1998. Volume 5. No. 1. Contents

Editor's Note

THE BIOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF ASIAN AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

THE ECOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH OF Andrias davidianus AND ITS PROTECTION

Wen-fa Cheng

This paper deals with some aspects of ecological and behavioral study of Andrias davidianus based on observations of its natural habits and pattern of activities.

SKIN RESISTANCE TO WATER LOSS IN VIPERID SNAKES

Razi Dmi'el

Many desert snakes show reduced rates of cutaneous water loss (CWL) compared to species from more humid habitats. To investigate whether this reduction is due to climatic or experimental conditions or it may be attributed more to the taxonomic position of the snake, the skin resistance to water loss, R_s, was compared among four species of viperid snakes occupying in Israel different climatic regions and habitats: mesic Mediterranean (Vipera xanthina palaestinae), steppe and desert areas (Echis colorata), and extreme desert (Cerastes cerastes and Pseudocerastes persicus fieldi). Cutaneous and respiratory water loss, oxygen consumption, cloacal and skin temperatures were measured in these nocturnal snakes at three air temperatures (25, 30, and 35°C); the experimental values were then used to calculate the Rs. Cutaneous water loss of Vipera, the mesic-Mediterranean species, increased from 0.105 mg/(cm² ´ h) at 25°C to 0.175 mg/(cm² ´ h) at 35°C. These CWL are 2 to 2.8-fold higher than those of the desert species. Rs of Vipera decreased from 878 s/cm at 25°C to 706 s/cm at 35°C. Rs of the desert species were twice those obtained for Vipera (up to 1921 s/cm in Pseudocerastes at 35°C), and they increased with increasing experimental temperatures. These Rs changes, which probably reflect vasomotor responses, were more pronounced in Pseudocerastes, the desert species with the most conspicuous diurnal activity.

Key words: Reptilia, Ophidia, Viperidae, cutaneous water loss, skin resistance, habitat aridity.

FOAM GLAND AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FOAM OF Polypedates leucomystax (GRAVENHORST 1829) (ANURA: RHACOPHORIDAE)

K. Kabisch, H.-J. Herrmann, P. Klossek, H. Luppa, and K. Brauer

Topography, histological and scanning electronmicroscopical investigations of the foam gland of female Polypedates leucomystax are presented. A chemical analysis of the freshly produced foam was carried out. The biological function of the foam nests is discussed.

Key words: Polypedates leucomystax, foam nest, chemical components, histological and surface structure of the foam gland.

REPRODUCTION OF Shinisaurus crocodilurus AHL., 1930 AT THE MOSCOW ZOO

Sergei V. Kudryavtsev and Dmitri B. Vassilyev

Key words: Shinisaurus crocodilurus, captive breeding, reproduction.

NOTES ON THE REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF RARE ASIAN RATSNAKE (Elaphe persica)

Sergei V. Mamet and Sergei V. Kudryavtsev

CONSERVATION-ORIENTED HERPETOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN ISRAEL

Yehudah L. Werner, Eliezer Frankenberg, and Eyal Shy

Israel is small and shared by contrasting ecological regions. Local amphibian and many reptilian populations are at peril as components of endangered ecosystems, and because they live at the limit of specific ranges and requirements. Some of them are also endangered commercially. Most local herpetological research efforts have been conservation-oriented on three levels: (1) Studies of endangered species: ecology in the field, specific requirements (incubation etc.) and taxonomic definition of taxa for protection. (2) Studies of other species, contributing data to conservation policy. (3) A policy to prefer investigations not requiring the collection of specimens.

Key words: Amphibia, Reptilia, research, conservation, Israel.

PRELIMINARY STUDY OF LIPID FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN THE CHINESE ALLIGATOR (Alligator sinensis)

Yanmao Zhou, Xiaomei Xie, Zhengdong Zhang, Guosheng Wang, and Chaolin Wang

This paper reports Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) fatty acid composition of total lipids extracted from the body fat, adipose tissue between the muscles, red muscles and white muscles. There were more than twenty fatty acids in all total lipids. Unsaturated fatty acids were particularly predominant.

Key words: Reptilia, Alligatoridae, Alligator sinensis, China, fatty acid composition.

SYSTEMATICS, FAUNISTIC, AND MORPHOLOGY

THE SKULL STRUCTURE OF SOME ARID ASIAN AGAMIDS OF Phrynocephalus GENUS (AGAMIDAE, SAURIA)

Natalia B. Ananjeva

The skull structure of some species of arid Asian agamids genus Phrynocephalus from the Middle Asia was studied. It differs from other lizards of this family by some specific characters. The construction of the short and wide skull forms its <169>bulldog<170>-like shape created by the strong protruding of the lower jaw together with quadratum bone. Of special comparative interest are the following cranial characters: the angles between maxillae and its appendices, the shift of the occipital junction, the dental formula and the size of the parietal foramen. In general the juvenile specimens have larger parietal foramen that decreases during their ontogeny. The differences in the size of the parietal foramen in several species of Phrynocephalus are noted and compared. The paedomorphic characters in the skull structure and dentition are discussed.

Key words: Sauria, Agamidae, Phrynocephalus, skull structure, dentition.

MORPHOLOGICAL ADAPTATIONS FOR EGG-EATING IN THE SNAKE Elaphe davidi SAUVAGE 1884

Notker Helfenberger and Beat SchÄtti

External morphology, skull characters, vertebral structures (hypapophyses) and anatomical features were studied in three colubrid species. Morphological similarities with the stenophagous African Dasypeltis scabra and the Far Eastern euryphagous Elaphe climacophora indicate that eggs may constitute an occasional or rather seasonal diet in Elaphe davidi. This interpretation is based on the shape of the hypapophyses penetrating the esophagus, the proportions and kinetics of some skull elements, the number of anterior dorsal scale rows, modifications of the esophageal lining and a cranial shift of the heart and the anterior liver tip.

Key words: Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae, Elaphe davidi, Elaphe climacophora, Elaphe quadrivirgata, Elaphe carinata, Dasypeltis scabra, China, Japan, Korea, Africa, morphological adaptations, egg-eating.

KARYOTYPE OF THE CHINESE ENDEMIC SPECIES Boiga kraepelini STEJNEGER (COLUBRIDAE)

Mei-Hua Huang, You-jin Yang, Xingfu Xie, and Yun-Fang Qu

Key words: Karyotype, Boiga kraepelini, chromosomes.

SEXUAL DIMORPHISM AND REPRODUCTION IN THE GRASS LIZARD Takydromus septentrionalis

Xiang Ji, Wenhui Zhou, Xiaodong Zhang, and Huiqing Gu

Sexual dimorphism and reproduction in a population of Takydromus septentrionalis on Xiushan Island of Zhoushan Islands group were investigated during the breeding seasons of 1989 - 1992. Most males and females, approximately two years after hatchling, reached sexual maturity at 54 and 57 mm SVL, respectively. Adult male and female T. septentrionalis were similar in SVL but quite different in the head size characteristics, males having larger heads than females of similar SVL except near the size of sexual maturity. Mating success in males was apparently not related to increased SVL. Males can copulate with females in several hours before or after oviposition. The duration of intromission averaged 227 min. Females can lay 1 - 3 clutches with 2 - 6 eggs each per season. Clutch size or clutch mass was significantly correlated with SVL and was not correlated with the clutch size. Relative clutch weight (RCW) averaged 0.149. Oviposition frequency averaged 16.7 days.

Key words: Lacertidae, Takydromus septentrionalis, sexual dimorphism, mating behavior, clutch weight, oviposition frequency.

SURVEY OF AMPHIBIANS OF MENGLA COUNTY, XISHUANG BANNA, SOUTHERN YUNNAN PROVINCE

Kou Zhi-tong

Key words: Amphibians, Xisuang Banna, Southern Yunnan Province, China, species richness.

TWO NEW SPECIES OF Leptobrachium (ANURA: MEGOPHRYIDAE) FROM THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF VIETNAM WITH A REDESCRIPTION OF Leptobrachium chapaense

Amy Lathrop, Robert W. Murphy, Nikolai L. Orlov, and Cuc Thu Ho

Two species of Leptobrachium are described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam in Gia Lai Province. These descriptions increase the number of species of Leptobrachium in Indochina from four to six. We also include a redescription of a northern species, Leptobrachium chapaense, based on recent collections from Tam Dao, Vinh Phu Province, Vietnam. A key to the species of Leptobrachium from Indochina is provided.

Key words: Amphibia, Anura, new species, Leptobrachium chapaense, Leptobrachium xanthospilum, Leptobrachium banae, taxonomic key.

A NEW SPECIES OF MOUNTAIN STREAM SNAKE, GENUS Opisthotropis GUNTHER, 1872 (SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE: NATRICINAE), FROM THE TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS OF SOUTHERN VIETNAM

Nikolai L. Orlov, Ilya S. Darevsky, and Robert W. Murphy

A new species of mountain stream snake, genus Opisthotropis Gunther, 1872 (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae), from the tropical rain forests of southern Vietnam.

Key words: Snakes, Colubridae, Natricinae, Opisthotropis daovantieni, Vietnam.

COMPARISON OF KARYOTYPES OF FOUR TOADS OF THE GENERA Bufo AND Torrentophryne OF CHINA

Ding-qi Rao, Da-tong Yang, and Rui-fang Wang

The karyotypes of four toads were investigated by the method of direct preparation from bone marrow cells and colchicine-hypotonic-air-drying. The diploid chromosome number of them is 22 (2n = 22), 6 large pairs and 5 small pairs; 2 pairs of submetacentric chromosomes of which one is always the 4th, but the other is varied in different species: the 9th in Torrentophryne aspinia and T. tuberospinia, the 8th in B.tibetanus and B. andrewsi; only 1 satellite which is at the end of the long arm of the 6th in B. andrewsi and B. tibetanus, and at the end of the short arm of the 7th. in T. aspinia, but absent in T. tuberospinia; thelocations of Ag-NORs are the same as of the satellites in B. tibetanus, B. andrewsi, and T. aspinia. T.tuberospinia also has one Ag-NORs at the end of 6q. Clearly, the karyotype of B. andrewsi is very similar to that of B. tibetanus, and both are obviously different from those of the two Torrentophryne species which also differ one from the other. This indicates that the new genus Torrentophryne and its two species (Yang et al., 1996) are valid.

Key words: Karyotype, Bufonidae, Torrentophryne aspinia, Torrentophryne tuberospinia, Bufo andrewsi, Bufo tibetanus, China.

A NEW SPECIES OF Sinonatrix (SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE) OF CHINA WITH PRELIMINARY SURVEY ON Sinonatrix

Rao Ding-Qi and Da-Tong Yang

Comparative study shows that the specimens from the middle and southwestern Yunnan are very different from Sinonatrix aequifasciata (Barbour) which is widely distributed in Guizhou, Sichuan, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan (type locality), and Guangzhou of China. The differences mainly concern on the number of the maxillary teeth and ventral scales. This form should be defined as a new species of this genus. Other specimens from the south of Yunnan which belong to S. percarinata are very different from S.p.percarinata (Boulenger) and S. p. suriki (Maki) on the number of maxillary teeth. The variation of this character are discussed.

Key words: New species, Sinonatrix, Colubridae, Yunnan, China.

REPORT ON FAUNA OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES FROM EASTERN KOPET DAG IN TURKMENISTAN

Boris Tuniyev, Chary Atayev, and Sakhat Shammakov

First report on herpetofauna of Turkmenian Eastern Kopet Dag is present.

Key words: Herpetofauna, eastern Kopet Dag, Turkmenistan.

SURVEYS OF SNAKES IN DEQING COUNTY, GUANGDONG PROVINCE, CHINA

Rui-Guang Xie, Zhi-Huan Liu, Shi-Mu Qiu, Wei-Rong Zheng, Jian-Xing Nie, and Wo-Hong Ma

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISTINCT PIT VIPER OF GENUS Ermia (SERPENTES: VIPERIDAE) OF CHINA

Zhang Fu-ji

After detailed comparison of the skulls and head muscles of Chinese species of Trimeresurus (sensu lato), a new genus should be established to include mangshanensis, a species described by Er-Mi Zhao and Yuan-hui Chen(1990) based on pit viper specimens from Mang Shan (Mt. Mang), Yizhang County, Hunan Province, China. This generic name was first proposed by Zhang Fu-ji in 1993 (p. 56). Here is the English translation of this paper.

STUDIES OF SNAKES OF THE JIANGSU PROVINCE

Zou Shou-chang and Chen Cai-fa

The data on snakes of the Jiangsu Province were reported by Gee (1919), Chang and Fang (1931), Pope (1935), Hu Shuqin (1962), Zhou Kaiya (1964), Jiang Jiandong (1983), and Ma and Zong (1984). We show in this paper the results of our research on their distribution and biogeographical division. The record of Coluber spinalis is noted and the status of Elaphe maculata is discussed.

Key words: Snakes, Jiangsu Province, distribution, Coluber spinalis, Elaphe maculata.