DOCSLIB.ORG

Ecology and Behavior of Two Sympatric Chameleon Species on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea Elliott Chiu Dr

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ecology and Behavior of Two Sympatric Chameleon Species on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea Elliott Chiu Dr Ecology and Behavior of Two Sympatric Chameleon Species on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Drexel University by Elliott Chiu in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science June 2013 ©Copyright 2013 Elliott Chiu. All Rights Reserved i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents Serena and Edward, my brother Alvin, and my sister Melissa. Without them, I would not be here; they supported me emotionally and financially and I can truly say that this project is as much theirs as it is mine. I would like to acknowledge Dr. Tom Butynski and Dr. Torsten Wronski for their help in developing my study during the early stages of my thesis. Originally my project focused on rare occurrences between primate and duiker feeding habits, but you made me realize that projects that I envisioned would be difficult to finish even for a PhD and helped me develop a suitable Master’s thesis. I thank all of my friends who despite my constant weariness, never gave up on me and were a welcome respite from the long hours in the lab. Long absences can strain many relationships, but I have been lucky to know all of you. Despite many rejected offers, you never abandoned me and that is the test of a true friendship. Of course, much of the brunt of the fieldwork was shared by many dedicated volunteers. The students of the Drexel Study Abroad program on Bioko (including Evan Neyland, Kadeem Gilbert, Ryan Quinn, Liz Long, Beth Darby, and Baltasar), Nabil Nasseri, Andrew Fertig, Djibrilla Ousman, and Maya Lipschutz were instrumental in the overall collection of my chameleons. Reed Power provided incredibly useful habitat and density information to me when I was unable to return the field in early 2013. I would be remiss to forget my three amazing lab volunteers, Ellen Wildner, Lexi Khan, and Halle Choi, who spent many hours looking through dissecting scopes and ii separating out thousands of tiny invertebrates. Not only that, you remained patient during the entire bomb calorimetry fiasco. Special mention should be given to the graduate students of the Hearn lab Drew Cronin, Jake Owens, and Pat McLaughlin who shared many experiences with me regarding working in the tropics and never let bureaucratic nonsense impede on my progress. Additionally, I’d like to thank Drew Cronin and Steve Hromada for supplying me with the beautiful maps that have been generated for my thesis. Funders for my project were greatly appreciated. As mentioned before, my parents were my biggest financial support, but the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program paid for many of my expenses in country and provided me with hot food and a “comfortable” bed/tent to sleep in. The Garden Club of America has been extremely generous in providing funds for the acquisition of many of my research supplies. Lastly, I would like to thank ExxonMobil for their support in conservation efforts on Bioko Island. Finally, I would like to thank the members of my thesis committee. Dr. Gail Hearn has been a great mentor and advisor for me, helping me with developing the sense to work in science abroad. I would be nowhere without the help of Dr. Mike O’Connor who taught me how to approach and answer scientific questions with statistics. Dr. Krystal Tolley advised me in all things chameleon, and was an irreplaceable member of my committee. Dr. Dan Duran provided me with much needed help in collecting and identifying the insects that were used in my study. And then the most important of all is Dr. Shaya Honarvar, who sat with me through many drafts of my thesis and personally devoted time and energy into seeing me succeed. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES……………………………………………………………………....iv LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………………………………...v ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………….vii 1. CHAPTER 1: General Introduction………………………………………………….1 2. CHAPTER 2: A life history of two of Bioko Island chameleons, the Fea’s chameleon (Trioceros feae) and the spectral pygmy chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum) Introduction…………………………………………………………………….…6 Methods…………………………………………………………………………..10 Results…………………………………………………………………………....13 Discussion………………………………………………………………………..17 3. CHAPTER 3: Differential feeding strategy adaptations of Trioceros feae and Rhampholeon spectrum in Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea Introduction……………………………………………………………………..30 Methods…………………………………………………………………………34 Results…………………………………………………………………………..37 Discussion………………………………………………………………………40 4. CHAPTER 4: Conservation implications of diet partitioning in response to differential nutritional requirements in the Fea’s chameleon (Trioceros feae) and the African leaf chameleon (Rhampholeon spectrum) on Bioko Island Introduction……………………………………………………………….……53 Methods…………………………………………………………………….…..57 Results……………………………………………………………………….…60 Discussion……………………………………………………………………...63 5. CHAPTER 5: Notes on the natural history of Bioko Island chameleons………….74 6. CHAPTER 6: General Conclusions………………………………………………..88 LIST OF REFERENCES……………………………………………………………....90 iv LIST OF TABLES 1. Stomach contents of gastric lavage were dissected and identified to the level of order. The number of individual prey items is listed with the number of stomach pellets in which the individual prey was collected in parentheses………………………………22 2. Intraspecific behavioral data: Total distance traveled (TDT), average speed (AS), moving speed (MS), percent time spent moving (PTM), and feeding attempts (FA) did not differ significantly with the change among sexes within species……………..….45 3. Interspecific behavioral data: Total distance traveled (TDT), average speed (AS), and moving speed (MS) were insignificantly variable between species. Percent time spent moving (PTM) and feeding attempts (FA) differed significantly between species….46 4. Binomial models determining variables affecting activity levels: The full model included five variables (sex, species, time, temperature, and the interaction between species and sex). Subsequent models removed one sequential variable until significant changes occurred with the removal of species and time………………………….…..47 5. Available invertebrates collected along each trail are categorized by the method by which they were collected. Percent (%) composition displays what percentage of the total available invertebrate selection was made up of each taxon………………..…..67 6. Stomach contents retrieved via gastric lavage are displayed for each species along with the trail on which they were collected. Numbers of prey items are reported along with the number of chameleons from which those individuals were collected, demarcated by the parentheses…………………………….……………………..…...68 7. Electivity indices (E*) are reported for T. feae along both trails. Invertebrate taxa are first blocked by prey hardness and then by evasiveness of individual prey taxa…….69 8. Electivity indices (E*) are reported for R. spectrum along both trails. Invertebrate taxa are first blocked by prey hardness and then by evasiveness of individual prey taxa…70 9. Combined electivity indices (E*) are reported for T. feae and R. spectrum. The Nature trail and the Cascades trail were grouped to produce one E* value. Invertebrate taxa are first blocked by prey hardness and then by evasiveness of individual prey taxa…71 10. Biometric measurements that were used for each captured chameleon in 2011…....78 11. Additional biometric measurements were used for each captured chameleon in 2012 (Hopkins & Tolley, 2011)…………………………………………………….………79 v LIST OF FIGURES 1. Four species of chameleons on Bioko Island. A) Rhampholeon spectrum perched upon tree fern branches undergoing ecdysis. Its skin is shed in one solid piece instead of flaking off in small pieces. B) Trioceros cristatus photographed on the 2008 National Geographic Expedition on Bioko Island. Photo credit: Christian Ziegler ILCP Bioko RAVE. C) Trioceros oweni is a mid-sized chameleon that was originally described from the island but its presence is not disputed. D) Trioceros feae is a mid-sized chameleon endemic to sub-montane forests of Bioko Island……………………...…..23 2. Distribution maps of R. spectrum, T. cristatus, T. feae, and T. oweni in Africa…..…..24 3. General map of study sites: The Nature trail and Cascades Trail are marked in respect to the Moka Wildlife Center (MWC) located just outside of the village of Moka. …..25 4. Density of chameleons were estimated on each trail. The Nature trail is classified as a more disturbed habitat compared to the Cascades trail…………………………….….26 5. Photos of the understory of A) Cascades trail and B) the Nature. The understory has been cleared of much of the flat broad leaf vegetation in the Nature trail whereas that secondary growth is still present along the Cascades trail………………………….….27 6. Sleeping perches utilized by T. feae during the 2011 field season. The majority of sleeping perches utilized were exotic species. …………………………………...……28 7. A sub adult male T. feae and adult male R. spectrum are shown here shortly after being aroused by observers in the forest. A) The T. feae is utilizing the small graspable twigs and branches to perch upon whereas B) R. spectrum use flat broad leaves to rest upon. They typically are not found to grasp small perches…………………………………..29 8. Differences in total distance traveled is plotted with respect to sex within each species as a result of direct 12-hour observation cycles (n=5). There are no statistical differences between species or sex……………………………………………….……48 9. Differences in average speed is plotted with
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet Because We Care !!!
    Veiled Chameleon Care Sheet Because we care !!! 1250 Upper Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13901 607-723-2666 Congratulations on your new pet. The popularity of the veiled chameleon is due to a number of factors: veiled chameleons are relatively hardy, large, beautiful, and prolific. Veiled chameleons are native to Yemen and southern Saudi Arabia, they are quite tolerant of tem- perature and humidity extremes, which contributes to its hardiness as a captive. Veiled chameleons are among the easiest chameleons to care for, but they still require careful attention. They range in size from 6-12 inches and will live up to five years with the proper care. Males tend to be larger and more colorful than females. With their ability to change colors, prehensile tails, independently moving eyes and stuttering walk make them fascinating to watch. They become stressed very easily so regular handling is not recommended. HOUSING A full-screen enclosure is a must for veiled chameleons. Zoomed’s ReptiBreeze is an ideal habitat. Glass aquariums can lead to respiratory diseases due to the stagnant air not being circulated, and they will be stressed if they can see their reflection. These Chameleons also need a large enclosure to climb around in because smaller enclosures will stress them. A 3’x3’x3’ or 2’x2’x4’ habitat is best, but larger is bet- ter. Chameleons should be house separately to avoid fighting. The interior of the enclosure should be furnished with medium sized vines and foliage for the chameleons to hide in. The medium sized vines provide important horizontal perches for the chameleon to rest and bask.
    [Show full text]
  • NEP WILDLIFE 2018 Catalog
    WILDLIFE International Sales Daisan Kyodo Bldg. 4-14 Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0047, Japan Phone: +81-3-3468-6984 Fax: +81-3-3485-3624 [email protected] NHK NEPNHK Series As NHK’s main international distribution arm, NEP holds a catalogue of over 1,500 titles in a wide range of genres. To discover more of our programs, please visit: Program Finder 11 8 episodes http://pf.nhk-ep.co.jp/ 59 x 49 min. 4 x 50 min. 49 x 52 min. 6 x 55 min. This online search service will allow you to Clean, M/E + English, English script quickly and accurately find programs you need. 2009-2018 ©NHK Since its start in 2009, WILDLIFE has been the pillar nature series on NHK, consistent in its delivery of quality and high standard. Produced by the seasoned Natural History Unit of NHK Enterprises, the series reveals the pulsating life of the animal kingdom. Through its commitment to innovative storytelling, each episode is filmed over long periods and makes use of the latest equipment in pursuit of new visual experiences. http://www.nhk.or.jp/corporateinfo/ http://www.nhk-ep.co.jp/en/ NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) is Japan’s sole public NHK Enterprises, Inc. (NEP) was established in 1985, as an broadcaster. Funded by fees from Japanese households, affiliated company of NHK, to produce TV programs for NHK. it has a reputation for impartial, high-quality programming. Over the years, NEP has expanded its business across a wide Through its four nationwide TV channels and three radio range of content-related activities both at home and abroad to channels, NHK reaches about 50 million households.
    [Show full text]
  • Biomimicry: Using Nature As a Model for Design Michael J
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 2012 Biomimicry: Using Nature as a Model for Design Michael J. Maglic University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses Maglic, Michael J., "Biomimicry: Using Nature as a Model for Design" (2012). Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014. 871. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/theses/871 This thesis is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses 1911 - February 2014 by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. BIOMIMICRY: USING NATURE AS A MODEL FOR DESIGN A Thesis Presented By MICHAEL J. MAGLIC Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE May 2012 Architecture+Design Program © Copyright by Michael J. Maglic 2012 All Rights Reserved BIOMIMICRY: USING NATURE AS A MODEL FOR DESIGN A Thesis Presented By MICHAEL J. MAGLIC Approved as to style and content by: _______________________________________ Steve Schreiber, Chair _______________________________________ Kathleen Lugosch, Member _______________________________________ Alexander Schreyer, Member ____________________________________ William T. Oedel, Chair Department of Art, Architecture and Art History ABSTRACT BIOMIMICRY: USING NATURE AS A MODEL FOR DESIGN MAY 2012 MICHAEL J. MAGLIC, B.S., SUNY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY AT ALFRED M. ARCH, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST Directed by: Professor Kathleen Lugosch The relationship and connection between architecture and nature is one that has brought forth many questions, criticisms, and solutions.
    [Show full text]
  • Addo Elephant National Park Reptiles Species List
    Addo Elephant National Park Reptiles Species List Common Name Scientific Name Status Snakes Cape cobra Naja nivea Puffadder Bitis arietans Albany adder Bitis albanica very rare Night adder Causes rhombeatus Bergadder Bitis atropos Horned adder Bitis cornuta Boomslang Dispholidus typus Rinkhals Hemachatus hemachatus Herald/Red-lipped snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia Olive house snake Lamprophis inornatus Night snake Lamprophis aurora Brown house snake Lamprophis fuliginosus fuliginosus Speckled house snake Homoroselaps lacteus Wolf snake Lycophidion capense Spotted harlequin snake Philothamnus semivariegatus Speckled bush snake Bitis atropos Green water snake Philothamnus hoplogaster Natal green watersnake Philothamnus natalensis occidentalis Shovel-nosed snake Prosymna sundevalli Mole snake Pseudapsis cana Slugeater Duberria lutrix lutrix Common eggeater Dasypeltis scabra scabra Dappled sandsnake Psammophis notosticus Crossmarked sandsnake Psammophis crucifer Black-bellied watersnake Lycodonomorphus laevissimus Common/Red-bellied watersnake Lycodonomorphus rufulus Tortoises/terrapins Angulate tortoise Chersina angulata Leopard tortoise Geochelone pardalis Green parrot-beaked tortoise Homopus areolatus Marsh/Helmeted terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa Tent tortoise Psammobates tentorius Lizards/geckoes/skinks Rock Monitor Lizard/Leguaan Varanus niloticus niloticus Water Monitor Lizard/Leguaan Varanus exanthematicus albigularis Tasman's Girdled Lizard Cordylus tasmani Cape Girdled Lizard Cordylus cordylus Southern Rock Agama Agama atra Burrowing
    [Show full text]
  • Changes to CITES Species Listings
    NOTICE TO THE WILDLIFE IMPORT/EXPORT COMMUNITY December 21, 2016 Subject: Changes to CITES Species Listings Background: Party countries of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meet approximately every two years for a Conference of the Parties. During these meetings, countries review and vote on amendments to the listings of protected species in CITES Appendix I and Appendix II. Such amendments become effective 90 days after the last day of the meeting unless Party countries agree to delay implementation. The most recent Conference of the Parties (CoP 17) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, September 24 – October 4, 2016. Action: Except as noted below, the amendments to CITES Appendices I and II that were adopted at CoP 17, will be effective on January 2, 2017. Any specimens of these species imported into, or exported from, the United States on or after January 2, 2017 will require CITES documentation as specified under the amended listings. The import, export, or re-export of shipments of these species that are accompanied by CITES documents reflecting a pre-January 2 listing status or that lack CITES documents because no listing was previously in effect must be completed by midnight (local time at the point of import/export) on January 1, 2017. Importers and exporters can find the official revised CITES appendices on the CITES website. Species Added to Appendix I . Abronia anzuetoi (Alligator lizard) . Abronia campbelli (Alligator lizard) . Abronia fimbriata (Alligator lizard) . Abronia frosti (Alligator lizard) . Abronia meledona (Alligator lizard) . Cnemaspis psychedelica (Psychedelic rock gecko) . Lygodactylus williamsi (Turquoise dwarf gecko) . Telmatobius coleus (Titicaca water frog) .
    [Show full text]
  • Natural History Notes 145
    NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 145 Telemeco et al. 2011. Anim. Behav. 82:369–375). They may also deploy flight and/or hiding behaviors that likely decrease the risk of predation (Broom and Ruxton 2005. Behav. Ecol. 16:534–540). On 4 July 2018 at 1433 h, in the ecological reserve Laguna Bélgica, Ocozocoautla, Chiapas, Mexico (16.88208°N, 93.45688°W, WGS 84; 976 m elev.), I observed an adult Sceloporus internasalis basking on a decaying log on the forest floor. When first encountered, the lizard climbed up to a inclined fallen trunk to a height of ca. 2 m. As I moved closer for a photograph, the lizard ran ca. 1 m, stopped, and began undulating its tail from side to side (Fig. 1). Seeing that I was still there, the lizard jumped to another fallen trunk at a height of ca. 10 cm and once stopped, began undulating its tail again. After this, the lizard sought refuge on the back of the trunk and disappeared from my view. Each undulating movement of the tail took ca. 3 seconds and involved the entire tail, as the rest of the body remained motionless. Because there were no other lizards present at the time of observation, I suggest that these behaviors were antipredator displays. Similar evidence have been recorded for Broad-headed Skinks that undulate their tail just prior to ōeeing (Cooper 1998. Behav. Ecol. 9:598–604; Cooper 1998. Can. J. Zool. 76:1507–1510). MIGUEL E. HERNÁNDEZ-VÁZQUEZ, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Fig. 1. Male Sceloporus malachiticus with orange throat coloration: México; e-mail: [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the Multiscale Hierarchical Structure of Heloderma Suspectum
    The multiscale hierarchical structure of Heloderma suspectum osteoderms and their mechanical properties. Francesco Iacoviello a, Alexander C. Kirby b, Yousef Javanmardi c, Emad Moeendarbary c, d, Murad Shabanli c, Elena Tsolaki b, Alana C. Sharp e, Matthew J. Hayes f, Kerda Keevend g, Jian-Hao Li g, Daniel J.L. Brett a, Paul R. Shearing a, Alessandro Olivo b, Inge K. Herrmann g, Susan E. Evans e, Mehran Moazen c, Sergio Bertazzo b,* a Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK. b Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK. c Department of Mechanical Engineering University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK. d Department of Biological Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA. e Department of Cell & Developmental Biology University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK. f Department of Ophthalmology University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK. g Department of Materials Meet Life Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland. * Correspondence: Sergio Bertazzo [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 2076790444 1 Abstract Osteoderms are hard tissues embedded in the dermis of vertebrates and have been suggested to be formed from several different mineralized regions. However, their nano architecture and micro mechanical properties had not been fully characterized. Here, using electron microscopy, µ-CT, atomic force microscopy and finite element simulation, an in-depth characterization of osteoderms from the lizard Heloderma suspectum, is presented. Results show that osteoderms are made of three different mineralized regions: a dense apex, a fibre-enforced region comprising the majority of the osteoderm, and a bone-like region surrounding the vasculature.
    [Show full text]
  • Literature Cited in Lizards Natural History Database
    Literature Cited in Lizards Natural History database Abdala, C. S., A. S. Quinteros, and R. E. Espinoza. 2008. Two new species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the puna of northwestern Argentina. Herpetologica 64:458-471. Abdala, C. S., D. Baldo, R. A. Juárez, and R. E. Espinoza. 2016. The first parthenogenetic pleurodont Iguanian: a new all-female Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) from western Argentina. Copeia 104:487-497. Abdala, C. S., J. C. Acosta, M. R. Cabrera, H. J. Villaviciencio, and J. Marinero. 2009. A new Andean Liolaemus of the L. montanus series (Squamata: Iguania: Liolaemidae) from western Argentina. South American Journal of Herpetology 4:91-102. Abdala, C. S., J. L. Acosta, J. C. Acosta, B. B. Alvarez, F. Arias, L. J. Avila, . S. M. Zalba. 2012. Categorización del estado de conservación de las lagartijas y anfisbenas de la República Argentina. Cuadernos de Herpetologia 26 (Suppl. 1):215-248. Abell, A. J. 1999. Male-female spacing patterns in the lizard, Sceloporus virgatus. Amphibia-Reptilia 20:185-194. Abts, M. L. 1987. Environment and variation in life history traits of the Chuckwalla, Sauromalus obesus. Ecological Monographs 57:215-232. Achaval, F., and A. Olmos. 2003. Anfibios y reptiles del Uruguay. Montevideo, Uruguay: Facultad de Ciencias. Achaval, F., and A. Olmos. 2007. Anfibio y reptiles del Uruguay, 3rd edn. Montevideo, Uruguay: Serie Fauna 1. Ackermann, T. 2006. Schreibers Glatkopfleguan Leiocephalus schreibersii. Munich, Germany: Natur und Tier. Ackley, J. W., P. J. Muelleman, R. E. Carter, R. W. Henderson, and R. Powell. 2009. A rapid assessment of herpetofaunal diversity in variously altered habitats on Dominica.
    [Show full text]
  • Reptiles and Amphibians of the Goegap Nature Reserve
    their time underground in burrows. These amphibians often leave their burrows after heavy rains that are seldom. Reptiles And Amphibians Of The There are reptiles included in this report, which don’t occur here in Goegap but at the Augrabies Falls NP. So you can find here also the Nile monitor and the flat liz- Goegap Nature Reserve ard. Measuring reptiles By Tanja Mahnkopf In tortoises and terrapins the length is measured at the shell. Straight along the mid- line of the carapace. The SV-Length is the length of head and body (Snout to Vent). In lizards it easier to look for this length because their tail may be a regenerated one Introduction and these are often shorter than the original one. The length that is mentioned for the The reptiles are an ancient class on earth. The earliest reptile fossils are about 315 species in this report is the average to the maximum length. For the snakes I tried to million years old. During the aeons of time they evolved a great diversity of extinct give the total length because it is often impossible to say where the tail begins and and living reptiles. The dinosaurs and their relatives dominated the earth 150 million the body ends without holding the snake. But there was not for every snake a total years ago. Our living reptiles are remnants of that period or from a period after the length available. dinosaurs were extinct. Except of the chameleons (there are only two) you can find all reptiles in the appen- Obviously it looks like reptiles are not as successful as mammals.
    [Show full text]
  • Effects of Artificial Ultraviolet Light Exposure on Reproductive Success of the Female Panther Chameleon (Furcifer Pardalis) In
    Zoo Biology 21:525–537 (2002) Effects of Artificial Ultraviolet Light Exposure on Reproductive Success of the Female Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) in Captivity Gary W. Ferguson,1n W.H. Gehrmann,1 T.C. Chen,2 E.S. Dierenfeld,3 and M.F. Holick2 1Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas 2Vitamin D, Skin, and Bone Laboratory, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 3Department of Wildlife Nutrition, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, New York Having previously documented experimentally the need for ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation (290–315 nm) in the light environment of captive female panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) to ensure hatching success of their eggs, we investigated optimal UVB irradiation levels. From 1996–1998 28 hatchling female panther chameleons were raised to maturity and bred (using vitamin and mineral- fortified insect diets low in vitamin D) in nine different artificial UVB light environments. Seven of the environments included long (12 hr/day) low irradia- tion exposures ranging from 1.7 to 22 mW/cm2 UVB, with a corresponding conversion of provitamin D3 to photoproducts in in vitro models of 0.18 to 1.52% in 2 hr. Two environments included short (0.5 and 1.0 hr/day), high irradiation exposures of 55 and 49 mW/cm2 UVB, respectively, with a corres- ponding conversion of provitamin D3 to photoproducts in in vitro models of 8.3% to 14.6% in the respective 0.5- and 1.0-hr time periods. Females raised with the mid-level long/low exposures (5–15 mW/cm2 UVB; 0.52–1.32% conversion to photoproducts in in vitro models) produced viable eggs with a significantly higher percentage of hatching compared to those with the extreme (highest or lowest) long/low exposures.
    [Show full text]
  • 29 | Vertebrates 791 29 | VERTEBRATES
    Chapter 29 | Vertebrates 791 29 | VERTEBRATES Figure 29.1 Examples of critically endangered vertebrate species include (a) the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris), (b) the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei), and (c) the Philippine eagle (Pithecophega jefferyi). (credit a: modification of work by Dave Pape; credit b: modification of work by Dave Proffer; credit c: modification of work by "cuatrok77"/Flickr) Chapter Outline 29.1: Chordates 29.2: Fishes 29.3: AmphiBians 29.4: Reptiles 29.5: Birds 29.6: Mammals 29.7: The Evolution of Primates Introduction Vertebrates are among the most recognizable organisms of the animal kingdom. More than 62,000 vertebrate species have been identified. The vertebrate species now living represent only a small portion of the vertebrates that have existed. The best-known extinct vertebrates are the dinosaurs, a unique group of reptiles, which reached sizes not seen before or after in terrestrial animals. They were the dominant terrestrial animals for 150 million years, until they died out in a mass extinction near the end of the Cretaceous period. Although it is not known with certainty what caused their extinction, a great deal is known about the anatomy of the dinosaurs, given the preservation of skeletal elements in the fossil record. Currently, a number of vertebrate species face extinction primarily due to habitat loss and pollution. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, more than 6,000 vertebrate species are classified as threatened. Amphibians and mammals are the classes with the greatest percentage of threatened species, with 29 percent of all amphibians and 21 percent of all mammals classified as threatened.
    [Show full text]
  • Potential Invasion Risk of Pet Traded Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles, And
    diversity Article Potential Invasion Risk of Pet Traded Lizards, Snakes, Crocodiles, and Tuatara in the EU on the Basis of a Risk Assessment Model (RAM) and Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) OldˇrichKopeck˛ *, Anna Bílková, Veronika Hamatová, Dominika K ˇnazovická, Lucie Konrádová, Barbora Kunzová, Jana Slamˇeníková, OndˇrejSlanina, Tereza Šmídová and Tereza Zemancová Department of Zoology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kam˛cká 129, Praha 6 - Suchdol 165 21, Prague, Czech Republic; [email protected] (A.B.); [email protected] (V.H.); [email protected] (D.K.); [email protected] (L.K.); [email protected] (J.S.); [email protected] (B.K.); [email protected] (O.S.); [email protected] (T.S.); [email protected] (T.Z.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +420-22438-2955 !"#!$%&'(! Received: 30 June 2019; Accepted: 9 September 2019; Published: 13 September 2019 !"#$%&' Abstract: Because biological invasions can cause many negative impacts, accurate predictions are necessary for implementing e↵ective restrictions aimed at specific high-risk taxa. The pet trade in recent years became the most important pathway for the introduction of non-indigenous species of reptiles worldwide. Therefore, we decided to determine the most common species of lizards, snakes, and crocodiles traded as pets on the basis of market surveys in the Czech Republic, which is an export hub for ornamental animals in the European Union (EU). Subsequently, the establishment and invasion potential for the entire EU was determined for 308 species using proven risk assessment models (RAM, AS-ISK). Species with high establishment potential (determined by RAM) and at the same time with high potential to significantly harm native ecosystems (determined by AS-ISK) included the snakes Thamnophis sirtalis (Colubridae), Morelia spilota (Pythonidae) and also the lizards Tiliqua scincoides (Scincidae) and Intellagama lesueurii (Agamidae).
    [Show full text]