[Pg 149] University of Kansas Publications
Museum of Natural History

Volume 15, No. 2, pp. 149-173

January 31, 1962

Some Reptiles and Amphibians from Korea

BY
ROBERT G. WEBB, J. KNOX JONES, JR., AND GEORGE W. BYERS

University of Kansas
Lawrence
1962

[Pg 150]

University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History

Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chair, Henry S. Fitch, Theodore H. Eaton, Jr.

Volume 15, No. 2, pp. 149-173
Published January 31, 1962

University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

PRINTED BY
JEAN M. NEIBARGER, STATE PRINTER
TOPEKA, KANSAS
1962

28-8517

[Pg 151]

BY
ROBERT G. WEBB, J. KNOX JONES, JR., AND GEORGE W. BYERS

In 1954, two of us (Jones and Byers) collected reptiles and amphibians in Korea as part of field studies related to hemorrhagic fever. The 382 specimens we obtained were either deposited in the Museum of Natural History at The University of Kansas (KU) or in the Museum of Zoology at the University of Michigan (UMMZ), and these form the basis of the current report. Ongoing American military operations in Korea since 1945 have provided opportunities for interested individuals to collect amphibians and reptiles there, which has led to several recent publications (Babb, 1955; Dixon, 1956; Hahn, 1959 and 1960; Shannon, 1956 and 1957; Stewart, 1953 and 1954; Tanner, 1953; Walley, 1958a and 1958b). This paper includes comments on the natural history and taxonomy of 22 species, all previously reported from Korea, and adds to earlier studies, particularly Shannon's (1956) annotated list of the country's herpetofauna.

Shannon (loc. cit.) recorded 36 types of reptiles and amphibians from Korea. Then, Bufo stejnegeri (which was previously missed) was added by Shannon (1957), Takydromus takydromoides oldi was described by Walley (1958a), and Takydromus kwangakuensis was classified as a synonym of T. amurensis by Walley (1958b). Currently, there are 37 types documented from the Korean Peninsula.

In the sections that follow, Jones and Byers mainly handle the commentary on natural history, while Webb focuses primarily on the taxonomic observations. The synonymies include (1) the original description, followed by (2) the first usage of the name combination used here if it differs from the name as originally proposed, and (3) any synonyms with type localities in Korea. All measurements are in millimeters, and all dates refer to the year 1954 unless stated otherwise. A gazetteer of the locations mentioned in the text and a list of the cited literature follow the species accounts.

We are thankful to the officers, enlisted personnel, and civilians who were part of the Field Unit of the Commission on Hemorrhagic Fever, Armed Forces Epidemiological Board, in 1954, for their support during our work in Korea. We especially appreciate the efforts of Dr. Albert A. Barber, Dr. Marshall Hertig, Mr. Louis J. Lipovsky, and Dr. Warren D. Thomas. We also thank Mr. Yoshinori Imaizumi from the National Science Museum of Japan for translating several Japanese papers for us, and Dr. Edward H. Taylor for providing us with some important references.

Hynobius leechii Boulenger

Remarks.—The salamander mentioned above was discovered in a foxhole along with another dried-out individual (which was not preserved) on a military base on April 24. The only other sighting of H. leechii on the mainland that we've heard about was an observation of several larvae found in a small pool on a hillside near Chip´o-ri during the summer of 1953.

Each of the two specimens from Cheju Do (KU 38775-76) is different from KU 38774 in the following ways: (1) the length of the inner branch of the vomerine series is slightly longer than the distance between the outer edge of the naris and the peak of the opposite series (the tooth rows are V-shaped, longer than they are wide), (2) there is a dorsal and ventral keel on the tail, (3) there is one costal groove (instead of two costal grooves) between the pressed toes, and (4) both specimens are darker on the top and bottom. The area of buff on the dorsal surface of each specimen is reduced by fine, blackish mottling and stippling, and the underside of each is grayish. The total lengths of KU 38775 and KU 38776 are 84 (head 12, body 36, tail 36) and 89 (12, 35, 42), respectively, with the number of costal grooves being 13 and 14. Although both specimens are roughly the same size, KU 38776 has a noticeably longer tail; meanwhile, the tail of KU 38775 is thicker and deeper than that of KU 38776.[Pg 153]

The two specimens from 4 miles NNE of Sogwi-ri were collected on September 9 in wet soil under volcanic rocks along a rarely used road; even though many rocks were turned over, only these two individuals were discovered. A South Korean soldier told us that salamanders were pretty common on Cheju Do.

Mori (1928a:16) was the first to mention in a Japanese text the supposed uniqueness of the salamander found on Cheju Do. Later, Mori (1928b:47 in Japanese, and 1928c:53 in English) provided valid descriptions of the subspecies, Hynobius leechii quelpaertensis. Okada (1934:17) questioned the validity of H. l. quelpaertensis, and Sato (1943) viewed the salamanders of Cheju Do as inseparable from the Korean H. leechii. The English description of quelpaertensis is shorter than the earlier Japanese one and doesn't include comparisons with related species. KU 38775-76 seems to differ noticeably from the description of quelpaertensis mainly by having a series of vomerine teeth that are narrowly V-shaped and longer than they are wide. We tentatively agree with Sato in considering quelpaertensis as a synonym of leechii.

Bombina orientalis (Boulenger)

Remarks.—Most of our specimens were taken from breeding gatherings after heavy rains in rice fields and other shallow temporary waters. Thirteen individuals from Chip´o-ri were collected from foxholes around the edge of a military compound (two pairs in amplexus; no egg masses seen), and they represent a small sample of frogs that appeared everywhere following a heavy rain on the night of May 13-14. On April 23, 32 Bombina orientalis and three Rana temporaria dybowskii were trapped in the water-filled bottom of an unused grease pit near Tangjonggok. Many tadpoles and two types of egg masses (small clusters and beadlike strings) were present; the small clusters of Bombina were the most common. On June 13 at the same location, thousands of these toads were observed (hundreds in axillary amplexus) in foxholes, temporary rain pools, and backwashes along the Puk-ch´on [river]. On June 12 near [Pg 154] Yongdae-ri, many individuals were seen (several pairs in amplexus), along Route 24 running parallel to the Puk-ch´on, in rain pools and in ditches and backwashes from the river; almost all available water contained small (about 10 × 10 mm) egg masses. The numbers of eggs per mass, selected at random, were 5, 2, 2, 5, 2, 8, 8, 2, and 5. Some that were saved later hatched on June 15-17.

The call is a soft, low trill or a series of short, sharp whistles that slightly rise at the start; a short, peep-like note was also heard. The specimens from Cheju Do, which are generally smaller than those collected on the mainland in spring, were collected on September 6 in a small stream filled with large volcanic rocks and surrounded by dense brush and small trees. The earliest and latest dates on which B. orientalis was collected were April 21 and September 6, respectively.

In the breeding season, males can be easily identified from females by the large blackish (likely brownish earlier in the season) areas on the front underside of their forearms, the metacarpal tubercle, and the inner side of the first finger (sometimes also the second and third). Additionally, males have noticeable black-tipped tubercles on their backs (usually absent in females) that extend onto the limbs (which are typically smooth in females, at least on the sides). Field observations by one of us (Byers) indicated that the dorsal pattern in males is more contrasted than in females, and that their undersides are a brighter reddish color. Eight females from Tangjonggok averaged 47.9 (43-51) in snout-vent length, while 24 males from the same place averaged 50.0 (46-55), suggesting there’s little to no size difference between the sexes.

Okada (1931:29) noted the color variation in live Korean individuals (green or brown on the back and pale yellow or red on the underside) and differences in the amount of black markings on the belly (op. cit.:fig. 12). The specimens from Cheju Do (28, 32, 32, 32, 37, and 46 in snout-vent length) have less black on their undersides than those from the mainland.

Bufo bufo gargarizans Cantor

Remarks.—This night-active, introduced species (Okada, 1931:47) is likely common in Korea and seems to prefer lowland areas. Specimens were collected in sparse vegetation on a sandy flat near the Han River, at the border of a rice field during a light rain, along a road at night, and in millet fields next to the Han River, which was flooding at that time (July 9).

As is clear from the earlier descriptions, the male (KU 40118), which was collected on March 19, is very different from the nine females; it also doesn't match Stejneger's (1907:66)[Pg 156] or Okada's (op. cit.:45-46, fig. 18) descriptions of males of Bufo bufo asiaticus [=gargarizans] from Wonsan and Seoul. At first glance, KU 40118 stands out for its distinct dorsal pattern and elongated, ranid-like proportions. Some features are similar to those of Bufo raddei Strauch as described by Stejneger (op. cit.:70-72, figs. 53-57), Okada (1935:9, figs. 2 and 32-34, pls. II-III), and Liu (1950:203-205, fig. 43).

Stejneger (op. cit.:59-68) identified B. b. gargarizans as found in southern China, and Bufo bufo asiaticus as the subspecies present in northern China. Later, asiaticus was classified as a synonym of the earlier-known gargarizans—see discussions by Pope and Boring (1940:33) and Liu (op. cit.:220).

Kaloula borealis (Barbour)

Remarks.—On April 5, a male and three females were found by a bulldozer from about one to two feet below the ground in an old Korean burial mound; one individual was completely surrounded by compact soil. All of them became active quickly when placed in water. Two of the females (43 and 44 in snout-vent length) had masses of immature eggs. A male collected on June 4 was found during a rain; the three UMMZ specimens were collected on July 8 on banks above the Han River. Breeding of this species seems to happen during the rainy season in late spring and early summer when males were heard calling around flooded ditches and swales in tall grass. The local Korean name for the species, which sounds something like "maeng-kongi," is said to come from the call, which is best described as a monotonous, snoring sound that rarely is heard in two parts as suggested by the name.

Hyla arborea japonica Günther

Remarks.—Hylids from 5 miles ESE of Seoul were collected from a cement-walled pit at the Seoul City Water Works; a specimen of Elaphe rufodorsata found in the pit had eaten one hylid. Two individuals were captured on the morning of May 29 on leaf litter in a wooded valley in the Central National Forest where several were calling in light rain, but the species was rarely seen in wooded areas. Two frogs were located along a rocky stream at Sangbonch´on-ni. Most individuals were collected while calling, on grasses and reeds or on the ground, along the edges of rice fields. Sixteen hylids collected 1 mile NW of Oho-ri were calling in shallow water of a rice field on a hillside, but none were heard in a large nearby lake or in adjacent fields. On May 15, 4 miles ESE of Ch´orwon, about one hundred tadpoles, believed to be of this species, gathered near a drain (leading to a lower field) of an unused rice field; the tadpoles were well-developed, with some already having hind legs. The earliest and latest collection dates in our material are May 8 and October 29. The call is best described as a raspy "waak," "week," or "wiick" in the middle register.

The mention of "Hylae arboreae var japonicae descript pars Schleg. in Fauna Japon. p. 112 ..." by Günther (1858:81) in the synonymy section for Polypedates schlegelii suggests that Schlegel was the first to use the name combination Hyla arborea japonica. Boulenger (1882:86, 381) even credited Schlegel as the author of the name japonica. The reason for this attribution is unclear since Schlegel (in von Siebold, 1838:112) only referred to this hylid as "Hyla arborea."

Rana rugosa Schlegel

Remarks.—Rana rugosa was found alongside Rana nigromaculata and Rana amurensis coreana at every location where the species was collected, except for 2 miles east of Hoengsong, where R. a. coreana was not seen. Three specimens of R. rugosa were collected among grasses and reeds in the water along the edge of Ch´orwon Reservoir, 2 miles south of Ch´orwon, where they were tough to spot in the dense vegetation, even though their soft, low calls were heard; one specimen from 1 mile northwest of Oho-ri was found in a rice field. Otherwise, the recorded habitats suggest a preference for small, fast-flowing streams, particularly in wooded valleys. On one occasion, individuals were discovered trapped in cement-walled pits near old ruins on a wooded hillside in the Central National Forest. The earliest and latest capture dates for our specimens are May 15 and November 6. Besides the localities mentioned above, the species was also spotted 4 miles west of Ch´ungju.

R. rugosa might have a long breeding season based on the differences in size of frogs collected or seen in 1954. Of the nine frogs obtained on May 29, five had a snout-vent length between 26 and 28, while four measured between 42 and 54. Three specimens collected on October 9 measured 39, 41, and 55, and two obtained on November 6 measured 25 and 37.

Rana nigromaculata Hallowell

Remarks.—Rana nigromaculata is the most common ranid in central Korea and is generally the ecological equivalent of Rana pipiens in temperate North America. This species is found in a variety of aquatic habitats, from rocky streams to rice fields and large reservoirs. Around Seoul, the sounds of large breeding gatherings could be heard almost continuously from mid-April to mid-May. Many juveniles (about one inch long) were first observed on July 8 and were present for about three weeks afterward, being most common in still water after heavy rains or during long showers. These observations, along with the different sizes of individuals collected at the same time, suggest either variable growth or, more likely, a lengthy breeding season. Our earliest and latest collection dates are April 16 and October 7. The Korean word for "frog," typically used for R. nigromaculata, sounds something like "keg-oh-ree." The call is a long, raspy, staccato croak, sometimes ending with a rising pitch.

In addition to the locations mentioned above, the species was seen 5 miles west of Kwangju and 3 miles south of Osan.

Despite significant individual differences, Rana nigromaculata seems to also vary by location; some subspecies should likely be acknowledged, but the species as a whole has never been comprehensively and systematically studied. The classification of R. nigromaculata into three subspecies by Schmidt (1927:563-567) was deemed unsustainable by Fang and Chang (1931:95-98), and most recent authors have regarded it as a variable, single-species entity.

The named subspecies R. n. chosenica (Okada, 1931:89, with the type locality in Seoul and found only in Korea) was identified as a subspecies of Rana plancyi by Shannon (1956:36). The most notable features of plancyi seem to be the wide dorsolateral folds, the solid greenish back, the presence of skin bumps on the back between the dorsolateral folds, and the absence of a mottled pattern on the back of the thigh. Among our specimens of R. nigromaculata, the width of the dorsolateral folds varies; a solid greenish back is only seen in larger males; skin bumps mixed with ridges are present in just one male (KU 38733), and all of them have a spotted or mottled pattern on the back of the thigh. All of our specimens that have a vague pattern on their backs, or no pattern at all, are males and resemble the photographs of males published by Moriya (1954: pl. I, fig. 5) and Liu (1936: pl. IV, figs. 1-2); juveniles of both genders and large females show contrasting patterns.

None of our frogs clearly belong to the species plancyi, although some characteristics hint at plancyi. Moriya (op. cit.:19), who studied the variation of R. nigromaculata in Japan, pointed out that one of the most distinct populations there (R. n. brevipoda) was similar to Rana plancyi. Ting (1939) found that nigromaculata and plancyi were able to interbreed and raised hybrid larvae through metamorphosis. Pope and Boring (1940) proposed that hybridization between the two species might occur in eastern China, and the facts mentioned above suggest the possibility of hybridization in other areas.

Rana amurensis coreana Okada

Remarks.—One individual of R. a. coreana (KU 38698) and one of Rana temporaria dybowskii (KU 38715) were collected on May 29 along a stream in the Central National Forest, alongside R. rugosa and R. nigromaculata. Specimens of coreana from the area around Seoul were found in rice fields. The earliest collection date was April 13 at Yongp'yong. Our largest specimen of coreana measured 47 in snout-vent length.

Because R. a. coreana and Rana temporaria dybowskii are found together in central Korea and closely resemble each other, the two species were not differentiated in the field, and the following observations may apply to either (or both) species. Wood frogs were spotted 2 miles east of Songdong-ni on July 12 in rice paddies alongside individuals of Hyla arborea, Rana rugosa, and Rana nigromaculata. At Chip´o-ri on April 6, individuals (likely R. t. dybowskii) were seen in a seepage pool from an abandoned rice field; R. nigromaculata was also observed there. Six or seven egg masses (some containing small tadpoles) were noted in the shallow water, but it wasn’t clear to which species the eggs belonged. Fully metamorphosed young (likely R. a. coreana) were first seen 1 mile north of Oho-ri on June 9. At Taehoesan-ni on November 12, several sluggish frogs were spotted in a small pool that was covered by a thin layer of ice.

On September 26 in the Central National Forest, many wood frogs of different sizes were seen. R. amurensis and R. temporaria likely have longer breeding seasons that align with those of R. rugosa and R. nigromaculata. Based on our observations, amurensis seems to prefer being near water, while temporaria can be found farther away from permanent water.

[Pg 161] In our samples, R. amurensis coreana is different from R. temporaria dybowskii in having (1) a smaller maximum size, (2) a more slender body, (3) shorter legs, (4) incompletely webbed toes, (5) no mottling or barring on the lips, (6) no contrasting barred pattern on the hind legs, (7) usually dark brown stripes between the dorsolateral folds, (8) a dark brown, linear mark below the canthus, and (9) a clean ventral surface. Two additional distinguishing features, which we found hard to assess, are the nearly straight dorsolateral folds and the absence of vocal sacs or ostia in male R. a. coreana (Shannon, 1956:38). Some of the differences between the two species were illustrated by Okada, 1931:107, fig. 48, R. temporaria temporaria [=R. t. dybowskii] and 123, fig. 54, R. temporaria coreana [=R. amurensis coreana].

Rana temporaria dybowskii Günther

Remarks.—On October 9 in the Central National Forest, five people were discovered in a concrete-walled pit in old ruins on a wooded hillside; no samples of Rana amurensis coreana were collected there. R. t. dybowskii was most frequently found on high, moist slopes and appeared to be especially prevalent in forests. The specimen from 8 miles southwest of Kangnung was collected in a wooded area along a mountain stream. The earliest recorded date for a specimen of dybowskii was March 7 at Taegwang-ni. See also the remarks under the preceding account of Rana amurensis coreana.

The largest male in our samples measured 65 inches from snout to vent, while the largest female measured 79. Five pregnant females had snout-vent lengths of 64, 68, 69, 69, and 70 inches.

Chinese Softshell Turtle Wiegmann

Remarks.—We only got one specimen, which we bought from a guy who caught it by hand in the Han River; it was the only turtle we saw while we were in Korea. Koreans eat turtles, and the complex (and fairly permanent) fish traps they build across streams and small rivers likely lower the populations of T. sinensis and other species.[Pg 162]

Eremias argus Peters

Remarks.—Individuals of E. argus were most commonly seen on dry hillsides with relatively sparse vegetation. The first lizard of this species was caught on April 2. In 1954, the end of March and the beginning of April were generally warm, with temperatures exceeding 70° F. on several occasions; it’s likely that some E. argus were active in late March. KU 38773 (snout-vent length, 51) laid three eggs between June 4 and 14; KU 38768 (snout-vent length, 58), collected on May 8, was pregnant with four eggs. The testes of lizards during the breeding season measure about 4.0 x 2.5 (KU 38772, collected on June 16).

The snout-vent length of our biggest female is 61, and the largest male measures 57. The snout-vent length of 11 specimens averaged 77 (67-96) percent of the tail length.

Tachydromus amurensis Peters

Remarks.—One of our specimens was found among grass by a small stream in the Central National Forest. The other two were collected by other people, and we don’t know the circumstances of their capture.

A juvenile (KU 39416, snout-vent length, 25) that was collected on September 9 is tentatively identified as this species. There appear to be three femoral pores on the left leg, but the count is unclear on the right. The specimen is dark and has no distinct pattern. Its condition makes it impossible to count the ventral scales (not keeled), but its scalation is otherwise consistent with a male (KU 40120, snout-vent length approximately 47, tail length, 124). The third specimen, a male (UMMZ 113442, snout-vent length, 51, tail length, 115), matches KU 40120, except it has 32 dorsal scales at midbody instead of 29, 4-4 femoral pores instead of 3-3, and it lacks a pale stripe running from the eye through the ear to the shoulder.[Pg 163]

Tachydromus wolteri Fischer

Remarks.—On April 14, two females (57 and 45 in snout-vent length, with the tail of the latter measuring 103) were easily caught by hand in a burned rice field.

Lygosoma reevesii (Gray)

Remarks.—On October 23, a person was caught lounging on a stump on a wooded hill in the Central National Forest; two others at that location were collected from the damp ground cover on the same hillside. A juvenile from Cheju Do was discovered among moss-covered rocks in a stream bed; the other specimens from Cheju Do were found among moss-covered rocks on the western slope of Halla San.

Each ovary from a female collected on October 23 had five enlarged follicles, around 1 mm in diameter. The left testis from a male collected on August 10 appeared enlarged, suggesting possible sexual activity, and measured about 6 x 2 mm. The snout-vent length of our largest male is 41, while that of our largest female is 48. The prefrontals are touching in all of our specimens except for one (UMMZ 113446).

There is disagreement among herpetologists about the generic name of the small lygosome skink found in the United States and its ecological counterpart in China and Korea. We tentatively use Lygosoma (Conant, 1951:207-208), although Mittleman (1950) pointed out reasons to use Scincella. Shannon (1956:41) discussed the debated issue of whether the lygosome skinks of the New and Old worlds are the same species.[Pg 164]

Rhabdophis tigrina lateralis (Berthold)

Remarks.—This common, wandering species was found on brushy hillsides, near buildings on hills above rice fields, in tall grasses by streams, in rice fields, and along drainage and irrigation ditches. The earliest and latest collection dates were April 5 and November 7. On the first date mentioned, an individual was discovered hibernating with five Elaphe rufodorsata and one Agkistrodon halys in an earthen Korean burial mound. The specimen was uncovered by a bulldozer at about one foot below the surface. We were informed that 18 snakes of this species were found in the same location (7 mi. ESE Seoul) the previous winter.

The stomachs of four individuals each contained one Rana nigromaculata. The stomach of another individual had a R. nigromaculata and parts of a carabid beetle, while another had three small, partially-digested frogs that seemed to be Hyla arborea. P. M. Youngman informed us that he found a snake of this species trying to swallow a toad, Bufo bufo gargarizans. One of the small individuals from Cheju Do was being eaten by a Zamenis spinalis when discovered. One specimen was infected with three nematodes, Kalicephalus natricis (see Olsen, 1957:208).

Two females of this egg-laying species (body lengths of 680 and 700) collected on May 14 had nine eggs (18 mm long) and 13 eggs (15 mm) respectively; a third female (body length of 610) obtained on June 26 had 10 eggs that were roughly 18 mm long. A female (UMMZ 113458, body length of 710), captured on July 10 and kept alive, laid 11 eggs on August 12 between 9 and 10 in the morning. The weight of nine of these eggs averaged 3.32 (3.0-3.6) grams; the last two eggs laid were small and weighed just 1.3 and 1.4 grams. The eggs were incubated but none hatched successfully. One that was opened on September 14 and another opened on September 26 contained young that were easily identifiable as belonging to this species. In captivity, the parent snake shed its skin around July 20 and again on August 26.

Our largest female and largest male have total lengths of 1013 mm (840 + 173) and 740 mm (575 + 165), respectively. The smallest specimens we caught on September 9 measured 215 mm and 230 mm in body length, and they likely represent young snakes from this year. The snake we found hibernating on April 5 measured 275 mm in body length. The average ventral scale count for 11 males was 161.3 (ranging from 158 to 171), while for 14 females it was 165.1 (ranging from 160 to 170); the average subcaudal scale count for eight males was 69.6 (ranging from 66 to 74) and for 14 females, it was 61.5 (ranging from 52 to 73).

Males seem to have small scales in the anal area that are more prominently keeled than the scales found elsewhere on the body (the scales catch on fingertips when rubbed from back to front), but males do not have the small tubercles on the upper and side parts of the head as mentioned by Maslin (1950:433). The observations from the same author (op. cit.:434) about integumental poison glands in the nuchal area of this species are noteworthy, given the multiple reports we've received of swollen extremities resulting from handling snakes of this species.

In using the generic names Rhabdophis and Amphiesma for species that were previously classified under the genus Natrix, we follow Malnate (1960), who separated Natrix (auct.) into five distinct genera.

Amphiesma vibakari ruthveni (Van Denburgh)

Remarks.—The specimen from Central National Forest was caught on August 18 near a stream on damp ground covered with leaves. The specimens from Cheju Do were collected in early September, with one found in a grassy area and the other two on the earthen banks of road cuts on the slopes of Halla San. The stomach of one individual from Cheju Do had an earthworm in it. Our largest specimen, a male with 154 ventrals and 68 subcaudals, measured 508 (380 + 128).

The subcaudal counts of 68 (KU 38861) and 69 (UMMZ 113461) on two males from Cheju Do are higher than the maximum count known for the subspecies ruthveni in Korea, and are similar to those of Amphiesma vibakari vibakari from the Japanese islands. The average number of subcaudals is 61 (ranging from 55 to 65) in ruthveni and 71 (ranging from 63 to 83) in vibakari[Pg 166] according to Van Denburgh (1923:3-4). A juvenile from the Central National Forest (KU 38862), which is missing the tip of its tail, has 64 subcaudals.

Dinodon rufozonatum (Cantor)

Remarks.—The three specimens from the Central National Forest were collected between August 12 and 26. Two were caught in live traps set for small mammals in the deep forest among granite outcrops. The specimen from Yongsan was obtained on October 27 in a partially wooded area. The ventrals and subcaudals of our four specimens (all males) numbered 198, 200, 198, 205, and 74, 75, 75, __, respectively. The total length of the largest specimen was 960 (790 + 170).

We follow Chang (1932:54) and most authors after him in considering D. rufozonatum to be a monotypic species.

Zamenis spinalis (Peters)

Remarks.—The specimen from Cheju Do was captured on September 9 in tall grass near a small stream and was eating a small Rhabdophis tigrina. The female near Seoul was obtained from a Korean on June 10 and was pregnant (six eggs, each about 35 mm in length). The body length measured about 550 mm and the incomplete tail length was 168 mm in one specimen (KU 38777, female from 5 mi. ESE Seoul), and 540 mm and 183 mm in the other (KU 38778, female from Cheju Do). The respective ventral and subcaudal counts of the two females are 204, 194, and 74+, 86.

There’s some disagreement in the literature about the correct generic name for this snake. Bogert and Oliver (1945:365) discuss the differences in teeth between Old World species (linked to Zamenis) and American species (linked to Coluber). Several authors have classified the species spinalis under Coluber (see Pope, 1935:226).[Pg 167]

Elaphe dione (Pallas)

Remarks.—This species seems to thrive in upland habitats. Specimens were collected from rocky hillsides, sparsely wooded areas, and cultivated fields. November 21 was the latest date for capturing an active individual (UMMZ 113451), which had been seen several times before capture, sticking its head out from a hole beneath the concrete floor of a building. A female (KU 38855) measuring 915 (775 + 140) in total length, obtained on June 13, had nine eggs (32 mm long). One juvenile had eaten a half-grown house mouse, Mus musculus; the stomach of a male contained three mice, one being a striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius, while the other two were likely from the same species but too digested to identify for sure. Eggs probably hatch in late summer. A young one (body length, 340) was captured on September 30; another juvenile (body length, 285) was obtained in May.

Our largest male (KU 40123) measured 904 (719 + 185) in total length. The average count of ventrals and subcaudals for six females was 205.8 (198-211) and 62.2 (55-69), respectively, while the averages for four males were 196.8 (190-214) and 71.0 (69-74). All nine specimens had dorsal scales in 23-25-19 rows, except one (UMMZ 113451), which had 23-25-23 rows.

Elaphe rufodorsata (Cantor)

Remarks.—E. rufodorsata was often seen and collected on barren hillsides, country roads, rice fields, and along drainage ditches and small streams. One was spotted sunbathing stretched out on a road. Two individuals were caught in cement-walled pits at the Seoul City Water Works. On April 5, five snakes of this species, along with one Rhabdophis tigrina and one Agkistrodon halys, all partly covered in dirt, were found basking in a shallow dip on the side of a Korean burial mound, which was likely a hibernation site. Besides one juvenile, four of the E. rufodorsata were about the same size, measuring between 385 and 455 in length.

Copulation was observed on April 25 (male, KU 38811, body length 400, and female, KU 38812, body length 565), and on May 4 (female, KU 38816, body length 620). Eggs likely hatch at various times during the summer. One of five snakes collected on April 5 (see above) measured 310 (250 + 60) in total length. Another juvenile (KU 38828), collected on October 18, was 478 (385 + 93) long, and our smallest specimen of this species (KU 38821), captured on June 26, measured 275 (230 + 45).

The stomachs of two snakes each contained a Rana nigromaculata; another individual had eaten a Hyla arborea, and a fourth specimen had eaten a small fish. One specimen was infected by a tapeworm.

The largest female in our series (KU 38816) was measured at 740 (620 + 120), and the biggest male (KU 38813) was 595 (475 + 120). The ventral and subcaudal counts for 13 males averaged 170.5 (ranging from 167 to 174) and 60.0 (from 56 to 63), while the ventrals for 12 females averaged 178.3 (ranging from 169 to 182), and the subcaudals for 11 averaged 51.0 (ranging from 46 to 56).

Elaphe schrencki anomala (Boulenger)

Remarks.—Snakes were seen or caught on dry, scrubby hills and in grassy highland areas. One of the three snakes from the Central National Forest was captured on a steep, wooded hillside among granite outcroppings; another was found along a stream bank and had eaten three bats, Murina aurata (see Jones, 1960:265), and one mouse, Apodemus sp. (only the tail was found). P. M. Youngman reported (personal communication) discovering a rat (Rattus sp.) in the stomach of one individual. A female (KU 38830, length[Pg 169] of body, 1180) that was collected on June 2 contained 17 eggs, each about 32 mm long. The ventral scales of two females numbered 223 and 229, and the subcaudal scales of the latter were 70. The ventral and subcaudal scales of five males were 211, 213, 214, 215, 216, and 71, 75, 75, 69, 75, respectively.

The coloration and pattern of our seven specimens are interesting considering the likely intergradation between E. s. anomala and E. s. schrencki in northern Korea (see comments by Shannon, 1956:46). The smallest specimen (KU 38831), measuring a total length of 335 (280 + 55), was collected 4 miles north of P'yong-taek on September 24. It is almost uniformly pale brown (lacks a dorsal pattern) and is further described as follows: incomplete pattern on the head; no black postocular band (pale brown with a black border at the back); ventrolateral extensions of the head pattern that create longitudinal white stripes on the third row of scales; a pale whitish stripe on the sixth and seventh scale rows that extends back to the level of the fortieth ventral and has a narrow black border (sometimes interrupted); small and vague blackish markings and pale stripes on the sides (not higher than the sixth row of scales); the underside of the head is whitish; and the belly is grayish, with blackish edges on the back of the ventrals. KU 38831 is unusual and possibly anomalous in having a pattern that doesn't match the juvenile pattern of either subspecies.

A female (KU 38830), with a total length of 1390 (1180 + 210), from 5 miles ESE of Seoul matches the descriptions of anomala by being uniformly pale brown on top with faint dark smudges on the sides. The underside is whitish with faint dark smudges and brown spots at the ends of each ventral scale, while the back edge of each ventral is brown. A male (KU 40125), measuring 1090 (890 + 200) in total length, from 5 miles E of Seoul, is pale brown on top and has no markings on the front part of its body. There are faint dark markings in the middle of the body, while the last quarter of the body and tail display well-defined black bands on a tan background. The black bands at the back are in pairs; each pair is separated by two and a half to three scales, and the bands within each pair are separated by only one and a half scales. The underside has a subtle marbled pattern. Our largest specimen, a male (UMMZ 113454) with a total length of 1488 (1230 + 258), from the Central National Forest, looks like KU 40125, except it has pale brown blotches (29 on the body, one blackish on the neck) and dark spots on the sides at the front of the body.[Pg 170]

Another female (KU 38860, body length, 970) from 4½ miles west of Chip´o-ri, our northernmost recorded location, has quite a unique pattern on its back. The 30 dark brown blotches with black edges, separated by a light buff background, aren't arranged in pairs (like in KU 40125); instead, the dorsal blotches sometimes alternate with small lateral ones. The underside is marbled all over.

Two males from the Central National Forest, measuring a total of 1105 (920 + 185) and 830 (690 + 140), look quite similar to each other. They both have dark brown or blackish heads and necks, and the front part of their bodies is dark brown but with noticeable blotches. The back part of their bodies and tails feature well-defined blotches (dark brown or black) with light-colored spaces in between; sometimes, the dorsal blotches are paired. The underside of each is marbled throughout. What’s interesting about these two males is that the pattern on the front is unclear, but the base color is dark, unlike the two specimens from near Seoul, which are lighter.

Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus Stejneger

Remarks.—Individuals of Agkistrodon were collected on brushy or wooded hillsides, along rock walls or in piles of rocks, and in damp, rocky, wooded ravines near streams. Many were gentle when caught. One specimen had nematodes, while another had cestodes. One specimen had consumed a striped field mouse, Apodemus agrarius, and another had eaten a gray hamster, Cricetulus triton. One female, collected on May 22, 6 miles east of Seoul, had 14 embryos. Another female, collected on August 25 in the Central National Forest, had three well-developed embryos.

We haven't included any descriptive or taxonomic notes about A. halys because Dr. Howard K. Gloyd at the University of Arizona, who is currently researching the systematics of the genus Agkistrodon, has our specimens on loan.[Pg 171]

Listed below are all the locations mentioned in the accounts of species; the latitude (north) and longitude (east) are provided for each. All place names can be found in "Gazetteer to maps of Korea," 3 vols., AMS 2, U. S. Army Map Service, September 1950, and, except for the two marked with an asterisk, can be found on AMS map series L552 (Korea, 1:250,000). The McCune-Reischauer system for romanizing Korean names is used.

Babb, G. H., Jr.

1955. A detailed checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Korea. Bull. Philadelphia Herp. Soc., 1:17-23.

Bogert, C. M., and Oliver, J. A.

1945. An initial analysis of the herpetofauna in Sonora. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 83:297-426, 8 pls., 13 figs., 2 maps, March 30.

Boulenger, G.A.

1882. Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia s. Ecaudata in the collection of the British Museum. Taylor and Francis, London, xvi + 503 pp., 30 pls.

Chang, M. L. Y.

1932. Notes on a collection of reptiles from Sichuan. Contrib. Biol. Lab., Sci. Soc. China, Zool. Ser., 8:9-95, 28 figs., February.

[Pg 172]

Conant, R.

1951. The reptiles of Ohio. Second edition (with updated additions). Amer. Midland Nat., Univ. Notre Dame Press, 284 pp., 27 pls.

Dixon, J.R.

1956. A collection of frogs and snakes from west central Korea. Herpetologica, 12:50-56, 1 fig., March 6.

Fang, P. W., and Chang, M. L. Y.

1931. Amphibia of Nanking. Contributions from the Biological Laboratory, Science Society of China, Zoology Series, 7:65-114, 18 figures, May.

Günther, A.

1858. Catalogue of the Batrachia Salientia in the collection of the British Museum. Taylor and Francis, London, xvi + 160 pp., 12 pls.

Hahn, D.E.

1959. Observations and collection notes on Rana n. nigromaculata in central Korea. Jour. Ohio Herp. Soc., 2:7-8, September 20.

1960. Collecting notes on central Korean reptiles and amphibians. Jour. Ohio Herp. Soc., 2:16-24, 4 figs., September 20.

Jones, J.K. Jr.

1960. The smallest tube-nosed bat in Korea. Jour. Mamm., 41:265, May 20.

Liu, C.

1936. Secondary sex characteristics of Chinese frogs and toads. Zool. Ser., Field Mus. Nat. Hist., 22:115-156, 12 pls., October 31.

1950. Amphibians of western China. Fieldiana: Zool. Memoirs, Chicago Nat. Hist. Mus., 2:1-400, 10 pls., 100 figs., June 15.

Malnate, E.V.

1960. Systematic division and evolution of the colubrid snake genus Natrix, with comments on the subfamily Natricinae. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 112:41-71, 2 figs., 4 maps, September 23.

Maslin, T.P.

1950. Snakes from the Kiukiang-Lushan area, Kiangsi, China. Proc. California Acad. Sci., ser. 4, 26:419-466, 10 figs., April 28.

Mittleman, M.B.

1950. The general status of Scincus lateralis Say, 1823. Herpetologica, 6:17-20, June 5.

Mori, T.

1928a. An assumption about the time when Japan and Korea separated and the overall situation during that time, based on the distribution of animals in Saishuto and Tsushima. Chosen, pp. 14-25, January, 1928 (in Japanese).

1928b. On amphibians and reptiles of Quelpaert Island. Jour. Chosen Nat. Hist. Soc., 6:47-52, March 25 (in Japanese).

1928c. A new Hynobius from Quelpaert Island. Journal of the Chosen Natural History Society, 6:53, March 25.

Moriya, K.

1954. Studies on the five races of the Japanese pond frog, Rana nigromaculata Hallowell. I. Differences in morphological traits. Jour. Sci. Hiroshima Univ. (ser. B, div. 1), 15:1-21, 2 pls., 1 fig., December.

Okada, Y.

1931. The tailless amphibians of the Japanese Empire. Imp. Agric. Exp. Sta., Tokyo, 215 pp., 29 pls., 97 figs., March 30.

1934. A contribution to a checklist of the urodeles of Japan. Copeia, 1934(1):16-19, April 24.

1935. Amphibians of Jehol. Report of the First Scientific Expedition to Manchukuo, section V, division II, part II, article 1, pages 1-24 (in Japanese) and pages 25-47 (in English), 7 plates, 9 figures, November 30.

[Pg 173]

Olsen, L. S.

1957. A new species of Neoascaris (Nematode) from a Korean wood mouse. Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc., 76:205-208, 9 figs., April.

Pope C.H.

1935. The reptiles of China (Natural History of Central Asia, Vol. X). Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York, lii + 604 pp., 27 pls., 78 figs., May 11.

Pope, C. H., and Boring, A. M.

1940. A survey of Chinese amphibians. Peking Nat. Hist. Bull., 15:13-86, 1 map, September.

Sato, I.

1943. The tailed amphibians of Japan. Tokyo, 520 pages, illustrated (in Japanese).

Schlegel, H.

1838. Reptiles (in von Siebold, Fauna Japonica), pp. 1-144, illustrated.

Schmidt, K.P.

1927. Notes on Chinese amphibians. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 54:553-575, 2 pls., October 14.

Shannon, F.A.

1956. The reptiles and amphibians of Korea. Herpetologica, 12:22-49, 1 pl., 1 fig., March 6.

1957. New additions to the herpetofauna of Korea. Herpetologica, 13:52, March 30.

Stejneger, L.

1907. Herpetology of Japan and nearby areas. Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., 58:xx + 577, 35 plates, 409 figures, July 22.

Stewart, G. D.

1953. Notes on a collection of amphibians from central Korea. Herpetologica, 9:146-148, October 30.

1954. A small collection of reptiles from central Korea. Copeia, 1954(1):65-67, February 19.

Tanner, V. M.

1953. Pacific Islands herpetology No. VIII, Korea. Great Basin Nat., 13:67-73.

Ting, H.

1939. A study of the hybrid offspring of two frog species, Rana nigromaculata and Rana plancyi. Peking Nat. Hist. Bull., 13:181-200, 3 pls., March.

Van Denburgh, J.

1923. A new subspecies of watersnake (Natrix vibakari ruthveni) from eastern Asia. Proc. California Acad. Sci., ser. 4, 13:3-4, July 26.

Walley, H.D.

1958a. A new lacertid lizard from Korea. Herpetologica, 14:203-205, 1 fig., December 1.

1958b. "The status of Takydromus kwangakuensis Doi." Copeia, 1958(4):338, December 22.

Sent June 30, 1961.

28-8517