Larval development and breeding ecology of Ziegler's crocodile newt, Tylototriton ziegleri Nishikawa, Matsui and Nguyen, 2013 (Caudata: Salamandridae), compared to other Tylototriton representatives

We describe for the first time the larval development and stages of the recently described Ziegler's Crocodile Newt (Tylototriton ziegleri), an endemic species to northern Vietnam. Diagnostic morphological characters are provided for Grosse (1997, 2013) stages 27-32, 35-36, and 44-45, as well as comparisons with larval stages of other Tylototriton representatives. In addition, natural history data and an ecological assessment of the breeding niche are presented for T. ziegleri as well as for T. vietnamensis, from whom the former species was only recently taxonomically separated. We provide data extending the known breeding season of these two cryptic species in the North of Vietnam, which in fact lasts from April until July. On average, the clutches of T. ziegleri consisted of 67 +/- 32 eggs, were found on rock and soil substrates with a distance of 50 +/- 28 cm from water, whereas the clutches of T. vietnamensis were significantly smaller (43 +/- 19 eggs), found only on soil and were further distant from water (80 +/- 41 cm). The known maximum altitudinal distribution of T. vietnamensis is herein increased to 980 m above sea level. Based on the examples of T. ziegleri and T. vietnamensis, this study highlights how important it is to uncover cryptic species, define their exact distribution range, and investigate potential differences in ecological adaptations in order to assess the conservation status, develop proper conservation planning and provide suitable conditions for potential ex situ breeding programs

First record of Amolops cremnobatus from Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, including an extended tadpole description and the first larval staging for Amolops

We record Amolops cremnobatus INGER & KOTTELAT, 1998 for the first time from Thanh Hoa Province, northcentral Vietnam, which also represents the northernmost record of this species. Specimens of A. cremnobatus were found at three limestone karst forest sites within the Pu Hu Nature Reserve at altitudes between 277 and 526 m a.s.l. Adults and larval stages matched the diagnostic morphological characters of the original description of A. cremnobatus, such as small size, tarsal gland present, vomerine teeth present, tympanum distinct, nuptial pads distinctly developed in males, and tadpoles with upper jaw sheath divided and labial teeth row formula 10(5-10)/6(1). Besides natural history notes for both developmental stages and adults, we present an extended larval description based on a tadpole at GOSNER (1960) stage 31. The tadpole belongs to the exotrophic, lotic, gastromyzophorus larval type after McDIARMID & ALTIG (1999) and possesses the typical characteristics of a fast-water stream dweller, i. e., a large abdominal sucker disc, thick tail musculature, and reduced fins. In addition, the first larval staging for the genus Amolops in general is provided in this paper, based on the species A. cremnobatus

First record of Gracixalus quangi Rowley, Dau, Nguyen, Cao & Nguyen, 2011, from Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam, including the first documentation of advanced larval stages and an extended tadpole description

We provide the first record of Gracixalus quangi from Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The species was originally described from Nghe An Province and subsequently recorded from Son La and Thanh Hoa provinces in Vietnam. The first documentation of advanced larval stages up to Gosner stage 45 is provided from observations on the development of two egg clutches at the indoor amphibian facility of the Me Linh Station for Biodiversity. The clutches were collected in Hang Kia - Pa Co and Ngoc Son - Ngo Luong Nature Reserves in Hoa Binh. An extended description of a tadpole in stage 35 is presented including the morphology of the oral disc and the first complete larval staging table (comprising stages 14 to 45) for G. quangi. This is the first record of the species from a karst forest and we provide the first natural history data of G. quangi from such a habitat type

First record of the Vietnam Flying Frog, Rhacophorus calcaneus Smith, 1924, from Khanh Hoa Province, including the first molecular identification and morphological description of larval stages

We herein report the first record of the Vietnam Flying Frog, Rhacophorus calcaneus Smith, 1924, which is previously known only from Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces, from Hon Ba Nature Reserve, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. We further describe the larval morphology of the species for the first time, based on a tadpole collection from Hon Ba which was genetically matched with topotypic metamorphosed Rhacophorus and R. calcaneus from Dak Lak Province. Morphological characters of the tadpoles (Gosner stages 32, 36, 37 and 41) are as follows: Body and tail brown with numerous dark spots, ventral surface whitish. Body medium-sized, slightly depressed, elliptical in shape. Eyes of moderate size, located dorsolaterally. In lateral view, spiracle single, sinistral; lower and upper tail fin nearly of same size. Oral disc anteroventrally positioned, of trapezoidal shape and laterally emarginated, surrounded by papillae. Keratodont row formula (LTRF): 7(2-7)/3(1). Larvae are exotrophic, lentic: benthic; larval type after Orton (1953) is type IV

Is there a chance for conservation breeding? Ex situ management, reproduction, and early life stages of the Harlequin toad Atelopus flavescens Duméril & Bibron, 1841 (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae)

Abstract.-We report on our experiences with the captive management and ex situ reproduction of the Harlequin toad from Suriname (Atelopus flavescens) at the amphibian breeding unit of the Cologne Zoo. Egg deposition was stimulated by maintaining A. flavescens in a drier environment followed by a period of intensive irrigation. Here we provide for the first time an overview of the larval development from oviposition to metamorphosis, including diagnostic morphological characters according to Gosner. Eggs were arranged in strings and attached to the substrate below the water surface. Larvae hatched about five days after egg deposition and the characteristic abdominal suctorial disc developed about two days later (stages 20-21). Tadpoles are gastromyzophorous and were observed rasping algae. The average time for larval development to stage 41 was 100-130 days. Larval development appears to be dependent on water temperature with faster development at higher temperatures. Concerning color pattern in adults, we observed a slight sexual dimorphism and we were able to recognize individuals due to a constant color pattern. However, color was observed to slightly change over time

Skinks in Zoos: A global approach on distribution patterns of threatened Scincidae in zoological institutions

To manage populations of threatened species according to the IUCN's One Plan Approach, knowledge about both in situ and ex situ populations is required. To enhance the conservation of threatened skinks and to gain an overview which skink species are kept in zoos, and thus already have an ex situ conservation component, we analysed data from the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS): their individual numbers, breeding success, and the number of holding institutions. We categorised species as threatened or non-threatened based on IUCN Red List assessments. Only 92 (similar to 5%) of 1727 recognized skink species are held in ZIMS institutions worldwide, mostly in Australia, Europe, and North America. 77% of the species kept globally are classified as non-threatened and similar to 23% (21 species) are threatened. Only 28% of the species kept have successfully bred in the last year, mostly in one zoo each. Of these seven species were threatened. All threatened species are kept by four zoos at most, generally only in one. Half of the skink species kept are represented by less than 10 individuals. Mainly Australian skink species were kept. To improve the conservation of threatened skinks, a shift towards keeping threatened species should be considered within captive management programmes. European and North American zoos offer capacities and expertise for skink conservation but are outside skink species richness hotspots. Cooperative projects with institutions and stations in such hotspots could greatly benefit the conservation of skinks. Thus, according to the One Plan Approach, the ex situ populations could directly contribute to in situ protection

Is there a chance for conservation breeding? Ex situ management, reproduction, and early life stages of the Harlequin toad Atelopus flavescens Duméril & Bibron, 1841 (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae)

Abstract.-We report on our experiences with the captive management and ex situ reproduction of the Harlequin toad from Suriname (Atelopus flavescens) at the amphibian breeding unit of the Cologne Zoo. Egg deposition was stimulated by maintaining A. flavescens in a drier environment followed by a period of intensive irrigation. Here we provide for the first time an overview of the larval development from oviposition to metamorphosis, including diagnostic morphological characters according to Gosner. Eggs were arranged in strings and attached to the substrate below the water surface. Larvae hatched about five days after egg deposition and the characteristic abdominal suctorial disc developed about two days later (stages 20-21). Tadpoles are gastromyzophorous and were observed rasping algae. The average time for larval development to stage 41 was 100-130 days. Larval development appears to be dependent on water temperature with faster development at higher temperatures. Concerning color pattern in adults, we observed a slight sexual dimorphism and we were able to recognize individuals due to a constant color pattern. However, color was observed to slightly change over time

Review of threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes in zoos and aquaria: The necessity of an ex situ conservation network-A call for action

Madagascar's biota is characterized by an extraordinary species richness, with a high degree of endemism. The island's freshwater habitats harbor numerous micro-endemic species, restricted to particular regions and thus particularly at risk of extinction, due to deforestation, overfishing, and introduction of exotic species. The present study investigates for which threatened Malagasy freshwater fish species ex situ populations have already been established, as a baseline to prioritize actions to develop an effective ex situ conservation breeding network. Populations in zoos and aquaria were primarily determined using the Zoological Information System. Of 173 fish species recorded from Malagasy freshwater habitats, 123 exclusively inhabit freshwater; 79 of these are endemic to Madagascar, and 50 are classified as threatened. Our survey found 21 Malagasy freshwater fish species kept in zoos worldwide, of which 19 are endemic and threatened (22 if counting species kept by private breeders). Nine of the 19 Malagasy freshwater fish species kept in zoos have successfully reproduced within the 12 months preceding our survey. The ex situ conservation activities for threatened Malagasy freshwater fishes thus have not improved significantly since the strong start in the early 2000s. More than half of the 50 threatened endemic Malagasy freshwater fish species (viz. 31 species) are not kept ex situ, including 11 species ranked as Critically Endangered. Based on these findings we call for a better distribution of offspring among institutions, including private breeders in the framework of citizen conservation initiatives; a closer connection of ichthyological field research in Madagascar with conservation breeding efforts to set up ex situ populations-both in Madagascar and abroad-of species not yet kept in captivity; and the development of effective, integrated in situ and ex situ conservation strategies

Larval development and breeding ecology of Ziegler's Crocodile Newt, Tylototriton ziegleri Nishikawa, Matsui and Nguyen, 2013 (Caudata: Salamandridae), compared to other Tylototriton representatives

We describe for the first time the larval development and stages of the recently described Ziegler's Crocodile Newt (Tylototriton ziegleri), an endemic species to northern Vietnam. Diagnostic morphological characters are provided for Grosse (1997, 2013) stages 27-32, 35-36, and 44-45, as well as comparisons with larval stages of other Tylototriton representatives. In addition, natural history data and an ecological assessment of the breeding niche are presented for T. ziegleri as well as for T. vietnamensis, from whom the former species was only recently taxonomically separated. We provide data extending the known breeding season of these two cryptic species in the North of Vietnam, which in fact lasts from April until July. On average, the clutches of T. ziegleri consisted of 67 +/- 32 eggs, were found on rock and soil substrates with a distance of 50 +/- 28 cm from water, whereas the clutches of T. vietnamensis were significantly smaller (43 +/- 19 eggs), found only on soil and were further distant from water (80 +/- 41 cm). The known maximum altitudinal distribution of T. vietnamensis is herein increased to 980 m above sea level. Based on the examples of T. ziegleri and T. vietnamensis, this study highlights how important it is to uncover cryptic species, define their exact distribution range, and investigate potential differences in ecological adaptations in order to assess the conservation status, develop proper conservation planning and provide suitable conditions for potential ex situ breeding programs

Assessment of the threat status of the amphibians in Vietnam - Implementation of the One Plan Approach

The current decline in global biodiversity is most evident in amphibians with 41% percent of all species worldwide classified as threatened with extinction. Hence, a major challenge in amphibian conservation is the high number of threatened species, leading to a common approach of identifying priority species and regions for conservation efforts. As a part of one of 36 globally designated biodiversity hotspots, Vietnam is considered to be of particular importance for conservation action. To improve amphibian conservation in Vietnam, this study provides an updated species list and assesses their threat status by compiling data from a variety of sources. Furthermore, a Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) analysis was conducted to determine the representation of extant amphibians from Vietnam in zoos worldwide. The batrachofauna of Vietnam is characterized by a high level of species richness and local endemism as well as a high rate of new discoveries, with more than half of the endemic species reported exclusively from their type locality, making them especially vulnerable to extinction. Up to 18% of all amphibians extant in Vietnam and 28% of endemic species are classified as threatened with extinction by the IUCN. In many cases, the IUCN Red List status is either missing or outdated, highlighting the urgent need of action. Around 14% of endemic amphibian species have been recorded exclusively from unprotected areas, suggesting prioritization for further research and conservation measures. The continuing decline in many species remains an unresolved problem. As a guide for future research and conservation measures, a list of the top 57 species was compiled. In addition, according to the ZIMS analysis, only 8% of threatened and 3% of endemic amphibian taxa from Vietnam are currently kept in zoos worldwide, and a richness analysis revealed that the highest density of husbandries is found in Europe and North America. To achieve maximum outcome for the conservation of threatened species, this study recommends a general shift by zoos towards maintaining species in greater need of captive assurance populations and breeding programs to support integrative strategies that combine in situ and ex situ conservation efforts following the IUCN's One Plan Approach