At least 22 species of snakes are known to occur at the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and they include the striped bronzeback and striped kukri snake (Anonymous, 2003: 92). However, these two species were not illustrated in the picture book on the reserve’s wildlife by Chua (2010). Both snakes are widespread and common in Singapore, and frequent forest, scrubland and suburban areas. The striped bronzeback is known to be mainly arboreal and diurnal in habits, while the striped kukri snake is said to be nocturnal and semi-fossorial (Baker & Lim, 2012: 100, 106). The observations show that the striped bronzeback does descend to the ground (Fig. 1) and the striped kukri snake can be seen exposed in broad daylight (Fig. 3).

The striped keelback is an introduced species that is present in many open grassy areas on Singapore Island, particularly in the western part (Baker & Lim, 2012: 114). This record seems to be the first from an offshore locality, and also an indication that this snake is also present in the north-eastern part of Singapore Island. The example being a juvenile suggests that a breeding population is established on the smaller island

This is the third population of the non-native Aplocheilus lineatus to be reported in Singapore. The other two are at Bukit Batok Nature Park and Singapore Botanic Gardens (Yeo & Lim, 2010); although their presence at the latter sites have not been verified recently. The stream drains into the Pandan Canal, which is landlocked as its estuary has been dammed. Aplocheilus lineatus has not yet been recorded from the Pandan Canal, but this could be due to their preference for small streams. The presence of juveniles of various sizes at the Jurong East location indicates a healthy breeding population there. Aplocheilus lineatus was the only species of fish observed in the stream on that day. Disturbances at the water surface indicated the presence of larger air-breathing fish species in the stream, but the fish was not identified. The guppy (Poecilia reticulata) was observed on a previous visit to the same location (Kwik, personal observation). Fish from the present population appear to be more reddish-orange (Fig. 4) when compared to those from Bukit Batok Nature Park. Fecal matter from some of the specimens obtained from Jurong East site shows that they were feeding on terrestrial arthropods (Fig. 5).

The striped sun skink inhabits mature forest in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (Baker & Lim, 2012: 86). It is uncommonly seen, and is regarded as a ‘critically endangered’ species in Singapore (Lim et al., 2008: 168)

The basking behaviour of this arboreal lizard is of interest in the present observation. The subject seemed to have deliberately orientated and contorted its body in such a way as to obtain maximum exposure to the sunlight. Eutropis rugifera is regarded as an endangered species in Singapore where it seems to be confined to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (Lim et al., 2008: 168, as Eutropis rugiferus).

This nationally endangered skink appears to be locally restricted to mature forests in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve (Lim et al., 2008; Baker & Lim, 2012

The lizard is believed to be using its bright yellow tail as a lure. It may be simulating a worm in distress. This activity may attract ants in the vicinity to approach the lizard, which is likely to eat them one at a time. However, this is pure speculation as the event was not observed. The striped tree skink is locally uncommon and has been recorded only from the Central Nature Reserves (Baker & Lim, 2012: 85)

Opinions and declarations Rendered by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature

A new genus and five new species of glomerid millipedes are described from Vietnam: Tonkinomeris napoensis, new genus & new species, from Ha Giang Province; Hyleoglomeriscoloratoides, new species from Huong Son District, Ha Tinh Province; Hyleoglomeris lobus,new species from Cuc Phuong National Park, Ninh Binh Province; Hyperglomeris simplex, new species from Vinh Phuc Province; and Rhopalomeris sauda, new species from Bac Kan and Vinh Phuc Provinces. New distributional records and detailed morphological data are provided for Peplomeris magna Golovatch, 1983. A key to the genera of the family Glomeridae is provided for the Vietnamese fauna. The current status of glomerid systematics is discussed