Patricia Levasseur, Michael T. Jones, Barbara Brennessel, R. Prescott, Mark Faherty, C. Sutherland
Abstract. The status, size, and density of Malaclemys terrapin (Diamondback Terrapin) populations along the Atlantic coast have been reported by most states as unknown or declining. Robust demographic or population data are lacking, with even less information available on their spatial ecology. Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) methods explicitly incorporate spatial processes, providing a formal link between encounter data and space use. Despite the widespread adoption of SCR across ecological disciplines, it has yet to be applied to turtle populations. We present the first application of SCR methods to Diamondback Terrapins by analyzing data collected from two known activity areas in the tidal marsh systems of Wellfleet Bay, Massachusetts. We found that Terrapin detection was positively associated with survey effort at both sites. Detection was also influenced by day of season, tide cycle, the time of tide, survey time relative to the tide, cloud cover, and windspeed. Density and space use differed markedly between the two sites: the estimated density in The Run was 9 individuals/ha with a space use parameter of 309 m, compared to 59 individuals/ha and a space use parameter of 107 m in The Cove. Sex structure was female-biased, with a sex ratio of 0.34 and 0.18 males in The Run and The Cove, respectively. We demonstrate the utility in using SCR methods in turtles, specifically Diamondback Terrapins, to produce comparable estimates of detection and population size and density, while simultaneously providing inference on differential space-use and detection resulting from variation in both behavior and sampling conditions.
{"title":"Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin) Density and Space Use in Dynamic Tidal Systems: Novel Insights from Spatial Capture–Recapture","authors":"Patricia Levasseur, Michael T. Jones, Barbara Brennessel, R. Prescott, Mark Faherty, C. Sutherland","doi":"10.1670/21-014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-014","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The status, size, and density of Malaclemys terrapin (Diamondback Terrapin) populations along the Atlantic coast have been reported by most states as unknown or declining. Robust demographic or population data are lacking, with even less information available on their spatial ecology. Spatial capture–recapture (SCR) methods explicitly incorporate spatial processes, providing a formal link between encounter data and space use. Despite the widespread adoption of SCR across ecological disciplines, it has yet to be applied to turtle populations. We present the first application of SCR methods to Diamondback Terrapins by analyzing data collected from two known activity areas in the tidal marsh systems of Wellfleet Bay, Massachusetts. We found that Terrapin detection was positively associated with survey effort at both sites. Detection was also influenced by day of season, tide cycle, the time of tide, survey time relative to the tide, cloud cover, and windspeed. Density and space use differed markedly between the two sites: the estimated density in The Run was 9 individuals/ha with a space use parameter of 309 m, compared to 59 individuals/ha and a space use parameter of 107 m in The Cove. Sex structure was female-biased, with a sex ratio of 0.34 and 0.18 males in The Run and The Cove, respectively. We demonstrate the utility in using SCR methods in turtles, specifically Diamondback Terrapins, to produce comparable estimates of detection and population size and density, while simultaneously providing inference on differential space-use and detection resulting from variation in both behavior and sampling conditions.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"180 - 190"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47499619","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}
Abstract. Estimates of clutch sizes are essential for modeling population dynamics, yet for many species of amphibian, clutches can be difficult to observe or methodologically problematic to measure. Clutch sizes for direct-developing Plethodontidae are regularly estimated from counts of ovarian follicles. Because many more follicles begin to develop in an ovary than will ultimately reach full size and be deposited, follicle counts change dramatically over an individual female's follicle development cycle, and a high level of subjectivity is inherent in the process of estimating clutch sizes from follicle counts. Many published studies are not transparent in how they determine clutch sizes from follicle counts. Some investigators address this bias using threshold sizes or other characteristics to separate those follicles that will ultimately mature and be deposited from those that will not, but our experience indicates that such approaches still likely overestimate clutch sizes. To move beyond the subjectivity inherent in estimation of final clutch size from follicle counts, we modeled large Plethodon clutch size as a function of female body size (snout–vent length, SVL) and follicle diameter, then used that model to predict the likely number of mature eggs deposited. We propose that this approach provides reasonable estimates of clutch sizes and variances for use in demographic models.
{"title":"A Model for Estimating Final Clutch Size from Follicle Counts in Plethodontid Salamanders","authors":"J. Howard, J. Maerz","doi":"10.1670/21-015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-015","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Estimates of clutch sizes are essential for modeling population dynamics, yet for many species of amphibian, clutches can be difficult to observe or methodologically problematic to measure. Clutch sizes for direct-developing Plethodontidae are regularly estimated from counts of ovarian follicles. Because many more follicles begin to develop in an ovary than will ultimately reach full size and be deposited, follicle counts change dramatically over an individual female's follicle development cycle, and a high level of subjectivity is inherent in the process of estimating clutch sizes from follicle counts. Many published studies are not transparent in how they determine clutch sizes from follicle counts. Some investigators address this bias using threshold sizes or other characteristics to separate those follicles that will ultimately mature and be deposited from those that will not, but our experience indicates that such approaches still likely overestimate clutch sizes. To move beyond the subjectivity inherent in estimation of final clutch size from follicle counts, we modeled large Plethodon clutch size as a function of female body size (snout–vent length, SVL) and follicle diameter, then used that model to predict the likely number of mature eggs deposited. We propose that this approach provides reasonable estimates of clutch sizes and variances for use in demographic models.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"191 - 195"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43649540","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}
Abstract. More than half of turtle species worldwide are threatened because of habitat loss, invasive species, environmental pollution, disease, unsustainable use, and global climate change. However, some turtles are capable of existing in highly modified habitats, including structures designed to benefit human populations such as reservoirs and canal systems. Examining turtle distributions in large canal systems can inform conservation plans protecting turtle populations within a potential reservoir network and expand our understanding of underlying mechanisms regulating populations. We conducted spatial capture–recapture on turtles inhabiting sections of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. We developed a Bayesian spatial capture–recapture model to estimate densities, sex ratios, and associated capture probability parameters for Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle), Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle), Sternotherus odoratus (Eastern Musk Turtle), and Pseudemys rubriventris (Red-Bellied Turtle) captured at 12 sites along 28 km of the canal. We examined the impact of canal depth and forest cover on population densities and the variation in capture probability between sites and sampling days. We found population densities to vary between sites and the associated sex ratios to vary between species, as did the effect of depth and forest cover. Overall capture rates decreased each day, but there was trap-happy behavior from all species except S. odoratus. Our information can set a baseline for understanding turtle populations and inform management in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. It is also one of the first studies to establish methods for using new spatial capture–recapture to quantify densities and aquatic space use of turtles.
{"title":"Spatial Capture–Recapture Derived Turtle Capture Probabilities and Densities in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal","authors":"Natalie T. Haydt, D. Hocking, S. Sterrett","doi":"10.1670/21-026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-026","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. More than half of turtle species worldwide are threatened because of habitat loss, invasive species, environmental pollution, disease, unsustainable use, and global climate change. However, some turtles are capable of existing in highly modified habitats, including structures designed to benefit human populations such as reservoirs and canal systems. Examining turtle distributions in large canal systems can inform conservation plans protecting turtle populations within a potential reservoir network and expand our understanding of underlying mechanisms regulating populations. We conducted spatial capture–recapture on turtles inhabiting sections of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. We developed a Bayesian spatial capture–recapture model to estimate densities, sex ratios, and associated capture probability parameters for Chrysemys picta (Painted Turtle), Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle), Sternotherus odoratus (Eastern Musk Turtle), and Pseudemys rubriventris (Red-Bellied Turtle) captured at 12 sites along 28 km of the canal. We examined the impact of canal depth and forest cover on population densities and the variation in capture probability between sites and sampling days. We found population densities to vary between sites and the associated sex ratios to vary between species, as did the effect of depth and forest cover. Overall capture rates decreased each day, but there was trap-happy behavior from all species except S. odoratus. Our information can set a baseline for understanding turtle populations and inform management in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. It is also one of the first studies to establish methods for using new spatial capture–recapture to quantify densities and aquatic space use of turtles.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"203 - 210"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46591733","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}
Zachary T. Vegso, Anila A. Kalonia, Skyler Stevens, T. A. Rittenhouse
Abstract. Anthropogenic salinization is a pervasive pollutant in much of the northeastern United States because of the widespread use of chemical deicing agents on roads. Although studies have examined the physiological effects of salinization on amphibians across life stages, behavioral responses to salinization of habitats are less studied. In this study, we experimentally test how salinity and temperature conditions experienced as larvae affect behavioral and physiological responses as juveniles. We first experimentally test whether juvenile Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) can detect and avoid road salt in terrestrial soils and whether this avoidance behavior differs depending on temperature and salinity conditions in which individuals were raised as larvae. We also experimentally test whether temperature and salinity conditions experienced as larvae affect desiccation rates in juvenile Wood Frogs. We found a significant correlation between larval salinity conditions and choice of soil, with frogs raised in high salt aquatic conditions spending the majority of time on high salinity soils and frogs raised in low salt aquatic conditions spending the majority of time on low salinity soils. This behavioral response was muted in frogs raised in elevated temperature conditions. We were unable to detect a correlation between larval treatment and desiccation rate. Our experiments demonstrate that Wood Frogs can detect and respond to salinity levels in terrestrial habitats and that this juvenile response depends on environmental conditions experienced as larvae.
{"title":"Salinity Conditions during the Larval Life Stage Affect Terrestrial Habitat Choice in Juvenile Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus)","authors":"Zachary T. Vegso, Anila A. Kalonia, Skyler Stevens, T. A. Rittenhouse","doi":"10.1670/20-123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/20-123","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Anthropogenic salinization is a pervasive pollutant in much of the northeastern United States because of the widespread use of chemical deicing agents on roads. Although studies have examined the physiological effects of salinization on amphibians across life stages, behavioral responses to salinization of habitats are less studied. In this study, we experimentally test how salinity and temperature conditions experienced as larvae affect behavioral and physiological responses as juveniles. We first experimentally test whether juvenile Wood Frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) can detect and avoid road salt in terrestrial soils and whether this avoidance behavior differs depending on temperature and salinity conditions in which individuals were raised as larvae. We also experimentally test whether temperature and salinity conditions experienced as larvae affect desiccation rates in juvenile Wood Frogs. We found a significant correlation between larval salinity conditions and choice of soil, with frogs raised in high salt aquatic conditions spending the majority of time on high salinity soils and frogs raised in low salt aquatic conditions spending the majority of time on low salinity soils. This behavioral response was muted in frogs raised in elevated temperature conditions. We were unable to detect a correlation between larval treatment and desiccation rate. Our experiments demonstrate that Wood Frogs can detect and respond to salinity levels in terrestrial habitats and that this juvenile response depends on environmental conditions experienced as larvae.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"60 - 66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67454318","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 K. Darracq, Steven J. Hromada, Lee Neighbors, L. Smith, L. Conner, R. McCleery
Abstract. The southeastern United States supports some of the greatest levels of amphibian diversity in North America, and several species are in decline. Invasive species in the southeastern United States, such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta; hereafter RIFA), may be a factor in amphibian declines via depredation, injury of, and/or competition with native amphibians for arthropod prey. Our objective was to assess the influence of RIFAs and RIFA reductions on the diet, growth, and survival of Southern Toads (Anaxyrus terrestris). In 2013 and 2014 we randomly assigned juvenile toads into enclosures either treated with an insecticide, hydramethylnon, to reduce RIFAs (hereafter RIFA treatment) or maintained with ambient levels of RIFAs (hereafter control; n = 4 enclosures per treatment). The mean proportion of recaptured toads was 9.5 and 21 times greater in the RIFA treatment compared to the control in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Toads in the control enclosures were 23% larger at the end of the study than toads recaptured in the RIFA treatment enclosures, though this was driven largely by differences in toad densities. Toad diets in the control and RIFA treatment enclosures overlapped 94%. When considering the dietary overlap of different ant genera only, the dietary overlap was 44%. Our study provides evidence RIFAs alter amphibian populations and may be contributing to amphibian declines in the southeastern United States. Given the high mortality rates we observed, RIFAs should be considered when developing conservation plans for any amphibian species found in areas where RIFAs are present.
{"title":"Reducing Populations of an Invasive Ant Influences Survival, Growth, and Diet of Southern Toads (Anaxyrus terrestris)","authors":"Andrea K. Darracq, Steven J. Hromada, Lee Neighbors, L. Smith, L. Conner, R. McCleery","doi":"10.1670/20-053","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/20-053","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The southeastern United States supports some of the greatest levels of amphibian diversity in North America, and several species are in decline. Invasive species in the southeastern United States, such as the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta; hereafter RIFA), may be a factor in amphibian declines via depredation, injury of, and/or competition with native amphibians for arthropod prey. Our objective was to assess the influence of RIFAs and RIFA reductions on the diet, growth, and survival of Southern Toads (Anaxyrus terrestris). In 2013 and 2014 we randomly assigned juvenile toads into enclosures either treated with an insecticide, hydramethylnon, to reduce RIFAs (hereafter RIFA treatment) or maintained with ambient levels of RIFAs (hereafter control; n = 4 enclosures per treatment). The mean proportion of recaptured toads was 9.5 and 21 times greater in the RIFA treatment compared to the control in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Toads in the control enclosures were 23% larger at the end of the study than toads recaptured in the RIFA treatment enclosures, though this was driven largely by differences in toad densities. Toad diets in the control and RIFA treatment enclosures overlapped 94%. When considering the dietary overlap of different ant genera only, the dietary overlap was 44%. Our study provides evidence RIFAs alter amphibian populations and may be contributing to amphibian declines in the southeastern United States. Given the high mortality rates we observed, RIFAs should be considered when developing conservation plans for any amphibian species found in areas where RIFAs are present.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"84 - 91"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48219275","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. C. S. Teixeira, V. Marcelino, J. Alexandrino, C. Haddad, A. Giaretta
Abstract. Boana bischoffi was originally described from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul and has Boana multilineata from São Paulo as a junior synonym. The history of its nomenclature reflects the varying interpretation of the dorsal color pattern of the two different populations. We reevaluate the problem of taxonomic recognition of Boana multilineata based on molecular, morphometric, and acoustic data. The molecular data revealed two major clades that are partially concordant with the morphological and acoustic differentiation. Morphometric analyses revealed elements of differentiation between populations in snout–vent length (SVL) and head shape, which were patterns not detected previously. Discrimination considering call features was substantial, even complete in a discriminant analysis. Despite these differences, we refrain from resurrecting the name B. multilineata due to the existence of putative introgression zones, the effect of SVL in call dominant frequency, and lack of taxonomically relevant differences. Boana bischoffi might represent a case of incipient speciation.
{"title":"Populational Differentiation in Boana bischoffi (Anura, Hylidae): Revisiting the Issue Using Molecular, Morphological, and Acoustic Data","authors":"A. C. S. Teixeira, V. Marcelino, J. Alexandrino, C. Haddad, A. Giaretta","doi":"10.1670/20-121","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/20-121","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Boana bischoffi was originally described from the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul and has Boana multilineata from São Paulo as a junior synonym. The history of its nomenclature reflects the varying interpretation of the dorsal color pattern of the two different populations. We reevaluate the problem of taxonomic recognition of Boana multilineata based on molecular, morphometric, and acoustic data. The molecular data revealed two major clades that are partially concordant with the morphological and acoustic differentiation. Morphometric analyses revealed elements of differentiation between populations in snout–vent length (SVL) and head shape, which were patterns not detected previously. Discrimination considering call features was substantial, even complete in a discriminant analysis. Despite these differences, we refrain from resurrecting the name B. multilineata due to the existence of putative introgression zones, the effect of SVL in call dominant frequency, and lack of taxonomically relevant differences. Boana bischoffi might represent a case of incipient speciation.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"110 - 119"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46372910","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}
Abstract. Cannibalism involves killing and consuming an individual of the same species. Different factors modulate cannibalism, and here we explored whether the diet diversity would mediate the cannibalism propensity in Microlophus lizards. We compiled the available information on diet and cannibalism of the 22 Microlophus species. We found that there is a relatively high incidence of cannibalism within Microlophus, as 41% of the species exhibited this behavior. There are, however, few reports of cannibalism by each species. Cannibalism propensity showed a positive association with diet diversity, which suggests that a generalist diet might provide room for cannibalism in Microlophus lizards. We also found that only adults, mostly males, consume juveniles. Conspecific predation pressure may explain the habitat segregation among age classes reported in some Microlophus species that exhibit cannibalism. Finally, cannibalism appears to be an ancestral condition in Microlophus, as it occurs in the two main clades of this genus. Moreover, Tropidurus, the sister taxon of Microlophus, also includes species that exhibit cannibalism, and the ancestor of these genera may have exhibited cannibalism.
{"title":"Cannibalism in Microlophus Lizards","authors":"Antonieta Labra, Maximiliano Daigre, Viviana Imil","doi":"10.1670/20-132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/20-132","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Cannibalism involves killing and consuming an individual of the same species. Different factors modulate cannibalism, and here we explored whether the diet diversity would mediate the cannibalism propensity in Microlophus lizards. We compiled the available information on diet and cannibalism of the 22 Microlophus species. We found that there is a relatively high incidence of cannibalism within Microlophus, as 41% of the species exhibited this behavior. There are, however, few reports of cannibalism by each species. Cannibalism propensity showed a positive association with diet diversity, which suggests that a generalist diet might provide room for cannibalism in Microlophus lizards. We also found that only adults, mostly males, consume juveniles. Conspecific predation pressure may explain the habitat segregation among age classes reported in some Microlophus species that exhibit cannibalism. Finally, cannibalism appears to be an ancestral condition in Microlophus, as it occurs in the two main clades of this genus. Moreover, Tropidurus, the sister taxon of Microlophus, also includes species that exhibit cannibalism, and the ancestor of these genera may have exhibited cannibalism.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"67 - 74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46613831","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}
Abstract. Lepidodactylus browni Pernetta and Black, 1983 was described from mangrove habitat a few kilometers east of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was distinguished from L. orientalis Brown and Parker, 1977, described from Port Moresby, by differences in central tendency in adult snout–vent length, numbers of precloacal/femoral pores in males, and relative width of toe discs. We re-examine morphological data for these species and provide a molecular analysis of new sequences of each species to which we add existing sequences from the literature. We find large amounts of overlap between these taxa in the proposed diagnostic morphological characters and no distinction in the two between one mitochondrial and one nuclear gene. We conclude that L. browni is a junior synonym of L. orientalis and that the sole difference in central tendency in relative toe-pad width may be because of adaptation to different structural habitats.
摘要Lepidodactylus browni Pernetta and Black，1983年在巴布亚新几内亚莫尔兹比港以东几公里的红树林栖息地被描述。它与L.orientalis Brown和Parker，1977年在莫尔兹比港描述的不同之处在于，成年吻部的中心倾向——通气口长度、雄性口前/股孔的数量以及趾盘的相对宽度。我们重新检查了这些物种的形态学数据，并对每个物种的新序列进行了分子分析，我们将文献中的现有序列添加到其中。我们发现，在所提出的诊断形态学特征中，这些分类群之间有大量重叠，而一个线粒体基因和一个核基因之间没有区别。我们得出结论，L.browni是L.orientalis的初级异名，相对趾垫宽度的中心趋势的唯一差异可能是因为适应了不同的结构栖息地。
{"title":"Lepidodactylus browni (Squamata, Gekkonidae) Placed in the Synonymy of L. orientalis","authors":"F. Kraus, V. Vahtera, Valter Weijola","doi":"10.1670/21-010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-010","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Lepidodactylus browni Pernetta and Black, 1983 was described from mangrove habitat a few kilometers east of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. It was distinguished from L. orientalis Brown and Parker, 1977, described from Port Moresby, by differences in central tendency in adult snout–vent length, numbers of precloacal/femoral pores in males, and relative width of toe discs. We re-examine morphological data for these species and provide a molecular analysis of new sequences of each species to which we add existing sequences from the literature. We find large amounts of overlap between these taxa in the proposed diagnostic morphological characters and no distinction in the two between one mitochondrial and one nuclear gene. We conclude that L. browni is a junior synonym of L. orientalis and that the sole difference in central tendency in relative toe-pad width may be because of adaptation to different structural habitats.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"137 - 145"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42846659","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}
Abstract. The adults of the frog Atelognathus patagonicus display phenotypic plasticity and two morphotypes, namely, “aquatic” and “littoral”, and the transition from one to the other is a reversible way of adapting to different environments. The aquatic form lives underwater associated with vegetation and rocks and has lateral skin folds and interdigital membranes. Otherwise, the littoral form lives up to a few kilometers away from the water and does not have bagginess and the interdigital membranes are reduced. Considering that morphology and function of the visual system and skin composition are characters highly associated with habitat conditions, we performed a histological comparison of the eye and skin of both aquatic and littoral morphotypes of A. patagonicus. The aquatic morphotype A. patagonicus does not have an evident character that improves vision underwater, suggesting that clues for subaquatic life could not be only visual. However, the eyelid of the littoral morph has more mucous glands than that of the aquatic morph, which is consistent with the mucus secretion of these glands and its association with terrestrial environments. Also, the skin littoral morph is more keratinized and thicker than the aquatic one, which helps to prevent desiccation. Finally, the lateral skin of the aquatic morph is highly vascularized, suggesting an increase in cutaneous respiration. This work is a starting point for understanding, in an integrative way, the different mechanisms and systems modifications in the water–land transition of A. patagonicus.
{"title":"Eye and Skin Differences between Atelognathus patagonicus Morphotypes: Two Environments, Two Strategies (Anura; Batrachylidae)","authors":"Clara Volonteri, G. Hermida, N. Basso","doi":"10.1670/20-081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/20-081","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The adults of the frog Atelognathus patagonicus display phenotypic plasticity and two morphotypes, namely, “aquatic” and “littoral”, and the transition from one to the other is a reversible way of adapting to different environments. The aquatic form lives underwater associated with vegetation and rocks and has lateral skin folds and interdigital membranes. Otherwise, the littoral form lives up to a few kilometers away from the water and does not have bagginess and the interdigital membranes are reduced. Considering that morphology and function of the visual system and skin composition are characters highly associated with habitat conditions, we performed a histological comparison of the eye and skin of both aquatic and littoral morphotypes of A. patagonicus. The aquatic morphotype A. patagonicus does not have an evident character that improves vision underwater, suggesting that clues for subaquatic life could not be only visual. However, the eyelid of the littoral morph has more mucous glands than that of the aquatic morph, which is consistent with the mucus secretion of these glands and its association with terrestrial environments. Also, the skin littoral morph is more keratinized and thicker than the aquatic one, which helps to prevent desiccation. Finally, the lateral skin of the aquatic morph is highly vascularized, suggesting an increase in cutaneous respiration. This work is a starting point for understanding, in an integrative way, the different mechanisms and systems modifications in the water–land transition of A. patagonicus.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"99 - 109"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42267822","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}
Richard M. Lehtinen, Haley Hartman, Blake Marlowe, A. Rojas
Abstract. Invasive species are widely believed to be a major threat to biodiversity. Therefore, invasive species control is a common practice among land managers. However, the impacts of invasive species control on nontarget organisms are often unknown. To examine the impact of invasive plant removal on a functionally important, but often overlooked, group of organisms, we carried out a field experiment focusing on terrestrial salamanders. Using coverboards, we monitored the occurrence of terrestrial salamanders (primarily Northern Ravine Salamanders, Plethodon electromorphus) in forest plots where invasive plants had been experimentally removed compared with control plots where removal did not occur. We replicated this design at three study sites and sampled coverboards over 3 yr (2016–2018; 2,187 sampling events). We also undertook a laboratory experiment exposing Northern Two-Lined Salamanders (Eurycea bislineata) to native and invasive plant root extracts compared with a plain water control. Results from occupancy modeling and other analytical techniques indicated strongly reduced occupancy of P. electromorphus in plots where invasive plants were removed, compared with controls. This pattern varied among study sites but was strongest at the most heavily invaded sites. Results from the laboratory exposure study showed no significant differences in response to root extracts from native versus invasive plants. Together, these data suggest that some terrestrial salamanders may not be negatively impacted by invasive plants and that invasive plant removal, when not accompanied by native plant restoration, may have unanticipated negative effects on terrestrial salamander populations.
{"title":"Evidence for Negative Impacts on Terrestrial Salamanders following Invasive Plant Removal","authors":"Richard M. Lehtinen, Haley Hartman, Blake Marlowe, A. Rojas","doi":"10.1670/21-018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-018","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Invasive species are widely believed to be a major threat to biodiversity. Therefore, invasive species control is a common practice among land managers. However, the impacts of invasive species control on nontarget organisms are often unknown. To examine the impact of invasive plant removal on a functionally important, but often overlooked, group of organisms, we carried out a field experiment focusing on terrestrial salamanders. Using coverboards, we monitored the occurrence of terrestrial salamanders (primarily Northern Ravine Salamanders, Plethodon electromorphus) in forest plots where invasive plants had been experimentally removed compared with control plots where removal did not occur. We replicated this design at three study sites and sampled coverboards over 3 yr (2016–2018; 2,187 sampling events). We also undertook a laboratory experiment exposing Northern Two-Lined Salamanders (Eurycea bislineata) to native and invasive plant root extracts compared with a plain water control. Results from occupancy modeling and other analytical techniques indicated strongly reduced occupancy of P. electromorphus in plots where invasive plants were removed, compared with controls. This pattern varied among study sites but was strongest at the most heavily invaded sites. Results from the laboratory exposure study showed no significant differences in response to root extracts from native versus invasive plants. Together, these data suggest that some terrestrial salamanders may not be negatively impacted by invasive plants and that invasive plant removal, when not accompanied by native plant restoration, may have unanticipated negative effects on terrestrial salamander populations.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"92 - 98"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43304487","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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