Pub Date : 2022-05-17DOI: 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-21-00004
Meredith C. Swartwout, J. Willson
Abstract: Invasion and spread of Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA; Solenopsis invicta) is cited as a possible cause for enigmatic reptile declines in the southeastern United States. Reptiles are negatively affected by RIFA through predation of eggs, hatchlings, and adults. We used short-term (12-h) field trials early in incubation to evaluate whether RIFA could successfully depredate intact eggs from six species of native terrestrial oviparous snakes: North American Racer (Coluber constrictor), Speckled Kingsnake (Lampropeltis holbrooki), Prairie Kingsnake (L. calligaster), Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus), Black Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus) and Great Plains Ratsnake (P. emoryi). Then we used an artificial nest field experiment at the end of incubation to test whether RIFA predation differed between a species that has apparently declined in areas of its range where RIFA has invaded (L. holbrooki) and a species that has apparently not declined (C. constrictor). We measured pip–hatch and incubation time for each species in the laboratory to determine whether differences in time between pipping and hatching (pip–hatch time) could account for interspecific differences in RIFA predation on eggs. Overall, RIFA predation rates on snake eggs were high for all species (25–67% during early trials, 50–100% at end of incubation), although P. obsoletus was only depredated after hatching in the field. Coluber constrictor had significantly shorter pip–hatch times than other species, but probability of predation by RIFA did not differ for C. constrictor and L. holbrooki. Our study provides novel observations of RIFA predation and suggests that time spent in nest, eggshell characteristics, and nest microhabitat may be more important than pip–hatch time in mediating vulnerability of snake eggs to RIFA predation.
{"title":"Southeastern US Snake Species are Vulnerable to Egg Predation by Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)","authors":"Meredith C. Swartwout, J. Willson","doi":"10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-21-00004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-21-00004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Invasion and spread of Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA; Solenopsis invicta) is cited as a possible cause for enigmatic reptile declines in the southeastern United States. Reptiles are negatively affected by RIFA through predation of eggs, hatchlings, and adults. We used short-term (12-h) field trials early in incubation to evaluate whether RIFA could successfully depredate intact eggs from six species of native terrestrial oviparous snakes: North American Racer (Coluber constrictor), Speckled Kingsnake (Lampropeltis holbrooki), Prairie Kingsnake (L. calligaster), Rough Greensnake (Opheodrys aestivus), Black Ratsnake (Pantherophis obsoletus) and Great Plains Ratsnake (P. emoryi). Then we used an artificial nest field experiment at the end of incubation to test whether RIFA predation differed between a species that has apparently declined in areas of its range where RIFA has invaded (L. holbrooki) and a species that has apparently not declined (C. constrictor). We measured pip–hatch and incubation time for each species in the laboratory to determine whether differences in time between pipping and hatching (pip–hatch time) could account for interspecific differences in RIFA predation on eggs. Overall, RIFA predation rates on snake eggs were high for all species (25–67% during early trials, 50–100% at end of incubation), although P. obsoletus was only depredated after hatching in the field. Coluber constrictor had significantly shorter pip–hatch times than other species, but probability of predation by RIFA did not differ for C. constrictor and L. holbrooki. Our study provides novel observations of RIFA predation and suggests that time spent in nest, eggshell characteristics, and nest microhabitat may be more important than pip–hatch time in mediating vulnerability of snake eggs to RIFA predation.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"78 1","pages":"139 - 144"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49402118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00032.1
Joshua Feltham, J. Nocera
Abstract: Climate change has historically resulted in the expansion, contraction, and shift of species ranges. High-latitude range limits in areas where no physical barrier prevents dispersal are of particular interest in light of species range contraction or expansion because they represent limits that may inhibit occupancy. MacArthur proposed that abiotic factors have a greater influence on species distribution approaching high-latitude range limits. We examined aspects of environmental structure that influence distribution of Common Five-lined Skinks (Plestiodon fasciatus) and are expressed in that species' population dynamics. Eight sites in the southern Shield region of Ontario, Canada were surveyed during the active season for P. fasciatus. We collected data on the canopy cover, slope angle, slope aspect, substrate, cover type, and temperature at sites where P. fasciatus was observed (microsites) and compared these data to the general site conditions (macrosite). We assessed population size using capture–mark–recapture methods and compared population age structure at eight sites to detect if there was a correlation between the characteristics of the macrosites, population size, and age structure. Abiotic factors were the primary limiting factors affecting distribution at high-latitude range limits of the species. Spatial ecology at the individual scale was influenced by sites with suitable thermal conditions. Our results confirm the importance of microsites with suitable thermal profiles as key habitat for ectothermic vertebrates at high latitudes. The influence of temperature as a limiting abiotic factor is expressed in population density of P. fasciatus. Conservation and restoration of high-latitude populations of ectothermic vertebrates should focus on ensuring thermal requirements of the species are met before other factors are addressed, as temperature is likely the single most significant limiting factor at high-latitude range limits.
{"title":"Abiotic Factors Influence Thermal Conditions Determining Site Occupancy of Plestiodon fasciatus at High-Latitude Range Limits","authors":"Joshua Feltham, J. Nocera","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00032.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00032.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Climate change has historically resulted in the expansion, contraction, and shift of species ranges. High-latitude range limits in areas where no physical barrier prevents dispersal are of particular interest in light of species range contraction or expansion because they represent limits that may inhibit occupancy. MacArthur proposed that abiotic factors have a greater influence on species distribution approaching high-latitude range limits. We examined aspects of environmental structure that influence distribution of Common Five-lined Skinks (Plestiodon fasciatus) and are expressed in that species' population dynamics. Eight sites in the southern Shield region of Ontario, Canada were surveyed during the active season for P. fasciatus. We collected data on the canopy cover, slope angle, slope aspect, substrate, cover type, and temperature at sites where P. fasciatus was observed (microsites) and compared these data to the general site conditions (macrosite). We assessed population size using capture–mark–recapture methods and compared population age structure at eight sites to detect if there was a correlation between the characteristics of the macrosites, population size, and age structure. Abiotic factors were the primary limiting factors affecting distribution at high-latitude range limits of the species. Spatial ecology at the individual scale was influenced by sites with suitable thermal conditions. Our results confirm the importance of microsites with suitable thermal profiles as key habitat for ectothermic vertebrates at high latitudes. The influence of temperature as a limiting abiotic factor is expressed in population density of P. fasciatus. Conservation and restoration of high-latitude populations of ectothermic vertebrates should focus on ensuring thermal requirements of the species are met before other factors are addressed, as temperature is likely the single most significant limiting factor at high-latitude range limits.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"78 1","pages":"9 - 20"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42015640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00028.1
A. Riyanto, F. H. Faz, A. Amarasinghe, M. Munir, Y. Fitriana, A. Hamidy, M. Kusrini, P. Oliver
Abstract: Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Obi Island in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. The new species is genetically and morphologically allied to the Melanesian species Cyrtodactylus papuensis but is distinguished by its larger body size, fewer midbody scale rows, deep precloacal groove in males, and enlarged nonpored femoral scales and pored precloacal scales arranged in a continuous series. The new species is also genetically divergent from C. papuensis (p-distances of 19.0%–20.1% in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene). Four species of Cyrtodactylus are now known from the northern Moluccas, but it is likely additional species remain unrecognized.
{"title":"A New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Obi Island, Indonesia","authors":"A. Riyanto, F. H. Faz, A. Amarasinghe, M. Munir, Y. Fitriana, A. Hamidy, M. Kusrini, P. Oliver","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00028.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00028.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Obi Island in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. The new species is genetically and morphologically allied to the Melanesian species Cyrtodactylus papuensis but is distinguished by its larger body size, fewer midbody scale rows, deep precloacal groove in males, and enlarged nonpored femoral scales and pored precloacal scales arranged in a continuous series. The new species is also genetically divergent from C. papuensis (p-distances of 19.0%–20.1% in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene). Four species of Cyrtodactylus are now known from the northern Moluccas, but it is likely additional species remain unrecognized.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"78 1","pages":"30 - 39"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44264041","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00026.1
Sanjaya K. Bandara, S. R. Ganesh, A. Kanishka, A. D. Danushka, Vivek R. Sharma, Patrick D. Campbell, I. Ineich, G. Vogel, A. Amarasinghe
Abstract: We review the taxonomic status of Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) after examining all the name-bearing types of its synonyms, and evaluating morphological and biogeographic evidence. Oligodon arnensis sensu lato is widely distributed throughout Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. We demonstrate that southern, eastern, and western populations in India represent three distinct species. Oligodon arnensis sensu stricto described from Arnee (now Arani), Tamil Nadu, southern India, is distributed in southern India up to 1500 m above sea level. Oligodon albiventer Günther 1864 and Simotes russellii var. ceylonensis Müller 1887 described from Sri Lanka closely match O. arnensis sensu stricto, and hence we treat them as junior synonyms. We resurrect Coluber russelius Daudin 1803 from the synonymy of O. arnensis, designate a lectotype, and restrict its type locality to Vizagapatam (now Visakhapatnam), Andhra Pradesh, eastern Peninsular India. Based on morphological differences we describe a new species from Kurduvadi, in the Deccan plateau of western India representing the western Indian population of O. arnensis sensu lato. We provide redescriptions for O. arnensis sensu stricto and O. russelius comb. nov. based on museum specimens, as both were named based on illustrations (iconotypes). Based on our update of the currently confirmed localities for O. arnensis, O. russelius comb. nov. and the new species, we discuss their biogeography and conservation status.
摘要：我们在对其同义词的所有命名类型进行检查，并对形态学和生物地理学证据进行评估后，综述了Oligodon arnensis（Shaw 1802）的分类地位。阿氏寡齿龙广泛分布于印度半岛、斯里兰卡、巴基斯坦、尼泊尔、不丹和孟加拉国。我们证明，印度南部、东部和西部的种群代表了三个不同的物种。来自印度南部泰米尔纳德邦Arnee（现在的Arani）的阿氏寡齿龙（Oligodon arnensis sense stricto）分布在印度南部海拔1500米的地区。来自斯里兰卡的Oligodon albiventer Günther 1864和Simotes russelii var.ceylonensis Müller 1887与严格意义上的O.arnensis非常吻合，因此我们将它们视为初级同义词。我们从O.arnensis的同义词中复活了Coluber russelius Daudin 1803，指定了一个选型，并将其类型位置限制在印度半岛东部安得拉邦的Vizagapatam（现在的Visakhapatnam）。基于形态差异，我们描述了一个来自印度西部德干高原库尔杜瓦迪的新种，代表了印度西部的O.arnensis sensu lato种群。我们提供了严格意义上的O.arnensis和O.russelius梳的重新描述。nov.基于博物馆标本，因为两者都是根据插图（图像类型）命名的。根据我们目前确认的O.arnensis、O.russelius comb的最新位置。nov.和新物种，我们讨论了它们的生物地理学和保护状况。
{"title":"Taxonomic Composition of the Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) Species Complex (Squamata: Colubridae) with the Description of a New Species from India","authors":"Sanjaya K. Bandara, S. R. Ganesh, A. Kanishka, A. D. Danushka, Vivek R. Sharma, Patrick D. Campbell, I. Ineich, G. Vogel, A. Amarasinghe","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00026.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00026.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: We review the taxonomic status of Oligodon arnensis (Shaw 1802) after examining all the name-bearing types of its synonyms, and evaluating morphological and biogeographic evidence. Oligodon arnensis sensu lato is widely distributed throughout Peninsular India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. We demonstrate that southern, eastern, and western populations in India represent three distinct species. Oligodon arnensis sensu stricto described from Arnee (now Arani), Tamil Nadu, southern India, is distributed in southern India up to 1500 m above sea level. Oligodon albiventer Günther 1864 and Simotes russellii var. ceylonensis Müller 1887 described from Sri Lanka closely match O. arnensis sensu stricto, and hence we treat them as junior synonyms. We resurrect Coluber russelius Daudin 1803 from the synonymy of O. arnensis, designate a lectotype, and restrict its type locality to Vizagapatam (now Visakhapatnam), Andhra Pradesh, eastern Peninsular India. Based on morphological differences we describe a new species from Kurduvadi, in the Deccan plateau of western India representing the western Indian population of O. arnensis sensu lato. We provide redescriptions for O. arnensis sensu stricto and O. russelius comb. nov. based on museum specimens, as both were named based on illustrations (iconotypes). Based on our update of the currently confirmed localities for O. arnensis, O. russelius comb. nov. and the new species, we discuss their biogeography and conservation status.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"78 1","pages":"51 - 73"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47430105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00041.1
A. N. de Oca, Nicté Castresana-Villanueva, L. Canseco-Márquez, Jonathan A. Campbell
Abstract: We describe a new species of Knob-scaled Lizards of the genus Xenosaurus from the Sierra de Juárez of Oaxaca, México. Although this new species was identified as a distinct, undescribed lineage (and sister taxon to X. grandis) by previous molecular phylogenetic studies of the genus, we documented that it also differs from all of its congeners by a unique combination of scalation and color-pattern characters. The new species also is geographically isolated from all congeners and appears to have a geographic distribution limited to the vicinity of its type locality, between 1400 m and 1800 m of elevation, in the cloud forest belt of the Sierra de Juárez. Because the new species is a terrestrial, crevice-dwelling species generally ignored by humans and has a limited geographic and ecological distribution, we calculated its Environmental Vulnerability Score at 17, which places it in the middle of the high category of vulnerability to environmental degradation.
{"title":"A New Species of Xenosaurus (Squamata: Xenosauridae) from the Sierra de Juárez of Oaxaca, Mexico","authors":"A. N. de Oca, Nicté Castresana-Villanueva, L. Canseco-Márquez, Jonathan A. Campbell","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00041.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00041.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: We describe a new species of Knob-scaled Lizards of the genus Xenosaurus from the Sierra de Juárez of Oaxaca, México. Although this new species was identified as a distinct, undescribed lineage (and sister taxon to X. grandis) by previous molecular phylogenetic studies of the genus, we documented that it also differs from all of its congeners by a unique combination of scalation and color-pattern characters. The new species also is geographically isolated from all congeners and appears to have a geographic distribution limited to the vicinity of its type locality, between 1400 m and 1800 m of elevation, in the cloud forest belt of the Sierra de Juárez. Because the new species is a terrestrial, crevice-dwelling species generally ignored by humans and has a limited geographic and ecological distribution, we calculated its Environmental Vulnerability Score at 17, which places it in the middle of the high category of vulnerability to environmental degradation.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"78 1","pages":"40 - 50"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47403927","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-03-01DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00005.1
Steven T. Gardner, A. Appel, M. Mendonça
Abstract: Cane Toads (Rhinella marina) are an invasive species introduced to southern Florida, USA, and populations have spread northward through the state. Populations established near expanding edges of their distributions are predicted to have greater endurance, an indicator of dispersal capability, than longer established populations. To assess endurance, we collected Cane Toads from a northern (edge) and southern (core) population in Florida, placed them into a track, and prodded them to hop. The number of prods (taps), hops, and time spent hopping were recorded, along with the total distance each toad moved on the track. Edge population toads were less willing to move and did not travel as far in the track as those from the core population. To further evaluate endurance, we placed an additional set of toads inside a treadmill, where movement was required to maintain equilibrium. Toads moved on the treadmill until reaching exhaustion. We measured blood lactate levels from each toad upon exhaustion and during a 3-h recovery period. After the treadmill trials, there was no population effect on the distances traveled by toads. There was also no population effect on lactate levels of toads when reaching exhaustion or during recovery. Overall, Cane Toads from our sampled northern edge population showed no differences in endurance compared to those sampled from the southern population in this study. This finding may indicate that further dispersal is limited in the northernmost populations of the Cane Toad range in Florida. Furthermore, the reluctance of Cane Toads to move in the track trials may indicate that selective pressures differ for edge populations in Florida.
{"title":"Chasing Cane Toads: Assessing Locomotory Differences in Toads from Core and Edge Populations in Florida","authors":"Steven T. Gardner, A. Appel, M. Mendonça","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00005.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00005.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Cane Toads (Rhinella marina) are an invasive species introduced to southern Florida, USA, and populations have spread northward through the state. Populations established near expanding edges of their distributions are predicted to have greater endurance, an indicator of dispersal capability, than longer established populations. To assess endurance, we collected Cane Toads from a northern (edge) and southern (core) population in Florida, placed them into a track, and prodded them to hop. The number of prods (taps), hops, and time spent hopping were recorded, along with the total distance each toad moved on the track. Edge population toads were less willing to move and did not travel as far in the track as those from the core population. To further evaluate endurance, we placed an additional set of toads inside a treadmill, where movement was required to maintain equilibrium. Toads moved on the treadmill until reaching exhaustion. We measured blood lactate levels from each toad upon exhaustion and during a 3-h recovery period. After the treadmill trials, there was no population effect on the distances traveled by toads. There was also no population effect on lactate levels of toads when reaching exhaustion or during recovery. Overall, Cane Toads from our sampled northern edge population showed no differences in endurance compared to those sampled from the southern population in this study. This finding may indicate that further dispersal is limited in the northernmost populations of the Cane Toad range in Florida. Furthermore, the reluctance of Cane Toads to move in the track trials may indicate that selective pressures differ for edge populations in Florida.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"78 1","pages":"1 - 8"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46380920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract: We examined the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary divergence of Phrynocephalus versicolor Strauch 1876, as well as the genetic diversity and population structure in Mongolia using mtDNA variation. Phrynocephalus is one of the most diverse genera within the Agamidae family, with confusing or controversial taxonomy. This resulted in several independent suggestions for subspecies designations within Phrynocephalus versicolor. As the most dominant and abundant reptilian species in the Mongolian Gobi Desert, Phrynocephalus versicolor is ecologically important within the food chain of the ecological system it inhabits. We used 77 samples from 9 populations of P. versicolor in central and southern Mongolia. We amplified and sequenced 522–base pair (bp) –long fragment of the ND2 gene and recorded moderate levels of sequence diversity (Hd = 0.74 ± 0.023, π = 0.035 defined by 97 polymorphic sites). We conducted phylogenetic analyses using of Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and median-joining (MJ) network analysis that resulted in four well-supported clades (A, B, C, D) among our Mongolian samples. All of these clades, except Clade A, were population specific. The genetic distance values (mean Fst = 0.768), and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) also showed greater genetic distances between these clades. We ran a time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis using a strict molecular clock model with a single fossil calibration. The estimated divergence times in this study were comparable with previous findings, for example, 1.8 million years ago (mya) (1.31–2.94) for the node (Bayesian posterior probability [BPP] > 1.0 and bootstrap > 98) from which Clade A and B originated. In conclusion, our findings showed that there are at least three genetically distinct subspecies, namely P. v. versicolor, P. v. kulagini, and P. v. hispidus, with one previously unknown clade/lineage.
{"title":"Strong Population Genetic Structure of Phrynocephalus versicolor in Mongolia","authors":"Onolragchaa Ganbold, Erdenetushig Purevee, Munkhbayar Khorloo, Ariunbold Jargalsaikhan, Terbish Khayankhyarvaa, Altangoo Ochirbat, Zoljargal Purevdorj, M. Munkhbayar","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00012.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00012.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: We examined the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary divergence of Phrynocephalus versicolor Strauch 1876, as well as the genetic diversity and population structure in Mongolia using mtDNA variation. Phrynocephalus is one of the most diverse genera within the Agamidae family, with confusing or controversial taxonomy. This resulted in several independent suggestions for subspecies designations within Phrynocephalus versicolor. As the most dominant and abundant reptilian species in the Mongolian Gobi Desert, Phrynocephalus versicolor is ecologically important within the food chain of the ecological system it inhabits. We used 77 samples from 9 populations of P. versicolor in central and southern Mongolia. We amplified and sequenced 522–base pair (bp) –long fragment of the ND2 gene and recorded moderate levels of sequence diversity (Hd = 0.74 ± 0.023, π = 0.035 defined by 97 polymorphic sites). We conducted phylogenetic analyses using of Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood, and median-joining (MJ) network analysis that resulted in four well-supported clades (A, B, C, D) among our Mongolian samples. All of these clades, except Clade A, were population specific. The genetic distance values (mean Fst = 0.768), and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) also showed greater genetic distances between these clades. We ran a time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis using a strict molecular clock model with a single fossil calibration. The estimated divergence times in this study were comparable with previous findings, for example, 1.8 million years ago (mya) (1.31–2.94) for the node (Bayesian posterior probability [BPP] > 1.0 and bootstrap > 98) from which Clade A and B originated. In conclusion, our findings showed that there are at least three genetically distinct subspecies, namely P. v. versicolor, P. v. kulagini, and P. v. hispidus, with one previously unknown clade/lineage.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"78 1","pages":"21 - 29"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41632935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-02DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00019.1
J. D. Lara-Tufiño, A. N. de Oca
Abstract: Here, we describe a new species of the genus Lepidophyma (Xantusiidae) from the Veracruzan biotic province of western Chiapas and adjacent Tabasco. The new species was discovered in a phylogenetic study performed by previous workers, who found that this species was the sister taxon to a clade composed of Lepidophyma lipetzi as the sister taxon to Lepidophyma reticulatum and Lepidophyma flavimaculatum. However, the new species is morphologically most similar to L. flavimaculatum, a widely distributed taxon with which the new species was previously confused. The new species inhabits tropical deciduous and tropical evergreen forest, montane cloud forest, and anthropic environments such as pasture–tropical forest borders and agroecosystems between 70 and 1100 m of elevation. The new species increases the number of species described in the genus to 22.
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Pub Date : 2021-12-02DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-20-00034.1
J. Lemm, M. Tobler
Abstract: Artificial cover objects (ACOs) are known to attract small terrestrial vertebrates, but the actual parameters that attract species to ACOs can vary across geographic regions and climates. For this study ACOs were placed in coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats in southern California and surveyed weekly for small terrestrial vertebrates over a 4-yr period. We observed 1643 individuals of 34 taxa during 143 survey sessions totaling 16,312 ACO days. Overall species richness and abundances under ACOs were highest from February to April. Our results showed that the probability of encountering a reptile under an ACO was highest in February and March under large wooden ACOs containing moist soil, when temperatures under the ACO were relatively mild, and when minimum air temperatures were low. At the community level, encounter probabilities for small mammals were highest for large wooden ACOs and ACOs with low soil moisture, with several species differences. Amphibians of three species were only captured in low numbers primarily under wooden ACOs from November to March. Use of ACOs in research and monitoring is an inexpensive and simple way to document and capture a wide variety of small terrestrial vertebrates. Species richness and abundance can be maximized over short periods using ACOs and can be equally important for long-term monitoring, particularly once the factors that make ACO use effective for small terrestrial vertebrates of a certain region have been investigated.
{"title":"Factors Affecting the Presence and Abundance of Amphibians, Reptiles, and Small Mammals under Artificial Cover in Southern California","authors":"J. Lemm, M. Tobler","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-20-00034.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-20-00034.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Artificial cover objects (ACOs) are known to attract small terrestrial vertebrates, but the actual parameters that attract species to ACOs can vary across geographic regions and climates. For this study ACOs were placed in coastal sage scrub and grassland habitats in southern California and surveyed weekly for small terrestrial vertebrates over a 4-yr period. We observed 1643 individuals of 34 taxa during 143 survey sessions totaling 16,312 ACO days. Overall species richness and abundances under ACOs were highest from February to April. Our results showed that the probability of encountering a reptile under an ACO was highest in February and March under large wooden ACOs containing moist soil, when temperatures under the ACO were relatively mild, and when minimum air temperatures were low. At the community level, encounter probabilities for small mammals were highest for large wooden ACOs and ACOs with low soil moisture, with several species differences. Amphibians of three species were only captured in low numbers primarily under wooden ACOs from November to March. Use of ACOs in research and monitoring is an inexpensive and simple way to document and capture a wide variety of small terrestrial vertebrates. Species richness and abundance can be maximized over short periods using ACOs and can be equally important for long-term monitoring, particularly once the factors that make ACO use effective for small terrestrial vertebrates of a certain region have been investigated.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"77 1","pages":"307 - 319"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49182724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-02DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00002.1
K. Melstrom, Zackery P. Wistort
Abstract: Quantifying morphology has become increasingly popular with the advent of widely available high-powered computing. Orientation patch count rotated (OPCR) is an important measurement of dental surface complexity and has been shown to relate to diet, with carnivores possessing simple teeth and herbivores exhibiting complex dentitions. This method, however, has primarily been applied to mammals with comparatively little research focusing on dentigerous reptiles. Three methods are currently used to measure dental complexity (Surfer Manipulator, molaR, and MorphoTester), and the comparability of these methods remains untested in saurian datasets. Here, we test for differences among the three dental complexity methods using a dataset comprising lepidosaur and crocodylian teeth. Additionally, we seek to test the hypothesis that phenotypic dental complexity is related to dietary ecology using the molaR and MorphoTester OPCR methods. We find that Surfer Manipulator and 3D-OPCR methods (molaR and MorphoTester) generate different complexities, with molaR and MorphoTester consistently producing higher complexity values. The relationship between diet and dental complexity was recovered using molaR and MorphoTester, with carnivores possessing simple teeth and herbivores exhibiting significantly more-complex teeth, but this trend was not as distinct as when using Surfer Manipulator. Dental complexities were highly dependent on model preparation, in particular the triangle count of each 3D model, with surfaces that possess a greater number of faces exhibiting higher complexities. We present a series of recommendations that will help guide future studies of nonmammalian dentitions. Ultimately, 3D-OPCR methods are a fruitful area of research and represent a relatively untapped avenue of quantitative herpetology.
{"title":"The Application of Dental Complexity Metrics on Extant Saurians","authors":"K. Melstrom, Zackery P. Wistort","doi":"10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00002.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00002.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract: Quantifying morphology has become increasingly popular with the advent of widely available high-powered computing. Orientation patch count rotated (OPCR) is an important measurement of dental surface complexity and has been shown to relate to diet, with carnivores possessing simple teeth and herbivores exhibiting complex dentitions. This method, however, has primarily been applied to mammals with comparatively little research focusing on dentigerous reptiles. Three methods are currently used to measure dental complexity (Surfer Manipulator, molaR, and MorphoTester), and the comparability of these methods remains untested in saurian datasets. Here, we test for differences among the three dental complexity methods using a dataset comprising lepidosaur and crocodylian teeth. Additionally, we seek to test the hypothesis that phenotypic dental complexity is related to dietary ecology using the molaR and MorphoTester OPCR methods. We find that Surfer Manipulator and 3D-OPCR methods (molaR and MorphoTester) generate different complexities, with molaR and MorphoTester consistently producing higher complexity values. The relationship between diet and dental complexity was recovered using molaR and MorphoTester, with carnivores possessing simple teeth and herbivores exhibiting significantly more-complex teeth, but this trend was not as distinct as when using Surfer Manipulator. Dental complexities were highly dependent on model preparation, in particular the triangle count of each 3D model, with surfaces that possess a greater number of faces exhibiting higher complexities. We present a series of recommendations that will help guide future studies of nonmammalian dentitions. Ultimately, 3D-OPCR methods are a fruitful area of research and represent a relatively untapped avenue of quantitative herpetology.","PeriodicalId":56312,"journal":{"name":"Herpetologica","volume":"77 1","pages":"279 - 288"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2021-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42770134","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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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