DOCSLIB.ORG

Hindlimb Malformation in a Widely Distributed Skink, Chalcides Ocellatus

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hindlimb Malformation in a Widely Distributed Skink, Chalcides Ocellatus Herpetology Notes, volume 13: 15-17 (2020) (published online on 23 January 2020) Hindlimb malformation in a widely distributed skink, Chalcides ocellatus Apostolos Christopoulos1,* and Panayiotis Pafilis1,2 Malformations in reptiles are quite common. Most and Thanou, 2016). Most probably the species arrived morphological anomalies refer to tail regeneration, there thanks to its notorious skills of anthropogenically- namely bifurcation (e.g. Gogliath et al., 2012; Tamar assisted dispersal (Caputo et al., 1997; Kornilios et al., et al., 2013; Koleška et al., 2017; Koleška, 2018; 2010; Gunn et al., 2012). Ofori et al., 2018), trifurcation (Pheasey et al., 2014; On 10 April 2019, we made a herpetological survey Koleška and Jablonski, 2015; Passos et al., 2016) or at Iliki Lake (Boeotia, Central Greece; 38.4055oN, even hexafurcation (Pelegrin and Leão, 2016). Limb 23.2233oE; Fig. 1). The habitat is located on low limestone (Norval et al., 2009; Cortada et al., 2017; Gkourtsouli- slopes at the elevation of 126 m. Vegetation consists of Antoniadou et al., 2017; Kolenda et al., 2017) and digit Mediterranean maquis and phrygana with predominant (Kaliontzopoulou et al., 2013; Itescu et al., 2017; Sanches species the kermes oak (Quercus coccifera) and spiny et al., 2017) malformations are uncommon. In skinks, broom (Calicotome villosa). While looking under morphological anomalies have been reported mainly road debris and waste plywood, places where reptiles as bifurcated tails (Jablonski, 2016; Turner et al., 2017; typically resort, we found two juveniles Balkan green Vergilov and Natchev, 2017). Limb malformations are rare (Skinner, 2012) and, to the best of our knowledge, there are no records of malformed skinks from Europe. Here we report a case of a hindlimb malformation of the ocellated skink, Chalcides ocellatus, from Greece. The ocellated skink, Chalcides ocellatus (Forskal, 1775) (Squamata: Scincidae) is a medium-sized (snout to vent length [SVL] up to 130 mm), diurnal skink with a wide range that includes southwestern Asia (from India to Turkey), northern Africa (from Kenya to Morocco) and southern Europe (Sardinia, Sicily, Naples area, Greece) (Sindaco and Jeremčenko, 2008). In Greece, the species occurs in Attica, Boeotia, northeastern Peloponnese, parts of western coastal Greek mainland and on few islands (Lymberakis et al., 2018). Recently, C. ocellatus was recorded from the islands Naxos, Syros, Kythnos and Kassos (Belasen et al., 2012; Roussos and Densmore, 2014; Itescu et al., 2016; Kornilios 1 Dept. of Zoology and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 15784 Athens, Greece. 2 Zoological Museum, National and Kapodistrian University of Figure 2. (A) The Chalcides ocellatus with the hindlimb Athens, Greece, Panepistimioupolis, 15784 Athens, Greece. malformation; (B) Hind limb detail, dorsal view; (C) Hind * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] limb detail, ventral view. Photos by Apostolos Christopoulos. 16 Apostolos Christopoulos & Panayiotis Pafilis Figure 1. Map of the Iliki Lake area showing the observation point of the focal Chalcides ocellatus. lizards (Lacerta trilineata) and two adult C. ocellatus. de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, On one of the later, we made a fortuitous observation: Portugal) for the pre-peer review of the manuscript. this individual had a conspicuous somatic malformation, an atrophic meromelic right hindlimb (Fig. 2A). Besides References this anomaly, the skink (SVL: 103 mm) was a healthy Alibardi, L. (2017): Review: Biological and molecular differences individual with normal morphological features. The between tail regeneration and limb scarring in lizard: an inspiring limb had an atrophic thigh and tibia and the foot was model addressing limb regeneration in amniotes. Journal lacking. The colour and scalation of the malformed limb of Experimental Zoology B: Molecular and Developmental resembled the tail (Fig. 2B, C). After photographed and Evolution 328B: 493–514. measured, the skink was released into its habitat and run Belasen, A., Li, B., Foufopoulos, J. (2012): Geographic Distribution: Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated skink). Herpetological Review swiftly for cover under the debris. 43(1): 102. According to the literature, such limb malformations Caputo, V., Guarino, F.M., Baldanza (1997): A new finding of are rather sporadic and are regarded as having the skink, Chalcides ocellatus in the ex royal garden of Portici environmental or genetic origin (Rothschild et al., 2012; (Naples, Italy). Boletin Asociación Herpetologica Española, Alibardi, 2017; Cortada et al., 2017). Further researches Madrid 8: 3–4. are necessary to provide the background to understand Cortada, A., Kaliontzopoulou, A., Mendes, J., Carretero, M.A. (2017): A case of limb regeneration in a wild adult Podarcis the nature of limb deformities in lizards. lilfordi lizard. Turkish Journal of Zoology 41: 1069–1071. Gkourtsouli-Antoniadou, I., Deimezis-Tsikoutas, A., Vassaki, K., Acknowledgements. We would like to thank Dionysis Kapatos Vezyrakis, A., Pafilis, P. (2017): A tail where it shouldn’t be: and Grigoris Kapsalas for assistance in the field and map creation a morphological anomaly in Podarcis erhardii. Herpetology respectively. We also thank Dr. Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou (Centro Notes 10: 233–234. Hindlimb malformation in a widely distributed skink, Chalcides ocellatus 17 Gogliath, M., Pereira, L.C.M., Nicola, P.A., Ribeiro, L.B. (2012): Norval, G., Mao, J.J., Bursey, C.R., Goldberg, S.R. (2009): A Ameiva ameiva (Giant ameiva) Bifurcation. Herpetological deformed hind limb of an invasive free-living brown anole Review 43(1): 129. (Anolis sagrei Duméril & Bibron, 1837) from Hualien City, Gunn, J., Bowker, R.W., Sullivan, K.O., Sullivan, B.K. (2012): An Taiwan. Herpetology Notes 2: 219–221. Old World skink, Chalcides ocellatus, with a long history of Ofori, B.Y, Martey, P., Musah, Y., Attuquayefio, D. (2018): Tail anthropogenically assisted dispersal, now established in Mesa, bifurcation in the African Rainbow lizard (Agama picticauda Arizona, USA. Herpetological Review, Clovis, California 43: Peters 1877) from Ghana, West Africa. Herpetology Notes 11: 551–553. 843–845. Itescu, Y., Lewin, A., Slavenko, A., Meiri, S., Pafilis, P. (2017): Passos, D.C., Fonseca, P.H.M., Romo de Vivar, P.R., Kanayama, Podarcis erhardii (Erhard’s Wall Lizard) Extreme morphology. C.Y., Teixeira, V.P.A., Martinelli, A.G. (2016): Tail trifurcation Herpetological Review 48(1): 199–200. in the lizard Salvator merianae (Squamata: Teiidae) investigated Itescu, Y., Slavenko, A., Schwarz, R., Meiri S., Pafilis, P. (2016): by computer tomography. Phyllomedusa 15: 79–83. A new island record for Chalcides ocellatus (FORSKÅL, 1775) Pelegrin, N., Leão, S.M. (2016): Injured Salvator merianae from Kythnos, Greece. Herpetozoa 29(1/2): 98–100. (Teiidae) regenerates six tails in central Argentina. Cuadernos Jablonski, D. (2016): Tail bifurcation in a Desert Lidless Skink de herpetología 30: 21–23. (Ablepharus deserti) from Kyrgyzstan. International Reptile Pheasey, H., Smith, P., Brouard, J.P., Atkinson, K. (2014): Conservation Foundation Journal Reptiles and Amphibians Vanzosaura rubricauda (Red-tailed Vanzosaur). Bifurcation and 23(3): 171–172. trifurcation. Herpetological Review 45(1): 138–139. Kaliontzopoulou, A., Salvi, D., Gomes, V., Maia, J.P.M.C., Rothschild, B.M., Schultze, H.P., Pellegrini, R. (2012): Kaliontzopoulos, P. (2013): Polydactyly in the Tyrrhenian wall Herpetological osteopathology. Annotated bibliography of lizard (Podarcis tiliguerta). Acta Herpetologica 8(1): 75–78. amphibians and reptiles. New York, USA, Springer. 450 pp. Kolenda, K., Wieczorek, M., Najbar, A., Najbar, B., Skawiński, T. Roussos, S.A., Densmore, L.D. III (2014): Geographic Distribution: (2017): Limb malformation and tail bifurcation in sand lizards Chalcides ocellatus (Ocellated skink). Herpetological Review (Lacerta agilis) and common lizards (Zootoca vivipara) from 45(1): 91. Poland. Herpetology Notes 10: 713–716. Sanches, P.R., Santos, F.P., Costa-Campos, C.E. (2017): Ectrodactyly Koleška, D. (2018): First record of tail bifurcation in Asaccus of the exotic lizard Hemidactylus mabouia (Gekkonidae) in an gallagheri from the United Arabian Emirates. Herpetology urban area of northern Brazil, eastern Amazon. Boletín de la Notes 11: 115–116. Asociación Herpetológica Española 28: 11–12. Koleška, D., Jablonski, D. (2015): Tail trifurcation recorded in Skinner, A. (2012): Limb Abnormalities in Two Species of Lerista Algyroides nigropunctatus (Duméril & Bibron, 1839). Ecologica (Scincidae, Squamata). Current Herpetology 31: 1–7. Montenegrina 3: 26–28. Sindaco, R., Jeremčenko, V.K. (2008): The reptiles of the Western Koleška, D., Svobodova, V., Husák, T., Kulma, M., Jablonski, Palearctic 1. Annotated checklist and distributional atlas of D. (2017): Tail bifurcation recorded in Sauromalus ater. the turtles, crocodiles, amphisbaenians and lizards of Europe, Herpetology Notes 10: 363–364. North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia; Latina. Edizioni Kornilios, P., Kyriazi, P., Poulakakis, N., Kumlutas, Y., Ilgaz, H., Belvedere. Mylonas, M., Lymberakis, P. (2010): Phylogeography of the Tamar, K., Maza, E., Meiri, S. (2013): Ophisops elegans (Snake ocellated skink Chalcides ocellatus (Squamata, Scincidae), eyed lizard). Bifurcation. Herpetological Review 44(1): 146. with the use of mtDNA sequences: A hitch-hiker’s guide to Turner, H., Griffiths, R., Garcia, G., Outerbridge, M. (2017):
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Diversity of Hemipenes and Its Taxonomical Implication in the Genus Ablepharus (Squamata: Scincidae)
    ARPHA Conference Abstracts 2: e39487 doi: 10.3897/aca.2.e39487 Conference Abstract Diversity of hemipenes and its taxonomical implication in the genus Ablepharus (Squamata: Scincidae) Vladislav Vergilov‡, Georgi Popgeorgiev‡§, Boyan Zlatkov ‡ National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria § Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria Corresponding author: Vladislav Vergilov ([email protected]) Received: 27 Aug 2019 | Published: 28 Aug 2019 Citation: Vergilov V, Popgeorgiev G, Zlatkov B (2019) Diversity of hemipenes and its taxonomical implication in the genus Ablepharus(Squamata: Scincidae). ARPHA Conference Abstracts 2: e39487. https://doi.org/10.3897/aca.2.e39487 Abstract The genus Ablepharus encompasses 10 species and 12 subspecies, distributed from Hungary to India. Most species and subspecies have been described from the Middle East and Central Asia, based on external morphology (pholidosis, body size and coloration). The present study is an attempt to demonstrate the hemipenial morphology throughout the genus. Some taxonomical questions arose during comparison of the hemipenes of several subspecies and species, showing the necessity of a revision of the genus. A dendrogram generated from distinctive hemipenial characters revealed rapid divergence of this structure in closely related taxa and discrepancy with the phylogenetic tree based on molecular data from previous studies. Keywords skink, morphology, hemipenis, relationships © Vergilov
    [Show full text]
  • Downloaded from Brill.Com10/06/2021 09:29:00AM Via Free Access 42 Luiselli Et Al
    Contributions to Zoology, 74 (1/2) 41-49 (2005) Analysis of a herpetofaunal community from an altered marshy area in Sicily; with special remarks on habitat use (niche breadth and overlap), relative abundance of lizards and snakes, and the correlation between predator abundance and tail loss in lizards Luca Luiselli1, Francesco M. Angelici2, Massimiliano Di Vittorio3, Antonio Spinnato3, Edoardo Politano4 1 F.I.Z.V. (Ecology), via Olona 7, I-00198 Rome, Italy. E-mail: [email protected] 2 F.I.Z.V. (Mammalogy), via Cleonia 30, I-00152 Rome, Italy. 3 Via Jevolella 2, Termini Imprese (PA), Italy. 4 Centre of Environmental Studies ‘Demetra’, via Tomassoni 17, I-61032 Fano (PU), Italy Abstract relationships, thus rendering the examination of the relationships between predators and prey an extreme- A field survey was conducted in a highly degraded barren en- ly complicated task for the ecologist (e.g., see Con- vironment in Sicily in order to investigate herpetofaunal com- nell, 1975; May, 1976; Schoener, 1986). However, munity composition and structure, habitat use (niche breadth and there is considerable literature (both theoretical and overlap) and relative abundance of a snake predator and two spe- empirical) indicating that case studies of extremely cies of lizard prey. The site was chosen because it has a simple community structure and thus there is potentially less ecological simple communities, together with the use of appropri- complexity to cloud any patterns observed. We found an unexpect- ate minimal models, can help us to understand the edly high overlap in habitat use between the two closely related basis of complex patterns of ecological relationships lizards that might be explained either by a high competition for among species (Thom, 1975; Arditi and Ginzburg, space or through predator-mediated co-existence i.e.
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring the Host Specificity and Diversity of Haemogregarines in the Canary Islands Beatriz Tomé1,2*, Ana Pereira1,2, Fátima Jorge3, Miguel A
    Tomé et al. Parasites & Vectors (2018) 11:190 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2760-5 RESEARCH Open Access Along for the ride or missing it altogether: exploring the host specificity and diversity of haemogregarines in the Canary Islands Beatriz Tomé1,2*, Ana Pereira1,2, Fátima Jorge3, Miguel A. Carretero1, D. James Harris1 and Ana Perera1 Abstract Background: Host-parasite relationships are expected to be strongly shaped by host specificity, a crucial factor in parasite adaptability and diversification. Because whole host communities have to be considered to assess host specificity, oceanic islands are ideal study systems given their simplified biotic assemblages. Previous studies on insular parasites suggest host range broadening during colonization. Here, we investigate the association between one parasite group (haemogregarines) and multiple sympatric hosts (of three lizard genera: Gallotia, Chalcides and Tarentola) in the Canary Islands. Given haemogregarine characteristics and insular conditions, we hypothesized low host specificity and/or occurrence of host-switching events. Methods: A total of 825 samples were collected from the three host taxa inhabiting the seven main islands of the Canarian Archipelago, including locations where the different lizards occurred in sympatry. Blood slides were screened to assess prevalence and parasitaemia, while parasite genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships were inferred from 18S rRNA gene sequences. Results: Infection levels and diversity of haplotypes varied geographically and across host groups. Infections were found in all species of Gallotia across the seven islands, in Tarentola from Tenerife, La Gomera and La Palma, and in Chalcides from Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro. Gallotia lizards presented the highest parasite prevalence, parasitaemia and diversity (seven haplotypes), while the other two host groups (Chalcides and Tarentola) harbored one haplotype each, with low prevalence and parasitaemia levels, and very restricted geographical ranges.
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview and Checklist of the Native and Alien Herpetofauna of the United Arab Emirates
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5(3):529–536. Herpetological Conservation and Biology Symposium at the 6th World Congress of Herpetology. AN OVERVIEW AND CHECKLIST OF THE NATIVE AND ALIEN HERPETOFAUNA OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 1 1 2 PRITPAL S. SOORAE , MYYAS AL QUARQAZ , AND ANDREW S. GARDNER 1Environment Agency-ABU DHABI, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, e-mail: [email protected] 2Natural Science and Public Health, College of Arts and Sciences, Zayed University, P.O. Box 4783, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abstract.—This paper provides an updated checklist of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) native and alien herpetofauna. The UAE, while largely a desert country with a hyper-arid climate, also has a range of more mesic habitats such as islands, mountains, and wadis. As such it has a diverse native herpetofauna of at least 72 species as follows: two amphibian species (Bufonidae), five marine turtle species (Cheloniidae [four] and Dermochelyidae [one]), 42 lizard species (Agamidae [six], Gekkonidae [19], Lacertidae [10], Scincidae [six], and Varanidae [one]), a single amphisbaenian, and 22 snake species (Leptotyphlopidae [one], Boidae [one], Colubridae [seven], Hydrophiidae [nine], and Viperidae [four]). Additionally, we recorded at least eight alien species, although only the Brahminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyplops braminus) appears to have become naturalized. We also list legislation and international conventions pertinent to the herpetofauna. Key Words.— amphibians; checklist; invasive; reptiles; United Arab Emirates INTRODUCTION (Arnold 1984, 1986; Balletto et al. 1985; Gasperetti 1988; Leviton et al. 1992; Gasperetti et al. 1993; Egan The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of 2007).
    [Show full text]
  • “Italian Immigrants” Flourish on Long Island Russell Burke Associate Professor Department of Biology
    “Italian Immigrants” Flourish on Long Island Russell Burke Associate Professor Department of Biology talians have made many important brought ringneck pheasants (Phasianus mentioned by Shakespeare. Also in the contributions to the culture and colchicus) to North America for sport late 1800s naturalists introduced the accomplishments of the United hunting, and pheasants have survived so small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javan- States, and some of these are not gen- well (for example, on Hofstra’s North icus) to the islands of Mauritius, Fiji, erally appreciated. Two of the more Campus) that many people are unaware Hawai’i, and much of the West Indies, Iunderappreciated contributions are that the species originated in China. Of supposedly to control the rat popula- the Italian wall lizards, Podarcis sicula course most of our common agricultural tion. Rats were crop pests, and in most and Podarcis muralis. In the 1960s and species — except for corn, pumpkins, cases the rats were introduced from 1970s, Italian wall lizards were imported and some beans — are non-native. The Europe. Instead of eating lots of rats, the to the United States in large numbers for mongooses ate numerous native ani- the pet trade. These hardy, colorful little mals, endangering many species and lizards are common in their home coun- Annual Patterns causing plenty of extinctions. They also try, and are easily captured in large num- 3.0 90 became carriers of rabies. There are 80 2.5 bers. Enterprising animal dealers bought 70 many more cases of introductions like them at a cut rate in Italy and sold them 2.0 60 these, and at the time the scientific 50 1.5 to pet dealers all over the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Literature Cited in Lizards Natural History Database
    Literature Cited in Lizards Natural History database Abdala, C. S., A. S. Quinteros, and R. E. Espinoza. 2008. Two new species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the puna of northwestern Argentina. Herpetologica 64:458-471. Abdala, C. S., D. Baldo, R. A. Juárez, and R. E. Espinoza. 2016. The first parthenogenetic pleurodont Iguanian: a new all-female Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) from western Argentina. Copeia 104:487-497. Abdala, C. S., J. C. Acosta, M. R. Cabrera, H. J. Villaviciencio, and J. Marinero. 2009. A new Andean Liolaemus of the L. montanus series (Squamata: Iguania: Liolaemidae) from western Argentina. South American Journal of Herpetology 4:91-102. Abdala, C. S., J. L. Acosta, J. C. Acosta, B. B. Alvarez, F. Arias, L. J. Avila, . S. M. Zalba. 2012. Categorización del estado de conservación de las lagartijas y anfisbenas de la República Argentina. Cuadernos de Herpetologia 26 (Suppl. 1):215-248. Abell, A. J. 1999. Male-female spacing patterns in the lizard, Sceloporus virgatus. Amphibia-Reptilia 20:185-194. Abts, M. L. 1987. Environment and variation in life history traits of the Chuckwalla, Sauromalus obesus. Ecological Monographs 57:215-232. Achaval, F., and A. Olmos. 2003. Anfibios y reptiles del Uruguay. Montevideo, Uruguay: Facultad de Ciencias. Achaval, F., and A. Olmos. 2007. Anfibio y reptiles del Uruguay, 3rd edn. Montevideo, Uruguay: Serie Fauna 1. Ackermann, T. 2006. Schreibers Glatkopfleguan Leiocephalus schreibersii. Munich, Germany: Natur und Tier. Ackley, J. W., P. J. Muelleman, R. E. Carter, R. W. Henderson, and R. Powell. 2009. A rapid assessment of herpetofaunal diversity in variously altered habitats on Dominica.
    [Show full text]
  • Species List of Amphibians and Reptiles from Turkey
    Journal of Animal Diversity Online ISSN 2676-685X Volume 2, Issue 4 (2020) http://dx.doi.org/10.29252/JAD.2020.2.4.2 Review Article Species list of Amphibians and Reptiles from Turkey Muammer Kurnaz Gümüşhane University, Kelkit Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Medical Services and Techniques 29600, Kelkit / Gümüşhane, Turkey *Corresponding author : [email protected] Abstract Turkey is biogeographically diverse and consequently has a rich herpetofauna. As a result of active herpetological research, the number of species has steadily increased in recent years. I present here a new checklist of amphibian and reptile species distributed in Turkey, revising the nomenclature to reflect the latest taxonomic knowledge. In addition, information about the systematics of many species is also given. In total 35 (19.4%) amphibian and 145 Received: 8 October 2020 (80.6%) reptile species comprise the Turkish herpetofauna. Among amphibians, 16 (45.7%) Accepted: 23 December 2020 anurans and 19 urodelans (54.3%) are present. Among reptiles, 11 (7.6%) testudines, 71 Published online: 31 January 2021 (49%) saurians, 3 (2.1%) amphisbaenians and 60 (41.3%) ophidians are considered part of the herpetofauna. The endemism rate in Turkey is considered relatively high with a total of 34 species (12 amphibian species – 34.3% and 22 reptile species – 15.2%) endemic to Turkey, yielding a total herpetofaunal endemism of 18.9%. While 38 species have not been threat-assessed by the IUCN, 92 of the 180 Turkish herpetofaunal species are of Least Concern (LC), 13 are Near Threatened (NT), 10 are Vulnerable (VU), 14 are Endangered (EN), and 7 are Critically Endangered (CR).
    [Show full text]
  • Podarcis Siculus)
    WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNALTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & IRCF AMPHIBIANS REPTILES • VOL &15, AMPHIBIANS NO 4 • DEC 2008 • 189 21(4):142–143 • DEC 2014 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCED SPECIES FEATURE ARTICLES . Chasing Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi) in Wisconsin: On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190 Notes. The Shared on History of TreeboasTwo (Corallus grenadensisIntroduced) and Humans on Grenada: Populations of A Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................Robert W. Henderson 198 theRESEARCH Italian ARTICLES Wall Lizard (Podarcis siculus) . The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204 . The Knighton Anole (Anolis Staten equestris) in Florida Island, New York .............................................Brian J. Camposano, Kenneth L. Krysko, Kevin M. Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 1,2 3 CONSERVATION ALERTRobert W. Mendyk and John Adragna 1Department of Herpetology,. World’s Mammals Smithsonian in Crisis National............................................................................................................................................................. Zoological Park, 3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, USA 220 ([email protected])
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of Reptiles in Kosovo and Metohija Province
    UNIVERSITY THOUGHT doi:10.5937/univtho8-16981 Publication in Natural Sciences, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2018, pp. 1-6. Original Scientific Paper CONTRIBUTION TO THE HERPETOFAUNA OF SERBIA - DISTRIBUTION OF REPTILES IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA PROVINCE LJILJANA TOMOVIĆ1*, MAGDALENA TIMOTIJEVIĆ2, RASTKO AJTIĆ3, IMRE KRIZMANIĆ1, NENAD LABUS2 1Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia 2Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Priština, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia 3Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia ABSTRACT Kosovo and Metohija have already been recognized as regions with the highest diversity of reptiles in Serbia, where 92% (22 of 24) of existing reptile species can be found (Tomović et al., 2015a). First comprehensive contribution to herpetofauna of Kosovo and Metohija was provided by late Professor Gojko Pasuljević. In this study we present a complete dataset of distribution records for 13 most common reptile species in Kosovo and Metohija, including published and new distribution data compiled, and provide standardized 10 x 10 km UTM maps for these data. Results of this study include 1013 distribution records (278 new and 735 published data) for the following reptiles: Testudo hermanni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Anguis fragilis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis tauricus, Coronella austriaca, Dolichophis caspius, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Zamenis longissimus and Vipera ammodytes. The most widely distributed species, which occupy more than 50 UTM 10 x 10 km squares are: Podarcis muralis and Vipera ammodytes. Species with limited distribution which occupy less than 20 UTM 10 x 10 km are: Dolichophis caspius and Lacerta agilis. The largest numbers of new or confirmed literature data are recorded for: Anguis fragilis, Testudo hermanni and Vipera ammodytes.
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetological Review Volume 38, Number 1 — March 2007
    Herpetological Review Volume 38, Number 1 — March 2007 SSAR 50th Anniversary Year SSAR Officers (2007) HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW President The Quarterly News-Journal of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles ROY MCDIARMID USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center Editor Managing Editor National Museum of Natural History ROBERT W. HANSEN THOMAS F. TYNING Washington, DC 20560, USA 16333 Deer Path Lane Berkshire Community College Clovis, California 93619-9735, USA 1350 West Street President-elect [email protected] Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201, USA BRIAN CROTHER [email protected] Department of Biological Sciences Southeastern Louisiana University Associate Editors Hammond, Louisiana 70402, USA ROBERT E. ESPINOZA CHRISTOPHER A. PHILLIPS DEANNA H. OLSON California State University, Northridge Illinois Natural History Survey USDA Forestry Science Lab Secretary MARION R. PREEST ROBERT N. REED MICHAEL S. GRACE R. BRENT THOMAS Joint Science Department USGS Fort Collins Science Center Florida Institute of Technology Emporia State University The Claremont Colleges Claremont, California 91711, USA EMILY N. TAYLOR GUNTHER KÖHLER California Polytechnic State University Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Senckenberg Treasurer KIRSTEN E. NICHOLSON Section Editors Department of Biology, Brooks 217 Central Michigan University Book Reviews Current Research Current Research Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48859, USA AARON M. BAUER JOSH HALE MICHELE A. JOHNSON e-mail: [email protected] Department of Biology Department of Sciences Department of Biology Villanova University MuseumVictoria, GPO Box 666 Washington University Publications Secretary Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia Campus Box 1137 BRECK BARTHOLOMEW [email protected] [email protected] St. Louis, Missouri 63130, USA P.O. Box 58517 [email protected] Salt Lake City, Utah 84158, USA Geographic Distribution Geographic Distribution Geographic Distribution e-mail: [email protected] ALAN M.
    [Show full text]
  • Aquatic Habits of Some Scincid and Lacertid Lizards in Italy
    Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 273-277 (2021) (published online on 01 February 2021) Aquatic habits of some scincid and lacertid lizards in Italy Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola1, Sergio Mezzadri2, Giacomo Bruni3, Andrea Ambrogio4, Alessia Mariacher5,*, and Thomas Zabbia6 Among European lizards, there are no strictly aquatic thermoregulation (Webb, 1980). We here report several or semi-aquatic species (Corti et al., 2011). The only remarkable observations of different behaviours in ones that regularly show familiarity with aquatic aquatic environments in non-accidental circumstances environments are Zootoca vivipara (Jacquin, 1787) and for three Italian lizard species (Chalcides chalcides, especially Z. carniolica (Mayer et al., 2000). Species of Lacerta bilineata, Podarcis muralis). the genus Zootoca can generally be found in wetlands and peat bogs (Bruno, 1986; Corti and Lo Cascio, 1999; Chalcides chalcides (Linnaeus, 1758) Lapini, 2007; Bombi, 2011; Speybroeck, 2016; Di Italian Three-toed Skink Nicola et al., 2019), swimming through the habitat from one floating site to another for feeding, or for escape First event. On 1 July 2020 at 12:11 h (sunny weather; (Bruno, 1986; Glandt, 2001; Speybroeck et al., 2016). Tmax = 32°C; Tavg = 25°C) near Poggioferro, Grosseto These lizards are apparently even capable of diving into Province, Italy (42.6962°N, 11.3693°E, elevation a body of water to reach the bottom in order to flee from 494 m), one of the authors (AM) observed an Italian predators (Bruno, 1986). three-toed skink floating in a near-vertical position in Nonetheless, aquatic habits are considered infrequent a swimming pool, with only its head above the water in other members of the family Lacertidae, including surface (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • 47296-001: Northwest Region Power Transmission Line Project
    Initial Environmental Examination VOLUME 1 Document: Initial Environmental Examination (Draft) Date: December 2020 Loan 3285-UZB: Northwest Region Power Transmission Line Project: Syrdarya TPP – Zafarabad Substation 220kV Transmission Line Project Prepared by the Joint-Stock Company National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan (NEGU) for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Initial Environmental Examination is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB's Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Preparing Sustainable Energy Investment Projects, Regional Energy Transmission and Dispatch Enhancement, Uzbekistan Syrdarya TPP – Zafarabad Substation 220kV Transmission Line Project Initial Environmental Examination Date: December 2020 Issue and Revision Record Revision Date Originator Approver Description 1.0 26 October 2020 N. Skinner N. Skinner For Client Review 1.1 7 December N. Skinner N. Skinner Including updates based on 2020 ADB first review Document Reference: UZB.ADB.TRANS200kV.IEE Syrdarya TPP – Zafarabad Substation 220kV Transmission Line Project Initial Environmental Examination Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]