Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association

Species discovery within Odorrana has gradually increased over the years, establishing a remarkable diversity for the genus. During recent herpetological surveys, we collected specimens from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China with additional samples from Thailand and Vietnam. Based on combined morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we describe a new species Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. from Sudian Town, Yingjiang County, China and report new records of O. heatwolei for Thailand and Vietnam. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene fragment, confirm the new species as a distinct evolutionary lineage with a genetic divergence ( p -distance) of 4.6% from its closest sister species O. dulongensis . Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. is morphologically distinguishable from all its known congeners by having a robust medium adult body size, a head length longer than wide, a mottled grass-green dorsum with dark brown blotches on the posterior region, absence of dorsolateral folds and circum-marginal grooves for all finger discs expanded with lateroventral grooves. Additionally, the new species record sequences from Thailand and Vietnam nested within the O. heatwolei subclade with a low p -distance (0.0–0.5%) from topotypic sequences of O. heatwolei . Examined specimen shows morphological congruence with topotypic O. heatwolei in key diagnostic traits. Our new species and new species records increase the number of recognised species of Odorrana to 46 in China, seven in Thailand and 23 in Vietnam. We also address existing taxonomic disputes within Odorrana and provide comments and recommendations on the taxonomy of several species within the genus.

Migratory animals rely on multiple sites during their annual cycles. Deteriorating conditions at any site can have population-level consequences, with long-distance migrants seen as especially susceptible to such changes. Reduced adult survival caused by persecution at non-breeding sites has been suggested a major reason for the catastrophic decline of a formerly abundant, long-distance migratory songbird, the Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola. However, it is unknown whether the ongoing extinction of this Eurasian species especially in the west of its range could be related to differences in survival or migration routes. We investigated survival rates of populations from both western and eastern parts of the breeding range and successfully tracked the migration of individuals from two eastern populations with light-level geolocators. We found moderate apparent local survival rates in eastern populations, but observed no returning birds in western populations. Our tracking data highlights (1) a joint migration corridor of eastern populations through eastern China, (2) long autumn stopovers likely used for moult and re-fuelling, and (3) very long occurrences at wintering sites. These areas should be given priority for future conservation measures. We call for an increased monitoring of adult survival and breeding output in multiple populations (including western ones) of this critically endangered species to determine (1) the causes for the observed differences in apparent local survival and (2) whether the current survival rates are sufficient to sustain viable breeding populations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted various aspects of daily life, including oral health. However, limited research has explored the effects of the pandemic on oral health perceptions, hygiene behaviors, and their subsequent influence on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in underserved settings. This study aims to assess changes in oral health perceptions and behaviors during the pandemic and their impact on OHRQoL in Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 at a township health center in Yangon, Myanmar. A total of 158 participants were included in the study. Clinical oral assessments were performed alongside face-to-face interviews, which collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, oral health perceptions and behaviors, psychological factors, and OHRQoL. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and regression analyses were used to explore associations and predictors of OHRQoL. Among the 158 participants, 30.4% reported a decline in oral health perception, and 27.8% reported negative changes in oral hygiene behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes were significantly associated with a history of COVID-19 infection, depressive symptoms, and bleeding on probing during oral examinations. Regression analysis revealed that worsened oral health perception (B = -2.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -5.00, -0.18) and negative changes in hygiene behaviors (B = -2.27; 95% CI = -4.57, -0.02) were associated with poorer OHRQoL. However, these associations became nonsignificant after adjusting for confounding factors. Notably, a history of COVID-19 infection requiring hospitalization remained a statistically significant predictor of poorer OHRQoL in all models. A significant proportion of participants reported worsened oral health perception and negative changes in oral hygiene behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to a decline in OHRQoL. However, the influence of other confounding factors, such as psychological and socioeconomic variables, needs to be carefully considered. Clinically, these findings highlight the importance of integrating psychological support and targeted oral health interventions in the post-pandemic recovery phase, particularly in underserved settings. Public health initiatives should address the long-term impacts of the pandemic on oral health behaviors and perceptions to improve OHRQoL in affected populations.

ABSTRACT Aim Myanmar, an Indo‐Burmese biodiversity hotspot, lacks baseline data on species occurrence and distribution. This hinders biodiversity monitoring and optimisation of conservation and development plans. We aim to document baseline mammal occupancy, interactions with environmental factors and scale‐dependent responses. Location Hkakaborazi National Park, Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park, Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range, Say Taung and Myinmoletkhat Key Biodiversity Areas distributed across Myanmar. Methods Camera trap data throughout Myanmar were used to analyse species occupancy. We conducted a multiscale hierarchical spatial modelling process, using local and pooled data across Myanmar. We also optimised spatial scale across five scales and six predictors, using univariate occupancy models. We then selected scale‐optimised variables for multivariate modelling, repeating this process for each species across local, regional and national datasets. Results The study identified 47 terrestrial species and observed strong scale‐dependent nonstationarity in occupancy estimates. Relationships with environmental variables differed among species and were highly scale dependent. Importantly, occupancy estimates produced by pooling data across sites were greatly different from any of the estimates for the individual sites, suggesting that high heterogeneity in occurrence and abundance across sites among species requires local or nested occupancy estimates to account for spatial heterogeneity and variation. Main Conclusions Future conservation efforts should focus on Northern Myanmar if range‐restricted and rare species are to be protected, while focus should still be given to common species which serve as potential indicators of overall community structure. The nonstationarity of occupancy results from different datasets underscores the potential for misleading interpretations from aggregated data in nonstationary ecological systems. Metareplicated analyses of local, geographically and ecologically proximal regional datasets provide an important view of spatial variation in occupancy patterns guiding conservation design and improving understanding of the drivers of biodiversity patterns and change across large regions, such as Southeast Asia.

Key Messages Collaboration between people and decision makers is essential for effective water policy implementation: The article emphasizes the importance of both decision makers and the public in implementing water policies. Decision makers set frameworks and provide resources, while public involvement ensures practical application and sustainability. Effective implementation requires ongoing dialogue and cooperation between these groups, particularly in politically unstable contexts like Myanmar. Challenges stem from weak governance and institutional fragmentation: The editorial highlights significant challenges in implementing water policies in Myanmar, such as weak institutional frameworks, poor governance, lack of political will, inadequate technical and human resources, and insufficient stakeholder engagement. These issues are compounded by a lack of coordination among government bodies, leading to overlapping responsibilities and competition, which stifle innovation and active participation. A people‐centered, inclusive approach and spiritual transformation are needed: The article proposes that a new water management paradigm should integrate socio‐technology, system science, and spiritual transformation to address water issues effectively. It argues that promoting empathy, trust, and collaborative practices can help overcome historical mistrust and trauma among different groups in Myanmar. This approach aims to foster a more inclusive, adaptable, and sustainable water policy that aligns with cultural values and promotes fair water resource sharing.

Durgella is a terrestrial semislug genus in the family Helicarionidae and currently comprises nine species recorded from Thailand and Myanmar. Two species, D. concinna and D. rhaphiellus, have been described based only on shell information, while the taxonomy of the remaining seven species is comprehensively treated herein using comparative morphology. Revised species descriptions are given for D. levicula, D. erratica, D. siamensis, and D. libas; D. birmanica (previously placed in the Megaustenia) is moved to this genus; and two species, D. pentata Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov. and D. nulla Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov., are described as new to science. Based on our findings, the combination of shell characters including shape, size, aperture, and umbilicus; the number of mantle extensions; and the genitalia, especially the penis, epiphallus, and dart apparatus, can be used to distinguish these nine species. Among these nine recognised species, only D. nulla Pholyotha & Panha, sp. nov. has no dart apparatus.

Abstract Geological evidence has demonstrated the presence of an intra–Neo-Tethyan subduction system during the Cretaceous. However, when and how this intra-oceanic subduction was initiated, especially for the eastern Neo-Tethys, are still not well constrained. Here we present geochemical and geochronological analyses of the Indawgyi mafic rocks from the Central Ophiolite Belt in the West Burma Block (Myanmar), which record early forearc spreading during the intra–Neo-Tethyan subduction initiation. Zircon U-Pb ages of gabbros indicate the ophiolitic crust formation at ca. 120 Ma. Gabbros show mid-oceanic-ridge basalt–like rare earth element patterns and depleted Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions with negative anomalies of high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf), similar to forearc basalt characteristics. Basalts show more slab-derived component signatures than the gabbros and represent mantle wedge magmas most likely formed between forearc spreading and arc maturation. These data, together with regional geological records and geophysical observations, suggest that the Indawgyi gabbros were derived from an intra–Neo-Tethyan forearc setting during the early stage of subduction initiation. Considering the timing of supra-subduction zone ophiolites and metamorphic sole in the Indo-Burma Range, we propose that spontaneous subduction initiation and sinking of the eastern Neo-Tethyan lithosphere during the Early Cretaceous (ca. 120 Ma) led to formation of the Indawgyi forearc crust, whereas subsequent mature subduction resulted in the Middle Cretaceous (ca. 108–90 Ma) arc magmatism in the West Burma Block. These findings confirm the double-subduction model of the Neo-Tethys Ocean and shed new light on the intra–Neo-Tethyan subduction initiation.

Overexploitation has driven catastrophic declines in most turtle species in Asia. Many turtles are seized annually by law enforcement officers; unfortunately, seized turtles often lack associated information on their provenance. There is also taxonomic confusion regarding the clear delineation of turtle species and subspecies in Asia. This lack of provenance data and taxonomic uncertainty is problematic as it may preclude release, make appropriate release sites hard to select, or result in genetic pollution when animals are released. In this study, we amassed and analyzed the largest number of genetic samples of the critically endangered big-headed turtle (Platysternon megacephalum) to date. Our phylogenetic and network results based on nearly 500 sequences of a mitochondrial ND4 fragment corroborate the earlier hypothesis that only two of the three currently recognized subspecies have strong molecular support and that there is greater genetic structuring within one subspecies than has been previously reported. The vast majority of P. megacephalum confiscated from the trade in Vietnam belong to Subclade 3 of P. m. peguense, and this subclade is the most broadly distributed taxon of the big-headed turtle in Vietnam based on samples with known localities. Nonetheless, for the other two subclades, all their samples originate from the trade and could not be assigned to any geographic provenance because of the lack of wild-caught samples. In addition, our results reveal two trade centers of the species, Quang Ninh Province on the border between China and Vietnam and Kon Tum Province in the Central Highlands. However, smaller animal seizures occur across the range of the species in Vietnam. While the data presented here have facilitated the selection of appropriate release sites for confiscated P. megacephalum, the significant costs of genetic screening and the shortage of samples from wild animals with good localities hinder the rewilding efforts, especially for conservation practitioners working in countries where conservation activities are not well funded and research on poorly studied species is still limited. Nevertheless, we urge that wildlife translocations include robust pre-translocation genetic screening to ensure that all individual animals are reintroduced at appropriate sites.

BackgroundIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Mental Health research group at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health worked with three local partner organizations in Myanmar to develop a psychosocial support (PSS) program that could be delivered by community-based focal points in internally displaced persons camps. This PSS program was designed to be delivered in communities with limited access to regional mental health services due to pandemic travel restrictions. The content of the PSS program was based on materials from an ongoing Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) mental health program; CETA counselors based in the three partner organizations were available to provide telephone-based CETA counseling. In April 2020, the partners organizations recruited and trained PSS focal points in 25 IDP camps to establish a multi-tiered system of MHPSS supports.ImplementationThe PSS program including psychoeducation handouts focused on stress and coping during COVID-19 and skills for cognitive restructuring (i.e., changing unhelpful thoughts) in simplified terms, audio recordings of the content of these handouts and referral opportunities for telephone-based services by CETA counselors located outside of the camps. PSS focal points distributed the handouts, had the recordings played via radio and loudspeaker, and were available to answer questions and provide access to a PSS program phones to connect with the CETA counselors. After 6 months of implementation, program monitoring logs were reviewed and a cross-sectional evaluation was conducted to assess the PSS program's reach, understanding, and perceived utility.EvaluationForty-one focal points implemented the PSS program in 25 IDP camps in Kachin and northern Shan States. From May to September 2020, the focal points distributed handouts to 5,725 households and reported 679 visits by IDPs, including facilitating 332 calls to a CETA counselor. Data from the program evaluation (n = 793 participants) found high levels of handout readership and perceived utility of the information, and good comprehension of the content and application of skills.DiscussionFindings suggest that provision of a multi-tiered MHPSS program, with PSS focal points providing direct information and linkages to further mental health services via telephone, was feasible despite the constraints of the pandemic. Utilizing camp-based focal points was acceptable and successful in delivering basic psychosocial supports to a broad population while serving as points of contact for individuals who wanted and needed telephone-based counseling services.