Submitted date: 15 March 2021 Accepted date: 10 May 2021 Published date: 27 May 2021 Pp. 4–22, pls. 1–2.
A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Tylototriton (AMPHIBIA, CAUDATA, SALAMANDRIDAE) FROM CENTRAL VIETNAM
Nikolay A. Poyarkov*, Tan Van Nguyen & Dmitriy V. Arkhipov *Corresponding author. E-mail: n.poyarkov@gmail.com
Abstract We describe a new species of the genus Tylototriton from Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, Nghe An Province, in the northern part of Central Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular evidence. The new species was previously confused with T. vietnamensis from northern Vietnam and T. notialis from Laos. The new species can be distinguished from T. notialis by the absence of orange coloration on posterior end of parotids (vs presence); an indistinct brown coloration on rib nodules (vs bright orange); a broader and slightly rounded head (vs narrower and angular); comparatively shorter limbs (vs longer); slightly fewer number, smaller size and irregular arrangement of rib nodules (vs larger rib nodules arranged in two dorsolateral series). Phylogenetic analysis of the ND2 and 16S rRNA mtDNA genes confirmed the placement of the new species to Clade I of the subgenus Yaotriton, and suggests it is a sister species of T. notialis (p-distance 3.0% in ND2 gene). The range of the new species is restricted to the Pu Hoat Mountain Range and is isolated from the range of T. notialis, which inhabits Northern Annamites (Truong Son) Mountains by the valley of the Ca River, an important biogeographic barrier. The new species is currently known only from the montane forests of Pu Hoat Nature Reserve (at elevations from 700 to 1000 m a.s.l.). We suggest the new species be classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.
Key words :Tylototriton thaiorum sp. nov., mtDNA genealogy, Pu Hoat Nature Reserve, Ca River
EDITORIAL : Covid-19, biodiversity conservation and welfare of wild animals partially under human control
Vincent Nijman Section Editor: Taprobanica, the journal of Asian Biodiversity
It would feel wrong if I did not start this editorial with Covid-19 and its impact on biodiversity conservation in the broadest sense. There is no doubt that little will have had as much impact on biodiversity conservation throughout Asia as the Covid-19 pandemic. National and regional lockdowns, a shutdown of international travel, trade restrictions, temporary shutdowns of wet markets as well as live animal markets, closures of zoos and animal parks, closures of national parks to tourists, restriction of budgets for conservation agencies, etc.
Submitted date: 30 May 2015 Accepted date: 24 March 2016 Published date: 26 March 2016 Pp. 37–40.
First substantiated record of Ceriops decandra (Rhizophoraceae) in Sri Lanka
S.P. Ekanayake*, W.L.D.P.T.S. de A. Goonetilleke, A.M.S.M.R.W. Jayasekera, M.D.C. Asela, A.L. Pieris & K.M.A. Bandara *Corresponding author. E-mail: sekanayake@gmail.com
In Sri Lanka there are 20 true mangrove plant species and Rhizophoraceae is the most diverse family represented by six species. Of these the genus Ceriops Arn., has five: C. australis (C.T. White) Ballment, T.J. Sm. & J.A. Stoddart; C. decandra (Roxb. ex Wight & Arn.) W. Theob.; C. pseudodecandra Sheue, H.G. Liu, C.C. Tsai & Yuen P. Yang; C. tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob.; and C. zippeliana Blume.
The selection of secure and stable sleeping places and the abundance of such sites in the forest can impact each individual’s chances of survival and reproductive success. The avoidance of predators is often stressed as a major influence on the selection of sleeping places in non-human primates. The effect of predators on sleeping site selection has been revealed in many cases: e.g. Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) in Saudi Arabia slept on easily accessible slopes when predators were scarce.
Submitted date: 24 October 2014 Accepted date: 24 March 2016 Published date: 26 March 2016 Pp. 24–32.
Herbarium collections of the Botany Department, Fergusson College, Pune, India
Ashish N. Nerlekar *E-mail: ashishadmirerofficus@gmail.com
Herbaria provide researchers with several services and opportunities, including the identification of specimens, the preservation of voucher and type specimens and as teaching aids. They also form the basis for research including the preparation of floras and monographs. Further, herbaria are of value as they can help in mapping the geographical distribution of species, the establishment of ecological relationships, information on ethnobotanical uses, and as a resource for phytochemical analyses