Pub Date : 2018-09-01DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-23189
Elisavet-Aspasia Toli, Souzanna Siarabi, Anastasios Bounas, P. Pafilis, Petros Lymperakis, K. Sotiropoulos
The genus Pelophylax , which currently comprises 26 species, is a well studied group due to its complex history and high diversification, although some phylogenies remain unresolved. Here we assess the phylogenetic position and the population genetic structure of the Critically Endangered Karpathos frog, Pelophylax cerigensis , endemic to Karpathos Island. A total of 42 cytb sequences were examined including specimens from Rhodes Island, and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were generated to investigate the genetic structure and connectivity of the only two known populations on Karpathos. Molecular analyses reveal two major waterfrog lineages in the eastern Mediterranean: Clade A comprises Pelophylax bedriagae from the Middle East and the island of Cyprus, while clade B includes both P. bedriagae from the east Aegean Sea and P. cerigensis . Specimens from Karpathos and Rhodes constitute a single clade, contrasting previous studies, thus indicating the occurrence of Karpathos frog also to the neighboring Rhodes. The AFLP markers revealed low but statistically significant levels of genetic divergence between the two Karpathos’ populations and similar levels of genetic diversity. Our results suggest that the current taxonomy of the species should be re-evaluated. We also strongly recommend the need of conservation actions to maintain the levels of diversity in the declining population of the Karpathos frog.
{"title":"New insights on the phylogenetic position and population genetic structure of the Critically Endangered Karpathos marsh frog Pelophylax cerigensis (Amphibia: Anura: Ranidae)","authors":"Elisavet-Aspasia Toli, Souzanna Siarabi, Anastasios Bounas, P. Pafilis, Petros Lymperakis, K. Sotiropoulos","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-23189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-23189","url":null,"abstract":"The genus Pelophylax , which currently comprises 26 species, is a well studied group due to its complex history and high diversification, although some phylogenies remain unresolved. Here we assess the phylogenetic position and the population genetic structure of the Critically Endangered Karpathos frog, Pelophylax cerigensis , endemic to Karpathos Island. A total of 42 cytb sequences were examined including specimens from Rhodes Island, and amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) were generated to investigate the genetic structure and connectivity of the only two known populations on Karpathos. Molecular analyses reveal two major waterfrog lineages in the eastern Mediterranean: Clade A comprises Pelophylax bedriagae from the Middle East and the island of Cyprus, while clade B includes both P. bedriagae from the east Aegean Sea and P. cerigensis . Specimens from Karpathos and Rhodes constitute a single clade, contrasting previous studies, thus indicating the occurrence of Karpathos frog also to the neighboring Rhodes. The AFLP markers revealed low but statistically significant levels of genetic divergence between the two Karpathos’ populations and similar levels of genetic diversity. Our results suggest that the current taxonomy of the species should be re-evaluated. We also strongly recommend the need of conservation actions to maintain the levels of diversity in the declining population of the Karpathos frog.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-23189","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47550271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22518
D. Ottonello, F. Oneto, Monica Vignone, A. Rizzo, S. Salvidio
Recently several projects have been implemented for the conservation of the European turtle Emys orbicularis , but few aspects of the captive-bred animals released into the wild have been described. In this note we report about the trophic habits of a small restocked population of the endemic subspecies E. o. ingauna that is now reproducing in NW Italy. Faecal contents from 25 individuals (10 females, 11 males and 4 juveniles) were obtained in June 2016. Overall, 11 taxonomic categories of invertebrates were identified, together with seeds and plant remains. Plant material was present in 24 out of 25 turtle faecal contents, suggesting that ingestion was deliberate. There were no differences between the dietary habits of females and males, and the trophic strategy of adult individuals was characterised by a relatively high specialization on dragonfly nymphae. These findings suggest that captive bred turtles are adapting well to the wild and that restocked individuals assumed an omnivorous diet, a trophic behaviour typical of other wild turtle populations living in similar habitats.
{"title":"Diet of a restocked population of the European pond turtle Emys orbicularis in NW Italy","authors":"D. Ottonello, F. Oneto, Monica Vignone, A. Rizzo, S. Salvidio","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22518","url":null,"abstract":"Recently several projects have been implemented for the conservation of the European turtle Emys orbicularis , but few aspects of the captive-bred animals released into the wild have been described. In this note we report about the trophic habits of a small restocked population of the endemic subspecies E. o. ingauna that is now reproducing in NW Italy. Faecal contents from 25 individuals (10 females, 11 males and 4 juveniles) were obtained in June 2016. Overall, 11 taxonomic categories of invertebrates were identified, together with seeds and plant remains. Plant material was present in 24 out of 25 turtle faecal contents, suggesting that ingestion was deliberate. There were no differences between the dietary habits of females and males, and the trophic strategy of adult individuals was characterised by a relatively high specialization on dragonfly nymphae. These findings suggest that captive bred turtles are adapting well to the wild and that restocked individuals assumed an omnivorous diet, a trophic behaviour typical of other wild turtle populations living in similar habitats.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22518","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47085012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21171
A. Altunışık
In this study, the age structure and some life history traits were revealed for the first time in a population of Ommatotriton vittatus , living in Tarsus (mid-south part of Turkey), at the western limit of the species’ range. Maximum longevity was recorded to be eight years in both females and males and age at maturity was estimated as three years for males and four years for females. Although mean age did not differ significantly between sexes, males had significantly larger snout-vent length (SVL) than females. Age and body size were positively correlated with each other for both females and males. Since the populations of the Southern Banded Newt in Turkey are in decline, the present study that provides preliminary data on life history traits of this newt could be helpful for future biological studies.
{"title":"The first demographic data and body size of the southern banded newt, Ommatotriton vittatus (Caudata: Salamandridae)","authors":"A. Altunışık","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21171","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, the age structure and some life history traits were revealed for the first time in a population of Ommatotriton vittatus , living in Tarsus (mid-south part of Turkey), at the western limit of the species’ range. Maximum longevity was recorded to be eight years in both females and males and age at maturity was estimated as three years for males and four years for females. Although mean age did not differ significantly between sexes, males had significantly larger snout-vent length (SVL) than females. Age and body size were positively correlated with each other for both females and males. Since the populations of the Southern Banded Newt in Turkey are in decline, the present study that provides preliminary data on life history traits of this newt could be helpful for future biological studies.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21171","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45550448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20887
Jun Geng, W. Dong, Qiong Wu, Hong-Liang Lu
The ability to tolerate environmental stress may determine invasion success of alien species. Comparative data on physiological thermal tolerance between native and invasive vertebrates are quite limited. Here, we assessed the difference in thermal tolerance between a native ( Mauremys reevesii ) and an invasive ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) freshwater turtle species. We incubated eggs of M. reevesii and T. scripta elegans from different cohorts at 29 °C, and measured the critical thermal minimum (CTMin) and maximum (CTMax) of hatchlings. Our results preliminarily showed that the hatchlings of T. scripta elegans had a greater high-temperature tolerance and wider tolerance range than the hatchlings of M. reevesii ; in the two-cohort system, individuals from the high-latitude cohort seemed to have greater low-temperature tolerance but similar high-temperature tolerance compared with those from the low-latitude cohort. Relatively greater thermal tolerance ability for T. scripta elegans might reflect its environmental adaptability to thermal stress.
耐受环境压力的能力可能决定外来物种入侵的成功与否。关于本地脊椎动物和入侵脊椎动物生理热耐受性的比较数据非常有限。在这里，我们评估了本地（Mauremys reevesii）和入侵（Trachemys scripta elegans）淡水龟物种之间耐热性的差异。我们在29°C下孵育了来自不同队列的里氏M.reevesii和秀丽隐杆线虫T.scripta elegans的卵子，并测量了孵化后代的临界最小温度（CTMin）和最大温度（CTMax）。结果初步表明，秀丽隐杆线虫（T.scripta elegans）的幼仔比里氏隐杆线虫的幼仔具有更高的耐高温性和更宽的耐受范围；在两个队列系统中，与低纬度队列相比，高纬度队列的个体似乎具有更大的低温耐受性，但具有相似的高温耐受性。秀丽隐杆线虫相对较高的耐热能力可能反映了其对热应力的环境适应性。
{"title":"Thermal tolerance for two cohorts of a native and an invasive freshwater turtle species","authors":"Jun Geng, W. Dong, Qiong Wu, Hong-Liang Lu","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20887","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20887","url":null,"abstract":"The ability to tolerate environmental stress may determine invasion success of alien species. Comparative data on physiological thermal tolerance between native and invasive vertebrates are quite limited. Here, we assessed the difference in thermal tolerance between a native ( Mauremys reevesii ) and an invasive ( Trachemys scripta elegans ) freshwater turtle species. We incubated eggs of M. reevesii and T. scripta elegans from different cohorts at 29 °C, and measured the critical thermal minimum (CTMin) and maximum (CTMax) of hatchlings. Our results preliminarily showed that the hatchlings of T. scripta elegans had a greater high-temperature tolerance and wider tolerance range than the hatchlings of M. reevesii ; in the two-cohort system, individuals from the high-latitude cohort seemed to have greater low-temperature tolerance but similar high-temperature tolerance compared with those from the low-latitude cohort. Relatively greater thermal tolerance ability for T. scripta elegans might reflect its environmental adaptability to thermal stress.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20887","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48057544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20693
H. Granda-Rodríguez, Andrés Camilo Montes-Correa, Juan David Jiménez-Bolaño, Marvin ANGANOY-CRIOLLO
We describe new findings on the geographic distribution, habitat uses, relative abundance, tadpoles, and advertisement call of Allobates ignotus . Data of habitat uses and relative abundance were collected during five annual fieldtrips of seven days each one, from April 2010 to June 2014, in a mining zone of Canime Creek Basin, La Jagua de Ibirico, Cesar Department, northeast Colombia. Tadpoles and advertisement call were obtained in La Veguita Creek Basin, Manaure Balcon del Cesar, Cesar. We report six new localities with presence of A. ignotus , all between 7-96 km in straight line to the type locality, from 194-1236 m a.s.l. This species is recorded for the first time in the Tropical Dry Forest Life Zone and in La Guajira Department. Four substrate categories used by A. ignotus were detected (leaf-litter, rocks, naked floor, and lower branches), and differential use was highlighted. The larval morphology of A. ignotus was described, based on 11 specimens between 25-29 stages. Like other Allobates tadpoles, the gap of the second teeth row is “wide”. The advertisement call of A. ignotus is composed by a series of high frequency ascending pulsed notes. Possibly, the high frequency of the call is due to the acoustic disturbance generated by the streamflow noise of the creeks. In 2014, a decrease of relative abundance of A. ignotus in Canime Creek was detected. This, coupled to restricted distribution and loss of habitat quality are sufficient criteria to suggest the category of vulnerable for A. ignotus .
我们描述了关于异足蟾蜍的地理分布、栖息地用途、相对丰度、蝌蚪和广告叫声的新发现。2010年4月至2014年6月，在哥伦比亚东北部塞萨尔省La Jagua de Ibirico Canime Creek盆地的一个矿区，每年进行五次为期七天的实地考察，收集了栖息地使用和相对丰度的数据。在La Veguita Creek Basin，Manaure Balcon del Cesar，Cesar获得了蝌蚪和广告呼叫。我们报告了六个存在A.ignotus的新地点，从194-1236 m A.s.l.到该类型地点的直线距离均在7-96 km之间。该物种首次在热带干旱森林生命区和La Guajira部门记录。检测到A.ignotus使用的四种基质类别（落叶、岩石、裸露地板和较低的树枝），并强调了差异使用。以25～29个阶段的11个标本为基础，对灰蝶幼虫的形态进行了描述。和其他异长蝌蚪一样，第二排牙齿的间隙是“宽”的。A.ignotus的广告语是由一系列高频上升脉冲音符组成的。呼叫频率高可能是由于小溪的水流噪声产生的声学干扰。2014年，在Canime Creek发现了a.ignotus的相对丰度下降。这一点，再加上分布受限和栖息地质量的丧失，足以表明灰蝶的脆弱性类别。
{"title":"Natural history and conservation of the Nurse Frog of the Serranía del Perijá Allobates ignotus (Dendrobatoidea: Aromobatidae) in northeastern Colombia","authors":"H. Granda-Rodríguez, Andrés Camilo Montes-Correa, Juan David Jiménez-Bolaño, Marvin ANGANOY-CRIOLLO","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20693","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20693","url":null,"abstract":"We describe new findings on the geographic distribution, habitat uses, relative abundance, tadpoles, and advertisement call of Allobates ignotus . Data of habitat uses and relative abundance were collected during five annual fieldtrips of seven days each one, from April 2010 to June 2014, in a mining zone of Canime Creek Basin, La Jagua de Ibirico, Cesar Department, northeast Colombia. Tadpoles and advertisement call were obtained in La Veguita Creek Basin, Manaure Balcon del Cesar, Cesar. We report six new localities with presence of A. ignotus , all between 7-96 km in straight line to the type locality, from 194-1236 m a.s.l. This species is recorded for the first time in the Tropical Dry Forest Life Zone and in La Guajira Department. Four substrate categories used by A. ignotus were detected (leaf-litter, rocks, naked floor, and lower branches), and differential use was highlighted. The larval morphology of A. ignotus was described, based on 11 specimens between 25-29 stages. Like other Allobates tadpoles, the gap of the second teeth row is “wide”. The advertisement call of A. ignotus is composed by a series of high frequency ascending pulsed notes. Possibly, the high frequency of the call is due to the acoustic disturbance generated by the streamflow noise of the creeks. In 2014, a decrease of relative abundance of A. ignotus in Canime Creek was detected. This, coupled to restricted distribution and loss of habitat quality are sufficient criteria to suggest the category of vulnerable for A. ignotus .","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20693","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45547720","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20871
M. Falaschi, M. Mangiacotti, R. Sacchi, S. Scali, E. Razzetti
Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity and alien herpetofauna already caused conservation problems in Italy and in the world. Pelophylax kurtmuelleri (Gayda, 1940) is a water frog native to Southern Balkans, that was introduced in NW Italy (Liguria) in 1941, from where it has spread to Piedmont, Lombardy and recently to Emilia Romagna. Surprisingly, during its expansion, the Balkan frog seemed not to be able to cross the Po River (with a single exception). So, we investigated the reasons for such directional limitation of range expansion, focusing on the potential role of the Po River. Combining ecological niche and connectivity models, we adopted a two-step process in order to assess: (i) if the habitat suitability differs between the two sides of the Po Plain; (ii) if the Po River could act as a barrier in terms of dispersal. Results showed that the northern side of the plain seems less suitable than the southern one, even if many suitable patches occur along the main left tributaries of the Po River and in the hilly part of the plain. The Po River behaves like a barrier for the Balkan frog, but the only known point on the north bank of the river indicates that it may be able to only slow the dispersal and not to completely stop it. So, the most probable interpretation for the absence of the Balkan frog from the Northern Po Plain, is the combination of habitat suitability and connectivity issues: the former makes less probable that new viable populations can establish in the North, the latter decreases the northwards flux of the frogs. Given these findings, the Balkan frog seems able to spread in the whole Northern Italy and the colonization of the northern Po plain could happen shortly.
{"title":"Electric circuit theory applied to alien invasions: a connectivity model predicting the Balkan frog expansion in Northern Italy","authors":"M. Falaschi, M. Mangiacotti, R. Sacchi, S. Scali, E. Razzetti","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20871","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20871","url":null,"abstract":"Invasive species are a major threat to biodiversity and alien herpetofauna already caused conservation problems in Italy and in the world. Pelophylax kurtmuelleri (Gayda, 1940) is a water frog native to Southern Balkans, that was introduced in NW Italy (Liguria) in 1941, from where it has spread to Piedmont, Lombardy and recently to Emilia Romagna. Surprisingly, during its expansion, the Balkan frog seemed not to be able to cross the Po River (with a single exception). So, we investigated the reasons for such directional limitation of range expansion, focusing on the potential role of the Po River. Combining ecological niche and connectivity models, we adopted a two-step process in order to assess: (i) if the habitat suitability differs between the two sides of the Po Plain; (ii) if the Po River could act as a barrier in terms of dispersal. Results showed that the northern side of the plain seems less suitable than the southern one, even if many suitable patches occur along the main left tributaries of the Po River and in the hilly part of the plain. The Po River behaves like a barrier for the Balkan frog, but the only known point on the north bank of the river indicates that it may be able to only slow the dispersal and not to completely stop it. So, the most probable interpretation for the absence of the Balkan frog from the Northern Po Plain, is the combination of habitat suitability and connectivity issues: the former makes less probable that new viable populations can establish in the North, the latter decreases the northwards flux of the frogs. Given these findings, the Balkan frog seems able to spread in the whole Northern Italy and the colonization of the northern Po plain could happen shortly.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20871","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41415663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20323
A. M. A. Pereira, S. V. Brito, J. A. A. Filho, Adonias Aphoena, Martins Teixeira, D. A. Teles, D. O. Santana, V. F. Lima, Waltécio de, Oliveira Almeida
In this study, the Kinosternon scorpioides , Mesoclemmys tuberculata and Phrynops geoffroanus freshwater turtles collected in the Carius River, State of Ceara, were analysed as to their diet composition and presence of helminths. Among the 63 examined turtles 55 (87.3%) were parasitized. We found three Nematoda species ( Physaloptera retusa , Serpinema monospiculatus and Spiroxys figueiredoi ) and one Trematoda species ( Gorgoderina sp.). Phrynops geoffroanus had the highest indexes of prevalence (97.56%) and mean intensity of infection (33.5), followed by M. tuberculata (70% and 12.64, respectively) and K. scorpioides (50% and three, respectively). Host body size was positively related to helminths abundance in both male and female Chelidae species. A significant difference in helminths abundance between the sexes was found only in P. geoffroanus , where females had more parasites than males. Regarding diet, the main food items ingested by M. tuberculata were Odonata nymphs (Aeshnidae and Libellulidae), whilst P. geoffroanus feeds mainly on Diptera larvae (Chironomidae), Odonata nymph (Aeshnidae) and Notonectidae, and only seeds were found in the stomach contents of K. scorpioides . Here, we present the first record of S. monospiculatus parasitizing K. scorpioides , Gorgoderina sp. and P. retusa were reported for the first time in P. geoffroanus , and M. tuberculata represents a new host to P. retusa and S. figueiredoi .
{"title":"Diet and helminth parasites of freshwater turtles Mesoclemmys tuberculata , Phrynops geoffroanus (Pleurodira: Chelidae) and Kinosternon scorpioides (Criptodyra: Kinosternidae) in a semiarid region, Northeast of Brazil","authors":"A. M. A. Pereira, S. V. Brito, J. A. A. Filho, Adonias Aphoena, Martins Teixeira, D. A. Teles, D. O. Santana, V. F. Lima, Waltécio de, Oliveira Almeida","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20323","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, the Kinosternon scorpioides , Mesoclemmys tuberculata and Phrynops geoffroanus freshwater turtles collected in the Carius River, State of Ceara, were analysed as to their diet composition and presence of helminths. Among the 63 examined turtles 55 (87.3%) were parasitized. We found three Nematoda species ( Physaloptera retusa , Serpinema monospiculatus and Spiroxys figueiredoi ) and one Trematoda species ( Gorgoderina sp.). Phrynops geoffroanus had the highest indexes of prevalence (97.56%) and mean intensity of infection (33.5), followed by M. tuberculata (70% and 12.64, respectively) and K. scorpioides (50% and three, respectively). Host body size was positively related to helminths abundance in both male and female Chelidae species. A significant difference in helminths abundance between the sexes was found only in P. geoffroanus , where females had more parasites than males. Regarding diet, the main food items ingested by M. tuberculata were Odonata nymphs (Aeshnidae and Libellulidae), whilst P. geoffroanus feeds mainly on Diptera larvae (Chironomidae), Odonata nymph (Aeshnidae) and Notonectidae, and only seeds were found in the stomach contents of K. scorpioides . Here, we present the first record of S. monospiculatus parasitizing K. scorpioides , Gorgoderina sp. and P. retusa were reported for the first time in P. geoffroanus , and M. tuberculata represents a new host to P. retusa and S. figueiredoi .","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-20323","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44978899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21100
Aldenir Ferreira da Silva Neta, R. W. Ávila
Lizards are hosts to a variety of parasites, but in South America only 15% of lizard species have been studied for helminths. In the present study, the component community of helminths associated with the gymnophthalmid Colobosauroides cearensis in an area of Caatinga (7°22’46.08” S, 38°38’47.87”W) is reported. We examined 91 specimens from the Brazilian state of Ceara, and five taxa of helminths were recovered: four Nematoda ( Parapharyngodon largitor, Spauligodon sp., Physaloptera sp . and Oswaldocruzia sp.) and one Cestoda ( Oochoristica sp.). Parapharyngodon largitor was the most prevalent species (61%), and presented the highest mean abundance of infection (1.60 ± 0.18). Lizard body size influenced the richness and abundance of helminths, while infection parameters were not related to lizard sex.
{"title":"Helminths of the lizard Colobosauroides cearensis (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) in an area of Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil","authors":"Aldenir Ferreira da Silva Neta, R. W. Ávila","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21100","url":null,"abstract":"Lizards are hosts to a variety of parasites, but in South America only 15% of lizard species have been studied for helminths. In the present study, the component community of helminths associated with the gymnophthalmid Colobosauroides cearensis in an area of Caatinga (7°22’46.08” S, 38°38’47.87”W) is reported. We examined 91 specimens from the Brazilian state of Ceara, and five taxa of helminths were recovered: four Nematoda ( Parapharyngodon largitor, Spauligodon sp., Physaloptera sp . and Oswaldocruzia sp.) and one Cestoda ( Oochoristica sp.). Parapharyngodon largitor was the most prevalent species (61%), and presented the highest mean abundance of infection (1.60 ± 0.18). Lizard body size influenced the richness and abundance of helminths, while infection parameters were not related to lizard sex.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21100","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48700069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21327
Katarina Ljubisavljević, L. Tomović, A. Urošević, S. Gvozdenović, V. Iković, Vernes Zagora, N. Labus
The southern part of Montenegro has been identified as an area with high diversity of herpetofauna. However, comprehensive studies of distribution and diversity patterns of reptiles on the country level are still missing. Such studies are essential in designating areas of special conservation importance and nature protection planning in a milieu of increased habitat loss and degradation due to rapid urbanization and tourism development in this small Mediterranean country. To make progress on this problem, we analyzed distribution and diversity patterns of the lizards in Montenegro using a large database consisting of literature data and our unpublished records. We found that fifteen lizard species inhabit Montenegro, and two additional species may be present. The lizards were most diverse in the Maritime biogeographic region of Montenegro, while low diversity was found predominantly along the state borders in the Mountain-valley region. The identified pattern of lizard diversity is at least partly influenced by sampling bias. The eastern mountainous subregion had a distinct species composition compared to all other parts of the country. The East-Mediterranean chorotype was the most dominant, represented by seven species. The great diversity of the lizard fauna of Montenegro can be attributed to its specific topographic position with great influence of Mediterranean climate, heterogeneity of biomes, complex geological history and diverse physiogeographic features. High lizard species richness in the Maritime region and a unique species composition in the eastern subregion of Montenegro indicate that these areas are of high conservation interest.
{"title":"Species diversity and distribution of lizards in Montenegro","authors":"Katarina Ljubisavljević, L. Tomović, A. Urošević, S. Gvozdenović, V. Iković, Vernes Zagora, N. Labus","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21327","url":null,"abstract":"The southern part of Montenegro has been identified as an area with high diversity of herpetofauna. However, comprehensive studies of distribution and diversity patterns of reptiles on the country level are still missing. Such studies are essential in designating areas of special conservation importance and nature protection planning in a milieu of increased habitat loss and degradation due to rapid urbanization and tourism development in this small Mediterranean country. To make progress on this problem, we analyzed distribution and diversity patterns of the lizards in Montenegro using a large database consisting of literature data and our unpublished records. We found that fifteen lizard species inhabit Montenegro, and two additional species may be present. The lizards were most diverse in the Maritime biogeographic region of Montenegro, while low diversity was found predominantly along the state borders in the Mountain-valley region. The identified pattern of lizard diversity is at least partly influenced by sampling bias. The eastern mountainous subregion had a distinct species composition compared to all other parts of the country. The East-Mediterranean chorotype was the most dominant, represented by seven species. The great diversity of the lizard fauna of Montenegro can be attributed to its specific topographic position with great influence of Mediterranean climate, heterogeneity of biomes, complex geological history and diverse physiogeographic features. High lizard species richness in the Maritime region and a unique species composition in the eastern subregion of Montenegro indicate that these areas are of high conservation interest.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47211574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2018-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21192
G. Kapsalas, Aris Deimezis-Tsikoutas, T. Georgakopoulos, Ismini Gkourtsouli-Antoniadou, Kallirroi Papadaki, Katerina Vassaki, P. Pafilis
Effective thermoregulation is of vital importance since body temperature affects virtually all physiological and biochemical processes. Yet, our current knowledge in reptilian thermoregulation is largely based on a few, well-studied taxonomic groups. This is especially true in Europe, where our insights derive primarily from studies on the numerous lacertids of the continent. Skinks on the other hand remain understudied despite being abundant around the Mediterranean. In this paper we examine the thermoregulation effectiveness of the Ocellated Skink, a common lizard whose thermal biology has been overlooked, focusing on a population from a typical Mediterranean habitat in mainland Greece. We recorded body temperatures in the field and the lab and assessed the thermal quality of the habitat through operative temperatures. Our findings suggest that Chalcides ocellatus is a poor thermoregulator that stands very close to thermoconformity. The high thermal quality of the habitat allows the Ocellated Skink to regulate its temperature with less effort and lower accuracy. This indicates that C. ocellatus may have adopted a distinct thermoregulation strategy, most probably due to the particular life style of skinks.
{"title":"How effectively do European skinks thermoregulate? Evidence from Chalcides ocellatus , a common but overlooked Mediterranean lizard","authors":"G. Kapsalas, Aris Deimezis-Tsikoutas, T. Georgakopoulos, Ismini Gkourtsouli-Antoniadou, Kallirroi Papadaki, Katerina Vassaki, P. Pafilis","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21192","url":null,"abstract":"Effective thermoregulation is of vital importance since body temperature affects virtually all physiological and biochemical processes. Yet, our current knowledge in reptilian thermoregulation is largely based on a few, well-studied taxonomic groups. This is especially true in Europe, where our insights derive primarily from studies on the numerous lacertids of the continent. Skinks on the other hand remain understudied despite being abundant around the Mediterranean. In this paper we examine the thermoregulation effectiveness of the Ocellated Skink, a common lizard whose thermal biology has been overlooked, focusing on a population from a typical Mediterranean habitat in mainland Greece. We recorded body temperatures in the field and the lab and assessed the thermal quality of the habitat through operative temperatures. Our findings suggest that Chalcides ocellatus is a poor thermoregulator that stands very close to thermoconformity. The high thermal quality of the habitat allows the Ocellated Skink to regulate its temperature with less effort and lower accuracy. This indicates that C. ocellatus may have adopted a distinct thermoregulation strategy, most probably due to the particular life style of skinks.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2018-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-21192","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47346546","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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