2001. Volume 8. No. 1. Contents

SACRUM AND PELVIC GIRDLE DEVELOPMENT IN LACERTIDAE

Yegor B. Malashichev

Sacrum and pelvis structure and development in four species of Lacertidae currently assigned to different genera are studied: Lacerta agilis, L. vivipara, L. saxicola, Podarcis muralis. Size, shape, and position relationships between the cartilaginous elements as well as patterns and sequence of chondrification and ossification are given. Two sacral segments are characterized by a number of markers such as the branching of iliac arteries, development of the paired lymphatic hearts, and degeneration of sacral myomeres beginning from the dividing sacral myoseptum. Lizard species differ one from another by the number of presacral vertebrae and the extent of ossification. Degeneration of sacral myomeres and formation of the sacral gap in myomeres play a crucial role in development of sacral ribs and in the direction of their growth. Sacral vertebrae are defined as vertebrae, which ribs or transverse processes develop at the place of the sacral gap. There are ribs vs. diapophyses in Lacertidae and most probably in other lizards. Caudal ribs are not found, but prerequisites for their development take place, so they might be expected as a rare anomaly in Lacertidae. There is a strict order of maturation of skeletal elements: vertebral centra and neural arches, ilium, pubis, ischium and sacral ribs, which has its reflection in the adult phenotype. Additional elements of the pelvic girdle, namely, epipubis, epiischium, and hypoischium develop along the axial fibrous ligament and undergo chondrification and calcification separately. A hypothesis that the overall shape of the pelvic girdle is formed under the influence of the visceral cavity is partly supported. Cause-and-effect explanations of sacrum and pelvis morphogenesis are given. Certain anomalies of sacral structure are described and discussed in developmental terms.

Key words: Sacrum, pelvic girdle, ribs, development, Lacertidae, anomalies, morphogenesis.

FROGS OF THE FAMILY RHACOPHORIDAE (ANURA: AMPHIBIA) IN THE NORTHERN HOANG LIEN MOUNTAINS (MOUNT FAN SI PAN, SA PA DISTRICT, LAO CAI PROVINCE), VIETNAM

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

Based on the results of own field work as well as data from the literature (Smith, 1924; Ahl, 1931; Bourret, 1937, 1942; Smirnov and Ho, 1983; Nguen and Ho, 1996; Orlov, 1997; Inger et al., 1999; Orlov and Rybaltovsky, 1999; Orlov and Ho, 2000a, 2000b; Ziegler and Weitkus, 1999; Ziegler and Hermann, 2000) and additional museum collections we identified 32 species among 5 genera of the family Rhacophoridae, in Vietnam. This estimate is derived from those species that have been examined by ourselves as well as taking into account the current understanding of rhacophorid taxonomy based on the information available from "Amphibian Species of the World" (Frost, 1985, 1999, 2000; Duellman, 1993). Adopting the higher classifications of S. S. Liem (1970); W. C. Brown and A. C. Alcala (1994) and J. A. Wilkinson and R. C. Drewes (2000) we conclude that the following genera are present in Vietnam: Chirixalus, Polypedates, Philautus, Rhacophorus, and Theloderma.

In the spring of 1999, field work was conducted in the northern Hoang Lien Mountains (Fan Si Pan Mountain, Sa Pa district, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam). We found 8 species of rhacophorids previously not known to occur in Vietnam. We provide detailed descriptions of these and a description of the new species of Rhacophorus. The rhacophorid diversity for the Hoang Lien Mountains included 4 genera and 20 species. Thus the total number of rhacophorid species in Vietnam is increased upto 40 species. Small part of these collections have not been identified and, therefore, are not included in this list. Some material is represented by a single specimen and we refrain from drawing any taxonomic conclusions until additional material becomes available.

Key words:-Amphibia, Anura, Rhacophoridae, Rhacophorus, new species, Polypedates, Vietnam, Hoang Lien Mountains.

ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF DIPLOID, TRIPLOID, AND TETRAPLOID GREEN TOADS (Bufo viridis COMPLEX) IN SOUTH-EASTERN KAZAKHSTAN

Leo J. Borkin, Valery K. Eremchenko, Notker Helfenberger, Alexander M. Panfilov, and Juri M. Rosanov

In southeastern Kazakhstan, the tetraploid toad Bufo danatensis is a widespread and common species both in lowlands and in mountains, unlike the diploid toad B. viridis. Tetraploids were recorded at many low elevations in deserts and steppes. In the area between Chu and Ili rivers, diploids are replaced by tetraploids. This is a horizontal replacement zone in lowlands. In northern Kyrgyzstan and other regions of the former Soviet Middle Asia, replacement zones exist along vertical transition from lowlands to mountains. Few localities with triploids (males) were found in the Chu and Ili River area. Bufo danatensis is recommended to exclude from the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan.

Key words:-Amphibia, Anura, Bufo viridis, Bufo danatensis, polyploidy, DNA flow cytometry, distribution, Kazakhstan.

ON THE GROWTH MECHANICS OF THE HYNOBIID LIMB BUD

V. G. Borkhvardt

Limb bud in Ranodon and Salamandrella growths along the preaxial-postaxial axis much more intensive than along the medial-lateral one. This distinction correlates with the structural differences of the basement membrane, which is very thin or even absent at the pre- and postaxial edges. The outgrowth promoting effect of weakening of the basement membrane can be intensified by additional transformations of the ectoderm. After destruction of the basement membrane at pre- and postaxial edges, mesodermal extracellular matrix penetrates the epithelium and forms notches within it. These notches ("exterior spaces") broaden under the pressure of mesodermal matrix and become the real parts of the principal limb bud core.

Key words: Ranodon, Salamandrella, limb buds, growth mechanics.

ON A REMARKABLE COLLECTION OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS COLLECTED BY THE GERMAN INDIAN EXPEDITION 1955 - 1958

Jakob Hallermann, Natalia B. Ananjeva, and Nikolai L. Orlov

An annotated taxonomic list of all determinated specimens with exact localities from the German Indian expedion (1955 - 1958) stored in the Zoological Museum Hamburg is given. It includes six amphibian, seven turtle and 47 squamate species. Of special interest are records of the colubrid snakes Boiga forsteni and Enhydris sieboldi from Nishangara at the frontier to Nepal.

Key words: Reptilia, Amphibia, India, Assam, Biogeography

ECOLOGICAL SITUATION AND MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF Vipera ursinii moldavica IN THE "VALEA LUI DAVID" NATURAL RESERVE

László Krecsák and Stefan Zamfirescu

23 specimens of V. u. moldavica were reported from the "Valea lui David" Natural Reserve between 1988 - 1999. The new records on specimens captured in 1999 and data about them are presented. The age-profile of the population is evaluated, and morphological comparison of males and females is made.

Key words: Vipera ursinii moldavica, Valea lui David, morphology, population study.

NATURAL AUTOTRIPLOIDY IN THE DANUBE NEWT, Triturus dobrogicus (SALAMANDRIDAE)

S. N. Litvinchuk, J. M. Rosanov, and L. J. Borkin

A case of natural autotriploidy in Triturus dobrogicus from Transcarpathian Province (Ukraine) is described. This is the first record of polyploidy for the species.

Key words: triploidy, DNA flow cytometry, Triturus dobrogicus, Salamandridae, Caudata, Transcarpathian Province, Ukraine.

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

FIRST RECORD OF PAEDOMORPHOSIS FOR THE SMOOTH NEWT (Triturus vulgaris) FROM UKRAINE

S. N. Litvinchuk

Two paedomorphic males of the smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris) were found in Izmail, a town in Odessa Region (Danube River Valley). This is the first record of paedomorphosis in urodelans from Ukraine.

Key words: Paedomorphosis, Triturus vulgaris, Odessa Region, Ukraine.

ABOUT NEW RECORD OF Eryx miliaris ON THE MT. BOL'SHOI BOGDO IN ASTRAKHAN' REGION, RUSSIA

A. V. Shaposhnikov