New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam

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1 Herpetology Notes, volume 7: (2014) (published online on 16 April 2014) New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam Thomas Ziegler 1,2, Dao Thi Anh Tran 3,4, Truong Quang Nguyen 2,5, Ronith Gila Bina Perl 2,6 Lea Wirk 2, Magdalena Kulisch 2, Tanja Lehmann 1,7, Anna Rauhaus 1, Tao Thien Nguyen 8, Quyet Khac Le 9,10 and Thanh Ngoc Vu 9 Abstract. Based on herpetological surveys conducted between December 2006 and May 2008 in the Tung Vai forest, Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam we recorded eight amphibian species (Hyla annectans, Babina chapaensis, Odorrana cf. jingdongensis, O. junlianensis, Gracixalus cf. jinxiuensis, Rhacophorus duboisi, R. feae, and R. robertingeri) and twelve reptile species (Gekko cf. palmatus, Sphenomorphus indicus, Cyclophiops major, C. multicinctus, Euprepiophis mandarinus, Lycodon meridionalis, Oligodon chinensis, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus, Orthriophis taeniurus, Pseudoxenodon macrops, Rhabdophis subminiatus, and Sinomicrurus macclellandii) for the first time for that province. Based on our recent findings together with literature surveys we provide an updated herpetofaunal list for Ha Giang Province, in total comprising 102 species (50 species of amphibians, and 52 species of reptiles). Keywords. Herpetofauna, northern Vietnam, Ha Giang Province, morphology, taxonomy, distribution, first record. Introduction Although Vietnam is in the focus of herpetological research since decades (e.g., Nguyen, 2006; Nguyen et al., 2009), there still remains a considerable number of new records and even species descriptions regularly being published from this country (e.g., Bain, Nguyen and Doan, 2007; Ziegler and Nguyen, 2010). Recent research in the Vietnamese-Chinese border region has revealed a number of species descriptions (e.g., David et al., 2012; Nguyen et al., 2010a, 2011b, 2012, 2013a, b) which clearly underlines the poor research state of these forested regions. One of these poorly studied regions in northeastern Vietnam near the Vietnamese-Chinese border is Ha Giang Province. Only a few studies have been conducted in this province so far. Most important is the recent overview of Bain and Nguyen (2004), describing two new species from that province including a first provincial herpetofaunal list with 36 recorded species of amphibians (33 identified and 3 unknown species) and 16 recorded species of reptiles. Further new herpetofaunal records for Ha Giang Province were published by Ziegler et al. (2006b), Le and Ziegler (2009), Nguyen, Ho and Nguyen (2009) and Nguyen et al. (2010b). Most recently, Ohler et al. (2011) described the megophryid anuran species Leptolalax nyx from Ha 1 Cologne Zoo, Riehler Straße 173, Cologne, Germany. 2 Zoological Institute, University of Cologne, Zülpicher Str. 47 b, Cologne, Germany. 3 University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, 227 Nguyen Van Cu, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 4 Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, Bonn, Germany 5 Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, Vietnam. 6 Zoological Institute, Technical University of Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 4, Braunschweig, Germany. 7 Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Germany. 8 Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi, Vietnam. 9 Faculty of Biology, University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai Str., Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam. 10 University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.

2 186 Giang Province, and Nishikawa, Matsui and Nguyen (2013) described a new salamander species, Tylototriton ziegleri, from the northern provinces of Cao Bang and Ha Giang pointing again towards the necessity of ongoing research in these regions. As a result of recent field work in the Tung Vai forest in Ha Giang between 2006 and 2008 we herein provide new records of amphibians and reptiles including an updated checklist of the herpetofauna known from Ha Giang. Material and methods Field surveys were conducted by Quyet Khac Le and Thanh Ngoc Vu in the Tung Vai forest, Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province (Fig. 1), northern Vietnam between December 2006 and May The typical habitat consisted of evergreen broad-leaved forest on limestone affected by cultivation of cardamom (Amomum tsaoko). Surveys were taken place along forest paths and streams. Specimens were photographed in the field and Thomas Ziegler et al. subsequently released, or collected and photographed prior to preservation. Specimens were fixed in 4% formalin or in 40-60% ethanol (amphibians) and 90% ethanol (reptiles) and subsequently transferred in 70 % ethanol for permanent storage. Specimens referred to in this paper were deposited in the following collections: Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Hanoi, Vietnam; Zoological Museum, Vietnam National University Hanoi (VNUH), Vietnam; Vietnam National Museum of Nature (VNMN), Hanoi, Vietnam; and Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Bonn (ZFMK), Germany. A total of 25 specimens of amphibians were collected (Leptobrachium chapaense IEBR A , ZFMK 95471; Xenophrys major ZFMK 95472; Hyla annectans IEBR A , ZFMK 95473; Limnonectes cf. bannaensis IEBR A , A , VNUH , ZFMK 95474; Quasipaa spinosa IEBR A , VNUH , ZFMK 95475; Babina chapaensis IEBR A , ZFMK 95476; Odorrana Figure 1. (A) Map showing the location of Ha Giang Province in northern Vietnam; (B, C) Tung Vai forest, Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province, where surveys were conducted.

3 New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam 187 chloronota ZFMK 95477; Odorrana cf. jingdongensis ZFMK 95478; Odorrana junlianensis ZFMK 95479; Gracixalus gracilipes ZFMK 93670; G. cf. jinxiuensis IEBR A , ZFMK ; Rhacophorus duboisi IEBR A , ZFMK 95481; R. robertingeri ZFMK 95480; Theloderma asperum IEBR A , ZFMK 95482) and 10 specimens of reptiles (Acanthosaura lepidogaster ZFMK 95483; Sphenomorphus indicus ZFMK 95484; Cyclophiops major ZFMK 95485; Oligodon chinensis ZFMK 95486; Pseudoxenodon macrops IEBR A , ZFMK 95487; Rhabdophis subminiatus ZFMK 95488; Ovophis tonkinensis ZFMK ; Sinomicrurus macclellandii VNMN 899) (see Tables 1-3). Taxonomic identifications were based on Boulenger (1893), Smith (1943), Bourret (1936, 1942, 2009), Liu (1950), Taylor (1962), Schulz (1996), Ohler et al. (2000), Ziegler (2002), Bain et al. (2003), Bain and Stuart (2006), Ziegler et al. (2006a, 2007), Bourret (2009), Chuaynkern et al. (2010), Nguyen et al. (2011a), and Orlov et al. (2012). Nomenclature for amphibians followed Bain et al. (2009), McLeod (2010), Yu, Zhang and Yang (2010), Ohler et al. (2011), Frost (2013), and Nishikawa et al. (2013); for reptiles Nguyen et al. (2009), Rösler et al. (2011), and Luu et al. (2013). Systematics and common names followed Nguyen et al. (2009) and Tran et al. (2010) unless otherwise stated. For amphibians, all measurements for morphological analyses were taken with a digital caliper to the nearest 0.1 mm. Measurements of anurans were performed as follows: snout-vent length (SVL), from tip of snout to urostyle; head length (HL); head width (HW); snout length (SNL); horizontal eye diameter (ED); horizontal tympanum diameter (TD); interorbital distance (IO); width of upper eyelid (UEW); thigh length (THL); tibia length (TBL); webbing formula followed Myers and Duellman (1982). For reptiles, all measurements except for body and tail lengths were taken with a caliper to the nearest 0.1 mm. Body and tail lengths were measured with a caliper to the nearest 1.0 mm. Abbreviations are as follows: snout-vent length (SVL), from tip of snout to vent; tail length (TaL), from vent to tip of tail; dorsal scale formula (DSF): dorsal scale rows one head length behind the head : at midbody : one head length anterior to the vent. The number of ventral scales was counted according to Dowling (1951). Bilateral scales counts are given as right/left. Scale counts and measurements are lacking for those specimens which were photographed and directly released into the field afterwards. Sex was determined by examination of secondary sexual characters and sex of collected specimens lacking distinct secondary sexual characters was determined by gonad inspection. Table 1. Measurements (in mm) of newly recorded anuran species from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam (n: number of investigated specimens). SVL HL HW SNL ED TD IO/UEW THL TBL Hyla annectans (n = 2) Babina chapaensis (n = 2) Odorrana cf. jingdongensis (n = 1) O. junlianensis (n = 1) Gracixalus cf. jinxiuensis (n = 2) Rhacophorus duboisi (n = 2) R. robertingeri (n = 1)

4 188 Thomas Ziegler et al. Table 2. List of amphibian species recorded from Ha Giang Province, Vietnam (new provincial records in bold. Data sources: 1: Bain and Nguyen (2004), 2: Nguyen et al. (2009), 3: This study, 4: Nishikawa et al. (2013), 5: Ohler et al. (2011),*: species considered as complex of cryptic species; IUCN categories: EN: Endangered; NT: Near Threatened; VU: Vulnerable); **: R. calcaneus (see chapter of R. robertingeri) was listed as NT; nomenclature followed Bain et al. (2009), McLeod (2010), Yu et al. (2010), Ohler et al. (2011), Frost (2013), Luu et al. (2013) and Nishikawa et al. (2013). Taxon Status Data source Order Caudata Salamandridae 1 Tylototriton ziegleri Nishikawa, Matsui & Nguyen, , 3, 4 Order Anura Bombinatoridae 2 Bombina maxima (Boulenger, 1905) 1, 2 Bufonidae 3 Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799) 1, 2 Megophryidae 4 Brachytarsophrys cf. feae (Boulenger, 1887) 2, 3 5 Leptobrachium chapaense (Bourret, 1937) * 1, 2, 3 6 Leptolalax nyx Ohler, Wollenberg, Grosjean, Hendrix, Vences, Ziegler & Dubois, , 2 7 Leptolalax sp. 2 8 Xenophrys major (Boulenger, 1908) 1, 2, 3 9 Xenophrys palpebralespinosa (Bourret, 1947) 1, 2 10 Xenophrys parva (Boulenger, 1894) 1, 2 11 Ophryophryne microstoma Boulenger, , 2 Microhylidae 12 Microhyla butleri Boulenger, Microhyla heymonsi Vogt, ,2, 3 14 Microhyla pulchra (Hallowell, 1861) 1, 2 15 Microhyla sp. 1 Hylidae 16 Hyla annectans (Jerdon, 1870) 3 Dicroglossidae 17 Fejervarya limnocharis (Gravenhorst, 1829) * 1, 2 18 Hoplobatrachus rugulosus (Wiegmann, 1834) 1, 2 19 Limnonectes cf.bannaensis Je, Fei & Jiang, 2007 * 1, 2, 3 20 Nanorana delacouri (Angel, 1918) 1, 2 21 Quasipaa boulengeri (Günther, 1889) EN 1, 2 22 Quasipaa spinosa (David, 1875) VU 2, 3 23 Quasipaa verrucospinosa (Bourret, 1947) NT 2 Ranidae 24 Amolops iriodes (Bain & Nguyen, 2004) 1, 2 25 Amolops ricketti (Boulenger, 1899) 1, 2 26 Babina chapaensis (Bourret, 1937) 3 27 Hylarana guentheri (Boulenger, 1882) 1, 2 28 Hylarana macrodactyla Günther, Hylarana maosonensis Bourret, , 2 30 Hylarana taipehensis (Van Denburgh, 1909) 1, 2 31 Odorrana geminata Bain, Stuart, Nguyen, Che & Rao, Odorrana chloronota (Günther, 1876) * 1, 2, 3 33 Odorrana cf. jingdongensis Fei, Ye & Li, Odorrana junlianensis Huang, Fei & Ye, 2001 VU 3 35 Odorrana tiannanensis (Yang & Li, 1980) * 1, 2 36 Rana johnsi Smith, Rhacophoridae 37 Gracixalus gracilipes (Bourret, 1947) 1, 2, 3 38 Gracixalus cf. jinxiuensis (Hu, 1978) * VU 3 39 Kurixaluscf. bisacculus (Taylor, 1962) * 2, 3 40 Philautus maosonensis Bourret, 1947 * 1, 2 41 Polypedates megacephalus Hallowell 1861 * 1, 2 42 Raorchestes parvulus (Boulenger, 1894) 1, 2 43 Rhacophorus duboisi Ohler, Marquis, Swan & Grosjean, Rhacophorus feae Boulenger, Rhacophorus hoanglienensis Orlov, Lathrop, Murphy & Ho, Rhacophorus puerensis (He, 1999) * 1, 2 47 Rhacophorus robertingeri Orlov, Poyarkov, Vassilieva, Ananjeva, Nguyen, Nguyen & Geissler, 2012** 3 48 Theloderma asperum (Boulenger, 1886) 1, 2, 3 49 Theloderma cf. corticale (Boulenger, 1903) 2, 3 50 Theloderma rhododiscus (Liu& Hu, 1962) NT 1, 2

5 New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam 189 Table 3. List of reptile species recorded from Ha Giang Province, Vietnam (new provincial records in bold. Data sources: 1: Bain and Nguyen (2004), 2: Nguyen et al. (2009), 3: This study, 4: Ziegler et al. (2006b), 5: Le and Ziegler (2009), 6: Nguyen et al. (2010b), *: species considered as complex of cryptic species; IUCN categories: EN: Endangered; NT: Near Threatened; VU: Vulnerable); nomenclature followed Nguyen et al. (2009, 2011a), Rösler et al. (2011), and Luu et al. (2013). Taxon Status Data source Order Squamata Gekkonidae 1 Gekko gecko Linnaeus, 1758* 2 2 Gekko cf. palmatus Boulenger, Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril & Bibron, Agamidae 4 Acanthosaura lepidogaster (Cuvier, 1829)* 1, 2 5 Physignathus cocincinus Cuvier, , 2 Lacertidae 6 Takydromus sexlineatus Daudin, Scincidae 7 Ateuchosaurus chinensis Gray, Eutropis longicaudatus (Hallowell, 1856) 2 9 Eutropis multifasciatus (Kuhl, 1820) 2 10 Plestiodon chinensis (Gray, 1838) 2 11 Plestiodon tamdaoensis (Bourret, 1937) 2, 4 12 Scincella reevesii (Gray, 1838) 1, 2 13 Sphenomorphus indicus (Gray, 1853) 3 14 Tropidophorus hainanus Smith, Anguidae 15 Dopasia harti (Boulenger, 1899) 1, 2 Order Serpentes Colubridae 16 Ahaetulla prasina (Boie, 1827) 1, 2 17 Amphiesma modestum (Günther, 1875) 1, 2 18 Amphiesma khasiense (Boulenger, 1890) 1, 2 19 Calamaria septentrionalis Boulenger, , 2 20 Coelognathus radiatus Boie, Cyclophiops major (Günther, 1858) 3 22 Cyclophiops multicinctus (Roux, 1907) 3 23 Dendrelaphis ngansonensis (Bourret, 1935) 2 24 Dendrelaphis pictus (Gmelin, 1789) 1 25 Enhydris plumbea (Boie, 1827) 2 26 Euprepiophis mandarinus (Cantor, 1842) 3 27 Lycodon meridionalis (Bourret, 1935) 2, 3 28 Oligodon chinensis (Günther, 1888) 3 29 Oligodon taeniatus (Günther, 1861) 1, 2 30 Oreocryptophis porphyraceus (Cantor, 1839) 3 31 Orthriophis taeniurus (Cope, 1861) 3 32 Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1905) 1, 2, 3 33 Pseudoxenodon bambusicola Vogt, , 4 34 Pseudoxenodon karlschmidti Pope, , 2 35 Pseudoxenodon macrops (Blyth, 1854) 3 36 Ptyas korros (Schlegel, 1837) 1, 2 37 Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel, 1837) 3 38 Sinonatrix aequifasciata (Barbour, 1908) 1, 2 39 Sinonatrix percarinata (Boulenger, 1899) 1, 2 40 Xenochrophis flavipunctatus (Hallowell, 1860) 2 Elapidae 41 Sinomicrurus macclellandii (Reinhardt, 1844) 3 Viperidae 42 Ovophis tonkinensis (Bourret 1934) 2 43 Protobothrops cornutus (Smith, 1930) NT 2, 5 44 Protobothrops mucrosquamatus (Cantor, 1839) 2, 3, 4 45 Trimeresurus stejnegeri Schmidt, Order Testudines Platysternidae 46 Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831 EN 2 Geoemydidae 47 Cuora mouhotii (Gray, 1862) EN 2 48 Mauremys mutica (Cantor, 1842) EN 2 49 Sacalia quadriocellata (Siebenrock, 1903) EN 2 50 Testudinidae 51 Manouria impressa (Günther, 1882) VU 2 Trionychidae 52 Palea steindachneri (Siebenrock, 1906) EN 2

6 190 Results Anura Hylidae Hyla annectans (Jerdon, 1870) Assam Treefrog / Nhai ben dinh (Fig. 2) Specimens examined (n = 2): adult females (IEBR A , ZFMK 95473). Distribution: Vietnam: Lao Cai, Vinh Phuc, and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. Elsewhere: India, China, Myanmar, and Thailand (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of examined specimens: SVL mm; head broader than long; snout rounded anteriorly, its length longer than eye diameter; interorbital space broader than upper eyelid width; tympanum distinct, half the diameter of the eye, but larger than the interorbital distance; supratympanic fold distinct, granular; tongue slightly notched posteriorly; Thomas Ziegler et al. tips of fingers and toes with discs; fingers webbed at base and bearing lateral fringes, formula: I2 2½II2 3III2½ 2IV; webbing between toes more developed than between fingers, formula: I2 2¼II1½ 3III2 3IV2¾ 2V; relative lengths of fingers: I=II<IV<III, and of toes: I<II<III<V<IV; dorsal skin smooth; throat smooth, belly and underside of thigh with round granules. Coloration in life: Dorsal surface of head, body and limbs green; green patches on dorsum, lower arm, wrist, tibia, and tibiotarsal articulation edged by whitish or yellowish discontinuous lines; green patches on the limbs ending at wrist and tibiotarsal articulation; a greyish golden stripe extending from tip of snout through nostril, eye, and upper part of tympanum to shoulder; anterior part of flank whitish grey; groin, anterior and posterior aspects of thigh bright yellow with black spots; throat and belly grey (identification after Liu, 1950 and Taylor, 1962). Remarks: The specimens from Ha Giang differ from the description provided by Liu (1950) in the following features: nostril located in the middle between tip of Figure 2. (A) Hyla annectans; (B) Babina chapaensis; (C, D) Odorrana junlianensis.

7 New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam 191 snout and eye (versus nostril closer to tip of snout than to eye); diameter of tympanum twice the distance between tympanum and eye (versus diameter of tympanum slightly exceeding its distance from the eye); and the relative lengths of the fingers I=II<IV<III (versus I<II<IV<III). Ranidae Babina chapaensis (Bourret, 1937) Chapa Frog / Chang sa pa (Fig. 2) Specimens examined (n = 2): adult female (ZFMK 95476) and adult male (IEBR A ). Distribution: Vietnam: Lao Cai, Bac Giang, Ha Tinh, Kon Tum, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak provinces. Elsewhere: Laos and Thailand (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of examined specimens: SVL 42.1 mm in the male and 48.8 mm in the female; head longer than wide; snout slightly pointed in dorsal view and lower jaw distinctly projecting in lateral view; nostril being midway between tip of snout and eye; eye diameter times of snout length; tympanum distinct; supratympanic fold indistinct; tips of fingers and toes dilated, with marginal grooves; relative finger lengths: II<I IV<III; fingers free of webbing; first finger of male with nuptial pad, divided into two separated clusters; relative toe lengths: I<II<V<III<IV, webbing formula: I 2 2½ II 1¾ 3 III 2½ 3¾ IV 3 2 V; inner metatarsal tubercle prominent and elongated, its length times of first toe length; metatarsal tubercle present; heel overlapping when legs held at right angles to body; skin above and beneath body smooth, some spinules on back and thigh present close to vent; a distinct fold, along upper jaw, terminating above level of insertion of forearm. Coloration in life: Dorsum and flanks brown or dark yellowish green, sometimes with few large black spots; mid-dorsal stripe thin, whitish; tympanum reddish; pupil black and surrounding iris golden; fold along upper lip golden; legs with transverse bars (identification after by Bourret, 1942 and Chuaynkern et al., 2010). Remarks: The specimens from Ha Giang disagree with the previous descriptions in the following characters: tympanum diameter 0.8 times of eye diameter (versus as large as or larger than eye diameter, see Bourret, 1942); tibiotarsal articulation only reaching to eye (versus tibiotarsal articulation reaching to snout, see Bourret, 1942 and Chuaynkern et al., 2010); tiny spinules present on dorsum of tibia (versus spinules only present on back and thigh, see Bourret, 1942). Odorrana cf. jingdongensis Fei, Ye and Li, 2001 Jingdong Frog / Ech ging-dong Specimen examined (n = 1): adult male (ZFMK 95478). Distribution: Vietnam: Lao Cai Province. Elsewhere: China (Nguyen et al., 2009 ; Fei, Ye and Jiang, 2010). Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 38.6 mm; head longer than wide; snout blunt in dorsal view; eye large, 0.9 times of the snout length; interorbital space slightly narrower than upper eyelid width (IO/UEW = 0.9); tympanum visible, round, nearly half of eye diameter (TD/ED = 0.4); supratympanic fold distinct; body dorsoventrally compressed; discs of fingers and toes enlarged, with circummarginal grooves; relative finger lengths: II<I<IV<III; fingers free of webbing; nuptial pad present; relative toe lengths: I<II<III<V<IV; toes fully webbed to discs, except for webbing on fourth toe, which appears as a fringe from the distal subarticular tubercle, webbing formula: I 1 2 II 1 2 III 1 2 IV 2 1 V; dermal ridges along outside of first and fifth toes present; inner metatarsal tubercle oval, elongate; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; tarsal fold absent; skin dorsally with pustules, ventrally smooth. Coloration in life: Dorsum and dorsal surface of limbs brown with large green patches, cross-bars on limbs present; light stripe along upper lip absent; eye with brown iris and black pupil, bordered by a yellow copper circle; flank brown with black spots; belly and throat cream, marbled with brown (identification followed Bain et al., 2003). Remarks: Rana hmongorum Bain, Lathrop, Murphy, Orlov and Ho, 2003 was synonymized with O. jingdongensis by Ohler (2007). Compared with descriptions of Bain et al. (2003) and Fei, Ye and Jiang (2010), the male specimen from Ha Giang is smaller: SVL 38.6 mm versus mm in R. hmongorum or mm in R. jingdonensis (see Bain et al., 2003) and mm in O. jingdongensis (see Fei, Ye and Jiang, 2010); nostrils located nearly in the middle of distance between eye and tip of snout (NS/SNL = 0.4) (versus nostrils closer to eye than to tip of snout, see Bain et al., 2003).

8 192 Odorrana junlianensis Huang, Fei and Ye, 2001 Junlian Odorous Frog / Ech giun-li-an (Fig. 2) Specimen examined (n = 1): adult male (ZFMK 95479). Distribution: Vietnam: Lao Cai Province. Elsewhere: China and Laos (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 70.4 mm; head slightly longer than wide; snout truncated in dorsal view, projecting beyond lower jaw in lateral view; nostril in the middle between tip of snout and eye; tympanum distinct, 0.5 times as large as eye diameter, and separated from eye by a distance of 0.7 times of its diameter; tympanic rim with small grains, elevated relative to temporal region; supratympanic fold distinct; tips of fingers and toes enlarged into discs with grooves; narrow dermal fringes present on preaxial sides of second and third fingers; two distinct palmar tubercles, oval, in contact; nuptial pad on dorsolateral part of first finger; webbings between toes extending to Thomas Ziegler et al. bases of discs, formula: I0 1½ II 0 1½III0 2IV2 0V; lateral fringes present on fingers I and V; inner metatarsal tubercle elongated, half of the length of the first toe; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; tarsal fold absent; tibiotarsal articulation far beyond tip of snout; skin on anterior part of dorsum smooth; posterior part of dorsum, posterior of upper eyelid, upper part of flank, and dorsal surface of thigh granular with white spinules; ventral surface smooth; a cluster of tiny, white spinules forming an 8-shaped figure on chest. Coloration in life: Dorsum green grey; throat and chest brown grey; anterior part of belly cream with brown grey marbling; posterior of belly and ventral surface of thigh cream colored; upper part of flank green grey, lower part of flank cream with grey marbling (identification followed Bain and Stuart, 2006). Remarks: The specimen differs from the description of Bain and Stuart (2006) by having an eye diameter 0.9 times of snout length (vs times); interorbital distance slightly broader than upper eyelid width Figure 3. (A) Gracixalus cf. jinxiuensis; (B) Rhacophorus duboisi; (C) R. feae; (D) R. robertingeri.

9 New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam 193 (versus narrower); fingers I<II (versus I>II); and heels overlapping when legs held at right angles to body (versus heels only meeting). Rhacophoridae Gracixalus cf. jinxiuensis (Hu, 1987) Jinxiu Bubble-nest Frog / Nhai cay gin-xiu (Fig. 3) Specimens examined (n = 2): adult males (IEBR A , ZFMK ). Distribution: Vietnam: Lai Chau, Lao Cai, and Lang Son provinces. Elsewhere: China (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of examined specimens: Small rhacophorid (SVL mm); head wider than long; snout rounded from dorsal view, its length longer than eye diameter; interorbital distance broader than upper eyelid; nostril closer to tip of snout than to eye; tympanum distinct, rounded; supratympanic fold distinct, extending from behind of eye to axilla; pineal ocellus absent; spinules on upper eyelid absent; vomerine teeth absent; tongue deeply notched posteriorly; arm short, dermal fringe along outer side of forearm absent; relative finger lengths: I<II<IV<III; tips of all fingers with well developed disks with distinct circummarginal grooves, disk of finger III as wide as tympanum diameter; fingers free of webbing; nuptial pads prominent; palmar turbercles small; heels overlapping when held at right angles to the body; tibia longer than thigh; relative toe lengths I<II<III V<IV; tips of toes with well developed disks with distinct circummarginal grooves; webbing formula I 2 2½ II 1½ 2½ III 2 3 IV 3 2 V; inner metatarsal tubercle distinct, small; dermal ridges along outer sides of tibia and tarsal fold absent; dorsal surface of head, body and thigh with small granules; dorsolateral fold absent; throat and chest smooth, belly and ventral surface of thigh granular; dermal appendage at vent absent. Coloration in preserved state: Snout and dorsum grey with dark brown pattern forming an inverse Y marking; a triangular pattern between eyes bifurcating into two bands continuing posteriorly; lateral side of head and flank grey without spots; tympanum brown; forelimb, dorsal surface of thigh, tibia and foot grey with some darker bars; throat, chest and belly immaculate cream to white; ventral part of forelimbs white; ventral surface of thighs white to grey; webbing grey. For coloration in life see Fig. 3 (identification followed Nguyen et al., 2008). Remarks: The previous record of G. jinxiuensis from Quang Binh Province was reassigned to G. quyeti (Nguyen et al., 2008). Phylogenetic analysis by Rowley et al., (2011) showed that G. jinxiuensis is a species complex. Rhacophorus duboisi Ohler, Marquis, Swan and Grosjean, 2000 Dubois Whipping Frog / Ech cay duy-boa (Fig. 3) Specimens examined (n = 2): adult males (IEBR A , ZFMK 95481). Distribution: Vietnam: Lao Cai Province. Elsewhere: expected in Yunnan, China (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of examined specimens: SVL mm; head slightly longer than wide; snout pointed in dorsal view, its length larger than eye diameter; nostril round, closer to eye than to tip of snout; interorbital distance broader than upper eyelid width; tympanum distinct, round, its diameter about times of eye diameter, and times of space between tympanum and eye; supratympanic fold distinct; vomerine teeth in two oblique rows, connected to choanae; tips of fingers and toes enlarged into discs with distinct circum-marginal grooves; two palmar tubercles flat and oval; finger webbing formula: I 2¼ 2 ½ II 1½ 3 III 2 2 IV; toe webbing formula: I 0 1 II 0 1 III 1 2 IV 2 1 IV; outer side of toe V with dermal fringe; inner metatarsal tubercle slightly prominent, its length times of the first toe length; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; dorsal surface of head, body, and limbs granular; flank slightly granular; throat, chest, belly, and ventral aspect of thigh with small round flat granules. Coloration in life: Dorsal head, body and limbs green with dark large copper brown spots, edged in black and some small white spots; flank and posterior surface of thigh white with dark brown marbling; belly grey-white with numerous small, medium grey spots (identification followed Ohler et al., 2000). Remarks: Both specimens agreed with the original description of Ohler et al. (2000) except for the following features: finger I as long as II (versus finger I<II); fringe along fifth toe extending to first subarticular tubercle and ending as a fold at base of tarsus (versus fringe along fifth toe terminating at first subarticular tubercle), a similar but narrower dermal fringe present along outside of first finger, from base of disc to inner metatarsal tubercle not mentioned by Ohler et al. (2000);

10 194 and dorsal surfaces of head and body granular without spinules (versus with horny spinules). R. duboisi is very similar to R. puerensis, which was formerly reported as R. dugritei from Ha Giang Province by Bain and Nguyen (2004). Li et al. (2012) considered R. puerensis to be a valid species and referred the specimens of the R. dugritei complex from northern Vietnam to R. puerensis. The specimens differ from R. puerensis by the larger size (SVL of males mm vs mm), and the more developed webbing on the first toe of the specimens reaching to base of disc (versus the webbing ending between the subarticular tubercle and intercalary cartilage of the first toe of R. puerensis, see Liu, 1950, Bain and Nguyen, 2004). Rhacophorus feae Boulenger, 1893 Brown-folded Treefrog / Ech cay phe (Fig. 3) Specimen examined (n = 1): photographic record only. Distribution: Vietnam: Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Kon Tum, Dak Lak, and Dong Nai provinces (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of photographed specimen: Photographs of the individual resembled Rhacophorus feae in the following attributes: Fingers and toes with large discs and well webbed. Coloration in life: Dorsal surface uniformly green; a golden stripe running from tip of snout, along to canthus rostralis, border of upper eyelid, and supratympanic fold to shoulder; webbing whitish (identification after Boulenger, 1893 and Orlov et al., 2012). Rhacophorus robertingeri Orlov, Poyarkov, Vassilieva, Ananjeva, Nguyen, Nguyen and Geissler, 2012 Robert Tree frog / Ech cay ro-bot-in-go (Fig. 3) Specimen examined (n = 1): adult female (ZFMK 95480). Distribution: Vietnam: in Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Quang Nam, Kon Tum, and Gia Lai provinces (Orlov et al., 2012). Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 40.3 mm; head as long as wide; snout pointed; eye large, its diameter about 0.76 times of snout length; interorbital space 1.5 times of upper eyelid width; tympanum visible, with a diameter smaller than half of eye diameter; supratympanic fold distinct; tips of fingers and toes enlarged to discs; fingers and toes well webbed, finger webbing formula: I 2 2½ II 1½ 2½ III 2 1½ IV and toe webbing formula: I 1½ 2 II 1 2½ III 1 1 IV 1 1 V; tibiotarsal articulation with a long pointed projection; dermal appendage at vent present; skin smooth dorsally and granular ventrally. Coloration in life: Dorsal head, body, and limbs yellow brown; a darker cross-bar present between eyes; posterior part of dorsum with some darker patches or bars; side of head yellow brown; eye with golden iris and horizontal black pupil; transverse bars on limbs present; webbings whitish (identification followed Orlov et al., 2012). Remarks: Nostrils located midway between tip of snout and eye (versus nostrils closer to tip of snout than to eye, see Orlov et al., 2012). Orlov et al. (2012) also reidentified the Vietnamese specimens that were formerly regarded as Rhacophorus calcaneus Smith, 1924, as a distinct species, R. robertingeri and simultaneously synonymized Rhacophorus chuyangsinensis Orlov, Nguyen, and Ho, 2008 with R. calcaneus. The IUCN Red List status of this species should be Near Threatened as that of the former R. calcaneus. Squamata: Sauria Gekkonidae Gekko cf. palmatus Boulenger, 1907 Palm Gecko / Tac ke chan vit (Fig. 4) Thomas Ziegler et al. Specimen examined (n = 1): photographic record only. Distribution: Vietnam: Yen Bai, Lang Son, Vinh Phuc, Quang Ninh, and Quang Binh provinces. Elsewhere: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia (Nguyen et al., 2009, Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of photographed specimen: The photograph of this gecko largely resembles Gekko palmatus in the following characters: tubercles present on dorsum; one pair of dark, roundish or somewhat enlarged spots in the occipital region; smaller, but more distinct dark spots in the nuchal region and light broken middorsal stripe evident on body (identification based on Ziegler et al., 2006a and Nguyen et al., 2013b).

11 New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam Scincidae Sphenomorphus indicus (Gray, 1853) Indian Forest Skink / Than lan phe-no an do (Fig. 4) Specimen examined (n = 1): adult female (ZFMK 95484). Distribution: Vietnam: from Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, and Son La provinces in the North southwards to Dak Lak and Dong Nai. Elsewhere: India, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 68 mm; loreals 2; temporals 2+1; supralabials 8, 5th and 6th separated from the eye by small scales; supraciliaries 11, first largest; scale rows around midbody 34; cloacal scale divided; lamellae beneath the fourth toe 19, keeled; one pair of nuchals; conical tubercles on palmar and plantar surfaces of hands and feet. 195 Coloration in preserved state: dorsum and tail base brown with black spots; upper limbs the same as back, with dark bordered pale spots; lower parts of limbs greyish to brown; upper lateral zone with a dark stripe from eye to tail base; light dorsolateral stripe present on neck and shoulder; labials with dark vertical bars; belly and under tail cream (identification after Smith, 1943; Ziegler, 2002; Bourret, 2009). Squamata: Serpentes Colubridae Cyclophiops major (Günther, 1858) South China Green Snake / Ran dai lon Specimen examined (n = 1): subadult (ZFMK 95485). Distribution: Vietnam: Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Vinh Phuc, Ha Tay, and Quang Binh provinces. Elsewhere: China, Taiwan, and Laos (Nguyen et al., 2009). Figure 4. (A) Gekko cf. palmatus; (B) Sphenomorphus indicus; (C) Cyclophiops multicinctus; (D) Euprepiophis mandarinus.

12 196 Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 208 mm, TaL 59 mm; loreal 1; preocular 1; postoculars 2; anterior temporal 1, posterior temporals 2; supralabials 8, 4th and 5th in contact with the eye; DSF 15:15:15; ventral scales 2+175; cloacal scale divided; subcaudals 84, divided. Coloration in preserved state: Dorsum uniformly dark grey (determination after Bourret, 1936; Ziegler et al., 2007). Cyclophiops multicinctus (Roux, 1907) Many-banded Green Snake / Ran nhieu dai (Fig. 4) Specimens examined (n = 2): photographic records only. Distribution: Vietnam: in several provinces of northern, central and southern Vietnam. Elsewhere: China and Laos (Nguyen et al., 2009; Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of photographed specimens: loreal 1; preocular 1; postoculars 2; anterior temporal Thomas Ziegler et al. 1, posterior temporals 2; supralabials 7, 3rd and 4th in contact with the eye. Coloration in life: Back green anteriorly and turning into brown posteriorly (determination after Bourret, 1936; Ziegler et al., 2007). Euprepiophis mandarinus (Cantor, 1842) Mandarin Rat Snake / Ran soc quan (Fig. 4) Specimen examined (n = 1): photographic record only. Distribution: Vietnam: Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, Lang Son, Vinh Phuc, Son La, Ha Tinh, and Dak Lak provinces. Elsewhere: India, China, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, and Laos (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of photographed specimen: Supralabials 7, 3rd and 4th touching eye; anterior temporal 1. Coloration in life: Light brown to greyish above with a series of large, oval yellow spots, broadly edged with Figure 5. (A) Lycodon meridionalis; (B) Oligodon chinensis; (C) Oreocryptophis porphyraceus; (D) Orthriophis taeniurus.

13 New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam 197 black, on body; head above with black markings, namely a band across the snout, a crescentic mark on top of head passing through eye whrere it divides into two, and a V shaped mark, its apex located on the frontal shield and passing back on the sides of the head behind the mouth to the throat (identification followed Smith, 1943). Coloration in life: Above pale gray-brown, with 11 transversal blackish brown equidistant bands on trunk and four on the tail; a black band running from one eye to the other, which touches the 4 th and 5 th lower labials; distinctive arrow-shaped black spot in the neck (determination followed Bourret, 1936; Smith, 1943; Ziegler, 2002; Ziegler et al., 2007). Lycodon meridionalis (Bourret, 1935) Southern Big-Tooth Snake / Ran lech dau kinh tuyen (Fig. 5) Specimen examined (n = 1): photographic record only. Distribution: Vietnam: Hai Duong, Quang Nam, Lam Dong, and Ninh Thuan provinces. Elsewhere: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia (Nguyen et al., 2009; Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of photographed specimen: Black colored dorsum with 85 to 95 yellow narrow cross-bars, bifurcate on the sides, enclosing dark spots; head black with symmetrical light markings, the most conspicuous being one running from the eye to the margin of the snout and another stretching from the hind margin of the parietals; labials edged in black (identification followed Smith, 1943). Remarks: Lycodon meridionalis was formerly treated as Dinodon meridionalis. Only recently, based on molecular findings, Siler et al. (2013) provided evidence that Dinodon in fact is synonymous with Lycodon. Oligodon chinensis (Günther, 1888) Chinese Kukri Snake / Ran khiem trung quoc (Fig. 5) Specimen examined (n = 1): adult male (ZFMK 95486). Distribution: Vietnam: from Lao Cai and several north-eastern provinces southwards to Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, and Gia Lai provinces. Elsewhere: China (Nguyen et al., 2009). Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 459 mm; TaL 119 mm; loreal 1, squarish; presubocular 1; subocular 1; postoculars 2; anterior temporal 1, posterior temporals 2; supralabials 8/7, 4 th and 5 th in contact with eye; the anterior chin shield in contact with 5/4 lower labials; DSF 17:17:15; ventral scales 2+176; cloacal scale undivided; subcaudals 62, divided. Oreocryptophis porphyracea (Cantor, 1839) Black-banded Trinket Snake / Ran soc dom do (Fig. 5) Specimen examined (n = 1): photographic record only. Distribution: Vietnam: in several northern provinces southwards to Quang Binh Province. Elsewhere: India, Nepal, China, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia (Nguyen et al., 2009; Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of photographed specimen: Ground color reddish-brown; body and tail with dark bands, bordered in black; two narrow black stripes extending from immediately behind eyes along entire length of the body; top of head marked with a black line (identification after Schulz, 1996). Orthriophis taeniurus (Cope 1861) Taiwan Beauty Snake / Ran soc duoi (Fig. 5) Specimen examined (n = 1): photographic record only. Distribution: Vietnam: from several northern provinces southwards to Gia Lai Province. Elsewhere: Russia, India, China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia (Nguyen et al., 2009; Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of photographed specimen: preocular 1, large; postoculars 2; anterior temporals 2; ventral scales feebly keeled; dorsal scales keeled. Coloration in life: Species specific colour pattern consists of a black stripe on both sides of head; dorsum anteriorly with large, dark, butterfly-shaped patches, which turn into longitudinal bands posteriorly; sides with yellow bordered dark rings; venter yellow (determination after Ziegler, 2002).

14 198 Pseudoxenodon macrops (Blyth 1854) Big-eyed Bamboo Snake / Ran ho xien mat to (Fig. 6) Specimens examined (n = 2): adult female (ZFMK 95487) and adult male (IEBR A ). Distribution: Vietnam: from several northern provinces southwards to Quang Binh, Da Nang, Kon Tum and Lam Dong provinces. Elsewhere: Nepal, China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Malaysia (Nguyen et al., 2009; Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of examined specimens: SVL 495 mm in male and 735 mm in female; loreal 1, large; preocular 1, not in contact with frontal; postoculars 3/4 in male and 3/2 in female; anterior temporals 2, posterior temporals 3 in male and 2 in female; supralabials 9/8 in male, 8 in female, 5th and 6th entering orbit in male and 4th and 5th in female; DSF 19:17:15, dorsal scales keeled; ventral scales in male and in female 1+160; cloacal scale divided; Thomas Ziegler et al. subcaudals 60 in male and 54 in female. This species is able to flatten its neck to mimic a cobra. Coloration in life: Dorsum brownish to reddish with pale spots along vertebral ridge and with a dorso-lateral series of black spots; neck with black chevron, its apex pointed toward the head; yellowish below, anterior part of the belly with large quadrangular dark brown to black spots, sometimes united to form cross-bars; posterior part of belly and tail speckled dark grey to black (determination followed Smith, 1943; Bourret, 1936; Ziegler et al., 2007). Rhabdophis subminiatus (Schlegel 1837) Red-necked Keelback / Ran hoa co nho Specimen examined (n = 1): adult female (ZFMK 95488). Distribution: Vietnam: from several northern provinces southwards to Gia Lai Province. Elsewhere: Figure 6. (A, B) Pseudoxenodon macrops; (C) Sinomicrurus macclellandii (only photographed and subsequently released specimen).

15 New amphibian and reptile records from Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam 199 India, Nepal, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia (Nguyen et al., 2009; Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 626 mm; loreal 1; preocular 1; postoculars 3; anterior temporal 2, posterior temporals 3; supralabials 8, 3 rd 5 th in contact with eye; dorsal scales in 19 rows at midbody; dorsals distinctly keeled except for outermost row; ventral scales 3+165; cloacal scale divided. Coloration in preserved specimen: Body uniformly olive green; a black line running from the eye to supralabials; venter grey (identification followed Ziegler, 2002; Ziegler et al., 2007). Elapidae Sinomicrurus macclellandi (Reinhardt, 1844) Macclelland s Coral snake / Ran la kho thuong (Fig. 6) Specimen examined (n = 1): adult male (VNMN 899). Distribution: Vietnam: from several northern and central provinces southwards to Thua Thien-Hue, Kon Tum, Lam Dong, and Dong Nai provinces. Elsewhere: India, Nepal, southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand (Nguyen et al., 2009; Uetz, 2013). Morphological features of examined specimen: SVL 683 mm, TaL 66 mm; preocular 1; postoculars 2; anterior temporal 1, posterior temporal 1; supralabials 7, 3 rd and 4 th in contact with eye; DSF 13:13:13; vertebral scales not enlarged; ventral scales 215; cloacal scale divided; subcaudals 29, divided. Coloration in preserved state: reddish brown above, with 29 black crossbands (framed with thin light crossbands) on back and four on tail; head black with wide, white crossband; ventral surface cream with black bands and black squarish marks (determination after Smith, 1943; Ziegler et al., 2007). Discussion Based on our recent herpetological surveys we can add eight newly recorded species of amphibians (Hyla annectans, Babina chapaensis, Odorrana cf. jingdongensis, O. junlianensis, Gracixalus cf. jinxiuensis, Rhacophorus duboisi, R. feae, and R. robertingeri) and twelve species of reptiles (Gekko cf. palmatus, Sphenomorphus indicus, Cyclophiops major, C. multicinctus, Euprepiophis mandarinus, Lycodon meridionalis, Oligodon chinensis, Oreocryptophis porphyraceus, Orthriophis taeniurus, Pseudoxenodon macrops, Rhabdophis subminiatus, and Sinomicrurus macclellandii) to the herpetofaunal list of Ha Giang. Together with recently published new species records and species descriptions, the herpetofauna of Ha Giang currently comprises 50 species of amphibians and 52 species of reptiles (see Tables 2, 3). Six (or seven, including R. robertingeri, previously known as R. calcaneus) species of amphibians and 7 species of reptiles are listed in the IUCN Red List. A number of cryptic species complexes will still be the focus of revision work. The diversity of amphibians and reptiles from this region might still be underestimated because most of the surveys of this study as well as the surveys of Bain and Nguyen (2004) were conducted at the beginning of the rainy season, where at least only part of the amphibian fauna can be recorded. Further herpetological research in Ha Giang Province and adjacent areas in different seasons of the year certainly will lead to a number of new records and most probably also to the discovery of so far undescribed species. Such comprehensive herpetofaunal list then only can serve for further studies, dealing with distribution, population status, and ecological adaptations as basis for a proper evaluation of the current threat status and implementation of appropriate conservation measures. Acknowledgements. QKL and TNV are grateful to the Ha Giang Provincial Forest Protection Department, Quan Ba District Forest Protection Unit, Tung Vai Border Station, Quan Ba District People s Committee, People s Committees of Tung Vai, Ta Van and Cao Ma Po communes (Quan Ba District), Fauna and Flora International (FFI) Vietnam Conservation Support Programme and the University of Science (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) for their support of our field work. We also would like to thank N.V. Hoang, T. V. Hoang (Ha Giang Provincial Forest Protection Department), T. T. Luu, Q. D. Vien, K. C. Nguyen (Quan Ba District Forest Protection Department), C. C. Luc, B. V. Cheng, N. Q. Chuong, T. D. Chuong, T. D. Chuong, A. X. Lu (Tung Vai Commune), C. X. Dang, C. P. Tan and S. D. Tan (Cao Ma Po Commune) for their support of field work. References Bain, R.H., Lathrop, A., Murphy, R.W., Orlov, N.L., Ho, C.T. (2003): Cryptic species of a cascade frog from southeast Asia: taxonomic revisions and descriptions of six new species. American Museum Novitates 3417: Bain, R.H., Nguyen, T.Q. (2004): Herpetofaunal diversity of Ha Giang Province in Northeastern Vietnam, with descriptions of two new species. American Museum Novitates 3453: Bain, R.H., Nguyen, T.Q., Doan, V.K. (2007): New herpetological records from Vietnam. Herpetological Review 38(1):

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