We review morphology of Sunda Shelf Gonocephalus with an emphasis on Sumatran and Javan species. At least 15 species and subspecies inhabit Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and adjacent smaller continental islands. Following analysis of external morphology, we provide a dichotomous key to Sunda Shelf Gonocephalus and resolve two taxonomic problems with this group of lizards. Three populations of Gonocephalus doriae on Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, and Sumatra are recognized as subspecies, because they lack concordance of multiple morphological differences and have low genetic divergence in a 556 base-pair fragment of the 16S rRNA gene. Described as new herein, G. doriae brevis from Aceh and North Sumatra differs from G. d. abbotti and G. d. doriae in usually having more scales around midbody and a relatively shorter tail with fewer dark bands. Though previously reported as lost, a syntype of G. d. doriae (MSNG 29152) is designated as lectotype, illustrated, and described. Also described as new, G. inauris from high elevations of the Bukit Barisan Range of Bengkulu, Sumatra, is a species of the G. megalepis Group differing from all congeners in having 7/6 (vs. 8–19) loreals separating the last canthal and supralabials, 8/8 (11–27) infraorbitals, and 58 (73–153) scales around midbody. In this new species, distinctly enlarged suboculars broadly contact its supralabials, whereas 1–4 lorilabials separate the suboculars and supralabials in congeners. High genetic divergence in the new species mirrors its high level of morphological divergence.

We review the species content of the Pristimantis orestes group and, by integrating genetic and morphological data, we distinguish and describe three new cryptic species from the subpáramos of southern Ecuadorian Andes. Genetically, these new species are most related to P. matildae and the other species of the P. colodactylus subgroup; however, in morphology, they are strikingly different from them, especially in terms of the shape of the body, having less-compressed heads and bodies. Additionally, they differ by their ecology, having arboreal habits in contrast with their bromeliad specialist sister species of the subgroup. The new species are also easily distinguished from the species of the P. orestes and P. simonbolivari subgroups, mainly by the lack of tympanum, longer snouts, and longer fingers and toes, and coloration. Pristimantis sagedunneae has a shagreen dorsum, subacuminate to rounded snout in dorsal view, Toe V longer than Toe III, and a brownish gray coloration of the dorsum with blackish or dark brown bars and an intense red coloration on the dorsal surfaces of thighs, groin, and concealed limb surfaces; P. paladines has a tuberculate dorsum, acuminate to subacuminate snout, Toe V longer than Toe III, and dorsum of various shades of brown, reddish brown, greenish brown, green, or reddish orange with dark, blackish bars and orange or reddish brown coloration on the dorsal surfaces of thighs, groin, and concealed limb surfaces; P. numbala has a shagreen dorsum, rounded to broadly rounded snout, Toe V much longer than Toe III, reddish brown coloration of the dorsum with dark brown bars and reddish brown coloration on the dorsal surfaces of thighs, groin, and concealed limb surfaces. All three species have very small distribution ranges of less than 20 km² located in the western limit of Parque Nacional Podocarpus, at altitudes between 2,800–3,100 m. Finally, we briefly discuss the current species composition of the group, the role that natural history might have in determining the shape of the bodies, and the cryptic diversity and distribution pattern of some of the species in southern Ecuador.

Subsidized predators are animals whose populations proliferate through association with humans. As subsidized predators, birds in the family Corvidae (Corvus spp., crows and ravens) pose an additive mortality threat to turtle eggs, juveniles, and, in some cases, adults. In this synthesis, I (1) review published and unpublished case studies of corvids as predators of chelonians, (2) examine regional population trends of corvids relative to the status of co-occurring chelonian species, and (3) evaluate our current understanding of subsidized corvids as threats to chelonians. Hyperpredation of chelonians by corvids is geographically widespread, locally severe where and when predation occurs, facilitated by anthropogenic subsidies (e.g., food, water, and perching, nesting, and roosting sites) and linear corridors (e.g., roads, electrical infrastructure), commonly associated with nesting corvids as predators, and co-occurring with corvid population increases. Hyperpredation by corvids appears to affect demographically sensitive stages of chelonian populations (juveniles and reproductive females) and very likely has long-term detrimental consequences given the slow life history of chelonians. The threat posed to chelonian populations by subsidized corvids is more widespread than currently recognized on the basis of substantial regional increases in corvid populations, the underreporting of predation observations, and the broad geographic areas over which hyperpredation of chelonians is occurring.

We review the taxonomy of two historically problematic taxa of Neotropical frogs belonging to the Physalaemus cuvieri group: P. albonotatus and P. cuqui. A thorough revision of morphological, bioacoustic, cytogenetic, and genetic characters throughout their ranges indicated that P. cuqui is a junior synonym of P. albonotatus. In addition, our analyses allowed the identification and description of a new taxon that was historically confused with the latter. The new species is externally indistinguishable from P. albonotatus, and both species are allopatric. Their distinction can be made only with their advertisement calls and on molecular grounds. Finally, to help stabilize the complex taxonomy of the P. cuvieri group, we provide a redescription of P. albonotatus with a neotype designation. This decision is based on the fact that we were unable to track extant type specimens in different herpetological collections that would be associated with the original description of this taxon, which is actually a composite of species. A comprehensive list of works dealing with both species is included, indicating whether they are referred to either P. albonotatus or the new species.