We redescribe the only previously known species of Myrsidea from bulbuls, M. pycnonoti Eichler. Sixteen new species are described; they and their type hosts are: M. phillipsi ex Pycnonotus goiavier goiavier (Scopoli), M. gieferi ex P. goiavier suluensis Mearns, M. kulpai ex P. flavescens Blyth, M. finlaysoni ex P. finlaysoni Strickland, M. kathleenae ex P. cafer (L.), M. warwicki ex Ixos philippinus (J. R. Forster), M. mcclurei ex Microscelis amaurotis (Temminck), M. zeylanici ex P. zeylanicus (Gmelin), M. plumosi ex P. plumosus Blyth, M. eutiloti ex P. eutilotus (Jardine and Selby), M. adamsae ex P. urostictus (Salvadori), M. ochracei ex Criniger ochraceus F. Moore, M. borbonici ex Hypsipetes borbonicus (J. R. Forster), M. johnsoni ex P. atriceps (Temminck), M. palmai ex C. ochraceus, and M. claytoni ex P. eutilotus. A key is provided for the identification of these 17 species.

A new species

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Tadpoles: the biology of anuran larvae

Indochina (Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam) houses over 600 species of amphibians and reptiles, roughly a quarter of which has been described within the last 15 years. Herein, we undertake the first biogeographic synthesis of the regional herpetofauna since the first half of the 20th century. We review the literature to measure and map species richness and endemism, the contributions of regional faunas, and ecological characteristics of Indochina's amphibians (Anura, Caudata), and reptiles (Serpentes, Sauria, Testudines, Crocodylia). Dividing Indochina into 19 subregions defined by topography and geology, we estimate the similarity among the regional faunas and appraise the effects of area and survey effort on these comparative analyses. Variation in species composition is broadly correlated with topography, habitat complexity, and proximity to regions outside Indochina. Indochina's herpetofauna is dominated (in decreasing order) by endemic species, widely distributed species, a South China fauna, an...

A Biogeographic Synthesis of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Indochina

A biogeographic synthesis of the amphibians and reptiles of Indochina. (Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 360)

Amphibians are facing an extinction crisis, and conservation breeding pro- grammes are a tool used to prevent imminent species extinctions. Compared to mammals and birds, amphibians are considered ideal candidates for these programmes due to their small body size and low space requirements, high fecundity, applicability of reproductive technologies, short generation time, lack of parental care, hard wired behaviour, low maintenance requirements, relative cost effectiveness of such programmes, the success of several amphibian conservation breeding programmes and because captive husbandry capacity exists. Superficially, these reasons appear sound and conservation breeding has improved the conservation status of several amphibian species, however it is impossible to make generalisations about the biology or geo-political context of an entire class. Many threatened amphibian species fail to meet criteria that are commonly cited as reasons why amphibians are suitable for conservation breeding programmes. There are also limitations associated with maintaining populations of amphibians in the zoo and private sectors, and these could potentially undermine the success of conservation breeding programmes and reintroductions. We recommend that species that have been assessed as high priorities for ex situ conservation action are subsequently individually reassessed to determine their suitability for inclusion in conservation breeding programmes. The limitations and risks of maintaining ex situ populations of amphibians need to be considered from the outset and, where possible, mitigated. This should improve programme success rates and ensure that the limited funds dedicated to ex situ amphibian conservation are allocated to projects which have the greatest chance of success.

Amphibians and conservation breeding programmes: do all threatened amphibians belong on the ark?

We provide a list of 21 new amphibian and reptilian species and subspecies discoveries from Vietnam, includ- ing one new snake genus, published after the comprehensive overview by Nguyen et al. (2009). The new herpetofauna representatives are introduced inclusive of the original description, type locality, English and Vietnamese names, as well as current distribution.

New discoveries of amphibians and reptiles from Vietnam

A new species of Calamaria Boie, 1827 is described, based on a single specimen collected in mixed secondary deciduous and bamboo forest at 1,200 m altitude from Kon Tum Province in Central Vietnam. The new species is characterized by rostral wider than high; preocular present; supralabials four; Supralabial II-III entering orbit; maxillary teeth nine, modified; infralabials 4-5, Infralabials I-III in contact with anterior chin shields; mental in contact with anterior chin shields; ventrals 2 + 190; subcaudal scales 19, divided; tail relatively short (6.2% of total length), as thick as body, not distinctly tapering, and ending in obtuse point; dorsum greyish-brown, with fine dark mottling; venter cream, with dark transverse bands and a dark longitudinal stripe below tail. This is the third new Calamaria taxon described from Vietnam in the past 15 years, and the sixth species recorded from this country. In addition, we provide a key to the Vietnamese species of Calamaria.

A new species of reed snake, Calamaria Boie, 1827 (Squamata: Colubridae), from central Vietnam

We report on our experiences with the captive management and ex situ reproduction of the Harlequin toad from Suriname (Atelopus flavescens ) at the amphibian breeding unit of the Cologne Zoo. Egg deposition was stimulated by maintaining A. flavescens in a drier environment followed by a period of intensive irrigation. Here we provide for the first time an overview of the larval development from oviposition to metamorphosis, including diagnostic morphological char- acters according to Gosner. Eggs were arranged in strings and attached to the substrate below the water surface. Larvae hatched about five days after egg deposition and the characteristic abdomi- nal suctorial disc developed about two days later (stages 20-21). Tadpoles are gastromyzophorous and were observed rasping algae. The average time for larval development to stage 41 was 100-130 days. Larval development appears to be dependent on water temperature with faster development at higher temperatures. Concerning color pattern in adults, we observed a slight sexual dimorphism and we were able to recognize individuals due to a constant color pattern. However, color was ob- served to slightly change over time.

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Is there a chance for conservation breeding? Ex situ management, reproduction, and early life stages of the Harlequin toad Atelopus flavescens Duméril & Bibron, 1841 (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae)

2 Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Berne, SWITZERLAND Abstract.—We report long-term experience with the successful keeping and breeding of Megoph- rys nasuta at the Cologne Zoo's Amphibian Breeding Unit and compare data with other breeding reports. In addition, we document the development and morphology of different larval stages of M. nasuta. Diagnostic morphological characters are provided for Gosner (1960) larval stages 18- 22 and 25-46. Ovipositions were not seasonal and took place after a drier phase in the terrarium followed by intensive spraying to simulate the natural rain period. The larvae hatched about one week after egg deposition. The characteristic funnel-shaped oral disc became discernible about two weeks after egg deposition at Gosner stage 21 and degenerated at Gosner stage 42. The mean total developmental time observed for M. nasuta was 2.5-3.5 months. Larvae developed faster at higher temperatures and lower densities. The triangular projections at the upper eyelids, which are char- acteristic for advanced terrestrial stages, began to develop two or three weeks after completion of metamorphosis.

Husbandry, captive breeding, larval development and stages of the Malayan horned frog Megophrys nasuta (Schlegel, 1858) (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae)

4 Berlin Zoo, Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin, GERMANY Abstract.—We established a primary skin cell culture of the Critically Endangered Chinese Giant Salamander, Andrias davidianus, from small biopsies using minimal invasive methodologies. Bi- opsies were taken from three animals simultaneously with assessment of two biopsy sampling techniques using samples from the tail tip. Cell culture was performed in a wet chamber at room temperature. Several culture media and supplementations were tested as well as culture contain- ers and surface coatings. The handling of A. davidianus in a landing net, without transfer out of the tank, allowed easier biopsy withdrawal. Best outgrowth of cells from explants was achieved in 60% DMEM/F12 medium with supplementation. Cells started to grow out as monolayer within the first 12 hours, and after three weeks formed pigmented multilayers, then died after 10 weeks. Primary cul- tures of Andrias skin cells, as well as other amphibian primary cell cultures, can be used in future studies to evaluate effects of disease, pollution, regeneration, wound healing, and could provide cells for use in reproduction technologies such as cryopreservation to preserve gene lines in this and other Critically Endangered species with minimal harm to the animals.

In vitro culture of skin cells from biopsies from the Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus (Blanchard, 1871) (Amphibia, Caudata, Cryptobranchidae)

Cologne Zoo

Papers

New discoveries of amphibians and reptiles from Vietnam

A new species of reed snake, Calamaria Boie, 1827 (Squamata: Colubridae), from central Vietnam

Is there a chance for conservation breeding? Ex situ management, reproduction, and early life stages of the Harlequin toad Atelopus flavescens Duméril & Bibron, 1841 (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae)

Husbandry, captive breeding, larval development and stages of the Malayan horned frog Megophrys nasuta (Schlegel, 1858) (Amphibia: Anura: Megophryidae)

In vitro culture of skin cells from biopsies from the Critically Endangered Chinese giant salamander, Andrias davidianus (Blanchard, 1871) (Amphibia, Caudata, Cryptobranchidae)