[Herpetology • 2025] Protobothrops flavirostris • A New endemic Karst-associated Species of Lance-headed Pit Viper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Protobothrops) from Laos

Protobothrops flavirostris 

Grassby-Lewis, Brakels, Maury, Sitthivong, Frohlich, Pawangkhanant, Idiiatullina, Nguyen & Poyarkov, 2025

Vang Vieng Lance-headed pit viper | ງູເພົາກະບາຄໍກົບ || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e146004  

Abstract

We describe a new species of lance-headed pit viper from north-western Laos, based on morphological and molecular (6092 bp from cyt b, ND4, COI, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes and c-mos and RAG1 nuclear DNA genes) lines of evidence. Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. is easily distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: dorsal scales in 23–21–17 rows, all keeled; ventral scales 215; subcaudal scales 79, all paired; supralabials 7–8; infralabials 10; horn-like projections on supraoculars absent; head triangular with a typical lance-shaped pattern on its dorsal surface; three faint dark vertical stripes on the snout; head blackish-brown with rostral, nasals, preoculars, loreals and the two anterior supralabials, as well as the anterior parts of supraoculars yellow-orange; dorsal surfaces of body and tail brown or greyish-brown, dorsum with large dark reddish-brown cross-shaped blotches, edged in black, somewhat fused together forming an interrupted zigzag line and a row of large brown ventrolateral blotches on each side. The new species differs from the morphologically similar species Protobothrops kelomohy by a significant divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 7.8%). The new species is currently known only from tropical limestone forest of Vientiane Province, north-western Laos (elevation 362 m a.s.l.). We suggest the new species be considered as Endangered (EN) following the IUCN’s Red List categories.

Key Words: Indochina, limestone, morphology, molecular phylogeny, Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov., systematics, Vientiane Province

Family Viperidae Oppel, 1811

Subfamily Crotalinae Oppel, 1811

Genus Protobothrops Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1983

The holotype of Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. in life in situ (NUOL 2024.89, adult female).

photograph by R.J. Grassby-Lewis.

The holotype of Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. in life (NUOL 2024.89, adult female)
A general dorsal view B general ventral view C lateral view of the head, right side D lateral view of the head, left side E dorsal view of the head; F Ventral view of the head.

photographs by R.J. Grassby-Lewis (A, B, D–F) and N. Maury (C).

Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. differs from other members of the genus Protobothrops by the following combination of the morphological characters: dorsal scales in 23–21–17 rows, all keeled; ventral scales 215; subcaudal scales 79, all paired; supralabials 7–8; infralabials 10; horn-like projection on supraocular absent; head triangular with a typical lance-shaped pattern on dorsal surface; three faint dark vertical stripes on snout; head blackish-brown with rostral, nasals, preoculars, loreals and the two anterior supralabials, as well as the anterior parts of supraoculars yellow-orange; dorsal surfaces of body and tail brown or greyish-brown, dorsum with large dark reddish-brown cross-shaped blotches, edged with black, somewhat fused together forming an interrupted zigzag line; and a row of large brown ventrolateral blotches on each side.

Etymology. The specific name “flavirostris” is a Latin adjective in the nominative singular, masculine gender, derived from Latin words “flāvus” for “yellow” and “rostrum” for “snout” or “beak” and is given in reference to the characteristic yellowish colouration of the snout in the new species. 

We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Vang Vieng lance-headed pit viper” (in English), “Ngu Phao Ka Ba Khor Kop” (“ງູເພົາກະບາຄໍກົບ”, in Lao) and “Laosskiy habu” (“Лаосский хабу”, in Russian). Furthermore, the new species is well-known to the Hmong people living in village communities around Vang Vieng and their local name for this species is “nan jaow ka,” which is roughly translated as “a snake that can open its mouth very wide” or “big-mouthed snake”.

Habitat of Protobothrops flavirostris sp. nov. 
 Macrohabitat of the new species at the type locality, Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, Laos (A); uncollected adult snake (sex unknown) from Nang Oua Khiam Cave, Vang Vieng, Vientian, Laos in life in situ (B); uncollected adult snake (sex unknown) from Khan Kham Cave, Vang Vieng, Vientian, Laos in life in situ (C).

photographs by P. Brakels (A); J. Wohlschiess (B); and P.L. Stenger (C).

 

 Rupert J. Grassby-Lewis, Peter Brakels, Nathanaël Maury, Saly Sitthivong, David Frohlich, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Tan Van Nguyen and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2025. A New endemic Karst-associated Species of Lance-headed Pit Viper (Squamata, Viperidae, Protobothrops) from Laos. Herpetozoa. 38: 43-60. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e146004  

[Herpetology • 2025] Trimeresurus erythrochloris • A New Species of Karst-associated Pitviper of the Trimeresurus kanburiensis Complex (Serpentes: Viperidae) from eastern Thailand

 

Trimeresurus erythrochloris 

 Pawangkhanant, Idiiatullina, Smits, Dugdale, Pierce, Suwannapoom & Poyarkov, 2025

Red-barred Green Pitviper | งูเขียวหางไหม้ลายหยัก  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v14i1.347

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Abstract

We describe a new species of karst-dwelling pitviper from Sa Kaeo Province in eastern Thailand based on morphological and molecular (2,296 bp from cyt b, ND4, and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes) lines of evidence. Our phylogenetic analysis places the new species as a sister lineage of Trimeresurus venustus (p = 2.7% and 3.7% for cyt b and ND4 genes, respectively). It is also closely related to T. cardamomensis (p = 2.1% and 2.6% for cyt b and ND4 genes, respectively). To date, the new species is known from only two adult specimens, and its distribution seems to be restricted to a narrow limestone karst area in the province of Sa Kaeo in Thailand near the national border with Cambodia. Additional studies are required to understand its life history, distribution, and conservation status. The discovery of this new species brings the total number of known Trimeresurus to 51 species, 19 of which occur in Thailand, including five that are endemic to this country.

Key words: limestone, morphology, molecular phylogeny, systematics, Sa Kaeo Province

Trimeresurus erythrochloris sp. nov. adult female 

Trimeresurus erythrochloris sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. The new species differs from other members of the subgenus Trimeresurus by the following combination of characters: dorsal scales in 23-21-15 rows, moderately keeled except the outermost rows, which are smooth; ventral scales 164–172; subcaudals 54–67, all paired; iris golden yellow in both sexes; body dorsally grass green with irregular, serrated, reddish-brown transverse markings; suborbital stripe white and wide in male, absent in female; ventrolateral stripe distinct, present on the first few dorsal scale rows, white and red in male, white in female; throat, chin, and lower labials light turquoise; ventral surfaces pale blue in male, pale green in female; tail dorsally light brick-red mottled with dark spots, ventrally with irregular white markings; hemipenis with welldeveloped pointed almost spine-like papillae at its base.

Etymology. The species name “erythrochloris” is a Latinized adjective in the nominative singular, masculine gender, derived from the classical Greek adjective eruthros (ἐρυθρός), “erythros”, meaning “red”, and from the adjective chloros (χλωρός), “chloris”, meaning “green”. The species name is given in reference to the beautiful dorsal coloration of the new species, which consists of red bands on the green background. 

We suggest the following common names for the new species: 

“Ngu Khiew Hang Mai Lai Yhak” (งูเขียวหางไหม้ลายหยัก) (in Thai), 

“Red-barred Green Pitviper” (in English), and 

“Krasno-zelenaya bambukovaya kufiya” (Красно-зеленая бамбуковая куфия) (in Russian).

Habitat of Trimeresurus erythrochloris sp. nov. (in life) at the type locality in ..., Sa Kaeo, Thailand.

 Photo: T. Smits.

Parinya Pawangkhanant, Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Ton Smits, Ian Dugdale, Andrew Pierce, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2025. A New Species of Karst-associated Pitviper of the Trimeresurus kanburiensis Complex (Squamata: Viperidae) from eastern Thailand. TAPROBANICA. 14(1); 1–15. DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v14i1.347

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[Herpetology • 2025] Lycodon poyarkovi • A New Species of Lycodon Fitzinger, 1826 (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Northern part of the Truong Son Mountains, Central Vietnam

 

Lycodon poyarkovi  Nguyen & Vogel, 2025 

Poyarkov’s Big-tooth Snake |  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5570.3.3 

Rắn khuyết Trường sơn  ||  facebook.con: Nguyen Van Tan 

 Researchgate.net/publication/388179258

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Lycodon is described based on four specimens collected from the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Dong Chau-Khe Nuoc Trong Nature Reserve, Quang Binh Province, Central Vietnam. Lycodon poyarkovi sp. nov. is superficially similar to L. paucifasciatus Rendahl in Smith, but can be distinguished from the latter by the following characters: higher number of ventral scales in males, higher number of subcaudal scales in females, higher number of crossbands on body and tail, by having a lower number of ventral scales before the first crossband starts, and by having lower numbers of vertebrals covered by the first crossband. The new species seems to be endemic to the northern part of Truong Son Mountains, the Ben Hai River, which is considered an important biogeographic barrier between Lycodon poyarkovi sp. nov. and L. paucifasciatus. We suggest that the new species should be considered as Least Concerned (LC) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. Further studies reassessing the taxonomic status of Lycodon anakradaya and L. cardamomensis are required.

Reptilia, Indochina, new species, morphology, taxonomy, Lycodon paucifasciatus complex group

Figure 6. Photos in life of Lycodon poyarkovi sp. nov. in Quang Binh, Vietnam – from Phong Nha-Ke Bang NP (A-E); from Dong Chau-Ke Nuoc Trong NR (F-H).

Photos by: (A-B) reproduced from Vogel et al. (2009); (C) T.N. Vu; (D) reproduced from Luo et al. (2010); (E) L.P. Tran; (F) T.Q. Phan; and (G-H) N.V. Ha.

Lycodon poyarkovi sp. nov. 

 Distribution ranges of the Lycodon paucifasciatus species complex in Indochina and China.
Notes: Stars indicate the type localities of species; numbers indicate different localities where the species have been recorded (see Appendix III for the details of localities).

 Photos in life of Lycodon paucifasciatus species complex and L. rufozonatus:
– L. anakradaya in Khanh Vinh, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam (A);
– L. cardamomensis in Cardamom Mt., Pursat, Cambodia (B); in Khao Wong NP, Rayong, Thailand (C); Song Hinh, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam (D)
– L. paucifasciatus in Bach Ma NP, Phong Dien NR, Sao La NR, Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam (E, F, G, respectively);
– L. gibsonae in Khao Yai NP, Prachinburi, Thailand (H)
– L. rosozonatus in Wuzhi Mt., Hainan, China (J)
– L. rufozonatus in Chengdu, Sichuan, China (K); in Taiwan, China (L); Miyako, Okinawa, Yaeyama, Japan (M).

Photos by (A) reproduced from Nguyen et al. (2022a); (B) J.C. Daltry; (C, H) P. Pawangkhanant; (D) reproduced from Do et al. (2017); (E) L.C. Tran; (F) B.V. Nguyen; (G): N.A. Poyarkov; (J) G. Fan; and (K, L. M) G. Vogel.

Tan Van NGUYEN and Gernot VOGEL. 2025. A New Species of Lycodon Fitzinger, 1826 from the Northern part of the Truong Son Mountains, Central Vietnam (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae). Zootaxa. 5570(3); 484-510. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5570.3.3

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  Researchgate.net/publication/388179258_A_new_species_of_Lycodon_Fitzinger_1826_from_the_Northern_part_of_the_Truong_Son_Mountains_Central_Vietnam

[Herpetology • 2024] Dibamus elephantinus • A New Species of Blind Skink of the Genus Dibamus Duméril et Bibron, 1839 (Squamata: Dibamidae) from Cambodia

Dibamus elephantinus

 Kliukin, Bragin, Thy, Gorin ... et Poyarkov, 2024 

 

 https://istina.msu.ru/publications/article/723221169  

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Abstract

We describe a new species of blind skink of the genus Dibamus Duméril et Bibron, 1839 based on five specimens collected from Bokor National Park, Kampot Province, southern Cambodia. Dibamus elephantinus sp. n. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: snout-vent length (SVL) up to 129.3 mm; tail length comprises 17–22% of SVL; rostral suture incomplete; nasal and labial sutures complete; single postocular; three scales at the posteromedial edge of first infralabial; two scales at the posterior edge of second infralabial; the medial sublabial scale enlarged; 19 midbody scale rows; 22 transverse scale rows just posterior to head; 17–19 transverse scale rows just anterior to vent; 178–202 ventral scales; 46–52 subcaudal scales; relative size of frontal to frontonasal (FSW/FNSW) 127–136%; relative size of interparietal to surrounding scales (IPW/NSW) 111–140%; in males hindlimbs longer than head length (HLL/HL 74–78%); the light colored band on the body may be present or absent. We provide an osteological description of the new species based on micro-CT data. Genetically and morphologically Dibamus elephantinus sp. n. is most closely related to D. dalaiensis inhabiting the western part of the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia. The new species inhabits montane evergreen forests of Damrei Range (also known as Elephant Mountains) at elevations of ca. 1000 m a. s. l. Our study brings the number of species in the genus Dibamus to 27; Dibamus elephantinus sp. n. is the second species of Dibamus to be recorded from Cambodia.

Dibamus elephantinus sp. n.

 

Nikita S Kliukin, Andrey Bragin, Neang Thy, Vladislav Gorin ... and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. A New Species of Blind Skink of the Genus Dibamus Duméril et Bibron, 1839 (Squamata, Dibamidae) from Cambodia [Новый вид червеобразных ящериц рода Dibamus Duméril et Bibron, 1839 (Squamata, Dibamidae) из Камбоджи].  Зоологический журнал. 103(11): 97–120. DOI: 10.31857/S0044513424110077 https://istina.msu.ru/publications/article/723221169 

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  Researchgate.net/publication/387377678_A_new_species_of_Dibamus_from_Cambodia

[Herpetology • 2024] Hidden on the Roof of the World: Mitochondrial Data Reveals Exceptional Genetic Diversity of Himalayan Ablepharine Skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae)

Diversity of the Asian Ablepharine skinks from mtDNA sequences:
Protoblepharus (blue), the Ablepharus sikkimensis group (yellow), the Ablepharus himalayanus group (red), and the Ablepharus ladacensis group (green).

in Bragin, Litvinchuk, Borkin, Melnikov, Skorinov, ...et Poyarkov, 2024. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2024-31-6-351-368

  Researchgate.net/publication/387296242 

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Abstract

Snake-eyed, or ablepharine skinks, are common residents of the highest mountain ranges on Earth, including the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, Karakoram, Pamir, and Tian Shan, colloquially known as the Roof of the World. Historically, these skinks were alternatively assigned to the genera Scincella, Ablepharus, Asymblepharus, and Himalblepharus, but recent revisions proposed to group them in only two genera, namely Protoblepharus (the eastern Himalayan taxa) and Ablepharus (all other taxa). The taxonomy of this group yet remains in a state of flux due to the limited informativeness of available phylogenies (often with little material from the Himalayan region), discrepancies in morphological patterns of variation, and the potentially high yet unconsidered degree of diversity of the group. To shed some light, we assess the mitochondrial diversity and evolution of Himalayan snake-eyed skinks based on >200 individuals sampled across Pakistan, India, Nepal, and China, representing nine out of ten Himalaya currently recognized species. Phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 2998 bp of mitochondrial sequences (12S, 16S, ND2, cyt b). Our analyses reveal a remarkably high cryptic diversity, including 14 to 16 species-level lineages within Ablepharus and four species-level lineages within Protoblepharus, which would substantially increase the number of species by at least twofold. This hidden diversity highlights the Himalayas as a center of phylogeographic diversification and endemism, likely shaped by geological and climatic factors associated with orogenesis, which now houses over half of the ablepharine skink species.

Keywords: Ablepharus; biogeography; distribution; Himalaya; Himalblepharus; lizards; mtDNA barcoding; Protoblepharus; Sphenomorphinae

Distribution of the major clades of Ablepharus: Protoblepharus (blue), the Ablepharus sikkimensis group (yellow), the Ablepharus himalayanus group (red), the Ablepharus ladacensis group (green), and the ‘core’ Ablepharus with fully or partially fused eyelids (white).
Distribution of the Ablepharine skinks in the Himalaya: Protoblepharus (blue), the Ablepharus sikkimensis group (yellow), the Ablepharus himalayanus group (red), and the Ablepharus ladacensis group (green).

Andrey M. Bragin, Spartak N. Litvinchuk, Leo J. Borkin, Daniel A. Melnikov, Dmitriy V. Skorinov, Daniel Jablonski, Rafaqat Masroor, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Zeeshan A. Mirza, Christophe Dufresnes and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. Hidden on the Roof of the World: Mitochondrial Data Reveals Exceptional Genetic Diversity of Himalayan Ablepharine Skinks (Reptilia: Scincidae). Russian Journal of Herpetology. 31(6); 351 – 368. DOI: doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2024-31-6-351-368

  Researchgate.net/publication/387296242_DIVERSITY_OF_HIMALAYAN_Ablepharine_SKINKS

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[Herpetology • 2024] Kaloula discordia & K. laosensis • Phylogeographic Pattern and Taxonomic Revision of the Kaloula baleata species complex (Anura: Microhylidae) with Description of Two New Species from Indochina

 Kaloula discordia Poyarkov, Gorin, Bragin & Nguyen,

South Vietnamese Painted Frog | Ễnh ương Nam bộ

  Kaloula laosensis Poyarkov, Orlov, Gorin & Milto,

Laotian Painted Frog | “ອື່ງຢາງລາວ

in Gorin, Orlov, Bragin, Pawangkhanant, Milto, Le, Nguyen, Dufresnes, Suwannapoom et Poyarkov, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e137394 

Photographs by A.M. Bragin and N.L. Orlov.

Abstract

Despite increased attention by molecular taxonomists, the herpetofauna of Southeast Asia still hides many undescribed species among far-ranging taxa. In this study, we re-examine the mitochondrial diversity of painted frogs of the microhylid genus Kaloula, based on ~2,455 bp of published and new 12S and 16S rRNA sequences, and describe two new species from the tropical forests of southern Vietnam and central Laos based on integrative evidence. These species, which belong to the K. baleata complex, feature species-level mitochondrial divergence (> 4.4% at 16S rRNA) and are both morphologically well-differentiated from each other and from the recently described K. indochinensis, to which they were previously confounded. Comparative examinations also indicate distinct male advertisement calls and unique coloration features. Based on genetic barcoding, we preliminarily revise the species distribution ranges in the K. baleata complex, which support a general pattern of biogeographic partitioning that has been widely retrieved among the Indochinese amphibians studied so far. Molecular diversity within K. baleata further suggests genetic structure across Sundaland, namely three shallow mitochondrial haplogroups worthy of fine-scale phylogeographic and taxonomic investigations. Furthermore, our study highlights the propensity of amphibian species “hidden in plain sight,” even among recently studied taxa, thus calling for caution when specifying type specimens—the type series of K. indochinensis, described in 2013, includes specimens of the one of the new species. Our study emphasizes the continued need for thorough herpetological surveys even in supposedly well-known parts of Indochina and sets the ground for future research in Kaloula painted frogs, notably to test evolutionary and taxonomic hypotheses with genomic loci.

Key Words: 16S rRNA, bioacoustics, DNA barcoding, Laos, morphology, Southeast Asia, systematics, taxonomy, Vietnam

Genealogical relationships of the genus Kaloula based on the analysis of mtDNA fragments, including 12S rRNA, tRNAVal, and 16S rRNA gene sequences. Numbers at tree nodes correspond to PP/UFB support values, respectively. Black circles correspond to well-supported (PP ≥ 0.95 or UFB ≥ 90) nodes. Numbers in bold following sample names correspond to localities in Fig. 1 and Table 1. The information on GenBank Accession Numbers, museum vouchers, and localities of origin for sequences used in this study is summarized in Table 1. The holotypes of Kaloula discordia sp. nov. and Kaloula laosensis sp. nov. are marked with asterisks (*H). Photographs by N.A. Poyarkov and N.L. Orlov.

 

Known distribution of the Kaloula baleata species complex members in Indochina.

 

Breeding habitats of Kaloula discordia sp. nov. (A, B) and lateral view of holotype of Kaloula discordia sp. nov. in situ (ZMMU A-8134) (C).

Photographs by A.M. Bragin.

 Kaloula discordia Poyarkov, Gorin, Bragin & Nguyen, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Kaloula discordia sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) medium body size (SVL 42.9–56.2 mm); (2) eyes comparatively small (eye length comprising 60%–75% of snout length); (3) dorsally uniform dark olive-brown; (4) beige-gray ventrally with irregular white mottling on belly and limbs; (5) pale yellow or orange-brown 8-shaped patch on either side of the neck posterior to eyes; (6) yellowish to orange axillary patch present; (7) grayish to beige-yellow inguinal patch present edged with black markings; (8) from gray to beige spot on tibiotarsal articulation present; (9) dark interorbital bar absent; (10) enlarged, widened finger disks (3FDD 6.5%–7.5% of SVL), ca. 1.27 times wider than toe disks; (11) finger subarticular tubercle formula: 1:1:2:2; (12) toe subarticular tubercle formula: 1:1:2:2:2; (13) two metacarpal tubercles not in touch with each other; (14) two metatarsal tubercles, outer metatarsal tubercle rounded, smaller than elongated inner metatarsal tubercle.

Etymology: The specific epithet “discordia” is a noun in apposition, in the nominative case, given in reference to the Roman mythological goddess Discordia. According to the poet Hesiod, this goddess personified not only strife and discord but also competition and labor (Hesiod, Theogony: 20–24, 226–230; see Most 2006). The duality of this name echoes the two aspects of the discovery of the new species. The first aspect is the authors’ hard work and laborious approach in collecting data for the description of the new species. The second challenge pertains to the authors’ internal struggle to choose a politically correct and neutral name for the new species. In modern taxonomy, international teams often face the common challenge of strife and competition; however, this can also lead to overall scientific progress. 

We recommend “South Vietnamese Painted Frog” as the common name in English, “Yuzhnovietnamskiy Bychiy Uzkorot” as the common name in Russian, and “Ễnh ương Nam bộ” as the common name in the Vietnamese language.

Dorsolateral (A) and frontal (B) views of the holotype of Kaloula laosensis sp. nov. in situ (ZISP 15284, male).

Photographs by N.L. Orlov.

  Kaloula laosensis Poyarkov, Orlov, Gorin & Milto, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Kaloula laosensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological attributes: (1) medium size (SVL ranging 44.0–54.8 mm); (2) eyes comparatively large (eye length comprising 75%–100% of snout length); (3) dark-brown dorsally, with numerous irregular dark blotches forming pericloacal ring; (4) gray or beige ventrally with dense white mottling on belly and limbs; (5) orange triangular patch on either side of the neck posterior to eyes; (6) bright-orange axillary patch present; (7) orange inguinal patch present; (8) bright-orange butterfly-shaped blotch above cloaca present; (9) gray spot on tibiotarsal articulation present; (10) dark interorbital bar present; (11) enlarged, widened finger disks (7.8%–7.9% of SVL), ca. 1.53 times wider than toe disks; (12) finger subarticular tubercle formula: 1:1:2:2; (13) toe subarticular tubercle formula: 1:1:2:2:2; (14) three metacarpal tubercles, median metacarpal tubercle in contact with inner metacarpal tubercle; (15) two metatarsal tubercles, inner metatarsal tubercle ca. three times larger than outer metatarsal tubercle; (16) three small supernumerary tubercles at the basis of toes I, III, IV. 

Etymology: The specific epithet “laosensis” is an adjective in the nominative case, given in reference to the new species’ distribution in central Laos. The name also mirrors the specific epithet of K. indochinensis, with which the new species was previously confused. We recommend “Laotian Painted Frog” as the common English name, “Laosskiy bychiy uzkorot” as the common name in Russian, “Ễnh ương Lào” as the common name in Vietnamese, and “ອື່ງຢາງລາວ” (“Ung Yang Lao”) as the common name in Lao languages.

 Vladislav A. Gorin, Nikolai L. Orlov, Andrey M. Bragin, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Konstantin D. Milto, Dac Xuan Le, Tan Van Nguyen, Christophe Dufresnes, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. Phylogeographic Pattern and Taxonomic Revision of the Kaloula baleata species complex (Amphibia, Anura, Microhylidae) with Description of Two New Species from Indochina. Herpetozoa. 37: 391-420.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e137394 

[Herpetology • 2024] Colubroelaps adleri • A New endemic insular species of the Genus Colubroelaps (Serpentes: Colubroidea) from Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

Colubroelaps adleri  

Poyarkov, Bragin & Nguyen, 2024  

 

Adler’s lace snake | Rắn hổ nước Át-Lơ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e137809 

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Abstract

A new species of the poorly known genus Colubroelaps Orlov, Kharin, Ananjeva, Nguyen & Nguyen, 2009, is described based on a single female specimen collected from Hon Tre Island, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. The new species, Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov., can be distinguished from its sister species Colubroelaps nguyenvansangi Orlov, Kharin, Ananjeva, Nguyen & Nguyen, 2009 by the following combination of morphological characters: small body size (TL 402 mm); tail relatively short (ratio TaL/TL 0.10); dorsal scales in 14–14–14 rows; supralabials six, third and fourth entering orbit; infralabials seven; loreal present; ventral scales 234; subcaudals 30, all divided; cloacal plate divided; dorsal coloration pale brown, with narrow and interrupted dark stripe along spine; body flanks dark-gray lacking bluish iridescence; ventrally uniform off-white; head black with rostral, nasals, prefrontals, preoculars, loreal, and the two anterior supralabials, as well as anterior parts of supraoculars and frontal dirty yellowish-brown with dark-brown spots. This discovery represents the second known species of the genus Colubroelaps and the first record of the genus in the coastal areas of southern-central Vietnam. The new species is likely micro-endemic to the small island of Hon Tre within Nha Trang Bay in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, at an elevation of 30 m a.s.l., and was recorded only from the heavily disturbed secondary forest area of the island. The new species is under threat due to the intensifying development of tourist infrastructure on Hon Tre Island. We suggest that the new species be considered Endangered (EN) following the IUCN’s Red List categories.

Key Words: Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov., conservation, Hon Tre Island, morphology, Nha Trang Bay, taxonomy

The holotype of Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov. in life (ZMMU Re-18000, adult female) from Hon Tre Island, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.
A. Dorsal view of the head; B. Ventral view of the head; C. Lateral view of the right side of the head; D. Lateral view of the left side of the head; E. Ventral view of the tail; F. Ventral view of the body; G. Dorsal view of the body.

Scale bars: 5 mm (A–D); 10 mm (E–G). Photographs by A. M. Bragin.

Two species of the genus Colubroelaps in life.
A. Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov., holotype ZMMU Re-18000, adult female from Dam Bay Research Station, Hon Tre Island, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam;
B. Colubroelaps nguyenvansangi, ZMMU Re-15485, adult male from Cat Tien NP., Tan Phu District, Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.

Photographs by: A. M. Bragin (A); E. A. Galoyan (B).

 Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov. can be distinguished from C. nguyenvansangi by the following combination of morphological characters: body size small (TL 402 mm); tail relatively short (ratio TaL/TL 0.10); dorsal scales in 14–14–14 rows; supralabials six, third and fourth entering orbit; infralabials seven; loreal present; ventral scales 234; subcaudals 30, all divided; cloacal plate divided; dorsal coloration pale brown with narrow and interrupted dark stripe along spine; body flanks dark gray lacking bluish iridescence; ventrally uniform off-white; head black with rostral, nasals, prefrontals, preoculars, loreal, and the two anterior supralabials, as well as the anterior parts of supraoculars and frontal shields dirty yellowish-brown with dark brown spots.

Etymology: The species epithet ‘adleri’ is a patronymic adjective in genitive singular. We name the new species in honor of Dr. Kraig Adler, Professor Emeritus at Cornell University (New York, USA), in recognition of his outstanding support to the international herpetological community as well as his remarkable scientific contribution to Asian herpetology. We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Adler’s lace snake” (in English), “Shnurkovaya zmeya Adlera” (Шнурковая змея Адлера, in Russian), and “Rắn hổ nước Át-Lơ” (in Vietnamese).

 Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Andrey M. Bragin and Tan Van Nguyen. 2024. A New endemic insular species of the Genus Colubroelaps (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubroidea) from Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Herpetozoa. 37: 379-390. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e137809

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[Herpetology • 2024] A multi-gene Phylogeny of the Asian Kukri Snakes (Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826): Sharpening the Blade of the second largest Serpent Radiation (Squamata: Colubridae)

  Phylogeny of the Asian kukri snakes Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826 
 

in Lee, Yushchenko, Suwannapoom, Pawangkhanant, Grismer, Nguyen, Deepak, Narayanan, Das, Neang, Lalremsanga, Yang, Jablonski, Erkaya, Vogel, Bauer et Poyarkov, 2024.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108215

Highlights

• We present the most comprehensive phylogeny of Oligodon assembled to date.

• Molecular phylogeny comprises nearly two-thirds of all currently recognized Oligodon species, with data from three mitochondrial and three nuclear genes.

• We propose an updated intrageneric classification of Oligodon, recognizing eight phylogenetically defined species groups.

• Oligodon likely originated in mainland Southeast Asia during the late Oligocene, with most species-level diversification starting in the Miocene.

Abstract

With 90 recognized species, kukri snakes in the genus Oligodon Fitzinger constitute the second largest snake radiation in the world. Oligodon species are collectively distributed across the Asian continent and possess several ecological and morphological attributes that are unique amongst other snakes. Despite their high levels of species richness, evolutionary relationships within Oligodon are poorly understood due to a limited number of samples and genetic markers available in earlier phylogenies. In this study, we assembled the largest molecular dataset of Oligodon to date, which we use to assess the systematics and biogeography of the entire genus. Based on a combination of maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies using fragments of three mitochondrial genes (12 s, 16 s, CytB) and three nuclear genes (Rag1, C-mos, BDNF), we identify eight deeply divergent clades within Oligodon, of which only two correspond with species groupings that were recognized by previous morphological classifications. Four species delimitation methods employed on the mitochondrial portion of the dataset resulted in dramatically divergent estimations of molecular operational taxonomic units (mOTUs). When combined, all four methods support the existence of unrecognized species-level lineages, but also indicate that several other Oligodon species are poorly differentiated genetically and require additional integrative taxonomic research to properly resolve. Based on divergence dating, we demonstrate that Oligodon began to diversify during the early Neogene and hypothesize that the most recent common ancestor of the genus originated in mainland Southeast Asia. We conclude by recognizing eight phylogenetically defined species groups and identify sampling gaps that require further investigation once new data becomes available. This study contributes to a greater understanding of snake evolution on the Asian continent and acts as a baseline for future studies of this speciose genus.

Justin L. Lee, Platon V. Yushchenko, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Parinya Pawangkhanant, L. Lee Grismer, Tan Van Nguyen, V. Deepak, Surya Narayanan, Sandeep Das, Thy Neang, H.T. Lalremsanga, Jian-Huan Yang, Daniel Jablonski, Mustafa Erkaya, Gernot Vogel, Aaron M. Bauer and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2025. A multi-gene Phylogeny of the Asian Kukri Snakes (Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826): Sharpening the Blade of the second largest Serpent Radiation (Reptilia: Squamata: Colubridae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, 108215. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108215  

[Herpetology • 2024] Four in One: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Microhyla berdmorei complex (Anura: Microhylidae) illustrates the tremendous Amphibian Diversity of Southeast Asia: Microhyla malcolmi, M. sundaica & M. peninsularis

[A] Microhyla berdmorei (Blyth, 1856); [B] M. malcolmi Cochran, 1927, 
[C] Microhyla sundaica sp. nov.; [D] M. peninsularis sp. nov. 

 Trofimets, Dufresnes, Pawangkhanant, Bragin, Gorin, Hasan, Lalremsanga, Muin, Le, Nguyen, Suwannapoom & Poyarkov, 2024 

 DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e127937

Photographs by: A. M. Bragin, N. A. Poyarkov, A. T. Aful, P. Pawangkhanant & M. A. Muin.

Abstract

Berdmore’s narrow-mouthed frog, Microhyla berdmorei (Blyth, 1856), is the largest member of the genus Microhyla and is distributed all over Southeast Asia, from Northeast India and southern China to Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia. Here we demonstrate that M. berdmorei represents a complex of four species that are morphologically, acoustically, and genetically distinct from each other, and we implement taxonomic revisions. Phylogenetic analyses of three mitochondrial DNA (hereafter mtDNA, including COI, 12S, and 16S rRNA; 3119 bp) and one nuclear (BDNF; 716 bp) gene sequences are corroborated by phylogenomic analyses of 2700 ddRAD-seq loci (387,270 bp). All support that the M. berdmorei complex, which originates from the early Miocene (ca. 19.7 mya), consists of two clades that we date to the late Miocene (ca. 7.5 mya). The first clade, which regroups populations of large-sized individuals, is distributed in Indo-Burma and includes a lineage from Northeast India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar (M. berdmorei sensu stricto) and a lineage from West Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam (for which we propose to resurrect the species M. malcolmi Cochran, 1927). The second clade, which regroups populations of small-sized individuals, occurs in Sundaland and also includes two lineages for which we provide taxonomic descriptions on species rank. The first new species is widely distributed from Peninsular Malaysia to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra (described herein as M. sundaica sp. nov.), while the second one is restricted to the Malay Peninsula and occurs in extreme southern Thailand and adjacent Malaysia (M. peninsularis sp. nov.). We further provide evidence for the synonymy of Callula natatrix Cope, 1867 with M. berdmorei sensu stricto, and M. fowleri Taylor, 1934 with M. malcolmi. Our study illustrates the high diversity of Southeast Asian amphibians, especially in the genus Microhyla, which presently totals 54 species.

Keywords: Advertisement call, biodiversity, ddRAD-seq, Indochina, molecular phylogeny, morphology, mtDNA, narrow-mouthed frogs, new species, Sundaland

Members of the Microhyla berdmorei species complex in life.
А M. berdmorei sensu stricto, MZMU A-8005 and MZMU A-8003 (a couple showing cephalic amplexus) from Aizawl, Mizoram State, India; B M. malcolmi, ZMMU A-7973 from Than To, Yala Province, Thailand;
C M. sundaica sp. nov., ZMMU A-8011 (holotype) from environs of Sungai Tua Recreational Forest, Selangor State, Malaysia; D M. peninsularis sp. nov., ZMMU A-8016 (holotype) from Lam Plok Waterfall, Trang Province, Thailand. 

Photographs by: A. M. Bragin (A), N. A. Poyarkov (B), A. T. Aful (C), P. Pawangkhanant (D).

Microhyla berdmorei species complex

Microhyla berdmorei (Blyth, 1856)

Common name: Berdmore’s narrow-mouthed frog 

Etymology: The species name “­berdmorei” was given in honor of Captain Major Thomas Matthew Berdmore (1811–1859), a British officer and naturalist who was stationed in Myanmar during the mid-19th century. M. T. M. Berdmore was famous for the collection of numerous animal specimens, including this particular species of frog. 

Recommended common names: “Berdmore’s narrow-mouthed frog” (English); “Nhái bầu Béc-mơ” (Vietnamese); “uzkorot Berdmora” (узкорот Бердмора, Russian); “Changpîng” (Mizo; literally meaning “spindle frog”); “Eung mae nao Pama” (อึ่งแม่หนาวพม่า, Thai).

Microhyla malcolmi Cochran, 1927

Suggested common name: Malcolm’s narrow-mouthed frog.

Etymology: The species was named after Dr. Malcolm Arthur Smith (1875–1958), a famous British herpetologist and physician, who collected many specimens in the early 20th century across Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. 

Recommended common names: “Malcolm’s narrow-mouthed frog” (English); “Nhái bầu Mao-com” (Vietnamese); “uzkorot Malkolma” (узкорот Малькольма, Russian); “Eung mae nao” (อึ่งแม่หนาว, Thai).

Natural habitat of Microhyla sundaica sp. nov. at the type locality in Sungai Tua, Selangor State, Peninsular Malaysia (A), and in Gunung Jerai Mt., Kedah State, Peninsular Malaysia (B);
calling males of M. sundaica sp. nov. from Sedim, Kedah State, Peninsular Malaysia in situ (C, D) (not collected).

Photographs by M. A. Muin.

Microhyla sundaica sp. nov. 

Suggested common name: Sundaic narrow-mouthed frog.

Etymology: The species epithet “sundaica” is a latinized adjective in nominative singular, adjusted to the feminine gender of the genus name “Microhyla”, and is given in reference to the distribution of the new species, which inhabits the three major landmasses of the Sundaland, or Sundaic Region, namely: Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo. “Sundaica” is the Latin name for Sundaland. 

Recommended common names: “Sundaic narrow-mouthed frog” (English); “Nhái bầu Sunda” (Vietnamese); “Zondskiy uzkorot” (Зондский узкорот, Russian); “Eung mae nao Malayu” (อึ่งแม่หนาวมลายู, Thai); “Katak mulut sempit Sunda” (Malay).

Microhyla peninsularis sp. nov.

Suggested common name: Peninsular narrow-mouthed frog.

Etymology: The species epithet “peninsularis” is a Latin adjective in nominative singular, meaning “peninsular”, and is given in reference to the distribution of the new species, which is presently only known from the southern part of the Thai-Malay Peninsula in Trang Province of Thailand and Terengganu State of Malaysia. 

Recommended common names: “Peninsular narrow-mouthed frog” (English); “Nhái bầu bán đảo Mã Lai” (Vietnamese); “Malayskiy uzkorot” (Малайский узкорот, Russian); “Eung mae nao pak sun” (อึ่งแม่หนาวปากสั้น, Thai); “Katak mulut sempit semenanjung” (Malay).

 Alexei V. Trofimets, Christophe Dufresnes, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Andrey M. Bragin, Vladislav A. Gorin, Mahmudul Hasan, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Mohd Abdul Muin, Dac Xuan Le, Tan Van Nguyen, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. Four in One: An Integrative Taxonomic Revision of the Microhyla berdmorei complex (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) illustrates the tremendous Amphibian Diversity of Southeast Asia. Vertebrate Zoology .74: 595-641. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.74.e127937