Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae)

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) Phyllomedusa 3(2):83-94, 2004 © 2004 Melopsittacus Publicações Científicas ISSN 1519-1397 High frequency of pauses during intermittent locomotion of small South American gymnophthalmid lizards (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) Elizabeth Höfling1 and Sabine Renous2 1 Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Travessa 14, n° 321, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. E-mail: [email protected]. 2 USM 302, Département d’Ecologie et Gestion de la Biodiversité, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, 55 rue Buffon, 75005, Paris, France. Abstract High frequency of pauses during intermittent locomotion of small South American gymnophthalmid lizards (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae). We studied the locomotor behavior of two closely-related species of Gymnophthalmini lizards, Vanzosaura rubricauda and Procellosaurinus tetradactylus, that was imaged under laboratory conditions at a rate of 250 frames/s with a high-speed video camera (MotionScope PCI 1000) on four different substrates with increasing degrees of roughness (smooth perspex, cardboard, glued sand, and glued gravel). Vanzosaura rubricauda and P. tetradactylus are both characterized by intermittent locomotion, with pauses occurring with high frequency and having a short duration (from 1/10 to 1/3 s), and taking place in rhythmic locomotion in an organized fashion during all types of gaits and on different substrates. The observed variations in duration and frequency of pauses suggest that in V. rubricauda mean pause duration is shorter and pause frequency is higher than in P. tetradactylus. The intermittent locomotion observed in V. rubricauda and P. tetradactylus imaging at 250 frames/s is probably of interest for neurobiologists. In the review of possible determinants, the phylogenetic relationships among the species of the tribe Gymnophthalmini are focused. Keywords: Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae, Gymnophthalmini, Procellosaurinus tetradactylus, Vanzosaura rubricauda, pauses, locomotion behavior. Introduction halt, thus introducing pauses between bursts of motion, which defines the specific pattern of Vertebrates can move with continuous intermittent locomotion that takes place “when locomotion, but they are able to suddenly the force an animal exerts to move itself through change their speed or to completely come to a space is applied discontinuously and the pauses last longer than the non-powered phase of a single cycle of limb movement” (Kramer and Received 26 May 2004. Accepted 18 November 2004. McLaughlin 2001). This pattern occurs in Distributed December 2004. terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial locomotion, but Phyllomedusa - 3(2), December 2004 83 Höfling and Renous terrestrial organisms engaged in this discon- likely to detect prey while moving, where vision tinuous system of progression typically would and other senses are concerned. Avery et al. come to a complete stop during the non- (1987) and Colishaw and Avery (1991) noted powered phase. that when environments were visually more In lizards, examples of intermittent loco- complex and prey more difficult to detect, motion are observed in viviparous forms, such foraging pause durations increased and as Lacerta vivipara (Avery et al. 1987, Avery movement distances decreased. Moving objects and Bond 1989, Avery 1993), which spend 10- create sensorial stimuli associated with an 50% of their time in pause, its range depending increased probability of detection by both prey on activity level, environmental complexity, and and predators. In this context, unpredictable physical parameters. Individuals would change movements or interruption of continuous their patterns of intermittent locomotion as they progression create perturbations of the signal of face new substrate constraints in their natural detection, so that irregularity of occurrence and habitat. Foraging includes an increase of pauses duration of pauses probably constitute a (up to 75% of the time) and a decrease of both favorable strategy. Kramer and McLaughlin motion periods and speed. In a study on the (2001) state that research in this area is just effects of recent feeding on the locomotor beginning. performance of juvenile Psammodromus Many questions concerning continuous algirus, Martin (1996) noticed that the versus intermittent locomotion remain individuals moved at lower speeds during bursts unanswered. For example: (1) Have the pauses a of locomotion after feeding, and also decreased regular or an irregular rhythm (frequency and the frequency of pauses. These pauses increase duration)? (2) Are pauses effectively occurring the chance of lizards visually perceiving prey or during the non-powered phase of the limb cycle? predators while walking (Avery et al. 1987, (3) What is the effect of the substrate on pauses? Avery 1993). When no longer displaying interest (4) Do these pauses correspond to a phylo- in further prey, pauses to search for prey are not genetic feature? needed anymore. In addition, since at this stage Here we propose to study pause characte- lizards are moving at a very slow speed, they ristics during intermittent locomotion in two could probably detect predators without being closely related species: Vanzosaura rubricauda entirely still. (Boulenger, 1902) and Procellosaurinus The possibility that pauses enhance tetradactylus Rodrigues, 1991. Among the recovery from fatigue was also proposed, but the Gymnophthalmidae, the tribe Gymnophthalmini physiological mechanisms concerned with it are (Pellegrino et al. 2001) is composed of eight not fully understood. Weinstein and Full (1999) genera including fully limbed as well as reduced showed that intermittent locomotion increases limbed forms (Rodrigues 1991a, 1995, 1996). endurance in lizards. Gleeson and Hancock The limbed V. rubricauda and P. tetradactylus (2001) noted that the movement of lizards by a are sibling genera (Rodrigues 1995, Pellegrino series of frequent bursts of locomotion may be et al. 2001, Benozzati and Rodrigues 2003). no more expensive than continuous locomotion. Vanzosaura rubricauda is a widespread habitat The benefits of intermittent locomotion are generalist that occurs in several distinct physio- probably dependent on the duration of the nomies and soil types. It is widely distributed in periods of movement and of the pause bouts. open areas, occurring in the Brazilian cerrados Kramer and McLaughlin (2001), in their review and caatingas, and in the Chaco. It is diurnal and of the determining factors of these pauses, its natural substrates include gravel, leaf litter, proposed the stabilization of the sensory fields. and sandy soils (Rodrigues 1991c, 1995, 1996). Avery (1993) showed that lizards were less Comparatively, P. tetradactylus is endemic to Phyllomedusa - 3(2), December 2004 84 Intermittent locomotion of small South American lizards (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) relictual dunes and sandy soils in the semi-arid Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Brazilian caatinga. It is more specialized, living Paulo. One specimen of Psilophthalmus only in dunes on the banks of the São Francisco paeminosus Rodrigues, 1991 (Rodrigues 1991b) River, in Brazil. Both species can burrow, (total length: 8.2 cm) from Santo Inácio, Bahia, although V. rubricauda is never found in dunes Brazil, was filmed for comparison to the other of the banks of the São Francisco River where P. species. It was kept in a terrarium at the Reptile tetradactylus is present, but rather only in sandy Sector of the Fundação Parque Zoológico de soil (Rodrigues 1991c, 1995, 1996, Rocha São Paulo. 1998). This habitat difference provides the Most studies dealing with locomotion in opportunity to comparatively examine the lizards are based on larger animals than the relationships between the ecological conditions microteiid here presented (e.g., Higham and peculiar to the habitats of these eyelidless Jayne 2004, Kohlsdorf et al. 2004). On practical microteiids and their behavior. To compare grounds, it is impossible to deal in nature with locomotion behaviors, the animals were studied locomotion parameters of such small animals as under the same experimental conditions. Lizards V. rubricata and P. tetradactylus. The research were tested on standardized substrates was therefore undertaken under laboratory characterized by increasing friction coefficients, controlled conditions using methods that were since locomotion patterns of quadrupedal adapted to deal with the small size of the vertebrates vary in accordance to substrate animals reported here. Treadmills (Reilly and conditions (Renous et al. 1995, 1998, 1999). Delancey 1997a,b, Van Damme et al. 1998), for The high frequency of pauses of these very instance, could not be used here. small lizards was disclosed by the use of high- Specimens placed inside a large plastic box speed video images of animals moving freely in (40´50 cm) were imaged at 250 frames/s (field: a large field, comparative to their size. 30´40cm) with a MotionScope PCI 1000 high- To address the previous questions we speed video camera set on tripod; the animals analyze: gait patterns as expressions of limb were placed on four different substrates with coordination of the four limbs in locomotion, the increasing degrees of roughness (smooth frequency and the duration of pauses on the perspex, cardboard, glued sand, and glued different substrates, and the timing of pauses in gravel). A 1 cm scale was included in the field relation to this limb coordination. Finally, we of view as a reference for the calculation of note the distribution of such
Recommended publications
  • Modeling and Partitioning the Nucleotide Evolutionary Process for Phylogenetic and Comparative Genomic Inference
    University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2007 Modeling And Partitioning The Nucleotide Evolutionary Process For Phylogenetic And Comparative Genomic Inference Todd Castoe University of Central Florida Part of the Biology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Castoe, Todd, "Modeling And Partitioning The Nucleotide Evolutionary Process For Phylogenetic And Comparative Genomic Inference" (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 3111. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/3111 MODELING AND PARTITIONING THE NUCLEOTIDE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS FOR PHYLOGENETIC AND COMPARATIVE GENOMIC INFERENCE by TODD A. CASTOE B.S. SUNY – College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1999 M.S. The University of Texas at Arlington, 2001 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biomolecular Sciences in the Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2007 Major Professor: Christopher L. Parkinson © 2007 Todd A. Castoe ii ABSTRACT The transformation of genomic data into functionally relevant information about the composition of biological systems hinges critically on the field of computational genome biology, at the core of which lies comparative genomics. The aim of comparative genomics is to extract meaningful functional information from the differences and similarities observed across genomes of different organisms.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Computing Environment for Modeling Species Distribution
    EXPLORATORY RESEARCH RECOGNIZED WORLDWIDE Botany, ecology, zoology, plant and animal genetics. In these and other sub-areas of Biological Sciences, Brazilian scientists contributed with results recognized worldwide. FAPESP,São Paulo Research Foundation, is one of the main Brazilian agencies for the promotion of research.The foundation supports the training of human resources and the consolidation and expansion of research in the state of São Paulo. Thematic Projects are research projects that aim at world class results, usually gathering multidisciplinary teams around a major theme. Because of their exploratory nature, the projects can have a duration of up to five years. SCIENTIFIC OPPORTUNITIES IN SÃO PAULO,BRAZIL Brazil is one of the four main emerging nations. More than ten thousand doctorate level scientists are formed yearly and the country ranks 13th in the number of scientific papers published. The State of São Paulo, with 40 million people and 34% of Brazil’s GNP responds for 52% of the science created in Brazil.The state hosts important universities like the University of São Paulo (USP) and the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), the growing São Paulo State University (UNESP), Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Federal University of ABC (ABC is a metropolitan region in São Paulo), Federal University of São Carlos, the Aeronautics Technology Institute (ITA) and the National Space Research Institute (INPE). Universities in the state of São Paulo have strong graduate programs: the University of São Paulo forms two thousand doctorates every year, the State University of Campinas forms eight hundred and the University of the State of São Paulo six hundred.
    [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]
  • Crocodylus Moreletii
    ANFIBIOS Y REPTILES: DIVERSIDAD E HISTORIA NATURAL VOLUMEN 03 NÚMERO 02 NOVIEMBRE 2020 ISSN: 2594-2158 Es un publicación de la CONSEJO DIRECTIVO 2019-2021 COMITÉ EDITORIAL Presidente Editor-en-Jefe Dr. Hibraim Adán Pérez Mendoza Dra. Leticia M. Ochoa Ochoa Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Senior Editors Vicepresidente Dr. Marcio Martins (Artigos em português) Dr. Óscar A. Flores Villela Dr. Sean M. Rovito (English papers) Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Editores asociados Secretario Dr. Uri Omar García Vázquez Dra. Ana Bertha Gatica Colima Dr. Armando H. Escobedo-Galván Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez Dr. Oscar A. Flores Villela Dra. Irene Goyenechea Mayer Goyenechea Tesorero Dr. Rafael Lara Rezéndiz Dra. Anny Peralta García Dr. Norberto Martínez Méndez Conservación de Fauna del Noroeste Dra. Nancy R. Mejía Domínguez Dr. Jorge E. Morales Mavil Vocal Norte Dr. Hibraim A. Pérez Mendoza Dr. Juan Miguel Borja Jiménez Dr. Jacobo Reyes Velasco Universidad Juárez del Estado de Durango Dr. César A. Ríos Muñoz Dr. Marco A. Suárez Atilano Vocal Centro Dra. Ireri Suazo Ortuño M. en C. Ricardo Figueroa Huitrón Dr. Julián Velasco Vinasco Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México M. en C. Marco Antonio López Luna Dr. Adrián García Rodríguez Vocal Sur M. en C. Marco Antonio López Luna Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco English style corrector PhD candidate Brett Butler Diseño editorial Lic. Andrea Vargas Fernández M. en A. Rafael de Villa Magallón http://herpetologia.fciencias.unam.mx/index.php/revista NOTAS CIENTÍFICAS SKIN TEXTURE CHANGE IN DIASPORUS HYLAEFORMIS (ANURA: ELEUTHERODACTYLIDAE) ..................... 95 CONTENIDO Juan G. Abarca-Alvarado NOTES OF DIET IN HIGHLAND SNAKES RHADINAEA EDITORIAL CALLIGASTER AND RHADINELLA GODMANI (SQUAMATA:DIPSADIDAE) FROM COSTA RICA .....
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution of Limblessness
    Evolution of Limblessness Evolution of Limblessness Early on in life, many people learn that lizards have four limbs whereas snakes have none. This dichotomy not only is inaccurate but also hides an exciting story of repeated evolution that is only now beginning to be understood. In fact, snakes represent only one of many natural evolutionary experiments in lizard limblessness. A similar story is also played out, though to a much smaller extent, in amphibians. The repeated evolution of snakelike tetrapods is one of the most striking examples of parallel evolution in animals. This entry discusses the evolution of limblessness in both reptiles and amphibians, with an emphasis on the living reptiles. Reptiles Based on current evidence (Wiens, Brandley, and Reeder 2006), an elongate, limb-reduced, snakelike morphology has evolved at least twenty-five times in squamates (the group containing lizards and snakes), with snakes representing only one such origin. These origins are scattered across the evolutionary tree of squamates, but they seem especially frequent in certain families. In particular, the skinks (Scincidae) contain at least half of all known origins of snakelike squamates. But many more origins within the skink family will likely be revealed as the branches of their evolutionary tree are fully resolved, given that many genera contain a range of body forms (from fully limbed to limbless) and may include multiple origins of snakelike morphology as yet unknown. These multiple origins of snakelike morphology are superficially similar in having reduced limbs and an elongate body form, but many are surprisingly different in their ecology and morphology. This multitude of snakelike lineages can be divided into two ecomorphs (a are surprisingly different in their ecology and morphology.
    [Show full text]
  • Chromosomal Banding Patterns in the Eyelid-Less Microteiid Radiation: Procellosaurinus and Vanzosaura (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae)
    Cytogenet Cell Genet 74:203-210 (1996) Cytogenetics and CellGenetics Chromosomal banding patterns in the eyelid-less microteiid radiation: Procellosaurinus and Vanzosaura (Squamata, Gymnophthalmidae) Y. Yonenaqa-Yassuda.' L. Mori.' T.H. ChU,l and M.T. Rodriques? J Departamento de Biologia and 2 Departamento deZoologia, Institut o de Biocienci as, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo (Brazil) Abstract. Cytogenetic studies were performed on three spe­ staining. Despite similarities in chromosome number and mor­ ciesofeyelid-less microteiid s, Procellosaurinus erythrocerus, P. phology, each species can be differentiated by the position and tetradactylus. and Vanzosaura rubricauda (Squamata, Gym­ amount ofC-heterochromatin. Our cytogenetic and DNA con­ nophthalmidae), all with a diploid number of 2n = 40. The tent data indicate that there are more similarities between the specimens were collected in the palaeoquartenary dune fields of two species of Procellosaurinus than exist between either spe­ the middle Rio Sao Francisco in the State of Bahia, Brazil. cies and V rubricauda, reinforcing the importance of banding Chromosomes from fibroblast cultures were studied after rou­ techniques for the characterization of reptilian species. tine Giemsa staining, CBG- and RBG-banding, and Ag-NOR The fam ily Gymnophthalmidae currently comprises 35 mi­ nians and 25 species of snakes, totalling 20 new endemic rep­ croteiid genera dwelling in Central and South America . Al­ tiles (Rodrigues, 1991a-d, 1993, 1996; Vanzolini, 1991). The though a satisfactory phylogenetic scheme is still not available new genera of eyelid-less microteiid described in this region are for the whole family (Harris , 1985; Rodrigues, 1991a), a small Calyptom matus (three new species), Nothobachia (monotypic), group, characterized by the presence of scincoid scales and the Psilophthalmus (monotypic), and Procellosaurinus (two new absence of eyelids, has been admitted as monophyletic since species) (Rodrigues, 1991a-c).
    [Show full text]
  • Reptile Fauna of the Chancani Reserve
    ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at SHORT NOTE HERPETOZOA 19(1/2) Wien, 30. Juli 2006 SHORT NOTE 85 tofauna of Round Island, Mauritius.- Biota, Race; 3(1- snake species (four families). Teius teyou 2): 77-84. PouGH, F. H. & ANDREWS, R. M. & CADLE, and Stenocercus doellojuradoi (lizards), and J. E. & CRUMP, M. L. & SAVITZKY, A. H & WELLS, K. D. (2004): Herpetology, third edition. Upper Saddle River Waglerophis merremi, Micrurus pyrrho- (Pearson, Prentice Hall), 726 pp. STAUB, F. (1993): cryptus and Crotalus durissus terrificus Fauna of Mauritius and associated flora. Port Louis, (snakes) were the most abundant species in Mauritius (Précigraph Ltd.), 97 pp.. each group (table 1). Field observations KEYWORDS: Reptilia: Squamata: Bolyeriidae, added three lizards (Tropidurus spinulosus, Bolyeria multocarinata; reproduction, eggs, additional newly discovered specimen, morphology, pholidosis Liolaemus sp. aff. gracilis and Vanzosaura rubricando) and one snake species {Boa SUBMITTED: May 20, 2005 constrictor occidentalis) and bibliographic AUTHORS: Dr. Jakob HALLERMANN, Biozent- rum Grindel und Zoologisches Museum Hamburg, sources added one turtle and one snake Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, 20146 Hamburg, Germany species (table 1). < [email protected] >; Dr. Frank GLAW, Zo- We assigned the conservation status ologische Staatssammlung München, Münchhausen- categories provided by Secretarla de Ambi- straße 21, 81247 München, Germany < Frank.Glaw@ zsm.mwn.de > ente y Desarrollo Sustentable - Ministerio de Salud y Ambiente (2004). Accordingly, the lizard fauna of the Chancani Reserve Reptile fauna of the Chancani includes two species considered as "vulner- Reserve (Arid Chaco, Argentina): able" (Cnemidophorus serranus and Leio- species list and conservation status saurus paronae, and one Chaco endemic species (Stenocercus doellojuradoi) (LEY- The Chancani Provincial Reserve NAUD & BÛCHER 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca, Departmento San Pedro
    Russian Journal of Herpetology Vol. 23, No. 1, 2016, pp. 25 – 34 RESERVA NATURAL LAGUNA BLANCA, DEPARTAMENTO SAN PEDRO: PARAGUAY’S FIRST IMPORTANT AREA FOR THE CONSERVATION OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES? Paul Smith,1,2 Karina Atkinson,2 Jean-Paul Brouard,2 Helen Pheasey2 Submitted December 30, 2014. Geographical sampling bias and restricted search methodologies have resulted in the distribution of Paraguayan reptiles and amphibians being patchily known. Available data is almost entirely based on brief collecting trips and rapid ecological inventories, often several decades apart, which inevitably struggle to detect more inconspicuous species and patterns of abundance. This has led to a deficit in our knowledge of the true distribution and abun- dance of Paraguayan reptiles and amphibians. The establishment of the NGO Para La Tierra at Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca (RNLB), Depto. San Pedro, Paraguay allowed the first modern sustained, multi-method inventory of Paraguayan reptiles and amphibians to be performed at a single site. Despite the small size of the reserve (804 ha), a total of 57 reptiles (12 of national conservation concern) and 32 amphibians (one of national conserva- tion concern) were collected during five years of random sampling, qualifying RNLB as the most biodiverse re- serve for reptiles and amphibians in the country. Six species occurring at RNLB have been found at no other Para- guayan locality. Legal protection for this private reserve expired in January 2015 and the conservation implica- tions of the inventory results are discussed. It is proposed that the long term legal protection of the reserve be con- sidered a national conservation priority and that the diversity of the herpetofauna be recognized with the designa- tion of RNLB as Paraguay’s first Important Area for the Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles.
    [Show full text]
  • Digit Evolution in Gymnophthalmid Lizards JULIANA G
    Int. J. Dev. Biol. 58: 895-908 (2014) doi: 10.1387/ijdb.140255jg www.intjdevbiol.com Digit evolution in gymnophthalmid lizards JULIANA G. ROSCITO*,1, PEDRO M.S. NUNES2 and MIGUEL T. RODRIGUES1 1Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo-SP and 2Departamento de Zoologia, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Brazil ABSTRACT The tetrapod limb is a highly diverse structure, and reduction or loss of this structure accounts for many of the limb phenotypes observed within species. Squamate reptiles are one of the many tetrapod lineages in which the limbs have been greatly modified from the pentadactyl generalized pattern, including different degrees of reduction in the number of limb elements to complete limblessness. Even though limb reduction is widespread, the evolutionary and develop- mental mechanisms involved in the formation of reduced limb morphologies remains unclear. In this study, we present an overview of limb morphology within the microteiid lizard group Gymn- ophthalmidae, focusing on digit arrangement. We show that there are two major groups of limb- reduced gymnophthalmids. The first group is formed by lizard-like (and frequently pentadactyl) species, in which minor reductions (such as the loss of 1-2 phalanges mainly in digits I and V) are the rule; these morphologies generally correspond to those seen in other squamates. The second group is formed by species showing more drastic losses, which can include the absence of an ex- ternally distinct limb in adults. We also present the expression patterns of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) in the greatly reduced fore and hindlimb of a serpentiform gymnophthalmid.
    [Show full text]
  • Os Lagartos Gimnoftalmídeos (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) 365
    OS LAGARTOS GIMNOFTALMÍDEOS (SQUAMATA: GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE) 365 OS LAGARTOS GIMNOFTALMÍDEOS (SQUAMATA: GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE) DO CARIRI PARAIBANO E DO SERIDÓ DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE, NORDESTE DO BRASIL: CONSIDERAÇÕES ACERCA DA DISTRIBUIÇÃO GEOGRÁFICA E ECOLOGIA Fagner Ribeiro Delfim1* & Eliza Maria Xavier Freire2,3 1 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Área de Concentração em Zoologia. Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia, Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba. CEP: 58051-900. João Pessoa, PB, Brasil. 2 Departamento de Botânica, Ecologia e Zoologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. CEP: 59072-970. Natal, RN, Brasil 3 Professora credenciada no PPG em Ciências Biológicas - Área de Concentração em Zoologia, Universidade Federal da Paraíba. * E-mail: [email protected] RESUMO O presente estudo objetivou inventariar a fauna de gimnoftalmídeos em algumas áreas de Caatinga no Cariri Paraibano e no Seridó do Rio Grande do Norte, mapear suas respectivas distribuições geográficas e discorrer sobre a história natural e uso do hábitat das mesmas. Quatro espécies de lagartos da família Gymnophthalmidae (Anotosaura vanzolinia; Acratosaura mentalis; Micrablepharus maximiliani e Vanzosaura rubricauda) foram registradas nas áreas amostradas. Apenas Vanzosaura rubricauda foi encontrada em todas as áreas exploradas, enquadrando-se em sua condição de táxon amplamente distribuído nas formações de vegetação aberta da América do Sul. Anotosaura vanzolinia e Acratosaura mentalis foram registradas em novas localidades, ampliando desta maneira suas respectivas distribuições no estado da Paraíba. A proposta de distribuição das espécies de gimnoftalmídeos ocorrentes na Caatinga foi mantida, sendo, portanto, improvável a ocorrência das espécies ligadas ao Campo de Dunas Paleoquaternárias do Médio Rio São Francisco em localidades de caatingas típicas, sem solos arenosos e/ou que não tiveram ligação histórico-geológica com esta área.
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetological Journal FULL PAPER
    Volume 28 (January 2018), 1-9 FULL PAPER Herpetological Journal Published by the British Morphological and mitochondrial variation of spur-thighedHerpetological Society tortoises, Testudo graeca, in Turkey Oguz Turkozan1, Ferhat Kiremit2, Brian R. Lavin3, Fevzi Bardakcı1 & James F. Parham4 1Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Science and Arts, Department of Biology, 09010 Aydın, Turkey 2Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Koçarlı, Aydın, Turkey 3Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Avenue, Rohnert Park CA 94928, USA 4John D. Cooper Archaeology & Paleontology Center, Department of Geological Sciences, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92834, USA Testudo graeca has a wide distribution under different geographic, climatic and ecological conditions, and shows high morphological differences especially in the Asian (Middle Eastern and Caucasian) parts of the range. This study investigates morphometric and genetic differentiation in the T. graeca complex in Turkey using the densest sampling to date. We sequenced two mt-DNA loci (ND4 and cyt b) of 199 samples and combined them with previously published data. Bayesian analysis yielded six well-supported clades, four of which occur in Turkey (ibera, terrestris, armeniaca and buxtoni). The armeniaca mtDNA clade locally represents a morphometrically distinct burrowing ecomorph. However, previous studies have shown that individuals outside Turkey possessing armeniaca mtDNA lack the distinctive armeniaca morphotype we observed, precluding taxonomic conclusions. Key words: mtDNA, morphometry, Testudinidae, Testudo, Turkey INTRODUCTION the Mediterranean coast of Turkey are morphometrically homogenous, but that some inland Turkish populations pur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca Linnaeus are morphometrically distinct, reflecting some of the S1758) occur on three continents (Europe, Africa, genetic clade assignments of Parham et al.
    [Show full text]
  • The Herpetofauna of the Cubango, Cuito, and Lower Cuando River Catchments of South-Eastern Angola
    Official journal website: Amphibian & Reptile Conservation amphibian-reptile-conservation.org 10(2) [Special Section]: 6–36 (e126). The herpetofauna of the Cubango, Cuito, and lower Cuando river catchments of south-eastern Angola 1,2,*Werner Conradie, 2Roger Bills, and 1,3William R. Branch 1Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, SOUTH AFRICA 2South African Institute for Aquatic Bio- diversity, P/Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, SOUTH AFRICA 3Research Associate, Department of Zoology, P O Box 77000, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth 6031, SOUTH AFRICA Abstract.—Angola’s herpetofauna has been neglected for many years, but recent surveys have revealed unknown diversity and a consequent increase in the number of species recorded for the country. Most historical Angola surveys focused on the north-eastern and south-western parts of the country, with the south-east, now comprising the Kuando-Kubango Province, neglected. To address this gap a series of rapid biodiversity surveys of the upper Cubango-Okavango basin were conducted from 2012‒2015. This report presents the results of these surveys, together with a herpetological checklist of current and historical records for the Angolan drainage of the Cubango, Cuito, and Cuando Rivers. In summary 111 species are known from the region, comprising 38 snakes, 32 lizards, five chelonians, a single crocodile and 34 amphibians. The Cubango is the most western catchment and has the greatest herpetofaunal diversity (54 species). This is a reflection of both its easier access, and thus greatest number of historical records, and also the greater habitat and topographical diversity associated with the rocky headwaters.
    [Show full text]