Anthropogenic impacts, including habitat loss and overexploitation, in combination with climate change, have resulted in rapid population declines and even local extirpations in many amphibians. As an endemic amphibian species in northern Vietnam, Quasipaa acanthophora is endangered by combined human impacts and potential effects of climate change, similar to other amphibian and reptile species occurring in the same habitats. In this study, we applied the Maximum Entropy algorithm in MaxEnt software to predict the current suitable habitats and their shifts in the future under scenarios of climate change. As the current prediction, the potential distribution of Q. acanthophora covers the known occurrence sites, including Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Quang Ninh provinces, in northeastern Vietnam, and extends to the southern border of Guangxi Province, China, with a total area of approximately 1,779 km 2 within the study area, 1,567 km 2 in the tropical evergreen rain forest, and only 231 km 2 in the protected areas. Across all scenarios of climate change, future projections consistently indicate a substantial contraction in the potential distribution of Q. acanthophora . The study identifies priority areas, particularly forests in protected areas, for conservation measures targeting Q. acanthophora populations and their natural habitats.
Variation in the frequency of non-lethal shell injuries was analyzed in an open population of the eastern Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) monitored in a complex habitat system between 2010 and 2024. Tortoises were surveyed twice per year, for six days in the last week of May and seven days in the third week of July, to collect morphometric, behavioral, life-history, and environmental data, including shell condition. The proportion of individuals with intact shells decreased from 91.4% in 2013 to 3.4% in 2024, albeit with annual fluctuations. This study revealed that various anthropogenic factors likely contribute to the increased proportion of tortoises with damaged shells in the study area, notably the intensification of regional and local transport alongside an overall rise in human presence. Natural pressures, such as increasing predator population sizes, may also contribute to this decline. In addition to overall changes in shell condition, the proportion of recorded tortoises affected by wildfires fluctuated annually from 0.4% to 81.9% and showed a large increase during the last 3 years of monitoring (the percentage of tortoises with identifiable fire marks on their shells averaged 53.73% for 2022–2024). Ultimately, these findings indicate rapid environmental changes in the study area, such as an increase in wildfires, increasing transport frequency, and a possible increase in the density of natural predators. These findings highlight the necessity for ongoing monitoring of this and other populations to ensure the prompt identification of new threats to this already imperiled species.
Karst landscapes across southern China represent global hotspots for vertebrate diversity and endemism, yet amphibian diversity within such habitats remains insufficiently documented. Herein, we describe Boulenophrys calciphila sp. nov ., a new species discovered from fragmented karst hills in northern Guangdong Province, China, extending the documented habitat spectrum of the genus in Guangdong to limestone karst terrain. Detailed morphological comparisons coupled with phylogenetic analyses validate its taxonomic distinctness from all known congeners. This new discovery aligns with ongoing records of range-restricted anuran species uncovered from southern Chinese karst formations, reinforcing karst ecosystems as important reservoirs of amphibian diversity. Our results demonstrate that amphibian diversity within poorly-explored karst regions of northern Guangdong is substantially underestimated and call for focused conservation actions to safeguard these microendemic taxa and their unique evolutionary lineages.
Lizards, as ectothermic organisms, are largely dependent on the thermal characteristics of their habitats for the maintenance of their biological processes. This research aims to quantitatively elucidate the correlation between the body temperature (Tb) of the Anatololacerta anatolica population on Mount Spil (Manisa), Western Anatolia, and core environmental variables at the microhabitat level, including surface temperature (Ts), air temperature (Ta), solar radiation, and wind speed. Field surveys were conducted between April and October 2025, during which cloacal body temperature data obtained from 89 individuals were analyzed alongside simultaneous microhabitat parameters. Descriptive statistical data confirmed that the species is an active thermoregulator, as the mean body temperature of the lizards (32.32 ± 4.53 °C) was found to be statistically significantly higher than both the surface temperature (30.6 ± 6.97 °C) and the air temperature (28.1 ± 4.04 °C). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that Ts and solar radiation are the strongest positive predictors of Tb. Principal component analysis (PCA) results, explaining approximately 76% of the total variance, determined that Tb, Ts, and solar radiation clustered on the primary axis (PC1), while wind speed was situated on an independent axis (PC2) that is statistically decoupled from this radiative thermal system. The findings indicate that A. anatolica adopts a strategy integrating both solar radiation and thermal substrates, specifically heliothermy and thigmothermy, during the process of heat acquisition. It was observed that the species suppresses the convective cooling effect of wind through strategic microhabitat preferences, such as utilizing rock crevices and the base of vegetation, thereby exhibiting the Bogert effect to stabilize its thermal safety margins. Consequently, within the framework of climate change scenarios, it is essential to prioritize microhabitat-scale thermal heterogeneity and the continuity of thermal refugia over macroclimatic averages when evaluating the thermal sensitivity of the species.
Identifying how reproductive investment varies along elevational gradients is a powerful tool for understanding life-history evolution in ectotherms. In taxa with invariant clutch size, reproductive responses to harsh environments are expected to be determined by per-offspring investment (egg provisioning), while at the same time being subject to maternal body size effects. We investigated elevational variation in reproductive traits of the Atlas Day Gecko, Quedenfeldtia trachyblepharus, a diurnal high-mountain species endemic to the High Atlas Mountains (Morocco). Maternal body size increased with elevation, indicating larger females at higher sites. Egg mass and egg volume increased with maternal body size, whereas relative clutch mass (RCM) declined with female size. Importantly, high-elevation females produced larger eggs than expected for their body size. Hatchling size and body condition were positively associated with egg traits, but elevation did not explain additional variation in hatchling traits once egg traits were considered. Overall, the differences observed in offspring traits appear to be mediated by maternal egg provisioning, consistent with increased per-offspring investment that may enhance offspring survival in high-elevation environments.
Amphibian surveys in remote tropical rainforests are often constrained by rugged terrain, dense vegetation, high logistical demands, and the invasive nature of observer-based methods. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) using autonomous recording units (ARUs) has emerged as a promising, non-invasive tool for biodiversity assess ments; however, its effectiveness can vary across taxa and landscapes. This study conducted a comparative evaluation of PAM with conventional visual encounter surveys (VES) to document the anuran community in a tropical wet evergreen forest within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The results indicated that PAM effectively detected most visually observed species, as well as many vocally active cryptic, arboreal, and fossorial species that were missed by VES. Its ability to function effectively in dense tropical rainforests underscores its potential for broad-scale assessments, particularly in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. However, VES detected non-calling and conspicuous species, highlighting the limitations of a single-method approach. A mixed-method approach integrating PAM with VES yielded a more comprehensive inventory. These findings provide crucial insights into optimizing amphibian monitoring protocols and support the adoption of integrated survey methodologies for long-term assessments, particularly in landscapes where conventional methods are constrained by terrain and effort.
We present a first record of feeding by the freshwater crab species, Parathelphusa pulcherrima on the frog species Hylarana nicobariensis (Ranidae) from Sabah (Borneo, Malaysia) together with a comprehensive review of crab predation on amphibians. A total of 32 crab species identifiable to 27 genera have been recorded to prey on frogs from at least 42 species in 35 genera, representing 21 families and one species of salamander to-date. The majority of the predation accounts were from the Neotropics and Afrotropics subcontinent.
Land-use change is a major driver of biodiversity loss in tropical montane ecosystems, yet its effects on herpetofaunal community structure remain insufficiently understood at local scales. We evaluated patterns of diversity and community structure of amphibians and reptiles across a gradient of habitat transformation in southwestern Cundinamarca, Colombia. Field surveys conducted between 2015 and 2022 using visual encounter surveys recorded 57 species and 608 individuals. Forest habitats supported the highest species richness and diversity, whereas coffee crops and open areas exhibited reduced richness and simplified assemblages. Rank–abundance patterns revealed greater dominance in open habitats and higher evenness in forests, consistent with environmental filtering processes. Amphibians were more strongly associated with forest environments, whereas reptiles showed broader habitat tolerance and higher representation in disturbed habitats. In addition, we compiled a comprehensive regional inventory based on field data, biological collections, and biodiversity databases, documenting 86 species of herpetofauna. Overall, our results show patterns consistent with environmental filtering, where habitat transformation is associated with increased dominance of generalist species and simplified community structure. These findings highlight the importance of conserving forest remnants and maintaining heterogeneous landscapes to support herpetofaunal diversity in the Colombian Andes.
The American bullfrog (Aquarana catesbeiana) is widely recognized as an invasive species with various harmful ecological impacts. Comprehensive population-specific information is required to develop effective management strategies to mitigate these impacts. However, studies examining the age structure and growth of this species, particularly within South Korean populations, are scarce. To address this gap, this study aimed to estimate the age structure and growth curve of A. catesbeiana populations in South Korea. A total of 49 individuals were collected from 10 sites in southwestern South Korea between 2019 and 2023. Age was estimated using skeletochronology, and lines of arrested growth (LAGs) were identified in bone cross-sections. Individuals were classified as males, females, or juveniles, with estimated age ranges of 1–5 years for males, 0–4 years for females, and 0–2 years for juveniles. No significant differences in age or snout–vent length were detected between sexes, whereas significant differences were observed between adults and juveniles. Because of the limited sample size, growth curves were estimated using male individuals only. The results revealed rapid growth up to 2 years of age, followed by deceleration in growth rate thereafter. Comparisons with native amphibians in South Korea indicated that the asymptotic size of A. catesbeiana is substantially larger, suggesting a high potential for ecological impacts on native amphibian communities. These findings provide population-specific information that can improve ecological risk assessment and support management efforts for A. catesbeiana under South Korean environmental conditions.
In captivity, reptiles often experience unnatural incubation and rearing conditions due to limited nest site choices, which can negatively impact individual development and welfare. Incubation temperature and humidity are especially critical for reptile development, influencing factors such as sex, growth and morphology. However, the conditions experienced after hatching, such as social housing, are far less often considered. Here, I studied the effects of both the incubation environment (temperature and humidity) and social rearing compared to isolation rearing on the development of captive-bred tokay geckos (Gekko gecko). I find that incubation temperature, but not humidity are associated with phenotypic sex, hatchling size and incubation duration. Furthermore, females selected nest sites with higher temperature and lower humidity. After hatching, rearing group size did not affect snout vent length, growth or body condition. My findings indicate an association between incubation temperature and phenotypic sex despite the presence of sex chromosomes in this species. Therefore, care should be taken when raising tokay geckos in captivity to provide nest-site options and ensure optimal development of all offspring.
A new species of fossorial natricine snake, Trachischium lalremsangai sp. nov., is described from the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. The holotype was collected from Murlen National Park, Mizoram, near the India–Myanmar border, while the paratype originated from Haka Township, Chin State, Myanmar. Based on morphological and molecular data, the new species is related to T. reticulata (Blyth); however, it can be diagnosed from members of the genus Trachischium by possessing 13 dorsal scale rows, two postoculars, one anterior temporal scale, and two posterior temporal scales, in addition to distinctive colouration and other scalation details. The discovery of several new snake species within the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot underscores the need for increased research efforts and funding dedicated to this region in the near future.
A new species of the genus Vietnamophryne is described from limestone karst forests of Quang Tri Province, central Vietnam, based on two adult male specimens and integrative analyses of morphology and mitochondrial DNA. Morphologically, Vietnamophryne abscondita sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) medium body size (snout-vent length 18.1–19.0 mm in males, n = 2); (2) head slightly wider than long; (3) snout short, rounded in dorsal view; (4) tympanum indistinct; (5) dorsal skin finely shagreened, lacking enlarged tubercles or a median dorsal ridge; (6) Finger I longer than half of Finger II; (7) toes without webbing, bearing rounded terminal discs; (8) forelimbs and hindlimbs slender; (9) dorsum dark brown to chocolate brown, with irregular lighter mottling; (10) flanks and limbs densely speckled with pale spots; (11) ventral surface bright yellow-orange to orange on chest and belly, with dark marbling on throat and ventral surfaces of limbs; (12) lower jaw region with scattered pale blotches; and (13) indistinct pale yellow suborbital spotting extending from the eye toward the mouth corner. Phylogenetic analyses based on the long mtDNA fragment recover Vietnamophryne abscondita sp. nov. as a well-supported independent lineage, showing uncorrected p-distances exceeding 3% from all currently recognized congeners of Vietnamophryne, based on the 16S rRNA gene fragment. Although shallow genetic divergences and limited sampling complicate species boundaries within the genus, further taxonomic changes are not proposed, and current species limits are considered provisional pending comprehensive integrative revision. The discovery of this species, together with a closely related undescribed lineage from the same province, highlights the underestimated diversity of Vietnamophryne and emphasizes the Annamites (Truong Son Mountains) as a priority region for future herpetological surveys.
A new species of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950, is described from Yunnan Province, China, based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological and molecular evidence. The new species, Scincella verecunda sp. nov., is diagnosed by a unique combination of morphological characters, including medium body size in adult females (maximum snout-vent length of 48.7 mm); palpebral disc absent; midbody scale rows 25-26; total ventral + gular scale rows numbering 65-68; paravertebral scale rows 62-65; 6-9 enlarged lamellae beneath finger IV, 11-13 beneath toe IV; in life, the dorsum brown and scattered with a few small dark spots, the lateral surface golden-yellow, bearing numerous distinct dark spots, which sometimes connect to form vermiform markings; the dark dorsolateral stripes irregular; and toes not in contact with fingers when limbs are adpressed. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated mitochondrial gene sequences (12S, 16S, and CO1) recover the new species as a distinct lineage, forming a clade with S. ouboteri Pham, Pham, Le, Ngoc, Ziegler & Nguyen, S. ochracea (Bourret), and S. reevesii (Gray). The new species status of this population is further supported by marked mitochondrial divergence from its closest relatives (>= 6.3% in 16S and >= 16.6% in CO1) and is currently known only from high-elevation coniferous forest in Linxiang District, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China (at elevations between 2,113 and 2,358 m a.s.l.). Our data suggest that eyelid morphology may be homoplastic within Scincella and that not all Scincella species necessarily bear a palpebral disc on the lower eyelid. This finding underlines the need for reconsidering the morphological diagnosis of the genus Scincella and allied taxa of sphenomorphine skinks.
Exotic species impact native biodiversity, with alien lizards acting as direct predators and indirectly as prey for other alien species (i.e., trophic subsidies). Tarentola mauritanica, a gecko introduced in Chile, lacks ecological data, complicating threat assessment. It is described as eating arthropods and lizards, and as a trophic subsidy for invasive mammals (e.g., cats) in its native range. Here, we evaluate diet and food availability between two seasons (spring and summer) and identify potential and effective predators in Santiago, Chile. The diet was analysed based on stomach contents, food availability from arthropod traps, and predator occurrence, using an integrative approach that combined faunal surveys, literature, citizen science, fieldwork, camera-traps, and faecal analysis. Tarentola mauritanica has an insectivorous diet that varies between the sampled seasons, consuming mainly Lepidoptera in spring and Coleoptera in summer, with no native lizard prey detected. A mismatch between diet dominance and environmental dominance was observed, which is consistent with some degree of selectivity. Twelve potential predators, primarily birds, were identified, and cats were confirmed as probable predators through the integrative approach. The gecko is mainly insectivorous, and seasonal selective foraging could affect arthropods, especially in urban areas with lower prey diversity and abundance. No native lizards were detected in its diet, but monitoring is advised due to its known saurophagous behavior. The data indicate that cats are probable predators; however, the highly localised scope and exploratory nature of the predator component warrants further evaluation. These findings enhance our understanding of community dynamics and the potential trophic impacts of T. mauritanica in Chile.
The genera Hydromorphus and Tretanorhinus (Colubridae) comprise uncommon, poorly studied aquatic snakes, largely because of their nocturnal and aquatic habits. In Panama, four species have been recorded: Hydromorphus concolor, H. dunni, Tretanorhinus mocquardi, and T. nigroluteus. Although more than a century has passed since the first Panamanian record, knowledge of their distribution, morphology, ecology, and behavior remains limited. Through an exhaustive literature review and fieldwork, we updated their distribution and provided seven new records for H. dunni, 16 for H. concolor, six for T. mocquardi, and five for T. nigroluteus. For H. dunni, the only previously known record was the holotype from the original description. We documented substantial range extensions, especially for H. dunni, with new records extending its known distribution by 228 km northeast to Donoso (Colón Province) and 273 km southeast to Altos de Campana National Park, representing the most distant records for the species to date. We report new localities in Darién Province for T. mocquardi and in Bocas del Toro Province for T. nigroluteus, collectively refining the known distribution of these aquatic snakes in Panama. We identified previously unreported variation in the arrangement and number of cephalic scales, particularly in H. dunni, strengthening the morphological basis for taxonomic diagnosis. We also provide an updated morphological dichotomous key. In addition, we contribute to knowledge of the trophic ecology of T. nigroluteus by documenting a direct case of necrophagy during captive feeding trials. Overall, this study provides new information on these taxa in Panama, improves their ecological characterization, and may support future conservation efforts.
Our study reports a new distribution record for the recently described species Boulenophrys daxuemontis in Nayong County, Guizhou Province, expanding its known range. Furthermore, we provide the first systematic description and quantification of its advertisement call characteristics. Its advertisement call consists of a series of repeated pulsative calls, with a mean call duration of 144.91 ± 24.55 ms and a mean dominant frequency of 3.56 ± 0.12 kHz. Additionally, a detailed quantitative comparison was conducted between its advertisement calls and those of its sister species, Boulenophrys jiangi. Principal component analysis revealed that parameters such as pulse rate, number of pulses per call, and dominant frequency separated the two species in call space, effectively distinguishing these morphologically similar sister species. These unique acoustic features provide evidence supporting the taxonomic status of B. daxuemontis. While our sample size is limited, these findings provide foundational data for future study. Our study not only enriches the fundamental biological database for the genus Boulenophrys but also offers important reference data for biodiversity assessment, conservation, and acoustic identification of cryptic amphibian species in the region.
We describe a new species of Charadrahyla from the Sierra Juárez portion of the Sierra Madre Oriental in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, and provide morphological and molecular data to support the novelty of this species. The new species is most similar to Charadrahyla nephila, with which it has been confused in the past. We report on adult, larval, and juvenile specimens of this new species and parapatric C. nephila. We also report a novel population of the endangered Charadrahyla sakbah from the Sierra Monteflor portion of the Sierra Madre Oriental, also in Oaxaca, which significantly extends its known distribution. We provide an updated distribution map for species of Charadrahyla inhabiting Oaxaca. Finally, we provide conservation recommendations for various species in this genus, at least four of which should be considered Endangered.
The Yingde Leopard Gecko (Goniurosaurus yingdeensis) is a critically endangered reptile restricted to a narrow-fragmented karst region in China. Investigating the role of terrestrial islands in biodiversity generation by conducting genetic analyses of G. yingdeensis can offer insights into the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of inselbergs, while also providing theoretical and practical guidance for future conservation of this species. In this study, we employed 20 pairs of SSR primers to assess the genetic diversity and analyze the population structure of 86 individuals from 10 geographical populations of G. yingdeensis. The results revealed low genetic diversity in G. yingdeensis. Populations exhibited a high degree of genetic differentiation and a low level of gene flow, which may contribute to the loss of genetic diversity due to genetic drift. Clustering analyses indicated that the genetic differentiation between one population and the other nine was the most pronounced. Furthermore, the genetic distance among G. yingdeensis populations was found to be influenced by more than just spatial distance. This study demonstrates that for species with limited dispersal capability such as G. yingdeensis, karst inselbergs function similarly to aquatic islands in evolutionary processes: gene flow is restricted to a small range by geographic barriers, isolated populations evolve independently, and genetic differentiation increases over time. Among the factors contributing to population isolation in G. yingdeensis, rivers play the most significant role.
We report on a population of smooth newts (Lissotriton vulgaris) from the vicinity of Jena (Germany), in which we detected the presence of sessile peritrich ciliates of the genus Apiosoma. The zooids of the ciliates were found in the oropharynx of the urodelans during their aquatic annual phase. We performed histological and SEM investigations to document and identify the protists. The histological studies indicated that the ciliate zooids were firmly attached to the oral epithelium of the newts and were abundant throughout the oral cavity. The SEM investigation demonstrated that the ciliates densely covered the dorsal epithelium of the newt’s tongue. We discuss the potential implications of the presence of numerous relatively large ciliate zooids on the movement of the water volumes during the aquatic prey capture and prey transport in the newts.
Proteus tritonius Laurenti, 1768 has long been regarded as the larva of Triton alpestris Laurenti, 1768. It is the type species of Ichthyosaura Sonnini & Latreille, 1801, the oldest available generic name for the Alpine newt, Triton being preoccupied by a senior homonym. Mutz and B & ouml;hme (2025) declared Proteus tritonius a nomen dubium, based on new interpretation of Laurenti's text, and moved it to the synonymy of Salamandra salamandra (Linnaeus, 1758) by a neotype designation. We challenge the validity of this neotype designation, because Mutz and B & ouml;hme (2025) ignored evidence contradicting their argumentation, and the morphology of the neotype does not conform with the description of P. tritonius.
