DOCSLIB.ORG

Redalyc.Contribuciones Al Estudiode Los Anfibios Y Reptiles De

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Redalyc.Contribuciones Al Estudiode Los Anfibios Y Reptiles De Ciencia Ergo Sum ISSN: 1405-0269 [email protected] Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México México Casas Andreu, Gustavo Contribuciones al estudiode los anfibios y reptiles de Méxicodurante el siglo XVIII y la Ilustración Ciencia Ergo Sum, vol. 15, núm. 1, marzo-junio, 2008, pp. 101-107 Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México Toluca, México Disponible en: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=10415112 Cómo citar el artículo Número completo Sistema de Información Científica Más información del artículo Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina, el Caribe, España y Portugal Página de la revista en redalyc.org Proyecto académico sin fines de lucro, desarrollado bajo la iniciativa de acceso abierto Contribuciones al estudio de los anfibios y reptiles de México durante el siglo XVIII y la Ilustración Recepción: 30 de noviembre de 2007 Aceptación: 21 de diciembre de 2007 Gustavo Casas Andreu* *Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Correo electrónico: [email protected] Resumen: Las bases de la herpetología moderna en general se establecieron en el siglo XVIII, particularmente durante la Ilustración y quienes hicieron la mayor contribución fueron fundamentalmente los naturalistas franceses. No obstante, en México se hicieron varias publicaciones de cierto relieve, en especial por los misioneros jesuitas y otros estudiosos de la Nueva España. Es interesante mencionar que aun con la trascendencia de Linneo para la biología moderna, algunos historiadores de los anfibios y los reptiles señalan que por lo menos para la herpetofauna de México existió una importante regresión, ya que era mucho mayor el conocimiento que había dejado Francisco Hernández en el siglo XVI. Las contribuciones de los autores de la escuela francesa como Buffon y quienes lo sucedieron como Lacepéde y Daudin, fueron los grandes pilares de la herpetología o estudios de los anfibios y los reptiles de la manera en que la conocemos en la actualidad. Las bases establecidas en el siglo XVIII sirvieron para que con la apertura de México al mundo a partir de su independencia, se entrara en una de las etapas de mayor relevancia para la herpetología del país. Palabras clave: historia, anfibios, reptiles, la ilustración, México. Contributions to the Study of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Mexico During the XVIII Century and the Enlightenment Abstract. There is no doubt that the foundations of modern herpetology, were established in the 18th century, particularly during the Enlightenment, which were mainly French naturalist who made the biggest contributions. Nevertheless, in Mexico there have been several prominent publications by the Jesuit missionaries and other scholars of New Spain. It is interesting to note that even though the influence of Linnaeus to modern biology, some historians indicate that at least for the herpetofauna in Mexico there was a significant decline compared to the work made previously by Francisco Hernandez in the 16th century. The foundation established by the 18th century served for the opening of Mexico to the world after its independence, is entering into a stage of greater relevance to herpetology in the country. Key words: history, amphibians, reptiles, the enlightenment, Mexico. Antecedentes grandes etapas: la primera, que es una cierta importancia sobre todo en México continuidad del siglo XVII entre 1700 y y por lo tanto, le denomina “primera Ilus- El siglo XVIII es un periodo de grandes 1750 y que también se llama el “periodo tración científica mexicana”, en la que los avances para la ciencia en México, según oscuro de la ciencia del siglo XVIII”; no hombres que la realizan, según este mis- Trabulse (1997) se pueden reconocer dos obstante, el mismo Trabulse le concede mo autor, tienen características de un tono CIENCIA ergo sum, Vol. 15-1, marzo- juniojulio 22 0 0 0 0 8 8. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, México. Pp. 101-107 101 peculiar, es decir, erudición, deseo de durante la Ilustración en la Nueva Es- la historia natural de la antigua reinterpretación y revaloramiento del pa- paña, ya que inicialmente algunos no California, publicada hace algunos años sado histórico y científico, búsqueda y crí- aceptaron el sistema propuesto por por la Universidad Nacional Autónoma tica de documentos científicos y gran in- Linneo, aunque finalmente el sistema se de México (Del Barco, 1988). Su obra quietud por el conocimiento científico impuso y con el mismo se sigue traba- presenta datos sobre las plantas, animales (Cfr. Trabulse, 1997). La segunda etapa jando hasta nuestros días. y minerales de la antigua California. y la más importante por los avances en el La contribución de Del Barco al co- conocimiento, es la comprendida entre 1. El siglo XVIII y la primera Ilus- nocimiento de los reptiles es limitada, 1750 y 1810. tración científica mexicana no obstante, es el primer trabajo en ese Es muy común que el inicio formal siglo y de los pocos en que se citan del conocimiento de las especies vege- En la primera mitad del siglo XVIII, pre- este tipo de animales. En el capítulo II tales y animales se sitúe a partir del Sis- vio al impacto de la Ilustración y des- habla sobre los insectos y reptiles, se- tema Naturae de Carlos Linneo (Linneo, pués de la magna obra de Francisco ñalando, para el caso de los reptiles, 1758 y 1766), no obstante, en América Hernández, concebida durante su viaje que: “hay víboras, culebras de varias ya se habían realizado varias expedi- a Nueva España entre 1570 y 1576 especies, salamanquesas, lagartos, ciones por parte de la corona española (Casas-Andreu, 2005), se realizaron po- lagartijas y camaleones”. que habían logrado avances en el co- cos avances significativos en el conoci- Señala que entre las víboras hay dos nocimiento de la flora y la fauna que miento de la flora y fauna de este lugar. especies, una con cascabel (crotalus) y otra hasta la actualidad han sido poco di- Solamente se llevaron a cabo algunas que no lo tiene y hace una interesante fundidos. obras, varias de ellas basadas en los ma- descripción de esas serpientes, de sus Existen diferentes autores europeos nuscritos del mismo Hernández, los cascabeles, aparato inoculador y de los que son de relevancia para la historia cuales fueron de profundo impacto en problemas de envenenamiento por del estudio de los anfibios y los reptiles el pensamiento europeo, inclusive hasta mordedura sobre los naturales de esa de México, que junto con algunos estu- bien entrado el siglo XVIII. región. Entre otros remedios para este diosos mexicanos de la Ilustración con- Como bien lo señala Trabulse (1997), envenenamiento menciona que se ha tribuyeron al avance de la herpetología en ese periodo la aportación de grupos utilizado el colmillo del caimán mexicana en ese interesante periodo. religiosos como la de los jesuitas mexi- (Crocodylus acutus), y aunque claramente Claramente y como lo señalan Smith canos al estudio de las ciencias natura- indica que estos últimos no existen en la y Smith (1973), la herpetología fue do- les es de importancia para determinar California, se pueden adquirir en la costa minada por los franceses y los alema- el nivel de conocimiento que había por de Nueva España en donde muchos nes desde fines del siglo XVIII, no obs- esos tiempos. llegan hasta el Río Fuerte y de ahí “para tante, hubo algunos desarrollos intere- Miguel Venegas, jesuita, en su obra el norte no se ven más estos terribles santes en hispanoamérica y particular- Noticia de la California, publicada en anfibios, ni los hay en los ríos Mayo y mente en México. Madrid en 1757, mencionó tanto a ani- Yaqui, ni en otra parte”, estableciendo Hacia fines de la década de los setenta males como a vegetales y minerales y desde entonces el límite norteño de los y principios de los ochenta, los en términos muy generales hizo refe- cocodrilos en la costa del Pacífico de naturalistas se encontraban divididos en rencia a los testáceos, entre los que se México, lo cual fue reconocido y esta- dos escuelas: los nomenclaturistas de encuentran los galápagos y tortugas, blecido hasta hace apenas algunos años Carlos Linneo, basada en el concepto ambos de mar (Venegas, 1757; Trabulse, por los biólogos modernos. del nombramiento de especies inmuta- 1997). En el capítulo X menciona a los bles creadas por la mano de Dios y Miguel del Barco, misionero jesuita, testáceos (tortugas) y dice que no teniendo como sustento a la nomencla- nacido en la provincia de Cáceres en existen sólo en el mar, sino también en tura binominal y por el otro lado la es- España el 13 de noviembre de 1706, la pozas de arroyos. Describe que hay cuela francesa de Georges Buffon, que vivió y laboró entre 1738 y 1768, en lo dos especies en el Golfo de California, consideraba la relación y modificación que se conoce como la antigua California una muy común y que es grande de las especies, además de rechazar el y desde luego sufrió la expulsión jesuítica (seguramente la tortuga negra, Chelonia uso de la nomenclatura binominal que se dio en América por órdenes de agassizi) y otra con concha de carey (Adler, 1989). Lo anterior tuvo ciertos Carlos III de España. Durante su exilio (conocida científicamente en la impactos en los científicos existentes en Bolonia, Italia, escribió su obra sobre actualidad como Eretmochelys imbricata). 102 CASAS-ANDREU, G. CONTRIBUCIONES AL ESTUDIO DE LOS ANFIBIOS Y REPTILES... 2. La Ilustración en México y en el de historia de su libro sobre herpetología sión de los anfibios y reptiles del mun- mundo hace el señalamiento de que en esa obra do, con la excepción de las tortugas, y se refirió a ellos de la manera siguiente la segunda describe los resultados de Ya en el último tercio de ese siglo (la (aunque con una traducción realizada cuidadosos experimentos para distinguir Ilustración) se sucedió una serie de even- por el autor de este artículo): a las especies venenosas de Austria.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Adder (Vipera Berus) in Southern Altay Mountains
    The adder (Vipera berus) in Southern Altay Mountains: population characteristics, distribution, morphology and phylogenetic position Shaopeng Cui1,2, Xiao Luo1,2, Daiqiang Chen1,2, Jizhou Sun3, Hongjun Chu4,5, Chunwang Li1,2 and Zhigang Jiang1,2 1 Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China 2 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China 3 Kanas National Nature Reserve, Buerjin, Urumqi, China 4 College of Resources and Environment Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, China 5 Altay Management Station, Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Altay, China ABSTRACT As the most widely distributed snake in Eurasia, the adder (Vipera berus) has been extensively investigated in Europe but poorly understood in Asia. The Southern Altay Mountains represent the adder's southern distribution limit in Central Asia, whereas its population status has never been assessed. We conducted, for the first time, field surveys for the adder at two areas of Southern Altay Mountains using a combination of line transects and random searches. We also described the morphological characteristics of the collected specimens and conducted analyses of external morphology and molecular phylogeny. The results showed that the adder distributed in both survey sites and we recorded a total of 34 sightings. In Kanas river valley, the estimated encounter rate over a total of 137 km transects was 0.15 ± 0.05 sightings/km. The occurrence of melanism was only 17%. The small size was typical for the adders in Southern Altay Mountains in contrast to other geographic populations of the nominate subspecies. A phylogenetic tree obtained by Bayesian Inference based on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial Submitted 21 April 2016 cytochrome b (1,023 bp) grouped them within the Northern clade of the species but Accepted 18 July 2016 failed to separate them from the subspecies V.
    [Show full text]
  • Cam15 Curic.Vp
    Coll. Antropol. 33 (2009) Suppl. 2: 93–98 Original scientific paper Snakebites in Mostar Region, Bosnia and Herzegovina Ivo Curi}1, Snje`ana Curi}2, Ivica Bradari}1, Pero Bubalo1, Helien Bebek-Ivankovi}1, Jadranka Nikoli}1, Ozren Pola{ek3 and Nikola Bradari}4 1 Department for Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina 2 Health Center Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 School of Public Health »Andrija [tampar«, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia 4 University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the snakebites in patients hospitalized at the Mostar Clinical Hos- pital, admitted between 1983 and 2006. A total of 341 patients were recorded, with moderate men predominance (52.8%). Majority of patients were bitten for the first time (99.1%). In 98.8% of patients snakebite occurred to the bare skin, most commonly during June to September period (64.2%). Snakebites were the commonest in agricultural workers (48.1%). Until 2003 all admitted patients were treated according to Russel’s scheme (3-anti). As of 2003 new treatment scheme was applied, resulting in the reduction of antidote and supportive treatment use, causing a reduction in the number of clinically apparent allergic reactions. Serum sickness was recorded in only 2 patients, while lethal outcome was recorded in one (0.3%). Overall results indicate that lethality of snakebite is low, and that patients were often administered treat- ment without medical indication. High number of tourists as well as the presence of the peace keeping troops and other visiting personnel in this region make the snakebites and awareness on snakes not only a local issue, but also more gen- eral concern.
    [Show full text]
  • An Unusual Feeding Attempt by a European Asp, Vipera Aspis (Linnaeus, 1758), on a Western Green Lizard, Lacerta Bilineata Daudin, 1802, in Calabria (Southern Italy)
    Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 563-565 (2021) (published online on 21 March 2021) Eat until bursting: an unusual feeding attempt by a European Asp, Vipera aspis (Linnaeus, 1758), on a Western Green Lizard, Lacerta bilineata Daudin, 1802, in Calabria (Southern Italy) Agostino Brusco1, Roberto Marchianò1, Gianni Giglio2, Gianluca Piovesan3, and Emilio Sperone2,* Feeding habits represent a key element of snake generally consists of small mammals (in particular ecology, with foraging modes (ambush vs. active rodents and shrews) and, to a lower proportion, of foraging) often being correlated with a range of amphibians, lizards, or small birds (Luiselli and morphological, physiological, and behavioural traits Agrimi, 1991; Saviozzi and Zuffi, 1997; Kowalewski (Glaudas et al., 2019). In particular, many snakes can and Profus, 2007). These observed differences in diet ingest large prey, which may exceed their own body composition are likely correlated with the availability mass (Gavira and Andrade, 2013; Gavira et al., 2015; of potential prey. Siers et al., 2018). Some species ingest meals weighing The observation we report herein was made on 21 20–60% of their own body mass, or even more (Greene, October 2019 during a monitoring activity in the 1983; Secor and Diamond, 1998). The digestion of “Foce del Fiume Crati” Nature Reserve in Calabria, large prey is metabolically and aerobically costly, and southern Italy (39.7130°N, 16.5102°E). The sighting the fast increase in mass and alteration of the body form took place in an area characterized by the presence of of a snake caused by a large prey bolus may precipitate lowland temperate wet forest vegetation, the so-called behavioural changes.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Protection of Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus
    STATUS AND PROTECTION OF GLOBALLY THREATENED SPECIES IN THE CAUCASUS CEPF Biodiversity Investments in the Caucasus Hotspot 2004-2009 Edited by Nugzar Zazanashvili and David Mallon Tbilisi 2009 The contents of this book do not necessarily re ect the views or policies of CEPF, WWF, or their sponsoring organizations. Neither the CEPF, WWF nor any other entities thereof, assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed in this book. Citation: Zazanashvili, N. and Mallon, D. (Editors) 2009. Status and Protection of Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus. Tbilisi: CEPF, WWF. Contour Ltd., 232 pp. ISBN 978-9941-0-2203-6 Design and printing Contour Ltd. 8, Kargareteli st., 0164 Tbilisi, Georgia December 2009 The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. This book shows the effort of the Caucasus NGOs, experts, scienti c institutions and governmental agencies for conserving globally threatened species in the Caucasus: CEPF investments in the region made it possible for the rst time to carry out simultaneous assessments of species’ populations at national and regional scales, setting up strategies and developing action plans for their survival, as well as implementation of some urgent conservation measures. Contents Foreword 7 Acknowledgments 8 Introduction CEPF Investment in the Caucasus Hotspot A. W. Tordoff, N. Zazanashvili, M. Bitsadze, K. Manvelyan, E. Askerov, V. Krever, S. Kalem, B. Avcioglu, S. Galstyan and R. Mnatsekanov 9 The Caucasus Hotspot N.
    [Show full text]
  • Another Population of Vìpera Ursinii Macrops MÉHELY, 1911 in Montenegro (Central Balkans) (Squamata: Serpentes: Viperidae)
    ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at HERPETOZOA 14 (3/4): 137-141 137 Wien, 28. Februar 2002 Another population of Vìpera ursinii macrops MÉHELY, 1911 in Montenegro (Central Balkans) (Squamata: Serpentes: Viperidae) Eine weitere Population von Vipera ursinii macrops MÉHELY, 1911 in Montenegro (Zentral-Balkan) (Squamata: Serpentes: Viperidae) JELKA CRNOBRNJA-ISAILOVIC KURZFASSUNG Die Gebirgs-Unterart der Wiesenotter, Vìpera ursinii macrops MÉHELY, 1911, wurde kürzlich auf dem Berg Bjelasica in Montenegro nachgewiesen. Dieser Fund schließt die Beobachtungslücke zwischen den Populationen im Durmitor- und Prokletije-Gebirge. ABSTRACT The montane subspecies of the Meadow Viper Vìpera ursinii macrops MÉHELY, 1911 has been recently found on Bjelasica Mountain (Montenegro). This record bridges the observational gap between the populations living in the Durmitor and Prokletije Mountains. KEY WORDS Squamata: Serpentes: Viperidae: Vìpera ursinii macrops, new record, Bjelasica Mountain, Montenegro INTRODUCTION The Meadow Viper Vipera ursinii paring to neighbouring Bosnia and Herze- (BONAPARTE, 1833), is discontinuously dis- govina (BOLKAY & CURCIC 1920; BOLKAY tributed in Europe, with a number of sub- 1924). Concerning Montenegro, DZUKIC species described (NILSON & ANDREN 1997). (1991) confirmed the snake's presence in its Alpine and subalpine dry meadows and north-western and south-eastern parts (table mountain pastures of the Balkan Peninsula 1, fig. 1). In Serbia, V. ursinii macrops was (Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, found in the south-western, as well as south- northern Albania, western Macedonia) ernmost mountainous areas (SCHWARZ 1936; above 1000 m altitude provide the habitats KARAMAN 1938; PASULJEVIC 1968; table 1, of the subspecies V. u. macrops MÉHELY, fig. 1).
    [Show full text]
  • The Secret Life of the Adder (Vipera Berus) Revealed Through Telemetry
    The Glasgow Naturalist (2018) Volume 27, Supplement. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Scotland The secret life of the adder (Vipera berus) revealed through telemetry N. Hand Central Ecology, 45 Albert Road, Ledbury HR8 2DN E-mail: [email protected] INTRODUCTION 4. The data inform landscape management I have radio-tracked the movements of European beneficial to snakes. adder (Vipera berus) populations on six sites in central and southern England since 2010, using RESULTS telemetry of tagged snakes (Fig. 1A). During eight I first tested whether externally attached telemetry years of tracking projects, 75 snakes have been tags would affect snake behaviour. In 2010 a tag was successfully fitted with external tags and their tested on an adult male for 15 days and activity movements mapped. monitored. In this time the adder was observed basking and moving as expected, with the tag not impeding progress. Tagged snakes have subsequently been recorded in combat, courtship, copulation, basking, and exhibiting evidence of prey ingestion (Fig. 2). Fig. 1. Telemetry tags used to monitor the movements of adders (Vipera berus). Position of a tag on an adult female (A). Tags are fitted with surgical tape low down the body, avoiding the widest body area. The tape does not go entirely around the body but only a small section applied to the flank. Tags are typically sloughed off on cast skin and Fig. 2. Adder (Vipera berus) behaviour was unaffected by retrieved whilst still transmitting (B). (Photos: N. Hand) telemetry tags. A number of tagged snakes have been observed having caught and ingested prey items (A).
    [Show full text]
  • A Mitochondrial DNA Phylogeny of the Endangered Vipers of the Vipera
    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 62 (2012) 1019–1024 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Short Communication A mitochondrial DNA phylogeny of the endangered vipers of the Vipera ursinii complex ⇑ Václav Gvozˇdík a,b, , David Jandzik c,d, Bogdan Cordos e, Ivan Rehák f, Petr Kotlík a a Department of Vertebrate Evolutionary Biology and Genetics, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 277 21 Libeˇchov, Czech Republic b Department of Zoology, National Museum, Cirkusová 1740, 193 00 Prague, Czech Republic c Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynska dolina B-1, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia d Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (EBIO), University of Colorado, Ramaley N122, Campus Box 334, Boulder, CO 80309-0334, USA e Gabor Aron 16, Targu-Mures 4300, Romania f ZOO Prague, U Trojského Zámku 3, Troja, 171 00 Prague, Czech Republic article info abstract Article history: The last two populations of the Hungarian meadow viper Vipera ursinii rakosiensis were thought to persist Received 23 June 2011 in the steppe fragments of Hungary until meadow vipers were discovered in central Romania (Transyl- Revised 24 November 2011 vania), suggesting a possible existence of remnant populations elsewhere. We assessed the phylogenetic Accepted 1 December 2011 position of the Transylvanian vipers using 2030 bp of mitochondrial DNA sequence. We showed that they Available online 11 December 2011 were closely related to the Hungarian vipers, while those from northeastern Romania (Moldavia) and Danube Delta belonged to the subspecies Vipera ursinii moldavica.
    [Show full text]
  • Vipers Display High Sub Specific Diversity in the Balkans, with Two
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 8(3):764−770. HSuebrpmeittotelodg: i3c0a lM Caoyn s2e0r1v3at;i Aonc caenpdt eBdi:o 6lo Sgey ptember 2013; Published: 31 December 2013. LegaL StatuS and aSSeSSment of ConServation threatS to viperS (r eptiLia : S quamata : v iperidae ) of the WeStern and CentraL BaLkanS Dušan Jelić 1, R astko aJtić 2, B ogolJuB steRiJovski 3, J elka CRnoBRnJa -i sailović 4,5 , s uvaD lelo 6, anD lJilJana tomović 5,7 1Croatian Institute for Biodiversity, Croatian Herpetological Society, I. Breznička 5a, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia, e-mail: [email protected] 2Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, Dr Ivana Ribara 91, 11070 Belgrade, Serbia 3Macedonian Ecological Society – Herpetology Biodiversity Section, Blvd. “Kuzman Josifovski-Pitu” 28/3-7 1000 Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 4Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18000 Niš, Serbia 5Institute for Biological Research “S. Stanković” University of Belgrade, Blvd. Despota Stefana 142, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia 6Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Zmaja od Bosne 35, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 7Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia abstract. —vipers display high specific and sub-specific diversity in the Balkans, but available atlases and red data books provide no precise data about legal status and conservation threats. the three viper species in the Balkans share several conservation problems: lack of systematic study and public interest, “historical and political burdens,” lack of knowledge, superstitions and fear among people, increasing urbanization, habitat destruction, illegal collection, as well as lack of adequate (or no) legislation at the country level.
    [Show full text]
  • (Vipera Ursinii) Is
    Aspects of the ecology and conservation of the Meadow Viper, Vipera ursinii, in the Duchessa Mountains Natural Park (Latium, central Italy) ERNESTO FILIPPP and LUCA LUISELLI2 1F.1.Z.V, via Gabrio Casati 46, 1-00139 Rome, Italy. E-mail: ernestojilippi@tiwit 2F.1.Z.V, via Olona 7, 1-00198 Roma, Italy. E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT — The population of Meadow Vipers (Vipera ursinii) living in the Duchessa Mountains Natural Park (Latium, central Italy) was studied from June to September 2000 and 2002. In this area the vipers were not homogenously distributed over the whole territory, but occurred just at a few places. Most of the specimens were observed inside or around (within 5 m) Juniperus bushes, and some specimens also in open grass. There was a clear preference for bushes of large size (i.e. those > 6 m diameter). Meadow Vipers are apparently rare in the territory surveyed, where they coexist with Vipera aspis and Coronella austriaca. Females were significantly larger than males, and the sex-ratio was close to equality. The main conservation issues affecting V ursinii in this area are the intentional killing of snakes by people, over-grazing, and also the likely over-population of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). HE Meadow Viper (Vipera ursinii) is one of MATERIALS AND METHODS Tthe most threatened snake species in Italy All data were gathered inside the territory of (Filippi & Luiselli, 2000a). It has a scattered Duchessa Mountains Natural Park, province of distribution in some Apennine massifs (Bruno & Rieti (Latium). Detailed data on the status and Maugeri, 1979; Capula & Luiselli, 1992), and in distribution of V ursinii in this territory are Latium it occurs in just two mountain ranges presented elsewhere (Filippi & Luiselli, 2000b).
    [Show full text]
  • The Reptile Fauna of the Gambia, West Africa
    RESEARCH ARTICLES The reptile fauna of The Gambia, West Africa CRAIG EMMS1, MALANG DK JAMBANG1, OUSMAN BAHL1, BINTA MANKALI1, LUC PAZIAUD2 and LINDA BARNETT3* 1 Makasutu Wildlife Trust, Darwin Field Station, Abuko Nature Reserve, The Gambia 2 Gambia Reptile Farm, Kartong, The Gambia 3 Institute of Education, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K. [*address for correspondence: Froglife, 9 Swan Court, Cygnet Park, Peterborough PE7 8GX, U.K.] ETWEEN March 1999 and July 2005 CE and much larger country of Senegal surrounds it to the BLB surveyed the amphibians and reptiles of north, east and south (see Figure 1). The local The Gambia by undertaking a survey of the marine climate is characterized by a long dry season from turtles: Barnett et al. (2004), and by using drift mid-October to early June, followed by a short fences in 2000, 2002 and 2004/5. The results of the rainy season from mid-June through to early amphibian survey have been published in Emms et October. July and September are the hottest al. (2005). In 2003 staff from Makasutu Wildlife months of the year when average daytime Trust (MWT) and members of the British Army temperatures climb to around 30°C. The coolest Ornithological Society (BAOS) surveyed the part of the year is from December to mid- River Gambia during ‘Exercise Night Heron’ February, with average daytime temperatures of identifying and counting the aquatic reptiles 24°C. Average rainfall per year is 1020 mm, but (Barnett & Emms, 2005a). In addition MWT and this is not evenly spread throughout the country the government Department for Parks and Wildlife with the western half of the country receiving up Management (DPWM), Luc Paziaud of the to 1,700 mm while in the east it may be as low as Gambia Reptile Farm based in Kartong, and 800 mm.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison of Preclinical Properties of Several Available Antivenoms in the Search for Effective Treatment of Vipera Ammodytes and Vipera Berus Envenoming
    toxins Article Comparison of Preclinical Properties of Several Available Antivenoms in the Search for Effective Treatment of Vipera ammodytes and Vipera berus Envenoming Tihana Kurtovi´c 1,2,*,† , Maja Lang Balija 1,2,†, Miran Brvar 3,4, Mojca Dobaja Borak 3, Sanja Mateljak Lukaˇcevi´c 1,2 and Beata Halassy 1,2,* 1 Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer in Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, Rockefellerova 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; [email protected] (M.L.B.); [email protected] (S.M.L.) 2 Centre of Excellence for Virus Immunology and Vaccines, CERVirVac, Rockefellerova 10, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia 3 Centre for Clinical Toxicology and Pharmacology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška Cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; [email protected] (M.B.); [email protected] (M.D.B.) 4 Centre for Clinical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška Cesta 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia * Correspondence: [email protected] (T.K.); [email protected] (B.H.) † Equal contribution. Abstract: Snakebites are a relatively rare medical emergency in Europe. In more than half of the annual cases caused by Vipera ammodytes, Vipera berus, and Vipera aspis, immunotherapy with animal- derived antivenom is indicated. Among eight products recently identified as available against European medically relevant species, only Zagreb antivenom, Viperfav, and ViperaTAb have been 0 used almost exclusively for decades. Zagreb antivenom comprises V. ammodytes-specific F(ab )2 Citation: Kurtovi´c,T.; Lang Balija, 0 fragments. Viperfav is a polyspecific preparation based on F(ab )2 fragments against V. aspis, V. berus, M.; Brvar, M.; Dobaja Borak, M.; and V. ammodytes venoms.
    [Show full text]
  • In Southern Norway Determined from Prey Remains and Video Recordings
    Ornis Fennica 84:97–104. 2007 Diet of Common Buzzards (Buteo buteo) in southern Norway determined from prey remains and video recordings Vidar Selås, Reidar Tveiten & Ole Martin Aanonsen Selås, V., Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian Uni- versity of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway. [email protected] (*Corresponding author) Tveiten, R., Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian Uni- versity of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway Aanonsen, O.M., Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwe- gian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway Received 8 September 2006, revised 21 December 2006, accepted 8 February 2007 We examined the diet of six breeding Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) pairs in southern Norway, by analysing pellets and prey remains collected around and in nests, and by video recording prey delivery at the nests. Mammals, birds and reptiles were the major prey groups. Amphibians were underestimated when identified from pellets and prey remains compared to video recording, while birds >120 g were overestimated. Selection of avian prey was studied by comparing the proportions of different weight groups of birds among prey with their proportions in the bird community, as estimated by point counts around each nest. Common Buzzards selectively preyed upon medium-sized birds and neglected many of the numerous small passerines. 1. Introduction remains and regurgitated pellets (e.g. Spidsø & Selås 1988, Mañosa & Cordero 1992, Graham et The majority of studies on the diet of Common al. 1995, Reif et al.
    [Show full text]