Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae: Brachymeles): Taxonomic Revision of Pentadactyl Species Groups and Description of Three New Species

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae: Brachymeles): Taxonomic Revision of Pentadactyl Species Groups and Description of Three New Species Herpetological Monographs, 24, 2010, 1–54 E 2010 by The Herpetologists’ League, Inc. PHYLOGENY-BASED SPECIES DELIMITATION IN PHILIPPINE SLENDER SKINKS (REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: SCINCIDAE: BRACHYMELES): TAXONOMIC REVISION OF PENTADACTYL SPECIES GROUPS AND DESCRIPTION OF THREE NEW SPECIES 1 CAMERON D. SILER AND RAFE M. BROWN Biodiversity Institute and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS 66045-7593, USA ABSTRACT: We use data from external morphology and mitochondrial gene sequences to provide the basis for a taxonomic revision of two polytypic, pentadactyl Philippine species of scincid lizards of the genus Brachymeles. Although previous studies have noted significant morphological variation among island populations, the similarities in body size and scale pigmentation and pattern have led to the continued recognition of these two ‘‘widespread species.’’ A third, widespread, pentadactyl species, Brachymeles talinis, is known from Jolo Island and the central and northern Philippine islands. We evaluate both morphological and genetic data to define species limits in B. boulengeri, B. schadenbergi, and B. talinis. Our molecular and morphological data indicate each of the four subspecies of B. boulengeri, and both subspecies of B. schadenbergi, are genetically distinct, with ranges biogeographically circumscribed, differ from their congeners by numerous external morphological features, and therefore should be recognized as full species. Our morphological and genetic data necessitate the recognition of northern populations of B. talinis (from Luzon Island) as a new species and also reveal an unanticipated new species from Masbate Island. Finally, morphological data require the recognition of the B. talinis population from Jolo Island as a unique, new species. These 10 taxa elevate the total known number of species of Brachymeles from 18 to 25. BUOD: Gamit ang datos mula sa panglabas na kaanyuan at mga gene sequence mula sa mitochondria nagsagawa kami ng rebisyon ng tatlong species ng reptilyanong nabibilang sa genus na Brachymeles. Sa kabila ng malaking pagkakaiba sa kaanyuan ng mga populasyon sa iba’t ibang isla, dalawang kalat na species— Brachymeles boulengeri at Brachymeles schadenbergi—ang patuloy na kinikilala dahil sa magkakatulad na laki ng katawan at pagkakahawig ng kulay at disenyo ng kanilang kaliskis. Ang ikatlong species, ang Brachymeles talinis, ay matatagpuan sa isla ng Jolo at sa gitna at hilagang bahagi ng Pilipinas. Ipinapakita ng aming datos na ang bawat isa sa apat na subspecies ng B. boulengeri at ang dalawang subspecies ng B. schadenbergi ay may natatanging kalamnang genetiko, may bukod-bukod na distribusyon, at naiiba sa ibang miyembro ng genus sa maraming aspekto ng panlabas na kaanyuan at samakatwid ay nararapat na kilalanin bilang ganap na species. Binibigyang katwiran ng aming datos genetiko ang pagkilala sa populasyon ng B. talinis mula sa Luzon bilang bagong species at ang pagtuklas ng isang di-anaasahang bagong species mula sa isla ng Masbate. Sa huli, kinakailangan ding makilala ang populasyon ng B. talinis mula sa isla ng Jolo bilang isang bago at ganap na species dahil sa kanilang namumukod na kaanyuan. Sa pamamagitan ng rebisyong ito, tumataas ang bilang ng species na nabibilang sa genus na Brachymeles mula sa Pilipinas sa 25. Key words: Biodiversity; Brachymeles boulengeri; Brachymeles schadenbergi; Brachymeles talinis; Endemism; Faunal region; Limb reduction; Philippines; Taxonomy THERE ARE ONLY four genera of scincid lengeri, B. gracilis, B. makusog, B. schaden- lizards possessing both fully limbed and bergi, and B. talinis); eight are nonpentadac- limbless species (Brachymeles, Chalcides, tyl, with reduced limbs and numbers of Lerista, and Scelotes; Brandley et al., 2008; digits (B. bonitae, B. cebuensis, B. elerae, B. Lande, 1978; Wiens and Slingluff, 2001). muntingkamay, B. pathfinderi, B. samarensis, Within the genus Brachymeles, all but one of B. tridactylus, and B. wrighti); and four are the 18 recognized species are endemic to the entirely limbless (B. apus, B. minimus, B. Philippines. The exception is B. apus from lukbani, and B. vermis). Within the nonpen- northern Borneo (Brown and Alcala, 1980; tadactyl species (Brown, 1956; Brown and Hikida, 1982; Siler et al., 2009, 2010a,b). Six Rabor, 1967; Dume´ril and Bibron, 1839; species are pentadactyl (B. bicolor, B. bou- Taylor, 1917, 1918, 1925) exist a wide range of limb- and digit-reduced states, from minute 1 CORRESPONDENCE: email, [email protected] limbs that lack full digits (B. bonitae, B. 1 2 HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS [No. 24 cebuensis, B. muntingkamay, B. samarensis, and B. tridactylus) to moderately developed limbs with four to five digits on the hands and feet (B. elerae, B. pathfinderi,andB. wrighti: Brown and Alcala, 1980; Hikida, 1982; Siler et al., 2009, 2010b). All species are semifossorial and typically found in dry, rotting material inside decaying logs or in loose soil and leaf litter. Shared body plans and similar external morphological features among populations of Brachymeles has proven problematic for diagnosing species (Brown and Alcala, 1980; Siler et al., 2009, 2010a,b). In addition, several rare, mid- to high-elevation species have long been represented by only a few specimens, in some cases without knowledge of their exact type locality (e.g., B. bicolor, B. elerae, B. wrighti, and B. pathfinderi). Three species are polytypic: B. boulengeri contains four subspe- cies and B. gracilis and B. schadenbergi each contain two subspecies (Brown, 1956; Brown and Rabor, 1967; Brown and Alcala, 1980). Several other species are recognized as having widespread distributions that span historical faunal demarcations in the Philippines (Brown FIG. 1.—Map of the Philippine islands, with island and Diesmos, 2002; Brown and Guttman, labels provided for islands with representative samples 2002; Heaney, 1985, 1986), including B. used for this study. The five recognized major Pleistocene aggregate island complexes (PAICs), major island groups, talinis, B. samarensis,andB. bonitae (Brown, and additional deep-water islands are labeled for refer- 1956; Brown and Alcala, 1980; Brown and ence. Islands of the Romblon Island group are designated Rabor, 1967). by the first letter of the island name (T, Tablas Island; R, Romblon Island; and S, Sibuyan Island). Current islands in the Philippines are shown in medium gray; light gray TAXONOMIC HISTORY areas enclosed in black 120-m bathymetric contours The genus Brachymeles was first described indicate the hypothesized maximum extent of land during the mid- to late Pleistocene. by Dume´ril and Bibron (1839) for the small, limb-reduced species B. bonitae. Three addi- tional species (Senira bicolor, Gray, 1845; gros islands as representatives of the species Eumeces (Riopa) gracilis, Fischer, 1885; and (Fig. 1). Thirty years later, Brown (1956) E.(R.) schadenbergi, Fischer, 1885) were described B. gracilis taylori and included transferred to the genus by Boettger (1886) B. boulengeri as one of three subspecies of and Boulenger (1887). These four species the polytypic species B. gracilis. Brown and represented the known diversity in the genus Rabor’s (1967) description of B. gracilis for 30 yr, until Taylor published a series of boholensis and B. g. mindorensis brought the herpetofaunal descriptions in the early 1900s. number of subspecies within B. gracilis to In Taylor’s (1917) review of the genus, he five. It was not until 1980 that Brown and revised B. gracilis to not only include popu- Alcala (1980) resurrected the polytypic spe- lations in the Mindanao Faunal Region but cies B. boulengeri and included four subspe- also populations on Negros and Mindoro cies (B. b. boulengeri, B. b. boholensis, B. b. islands (Fig. 1). A few years later, Taylor mindorensis, and B. b. taylori), all believed to (1922b) described B. boulengeri, based on be distinct from B. gracilis. This view material from Polillo Island, and included characterized the taxonomy of B. boulengeri populations from Luzon, Mindoro, and Ne- for the next 30 yr. Numerous studies have 2010] HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 3 mentioned the morphological variation among talinis have been available, the recognition of island populations of B. boulengeri and other this widespread species has continued for species (Brown, 1956; Brown and Alcala, .40 yr (Brown and Alcala, 1980; Siler et al., 1980; Brown and Rabor, 1967; Taylor, 2009, 2010a,b). 1922b), but all refrained from elevating these Following the separation of B. talinis from subspecies to full species. Brachymeles bou- the B. schadenbergi complex, Brown and lengeri boulengeri and B. b. taylori have larger Rabor (1967) recognized two subspecies of geographic distributions across multiple is- B. schadenbergi: one subspecies from western lands within a single faunal region (Brown and south central Mindanao Island and and Alcala, 1980; Brown and Rabor, 1967; Basilan Island (B. s. schadenbergi), and the Taylor, 1922b), whereas B. b. boholensis and other subspecies from eastern Mindanao, B. b. mindorensis are single-island endemics Camiguin Sur, Bohol, and Leyte islands (B. (Brown, 1956; Brown and Alcala, 1980; Brown s. orientalis). Fischer (1885) had previously and Rabor, 1967). designated the type locality for B. schaden- Although B. talinis was described originally bergi as southern Mindanao Island, and as B. schadenbergi talinis (Brown, 1956), and specimens from south central Mindanao considered part of the widespread B. scha- Island
Recommended publications
  • Molecular Phylogenetic Estimates of Evolutionary Affinities and the First
    PRIMARY RESEARCH PAPER | Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology DOI 10.26757/pjsb2020b14002 Molecular phylogenetic estimates of evolutionary affinities and the first reports of phenotypic variation in two secretive, endemic reptiles from the Romblon Island Group, central Philippines Camila G. Meneses1,2,*, Cameron D. Siler3,4, Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez1,2, Perry L. Wood, Jr.5,6, and Rafe M. Brown6 Abstract We report on the first molecular estimates of phylogenetic relationships of Brachymeles dalawangdaliri (Scincidae) and Pseudogekko isapa (Gekkonidae), and present new data on phenotypic variation in these two poorly known taxa, endemic to the Romblon Island Group of the central Philippines. Because both species were recently described on the basis of few, relatively older, museum specimens collected in the early 1970s (when preservation of genetic material was not yet standard practice in biodiversity field inventories), neither taxon has ever been included in modern molecular phylogenetic analyses. Likewise, because the original type series for each species consisted of only a few specimens, biologists have been unable to assess standard morphological variation in either taxon, or statistically assess the importance of characters contributing to their diagnoses and identification. Here we ameliorate both historical shortfalls. First, our new genetic data allowed us to perform novel molecular phylogenetic analyses aimed at elucidating the evolutionary relationships of these lineages; secondly, with population level phenotypic data, from the first statistical sample collected for either species, and including adults of both sexes. We reaffirm the distinctiveness of both named taxa as valid species, amend their diagnoses to facilitate the recognition of both, distinguish them from congeners, and consider the biogeographic affinities of both lineages.
    [Show full text]
  • Zootaxa, Three New Species of Cyrtodactylus
    Zootaxa 1921: 1–23 (2008) ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) www.mapress.com/zootaxa/ ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2008 · Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) Three new species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Malaysia L. LEE GRISMER1,2, CHAN KIN ONN2, JESSE L. GRISMER3, PERRY L. WOOD, JR.3 & DAICUS BELABUT2 1Department of Biology, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California, 92515-8247 USA. E-mail: [email protected] 2Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. E-mail: [email protected]; E-mail: [email protected] 3Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, Pensylvania 92108. E-mail: [email protected]; E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Three new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus are described from Peninsular Malaysia; C. jarakensis sp. nov. from Pulau Jarak off the west coast of Perak, C. batucolus sp. nov. from Pulau Besar of the Water Islands Archipelago off the west coast of Melaka, and C. pantiensis sp. nov. from the Gunung Panti Forest Reserve, Johor. All are distin- guishable from other Sunda Shelf species of Cyrtodactylus in having unique combinations of morphological and color pattern characteristics. The continued high potential for finding additional new species in unexplored regions of southern Peninsular Malaysia and its associated archipelagos is further supported with these findings. Key words: Malaysia, Gunung Panti, Johor, Melaka, Cyrtodactylus, batucolus, jarakensis, pantiensis, new species Introduction The lizard genus Cyrtodactylus is the most speciose group of gekkonids to date (Kluge 2001) and the remark- able frequency at which new species are being added to this group shows no signs of leveling off (i.e., Bauer 2002, 2003; Bauer et al.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bay of Bengal
    Herpetology Notes, volume 13: 631-637 (2020) (published online on 05 August 2020) An update to species distribution records of geckos (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bay of Bengal Ashwini V. Mohan1,2,* The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are rifted arc-raft of 2004, and human-mediated transport can introduce continental islands (Ali, 2018). Andaman and Nicobar additional species to these islands (Chandramouli, 2015). Islands together form the largest archipelago in the In this study, I provide an update for the occurrence Bay of Bengal and a high proportion of terrestrial and distribution of species in the family Gekkonidae herpetofauna on these islands are endemic (Das, 1999). (geckos) on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Although often lumped together, the Andamans and Nicobars are distinct from each other in their floral Materials and Methods and faunal species communities and are geographically Teams consisted of between 2–4 members and we separated by the 10° Channel. Several studies have conducted opportunistic visual encounter surveys in shed light on distribution, density and taxonomic accessible forested and human-modified areas, both aspects of terrestrial herpetofauna on these islands during daylight hours and post-sunset. These surveys (e.g., Das, 1999; Chandramouli, 2016; Harikrishnan were carried out specifically for geckos between and Vasudevan, 2018), assessed genetic diversity November 2016 and May 2017, this period overlapped across island populations (Mohan et al., 2018), studied with the north-east monsoon and summer seasons in the impacts of introduced species on herpetofauna these islands. A total of 16 islands in the Andaman and and biodiversity (e.g., Mohanty et al., 2016a, 2019), Nicobar archipelagos (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Assessments in the B+WISER Sites
    Ecological Assessments in the B+WISER Sites (Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Upper Marikina-Kaliwa Forest Reserve, Bago River Watershed and Forest Reserve, Naujan Lake National Park and Subwatersheds, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park and Mt. Apo Natural Park) Philippines Biodiversity & Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy & Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) 23 March 2015 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Chemonics International Inc. The Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience Program is funded by the USAID, Contract No. AID-492-C-13-00002 and implemented by Chemonics International in association with: Fauna and Flora International (FFI) Haribon Foundation World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. Ecological Assessments in the B+WISER Sites Philippines Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER) Program Implemented with: Department of Environment and Natural Resources Other National Government Agencies Local Government Units and Agencies Supported by: United States Agency for International Development Contract No.: AID-492-C-13-00002 Managed by: Chemonics International Inc. in partnership with Fauna and Flora International (FFI) Haribon Foundation World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF) 23 March
    [Show full text]
  • Genus Lycodon)
    Zoologica Scripta Multilocus phylogeny reveals unexpected diversification patterns in Asian wolf snakes (genus Lycodon) CAMERON D. SILER,CARL H. OLIVEROS,ANSSI SANTANEN &RAFE M. BROWN Submitted: 6 September 2012 Siler, C. D., Oliveros, C. H., Santanen, A., Brown, R. M. (2013). Multilocus phylogeny Accepted: 8 December 2012 reveals unexpected diversification patterns in Asian wolf snakes (genus Lycodon). —Zoologica doi:10.1111/zsc.12007 Scripta, 42, 262–277. The diverse group of Asian wolf snakes of the genus Lycodon represents one of many poorly understood radiations of advanced snakes in the superfamily Colubroidea. Outside of three species having previously been represented in higher-level phylogenetic analyses, nothing is known of the relationships among species in this unique, moderately diverse, group. The genus occurs widely from central to Southeast Asia, and contains both widespread species to forms that are endemic to small islands. One-third of the diversity is found in the Philippine archipelago. Both morphological similarity and highly variable diagnostic characters have contributed to confusion over species-level diversity. Additionally, the placement of the genus among genera in the subfamily Colubrinae remains uncertain, although previous studies have supported a close relationship with the genus Dinodon. In this study, we provide the first estimate of phylogenetic relationships within the genus Lycodon using a new multi- locus data set. We provide statistical tests of monophyly based on biogeographic, morpho- logical and taxonomic hypotheses. With few exceptions, we are able to reject many of these hypotheses, indicating a need for taxonomic revisions and a reconsideration of the group's biogeography. Mapping of color patterns on our preferred phylogenetic tree suggests that banded and blotched types have evolved on multiple occasions in the history of the genus, whereas the solid-color (and possibly speckled) morphotype color patterns evolved only once.
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation of Herpetofauna in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
    CONSERVATION OF HERPETOFAUNA IN BANTIMURUNG BULUSARAUNG NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA Final Report 2008 By: M. Irfansyah Lubis, Wempy Endarwin, Septiantina D. Riendriasari, Suwardiansah, Adininggar U. Ul-Hasanah, Feri Irawan, Hadijah Aziz K., and Akmal Malawi Departemen Konservasi Sumberdaya Hutan Fakultas Kehutanan Institut Pertanian Bogor Bogor Indonesia 16000 Tel : +62 – 251 – 621 947 Fax: +62 – 251 – 621 947 Email: [email protected] (team leader) Conservation of Herpetofauna in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Executive Summary Sulawesi is an island with complex geological and geographical history, thus resulting in a complex array in biodiversity. Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park (BabulNP) was gazetted in 2004 to protect the region’s biodiversity and karst ecosystem. However, the park’s herpetofauna is almost unknown. This project consists of three programs: herpetofauna survey in BabulNP, herpetofauna conservation education to local schools, and herpetofauna training for locals and was conducted from July to September 2007. Based on the survey conducted in six sites in the park, we recorded 12 amphibian and 25 reptile species. Five of those species (Bufo celebensis, Rana celebensis, Rhacophorus monticola, Sphenomorphus tropidonotus, and Calamaria muelleri) are endemic to Sulawesi. Two species of the genus Oreophryne are still unidentified. We visited six schools around the park for our herpetofauna conservation education program. The Herpetofauna Observation Training was held over four days with 17 participants from BabulNP staff, local NGOs, school teachers, and Hasanuddin University students. i Conservation of Herpetofauna in Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Acknowledgements This project would not have been possible without the contribution of many persons. We would like to express our gratitude to BP Conservation Leadership Programme for providing funding.
    [Show full text]
  • NHBSS 061 1G Hikida Fieldg
    Book Review N$7+IST. BULL. S,$0 SOC. 61(1): 41–51, 2015 A Field Guide to the Reptiles of Thailand by Tanya Chan-ard, John W. K. Parr and Jarujin Nabhitabhata. Oxford University Press, New York, 2015. 344 pp. paper. ISBN: 9780199736492. 7KDLUHSWLOHVZHUHÀUVWH[WHQVLYHO\VWXGLHGE\WZRJUHDWKHUSHWRORJLVWV0DOFROP$UWKXU 6PLWKDQG(GZDUG+DUULVRQ7D\ORU7KHLUFRQWULEXWLRQVZHUHSXEOLVKHGDV6MITH (1931, 1935, 1943) and TAYLOR 5HFHQWO\RWKHUERRNVDERXWUHSWLOHVDQGDPSKLELDQV LQ7KDLODQGZHUHSXEOLVKHG HJ&HAN-ARD ET AL., 1999: COX ET AL DVZHOODVPDQ\ SDSHUV+RZHYHUWKHVHERRNVZHUHWD[RQRPLFVWXGLHVDQGQRWJXLGHVIRURUGLQDU\SHRSOH7ZR DGGLWLRQDOÀHOGJXLGHERRNVRQUHSWLOHVRUDPSKLELDQVDQGUHSWLOHVKDYHDOVREHHQSXEOLVKHG 0ANTHEY & GROSSMANN, 1997; DAS EXWWKHVHERRNVFRYHURQO\DSDUWRIWKHIDXQD The book under review is very well prepared and will help us know Thai reptiles better. 2QHRIWKHDXWKRUV-DUXMLQ1DEKLWDEKDWDZDVP\ROGIULHQGIRUPHUO\WKH'LUHFWRURI1DWXUDO +LVWRU\0XVHXPWKH1DWLRQDO6FLHQFH0XVHXP7KDLODQG+HZDVDQH[FHOOHQWQDWXUDOLVW DQGKDGH[WHQVLYHNQRZOHGJHDERXW7KDLDQLPDOVHVSHFLDOO\DPSKLELDQVDQGUHSWLOHV,Q ZHYLVLWHG.KDR6RL'DR:LOGOLIH6DQFWXDU\WRVXUYH\KHUSHWRIDXQD+HDGYLVHGXV WRGLJTXLFNO\DURXQGWKHUH:HFROOHFWHGIRXUVSHFLPHQVRIDibamusZKLFKZHGHVFULEHG DVDQHZVSHFLHVDibamus somsaki +ONDA ET AL 1RZ,DPYHU\JODGWRNQRZWKDW WKLVERRNZDVSXEOLVKHGE\KLPDQGKLVFROOHDJXHV8QIRUWXQDWHO\KHSDVVHGDZD\LQ +LVXQWLPHO\GHDWKPD\KDYHGHOD\HGWKHSXEOLFDWLRQRIWKLVERRN7KHERRNLQFOXGHVQHDUO\ DOOQDWLYHUHSWLOHV PRUHWKDQVSHFLHV LQ7KDLODQGDQGPRVWSLFWXUHVZHUHGUDZQZLWK H[FHOOHQWGHWDLO,WLVDYHU\JRRGÀHOGJXLGHIRULGHQWLÀFDWLRQRI7KDLUHSWLOHVIRUVWXGHQWV
    [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]
  • YSF 2020-PROGRAMME-1.Pdf
    YOUNG SYSTEMATISTS' FORUM Day 1 Monday 23rd November 2020, Zoom [all timings are GMT+0] 11.50 Opening remarks David Williams, President of the Systematics Association 12.00 Rodrigo Vargas Pêgas Species Concepts and the Anagenetic Process Importance on Evolutionary History 12.15 Katherine Odanaka Insights into the phylogeny and biogeography of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Nomada 12.30 Minette Havenga Association among global populations of the Eucalyptus foliar pathogen Teratosphaeria destructans 12.45 David A. Velasquez-Trujillo Phylogenetic relationships of the whiptail lizards of the genus Holcosus COPE 1862 (Squamata: Teiidae) based on morphological and molecular evidence 13.00 Break 10 minutes 13.10 Arsham Nejad Kourki The Ediacaran Dickinsonia is a stem-eumetazoan 13.25 Flávia F.Petean The role of the American continent on the diversification of the stingrays’ genus Hypanus Rafinesque, 1818 (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) 13.40 Peter M.Schächinger Discovering species diversity in Antarctic marine slugs (Mollusca: Gastropoda) 13.55 Alison Irwin Eight new mitogenomes clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Stromboidea within the gastropod phylogenetic framework 14.10 Break 20 minutes 14.30 Érica Martinha Silva de The lineages of foliage-roosting fruit bat Uroderma spp. (Chiroptera: Souza Phyllostomidae 14.45 Melissa Betters Rethinking Informative Traits: Environmental Influence on Shell Morphology in Deep-Sea Gastropods 15.00 J. Renato Morales-Mérida- New lineages of Holcosus undulatus (Squamata: Teiidae) in Guatemala 15.15 Roberto
    [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]
  • Edward Harrison Taylor: the Teacher by A
    HERP QL 31 .T37 E37 EDWARD H. TAYLOR: RECOLLECTIONS OF AN HERPETOLOGIST NOTE: The map depicting part of the Philip- pine region, reproduced on the cover, was used by Edward H. Taylor in the course of field work in 1912-1913. Edward H. Taylor EDWARD H. TAYLOR: RECOLLECTIONS OF AN HERPETOLOGIST EDWARD H. TAYLOR Professor and Curator Emeritus Department of Systematics and Ecology and Museum of Natural History The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66045 A. BYRON LEONARD Professor Emeritus Department of Systematics and Ecology The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66045 HOBART M. SMITH Professor Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado 80302 GEORGE R. PISANI Visiting Instructor Department of Biology The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66045 Monograph of THE Museum of Natural History, The University of Kansas Number 4 1975 University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History Editor: Richard F. Johnston Monograph Series, Publication No. 4 pp. 1-160; 6 figures; 1 plate Published December 15, 1975 WW 1 6 1999 Museum of Natural History The University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66045 U.S.A. Copyright 1975, Museum of Natural History The University of Kansas Printed by University of Kansas Printing Service Lawrence, Kansas PREFACE The charge to anyone doing a volume like this is complex and best met by artists, not scientists. Professor E. H. Taylor is now 86 years old and has been busy for all that time. How, short of a full biography, can we recreate in our minds the sense of and feeling for this energetic, creative, sometimes irascible man who has had an extraordinary career as naturalist, explorer, teacher, friend (especially of children), scientist, spy, consort of royalty and "father" of modern herpetology? This book senses the man only fractionally and certainly less than we expect for average his full persons.
    [Show full text]
  • Characterization of Five Complete Cyrtodactylus Mitogenome Structures Reveals Low Structural Diversity and Conservation of Repeated Sequences in the Lineage
    Characterization of five complete Cyrtodactylus mitogenome structures reveals low structural diversity and conservation of repeated sequences in the lineage Prapatsorn Areesirisuk1,2,3, Narongrit Muangmai3,4, Kirati Kunya5, Worapong Singchat1,3, Siwapech Sillapaprayoon1,3, Sorravis Lapbenjakul1,3, Watcharaporn Thapana1,3,6, Attachai Kantachumpoo1,3,6, Sudarath Baicharoen7, Budsaba Rerkamnuaychoke2, Surin Peyachoknagul1,8, Kyudong Han9 and Kornsorn Srikulnath1,3,6,10 1 Laboratory of Animal Cytogenetics and Comparative Genomics (ACCG), Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Human Genetic Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand 3 Animal Breeding and Genetics Consortium of Kasetsart University (ABG-KU), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand 4 Department of Fishery Biology, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand 5 Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand 6 Center for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, National Research University-Kasetsart University (CASTNAR, NRU-KU, Thailand), Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand 7 Bureau of Conservation and Research, Zoological Park Organization under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty the King, Bangkok, Thailand 8 Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand 9 Department of Nanobiomedical Science & BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, Republic of Korea 10 Center of Excellence on Agricultural Biotechnology: (AG-BIO/PERDO-CHE), Bangkok, Thailand ABSTRACT Submitted 30 July 2018 Accepted 15 November 2018 Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of five Cyrtodactylus were determined. Their Published 13 December 2018 compositions and structures were similar to most of the available gecko lizard Corresponding author mitogenomes as 13 protein-coding, two rRNA and 22 tRNA genes.
    [Show full text]