Standardization and repeatability is at the heart of all scientific research, yet very little literature exists to standardize morphometric measurements within vertebrate groups. This is particularly true for amphibians. Our study attempts to rectify this lack of methodological standardization for the measurement of morphological characters in anurans through an extensive literature survey of 136 species descriptions representing 45 currently recognized families of frogs. The survey revealed 42 morphological measurements represented in five percent or more of the literature reviewed. All measurements are listed by most commonly used name, acronym, and most precise definition, and we provide statistics summarizing the variation in measurement use and description from the surveyed literature. Of these 42 measurements, a subset of 16 were found in the top 75% of all surveyed descriptions and identified as a focal set of recommended measurements in an effort to standardize the morphometric measurements that describe anuran species diversity. Illustrations of these 16 measurements are provided as a visual reference for standardizing their measurement.

A new species of slender skink is described from the Philippines. The species is endemic to Lubang Island, and is assigned to the Brachymeles bonitae Complex based on phenotypic and genetic data. Specimens were collected from Lubang Island between 1991 and 2012, and were examined based on morphological data (qualitative traits, meristic counts, and mensural measurements). Published genetic sequence data from phylogenetic studies of the genus reveal the new species to be highly divergent from congeners. Brachymeles ligtas sp. nov. is differentiated from other members of the genus based on a number of distinct morphological features, including small body size (SVL 60.7-79.6 mm), bidactyl fore-limbs, digitless hind limbs, high number of presacral vertebrae (50), and the absence of auricular openings. Additionally, the new species has diagnostic, distinct dorsal head scale patterns. This new species becomes the only member of the genus known to occur on the deep-ocean island of Lubang.

A Flandrian peat bed near Low Hauxley (Northumberland, UK) was studied both optically and geochemically to compare the pollen and lipid records of changing plant input during its accumulation. A progressive change in the predominant plant inputs from woodland trees to a more diverse assemblage with herbs, shrubs and Sphagnum is recorded in the pollen data, and associated lipid records. However, the pollen and lipid records do not correlate in detail; samples with near-identical lipid distributions can have markedly different pollen assemblages and vice versa. This apparent inconsistency between data sets is interpreted to be the result of different modes of incorporation of the signals. While the lipids will be largely derived from plant debris in situ, the pollen may have been transported over considerable distances, and will record an average signal of flora over a wider area. The records of local plant input (lipid data) and regional vegetation cover (pollen data) are complementary in the reconstruction of past environmental conditions.