DOCSLIB.ORG

Systematics and Phylogeography of the Widely Distributed African Skink Trachylepis Varia Species Complex

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Systematics and Phylogeography of the Widely Distributed African Skink Trachylepis Varia Species Complex See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321703844 Systematics and phylogeography of the widely distributed African skink Trachylepis varia species complex Article in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution · December 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.014 CITATIONS READS 14 709 2 authors: Jeffrey Weinell A. M. Bauer University of Kansas Villanova University 17 PUBLICATIONS 91 CITATIONS 680 PUBLICATIONS 12,217 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Reptile Database View project Journal of Animal Diversity (ISSN: 2676-685X; http://jad.lu.ac.ir) View project All content following this page was uploaded by Jeffrey Weinell on 15 December 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 120 (2018) 103–117 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ympev Systematics and phylogeography of the widely distributed African skink T Trachylepis varia species complex ⁎ Jeffrey L. Weinell , Aaron M. Bauer Department of Biology, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, USA ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: A systematic study of the Trachylepis varia complex was conducted using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA Africa markers for individuals sampled across the species range. The taxonomic history of T. varia has been complicated Lygosominae and its broad geographic distribution and considerable phenotypic variation has made taxonomic revision dif- Phylogenetics ficult, leading earlier taxonomists to suggest that T. varia is a species complex. We used maximum likelihood and Phylogeography Bayesian inference to estimate gene trees and a multilocus time-tree, respectively, and we used these trees to Trachylepis damarana identify the major clades (putative species) within T. varia. Additionally, we used morphological and color Trachylepis laevigata pattern data to distinguish and revise the taxonomy of the southern African clades. The major clades recovered in the multilocus time-tree were recovered in each of gene trees, although the relationships among these major clades differed across gene trees. Genetic data support the existence of at least eight species within the T. varia complex, each of which originated during the mid to late Miocene or early Pliocene. We focus our systematic discussion on the southern African members of the T. varia complex, revive Trachylepis damarana (Peters, 1870) and T. laevigata (Peters, 1869), and designate lectotypes for T. damarana and T. varia. 1. Introduction Sub-Saharan Africa, has been considered a species complex (Jacobsen, 1989), and has six junior synonyms (Peters, 1869, 1870, 1871; Bocage, 1.1. Background 1867, 1872; Loveridge, 1953). Loveridge (1920, 1933) noted that T. varia populations frequently differ in color pattern and morphology, but Trachylepis (Lygosominae) is a large group (> 80 species) of skinks this species' large range (Fig. 1) prevented earlier taxonomists from occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar that likely includes conducting a comprehensive phylogeographic study. Peters (1867) multiple species complexes (Mausfeld et al., 2000; Karin et al., 2016; described T. varia (as Euprepes varius) and three additional Trachylepis Metallinou et al., 2016; Uetz and Hallermann, 2016). The phylogenetic that were later synonymized with T. varia by Loveridge (1957), in- position of Trachylepis within the Mabuya group (Lygosominae) was cluding Euprepes laevigatus Peters, 1869 (type locality: “ebbenfalls in recently inferred from a multilocus DNA dataset (Karin et al., 2016), Gerlachshoop” [northern Limpopo Province, South Africa]; holotype: but species-level relationships are not well understood within Trachy- ZMB 6224); Euprepes damaranus Peters, 1870 (type locality: “Damara- lepis. Furthermore, relatively few studies have used genetic data to re- land” [Namibia]; syntypes: ZMB 6153 and NRM 2149); and Euprepes solve relationships within Trachylepis species complexes (Mausfeld- isselii Peters, 1871 (type locality: “Keren, im Bogoslande” [Eritrea]; Lafdhiya et al., 2004; Jesus et al., 2005; Ceriaco et al., 2016; Lima et al., syntypes: ZMB 7272 (9 specimens) and MSNG 27778 (23 specimens)). 2013; Sindaco et al., 2012; Portik et al., 2011; Portik and Bauer, 2012). Additionally, Boulenger (1887) synonymized Euprepes Olivierii var. albo- Nevertheless, morphological data suggest that several wide-ranging punctatus Bocage, 1867 (type localities: Benguella and Catumbella, species, including Trachylepis affinis, T. maculilabris, and T. varia, are Angola; type specimens destroyed by fire) and Euprepes angolensis each composed of multiple species (Broadley, 1966; Jacobsen, 1989). Bocage, 1872 (type localities: Biballa and Dondo, Angola; syntypes: five Phylogeographic studies using genetic and phenotypic data are needed individuals, including two individuals collected by Anchieta from Bi- to clarify species relationships within taxa that are suspected of being balla and three individuals collected by Bayão from Dondo, destroyed species complexes and to aid future studies examining species re- by fire) with T. varia, an arrangement with which Bocage (1895) later lationships within Trachylepis. concurred. Broadley (1966) synonymized Mabuya varia nyikae The Variable Skink (Trachylepis varia) is broadly distributed across Loveridge, 1953 (type locality: “Nyika Plateau above Nchenachena, at ⁎ Corresponding author at: University of Kansas, 1345 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. E-mail address: jeff[email protected] (J.L. Weinell). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2017.11.014 Received 12 April 2017; Received in revised form 23 October 2017; Accepted 27 November 2017 Available online 09 December 2017 1055-7903/ © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. J.L. Weinell, A.M. Bauer Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 120 (2018) 103–117 Fig. 1. Map of the study area. Gray shading in- dicates the distribution of the Trachylepis varia complex, based on occurrences reported by Bates et al. (2014), Broadley (1966), Jacobsen (1989), Largen and Spawls (2010), Parker (1942), Pietersen et al. (2013), Pietersen (2014), Spawls et al. (2004), and Scortecci (1928, 1930, 1931). Abbreviations: Angola: Benguella (Be); Biballa (Bi), Catumbella (Ca), Dondo (Do); Eritrea: Keren (Ke); Malawi: Nyika Plateau (NP); Mozambique: Tete (Te); South Africa: Drakensberg Mountains (DM), Gerlachshoop (Ge), Waterberg Massif (WM); Swaziland (SZ); Zimbabwe: Bulawayo (Bu). Southern Africa traditionally does not include Angola, but we chose to include south- eastern Angola in this study to capture additional occurrence records for Maxent analyses. Damara- land is approximated for when Peters (1870) de- scribed Euprepes damaranus (= Trachylepis da- marana). 7000 feet, northwest of Lake Nyasa, Nyasaland” [Malawi]; holotype: intermediate between T. varia and Trachylepis lacertiformis. Although MCZ R-50860) with T. varia. Jacobsen (1989) collected specimens of this new species (which he Jacobsen (1989) recognized an additional species that he con- referred to as “Mabuya sp. aff. M. lacertiformis” or “Mabuya sp. nov.”) sidered to be closely related to Trachylepis varia and morphologically from northeastern South Africa and provided a species account in his 104 J.L. Weinell, A.M. Bauer Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 120 (2018) 103–117 unpublished PhD dissertation, he did not designate a name or type Hallermann, 2016). An integrative systematic study of T. varia across its specimen. In a review of the species of Trachylepis (then Mabuya) oc- range is needed to clarify phylogenetic relationships and geographic curring in southern Africa, Broadley (2000) examined type specimens patterns of phenotypic variation and to identify major clades (putative of E. varius, E. damaranus, and M. v. nyikae, plus additional T. varia species) within T. varia. specimens from across southern Africa, and concluded that subdivision of T. varia is not justified. However, some reports of intraspecific re- 1.2. Research goals productive bimodality have been disproven (or at least called into question) following the discovery of cryptic species or independently We sequenced two mitochondrial and three nuclear DNA loci to evolving lineages that differ in their reproductive modes (e.g., Lobo and infer phylogenetic relationships and to identify the major clades (pu- Espinoza (1999, 2004) and Cornetti et al. (2015); but, see Fairbairn tative species) occurring across the range of the Trachylepis varia et al. (1998) and Smith et al. (2001) for exceptions) and the possibility complex. Additionally, we analyzed phenotypic data for the southern that T. varia includes multiple species must be reinvestigated. African (Fig. 1) populations to (1) examine whether southern African The taxonomic history of Trachylepis varia has been complicated, in populations that are genetically deeply divergent are also phenotypi- part, because of the presence of other, superficially similar-looking cally distinct, (2) map the distributions of putative southern African Trachylepis species in Southern Africa, which earlier authors confused species, and (3) to update the taxonomy of the T. varia complex in with T. varia. In particular, members of the Trachylepis variegata group southern Africa. We test the hypothesis that T. varia is composed of (= Mabuya lacertiformis complex Broadley, 1975)), which includes multiple species,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nyika and Vwaza Reptiles & Amphibians Checklist
    LIST OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF NYIKA NATIONAL PARK AND VWAZA MARSH WILDLIFE RESERVE This checklist of all reptile and amphibian species recorded from the Nyika National Park and immediate surrounds (both in Malawi and Zambia) and from the Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve was compiled by Dr Donald Broadley of the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in November 2013. It is arranged in zoological order by scientific name; common names are given in brackets. The notes indicate where are the records are from. Endemic species (that is species only known from this area) are indicated by an E before the scientific name. Further details of names and the sources of the records are available on request from the Nyika Vwaza Trust Secretariat. REPTILES TORTOISES & TERRAPINS Family Pelomedusidae Pelusios rhodesianus (Variable Hinged Terrapin) Vwaza LIZARDS Family Agamidae Acanthocercus branchi (Branch's Tree Agama) Nyika Agama kirkii kirkii (Kirk's Rock Agama) Vwaza Agama armata (Eastern Spiny Agama) Nyika Family Chamaeleonidae Rhampholeon nchisiensis (Nchisi Pygmy Chameleon) Nyika Chamaeleo dilepis (Common Flap-necked Chameleon) Nyika(Nchenachena), Vwaza Trioceros goetzei nyikae (Nyika Whistling Chameleon) Nyika(Nchenachena) Trioceros incornutus (Ukinga Hornless Chameleon) Nyika Family Gekkonidae Lygodactylus angularis (Angle-throated Dwarf Gecko) Nyika Lygodactylus capensis (Cape Dwarf Gecko) Nyika(Nchenachena), Vwaza Hemidactylus mabouia (Tropical House Gecko) Nyika Family Scincidae Trachylepis varia (Variable Skink) Nyika,
    [Show full text]
  • Os Répteis De Angola: História, Diversidade, Endemismo E Hotspots
    CAPÍTULO 13 OS RÉPTEIS DE ANGOLA: HISTÓRIA, DIVERSIDADE, ENDEMISMO E HOTSPOTS William R. Branch1,2, Pedro Vaz Pinto3,4, Ninda Baptista1,4,5 e Werner Conradie1,6,7 Resumo O estado actual do conhecimento sobre a diversidade dos répteis de Angola é aqui tratada no contexto da história da investigação herpe‑ tológica no país. A diversidade de répteis é comparada com a diversidade conhecida em regiões adjacentes de modo a permitir esclarecer questões taxonómicas e padrões biogeográficos. No final do século xix, mais de 67% dos répteis angolanos encontravam‑se descritos. Os estudos estag‑ naram durante o século seguinte, mas aumentaram na última década. Actualmente, são conhecidos pelo menos 278 répteis, mas foram feitas numerosas novas descobertas durante levantamentos recentes e muitas espécies novas aguardam descrição. Embora a diversidade dos lagartos e das cobras seja praticamente idêntica, a maioria das novas descobertas verifica‑se nos lagartos, particularmente nas osgas e lacertídeos. Destacam‑ ‑se aqui os répteis angolanos mal conhecidos e outros de regiões adjacentes que possam ocorrer no país. A maioria dos répteis endémicos angolanos é constituída por lagartos e encontra ‑se associada à escarpa e à região árida do Sudoeste. Está em curso a identificação de hotspots de diversidade de 1 National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, Wild Bird Trust, South Africa 2 Research Associate, Department of Zoology, P.O. Box 77000, Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth 6031, South Africa 3 Fundação Kissama, Rua 60, Casa 560, Lar do Patriota, Luanda, Angola 4 CIBIO ‑InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485 ‑661 Vairão, Portugal 5 ISCED, Instituto Superior de Ciências da Educação da Huíla, Rua Sarmento Rodrigues s/n, Lubango, Angola 6 School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6530, South Africa 7 Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P.O.
    [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]
  • Arrival and Diversification of Mabuyine Skinks (Squamata: Scincidae) in the Neotropics Based on a Fossil-Calibrated Timetree
    Arrival and diversification of mabuyine skinks (Squamata: Scincidae) in the Neotropics based on a fossil-calibrated timetree Anieli Guirro Pereira and Carlos G. Schrago Department of Genetics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ABSTRACT Background. The evolution of South American Mabuyinae skinks holds significant biogeographic interest because its sister lineage is distributed across the African continent and adjacent islands. Moreover, at least one insular species, Trachylepis atlantica, has independently reached the New World through transoceanic dispersal. To clarify the evolutionary history of both Neotropical lineages, this study aimed to infer an updated timescale using the largest species and gene sampling dataset ever assembled for this group. By extending the analysis to the Scincidae family, we could employ fossil information to estimate mabuyinae divergence times and carried out a formal statistical biogeography analysis. To unveil macroevolutionary patterns, we also inferred diversification rates for this lineage and evaluated whether the colonization of South American continent significantly altered the mode of Mabuyinae evolution. Methods. A time-calibrated phylogeny was inferred under the Bayesian framework employing fossil information. This timetree was used to (i) evaluate the historical biogeography of mabuiyines using the statistical approach implemented in Bio- GeoBEARS; (ii) estimate macroevolutionary diversification rates of the South American Mabuyinae lineages and the patterns of evolution of selected traits, namely, the mode of reproduction, body mass and snout–vent length; (iii) test the hypothesis of differential macroevolutionary patterns in South American lineages in BAMM and GeoSSE; and Submitted 21 November 2016 (iv) re-evaluate the ancestral state of the mode of reproduction of mabuyines.
    [Show full text]
  • Limpopo Province, South Africa) and Its Characteristics
    SALAMANDRA 46(3) 147–166 20 AugustReptile 2010 speciesISSN of the0036–3375 Soutpansberg The reptile species assemblage of the Soutpansberg (Limpopo Province, South Africa) and its characteristics Sebastian Kirchhof1, Michael Krämer2, Jabu Linden3 & Klaus Richter4 1) Biogeography Department, Trier University, Am Wissenschaftspark 25+27, 54296 Trier, Germany 2) Wehler Weg 25, 31785 Hameln, Germany 3) P.O. Box 1536, Louis Trichardt, 0920 Limpopo Province, South Africa 4) Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Dept. 1, Strenzfelder Allee 28, 06406 Bernburg, Germany Corresponding author: Sebastian Kirchhof, e-mail: [email protected] Manuscript received: 20 April 2010 Abstract. The Soutpansberg situated in north-eastern South Africa was investigated with respect to its reptile species di- versity, geographic range of the species and habitat utilisation. Typical inselberg characteristics are discussed in the context of the herpetofauna and compared with the Blouberg, an isolated mountain range to the west of the Soutpansberg. Possible biogeographic links between the species assemblage of the Soutpansberg and adjacent areas are discussed in the context of present geological and climatic conditions within the area. The Soutpansberg reptile community clearly shows effects of isolation. The mistbelt and the grassland on the summits, which both withstood climatic oscillations in the past, harbour the majority of species and most of the endemic taxa in particular. Hence, these areas are of significant ecological value for the reptile community. Rocky habitats and the cooler and moister climate on the mountain provide exceptional conditions within this area. Most of the Soutpansberg endemics exhibit a rupicolous lifestyle and a large number of species are adapted to mesic conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Herpetological Survey of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary on the San Sebastian Peninsula, Vilankulo, Mozambique
    Herpetology Notes, volume 3: 181-193 (2010) (published online on 31 May 2010) A preliminary herpetological survey of the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary on the San Sebastian Peninsula, Vilankulo, Mozambique Niels H.G. Jacobsen1*, Errol W. Pietersen2 & Darren W. Pietersen3 Abstract. This paper reports on and discusses the findings of a herpetofaunal survey of the San Sebastian Peninsula, Vilankulo, Mozambique. A total of 39 reptile and 20 amphibian species were recorded including new records for Mozambique, range extensions and taxa previously considered endemic to the Bazaruto Archipelago. Keywords. Herpetofauna, San Sebastian Peninsula, Vilankulo, Mozambique. Introduction These islands form a northward extension of the San Sebastian Peninsula. The herpetofauna of Mozambique is still relatively A survey of the herpetofauna of the San Sebastian poorly known, especially when compared to the rest of Peninsula was undertaken as part of a larger study of southern Africa. The most recent accounts are those of the vegetation and fauna to assess the conservation Broadley (1966a, 1983), Poynton & Broadley (1985a, importance of the area. b, 1987, 1988) and Channing 2001. In addition, it appears that some early records have been overlooked The Study Site in museum collections. Apart from these, most The San Sebastian Peninsula lies south-east of the recent records often emanate from scant, sporadic town of Vilankulo, forming the mainland extension of or opportunistic collecting (Downs & Wirminghaus the Bazaruto Archipelago which includes Margaruque, 1990). As a result there is a void in our knowledge, Benguera, Bazaruto and Santa Carolina islands (Fig. 1). which also complicates the interpretation of species’ The Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary (VCWS) distributions and even the taxonomic status of some lies along the peninsula between 22.0833 and 22.3500° species.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductionreview
    REPRODUCTIONREVIEW The evolution of viviparity: molecular and genomic data from squamate reptiles advance understanding of live birth in amniotes James U Van Dyke, Matthew C Brandley and Michael B Thompson School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney, A08 Heydon-Laurence Building, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia Correspondence should be addressed to J U Van Dyke; Email: [email protected] Abstract Squamate reptiles (lizards and snakes) are an ideal model system for testing hypotheses regarding the evolution of viviparity (live birth) in amniote vertebrates. Viviparity has evolved over 100 times in squamates, resulting in major changes in reproductive physiology. At a minimum, all viviparous squamates exhibit placentae formed by the appositions of maternal and embryonic tissues, which are homologous in origin with the tissues that form the placenta in therian mammals. These placentae facilitate adhesion of the conceptus to the uterus as well as exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, water, sodium, and calcium. However, most viviparous squamates continue to rely on yolk for nearly all of their organic nutrition. In contrast, some species, which rely on the placenta for at least a portion of organic nutrition, exhibit complex placental specializations associated with the transport of amino acids and fatty acids. Some viviparous squamates also exhibit reduced immunocompetence during pregnancy, which could be the result of immunosuppression to protect developing embryos. Recent molecular studies using both candidate-gene and next-generation sequencing approaches have suggested that at least some of the genes and gene families underlying these phenomena play similar roles in the uterus and placenta of viviparous mammals and squamates.
    [Show full text]
  • A Second Record of Scolecomorphus Kirkii Boulenger, 1883 (Gymnophiona: Scolecomorphidae) for Mozambique
    Herpetology Notes, volume 8: 59-62 (2015) (published online on 10 March 2015) A second record of Scolecomorphus kirkii Boulenger, 1883 (Gymnophiona: Scolecomorphidae) for Mozambique Harith Omar Morgadinho Farooq1 and Werner Conradie2,* The herpetofauna of northern Mozambique (Nampula, Branch et al., 2014), crustaceans (Daniels and Bayliss, Niassa, and Cabo Degabo Provinces) remains one of the 2012) and bats (Taylor et al., 2012). While Portik et al. most poorly-known in Africa. This is a consequence of (2013a) summarised the herpetofauna of the inselbergs the physical inaccessibility of the region as well as the of northern Mozambique, they overlooked the valuable protracted civil war, which affected the study of many amphibian collections in the technical report by Branch areas. Mozambique is expected to have a large diversity (2004) from Niassa Game Reserve and the herpetofaunal of herpetofauna due to the variety of different habitat collections from Mount Mabu (Timberlake et al., 2012), types available and the large size (area) of the country. which led to underestimation and incorrect accounts of The lack of scientific studies of northern Mozambique the herpetofaunal diversity of the montane inselbergs of has led to widely disparate and inaccurate summaries northern Mozambique. of the herpetofaunal diversity of the country. While In November 2011 and May 2014 a team of scientists, there are no formal publications that explicitly deal mountain climbers, and conservationists had the with this topic, reputable internet sources indicate that opportunity to survey Mount Namuli, which resulted 221 reptile (Uetz, 2015) and 69 amphibian species in some additions to the herpetofauna of that area. (AmphibiaWeb, 2015) are expected to occur in the whole of Mozambique.
    [Show full text]
  • Daily Activity Patterns of Australolacerta Rupicola (Fitzsimons, 1933) (Sauria: Lacertidae) with Comments on Niche Segregation Within a Syntopic Lizard Community
    North-Western Journal of Zoology Vol. 6, No. 2, 2010, pp.172-181 P-ISSN: 1584-9074, E-ISSN: 1843-5629 Article No.: 061116 Daily activity patterns of Australolacerta rupicola (FitzSimons, 1933) (Sauria: Lacertidae) with comments on niche segregation within a syntopic lizard community Sebastian KIRCHHOF1*, Jabu LINDEN2, Dennis RÖDDER1 and Klaus RICHTER3 1. Biogeography Department, Trier University, Am Wissenschaftspark 25+27, 54286 Trier, Germany 2. P.O. Box 1536, Louis Trichardt, 0920 Limpopo Province, South Africa 3. Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Dept. 1, Strenzfelder Allee 28, 06406 Bernburg, Germany *Corresponding author, S. Kirchhof, Email: [email protected] Abstract. Daily activity patterns of the endemic Soutpansberg rock lizard (Australolacerta rupicola) and ecologically similar syntopic lizards were analysed to assess potential niche partitioning. Data to evaluate the temporal niche included time and temperature, and niche overlap was determined over three different sample plots using the Pianka-Index. Altogether, 11 other lizard species and four snake species were recorded at the sample plots. Australolacerta rupicola showed a large overlap in the spatial niche with Trachylepis varia and Platysaurus relictus and in the trophic niche with T. varia, however, the maximum activity period of A. rupicola fell into periods of low activity by P. relictus and T. varia and vice versa. These patterns were most pronounced when the different sample plots were analysed separately. The asynchronous activity cycles are probably the result of avoidance of competition for food in the case of the active foragers A. rupicola and T. varia, whereas different thermal preferences driven by physiological constraints appear to be more relevant when comparing A.
    [Show full text]
  • First Records of the Rainbow Mabuya Trachylepis Quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein, 1823) (Squamata: Scincidae) in Algeria
    Herpetology Notes, volume 9: 167-169 (2016) (published online on 24 August 2016) First records of the Rainbow Mabuya Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein, 1823) (Squamata: Scincidae) in Algeria Rouag Rachid1,*, Dahel Ramdane2, Rahmouni Salima2, Benkacimi Sara2 and Ziane Nadia3 The genus Mabuya represents a species-rich group of arboreal but several species (e.g. T. planifrons, T. mostly medium sized lizards of the family Scincidae, maculilabris) spend much of their time in trees (Spawls subfamily Lygosominae. It was one of the largest genera et al., 2002). of the family Scincidae, and the only skink genus with a The Five-lined Mabuya (T. quinquetaeniata), also circumtropical distribution (Greer and Broadley, 2000; called Rainbow Mabuya or blue-tailed Skink (due to the Greer and Nussbaum, 2000). Phylogenetic studies blue tail) Trachylepis quinquetaeniata is a medium sized published during the last decade led to the splitting of lizard reaching a total length of about 20 centimeters. The the genus Mabuya sensu lato into four geographically coloration of this species is quite variable, depending distinct monophyletic genera (Eutropis in Asia, Mabuya on the gender and the age. The scales are glossy, with sensu stricto in the Neotropics and Chioninia in the Cape metallic reflections. The basic colour is usually olive- Verde archipelago (Mausfeld et al., 2002; Carranza and brown or dark brown, sometimes with pearly whitish Arnold, 2003), with the African skinks placed in the spots and with three light olive or dark brown stripes genus Trachylepis (Mausfeld et al., 2002; Bauer et al., running from the head to the electric blue tail. These 2003).
    [Show full text]
  • Reptiles & Amphibians of Kirindy
    REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS OF KIRINDY KIRINDY FOREST is a dry deciduous forest covering about 12,000 ha and is managed by the Centre National de Formation, dʹEtudes et de Recherche en Environnement et Foresterie (CNFEREF). Dry deciduous forests are among the world’s most threatened ecosystems, and in Madagascar they have been reduced to 3 per cent of their original extent. Located in Central Menabe, Kirindy forms part of a conservation priority area and contains several locally endemic animal and plant species. Kirindy supports seven species of lemur and Madagascarʹs largest predator, the fossa. Kirindy’s plants are equally notable and include two species of baobab, as well as the Malagasy endemic hazomalany tree (Hazomalania voyroni). Ninety‐nine per cent of Madagascar’s known amphibians and 95% of Madagascar’s reptiles are endemic. Kirindy Forest has around 50 species of reptiles, including 7 species of chameleons and 11 species of snakes. This guide describes the common amphibians and reptiles that you are likely to see during your stay in Kirindy forest and gives some field notes to help towards their identification. The guide is specifically for use on TBA’s educational courses and not for commercial purposes. This guide would not have been possible without the photos and expertise of Marius Burger. Please note this guide is a work in progress. Further contributions of new photos, ids and descriptions to this guide are appreciated. This document was developed during Tropical Biology Association field courses in Kirindy. It was written by Rosie Trevelyan and designed by Brigid Barry, Bonnie Metherell and Monica Frisch.
    [Show full text]
  • Reproductive Specializations in a Viviparous African Skink: Implications for Evolution and Biological Conservation
    Trinity College Trinity College Digital Repository Faculty Scholarship 8-2010 Reproductive Specializations in a Viviparous African Skink: Implications for Evolution and Biological Conservation Daniel G. Blackburn Trinity College, [email protected] Alexander F. Flemming University of Stellenbosch Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/facpub Part of the Biology Commons Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5(2):263-270. Symposium: Reptile Reproduction REPRODUCTIVE SPECIALIZATIONS IN A VIVIPAROUS AFRICAN SKINK AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION 1 2 DANIEL G. BLACKBURN AND ALEXANDER F. FLEMMING 1Department of Biology and Electron Microscopy Facility, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut 06106, USA, e-mail: [email protected] 2Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa Abstract.—Recent research on the African scincid lizard, Trachylepis ivensi, has significantly expanded the range of known reproductive specializations in reptiles. This species is viviparous and exhibits characteristics previously thought to be confined to therian mammals. In most viviparous squamates, females ovulate large yolk-rich eggs that provide most of the nutrients for development. Typically, their placental components (fetal membranes and uterus) are relatively unspecialized, and similar to their oviparous counterparts. In T. ivensi, females ovulate tiny eggs and provide nutrients for embryonic development almost entirely by placental means. Early in gestation, embryonic tissues invade deeply into maternal tissues and establish an intimate “endotheliochorial” relationship with the maternal blood supply by means of a yolk sac placenta. The presence of such an invasive form of implantation in a squamate reptile is unprecedented and has significant functional and evolutionary implications. Discovery of the specializations of T.
    [Show full text]