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

The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with emphasis on C. interdigitalis and C. ngati

Abstract Convergent morphological specializations for an arboreal lifestyle in most species of the Cyrtodactylus brevipalmatus group have been a confounding factor for establishing a stable taxonomy among its species. Recent references to C. interdigitalis from throughout Thailand and Laos were made without comparisons to the type material from Tham Yai Nam Nao, Nam Nao National Park, Phetchabun Province, Thailand, but instead, were based on general morphological similarity and distribution. The taxonomy of C. interdigitalis is stabilized here by comparing the paratypes to other specimens from Thailand and Laos and recovering their phylogenetic relationships based on newly acquired genetic data, including those from the type locality. The phylogeny recovered all specimens outside the type locality to be either C. ngati from Vietnam or new species closely related to C. ngati. Cyrtodactylus interdigitalis is shown here to be a range-restricted upland endemic on the Phetchabun massif of northern Thailand. The phylogeny also indicates that C. ngati extends hundreds of kilometers farther south into northern Thailand and central Laos. We hypothesize that the significant morphological divergence in body shape of the types of C. ngati, compared to that of the Lao and Thai populations, may be due to local adaptions for utilizing karst (C. ngati) rather than vegetation (Lao and Thai populations). Additionally, phylogenetic and multivariate analyses identified a potentially new species from Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phitsanulok Province, in northern Thailand and another from the Khlong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranong Province, in southern Thailand. A series of newly examined specimens from Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand represents a possible ~82 km range extension to the southeast of C. rukhadeva. This research continues to underscore the high diversity of range-restricted upland endemics in Thailand and the importance of examining type material (if possible) in the context of a phylogeny so as to construct proper taxonomies that reveal, rather than obscure, diversity

Complete mitochondrial genome of Tropidophorus hangnam (Squamata: Scincidae) with phylogenetic analysis

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Tropidophorus hangnam was sequenced from its paratype (GenBank accession no. MN977920). It was 16,777 bp in length with a base composition of 31.99% A, 29.49% C, 14.34% G, and 24.18% T, and a GC content of 43.83%. The genome includes 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region (D loop). Most T. hangnam genes are located on the H strand, except for the ND6 gene and eight tRNA genes, which are located on the L strand. Phylogenetic analyses based on 13 PCGs indicated that T. hangnam is sister to the clade composed of the genera Scincella and Sphenomorphus. The newly sequenced T. hangnam mitogenome will provide basic data for further studies on the genetic diversity and molecular phylogenetic relationships of the genus Tropidophorus

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

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

Isopachys borealis Lang & Böhme, 1990 (Squamata: Scincidae): New distribution record and map

We present a new locality for Isopachys borealis Lang & Böhme, 1990 based on a specimen collected from Salak Phra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand. The present work represents a new provincial record for Kanchanaburi province. 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

Systematic and phylogenetic analysis of relationships between the members of the Southeast-Asian frogs of the Raninae, with particular emphasis on the Thai species

L analyse phylogénétique des relations entre les membres des Raninae sensu DUBOIS (1992) a été effectuée à partir de données morphologiques seules. Soixante-et-onze taxa ont été inclus dans l analyse, comportant des espèces des genres Limnonectes, Amolops, Rana, Staurois et Rhacophorus. Quatre de ces espèces (Rana angolensis, Rana fuscigula, Limnonectes kuhlii et Rhacophorus rhodopus) ont été considérées comme groupe externe. Au total, 241 caractères morphologiques (123 de morphologie externe, 1 observé sur le têtard et 118 dérivés de la morphométrie) ont été employés. Les méthodes du gap-weighting et du step-matrix gap-weighting ont été utilisées pour coder des caractères polymorphiques et morphométriques en utilisant les valeurs des fréquences et des moyennes, respectivement. L analyse a été accomplie en utilisant PAUP* (version 4.0b10).Les résultats du codage gap-weighting ont abouti à 2 arbres plus parcimonieux équivalents courts, avec une longueur de 7901 pas, un CI de 0.415 et un RI de 0.3300. L arbre obtenu avec le mode neighbor-joining a une longueur de 8029 pas, un CI de 0.4443 et un RI de 0.3102. Les résultats du codage step-matrix gap-weighting ont produit un seul arbre le plus court, avec une longueur de 29606 pas, un CI de 0.1851 et un RI de 0.5852. L arbre obtenu par le mode neighbor-joining a été retenu pour décrire les relations entre les groupes.Les résultats de ces analyses confirment l intérêt d une analyse phylogénétique s appuyant sur les caractères morphologiques. Toutefois, ils soutiennent seulement partiellement les hypothèses antérieures concernant les relations entre certains groupes. Ces résultats suggèrent que dans des analyses phylogénétiques futures une attention particulière devrait être accordée aux relations concernant Babina et Nidirana, Rana humeralis, Rana montivaga, Rana luctuosa, Rana malabarica, Odorrana and Eburana, et Sylvirana.Les résultats montrent que le choix entre les différentes méthodes pour traiter les caractères morphologiques est important et que l utilisation de différentes méthodes à partir des mêmes données produit des arbres différents. De plus, l utilisation des seuls caractères basés sur la morphologie externe et la morphométrie semble insuffisante pour mettre en évidence les patrons de relations. D autres caractères, comme la musculature, le squelette, les chromosomes, le comportement, l écologie ou les têtards peuvent être mis à profit pour la reconstruction phylogénétique, outre bien entendu les données moléculaires.The phylogenetics analysis of the relationships between the members of the Raninae sensu DUBOIS (1992) was studied based on morphological data. Seventy-one taxa were included in the analyses including members of the genera Limnonectes, Amolops, Rana, Staurois and Rhacophorus. Among them, four taxa were treated as outgroup (Rana angolensis, Rana fuscigula, Limnonectes kuhlii and Rhacophorus rhodopus). A total of 241 morphological characters (123 from external morphology, 1 from tadpole and 118 from morphometry) were scored. Gap-weighting and step-matrix gap-weighting methods were adopted to code polymorphic and morphometric characters by using values of frequencies and means, respectively. The analysis was performed by using PAUP* (version 4.0b10).Results from gap-weighting coding yielded 2 equally shortest parsimonious trees with a length of 7901 steps, a CI of 0.415 and a RI of 0.3300. The tree obtained from the Neighbor-joining search has received tree length of 8029 steps, a CI of 0.4443 and a RI of 0.3102. Results from step-matrix gap-weighting coding yielded a single shortest tree with a length of 29606 steps, a CI of 0.1851 and a RI of 0.5852. The tree from Neighbor-joining search is chosen for describing the relationships among the groups.Although the aim of this study was to determine the relationships among the members of the Raninae sensu DUBOIS (1992), the results only partially support previous hypotheses of relationships within some groups. Results of the present work suggest that in further intensive phylogenetic analysis attention should be paid to Babina and Nidirana, Rana humeralis, Rana montivaga, Rana luctuosa, Rana malabarica, Odorrana and Eburana, and Sylvirana.The results demonstrate the choice among different methods for dealing with characters is important and the application of different methods to the same data produces different trees. Further, using characters on external morphology and morphometry only should not be enough to find the relationship patterns. Other kinds of data such as musculature, skeleton, chromosomes, behavior, ecology, tadpoles maybe adopted for reconstruction the phylogeny as well as the molecular data.PARIS-Museum Hist.Naturelle (751052304) / SudocSudocFranceF

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.