Representatives of the Darevskia (superspecies praticola) have been discovered in the North Caucasus, and these new finds have been analysed. The discovery of Darevskia pontica in Svetly village (Stavropol Krai) suggests that its range is expanding. The northern boundary can be defined by a line running from Staroshcherbinovskaya village to the vicinity of Sonino village, then to the vicinity of Otradovka village, then to the vicinity of Storozhi Vtoroye village, then to Vostochny Sosyk village, then to Svetly settlement, then to Stavropol city. Previously, only D. praticola was known in the Kislovodsk area, although D. pontica was recorded nearby. The new data enable us to identify the area where the ranges of the Pontic lizard and the Meadow lizard overlap in the northern spurs of the Borgustansky Ridge, between the villages of Borgustanskaya and Yasnaya Polyana, in the interfluve of the Bolshoy Essentuchok and Bugunta rivers.
We report new distributional records and natural history observations for three poorly known snake species of the ther, 1856) is newly recorded from Thanh Hoa and Vinh Phuc provinces, and G. pallidonuchale (Poyarkov, Nguyen et Vogel, 2019) is reported for the first time from Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces. Additionally, Liopeltis stoliczkae (Sclater, 1891) is confirmed for the second time in Vietnam based on a specimen collected in Di Linh District, Lam Dong Province. These new records expand the known ranges of all three species and emphasise the need for continued herpetofaunal surveys in underexplored regions of northern and central Vietnam.
The pitviper species Trimeresurus mayaae Rathee, Purkayastha, Lalremsanga, Dalal, Biakzuala, Muansanga et Mirza, 2022, was recently described from northeastern India. As part of our ongoing investigations into the systematics of the subgenus Viridovipera Malhotra et Thorpe within the genus Trimeresurus Lac & eacute;p & egrave;de, we present new data on this poorly known species. Our findings are based on the re-examination of seven preserved specimens and the assessment of three additional individuals previously reported in the literature from northwestern Myanmar and northeastern India. These specimens were initially misidentified as Trimeresurus gumprechti, T. stejnegeri, or T. yunnanensis. This work provides the first record of T. mayaae from Myanmar and extend the known distribution of the species. We also update its diagnostic morphological characters and provide new insights into its natural history. We suggest the species should be assessed as Least Concern (LC) following the IUCN's Red List categories.
We report for the first time the chromosomes of Anatololacerta danfordi (Anatololacerta group, Lacertini) and compare its karyotype with that of Parvilacerta parva (Parvilacerta group, Lacertini). Anatololacerta danfordi has 2n = 38: 36A + 2m; NF = 38 being the common one to the great part of the Lacertidae (both Lacertini and Eremiadini). While P. parva has 2n = 24: 14V, SV + 10A; NF = 38. Comparative karyological analysis reveals that the genera Anatololacerta and Parvilacerta, despite to be sister taxa, possess considerable different diploid number and karyotype structure. Thus the karyotypes are specific diagnostic feature in the Lacertini. Additionally, this analysis allows clarifying the karyological evolution in the Lacertini.
Fordonia Gray, 1836 is widely distributed snake from India's Nicobar Islands and the coastal regions of Bangladesh and Myanmar across Southeast Asia to New Guinea and northern Australia, and is currently regarded as a monotypic genus with Fordonia leucobalia Schlegel, 1837 as its only recognized species. By integrating morphological and molecular analyses, we describe Fordonia hoani sp. nov. from coastal southern Vietnam, thereby elevating the genus Fordonia to include two recognized species. Fordonia hoani sp. nov. is distinguished from F. leucobalia sensu stricto by the unique combination of the following morphological characteristics: medium-sized snake, elongated, and cylindrical; head depressed, slightly distinct from neck; tail short (TaL/SVL 10.3-12.9% in females); dorsal scale rows 25(27)-25(27)-(21-23), smooth; ventrals 145-152, usually present 1-2 last ventrals divided; subcaudals 29-32, all paired or some single and some paired; anal divided; nasals separated by a single internasal; 5 supralabials; 7 infralabials; usually absent loreal; dorsum olive to gray brown with dark spots or uniform dark brown. The new species forms an independent clade on the phylogenetic tree and differs from F. leucobalia sensu stricto by a significant divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (4.73%). Additionally, we also provide DNA barcoding data for this species. Our finding provides a basis for re-evaluating the taxonomic status of previously synonymized populations with F. leucobalia and populations currently identified as "F. leucobalia" across other regions.
Age estimation and growth modelling are important biological characteristics to understand sexual differences in organisms with continuous growth. In this research, to find sexual differences in adult organisms covering a wide size range, we evaluated sexual dimorphism by comparing individual growth curves for each sex of the rattlesnake Crotalus ravus. For snakes age estimation, we employed skeletochronology techniques on the snakes’ midbody ribs and fitted Logistic, Gompertz and von Bertalanffy growth functions to the resulting age-size data and estimated longevity per sex. We found von Bertalanffy was the best model and the growth curves showed significant differences between sexes (Hotelling’s T2), with males growing faster and attaining longer sizes than females; at the same age males are longer than females but females have greater longevity. This dimorphism can be attributed to reproduction costs.
Anatomical and morphological features of the postcranial skeleton of nine rock lizard taxa of the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 belonging to Darevskia (superspecies praticola) and Darevskia (superspecies rudis) were studied based on representative samples. The study involved type specimens, topotypes, and collections made as close as possible to their type localities. A comparison was made between the complexes within Darevskia and the taxa within them. Also, the postcranial skeleton of D. caucasica vedenica sample from Dagestan and the recently described species D. arribasi were studied. According to our data, D. pontica and D. praticola differ in the lower limit of the number of presacral vertebrae, the occurrence of B-type caudal vertebrae, the oval type of the sternal fontanelle, and the closed type of the clavicles; D. r. obscura differs from other representatives of Darevskia (rudis) in the lower limits of the number of presacral vertebrae. The following anomalies were found in the studied sample: asymmetric structure of the ribs and/or transverse processes of the vertebrae; reduction of the ribs; anomalies of the Sternal/xiphisternal costal formula; fusion, increase in the number, or reduction of the vertebrae. Anomalies were found most often in representatives of Darevskia (rudis). The greatest diversity of anomalies was, however, observed among the representatives of Darevskia (praticola). A Graminilacerta subgen. nov. is described, which differs from other subgenera of Caucasian rock lizards in a set of morphological features, ecology and range.
Two colubrid snake species, Lycodon zoosvictoriae Neang, Hartmann, Hun, Souter et Furey, 2014 and Xenelaphis ellipsifer Boulenger, 1900, are reported here for the first time from Thailand. These records are based on specimens collected during herpetological surveys conducted in Chanthaburi and Yala provinces, respectively, in 2024. These new findings expand the known geographical distributions of both species and contribute to the growing knowledge of Thailand's herpetofauna. With these additions, the total number of snake species (Serpentes) recorded in Thailand now stands at 256, of which 86 species are members of the family Colubridae.
Maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) analyses using a mitochondrial gene of COI supported the monophyly of Acanthosaura longicaudata, including the holotype from China and Acanthosaura specimens collected in Dien Bien and Lai Chau provinces, Vietnam. Genetic divergence (p-distances) between the Vietnamese and Chinese populations of A. longicaudata was relatively high, ranging 3.25-4.03%. However, morphological comparisons between them are highly similar. Based on the integrative analyses, we approved the first record of A. longicaudata in Vietnam, which increase the number of recorded species in Vietnam to 11. A Maxent model was employed that predicted the potential distribution of A. longicaudata mainly covering the sites of occurrences and their surroundings in the border areas between Vietnam, China, and Laos.
Two rare colubrid snake species, Calamaria concolor Orlov, Nguyen, Nguyen, Ananjeva et Ho, 2010 and Colubroelaps nguyenvansangi Orlov, Kharin, Ananjeva, Nguyen et Nguyen, 2009, are currently recognized as endemic to Vietnam. However, information on their distribution, natural history, and conservation status remains scarce. Based on herpetological surveys conducted in central and southern Vietnam during 2017, 2023, and 2024, we report the first confirmed records of C. concolor from Quang Nam Province and C. nguyenvansangi from both Dak Nong Province and Di Linh District, Lam Dong Province. These new locality records represent significant range extensions for both species. Field observations provide preliminary insights into their habitat preferences and microhabitat use. Given the broader distributional range revealed by these findings and the absence of immediate threats at known localities, we propose that both species be assessed as Least Concern (LC) under the IUCN Red List criteria.
For the first time, the anatomy and histology of the epiphysis and paraphysis primordia of the gecko from the family Diplodactylidae at stage 31 are described. The epiphysis primordium of Correlophus ciliatus embryo forms median evagination of the parietal part of the roof of diencephalon. It has a tube-like structure that is oriented dorso-rostrally. The primordium has a lumen connected to the diencephalon only by a narrow canal. The transverse histological section shows that the epiphysis primordium consists of a pseudostratifaied columnar ciliated epithelium. Rare mitoses are visible in its apical part (luminal compartment). The paraphysis primordium forms median evagination of the most rostral part of the diencephalon roof. It has a tube-like structure that is oriented dorso-caudally. The primordium has a lumen connected to the brain vesicle cavity. The single-layered epithelium of the paraphysis primordium is composed of cuboidal cells. The head of the embryo is covered with single layer epithelium and periderm, the skull is absent and the brain vesicles are surrounded by mesenchyme. Blood capillaries are attached to some local sites of the epiphysis and paraphysis primordia.
We record six species of amphibian for the first time from Thanh Hoa Province based on newly collected speci-mens from Xuan Lien Nature Reserve, comprising one species of Boulenophrys, one species of Hylarana, one species of Odorrana, one species of Rhacophorus, and two species of Theloderma. Morphological data and eco-logical notes of aforementioned species are provided. In addition, we provide an updated list of 56 amphibian spe-cies from Xuan Lien Nature Reserve, Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam.
The northern and southern nesting beaches of the Karpaz Peninsula, Northern Cyprus, were investigated for two consecutive breeding seasons (2022 - 2023). A total of 10604 emergences were reported, with 2945 (27.8%) resulting in nests during two consecutive nesting seasons. Of these nests, 2885 (97.6%) were green turtle nests, whilst the remaining were loggerhead turtle nests. There were five major nesting beaches (Ronnas, Ayphilon, Dolphin, & Yacute;kidere, and Laden) which held more than 80% of the nests. Nest counts increased by 539% at these beaches using the IUCN MTSG Red List assessment technique, which compares the change in nest counts between the oldest (1993 - 1995) and most current 3-year averages (1189 nests). The overall hatching success ranged from 62.6 to 70.7% for green turtle nests. The annual depredation of nests was predominantly by foxes, with the depredation percentages ranging from 18.6% to 23.6%. These results emphasise the significance of Karpaz Peninsula beaches in relation to other Mediterranean breeding locations, positioning Ronnas beach as the second most crucial nesting site for green turtles in the Mediterranean, only behind Samanda & eth; beach in T & uuml;rkiye.
The paper presents the results of the study on morphological abnormalities in Hemidactylus platyurus, which inhabit large cities in Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Vientiane). When processing 1377 specimens of H. platyurus in the cities under study, 87 individuals were found to have some type of abnormality P-as = 6.32%. In the marked deviation groups, individuals with limb abnormalities (P-as = 5.30%) are most common; in the group of other abnormalities (P-as = 1.56%), tail bifurcation and skin neoplasms are approximately equally distributed. In the cities under study, a rare group is head morphoses (P-as = 0.22%), in which a single case of microagnathia was noted. The alignment of the diversity of abnormalities and the proportion of rare morphs among males and females shows a uniform distribution of morphoses in the group with an equal probability of detection among males and females. The analysis showed that there are no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the manifestation of morphological abnormalities depending on the biotope (walls, trees). The analysis of intra-urban (centre and outskirts) and inter-urban features in the manifestation of morphological abnormalities revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.05). The results of the analysis indicate the specificity of the urban environment associated with the level of urbanization and the formation of a large variety of biotopes within cities.
The cryptic taxonomic diversity of arboreal agamid lizards of the genus Acanthosaura in Indochina, particularly in Vietnam, is discussed based on the results of molecular and morphological studies. The present data confirm the monophyly of this genus, the presence of six evolutionary clades within it, and allow to identify the composition of at least three previously assigned complexes (A. capra, A. lepidogaster, and A. coronata) inhabiting Vietnam. The relationships and distribution of these species complexes are discussed.
The private collection represented by comprehensive holdings of vertebrates (cyclostomes, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, mammals), i.e., Petromyzontida (11 specimens of two species), Actinopterygii (2897 specimens of 63 species), Amphibia (1365 specimens of 28 species), Reptilia (4430 specimens of 155 species), and Mammalia (32 specimens of eleven species) of the famous Russian zoologist Boris S. Tuniyev were donated to the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences in March 2025. The collection was transported to St. Petersburg in its original containers and transferred to the Laboratories of Ichthyology, Herpetology, and Theriology. Of special value are type specimens of 5 taxa of lizards and 12 taxa of snakes.
We review the taxonomy of the Varanus (Odatria) timorensis species complex occurring in the Timor archipelago, reassess the status of Varanus (Odatria) auffenbergi and describe two new insular taxa: Varanus (Odatria) delcantoi sp. nov. from Kisar Island, and Varanus (Odatria) timorensis subunicolor ssp. nov. from Ndao Island. Due to their restricted distribution ranges which are the smallest among all varanids, these microinsular endemics are threatened by habitat destruction and by the international pet trade so that effective conservation measures are needed. The two new monitor lizard taxa add to the high degree of threatened endemics of the Wallacea biodiversity hotspot.
Remains of Pseudopus apodus (Anguimorpha, Anguidae), the largest living limbless lizard, are described from the Lower Pleistocene deposits of the Taurida cave on the Crimean Peninsula (Black Sea region). This record represents the first fossil anguid lizard from Crimea and one of the earliest documented occurrences of the species.
In mid-May 2025, the presence of the Wrinkled Frog Glandirana emeljanovi (Nikolskii, 1913) was reliably confirmed for the first time on Russian territory. More than twenty subadult individuals of this species were found under stones on the bank of the Levaya Novgorodovka River (a tributary of the Tesnaya River, Khasansky rayon, Primorsky Krai), several kilometers from the border with China. The location coordinates are 42°42’45.97’’ N 130°33’57.34’’ E, with an elevation of 57 m a.s.l. The average size of the amphibians was 28.6 mm (26.6 – 32.4 mm; n = 11). The site of the species’ discovery is located on the border of one of the parts of the «Land of the Leopard« National Park», and, thus, part of the population of G. emeljanovi is under the protection this protected area. With this find, the amphibian fauna of Russia has expanded to include new genus and new species.
