A new species of the gekkonid lizard genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 is described from Klakah, Lumajang Regency, Jawa Timur Province, Java, Indonesia. Cyrtodactylus klakahensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the presence of (1) a deep precloacal groove in males, (2) three rows of enlarged precloacofemoral scales, of which the third row bears 37-38 pores in males, (3) three or four rows of enlarged scales between the precloacofemoral scale rows and the cloaca, forming distinct chevrons, (4) raised and strongly keeled dorsal tubercles in 15-19 rows at midbody, (5) an indistinct lateral fold, (6) 17-20 subdigital lamellae under the 4th toe, and (7) subcaudal scales which are not transversely enlarged. Cyrtodactylus klakahensis sp. nov. is only the third bent-toed gecko species described from Java, indicating that the diversity of this genus on this island has been neglected in the past. Furthermore, we confirm that C. fumosus (Müller, 1895) is a species that possesses a precloacal groove in males and is most likely restricted to northern Sulawesi. That species is defined by a single female holotype (NMB-REPT 2662). Specimens in museum collections catalogued as C. fumosus from localities elsewhere are misidentified and likely represent undescribed species.
We describe a new species of snake of the genus Cylindrophis Wagler, 1828 from Boano Island, northern Maluku Province, Indonesia. Cylindrophis osheai sp. nov. differs from all congeners by a combination of the following eidonomic characters: (1) 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody; (2) 224−226 ventral scales; (3) 8−9 subcaudal scales; (4) 25−28 dark ventral blotches, aligned to form a broad, wavy stripe along most of the body; (5) a dark ventral pattern that is completely separated from the dark dorsal coloration; (6) an almost completely dark ventral surface on the tail; (7) a dark bar running from the eye through the 3rd and 4th supralabials to the mouth; and (8) a dark, double-diamond-shaped ventral blotch in the area immediately posterior to the genials. Eidonomic species separation from other Cylindrophis species is supported by differences in cranial osteology, as elucidated by micro-computed tomography images. Diagnostic features of the cranium include (1) well-developed postorbitofrontals that project laterally beyond the maxilla in dorsal view, creating a characteristic, horn-like appearance; (2) a broad parietal with a bulbous middle section; (3) 10–12 maxillary teeth; (4) nine palatine teeth; (5) 7–9 teeth on the pterygoid; and (6) 11–13 teeth on the dentary. We also provide notes on the taxonomic history of Cylindrophis melanotus Wagler, 1828 and an identification key to the Moluccan species of the genus.
Information on the diet of anuran species based on gut content analyses have been published by numerous researchers, yet the details of the incision method used to open the abdominal cavity of preserved specimens in preparation for such examinations are rarely explained in the presented methods. Our objective is to formally propose an optimal incision into the pleuroperitoneal cavity of liquid-preserved anuran specimens to gain access to and permit easy removal of parts of the digestive tract in preparation for food spectrum analyses. In our experience, this U-shaped cut is easy to perform and teach. It also provides better access to the pleuroperitoneal cavity than a small ventrolateral incision and is less destructive than the classic textbook medial “double T-incision” routinely listed in dissection protocols.
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