DOCSLIB.ORG

Cfreptiles & Amphibians

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Cfreptiles & Amphibians WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNALTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANSIRCF REPTILES • VOL 15,& NAMPHIBIANSO 4 • DEC 2008 •189 26(3):174–179 • JAN 2020 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURE ARTICLES First. Chasing Records Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer sayi )of in Wisconsin: Albinism or Leucism in On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190 Six .SpeciesThe Shared History of Treeboas of (Corallus grenadensisSnakes) and Humans on Grenada: from Central India A Hypothetical Excursion ............................................................................................................................Robert W. Henderson 198 1 1,2 1,3 4 4,5 4,5 Rahul V. DeshmukhRESEARCH, Sagar A. ARTICLES Deshmukh , Swapnil A. Badhekar , Jagdish Rewatkar , Vijay P. Pachare , and Sujit B. Kawale . 1WardThe No. Texas 4, HornedTeacher Lizard Colony, in Central Kalmeshwar and Western Brahmani, Texas ....................... Nagpur, EmilyMaharashtra-441501, Henry, Jason Brewer, IndiaKrista Mougey,([email protected]) and Gad Perry 204 . The Knight 2Anole Kalmeshwar (Anolis equestris Brahmani,) in Florida Nagpur, Maharashtra-441501, India ([email protected]) .............................................3Tiwaskarwadi, Raipur,Brian Hingana, J. Camposano, Nagpur, Kenneth Maharashtra-441110, L. Krysko, Kevin M. Enge, India Ellen ([email protected]) M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 4 CONSERVATIONTeacher Colony,ALERT Paras, Akola, Maharashtra-444109, India ([email protected]) 5Rajura District, Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India ([email protected]) ([email protected]) . World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220 . More Than Mammals ...................................................................................................................................................................... 223 . The “Dow Jones Index” of Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................... 225 oth albinism andHUSBANDRY leucism have been described in rep- mentation with retention of color in the eyes, is expressed Btiles (e.g., Bechtel. Captive 1995; Care Broghammer of the Central Netted Dragon2000). ....................................................................................................... Albinism as complete or partial integumentary Shannon Plummer 226 pigmentation and dark is the absence of both integumentary and retinal pigmen- eyes. Coloration plays an important role in predator avoid- PROFILE tation, which results. inKraig a Adler: white A Lifetime or yellowishPromoting Herpetology body ................................................................................................ and red ance through crypsis, mimicry, Michael L. Treglia or aposematism234 (e.g., Sweet eyes. Leucism, sometimes considered a form of incomplete 1985) and also in inter- and intraspecific communication and albinism involvingCOMMENTARY reduced or absent integumentary pig- sexual selection (e.g., Roulin and Bize 2006). Consequently, . The Turtles Have Been Watching Me ........................................................................................................................ Eric Gangloff 238 BOOK REVIEW . Threatened Amphibians of the World edited by S.N. Stuart, M. Hoffmann, J.S. Chanson, N.A. Cox, R. Berridge, P. Ramani, and B.E. Young .............................................................................................................. Robert Powell 243 CONSERVATION RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Conservation Research Reports ................................. 245 NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Reports on Natural History ................................. 247 NEWBRIEFS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 248 EDITORIAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 251 FOCUS ON CONSERVATION: A Project You Can Support ............................................................................................... 252 Front Cover. Shannon Plummer. Back Cover. Michael Kern Totat et velleseque audant mo Totat et velleseque audant mo estibus inveliquo velique rerchil estibus inveliquo velique rerchil erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum fugiatis maionsequat eumque fugiatis maionsequat eumque moditia erere nonsedis ma sectiatur moditia erere nonsedis ma sectia- ma derrovitae voluptam, as quos tur ma derrovitae voluptam, as accullabo. Fig. 1. (A/B) An albino juvenile Common Sand Boa/Rough-tailed Sand Boa (Eryx conicus). (C) Typically colored juvenile. Photographs by Jagdish Rewatkar (A & B) and Sagar Deshmukh (C). Copyright © 2020. Rahul V. Deshmukh. All rights reserved. 174 IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians ISSN 1098-6324 DESHMUKH ET AL. IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 26(3):174–179 • JAN 2020 both of these forms of aberrant coloration are rare in nature At 0710 h on 8 July 2018, at the Thermal Power Station, because albinistic or leucistic individuals rarely survive and Paras, Balapur, Akola, Maharashtra, India (20.716537°N, reproduce (e.g., Bechtel and Bechtel 1981; Krecsák 2008). 76.796762°E), Jagdish Rewatkar rescued an albino juvenile In addition, albinos have sun-sensitive skin, which can affect Common Sand Boa (~150 mm total length) that was basking growth (Spodola and Ditoro 2007), and often have impaired on a rocky trail. The snake was pale pink with red eyes (Fig. vision (e.g., Creel et al. 1990). Bechtel (1995) estimated that 1). It was released into appropriate habitat. the ratio of albinism in wild vertebrates was 1:10,000 to 1:30,000. Previous studies documenting instances of leucism Green Keelback/Lead Keelback, Rhabdophis plumbicolor or albinism in Indian reptiles in general and snakes in particu- (Cantor 1839). These snakes are distributed throughout lar include Lahiri (1955), Whitaker (1971), Kumar (1988), India, except along the eastern coast, the Ganges Valley, and Basu et al. (2003), Cyril (2009), Sayyed (2012), Vyas (2012, the extreme northeastern parts of the country, and are com- 2013), Vyas et al. (2012), Hoshing et al. (2013), Bhutkar monly encountered in some areas of Maharashtra (Whitaker and Mahabal (2014), Jadhav et al. (2014), Adimallaah and and Captain 2004; Deshmukh et al. 2015). They occur Vyas (2015), Kumbar et al. (2016), and Thakur and Trivedi mainly in hills at elevations of 600–1,800 m (Daniel 2002). (2018). Also, Mahabal and Thakur (2014) provided a com- During a rescue operation at 1810 h on 6 August 2014 in prehensive report on aberrant coloration and patterns in the the Shri Residential Colony near Bhagatwadi, Paras, Tahsil- Indian herpetofauna. Herein we report first records of leu- Balapur, Akola District, Maharashtra, India (20.050889°N, cism or albinism for six species of snakes from Central India. 73.713797°E), Jagdish Rewatkar rescued a young, unsexed, leucistic Green Keelback (~300 mm SVL) that was yellowish Common Sand Boa/Rough-tailed Sand Boa, Eryx coni- in color with a light greenish remnant of a mark on the nape, cus (Schneider 1801). These stout-bodied, medium-sized and reddish eyes (Fig. 2). It was released into suitable habitat snakes with strongly keeled scales are abundant in arid near the site of collection. localities throughout the Indian Subcontinent, including Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, but excluding Checkered Keelback/Asiatic Watersnake, Fowlea pisca- the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Das 2002; Whitaker tor (Schneider 1799). These snakes are among the most and Captain 2004). Although mostly crepuscular or noc- frequently encountered aquatic snakes and possibly the most turnal (Das 2002), these snakes are known to hunt by day plentiful species of snake in India (Whitaker and Captain (Whitaker and Captain 2004). They are strong burrowers in 2005). They inhabit the whole of India to Baluchistan and loose sand or silty soil (Sharma 2007) and generally constrict the northwestern frontier provinces and extend into the Indo- prey, which includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphib- Chinese region as far east as Myitkina in upper Burma (Smith ians, and even large insects (Smith 1943; Das 2002; Sharma 1943). They are very common in central India (Nande and 2007; Whitaker and Captain 2004). Deshmukh 2007; Deshmukh et al. 2015), where they occur Fig. 2. (A) Leucistic and typically colored Green Keelback/Lead Keelback (Rhabdophis plumbicolor). (B) Typically colored aduult. Photographs by Jagdish Rewatkar (A) and Sagar Deshmukh (B). 175 DESHMUKH ET AL. IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 26(3):174–179 • JAN 2020 Fig. 3. (A/B/C) Albino Checkered Keelback/Asiatic Watersnake (Xenochrophis piscator). (D) Typically colored adult. Photographs by Vijay Pachare (A & B), Sujit Kawale (C), and Sagar Deshmukh (D). in and around rivers, ponds, and paddy fields. Extremely Maharashtra, India (19.789099°N, 79.395534°E). It was active, these snakes are capable of jumping off the ground,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • ONEP V09.Pdf
    Compiled by Jarujin Nabhitabhata Tanya Chan-ard Yodchaiy Chuaynkern OEPP BIODIVERSITY SERIES volume nine OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND PLANNING MINISTRY OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT 60/1 SOI PIBULWATTANA VII, RAMA VI RD., BANGKOK 10400 THAILAND TEL. (662) 2797180, 2714232, 2797186-9 FAX. (662) 2713226 Office of Environmental Policy and Planning 2000 NOT FOR SALE NOT FOR SALE NOT FOR SALE Compiled by Jarujin Nabhitabhata Tanya Chan-ard Yodchaiy Chuaynkern Office of Environmental Policy and Planning 2000 First published : September 2000 by Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (OEPP), Thailand. ISBN : 974–87704–3–5 This publication is financially supported by OEPP and may be reproduced in whole or in part and in any form for educational or non–profit purposes without special permission from OEPP, providing that acknowledgment of the source is made. No use of this publication may be made for resale or for any other commercial purposes. Citation : Nabhitabhata J., Chan ard T., Chuaynkern Y. 2000. Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles in Thailand. Office of Environmental Policy and Planning, Bangkok, Thailand. Authors : Jarujin Nabhitabhata Tanya Chan–ard Yodchaiy Chuaynkern National Science Museum Available from : Biological Resources Section Natural Resources and Environmental Management Division Office of Environmental Policy and Planning Ministry of Science Technology and Environment 60/1 Rama VI Rd. Bangkok 10400 THAILAND Tel. (662) 271–3251, 279–7180, 271–4232–8 279–7186–9 ext 226, 227 Facsimile (662) 279–8088, 271–3251 Designed & Printed :Integrated Promotion Technology Co., Ltd. Tel. (662) 585–2076, 586–0837, 913–7761–2 Facsimile (662) 913–7763 2 1.
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Fish and Herptiles in Traditional Folk Therapies in Three
    Altaf et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2020) 16:38 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-020-00379-z RESEARCH Open Access The use of fish and herptiles in traditional folk therapies in three districts of Chenab riverine area in Punjab, Pakistan Muhammad Altaf1* , Arshad Mehmood Abbasi2*, Muhammad Umair3, Muhammad Shoaib Amjad4, Kinza Irshad2 and Abdul Majid Khan5 Abstract Background: Like botanical taxa, various species of animals are also used in traditional and modern health care systems. Present study was intended with the aim to document the traditional uses of herptile and fish species among the local communities in the vicinity of the River Chenab, Punjab Pakistan. Method: Data collected by semi-structured interviews and questionnaires were subsequently analyzed using relative frequency of citation (FC), fidelity level (FL), relative popularity level (RPL), similarity index (SI), and rank order priority (ROP) indices. Results: Out of total 81 reported species, ethnomedicinal uses of eight herptiles viz. Aspideretes gangeticus, A. hurum, Eublepharis macularius, Varanus bengalensis, Python molurus, Eryx johnii, Ptyas mucosus mucosus, Daboia russelii russelii and five fish species including Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, Cirrhinus reba, Labeo dero, Mastacembelus armatus, and Pethia ticto were reported for the first time from this region. Fat, flesh, brain, and skin were among the commonly utilized body parts to treat allergy, cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory disorders, sexual impotency, skin infections, and as antidote and anti-diabetic agents. Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Duttaphrynus stomaticus, and Ptyas mucosus mucosus (herptiles), as well as Labeo rohita, Wallago attu, and Cirrhinus reba (fish) were top ranked with maximum informant reports, frequency of citations, and rank order priority.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Article (PDF)
    OCCASIONAL PAPER NO 12S I f I I RECORDS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA OCCASIONAL PAPER NO. 125 A POCKET BOOK OF THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF THE CHILKA LAGOON, ORISSA By T. S. N. MURTHY Southern Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India, Madrar ~VIU Edited by the Director, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta 1990 @ CDpy"g"t, Government IJ!r"dla, 199fJ Published: March, 1990 Price : Inland: Rs. Foreign: £ s Production: Publication Unit. Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta Printed in India by A. Kt. Chatterjee at . Jnanoday. Press. SSS, Kabi Su1Canta Sarani. Calcutta 700 ,O~ and Published by th" 1)jrJOiot. Zoological Surfty of India. Calcutta RECORDS OF THE ZOOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA Occasional Paper No. 125 1990 Pages 1-35 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 HIsTORY OF HERPETOLOGY OF THE CHllKA 1 Part I AMPHlTBANS 2 Part II REPTILEs S How TO. FIND AND OBSERVE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN THE CHlLKA LAGOON ... 24 CHECKLIST ... 2S GLOSSARY tt. 29 SELCECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ••• 31 INDEX ••• 33 ACKNOWU:DG~ ,t. 34 Dedicated to the memory of Nelson Annandale who pioneered the faunistic investigations of the Chilka Lake PREFACE The interesting frogs and reptiles of the Chilka lagoon in the State of Orissa seem not to have been given the attention they deserve. This small booklet introduces the few amphibians and many reptiles found in the Chilka Lake, on its several islands and hills, and along the shoreline. Literally, thousands of tourists visit the Chilka Lake round the year. Groups of school boys and girls come here regularly. It is necessary to tell them about the fauna of the lagoon and the ways of its wild denizens.
    [Show full text]
  • WHO Guidance on Management of Snakebites
    GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SNAKEBITES 2nd Edition GUIDELINES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF SNAKEBITES 2nd Edition 1. 2. 3. 4. ISBN 978-92-9022- © World Health Organization 2016 2nd Edition All rights reserved. Requests for publications, or for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications, whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution, can be obtained from Publishing and Sales, World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110 002, India (fax: +91-11-23370197; e-mail: publications@ searo.who.int). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use.
    [Show full text]
  • Red Sand Boa
    FACTSHEET RED SAND BOA © Raghu Ram Gowda / WARCO / Indiansnakes.org Red Sand Boa Eryx johnii, also known as the Indian Sand Boa is a non-venomous snake that is variable in colour and appears as reddish-brown, speckled-grey or yellow to black. Popularly called the double-headed snake, it has a blunt tail almost resembling a head which is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and tiny eyes. Taxonomically, it is placed in the class Reptilia, order Serpentes, and family Boidae. “It is the largest of the sand “ It is a nocturnal species and spends majority of boas in the world and can It is an ovoviviparous its time under the “ grow to more than 4ft species which means that ground. long.” ” the embryo that develops inside the eggs remains within the mother's body until they hatch into young ones. ” “ It feeds mainly on rodents, #DYK lizards and even other snakes. ” “It is easily recognisable due to its shovel-shaped nose and a blunt tail which appears to be chopped off. ” ECOLOGICAL ROLE: Just like other snake species, Red Sand Boa also plays a significant role in the ecosystem by maintaining a healthy population between prey and the predator. It feeds on rodents, lizards, and even other snakes and is often called the farmer’s friend. © Raghu Ram Gowda / WARCO / Indiansnakes.org SIZE, HABITAT, DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION STATUS: AVERAGE HABITAT DISTRIBUTION POPULATION SIZE TREND Length: Agricultural lands, Andhra Pradesh, 70─120 cm grasslands, scrub Gujarat, Madhya forest, moist and Pradesh, dry deciduous Maharashtra, forests; unused Odisha, lands with sandy Rajasthan, Tamil soil and deep Nadu, Uttar cracks.
    [Show full text]
  • Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network ISSN 2230-7079 No.15 | January 2013 Date of Publication: 22 January 2013 1
    Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network No.15 | January 2013 ISSN 2230-7079 Date of publication: 22 January 2013 1. Crocodile, 1. 2. Crocodile, Caiman, 3. Gharial, 4.Common Chameleon, 5. Chameleon, 9. Chameleon, Flap-necked 8. Chameleon Flying 7. Gecko, Dragon, Ptychozoon Chamaeleo sp. Fischer’s 10 dilepsis, 6. &11. Jackson’s Frill-necked 21. Stump-tailed Skink, 20. Gila Monster, Lizard, Green Iguana, 19. European Iguana, 18. Rhinoceros Antillean Basilisk, Iguana, 17. Lesser 16. Green 15. Common Lizard, 14. Horned Devil, Thorny 13. 12. Uromastyx, Lizard, 34. Eastern Tortoise, 33. 32. Rattlesnake Indian Star cerastes, 22. 31. Boa,Cerastes 23. Python, 25. 24. 30. viper, Ahaetulla Grass Rhinoceros nasuta Snake, 29. 26. 27. Asp, Indian Naja Snake, 28. Cobra, haje, Grater African 46. Ceratophrys, Bombina,45. 44. Toad, 43. Bullfrog, 42. Frog, Common 41. Turtle, Sea Loggerhead 40. Trionychidae, 39. mata Mata 38. Turtle, Snake-necked Argentine 37. Emydidae, 36. Tortoise, Galapagos 35. Turtle, Box 48. Marbled Newt Newt, Crested 47. Great Salamander, Fire Reptiles, illustration by Adolphe Millot. Source: Nouveau Larousse Illustré, edited by Claude Augé, published in Paris by Librarie Larousse 1897-1904, this illustration from vol. 7 p. 263 7 p. vol. from 1897-1904, this illustration Larousse Librarie by published in Paris Augé, Claude by edited Illustré, Larousse Nouveau Source: Millot. Adolphe by illustration Reptiles, www.zoosprint.org/Newsletters/ReptileRap.htm OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD REPTILE RAP #15, January 2013 Contents A new record of the Cochin Forest Cane Turtle Vijayachelys silvatica (Henderson, 1912) from Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala, India Arun Kanagavel, 3–6pp New Record of Elliot’s Shieldtail (Gray, 1858) in Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India M.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 2. Animals
    AC20 Doc. 8.5 Annex (English only/Seulement en anglais/Únicamente en inglés) REVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT TRADE ANALYSIS OF TRADE TRENDS WITH NOTES ON THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF SELECTED SPECIES Volume 2. Animals Prepared for the CITES Animals Committee, CITES Secretariat by the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre JANUARY 2004 AC20 Doc. 8.5 – p. 3 Prepared and produced by: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, UK UNEP WORLD CONSERVATION MONITORING CENTRE (UNEP-WCMC) www.unep-wcmc.org The UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre is the biodiversity assessment and policy implementation arm of the United Nations Environment Programme, the world’s foremost intergovernmental environmental organisation. UNEP-WCMC aims to help decision-makers recognise the value of biodiversity to people everywhere, and to apply this knowledge to all that they do. The Centre’s challenge is to transform complex data into policy-relevant information, to build tools and systems for analysis and integration, and to support the needs of nations and the international community as they engage in joint programmes of action. UNEP-WCMC provides objective, scientifically rigorous products and services that include ecosystem assessments, support for implementation of environmental agreements, regional and global biodiversity information, research on threats and impacts, and development of future scenarios for the living world. Prepared for: The CITES Secretariat, Geneva A contribution to UNEP - The United Nations Environment Programme Printed by: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge CB3 0DL, UK © Copyright: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre/CITES Secretariat The contents of this report do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UNEP or contributory organisations.
    [Show full text]
  • Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network ISSN 2230-7079 No.18 | November 2016 Date of Publication: 30 November 2016
    Reptile Rap Newsletter of the South Asian Reptile Network No.18 | November 2016 ISSN 2230-7079 Date of publication: 30 November 2016 www.zoosprint.org/Newsletters/ReptileRap.htm OPEN ACCESS | FREE DOWNLOAD REPTILE RAP #18, 30 November 2016 Contents A pilot-survey to assess the diversity and distribution of reptilian fauna in Taralu Village, abutting the Bannerghatta National Park, Karnataka, India -- S. Aaranya Gayathri, M. Jayashankar & K. Avinash, Pp. 3–18 A comprehensive report on the Hook-nosed Sea Snake Enhydrina schistosa (Daudin, 1803) -- Hatkar Prachi & Chinnasamy Ramesh, Pp. 19–22 A sighting of the Sind Awl-headed Snake Lytorhynchus paradoxus (Günther, 1875) from western Rajasthan: Habitat preferences -- Kachhawa Yati, Kachhawa Dimple, Kumawat Kumar Rakesh, K.K. Sharma & Sharma Vivek, Pp. 23–24 Distribution of Treutler’s Gecko (Hemidactylus treutleri Mahony, 2009) in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, southern India - a general information -- B. Laxmi Narayana, G. Baburao & V. Vasudeva Rao, Pp. 25–28 On the occurrence of the Calamaria Reed Snake Liopeltis calamaria (Günther, 1858) (Squamata: Colubridae), in the Kalakadu Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, India -- Surya Narayanan, Pp. 29–30 Note on record of body length of the Common Wolf Snake Lycodon aulicus -- Raju Vyas, Pp. 31–32 Unusual feeding behavior of the Checkered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator on Jahangirnagar University Campus, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh -- Noman Al Moktadir & Md. Kamrul Hasan, Pp. 32–33 Bifid tail inHemidactylus prashadi (Smith, 1935) -- Shivanand R. Yankanchi & Suresh M. Kumbar, Pp. 34–35 Some observations on the Malabar Pit Viper Trimeresurus malabaricus in central Western Ghats, India -- Uday Sagar, Pp. 36–39 First records of Oligodon taeniolatus and Bungarus sindnus walli from Nagpur District, Maharashtra, India -- Deshmukh, R.V., Sager A.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Evolution of Three-Finger Toxins in the Long-Glanded Coral Snake Species Calliophis Bivirgatus
    toxins Article Electric Blue: Molecular Evolution of Three-Finger Toxins in the Long-Glanded Coral Snake Species Calliophis bivirgatus Daniel Dashevsky 1,2 , Darin Rokyta 3 , Nathaniel Frank 4, Amanda Nouwens 5 and Bryan G. Fry 1,* 1 Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; [email protected] 2 Australian National Insect Collection, Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organization, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia 3 Department of Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 24105, USA; [email protected] 4 MToxins Venom Lab, 717 Oregon Street, Oshkosh, WI 54902, USA; [email protected] 5 School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected], Tel.: +61-7-336-58515 Abstract: The genus Calliophis is the most basal branch of the family Elapidae and several species in it have developed highly elongated venom glands. Recent research has shown that C. bivirgatus has evolved a seemingly unique toxin (calliotoxin) that produces spastic paralysis in their prey by acting on the voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels. We assembled a transcriptome from C. bivirgatus to investigate the molecular characteristics of these toxins and the venom as a whole. We find strong confirmation that this genus produces the classic elapid eight-cysteine three-finger toxins, that δ-elapitoxins (toxins that resemble calliotoxin) are responsible for a substantial portion of the venom composition, and that these toxins form a distinct clade within a larger, more diverse clade of C. bivirgatus three-finger toxins. This broader clade of C.
    [Show full text]
  • Oligodon Kheriensis Acharji & Ray, 1936, in India and Nepal, with Notes
    __All_Short_Notes_ShOrT_NOTE.qxd 12.02.2016 10:24 Seite 15 ShOrT NOTE hErPETOZOA 28 (3/4) Wien, 30. jänner 2016 ShOrT NOTE 181 Oligodon kheriensis AChArji & r Ay , 1936, in india and Nepal, s l m i k a t l 1 with notes on distribution, e r l l l a i i i t e d l l u i i d o o o u z a l d s s s y o o o ecology and conservation o i t e d d d g s s s i i b d e e e v l e e e f n e i a h h h i y y a b b b c y t t t t l l d , r r r p c l n b a b b n u u u o o n n n i a a v t t t l b b i i i r t g n s s s t The Coral-red Kukri Snake, Oligodon a e e c s i i i f f f n s o a c l l l p p i r d d d c d n m x e e e i g kheriensis AChArji & r Ay , 1936, is one of e f n n s s s e , u r n n n t g t t t e e e i c e i i i e e e s e e l t r p p d l e h h h i the rarest snake species worldwide.
    [Show full text]
  • Calabaria and the Phytogeny of Erycine Snakes
    <nological Journal of the Linnean Socieb (1993), 107: 293-351. With 19 figures Calabaria and the phylogeny of erycine snakes ARNOLD G. KLUGE Museum of <oolog~ and Department of Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mr 48109 U.S.A. Receiued October 1991, revised manuscript accepted Mar I992 Two major subgroups of erycine snakes, designated Charina and Eyx, are delimited with a cladistic analysis of 75 morphological characters. The hypotheses of species relationships within the two clades are (reinhardtii (bottae, triuirgata) ) and (colubrinus, conicus, elegans, jayakari, muellen’, somalicus (miliaris (tataricus (iaculus, johnii)))),respectively. This pattern of grouping obtains without assuming multistate character additivity. At least 16 synapomorphies indicate that reinhardtii is an erycine and that it is the sister lineage of the (bottae, friuirgata) cladr. Calabaria and Lichanura are synonymized with Charina for reasons of taxonomic efficiency, and to emphasize the New-Old World geographic distribution of the three species in that assemblage. Further resolution of E’yx species relationships is required before Congylophis (type species conicus) can be recognized. ADDITIONAL KEY WORDS:--Biogeography - Cladistics - erycines - fossils - taxonomy CONI‘EN’I’S Introduction ................... 293 Erycine terminal taxa and nomenclature ............ 296 Fossils .................... 301 Methods and materials ................ 302 Eryrine phylogeny ................. 306 Character descriptions ............... 306 Other variation ................
    [Show full text]
  • Diversity and Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles in North Punjab, Pakistan
    Diversity and conservation of amphibians and reptiles in North Punjab, Pakistan. MUHAMMAD RAIS, SARA BALOCH, JAVERIA REHMAN, MAQSOOD ANWAR, IFTIKHAR HUSSAIN AND TARIQ MAHMOOD Department of Wildlife Management, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Corresponding Author: Muhammad Rais, Visiting Scholar, Department of Biology, Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT - Amphibians and reptiles are the most neglected and least studied wildlife groups in Pakistan. The present study was conducted in the selected areas of districts Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Chakwal, North Punjab, Pakistan, to obtain data on herpetofaunal species richness and abundance from February, 2010 to January, 2011 using area-constrained searches. A total of 35 species of amphibians and reptiles (29 genera, 16 families, four orders) were recorded from the study area. Of the recorded species, 30 were reptiles (25 genera, 13 families, three orders) and five were amphibians (four genera, three families and a single order). A total of 388 individuals belonging to 11 recognizable taxonomic units (RTUs) with a population density of 0.22 individuals/ ha. and 4.10 encounters were recorded. Of the recorded RTUs, two (lacertids and skinks) were rated as uncommon, seven (hard-shell turtles, soft-shell turtles, agamids, gekkonids, medium and large-sized lizards, non-venomous snakes and venomous snakes) as frequent and two (toads and frogs) as common. Districts Rawalpindi/ Islamabad had higher species richness while District Chakwal had relatively higher species diversity and evenness. Threatened species of the area included the Narrow-headed Soft-shell Turtle (Chitra indica), Indian Soft-shell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica), Peacock Soft-shell Turtle (Aspideretes hurum), and Brown River Turtle (Pangshura smithii).
    [Show full text]