E. Lunghi, Simone Giachello, Manuela Mulargia, P. Dore, Roberto Cogoni, C. Corti
The Sardinian grass snake (Natrix natrix cetti) is a Critically Endangered snake endemic to Sardinia (Italy), for which information is still scarce. In the present work, we report information obtained from 36 observations of N. n. cetti performed in different areas of the Island. Three different colorations were mainly observed and darker snakes were in general males and big adults; the only juvenile found showed a complete different dorsal colouration. Snakes were observed active during day-time and often far from the aquatic habitats.
{"title":"Variability in the dorsal pattern of the Sardinian grass snake (Natrix natrix cetti) with notes on its ecology","authors":"E. Lunghi, Simone Giachello, Manuela Mulargia, P. Dore, Roberto Cogoni, C. Corti","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7753","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7753","url":null,"abstract":"The Sardinian grass snake (Natrix natrix cetti) is a Critically Endangered snake endemic to Sardinia (Italy), for which information is still scarce. In the present work, we report information obtained from 36 observations of N. n. cetti performed in different areas of the Island. Three different colorations were mainly observed and darker snakes were in general males and big adults; the only juvenile found showed a complete different dorsal colouration. Snakes were observed active during day-time and often far from the aquatic habitats.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7753","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49380408","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}
R. Cadi, E. Laghzaoui, A. Crottini, T. Slimani, J. Bosch, E. H. E. Mouden
The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a generalist pathogen that affects many amphibian species and is responsible of chytridiomycosis onset, considered as the main causes of species extinctions and populations declines worldwide. The chytrid fungal pathogen has been first described in North Africa in 2011. The present work reported the first survey on Bd prevalence and intensity in the Tensift region of Morocco. The survey has been conducted on 11 different localities by collecting skin swabs and tissue samples of 97 individuals. Using a quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) protocol, low-intensity of Bd infection has been detected in the area of study. In fact, the chytrid fungal pathogen has been identified in 10 individuals distributed in six of the 11 sites investigated, placing the 95% confidence interval for overall prevalence at 5.5-19.6%. The survey confirmed the occurrence of Bd at both high and low altitude localities, on four species out of seven known to inhabit the region and added two additional species (Pelophylax saharicus and Sclerophrys mauritanica) to the list of Bd susceptible amphibians in Morocco. The present records extended Bd distribution more than 400 km in the South of Morocco, indicating that the chytrid fungal pathogen is more widespread in the country than previously thought.
{"title":"Occurrence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in the Tensift region, with comments on its spreading in Morocco","authors":"R. Cadi, E. Laghzaoui, A. Crottini, T. Slimani, J. Bosch, E. H. E. Mouden","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7748","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7748","url":null,"abstract":"The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a generalist pathogen that affects many amphibian species and is responsible of chytridiomycosis onset, considered as the main causes of species extinctions and populations declines worldwide. The chytrid fungal pathogen has been first described in North Africa in 2011. The present work reported the first survey on Bd prevalence and intensity in the Tensift region of Morocco. The survey has been conducted on 11 different localities by collecting skin swabs and tissue samples of 97 individuals. Using a quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) protocol, low-intensity of Bd infection has been detected in the area of study. In fact, the chytrid fungal pathogen has been identified in 10 individuals distributed in six of the 11 sites investigated, placing the 95% confidence interval for overall prevalence at 5.5-19.6%. The survey confirmed the occurrence of Bd at both high and low altitude localities, on four species out of seven known to inhabit the region and added two additional species (Pelophylax saharicus and Sclerophrys mauritanica) to the list of Bd susceptible amphibians in Morocco. The present records extended Bd distribution more than 400 km in the South of Morocco, indicating that the chytrid fungal pathogen is more widespread in the country than previously thought.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7748","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46306121","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. Delaugerre, R. Sacchi, M. Biaggini, P. L. Cascio, R. Ouni, C. Corti
How a native gecko manages to coexist with an alien rodent in the Mediterranean since thousands of years? What kind of eco-ethological adaptations or evolutionary adjustments enables this gecko to persist? The present study explores the interaction between the endemic European Leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) and the alien Black rat (Rattus rattus). In the last 30 years, we compared 26 populations inhabiting “rat” and “rat-free” islands and islets in Tunisia, Sardinia, Corsica and Southern France. Geckos’ populations can persist despite the occurrence of rats. In the presence of rats: 1) geckos’ average body size tends to decrease towards medium-sized individuals; 2) geckos shift their spatial behaviour avoiding to forage “in the open”; 3) geckos’ body condition is not affected by the presence of rats. Moreover, shortly after rats’ eradication, geckos’ population structure seems to change and larger sized geckos prevail while the spatial behaviour is much more conservative. The mechanisms driving the interactions between the two species still need to be explained. Rats could represent a stressor for geckos, compete for space, be pest vectors and even predators. Coexistence of natives and aliens requires adaptive plasticity and evolutionary adjustments. In contexts where the risk of reinvasion is high, eradication programs need to be carefully evaluated, since the arrival of “new rats” on an island could have much more damaging effects on the insular biota than those caused by the eradicated population.
{"title":"Coping with aliens: how a native gecko manages to persist on Mediterranean islands despite the Black rat?","authors":"M. Delaugerre, R. Sacchi, M. Biaggini, P. L. Cascio, R. Ouni, C. Corti","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7746","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7746","url":null,"abstract":"How a native gecko manages to coexist with an alien rodent in the Mediterranean since thousands of years? What kind of eco-ethological adaptations or evolutionary adjustments enables this gecko to persist? The present study explores the interaction between the endemic European Leaf-toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) and the alien Black rat (Rattus rattus). In the last 30 years, we compared 26 populations inhabiting “rat” and “rat-free” islands and islets in Tunisia, Sardinia, Corsica and Southern France. Geckos’ populations can persist despite the occurrence of rats. In the presence of rats: 1) geckos’ average body size tends to decrease towards medium-sized individuals; 2) geckos shift their spatial behaviour avoiding to forage “in the open”; 3) geckos’ body condition is not affected by the presence of rats. Moreover, shortly after rats’ eradication, geckos’ population structure seems to change and larger sized geckos prevail while the spatial behaviour is much more conservative. The mechanisms driving the interactions between the two species still need to be explained. Rats could represent a stressor for geckos, compete for space, be pest vectors and even predators. Coexistence of natives and aliens requires adaptive plasticity and evolutionary adjustments. In contexts where the risk of reinvasion is high, eradication programs need to be carefully evaluated, since the arrival of “new rats” on an island could have much more damaging effects on the insular biota than those caused by the eradicated population.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7746","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42707449","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 Caballero-Gini, D. Villafañe, Lía Romero, Marcela Ferreira, R. Laino, K. Musalem
In this study we assessed the efficacy of Visible Implant Alphanumeric (VIA) for marking adults and juveniles of the Neotropical treefrog Scinax nasicus. We evaluated the success of this technique in the identification of individuals and the prevalence of tags in the field. As a control, we marked the same individuals through toe-clipping. Of 196 marked individuals, 57 were recaptured in a 7-month study period. Only one mark was unreadable because it was located too deep in the skin. We found one case of tag expulsion and two inverted tags. Almost complete regeneration of the adhesive disk was observed by the fifth month of the study in all recaptured frogs. We suggest VIA tagging method as suitable for S. nasicus over long term studies. Even though, a hybrid method for marking (VIA + toe-clipping) is recommended for species with dark and/or loose skin, or large frogs.
{"title":"Visible Implant Alphanumeric (VIA) as a marking method in the lesser snouted treefrog Scinax nasicus","authors":"Andrea Caballero-Gini, D. Villafañe, Lía Romero, Marcela Ferreira, R. Laino, K. Musalem","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7751","url":null,"abstract":"In this study we assessed the efficacy of Visible Implant Alphanumeric (VIA) for marking adults and juveniles of the Neotropical treefrog Scinax nasicus. We evaluated the success of this technique in the identification of individuals and the prevalence of tags in the field. As a control, we marked the same individuals through toe-clipping. Of 196 marked individuals, 57 were recaptured in a 7-month study period. Only one mark was unreadable because it was located too deep in the skin. We found one case of tag expulsion and two inverted tags. Almost complete regeneration of the adhesive disk was observed by the fifth month of the study in all recaptured frogs. We suggest VIA tagging method as suitable for S. nasicus over long term studies. Even though, a hybrid method for marking (VIA + toe-clipping) is recommended for species with dark and/or loose skin, or large frogs.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7751","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48952787","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}
In recent years, great attention has been paid to many Podarcis species for which the observed intra-specific variability often revealed species complexes still characterized by an unresolved relationship. When compared to other species, P. siculus underwent fewer revisions and the number of species hidden within this taxon may have been, therefore, underestimated. However, recent studies based on genetic and morphological data highlighted a marked differentiation of the populations inhabiting the Western Pontine Archipelago. In the present work we used published genetic data (three mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments) from 25 Podarcis species to provide a multilocus phylogeny of the genus in order to understand the degree of differentiation of the Western Pontine populations. In addition, we analyzed new morphometric traits (scale counts) of 151 specimens from the main islands of the Pontine Archipelago. The phylogenetic analysis revealed five principal Podarcis groups with biogeographic consistency. The genetic distinctiveness of the Podarcis populations of the Western Pontine Islands is similar or even more ancient than those observed in numerous other pairs of Podarcis sister species. In the light of these evidences we raise the Western Pontine lizards to specific rank; thus they should be referred to as Podarcis latastei.
{"title":"Podarcis siculus latastei (Bedriaga, 1879) of the Western Pontine Islands (Italy) raised to the species rank, and a brief taxonomic overview of Podarcis lizards","authors":"G. Senczuk, R. Castiglia, W. Böhme","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7744","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7744","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, great attention has been paid to many Podarcis species for which the observed intra-specific variability often revealed species complexes still characterized by an unresolved relationship. When compared to other species, P. siculus underwent fewer revisions and the number of species hidden within this taxon may have been, therefore, underestimated. However, recent studies based on genetic and morphological data highlighted a marked differentiation of the populations inhabiting the Western Pontine Archipelago. In the present work we used published genetic data (three mitochondrial and three nuclear gene fragments) from 25 Podarcis species to provide a multilocus phylogeny of the genus in order to understand the degree of differentiation of the Western Pontine populations. In addition, we analyzed new morphometric traits (scale counts) of 151 specimens from the main islands of the Pontine Archipelago. The phylogenetic analysis revealed five principal Podarcis groups with biogeographic consistency. The genetic distinctiveness of the Podarcis populations of the Western Pontine Islands is similar or even more ancient than those observed in numerous other pairs of Podarcis sister species. In the light of these evidences we raise the Western Pontine lizards to specific rank; thus they should be referred to as Podarcis latastei.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7744","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42911692","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}
Yanmei Wang, Jing-Yi Chen, Guohua Ding, Zhi-hua Lin
In our study, a total of 2561 sequences that contained microsatellite loci were found potentially to be used for primer design. Furthermore, Illumina HiSeq sequencing technology identified trinucleotide repeats and AT-rich repeats with the the highest proportion in our genomic DNA sequence library of Fejervarya multistriata. Eighteen new microsatellite loci of F. multistriata were isolated and we characterize these loci genotyping 48 individuals sampled from 3 populations in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China. Seventeen loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from 2 to 11 within each population. The polymorphic information content, observed and expected heterozygosity ranged 0-0.845, 0-1.0 and 0-0.871, respectively. None of the loci was observed in linkage disequilibrium. One locus (FMA294) was deviated from Hardy-Winberg equilibrium in each population separately and combined. These informative microsatellite loci will be applicable for conservation genetic studies of F. multistriata across varying scales from inter-individual to inter-population.
{"title":"AT-rich microsatellite loci development for Fejervarya multistriata by Illumina HiSeq sequencing","authors":"Yanmei Wang, Jing-Yi Chen, Guohua Ding, Zhi-hua Lin","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7755","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7755","url":null,"abstract":"In our study, a total of 2561 sequences that contained microsatellite loci were found potentially to be used for primer design. Furthermore, Illumina HiSeq sequencing technology identified trinucleotide repeats and AT-rich repeats with the the highest proportion in our genomic DNA sequence library of Fejervarya multistriata. Eighteen new microsatellite loci of F. multistriata were isolated and we characterize these loci genotyping 48 individuals sampled from 3 populations in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China. Seventeen loci were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from 2 to 11 within each population. The polymorphic information content, observed and expected heterozygosity ranged 0-0.845, 0-1.0 and 0-0.871, respectively. None of the loci was observed in linkage disequilibrium. One locus (FMA294) was deviated from Hardy-Winberg equilibrium in each population separately and combined. These informative microsatellite loci will be applicable for conservation genetic studies of F. multistriata across varying scales from inter-individual to inter-population.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7755","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47426759","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}
C. G. L. Peña, R. I. Rodríguez-Vivas, J. Zegbe-Domínguez, L. M. Valenzuela-Núñez, C. Herrera, Q. Siller-Rodríguez, Verónica Ávila-Rodríguez
We present findings of our preliminary study to determine biometry and blood chemistry values of healthy wild individuals of the critically endangered Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) in Mexico. Given the absence of previously published data regarding hematology parameters for this species, these results represent an important base for additional research. Hematocrit determination, stains, and cell counts were performed, as well as 18 parameters of blood chemistry. Values of biometry and blood chemistry for G. flavomarginatus were similar to reference values those already reported for G. agassizii, G. polyphemus, and G. berlandieri. These similarities reflect the phylogenetic relationships among these species. However, slight differences may point to particular adaptations that each has developed to their own habitat, and so point to questions to be addressed with future research.
{"title":"Hematological parameters of the Bolson tortoise Gopherus flavomarginatus in Mexico","authors":"C. G. L. Peña, R. I. Rodríguez-Vivas, J. Zegbe-Domínguez, L. M. Valenzuela-Núñez, C. Herrera, Q. Siller-Rodríguez, Verónica Ávila-Rodríguez","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7750","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7750","url":null,"abstract":"We present findings of our preliminary study to determine biometry and blood chemistry values of healthy wild individuals of the critically endangered Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) in Mexico. Given the absence of previously published data regarding hematology parameters for this species, these results represent an important base for additional research. Hematocrit determination, stains, and cell counts were performed, as well as 18 parameters of blood chemistry. Values of biometry and blood chemistry for G. flavomarginatus were similar to reference values those already reported for G. agassizii, G. polyphemus, and G. berlandieri. These similarities reflect the phylogenetic relationships among these species. However, slight differences may point to particular adaptations that each has developed to their own habitat, and so point to questions to be addressed with future research.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7750","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46221294","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}
Pantelis Savvides, E. Georgiou, P. Pafilis, S. Sfenthourakis
Environmental factors may affect animal performance in diverse ways, even among different populations of a single species. Here, we assess the impact of substrate type on the sprint performance (maximum speed and acceleration) of Schreiber’s fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus schreiberi). This species is a skillful runner that also bears micro spike-like protruding scales on its toepads (toe fringes), an adaptation for locomotion on sand. We worked with three populations living in habitats that differ in substrate type (sand, soil and rock). We measured sprint performance using a race-track with custom substrate platforms replicating the different substrate types. We formulated two hypotheses: first, we anticipated that the three populations would differ in their sprint performance due to the differences in substrate type; second, we expected that each population would perform better on its home substrate. Our results generally refuted the hypothesis that sprint performance would differ on different substrate types. Our results suggest that there is a restricted effect of substrate type on locomotion and indicate a multifactor interplay among alternative underlying parameters.
{"title":"Substrate type has a limited impact on the sprint performance of a Mediterranean lizard","authors":"Pantelis Savvides, E. Georgiou, P. Pafilis, S. Sfenthourakis","doi":"10.13128/A_H-7745","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/A_H-7745","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental factors may affect animal performance in diverse ways, even among different populations of a single species. Here, we assess the impact of substrate type on the sprint performance (maximum speed and acceleration) of Schreiber’s fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus schreiberi). This species is a skillful runner that also bears micro spike-like protruding scales on its toepads (toe fringes), an adaptation for locomotion on sand. We worked with three populations living in habitats that differ in substrate type (sand, soil and rock). We measured sprint performance using a race-track with custom substrate platforms replicating the different substrate types. We formulated two hypotheses: first, we anticipated that the three populations would differ in their sprint performance due to the differences in substrate type; second, we expected that each population would perform better on its home substrate. Our results generally refuted the hypothesis that sprint performance would differ on different substrate types. Our results suggest that there is a restricted effect of substrate type on locomotion and indicate a multifactor interplay among alternative underlying parameters.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/A_H-7745","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45706245","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 : 2019-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22817
H. Khoshnamvand, M. Malekian, Y. Keivany, Mazaher Zamani-Faradonbe, M. Amiri
Osteological structures are important biological features which provide valuable biological and ecological information. Luristan newt ( Neurergus kaiseri ), is an endemic salamander, inhabiting the southern part of Zagros Mountains of Iran. The current study was conducted to describe the osteological characteristics of the Luristan newt which might be important in understanding the evolutionary process of newt species. The skull of N. kaiseri has a dense structure, severely ossified elements and a low amount of cartilaginous elements, only in mobile facets. Vertebral number in the axial skeleton of the species equals 50. The cervical, abdominal and caudal parts of the vertebral column have two, 16 and 32 vertebrae, respectively. Each hand and foot consisted of four fingers, having three or four phalanxes. The metacarpal includes seven bones and the number of metatarsus bones is eight. Hands are connected to humur through ulnare and radius and then connected to scapulocoracoid. Each leg includes two bones (fibula and tibia) which are connected to femur. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum in the pelvic bone, while the distal part of the femur articulates with the tibia.
{"title":"Descriptive osteology of an imperiled amphibian, the Luristan newt (Neurergus kaiseri, Amphibia: Salamandridae)","authors":"H. Khoshnamvand, M. Malekian, Y. Keivany, Mazaher Zamani-Faradonbe, M. Amiri","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22817","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22817","url":null,"abstract":"Osteological structures are important biological features which provide valuable biological and ecological information. Luristan newt ( Neurergus kaiseri ), is an endemic salamander, inhabiting the southern part of Zagros Mountains of Iran. The current study was conducted to describe the osteological characteristics of the Luristan newt which might be important in understanding the evolutionary process of newt species. The skull of N. kaiseri has a dense structure, severely ossified elements and a low amount of cartilaginous elements, only in mobile facets. Vertebral number in the axial skeleton of the species equals 50. The cervical, abdominal and caudal parts of the vertebral column have two, 16 and 32 vertebrae, respectively. Each hand and foot consisted of four fingers, having three or four phalanxes. The metacarpal includes seven bones and the number of metatarsus bones is eight. Hands are connected to humur through ulnare and radius and then connected to scapulocoracoid. Each leg includes two bones (fibula and tibia) which are connected to femur. The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum in the pelvic bone, while the distal part of the femur articulates with the tibia.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22817","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49526303","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 : 2019-06-30DOI: 10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22855
Santosh M. Mogali, B. A. Shanbhag, S. K. Saidapur
We explored the effect of a prior experience of predation threat and access to the refuge sites on larval mortality in Hylarana temporalis with a 2 × 2 factorial design. The design included predator-naive or predator experienced prey subjects, and presence or absence of a natural shelter. Water scorpion adult individuals ( Laccotrephes species) provided predation threat and also an opportunity to the prey to experience a direct danger of predation. Both previous experience with predators and availability of shelters affected larval survival independently and not conjointly. A prior encounter with predators enabled prey tadpoles to escape predation more effectively with a significant increase in their survival in comparison to the predator-naive subjects. Similarly, access to refuge sites significantly increased survival of predator-naive as well as predator experienced tadpoles compared to that in the absence of shelters. Clearly, ability to sense water borne predacious cues in the vicinity and use refuge sites plays a key role in escaping from predation in the bronze frog tadpoles.
{"title":"Experience of predacious cues and accessibility to refuge minimize mortality of Hylarana temporalis tadpoles","authors":"Santosh M. Mogali, B. A. Shanbhag, S. K. Saidapur","doi":"10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22855","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22855","url":null,"abstract":"We explored the effect of a prior experience of predation threat and access to the refuge sites on larval mortality in Hylarana temporalis with a 2 × 2 factorial design. The design included predator-naive or predator experienced prey subjects, and presence or absence of a natural shelter. Water scorpion adult individuals ( Laccotrephes species) provided predation threat and also an opportunity to the prey to experience a direct danger of predation. Both previous experience with predators and availability of shelters affected larval survival independently and not conjointly. A prior encounter with predators enabled prey tadpoles to escape predation more effectively with a significant increase in their survival in comparison to the predator-naive subjects. Similarly, access to refuge sites significantly increased survival of predator-naive as well as predator experienced tadpoles compared to that in the absence of shelters. Clearly, ability to sense water borne predacious cues in the vicinity and use refuge sites plays a key role in escaping from predation in the bronze frog tadpoles.","PeriodicalId":50896,"journal":{"name":"Acta Herpetologica","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2019-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.13128/ACTA_HERPETOL-22855","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47869972","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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