Phylogenetic Systematics, Biogeography, and Evolutionary
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Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus Niloticus) Genetic Diversity and Population Structure, Within the Lower Kunene and Okavango Rivers of Northern Namibia
Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) genetic diversity and population structure, within the lower Kunene and Okavango Rivers of northern Namibia by William F. Versfeld Thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Faculty of Natural Science at Stellenbosch University Supervisor: Dr Ruhan Slabbert Co-Supervisor: Dr Clint Rhode and Dr Alison Leslie Department of Genetics Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Declaration By submitting this thesis electronically, I declare that the entirety of the work contained therein is my own, original work, that I am the sole author thereof (save to the extent explicitly otherwise stated), that reproduction and publication thereof by Stellenbosch University will not infringe any third party rights and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it for obtaining any qualification. Date: March 2016 Copyright © 2016 Stellenbosch University All rights reserved i Stellenbosch University https://scholar.sun.ac.za Abstract The Nile crocodile has experienced numerous stages of illegal hunting pressures in the mid-20th- century across most of the species’ distribution. The reduced Nile crocodile populations have shown partial recovery and it is currently considered as a “lower risk” / “least concern” species on the Red List of International Union for Conservation of Nature. In Namibia, however, the Nile crocodile is recognised as a protected game species under the Nature Conservation Ordinance No 4 of 1975, allowing trophy hunting of the species only with the issuing of a hunting licence. Census and genetic data of the Nile crocodile is limited or non-existing in Namibia and the country has recently developed a species management plan to conserve the wild populations. -
I What Is a Crocodilian?
I WHAT IS A CROCODILIAN? Crocodilians are the only living representatives of the Archosauria group (dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and thecodontians), which first appeared in the Mesozoic era. At present, crocodiliams are the most advanced of all reptiles because they have a four-chambered heart, diaphragm, and cerebral cortex. The extent morphology reflects their aquatic habits. Crocodilians are elongated and armored with a muscular, laterally shaped tail used in swimming. The snout is elongated, with the nostrils set at the end to allow breathing while most of the body remains submerged. Crocodilians have two pairs of short legs with five toes on the front and four tows on the hind feet; the toes on all feet are partially webbed. The success of this body design is evidenced by the relatively few changes that have occurred since crocodilians first appeared in the late Triassic period, about 200 million years ago. Crocodilians are divided into three subfamilies. Alligatorinae includes two species of alligators and five caiman. Crocodylinae is divided into thirteen species of crocodiles and on species of false gharial. Gavialinae contains one species of gharial. Another way to tell the three groups of crocodilians apart is to look at their teeth. II PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS A Locomotion Crocodilians spend time on land primarily to bask in the sun, to move from one body of water to another, to escape from disturbances, or to reproduce. They use three distinct styles of movement on land. A stately high walk is used when moving unhurried on land. When frightened, crocodilians plunge down an embankment in an inelegant belly crawl. -
Tomistoma Tomistoma Schlegelii Mark R
Tomistoma Tomistoma schlegelii Mark R. Bezuijen1, Bruce M. Shwedick2, Ralf Sommerlad3, Colin Stevenson4 and Robert B. Steubing5 1 PO Box 183, Ferny Creek, Victoria 3786, Australia ([email protected]); 2 Crocodile Conservation Services, PO Box 3176, Plant City, FL 33563, USA ([email protected]); 3 Roedelheimer Landstr. 42, Frankfurt, Hessen 60487, Germany ([email protected]); 4 Crocodile Encounters, 37 Mansfi eld Drive, Merstham, Surrey, UK ([email protected]); 5 10 Locust Hill Road, Cincinnati, OH 45245, USA ([email protected]) Common Names: Tomistoma, sunda gharial, false gharial, 2009 IUCN Red List: EN (Endangered. Criteria: C1: buaya sumpit, buaya senjulung/Julung (Indonesia), takong Population estimate is less than 2500 mature individuals, (Thailand) with continuing decline of at least 25% within 5 years or two generations. Widespread, but in low numbers; IUCN 2009). It is likely that criteria A1(c): “a decline in the area Range: Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java), Malaysia of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or decline in habitat” (Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak), Brunei, Thailand also applies, as habitat loss is the key threat to the species. (extirpated?) (Last assessed in 2000). Principal threats: Habitat destruction Ecology and Natural History Tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii) is a freshwater, mound- nesting crocodilian with a distinctively long, narrow snout. It is one of the largest of crocodilians, with males attaining lengths of up to 5 m. The current distribution of Tomistoma extends over lowland regions of eastern Sumatra, Kalimantan and western Java (Indonesia) and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia (Malaysia), within 5 degrees north and south of the equator (Stuebing et al. 2006). Tomistoma apparently occurred in southern Thailand historically, but there have been no reports since at least the 1970s and it is probably extirpated there (Ratanakorn et al. -
The Contribution of Skull Ontogenetic Allometry and Growth Trajectories to the Study of Crocodylian Relationships
EVOLUTION & DEVELOPMENT 12:6, 568–579 (2010) DOI: 10.1111/j.1525-142X.2010.00442.x The Gavialis--Tomistoma debate: the contribution of skull ontogenetic allometry and growth trajectories to the study of crocodylian relationships Paolo Piras,a,b,Ã Paolo Colangelo,c Dean C. Adams,d Angela Buscalioni,e Jorge Cubo,f Tassos Kotsakis,a,b Carlo Meloro,g and Pasquale Raiah,b aDipartimento di Scienze Geologiche, Universita` Roma Tre, Largo San Leonardo Murialdo, 1, 00146 Roma, Italy bCenter for Evolutionary Ecology, Largo San Leonardo Murialdo, 1, 00146 Roma, Italy cDipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie ‘‘Charles Darwin,’’ Universita` di Roma ‘‘La Sapienza’’, via Borelli 50, 00161 Roma, Italy dDepartment of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA eUnidad de Paleontologı´a, Departamento de Biologı´a, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Auto´noma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain fUniversite´ Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, UMR CNRS 7193-iSTeP, Equipe Biomineralisations, 4 Pl Jussieu, BC 19, Paris 75005, France gHull York Medical School, The University of Hull, Cottingham Road, Hull HU6 7RX, UK hDipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universita‘ degli Studi Federico II, L.go San Marcellino 10, 80138 Napoli, Italy ÃAuthor for correspondence (email: [email protected]) SUMMARY The phylogenetic placement of Tomistoma and stages of development. Based on a multivariate regression of Gavialis crocodiles depends largely upon whether molecular or shape data and size, Tomistoma seems to possess a peculiar morphological data are utilized. Molecular analyses consider rate of growth in comparison to the remaining taxa. However, its them as sister taxa, whereas morphological/paleontological morphology at both juvenile and adult sizes is always closer to analyses set Gavialis apart from Tomistoma and other those of Brevirostres crocodylians, for the entire head shape, crocodylian species. -
8. Archosaur Phylogeny and the Relationships of the Crocodylia
8. Archosaur phylogeny and the relationships of the Crocodylia MICHAEL J. BENTON Department of Geology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, UK JAMES M. CLARK* Department of Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA Abstract The Archosauria include the living crocodilians and birds, as well as the fossil dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and basal 'thecodontians'. Cladograms of the basal archosaurs and of the crocodylomorphs are given in this paper. There are three primitive archosaur groups, the Proterosuchidae, the Erythrosuchidae, and the Proterochampsidae, which fall outside the crown-group (crocodilian line plus bird line), and these have been defined as plesions to a restricted Archosauria by Gauthier. The Early Triassic Euparkeria may also fall outside this crown-group, or it may lie on the bird line. The crown-group of archosaurs divides into the Ornithosuchia (the 'bird line': Orn- ithosuchidae, Lagosuchidae, Pterosauria, Dinosauria) and the Croco- dylotarsi nov. (the 'crocodilian line': Phytosauridae, Crocodylo- morpha, Stagonolepididae, Rauisuchidae, and Poposauridae). The latter three families may form a clade (Pseudosuchia s.str.), or the Poposauridae may pair off with Crocodylomorpha. The Crocodylomorpha includes all crocodilians, as well as crocodi- lian-like Triassic and Jurassic terrestrial forms. The Crocodyliformes include the traditional 'Protosuchia', 'Mesosuchia', and Eusuchia, and they are defined by a large number of synapomorphies, particularly of the braincase and occipital regions. The 'protosuchians' (mainly Early *Present address: Department of Zoology, Storer Hall, University of California, Davis, Cali- fornia, USA. The Phylogeny and Classification of the Tetrapods, Volume 1: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds (ed. M.J. Benton), Systematics Association Special Volume 35A . pp. 295-338. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1988. -
Goniopholididae) from the Albian of Andorra (Teruel, Spain): Phylogenetic Implications
Journal of Iberian Geology 41 (1) 2015: 41-56 http://dx.doi.org/10.5209/rev_JIGE.2015.v41.n1.48654 www.ucm.es /info/estratig/journal.htm ISSN (print): 1698-6180. ISSN (online): 1886-7995 New material from a huge specimen of Anteophthalmosuchus cf. escuchae (Goniopholididae) from the Albian of Andorra (Teruel, Spain): Phylogenetic implications E. Puértolas-Pascual1,2*, J.I. Canudo1,2, L.M. Sender2 1Grupo Aragosaurus-IUCA, Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, c/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain. 2Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Zaragoza, c/Pedro Cerbuna No. 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain. e-mail addresses: [email protected] (E.P.P, *corresponding author); [email protected] (J.I.C.); [email protected] (L.M.S.) Received: 15 December 2013 / Accepted: 18 December 2014 / Available online: 25 March 2015 Abstract In 2011 the partial skeleton of a goniopholidid crocodylomorph was recovered in the ENDESA coal mine Mina Corta Barrabasa (Escu- cha Formation, lower Albian), located in the municipality of Andorra (Teruel, Spain). This new goniopholidid material is represented by abundant postcranial and fragmentary cranial bones. The study of these remains coincides with a recent description in 2013 of at least two new species of goniopholidids in the palaeontological site of Mina Santa María in Ariño (Teruel), also in the Escucha Formation. These species are Anteophthalmosuchus escuchae, Hulkepholis plotos and an undetermined goniopholidid, AR-1-3422. In the present paper, we describe the postcranial and cranial bones of the goniopholidid from Mina Corta Barrabasa and compare it with the species from Mina Santa María. -
Crocodylus Johnstoni
RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 33 103–107 (2018) DOI: 10.18195/issn.0312-3162.33(1).2018.103-107 Observations of mammalian feeding by Australian freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) in the Kimberley region of Western Australia Ruchira Somaweera1,*, David Rhind2, Stephen Reynolds3, Carla Eisemberg4, Tracy Sonneman5 and David Woods5 1 Ecosystem Change Ecology, CSIRO Land & Water, Floreat, Western Australia 6014, Australia. 2 School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia. 3 Environs Kimberley, Broome, Western Australia 6725, Australia. 4 Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia. 5 Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, West Kimberley District Offce, Broome, Western Australia 6725, Australia. * Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT – The dietary preference of most crocodilians is generally thought to be fairly broad. However, the head morphology of slender-snouted crocodilians limits their ability to process large and complex prey. The slender-snouted Australian freshwater crocodile is known to be a dietary specialist consuming small aquatic prey, particularly aquatic arthropods and fsh. Here, we report observations of predation events by Australian freshwater crocodiles on medium- and large-sized mammals in the Kimberley region of Western Australia including macropods, a large rodent and an echidna. We discuss the signifcance of our observations from an ecological and morphological perspective and propose that terrestrial mammalian prey may be a seasonally important prey item for some populations of freshwater crocodiles. KEYWORDS: mammal, marsupial, monotreme, predation INTRODUCTION occupying downstream estuarine areas (Cogger 2014; Crocodilians are opportunistic predators that capture Webb et al. 1983). Given the smaller size and the mild and consume a range of prey items usually associated temperament, attacks by this species on humans are with or attracted to water. -
Using Environmental DNA to Detect Estuarine Crocodiles, a Cryptic
Human–Wildlife Interactions 14(1):64–72, Spring 2020 • digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi Using environmental DNA to detect estuarine crocodiles, a cryptic-ambush predator of humans Alea Rose, Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia Yusuke Fukuda, Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Northern Territory Govern- ment, P.O. Box 496, Palmerston, Northern Territory 0831, Australia Hamish A. Campbell, Research Institute of Livelihoods and the Environment, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia [email protected] Abstract: Negative human–wildlife interactions can be better managed by early detection of the wildlife species involved. However, many animals that pose a threat to humans are highly cryptic, and detecting their presence before the interaction occurs can be challenging. We describe a method whereby the presence of the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), a cryptic and potentially dangerous predator of humans, was detected using traces of DNA shed into the water, known as environmental DNA (eDNA). The estuarine crocodile is present in waterways throughout southeast Asia and Oceania and has been responsible for >1,000 attacks upon humans in the past decade. A critical factor in the crocodile’s capability to attack humans is their ability to remain hidden in turbid waters for extended periods, ambushing humans that enter the water or undertake activities around the waterline. In northern Australia, we sampled water from aquariums where crocodiles were present or absent, and we were able to discriminate the presence of estuarine crocodile from the freshwater crocodile (C. johnstoni), a closely related sympatric species that does not pose a threat to humans. -
Crocodiles Alter Skin Color in Response to Environmental Color Conditions
www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Crocodiles Alter Skin Color in Response to Environmental Color Conditions Received: 3 January 2018 Mark Merchant1, Amber Hale2, Jen Brueggen3, Curt Harbsmeier4 & Colette Adams5 Accepted: 6 April 2018 Many species alter skin color to varying degrees and by diferent mechanisms. Here, we show that Published: xx xx xxxx some crocodylians modify skin coloration in response to changing light and environmental conditions. Within the Family, Crocodylidae, all members of the genus Crocodylus lightened substantially when transitioned from dark enclosure to white enclosures, whereas Mecistops and Osteolaemus showed little/no change. The two members of the Family Gavialidae showed an opposite response, lightening under darker conditions, while all member of the Family Alligatoridae showed no changes. Observed color changes were rapid and reversible, occurring within 60–90 minutes. The response is visually- mediated and modulated by serum α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), resulting in redistribution of melanosomes within melanophores. Injection of crocodiles with α-MSH caused the skin to lighten. These results represent a novel description of color change in crocodylians, and have important phylogenetic implications. The data support the inclusion of the Malayan gharial in the Family Gavialidae, and the shift of the African slender-snouted crocodile from the genus Crocodylus to the monophyletic genus Mecistops. Te rapid alteration of skin color is well known among a wide assortment of ectothermic vertebrates and inver- tebrates1. Adaptive skin color changes may occur for a variety of reasons, including communication, thermal regulation, and crypsis1. Te modifcation of skin pigmentation is achieved by either physiological or morpho- logical mechanisms1. -
Caiman Crocodilus Crocodilus) Revista De La Facultad De Ciencias Veterinarias, UCV, Vol
Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UCV ISSN: 0258-6576 [email protected] Universidad Central de Venezuela Venezuela Alvarado-Rico, Sonia; García, Gisela; Céspedes, Raquel; Casañas, Martha; Rodríguez, Albert Carecterización Morfológica e Histoquímica del Hígado de la Baba (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus) Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UCV, vol. 53, núm. 1, enero-junio, 2012, pp. 13-19 Universidad Central de Venezuela Maracay, Venezuela Disponible en: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=373139079002 Cómo citar el artículo Número completo Sistema de Información Científica Más información del artículo Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina, el Caribe, España y Portugal Página de la revista en redalyc.org Proyecto académico sin fines de lucro, desarrollado bajo la iniciativa de acceso abierto Rev. Fac. Cs. Vets. HISTOLOGÍA UCV. 53(1):13-19. 2012 CARACTERIZACIÓN MORFOLÓGICA E HISTOQUÍMICA DEL HÍGADO DE LA BABA (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus) Morphological and Histochemical Characterization of the Liver of the Spectacled Cayman (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus) Sonia Alvarado-Rico*,1, Gisela García*, Raquel Céspedes**, Martha Casañas*** y Albert Rodríguez**** *Cátedra de Histología y **Cátedra de Anatomía Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. ***Postgrado de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. ****Pregrado de la Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Universidad Central de Venezuela. Apartado 4563, Maracay, 2101A, estado Aragua, Venezuela Correo-E:[email protected] Recibido: 28/11/11 - Aprobado: 13/07/12 RESUMEN ABSTraCT La morfología, organización y los componentes The morphology, organization and intracytoplasmic intracitoplasmáticos del hepatocito de la baba components of the liver of the spectacled cayman (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus) son aspectos que se (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus) are aspects that have han estudiado parcialmente hasta el momento. -
Crown Clades in Vertebrate Nomenclature
2008 POINTS OF VIEW 173 Wiens, J. J. 2001. Character analysis in morphological phylogenetics: Wilkins, A. S. 2002. The evolution of developmental pathways. Sinauer Problems and solutions. Syst. Biol. 50:689–699. Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts. Wiens, J. J., and R. E. Etheridge. 2003. Phylogenetic relationships of Wright, S. 1934a. An analysis of variability in the number of digits in hoplocercid lizards: Coding and combining meristic, morphometric, an inbred strain of guinea pigs. Genetics 19:506–536. and polymorphic data using step matrices. Herpetologica 59:375– Wright, S. 1934b. The results of crosses between inbred strains 398. of guinea pigs differing in number of digits. Genetics 19:537– Wiens, J. J., and M. R. Servedio. 1997. Accuracy of phylogenetic analysis 551. including and excluding polymorphic characters. Syst. Biol. 46:332– 345. Wiens, J. J., and M. R. Servedio. 1998. Phylogenetic analysis and in- First submitted 28 June 2007; reviews returned 10 September 2007; traspecific variation: Performance of parsimony, likelihood, and dis- final acceptance 18 October 2007 tance methods. Syst. Biol. 47:228–253. Associate Editor: Norman MacLeod Syst. Biol. 57(1):173–181, 2008 Copyright c Society of Systematic Biologists ISSN: 1063-5157 print / 1076-836X online DOI: 10.1080/10635150801910469 Crown Clades in Vertebrate Nomenclature: Correcting the Definition of Crocodylia JEREMY E. MARTIN1 AND MICHAEL J. BENTON2 1UniversiteL´ yon 1, UMR 5125 PEPS CNRS, 2, rue Dubois 69622 Villeurbanne, France; E-mail: [email protected] 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS9 1RJ, UK; E-mail: [email protected] Downloaded By: [Martin, Jeremy E.] At: 19:32 25 February 2008 Acrown group is defined as the most recent common Dyke, 2002; Forey, 2002; Monsch, 2005; Rieppel, 2006) ancestor of at least two extant groups and all its descen- but rather expresses dissatisfaction with the increasingly dants (Gauthier, 1986). -
Phylogenetic Taphonomy: a Statistical and Phylogenetic
Drumheller and Brochu | 1 1 PHYLOGENETIC TAPHONOMY: A STATISTICAL AND PHYLOGENETIC 2 APPROACH FOR EXPLORING TAPHONOMIC PATTERNS IN THE FOSSIL 3 RECORD USING CROCODYLIANS 4 STEPHANIE K. DRUMHELLER1, CHRISTOPHER A. BROCHU2 5 1. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 6 Tennessee, 37996, U.S.A. 7 2. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 8 52242, U.S.A. 9 email: [email protected] 10 RRH: CROCODYLIAN BITE MARKS IN PHYLOGENETIC CONTEXT 11 LRH: DRUMHELLER AND BROCHU Drumheller and Brochu | 2 12 ABSTRACT 13 Actualistic observations form the basis of many taphonomic studies in paleontology. 14However, surveys limited by environment or taxon may not be applicable far beyond the bounds 15of the initial observations. Even when multiple studies exploring the potential variety within a 16taphonomic process exist, quantitative methods for comparing these datasets in order to identify 17larger scale patterns have been understudied. This research uses modern bite marks collected 18from 21 of the 23 generally recognized species of extant Crocodylia to explore statistical and 19phylogenetic methods of synthesizing taphonomic datasets. Bite marks were identified, and 20specimens were then coded for presence or absence of different mark morphotypes. Attempts to 21find statistical correlation between trace types, marking animal vital statistics, and sample 22collection protocol were unsuccessful. Mapping bite mark character states on a eusuchian 23phylogeny successfully predicted the presence of known diagnostic, bisected marks in extinct 24taxa. Predictions for clades that may have created multiple subscores, striated marks, and 25extensive crushing were also generated. Inclusion of fossil bite marks which have been positively 26associated with extinct species allow this method to be projected beyond the crown group.