DOCSLIB.ORG

Agamidae: Squamata) from Western Australia Julie Rej East Tennessee State University

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Agamidae: Squamata) from Western Australia Julie Rej East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2017 Late Quaternary Dragon Lizards (Agamidae: Squamata) from Western Australia Julie Rej East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Paleontology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Rej, Julie, "Late Quaternary Dragon Lizards (Agamidae: Squamata) from Western Australia" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3210. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3210 This Thesis - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Late Quaternary Dragon Lizards (Agamidae: Squamata) from Western Australia ____________________________________ A thesis presented to the Department of Geosciences East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Geosciences ____________________________________ by Julie Rej May 2017 ____________________________________ Dr. Blaine Schubert, Chair Dr. Steven Wallace Dr. Chris Widga Keywords: Agamidae, Pogona, Ctenophorus, Tympanocryptis, Hastings Cave, Horseshoe Cave, Western Australia, Squamata, Late Quaternary ABSTRACT Late Quaternary Dragon Lizards (Agamidae: Squamata) from Western Australia by Julie Rej Fossil Agamidae from Western Australia have been the subject of limited study. To aid in fossil agamid identification, Hocknull (2002) examined the maxilla and dentary of several extant species from Australia and determined diagnostic characters for various species groups. In the study here, fossil agamids from two localities in Western Australia, Hastings Cave and Horseshoe Cave, were examined, grouped, and identified to the lowest unambiguous taxonomic level. Morphometric analyses were conducted to compare morphotypes, and find additional diagnostic characters. From Hastings Cave there were two maxilla morphotypes and three dentary morphotypes. Based on identifications, taxa present at this locality were Pogona and Ctenophorus. Horseshoe Cave contained three maxilla morphotypes and two dentary morphotypes; taxa present were Pogona, Tympanocryptis, and Ctenophorus. Morphometric analyses showed separation between groups; however, the dentary morphotype separation was not as clear. Each morphotype identification matched a species in the respective localities today, but identifications are cautious. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... 2 LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ 6 Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 8 2. BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................................... 12 Agamidae Synapomorphies & Phylogenetics ................................................................... 12 Agamidae Fossil Record ................................................................................................... 13 Modern Agamidae ............................................................................................................. 14 Jurien Bay Past & Present ................................................................................................. 19 The Nullarbor Past & Present ........................................................................................... 20 3. MATERIALS & METHODS .................................................................................................... 21 4. RESULTS .................................................................................................................................. 28 Hastings Maxilla Morphotypes ......................................................................................... 28 Hastings Dentary Morphotypes......................................................................................... 32 Horseshoe Maxilla Morphotypes ...................................................................................... 35 Horseshoe Dentary Morphotypes ...................................................................................... 42 PCA Maxilla ...................................................................................................................... 44 Stepwise DFA Maxilla ...................................................................................................... 45 PCA Dentary ..................................................................................................................... 49 3 Stepwise DFA Dentary ...................................................................................................... 50 Ctenophorus scutalus ........................................................................................................ 53 Pogona vitticeps ................................................................................................................ 56 Pogona minor .................................................................................................................... 59 Ctenophorus maculusus .................................................................................................... 62 5. DISCUSSION ........................................................................................................................... 65 Hastings Maxilla Morphotype One ................................................................................... 65 Hastings maxilla Morphotype Two ................................................................................... 66 Hastings Dentary Morphotype One .................................................................................. 68 Hastings Dentary Morphotype Two .................................................................................. 70 Hastings Dentary Morphotype Three ................................................................................ 70 Horseshoe Maxilla Morphotype One ................................................................................ 72 Horseshoe Maxilla Morphotype Two ................................................................................ 72 Horseshoe Maxilla Morphotype Three ............................................................................. 73 Horseshoe Dentary Morphotype One................................................................................ 75 Horseshoe Dentary Morphotype Two ............................................................................... 75 Comparison of Maxilla Morphotypes ............................................................................... 76 Comparison of Dentary Morphotypes ............................................................................... 79 Implications of Past Ecology and Climate and Possible Sampling Bias .......................... 80 Future Studies .................................................................................................................... 82 6. CONCLUSIONS....................................................................................................................... 83 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 83 VITA ............................................................................................................................................. 87 4 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Description of landmark placement on maxilla ........................................................................ 26 2. Description of landmark placement on dentary ........................................................................ 27 3. Variables kept by stepwise Discriminant function analysis (DFA) comparing Hastings M1 and Horseshoe M1 .................................................................................................................... 48 4. Variables kept by stepwise Discriminant function analysis (DFA) comparing Hastings M2 and Horseshoe M2 and M3 ....................................................................................................... 49 5. Variables kept by stepwise Discriminant function analysis (DFA) comparing Hastings D1 and Horseshoe D2 ..................................................................................................................... 53 6. Variables kept by stepwise Discriminant function analysis (DFA) comparing Hastings D3 and Horseshoe D1 ..................................................................................................................... 53 5 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Maxilla (labial view) of agamid species found at research localities (Hastings and Horseshoe cave) in present day ................................................................................................ 16 2. Dentary (lingual view) of agamid species found at research localities (Hastings and Horseshoe cave) in
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Gliding Dragons and Flying Squirrels: Diversifying Versus Stabilizing Selection on Morphology Following the Evolution of an Innovation
    vol. 195, no. 2 the american naturalist february 2020 E-Article Gliding Dragons and Flying Squirrels: Diversifying versus Stabilizing Selection on Morphology following the Evolution of an Innovation Terry J. Ord,1,* Joan Garcia-Porta,1,† Marina Querejeta,2,‡ and David C. Collar3 1. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre and the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Kensington, New South Wales 2052, Australia; 2. Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC–Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37–49, Barcelona 08003, Spain; 3. Department of Organismal and Environmental Biology, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Virginia 23606 Submitted August 1, 2018; Accepted July 16, 2019; Electronically published December 17, 2019 Online enhancements: supplemental material. Dryad data: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.t7g227h. fi abstract: Evolutionary innovations and ecological competition are eral de nitions of what represents an innovation have been factors often cited as drivers of adaptive diversification. Yet many offered (reviewed by Rabosky 2017), this classical descrip- innovations result in stabilizing rather than diversifying selection on tion arguably remains the most useful (Galis 2001; Stroud morphology, and morphological disparity among coexisting species and Losos 2016; Rabosky 2017). Hypothesized innovations can reflect competitive exclusion (species sorting) rather than sympat- have drawn considerable attention among ecologists and ric adaptive divergence (character displacement). We studied the in- evolutionary biologists because they can expand the range novation of gliding in dragons (Agamidae) and squirrels (Sciuridae) of ecological niches occupied within communities. In do- and its effect on subsequent body size diversification. We found that gliding either had no impact (squirrels) or resulted in strong stabilizing ing so, innovations are thought to be important engines of selection on body size (dragons).
    [Show full text]
  • The Continuing March of Common Green Iguanas: Arrival on Mainland Asia
    Journal for Nature Conservation 57 (2020) 125888 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal for Nature Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jnc The continuing march of Common Green Iguanas: arrival on mainland Asia Matthijs P. van den Burg a,*, Steven M. Van Belleghem b, Christina N. De Jesús Villanueva c,d a Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), c/ Jos´e Guti´errez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain b Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico c College of Environmental and Life Science. University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA d International Institute of Tropical Forestry, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, San Juan, Puerto Rico ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: The popularity of the Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) as a pet has contributed to its global occurrence as Citizen science an invasive alien species. Early detection and control of alien I. iguana populations is necessary to prevent the Invasive alien species need for large and financially demanding eradication actions. Here, we first collated information from digital Legislation footage and interviews regarding sightings of free roaming I. iguana specimens in Singapore and Thailand. We Range expansion use this information to report and discuss an ongoing invasion with early stage establishment being facilitated by Social media Wildlife trade release of pets and escape from recreational parks, as well as the resulting conservation implications. Using species-distribution modeling to assess the potential distribution in Southeast Asia, we identify large regions with suitable habitat that could aid the expansion of these alien populations in the absence of future control measures.
    [Show full text]
  • Level 1 Fauna Survey of the Gruyere Gold Project Borefields (Harewood 2016)
    GOLD ROAD RESOURCES LIMITED GRUYERE PROJECT EPA REFERRAL SUPPORTING DOCUMENT APPENDIX 5: LEVEL 1 FAUNA SURVEY OF THE GRUYERE GOLD PROJECT BOREFIELDS (HAREWOOD 2016) Gruyere EPA Ref Support Doc Final Rev 1.docx Fauna Assessment (Level 1) Gruyere Borefield Project Gold Road Resources Limited January 2016 Version 3 On behalf of: Gold Road Resources Limited C/- Botanica Consulting PO Box 2027 BOULDER WA 6432 T: 08 9093 0024 F: 08 9093 1381 Prepared by: Greg Harewood Zoologist PO Box 755 BUNBURY WA 6231 M: 0402 141 197 T/F: (08) 9725 0982 E: [email protected] GRUYERE BOREFIELD PROJECT –– GOLD ROAD RESOURCES LTD – FAUNA ASSESSMENT (L1) – JAN 2016 – V3 TABLE OF CONTENTS SUMMARY 1. INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1 2. SCOPE OF WORKS ...............................................................................................1 3. RELEVANT LEGISTALATION ................................................................................2 4. METHODS...............................................................................................................3 4.1 POTENTIAL VETEBRATE FAUNA INVENTORY - DESKTOP SURVEY ............. 3 4.1.1 Database Searches.......................................................................................3 4.1.2 Previous Fauna Surveys in the Area ............................................................3 4.1.3 Existing Publications .....................................................................................5 4.1.4 Fauna
    [Show full text]
  • The Sclerotic Ring: Evolutionary Trends in Squamates
    The sclerotic ring: Evolutionary trends in squamates by Jade Atkins A Thesis Submitted to Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Applied Science July, 2014, Halifax Nova Scotia © Jade Atkins, 2014 Approved: Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal Supervisor Approved: Dr. Matthew Vickaryous External Examiner Approved: Dr. Tim Fedak Supervisory Committee Member Approved: Dr. Ron Russell Supervisory Committee Member Submitted: July 30, 2014 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my family, friends, and mentors who helped me get to where I am today. Thank you. ! ii Table of Contents Title page ........................................................................................................................ i Dedication ...................................................................................................................... ii List of figures ................................................................................................................. v List of tables ................................................................................................................ vii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... x List of abbreviations and definitions ............................................................................ xi Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A New Subspecies of Jackyhosersaur Hoser, 2013 from North-West Australia
    Australasian Journal of Herpetology 5 Australasian Journal of Herpetology 49:5-6. Published 6 August 2020. ISSN 1836-5698 (Print) ISSN 1836-5779 (Online) A new subspecies of Jackyhosersaur Hoser, 2013 from north-west Australia. LSIDURN:LSID:ZOOBANK.ORG:PUB:2877185D-E93C-4040-973C-89657DC512B1 RAYMOND T. HOSER LSID urn:lsid:zoobank.org:author:F9D74EB5-CFB5-49A0-8C7C-9F993B8504AE 488 Park Road, Park Orchards, Victoria, 3134, Australia. Phone: +61 3 9812 3322 Fax: 9812 3355 E-mail: snakeman (at) snakeman.com.au Received 10 February 2017, Accepted 17 January 2020, Published 6 August 2020. ABSTRACT As part of an ongoing audit of Australian reptiles, specimens of the endemic Western Australian dragon species, Jackyhosersaur superba (Storr, 1974), known to most herpetologists as “Diporiphora superba Storr, 1974” were inspected from all parts of the known range. A population from the Manning Creek Gorge area of the Kimberley in Western Australia were found to be morphologically divergent and so are formally described herein as a new subspecies. Keywords: Lizards; taxonomy; nomenclature; Agamidae; Western Australia; Diporiphora; Jackyhosersaur; superba; newsubspecies; jackyhoserae. INTRODUCTION Jackyhosersaur superba (Storr, 1974) as currently recognized, As stated in the abstract, as part of an ongoing audit of even though all occur within close geographical proximity, being Australian reptiles, specimens of the endemic Western restricted to the high rainfall parts of the West Kimberley Region. Australian dragon species, Jackyhosersaur superba (Storr, Significant is that the species appears to be reasonably 1974) were inspected from all parts of the known range. A common and different populations are in close proximity to one population from the Manning Creek Gorge area of the Kimberley another without obvious biogeographical barriers stopping gene in Western Australia were found to be morphologically divergent flow between them.
    [Show full text]
  • Do Worm Lizards Occur in Nebraska? Louis A
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Papers in Herpetology Papers in the Biological Sciences 1993 Do Worm Lizards Occur in Nebraska? Louis A. Somma Florida State Collection of Arthropods, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciherpetology Part of the Biodiversity Commons, and the Population Biology Commons Somma, Louis A., "Do Worm Lizards Occur in Nebraska?" (1993). Papers in Herpetology. 11. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciherpetology/11 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Papers in Herpetology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. @ o /' number , ,... :S:' .' ,. '. 1'1'13 Do Mono Li ••rel,. Occur ill 1!I! ..br .... l< .. ? by Louis A. Somma Department of- Zoology University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611 Amphisbaenids, or worm lizards, are a small enigmatic suborder of reptiles (containing 4 families; ca. 140 species) within the order Squamata, which include~ the more speciose lizards and snakes (Gans 1986). The name amphisbaenia is derived from the mythical Amphisbaena (Topsell 1608; Aldrovandi 1640), a two-headed beast (one head at each end), whose fantastical description may have been based, in part, upon actual observations of living worm lizards (Druce 1910). While most are limbless and worm-like in appearance, members of the family Bipedidae (containing the single genus Sipes) have two forelimbs located close to the head. This trait, and the lack of well-developed eyes, makes them look like two-legged worms.
    [Show full text]
  • Western Australian Naturalist 30
    NOTES ON THE ECOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF CTENOPHORUS CAUDICINCTUS (AGAMIDAE) IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA By ERIC R. PIANKA Integrative Biology University of Texas at Austin Austin, Texas 78712 USA Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Ecological data on the saxicolous agamid Ctenophorus caudicinctus are presented. These lizards never stray far from rocks. They forage on the ground but retreat to rock crevices when threatened. Most were above ground (mean = 83 cm, N = 41). Active early and late in the day during summer, they thermoregulate actively with an average body temperature of 37.2°C. They are dietary specialists eating mostly termites and ants, but also some vegetation. Clutch size varies from 3 to 7, averaging 5.36. Males are slightly larger than females. INTRODUCTION Strophurus wellingtonae, Rhynchoedura ornata and Varanus Ctenophorus caudicinctus is giganteus. These data were widespread in northern Western augmented with Ctenophorus Australia, the Northern Territory caudicinctus from a few other and eastern Queensland (Cogger localities. 2000, Storr 1967). During 1966– 1968, we sampled a population of these agamids on rock outcrops METHODS at a granitic tor area 71 km South of Wiluna on the west side of the We recorded air and body road to Sandstone (Lat. 27° 05' x temperatures, activity time, Long. 119° 37'). Ctenophorus microhabitat, fresh snout-vent caudicinctus was far and away the length (SVL), tail length, and most abundant species. Other weight for as many lizards as lizard species found at this site possible. Stomach contents were included Ctenophorus nuchalis, identified and prey volumes Ctenotus leonhardii, Ctenotus estimated for all lizards collected.
    [Show full text]
  • The Fauna of Boonanarring Nature Reserve
    The Fauna of Boonanarring Nature Reserve. Tracey Moore, Tracy Sonneman, Alice Reaveley, Karen Bettink, Barbara Wilson. i Department of Parks and Wildlife Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, 6983 Western Australia Telephone: +61-8-9442 0300 Facsimile: +61-8-9386 6399 www.dpaw.wa.gov.au © Government of Western Australia, May 2015 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Project team: Karen Bettink, Nicole Godfrey, Ben Kreplins, Tracey Moore, Craig Olejnik, Tracy Sonneman, Alice Reaveley, Barbara Wilson Acknowledgements: Astron Environmental Consulting Project contact: Tracey Moore; [email protected] i Table of Contents The fauna of Boonanarring Nature Reserve. ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined. Introduction and Background ................................................................................................................. 1 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Location and vegetation .....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • An Annotated Type Catalogue of the Dragon Lizards (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) in the Collection of the Western Australian Museum Ryan J
    RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 34 115–132 (2019) DOI: 10.18195/issn.0312-3162.34(2).2019.115-132 An annotated type catalogue of the dragon lizards (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) in the collection of the Western Australian Museum Ryan J. Ellis Department of Terrestrial Zoology, Western Australian Museum, Locked Bag 49, Welshpool DC, Western Australia 6986, Australia. Biologic Environmental Survey, 24–26 Wickham St, East Perth, Western Australia 6004, Australia. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT – The Western Australian Museum holds a vast collection of specimens representing a large portion of the 106 currently recognised taxa of dragon lizards (family Agamidae) known to occur across Australia. While the museum’s collection is dominated by Western Australian species, it also contains a selection of specimens from localities in other Australian states and a small selection from outside of Australia. Currently the museum’s collection contains 18,914 agamid specimens representing 89 of the 106 currently recognised taxa from across Australia and 27 from outside of Australia. This includes 824 type specimens representing 45 currently recognised taxa and three synonymised taxa, comprising 43 holotypes, three syntypes and 779 paratypes. Of the paratypes, a total of 43 specimens have been gifted to other collections, disposed or could not be located and are considered lost. An annotated catalogue is provided for all agamid type material currently and previously maintained in the herpetological collection of the Western Australian Museum. KEYWORDS: type specimens, holotype, syntype, paratype, dragon lizard, nomenclature. INTRODUCTION Australia was named by John Edward Gray in 1825, The Agamidae, commonly referred to as dragon Clamydosaurus kingii Gray, 1825 [now Chlamydosaurus lizards, comprises over 480 taxa worldwide, occurring kingii (Gray, 1825)].
    [Show full text]
  • Fowlers Gap Biodiversity Checklist Reptiles
    Fowlers Gap Biodiversity Checklist ow if there are so many lizards then they should make tasty N meals for someone. Many of the lizard-eaters come from their Reptiles own kind, especially the snake-like legless lizards and the snakes themselves. The former are completely harmless to people but the latter should be left alone and assumed to be venomous. Even so it odern reptiles are at the most diverse in the tropics and the is quite safe to watch a snake from a distance but some like the Md rylands of the world. The Australian arid zone has some of the Mulga Snake can be curious and this could get a little most diverse reptile communities found anywhere. In and around a disconcerting! single tussock of spinifex in the western deserts you could find 18 species of lizards. Fowlers Gap does not have any spinifex but even he most common lizards that you will encounter are the large so you do not have to go far to see reptiles in the warmer weather. Tand ubiquitous Shingleback and Central Bearded Dragon. The diversity here is as astonishing as anywhere. Imagine finding six They both have a tendency to use roads for passage, warming up or species of geckos ranging from 50-85 mm long, all within the same for display. So please slow your vehicle down and then take evasive genus. Or think about a similar diversity of striped skinks from 45-75 action to spare them from becoming a road casualty. The mm long! How do all these lizards make a living in such a dry and Shingleback is often seen alone but actually is monogamous and seemingly unproductive landscape? pairs for life.
    [Show full text]
  • KENNETH A. NAGY PUBLICATIONS up to JUNE 2016
    KENNETH A. NAGY PUBLICATIONS Up to JUNE 2016 For Open Access pdf, click link. For copyrighted reprint pdfs, please email your request to Ken Nagy at [email protected]. I will be happy to share a copy of the article with individual colleagues, when permissible under copyright law. 2016 Nagy, K.A., G. Kuchling, L.S. Hillard, and B.T. Henen. (2016) Weather and sex ratios of head-started Agassiz’s desert tortoise Gopherus agassizii juveniles hatched in natural habitat enclosures. Endangered Species Research 30:145- 155. (Research article) (Link to pdf) Ellsworth, E., M.R. Boudreau, K. Nagy, J.L. Rachlow, and D.L. Murray. (2016). Differential sex-related winter energetics in free-ranging snowshoe hAres (Lepus americanus). Canadian Journal of Zoology 94:115-121. (Research article) (link to pdf) 2015 Nagy, K.A., S.Hillard, S. Dickson, and D.J. Morafka. (2015). Effects of artificial rain on survivorship, body condition, and growth of head-started desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) released to the open desert. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 10:535-549. (Research article) (Link to pdf) Nagy, K.A., L.S. Hillard, M.W. Tuma, and D.J. Morafka. (2015). Head-started desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii): Movements, survivorship and mortality causes following their release. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 10:203-215. (Research article) (link to pdf) 2014 Gienger, C.M., C.R. Tracy, and K.A. Nagy. (2014). Life in the slow lane: GilA Monsters have low rates of energy use and water flux. Copeia 2014:279-287. (Research article) (email Nagy for pdf) 2012 Nagy, K.A., and G.G.
    [Show full text]
  • Origin of Tropical American Burrowing Reptiles by Transatlantic Rafting
    Biol. Lett. in conjunction with head movements to widen their doi:10.1098/rsbl.2007.0531 burrows (Gans 1978). Published online Amphisbaenians (approx. 165 species) provide an Phylogeny ideal subject for biogeographic analysis because they are limbless (small front limbs are present in three species) and fossorial, presumably limiting dispersal, Origin of tropical American yet they are widely distributed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean (Kearney 2003). Three of the five burrowing reptiles by extant families have restricted geographical ranges and contain only a single genus: the Rhineuridae (genus transatlantic rafting Rhineura, one species, Florida); the Bipedidae (genus Nicolas Vidal1,2,*, Anna Azvolinsky2, Bipes, three species, Baja California and mainland Corinne Cruaud3 and S. Blair Hedges2 Mexico); and the Blanidae (genus Blanus, four species, Mediterranean region; Kearney & Stuart 2004). 1De´partement Syste´matique et Evolution, UMR 7138, Syste´matique, Evolution, Adaptation, Case Postale 26, Muse´um National d’Histoire Species in the Trogonophidae (four genera and six Naturelle, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris Cedex 05, France species) are sand specialists found in the Middle East, 2Department of Biology, 208 Mueller Laboratory, Pennsylvania State North Africa and the island of Socotra, while the University, University Park, PA 16802-5301, USA largest and most diverse family, the Amphisbaenidae 3Centre national de se´quenc¸age, Genoscope, 2 rue Gaston-Cre´mieux, CP5706, 91057 Evry Cedex, France (approx. 150 species), is found on both sides of the *Author and address for correspondence: De´partment Syste´matique et Atlantic, in sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Evolution, UMR 7138, Syste´matique, Evolution, Adoptation, Case the Caribbean (Kearney & Stuart 2004).
    [Show full text]