DOCSLIB.ORG

Herpetological Journal FULL PAPER

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Herpetological Journal FULL PAPER Volume 26 (April 2016), 149–155 FULL PAPER Herpetological Journal Published by the British Chemical discrimination of sympatric snakes by the Herpetological Society mountain lizard Iberolacerta galani (Squamata: Lacertidae) Abraham Mencía, Zaida Ortega & Valentín Pérez-Mellado Department of Animal Biology, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007, Salamanca, Spain We conducted an experiment on chemical discrimination of two saurophagous snakes (the smooth snake,Coronella austriaca and the Seoane's viper, Vipera seoanei) as well as the aquatic Natrix maura, by the mountain lizard Iberolacerta galani. Using terraria, 24 lizards were exposed to scents by the three snakes as well as an odourless control. We quantified fourteen behavioural variables, twelve of which significantly differed among treatments. Lizards are able to recognise the scents of both predatory snakes, and react to them with intense antipredatory responses. The antipredatory behaviour found inI. galani was similar for the scents of the two different predatory snakes, despite differences in their foraging behaviour. The behaviour displayed by lizards confronted with chemical cues suggests an adaptation to minimise the likelihood of being attacked. Key words: antipredatory behaviour, chemoreception, Iberolacerta galani, Lacertidae, Reptiles, Squamata and benefits of reacting to different visually detectable INTRODUCTION attacks (Martín et al., 2009a). Moreover, I. cyreni is able to flexibly respond to attacks from terrestrial predators he hunting efficiency of predators goes hand in hand that differ in intensity, suggesting that it can adjust its Twith the efficiency of antipredatory behaviours of behaviour according to the costs associated with the prey (Vermeij, 1994). Recognising predators through perceived risk of predation (Martín et al., 2009b). chemoreception is common in vertebrates (fish: Helfman, In this study, we used the León rock lizard, I. galani 1989; Hirvonen et al., 2000; amphibians: Semlitsch from isolated high mountain habitats as a model & Gavasso, 1992; birds: Roth et al., 2008; mammals: organism. The population under study co-occurs with Apfelbach et al., 2005; reptiles: Cooper, 1990; Dial & two terrestrial predators: the smooth snake (Coronella Schwenk, 1996; Downs & Shine, 1998; Van Damme & austriaca) and the Seoane´s viper (Vipera seoanei), as well Quick, 2001; Labra & Niemeyer, 2004; see also Kats & as the aquatic snakeNatrix maura. Coronella austriaca is Dill, 1998 for a review), and the responsiveness of prey a saurophagous species which uses mixed strategies of is linked to the relationship with the predator (threat- ambush behaviour and active foraging (Goddard, 1984; sensitivity hypothesis: Helfman, 1989). Galán, 1998), while V. seoanei is mainly an ambush Reptiles have highly developed mechanisms of predator and a generalist forager that includes lizards chemical communication, and offer a unique opportunity in its diet (Saint-Girons, 1983; Braña, 1998a). Coronella to study antipredatory behaviour based on chemical austriaca is a non-venomous constrictor species, while V. stimuli (Schwenk, 1995). Lizards use chemoreception to seoanei is venomous. Natrix maura uses mixed foraging locate food (Cooper, 1994), in social interactions (Verbeek, strategies and mainly feeds on invertebrates, amphibian 1972), and to identify potential predators (Thoen et al., larvae and fish (Hailey & Davies, 1986; Braña, 1998b). We 1986; Dial et al., 1989; Cooper, 1990; Webb et al., 2009). establish whether I. galani is able to identify chemical Many reptiles show specific antipredatory behaviours in cues from snake predators, describe the response of response to chemical cues that prevent potential attacks lizards to chemical cues from predators, and describe (Kats & Dill, 1998; Mason & Parker, 2010). differences in antipredatory responses. Our hypothesis is It is well-established that lizards behave distinctly that I. galani is able to recognise the scent of its predators when presented with odours of potential predators and react to them with antipredatory responses (Thoen (Thoen et al., 1986; Van Damme et al., 1990, 1995; Van et al., 1986). The expected antipredatory response would Damme & Castilla, 1996; Van Damme & Quick, 2001). include a decrease of lizard movement, combined with a In the case of the genus Iberolacerta, I. cyreni is able high rate of tongue-flicks, tail waving and other jerking to assess the risk of predation and to balance the costs movements. Correspondence: Abraham Mencía ([email protected]) 149 A. Mencía et al. MATERIALS AND METHODS absorbent paper on the floor to retain the odour of each treatment. The control terrarium had the floor covered Study species with clean absorbent paper. In the three experimental The León rock lizard, I. galani, is a recently described terraria, a snake was introduced 24 hours before trials. lacertid lizard endemic to North-Western Spain (Arribas et The terraria were closed with transparent plastic covers. al., 2006). It inhabits rocky substrates above the tree line The snakes were removed from their terraria two minutes (>1400 m), and is an insectivorous species (unpublished before a trial and re-introduced after the trial. Each data). The ecology of I. galani is mainly unknown. lizard was subjected once to each treatment following a random order of permutations (4!=24 permutations), Maintenance and experimental procedures resulting in 96 trials (24 lizards x 4 treatments). Each On 31 May 2012, 24 adult lizards were collected by lizard was tested once a day within the normal activity noosing (X±SE, SVL=65.0±1.69 mm) at the Natural period (0900 to 1700 hours). Monument "Lago de La Baña" (León province, Spain). For The test room was dark and only the terrarium was transport to the laboratory, lizards were kept in individual illuminated by a 75 W bulb 50 cm above it. A temperature cloth bags placed inside individual terraria. To obtain of 30°C was maintained in the terrarium, which is within the scents of snakes, adult individuals of C. austriaca, V. the set-point range of preferred body temperatures of I. seoanei and N. maura were captured in the same area and galani (unpublished data). To avoid a potential decrease on the same day. Snakes were transported in a different in the scent concentration, we closed the terrarium vehicle than lizards in order to avoid any odour mixture. with a transparent cover when the lizard was placed The experiments were performed during the first week inside it, and recorded its behaviour over 15 minutes. of June 2012. Lizards were kept in individual terraria (40 All terraria were marked in six sectors of equal surface x 25 x 30 cm) with a substrate of artificial grass, and fed in order to count the number of times the lizard moved daily with crickets and Tenebrio molitor larvae; water was from one sector to another. Two observers were placed provided ad libitum. Snakes were housed in separate two metres from the terrarium opposite eachother. One terraria (50 x 30 x 30 cm) with a substrate of artificial observer recorded with binoculars the number of tongue grass and water ad libitum. To avoid odour mixture, flicks and antipredatory variables. The second observer snake terraria were placed in different rooms. recorded the number of movements and changes among Our experimental protocol was similar to those sectors. At the conclusion of the study (6 days), animals previously employed with geckos (Dial & Schwenk, 1996; were released at their capture sites. Downes & Shine, 1998; Webb et al., 2009) and lacertid lizards (Thoen et al., 1986; Van Damme et al., 1995; Van Behavioural observations Damme & Quick, 2001). We used an empty odourless We started to record a lizard’s behaviour five seconds terrarium as a control, and three terraria for treatments: after placing it in the centre of the experimental one with the odour from N. maura, and two terraria terrarium. The duration of each trial was 15 minutes. with odour cues from C. austriaca and V. seoanei. In all Fourteen behavioural variables were recorded: (i) Walk: four experimental terraria (60 x 40 x 40 cm) we placed the lizard walks normally, (ii) Change among sectors: the Table 1. Mean±SE of each behaviour and results from Friedman’s Test (Chi-squared values and p-values; n=24, df=3) for the 4 experimental treatments (Control, Natrix, Coronella and Vipera). 1 Significant differences are marked with *. Mean±SE (n=24) Friedman’s Friedman’s Behaviours Control Natrix Coronella Vipera Chi-squared p-value1 (i) Walk 74.5±9.72 75.29±7.76 1.91±0.63 0.12±0.12 62.16 <0.0001* (ii) Ch. among s. 20.88±2.73 21.92±2.57 5.79 ±1.59 3.46±0.61 48.71 <0.0001* (ii) Slow 0 0 12.42±2.18 14.79±2.23 64.82 <0.0001* (iv) Tongue-Flick 194.6±18.93 212.10±13.34 155.4±21.61 189.20±24.7 5.18 0.159 (v) Snout 29.83±4.69 27.88±3.28 4.12±1.22 3.25±0.84 53.08 <0.0001* (vi) Rubbing 70.08±10.43 68.04±8.92 4.58±1.51 2.87±1.17 61.06 <0.0001* (vii) Stand and s. 5.12±1.5 6.71±1.28 0.67±0.32 0.25±0.18 39.71 <0.0001* (viii) Head bob 0.17±0.13 0.12±0.69 6.54±1.42 8.87±1.82 46.94 <0.0001* (ix) Foot shake 2.46±1.42 2.15±0.77 9.67±2.45 14.96±4.76 17.98 0.0004* (x) Head raise 5.79±1.03 5.83±1.09 1.46±0.51 0.96±0.39 32.67 <0.0001* (xi) Tail waving 0 0.04±0.04 7.41±3.15 14.71±4.07 41.89 <0.0001* (xii) Walk time 231.50±32.43 227.7±22.65 5.12±1.76 0.12±0.12 62.71 <0.0001* (xiii) Slow time 0 0 161.4±31.45 221.7±31.95 65.39 <0.0001* (xiv) No move 662.2±32.64 668.2±23.32 738.9±31.54 678.6±31.94 7 0.072 150 Response of mountain lizards to snakes moves its head up and down, (xii) Walk time: total time the lizard moves normally, (xiii) Slow time: total time the lizard moves in slow motion, and (xiv) No move: total time the lizard stays immobile.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Changing Face of the Genus Vipera I 145
    The changing face of the genus Vipera I 145 THE CHANGING FACE OF THE GENUS VIPERA By: Twan Leenders, Prof. Bromstraat 59, 6525 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Contents: Introduction - Systematic review - Characteristics of the different groups: Pelias­ group - Rhinaspis-group - Xanthina-complex - Lebetina-group - Russelli-group - Pseudoce­ rastes persicus - Literature - Note added in proof English correction by Chris Mattison. * * * INTRODUCTION The systematic division of the genus Vipera changes almost constantly. Not only because of the description of several new species, but also because our understanding of the interspecific relationships improves. Sometimes a certain species is thought to be more closely related to another than it was previously, and is granted the subspecies-status but it can also happen the other way around, when a subspecies is granted the species-status. Nowadays, advanced techniques are being used to establish or rule out kinship. Originally the division of the animal kingdom was entirely based on external characteris­ tics. Later this was combined with internal anatomic characteristics such as hemipenis structure or skeletal features. Currently, relationships are, together with the characteris­ tics already mentioned established by analysis of chromosomes or the chemical composition of venom or tissue. Because it is very hard to know with any certainty what the relationship between species is and how their evolutionary development occurred, any scientist who is working on the subject has his ( or her) own ideas regarding the 'real' development. In systematics (= biological science which is dedicated to the relationship between organisms and their taxonomic placement) two important directions exist: the so-called 'splitters' and 'lumpers'.
    [Show full text]
  • Iberolacerta Cyreni [Müller & Hellmich, 1937]
    Bonn zoological Bulletin Volume 57 Issue 2 pp. 197–210 Bonn, November 2010 Intraspecific variability of the Carpetane Lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni [Müller & Hellmich, 1937]) (Squamata: Lacertidae), with special reference to the unstudied peripheral populations from the Sierras de Avila (Paramera, Serrota and Villafranca) Oscar J. Arribas Avda. Fco. Cambó 23; E-08003 Barcelona, Spain; E-Mail: [email protected] Abstract. Canonical Discriminant (CDA), ANOVA and ANOSIM analyses were calculated for all recently known dis- tribution areas of Iberolacerta cyreni including several small and unstudied peripheral populations. The only differenti- ated sample is Guadarrama (the nominate subspecies), with very limited overlap in the CDA (correct classification > 70%) and different from nearly all the other samples in ANOSIM. Guadarrama is a recently differentiated but well diagnos- able (morpho)subspecies (with lower values of dorsalia, ventralia and greater values of circumanalia). Despite the mtD- NA differences of the Béjar specimens, their morphology is largely equivalent to that of I. cyreni castiliana (Gredos), but clearly differ in their female body elongation (near 1 cm) with shorter limbs, a possible strategy to increase clutch size. Populations from the Sierras de Avila (Villafranca, Serrota and Paramera) are very similar among them. Villafran- ca (in males) together with Béjar (in females) are the most connected samples in MST, and the root of the species dif- ferentiation from a morphological point of view, once discarded geographical and climatic influence on morphology. All populations except Guadarrama shall be considered as I. c. castiliana by their morphological identity with Gredos. These morphological similarities probably are the reflect of extensive gene flow among them, responsible of maintaining their morphology largely equivalent.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case of Tail Autophagy in a Male of the Iberian Rock Lizard, Iberolacerta Monticola
    SALAMANDRA 52(2) 215–216 30 June 2016 ISSNCorrespondence 0036–3375 Correspondence A case of tail autophagy in a male of the Iberian rock lizard, Iberolacerta monticola Maider Iglesias-Carrasco1,2 & Carlos Cabido1 1) Department of Herpetology, Aranzadi Society of Sciences. Alto de Zorroaga 11, 20014. Donostia – San Sebastián, Spain 2) Department of Evolutionary Ecology. National Museum of Natural Sciences – Spanish Research Council (MNCN-CSIC). José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006. Madrid, Spain Corresponding author: M. Iglesias-Carrasco, e-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received: 10 October 2014 Accepted: 13 May 2015 by Philipp Wagner Caudal autotomy in response to attempted predation (Bateman & Fleming 2009). This has been reported in is common in lacertid lizards (e.g., Bateman & Flem- skinks (Clark 1971), tuataras (Gillingham et al. 1995), ing 2009). Once the tail has been lost, lizards face lots and in lacertid lizards where autophagy of the tail may be of challenges. The most obvious one is impaired locomo- related to ensuring reinfection with the parasite Sarcocystis tion performance, resulting in reduced feeding opportuni- gallotieae (Matuschka & Bannert 1987). Even so, obser- ties (Martín & Salvador 1993a). Moreover, the tail has a vations of this kind are scarce and poorly documented. function as a fat store in some species (Avery 1970) and On 18 June 2013, during fieldwork at the lakes of Cova- its loss may affect female fecundity (Dial & Fitzpatrick donga (Picos de Europa National Park, Spain. 43°16’06’’ N, 1981) or male status (Martín & Salvador 1993b). Re- 4°58’42’’ W, 1,151 m a.s.l.), we observed an adult male of growth of the tail also requires the allocation of resources Iberolacerta monticola (Boulenger, 1905), an endemic (Maginnis 2006).
    [Show full text]
  • Sources of Intraspecific Morphological Variation in Vipera Seoanei: Allometry
    bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.23.058206; this version posted April 24, 2020. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. 1 Title: Sources of Intraspecific Morphological Variation in Vipera seoanei: Allometry, 2 Sex, and Colour Phenotype 3 4 Authors: Nahla Lucchini, Antigoni Kaliontzopoulou, Guillermo Aguado Val, Fernando 5 Martínez-Freiría 6 7 Address for all authors: CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e 8 Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto. Instituto de Ciências Agrárias de Vairão. 9 R. Padre Armando Quintas. 4485-661 Vairão Portugal 10 11 Corresponding authors: Nahla Lucchini, email: [email protected]; Fernando 12 Martínez-Freiría, email: [email protected] 1 bioRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.23.058206; this version posted April 24, 2020. The copyright holder for this preprint (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder. All rights reserved. No reuse allowed without permission. 13 Abstract 14 Snakes frequently exhibit ontogenetic and sexual variation in head dimensions, as well as 15 the occurrence of distinct colour morphotypes which might be fitness-related. In this 16 study, we used linear biometry and geometric morphometrics to investigate intraspecific 17 morphological variation related to allometry and sexual dimorphism in Vipera seoanei, a 18 species that exhibits five colour morphotypes, potentially subjected to distinct ecological 19 pressures. We measured body size (SVL), tail length and head dimensions in 391 20 specimens, and examined variation in biometric traits with respect to allometry, sex and 21 colour morph.
    [Show full text]
  • Iberolacerta Cyreni
    Iberolacerta cyreni Region: 1 Taxonomic Authority: (Müller & Helmich, 1937) Synonyms: Common Names: Lacerta cyreni Müller & Helmich, 1937 Order: Sauria Family: Lacertidae Notes on taxonomy: This taxon is considered to be a full species based on evidence from Arribas (1996), Carranza et al. (2004), Crochet et al. (2004), Mayer and Arribas (1996, 2003) and Odierna et al. (1996). It was formerly treated as a subspecies of Lacerta monticola. The specific status of this taxon is supported by morphology (Arribas 1996), allozymes (Mayer and Arribas 1996) and mitochondrial DNA (Mayer and Arribas 2003; Carranza et al. 2004a; Crochet et al. 2004). It was formerly included in the genus Lacerta, but is now included in Iberolacerta, following Carranza et al. (2004), and based on evidence from Arribas (1998, 1999), Carranza et al. (2004), Harris et al. (1998) and Mayer and Arribas (2003). General Information Biome Terrestrial Freshwater Marine Geographic Range of species: Habitat and Ecology Information: This species is endemic to the central mountain system of Spain in the It is a montane species found close to the tree line in damp, rocky Sierra de Bejar, Sierra de Gredos, La Serrota and Sierra del habitats. The females lay a clutch of three to ten eggs once or twice a Guadarrama. It occurs from 1,300 to 2,500m. year. Conservation Measures: Threats: It occurs in the Sierra del Guadarrama Natural Park and Sierra de Its populations are highly fragmented and are threatened by habitat Gredos Natural Park. loss, especially due to the construction of ski resorts and roads. It might also be adversely affected in future by climate change.
    [Show full text]
  • Habitat Deterioration Affects Body Condition of Lizards: a Behavioral Approach with Iberolacerta Cyreni Lizards Inhabiting Ski Resorts
    BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION 135 (2007) 77– 85 available at www.sciencedirect.com <ce:copyright type="full-transfer year="2006">Elsevier Ltd journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/biocon Habitat deterioration affects body condition of lizards: A behavioral approach with Iberolacerta cyreni lizards inhabiting ski resorts Luisa Amo*, Pilar Lo´pez, Jose´ Martı´n Departamento de Ecologı´a Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Jose´ Gutie´rrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: We analyzed whether habitat deterioration due to ski slopes affected lizards’ behavior, Received 22 February 2006 and whether these changes in behavior had consequences for the body condition and Received in revised form health state of lizards. Results suggested that habitat deterioration in ski slopes not only 21 September 2006 implied a loss of optimal habitat for lizards, but also led to an increase in perceived risk Accepted 27 September 2006 of predation. Males seemed to adjust their movement patterns to differences in risk, Available online 20 November 2006 increasing their movement speed during their displacements across risky areas within ski slopes, but as a consequence, they incurred loss of body condition. A laboratory Keywords: experiment supported that fleeing at high speeds in areas without refuges can be a fac- Lizards tor responsible for reduced body condition. However, changes in body condition did not Habitat deterioration affect sprint speed of lizards. Our study provides new evidence that behavioral strategies Habitat use to cope with increased predation risk, due to human-induced habitat deterioration, may Ski resorts affect body condition of lizards. Our results have applications for the design of conser- Locomotor patterns vation plans for this endangered lizard species.
    [Show full text]
  • Competition with Wall Lizards Does Not Explain the Alpine
    *Manuscript 1 1 2 3 4 2 Competition with wall lizards does not explain 5 6 3 7 the alpine confinement of Iberian rock lizards: an experimental approach 8 9 4 Camila Monasterio a,b *, Alfredo Salvador a,1 and José A. Díaz b,2 10 11 12 5 13 14 6 a Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain 15 16 7 b Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física (Vertebrados), Facultad de Biología, 17 18 19 8 Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain 20 21 9 22 * 23 10 Corresponding author: C. Monasterio 24 25 11 Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, 26 27 12 José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain 28 29 30 13 [email protected] 31 32 14 1 Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, 33 34 35 15 José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, E-28006 Madrid, Spain 36 37 16 2 Departamento de Zoología y Antropología Física (Vertebrados), Facultad de Biología, 38 39 40 17 Universidad Complutense, José Antonio Novais, E-28040 Madrid, Spain 41 42 18 43 44 19 26 text pages 45 46 47 20 4 Figures 48 49 21 4 Tables 50 51 52 22 53 54 23 Keywords: agonistic behaviour, Iberolacerta cyreni, microhabitat selection, Podarcis muralis. 55 56 57 24 58 59 25 60 61 62 63 64 1 65 1 26 Abstract 2 3 27 4 5 6 28 Interspecific competition can limit the distribution of species along altitudinal gradients. It has 7 8 29 been suggested that west European rock lizards (genus Iberolacerta) are restricted to 9 10 11 30 mountains due to the expansion of wall lizards (Podarcis), but there is not experimental 12 13 31 evidence to corroborate this hypothesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Vipera Aspis) Envenomation: Experience of the Marseille Poison Centre from 1996 to 2008
    Toxins 2009, 1, 100-112; doi:10.3390/toxins1020100 OPEN ACCESS toxins ISSN 2072-6651 www.mdpi.com/journal/toxins Article Asp Viper (Vipera aspis) Envenomation: Experience of the Marseille Poison Centre from 1996 to 2008 Luc de Haro *, Mathieu Glaizal, Lucia Tichadou, Ingrid Blanc-Brisset and Maryvonne Hayek-Lanthois Centre Antipoison, hôpital Salvator, 249 boulevard Sainte Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France; E-Mails: [email protected] (M.G.); [email protected] (L.T.); [email protected] (I.B.-B.); [email protected] (M.H.-L.) * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]. Received: 9 October 2009; in revised form: 18 November 2009 / Accepted: 23 November 2009 / Published: 24 November 2009 Abstract: A retrospective case review study of viper envenomations collected by the Marseille’s Poison Centre between 1996 and 2008 was performed. Results: 174 cases were studied (52 grade 1 = G1, 90 G2 and 32 G3). G1 patients received symptomatic treatments (average hospital stay 0.96 day). One hundred and six (106) of the G2/G3 patients were treated with the antivenom Viperfav* (2.1+/-0.9 days in hospital), while 15 of them received symptomatic treatments only (plus one immediate death) (8.1+/-4 days in hospital, 2 of them died). The hospital stay was significantly reduced in the antivenom treated group (p < 0.001), and none of the 106 antivenom treated patients had immediate (anaphylaxis) or delayed (serum sickness) allergic reactions. Conclusion: Viperfav* antivenom was safe and effective for treating asp viper venom-induced toxicity.
    [Show full text]
  • Vipera Seoanei Lataste, 1879. Víbora De Seoane Seoane Sugegorria (Eusk.), Víbora De Seoane (Gal.) L
    Atlas y Libro Rojo de los Anfibios y Reptiles de España Familia Viperidae Vipera seoanei Lataste, 1879. Víbora de Seoane Seoane sugegorria (eusk.), víbora de Seoane (gal.) L. J. Barbadillo Ejemplar de Burgos. La víbora de Seoane es una especie endémica en la Península Ibérica, cuya área de distribución se extiende por toda Galicia, las regiones costeras del Cantábrico, y las partes de montaña no mediterráne- as de las regiones limítrofes: norte de León, Palencia, Burgos, Álava y Navarra, así como el extremo oeste de Zamora (BEA et al., 1984; BRAÑA, 1998). Penetra apenas unos kilómetros en el sudoeste de Francia y el norte de Portugal. En general, la víbora de Seoane es abundante y puebla de forma prácticamente con- tinua este territorio, salvo las zonas de alta montaña y tal vez algún área de clima marcadamente medite- rráneo. En este sentido cabe interpretar la ausencia de registros en una amplia zona del sur de Lugo y el norte de Orense, en las cuencas de los ríos Sil y Miño, a pesar de un aceptable nivel de prospección de reptiles (BALADO et al., 1995). El límite altitudinal se sitúa en torno a los 1.900 m, pero en muchos tramos de la Cordillera Cantábrica la presencia de víboras se detiene a unos 1.500 m por delimitación de hábitat. En general, el mapa de V. seoanei muestra un área de aspecto compacto y con una definición nítida de todo el contorno meridional, lo que sugiere que, a pesar de ciertas lagunas de prospección, la cobertura actual del Atlas describe razonablemente la distribución de la especie.
    [Show full text]
  • DNA Phylogeny of Lacerta (Iberolacerta) and Other Lacertine
    Systematics and Biodiversity 2 (1): 57–77 Issued 24 August 2004 DOI: 10.1017/S1477200004001355 Printed in the United Kingdom C The Natural History Museum S. Carranza1,E.N.Arnold1* & F. Amat2 DNA phylogeny of Lacerta (Iberolacerta) 1Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, SW7 and other lacertine lizards (Reptilia: 5BD London, UK 2Societat Catalana d’Herpetologia, Museu de Lacertidae): did competition cause Zoologia, c/ Picasso s/n, 08003 Barcelona, Spain long-term mountain restriction? submitted October 2003 accepted January 2004 Abstract West European Rock lizards, Lacerta (Iberolacerta) have small widely sep- arated ranges in highland areas. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences corrob- orate the monophyly of the group and show it is not closely related to any of the other Rock lizards with which it was formerly placed in Archaeolacerta, an assemblage for which there is no evidence of clade status. L. (Iberolacerta) consists of four main units: L.(I.) horvathi of NW Croatia and neighbouring regions; the Pyrenees species, L. (I.) bonnali, L. (I.) aranica and L. (I.) aurelioi; L. (I.) cyreni of the Iberian Sistema Central, with distinctive populations in the Sierras de Bejar,´ Gredos and Guadarrama; and L. (I.) monticola of the Serra da Estrela of Central Portugal and NW Spain, this unit also contains L. (I.) cyreni martinezricai of La Pena˜ de Francia, W. Spain and a distinct- ive population in the Montanas˜ de Sanabria. L. (Iberolacerta) has persisted in some mountain ranges for at least 4.2 ± 1.4 Ma and may have been restricted to mountains by competition from Wall lizards (Podarcis). Its clade status shows it has lost range extensively and has produced few external branches since its initial fragmentation.
    [Show full text]
  • The Peak of Thermoregulation Effectiveness Thermal Biology Of
    Journal of Thermal Biology 56 (2016) 77–83 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Thermal Biology journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jtherbio The peak of thermoregulation effectiveness: Thermal biology of the Pyrenean rock lizard, Iberolacerta bonnali (Squamata, Lacertidae) Zaida Ortega n, Abraham Mencía, Valentín Pérez-Mellado Department of Animal Biology, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain article info abstract Article history: We studied, at 2200 m altitude, the thermal biology of the Pyrenean rock lizard, Iberolacerta bonnali,in Received 18 October 2015 the glacial cirque of Cotatuero (National Park of Ordesa, Huesca, Spain). The preferred thermal range Received in revised form (PTR) of I. bonnali indicates that it is a cold-adapted ectotherm with a narrow PTR (29.20–32.77 °C). 29 December 2015 However, its PTR (3.57 °C) is twice as wide as other Iberolacerta lizards, which may be explained by its Accepted 10 January 2016 broader historical distribution. The studied area is formed by a mosaic of microhabitats which offer Available online 13 January 2016 different operative temperatures, so that lizards have, throughout their entire daily period of activity, the Keywords: opportunity to choose the most thermally suitable substrates. I. bonnali achieves an effectiveness of Thermoregulation thermoregulation of 0.95, which makes it the highest value found to date among the Lacertidae, and one Cold-adapted of the highest among lizards. Their relatively wide distribution, their wider PTR, and their excellent Global warming ability of thermoregulation, would make I. bonnali lizards less vulnerable to climate change than other Mountains fi Iberolacerta bonnali species of Iberolacerta.
    [Show full text]
  • Vipera Seoanei Lataste, 1879 (Reptilia, Viperidae) 1
    But11. Inst. Cat. Hist. Nat., 42 (Sec. Zool., 2): 107-118. 1978 CONTRIBUCION A LA SISTEMATICA DE VIPERA SEOANEI LATASTE, 1879 (REPTILIA, VIPERIDAE) 1. ULTRAESTRUCTURA DE LA CUTICULA DE LAS ESCAMAS Rebut : agost 1978 Antonio Bea * Acceptat: octubre 1978 SUMMARY Contribution to the systematics of Vipera seoanei Lataste , 1879 (Reptilia, Viperidae). I. UI trastructure of the scales ' cuticle In this paper the results of a research work on the ultrastructural morphology of the scales' cuticle of four species of European Viperidae (Vipera b . berus , V. seoanei, V. as- pis and V. latastei ) are presented. The motivation of the study has been the enquiry about the transformation of the subspecies. V. berus seoanei in to the species V. Seoanei (LA- TASTE, 1879). Scanning microscopical techniques have been used (see HEYWOOD, 1971; COLE & VAN DEVENDER, 1976; GANS & BAIC, 1977). For each species, facial, labial, ventral and dor- sal scales from several specimens, caught in different localities, have been studied. From the different observations, it has been possible to define the kind of cuticle growth, mainly the dorsal one. The cuticle base (which is the imbrication zone between two scales) presents several dented strias, more or less parallel. A differential pro- cess takes place, and dented series with anterior sharp points are originated. These points are driven in to the base of the anterior ones that originate long cords. Between each two points some other fibres are born which, on its turn, form nets or arcs. For each one of the four studied species the growth results are different. V. b. berus presents a uniform structure, formed by parallel fibres.
    [Show full text]