Ecological aspects of syntopic geckoes were rarely addressed in the Mediterranean basin. We reported basic information on habitat use, and activity patterns of three species found in syntopy in Cala Violina site (divided in three subareas), a highly touristic beach located in southern Tuscany, central Italy, during 2009-2010. The most abundant species at first capture is Hemidactylus turcicus (94 individuals), while Tarentola mauritanica and Euleptes europaea are less represented (28 animals in both cases). Total captures and recaptures were 175. Sex ratio did not differ from 1:1 in all the species, nor sexes of adults did differ in size. Ambient temperatures did not differ in T. mauritanica and E. europaea, while were different in H. turcicus. Despite the humidity of capture sites did not vary among species, we recorded the highest number of E. europaea at 95% and H. turcicus at 62% humidity. Wind influenced negatively T. mauritanica and H. turcicus presence, not on E. europaea. Higher observation rate took place between 21:00 and 22:00. After 23:00, only Euleptes was active. Height from the ground was different only in H. turcicus. General Linear Models showed that interaction substrate-height at capture was important for Euleptes, not for the other two species. Along the area, E. europaea was more concentrated in the northern patch, while T. mauritanica and H. turcicus distributed more homogeneously. We suggest limitation of human presence for conservation purposes.
{"title":"One site, three species, three stories: syntopy of geckoes Euleptes europaea (Gené, 1839), Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758), Tarentola mauritanica (Linnaeus, 1758) in a coastal area of southern Tuscany (central Italy)","authors":"Giacomo Radi, M. Zuffi","doi":"10.36253/a_h-11547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-11547","url":null,"abstract":"Ecological aspects of syntopic geckoes were rarely addressed in the Mediterranean basin. We reported basic information on habitat use, and activity patterns of three species found in syntopy in Cala Violina site (divided in three subareas), a highly touristic beach located in southern Tuscany, central Italy, during 2009-2010. The most abundant species at first capture is Hemidactylus turcicus (94 individuals), while Tarentola mauritanica and Euleptes europaea are less represented (28 animals in both cases). Total captures and recaptures were 175. Sex ratio did not differ from 1:1 in all the species, nor sexes of adults did differ in size. Ambient temperatures did not differ in T. mauritanica and E. europaea, while were different in H. turcicus. Despite the humidity of capture sites did not vary among species, we recorded the highest number of E. europaea at 95% and H. turcicus at 62% humidity. Wind influenced negatively T. mauritanica and H. turcicus presence, not on E. europaea. Higher observation rate took place between 21:00 and 22:00. After 23:00, only Euleptes was active. Height from the ground was different only in H. turcicus. General Linear Models showed that interaction substrate-height at capture was important for Euleptes, not for the other two species. Along the area, E. europaea was more concentrated in the northern patch, while T. mauritanica and H. turcicus distributed more homogeneously. We suggest limitation of human presence for conservation purposes.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46685562","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}
M. Sahin, K. Candan, D. Karakasi, P. Lymberakis, N. Poulakakis, Y. Kumlutaş, E. Yıldırım, Ç. Ilgaz
The genus Anatololacerta is distributed in the eastern Mediterranean region including Asia Minor and some east Aegean islands. Recent phylogenetic studies suggested that this genus displayed cryptic diversity and was divided into five species: A. anatolica, A. pelasgiana, A. ibrahimi, A. finikensis and A. danfordi. The ecological niche differentiations of these species have not been studied so far. Our aims for this study were to predict the potential suitable habitats for the species nested in genus Anatololacerta, and to examine the niche overlaps and differentiations via identity and background tests. The occurrence data were obtained from literature and our own field surveys. Occurrence records were rarefied and assessed in a 30 arc-second resolution layer, compatible with several bioclimatic and topographic variables. Species distribution analyses were performed using maximum entropy approach and pairwise niche comparisons were evaluated by identity and background tests. Our results demonstrated that the species delimitation among this genus was not only affected by geographic isolation but also that precipitation and temperature influenced the habitat suitability for these species. Predicted suitability usually well matched the actual species distributions. Moreover, the niche overlap (identity test) analyses verified that allopatric Anatololacerta species show clear ecological differentiations. However, a niche overlap between parapatric species A. pelasgiana and A. finikensis, was confirmed by identity and background tests. It has been suggested that these parapatric species could be more affected by microclimatological parameters than the others. The results of our study are in agreement with the latest phylogenetic study within this genus.
{"title":"Ecological niche differentiation in the Anatolian rock lizards (Genus: Anatololacerta) (Reptilia: Lacertidae) of the Anatolian Peninsula and Aegean Islands","authors":"M. Sahin, K. Candan, D. Karakasi, P. Lymberakis, N. Poulakakis, Y. Kumlutaş, E. Yıldırım, Ç. Ilgaz","doi":"10.36253/a_h-13089","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-13089","url":null,"abstract":"The genus Anatololacerta is distributed in the eastern Mediterranean region including Asia Minor and some east Aegean islands. Recent phylogenetic studies suggested that this genus displayed cryptic diversity and was divided into five species: A. anatolica, A. pelasgiana, A. ibrahimi, A. finikensis and A. danfordi. The ecological niche differentiations of these species have not been studied so far. Our aims for this study were to predict the potential suitable habitats for the species nested in genus Anatololacerta, and to examine the niche overlaps and differentiations via identity and background tests. The occurrence data were obtained from literature and our own field surveys. Occurrence records were rarefied and assessed in a 30 arc-second resolution layer, compatible with several bioclimatic and topographic variables. Species distribution analyses were performed using maximum entropy approach and pairwise niche comparisons were evaluated by identity and background tests. Our results demonstrated that the species delimitation among this genus was not only affected by geographic isolation but also that precipitation and temperature influenced the habitat suitability for these species. Predicted suitability usually well matched the actual species distributions. Moreover, the niche overlap (identity test) analyses verified that allopatric Anatololacerta species show clear ecological differentiations. However, a niche overlap between parapatric species A. pelasgiana and A. finikensis, was confirmed by identity and background tests. It has been suggested that these parapatric species could be more affected by microclimatological parameters than the others. The results of our study are in agreement with the latest phylogenetic study within this genus.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48686141","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}
The efficacy of most biological processes is temperature dependent and, within physiological limits, on average, warmer is better. This axiom of biology has led to a wide range of adaptations for dealing with temperatures that are outside of an organism’s preferred temperature. Many pond-breeding amphibians lay their eggs during early spring, when water temperatures are near freezing. Communal nest-site selection has been proposed as a mechanism to increase developmental temperatures, and temperatures near the center of egg-mass aggregations are elevated relative to egg-masses on the aggregation’s periphery. It is unclear whether this spatial variation in temperature is due to concentration of metabolic heat, absorption of solar radiation, or both. Here, we explore finer scale spatial variation within egg masses of the wood frog Rana sylvatica, one of the earliest amphibians to breed during the North American spring. We compared peripheral and core temperatures of egg masses that were exposed either to 1) ambient sunlight from above, or 2) sunlight reflected by a mirror from below. We found that differences between core and peripheral temperatures were higher in the control than in the mirror treatment, but core and peripheral temperatures were statistically indistinguishable in both cases. Moreover, the difference in peripheral and internal temperatures increased significantly over the course of development. However, these trends were only significant in ambient sunlight and actually decreased in the mirror group. Our results suggest that the benefits of communal nesting are also experienced by individual egg masses, albeit to a lesser extent. In addition, the lack of effect in shaded egg masses suggests that the thermal advantage is tied to sun exposure and not due to concentration of metabolic heat.
{"title":"Sunny-side up: ontogenetic variation in egg mass temperatures of the wood frog Rana sylvatica","authors":"R. Calsbeek, Ava Calsbeek, Isabel Calsbeek","doi":"10.36253/a_h-12660","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-12660","url":null,"abstract":"The efficacy of most biological processes is temperature dependent and, within physiological limits, on average, warmer is better. This axiom of biology has led to a wide range of adaptations for dealing with temperatures that are outside of an organism’s preferred temperature. Many pond-breeding amphibians lay their eggs during early spring, when water temperatures are near freezing. Communal nest-site selection has been proposed as a mechanism to increase developmental temperatures, and temperatures near the center of egg-mass aggregations are elevated relative to egg-masses on the aggregation’s periphery. It is unclear whether this spatial variation in temperature is due to concentration of metabolic heat, absorption of solar radiation, or both. Here, we explore finer scale spatial variation within egg masses of the wood frog Rana sylvatica, one of the earliest amphibians to breed during the North American spring. We compared peripheral and core temperatures of egg masses that were exposed either to 1) ambient sunlight from above, or 2) sunlight reflected by a mirror from below. We found that differences between core and peripheral temperatures were higher in the control than in the mirror treatment, but core and peripheral temperatures were statistically indistinguishable in both cases. Moreover, the difference in peripheral and internal temperatures increased significantly over the course of development. However, these trends were only significant in ambient sunlight and actually decreased in the mirror group. Our results suggest that the benefits of communal nesting are also experienced by individual egg masses, albeit to a lesser extent. In addition, the lack of effect in shaded egg masses suggests that the thermal advantage is tied to sun exposure and not due to concentration of metabolic heat.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46947082","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}
Jimmy Barrantes-Madrigal, Manuel Spínola Parallada, G. Alvarado, V. Acosta-Chaves
The Puerto Rican Common coqui frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui) has a long history as an invasive species in places such as Hawaii. Since its introduction in Costa Rica, scarce information is available to understand why and how the habitat in the Turrialba town is suitable for the species. Our goal was to analyze the habitat selection of E. coqui to identify if there are key habitat features that explained its success there. We measured 9 site variables that may affect the habitat selection of E. coqui in 92 survey units of 10 m radius distributed over a 500 m radius from its introduction point. We registered the presence/pseudo-absence data of E. coqui and environmental variables in each survey unit during eight surveys. We ran occupancy models to determine the influence of the variables on the habitat selection and to estimate its detection probability. We found that sites near the introduction point, containing abundant vegetation, bromeliads, and palms have a higher probability to be occupied by E. coqui. The habitat selection in Costa Rica shares characteristics with the populations of Puerto Rico and Hawaii. But, unlike the case in Hawaii, in Costa Rica this species has maintained a limited dispersal because the potentially higher biotic resistance, as well a sedentary behavior. However, the microhabitat conditions used by E. coqui in the study site are common throughout the country. Therefore, active management in new populations and environmental education programs to avoid human transportation of the species is critical to reduce its dispersal.
{"title":"Occupancy and probability of detection of the introduced population of Eleutherodactylus coqui in Turrialba, Costa Rica","authors":"Jimmy Barrantes-Madrigal, Manuel Spínola Parallada, G. Alvarado, V. Acosta-Chaves","doi":"10.36253/a_h-13209","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-13209","url":null,"abstract":"The Puerto Rican Common coqui frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui) has a long history as an invasive species in places such as Hawaii. Since its introduction in Costa Rica, scarce information is available to understand why and how the habitat in the Turrialba town is suitable for the species. Our goal was to analyze the habitat selection of E. coqui to identify if there are key habitat features that explained its success there. We measured 9 site variables that may affect the habitat selection of E. coqui in 92 survey units of 10 m radius distributed over a 500 m radius from its introduction point. We registered the presence/pseudo-absence data of E. coqui and environmental variables in each survey unit during eight surveys. We ran occupancy models to determine the influence of the variables on the habitat selection and to estimate its detection probability. We found that sites near the introduction point, containing abundant vegetation, bromeliads, and palms have a higher probability to be occupied by E. coqui. The habitat selection in Costa Rica shares characteristics with the populations of Puerto Rico and Hawaii. But, unlike the case in Hawaii, in Costa Rica this species has maintained a limited dispersal because the potentially higher biotic resistance, as well a sedentary behavior. However, the microhabitat conditions used by E. coqui in the study site are common throughout the country. Therefore, active management in new populations and environmental education programs to avoid human transportation of the species is critical to reduce its dispersal.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46167922","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}
M. Zuffi, A. Coladonato, Gianluca Lombardo, A. Torroni, M. Boschetti, S. Scali, M. Mangiacotti, R. Sacchi
We here report the unexpected presence of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) on Gorgona Island, in the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano (Tuscan Archipelago, Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany, Central Italy). Field observations were carried out in 2020 confirming its presence on the island, where it had never been reported before. We recorded 37 GPS points of the species in three major areas of Gorgona (with 50 lizard records) and about 180 visual counts regarding all age classes (newborns, juveniles and adults). The species was found in the urban area (site of state prison) and in two grassy and bushed areas, around and along olive tree plantations. Seven individuals were captured and their tails were used to assess the sequence variation of the mitochondrial CYB gene. Biometrical parameters were also evaluated for six of these individuals. We detected three distinct CYB haplotypes that were compared to Podarcis siculus CYB sequences available in public databases. They resulted identical or phylogenetically closest to those found in mainland Tuscany. One haplotype, found in three specimens, was identical to one previously detected at Orti Bottagone (WWF Oasis in Piombino), while the other two haplotypes were most similar to haplotypes reported in the Giannella peninsula and Pisa, respectively.
{"title":"The Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus campestris, unexpected presence on Gorgona Island (Tuscan Archipelago)","authors":"M. Zuffi, A. Coladonato, Gianluca Lombardo, A. Torroni, M. Boschetti, S. Scali, M. Mangiacotti, R. Sacchi","doi":"10.36253/a_h-12388","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-12388","url":null,"abstract":"We here report the unexpected presence of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus campestris) on Gorgona Island, in the Parco Nazionale Arcipelago Toscano (Tuscan Archipelago, Tyrrhenian Sea, Tuscany, Central Italy). Field observations were carried out in 2020 confirming its presence on the island, where it had never been reported before. We recorded 37 GPS points of the species in three major areas of Gorgona (with 50 lizard records) and about 180 visual counts regarding all age classes (newborns, juveniles and adults). The species was found in the urban area (site of state prison) and in two grassy and bushed areas, around and along olive tree plantations. Seven individuals were captured and their tails were used to assess the sequence variation of the mitochondrial CYB gene. Biometrical parameters were also evaluated for six of these individuals. We detected three distinct CYB haplotypes that were compared to Podarcis siculus CYB sequences available in public databases. They resulted identical or phylogenetically closest to those found in mainland Tuscany. One haplotype, found in three specimens, was identical to one previously detected at Orti Bottagone (WWF Oasis in Piombino), while the other two haplotypes were most similar to haplotypes reported in the Giannella peninsula and Pisa, respectively.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46291410","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}
O. Oskyrko, Lekshmi B Sreelatha, I. Silva‐Rocha, Tibor Sos, S. Vlad, D. Cogǎlniceanu, F. Stănescu, T. Iskenderov, I. Doronin, D. Lisičić, M. Carretero
In recent decades, many reptile species have been introduced outside their native ranges, either accidentally through the transportation of goods and materials (e.g., plants, construction materials), but also intentionally through the pet trade. As a paradigmatic example, the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, native to the Italian Peninsula, Sicily and the north Adriatic coast, has been introduced in several nearby islands since historical times (Corsica, Sardinia, Menorca). Besides these regions, scattered populations were later reported from the Iberian Peninsula, France, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and North America. Here, we provide molecular evidence regarding the introduction and origin of P. siculus in six new populations outside its native range: Romania (Bucharest and Alba Iulia), inland Croatia (Zagreb and Karlovac), Italy (Lampedusa Island) and Azerbaijan (Baku). Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Alba Iulia (Romania) population originated from a single clade (Tuscany), while the population from Azerbaijan is admixed including two distinct clades, one similar to those found in Sicily and the other present across the Tuscany clade. Samples from Bucharest also have admixed origins in Tuscany and the Adriatic clades. Less surprisingly, samples from Zagreb and Karlovac are included in the Adriatic clade while those from Lampedusa originated from Sicily. Overall, our results further demonstrate that P. siculus is able to establish outside of its native range even under different climatic conditions, not particularly from specific clades or source areas. Also, for the first time in this species, our results indicate that repeated human introductions promote lineage admixture and enhance their invasive potential.
{"title":"Molecular analysis of recently introduced populations of the Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus)","authors":"O. Oskyrko, Lekshmi B Sreelatha, I. Silva‐Rocha, Tibor Sos, S. Vlad, D. Cogǎlniceanu, F. Stănescu, T. Iskenderov, I. Doronin, D. Lisičić, M. Carretero","doi":"10.36253/a_h-12542","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-12542","url":null,"abstract":"In recent decades, many reptile species have been introduced outside their native ranges, either accidentally through the transportation of goods and materials (e.g., plants, construction materials), but also intentionally through the pet trade. As a paradigmatic example, the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus, native to the Italian Peninsula, Sicily and the north Adriatic coast, has been introduced in several nearby islands since historical times (Corsica, Sardinia, Menorca). Besides these regions, scattered populations were later reported from the Iberian Peninsula, France, Switzerland, Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom and North America. Here, we provide molecular evidence regarding the introduction and origin of P. siculus in six new populations outside its native range: Romania (Bucharest and Alba Iulia), inland Croatia (Zagreb and Karlovac), Italy (Lampedusa Island) and Azerbaijan (Baku). Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Alba Iulia (Romania) population originated from a single clade (Tuscany), while the population from Azerbaijan is admixed including two distinct clades, one similar to those found in Sicily and the other present across the Tuscany clade. Samples from Bucharest also have admixed origins in Tuscany and the Adriatic clades. Less surprisingly, samples from Zagreb and Karlovac are included in the Adriatic clade while those from Lampedusa originated from Sicily. Overall, our results further demonstrate that P. siculus is able to establish outside of its native range even under different climatic conditions, not particularly from specific clades or source areas. Also, for the first time in this species, our results indicate that repeated human introductions promote lineage admixture and enhance their invasive potential.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44568620","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}
M. D. Di Nicola, R. Melfi, F. Faraone, D. Iversen, G. Giacalone, G. Paolino, M. Lo Valvo
The Southern smooth snake, Coronella girondica, is a small-sized colubrid found in Northwest Africa and Southwest Europe. Mitochondrial DNA-based studies showed that the species can be split into five clades: two from Northwest Africa (one Moroccan and one Tunisian-Algerian) and three from Europe (one in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula, one in the south-east of Spain and one in the rest of the European range). With regards to Italy, to date, only two samples have been analysed both from the Province of Pisa, Tuscany, pointing at that fact that genetic characterisation of Italian populations is still lacking. Accordingly, we have increased the sampling coverage with 19 new samples from northern and central regions of Italy, including two populations, apparently disconnected from the rest of the known range, and analysed their phylogenetic relationships using a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Our results confirm the general phylogenetic arrangement detected in previous studies; specifically for Italian populations, no variability emerged from the Apennine populations, and a slight differentiation could be shown for the Alpine and subalpine ones. This pattern can be explained assuming past spread and recent isolation of C. girondica relict populations in the Alpine region, likely during the Last Glacial Maximum. Later, during the Holocene, the Italian Alps and the Po Plain went through various climatic variations and high anthropization which may have influenced C. girondica distribution through expansion and contraction processes.
{"title":"Preliminary genetic characterisation of Southern Smooth Snake Coronella girondica (Serpentes, Colubridae) populations in Italy, with some considerations on their alpine distribution","authors":"M. D. Di Nicola, R. Melfi, F. Faraone, D. Iversen, G. Giacalone, G. Paolino, M. Lo Valvo","doi":"10.36253/a_h-12556","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-12556","url":null,"abstract":"The Southern smooth snake, Coronella girondica, is a small-sized colubrid found in Northwest Africa and Southwest Europe. Mitochondrial DNA-based studies showed that the species can be split into five clades: two from Northwest Africa (one Moroccan and one Tunisian-Algerian) and three from Europe (one in the south-west of the Iberian Peninsula, one in the south-east of Spain and one in the rest of the European range). With regards to Italy, to date, only two samples have been analysed both from the Province of Pisa, Tuscany, pointing at that fact that genetic characterisation of Italian populations is still lacking. Accordingly, we have increased the sampling coverage with 19 new samples from northern and central regions of Italy, including two populations, apparently disconnected from the rest of the known range, and analysed their phylogenetic relationships using a portion of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Our results confirm the general phylogenetic arrangement detected in previous studies; specifically for Italian populations, no variability emerged from the Apennine populations, and a slight differentiation could be shown for the Alpine and subalpine ones. This pattern can be explained assuming past spread and recent isolation of C. girondica relict populations in the Alpine region, likely during the Last Glacial Maximum. Later, during the Holocene, the Italian Alps and the Po Plain went through various climatic variations and high anthropization which may have influenced C. girondica distribution through expansion and contraction processes.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45658420","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}
Brena Da Silva Gonçalves, C. Hendges, Bruno Madalozzo, T. G. Santos
Ecological studies testing the preponderance of environmental filters on ontogeny to explain the variation in tadpole morphology are scarce for Neotropical anurans. We used tadpoles of the stone frog Limnomedusa macroglossa (Alsodidae): (1) to assess the variation in body and tail shape; (2) to examine the effect of streamlet depth and allometry on tadpole shape, and (3) to re-describe and compare the tadpole external morphology with closely related species. We obtained the body shape and size from 150 tadpoles. The re-description was based on 57 qualitative and 24 quantitative characters, from 19 tadpoles between stages 30 and 37 and 31 to 37, respectively. Allometry was the major factor influencing the lateral view of body shape: smaller tadpoles had round bodies and eyes and nostrils positioned more laterally in comparison with larger ones. Thus, the power of ontogenetic variations reported here makes the tadpole developmental “climax” period a questionable concept that deserves additional attention. The depth gradient of streamlets also affected the shape: in shallower environments, the tadpoles presented a decrease in height of the body, fins and tail muscles, and an increase in body width. These results may indicate adaptations allowing better swimming performance in lotic environments with intense water flow. The external morphological characterization of L. macroglossa presented here differed from that previously reported, mainly due to coloration, body shape, nostril, anal tube, tail, shape and position of nostrils and snout. Additionally, we presented unknown traits for this species, making comparisons with closely related species within the Alsodidae family.
{"title":"Re-description of external morphology and factors affecting body and tail shape of the stone frog tadpoles","authors":"Brena Da Silva Gonçalves, C. Hendges, Bruno Madalozzo, T. G. Santos","doi":"10.36253/a_h-11315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-11315","url":null,"abstract":"Ecological studies testing the preponderance of environmental filters on ontogeny to explain the variation in tadpole morphology are scarce for Neotropical anurans. We used tadpoles of the stone frog Limnomedusa macroglossa (Alsodidae): (1) to assess the variation in body and tail shape; (2) to examine the effect of streamlet depth and allometry on tadpole shape, and (3) to re-describe and compare the tadpole external morphology with closely related species. We obtained the body shape and size from 150 tadpoles. The re-description was based on 57 qualitative and 24 quantitative characters, from 19 tadpoles between stages 30 and 37 and 31 to 37, respectively. Allometry was the major factor influencing the lateral view of body shape: smaller tadpoles had round bodies and eyes and nostrils positioned more laterally in comparison with larger ones. Thus, the power of ontogenetic variations reported here makes the tadpole developmental “climax” period a questionable concept that deserves additional attention. The depth gradient of streamlets also affected the shape: in shallower environments, the tadpoles presented a decrease in height of the body, fins and tail muscles, and an increase in body width. These results may indicate adaptations allowing better swimming performance in lotic environments with intense water flow. The external morphological characterization of L. macroglossa presented here differed from that previously reported, mainly due to coloration, body shape, nostril, anal tube, tail, shape and position of nostrils and snout. Additionally, we presented unknown traits for this species, making comparisons with closely related species within the Alsodidae family.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41498318","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}
Cássio Zocca, Ricardo Lourenço-de-Moraes, F. Campos, Rodrigo B. Ferreira
Phylogenetic signals indicate the phenotypic similarity of antipredator mechanisms among related species. Herein, we assessed the antipredator mechanisms of the horned frog Proceratophrys laticeps, compiled a database including closely phylogenetically-related species, and evaluated their phylogenetic signals. Our dataset comprises 80 records for 13 species of Proceratophrys, totalizing 11 antipredator mechanisms and 15 variations of these mechanisms. Six antipredator mechanisms show high similarity in the trees’ roots within Proceratophrys (e.g., aggression, aposematism, camouflage, distress call, immobility, and interrupt calling). Our observations show the first records of antipredator mechanisms for P. laticeps, and the first report of interrupt calling for Proceratophrys genus, contributing to the knowledge on the behavioural ecology of Proceratophrys species, addressing new insights for ecological trait evolution by multiple ancestral states of amphibians.
{"title":"The high diversity and phylogenetic signal of antipredator mechanisms of the horned frog species of Proceratophrys Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920 (Amphibia: Anura: Odontophrynidae)","authors":"Cássio Zocca, Ricardo Lourenço-de-Moraes, F. Campos, Rodrigo B. Ferreira","doi":"10.36253/a_h-11945","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-11945","url":null,"abstract":"Phylogenetic signals indicate the phenotypic similarity of antipredator mechanisms among related species. Herein, we assessed the antipredator mechanisms of the horned frog Proceratophrys laticeps, compiled a database including closely phylogenetically-related species, and evaluated their phylogenetic signals. Our dataset comprises 80 records for 13 species of Proceratophrys, totalizing 11 antipredator mechanisms and 15 variations of these mechanisms. Six antipredator mechanisms show high similarity in the trees’ roots within Proceratophrys (e.g., aggression, aposematism, camouflage, distress call, immobility, and interrupt calling). Our observations show the first records of antipredator mechanisms for P. laticeps, and the first report of interrupt calling for Proceratophrys genus, contributing to the knowledge on the behavioural ecology of Proceratophrys species, addressing new insights for ecological trait evolution by multiple ancestral states of amphibians.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45494374","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}
Andrea Ciracì, E. Razzetti, M. Pavesi, D. Pellitteri-Rosa
The diet in skinks is known mainly for extra-European species, especially from Australian ones, where these lizards are represented by a great number of species, while, in comparison, data for species from other continents are scarce. The three-toed skink, Chalcides chalcides, is found in a restricted part of northern Africa and in Italy, where it is distributed almost uniformly throughout the peninsula and on the major islands. Although it is well studied for aspects such as morphology and ecology, data concerning trophic preferences are scarce, and available only for the populations of south-central Italy. In this note we report preliminary data about the diet of an Apennine population of the three-toed skink, Chalcides chalcides, at the northern boundary of its distribution area. Faecal contents from 20 individuals were collected in June 2015, obtaining an overall sample of 48 prey items. Araneae constituted the most preyed taxon (over 40%), followed by Hemiptera (35,4%) and other prey taxa (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Dermaptera) in much lower percentages. We found no differences between smaller/younger and larger/older individuals in consumed preys. As well as confirming the general trophic predilection of this skink for spiders, we also found some interesting differences in preyed items with studied populations of south-central Italy.
{"title":"Preliminary data on the diet of Chalcides chalcides (Squamata: Scincidae) from Northern Italy","authors":"Andrea Ciracì, E. Razzetti, M. Pavesi, D. Pellitteri-Rosa","doi":"10.36253/a_h-11386","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.36253/a_h-11386","url":null,"abstract":"The diet in skinks is known mainly for extra-European species, especially from Australian ones, where these lizards are represented by a great number of species, while, in comparison, data for species from other continents are scarce. The three-toed skink, Chalcides chalcides, is found in a restricted part of northern Africa and in Italy, where it is distributed almost uniformly throughout the peninsula and on the major islands. Although it is well studied for aspects such as morphology and ecology, data concerning trophic preferences are scarce, and available only for the populations of south-central Italy. In this note we report preliminary data about the diet of an Apennine population of the three-toed skink, Chalcides chalcides, at the northern boundary of its distribution area. Faecal contents from 20 individuals were collected in June 2015, obtaining an overall sample of 48 prey items. Araneae constituted the most preyed taxon (over 40%), followed by Hemiptera (35,4%) and other prey taxa (Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, and Dermaptera) in much lower percentages. We found no differences between smaller/younger and larger/older individuals in consumed preys. As well as confirming the general trophic predilection of this skink for spiders, we also found some interesting differences in preyed items with studied populations of south-central Italy.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45869838","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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