DOCSLIB.ORG

Molecular Phylogenetics, Trna Evolution, and Historical Biogeography in Anguid Lizards and Related Taxonomic Families J

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Molecular Phylogenetics, Trna Evolution, and Historical Biogeography in Anguid Lizards and Related Taxonomic Families J Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution Vol. 12, No. 3, August, pp. 250–272, 1999 Article ID mpev.1999.0615, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on Molecular Phylogenetics, tRNA Evolution, and Historical Biogeography in Anguid Lizards and Related Taxonomic Families J. Robert Macey,*,1 James A. Schulte II,* Allan Larson,* Boris S. Tuniyev,† Nikolai Orlov,‡ and Theodore J. Papenfuss§ *Department of Biology, Box 1137, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130; †Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve, Sochi, Russia; ‡Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; and §Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 Received December 24, 1997; revised October 15, 1998 persed to Asia via the Bering land bridge with subse- Phylogenetic relationships among lizards of the fami- quent colonization of Europe and Morocco, requires a lies Anguidae, Anniellidae, Xenosauridae, and Shinisau- phylogenetic tree seven steps longer than the most ridae are investigated using 2001 aligned bases of parsimonious hypothesis. North African, European, mitochondrial DNA sequence from the genes encoding and West Asian anguines were isolated from others by ND1 (subunit one of NADH dehydrogenase), tRNAIle, the rapid uplift of Tibet in the late Oligocene to tRNAGln, tRNAMet, ND2, tRNATrp, tRNAAla, tRNAAsn, Miocene. Phylogenetic analysis of evolutionary tRNACys, tRNATyr, and COI (subunit I of cytochrome c changes in the gene encoding tRNACys suggests gradual oxidase), plus the origin for light-strand replication reduction of dihydrouridine (D) stems by successive Asn Cys (OL) between the tRNA and the tRNA genes. The deletion of bases in some lineages. This evolutionary aligned sequences contain 1013 phylogenetically infor- pattern contrasts with the one observed for parallel mative characters. A well-resolved phylogenetic hy- elimination of the D-stem in mitochondrial tRNAs of pothesis is obtained. Because monophyly of the family eight other reptile groups, in which replication slip- Xenosauridae (Shinisaurus and Xenosaurus) is statisti- page produces direct repeats. An unusual, enlarged cally rejected, we recommend placing Shinisaurus in a T␺C (T) stem is inferred for tRNACys in most separate family, the Shinisauridae. The family Annielli- species. ௠ 1999 Academic Press dae and the anguid subfamilies Gerrhonotinae and Key Words: Reptilia; Sauria; Anguimorpha; Anguidae; Anguinae each form monophyletic groups receiving Anniellidae; Shinisauridae; Xenosauridae; Asia; Eu- statistical support. The Diploglossinae*, which ap- rope; Morocco; North America; historical biogeogra- pears monophyletic, is retained as a metataxon (de- phy; mitochondrial DNA; cysteine tRNA; phylogenetics noted with an asterisk) because its monophyly is statis- tically neither supported nor rejected. The family Anguidae appears monophyletic in analyses of the Anguid lizards, found predominately in the northern DNA sequence data, and statistical support for its hemisphere, are an exciting group for a molecular monophyly is provided by reanalysis of previously phylogenetic study of biogeographic fragmentation be- published allozymic data. Anguid lizards appear to tween North America and Eurasia. The anguimorph have had a northern origin in Laurasia. Taxa currently located on Gondwanan plates arrived there by dis- family Anguidae contains three subfamilies. The sub- persal from the north in two separate events, one from family Gerrhonotinae occurs strictly in North America the West Indies to South America and another from a and Central America. The subfamily Diploglossinae Laurasian plate to Morocco. Because basal anguine ranges from Mexico and the West Indies to South lineages are located in western Eurasia and Morocco, America. The subfamily Anguinae, comprising the gen- formation of the Atlantic Ocean (late Eocene) is impli- era Anguis and Ophisaurus, is the only anguid subfam- cated in the separation of the Anguinae from its North ily that occurs in the Old World. Anguis is restricted to American sister taxon, the Gerrhonotinae. Subsequent Europe, whereas Ophisaurus is found in eastern North dispersal of anguine lizards to East Asia and North America, eastern Asia, western Asia, and adjacent America appears to have followed the Oligocene dry- Europe and Morocco. ing of the Turgai Sea. The alternative hypothesis, that Some taxonomists consider the anguimorph lizard anguine lizards originated in North America and dis- family Anniellidae a fourth subfamily of the Anguidae (see Gauthier, 1982). It comprises two species, Anniella 1 To whom correspondence should be addressed. Fax: (314) 935- geronimensis and A. pulchra, from the west coast of 4432. E-mail: [email protected]. North America. Three major hypotheses have been 250 1055-7903/99 $30.00 Copyright ௠ 1999 by Academic Press All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. PHYLOGENETICS AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF ANGUID LIZARDS 251 considered for the phylogenetic position of the Annielli- phylogenetic analyses of morphological data (Estes et dae relative to the Anguidae: (1) Anniella is the sister al., 1988; Macey et al., 1997a; Schwenk, 1988) cannot group to all anguid taxa (Good, 1987), (2) Anniella is determine whether the Varanoidea or the Xenosauri- the sister group to the Anguinae (Gauthier, 1982), and dae is closer to the anguid and anniellid clade; this (3) Anniella is the sister taxon to Anguis of Europe question, however, is not a focus of this study. (Keqin and Norell, 1998). Phylogenetic relationships are examined using 2001 The anguimorph family Xenosauridae occurs in the aligned positions (1013 informative) of mitochondrial New World (Xenosaurus) and Old World (Shinisaurus). DNA sequence. The region sequenced extends from Some authors consider Shinisaurus a separate mono- the protein-coding gene, ND1 (subunit one of NADH typic family, the Shinisauridae (see Zhao and Adler, dehydrogenase), through the genes encoding tRNAIle, 1993). No previous molecular study has examined the tRNAGln, tRNAMet, ND2, tRNATrp, tRNAAla, tRNAAsn, relationships of these taxa. tRNACys, and tRNATyr to the protein-coding gene COI A major question within the Anguinae is the phyloge- (subunit I of cytochrome c oxidase), and includes the netic position of Anguis fragilis, Ophisaurus apodus, replication origin for the light strand (O ) between the and O. koellikeri, which occur between two extremely L tRNAAsn and the tRNACys genes. large barriers to faunal distributions, the Atlantic Previously published allozymic data (Good, 1987, Ocean and the Tibetan Plateau. Current taxonomy 1988) are reanalyzed and compared with the results implies at least two separate origins of anguid lizards in this region. Mitochondrial DNA sequences are re- obtained from the new DNA sequence data to provide a ported for these taxa as well as for the East Asian comprehensive assessment of relationships among the O. harti and the North American O. attenuatus and taxa investigated. O. ventralis. The mitochondrial genomic region sequenced demon- We examine all genera within the Gerrhonotinae strates several unusual characteristics among squa- except Coloptychon, which is known from only three mate reptiles (Kumazawa and Nishida, 1995; specimens. Abronia oaxacae, Barisia imbricata, Gerrho- Kumazawa et al., 1996; Macey et al., 1997a,b,c; Seutin notus liocephalus, and Mesaspis moreleti represent the et al., 1994). Within anguimorph lizards, gene se- four tropical genera in our analysis. Five species of quences encoding tRNACys lack a dihydrouridine (D) Elgaria, primarily from the temperate part of North stem and instead contain a D-arm replacement loop in America, are examined. Elgaria coerulea, sampled from Varanus (Macey et al., 1997b). A model involving repli- coastal California, is the most northern species of the cation slippage has been proposed for the formation of Gerrhonotinae. Two other species are included from D-arm replacement loops in mitochondrial tRNAs California, E. multicarinata collected from the east side (Macey et al., 1997b). Under this model direct repeats of the Sierra Nevada and E. panamintina from an are expected and the size of the D-arm replacement adjacent population in the Inyo Mountains. Elgaria loop should be less than 12 bases, the minimum num- kingii, sampled from Arizona, occurs along the west ber of bases normally found between the amino acid- coast of Mexico in the Sierra Madre Occidental opposite acceptor (AA) and the anticodon (AC) stems when a Baja California where E. paucicarinata was obtained D-stem is present (Macey et al., 1997b). Alternatively, from the Sierra de La Laguna. This choice of species gradual relaxation of pairing among bases in the allows an examination of taxa from both sides of the D-stem would not produce either repeats or deletion of Gulf of California, a region of rifting between tectonic bases. Gradual deletion of bases or base pairs would not plates. produce repeats but could produce length variation All genera of the neotropical subfamily Diploglossi- that may result in less than 12 bases between the AA- nae are examined. Ophiodes striatus represents the and AC stems. Under a model of gradual deletion of only endemic anguid genus in South America. Celestus enneagrammus from Mexico and Diploglossus biloba- bases or base pairs, a tRNA that has a single base tus from Costa Rica represent mainland North Ameri- pairing in the D-stem could result, as has been ob- Asn can diploglossines, and Diploglossus pleei, Sauresia served in the tRNA gene of the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Pseudopus Apodus (PALLAS, 1775) from Jordan, with Notes on Its Ecology (Sqamata: Sauria: Anguidae)
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Herpetozoa Jahr/Year: 2005 Band/Volume: 18_3_4 Autor(en)/Author(s): Rifai Lina B., Abu Baker Mohammad, Disi Ahmad M., Mahasneh Ahmad, Amr Zuhair S., Al Shafei Darweesh Artikel/Article: Pseudopus apodus (PALLAS, 1775) form Jordan, with notes on ist ecology 133-140 ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at HERPETOZOA 18 (3/4): 133 - 140 133 Wien, 30. Dezember 2005 Pseudopus apodus (PALLAS, 1775) from Jordan, with notes on its ecology (Sqamata: Sauria: Anguidae) Pseudopus apodus (PALLAS, 1775) von Jordanien, mit Bemerkungen zu seiner Ökologie (Sqamata: Sauria: Anguidae) LINA RIFAI & MOHAMMAD ABU BAKER & DARWEESH AL SHAFEI & AHMAD DISI & AHMAD MAHASNEH & ZUHAIR AMR KURZFASSUNG Weitere Exemplare der Panzerschleiche Pseudopus apodus (PALLAS, 1775) werden aus Jordanien beschrie- ben. Morphologische und ökologische Merkmale sowie die gegenwärtig bekannte Verbreitung werden dargestellt. Pseudopus apodus ist in seinem jordanischen Vorkommen auf die Berge im mediterran beeinflußtenen Norden beschränkt. Die mittlere Anzahl der Rücken- und Bauchschuppenquerreihen sowie das Verhältnis von Kopflänge zu Kopfbreite jordanischer Exemplare werden mit Angaben für P. apodus apodus und P. apodus thracicus (OBST, 1978) verglichen. Im Magen und Darm von sieben Exemplaren aus Jordanien fanden sich Überreste von Arthro- poden und Mollusken, wobei Orthopteren den zahlenmäßig größten Anteil an Nahrungsobjekten ausmachten. ABSTRACT Further specimens of the Glass Lizard Pseudopus apodus (PALLAS, 1775) are described from Jordan. Mor- phological and ecological characters as well as the currently known distribution in Jordan are presented. In Jordan, Pseudopus apodus is confined to the northern Mediterranean mountains.
    [Show full text]
  • Xenosaurus Tzacualtipantecus. the Zacualtipán Knob-Scaled Lizard Is Endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of Eastern Mexico
    Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus. The Zacualtipán knob-scaled lizard is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental of eastern Mexico. This medium-large lizard (female holotype measures 188 mm in total length) is known only from the vicinity of the type locality in eastern Hidalgo, at an elevation of 1,900 m in pine-oak forest, and a nearby locality at 2,000 m in northern Veracruz (Woolrich- Piña and Smith 2012). Xenosaurus tzacualtipantecus is thought to belong to the northern clade of the genus, which also contains X. newmanorum and X. platyceps (Bhullar 2011). As with its congeners, X. tzacualtipantecus is an inhabitant of crevices in limestone rocks. This species consumes beetles and lepidopteran larvae and gives birth to living young. The habitat of this lizard in the vicinity of the type locality is being deforested, and people in nearby towns have created an open garbage dump in this area. We determined its EVS as 17, in the middle of the high vulnerability category (see text for explanation), and its status by the IUCN and SEMAR- NAT presently are undetermined. This newly described endemic species is one of nine known species in the monogeneric family Xenosauridae, which is endemic to northern Mesoamerica (Mexico from Tamaulipas to Chiapas and into the montane portions of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala). All but one of these nine species is endemic to Mexico. Photo by Christian Berriozabal-Islas. amphibian-reptile-conservation.org 01 June 2013 | Volume 7 | Number 1 | e61 Copyright: © 2013 Wilson et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Com- mons Attribution–NonCommercial–NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License, which permits unrestricted use for non-com- Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 7(1): 1–47.
    [Show full text]
  • XENOSAURIDAE Xenosaurus Grandis
    REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: XENOSAURIDAE Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Ballinger, R.E., J.A. Lemos-Espinal,and G.R. Smith. 2000. Xeno- saurus grandis. Xenosaurus grandis (Gray) Knob-scaled Lizard Cubina grandis Gray 1856:270. Type locality, "Mexico, near Cordova veracruz]." Syntypes, British Museum (Natural His- tory) (BMNH) 1946.8.30.21-23, adults of undetermined sex, purchased by M. SallC, accessioned 17 April 1856, collector and date of collection unknown (not examined by authors). Xenosaunrsfasciatus Peters 1861:453. Type locality, "Huanusco, in Mexico" (emended to Huatusco, Veracruz, by Smith and Taylor 1950a,b). Holotype, Zoologisches Museum, Museum fiir Naturkunde der Humboldt-Universitiit zu Berlin (ZMB) 3922, a subadult of undetermined sex, collected by L. Hille, date of collection unknown (Good et al. 1993) (not examined by authors). Xenosaum grandis: Cope 1866:322. Fit use of present combi- nation. CONTENT. Five subspecies are currently recognized: grandis, agrenon, orboreus, rackhami, and snnrnartinensis (see Com- ments). FIGURE. Adult Xenosaurw grandis from 1 km SL ,,;doba, Veracmz, .DEFINITION AM)DIAGNOSIS. xenosaurusgrandis is a MCxico; note the red iris characteristic of this species. medium sized lizard (to 120 mm SVL) with a canthus temporalis forming a longitudinal row of enlarged scales distinct from smaller DESCRIPTIONS. The review by King and Thompson (1968) rugose temporal scales, a longitudinal row of 3-5 enlarged hex- provided the only detailed descriptions beyond the originals. agonal supraoculars, one or more paravertebral rows of enlarged tubercles, a dorsal pattern of dark brown- or black-edged white ILLUSTRATIONS. Alvarez delToro (1982). Obst et al. (1988), crossbands on a brown ground color, a v-shaped nape blotch, Villa et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-National Conservation of Alligator Lizards
    MULTI-NATIONAL CONSERVATION OF ALLIGATOR LIZARDS: APPLIED SOCIOECOLOGICAL LESSONS FROM A FLAGSHIP GROUP by ADAM G. CLAUSE (Under the Direction of John Maerz) ABSTRACT The Anthropocene is defined by unprecedented human influence on the biosphere. Integrative conservation recognizes this inextricable coupling of human and natural systems, and mobilizes multiple epistemologies to seek equitable, enduring solutions to complex socioecological issues. Although a central motivation of global conservation practice is to protect at-risk species, such organisms may be the subject of competing social perspectives that can impede robust interventions. Furthermore, imperiled species are often chronically understudied, which prevents the immediate application of data-driven quantitative modeling approaches in conservation decision making. Instead, real-world management goals are regularly prioritized on the basis of expert opinion. Here, I explore how an organismal natural history perspective, when grounded in a critique of established human judgements, can help resolve socioecological conflicts and contextualize perceived threats related to threatened species conservation and policy development. To achieve this, I leverage a multi-national system anchored by a diverse, enigmatic, and often endangered New World clade: alligator lizards. Using a threat analysis and status assessment, I show that one recent petition to list a California alligator lizard, Elgaria panamintina, under the US Endangered Species Act often contradicts the best available science.
    [Show full text]
  • EUROPEAN WALL LIZARDS (Podarcis Muralis)
    INVASIVE SPECIES ALERT! EUROPEAN WALL LIZARDS (Podarcis muralis) NATIVE RANGE European Wall Lizards are native to southern Belgium and Germany, south to northern Spain, and east to Turkey. The European Wall Lizards in B.C. are thought to be native to Italy. DESCRIPTION European Wall Lizards... Have a long, slender, flattened body Photo: Gavin Hanke Can grow to be 63 mm in length (snout to base of tail) Can have a tail 1.5 times the length of body Have small, bead-like scales on back and sides PRIMARY IMPACT: Have 6 rows of large rectangular scales on belly region Have long fingers and toes European Wall Do not have skin folds on back and sides of body Lizards may impact Are variable in colour, ranging from brown to grey to green May have black-blue spots on the flank (especially males) native species Adults usually have prominent flecks of green on the back, intensely through competition coloured over the shoulders and predation. WHY SHOULD WE CARE? European Wall Lizards... Can gather in large densities, which can potentially impact native DID YOU KNOW? species and ecosystems that are not adapted to their presence If a European Wall Lizard is Could compete for food and shelter with B.C.’s native Northern captured, it will drop its tail to Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea) or endangered Sharp-Tailed Snake (Contia tenuis) escape. The tail keeps wiggling for a few minutes in order to LOOKALIKES distract the predator, giving European Wall Lizards can be confused with native Northern Alligator Lizards the lizard a chance to escape.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Alligator Lizard Elgaria Coerulea (Weigmann,1828) Natural History Summary by Kate Durost
    NORTHERN ALLIGATOR LIZARD ELGARIA COERULEA (WEIGMANN,1828) NATURAL HISTORY SUMMARY BY KATE DUROST Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Anguidae Genus: Elgaria Species: E. coerulea Description The Northern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria coerulea) ranges in color from gray, olive, and rust, to greenish or bluish dorsally with heavy blotching or barring in a dusky color. Its eyes are completely dark or dark around the pupils. There are dark stripes between the scale rows on the belly, though they can sometimes be absent. Dorsal scales are usually in 16 rows. Four subspecies have been described: E. c. coerulea, E. c. shastensis, E. c. principis, and E. c. palmeri, with E. c. principis, or the Northwestern Alligator Lizard being the one most likely to be found in Washington. The Northwestern Alligator Lizard tends to be small – less than 4 in long, with a broad dorsal stripe of tan, olive, golden brown, or gray and contrasting dusky sides. The dorsal scales are weakly keeled in 14 rows with the temporal scales also being weakly keeled (Stebbins 2003). Distribution The Northern Alligator Lizard is found along the western coast of North America. Elgaria coeruela principis has the largest range of any of the subspecies, ranging from southern Oregon to British Columbia, Canada while the others are concentrated in California (CaliforniaHerps 2017). Elgaria coerulea’s range map is available at Hammerson 2007. Diet The Northern Alligator Lizard primarily eats a variety of small invertebrates like ticks, spiders, centipedes, slugs, millipedes, snails, and worms as well as any of their larvae. It will also eat small lizards and small mammals and occasionally feed on bird eggs and young birds (CaliforniaHerps, 2017; Stebbins 2003).
    [Show full text]
  • Evolution of the Iguanine Lizards (Sauria, Iguanidae) As Determined by Osteological and Myological Characters David F
    Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series Volume 12 | Number 3 Article 1 1-1971 Evolution of the iguanine lizards (Sauria, Iguanidae) as determined by osteological and myological characters David F. Avery Department of Biology, Southern Connecticut State College, New Haven, Connecticut Wilmer W. Tanner Department of Zoology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib Part of the Anatomy Commons, Botany Commons, Physiology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Avery, David F. and Tanner, Wilmer W. (1971) "Evolution of the iguanine lizards (Sauria, Iguanidae) as determined by osteological and myological characters," Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series: Vol. 12 : No. 3 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib/vol12/iss3/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. S-^' Brigham Young University f?!AR12j97d Science Bulletin \ EVOLUTION OF THE IGUANINE LIZARDS (SAURIA, IGUANIDAE) AS DETERMINED BY OSTEOLOGICAL AND MYOLOGICAL CHARACTERS by David F. Avery and Wilmer W. Tanner BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME Xil, NUMBER 3 JANUARY 1971 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin
    [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]
  • Characterization of Arm Autotomy in the Octopus, Abdopus Aculeatus (D’Orbigny, 1834)
    Characterization of Arm Autotomy in the Octopus, Abdopus aculeatus (d’Orbigny, 1834) By Jean Sagman Alupay A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Biology in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor Roy L. Caldwell, Chair Professor David Lindberg Professor Damian Elias Fall 2013 ABSTRACT Characterization of Arm Autotomy in the Octopus, Abdopus aculeatus (d’Orbigny, 1834) By Jean Sagman Alupay Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley Professor Roy L. Caldwell, Chair Autotomy is the shedding of a body part as a means of secondary defense against a predator that has already made contact with the organism. This defense mechanism has been widely studied in a few model taxa, specifically lizards, a few groups of arthropods, and some echinoderms. All of these model organisms have a hard endo- or exo-skeleton surrounding the autotomized body part. There are several animals that are capable of autotomizing a limb but do not exhibit the same biological trends that these model organisms have in common. As a result, the mechanisms that underlie autotomy in the hard-bodied animals may not apply for soft bodied organisms. A behavioral ecology approach was used to study arm autotomy in the octopus, Abdopus aculeatus. Investigations concentrated on understanding the mechanistic underpinnings and adaptive value of autotomy in this soft-bodied animal. A. aculeatus was observed in the field on Mactan Island, Philippines in the dry and wet seasons, and compared with populations previously studied in Indonesia.
    [Show full text]
  • 0187 Gerrhonotus Multicarinatus.Pdf
    187.1 REPTILIA: SQUAMATA: SAURIA: ANGUIDAE GERRHONOTUS MULTICARINATUS Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Shaw (1943, 1952), and Stebbins (1954). Stebbins (1944)reported a specimen killed by a millipede, and Brodie (1968)noted death from LAIS, P. MIKE. 1976. Gerrhonotus multicarinatus. Taricha skin toxin. Parasitism by ticks was recorded by Mohr et al. (1964), and by a cestode by Telford (1965). Temperature data are in Brattstrom (1965), and notes on physiological responses to Gerrhonotus multicarinatus (Blainville) temperature in Dawson and Templeton (1966), Cunningham Sonthern alligator lizard (1966), Regal (1966), and Dawson (1967). Hoffman (1973) discussed locomotor activity and metabolic scope, and Schultz and Cordylus (Gerrhonotus) multi-carinatus Blainville, 1835:37. Type• Norberg (1970) the effect of visual loss on activity. Endocrine locality, "Californie," restricted to Monterey, [Monterey system morphology has been studied by Retzlaff (1949, adrenal), County] by Fitch (1934b:173). Holotype, adult, Museum Lynn and Colorigh (1967, thyroid), H. Saint Girons (1967, National d'Histoire Naturelle 2002, collected by P.E. Botta hypophysis), Gabe et a1.(1964, adrenal), and Gabe (1970, adrenal). (holotype examined by author). Brain morphology was described by Senn and Northcutt (1973), Elgaria multicarinata: Gray, 1838:39l. Gerrhonotus caeruleus: Boulenger, 1885:273 (part). Gerrhonotus scincicauda: Stejneger, 1893:195. Gerrhonotus multi-carinatus: Fitch, 1934b:172. Revalidation of I multicarinatus . \. • CONTENT. Five subspecies are recognized: multicarinatus, , .:... webbii, scincicauda, ignavus, and nanus. <. ...• • DEFINITION. A large species of Gerrhonotus (maximum '- snout-vent length 175 mm., tail length over twice snout-vent length), with dorsal scales in 14 longitudinal rows and 40 to 66 transverse rows, and undivided interoccipital. Dorsal scales of both body and tail are heavily keeled.
    [Show full text]
  • Cranial Kinesis in Lepidosaurs: Skulls in Motion
    Topics in Functional and Ecological Vertebrate Morphology, pp. 15-46. P. Aerts, K. D’Août, A. Herrel & R. Van Damme, Eds. © Shaker Publishing 2002, ISBN 90-423-0204-6 Cranial Kinesis in Lepidosaurs: Skulls in Motion Keith Metzger Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University, USA. Abstract This chapter reviews various aspects of cranial kinesis, or the presence of moveable joints within the cranium, with a concentration on lepidosaurs. Previous studies tend to focus on morphological correlates of cranial kinesis, without taking into account experimental evidence supporting or refuting the presence of the various forms of cranial kinesis in these taxa. By reviewing experimental and anatomical evidence, the validity of putative functional hypotheses for cranial kinesis in lepidosaurs is addressed. These data are also considered with respect to phylogeny, as such an approach is potentially revealing regarding the development of various forms of cranial kinesis from an evolutionary perspective. While existing evidence does not allow for events leading to the origin of cranial kinesis in lepidosaurs to be clearly understood at the present time, the potential role of exaptation in its development for specific groups (i.e., cordylids, gekkonids, varanids) is considered here. Directions for further research include greater understanding of the distribution of cranial kinesis in lepidosaurs, investigation of intraspecific variation of this feature (with a focus on ontogenetic factors and prey properties as variables which may influence the presence of kinesis), and continued study of the relationship between experimentally proven observation of cranial kinesis and cranial morphology. Key words: cranial kinesis, lepidosaur skull, functional morphology. Introduction Cranial kinesis, or the presence of moveable joints within the cranium, has been a subject of considerable interest to researchers for more than a century (for references see Bock, 1960; Frazzetta, 1962; Smith, 1982).
    [Show full text]
  • Markedly Dark Coloration in a Pallas' Glass Lizard, Pseudopus Apodus
    ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Spixiana, Zeitschrift für Zoologie Jahr/Year: 2018 Band/Volume: 041 Autor(en)/Author(s): Jablonski Daniel, Avraham Nir Artikel/Article: Markedly dark coloration in a Pallas’ glass lizard, Pseudopus apodus 155-156 ©Zoologische Staatssammlung München/Verlag Friedrich Pfeil; download www.pfeil-verlag.de SPIXIANA 41 1 155-156 München, Oktober 2018 ISSN 0341-8391 Scientific note Markedly dark coloration in a Pallas’ glass lizard, Pseudopus apodus (Reptilia, Anguidae) Daniel Jablonski & Nir Avraham The common name of Pseudopus apodus (Pallas, 1775), Herein, we bring the record of a markedly dark sheltopusik, comes from Russian and means literally coloured individual of P. apodus from Israel. This indi- “yellow-bellied”. This lizard is more or less uniform in vidual was examined by the second author of this paper coloration and morphology across the range of distribu- (NA) at the beginning of April 2016. It was an adult tion. However, a recent phylogeographic study has male, about 105 cm long (total length), found under a found three different mitochondrial lineages in two big rock near Modiin town (31.8773° N, 35.0167° E; currently recognized subspecies (Obst 1978, 1981, Jand- 254 m a.s.l.) on the rocky locality with high grass. The zik et al. 2018). Coloration is uniformly yellow to brown, recorded individual was conspicuous with its very dark the head is often lighter with slight differences between coloration of the body (Fig. 1A) and with dark brown subspecies (Obst 1981, Rifai et al. 2015, Werner 2016).
    [Show full text]