Chandra Mouli

Taxonomic status of the Andamanese subspecies of Kaloula baleata i.e., Kaloula baleata ghoshi is re-evaluated based on a comparative analysis of morphological data from members of this species complex from different parts of Southeast Asia. The Andamanese population is shown to be a morphologically distinct, allopatric species deserving specific recognition similar to the recently recognized and named members of this species complex from other parts of Southeast Asia. Thus, the population in the Andaman Islands hitherto considered being a subspecies of Kaloula baleata is elevated to species status in the combination Kaloula ghoshi. Descriptive notes on morphology, distribution and natural history of this poorly known taxon are presented herein for the first time based on extensive field-surveys conducted in the Andaman Islands.

achtet wurde, wie er einen adulten rhacophoriden Frosch Polypedates insularis Das, 1995 erbeutet hat. Es geschah bei Govind Nagar (6.983° N, 93.86° O, 127 m ü.d.M.) auf Great Nicobar Island, wo diese beiden Arten gemeinsam in wassergefüllten Fässern ablaichen. Der Fangzahnfrosch packte einen P. in sularis kopfüber und verschlang ihn innerhalb einer Minute. Während des Schlingaktes verteidigte sich der kleine Rhacophoride, indem er sich mit seinen Armen an den Vorderkörper von L. shompenorum klammerte. Dies ist der erste Fall von dokumentierter Batrachophagie bei L. shompenorum. Während L. shompenorum mittlerweile auch außerhalb des Nikobaren-Archipels aus Sumatra bekannt ist (Frost 2019), beschränkt sich die Verbreitung von P. insularis auf die südliche Gruppe des Nikobaren-Archipels (Chandramouli 2018) und ist damit eine stärker bedrohte Art als L. shompenorum.

A comprehensive review of members of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was undertaken to assess the true diversity of the genus in this region. Samples collected across different islands within the archipelago show significant and consistent morphological variation associated with the region of origin. Detailed redescriptions are presented for the two known species Cyrtodactylus rubidus and C. adleri. Two new species C. nicobaricus sp. nov. and C. camortensis sp. nov. are described from the northern and central group of islands of the Nicobar archipelago based on morphological distinction and geographic separation from the above two named species from this archipelago. Information on geographic distribution, natural history and conservation status for all of these species are presented.

The taxonomic status of the large-sized Fejervarya frogs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was assessed based on integrative analysis of molecular, morphological and acoustic data. Our results identify the population from the Andaman Islands as Fejervarya moodiei, and that from the Nicobar Islands as F. limnocharis. Representative specimens collected during this study are described along with observations on their natural history. The distribution of F. moodiei within the Andaman Islands and F. limnocharis in the Nicobar Islands recorded during this study are mapped, suggesting that these species are fairly widespread.

Observations on the natural history of the poorly known, insular rhacophorid species, Polypedates insularis Das, 1995 are presented herein for the first time. Courtship, breeding behaviour and calls of this species are described. The morphology of the larvae of P. insularis is described in detail across different developmental stages and the structure of their oral apparatus is illustrated. P. insularis has a labial tooth row formula 1/4 + 4//3. Ontogenetic development of the larvae is described. Potential threats to this endangered species are highlighted.

We examined the holotype of Eutropis tytleri and one of the syntypes of E. andamanensis collected from the Andaman Islands, currently deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Information on taxonomy, morphology, distribution, behaviour and natural history of these two poorly-known, insular endemic skinks are presented here based on individuals recorded and examined in-situ, in the field as well as preserved material. Their types are illustrated and redescribed. A distribution map is presented based on records from the present study; threats and conservation status are discussed.

The little-known, insular endemic skink Lipinia macrotympanum (Stoliczka, 1873) was recorded recently from two new localities in Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve (GNBR) further south of the previously known localities. Based on these observations, new data on morphology, natural history and distribution are presented and it is suggested to be considered as an endangered species based on the IUCN assessment criteria.

We reassessed the systematic position of the ranid frog Hylorana (=Hylarana) nicobariensis that, owing to its uncertain phylogenetic position and lack of clear morphological characterisation, has lately been allocated to various Asian and African frog genera such as Rana, Sylvirana, Hylarana, Amnirana, and most recently to Indosylvirana. Based on an integrative approach of both phylogenetic and morphological affinities, we describe a new genus to accommodate Hylorana (=Hylarana) nicobariensis and redescribe the species based on new topotypic material from the Nicobar Islands.

A new species of gekkonid lizard of the genus Cnemaspis is described from the southern group of Nicobar Islands. It is distinguished from the Andaman endemic C. andersonii and the species of the adjacent Mentawai archipelago by: small body size (27.64-31.08 mm SVL); presence of four enlarged conical tubercles on the flanks; 2 post-mentals separated from each other by a single scale; presence of 2-3 internasals; presence of 6-7 supralabials; 8 infralabials; 16-18 subdigital lamellae under toe IV; smooth pectoral, abdominal and femoral scales; presence of 3 femoral pores on each thigh; absence of precloacal pores and irregularly shaped, small sized subcaudal scales. The description of C. andersonii, endemic to the Andaman archipelago is expanded based on new material along with several new, specific distribution records that are mapped. Conservation status of these geckos is discussed.

Trimersurus labialis, a poorly-known, insular endemic pit viper restricted to a single island of the Nicobar archipelago, Car Nicobar, was studied. Four distinct and discrete colour morphs of this species were observed and are described. It was found to be a fairly abundant and strictly nocturnal species. Distribution of T. la bialis within Car Nicobar was mapped based on the recorded localities and it is suggested to be regarded as an endangered species owing to its restricted distribution, limited to just one island, which does not have any protected areas.

The poorly-known, insular endemic frog species, Minervarya nicobariensis (Stoliczka, 1870) is redescribed based on new material from the Nicobar Archipelago. A neotype is designated as its holotype had been lost. Novel data on biology, ecology, distribution and natural history of this poorly known species are provided. Breeding biology and larval morphology are described in detail. Potential threats to the species are discussed and an assessment of its conservation status is attempted.

A comprehensive systematic review of the genus Gekko Laurenti, 1768 in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago was undertaken. The known members Gekko verreauxi Tytler, 1865 and Gekko (Ptychozoon) nicobarensis (Das and Vijayakumar, 2009) are redescribed based on new material collected during this study. The systematic status of the Gekko smithii (s. lat.) population from the southern Nicobar Islands was reassessed and found to represent a distinct species. Based on morphological and morphometric distinction, this allopatric, insular population is described as Gekko stoliczkai sp. nov. Notes on ecology, natural history, morphology, and distribution are presented for all these species, with recommendations on their conservation status.

A new species of green pit viper of the genus Trimeresurus, in the T. albolabris complex, is described from Car Nicobar Island of the Nicobar Archipelago, Indian Ocean. The new species, Trimeresurus davidi sp. nov., can be distinguished from all other members of this group by the following characteristics: medium to large body size (277-835 mm SVL); dorsal scales in a series of 21-25:21-23:15-17 rows; nasal partly fused with the first supralabial; 166-179 ventrals, 58-70 subcaudals; one preocular; 2-3 postoculars; 10-12 supralabials; 12-15 infralabials; two internasals usually in contact with each other; 11-14 cephalic scales; verdant green dorsal and ventral color, absence of white ventrolateral stripes along the sides of the body; males with a white supralabial streak, bordered by a reddish tinge above; a pair of white and red stripes along the sides of the tail in both sexes; a reddish brown colored tail and a greenish iris. The new species is endemic to Car Nicobar Island of the Nicobar Archipelago, and should be regarded as an Endangered species owing to its restricted distribution range.

We reassessed the taxonomic status of an Asian genus of arboreal bufonids, Pedostibes, based on examination of preserved material of the two species currently attributed to this genus. Analysis of their morphological, morphometric, and geographic distribution data revealed that Pedostibes tuberculosus, the type species of this genus from the Western Ghats, southwestern India, is morphologically distinct from the geographically separated member, P. kempi, which is distributed in northeastern India. Hence, the generic nomen Pedostibes is restricted to the type species, rendering it a monotypic genus from the Western Ghats of peninsular India. A re-examination and detailed comparisons of the types of P. kempi with other bufonid genera revealed morphological similarities with another geographically proximate toad, Bufoides meghalayanus, from northeastern India. Hence, this taxon is formally transferred herein to Bufoides with a redescription. The composition of the recently described Southeast Asian toad genus Rentapia is reevaluated and the name-bearing type specimens of the currently ascribed taxa are redescribed. A detailed examination of the types of Rentapia everetti and R. rugosa revealed morphological congruence coupled with geographic sympatry. Hence, the latter nomen is synonymized with R. everetti in accordance with the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature principle of priority.

Tiliqua bibronii was described by J.E. Gray in December, 1838 based on two syntypes (MNHN-RA 2940, 7076), but the details for locality was missing. These syntypes are currently housed at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Paris, France (MNHN-RA). The same species (based on the same type specimens) was described by A.M.C. Duméril & G. Bi-bron in November, 1839 nearly one year after Gray's publication. As such, Gray's publication must therefore be given priority. Another species, Euprepis trilineatus, from Madras, Tamil Nadu, India, was described by Gray in 1846, and it is morphologically similar to E. bibronii. Later, Boulenger (1885) synonymised it with E. bibronii. Eutropis bibronii has subsequently been recorded from other parts of India and Sri Lanka by various authors. Many years later, a closely related species, Mabuya nagarjuni (sic) Sharma, 1969, was described from Andhra Pradesh, India, based on two specimens (a holotype and a paratype) housed at the Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata (ZSI). Here we make a correction for the species epithet as " nagarjunensis " which should be a toponym, not a patronym. Among the skink collections at the Natural History Museum, London (BMNH), ZSI, and MNHN-RA we found E. bibronii specimens collected from various locations in India, but we were unable to find any specimens from Sri Lanka. Based on morphological evidence, E. bibronii represents a single, fairly widespread, species which has to be considered endemic to India. Although, recent phylogenetic studies reveal a distinct genetic divergence between E. bibronii and E. nagarjunensis, both species are morphologically very similar to each other. Here, we examine the morphology of E. nagarjunensis based on the ZSI specimens. A comprehensive comparison between the syntypes of E. bibronii and Euprepis trilineatus confirms that the latter nomen is a junior synonym of the former. The original description of E. bibronii is extremely concise and lacks most of the important diagnostic characters, so here we provide a comprehensive redescription of the species based on the examination of its syn-types.

Euprepes beddomei was described by Jerdon (1870) from " Mysore " (Karnataka State, India). Simultaneously, Euprepes (Tiliqua) septemlineatus, which is morphologically similar to E. beddomei, was described by Blanford (1870) based on a single specimen collected from the Ganga River Valley, Southeast Berar, Madhya Pradesh, India. Smith (1935) syn-onymised the latter species (published in September, 1870) with Euprepes beddomei which in turn was published earlier (March, 1870). Jerdon's publication should therefore be given priority. A comprehensive comparison between the holo-types of the above two species confirms that E. septemlineatus is a junior synonym of E. beddomei. Based on morphological characters, Eutropis beddomei is here clearly identified and can be considered a widespread species in India and Sri Lanka. The original description of E. beddomei is very short and lacks a description containing most of the important diagnostic characters; hence, we hereby provide a comprehensive description of the species based on the examination of its holotype.

Diversity of skeletal characters in 10 genera of anurans representing nine families from the Western Ghats of peninsular India is investigated. The osteology of each of these genera is described and characters are compared among the genera. The analysis reveals that some pairs of genera resemble one another osteologically and that this morphological similarity seems to be congruent with their published phylogenetic relationships. In addition, a pattern of microhabitat-related clustering was observed; other observed patterns are discussed and avenues for further research are advocated.

A new bufonid amphibian, belonging to a new monotypic genus, is described from the Andaman Islands, in the Bay of Bengal, Republic of India, based on unique external morphological and skeletal characters which are compared with those of known Oriental and other relevant bufonid genera. Blythophryne gen. n. is distinguished from other bufonid genera by its small adult size (mean SVL 24.02 mm), the presence of six presacral vertebrae, an absence of coccygeal expansions, presence of an elongated pair of parotoid glands, expanded discs at digit tips and phytotelmonous tadpoles that lack oral denticles. The taxonomic and phylogenetic position of the new taxon (that we named as Blythophryne beryet gen. et sp. n.) was ascertained by comparing its 12S and 16S partial genes with those of Oriental and other relevant bufonid lineages. Resulting molecular phylogeny supports the erection of a novel monotypic genus for this lineage from the Andaman Islands of India.