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Borkin Litvinchuk 2013 translation
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One urodele amphibian species (Ommatotriton vittatus) and four anuran species (Pseudepidalea viridis, Pelophylax bedriagae, Hyla savignyi and Pelobates syriacus) were recorded from Jordan. Alcohol-preserved specimens (n = 340) were examined. Seventeen measurements were taken and are compared between the sexes. The distribution and habitat for each species are discussed. The current status of the amphibians of Jordan is discussed.
A Bufo with striped green dorsal pattern is described from Baltistan and compared with its Pakistani congeners. Ecology of the new species is recorded. A key for identification of Pakistani toads is devised.
The nomenclatural consequences of the recent rediscovery of the works of Garsault (1764, 1765, 1767) in amphibians and reptiles are examined in detail. The 13 new nomina of these two groups created by Garsault (1764) distribute in three categories: (1) three of these nomina (Lacertus, Rana viridis, Testudo marina) cause no problem, being just junior synonyms of senior nomina created by Linnaeus (1758); (2) four of them (Bufo, Salamandra, Scincus, Vipera) become the valid nomina of taxa, in replacement of identical nomina created later by Laurenti (1768), thus entailing no change in the nomina of their included species and subspecies but changes in their complete nominal-complexes (including their authors and dates); (3) six of these nomina are here rejected as invalid senior synonyms (Ranetta, Serpens, Lacertus aquatilis, Lacertus terrestris) or homonyms (Lacertus viridis, Testudo terrestris) of nomina in current use, by virtue of Article 23.9.1 of the Code. A very positive result of the rediscovery of these works is that it allows to solve for the best an old nomenclatural problem, concerning the nucleospecies (type-species) of the genus Bufo: whereas the nucleospecies (type-species) of Bufo Laurenti, 1768 is Bufo viridis Laurenti, 1768, we hereby designate Rana bufo Linnaeus, 1758 as nucleospecies of Bufo Garsault, 1764. This case shows that it is sometimes possible, even in complex nomenclatural situations, to solve them through a proper use of the Rules of the Code, without having to appeal to the ICZN for the use of its Plenary-Powers. From a taxonomic point of view, we think the data published so far do not allow currently to stabilise the generic taxonomy of the BUFONIDAE. Pending additional data, we support a conservative attitude, maintaining in the genus Bufo most species traditionally referred to this genus. In particular, we think all Eurasian species of this family, which include several pairs of species known to be able to produce viable adult hybrids, should be kept in this genus, but in three distinct subgenera: Bufo Garsault, 1764 for the group including Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758); Bufotes Rafinesque, 1815 for the group including Bufo viridis (Laurenti, 1768); and Epidalea Cope, 1864 for the group including Bufo calamita (Laurenti, 1768). This survey also allows to discuss the appropriateness of the current Article 11.9.5 dealing with specific trinomina, especially as they appear in Laurenti (1768), and to point again to the need to implement more drastic Rules regarding the conditions required for a nomen being compliant for protection through Article 23.9.1 of the Code.
A summary of the distribution of green toads containing most of the data published after the discovery of polyploid forms (1976) including a map, an index and a bibliography are presented and discussed. 21 Asian type localities of hitherto described nominal green toad taxa are shown. The tetraploids are distributed in high mountains and extremely continental regions with strong climatic shifts. Records of triploid specimens are situated in supposed contact zones between the parapatric diploid and tetraploid toads at foothills of Middle Asian high mountains, and triploid bisexual populations occur in the Karakoram and West-Himalayas. Habitats of diploids appear to be restricted to lowlands and valley grounds. Polyploids seem to be more resistant. The methods hitherto used for the determination of the ploidy level and their applicability are evaluated. We show new data on this species complex from Iran including cytometric, karyological, bioacoustic and morphological data and we draw taxonomic conclusions for tetraploid Bufo oblongus, diploid Bufo viridis kermanensis, and probably diploid Bufo kavirensis. New information on the distribution of triploids in northwestern Pakistan based on flow cytometric measurements is presented. The ploidy level of Bufo latastii is revealed to be diploid.
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December 2013