Abstract. The equal fitness paradigm (EFP) is a life-history model in which the currency of fitness is usable energy rather than individuals, and the principal trade-off is between survival, evaluated as generation time, and productivity, evaluated as growth and reproductive rates. In the current study I examined variation in generation time, age at first reproduction, productivity, and mortality in salamanders of the genus Desmognathus within the framework of the EFP. Desmognathus salamanders are restricted to eastern North America, with a center of distribution in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The data sources of the present report are published studies of life histories and demographics of five species of Desmognathus that include the smallest and largest members of the genus. The analysis showed that Desmognathus salamanders have greater ages at first reproduction, lengthier generation times, lower productivities, and lower mortality rates than are predicted by the scaling functions of the EFP for vertebrates of equivalent sizes. The differences among species in these parameters are correlated with variation in adult body size and the association between body size and habitat utilization in the genus, wherein the largest species are aquatic in mountain streams and the smallest are terrestrial in mesic forests. Streamside species of intermediate size exploit a broader range of habitats and are more widely distributed than the stream- and forest-dwelling forms. It is likely that the streamside mode of life in Desmognathus represents an adaptation promoting dispersal. Adaptive radiation in the genus is expressed in extreme life-history and body-size diversification mediated through variation in age at first reproduction and generation time.
{"title":"Size and Cycle in Dusky Salamanders","authors":"R. Bruce","doi":"10.1670/22-022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/22-022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The equal fitness paradigm (EFP) is a life-history model in which the currency of fitness is usable energy rather than individuals, and the principal trade-off is between survival, evaluated as generation time, and productivity, evaluated as growth and reproductive rates. In the current study I examined variation in generation time, age at first reproduction, productivity, and mortality in salamanders of the genus Desmognathus within the framework of the EFP. Desmognathus salamanders are restricted to eastern North America, with a center of distribution in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The data sources of the present report are published studies of life histories and demographics of five species of Desmognathus that include the smallest and largest members of the genus. The analysis showed that Desmognathus salamanders have greater ages at first reproduction, lengthier generation times, lower productivities, and lower mortality rates than are predicted by the scaling functions of the EFP for vertebrates of equivalent sizes. The differences among species in these parameters are correlated with variation in adult body size and the association between body size and habitat utilization in the genus, wherein the largest species are aquatic in mountain streams and the smallest are terrestrial in mesic forests. Streamside species of intermediate size exploit a broader range of habitats and are more widely distributed than the stream- and forest-dwelling forms. It is likely that the streamside mode of life in Desmognathus represents an adaptation promoting dispersal. Adaptive radiation in the genus is expressed in extreme life-history and body-size diversification mediated through variation in age at first reproduction and generation time.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"444 - 453"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44502351","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}
Edvaldo Moreira DA SILVA NETO, Katyuscia Araujo-Vieira, I. R. Dias, Camila Souza Batista, Daniela Pareja-Mejía, M. Solé, C. V. de Mira-Mendes
Abstract. The Neotropical tribe Sphaenorhynchini includes 15 recognized species, 14 of which are allocated to the genus Sphaenorhynchus and 1 in the genus Gabohyla. Here, we redescribe the external larval morphology and include novel information on the lateral line system of G. pauloalvini and S. prasinus from the type localities. In addition, we include comments on the oviposition site and larval development of G. pauloalvini. The tadpoles of G. pauloalvini differentiate from all described larvae of Sphaenorhynchus by having a unique combination of stripes in the coloration: three lateral dark stripes (canthal, oblique, and ventrolateral) on the body and a single ventral dark stripe on the tail. The tadpoles of S. prasinus distinguish from those of G. pauloalvini and from all other larvae of Sphaenorhynchus by having a single, median, dark stripe on the tail musculature, among other characters. Tadpoles of G. pauloalvini and S. prasinus are nektonic and found swimming in the middle of the water column or in deeper regions of ponds. Adults of G. pauloalvini were observed sitting next to spawns, reinforcing the possibility of parental care in this species.
{"title":"Redescription of the Tadpoles of Gabohyla pauloalvini (Bokermann, 1973) and Sphaenorhynchus prasinus (Bokermann, 1973) (Hylidae: Sphaenorhynchini)","authors":"Edvaldo Moreira DA SILVA NETO, Katyuscia Araujo-Vieira, I. R. Dias, Camila Souza Batista, Daniela Pareja-Mejía, M. Solé, C. V. de Mira-Mendes","doi":"10.1670/21-086","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-086","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The Neotropical tribe Sphaenorhynchini includes 15 recognized species, 14 of which are allocated to the genus Sphaenorhynchus and 1 in the genus Gabohyla. Here, we redescribe the external larval morphology and include novel information on the lateral line system of G. pauloalvini and S. prasinus from the type localities. In addition, we include comments on the oviposition site and larval development of G. pauloalvini. The tadpoles of G. pauloalvini differentiate from all described larvae of Sphaenorhynchus by having a unique combination of stripes in the coloration: three lateral dark stripes (canthal, oblique, and ventrolateral) on the body and a single ventral dark stripe on the tail. The tadpoles of S. prasinus distinguish from those of G. pauloalvini and from all other larvae of Sphaenorhynchus by having a single, median, dark stripe on the tail musculature, among other characters. Tadpoles of G. pauloalvini and S. prasinus are nektonic and found swimming in the middle of the water column or in deeper regions of ponds. Adults of G. pauloalvini were observed sitting next to spawns, reinforcing the possibility of parental care in this species.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"422 - 433"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45019828","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}
P. Eberle, D. Haro, Kendra Rekevics, Heather E. M. Liwanag
Abstract. Caudal autotomy (the voluntary loss of a tail) is an important antipredator defense in many lizard species. The subsequent regrowth of the tail, seen in most lizards with the ability to autotomize, may pose some physiological costs both during the regrowth process and during potential repeated autotomy. In this study, we examined the physiology and behavior of the lacertid lizard Podarcis siculus, as well as the physiology and activity of the detached tails, following autotomy. Evaporative water loss and respiratory exchange ratio increased after autotomy, showing both an increased loss and a redistribution of important resources inside the animal. The lizards exhibited no change in behavioral thermoregulation during regrowth, as thermal preference did not change. Males and females differed in tail energy content, suggesting differing energy storage needs between the sexes. The rate of regeneration and tail movement between the sexes were not different, but tail movement did vary between previously regenerated tails and original tails, indicating a possible detriment to future autotomy events. Overall, autotomy appears to influence more than just a lizard's ability to escape, as our study provides evidence of potential physiological tradeoffs associated with this antipredator behavior.
{"title":"Physiological Effects of Tail Regeneration following Autotomy in Italian Wall Lizards, Podarcis siculus","authors":"P. Eberle, D. Haro, Kendra Rekevics, Heather E. M. Liwanag","doi":"10.1670/21-021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-021","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. Caudal autotomy (the voluntary loss of a tail) is an important antipredator defense in many lizard species. The subsequent regrowth of the tail, seen in most lizards with the ability to autotomize, may pose some physiological costs both during the regrowth process and during potential repeated autotomy. In this study, we examined the physiology and behavior of the lacertid lizard Podarcis siculus, as well as the physiology and activity of the detached tails, following autotomy. Evaporative water loss and respiratory exchange ratio increased after autotomy, showing both an increased loss and a redistribution of important resources inside the animal. The lizards exhibited no change in behavioral thermoregulation during regrowth, as thermal preference did not change. Males and females differed in tail energy content, suggesting differing energy storage needs between the sexes. The rate of regeneration and tail movement between the sexes were not different, but tail movement did vary between previously regenerated tails and original tails, indicating a possible detriment to future autotomy events. Overall, autotomy appears to influence more than just a lizard's ability to escape, as our study provides evidence of potential physiological tradeoffs associated with this antipredator behavior.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"434 - 443"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"67455035","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. Ribeiro‐Júnior, C. Koch, Morris Flecks, M. Calvo, Shai Meiri
Abstract. The Sahara Desert is the largest ecoregion in Africa, but its biodiversity in general, and reptile biodiversity in particular, are only superficially known and probably grossly underestimated. The dwarf-lizard genus Tropiocolotes is widely distributed in the region. The genus' taxonomy is plagued by serious nomenclatural problems that have led to a series of misidentifications of specimens in collections and in the literature. Analyzing variation in meristic and osteological characters of the Saharan species of Tropiocolotes, we found individuals from Algeria with unique external and internal morphological characters that distinguish them from all other species in the genus. We present a detailed account of these characters and describe two new species of Tropiocolotes from Algeria. Additionally, we provide the first detailed description of skulls of the genus, and designate a neotype to T. steudneri.
{"title":"Dwarves in a Big World: Two New Species of Tropiocolotes (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Sahara Desert, with the First Detailed Skull Description of the Genus","authors":"M. Ribeiro‐Júnior, C. Koch, Morris Flecks, M. Calvo, Shai Meiri","doi":"10.1670/20-103","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/20-103","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract. The Sahara Desert is the largest ecoregion in Africa, but its biodiversity in general, and reptile biodiversity in particular, are only superficially known and probably grossly underestimated. The dwarf-lizard genus Tropiocolotes is widely distributed in the region. The genus' taxonomy is plagued by serious nomenclatural problems that have led to a series of misidentifications of specimens in collections and in the literature. Analyzing variation in meristic and osteological characters of the Saharan species of Tropiocolotes, we found individuals from Algeria with unique external and internal morphological characters that distinguish them from all other species in the genus. We present a detailed account of these characters and describe two new species of Tropiocolotes from Algeria. Additionally, we provide the first detailed description of skulls of the genus, and designate a neotype to T. steudneri.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"396 - 421"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43611171","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}
Jenna N. Palmisano, Carson Bockoven, Samantha M. McPherson, R. Ossiboff, H. Walden, T. Farrell
Abstract.— Raillietiella orientalis, an invasive pentastome parasite, inhabits the lungs of snakes as adults and is rapidly spreading in Florida and Australia. The species that serve as intermediate hosts are currently unknown. We conducted laboratory infection experiments with insects (Blaberus discoidalis), lizards (Anolis sagrei), and anurans (Anaxyrus terrestris, Lithobates sphenocephalus, Osteopilus septentrionalis) to develop an understanding of which species may serve as intermediate hosts and to determine the fitness consequences of infection by R. orientalis. Lizards and insects, but not anurans, were readily infected by consuming food that was contaminated with pentastome eggs. Anolis sagrei and L. sphenocephalus were both infected after eating a single roach that was infected with R. orientalis larvae. Comparison with uninfected control animals revealed that pentastome infection did not significantly affect survival or growth in roaches, lizards, or anurans. The life cycle of R. orientalis in Florida is likely to involve a sequence of three hosts, with eggs hatching in coprophagous insects that infect lizards and anurans that infect the definitive host (snakes) after they are consumed. Our results indicate that the native species that serve as intermediate hosts are unlikely to experience major negative consequences from R. orientalis, unlike the native snake species that serve as the definitive hosts. The diversity of species that can serve as intermediate hosts and the potential for vehicular rafting by infected roaches and anoles indicate that the rapid geographic range expansion of R. orientalis will probably continue.
{"title":"Infection Experiments Indicate That Common Florida Anurans and Lizards May Serve as Intermediate Hosts for the Invasive Pentastome Parasite, Raillietiella orientalis","authors":"Jenna N. Palmisano, Carson Bockoven, Samantha M. McPherson, R. Ossiboff, H. Walden, T. Farrell","doi":"10.1670/21-061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-061","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract.— Raillietiella orientalis, an invasive pentastome parasite, inhabits the lungs of snakes as adults and is rapidly spreading in Florida and Australia. The species that serve as intermediate hosts are currently unknown. We conducted laboratory infection experiments with insects (Blaberus discoidalis), lizards (Anolis sagrei), and anurans (Anaxyrus terrestris, Lithobates sphenocephalus, Osteopilus septentrionalis) to develop an understanding of which species may serve as intermediate hosts and to determine the fitness consequences of infection by R. orientalis. Lizards and insects, but not anurans, were readily infected by consuming food that was contaminated with pentastome eggs. Anolis sagrei and L. sphenocephalus were both infected after eating a single roach that was infected with R. orientalis larvae. Comparison with uninfected control animals revealed that pentastome infection did not significantly affect survival or growth in roaches, lizards, or anurans. The life cycle of R. orientalis in Florida is likely to involve a sequence of three hosts, with eggs hatching in coprophagous insects that infect lizards and anurans that infect the definitive host (snakes) after they are consumed. Our results indicate that the native species that serve as intermediate hosts are unlikely to experience major negative consequences from R. orientalis, unlike the native snake species that serve as the definitive hosts. The diversity of species that can serve as intermediate hosts and the potential for vehicular rafting by infected roaches and anoles indicate that the rapid geographic range expansion of R. orientalis will probably continue.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"355 - 361"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43128404","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 Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus (Rafinesque, 1818)) is found in many watersheds from eastern Canada to the southeastern United States. Although its range is large, recent observations suggest its population is dwindling in the Great Lakes region. A lack of understanding about its distribution at a finer scale or whether diet and body condition exhibit seasonal patterns limits our ability to develop a conservation management plan. This study investigated seasonal changes in Common Mudpuppy diets and body condition across western New York (USA) over a 2-yr period by using rock turning (RT) and trapping (TR) collection methods. Common Mudpuppies were found in all four major watersheds of the region in both lentic and lotic habitats. RT was more efficient than TR in streams, whereas TR was a better option in lakes. Male-to-female sex ratios and four of five measured morphological features did not differ between collection methods, although the largest and smallest Common Mudpuppies were captured by RT, suggesting some size selectivity in TR. Body girth was significantly smaller for Common Mudpuppies collected by RT, and this was attributed to seasonal differences in activity. Stomach contents were varied and differed by season, with 41 unique prey types recovered, including several forms of microplastics. In summer and fall, Common Mudpuppies fed on invertebrates exclusively, but during winter and spring, fish were incorporated into the diet. Body condition reflected the change in diet, with a higher body condition when fish were present in the diet. These findings suggest seasonal data are necessary to fully understand Common Mudpuppy conservation needs.
{"title":"Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus (Rafinesque, 1818)) in Western New York: A Seasonal Comparison of Diet, Body Condition, and Capture Methods","authors":"Adam Haines, C. Pennuto","doi":"10.1670/20-141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/20-141","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract.— The Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus (Rafinesque, 1818)) is found in many watersheds from eastern Canada to the southeastern United States. Although its range is large, recent observations suggest its population is dwindling in the Great Lakes region. A lack of understanding about its distribution at a finer scale or whether diet and body condition exhibit seasonal patterns limits our ability to develop a conservation management plan. This study investigated seasonal changes in Common Mudpuppy diets and body condition across western New York (USA) over a 2-yr period by using rock turning (RT) and trapping (TR) collection methods. Common Mudpuppies were found in all four major watersheds of the region in both lentic and lotic habitats. RT was more efficient than TR in streams, whereas TR was a better option in lakes. Male-to-female sex ratios and four of five measured morphological features did not differ between collection methods, although the largest and smallest Common Mudpuppies were captured by RT, suggesting some size selectivity in TR. Body girth was significantly smaller for Common Mudpuppies collected by RT, and this was attributed to seasonal differences in activity. Stomach contents were varied and differed by season, with 41 unique prey types recovered, including several forms of microplastics. In summer and fall, Common Mudpuppies fed on invertebrates exclusively, but during winter and spring, fish were incorporated into the diet. Body condition reflected the change in diet, with a higher body condition when fish were present in the diet. These findings suggest seasonal data are necessary to fully understand Common Mudpuppy conservation needs.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"324 - 335"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43367643","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. Gagnon, D. Penning, A. White, K. Graves, R. Simmons, D. B. Ligon
Abstract.— Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) possess unique head morphology that suggests strong natural selection for bite performance, which likely influences foraging and prey selection, as well as the outcomes of intrasexual aggressive encounters, mating, and defense against predators. Therefore, bite performance has the potential to directly and indirectly impact fitness. In this study, we assessed the effects of captivity on bite force by comparing the performance of captive and reintroduced M. temminckii. On average, free-ranging M. temminckii bite with greater force than do individuals residing in captivity, and captive individuals housed under seminatural conditions in outdoor ponds outperformed those housed indoors. Further, we found that free-ranging M. temminckii released into different river systems performed comparably and required less provocation than captives to display gaping and biting behavior. It remains to be determined whether the observed performance differences were more strongly influenced by physiological limitations on muscle performance or by behavioral variation in motivation to bite with maximum force.
{"title":"Bite Performance of Captive Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) Improves after Reintroduction","authors":"A. Gagnon, D. Penning, A. White, K. Graves, R. Simmons, D. B. Ligon","doi":"10.1670/21-085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-085","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract.— Alligator Snapping Turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) possess unique head morphology that suggests strong natural selection for bite performance, which likely influences foraging and prey selection, as well as the outcomes of intrasexual aggressive encounters, mating, and defense against predators. Therefore, bite performance has the potential to directly and indirectly impact fitness. In this study, we assessed the effects of captivity on bite force by comparing the performance of captive and reintroduced M. temminckii. On average, free-ranging M. temminckii bite with greater force than do individuals residing in captivity, and captive individuals housed under seminatural conditions in outdoor ponds outperformed those housed indoors. Further, we found that free-ranging M. temminckii released into different river systems performed comparably and required less provocation than captives to display gaping and biting behavior. It remains to be determined whether the observed performance differences were more strongly influenced by physiological limitations on muscle performance or by behavioral variation in motivation to bite with maximum force.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"370 - 375"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44963920","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.— Having an accurate estimate of population size and density is imperative to the conservation of chelonian species and a central objective of many monitoring programs. Capture–recapture and related methods are widely used to obtain information about population size of chelonians. However, classical capture–recapture methods have strict spatial sampling requirements and do not account for lack of geographic closure caused by movement of individuals in and out of the surveyed landscape. Newly developed spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models address these limitations by specification of explicit models for spatial sampling as well as the spatial distribution of individuals in the population. Spatial capture–recapture models have not yet been applied to the study of chelonian populations. Here we demonstrate their application to a population of box turtles in Maryland that has been studied for 75 yr. Results support dramatic declines in population size of box turtles since the 1940s.
{"title":"Density Estimation in Terrestrial Chelonian Populations Using Spatial Capture–Recapture and Search–Encounter Surveys","authors":"J. Andrew Royle, Haley Turner","doi":"10.1670/21-016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-016","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract.— Having an accurate estimate of population size and density is imperative to the conservation of chelonian species and a central objective of many monitoring programs. Capture–recapture and related methods are widely used to obtain information about population size of chelonians. However, classical capture–recapture methods have strict spatial sampling requirements and do not account for lack of geographic closure caused by movement of individuals in and out of the surveyed landscape. Newly developed spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models address these limitations by specification of explicit models for spatial sampling as well as the spatial distribution of individuals in the population. Spatial capture–recapture models have not yet been applied to the study of chelonian populations. Here we demonstrate their application to a population of box turtles in Maryland that has been studied for 75 yr. Results support dramatic declines in population size of box turtles since the 1940s.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"341 - 348"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45571547","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.— Costa Rica is considered a hot spot for biodiversity and wildlife conservation in Central America, and sea turtles are a good example of this. Largely distributed along both the Caribbean and Pacific coast, adult females of five of the seven extant sea turtle species select beaches on both coasts as their breeding sites. Although Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) have been extensively studied in Costa Rica, little information regarding Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) is available. Thus, we present an exhaustive data record of every Loggerhead encountered at Tortuguero beach (northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica) over the past 60 yr. We collected Loggerhead nesting data between 1957 and 2021 through daytime and nocturnal monitoring activities. We documented 14 Loggerhead Sea Turtle nesting attempts between 1957 and 2021 at Tortuguero. Among them, seven nested successfully, four did not lay eggs, and one's fate is unknown. Additionally, two turtles were killed by jaguars. Mean minimum curve carapace length (CCLmin) measurements for Loggerheads was 98.2 ± 3.7 cm (range, 90.0–101.4 cm). Finally, we found that every encounter occurred between April and July, which coincides with the Loggerhead nesting season in the Northwest Atlantic. Our study is the first assessment of Loggerhead Sea Turtles nesting in Costa Rica, bringing to light new records for this species in the Caribbean Sea.
{"title":"Historical Records of Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Nesting at Tortuguero, Costa Rica","authors":"J. Restrepo, D. Rojas-Cañizales, R. Valverde","doi":"10.1670/21-071","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-071","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract.— Costa Rica is considered a hot spot for biodiversity and wildlife conservation in Central America, and sea turtles are a good example of this. Largely distributed along both the Caribbean and Pacific coast, adult females of five of the seven extant sea turtle species select beaches on both coasts as their breeding sites. Although Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback Sea Turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Olive Ridley Sea Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) have been extensively studied in Costa Rica, little information regarding Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) is available. Thus, we present an exhaustive data record of every Loggerhead encountered at Tortuguero beach (northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica) over the past 60 yr. We collected Loggerhead nesting data between 1957 and 2021 through daytime and nocturnal monitoring activities. We documented 14 Loggerhead Sea Turtle nesting attempts between 1957 and 2021 at Tortuguero. Among them, seven nested successfully, four did not lay eggs, and one's fate is unknown. Additionally, two turtles were killed by jaguars. Mean minimum curve carapace length (CCLmin) measurements for Loggerheads was 98.2 ± 3.7 cm (range, 90.0–101.4 cm). Finally, we found that every encounter occurred between April and July, which coincides with the Loggerhead nesting season in the Northwest Atlantic. Our study is the first assessment of Loggerhead Sea Turtles nesting in Costa Rica, bringing to light new records for this species in the Caribbean Sea.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"336 - 340"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49654364","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.— Middle-American knob scaled lizards of the genus Xenosaurus are viviparous lizards characterized by flattened bodies, peculiar knob-like scales, and extreme specialization to a crevice-dwelling ecology. Species within this rarely seen and enigmatic genus are distributed throughout much of Mexico and Guatemala. Xenosaurus is the sole surviving genus of the ancient family Xenosauridae and little is known about the origins and biogeographic history of members of the group. To address this deficit, we estimated divergence times across Xenosaurus under the fossilized birth–death model, including published ddRADseq data, morphological data for six extant and three fossil relatives to genus Xenosaurus, and fossil occurrence data for the three fossil relatives. Crown Xenosaurus was estimated to be 35 million years old, considerably younger than the stem age of the family, implying high rates of extinction. The distribution of Xenosaurus populations across Mexico and the location of the three fossil relatives in western North America suggest a Nearctic origin with a north to southeast direction of range evolution in Xenosaurus. To test this hypothesis, we performed a Bayesian biogeographic analysis under the Dispersal Extinction Cladogenesis (DEC) model, in order to estimate the historical ranges and patterns of dispersal across the genus. The results of the biogeographic analysis supported this historical north to southeast movement. In conjunction with our diversification estimates, our DEC results suggest that climatic events such as cooling during the Miocene and Pliocene may have shaped the divergence and current distributions in Xenosaurus.
{"title":"Divergence Dating and Biogeography of Xenosauridae Including Fossils as Terminal Taxa","authors":"Riley Parks, S. Harrington, R. C. Thomson","doi":"10.1670/21-068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1670/21-068","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract.— Middle-American knob scaled lizards of the genus Xenosaurus are viviparous lizards characterized by flattened bodies, peculiar knob-like scales, and extreme specialization to a crevice-dwelling ecology. Species within this rarely seen and enigmatic genus are distributed throughout much of Mexico and Guatemala. Xenosaurus is the sole surviving genus of the ancient family Xenosauridae and little is known about the origins and biogeographic history of members of the group. To address this deficit, we estimated divergence times across Xenosaurus under the fossilized birth–death model, including published ddRADseq data, morphological data for six extant and three fossil relatives to genus Xenosaurus, and fossil occurrence data for the three fossil relatives. Crown Xenosaurus was estimated to be 35 million years old, considerably younger than the stem age of the family, implying high rates of extinction. The distribution of Xenosaurus populations across Mexico and the location of the three fossil relatives in western North America suggest a Nearctic origin with a north to southeast direction of range evolution in Xenosaurus. To test this hypothesis, we performed a Bayesian biogeographic analysis under the Dispersal Extinction Cladogenesis (DEC) model, in order to estimate the historical ranges and patterns of dispersal across the genus. The results of the biogeographic analysis supported this historical north to southeast movement. In conjunction with our diversification estimates, our DEC results suggest that climatic events such as cooling during the Miocene and Pliocene may have shaped the divergence and current distributions in Xenosaurus.","PeriodicalId":54821,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herpetology","volume":"56 1","pages":"349 - 354"},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46531097","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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