摘要: Brain size varies dramatically across populations and species in anuran species.The differences in structure,function,or size of brains are linked to processing specific cognitive tasks by different behaviors.In particular,the causes of how male-male competition promotes the increased cognitive abilities to increase brains are as yet unexplored in anurans.To evaluate the effect of male-male competition on variation in brain size in B.andrewsi,we compared the differences in relative brain size between mated males and unpaired males under natural and experimental conditions.We found that mated males had relatively larger brains than unpaired males in a natural population when controlling the effect of body size.Likewise,we also found that there were larger brains in mated males than in unpaired males in both experiment 1 where two males competed for a female and experiment 2 where three males competed for a female,suggesting that males with mating success during male-male competition possess increased brain size and cognitive abilities.When we compared difference in relative brain size in mated males between experiment2 and experiment 1 we found that males experiencing more intense competition did not display larger brains than males experiencing relatively weak competition,suggesting that low intensity competition is already enough to trigger the increase in relative brain size in B.andrewsi.

摘要: A new species of gekkonid, Gekko liui sp. nov., is described based on six specimens from Dazhou Island, Wanning City, Hainan, China. This new species is distinguished from its congeners by significant genetic divergence(>4.6% in the mitochondrial ND2 gene) and morphological characters, including a small body size(SVL 48.92– 56.67 mm, n = 6), nares in contact with rostral scale, 37–42 interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes, 140–148 ventral scales from mental to cloacal slit, 103–118 midbody scale rows, 34– 39 ventral scale rows, 10–11 subdigital lamellae on the first toe and 12–13 on the fourth toe, webbing present in the fingers and toes, with tubercles on the dorsal surface of the tail, 20–23 precloacal pores in males, and dorsal surface of body with six or seven large dark and brown bicolor bands between the nape and sacrum. The discovery of this new species brings the number of Gekko(subgenus Japonigekko) species in China to 23 and in Hainan Province to 4.

摘要: The Hengduan Mountains Region(HMR)in China, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot,has garnered attention for its potential to harbor cryptic species within the Asian pit viper genus Gloydius Hoge & Romano-Hoge, 1981. Based on comprehensive morphological comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analysis of the Gloydius strauchi complex, this study identified a previously unrecognized species of Asian pit viper. Discovered in the upper Lancang(Mekong) hot dry valley of Xizang,China, this species is geographically proximate to G.huangi but exhibits clear morphological distinctions from other members of the genus, representing the second Gloydius species identified along the upper Lancang River. We describe here this new species and highlight the significance of skull and hemipenis morphology, which were instrumental in its diagnosis and in resolving taxonomic boundaries and ambiguities within the G. strauchi complex. This study provides insights into the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary history of this newly described species, enhancing our understanding of diversification patterns in this genus.

摘要: Comprehensive surveys on the distribution of the endangered Chinting alpine toad(Scutiger chintingensis) were recently conducted, revealing important findings regarding its population characteristics. This study integrated morphological and molecular analyses to clarify the taxonomic status of these populations. Based on detailed morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analyses, the population from Wolong, Wenchuan County,Sichuan, China, is identified as a new species, which is formally described herein. The new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by a unique combination of following characteristics:(1) small body size, SVL 42.2–46.9 mm in adult males, SVL54.3–56.3 in adult females;(2) vomerine ridges and vomerine teeth absent, maxillary teeth present;(3)internasal distance and interorbital distance relatively large;(4) subarticular tubercle absent on fingers and toes;(5) dorsal and lateral skin rough with densely-distributed horny spines in males, smooth and lacking black horny spines in females;(6) vocal sac absent in males;(7) pair of pectoral glands and pair of axillary glands present on chest in males, axillary gland about two-thirds pectoral gland in size;(8) in breeding males, pectoral glands and axillary glands covered by dense spines, belly rough with horny spines, nuptial spines present on dorsal and lateral surface of first and second fingers and inner side of third finger,dense spines on inner forelimb aligned, extending from wrist to near axilla. This study highlights the critical importance of accurate taxonomic identification, particularly for endangered species, as misidentifications can misguide subsequent biological research and conservation efforts.

摘要: A new species of the Kukri snake genus Oligodon is described from Medog County in the eastern Himalayas of China. The species, named Oligodon zhangfujii sp. nov., can be distinguished from all known congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics:(1) 17-17-15 dorsal scale rows;(2) six supralabials, third and fourth entering orbit;(3) one loreal present;(4)seven infralabials, first to fourth in contact with anterior chin shields;(5) 173 ventral scales and 47 pairs of subcaudal scales;(6) cloacal plate divided;(7) hemipenis single, shallowly bilobed, with large calcareous spines and a calyx area, sulcus spermaticus single; and(8) eight maxillary teeth.Phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes revealed that this species occupies an independent phylogenetic position, distinct from the eight recognized species groups within the genus, and represents a sister taxon to the clade comprising the O. theobaldi and O. cinereus groups.The description is based on a single road-killed individual. As such, ecological data for the species remain sparse, underscoring the need for additional field surveys across the eastern Himalayan region.

摘要: The Tien's Mountain Stream Snake,Opisthotropis daovantieni Orlov, Darevsky, and Murphy, 1998, has been represented solely by its type series, with no additional specimens reported in the past two decades. As a result, limited data exist and O. daovantieni remains one of the least studied members of its genus. Based on a re-examination of the type series, analysis of newly collected topotypic specimens, and a review of museum collections, this study provides an updated and comprehensive morphological characterization of O. daovantieni including detailed descriptions of hemipenial morphology, revised diagnostic characters,phylogenetic positioning, and ecological insights.Based on morphological comparisons with congeners, we also define the informal Opisthotropis spenceri group to facilitate future taxonomic work. In addition, this study documents a previously unreported defensive behavior involving tail-poking,observed in the field and thus far unique within the genus Opisthotropis.

摘要: Understanding the ecogeographic mechanisms driving morphological variation is pivotal in biogeographic studies. However, patterns and determinants of such variation remain contentious, particularly in amphibians. Although several hypotheses have been formulated and investigated in amphibians, their validity remains disputed with mixed support. Using the Sichuan spiny frog(Nanorana sichuanensis) as an indicator, we investigated the morphological variations across geographic and environmental gradients to explore the underlying ecogeographic mechanisms. We found that both the body size and limb characteristics of N.sichuanensis were not significantly related to latitude or elevation, suggesting that it did not follow Bergmann's or Allen's rules. Eye diameter decreased linearly with increasing elevation and latitude, whereas snout length increased with increasing elevation and latitude. Heat balance, endurance, seasonality, water availability, and primary productivity collectively explain body size variation. Hierarchical partitioning identified primary productivity and thermal excursion as the most influential factors, explaining significant variability in body size and other morphological features. Specifically, primary productivity accounted for 52.40% of the variation in body size, whereas thermal excursion had the greatest impact on eye diameter(36.23%) and snout length(72.17%). Based on body size and dimensionally reduced morphological features, our results identified ecogeographic patterns, assessed the validity of different hypotheses, and examined how environmental factors influence these morphological variations. More generally, our study offers comprehensive insights into the ecogeographic variation observed in mountain amphibians,provides a critical evaluation of existing ecogeographic hypotheses, and infers possible morphological adaptations in response to environmental change.

摘要: Roadkill has become a pivotal issue in the global decline of amphibian populations.Conventional research methods have typically relied on the examination of dried carcasses found long after wildlife-vehicle collisions, which influnce the accuracy of the taxonomic classification and assessment of roadkill rates. To overcome these limitations, we conducted a nocturnal survey on National Road G108in the Qinling Mountains immediately following a night rainstorm in July 2016. We employed molecular techniques to distinguish species that are morphologically identical but share overlapping habitats. Our investigation revealed that within five hours, 92 amphibians from five different species were documented across three 2-km road transects. Among these, 31 individuals were identified as roadkill,resulting in an overall rate of 33%, or roughly five fatalities per kilometer. Significantly, the mountain stream frogs Nanorana quadranus and N. taihangnica comprised 40.2% and 30.4% of the total individuals observed, with mortality rates of 35.1% and 25.0%,respectively. We found no significant variation in mortality rates between different age groups or genders for either species. Our research suggests that conducting surveys at night, immediately following summer rainstorms, is an efficient strategy for evaluating the impacts of roadkill. The post-rain foraging behaviors and the dispersal of juveniles are key factors contributing to road crossings outside of the breeding season. Consequently, this study recommends that traffic authorities in mountainous areas take measures to reduce vehicle traffic following summer rainstorms in order to minimize the threat to amphibian lives.

摘要: Bufotes taxkorensis and B. zamdaensis are toads endemic to China. Both species inhabit highelevation and saline environments, and so provide a unique opportunity to investigate the adaptive responses of amphibians to extreme habitats. In the present study, we first observed and measured the histological structures of their skin and kidney in B.taxkorensis and B. zamdaensis. We then compared these results with similar findings for the low-elevation seawater dweller Fejervarya cancrivora and, finally,contrasted them with available data on species living in diverse habitats. Our results revealed the following adaptations:(1) In the Bufotes species, the epidermis and dermis both contain capillary vessels, facilitating blood-gas exchange and promoting adaptation to high-elevation hypoxia. The thick pigment layers present in the ventral skin of B. taxkorensis also help in adaptation to lower temperatures. In addition, the relative epidermis thickness of the dorsal and ventral skin is significantly greater in Bufotes species than in F.cancrivora, indicating adaptation to a terrestrial habitat.Comparing the terrestrial and semiaquatic species, we find that total dorsal and ventral thicknesses are both significantly greater in terrestrial than in semiaquatic species, helping to reduce water evaporation and damage from crawling, and thus promoting adaptation to terrestrial life.(2) The relative kidney filtration area of the Bufotes species is not significantly different from that of F. cancrivora, but accounts for only half that of terrestrial Bufo species. This lower total relative filtration area prevents excessive urea from being filtered out, avoiding excessive loss of body water and promoting adaptation to saline conditions. At the same time, the relative diameter of the proximal segment of Bufotes species is found to be similar to that of the semiaquatic F. cancrivora,facilitating the resorption of water and ions to increase plasma osmolality and promoting adaptation to saline environments. The findings of the present study offer insights into the adaptive mechanisms of amphibians in extreme environments and different habitats.

摘要: Despite continuous progress made on the taxonomy of the genus Tropidophorus, the Lao Water Skink, T. laotus, is only known from brief descriptions of its syntypes in historical literature. Here we designate a lectotype and paralectotype of the species, redescribe the species based on the type series and newly collected topotypes, provide the first colored photographs of taxonomically-verified individuals, and estimate its phylogenetic position using mitochondrial DNA data for the first time.Using these comparable data, we confirm that the previously identified “T. berdmorei” population from southern Yunnan Province, China, represents a distinct new species that is closely related and morphologically similar to T. laotus, but differs from true T. laotus by having considerable genetic divergence(4.7%–4.8% for 12S, 3.2%–4.2% for 16S)and distinct morphological characters(e.g., undivided frontonasal scales and a distinct color pattern of the throat). The southern Yunnan population is therefore described as a new species. With the above newly acquired data, we update the checklist and the provincial-level distribution of the genus Tropidophorus in China and compile an updated key to all recognized species of the genus from China and Indochina.