Using the 2020 global pandemic as a springboard to highlight the need for amphibian conservation in eastern Asia.

Emerging infectious diseases are on the rise in many different taxa, including, among others, the amphibian batrachochytrids, the snake fungal disease and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, responsible for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mammals. Following the onset of the pandemic linked to COVID-19, eastern Asia has shown strong leadership, taking actions to regulate the trade of potential vector species in several regions. These actions were taken in response to an increase in public awareness, and the need for a quick reaction to mitigate against further pandemics. However, trade restrictions rarely affect amphibians, despite the risk of pathogen transmission, directly, or indirectly through habitat destruction and the loss of vector consumption. Thus, species that help alleviate the risk of zoonoses or provide biological control are not protected. Hence, in view of the global amphibian decline and the risk of zoonoses, we support the current wildlife trade regulations and support measures to safeguard wildlife from overexploitation. The current period of regulation overhaul should be used as a springboard for amphibian conservation. To mitigate risks, we suggest the following stipulations specifically for amphibians. I) Restrictions to amphibian farming in eastern Asia, in relation to pathogen transmission and the establishment of invasive species. II) Regulation of the amphibian pet trade, with a focus on potential vector species. III) Expansion of the wildlife trade ban, to limit the wildlife-human-pet interface. The resulting actions will benefit both human and wildlife populations, as they will lead to a decrease in the risk of zoonoses and better protection of the environment. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: There is an increasing number of emerging infectious diseases impacting all species, including amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The latest threat to humans is the virus responsible for COVID-19, and the resulting pandemic. Countries in eastern Asia have taken steps to regulate wildlife trade and prevent further zoonoses thereby decreasing the risk of pathogens arising from wild species. However, as amphibians are generally excluded from regulations we support specific trade restrictions: I) Restrictions to amphibian farming; II) regulation of the amphibian pet trade; III) expansion of the wildlife trade ban. These restrictions will benefit both human and wildlife populations by decreasing the risks of zoonoses and better protecting the environment.

Large-scale phylogenetic analyses provide insights into unrecognized diversity and historical biogeography of Asian leaf-litter frogs, genus Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae).

Southeast Asia and southern China (SEA-SC) harbor a highly diverse and endemic flora and fauna that is under increasing threat. An understanding of the biogeographical history and drivers of this diversity is lacking, especially in some of the most diverse and threatened groups. The Asian leaf-litter frog genus Leptolalax Dubois 1980 is a forest-dependent genus distributed throughout SEA-SC, making it an ideal study group to examine specific biogeographic hypotheses. In addition, the diversity of this genus remains poorly understood, and the phylogenetic relationships among species of Leptolalax and closely related Leptobrachella Smith 1928 remain unclear. Herein, we evaluate species-level diversity based on 48 of the 53 described species from throughout the distribution of Leptolalax. Molecular analyses reveal many undescribed species, mostly in southern China and Indochina. Our well-resolved phylogeny based on multiple nuclear DNA markers shows that Leptolalax is not monophyletic with respect to Leptobrachella and, thus, we assign the former to being a junior synonym of the latter. Similarly, analyses reject monophyly of the two subgenera of Leptolalax. The diversification pattern of the group is complex, involving a high degree of sympatry and prevalence of microendemic species. Northern Sundaland (Borneo) and eastern Indochina (Vietnam) appear to have played pivotal roles as geographical centers of diversification, and paleoclimatic changes and tectonic movements seem to have driven the major divergence of clades. Analyses fail to reject an "upstream" colonization hypothesis, and, thus, the genus appears to have originated in Sundaland and then colonized mainland Asia. Our results reveal that both vicariance and dispersal are responsible for current distribution patterns in the genus.

Isolation of New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase 1-producing Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 strain carrying ctxA, st and hly genes in southern Vietnam.

Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 (VC_NAG) organisms are universally present in the aquatic environment and regarded as non-pathogenic bacteria. However, considering that they do occasionally induce gastroenteritis, a study of their virulence and antibiotic resistance genes is important. The presence of enteropathogenic genes, including ctxA, VC_NAG-specific heat-stable toxin gene (st), hemolysin (hly), and zona occludens toxin (zot) was determined by PCR in 100 VC_NAG strains isolated in southern Vietnam in 2010-2013 from 94 environmental and six human origins. These 100 VC_NAG strains were also tested phenotypically and genotypically for the presence of the New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase (NDM-1). Of the 100 VC_NAG strains tested, six were positive for ctxA; five from the environment and one of human origin. The st gene was detected in 17 isolates, 15 and two of which were of environmental and human origins, respectively. Gene hly was detected in 19 VC_NAG strains examined, two of which were isolated from humans and 17 from environments. The zot gene was not detected in any of the strains tested. Three VC_NAG strains of environmental origin were confirmed to produce NDM-1 and the blaNDM-1 gene was detected in those strains by PCR. Of note, one of the three NDM-1-producing VC_NAG strains was confirmed to carry ctxA, st and hly genes concurrently. This is the first report of isolation of NDM-1-producing VC_NAG strains in Vietnam.

Two new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the karst forest of Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam.

We describe two new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus on the basis of a new reptile collection from the limestone karst forest of Hoa Binh Province, northwestern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus otai sp. nov. from Hang Kia-Pa Co Nature Reserve and Cyrtodactylus bobrovi sp. nov. from Ngoc Son-Ngo Luong Nature Reserve can be distinguished from each other and from their congeners by their genetic distinction and morphological differences in number of precloacal pores, femoral scales, ventral scales, lamellae, subcaudals and dorsal tubercle arrangement, as well as in size and color pattern. In phylogenetic analyses, both new species are nested in a clade containing taxa from northwestern and northcentral Vietnam and northern Laos, i.e., C. bichnganae and C. cf. martini from northwestern Vietnam, C. puhuensis from northcentral Vietnam, and C. spelaeus, C. vilaphongi, and C. wayakonei from northern Laos.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, Laos.

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on two adult specimens from Khammouane Province, Laos. Cyrtodactylus jaegeri sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: a moderately sized Cyrtodactylus with a maximum SVL reaching 68.5 mm; dorsal pattern consisting of a dark nuchal loop and four narrow brown body bands between limb insertions; dorsal tubercles in 15-17 irregular rows; ventrals in 31-32 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral skin folds present with interspersed tubercles; precloacal-femoral pores 44 in the male, in a continuous series; enlarged femoral scales and precloacal scales present; postcloacal tubercles 3-6; subcaudals transversely enlarged. Cyrtodactylus jaegeri sp. nov. is the ninth species of Cyrtodactylus known from Laos.

A third new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam.

We describe the third new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus from Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam based on a type series consisting of eleven specimens. Cyrtodactylus thuongae sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese Bent-toed Geckos by a combination of the following morphological characters: size medium, with a maximum SVL of 77.6 mm; dorsal pattern consisting of blotches between limbs and on occiput and a sometimes medially opened nuchal loop; dorsal tubercles in 16-18 irregular rows; ventrals in 29-44 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral skin folds present, lacking tubercles; femoral pore series separated from precloacal pore series in males, 0-3 on each side; precloacal pores in males absent or only one; enlarged femoral scales and precloacal scales present, separated by a series of 15-16 smaller scales; postcloacal spurs two or three; subcaudal scales slightly enlarged. This is the 32nd described Cyrtodactylus species from Vietnam.

A new species of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 from northern Laos (Squamata: Natricidae).

Two specimens, a male and a female, of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 were collected in a karst formation of northern Louangphabang (or Luang Prabang) Province, North Laos. These specimens are assigned to the genus Opisthotropis on the basis of their morphology, dentition and cephalic scalation. However, they differ from all other known species of Opisthotropis by a combination of the following characters: (1) 21-19 scale rows on the fore part of the body, (2) 17 scale rows at midbody, (3) 22/23 maxillary teeth, (4) 177-181 ventrals, (5) 1 loreal on each side, in contact with internasal, (6) 7 supralabials, 4th entering orbit, (7) dorsum dark bronze-brown, with upper part of dorsum darker than lateral sides, without bands or crossbars, and (8) chin and throat blackish-brown with a sharp, transversal limit with the ventral colour crossing the posterior part of the throat. As a consequence, these specimens are here referred to a new species, Opisthotropis durandi spec. nov. The new species is compared with other species of the genus, especially the most similar species O. spenceri Smith, 1918 and O. atra Günther, 1872, the type species of the genus. An updated key to the genera Opisthotropis is provided. Opisthotropis durandi spec. nov. represents the first confirmed record of a species of Opisthotropis sensu stricto from Laos and it is the 108th snake species currently recorded from the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

A new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khanh Hoa Province, southern Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus from southern Vietnam, based on morphological and molecular datasets. Cyrtodactylus cucdongensis sp. nov. is described on the basis of seven specimens collected from Cuc Dong Cape, Khanh Hoa Province. The new species can be distinguished from the remaining bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL 65.9 mm; 16-19 dorsal tubercle rows; 41-44 ventral scales at midbody; 5 or 6 precloacal pores in males, 4-6 pitted precloacal scales in females; no femoral pores; 6-13 enlarged precloacal scales; 5-9 enlarged femoral scales; no transversally enlarged subcaudals; dorsal pattern consisting of irregular dark bands. This is the 33rd species of Cyrtodactylus known from Vietnam.

DNA barcoding of Vietnamese bent-toed geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) and the description of a new species.

Species of bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus) in Vietnam have been described at a rate of nearly four species per year since 2007 mostly based on morphological data. A tool that guides species delimitation will accelerate the rate of documentation, and at a time when the recognition of species greatly benefits conservation. We use DNA barcoding using COI (550 bp) to re-examine the levels of genetic divergence and taxonomic status of 21 described species of Vietnamese bent-toed geckos. Tree-based analyses resolve all sampled species and identify potential undescribed taxa. Kimura 2-parameter genetic distances between the described species average 21.0±4.2% and range from 4.3% to 28.7%. Further, our analyses discover two potentially new species from Vietnam, two from Laos and one from China. Herein we describe the new species Cyrtodactylus puhuensis sp. nov. from Vietnam on the basis of both genetics and morphology. Genetically, it differs from the remaining species by an average K2P distance of 24.0±1.8%. Morphologically, the new species is diagnosed by its medium-size (snout-vent length 79.24 mm and tail length 82.59 mm, for the single known individual), in having a series of moderately enlarged transverse subcaudals and a series of moderately enlarged femoral scales that extend from precloacal scales, in possessing femoral scales without pores, with males having five precloacal pores, and in exhibiting 8 supralabials, 10 infralabials, 23 narrow subdigital lamellae on its fourth toe, and 36 transverse ventrals.

A new species of the Cyrtodactyluschauquangensis species group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on five adult specimens from Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Cyrtodactyluslucisp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: medium size (SVL up to 89.5 mm); dorsal tubercles in 17-19 irregular transverse rows; ventral scales in 32-34 longitudinal rows at midbody; precloacal pores present in both sexes, 9 or 10 in males, 8 or 9 in females; 12-15 enlarged femoral scales on each thigh; femoral pores 9-12 in males, 5-10 in females; postcloacal tubercles 2-4; lamellae under toe IV 21-23; dorsal pattern consisting of 5 or 6 irregular dark bands, a thin neckband without V-shape or triangle shape in the middle, top of head with dark brown blotches; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged. Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered the new species as the sister taxon to C.gulinqingensis from Yunnan Province, China, with strong support from all analyses and the two taxa are separated by approximately 8.87-9.22% genetic divergence based on a fragment of the mitochondrial ND2 gene. This is the first representative of Cyrtodactylus known from Lao Cai Province.

New records of amphibians from Ha Tinh Province, Vietnam.

Background: Since the establishment of the Vu Quang National Park in 2002 in Ha Tinh Province, central Vietnam, several surveys on the amphibian fauna have been undertaken in this protected area. In 2009, Nguyen et al. provided a list of 23 amphibian species from Vu Quang National Park. In addition, a new species was described in 2021 from the National Park, namely Vietnamophrynevuquangensis. New information: As a result of our field surveys in 2013 and 2023, a total of 29 species of amphibians was recorded from the Vu Quang National Park. Six of them are recorded for the first time from Ha Tinh Province, comprising three species of Megophryidae, one species of Dicroglossidae, one species of Ranidae and one species of Rhacophoridae. In addition, we provide morphological data and ecological notes on the aforementioned species.

A new Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phu Yen Province, southern Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on five adult specimens from Dai Lanh Cape, Tuy Hoa District, Phu Yen Province, southern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus kingsadai sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: maximum SVL of 94 mm; dorsal pattern consisting of a dark nuchal loop, continuous or partly interrupted neck band and four in part irregular transverse body bands between limbs; internasal single; dorsal tubercles in 17-23 irregular transverse rows; ventrals in 39-46 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral skin folds present, without interspersed tubercles; precloacal pores 7-9 plus in total 3-7 femoral pores in males (1-4 femoral pores on each side) with precloacal and femoral pore series separated from each other by 7-9 poreless scales; enlarged femoral scales and precloacal scales present; postcloacal spurs three; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged. This is the 29th species of Cyrtodactylus known from Vietnam.

A new species of Sphenomorphus Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from Vietnam .

A new forest skink species of the genus Sphenomorphus is described from Kon Tum Plateau, southern Central Vietnam. Sphenomorphus sheai sp. nov. is similar to the other montane skink species from the Indochina region, Lygosoma veunsaiensis, Scincella apraefrontalis, Sphenomorphus tetradactylus, and Sphenomorphus tridigitus, in having a small size and the absence of external ear openings. However, the new species is differentiated from aforementioned species and other members of Sphenomorphus from China and mainland Southeast Asia by a unique suite of morphological characters. The discovery of S. sheai brings the total species number of Sphenomorphus known from Vietnam to twelve.

A new species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from northern Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus on the basis of four specimens from Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam. Hemiphyllodactylus zugi sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining congeners by a combination of the following characters: a bisexual taxon; average SVL of adult males 41 mm, of adult female 46.6 mm; chin scales bordering mental and first infralabial distinctly enlarged; digital lamellae formulae 3-4-4-4 (forefoot) and 4-5-5-5 (hindfoot); femoral and precloacal pore series continuous, 18-21 in total in males, absent in female; cloacal spur single in males; dorsal trunk pattern of dark brown irregular transverse bands; dark lateral head stripe indistinct; upper zone of flank with a series of large light spots, edged above and below in dark grey; caecum and gonadal ducts unpigmented.

A new species of the Gekko japonicus group (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the border region between China and Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Gekko on the basis of 25 specimens from southern China and northern Vietnam. Gekko adleri sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining congeners by a combination of the following characters: size moderate (SVL < 80 mm); nares in contact with rostral; internasal single, smaller than supranasal; postmentals enlarged; interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes 27-36; dorsal tubercle rows 7-11; ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 168-190; midbody scale rows 123-144; ventral scale rows 35-44; subdigital lamellae on first toe 11-14, on fourth toe 11-15; finger and toe webbing present at base; tubercles absent on upper surface of fore limbs; tubercles on tibia 0-8; precloacal pores 17-21 in males; postcloacal tubercle single; tubercles present on dorsal surface of tail base; subcaudals enlarged; dorsal surface of body with four or five narrow light bands between shoulder and sacrum.

Genomic analyses reveal three phylogenetic species and their evolutionary histories in the big-headed turtle.

The critically endangered big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) is currently classified into three subspecies. However, the classification is still controversial and their evolutionary histories are still unclear. Here, multiple genetic analyses consistently revealed three phylogenetic groups with substantial genetic divergences and distinct demographic histories, suggesting three phylogenetic species (P. megacephalum, P. peguense, and Baise clade). Phylogeographical analyses revealed that the Red River plains and Guangxi basins are largely coincident with the boundaries between the three phylogenetic species, highlighting the key role of lowland areas in driving speciation in the big-headed turtle. The Baise clade is characterized by high-linkage disequilibrium but the lowest effective population size, indicating that the cryptic phylogenetic species is more vulnerable to human activities and environmental disturbance, and urgently needs more protection. Our findings provide fundamental insights into the taxonomy and scientific conservation of the family Platysternidae.

Two new species of Leptobrachella Smith 1925 (Amphibia: Megophryidae) from Cao Bang Province, Vietnam.

Two new species, Leptobrachella phiaoacensis sp. nov. and Leptobrachella phiadenensis sp. nov., are described from Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam based on genetic divergence and morphological differences. Leptobrachella phiaoacensis sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: size medium (27.833.3 mm in five adult males and 31.541.8 mm in five adult females); head longer than wide; tympanum distinct; dorsal skin shagreened with fine tubercles; toes webbing rudimentary, with narrow lateral fringes; supratympanic fold edged by a distinct black line; the presence of a dark brown triangle in interorbital region and a W-shaped marking in scapular region; belly from pinkish white to white with dark brown specking on belly periphery; iris bicolored copper in upper part, fading to silvery grey in lower part. Leptobrachella phiadenensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: size medium (27.628.6 mm in two adult females); head wider than long; tympanum distinct; skin on dorsal head and body rough with warts, tubercles and dermal ridges; toes webbing rudimentary, with narrow dermal fringes; supratympanic fold orange; dorsal surface of head and body with some large dark brown markings, a dark brown triangle in interorbital region, edged in white; flank light brown with some dark flecks; belly white with dark specking on outer margins; iris bicolored, copper in upper part, fading to silvery grey in lower part. In terms of genetic distance, the two new species differ from each other and other congeners for which comparable sequences are available by at least 3.7% (16S rRNA gene). Recognition of these new species brings the total number of known species in the genus Leptobrachella from Vietnam to 34.

A new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Phu Yen Province, Vietnam.

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on six adult specimens from Lac Dao forests, Phu Yen Province, southern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus tayhoaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: medium size (SVL up to 94.2 mm); nasal scales 5-6; internasal single or double; ciliaria 29-34; dorsal tubercles in 20-22 irregular transverse rows; ventral scale in 37-41 longitudinal rows at midbody; ventrolateral folds present without interspersed tubercles; precloacal pores absent in females, precloacal pores 4 or 5 in males; 10 or 11 enlarged femoral scales on each thigh; femoral pores 3-7 in males, absent in females; postcloacal tubercles 3 or 4; lamellae under toe IV 22-24; dorsal pattern consisting of unclear transverse bands formed by irregularly shaped dark-brown blotches, a discontinuous neckband with V-shape or triangle shape in the middle, dorsal head surface with dark-brown blotches; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as a sister taxon to C. kingsadai with approximately 4% genetic divergence between the two species based on a fragment of the COI gene. This is the second species of Cyrtodactylus known from Phu Yen Province located in southern Vietnam.

Achalinus quangi, a new odd-scaled snake species from Vietnam.

Based on morphological and molecular analyses, we herein describe a new species of Achalinus from northern Vietnam. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. differs from its sister taxon, A. emilyae, and other members of the genus Achalinus by at least 4% in terms of genetic divergence based on fragments of the mitochondrial COI and Cytb genes and a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) maxillary teeth 27-29; (2) suture between the internasals distinctly longer than that between the prefrontals; (3) loreal not fused with prefrontal, extending from the nasal to the eye; (4) supralabials six; (5) infralabials five; (6) postocular absent, temporals 2+2, only the upper one in broad contact with eye; (7) dorsal scales in 25(23)-23-23(21) rows, keeled; (8) ventrals 139-141 in males, 141-154 in females; (9) subcaudals 75-84 in males, 69 in the female, all unpaired; (10) cloacal entire; (11) dorsum reddish brown to brown. Achalinus quangi sp. nov. consists of two subclades, the first one occurring on the northern side of the Da River in Son La and Tuyen Quang provinces and another subclade found on the southern side in Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces. These two subclades are separated from each other by 1.8 to 2.3% genetic divergence and are slightly differing in ventral scalation.

Integrative taxonomic analyses reveal first country records of Occidozygashiwandashanensis Chen, Peng, Liu, Huang, Liao & Mo, 2022 and Hylaranalatouchii (Boulenger, 1899) (Anura, Dicroglossidae, Ranidae) from Vietnam.

Background: Occidozygashiwandashaensis was recently discovered from Guangxi Province of China. Hylaranalatouchii is a widespread species in southern China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan. Both species are expected to be found in the border areas between Vietnam and China; however, no records of these frogs have been documented from Vietnam so far. New information: We record two species of amphibians for the first time from Vietnam, namely Occidozygashiwandashaensis from Bac Giang Province and Hylaranalatouchii from Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province in northern Vietnam. Morphologically, the Vietnamese representatives of O.shiwandashanensis resemble the type series from China. The specimens of H.latouchii from Vietnam slightly differ from the type series from China by having a larger size (SVL 48.6-51.7 mm in males, SVL 58.4 mm in the females vs. 36.0-40.0 mm in males, 42.0-53.0 mm in females). Genetic distances between the Vietnamese records and the type specimens of O.shiwandashanensis from China varied from 0 to 1.5% (16S gene). Genetic divergences between the Vietnamese records and H.latouchii from the type locality were 2.0-2.6% (16S gene). In addition, morphological data and natural history notes of the aforementioned species are provided, based on the new records from Vietnam. -.