnean and Wallacean shortfalls in our knowledge of Philippine amphibians and reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Milne Bay Region of southeasternmost Papua New Guinea comprises a small portion of mainland New Guinea and several offshore islands, totaling 15,000 km2 in land area. I numerically summarize the literature and findings from my field surveys of the region's herpetofauna and show that it contains the greatest known assemblage of range-restricted endemic herpetofauna globally for such a small area. Further, most of these species occupy only one or two of 11 small areas of local endemism within the region. I compare the number and density of endemic herpetofauna in the Milne Bay Region to other regions of notable endemic biodiversity and find it to be far larger than that in the large majority of these other "hotspots", despite the much larger sizes of those areas. Herpetofaunal surveys within the Milne Bay Region are more complete than for other taxa, but it is clear that this region holds a large trove of range-restricted endemic species within less well-studied groups too. The driver of this endemic diversity is the ongoing geological dismemberment and uplift of the region resulting from the opening of the Woodlark Rift. Prior ignorance of the biodiversity importance of this region stems from decades of classifying New Guinea as a "tropical wilderness area", which has deprived that region of the conservation focus accorded the more famous "hotspots". One effect of this is that some of the areas of local endemism identified here are under immediate pressure for habitat conversion, especially Woodlark Island, which is threatened by both mining and virtually complete conversion to oil palm, posing a high extinction risk for scores of endemic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Madagascar has historically suffered from high fragmentation of forested habitats, often leading to biodiversity loss. Neverthless, forest fragments still retain high levels of biological diversity. The Haute Matsiatra Region (south-eastern Madagascar) hosts the renowned Andringitra National Park and several surrounding isolated forest fragments embedded in a matrix of human-dominated landscape. During a herpetological survey conducted in the Region, we visited a total of 25 sites. We applied a molecular taxonomic approach to identify the collected material and generate new reference sequences to improve the molecular identification of Malagasy herpetofauna. We identified a total of 28 amphibian and 38 squamate taxa and provided a systematic account for each one of them. Nine of the identified taxa are candidate species, amongst which one was newly identified. We extended the known distributional range of 21 taxa (nine amphibians and 12 squamates). Although the largest forest fragments hold a higher number of species, we also detected a relatively high herpetological diversity in small patches. Our results highlight the importance of investigating small forest fragments to contribute to a better understanding of the patterns of diversity and distribution of the amphibians and reptiles of Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Darevskia parvula is a rock lizard that is endemic for Anatolia. The known distribution range of the species is limited on eastern and northeastern Anatolia. Although many morphological studies have been carried out on the species, there are also molecular studies to construct its taxonomy in recent years. Four adult lizard specimens were collected from eastern Anatolia in 2016 during a herpetological field survey. We present a summary of a morphological features, and report new locality which is the westernmost record (Çayırlı Village, Erzincan) for D. parvula sensu lato in Turkey. Our finding largely extends the known distribution of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A herpetofaunal survey was conducted in the Royal Belum State Park, Perak, Malaysia. The objective was to investigate the biodiversity of herpetofauna and at the same time survey for new records that have yet to be documented. The inventory was conducted using both drift-fenced pitfall traps and visual encounter survey for a 12-month period. At the end of the survey, 38 species of herpetofauna which comprised of 6 families of amphibians and 8 families of reptiles were documented. They consisted of 14 species of frogs, six species of lizards, nine species of geckos, two species of skinks, two species of varanids, four species of snakes and one species of turtle. Of these, 20 new records for the area were documented which encompassed of eight species of frog, two species of lizards, five species of geckos, one species of skink, one species of varanid, two species of snake and one species of turtle. This brings the total number of known amphibian and reptilian species in Royal Belum State Park to 17 and 29, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite herpetological surveys conducted in Mindanao, scanty data are known about the Philautus species in montane forests as well as its account in southern Mindanao. Species accounts of Philautus sampled from the montane forest of Marilog District in Southern Mindanao with notes on it microhabitats were provided. Belt-transect sampling and microhabitat searches were employed in three different sites. A total of 124 individuals representing four species of Philautus were accounted, three of which are currently known only from forested areas of Mindanao. Philautus acutirostris is the most encountered species. Thirty-four genera of plants associated with microhabitats of Philautus species were accounted. Although the majority of the frog individuals appear to use the plants for perching, other notable activities were also noticed. Further observations may reveal data that will unravel other significant roles of these associated plants in microhabitats of Philautus species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tathleeth governorate in Aseer region of southwestern Saudi Arabia has been surveyed for 22 lizard species belonging to 6 families throughout three years started from 2015. A total of 412 specimens of these lizards were encountered and identified. Gekkonidae represented the major family inhabiting the region comprising more than 50% of the collected lizards. Agamidae was represented by 5 species comprising more than 23% of the recorded lizards. The other four families (Lacertidae, Scincidae, Chamaeleonidae and Varanidae) comprised approximately 20% of all the collected lizards. The current survey could be used as conservational clue for the herpetofauna of Tathleeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted from July 2004 to July 2005 in the Sierra de Juarez, in northern Chihuahua. This mountainous area is located west of Ciudad Juarez, is geographically isolated, by both natural features and anthropogenic influence. The objectives were to determine the richness and diversity of amphibians and reptiles along an altitudinal gradient and thus contribute to a better understanding of their spatial distribution and abundance. Five hundred and eleven individuals of 16 species were recorded in 52 samplings. Ecological and environmental conditions that reveal the current status of this fauna and their potential use as indicators of disturbance are described. Knowledge of our study community is urgent, given the dynamic that is beginning to show by invasions and changes being made in the Sierra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In August 2016, scientists from the United States and Mexico assembled at Highlands, North Carolina, a temperate-zone hot spot of salamander biodiversity, to participate in the Special Highlands Conference on Plethodontid Salamander Biology. Hosted by the Highlands Biological Station (HBS), the conference celebrated the 90th year of the HBS, and especially the productive collaboration at Highlands of Drs. Lynne Houck, Steve Arnold, and Rick and Pam Feldhoff. The conference showcased the increasing value of plethodontids as research models, exemplified by eight papers in this special issue of Herpetologica stemming from invited minireviews presented at the 2016 Special Conference. The papers contribute to the dramatic rise in journal articles that use plethodontids to address diverse questions of broad relevance to modern biology. We hope that this special issue of Herpetologica sparks new research on these fascinating salamanders, and we look forward to future conferences on plethodontid salamander biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Herpetofauna of the Capanda Dam region in Angola. Topics discussed include lack of knowledge of Angolan biodiversity and amphibian and reptile diversity, review of the herpetofauna of Angola, and description of specimens in the region including Amietophrynus cf. regularis, Hyperolius parallelus and Phrynobatrachus cf. natalensis.

The Balkan Peninsula is a hot spot for European herpetofaunal biodiversity and endemism. The rock climbing lizards Dalmatolacerta oxycephala and Dinarolacerta mosorensis and the ground-dwelling Dalmatian wall lizard Podarcis melisellensis are endemic to the Western Balkans, and their ranges largely overlap. Here, we present a comparative phylogeographical study of these three species in the area of their codistribution in order to determine the level of concordance in their evolutionary patterns. Phylogenetic analyses were performed based on two mitochondrial genes ( cytochrome b and 16S rRNA), and a molecular clock approach was used to date the most important events in their evolutionary histories. We also tested for correlations regarding genetic differentiation among populations and their geographical distances. For all three species, a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances was found. Within D. oxycephala, two deeply separated clades ('island' and 'mainland clade'), with further subdivision of the 'mainland clade' into two subclades ('south-eastern' and 'north-western'), were found. High sequence divergences were observed between these groups. From our data, the time of separation of the two main clades of D. oxycephala can be estimated at about 5 mya and at about 0.8 mya for the two subclades of the mainland clade. Within D. mosorensis, coalescence time may be dated at about 1 mya, while D. mosorensis and D. montenegrina separated around 5 mya. The results imply the existence of complex palaeo-biogeographical and geological factors that probably influenced the observed phylogeographical patterns in these lacertid species, and point to the presence of numerous glacial/interglacial refugia. Furthermore, the observed cryptic genetic diversity within the presently monotypic species D. oxycephala prompts for a revision of its taxonomic and conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the first herpetological species list with threat status from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) found at the Lore Lindu National Park (LLNP) in Central Sulawesi province in Indonesia based on three years of survey. It says that 54 reptile species and 25 amphibians in five and 13 families were found in the area. It highlights that the LLNP area is an essential herpetological endemism location in the region. It adds that the appropriate utilization of the lists of the species can facilitate the capacity-building of local scientists as well as knowledgeable local ecotourism guides.

A new species of small, insular, forest floor skink, Sphenomorphus perhentianensis sp. nov., is described from Pulau Perhentian Besar of the Perhentian Archipelago, Peninsular Malaysia. This species is differentiated from all other 36 Sundaland species of Sphenomorphus based on a unique collection of morphological and colour pattern characteristics. These unique characteristics include a snout-vent length of 30.0 mm, 29 midbody scale rows, smooth as opposed to striated dorsal scales, 65 paravertebrals, 61 ventrals, 4 supraoculars, parietals contacting the posterior-most supraocular, 1 medially projecting superciliary scale, 2 loreals, 6 supralabials and infralabials, 10 lamellae beneath the fourth toe, smooth subdigital lamellae, enlarged preanal scales, no body bands, a dark brown, diffuse, dorsolateral stripe extending to just past the axilla, a cream coloured dorsolateral stripe on the nape and anterior-most portion of the body, and no cream coloured postorbital stripe. The discovery of a second endemic reptile in the Perhentian Archipelago underscores the unrealized biodiversity of its herpetofauna. Additional works will describe two additional species from the Perhentian Archipelago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 2008, we conducted a survey of Dominican herpetofaunal communities in habitats variously disturbed by human activity. Our rapid assessment found the highest abundance and species richness in moderately to substantially modified areas. We found relatively few species and low numbers of individuals in relatively natural high-elevation sites, dramatically altered urban areas, and active agricultural fields. In habitats subjected to intermediate levels of disturbance, such as a residential area and an inactive agricultural site invaded by dense exotic vegetation, complex physical habitat structure appeared to support the greatest herpetofaunal diversity. These results suggest that conservation efforts in the West Indies need not be restricted to pristine habitats, but also might include protection of slightly to moderately disturbed areas that may sustain greater biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on literature and field data, a list of the herpetofaunal in the Departament of Valle del Cauca, Colombia was elaborated. Currently, the known information about amphibian richness is composed of 162 species; most of them frogs and toads (148 anuran species vs 4 salamanders and 10 Caecilians). The reptiles are represented by 130 species, from which 68 are snakes, 53 lizards, 7 turtles and only two are crocodilians. Most of the herpetofaunal of the Valle del Cauca is concentrated on the Pacific region and the Western Andes. The available information indicates that the threatened status of the herpetofauna in the Valle del Cauca is higher for amphibians than reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee crops have been considered as a biodiversity refuge. In México, 180 species of amphibians and reptiles have been reported in this crop, 45 species are endemic. There are 75 species protected in México (NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2001), three are mentioned in CITES and just one in the UICN-2006 red list. Most of the herpetofauna is tropical, mostly associated with tropical rain forest. The endemic species are also associated with cloud forest, a habitat rich in endemism. In comparison to other vegetation types, coffee crop herpetofauna is similar to those in tropical rain forest and cloud forest, the later being the most used habitat to grow coffee. We support the hypothesis that coffee crops represent biodiversity refuges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The total area of the West Indies is small, only 0.15% of Earth's land area, but the region supports 3.0% (180 species) of the world's amphibians and 6.3% (520 species) of the world's known reptiles. Nearly all species are endemic to a single island or island bank. Rates of discovery are high indicating that many more species remain to be found. Most or all of the groups arrived at different times during the Cenozoic Era (the last 65 million years) by dispersal over water, principally on flotsam from South America. This resulted in a filtered fauna that has relatively few higher-level groups. The vacant niches led to unusually large radiations (mega-radiations) of species, explaining the presence of extremes in ecology and morphology among the species. The conservation status of only the amphibians has been assessed comprehensively, and 84% of those species are considered threatened. The reptiles may be similarly threatened. Species are threatened mostly because they have small distributions and habitat destruction is continuing. Across the region only about 10% of primary forests remain, and some countries (e.g., Haiti) with high levels of faunal diversity have no original forests. Some species that have disappeared for decades are possibly extinct, while others face extinction soon from habitat destruction. Efforts to curb deforestation and to save targeted species through breeding programs are helping, but the continued survival of many West Indian amphibians and reptiles is tenuous. Measures having immediate impact, such as salaries and logistical support for park guards, are needed immediately. Greater facilitation of biotic surveys and inventories, through relaxing of permitting restrictions, also is needed to better understand the diversity that exists and to focus conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]