A NEW SITE RECORD OF STRIPED ASIAN TREEFROG (AMPHIBIA: RHACOPHORIDAE: Chirixalus trilaksonoi) FROM SUMATRA, WITH REEVALUATION OF ITS CONSERVATION STATUS

Two of the six Chirixalus species currently known are distributed in Indonesia. Both species are only known to be distributed in Java, and they are Chirixalus trilaksonoi and Chirixalus pantaiselatan. During two field expeditions conducted in 2022 in Palembang, South Sumatra, we encountered several individuals exhibiting morphological similarities to C. trilaksonoi. Subsequent analysis, encompassing molecular, morphological, and bioacoustic, was undertaken to ascertain the identity of these individuals. The analyses outcomes unequivocally confirm that the specimens from Palembang are indeed C. trilaksonoi. Nevertheless, slight variations were observed between the Javanese and Sumatran populations of C. trilaksonoi. These populations exhibited a low genetic distance of 0.6% in mitochondrial DNA and displayed three polymorphic sites. Furthermore, there are slight differences in various morphological characteristics, and in advertising calls. The IUCN red-list status of this species was also evaluated, and based on the available evidence, we propose C. trilaksonoi as Vulnerable according to criteria B1ab(iii). This study stresses the importance of comprehensive taxon studies, especially in neighboring island, and in one biogeographical region

AFTER 16 YEARS: AN UPDATE CHECKLIST OF HERPETOFAUNA ON THE NATUNA ISLANDS, INDONESIA

Since the last list of amphibians and reptiles of the Natuna Islands was published nearly 20 years ago, here we provide an updated species list of the herpetofauna of these remote Indonesian islands. We compiled and summarized data from the available literature, and from our own studies conducted in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2019. In total, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles were recorded for the Natuna Islands, which included 28 new records and six endemics. Over the past eight years, four species new to science were described from these islands, and they are: Cnemaspis mumpuniae, Cnemaspis sundainsula, Cyrtodactylus hikidai, and Cyrtodactylus rosichonariefi

Sexual dimorphism and reproductive biology of the Asian bockadam snake (Cerberus schneiderii) in West Java

Abstract Although they are among the most abundant snakes on Earth, and are heavily exploited for their skins and meat, Asian bockadams (or “dog-faced water snakes”, Cerberus schneiderii) have attracted relatively little study across their wide geographic range. Based on dissection of 3,382 snakes brought to processing facilities in and around the city of Cirebon in West Java, Indonesia, we document facets of the biology of these mangrove-dwelling aquatic homalopsids. Females attain larger body sizes than do males, and are heavier-bodied (due in part to greater fat reserves) but have shorter tails relative to snout-vent length. Males showed testicular enlargement late in the year (August-November) but both reproductive and non-reproductive females were found year-round. Litters were large (3 to 45 offspring), especially in larger females. The commercial harvest falls mainly on adult snakes of both sexes, with seasonal variation in sex ratios. Life-history traits such as early maturation and frequent production of large litters render this species resilient to commercial harvesting. Future research should explore reasons for strong variation among facilities in the sex ratios of snakes, potentially identifying ways to focus the harvest on the sex (males) whose numbers are less critical for population viability