The gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus is the third most speciose vertebrate genus in the world, containing well over 300 species that collectively range from South Asia to Melanesia across some of the most diverse landscapes and imperiled habitats on the planet. A genus-wide phylogeny of the group has never been presented because researchers working on different groups were using different genetic markers to construct phylogenies that could not be integrated. We present here Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference mitochondrial and mito-nuclear phylogenies incorporating of 310 species that include dozens of species that had never been included in a genus-wide analysis. Based on the mitochondrial phylogeny, we partition Cyrtodactylus into 31 well-supported monophyletic species groups which, if used as recommended herein, will increase the information content of future integrative taxonomic analyses that continue to add new species to this genus at an ever-increasing annual rate. Data presented here reiterate the outcome of several previous studies indicating that Cyrtodactylus comprises an unprecedented number of narrow-range endemics restricted to single mountain tops, small islands, or karst formations that still remain unprotected. This phylogeny can provide a platform for various comparative ecological studies that can be integrated with conservation management programs across the broad diversity of landscapes and habitats occupied by this genus. Additionally, these data indicate that the true number of Cyrtodactylus remains substantially underrepresented.

With an understudied amphibian fauna, the highest deforestation rate on the planet and high harvesting pressures, Southeast Asian amphibians are facing a conservation crisis. Owing to the overriding threat of habitat loss, the most critical conservation action required is the identification and strict protection of habitat assessed as having high amphibian species diversity and/or representing distinctive regional amphibian faunas. Long-term population monitoring, enhanced survey efforts, collection of basic biological and ecological information, continued taxonomic research and evaluation of the impact of commercial trade for food, medicine and pets are also needed. Strong involvement of regional stakeholders, students and professionals is essential to accomplish these actions.

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A new species of the gekkonid genus Goniurosaurus is described from Cat Ba Island, Hai Phong, northern Vietnam. G. catbaensis sp. n. is, by its gracile body and limbs, the thin, posteriorly protracted nuchal loop, the three (or four) thin immaculate dorsal body bands between limb insertions, without dark spotting and with dark, narrow border surrounding the body bands, the lack of postrostral (internasal) scales, the presence of a greatly enlarged row of supraorbital tubercles, the outer surface of the upper eyelid being composed of granular scales of about the same size of those on top of head and with a longish row of 6–9 enlarged tubercles, granular body scales, with 8–11 granular scales surrounding the dorsal tubercles, deep axillary pockets, claws being sheathed by four scales, and 16–21 precloacal pores. The new taxon is known only from Cat Ba Island and is the eleventh Goniurosaurus species known and the fourth known species from Vietnam. We provide first data on its natural history and a key to the currently recognized Goniurosaurus species.

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Consecutive failure of the improved extensive shrimp farming system has deterred the economy of some coastal areas in Vietnam. To investigate pond physicochemical characteristics, a monitoring scheme was performed in the Cai Nuoc district of Southern Vietnam. Results show that the system was not optimal for shrimps.While ponds were not contaminated by organic loadings or major nutrients (N, P) and salinity and pH were most optimal for shrimp, more than 37% of dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements were lower than recommended. In the early morning hours, DO measurements were even much lower (0.84^2.20 mg L À 1 ). Sulphate (SO 4 2 À ) concentrations were most within the acceptable range. Total suspended solids (TSS) were above the acceptable limit (o50 mg L À 1 ). Iron, alkalinity and hydrogen sulphide were also higher than recommended. Pond sediment was anaerobic (redox potential À 422 to À 105 mV) and contained high amounts of organic matter (9.842 1.96%). Lethal DO levels, high TSS and anoxic sediment are the drawbacks in this system. Suggested measures to improve pond conditions are (1) allowing sedimentation before ¢lling culture ponds, (2) covering dikes, (3) including no-culture breaks between shrimp crops, (4) drying pond bottom, (5) removing sediment and (6) controlling pond's vegetation.

In Ca Mau, Vietnam, farmers converted from rice to shrimp farming, while ignoring the degradation of the aquatic environment. We assessed the seasonal variations in organic pollution of the surface water and salt intrusion in one district and assessed the difference in chemical characteristics of the surface water of shrimp ponds and canals. Several variables reflecting salinity and organic pollution were measured in the wet and dry season. The results show that in the dry season salinity increased to 37.36-42.73 g l 21 and COD and suspended solids increased to a maximum of 268.7 mg l 21 and 1312.0 mg l 21 , respectively. In the wet season salinity values of 8.16 to 10.60 g l 21 were recorded, indicating that salinity could no longer be washed out completely in this season. It is concluded that salinity and suspended solids in the aquatic environment in the Cai Nuoc district are increased by shrimp monoculture, whereas organic pollution is contributed by human population pressure. Water Environ. Res., 78, 716 (2006).