DOCSLIB.ORG

(Lacerta Erythrura Schinz 1833, and Acanthodactylus Vulgaris

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
(Lacerta Erythrura Schinz 1833, and Acanthodactylus Vulgaris HERPETOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Vol. 5, pp. 271-280 (1995) CONTRIBUTION TO THE SYSTEMATICS OF THE LIZARD ACANTHODACTYLUS ER YTHR UR US (SAURIA, LACERTIDAE) IN MOROCCO JACQUES BONS AND PHILIPPE GENIEZ Laboratoire de Biogeographie et Ecologie des Ve rtebres, Ecole Pratique des Ha utes Etudes, Un iversite Montpellier II, 34095 Mo ntpellier Cedex 05, France We have analysed several scalation characters and the geographic distribution of lizards of the Acanthodactylus erythrurus group to verify the validity of these criteria. These data are collated with biogeography to demonstrate the existence of two distinct species within what are known as common fringe-toed lizards: Acanthodactylus erythrurus, consisting of three subspecies, and Acanthodactylus lineomaculatus, monotypic and endemic to Morocco. Hypotheses concerning the population history of these animals are proposed. INTRODUCTION coast. However, it does not appear to be known from Tunisia. At the beginning of the last century common fringe­ Morphologically, it is characterised by the presence toed lizards were described from Europe (Lacerta of three complete rows of scales round the fingers and erythrura Schinz 1833, and Acanthodactylus vulgaris small dorsal scales, either keeled or unkeeled, on the Dumeril & Bibron 1839) and from North Africa back, with the underside of the tail bright red in juve­ (Acanthodactylus lineomaculatus Dumeril & Bibron niles and subadults. The combination of these three 1839). Since then, they have been the subject of many characters distinguishes Acanthodactylus erythrurus investigations. Boulenger' s revision in 1878 was the within the genus. Three subspecies have been recog­ first attempt to introduce some order to the genus nised in Morocco (Pasteur & Bons, 1960; Bons & Acanthodactylus, often considered as one of the most Girot, 1962): difficult in the Palearctic. The increase in the number - ssp. belli Gray 1845, in the Rif, on the coast and of specimens collected, and the use of often contradic­ plateaux east of the Atlases, the southern slopes of the tory terminology by different authors, led Salvador High Atlas and the far west of the Anti-Atlas (this sub­ (1982) and Arnold (1983) to make a revision of the species is the only representative of Acanthodactylus numerous species that this genus comprises and to erythrurus in Algeria; Salvador, 1982). clarify the phylogenesis. Other authors have confined - ssp. atlanticus Boulenger 1918, in the Middle their research to a single group, e.g. Squalli-Houssaini Atlas, the northern slopes of the High Atlas and the (1991) on the fringe-toed I izards of the erythrurus plains situated north of the High Atlas (endemic to group. Morocco). Since we had access to abundant material from - ssp. lineomaculatus Dumeril & Bibron 1839 on North Africa and precise data on these animals' ecol­ the Atlantic coast from Tangiers to Essaouira (ende ic ogy and distribution in Morocco, our intention was to � to Morocco). readdress the problem, restricting our analysis to cer­ The nominate subspecies is confined to the Iberian tain scalation characters that, in our opinion, are peninsula. discriminative. These characters were then collated The two recent revisers of the genus, Salvador with the ecological and biogeographical characteristics ( 1982) and Arnold( 1983 ), do not retain the subspecies of the populations being studied. We restricted our study to the different forms of the common fringe-toed atlanticus. They consider it as intermediate between A. erythrurus belli and A. erythrurus lineomaculatus. lizard in Morocco because it is the country where the . Whereas Squalli Houssaini (1991) , without adopting a widest diversity of forms and habits is found. definite position, considers that the Moroccan subspe­ The common fringe-toed lizard, Acanthodactylus cies have little taxonomic value and are only a erythrurus (Schinz 1833), is the only representative of reflection of their distribution, and that the Iberian the genus occuring in Europe, where it is confined to fringe-toed lizards are sufficiently differentiated from the southern two thirds of the Iberian Peninsula ex­ their Moroccan counterparts to merit a distinct specific tending its range as far north as Gerona (Barbadillo status. Escriva, 1987), Zaragoza, Burgos (old record) and Leon (old record) (Salvador in Bohme, 1981 ). It is also MATERIALS AND METHODS the only fringe-toed lizard to occupy the whole of Mo­ We examined 496 Moroccan individuals from 22 rocco, north and west of the Atlases. This distribution localities, or groups of localities, throughout the coun­ stretches eastwards along a large part of the Algerian try. For comparative purposes, we added 11 individuals 272 J. BONS AND P. GENIEZ ,• t . SPAIN I + I ALGERIA e Mamora Forest e Zaen; Forest (franc e e Region of Lakes • Azrou Tarmilate, Oulm�s e • Tioumliline, Agdal Plateau e Doukkala MO ROCCO e Haouz, Marrakech Essaouira • • Jbel Saghro Jbel Siroua e 40 km after Tazenakht - Taroudannt 0 100 200 km. Oued Noun FIG. I. Location of populations studied. from Andalusia (Spain) (Fig. 1). The samples varied in Jbel Siroua (2 individuals) size depending on the localities, ranging from 1 to 69 Oued Noun ( 1 individual) specimens (average : 22.55). The examined samples are as follows : SPAIN Benidorm (1 individual) MOROCCO Almeria (2 individuals) Larache (47 individuals) Hues car (2 individuals) Mehdiya, Kenitra (36 individuals) Torre de la Higuera (3 individuals) Mamora Forest ( 41 individuals) unknown locality (3 individuals) Rabat-Agdal (55 individuals) Temara, Sables d'or (14 individuals) Five scale characters were monitored: (1) dorsal Zaers Forest (47 individuals) scales strongly keeled or not; (2) position of the Casablanca (47 individuals) subocular in relation to the edge of the upper lip; (3) Doukkala (4 individuals) number of scales and granules arising from the frag­ Essaouira (6 individuals) mentation of the fi rst supraocular, right and left; ( 4) Region of Lakes ( 5 individuals) number of interprefrontal granules; and (5) internasal Ifrane (3 4 individuals) divided or not. Azrou (17 individuals) We then compared the percentage of individuals Tioumliline, Agdal Plateau (9 individuals) within each population that presented different con­ Tarmilate, Oulmes (69 individuals) figurations of each character. Haouz, Marrakech (3 individuals) The specimens examined come from the collection Rif (18 individuals) of the Laboratoire de Biogeographie et Ecologie des Eastern Morocco (13 individuals) Vertebres de l'E.P.H.E., Montpellier, France. The re­ Eastern High Atlas ( 13 individuals) sults of these examinations were collated with Jbel Saghro ( 4 individuals) numerous observations made in the field in Morocco 40 km W. of Tazenakht (11 individuals) and the Iberian Peninsula. SYSTEMATICS OF ACANTHODACTYLUS 273 ( SPAIN e SPAIN � ALGERIA \ .�o�\ ALGERIA •�-�JI e -,-.ii0 MoRocco �- -•I .- -� MOROCCO • 0 ·�· j . �j= • .. ' ...• •• 00 o • FIG. 2. Texture of dorsal scales, expressed in percentages of individuals per site. RESULTS The results of the pholidotic analyses are ordered according to scale characters. DORSAL SCALATION (FIG. 2) 2 An examination of the dorsal scales reveals a parti­ tion of our samples into two groups: (I) lizards from FIG. 3. Position of subocular scale, expressed in percentages the Atlantic coastal area, between Tangiers and of individuals per site. Essaouira, possess strongly and sharply keeled dorsal scales, starting on the back and sides of the neck; (2) Position 4 : The subocular is in wide or narrow contact lizards from all other localities (Morocco and Spain) with the upper lip. This subocular/edge of lip contact is possess smooth scales on the anterior part of the back. characteristic of the form be/Ii. In some populations they become tectiform or weakly The analysis of our samples shows that only animals keeled at the rear of the back. from the Rif, the southern slopes of the High Atlas and the We did not observe any individuals presenting in­ east of Morocco are 100% consistent with position 4. termediate characters between these two types of Position 3 is characteristic of animals from the Mid­ scalation, nor any mixed populations. Consequently, dle Atlas and the Haouz plain, in percentages varying strongly keeled dorsal scales make it possible to distin­ from 87 to 100%. The other situations are infrequent in guish with certainty Atlantic coast animals fromall the these regions: 0 to 8.7% of position 1, 0 to 20% of posi­ other common fringe-toed lizards examined from Mo­ tion 4. rocco and Spain. A later examination of a sample (c. The coastal animals are distributed along a band 30 individuals) from the Aures in Algeria, put at our running north-east/south-west. In localities north of disposal by Laurent Chirio, also confirmed our find­ Rabat they mostly (75 to 95%) possess a small ings for Algeria. trapezoidal upper labial (position 2) that is usually ab­ sent (57.1 to 95%) in specimens from south of Rabat POSITION OF THE SUBOCULAR (FIG. 3) (position 1 ). Four positions of this scale in relation to the upper Consequently the traditional criterion of the posi­ lip were observed. This is the most commonly used tion of the subocular used to distinguish subspecies of character for the recog1.1ition and distinction of the Acanthodactylus erythrurus should be used with care. North African subspecies (Bons & Girot, 1962). Position 4 certainly enables animals from the Rif, east­ Position 1: The subocular is wedged between the 4th ern Morocco, the southern slopes of the High Atlas
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Acanthodactylus Harranensis
    The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ ISSN 2307-8235 (online) IUCN 2008: T164562A5908003 Acanthodactylus harranensis Assessment by: Yakup Kaska, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Aziz Avci, Nazan Üzüm, Can Yeniyurt, Ferdi Akarsu, Roberto Sindaco View on www.iucnredlist.org Citation: Yakup Kaska, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Aziz Avci, Nazan Üzüm, Can Yeniyurt, Ferdi Akarsu, Roberto Sindaco. 2009. Acanthodactylus harranensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2009: e.T164562A5908003. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2009.RLTS.T164562A5908003.en Copyright: © 2015 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale, reposting or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holder. For further details see Terms of Use. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London. If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown in this document,
    [Show full text]
  • Sauria: Lacertidae) for Iran
    1999 Asiatic Herpetological Research Vol. 8, pp. 85-89 First Record of the Lacertid Acanthodactylus boskianus (Sauria: Lacertidae) for Iran Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani Department of Zoology, Goteborg University. Box 463, SE 405 30 Goteborg, Sweden Abstract.- The first record of the lacertid li/.ard Acanthodactylus boskianus for Iran is presented based on material collected by the author in 1995 and 1996 from 2 km west of Harsin, Kermanshah province, western Iran, on the Astragalus -covered sandy hills at about 1420 m elevation. Systematics and distribution of this lizard are discussed and its conventional known subspecies are questioned. Key words.- Acanthodactylus boskianus, Lacertidae, Subspecies, New record. Western Iran, Kermanshah province, Harsin, Systematics, Distribution. Figurel . The distribution of Acanthodactylus boskianus in north Africa and the Middle East. Introduction Figure 2. The locality of Acanthodactylus boskianus spec- The lacertid genus Acanthodactylus Wiegman, 1834 imens collected by the author from Harsin, southeast of Kermanshah western Iran. = consists of about 30 species, distributed from Spain Province, (|) Harsin, = and Portugal across the Sahara desert and its periph- () Locality of A. boskianus specimens. ery to the Red Sea, over most of Arabia and as far Salvador. 1982). This genus has recently been revised north as Cyprus and the Syrian-Turkish border; it also by Salvador (1982) and Arnold (1983) who divide it extends through Iraq, southern, and eastern Iran, into 9 species groups. Among these groups is the "A. southern Afghanistan. Pakistan and northwestern boskianus and A. schreiberi "group defined by several India (Arnold, 1983). distinguishing characters (Arnold, 1983: 315). Apart from the present record, four additional spe- So far, there is no record in the literature for the cies of this genus occur in Iran, mainly in southern occurrence of A.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Genetic Diversity Within Acanthodactylus Erythrurus (Reptilia: Lacertidae) in Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula Using Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Data
    Short Notes 227 Vielliard, J.M.E., Cardoso, A.J. (1996): Adaptação de sinais sonoros de anfíbios e aves a ambientes de riachos com corredeiras. In: Herpetologia Neotropical: Actas del II Congresso Latinoamericano de Herpetología, Vol. II, p. 97-119. Péfaur, J.E., Ed., Merida, Univ. de los Andes, Consejo de Publ., Consejo de Desarrolo Cientifico, Humanistico y Tecnologico. Weygoldt, P., Carvalho e Silva, S.P. (1992): Mating and oviposition in the hylodine frog Crossodactylus gaudichaudii (Anura: Leptodactylidae). Amphibia-Reptilia 13: 35-45. Received: October 23, 2002. Accepted: May 20, 2003. Assessment of genetic diversity within Acanthodactylus erythrurus (Reptilia: Lacertidae) in Morocco and the Iberian Peninsula using mitochondrial DNA sequence data D.J. Harris, V. Batista, M.A. Carretero Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos (CIBIO\UP), ICETA, Campus Agrario de Vairão, 4485-661 Vila do Conde, Portugal e-mail: [email protected] Spiny-footed lizards Acanthodactylus consist of approximately 32 ground-dwelling lizards widely distributed across northern Africa and southwestern Asia. Acanthodactylus erythru- rus (Schinz, 1838) is the only representative of the genus occurring in continental Europe, being found in the southern and central Iberian Peninsula as well as across Morocco and a large part of northern Algeria. Taxonomically Acanthodactylus is a notoriously difficult group, since most species are morphologically similar and often show intraspecific vari- ability, and A. erythrurus is no exception. Salvador (1982) and Arnold (1983) accepted three subspecies: A. e. erythrurus (Schinz, 1838) in the Iberian Penninsula, A. e. lineomac- ulatus Duméril and Bibron, 1839 in the western plains and Atlantic coast of Morocco, and A.
    [Show full text]
  • This Study of the Family Lacertidae Has Not Been Done by Any Research Worker Previously
    Rec. Zool. Surv. Pakistan, 14: 49-54 (2002) HOME RANGE AND GROWTH RATE OF FRINGE-TOED SAND LIZARD (ACANTHODACTYLUS CANTORIS CANTORIS) AT HAWKSBAY AREA, KARACHI. HAFIZUR REHMAN, SYED IFTIKHAR AHMED & SHAMIM FAKHRI Zoological Survey Department, Government of Pakistan, Karachi. ABSTRACT : - Hawks bay area is an important breeding ground of Fringe-Toed sand lizard (Acunthodoctylus Cantoris Cantons). This work was intended to study the habitat, home range and growth of the species. The study was based on 48 visits. During the whole study period 240 specimens of Acanthodactylus Cantoris Cantoris were captured to find its home range and growth rate. The recaptured specimens were also examined from time to time. KEY WORDS: Reptiles, Lacertidae, Sindh, Pakistan, ecology & biology. Introduction : This study of the family Lacertidae has not been done by any research worker previously. In July, 19981 initiated the study of the common Indian Fringe-Toed sand lizard (Acanthodactylus Cantons Cantoris) at hawksbay, Karachi, Sindh. This study was continued up to June 2000. The results of two years of the work are reported here as final result, Material and Methods: The entire study was restricted to Hawkesbay area on N- W side along the sea-shore (a distance about two Kilometer). The study area was purely sandy with scattered xerophytic habitat in which grass and Acacia species were dominant. All specimens were captured by me and the staff of the Department who walked along the edge of plants and captured the individuals by hands. Each captured location was later checked, photographed and notes were made on local habitat, with temperature from the exact places where Indian Fringe-Toed sand lizard were first seen.
    [Show full text]
  • An Etymological Review of the Lizards of Iran: Families Lacertidae, Scincidae, Uromastycidae, Varanidae
    International Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances 3(5): 322-329, 2011 ISSN: 2041-2908 © Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2011 Submitted: July 28, 2011 Accepted: September 25, 2011 Published: October 15, 2011 An Etymological Review of the Lizards of Iran: Families Lacertidae, Scincidae, Uromastycidae, Varanidae 1Peyman Mikaili and 2Jalal Shayegh 1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran 2Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Shabestar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shabestar, Iran Abstract: The etymology of the reptiles, especially the lizards of Iran has not been completely presented in other published works. Iran is a very active geographic area for any animals, and more especially for lizards, due to its wide range deserts and ecology. We have attempted to ascertain, as much as possible, the construction of the Latin binomials of all Iranian lizard species. We believe that a review of these names is instructive, not only in codifying many aspects of the biology of the lizards, but in presenting a historical overview of collectors and taxonomic work in Iran and Middle East region. We have listed all recorded lizards of Iran according to the order of the scientific names in the book of Anderson, The Lizards of Iran. All lizard species and types have been grouped under their proper Families, and then they have been alphabetically ordered based on their scientific binominal nomenclature. We also examined numerous published works in addition to those included in the original papers presenting each binomial. Key words: Etymology, genera, iran, lizards, Middle East, species, taxonomy. INTRODUCTION comprising the fauna of Iran, including Field guide to the reptiles of Iran, (Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Cephalochordata, Chordata)
    © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zoologicalbulletin.de; www.biologiezentrum.at ( MICROSCOPIC ANATOMY OF DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF BRANCHIOSTOMA LANCEOLATUM (CEPHALOCHORDATA, CHORDATA) by Thomas Stach ^ 8 20(J4 BONNER ZOOLOGISCHE MONOGRAPHIEN, Nr. 47 2000 Herausgeber: ZOOLOGISCHES FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT UND MUSEUM A. KOENIG BONN © Biodiversity Heritage Library, http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/; www.zoologicalbulletin.de; www.biologiezentrum.at BONNER ZOOLOGISCHE MONOGRAPHIEN Die Serie wird vom Zoologischen Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig herausgegeben und bringt Originalarbeiten, die für eine Unterbringung in den „Bonner zoologischen Beiträgen" zu lang sind und eine Veröffentlichung als Monographie rechtfertigen. Anfragen bezüglich der Vorlage von Manuskripten sind an die Schriftleitung zu richten; Bestellungen und Tauschangebote bitte an die Bibliothek des Instituts. This series of monographs, published by the Alexander Koenig Research Institute and Museum of Zoology, has been established for original contributions too long for inclu- sion in „Bonner zoologische Beiträge". Correspondence concerning manuscripts for publication should be addressed to the editor. Purchase orders and requests for exchange please address to the library of the institute. LTnstitut de Recherches Zoologiques et Museum Alexander Koenig a etabli cette serie de monographies pour pouvoir publier des travaux zoologiques trop longs pour etre inclus dans les „Bonner zoologische Beiträge". Toute correspondance concemante
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of Amphibians and Reptiles of Morocco: a Taxonomic Update and Standard Arabic Names
    Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 1-14 (2021) (published online on 08 January 2021) Checklist of amphibians and reptiles of Morocco: A taxonomic update and standard Arabic names Abdellah Bouazza1,*, El Hassan El Mouden2, and Abdeslam Rihane3,4 Abstract. Morocco has one of the highest levels of biodiversity and endemism in the Western Palaearctic, which is mainly attributable to the country’s complex topographic and climatic patterns that favoured allopatric speciation. Taxonomic studies of Moroccan amphibians and reptiles have increased noticeably during the last few decades, including the recognition of new species and the revision of other taxa. In this study, we provide a taxonomically updated checklist and notes on nomenclatural changes based on studies published before April 2020. The updated checklist includes 130 extant species (i.e., 14 amphibians and 116 reptiles, including six sea turtles), increasing considerably the number of species compared to previous recent assessments. Arabic names of the species are also provided as a response to the demands of many Moroccan naturalists. Keywords. North Africa, Morocco, Herpetofauna, Species list, Nomenclature Introduction mya) led to a major faunal exchange (e.g., Blain et al., 2013; Mendes et al., 2017) and the climatic events that Morocco has one of the most varied herpetofauna occurred since Miocene and during Plio-Pleistocene in the Western Palearctic and the highest diversities (i.e., shift from tropical to arid environments) promoted of endemism and European relict species among allopatric speciation (e.g., Escoriza et al., 2006; Salvi North African reptiles (Bons and Geniez, 1996; et al., 2018). Pleguezuelos et al., 2010; del Mármol et al., 2019).
    [Show full text]
  • Red Tails Are Effective Decoys for Avian Predators
    Evol Ecol DOI 10.1007/s10682-014-9739-2 Red tails are effective decoys for avian predators Bele´n Fresnillo • Josabel Belliure • Jose´ Javier Cuervo Received: 2 August 2014 / Accepted: 18 October 2014 Ó Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014 Abstract The decoy or deflection hypothesis, which states that conspicuous colouration is present in non-vital parts of the body to divert attacks from head and trunk, thus increasing survival probability, is a possible explanation for the presence of such col- ouration in juveniles of non-aposematic species. To test this hypothesis we made plasticine and plaster lizard models of two colour morphs, red or dark-and-light striped tails, based on the colouration of spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) hatchlings, which naturally show a dark-and-light striped dorsal pattern and red tail. Lizard models were placed in the field and also presented to captive common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus), a common avian lizard predator. The number of attacks and the body part attacked (tail or rest-of-body) were recorded, as well as the latency to attack. Our results suggest that models of both colour morphs were recognized as prey and attacked at a similar rate, but in the field, red-tailed models were detected, and thus attacked, sooner than striped-tailed. Despite this increase in detection rate by predators, red-tailed models effectively diverted attacks to the tail from the more vulnerable body parts, thus supporting the decoy hypothesis. Greater fitness benefits of attack diversion to the tail compared to the costs of increased detection rate by predators would explain the evolution and maintenance of red tail colouration in lizards.
    [Show full text]
  • A Multivariate Analysis of the Fringe-Toed Lizards of the Acanthodactylus Scutellatus Group (Squamata: Lacertidae): Systematic and Biogeographical Implications
    Blackwell Science, LtdOxford, UKZOJZoological Journal of the Linnean Society0024-4082The Lin- nean Society of London, 2003January 2003 1371 Original Article Revision of the Acanthodactylus scutellatus groupPierre-André Crochet et al. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2003, 137, 117–155. With 21 figures A multivariate analysis of the fringe-toed lizards of the Acanthodactylus scutellatus group (Squamata: Lacertidae): systematic and biogeographical implications PIERRE-ANDRÉ CROCHET1,2, PHILIPPE GENIEZ1 and IVAN INEICH3 1Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Laboratoire de Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés, Université Montpellier II, Place Eugène Bataillon, F-34095 Montpellier cedex 5, France 2Centre d’Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, 1919 route de Mende, F-34293 Montpellier cedex 05, France 3Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Laboratoire de Zoologie (Reptiles & Amphibiens), 25 rue Cuvier, F-75005 Paris, France The taxonomy of the fringe-toed lizards of the Acanthodactylus scutellatus group has long been unstable and no con- sensus exists on the systematic status of its various forms. A multivariate analysis of morphological characters, per- formed on over 1000 specimens from most of the African range of this group, allowed us to clarify the specific allocation of most of the Saharan populations included in this species group. Based on comparisons of morphology between allopatric and sympatric populations of this complex, we propose the recognition of six biological species. Our results confirm the specific status of Acanthodactylus aureus, A. dumerili, A. scutellatus, A. longipes and the recently described A. taghitensis. In addition, we re-validate A. senegalensis (occurring from Mauritania and Mali south to Senegal), which has been treated as a synonym of A.
    [Show full text]
  • Acanthodactylus Erythrurus): Patterns of Seasonal Colour Change
    Amphibia-Reptilia 34 (2013): 525-538 Exploring the function of red colouration in female spiny-footed lizards (Acanthodactylus erythrurus): patterns of seasonal colour change José J. Cuervo1,∗, Josabel Belliure2 Abstract. In spiny-footed lizards (Acanthodactylus erythrurus), adult females (but not males) show conspicuous red colouration in the tail and hind legs. To investigate the function of this red colouring and proximal causes of seasonal colour change, we captured adult females before the reproductive season and kept them in captivity in one of the three following situations: with a male and fertilization possible, with a male and fertilization impossible, or with another female (fertilization also impossible). Colour was quantified using spectrophotometry. Red colouration increased shortly before the onset of reproduction, but faded during the breeding season and became whitish (light buff-gray) in all cases. Both fertilized and unfertilized females laid eggs or were gravid after two months of the experiment, but while fertilized females laid mostly fertile eggs, unfertilized females only laid infertile eggs. Both egg formation and colour change might be triggered by abiotic factors, although female characteristics also play a role, since heavier females changed colour and laid eggs earlier. Females interacting freely with a male were darker at the end of the breeding season than females separated from the male, indicating that fertilization or physical contact might also have an effect on colouration. Colour change patterns found in this study suggest that female red colouration might have a mating-related function, but do not support a courtship rejection function for the red colour. However, whitish colouration resulting from red fading might signal gravidity in this species.
    [Show full text]
  • A Population of Bosk's Fringe-Toed Lizard Acanthodactylus Boskianus (Daudin, 1802) in the Hajar Mountain Foothills of the UAE
    A population of Bosk's fringe-toed lizard Acanthodactylus boskianus (Daudin, 1802) in the Hajar Mountain foothills of the UAE by Binish Roobas and Gary R. Feulner Fig. 1: Records of Acanthodactylus boskianus from the UAE and Oman (courtesy of A.S. Gardner). Point 1 represents the two sites discussed in this paper. Point 2 shows the approximate location of the first UAE reports of A. boskianus (Arnold 1984). Point 3 represents unpublished records from Peter L. Cunningham, described as being "in the area between Ash-Shu'ayb [Shuwayb or Shwaib] and [the] general Hatta direction" (Cunningham, pers. comm .). The map is not an authorityon international borders. Abstract A localised population of Acanthodactylus although termites were actively dug for and eaten boskianus lizards (n 50 ± 10) has been identified and other, larger prey is probably taken along a wadi in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains opportunistically. The lizards are active primarily in of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Photographs the morning but some, particularly adolescents, of adult male, adult female, juvenile and also forage in late afternoon. Population evidence adolescent individuals are presented for reference. indicates that the reproductive season is extended This constitutes only the second report of A. but may be centered in fall and winter. Winter boskianus from within the UAE and expands the dormancy is possible but not confirmed. habitat for that species from what has been Our successful effort to find A. boskianus at a described on the basis of most earlier records from second, similar location leads us to suggest that the UAE and neighbouring northern Oman.
    [Show full text]
  • Acanthodactylus Beershebensis, Be'er Sheva Fringe-Fingered
    The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ ISSN 2307-8235 (online) IUCN 2008: T61454A12488658 Acanthodactylus beershebensis, Be’er Sheva Fringe-fingered Lizard Assessment by: Werner, Y., Disi, M. & Mousa Disi, A.M. View on www.iucnredlist.org Citation: Werner, Y., Disi, M. & Mousa Disi, A.M. 2006. Acanthodactylus beershebensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2006: e.T61454A12488658. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T61454A12488658.en Copyright: © 2015 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale, reposting or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holder. For further details see Terms of Use. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership. The IUCN Red List Partners are: BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; Microsoft; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London. If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown in this document, please provide us with feedback so that we can correct or extend the information
    [Show full text]