I. Udovychenko, O. Oskyrko, O. Marushchak, T. Halenova, O. Savchuk
Amphibian skin secretions have long been considered a convenient and useful natural source of bioactive compounds, but a comprehensive study of the effects of their dermal secretions on diverse parameters of the hemostasis system has not yet been carried out. This study aimed at identifying biologically active fractions in the skin secretions of B. bombina, B. variegata, and their hybrid – B.bombina × B.variegata, and to clarify whether their components can modify certain parameters of the hemostasis system. For the skin secretion analysis, we performed ion-exchange chromatography, electrophoresis, and zymography assays. Plasma coagulation tests, chromogenic assays, and platelet aggregation assays were also conducted in vitro. As a result of the fractionation, a number of fractions were identified, where the proteins with miscellaneous molecular weights were revealed. The data also suggested that some fractions have proteolytic enzymes with gelatinolytic, fibrinogenolytic and collagenolytic activities. The proteins present in the fraction #5 of B. variegata and #5 of the hybrid secretions are characterized by the ability to prolong the clotting plug formation in the aPTT. Proteins capable of inducing platelet aggregation in the rabbit PRP are present in the fraction #3 of B. variegata secretions. The ability of dermal components to activate plasma proenzymes is indicative of the fact that the non-protein components of fraction #9 of B. variegata and fraction #7 of hybrid secretions initiated the appearance of thrombin and activated protein C in plasma.
{"title":"Identification of biologically active fractions in the dermal secretions of the genus Bombina (Amphibia: Anura: Bombinatoridae)","authors":"I. Udovychenko, O. Oskyrko, O. Marushchak, T. Halenova, O. Savchuk","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7858","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7858","url":null,"abstract":"Amphibian skin secretions have long been considered a convenient and useful natural source of bioactive compounds, but a comprehensive study of the effects of their dermal secretions on diverse parameters of the hemostasis system has not yet been carried out. This study aimed at identifying biologically active fractions in the skin secretions of B. bombina, B. variegata, and their hybrid – B.bombina × B.variegata, and to clarify whether their components can modify certain parameters of the hemostasis system. For the skin secretion analysis, we performed ion-exchange chromatography, electrophoresis, and zymography assays. Plasma coagulation tests, chromogenic assays, and platelet aggregation assays were also conducted in vitro. As a result of the fractionation, a number of fractions were identified, where the proteins with miscellaneous molecular weights were revealed. The data also suggested that some fractions have proteolytic enzymes with gelatinolytic, fibrinogenolytic and collagenolytic activities. The proteins present in the fraction #5 of B. variegata and #5 of the hybrid secretions are characterized by the ability to prolong the clotting plug formation in the aPTT. Proteins capable of inducing platelet aggregation in the rabbit PRP are present in the fraction #3 of B. variegata secretions. The ability of dermal components to activate plasma proenzymes is indicative of the fact that the non-protein components of fraction #9 of B. variegata and fraction #7 of hybrid secretions initiated the appearance of thrombin and activated protein C in plasma.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"15 1","pages":"21-29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7858","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48769606","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}
A. Adams, J. Garrison, Scott C. McDaniel, Emily Bueche, Hunter J. Howell
Venomous snake species across the globe have been historically categorized as aggressive and dangerous, leading to widespread persecution and killings. Despite the conservation importance of educating the public about the docile nature of these species, few studies have attempted to quantify the response of viperid species to human interactions. Here we report the responses of free-ranging copperheads to a potential human encounter using a set of hierarchical behavioral trials. Out of a total of 69 snakes, only two individuals feigned striking and only two attempted to bite (3% of all individuals). Our results support the findings of previous studies documenting the docile nature of other viperid species and can hopefully be used to change the public perception of venomous snakes. Convincing the public and policy makers that viperid species are docile is critical to long-term conservation of these species in the U.S. and around the globe.
{"title":"Don’t tread on me: an examination of the anti-predatory behavior of Eastern Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix)","authors":"A. Adams, J. Garrison, Scott C. McDaniel, Emily Bueche, Hunter J. Howell","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7757","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7757","url":null,"abstract":"Venomous snake species across the globe have been historically categorized as aggressive and dangerous, leading to widespread persecution and killings. Despite the conservation importance of educating the public about the docile nature of these species, few studies have attempted to quantify the response of viperid species to human interactions. Here we report the responses of free-ranging copperheads to a potential human encounter using a set of hierarchical behavioral trials. Out of a total of 69 snakes, only two individuals feigned striking and only two attempted to bite (3% of all individuals). Our results support the findings of previous studies documenting the docile nature of other viperid species and can hopefully be used to change the public perception of venomous snakes. Convincing the public and policy makers that viperid species are docile is critical to long-term conservation of these species in the U.S. and around the globe.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"15 1","pages":"31-37"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7757","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48697555","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}
This review presents an overview of research from 1998-2018 regarding interactions of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis with both potential hosts and predators. To this end, 23 different studies collected from the Web of Science database along with two external journals were utilized, encompassing numerous taxonomic groups. Numerous groups of animals were identified as potential vectors for the fungus, with crayfish and reptiles standing as the most prominent and consistent non-amphibian hosts warranting their inclusion in any future broadscale distribution surveys. an important area for future research. Additionally, Daphnia were noted to serve as predators of the zoospores when exposed in mesocosm scenarios, reducing infection levels in corresponding tadpoles. Caecilians have also been observed to be carriers of Bd, though the level as to which the chytrid impacts these organisms needs to be further researched. In total, this review indicates that future research needs to begin including freshwater crustaceans, caecilians and reptiles in field studies for presence/absence, while a broader range of taxa need to be tested to see whether they serve as vectors or hosts in natural scenarios.
本文综述了1998-2018年关于水蛭壶菌与潜在宿主和捕食者相互作用的研究进展。为此，从Web of Science数据库和两个外部期刊中收集了23项不同的研究，包括许多分类组。许多动物群体被确定为真菌的潜在媒介，其中小龙虾和爬行动物是最突出和最一致的非两栖类宿主，值得将它们纳入任何未来的大规模分布调查。这是未来研究的一个重要领域。此外，当暴露在中生态环境中时，水蚤被认为是游动孢子的捕食者，降低了相应蝌蚪的感染水平。壶虫也被观察到是Bd的携带者，尽管壶虫对这些生物的影响程度还需要进一步研究。总之，这一综述表明，未来的研究需要开始包括淡水甲壳类、无尾动物和爬行动物的存在/不存在的实地研究，同时需要对更广泛的分类群进行测试，以确定它们在自然情况下是媒介还是宿主。
{"title":"An overview of research regarding reservoirs, vectors and predators of the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis","authors":"J. Prahl, T. P. Wilson, D. Giles, J. H. Craddock","doi":"10.13128/A_H-8744","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-8744","url":null,"abstract":"This review presents an overview of research from 1998-2018 regarding interactions of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis with both potential hosts and predators. To this end, 23 different studies collected from the Web of Science database along with two external journals were utilized, encompassing numerous taxonomic groups. Numerous groups of animals were identified as potential vectors for the fungus, with crayfish and reptiles standing as the most prominent and consistent non-amphibian hosts warranting their inclusion in any future broadscale distribution surveys. an important area for future research. Additionally, Daphnia were noted to serve as predators of the zoospores when exposed in mesocosm scenarios, reducing infection levels in corresponding tadpoles. Caecilians have also been observed to be carriers of Bd, though the level as to which the chytrid impacts these organisms needs to be further researched. In total, this review indicates that future research needs to begin including freshwater crustaceans, caecilians and reptiles in field studies for presence/absence, while a broader range of taxa need to be tested to see whether they serve as vectors or hosts in natural scenarios.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"15 1","pages":"39-45"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-8744","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46400274","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}
jean-pierre vacher, Damien Aumaitre, S. Ursenbacher
The fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina has recently been introduced in Moselle, north-eastern France, in an area where the yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata occurs naturally. Both species hybridize in a wide area throughout Europe where their distribution overlaps. Therefore, there is a risk of introgression regarding the Bombina variegata population in north-eastern France. In order to assess the status of the introduced population of Bombina bombina and its origin, we investigated its genetic characteristics and structure using both mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and nuclear DNA (microsatellites markers). The results demonstrated a lack of introgression in the Bombina variegata population. Though experiencing a bottleneck effect, the introduced Bombina bombina population displays a high genetic diversity. If a propensity for expansion is found within the introduced population of Bombina bombina, it could be considered as a potential invasive species in France, and thus threaten the native species.
{"title":"Genetic characteristics of an introduced population of Bombina bombina (Linnaeus, 1761) (Amphibia: Bombinatoridae) in Moselle, France","authors":"jean-pierre vacher, Damien Aumaitre, S. Ursenbacher","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7648","url":null,"abstract":"The fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina has recently been introduced in Moselle, north-eastern France, in an area where the yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata occurs naturally. Both species hybridize in a wide area throughout Europe where their distribution overlaps. Therefore, there is a risk of introgression regarding the Bombina variegata population in north-eastern France. In order to assess the status of the introduced population of Bombina bombina and its origin, we investigated its genetic characteristics and structure using both mitochondrial (cytochrome b) and nuclear DNA (microsatellites markers). The results demonstrated a lack of introgression in the Bombina variegata population. Though experiencing a bottleneck effect, the introduced Bombina bombina population displays a high genetic diversity. If a propensity for expansion is found within the introduced population of Bombina bombina, it could be considered as a potential invasive species in France, and thus threaten the native species.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"15 1","pages":"47-54"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47653620","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}
G. Marchi, Giovanni Bombieri, B. Boz, Fausto Leandri, J. Richard
The Horvath’s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi) is a rupicolous mountain species endemic of the eastern Alps and northern Dinaric range. The species has its known western limit of the distribution in the Veneto region of Italy. It is not known whether the species is really rare in Veneto or whether the area has been insufficiently surveyed. In addition, it is not known whether the westward distribution of the species is limited by a physiographic or by a climatic barrier. During the period 2016-2018, 118 sites were surveyed in the Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige regions. Four new occurrences of Iberolacerta horvathi were discovered in Veneto that: 1) largely fill the gap between the westernmost known site and the closest site to the east; 2) extend further west the known distribution by 9 km. In addition the species was confirmed in three already known sites. A species distribution model was developed with the software MaxEnt, using 100 occurrences from Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The best model shows that the distribution is explained by the asperity of their habitat, the sedimentary bedrock, the aspect, the average temperature of the coldest quarter, the rainfall seasonality and the average summer rainfall. The last variable appears as the most likely responsible for the rarefaction of the species at its western limit. In addition, the species distribution model suggest that the Horvath’s rock lizard might be present in some additional mountain groups where it has so far not been found yet.
{"title":"Has the West been won? A field survey and a species distribution model of Iberolacerta horvathi in the Alps","authors":"G. Marchi, Giovanni Bombieri, B. Boz, Fausto Leandri, J. Richard","doi":"10.13128/A_H-8448","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-8448","url":null,"abstract":"The Horvath’s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi) is a rupicolous mountain species endemic of the eastern Alps and northern Dinaric range. The species has its known western limit of the distribution in the Veneto region of Italy. It is not known whether the species is really rare in Veneto or whether the area has been insufficiently surveyed. In addition, it is not known whether the westward distribution of the species is limited by a physiographic or by a climatic barrier. During the period 2016-2018, 118 sites were surveyed in the Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige regions. Four new occurrences of Iberolacerta horvathi were discovered in Veneto that: 1) largely fill the gap between the westernmost known site and the closest site to the east; 2) extend further west the known distribution by 9 km. In addition the species was confirmed in three already known sites. A species distribution model was developed with the software MaxEnt, using 100 occurrences from Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The best model shows that the distribution is explained by the asperity of their habitat, the sedimentary bedrock, the aspect, the average temperature of the coldest quarter, the rainfall seasonality and the average summer rainfall. The last variable appears as the most likely responsible for the rarefaction of the species at its western limit. In addition, the species distribution model suggest that the Horvath’s rock lizard might be present in some additional mountain groups where it has so far not been found yet.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"15 1","pages":"3-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47437086","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}
Many environmental factors such as temperature or food level may influence growth and mortality risks of ectothermic vertebrates in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. In this study, plasticity in growth rates, survival, larval period, and size at metamorphosis were examined in Bufo gargarizans gargarizans larvae under different combinations of temperature and food level. Our results showed that larvae metamorphosed at an older age when reared at 17.3°C. A significant interaction between food level and temperature revealed that the food level has obviously affected length of larval period when tadpoles raised at 17.3 °C, but not at 27.3 or 31.3 °C. Also, we found clear evidence that growth rates are influenced by both temperature and food level. Interestingly, tadpoles reared at 17.3 °C had larger size at metamorphosis than those reared at other temperatures, suggesting that B. g. gargarizans larvae reared at cold temperatures have a longer developmental period but they are also larger as metamorphs than conspecifics reared at warmer temperatures. Therefore, the global climate change or local manipulations of the environment may promote growth and development of B. g. gargarizans larvae, but not large size at metamorphosis.
{"title":"Effects of temperature and food level on plasticity of metamorphic traits in Bufo gargarizans gargarizans larvae","authors":"T. Yu, Y. Han","doi":"10.13128/A_H-8119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-8119","url":null,"abstract":"Many environmental factors such as temperature or food level may influence growth and mortality risks of ectothermic vertebrates in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats. In this study, plasticity in growth rates, survival, larval period, and size at metamorphosis were examined in Bufo gargarizans gargarizans larvae under different combinations of temperature and food level. Our results showed that larvae metamorphosed at an older age when reared at 17.3°C. A significant interaction between food level and temperature revealed that the food level has obviously affected length of larval period when tadpoles raised at 17.3 °C, but not at 27.3 or 31.3 °C. Also, we found clear evidence that growth rates are influenced by both temperature and food level. Interestingly, tadpoles reared at 17.3 °C had larger size at metamorphosis than those reared at other temperatures, suggesting that B. g. gargarizans larvae reared at cold temperatures have a longer developmental period but they are also larger as metamorphs than conspecifics reared at warmer temperatures. Therefore, the global climate change or local manipulations of the environment may promote growth and development of B. g. gargarizans larvae, but not large size at metamorphosis.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"15 1","pages":"65-69"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2020-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-8119","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43317109","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 Stripeless tree-frog Hyla meridionalis reaches its eastern-most European distributional limit in NW Italy, and specifically in the Cinque Terre National Park. Here for two consecutive years, we estimated tree-frog population abundance by call surveys at 24 sites. Data were analysed in the framework of N-mixture open population models based on repeated counts of calling males. The results obtained by this statistical approach were effective in estimating population size together with annual recruitment and survival. The tree-frog male population size remained constant between years and site abundance was inversely related with altitude. On the bases of these findings, our application of N-mixture models to tree-frog calling males was successful and is a promising cost-effective method to obtain long-term monitoring data on this species over large geographic areas.
{"title":"Estimating abundance of the Stripeless tree-frog Hyla meridionalis by means of replicated call counts","authors":"F. Crovetto, S. Salvidio, Andrea Costa","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7754","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7754","url":null,"abstract":"The Stripeless tree-frog Hyla meridionalis reaches its eastern-most European distributional limit in NW Italy, and specifically in the Cinque Terre National Park. Here for two consecutive years, we estimated tree-frog population abundance by call surveys at 24 sites. Data were analysed in the framework of N-mixture open population models based on repeated counts of calling males. The results obtained by this statistical approach were effective in estimating population size together with annual recruitment and survival. The tree-frog male population size remained constant between years and site abundance was inversely related with altitude. On the bases of these findings, our application of N-mixture models to tree-frog calling males was successful and is a promising cost-effective method to obtain long-term monitoring data on this species over large geographic areas.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"14 1","pages":"147-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7754","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"66774629","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}
Pablo Recio, Gonzalo Rodríguez-Ruiz, Jesús Ortega, José Martín
Many field studies of ecology or conservation require individual identification of the animals, and for this, several marking techniques have been developed. However, no specific labeling technique has been tested for fossorial reptiles, such as amphisbaenians. We describe the use of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags as a long-term labeling method of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni. We present the details of the marking procedure and examine the benefits and drawbacks of the technique considering the fossorial environment. After marking many individuals in a long-term field study, we can ensure that the marks were easily applicable and were not lost over a period of at least four years. Moreover, PIT tags did not negatively affect the body condition of amphisbaenians. We conclude that PIT tags are useful for doing field studies of this and similar fossorial species.
{"title":"PIT-Tags as a technique for marking fossorial reptiles: insights from a long-term field study of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni","authors":"Pablo Recio, Gonzalo Rodríguez-Ruiz, Jesús Ortega, José Martín","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7747","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7747","url":null,"abstract":"Many field studies of ecology or conservation require individual identification of the animals, and for this, several marking techniques have been developed. However, no specific labeling technique has been tested for fossorial reptiles, such as amphisbaenians. We describe the use of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags as a long-term labeling method of the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni. We present the details of the marking procedure and examine the benefits and drawbacks of the technique considering the fossorial environment. After marking many individuals in a long-term field study, we can ensure that the marks were easily applicable and were not lost over a period of at least four years. Moreover, PIT tags did not negatively affect the body condition of amphisbaenians. We conclude that PIT tags are useful for doing field studies of this and similar fossorial species.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"14 1","pages":"101-107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7747","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48458393","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}
F. Faraone, Salvatore Russotto, S. A. Barra, Roberto Chiara, G. Giacalone, M. Valvo
The presence of the Javelin sand boa in Sicily has recently been confirmed. Here the morphological characters and sexual dimorphism of the Sicilian population of Eryx jaculus are presented. Seven meristic and six metric characters in 96 specimens from Sicily were examined. The results show that tail length, snout-vent length, the distance between nostrils and the number of ventral and subcaudal scales are different between sexes. The characters found in the Sicilian population of the Javelin sand boa resemble those of the African population (ssp. jaculus) rather than the Eurasian population (ssp. turcicus), but biomolecular studies are necessary to understand its taxonomic identity.
{"title":"Morphological variation of the newly confirmed population of the javelin sand boa, Eryx jaculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Serpentes, erycidae) in Sicily, Italy","authors":"F. Faraone, Salvatore Russotto, S. A. Barra, Roberto Chiara, G. Giacalone, M. Valvo","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7752","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7752","url":null,"abstract":"The presence of the Javelin sand boa in Sicily has recently been confirmed. Here the morphological characters and sexual dimorphism of the Sicilian population of Eryx jaculus are presented. Seven meristic and six metric characters in 96 specimens from Sicily were examined. The results show that tail length, snout-vent length, the distance between nostrils and the number of ventral and subcaudal scales are different between sexes. The characters found in the Sicilian population of the Javelin sand boa resemble those of the African population (ssp. jaculus) rather than the Eurasian population (ssp. turcicus), but biomolecular studies are necessary to understand its taxonomic identity.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"14 1","pages":"135-139"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7752","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48930907","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}
Using micro-CT and 3D landmark-based geometric morphometrics, I investigated postmetamorphic shape variation in the skull of Bufo bufo and Bufo spinosus, two widespread European toad species with small phenotypic differences. Two ontogenetic series were compared, for a total of 58 individuals. They exhibited similar allometric growth patterns, characterised by cranial widening with relative shortening and dorsoventral compression. However, some interspecific shape divergence was observed, particularly among adults: a relatively shorter skull and a more dorsally extended snout distinguished B. spinosus from B. bufo. This disparity, which gives further support to species separation, can probably be ascribed to changes in the allometric trajectories, and seen in light of the evolutionary history of the two lineages.
{"title":"Ontogenetic and interspecific variation in skull morphology of two closely related species of toad, Bufo bufo and B. spinosus (Anura: Bufonidae)","authors":"G. Sanna","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7749","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7749","url":null,"abstract":"Using micro-CT and 3D landmark-based geometric morphometrics, I investigated postmetamorphic shape variation in the skull of Bufo bufo and Bufo spinosus, two widespread European toad species with small phenotypic differences. Two ontogenetic series were compared, for a total of 58 individuals. They exhibited similar allometric growth patterns, characterised by cranial widening with relative shortening and dorsoventral compression. However, some interspecific shape divergence was observed, particularly among adults: a relatively shorter skull and a more dorsally extended snout distinguished B. spinosus from B. bufo. This disparity, which gives further support to species separation, can probably be ascribed to changes in the allometric trajectories, and seen in light of the evolutionary history of the two lineages.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":"14 1","pages":"117-122"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7749","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46077600","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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