Evidence of Facultative Parthenogenesis in Three Neotropical Pitviper Species of the Bothrops Atrox Group
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Phylogenetic Diversity, Habitat Loss and Conservation in South
Diversity and Distributions, (Diversity Distrib.) (2014) 20, 1108–1119 BIODIVERSITY Phylogenetic diversity, habitat loss and RESEARCH conservation in South American pitvipers (Crotalinae: Bothrops and Bothrocophias) Jessica Fenker1, Leonardo G. Tedeschi1, Robert Alexander Pyron2 and Cristiano de C. Nogueira1*,† 1Departamento de Zoologia, Universidade de ABSTRACT Brasılia, 70910-9004 Brasılia, Distrito Aim To analyze impacts of habitat loss on evolutionary diversity and to test Federal, Brazil, 2Department of Biological widely used biodiversity metrics as surrogates for phylogenetic diversity, we Sciences, The George Washington University, 2023 G. St. NW, Washington, DC 20052, study spatial and taxonomic patterns of phylogenetic diversity in a wide-rang- USA ing endemic Neotropical snake lineage. Location South America and the Antilles. Methods We updated distribution maps for 41 taxa, using species distribution A Journal of Conservation Biogeography models and a revised presence-records database. We estimated evolutionary dis- tinctiveness (ED) for each taxon using recent molecular and morphological phylogenies and weighted these values with two measures of extinction risk: percentages of habitat loss and IUCN threat status. We mapped phylogenetic diversity and richness levels and compared phylogenetic distances in pitviper subsets selected via endemism, richness, threat, habitat loss, biome type and the presence in biodiversity hotspots to values obtained in randomized assemblages. Results Evolutionary distinctiveness differed according to the phylogeny used, and conservation assessment ranks varied according to the chosen proxy of extinction risk. Two of the three main areas of high phylogenetic diversity were coincident with areas of high species richness. A third area was identified only by one phylogeny and was not a richness hotspot. Faunal assemblages identified by level of endemism, habitat loss, biome type or the presence in biodiversity hotspots captured phylogenetic diversity levels no better than random assem- blages. -
The Skull of the Upper Cretaceous Snake Dinilysia Patagonica Smith-Woodward, 1901, and Its Phylogenetic Position Revisited
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 164, 194–238. With 24 figures The skull of the Upper Cretaceous snake Dinilysia patagonica Smith-Woodward, 1901, and its phylogenetic position revisited HUSSAM ZAHER1* and CARLOS AGUSTÍN SCANFERLA2 1Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida Nazaré 481, Ipiranga, 04263-000, São Paulo, SP, Brasil 2Laboratorio de Anatomía Comparada y Evolución de los Vertebrados. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’, Av. Angel Gallardo 470 (1405), Buenos Aires, Argentina Received 23 April 2010; revised 5 April 2011; accepted for publication 18 April 2011 The cranial anatomy of Dinilysia patagonica, a terrestrial snake from the Upper Cretaceous of Argentina, is redescribed and illustrated, based on high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and better preparations made on previously known specimens, including the holotype. Previously unreported characters reinforce the intriguing mosaic nature of the skull of Dinilysia, with a suite of plesiomorphic and apomorphic characters with respect to extant snakes. Newly recognized plesiomorphies are the absence of the medial vertical flange of the nasal, lateral position of the prefrontal, lizard-like contact between vomer and palatine, floor of the recessus scalae tympani formed by the basioccipital, posterolateral corners of the basisphenoid strongly ventrolaterally projected, and absence of a medial parietal pillar separating the telencephalon and mesencephalon, amongst others. We also reinterpreted the structures forming the otic region of Dinilysia, confirming the presence of a crista circumfenes- tralis, which represents an important derived ophidian synapomorphy. Both plesiomorphic and apomorphic traits of Dinilysia are treated in detail and illustrated accordingly. Results of a phylogenetic analysis support a basal position of Dinilysia, as the sister-taxon to all extant snakes. -
Epicrates Maurus (Rainbow Boa Or Velvet Mapepire)
UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Behaviour Epicrates maurus (Rainbow Boa or Velvet Mapepire) Family: Boidae (Boas and Pythons) Order: Squamata (Lizards and Snakes) Class: Reptilia (Reptiles) Fig. 1. Rainbow boa, Epicrates maurus. [http://squamates.blogspot.com/2010/10/declines-in-snake-and-lizard.html, Downloaded 10 November, 2011] . TRAITS. The rainbow boa, also known as the velvet mapepire, is a snake that grows to a maximum length of 4 feet in males and 4.5 to 5 feet in females. The life span of this species of snake is an average of 20 years if held in captivity and 10 years in the wild. Their name, rainbow boa, originated from their appearance because of an iridescent shine emanating from microscopic ridges on their scales that refract light to produce all the colours of the rainbow. These boas are generally brownish red in colour associated with dark marking during their juvenile life, however this coloration becomes subdued as they get older (Underwood 2009). These snakes are mainly nocturnal and also terrestrial, they have a small head with a narrow neck and a thick body (Boos 2001). Boas are considered primitive snakes and this is supported by the presence of two vestigal, hind limbs which appers as spurs on either side of the cloaca (Conrad 2009). ECOLOGY. Rainbow boas occupy a variety of habitats in Trinidad and Tobago, they can be found in dry tropical forest, rainforest clearings or even close to human settlements such as agricultural communities. Like all boas, they are excellent swimmers, however they restrain from being in contact with water as much as possible. -
Snakes of the Siwalik Group (Miocene of Pakistan): Systematics and Relationship to Environmental Change
Palaeontologia Electronica http://palaeo-electronica.org SNAKES OF THE SIWALIK GROUP (MIOCENE OF PAKISTAN): SYSTEMATICS AND RELATIONSHIP TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE Jason J. Head ABSTRACT The lower and middle Siwalik Group of the Potwar Plateau, Pakistan (Miocene, approximately 18 to 3.5 Ma) is a continuous fluvial sequence that preserves a dense fossil record of snakes. The record consists of approximately 1,500 vertebrae derived from surface-collection and screen-washing of bulk matrix. This record represents 12 identifiable taxa and morphotypes, including Python sp., Acrochordus dehmi, Ganso- phis potwarensis gen. et sp. nov., Bungarus sp., Chotaophis padhriensis, gen. et sp. nov., and Sivaophis downsi gen. et sp. nov. The record is dominated by Acrochordus dehmi, a fully-aquatic taxon, but diversity increases among terrestrial and semi-aquatic taxa beginning at approximately 10 Ma, roughly coeval with proxy data indicating the inception of the Asian monsoons and increasing seasonality on the Potwar Plateau. Taxonomic differences between the Siwalik Group and coeval European faunas indi- cate that South Asia was a distinct biogeographic theater from Europe by the middle Miocene. Differences between the Siwalik Group and extant snake faunas indicate sig- nificant environmental changes on the Plateau after the last fossil snake occurrences in the Siwalik section. Jason J. Head. Department of Paleobiology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, P.O. Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA. [email protected] School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS, United Kingdom. KEY WORDS: Snakes, faunal change, Siwalik Group, Miocene, Acrochordus. PE Article Number: 8.1.18A Copyright: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology May 2005 Submission: 3 August 2004. -
Volume 4 Issue 1B
Captive & Field Herpetology Volume 4 Issue 1 2020 Volume 4 Issue 1 2020 ISSN - 2515-5725 Published by Captive & Field Herpetology Captive & Field Herpetology Volume 4 Issue1 2020 The Captive and Field Herpetological journal is an open access peer-reviewed online journal which aims to better understand herpetology by publishing observational notes both in and ex-situ. Natural history notes, breeding observations, husbandry notes and literature reviews are all examples of the articles featured within C&F Herpetological journals. Each issue will feature literature or book reviews in an effort to resurface past literature and ignite new research ideas. For upcoming issues we are particularly interested in [but also accept other] articles demonstrating: • Conflict and interactions between herpetofauna and humans, specifically venomous snakes • Herpetofauna behaviour in human-disturbed habitats • Unusual behaviour of captive animals • Predator - prey interactions • Species range expansions • Species documented in new locations • Field reports • Literature reviews of books and scientific literature For submission guidelines visit: www.captiveandfieldherpetology.com Or contact us via: [email protected] Front cover image: Timon lepidus, Portugal 2019, John Benjamin Owens Captive & Field Herpetology Volume 4 Issue1 2020 Editorial Team Editor John Benjamin Owens Bangor University [email protected] [email protected] Reviewers Dr James Hicks Berkshire College of Agriculture [email protected] JP Dunbar -
Víbora De Campbell
Víbora de Campbell Bothrocophias campbelli (Freire-Lascano, 1991) P. D. Gutiérrez-Cárdenas Taxonomía Orden Squamata VU Familia Viperidae Categoría de amenaza ventrales (vs. 124-141 en B. colombianus y 143-153 en B. myersi) y 23 hileras de es- Nacional: Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii). camas dorsales (vs. 25 en B. colombianus) Global: no evaluada. (Campbell y Lamar 2004). Otro nombre común Distribución geográfica Serpiente boca de sapo. Países: Ecuador y Colombia. Descripción Departamentos: Nariño. Serpiente de tamaño mediano, hasta 123 Subregión biogeográfica: Cordillera cm de longitud total. La coloración varía Central. de café oscuro a gris oscuro con patrones Distribución altitudinal: 1.000 - 1.500 de “V” en el dorso, demarcadas por ban- m s.n.m. (Castro et al. 2005). das más claras. Presenta una franja oscura detrás del ojo. Un especimen presentó en Aspectos bioecológicos cada lado una mancha oscura entre las in- Hábitos terrestres, se encuentra sobre fralabiales 6-8. Se diferencia de Bothroco- la hojarasca en los bordes o el interior de phias colombianus por que presenta una es- bosques maduros (Cisneros-Heredia et cama lacunolabial, tiene 152-177 escamas al. 2006, Arteaga 2013). Se ha observado 113 ilícitos y minería ilegal. Adicional a esto, todas las especies de serpientes y en par- Vulnerables ticular los vipéridos son perseguidos por su peligrosidad potencial, aunque hasta el momento no se han reportado accidentes ofidicos con B. campbelli. Medidas de conservación existentes Ninguna. Oportunidades de conservación En la actualidad se está elaborando el Programa nacional para la conservación de serpientes en Colombia (Lynch, com. pers.). Aunque en este documento no se menciona explícitamente la especie B. -
Multi-National Conservation of Alligator Lizards
MULTI-NATIONAL CONSERVATION OF ALLIGATOR LIZARDS: APPLIED SOCIOECOLOGICAL LESSONS FROM A FLAGSHIP GROUP by ADAM G. CLAUSE (Under the Direction of John Maerz) ABSTRACT The Anthropocene is defined by unprecedented human influence on the biosphere. Integrative conservation recognizes this inextricable coupling of human and natural systems, and mobilizes multiple epistemologies to seek equitable, enduring solutions to complex socioecological issues. Although a central motivation of global conservation practice is to protect at-risk species, such organisms may be the subject of competing social perspectives that can impede robust interventions. Furthermore, imperiled species are often chronically understudied, which prevents the immediate application of data-driven quantitative modeling approaches in conservation decision making. Instead, real-world management goals are regularly prioritized on the basis of expert opinion. Here, I explore how an organismal natural history perspective, when grounded in a critique of established human judgements, can help resolve socioecological conflicts and contextualize perceived threats related to threatened species conservation and policy development. To achieve this, I leverage a multi-national system anchored by a diverse, enigmatic, and often endangered New World clade: alligator lizards. Using a threat analysis and status assessment, I show that one recent petition to list a California alligator lizard, Elgaria panamintina, under the US Endangered Species Act often contradicts the best available science. -
Preclinical Testing of Peruvian Anti-Bothropic Anti-Venom Against Bothrops Andianus Snake Venom
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector Toxicon 60 (2012) 1018–1021 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Toxicon journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/toxicon Short communication Preclinical testing of Peruvian anti-bothropic anti-venom against Bothrops andianus snake venom Francisco S. Schneider a, Maria C. Starling a, Clara G. Duarte a, Ricardo Machado de Avila a, Evanguedes Kalapothakis a, Walter Silva Suarez b, Benigno Tintaya b, Karin Flores Garrido b, Silvia Seraylan Ormachea b, Armando Yarleque c, César Bonilla b, Carlos Chávez-Olórtegui a,* a Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antonio Carlos 6627, CP: 486, CEP: 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil b Instituto Nacional de Salud, Lima, Peru c Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru article info abstract Article history: Bothrops andianus is a venomous snake found in the area of Machu Picchu (Peru). Its Received 3 April 2012 venom is not included in the antigenic pool used for production of the Peruvian anti- Received in revised form 20 June 2012 bothropic anti-venom. B. andianus venom can elicit many biological effects such as Accepted 28 June 2012 hemorrhage, hemolysis, proteolytic activity and lethality. The Peruvian anti-bothropic Available online 14 July 2012 anti-venom displays consistent cross-reactivity with B. andianus venom, by ELISA and Western Blotting and is also effective in neutralizing the venom’s toxic activities. Keywords: Ó 2012 Elsevier Ltd. Open access under the Elsevier OA license. -
On the Presence of Eunectes Murinus (Squamata, Serpentes) from the Late Pleistocene of Northern Brazil
Rev. bras. paleontol. 16(1):77-82, Janeiro/Abril 2013 © 2013 by the Sociedade Brasileira de Paleontologia doi:10.4072/rbp.2013.1.06 ON THE PRESENCE OF EUNECTES MURINUS (SQUAMATA, SERPENTES) FROM THE LATE PLEISTOCENE OF NORTHERN BRAZIL ANNIE SCHMALTZ HSIOU Departamento de Biologia, FFCLRP, USP, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. [email protected] GISELE R. WINCK Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto de Alcântara Gomes, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. [email protected] BLAINE W. SCHUBERT Don Sundquist Center of Excellence in Paleontology and Department of Geosciences, East Tennessee State University, Box 70636, 37614-1709, Johnson City, TN, USA. [email protected] LEONARDO ÁVILLA Departamento de Zoologia, UNIRIO, Av. Pasteur 458, sala 501, 22290-240, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. [email protected] ABSTRACT – Brazilian late Pleistocene snakes have an extensive fossil record and are recognized for southern, northeastern and northern regions of this country. This fossil record is represented by the families Boidae, ‘Colubridae’, Viperidae and Elapidae. Here is presented the fi rst record for Eunectes Wagler for the late Pleistocene of the Brazilian northern region. The material described is a single incomplete dorsal vertebra, and although it shares several vertebral features with most Boidae taxa, it can be distinguished from all other boids because is a robust and wide vertebra with a slightly depressed neural arch, relatively thick and robust zygosphene with a prominent median turbercle. The taxonomic allocation to E. murinus (Linnaeus) is based on the exceptionally large size of the vertebra. -
First Lizard Remains (Teiidae) from the Miocene of Brazil (Solimões Formation)
Rev. bras. paleontol. 12(3):225-230, Setembro/Dezembro 2009 © 2009 by the Sociedade Brasileira de Paleontologia doi:10.4072/rbp.2009.3.05 FIRST LIZARD REMAINS (TEIIDAE) FROM THE MIOCENE OF BRAZIL (SOLIMÕES FORMATION) ANNIE SCHMALTZ HSIOU Seção de Paleontologia, Museu de Ciências Naturais, FZB-RS, Av. Salvador França, 1427, 90690-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. [email protected] ADRIANA MARIA ALBINO CONICET, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina. [email protected] JORGE FERIGOLO Seção de Paleontologia, Museu de Ciências Naturais, FZB-RS, Av. Salvador França, 1427, 90690-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. [email protected] ABSTRACT – The South American Teiidae fossil record is restricted to the Cenozoic, and the most conspicuous remains were found in Early to Late Miocene of Argentina and Middle Miocene of Colombia and Peru, all represented by Tupinambinae lizards. Here, we describe a right fragmentary dentary and one dorsal vertebra collected in the Solimões Formation at the Talismã locality, situated on the Purus River, in the southwestern Brazilian Amazonia (Late Miocene). The material is tentatively conferred to the extinct genus Paradracaena. It represents the first record of lizards for the Neogene southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. Key words: Teiidae, Tupinambinae, Solimões Formation, Miocene, southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. RESUMO – O registro fóssil de Teiidae para a América do Sul é restrito ao Cenozóico. Os fósseis mais significantes são encontrados a partir do Mioceno inferior ao superior da Argentina e Mioceno médio da Colômbia e Peru, principalmente representados pelos Tupinambinae. Neste trabalho descreve-se um fragmento de dentário direito e uma vértebra dorsal coletados em sedimentos da Formação Solimões, na localidade Talismã, alto rio Purus, sudoeste da Amazônia brasileira. -
Snakes: Cultural Beliefs and Practices Related to Snakebites in a Brazilian Rural Settlement Dídac S Fita1, Eraldo M Costa Neto2*, Alexandre Schiavetti3
Fita et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2010, 6:13 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/6/1/13 JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE RESEARCH Open Access ’Offensive’ snakes: cultural beliefs and practices related to snakebites in a Brazilian rural settlement Dídac S Fita1, Eraldo M Costa Neto2*, Alexandre Schiavetti3 Abstract This paper records the meaning of the term ‘offense’ and the folk knowledge related to local beliefs and practices of folk medicine that prevent and treat snake bites, as well as the implications for the conservation of snakes in the county of Pedra Branca, Bahia State, Brazil. The data was recorded from September to November 2006 by means of open-ended interviews performed with 74 individuals of both genders, whose ages ranged from 4 to 89 years old. The results show that the local terms biting, stinging and pricking are synonymous and used as equivalent to offending. All these terms mean to attack. A total of 23 types of ‘snakes’ were recorded, based on their local names. Four of them are Viperidae, which were considered the most dangerous to humans, besides causing more aversion and fear in the population. In general, local people have strong negative behavior towards snakes, killing them whenever possible. Until the antivenom was present and available, the locals used only charms, prayers and homemade remedies to treat or protect themselves and others from snake bites. Nowadays, people do not pay attention to these things because, basically, the antivenom is now easily obtained at regional hospitals. It is under- stood that the ethnozoological knowledge, customs and popular practices of the Pedra Branca inhabitants result in a valuable cultural resource which should be considered in every discussion regarding public health, sanitation and practices of traditional medicine, as well as in faunistic studies and conservation strategies for local biological diversity. -
Iguanid and Varanid CAMP 1992.Pdf
CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR IGUANIDAE AND VARANIDAE WORKING DOCUMENT December 1994 Report from the workshop held 1-3 September 1992 Edited by Rick Hudson, Allison Alberts, Susie Ellis, Onnie Byers Compiled by the Workshop Participants A Collaborative Workshop AZA Lizard Taxon Advisory Group IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group SPECIES SURVIVAL COMMISSION A Publication of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124 USA A contribution of the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, and the AZA Lizard Taxon Advisory Group. Cover Photo: Provided by Steve Reichling Hudson, R. A. Alberts, S. Ellis, 0. Byers. 1994. Conservation Assessment and Management Plan for lguanidae and Varanidae. IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group: Apple Valley, MN. Additional copies of this publication can be ordered through the IUCN/SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, 12101 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124. Send checks for US $35.00 (for printing and shipping costs) payable to CBSG; checks must be drawn on a US Banlc Funds may be wired to First Bank NA ABA No. 091000022, for credit to CBSG Account No. 1100 1210 1736. The work of the Conservation Breeding Specialist Group is made possible by generous contributions from the following members of the CBSG Institutional Conservation Council Conservators ($10,000 and above) Australasian Species Management Program Gladys Porter Zoo Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Sponsors ($50-$249) Chicago Zoological