Yodchaiy Chuaynkern

Three New Species of Frogs and a New Tadpole from Eastern Thailand

Abstract We describe three new species of frogs from eastern Thailand based on old and new material. These represent a species of Megophrys from Chantaburi and Sa Kaeo Provinces, a species of Odorrana from Loei Province, and a species of Fejervarya from Ubon Ratchatani Province. Tadpoles are assigned to the new species of Megophrys and Fejervarya and to a recently described species of Rhacophorus from eastern Thailand using molecular identification.

Improving biodiversity assessment of anuran amphibians using DNA barcoding of tadpoles. Case studies from Southeast Asia.

Amphibian populations are dramatically declining, while their inventory is far from being achieved. Tadpoles are usually overlooked from biodiversity survey, whereas their consideration will optimize species counts and knowledge of their ecological and developmental requirements is essential in conservation planning. Two mitochondrial markers, 16S (397 new sequences obtained) and COI (343 new sequences obtained), are used to test DNA barcoding on a set of larval and adult Asian amphibians represented by 83 recognized species from 65 sites. The advantages and drawbacks of each marker are assessed, COI barcoding being advocated for global DNA barcoding, whereas 16S suits for taxonomically or geographically restricted DNA barcoding. About half of the collected tadpoles were badly identified or incompletely named in the field. All tadpole sequences (except one case of probable introgressive hybridization) were correctly assigned to their respective species. Finally six clusters of tadpole sequences without conspecific adults were revealed, stressing the importance of collecting and taking into account tadpoles in biodiversity survey and conservation planning.

A New Opisthotropis (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae) from Northeastern Thailand

ABSTRACT A new species of the aquatic natricine colubrid snake genus Opisthotropis is described based on a single specimen from Nong Khai Province, northeastern Thailand. The new species is distinguished from other Opisthotropis by the combination of having smooth scales on the body and tail, 15 dorsal scale rows throughout the body, the fourth supralabial in contact with the eye, the posterior pair of chin shields longer than the anterior pair, and a glossy black dorsum with yellow spots.

Karyotype homology between Calotes versicolor and C. mystaceus (Squamata, Agamidae) from northeastern Thailand

Karyotypes of Calotes versicolor and Calotes mystaceus from Khon Kaen Province, northeastern Thailand were investigated. Chromosome preparations were conducted by squash technique from bone marrow. Conventional Giemsa staining and Ag-NOR banding technique were applied to stain the chromosomes. The results showed that the diploid number of C. versicolor and C. mystaceus were 34 in both the species, while the fundamental number (NF) was 46 in both sexes of these species. The types of chromosomes were: four large metacentric, two large submetacentric, four medium metacentric, two small metacentric and 22 microchromosomes in the genus Calotes. NORs of these species were located at the secondary constriction to the telomere on the long arm of the large submetacentric chromosome pair no. 2. No difference was found in karyotypes of chromosomes prepared from the male and female agamid lizards used in the present study. The karyotype formulae of C. versicolor and C. mystaceus were found to be the same and were presented as 2n (34) = Lm4 + Lsm2 + Mm4 + Sm2 + 22 microchromosomes.

Amphibia, Anura, Dicroglossidae, Quasipaa fasciculispina (Inger, 1970): distribution extension

The current work presents a new locality for Quasipaa fasciculispina (Inger, 1970) documenting the first provincial record based on voucher specimens for Trat Province (eastern Thailand). Its geographical distribution is reviewed and a recent distribution map in Thailand is presented.

Cytogenetics of the skinks (Reptilia, Scincidae) from Thailand; IV: newly investigated karyotypic features of Lygosoma quadrupes and Scincella melanosticta

Abstract This study analyzed the karyotype of Lygosoma quadrupes and Scincella melanosticta from northeastern Thailand. Mitotic chromosomes were prepared directly from intestinal epithelial cells of three L. quadrupes and nine S. melanosticta. The chromosomes were stained by conventional staining technique. The karyotype was determined for each species based on at least 20 well-spread cells. Both L. quadrupes and S. melanosticta showed the same diploid number of 2n = 30, but differed in identical chromosome morphology. No sex chromosome heteromorphisms were evident in L. quadrupes; in contrast, S. melanosticta showed the ZZ/ZW sex determination system. The respective karyotype formulae of L. quadrupes and S. melanosticta were deduced as:

Cytogenetics of the skinks (Reptilia, Scincidae) from Thailand; III: the first karyological study of Sphenomorphus maculatus and Jarujinia bipedalis

Abstract This is a karyological study of male and female Sphenomorphus maculatus from Khon Kaen Province in Northeastern Thailand, and female Jarujinia bipedalis from Kanchanaburi Province in Central Thailand. Chromosomes of two species were prepared by the squash technique from the bone marrow and testis. Conventional staining and Ag-NOR banding techniques were applied to stain the chromosome with Giemsa’s solution and silver nitrate solution, respectively. The results showed that the diploid chromosome number of Sphenomorphus maculatus and Jarujinia bipedalis was 30 and the fundamental number (NF) was 44. There were eight large metacentric, two medium metacentric, four small metacentric and 16 microchromosomes in Sphenomorphus maculatus and eight large metacentric, six small metacentric, two small telocentric and 14 microchromosomes in Jarujinia bipedalis. There was no irregularly sized chromosome related to sex in either species. For Sphenomorphus maculatus, NORs are located at the telomere on the long arms of the second pair of the metacentric chromosome. The karyotype formulae were deduced as: 2n (30) = Lm8 + Mm2 + Sm4 + 16 microchromosomes and 2n (30) = Lm8 + Sm6 + St2 + 14 microchromosomes for Sphenomorphus maculatus and Jarujinia bipedalis, respectively.

A new caruncle-bearing Limnonectes (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from northeastern Thailand

A new species of the dicroglossid frog genus Limnonectes is described from Ubon Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand. Limnonectes lauhachindai sp. nov. differs from its congeners by having males with a low-profiled, U-shaped caruncle with free posterior margin that completely occupies, but does not extend beyond, the interobital region. The new species is most closely related to L. gyldenstolpei and L. dabanus. Its description brings the total number of caruncle-bearing species of Limnonectes to five.

Tropidophorus robinsoni Smith, 1919 (Squamata: Scincidae): new distribution record and map

We present a new locality for Tropidophorus robinsoni Smith, 1919 based on a specimen collected from Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand, a new provincial record. The geographical distribution of the species is reviewed and an updated distribution map is presented.

Reptilia, Squamata, Scincidae, Lygosoma haroldyoungi (Taylor, 1962): new distribution records

Three newly recorded localities for Lygosoma haroldyoungi (Taylor, 1962) in Thailand are presented, which represent first sightings for Khon Kaen, Sakhon Nakhon and Mukdaharn provinces. An updated compilation of the known geographical distribution of L. haroldyoungi is provided.