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The cloaca of salamanders is a complex organ with exocrine glands involved in the production of sex pheromones, spermatophores, and storage of sperm. Since the cloaca provides reproductive functions, its signs are important for phylogenetic analysis in the evolutionary biology of tailed amphibians. For clarification of intrafamilial variation of cloacal characteristics in hynobiids, we studied the anatomy of male and female cloacae of Onychodactylus fischeri via histological, histochemical, and 3D-reconstruction methods. Males and females had ciliated cloacal linings and with sexual dimorphism in cloacal conformation and cloacal glands. As in other males and females of hynobiids, females of O. fischeri possessed only ventral glands, secreting neutral glycoproteins. In contrast, males of this species had three types of the cloacal glands. Glands «B» were like ventral glands of females and other hynobiids, while glands «A» and «C» had different histochemical and morphological characteristics. As our results are generally consistent with the data for the related species O. japonicus, these characteristics of the male and female cloacal anatomy may be common to all species of the genus Onychodactylus. The presence of three types of unique cloacal glands in males distinguishes Onychodactylus from all other hynobiids and salamanders.

Simple Summary In this study, we used field and literature surveys, call recordings, photographs, landscape models and molecular tools to estimate the presence, range and status of amphibians in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. We found 18 native species and the suspected presence of Karsenia koreana and two Onychodactylus species. We also determined northern range boundaries for Rana uenoi and Dryophytes japonicus with molecular tools. Based on distribution and modelling, we can expect the contact zone between species within the Rana and Onychodactylus genera to be located along the Changbai Massif, a high mountain range. The species richness was higher in the lowlands and at lower latitudes, with up to 11 species, while species richness in northern areas was half that value. Following the categories and criteria of The IUCN Red List of species, ecological models and known threats, we recommended ten species to be listed as threatened at the national level. The ecology of species in the DPR Korea is understudied, although species reliant on agricultural wetlands (e.g., rice paddies) are not as threatened as species living in forested areas due to the enduring presence of extensive agricultural landscapes. Abstract Determining the range, status, ecology and behaviour of species from areas where surveys and samplings are uncommon or difficult to conduct is a challenge, such as in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea). Here, we used genetic samples, field surveys, call recordings, photographic identification and a literature review to estimate the presence, range and status of amphibians in the DPR Korea. From our combined results and based on the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, we were able to estimate the national threat levels for most species. Our results demonstrated the presence of 18 native species and the suspected presence of Karsenia koreana and two Onychodactylus species. We reported the first record for Rana uenoi in the vicinity of Pyongyang using molecular tools and similarly confirmed the presence of Dryophytes japonicus at the same location. Based on distribution and modelling, we can expect the contact zone between species within the Rana and Onychodactylus genera to be located along the Changbai Massif, a mountain range that marks a shift in ecoregions and acts as a barrier to dispersion. The species richness was higher in the lowlands and at lower latitudes, with such areas populated by up to 11 species, while more northern regions were characterised by species richness of about half of that value. The combination of ecological models and known threats resulted in the recommendation of ten species as threatened at the national level following the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. This high number of threatened species was anticipated based on the high threat level to amphibians in bordering nations and globally. While the ecology of species in the DPR Korea is still understudied, we argue that species relying on agricultural wetlands such as rice paddies are not under imminent threat due to the enduring presence of extensive agricultural landscapes with low rates of chemical use and mechanisation. The maintenance of such landscapes is a clear benefit to amphibian species, in contrast to more industrialised agricultural landscapes in neighbouring nations. In comparison, the status of species dependent on forested habitats is unclear and threat levels are likely to be higher because of deforestation, as in neighbouring nations.

Information is given on new findings of five rare and endangered species of amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the Primorsky Krai: Onychodactylus fischeri, Pelodiscus maackii, Takydromus wolteri, Oocatochus rufodorsatus and Hebius vibakari. New locations are presented for the studied amphibians and reptiles. For the first time, Onychodactylus fischeri is reported here for the Partizanky Ridge, thus expanding its known habitat range in the south-western direction. Data on Takydromus wolteri, Oocatochus rufodorsatus and Hebius vibakari findings in western Primorsky Krai are provided for the first time. Habitat borders of Takydromus wolteri in the northern part of its distribution has been updated in various directions: to the west (Khankaysky District), north (Krasnoarmeysky District) and northeast (Olginsky District). The current model of habitat range and breeding places of Khankaysky population of Pelodiscus maackii has been demonstrated, taking into account submerging sandy spits on the western coast of Lake Khanka in 2014–2017. Rivers flowing into Khanka from the western site were shown to play an important role for inhabitance and reproduction of this species. Detailed information on distribution of Hebius vibakari in Primorsky Krai is given for the first time. This species is indicated to be common and sometimes numerous in the south and central parts of Primorsky Krai. The current state of this species' population was researched at locations indicated previously in the references. Some Protected Areas were analysed in the way they protect rare species of the Far Eastern herpetofauna. Hebius vibakari occurs consistently in the State Nature Reserve «Ussuriysky», State Nature Reserve «Kedrovaya Pad» and National Park «Land of the Leopard». Within their borders, the National Park «Bikin» and National Park «Udegeyskaya Legenda» are shown to have no effect on conserving populations of Pelodiscus maackii and Oocatochus rufodorsatus inhabiting basins of the River Bikin and River Bolshaya Ussurka. Their populations are distributed to the west of the national parks. Organising new Protected Areas is urgent for the Primorsky Krai in its western part (River Komissarovka basin) and in its south-eastern part (Livadiysky Ridge).

The paper presents information regarding specific aspects of reproduction and nutrition of two poorly studied lizard species of genus Takydromus (Takydromus wolteri and Takydromus amurensis) in the north-eastern part of their habitat (Primorskiy Krai, Far East, Russia). The material given in the publication was collected both in natural and laboratory conditions. Data related to quantity as well as size of eggs and juveniles (right after their birth) are presented. The joint clutch of several female of T. amurensis was found for the first time and contained 30 eggs. For the first time the incubation period has been reported for these species that inhabit Russian territory (T. amurensis 4456 days, T. wolteri 4244). Date of escape from eggs has been revealed for T. wolteri to be earlier than given in literature and occur on second decade of August. Cline dependence of morphometric and reproductive parameters have been dealt. Both species have been shown to prefer the following invertebrates as meal in lab conditions Aranei, Geophilomorpha, Lithobiomorpha, Tenebrionidae (larve), Muscidae, Ectobiidae и Gryllidae. New information regarding nutritional behavior is provided for T. wolteri and T. amurensis in terrarium conditions. Both species use various traits to kill and to eat the catch based on the group to which the invertebrate is related. It has been shown empirically that juveniles of T. amurensis can eat meal right in 23 hours after their escape from the eggs.