DOCSLIB.ORG

A New Defensive Behaviour for Threadsnakes and the Defensive Repertoire of Trilepida Jani (Pinto & Fernandes, 2012) (Epictinae: Leptotyphlopidae)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A New Defensive Behaviour for Threadsnakes and the Defensive Repertoire of Trilepida Jani (Pinto & Fernandes, 2012) (Epictinae: Leptotyphlopidae) Herpetology Notes, volume 11: 839-841 (2018) (published online on 28 September 2018) A new defensive behaviour for threadsnakes and the defensive repertoire of Trilepida jani (Pinto & Fernandes, 2012) (Epictinae: Leptotyphlopidae) Angele Martins1, Gabriel M. Baptista1,2, Daniel B. Maciel1, and Rodrigo C. Gonzalez1,* Snakes exhibit a series of defensive behaviours Trilepida jani (Pinto and Fernandes, 2012) is apparently dependant on exposure to different kinds of predators strictly fossorial (as for most leptotyphlopids), and may in the various habitats they occupy (Greene, 1988). be found in cavities under stones (Pinto and Fernandes, Antipredator mechanisms among snakes are diverse 2012). It constructs tunnels and eventually leaves these and complex, and several studies addressing defensive habitats when tunnels are flooded by intense rain (Pinto behaviour are available for neotropical snakes (e.g., and Fernandes, 2012). On 23 August 2014, during Greene, 1988; Martins, 1996; Martins et al., 2008). fieldwork in the Brazilian Cerrado in the municipality However, most studies address alethinophidian of Grão Mogol (16°33’37.9”S 42°51’03.6”W), Minas snakes, with relatively few contributions pertaining to Gerais, Brazil, an individual of T. jani (MNRJ 25148; scolecophidians (e.g., Visser, 1966; Gehlbach et al., Fig. 1) exhibited an interesting defensive repertoire 1968; Watkins II et al., 1969; Gehlbach, 1970; Webb and while being photographed. Shine, 1993; Martins, 1996; Ernst and Ernst, 2003). First, the individual showed locomotor escape Scolecophidians (sensu Vidal et al., 2010) are (Figure 1A) and balling behaviour. When manipulated, specialised burrowers that actively prey on larvae or the animal exhibited a previously undescribed adults of social insects (Greene 1997; Cundall and defensive behaviour. The snake coiled itself around Greene, 2000; Webb et al., 2000). Defensive behaviours the researcher’s finger, passing its head several times exhibited by scolecophidians include death-feigning around its body coils, and squeezing with a relatively and erratic movements, defecation, writhing, cloacal sac high amount of force. The knotting behaviour resembled discharge, silvery colouration, and vigorous semirigid an open double overhand knot (Figure 1B). In addition, serpentine behaviours (Richmond, 1955; Visser, 1966; this reaction was repeated every time the animal was Gehlbach et al., 1968; Watkins II et al., 1969; Gehlbach, manipulated. This behaviour was shortly followed by 1970). Most of these previously reported behaviours are cloacal discharge (presumably from the anal gland, with based on observations of only a few scolecophidian an intense odour) and prodding with the tail spine while species, with even fewer observations for species coiled around the manipulator’s finger. from the family Leptotyphlopidae. Knowledge of Except for this new behaviour (coiling with a double leptotyphlopid biology is still incipient (Avila et al., overhand knot), similar defensive behaviours have 2006) and warrants further investigation. already been reported for other leptotyphlopids (e.g., Rena dulcis in Watkins II et al., 1969; Rena humilis in Ernst and Ernst, 2003; Leptotyphlops scutifrons in Gehlbach et al., 1968; Epictia diaplocia in Martins, 1996). However, this is the first report of a defensive behaviour for Trilepida spp. 1 Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Additionally, most of the available studies on defensive Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Quinta da Boa Vista, São behaviours for leptotyphlopids are based on ant attacks Cristóvão, 20940-040, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. 2 Universidade Estácio de Sá, Campus R9, Rua André Rocha, stimulated in captivity (Gehlbach et al.,1968; Shine 838. Taquara, 22710-560, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. and Webb, 1990). Amongst the defensive behaviours * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] exhibited by leptotyphlopids, discharge of cloacal 840 Angele Martins et al. Figure 1. Defensive behaviour of Trilepida jani (MNRJ 25148) exhibiting erratic movements (A) and knotting behaviour, associated with prodding with the caudal spine (B). Photo by Daniel B. Maciel. secretions is apparently used for minimising the risks of for the PostDoc fellowship provided (E-26/202.403/2017). RCG ant attacks (prey-inflicted injuries; Gehlbach et al.,1968; (processes: 142370/2014-2) and DBM thank CNPq and CAPES Shine and Webb, 1990). Olfactory cues may stimulate for the scholarships offered during PhD. erratic behaviour in other leptotyphlopids (Watkins II et al., 1969) rather than purely tactic or visual stimulation. References In this study, defensive behaviours were exhibited after Avila, R.W., Ferreira, V.L., Souza, V.B. (2006): Biology of manipulation (i.e., tactile stimulation). the blindsnake Typhlops brongersmianus (Typhlopidae) in The interpretation of the “double overhand knot” a semideciduous forest from central Brazil. Herpetological behaviour is still merely speculative and lacks Journal 16: 403–405. Cundall, D., Greene, H.W. (2000): Feeding in snakes. In: Schwenk observations in the presence of predators. However, it K. (ed.) Feeding, Form, Function, and Evolution in Tetrapod may be a protection against falls, or a way to cling to Vertebrates, p. 293–333. San Diego. some substrate to avoid being removed from a particular Durso, A. M.; Mullin, S.J. (2014): Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors place by a predator. Additionally, the knotting behaviour Influence Expression of Defensive Behavior in Plains Hog- may prevent predators from being able to easily consume Nosed Snakes (Heterodon nasicus). Ethology, 120: 140–148. these blindsnakes as prey, especially if the spine is Ernst, C.H.,;Ernst, E.M. (2003): Snakes if the United States and pressed into sensitive areas, such as the eye. Canada. Washington DC: Smithsonian Books. Regarding the other behaviours exhibited by Trilepida Gehlbach, F.R., Watkins II, J.; Reno, H.W. (1968): Defensive behavior elicited by ant attacks. Bioscience 18: 784–785. jani mentioned above, those are widespread among Gehlbach, F.R. (1970): Death-feigning and erratic behavior in other scolecophidian snakes and terrestrial (mostly) Leptotyphlopid, Colubrid and Elapid Snakes. Herpetologica 26: alethinophidian species (Martins, 1996; Martins et al., 24–34. 2008). Despite its importance for survival, effects of Greene, H.W. (1988): Antipredator mechanisms in reptiles. In extrinsic and intrinsic factors on individual defensive Biology of the Reptilia, p. 1–152. Gans, C., Huey, R. B. (Eds)., behaviour have been neglected in most snakes and New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc. thus demand additional attention (Marques et al., 2013; Greene, H.W. (1997): Snakes: The Evolution of Mystery in Nature. Berkeley and Los Angeles, University of California Press. Durso and Mullin, 2014). This study contributes by Marques, O.A.V., Banci, K., Strussmann, C. (2013): Death- providing data on the biology of leptotyphlopid species, feigning behavior in water snakes of the genus Hydrodynastes and further studies on other species of Leptotyphlopidae (Dipsadidae) from South America. Herpetology Notes 6: 95– are recommended. 96. Martins, M. (1996): Defensive tactics in lizards and snakes: Acknowledgements. AM thanks: Coordenação de the potential contribution of the Neotropical fauna. Anais de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the Etologia 14: 185–199. scholarship provided during PhD, and Fundação Carlos Chagas Martins, M., Marques, O.A.V., Sazima, I. (2008): How to be Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa no Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) arboreal and diurnal and still stay alive: microhabitat use, time A new defensive behaviour for threadsnakes 841 of activity, and defense in Neotropical forest snakes. South Watkins II, J.F., Gehlbach, F.R., Kroll, J.C. (1969): Attractant- American Journal of Herpetology 3: 58–67. Repellent Secretions of Blind Snakes (Leptotyphlops dulcis) Pinto, R., Fernandes, R. (2012): A New Blind Snake Species of and their army ant prey (Neivamyrmex nigrescens). Ecology 50: the Genus Tricheilostoma from Espinhaço Range, Brazil and 1098–1102. Taxonomic Status of Rena dimidiata (Jan, 1861) (Serpentes: Webb, J.K., Shine, R. (1993): Prey-size selection, gape limitation Epictinae: Leptotyphlopidae). Copeia. 1: 37–38. and predator vulnerability in Australian blind snakes Richmond, N.D. (1955): The blind snakes (Typhlops) of Bimini, (Typhlopidae). Animal Behavior 45: 1117–1126. Bahama Islands, British West Indies, with description of new Webb, J.K., Shine, R., Branch, W.R., Harlow, P.S. (2000): Life- species. American Museum Novitates 1734: 1–7. history strategies in basal snakes: reproduction and dietary habits Shine, R.; Webb, J.K. (1990): Natural history of Australian of the African thread snake Leptotyphlops scutifrons (Serpentes: typhlopid snakes. Journal of Herpetology 24: 357 – 363. Leptotyphlopidae). Journal of Zoology 250: 321–327. Visser, J. (1966): Colour change in Leptotyphlops scutifrons (Peters) and notes on its defensive behavior. Zoologica Africana 2: 123–125. Vidal, N., Marin, J., Morini, M., Donnellan, S., Branch, W.R., Thomas, R., Vences, M., Wynn, A., Cruaud, C., Hedges, B. (2010): Blindsnake evolutionary tree reveals long history on Gondwana. Biology Letters 6: 558–561. Accepted by Andrew Durso.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Extreme Miniaturization of a New Amniote Vertebrate and Insights Into the Evolution of Genital Size in Chameleons
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons Frank Glaw1*, Jörn Köhler2, Oliver Hawlitschek3, Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina4, Andolalao Rakotoarison4, Mark D. Scherz5 & Miguel Vences6 Evolutionary reduction of adult body size (miniaturization) has profound consequences for organismal biology and is an important subject of evolutionary research. Based on two individuals we describe a new, extremely miniaturized chameleon, which may be the world’s smallest reptile species. The male holotype of Brookesia nana sp. nov. has a snout–vent length of 13.5 mm (total length 21.6 mm) and has large, apparently fully developed hemipenes, making it apparently the smallest mature male amniote ever recorded. The female paratype measures 19.2 mm snout–vent length (total length 28.9 mm) and a micro-CT scan revealed developing eggs in the body cavity, likewise indicating sexual maturity. The new chameleon is only known from a degraded montane rainforest in northern Madagascar and might be threatened by extinction. Molecular phylogenetic analyses place it as sister to B. karchei, the largest species in the clade of miniaturized Brookesia species, for which we resurrect Evoluticauda Angel, 1942 as subgenus name. The genetic divergence of B. nana sp. nov. is rather strong (9.9‒14.9% to all other Evoluticauda species in the 16S rRNA gene). A comparative study of genital length in Malagasy chameleons revealed a tendency for the smallest chameleons to have the relatively largest hemipenes, which might be a consequence of a reversed sexual size dimorphism with males substantially smaller than females in the smallest species.
    [Show full text]
  • Other Contributions
    Other Contributions NATURE NOTES Amphibia: Caudata Ambystoma ordinarium. Predation by a Black-necked Gartersnake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis). The Michoacán Stream Salamander (Ambystoma ordinarium) is a facultatively paedomorphic ambystomatid species. Paedomorphic adults and larvae are found in montane streams, while metamorphic adults are terrestrial, remaining near natal streams (Ruiz-Martínez et al., 2014). Streams inhabited by this species are immersed in pine, pine-oak, and fir for- ests in the central part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Luna-Vega et al., 2007). All known localities where A. ordinarium has been recorded are situated between the vicinity of Lake Patzcuaro in the north-central portion of the state of Michoacan and Tianguistenco in the western part of the state of México (Ruiz-Martínez et al., 2014). This species is considered Endangered by the IUCN (IUCN, 2015), is protected by the government of Mexico, under the category Pr (special protection) (AmphibiaWeb; accessed 1April 2016), and Wilson et al. (2013) scored it at the upper end of the medium vulnerability level. Data available on the life history and biology of A. ordinarium is restricted to the species description (Taylor, 1940), distribution (Shaffer, 1984; Anderson and Worthington, 1971), diet composition (Alvarado-Díaz et al., 2002), phylogeny (Weisrock et al., 2006) and the effect of habitat quality on diet diversity (Ruiz-Martínez et al., 2014). We did not find predation records on this species in the literature, and in this note we present information on a predation attack on an adult neotenic A. ordinarium by a Thamnophis cyrtopsis. On 13 July 2010 at 1300 h, while conducting an ecological study of A.
    [Show full text]
  • Xenosaurus Tzacualtipantecus. the Zacualtipán Knob-Scaled Lizard Is Endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Eastern Mexico
    Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus. The Zacualtipán knob-scaled lizard is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of eastern Mexico. This medium-large lizard (female holotype measures 188 mm in total length) is known only from the vicinity of the type locality in eastern Hidalgo, at an elevation of 1,900 m in pine-oak forest, and a nearby locality at 2,000 m in northern Veracruz (Woolrich- Piña and Smith 2012). Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus is thought to belong to the northern clade of the genus, which also contains X. newmanorum and X. platyceps (Bhullar 2011). As with its congeners, X. tzacualtipantecus is an inhabitant of crevices in limestone rocks. This species consumes beetles and lepidopteran larvae and gives birth to living young. The habitat of this lizard in the vicinity of the type locality is being deforested, and people in nearby towns have created an open garbage dump in this area. We determined its EVS as 17, in the middle of the high vulnerability category (see text for explanation), and its status by the IUCN and SEMAR- NAT presently are undetermined. This newly described endemic species is one of nine known species in the monogeneric family Xenosauridae, which is endemic to northern Mesoamerica (Mexico from Tamaulipas to Chiapas and into the montane portions of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala). All but one of these nine species is endemic to Mexico. Photo by Christian Berriozabal-Islas. amphibian-reptile-conservation.org 01 June 2013 | Volume 7 | Number 1 | e61 Copyright: © 2013 Wilson et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Com- mons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License, which permits unrestricted use for non-com- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 7(1): 1–47.
    [Show full text]
  • Life History Account for Western Threadsnake
    California Wildlife Habitat Relationships System California Department of Fish and Wildlife California Interagency Wildlife Task Group WESTERN THREADSNAKE Rena humilis Family: LEPTOTYPHLOPIDAE Order: SQUAMATA Class: REPTILIA R045 Written by: R. Marlow Reviewed by: T. Papenfuss Edited by: R. Duke, J. Harris DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY The western threadsnake (once known as the western blind snake) is widely distributed in southern California from the coast to the eastern border at elevations up to 1515 m (5000 ft). It seldom occurs in strictly sandy areas, alluvial flats or dry lakes. Little is known about abundance. A wide variety of habitats at lower elevations is occupied where conditions are suitable for burrowing, or hiding under surface objects and in crevices (Klauber 1940, Brattstrom 1953, Brattstrom and Schwenkmeyer 1951, Stebbins 1954, 1972). SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS Feeding: This snake eats ants, termites, their eggs, larvae and other soft-bodied insects (Stebbins 1954). Cover: This snake burrows, spending most of its time underground. It has also been taken under objects such as logs, rocks and among the roots of shrubs. They have also been taken under granite flakes (Stebbins 1954). Reproduction: No data. Water: The species seems to prefer moister habitats but is found in very arid environments, so permanent water is probably not required (Stebbins 1954). Pattern: This species prefers moist areas. In canyons, stony and sandy deserts, rocky slopes and boulder piles, and scrub. SPECIES LIFE HISTORY Activity Patterns: This snake appears on the surface at night but may be active underground at other times. Greatest seasonal activity occurs from April to August (Stebbins 1954).
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-National Conservation of Alligator Lizards
    MULTI-NATIONAL CONSERVATION OF ALLIGATOR LIZARDS: APPLIED SOCIOECOLOGICAL LESSONS FROM A FLAGSHIP GROUP by ADAM G. CLAUSE (Under the Direction of John Maerz) ABSTRACT The Anthropocene is defined by unprecedented human influence on the biosphere. Integrative conservation recognizes this inextricable coupling of human and natural systems, and mobilizes multiple epistemologies to seek equitable, enduring solutions to complex socioecological issues. Although a central motivation of global conservation practice is to protect at-risk species, such organisms may be the subject of competing social perspectives that can impede robust interventions. Furthermore, imperiled species are often chronically understudied, which prevents the immediate application of data-driven quantitative modeling approaches in conservation decision making. Instead, real-world management goals are regularly prioritized on the basis of expert opinion. Here, I explore how an organismal natural history perspective, when grounded in a critique of established human judgements, can help resolve socioecological conflicts and contextualize perceived threats related to threatened species conservation and policy development. To achieve this, I leverage a multi-national system anchored by a diverse, enigmatic, and often endangered New World clade: alligator lizards. Using a threat analysis and status assessment, I show that one recent petition to list a California alligator lizard, Elgaria panamintina, under the US Endangered Species Act often contradicts the best available science.
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetological Review
    Herpetological Review Volume 41, Number 2 — June 2010 SSAR Offi cers (2010) HERPETOLOGICAL REVIEW President The Quarterly News-Journal of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles BRIAN CROTHER Department of Biological Sciences Editor Southeastern Louisiana University ROBERT W. HANSEN Hammond, Louisiana 70402, USA 16333 Deer Path Lane e-mail: [email protected] Clovis, California 93619-9735, USA [email protected] President-elect JOSEPH MENDLELSON, III Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Avenue, SE Associate Editors Atlanta, Georgia 30315, USA e-mail: [email protected] ROBERT E. ESPINOZA KERRY GRIFFIS-KYLE DEANNA H. OLSON California State University, Northridge Texas Tech University USDA Forestry Science Lab Secretary MARION R. PREEST ROBERT N. REED MICHAEL S. GRACE PETER V. LINDEMAN USGS Fort Collins Science Center Florida Institute of Technology Edinboro University Joint Science Department The Claremont Colleges EMILY N. TAYLOR GUNTHER KÖHLER JESSE L. BRUNNER Claremont, California 91711, USA California Polytechnic State University Forschungsinstitut und State University of New York at e-mail: [email protected] Naturmuseum Senckenberg Syracuse MICHAEL F. BENARD Treasurer Case Western Reserve University KIRSTEN E. NICHOLSON Department of Biology, Brooks 217 Section Editors Central Michigan University Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48859, USA Book Reviews Current Research Current Research e-mail: [email protected] AARON M. BAUER JOSHUA M. HALE BEN LOWE Department of Biology Department of Sciences Department of EEB Publications Secretary Villanova University MuseumVictoria, GPO Box 666 University of Minnesota BRECK BARTHOLOMEW Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085, USA Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia St Paul, Minnesota 55108, USA P.O. Box 58517 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Salt Lake City, Utah 84158, USA e-mail: [email protected] Geographic Distribution Geographic Distribution Geographic Distribution Immediate Past President ALAN M.
    [Show full text]
  • Fluorescence Emission in a Marine Snake
    Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies 21: 7-8（2019） Photogallery Fluorescence emission in a marine snake Takashi SEIKO and Yohey TERAI SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Shonan Village, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0193, Japan. Corresponding authors: Y. Terai, T. Seiko E­mails: [email protected]; [email protected] Communicated by Frederic Sinniger (Associate Editors­in­Chief) Keywords fluorescence, Laticauda, marine reptile, sea krait Coral reefs are one of the most colorful environments on Earth. Light in coral reefs includes fluorescence as well as reflectance of sunlight. In fluorescence, mole­ cules are excited by illuminating light and emit longer wavelength fluorescence than the excitation light wave­ length. In coral reefs, fluorescent light emission is observed in a range of taxa including cnidarians (e.g. corals), arthropods and fishes (e.g., Johnsen 2012). In marine reptiles, fluorescent emission has reported thus far only from sea turtles (Gruber and Sparks 2015). Here we report fluorescent light emission in a marine snake. Laticauda laticaudata Linnaeus, 1758 is a semi­ aquatic sea krait (Elapidae: Laticaudinae) often ob­ served in coral reefs. We examined a specimen that was freshly frozen after death and subsequently thawed. This speci men was caught at Ogan­zaki, Ishigaki­ island, Oki nawa, Japan (24°27′12.4″N; 124°04′37.4″E) Fig. 1 Photographs of a sea krait (Laticauda laticaudata) illuminated with white light (A) without a filter, and ultraviolet LED light (B) through a blue light cutting filter (<490 nm). (C) A reflectance and fluorescence light spectrum measured from a pale band.
    [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]
  • Evolution of the Iguanine Lizards (Sauria, Iguanidae) As Determined by Osteological and Myological Characters David F
    Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series Volume 12 | Number 3 Article 1 1-1971 Evolution of the iguanine lizards (Sauria, Iguanidae) as determined by osteological and myological characters David F. Avery Department of Biology, Southern Connecticut State College, New Haven, Connecticut Wilmer W. Tanner Department of Zoology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib Part of the Anatomy Commons, Botany Commons, Physiology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Avery, David F. and Tanner, Wilmer W. (1971) "Evolution of the iguanine lizards (Sauria, Iguanidae) as determined by osteological and myological characters," Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series: Vol. 12 : No. 3 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib/vol12/iss3/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. S-^' Brigham Young University f?!AR12j97d Science Bulletin \ EVOLUTION OF THE IGUANINE LIZARDS (SAURIA, IGUANIDAE) AS DETERMINED BY OSTEOLOGICAL AND MYOLOGICAL CHARACTERS by David F. Avery and Wilmer W. Tanner BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME Xil, NUMBER 3 JANUARY 1971 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin
    [Show full text]
  • The Reptiles of the Socotra Archipelago with Special Remarks on the Slender Blind Snakes (Leptotyphlopidae: Leptotyphlops)
    M. Vences, J. Köhler, T. Ziegler, W. Böhme (eds): Herpetologia Bonnensis II. Proceedings of the 13th Congress of the Societas Europaea Herpetologica. pp. 125-128 (2006) The reptiles of the Socotra archipelago with special remarks on the slender blind snakes (Leptotyphlopidae: Leptotyphlops) Herbert Rösler1, Wolfgang Wranik2 Abstract. We provide a list of the reptiles of the Socotra archipelago with comments on the respective number of taxa and the percentage of endemicity. Special attention is layed on the Socotran species of Leptotyphlops, the morphological variability of which is addressed in some detail. Introduction diverse are the reptiles on the main island Socotra (26 The Socotra archipelago is part of the Republic of species and forms). Endemism is 65,4%. Six species Yemen and situated in the north-western part of the occur on Samha and four species on Darsa. Five Indian Ocean. It covers a land area of about 3800 km² of the recorded species on Samha from the genera and comprises the main island Socotra (3600 km²), Abd Haemodracon, Hemidactylus, Trachylepis, Mesalina al Kuri (162 km²), Samha (45 km²), Darsa (10 km²) and and Hemerophis are also known from Socotra. Endemic some guano-covered rocks (Jazirat Sabuniyah, Ka’l to Samha and Darsa is only a species of the genus Fir’awn). Pristurus. However, the knowledge on the reptiles of Though the data are based on fi fteen visits to the these two smaller islands is still incomplete, and in case archipelago between 1982 and 2005, two expeditions on of Darsa it is unknown, if the genus Hemidactylus is which the authors went together (3.11.1997-12.11.1997 present or not.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity of Amphibians and Reptiles at the Camp Cady Wildlife
    Ascending and descending limbs of hydrograph Pulse flow ascending-descending limbs of hydrograph Low Peak Restora- Low Peak Pulse Low release release tion release release restoration Shape release mag- Shape mag- release Shape mag- Date and Shape mag- release de- mag- Date and Water nitude ascend- nitude (hector descend- nitude duration flow Total Low ascend- nitude (hector scend- nitude duration flow to Total Year Year Flow (m3/s) ing (m3/s) m) ing (m3/s) to base-flow days (m3/s) ing (m3/s) m) ing (m3/s) base-flow days 25 Apr-22 1995 na Pre-ROD 14 R 131 na G 27 28 May 1996 na Pre-ROD 9 R 144 na G, 1B 14 10 May-9 Jun 31 1997 na Pre-ROD 10 R 62 na G, 3B 13 2 May-2 Jul 62 1998 na Pre-ROD 47 R 192 na G 13 24 May-27 Jul 65 1999 na Pre-ROD 15 G 71 na G 13 8 May-18 Jul 72 2000 na Pre-ROD 9 R 66 na G 13 8 May-27 Jul 81 2002 normal Pre-ROD 9 R 171 59,540 G 13 27 Apr-25 Jun 28 2003 wet Pulse 9 R 74 55,272 G, 2B 12 29 Apr-22 Jul 85 13 R 51 4,194 G 12 23 Aug-18 Sep 27 2004 wet Pulse 9 R 176 80,300 G, 4B 12 4 May-22 Jul 80 16 R 48 4,465 G 14 21 Aug-14 Sep 25 2005 wet ROD 8 R, 2 B 197 79,880 G, 1B 13 27 Apr-22 Jul 87 2006 extra wet ROD 8 G, 5B 286 99,900 G, 2B 13 16 Apr-22 Jul 98 2007 dry ROD 8 R 135 55,963 G 13 25 Apr-25 Jun 62 2008 dry ROD 9 R, 1B 183 80,016 G, 3B 20 22 Apr-15 Jul 85 2009 dry ROD 8 R 125 54,952 G, 4B 12 24 Apr-6 Jul 74 2010 wet ROD 9 R 194 81,003 G, 3B 12 22 Apr-2 Aug 102 2011 wet ROD 7 R, 2B 329 89,033 G, 2B 13 26 Apr-1 Aug 98 2012 normal Pulse 9 R, 2B 172 79,819 G, 4B 13 4 Apr-26 Jul 114 13 R, 1B 39 4,811 R, 1B 13 12 Aug-20 Sep
    [Show full text]
  • Proceedings of the United States National Museum
    scripps institution FCR BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. THB MAKiNE B>OLOCICAL A^0CIATI0N PROCEEDINGS OF TUB UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 3 I) -. Volume XIV 1891. PUBLISHED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. WASHINGTON: '^ GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1892. NOTES ON SOME NORTH AMERICAN SNAKES. BY Leonhard Stejneger, Curator of the Department of Reptiles and Batrachians. ' Rena humilis B. & G. The Museum has recently received from Mr. Herbert Brown, Tucson, Arizona (who on several occasions has favored us with valuable mater ial), four specimens of this worm-snake, making the first record of this rare species from eastern Arizona. They are especially valuable because they show the individual variatiou both in the position of the eye and the width and shape of the median cephalic series of scales. We have now specimens from southern California, from Yuma, from Tucson, and from the Cape region of Lower California. Professor Cope has recorded it from Batopilas, Mexico (Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc, xvm, p. 262), though no reference to this locality is found in his Catalogue of Batrachians aud Reptiles of Central America and Mexico (Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 32, 1887).* It also occurs at Colima, on the west coast of Mexico, if I am not mistaken in referring Bocourt's Siagonodon dugesii (Miss. Sc. Mex., Kept., livr. 8, 1882, p. 507, pi. xxix, fig. 9, pi. xxx, fig. 4), as a synomym to the present species. I can find no character in the description, nor in the figures, by which to separate it from B. humilis. Leptotyphlopa dulcis (B.
    [Show full text]