Herpetology Notes

Ocular anomaly in the Plateau Toad, Anaxyrus compactilis (Wiegmann, 1833), from Jalisco State, West-Central Mexico

Rodolfo Guzmán-Ramírez — 2025-07-12

New data on introduced geckos of the Mediodactylus kotschyi complex in Hungary

Gergely Babocsay — 2025-07-30

Predation of a Barker Frog, Physalaemus cuvieri Fitzinger, 1826, by a Giant Water Bug, genus Belostoma, in a Cerrado pond Minas Gerais, Brazil

Wendell Sousa-Felix — 2025-09-13

A new record of the Endangered Zolio's Shield-backed Ground Lizard, Philochortus zolii Scortecci, 1934, from Algeria, with genetic insights and a geographic distribution review

Idriss Bouam — 2025-07-06

Unusual defensive behaviour combination recorded in Bufotes viridis (Laurenti, 1768)

Daniel Jablonski — 2025-08-12

Shedding excess: small tape patches as a lower-impact transmitter attachment method for snakes

Tyler C. Christensen — 2025-04-23

Observations on nocturnal activities of the Dumeril’s Monitor, Varanus dumerilii Schlegel, 1839, in Borneo, Malaysia

Zichen Qiao — 2025-11-04

First record of Paratelmatobius segallai Santos et al., 2019 in the state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil, based on molecular and morphological evidence

Sandro P. de Faria — 2025-09-15

Initial survey of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis around Bouamir Research Station, Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon

Abraham G. Bamba-Kaya — 2025-07-05

First recorded predation of a Mediterranean Centipede, Scolopendra cingulata Latreille, 1789, by a North African Ocellated Lizard, Timon pater (Lataste, 1880), in Chréa National Park, Algeria

Mustapha Aroudj — 2025-10-27

Six predation events by the Red-banded Snake, Lycodon rufozonatus Cantor, 1842, on Tsushima Island, Japan

Ango Morikawa — 2025-04-13

Don't bother me, I'm venomous: first report of envenoming by an Aesculapian False Coralsnake, Erythrolamprus aesculapii (Linnaeus, 1758), in the Bolivian Yungas

Oliver Quinteros-Muñoz — 2025-07-05

Bite, shriek, or intimidate: defensive behaviours of the Apatani Horned Toad, Xenophrys apatani Saikia et al., 2024, and the Bicoloured Frog, Clinotarsus curtipes (Jerdon, 1853), from India

Tage Tajo — 2025-10-29

Give me five: a case of polymelia in the Common Midwife Toad, Alytes obstetricans (Laurenti, 1768), in Central Spain

Luis Javier Cuéllar — 2025-07-12

Unusual use of water-filled tires by Nyctixalus spinosus (Taylor, 1920) in an agroforestry farm in eastern Mindanao, Philippines

Frankie B. M. Juanitas — 2025-10-21

New records of the Golden Spectacled Tegu, Gymnophthalmus speciosus (Hallowell, 1861), in Veracruz, Mexico

Orlando R. Vivanco-Montané — 2025-09-21

Potential predation by a carabid beetle (Catadromus sp.) larva on an adult Spotted Marsh Frog, Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Günther, 1858, in western Victoria, Australia

Dylan M. Westaway — 2025-06-13

Range extension and first record of Dendropsophus studerae (Carvalho-e-Silva, Carvalho-e-Silva, and Izecksohn, 2003) in the state of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil

Igor J. Roberto — 2025-11-04

New country records of the Laotian Wolfsnake, Lycodon laoensis Günther, 1864, in Myanmar, discovered via citizen science

Soe Thandar Aung — 2025-06-10

Molecular identification of the ant Pheidole nodus in the diet of Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) in Taiwan

Chun-Kai Yang — 2025-09-13

New prey record for Baird's Patchnose Snake, Salvadora bairdi Jan, 1860

Irving Y. Rojas-Velasco — 2025-09-13

Attempted scavenging and aquatic hunting in the Iberian Asp Viper, Vipera aspis zinnikeri Kramer, 1958

Thierry Gagliano — 2025-10-27

An Eastern Ribbonsnake, Thamnophis saurita (Linnaeus, 1766), scavenging on a roadkilled Cuban Treefrog, Osteopilus septentrionalis (Duméril & Bibron, 1841), in Everglades National Park, Florida, USA

Sarah Payne — 2025-06-13

Early maturation and high growth rates in an Eastern Treefrog, Hyla orientalis Bedriaga, 1890, population after the species’ expansion in Kaliningrad Oblast (East Baltic Sea region)

Artem A. Kidov — 2025-08-08

Biofluorescence in the Madeiran Wall Lizard, Teira dugesii (Milne-Edwards, 1829)

José Câmara — 2025-07-29

Feeding on different life stages of the Common Spadefoot Toad, Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768), by the Medicinal Leech, Hirudo medicinalis

David C. Broek — 2025-11-07

Efficacy of GPS-based satellite transmitters to monitor movement and nesting of Alligator Snapping Turtles, Macrochelys temminckii (Troost, 1835)

Christopher Schalk — 2025-10-15

Bioacoustics of the False Toad Pseudobufo subasper Tschudi, 1838 from Southeast Asia

Renaud Boistel — 2025-10-06

First report of juvenile fish (genus Geophagus) in the diet of the neotropical caecilian Potomotyphlus kaupii (Berthold, 1859)

Darlison Chagas-de-Souza — 2025-09-02

Use of a handheld metal detector to evaluate metal ingestion in the Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii (Troost, 1835)

Kelly L. Garcia — 2025-07-25

New insights into the distribution of Scincus and Scincopus (Scincidae) in Northwest Africa, with the first record of the Sandfish Skink, Scincus scincus (Linnaeus, 1758), from Morocco

Abdellah Bouazza — 2025-10-05

Tail movements as an anti-predatory behaviour in Hynobius okiensis Sato, 1940

Amaël Borzée — 2025-03-26

Interaction between two Japanese Ratsnakes, Elaphe climacophora (Boie, 1826), at the nest of a Eurasian Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes

Ayaka Soda — 2025-06-27

Capture events of Forster's Tree Iguana, Liolaemus forsteri Laurent, 1982, by Aplomado Falcon, Falco femoralis Temminck, 1822, in the high Andes of Bolivia

Alejandro Bruno Miranda Calle — 2025-10-15

Expanding the known range: Spalerosophis diadema diadema (Schlegel, 1837) in the temperate western Himalayan region, India

Muzaffar A Kichloo — 2025-07-26

Bright marks, dark fate: records of predation on Coleodactylus meridionalis Boulenger, 1888 from a movement ecology study in a forest area in southern Bahia, Brazil

Lucca Izaguirres Souza — 2025-06-05

Male-male combat in free-ranging Falcón Indigo Snakes, Drymarchon caudomaculatus Wüster et al., 2001, in Guajira, Colombia

Lucas S. Almeida — 2025-08-28

First report of consumption of the Italian Three-toed Skink, Chalcides chalcides (Linnaeus, 1758), by a European Pine Marten in Lazio, Italy

Alessia Mariacher — 2025-07-25

Insights from short-term post-fire monitoring of a population of Hermann’s Tortoise, Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789, in Calabria, southern Italy

Francesco L. Leonetti — 2025-06-13

Hidden breeding behaviour in a still undescribed giant Mantidactylus frog from Betampona Strict Nature Reserve, eastern Madagascar

Jean Noel — 2025-10-21

Communal nesting behaviour of female American Alligators, Alligator mississippiensis (Daudin, 1801) in southeastern Oklahoma, USA

Eric C.K. Gren — 2025-03-24

First photographic evidence of oceanic swimming behaviour in littoral Snake-eyed Skinks, genus Cryptoblepharus, in the Western Indian Ocean

Tim L. Heller — 2025-07-25

A noteworthy observation of Corallus caninus (Linnaeus, 1758) within the Corallus batesii (Gray, 1860) range in the Central Brazilian Amazonia

Angel V. Dyugmedzhiev — 2025-07-30

Predation of a White-banded Treefrog, Boana albomarginata (Spix, 1824), by a Parrot Snake, Leptophis liocercus (Wied, 1824), in an Atlantic Forest fragment in Bahia, northeastern Brazil

Tiago A. F. Silva — 2025-07-26

A new observation of ophiophagy in the Madagascar Black-backed Smooth Snake, Liophidium vaillanti (Mocquard, 1901), in the Kirindy Forest, western Madagascar

Rina H. Andriamihantason — 2025-11-02

Comments on the retraction of an article by Faiz et al. (2017) on the putative occurrence of a King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah
(Cantor, 1836), in Pakistan

Hinrich Kaiser — 2025-11-07

Predation of the Madagascar Dwarf Leaf-toed Gecko, Paroedura vazimba Nussbaum & Raxworthy, 2000, by the Madagascar Bullfrog, Laliostoma labrosum (Cope, 1868), in Ankarafantsika, northwestern Madagascar

Ayane Inoue — 2025-07-12

The wonder of rain: records of Plateau Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma velasci Dugès, 1888, in Salinas, San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Jesús L. Lara-Galván — 2025-07-08

First report of piebaldism for the Crowned False Boa, Pseudoboa coronata Schneider, 1801, from the lowlands of Bolivia

Luis R. Rivas — 2025-07-31

New records of the Vanzolini’s Spiny-chest Frog, Alsodes vanzolinii (Donoso-Barros, 1974), from south-central Chile

Pedro Pablo Alvarez — 2025-08-08

Updating the snake menu: two cases of ophiophagy by the Western Indigo Snake, Drymarchon corais (Boie, 1827), in a Neotropical rain forest

John Bosu Mensah — 2025-10-27

Rescue records of Leith’s Sandsnake, Psammophis leithii Günther, 1869, from Surat, Gujarat, India with some additional insights on pholidosis and natural history

Mehul Thakur — 2025-03-13

Head hiding behaviour in the Eastern Montpellier Snake, Malpolon insignitus fuscus (Fleischmann, 1831)

Alessandro Paterna — 2025-07-12

Tail trifurcation in Hemidactylus aff. malcolmsmithi in southern Mississippi, USA

Jake G. Power — 2025-07-29

Third case of tail bifurcation in Cope’s Mabuya, Notomabuya frenata (Cope, 1863), in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

Nelson R. de Albuquerque — 2025-06-27

Contribution to the knowledge of the gecko Tenuidactylus longipes (Nikolsky, 1896) in northeastern Iran

Saeed S. Hosseinian Yousefkhani — 2025-07-11

Further herpetofaunal records from Kastos and Kalamos islands, with comments on the occurrence of Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Podarcis ionicus (Lehrs, 1902) in the adjacent Meganissi, Ionian Islands, Greece

Elias Tzoras — 2025-10-19

Limb and digit malformations in the Alpine Newt, Mesotriton alpestris (Laurenti, 1768), in the United Kingdom

Rachel Hester — 2025-08-07

Amplexus between frogs in different families: a microhylid Nilphamarai Narrow-mouthed Frog, Microhyla nilphamariensis Howlader et al., 2015, grasps a Terai Cricket Frog, Minervarya teraiensis (Dubois, 1984), in Nepal

Tapil Prakash Rai — 2025-07-02

Domestic water buffaloes: an unexpected basking support for two sympatric freshwater turtles, Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833) in Türkiye

Ömral Ünsal Özkoç — 2025-09-02

Prolonged copulation and possible mating plug formation in the Ryukyu Greensnake, Ptyas semicarinata (Hallowell, 1861), on Okinawa Island

Hiroaki Yanagi — 2025-07-08

Passive acoustic monitoring protocol reveals new occurrence data for Eleutherodactylus bartonsmithi Schwartz, 1960 in eastern Cuba

Mariam Curbelo Cruz — 2025-11-04

Minimum hydroperiod for metamorphosis in the California Tiger Salamander, Ambystoma californiense Gray, 1853

Sean M. O'Brien — 2025-07-12

First record of predation on reptiles by the Sakishima Rice Frog, Fejervarya sakishimensis Matsui et al., 2007, in Japan

Kazuho Anan — 2025-09-25

On the occurrence of a golden colour variant in the Common Spadefoot Toad, Pelobates fuscus (Laurenti, 1768), in the state of Saxony, Germany

Mischa Lauterbach — 2025-10-10

Societatis Europeae Herpetologicae brevis historia

Wolfgang Böhme — 2025-09-07

Post-hatching maternal attendance in wild Burmese Pythons in southern Florida

Jacquelyn C. Guzy — 2025-09-04

New records of the Ocellated Skink, Chalcides ocellatus (Forskål, 1775), reveal possible human-mediated translocation to Syros Island, Greece

Taxiarchis Danelis — 2025-07-05

An unexpected urbanite: first record of a Plateau Toad, Anaxyrus compactilis (Wiegmann, 1833), from a developed site in Tlaxcala, Mexico

Maribel Méndez-Tepepa — 2025-11-02

How the tables may turn: opportunistic scavenging by tadpoles of Discoglossus galganoi Capula et al., 1985 and Epidalea calamita (Laurenti, 1768) on the carcass of a Viperine Watersnake, Natrix maura (Linnaeus, 1758) in northern Portugal

Marisa Naia — 2025-08-17

First record of Kellogg’s Coralsnake, Sinomicrurus kelloggi (Pope, 1928), from Nghe An Province, Vietnam

Shinya Okabe — 2025-06-05

Preliminary data on saltwater crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801, and an updated assessment of threats in the Nilwala River, Matara, Sri Lanka

Trevor L. Proctor — 2025-06-05

Novel observations of arachnid predation on the Mountain Skink, Chalcides montanus Werner, 1931, and the Algerian Sand Gecko, Tropiocolotes algericus Loveridge, 1947, in Morocco

Mohamed Mousaid — 2025-09-04

Life history characteristics of the Colombian Wood Turtle, Rhinoclemmys melanosterna (Gray, 1861), in the middle Magdalena River, Colombia

Vivian P. Páez — 2025-10-06

Rhinoclemmys melanosterna is part of a clade of neotropical freshwater turtles known for their reduced clutch sizes with exceptionally large eggs. However, there are few studies of the life history of natural populations of these turtles to document what other aspects of their biology covary with this particular reproductive strategy. From 2009–2020, we used several capture techniques in different types of habitats in the middle Magdalena River region of Colombia to obtain captures/recaptures to estimate ontogenetic growth rates and sex ratios and to calculate body condition indices for each size class and sex. We also estimated the sizes/ages of sexual maturity of each sex, as well as generation time. Almost all individuals captured were adults, and the sex ratio was skewed towards females (1.85:1). Most recaptured individuals had moved a short distance (< 1000 m), although one female was recaptured 2800 m away from where she was first marked. Body condition indices of females diverged from those of males beginning at approximately 20 cm straight-line carapace length, with females almost always exhibiting higher scores. Using the von Bertalanffy Growth Model, we estimated that males reach sexual maturity earlier than females, at an approximate straight-line carapace length of 18–20 cm, whereas females mature at lengths of 20–22 cm, consistent with our body condition analysis. The average annual growth rate was 1.54 cm/year for males and 1.32 cm/year for females. The time required to reach the body size and/or the minimum age of sexual maturity was 3–4 years for males and 5–7 years for females.

The use of fluorescent powdered pigments as a tracking technique for hatchling turtles in Belize

Jessica Henry — 2025-06-27

Hatchling freshwater turtles face significant challenges during early life stages, including predation, desiccation, and habitat loss. Despite their ecological importance, little is known about their movements and habitat preferences due to their cryptic behaviour and small size. In this study, we utilized fluorescent powder tracking, a non-invasive method, to investigate the spatial ecology of hatchling turtles in southern Belize. Forty-seven hatchlings from five species (Kinosternon acutum, K. leucostomum, Trachemys venusta, Claudius angustatus, and Chelydra rossignonii) were tracked across old-growth rainforest and pine savanna habitats. Hatchlings exhibited movement distances ranging from 3–1987 cm, with most activity concentrated in high-elevation rainforest, particularly in ephemeral aquatic habitats such as puddles and ditches. Species-specific preferences were observed, aligning with adult habitat use. Notably, the longest movement was recorded for a C. rossignonii individual, which travelled over 19 m in two days. Significant differences in habitat use were found between ephemeral, permanent, and upland microhabitats, highlighting the importance of temporary aquatic environments during the rainy season. The study confirmed the effectiveness of fluorescent powder tracking as a low-cost, low-impact tool for monitoring hatchling turtles. Despite potential concerns about increased visibility to predators, only one potential predation event occurred during tracking. These findings emphasize the critical role of ephemeral habitats in supporting hatchling survival and provide valuable insights for conservation planning. By addressing a key knowledge gap, this research supports efforts to protect threatened freshwater turtle species in Belize’s rapidly changing ecosystems.

Field body temperatures and microclimatic influences in Hermann’s Tortoise, Testudo hermanni Gmelin, 1789, from Thrace

Ceren Nur Özgül — 2025-07-31

Temperature is considered a fundamental factor in reptile ecology because their body temperature generally varies depending on environmental temperature. This study investigated the thermal ecology of Testudo hermanni populations inhabiting two different habitat types in the Thrace region (Karakoç/Kırklareli–open habitat, Keşan/Edirne–closed habitat) by examining the relationship between body temperatures (Internal Body Temperature: T_int and External Body Temperature: T_ext), microclimatic parameters (Substrate Temperature: T_s and Air Temperature: T_air), and morphological features (Body Weight: BW and Straight Carapace Length: SCL). Additionally, the effect of different weather conditions (cloudy and sunny) on the body temperatures of the populations was determined. Significant positive correlations were found between body temperatures and microclimatic parameters in both populations, whereas no significant relationship was detected between body temperatures and morphological features. Behavioural analyses indicated that activities such as basking and movement were associated with higher body temperatures. It was also found that individuals had higher body temperatures under sunny weather conditions. However, no significant difference in body temperatures was detected between the two populations, one inhabiting the densely wooded, closed habitat of Keşan and the other in the sparsely vegetated, open habitat of Karakoç. The results suggest that T. hermanni individuals have a high capacity to maintain optimal body temperatures under varying environmental conditions. This ability is crucial for the species’ survival in the face of environmental challenges. However, increasing habitat fragmentation and habitat loss may significantly limit this adaptability. Moreover, rising temperatures could affect thermoregulation strategies, potentially threatening the long–term survival of populations. Future studies should focus on the long–term impacts of climate change on the thermal ecology and habitat use of T. hermanni to contribute to effective conservation strategies.

The herpetofauna of the Echinades Island Complex, Ionian Islands, Greece, with notes on the ecological peculiarities of its lizard species

Elias Tzoras — 2025-08-07

The near-shore islands of western Greece remain to this day little explored in terms of herpetological research, while most of them have only been occasionally visited in recent years. We conducted several field excursions on 20 satellite islets of the Echinades Island Complex (Ionian archipelago), corresponding to a two-year field study from 2022 to 2023. During the surveys, we documented 39 new island records. We confirmed the presence of six out of the seven previously documented reptiles (Mediodactylus kotschyi, Lacerta trilineata, Elaphe quatuorlineata, Platyceps najadum, Testudo hermanni and T. marginata), and also documented for the first time four additional species new to the island group (Hemidactylus turcicus, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Podarcis ionicus and Hierophis gemonensis). During our field excursions we noticed a peculiar lifestyle concerning arboreal microhabitat preference of gecko species which is briefly discussed.

Morphometrics aid identification of non-native iguanas to improve conservation of native Saba Green Iguanas, Iguana iguana (Linnaeus, 1758)

Matthijs P. van den Burg — 2025-11-04

The Lesser Antilles are part of the Caribbean biodiversity hotspot with relative high levels of diversity, also within the genus Iguana. However, these islands and their native Iguana populations are equally known for presence of invasive alien species, including non-native Green Iguanas. These threaten native iguanid populations through displacement and competitive hybridisation. The most recent island where the presence of non-native iguanas has been identified is Saba, Caribbean Netherlands. To aid rapid identification of non-native iguanas and potential future arrivals, we assessed the presence of morphometric and meristic differences between native Saba Green Iguanas and non-native Green Iguanas from neighbouring St. Martin. The latter is a shipping hub for the northern Lesser Antilles and the main source of non-native iguanas to surrounding islands as iguanas hitch rides in materials shipments. Our results show 13 morphometric size-dependent characters that significantly differ between both populations. Furthermore, we identified that Saba Green Iguanas have larger and fewer femoral pores compared to the non-native iguanas of St. Maarten. To more accurately identify non-native iguanas on Saba, we highlight that in addition to colouration, the relative size of the dorsal spines and the subtympanic plate, as well as the lengths of the head and snout are useful. These characters are often clearly visible and aid rapid in-situ assessments from a distance without the necessity to capture an individual. Given the currently poor biosecurity on Saba, and the upcoming increased volume of materials to be shipped to the island for construction of a new harbour, these additional diagnostic characters should prove useful in combatting the expected surge in incursions of non-native iguanas.

Low genetic diversity and relatively strong population genetic structure of Przewalski's Wondergecko, Teratoscincus przewalskii Strauch, 1887, in the Mongolian Gobi Desert

Onolragchaa Ganbold — 2025-07-25

We examined the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of 75 Teratoscincus przewalskii from seven different populations in the Mongolian Gobi Desert using partial sequences of the mitochondrial ND2 gene. Our diversity estimations showed a relatively low level of genetic diversity for these samples (Hd; 0.416, π; 0.0009), with only five polymorphic sites that defined six haplotypes. Our Bayesian Inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic trees suggested monophyly of a group comprising Mongolian and non-Mongolian T. przewalskii populations. In addition, we found that T. roborowskii, a geographically close species, is the likely sister taxon of T. przewalskii. The approximate estimated time for T. przewalskii’s colonization of Mongolia was 149,000 years ago (95% highest posterior density interval: 51,900–275,000 years ago). Among studied populations, we found that the Gurvantes population was genetically distant from the six remaining populations (mean uncorrelated p-distance = 1.3%, pairwise distance F_ST = 0.57). Our hierarchical AMOVA suggested a relatively strong genetic structure of T. przewalskii at the population level, with 45% of total genetic variation resulting from differences between populations.

Nueva información sobre la distribución y biología de la Culebra de Cola Corta Jaspeada, Tantillita brevissima (Taylor, 1937) en México y Guatemala

Emmanuel Javier-Vázquez — 2025-07-29

Tantillita brevissima (Taylor, 1937) es una serpiente de hábitos fosoriales y de pequeño tamaño, nativa del sur de México y Guatemala, previamente conocida solo a partir de seis ejemplares. Mediante trabajo de campo, revisión de literatura y análisis de colecciones científicas y bases de datos públicas, reportamos nuevos registros de distribución para la especie, duplicando a 12 el número total de localidades conocidas. Estos incluyen los primeros registros para los municipios de Cintalapa y Jiquipilas, en el estado de Chiapas, México. Además, corregimos problemas relacionados con el rango de distribución de la especie, aclaramos su intervalo altitudinal conocido, confirmamos su presencia en la Reserva de la Biósfera La Sepultura, describimos nuevas asociaciones de vegetación y presentamos nueva información morfológica.

First record of Trimerodytes praemaxillaris (Angel, 1929) from Xaisomboun Province, Laos, with additional comments on morphology, natural history, and the type locality

Yanpeng Shen — 2025-03-05

We describe the discovery of the 11th specimen of Trimerodytes premaxillaris and use this opportunity to make some clarifying remarks about the history of the species, its type locality, morphology, and natural history. The snake was found at the southernmost locality for the species and represents a new provincial record for Laos. It was in the process of swallowing a juvenile spiny bream (Scaphiodonichthys acanthopterus), the first identifiable prey for this snake. The snake was a female carrying two oviductal eggs indicating that the reproductive season of the species likely coincides with the monsoon season. This correlates with the collection of the hatchling type specimens in late 1925 or early 1926. Finally, we provide some additional detail regarding this species’ scale and colour pattern, as well as a more detailed account of the type locality and the time when the syntypes were collected.

Preliminary assessment of movements and habitat use of the Tabasco Mud Turtle, Kinosternon acutum Gray, 1831, in a tropical rainforest in Belize

Collin McAvinchey — 2025-10-05

Understanding the movement ecology and habitat use of the Tabasco Mud Turtle (Kinosternon acutum) is essential for conservation planning, particularly in dynamic rainforest ecosystems of the Yucatan Peninsula. Despite its broad distribution across Central America, the spatial behaviour of K. acutum remains poorly studied. This study examines movement patterns, microhabitat preferences, and the influence of precipitation on K. acutum movement in a tropical rainforest setting within the Belize Foundation for Research and Environmental Education reserve. Six adult individuals (two males, four females) were tracked using radio telemetry over a 17-day period, with relocations recorded daily. Results indicate that males exhibited greater movement distances than females, with maximum straight-line movements of 205 m and 103 m, respectively. Microhabitat analysis revealed a strong preference for leaf litter, tree bases, and Cohune Palm (Attalea cohune) associations, while use of ephemeral water habitats were lower than expected. Movement was not consistently correlated with rainfall, suggesting that K. acutum does not uniformly adjust its movement patterns in response to precipitation events. These findings highlight the species’ reliance on specific microhabitats and limited movements, emphasising its vulnerability to habitat fragmentation and environmental change. Conservation efforts should prioritise the protection of terrestrial and aquatic habitat connectivity, particularly in areas with abundant leaf litter and cohune palm.

Decoding the overlap: diagnostic acoustics to distinguish the endangered Magnificent Broodfrog, Pseudophryne covacevichae Ingram & Corben, 1994, from the common Montane Toadlet, Uperoleia altissima Davies et al., 1993 in northern Queensland, Australia

Emily R. Rush — 2025-07-01

Accurate species identification from passive acoustic monitoring data is critical for threatened species, particularly when vocal overlap with sympatric species risks misidentification. The Magnificent Broodfrog (Pseudophryne covacevichae), a narrowly endemic species of the Australian Wet Tropics listed as Endangered (IUCN) and Vulnerable (Australia EPBC), co-occurs and reproduces alongside the common Montane Toadlet (Uperoleia altissima), and the two species produce advertisement calls that overlap in structure and frequency. This study provides a diagnostic reference to reduce the potential risk of misidentification during acoustic analysis, particularly by those working in poorly documented areas between the Magnificent Broodfrog’s two main populations (Atherton Tablelands and Paluma Range). The advertisement and threat calls of the Magnificent Broodfrog are described in detail and compared with the advertisement call of the Montane Toadlet. Principal Component Analysis showed distinct clustering by species, and an analysis using the Multi-Response Permutation Procedure confirmed call duration contributes most strongly to species discrimination. The Magnificent Broodfrog’s advertisement call was longer, lower in frequency, and had more variation in pulse number than the Montane Toadlet’s short, repetitive call. These findings provide an applied framework to support accurate identification of the Magnificent Broodfrog from recordings and enhance the reliability of acoustic assessments for this threatened species.