DOCSLIB.ORG

The Herpetofauna of Simi (Dodecanese, Greece) (Amphibia, Reptilia)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Herpetofauna of Simi (Dodecanese, Greece) (Amphibia, Reptilia) ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at HERPETOZOA 22 (3/4): 99 - 113 99 Wien, 30. Dezember 2009 The herpetofauna of Simi (Dodecanese, Greece) (Amphibia, Reptilia) Die Herpetofauna der Insel Simi (Dodekanes, Griechenland) (Amphibia, Reptilia) MATT J. WILSON & HEINZ GRILLITSCH KURZFASSUNG Die Herpetofauna der Dodekanes-Insel Simi und des Nachbareilandes Sesklia wurde auf Grundlage von Beobachtungen des Erstautors sowie anderer Herpetologen, Literaturzitaten und einer kleinen Belegsammlung des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien zusammenfassend dargestellt. Nach der Literatur waren bisher 13 Reptilien- arten und eine Amphibienart für die Insel nachgewiesen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit konnte die Europäische Katzennatter Telescopus fallax (FLEISCHMANN, 1831) der Artenliste der Insel hinzugefügt und das Vorkommen der seltenen Goldstreifenmabuye Trachylepis aurata (LINNAEUS, 1758) bestätigt werden. Eine vergleichende herpeto- logische Artenliste von Simi, Rhodos, Tilos, Khalki, Nissiros und des türkischen Festlandes wird vorgelegt. ABSTRACT Information about the herpetofauna of the Dodecanese Island of Simi and the neighboring Islet of Sesklia was summarized based on recent herpetological trips by the first author and other herpetologists, as well as litera- ture data and a small collection of specimens from the Natural History Museum in Vienna. From the literature, thirteen reptile species and a single amphibian species were known to occur on the island. In the present paper the European Cat Snake Telescopus fallax (FLEISCHMANN, 1831), may be added to the species list of Simi, and the pres- ence of the rare Levant Skink Trachylepis aurata (LINNAEUS, 1758) was confirmed. A comparative herpetofaunal species list of the islands of Simi, Rhodes, Tilos, Khalki, Nissiros and the Turkish mainland was provided. KEY WORDS Amphibia, Reptilia, herpetofauna, Simi (Symi) Island, Sesklia Islet, Dodecanese, Greece, species abun- dance, Bufo viridis, Bufo variabilis, Trachylepis aurata, Telescopus fallax - new island record, Hemorrhois num- mifer, Montivipera xanthina INTRODUCTION Despite the considerable amounts of rhois nummifer and Montivipera xanthina. herpetological research conducted on neigh- However, only two authors reported detailed boring Rhodes, most of the smaller islands record localities. Unlike the larger Dodeca- in the Dodecanese group (Agathonissi, Arki, nese islands (Rhodes and Kos), Simi has Lipsi, Farmakonissi, Kalolimnos, Pserimos, escaped mass development for the tourist Giali, Nissiros, Tilos, Simi, Chalki) were industry, its small size, and steep limestone less well documented, certainly with regard landscape severely limiting the construction to their herpetofaunas. This paper presents of large hotel complexes. Although in re- the entire known herpetofauna of the small cent years the island has become more pop- island of Simi, and it is hoped that it will ular, tourism has only expanded through the trigger future investigations of the herpeto- construction of villas and apartments. In fauna of Simi and the neighboring islet of 2005, the island had a population of around Sesklia. From the literature thirteen reptile 2,500 inhabitants. species and a single amphibian species were Simi with a surface area of 58 km² is known to occur on the island of Simi: Bufo located 25 km north of Rhodes and just 5 viridis [B. variabilis], Testudo graeca, Bla- km from mainland Turkey (Fig. 1). The nus strauchi, Hemidactylus turcicus, Cyrto- highest point is Mount Vigla (616 m a.s.l.). podion kotschyi, Laudakia stellio, Anatolo- The island is predominantly composed of lacerta oertzeni, Ophisops elegans, Ablepha- limestone, presenting a rocky, and very bar- rus kitaibelii, Trachylepis aurata, Dolich- ren appearance, and due to the nature of the ophis jugularis, Eirenis modestus, Hemor- terrain, few areas can be used for cultiva- ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at 100 M. J. WILSON & H. GRILLITSCH ➙ Fig. 1: Map of the Dodekanese Island of Simi. The marked locations represent areas where herpetological observations or collections were made. Abb. 1: Karte der Dodekanes-Insel Simi. Die eingetragenen Fundorte markieren die Stellen herpetologischer Beobachtungen und Aufsammlungen. ______________________________________________ Figs. 2-3 (opposite page), Photos: Matt Wilson. / Abb. 2-3 (gegenüberliegende Seite), Photos: Matt Wilson. Fig. 2: Pedi valley, Simi, habitat of T. graeca, B. strauchi, H. turcicus, C. kotschyi, L. stellio, A. oertzeni, O. elegans, T. aurata, D. jugularis, E. modestus, and M. xanthina. Abb. 2: Das Tal Pedi auf der Insel Simi, Lebensraum von T. graeca, B. strauchi, H. turcicus, C. kotschyi, L. stellio, A. oertzeni, O. elegans, T. aurata, D. jugularis, E. modestus, und M. xanthina. Fig. 3: A dry ravine in the north of the Pedi valley, Simi, habitat of H. turcicus, C. kotschyi, L. stellio, A. oertzeni, O. elegans, A. kitaibelii, D. jugularis, and H. nummifer and location where T. fallax was found by N. SHUM (pers. comm.). Abb. 3: Ein trockener Hohlweg im Norden des Pedi Tales auf Simi, Lebensraum von H. turcicus, C. kotschyi, L. stellio, A. oertzeni, O. elegans, A. kitaibelii, D. jugularis, und H. nummifer sowie Fundort von T. fallax (N. SHUM pers. Mitt.). ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at The herpetofauna of Simi (Dodecanese, Greece) 101 2 3 ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at 102 M. J. WILSON & H. GRILLITSCH tion or horticultural purposes. Three fairly heraceoticum, Dracunculus vulgaris, and fertile valleys can be found on the island at Arum dioscoridis. Some woodland areas in Pedi (Figs. 2, 3), Drakounda and Agios Vas- the remoter regions of Simi consist of silios. The Pedi valley area predominantly Cupressus sempervirens, while further consists of wheat fields, while some olive inland dense stands of Pinus brutia can be groves and fruit orchards can be found found. There are no natural fresh water close to farmland areas, whilst at Agios sources present, but artificial cisterns are Vassilios vineyards were also present. The located in cultivated areas. The islet of viper area of the valley is dominated by Sesklia, with a surface area of 1.5 km², is a phrygana and other plant cover such as Eu- property of the Panormitis monastery and is phorbia dendroides, as well as Origanum located just south of Simi. MATERIALS AND METHODS Early herpetological references for the dertaken by F. PAYSANT (Le Châtellier) (13- island can be found in BOETTGER (1888), as 19.4.2002) are referred to as PAYSANT (pers. well as WERNER (1930, 1933, 1935, 1938), comm.), and some additional records by N. WETTSTEIN (1953) and PIEPER (1970). Only SHUM (Simi) as SHUM (pers. comm.). lizards were known from the herpetofauna of In addition to what was already known Simi until the visit by CLARK (1972), who about the herpetofauna of Simi, this paper contributed several important records. In will document and describe the findings dur- more recent papers, both BUTTLE (1995b) ing four stays made by the first author on the and BROGGI (2002) documented a further island in July (6-11) 2006, April/May (18-2) new species. The latter author who quoted 2007, August (15-22) 2007, and August (10- five species new to Sesklia and CATTANEO 18) 2008. Weather conditions during the (2007) who added comprehensive informa- April/May excursion were favorable (24°C- tion on the snake fauna of Simi were, how- 29°C) which allowed for searches to be con- ever, the only to give specific locality data ducted throughout the day, and most reptile concerning individuals. In addition to the species could be observed at any time of day literature a small collection of specimens during this period. The summer visits were from Simi at the Natural History Museum in far less successful with very hot weather, Vienna (NHMW) was considered in the and due to extremely high temperatures species accounts. Furthermore, other natu- (35°C-42°C) and therefore searches were ralists who visited Simi in recent years only undertaken in the very early morning, (dates in parentheses) contributed with their late evenings and the first few hours after personal observations such as the members nightfall. Due to the lack of locality data in of the Belgian group HYLA (4-15.10.2007), the reports of previous authors, this author of which three were contacted – J. VAN DER was unable to visit specific locations and VOORT (Schoten), P. ENGELEN (Gent) and J. tended to search widely across the entire SPEYBROECK (Gent). Their observations are island. Furthermore, several hours were referenced as SPEYBROECK et al. (pers. spent on the islet of Sesklia. On some oc- comm.). Observations from another trip un- casions the length of snakes was measured. SPECIES ACCOUNTS Bufo viridis (LAURENTI, 1768) ing. BUTTLE (1995b) predicted the occur- [Bufo variabilis (PALLAS, 1769)] rence of the species on Simi and this was later confirmed by BROGGI (2002) who ob- The Green Toad is the only amphibian served tadpoles of the species and CATTA- known to inhabit Simi, and considering the NEO (2007) who found five adults. PAYSANT almost complete absence of naturally occur- (pers. comm.) found eight road-killed speci- ring freshwater, even its presence is surpris- mens in the southern part of the Pedi Valley ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cyclades to the Dodecanese
    Cyclades to the Dodecanese Mediterranean 8 DAYS /7 NIGHTS Cruise ◆ EXTEND YOUR STAY IN A CLUB MED RESORT: Kemer, Palmiye Hotel, Palmiye CRUISE ON THE CLUB MED 2 Welcome aboard Club Med 2, for a unique experience that provides a gateway to the world. Elegance and comfort are the essence of this magnificent 5-masted sailing ship EUROPE & MEDITERRANEAN COASTS Mediterranean Cyclades to the Dodecanese Cruise ◆ From 22/08/2020 to 29/08/2020 - 8 days / 7 ◆ EXTEND YOUR STAY IN A CLUB MED RESORT: Kniegmhtesr, Palmiye Hotel, Palmiye Your cruise Days Stages Arrival Departure Nautical Hall 1. Saturday ATHENS .. 22:00 CLOSED 2. Sunday HYDRA 08:00 18:00 OPEN 3. Monday SIFNOS 08:00 18:00 OPEN 4. Tuesday DELOS & MYKONOS 08:00 01:00 OPEN 5. Wednesday PATMOS 08:30 18:00 OPEN 6. Thursday KOS 08:00 18:00 CLOSED 7. Friday KEKOVA 08:00 18:00 OPEN 8. Saturday ANTALYA 08:00 CLOSED Day 1 : Boarding from 16h to 19h Day 8 : Landing from 9h to 11h Date of publication: 10/03/2020 The information contained in this document is valid on this date, and is subject to change. For full, up-to-date information, contact your travel agent or the Club Med website. The images are non contractual, and serve only as an indication. 2 EUROPE & MEDITERRANEAN COASTS Mediterranean Cyclades to the Dodecanese Cruise ◆ From 22/08/2020 to 29/08/2020 - 8 days / 7 ◆ EXTEND YOUR STAY IN A CLUB MED RESORT: Kniegmhtesr, Palmiye Hotel, Palmiye Itinerary of your cruise Day 1 - Saturday The Greek capital opens the pages of its age-old history.
    [Show full text]
  • The Situation of the Inhabitants of Rhodes and Kos with a Turkish Cultural Background
    Doc. 12526 23 February 2011 The situation of the inhabitants of Rhodes and Kos with a Turkish cultural background Report 1 Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Rapporteur: Mr Andreas GROSS, Switzerland, Socialist Group Summary The Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights notes that the inhabitants of Rhodes and Kos with a Turkish cultural background are generally well integrated into the multicultural societies of the two islands. It commends the Greek Government for its genuine commitment to maintaining and developing the islands’ cosmopolitan character. The islands’ multiculturalism is the fruit of their rich history, which includes four centuries of generally tolerant Ottoman Turk rule. The good understanding between the majority population and the different minority groups, including that with a Turkish cultural background, is an important asset for the economic prosperity of the islands. The committee notes that better knowledge of the Turkish language and culture would benefit not only the inhabitants with a Turkish cultural background, but also their neighbours. Other issues raised by the inhabitants concerned include the apparent lack of transparency and accountability of the administration of the Muslim religious foundations (vakfs), and the unclear status of the Muslim religious leadership on the islands. The recommendations proposed by the committee are intended to assist the Greek authorities in resolving these issues in a constructive manner. 1 Reference to Committee: Doc. 11904, Reference 3581 of 22 June 2009. F – 67075 Strasbourg Cedex | [email protected] | Tel: + 33 3 88 41 2000 | Fax: +33 3 88 41 2733 Doc. 12526 A. Draft resolution 2 1. The Parliamentary Assembly notes that the inhabitants of Rhodes and Kos with a Turkish cultural background are generally well integrated into the multicultural societies of the two islands.
    [Show full text]
  • Cyprus and the LBA/EIA Metallurgy on Thasos Dr Petya Ilieva
    Cyprus and the LBA/EIA metallurgy on Thasos Dr Petya Ilieva Bulgarian Academy of Sciences The Northern Aegean is rarely considered in discussions of the LBA – EIA patterns of interaction between the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean and if so, it is usually mentioned in the context of the Phoenician pursuit of metals. The still very limited amount of objects of Cypriot and Levantine origin or associations and their patchy distribution in the Northern Aegean record restricts the feasibility of a systematic approach and renders any conclusion preliminary. Considering the strong ties between Cyprus and metropolitan Phoenicia, including the establishment of Kition on the island, the contemporary advance and sometimes shared context of Cypriot and Phoenician artefacts in the Northern Aegean, as well as the nature of the expanding Late Geometric and Archaic sea-borne commercial networks linking the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, it seems very likely that some (if not most) Levantine materials reached the Northern Aegean via or from Cyprus itself. Cypriot and Phoenician finds from the area attest to increased overseas contacts, usually interpreted in light of the Euboean activities in the Northwestern corner of the Aegean. Nevertheless, the archaeological record indicates that Euboean merchants and settlers did not venture east of Chalkidice peninsula, while written testimonies and scattered finds suggest that the role played by Cypriots and Phoenicians in the central and eastern part of the Northern Aegean is still underestimated. Cyprus and the LBA/EIA metallurgy on Thasos Hdt. 6.47 famously discusses a Phoenician establishment led by the eponymous Thasos on the homonymous island predating that of the Parian settlers.
    [Show full text]
  • Two Cases of Melanism in the Ring-Headed Dwarf Snake Eirenis Modestus (Martin, 1838) from Kastellorizo, Greece (Serpentes: Colubridae)
    Herpetology Notes, volume 11: 175-178 (2018) (published online on 20 February 2018) Two cases of melanism in the Ring-headed Dwarf Snake Eirenis modestus (Martin, 1838) from Kastellorizo, Greece (Serpentes: Colubridae) Konstantinos Kalaentzis1,*, Christos Kazilas1 and Ilias Strachinis1 Pigmentation serves a protective role in many 2016). A possible adaptive hypothesis for melanism in animals, including snakes, whether it functions in snakes is protection against sun damage (Lorioux et al., camouflage, warning, mimicry, or thermoregulation 2008; Jablonski and Kautman, 2017). (Bechtel, 1978; Krecsák, 2008). The observable The Ring-headed Dwarf Snake, Eirenis modestus colouration and pattern of a snake is the result of the (Martin, 1838), is a medium-sized colubrid snake presence of variously coloured pigments in specific reaching a maximum total length of 70 cm (Çiçek and places in the skin (Bechtel, 1978). Four different types Mermer, 2007). The Dwarf Snake inhabits rocky areas of pigment-bearing cells called chromatophores can with sparse vegetation and often hides under stones, be found in the skin of reptiles, namely melanophores, where it feeds mainly on terrestrial arthropods (Çiçek iridophores, erythrophores, and xanthophores (Bechtel, and Mermer, 2007). It is widely distributed (Fig. 1), 1978). Abnormalities in the pigment formation or the occurring mainly in the Caucasus (Armenia, southern interaction between the different types of pigment may Azerbaijan, eastern Georgia, southern Russia), Greece result in various chromatic disorders, which cause (on the islands of Alatonissi, Chios, Fournoi, Kalymnos, abnormal colouration of the skin and its derivatives Kastellorizo, Leros, Lesvos, Samiopoula, Samos, (Rook et al., 1998). There are many literature reports and Symi), northwestern Iran, and Turkey (Çiçek and describing chromatic anomalies in snakes, of which Mermer, 2007; Mahlow et al., 2013).
    [Show full text]
  • Results of the Herpetological Trips to Northern Cyprus
    North-Western Journal of Zoology Vol. 4, No. 1, 2008, pp.139-149 [Online: Vol.4, 2008: 16] Results of the Herpetological Trips to Northern Cyprus Bayram GÖÇMEN1,*, Nazım KAŞOT1, Mehmet Zülfü YILDIZ1,2, Istvan SAS3, Bahadır AKMAN1, Deniz YALÇINKAYA1, Salih GÜCEL4 1. Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Tr 35100 Bornova, Izmir-Turkey 2. Harran University, Faculty of Art-Science, Department of Biology, Zoology Section, Osmanbey Campus, Sanliurfa-Turkey 3. University of Oradea, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology, Universităţii St. 1, Oradea 410087, Romania 4. Near East University, Environmental Sciences Institute, Nicosia, Northern Cyprus * Corresponding author: Bayram GÖÇMEN, E-mail: [email protected], Tel: 0 (232) 388 40 00/1795, Fax: 0 (232) 388 18 91 Abstract. During the three trips conducted to Northern Cyprus in 2007, we found that three frog and toad species (Anura), 11 lizards (Lacertilia), 3 turtles (Testudinata) and 9 snakes (Ophidia) inhabit the northern part of the Cyprus Island. The distributions of a total of 26 reptile and amphibian species were observed and some ecological information on their biotopes was summarized, and the taxonomic states of some of the species determined discussed. Key Words: Northern Cyprus, herpetofauna, snakes, lizards Cyprus, with 9251 km2 area, is the part of the island has a mountain chain third largest island after Sicily and which is called Pentadactylos, made of Sardinia in the Mediterranean Sea. It is mesozoic calcareous rocks, runs in east- located in 34o33’-35o42’ northern latitudes west direction and has the highest point and 32o16’-34o36’ eastern longitudes.
    [Show full text]
  • Herpetofaunistic Diversity of the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago (Croatian Adriatic)
    University of Sopron Roth Gyula Doctoral School of Forestry and Wildlife Management Sciences Ph.D. thesis Herpetofaunistic diversity of the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago (Croatian Adriatic) Tamás Tóth Sopron 2018 Roth Gyula Doctoral School of Forestry and Wildlife Management Sciences Nature Conservation Program Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Faragó Sándor Dr. Gál János Introduction In recent years the Croatian islands, especially those of the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago became the focus of research of herpetologists. However, in spite of a long interest encompassing more than a hundred years, numerous gaps remain in our herpetological knowledge. For this reason, the author wished to contribute to a better understanding by performing studies outlined below. Aims The first task was to map the distribution of amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the archipelago as data were lacking for several of the smaller islands and also the fauna of the bigger islands was insufficiently known. Subsequently, the faunistic information derived from the scientific literature and field surveys conducted by the author as well as available geological and paleogeological data were compared and analysed from a zoogeographic point of view. The author wished to identify regions of the islands boasting the greatest herpetofaunal diversity by creating dot maps based on collecting localities. To answer the question which snake species and which individuals are going to be a victim of the traffic snake roadkill and literature survey were used. The author also identified where are the areas where the most snakes are hit by a vehicle on Cres. By gathering road-killed snakes and comparing their locality data with published occurrences the author seeked to identify species most vulnerable to vehicular traffic and road sections posing the greatest threat to snakes on Cres Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Travel Itinerary for Your Trip to Greece Created by Mina Agnos
    Travel Itinerary for your trip to Greece Created by Mina Agnos You have a wonderful trip to look forward to! Please note: Entry into the European countries in the Schengen area requires that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure. Your Booking Reference is: ITI/12782/A47834 Summary Accommodation 4 nights Naxian Collection Luxury Villas & Suites 1 Luxury 2-Bedroom Villa with Private Pool with Breakfast Daily 4 nights Eden Villas Santorini 1 Executive 3-BR Villa with Outdoor Pool & Caldera View for Four with Breakfast Daily 4 nights Blue Palace Resort & Spa 1 2 Bedroom Suite with Sea View and Private Heated Pool for Four with Breakfast Daily Activity Naxos Yesterday & Today Private Transportation Local Guide Discover Santorini Archaeology & Culture Private Transportation Entrance Fees Local Guide Akrotiri Licensed Guide Knossos & Heraklion Discovery Entrance Fees Private Transportation Local Guide Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos & Kritsa Discovery Entrance Fees Private Transportation Local Guide Island Escape and Picnic Transportation Private Helicopter from Mykonos to Naxos Transfer Between Naxos Airport & Stelida (Minicoach) Targa 37 at Disposal for 8 Days Transfer Between Naxos Port & Stelida (Minicoach) Santorini Port Transfer (Mini Coach) Santorini Port Transfer (Mini Coach) Transfer Between Plaka and Heraklion (Minivan) Transfer Between Plaka and Heraklion (Minivan) Day 1 Transportation Services Arrive in Mykonos. Private Transfer: Transfer Between Airport and Port (Minivan) VIP Assistance: VIP Port Assistance Your VIP Assistant will meet and greet you at the port, in which he will assist you with your luggage during ferry embarkation and disembarkation. Ferry: 4 passengers departing from Mykonos Port at 04:30 pm in Business Class with Sea Jets, arriving in Naxos Port at 05:10 pm.
    [Show full text]
  • Standaardlijst Van Nederlandse Namen Van De Europese Amfibieën
    71 tijdschrift RAVON 63 | DECEMBER 2016 | JAARGANG 18 | NUMMER 4 Standaardlijst van Nederlandse namen van de Europese amfibieën en reptielen COMMENTAAR Een update naar de situatie in 2016 Jeroen Speybroeck, Anton Stumpel, Wouter Beukema, Bobby Bok, Raymond Creemers, Jeroen van Delft, Henk Strijbosch & Jan Van Der Voort Ruim tien jaar geleden verscheen een standaardlijst van Nederlandse namen van Europese amfibieën en reptielen (Strijbosch et al., 2005) die ook werd toegepast in de West-Europese KNNV-veldgids van Stumpel & Strijbosch (2006) en de Nederlandse herpetologische atlas (Creemers & van Delft, 2009). Als uitgangspunt werd de lijst van wetenschappelijke soortnamen uit Arnold (2002) gebruikt. Aangezien de inzichten over afbakening van soorten voortdurend evolueren en nieuwe soorten worden beschreven, is een periodieke herziening van de lijst wenselijk. In 2016 verscheen een nieuwe Europese veldgids (Speybroeck et al., resultaat van toevoeging van 40 nieuwe soorten in combinatie met het 2016). Omdat de soortenlijst van deze gids samengesteld werd op basis schrappen van 7 soorten waarvan de geldigheid niet langer stand van een recent taxonomisch overzicht van Europese reptielen en hield. Vanwege hun politieke verbondenheid met Europa en amfibieën (Speybroeck et al., 2010) en met inachtname van de populariteit als vakantiebestemming onder natuurliefhebbers uit ons relevante recente literatuur, biedt de gids momenteel de meest up-to- taalgebied, voegen we in onze nieuwe namenlijst de soorten van date lijst van de Europese soorten. Uitgaande van deze nieuwe Madeira, de Canarische eilanden en Cyprus toe. soortenlijst verdienen de nieuwe soorten een Nederlandse naam en de bestaande namen uit de vorige standaardlijst en de West-Europese Enkele wijzigingen ten opzichte van Speybroeck et al.
    [Show full text]
  • A New Miocene-Divergent Lineage of Old World Racer Snake from India
    RESEARCH ARTICLE A New Miocene-Divergent Lineage of Old World Racer Snake from India Zeeshan A. Mirza1☯*, Raju Vyas2, Harshil Patel3☯, Jaydeep Maheta4, Rajesh V. Sanap1☯ 1 National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore 560065, India, 2 505, Krishnadeep Towers, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodra 390002, Gujarat, India, 3 Department of Biosciences, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat-395007, Gujarat, India, 4 Shree cultural foundation, Ahmedabad 380004, Gujarat, India ☯ These authors contributed equally to this work. * [email protected] Abstract A distinctive early Miocene-divergent lineage of Old world racer snakes is described as a new genus and species based on three specimens collected from the western Indian state of Gujarat. Wallaceophis gen. et. gujaratenesis sp. nov. is a members of a clade of old world racers. The monotypic genus represents a distinct lineage among old world racers is recovered as a sister taxa to Lytorhynchus based on ~3047bp of combined nuclear (cmos) and mitochondrial molecular data (cytb, ND4, 12s, 16s). The snake is distinct morphologi- cally in having a unique dorsal scale reduction formula not reported from any known colubrid snake genus. Uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence for nuclear gene cmos between OPEN ACCESS Wallaceophis gen. et. gujaratenesis sp. nov. other members of the clade containing old Citation: Mirza ZA, Vyas R, Patel H, Maheta J, world racers and whip snake is 21–36%. Sanap RV (2016) A New Miocene-Divergent Lineage of Old World Racer Snake from India. PLoS ONE 11 (3): e0148380. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148380 Introduction Editor: Ulrich Joger, State Natural History Museum, GERMANY Colubrid snakes are one of the most speciose among serpents with ~1806 species distributed across the world [1–5].
    [Show full text]
  • An Unusual Juvenile Coloration of the Whip Snake Dolichophis Jugularis (Linnaeus, 1758) Observed in Southwestern Anatolia, Turkey
    Herpetology Notes, volume 8: 531-533 (2015) (published online on 19 October 2015) An unusual juvenile coloration of the whip snake Dolichophis jugularis (Linnaeus, 1758) observed in Southwestern Anatolia, Turkey Bayram Göçmen1, Zoltán T. Nagy2, Kerim Çiçek1,* and Bahadır Akman1 The Large whip snake, Dolicophis jugularis m). The coloration of this juvenile specimen resembles (Linnaeus, 1758) is widely distributed in Greece, that of adults (Fig. 1B–D). This was the only juvenile including some Aegean islands, as well as throughout specimen with such unusual coloration, although the the Levant (Başoğlu and Baran, 1977; Leviton et al., study area was thoroughly searched. We observed 1992; Budak and Göçmen, 2008; Amr and Disi, 2011). three other juveniles with the aforementioned typical The distribution of the species in Turkey extends from pattern. One of them [ZMHRU 2012/51] was caught at Izmir in the West to the Mediterranean region in the Kızılseki Village (37°16’ N, 30°45’ E, elevation 400 m) southern, southeastern and eastern Anatolia (Başoğlu and presents the known juvenile pattern (Fig. 1A). and Baran, 1977; Budak and Göçmen, 2005; Göçmen In the juvenile specimen with adult coloration caught et al., 2013). at Kocaaliler Village, the dorsal and upper dorsolateral Dolicophis jugularis is a large colubrid snake that can areas of the head are black, whereas the color below reach 2.5 m in total length (Budak and Göçmen, 2008; the eye and along the jawline is white (Fig. 1B). On Amr and Disi, 2011). Its adult coloration is usually both sides of the head, there are white spots on rostral, uniform, the dorsum is bright black, and the top of supralabials, preoculars, postoculars, and temporals, the head is almost black with scattered red coloration.
    [Show full text]
  • Download From
    Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) – 2006-2008 version Available for download from http://www.ramsar.org/ris/key_ris_index.htm. Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7 (1990), as amended by Resolution VIII.13 of the 8th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2002) and Resolutions IX.1 Annex B, IX.6, IX.21 and IX. 22 of the 9 th Conference of the Contracting Parties (2005). Notes for compilers: 1. The RIS should be completed in accordance with the attached Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for completing the Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands. Compilers are strongly advised to read this guidance before filling in the RIS. 2. Furtherinformation and guidance in support of Ramsarsite designations are provided in the Strategic Framework and guidelines for the future development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance (RamsarWise Use Handbook 7, 2 nd edition, as amended by COP9 Resolution IX.1 Annex B). A 3 rd edition of the Handbook, incorporating these amendments, is in preparation and will be available in 2006. 3. Once completed, the RIS (and accompanying map(s)) should be submitted to the Ramsar Secretariat. Compilers should provide an electronic (MS Word) copy of the RIS and, where possible, digital copies of all maps. 1. Name and address of the compiler of this form: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY . Hakan ERDEN DD MM YY Ministry of Environment and Forestry General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks Söğütözü Caddesi 14/E Söğütözü Designation date Site Reference Number ANKARA/TURKEY e-mail: [email protected] Tel: 0090 312 2075905 2. Date this sheet was completed/updated: 30.11.2007 3.
    [Show full text]
  • The Amphibians and Reptiles of Cyprus Cyprus.Qxd 11/14/09 1:12 PM Page 2
    Baier et al Cover_03.11.2009.qxd 17.11.2009 15:04 Seite 1 Felix Sebastian Baier. Felix Baier Born 1987 in Heidelberg, Germany. Travelling to Cyprus since his early childhood and deeply fascinated by living David J. Sparrow things, he has long been interested in the island’s nature, Hans-Jörg Wiedl especially in reptiles and amphibians. On the basis of intensive zoological reading, he conducted his first field studies while still at school. Civil service at the Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg (Frankfurt/M.) gave him the chance to bring further ideas to fruition. Since 2008, he has been studying biology and philosophy at The Amphibians the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich. David J. Sparrow. and Reptiles of Cyprus Born in 1946 in the UK. Dr. David Sparrow is a Singapore-based photographer. He gained BSc (Hons) (1964) and PhD (1970) degrees in chemistry from the University of Birmingham, England. He worked in the chemical industry for 34 years during which time he co- authored, edited, reviewed and refereed numerous sci- entific articles, papers and books. He has had a lifetime fascination with snakes, and this project gave him the opportunity to combine this interest with his passion The Amphibians of Cyprus and Reptiles for photography. Hans-Jörg Wiedl (“Snake George”). Born 1943 in Innsbruck (Austria), he grew up in the wilderness of Häselgehr in the Lechtal (Tirol), now a National Park. As an UN peacekeeper in Cyprus in 1973/1974, he developed his deep concern for the conservation of the herpetofauna of Cyprus. In 1986, he moved permanently to Cyprus, and established the “Snake George Reptile Park” in 1995.
    [Show full text]