Taxonomy, Natural History, and Distribution of Boiga forsteni (Duméril, Bibron et Duméril, 1854) (Serpentes: Colubridae) from Orissa, India

Pratyush P. Mohapatra, Abhijit Das, Frank Tillack, and Sushil K. Dutta

Submitted October 18, 2008.

The systematics, distribution and natural history of Boiga forsteni (Duméril, Bibron et Duméril, 1854), a widely distributed species in India have been re-evaluated in the present work. The species is polymorphic in nature and is represented by four morphotypes in the eastern Indian State of Orissa, India. Based on available specimens, published distribution records and recent collections, the taxonomic status of the species is established. Morphological character assessment (morphometrics and color pattern) indicates the variation within the sympatric population.

Keywords: Reptilia, Serpentes, Colubridae, Colubrinae, Boiga forsteni, taxonomy, morphotypes, natural history, distribution, Orissa, India.

Seasonal Variation of Serum Cholesterol and Thyroid Hormone Levels Associated with Hibernation in Indian Common Toad, Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799)

Suman Pratihar and Jayanta Kumar Kundu

Submitted October 24, 2008.

In this study it was tried to investigate that the seasonal variation of thyroid hormone was associated with hypometabolism during the phase of hibernation in Indian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus). The decline in thyroid hormone concentration had its behavioral and physiological response that leads to increase and sustain cholesterol level in serum, which seems to be the most important metabolite during the hibernating phase. So it may be inferred that reduced thyroid hormone is associated with metabolism depression and also help to shift the metabolism towards lipid.

Keywords: Duttaphrynus melanostictus, hypometabolism, serum cholesterol, thyroid hormone.

Designation of a Neotype for Cnemaspis mysoriensis (Jerdon 1853) (Sauria: Gekkonidae), with a Redescription and Notes on Its Distribution and Habitat

Varad B. Giri, Ishan Agarwal, and Aaron M. Bauer

Submitted January 10, 2009.

The diurnal/crepuscular gecko Cnemaspis mysoriensis was described from Bangalore, Karnataka, India by Jerdon in 1853. The type specimens of this taxon are lost and there are no subsequent confirmed records of this species. We have rediscovered this distinctive gecko near its heavily urbanized type locality and, owing to instability in the taxonomy of Indian Cnemaspis in general and confusion regarding the identity of C. mysoriensis in particular, we designate a neotype for the taxon and provide a redescription. It is distinguished from all Indian congeners by its spine-like flank tubercles, homogenous dorsal scalation, low number of femoral pores (2 – 3) in males, and smooth ventral scales. All new records are from the Bangalore area, where this species is commensal with man. Its tolerance of disturbance and occurrence in an area not noted for endemism suggest that C. mysoriensis is more widespread than currently recognized.

Keywords: Cnemaspis mysoriensis, neotype, redescription, Karnataka, India.

Revision of the Species of Oligodon from Sumatra and Adjacent Islands, with Comments on the Taxonomic Status of Oligodon subcarinatus (Günther, 1872) and Oligodon annulifer (Boulenger, 1893) from Borneo (Reptilia, Squamata, Colubridae)

Frank Tillack and Rainer Günther

Submitted August 21, 2008.

The taxonomic revisions proposed in this paper are based on studies of morphology, including body measurements, coloration, lepidosis, dentition, distribution, natural history, and synonymy, of all Oligodon taxa from Sumatra and adjacent islands. Major results are:
1. Oligodon annulifer bipartita Despax, 1912 is a subjective junior synonym of Oligodon pulcherrimus Werner, 1909.
2. Oligodon durheimi Baumann, 1913 is a subjective junior synonym of Oligodon pulcherrimus Werner, 1909.
3. Oligodon annulifer annulata (Van Lidth de Jeude, 1922) is a subjective junior synonym of Oligodon signatus (Günther, 1864).
4. Oligodon annulifer confluens Werner, 1924 is a subjective junior synonym of Oligodon petronellae Roux in De Rooij, 1917.
5. Neotypes are designated for Oligodon octolineatus (Schneider, 1801) and O. pulcherrimus Werner, 1909, and the holotype of O. petronellae Roux in De Rooij, 1917 is redescribed.
6. Oligodon praefrontalis Werner, 1913, known from Pulo Weh, is regarded as a taxon incertae sedis.
7. O. subcarinatus and O. annulifer, known only from Borneo, were also studied: Oligodon subcarinatus (Günther, 1872) is a subjective junior synonym of Oligodon signatus (Günther, 1864), while Oligodon annulifer (Boulenger, 1893) is a valid monotypic species, endemic to Borneo, and is closely related to Oligodon pulcherrimus Werner, 1909.
8. These results, in addition to Oligodon rhombifer having been synonymized with Oligodon ancorus in an earlier paper by Tillack (2008), reduce the number of taxa of Oligodon native to the island of Sumatra from 10 to 6, viz. O. pulcherrimus, O. petronellae, O. signatus, O. octolineatus, O. p. purpurascens, and O. trilineatus; the occurrence there of O. bitorquatus seems questionable.
9. Two tables and an identification key allow the determination of all Oligodon taxa that occur on Sumatra and adjacent islands.

Keywords: Reptilia; Squamata; Colubridae; Oligodon; Oligodon annulifer; Oligodon bitorquatus; Oligodon octolineatus; Oligodon petronellae; Oligodon pulcherrimus; Oligodon praefrontalis; Oligodon p. purpurascens; Oligodon signatus; Oligodon subcarinatus; Oligodon trilineatus; Indonesia, Sumatra; Borneo, East Malaysia, Brunei.

A New Species of Rhacophorus Genus (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae: Rhacophorinae) from Khammouan Province, Lao PDR

Nikolai L. Orlov, Somsy Gnophanxay, Tavi Phimminith, and Khamphet Phomphoumy

Submitted February 1, 2009.

A new species of rhacophorid frog of genus Rhacophorus Kuhl et van Hasselt, 1822 is described on the base of the morphological study of the material collected in Thakhek District, Khammouane Province, central Lao PDR.

Keywords: Rhacophoridae, Rhacophorus, new species, Phou Hinboun, limestone, caves, Khammouan Province, central Laos.

Sexual Size Dimorphism in Eastern Slow-Worm (Anguis fragilis colchica, Reptilia: Anguidae)

Tibor Sos and Gábor Herczeg

Submitted September 3, 2008.

The direction and magnitude of inter-sexual differences in body and head size in one eastern slow-worm (A. f. colchica) population were investigated. We compared morphological measures of 92 male and 127 female adult A. f. colchica from a single population. In line with our expectations, we found that females were generally larger, but males had larger relative head size. At similar growth rate a disproportionate increase of head size in males and respectively of body size in females are pointed. The sexual difference in relative head size increased with the size (a proxy for age) of the animals. Our results fits well to the general theory, especially when studies of the reproductive biology of the species — reporting vigorous male-male combats, the presence of copulatory bites, and showing that female fecundity is size dependent — is taken into account. However, considering this generalist species, another common hypothesis suspecting dietary divergence between sexes behind sexual differences in relative head size is not likely to represent a strong evolutionary pressure in this case.

Keywords: Anguis fragilis colchica, growth, sexual size dimorphism.

Two New Species of Angular-Toed Geckoes (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from South Iran

Roman Nazarov, Natalia Ananjeva, and Mehdi Radjabizadeh

Submitted March 12, 2008.

Two new species of Cyrtopodion genus belonging to «agamuroides – gastrophole» group are described from South Iran. The first one, Cyrtopodion golubevi sp. nov., was collected in Sistan-Baluchestan Province in South-East Iran. This species is different from other Iranian Cyrtopodion sensu lato by size, coloration and pholidosis characters, and similar to C. gastrophole in several characters (enlarged subcaudal plates, less number of ventral scales at midbody). The second species, Cyrtopodion persepolense sp. nov. is originated from Fars Province in South-West Iran and closely resembles C. gastrophole but differs by subcaudal scalation: lack of enlarged median series of subcaudal plates and higher number of scales across the middle of belly (26 – 35 vs. 16 – 18).

Keywords: Gekkonidae, Cyrtopodion, South Iran, new species, distribution, taxonomy.