DOCSLIB.ORG

Hemipenial Differentiation in the Closely Related Congeners

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hemipenial Differentiation in the Closely Related Congeners ZOBODAT - www.zobodat.at Zoologisch-Botanische Datenbank/Zoological-Botanical Database Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature Zeitschrift/Journal: Herpetozoa Jahr/Year: 2017 Band/Volume: 30_1_2 Autor(en)/Author(s): Vergilov Vladislav S., Zlatkov Boyan, Tzankov Nikolay D. Artikel/Article: Hemipenial differentiation in the closely related congeners Ablepharus kitaibelii (BIBRON & BORY DE SAINT-VINCENT, 1833), and Ablepharus budaki GÖCMEN, KUMLUTAS & TOSUNOGLU, 1996 (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) 39-48 Vergilov_et_al_ablepharus_hemipenis:herPeToZoa.qxd 07.08.2017 18:15 Seite 1 herPeToZoa 30 (1/2): 39 - 48 39 Wien, 30. Juli 2017 hemipenial differentiation in the closely related congeners Ablepharus kitaibelii (B iBroN & B ory De SaiNT -V iNceNT , 1833), and Ablepharus budaki göçmeN , k umluTaş & T oSuNoğlu , 1996 (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) unterschiede in der hemipenismorphologie der beiden nahe verwandten arten Ablepharus kitaibelii (B iBroN & B ory De ST-V iNceNT , 1833) und A. budaki göçmeN , k umluTaş & T oSuNoğlu , 1996 (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) VlaDiSlaV S. V ergiloV & B oyaN P. Z laTkoV & N ikolay D. T ZaNkoV †) kurZFaSSuNg Die hemipenes zweier nahe verwandter Ablepharus arten, A. kitaibelii (BiBroN & B ory De SaiNT -V iNceNT , 1833 ) und A. budaki göçmeN , k umluTa ş & T oSuNoglu , 1996 werden erstmalig beschrieben. Diese arten haben ähnliches aussehen und wurden nur durch wenige externe und sehr variable merkmale unterschieden. in Über ein - stimmung zu einer früheren genetischen Studie zeigten die männlichen geschlechtsorgane jedoch deutliche morpho - logische unterschiede. einige merkmalsausprägungen der hemipenes weisen Ähnlichkeiten mit denen der Skink- Sub familie lygosominae auf. Darüberhinaus wird eine bisher unbeschriebene hemipenisstruktur als ‘asulcal pro - trusion’ beschrieben. es wurden ausschließlich epithelial verhornte, unverkalkte mikrostrukturen beob achtet. eine neuartige methode des ausstülpens kleiner, fragiler hemipenes von eidechsen wird vorgeschlagen. aBSTracT The hemipenes of two closely related Ablepharus species, A. kitaibelii (BiBroN & B ory De SaiNT -V iNceNT , 1833), and A. budaki göçmeN , k umluTaş & T oSuNoglu , 1996, are described for the first time. These species are of similar general appearance and differ by few external and variable characters only. The genital morphology, however, revealed profound differences, which is in concert with a previous genetic study. Some hemipenial char - acters resemble those found in lygosomine skinks. moreover, a previously undescribed hemipenial structure was found: the asulcal protrusion. only epithelial non-calcified keratinous microstructures were observed. an inno - vative technique for eversion of small and fragile lizards’ hemipenes is proposed. key WorDS reptilia: Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae; Ablepharus kitaibelii , Ablepharus budaki , hemipenis, bulbous lobes, asulcal protrusion, morphology, microstructures, eversion iNTroDucTioN The genus Ablepharus FiTZiNger in lindbergi WeTTSTeiN , 1960; A. pannonicus eVerSmaNN , 1823, currently comprises ten (FiTZiNger , 1824), and A. rueppellii (gray , species [ Ablepharus bivittatus méNéTrieS , 1839)] confined mainly to southwestern and 1832; A. budaki göçmeN , k umluTaş & southern asia ( SiNDaco & J eremčeNko ToSuNoğlu , 1996; A. chernovi DareVSky , 2008). a single species, A. kitaibelii , is 1953; A. darvazi JeriomčeNko & P aNFiloV , present in europe. Taxonomic revisions 1990; A. deserti STrauch , 1868; A. gray - (STePáNek 1937; m erTeNS 1952; F uhN anus (STolicZka , 1872), A. kitaibelii (BiB- 1970; e remčeNko & S čerBak 1986; g öç- roN & B ory De SaiNT -V iNceNT , 1833), A. meN et al. 1996), resulted in descriptions of ______________________________________ †) The authors Vladislav S. VergiloV and Boyan P. ZlaTkoV dedicate this paper to their good friend and esteemed colleague Nikolay D. TZaNkoV , who recently passed away in a tragic car accident. Vergilov_et_al_ablepharus_hemipenis:herPeToZoa.qxd 07.08.2017 18:15 Seite 2 40 V. S. V ergiloV & B. P. Z laTkoV & N. D. T ZaNkoV several subspecies: A. k. fabichi STèPàNek , Ver & B öhme 1986), lacertidae ( Böhme 1937; A. k. fitzingeri merTeNS , 1952; A. k. 1971; a rNolD 1983, 1986a, 1986b), gymn - stepaneki FuhN , 1970, and A. k. budaki . ophthalmidae ( uZZel 1969, 1973; m yerS et Shortly after its description, the status of the al. 2009; NuNeS et al. 2012, 2014), Dac - latter taxon was raised to full species by tyloidae ( köhler 2010; k öhler & k reuTZ SchmiDTler (1997). he also introduced a 1999; k öhler & S uNyer 2008; k öhler & new subspecies A. b. anatolicus from the VeSely 2010; k öhler et al. 2007, 2010, anatolian mainland. Based on molecular 2012). generally, the members of the Scin - data, PoulakakiS et al. (2013) demonstrat - cidae family have been studied sporadically, ed that A. budaki belongs to a well-support - with few works concerning this topic ( Böh- ed clade that is further subdivided into three me 1988; B öhme et al. 2000; greer & B iS- monophyletic lineages. Diagnostic features WaS 2004; Z iegler & B öhme 2004; h orNer and arguments for raising A. budaki to 2007). in Ablepharus this feature received species level included external morphologi - very little attention. up to this date, a single cal traits ( göçmeN et al. 1996; SchmiDTler study dealing with this matter schematically 1997) and substantial genetic divergence presents the hemipenial morphology of A. from A. kitaibelii (Pou lakakiS et al. 2005, darvazi , A. deserti and A. pannonicus 2013). (eremčeNko & P aNFiloV 1990). The hemipenial morphology has The purpose of this study is to proven its significance as an important trait describe the hemipenial morphology of two for interspecific taxonomic differentiation closely related representatives of the genus of congeners. This method has been applied Ablepharus and to propose an alternative for other small representatives of various technique for hemipenial preparation appli - lizard families, e.g., chamaeleonidae ( kla- cable to small lizard species. maTerialS aND meThoDS materials.– Ablepharus kitaibelii , The specimens were dissected and three adult males from Bulgaria: Silistra both hemipenes together with the retractor region, near v. Sratsimir, No. NmNhS194; muscles and connective tissue were re - Southern Pirin mts., near v. Belyovo, No. moved carefully with small scissors, forceps NmNhS45; Strandzha mts., near v. Bele - and scalpel, and then submerged into 5 % vren, No. NmNhS170. Ablepharus budaki , ethanol solution. This ethanol concentra - two adult males from Turkey, hatay Pro - tion decreases the surface tension without vince, near v. ylanlı, NmNhS400-401. all hardening the soft tissues. Then the con - specimens are preserved in ethanol in the nective tissue and most of the retractor mus - collection of the National museum of Nat - cle were extirpated. after that, the hemi - ural history, Bulgarian academy of Scien - penes were everted using fine forceps and ces (NmNhS) in Sofia, Bulgaria. syringe with a thin metal needle. complete methods.– early proposed tech - eversion was achieved after injecting 5 % niques for hemipenial preparation (e.g., or- ethanol into partially everted hemipenes. TeNBurger 1923; B öhme 1971, 1988; Processing with potassium hydroxide maN ZaNi & a Be 1988; P eSaNTeS 1994 etc.) (koh) solution used for various larger rep - appeared to be inapplicable to the studied tiles ( PeSaNTeS 1994; Z iegler & B öhme objects because of their small size and 1997; Z aher , 1999; h arVey et al. 2012) fragility. as small skinks possess delicate and some smaller species ( NuNeS et al. hemipenes the authors used techniques 2014) proved to be inapplicable, because developed for everting the endophallus of the tissues became too soft and fragile, and large moths ( harDWick 1950; D uFay 1978; consequent eversion was impossible. The FiBiger et al. 1984) with some modifica - everted hemipenes were stained in 0,5 % tions. The method is based on manual ever - alizarin red S solution for about 10-15 sec - sion and dehydration of the soft tissue by onds. This stain is used for contrasting of injection with absolute ethanol. hemipenial carbonate structures of lizards Vergilov_et_al_ablepharus_hemipenis:herPeToZoa.qxd 07.08.2017 18:15 Seite 3 hemipenial differentiation in Ablepharus kitaibelii and A. budaki 41 (uZZell 1969, 1973). Both alcohol (70 %) and two of A. budaki were made. For the and water solution of alizarin produced purpose, the hemipenes were slit laterally to equal results. The staining did not provide produce sulcal and asulcal halves, then the expected result because the stain pene - compressed between two slides and dehy - trated in all tissues, hence they were equally drated with absolute ethanol for five min, stained and no contrasted structures were after that removed from the slides and observed under a stereomicroscope. how - cleared with euparal essence for five min ever, this procedure proved to be useful for and mounted permanently on a slide with subsequent microscopic observation. after euparal embedding agent. To test the pres - staining the hemipenes were inflated with ence of carbonate structures, two hemipenes 100 % ethyl alcohol using a syringe with a of A. kitaibelii and one of A. budaki were blunt needle. a continuous flow of alcohol treated with 10 % hNo 3 for a minute (under was maintained for a few seconds to harden direct microscope observation on temporary the hemipenes. To avoid ejecting by pres - slide mounts), then washed with distilled sure, the hemipenes were tied at the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Diversity of Hemipenes and Its Taxonomical Implication in the Genus Ablepharus (Squamata: Scincidae)
    ARPHA Conference Abstracts 2: e39487 doi: 10.3897/aca.2.e39487 Conference Abstract Diversity of hemipenes and its taxonomical implication in the genus Ablepharus (Squamata: Scincidae) Vladislav Vergilov‡, Georgi Popgeorgiev‡§, Boyan Zlatkov ‡ National Museum of Natural History, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria § Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria Corresponding author: Vladislav Vergilov ([email protected]) Received: 27 Aug 2019 | Published: 28 Aug 2019 Citation: Vergilov V, Popgeorgiev G, Zlatkov B (2019) Diversity of hemipenes and its taxonomical implication in the genus Ablepharus(Squamata: Scincidae). ARPHA Conference Abstracts 2: e39487. https://doi.org/10.3897/aca.2.e39487 Abstract The genus Ablepharus encompasses 10 species and 12 subspecies, distributed from Hungary to India. Most species and subspecies have been described from the Middle East and Central Asia, based on external morphology (pholidosis, body size and coloration). The present study is an attempt to demonstrate the hemipenial morphology throughout the genus. Some taxonomical questions arose during comparison of the hemipenes of several subspecies and species, showing the necessity of a revision of the genus. A dendrogram generated from distinctive hemipenial characters revealed rapid divergence of this structure in closely related taxa and discrepancy with the phylogenetic tree based on molecular data from previous studies. Keywords skink, morphology, hemipenis, relationships © Vergilov
    [Show full text]
  • The Sclerotic Ring: Evolutionary Trends in Squamates
    The sclerotic ring: Evolutionary trends in squamates by Jade Atkins A Thesis Submitted to Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Applied Science July, 2014, Halifax Nova Scotia © Jade Atkins, 2014 Approved: Dr. Tamara Franz-Odendaal Supervisor Approved: Dr. Matthew Vickaryous External Examiner Approved: Dr. Tim Fedak Supervisory Committee Member Approved: Dr. Ron Russell Supervisory Committee Member Submitted: July 30, 2014 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my family, friends, and mentors who helped me get to where I am today. Thank you. ! ii Table of Contents Title page ........................................................................................................................ i Dedication ...................................................................................................................... ii List of figures ................................................................................................................. v List of tables ................................................................................................................ vii Abstract .......................................................................................................................... x List of abbreviations and definitions ............................................................................ xi Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Notes and Comments on the Distribution of Two Endemic Lygosoma Skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Lygosominae) from India
    Journal of Threatened Taxa | www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 December 2014 | 6(14): 6726–6732 Note The family Scincidae is the Notes and comments on the distribution largest group among lizards, of two endemic Lygosoma skinks comprising more than 1558 species (Squamata: Scincidae: Lygosominae) ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) (Uetz & Hosek 2014). Of the from India ISSN 0974-7893 (Print) seven subfamilies recognized, the subfamily Lygosominae contains Raju Vyas OPEN ACCESS over 52 species in five genera (Uetz & Hosek 2014). The genus 505, Krishnadeep Tower, Mission Road, Fatehgunj, Vadodara, Gujarat Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 has a long and 390002, India [email protected] complicated nomenclatural history (see Geissler et al. 2011). In India, the genus Lygosoma is represented by nine species, of which five are endemic (Datta-Roy et al. 2014), including Günther’s Supple Skink Lygosoma City, Vadodara District and after examination both the guentheri (Peters, 1879) and the Lined Supple Skink skinks were released in the nearby riverine habitat of Lygosoma lineata (Gray, 1839). These are less studied, Vishwamitri River within the limits of the city area. terrestrial, insectivorous and diurnal supple-skinks Lygosoma guentheri: On 12 December 2013, a large (Molur & Walker 1998). Both these species are found adult specimen of Lygosoma (Image 1) was captured by in peninsular India and are classified ‘Least Concern’ a local rescue group from a garden in Vadodara City, species by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Gujarat. The specimen was identified as L. guentheri (Srinivasulu & Srinivasulu 2013a, b). with the help of the literature (Boulenger 1890; Smith Reserved forest and degraded areas of the northern 1935).
    [Show full text]
  • Husbandry Manual for the Shingleback Lizard Tiliqua Rugosa
    Husbandry Manual for The Shingleback Lizard Tiliqua rugosa GRAY, 1825 Reptilia:Scincidae Compiler: Andrew Titmuss Date of Preparation: 2007 University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury © Andrew Titmuss 2007 1 A Husbandry Manual template has been developed to standardise information on captive management needs in a concise, accessible and usable form. Currently there is no Husbandry Manual for the Shingleback Lizard. As these lizards are commonly kept in zoological and private collections in Australia and internationally, a Husbandry Manual could be widely used. This Husbandry Manual is set out as per the husbandry manual template designed by Stephen Jackson and Graeme Phipps. The template is a document that was created to maintain husbandry manual uniformity and thus its effectiveness and ease of use. It is intended as a working document. It is designed to be used by any institution, as well as private collections, holding this species. Although these lizards are easy to keep in captivity they do have some special requirements. The aim of the Husbandry Manual is to summarise and consolidate information regarding OHS, natural history, captive management and ethical husbandry techniques and conservation from a variety of sources. It should provide information on appropriate husbandry with scope for improved health and welfare and captive breeding if required. The University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus, is planning on keeping Shingleback Lizards amongst other species in their reptile unit. This manual can be used by the University of
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview and Checklist of the Native and Alien Herpetofauna of the United Arab Emirates
    Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5(3):529–536. Herpetological Conservation and Biology Symposium at the 6th World Congress of Herpetology. AN OVERVIEW AND CHECKLIST OF THE NATIVE AND ALIEN HERPETOFAUNA OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 1 1 2 PRITPAL S. SOORAE , MYYAS AL QUARQAZ , AND ANDREW S. GARDNER 1Environment Agency-ABU DHABI, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, e-mail: [email protected] 2Natural Science and Public Health, College of Arts and Sciences, Zayed University, P.O. Box 4783, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Abstract.—This paper provides an updated checklist of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) native and alien herpetofauna. The UAE, while largely a desert country with a hyper-arid climate, also has a range of more mesic habitats such as islands, mountains, and wadis. As such it has a diverse native herpetofauna of at least 72 species as follows: two amphibian species (Bufonidae), five marine turtle species (Cheloniidae [four] and Dermochelyidae [one]), 42 lizard species (Agamidae [six], Gekkonidae [19], Lacertidae [10], Scincidae [six], and Varanidae [one]), a single amphisbaenian, and 22 snake species (Leptotyphlopidae [one], Boidae [one], Colubridae [seven], Hydrophiidae [nine], and Viperidae [four]). Additionally, we recorded at least eight alien species, although only the Brahminy Blind Snake (Ramphotyplops braminus) appears to have become naturalized. We also list legislation and international conventions pertinent to the herpetofauna. Key Words.— amphibians; checklist; invasive; reptiles; United Arab Emirates INTRODUCTION (Arnold 1984, 1986; Balletto et al. 1985; Gasperetti 1988; Leviton et al. 1992; Gasperetti et al. 1993; Egan The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of 2007).
    [Show full text]
  • Aksu-Zhabagly BIOSPHERE RESERVE National Commission Republic of Kazakhstan
    Aksu-Zhabagly BIOSPHERE RESERVE National Commission Republic of Kazakhstan Kazakhstan National Committee Kazakhstan National Committee for the UNESCO Programme “Man and Biosphere” MAB, Institute of Zoology, 93 al-Farabi Str. Almaty, 050060 KAZAKHSTAN Kazakhstan National Committee Aksu-Zhabagly Biosphere Reserve NominatioN PART I: SUMMARY 1. PROPOSED NAME OF THE BIOSPHERE RESERVE: Aksu-Zhabagly Biosphere Reserve 2. COUNTRY: Kazakhstan Aksu-Zhabagly 4 FULFILLMENT OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES 3. «Conservation — contribute to the conservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species and genetic variation» 3. 1 Aksu-Zhabagly biosphere reserve is located in the Western end of Talasskiy Alatau and Southern part of Karatau in the West Tien Shan. The whole region of the West Tien Shan is an Eastern outpost of Mediterranean atmospheric circulation, therefore it has a winter-spring rainfall. The mountain range of the West Tien Shan is a barrier that catches the moisture in the Western transport of air masses; in addition, this region is situated within the zone of the Southern deserts, where the annual temperature sum is high and about 4000-5000o C. As a result, this area is the most favorable for vegetation and preservation of many ancient relict species and plant communities. Moreover, the reserve’s ecosystems have a very close relationship with the natural systems of the Near East and the Mediterranean than to the rest of the ecosystems of the Tien Shan. The territory of Aksu Zhabagly has a high degree of representativeness at regional level. For example, it has almost all landscape types and sub-types of the West Tien Shan, except for deserts and gypsophilous subshrub communities, which are well below the reserve in altitude.
    [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]
  • Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Cranial Variation in the Egernia Depressa (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) Species Complex Marci G
    RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM 26 138–153 (2011) Geometric morphometric analysis of cranial variation in the Egernia depressa (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) species complex Marci G. Hollenshead Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011, U.S.A. Email: [email protected] ABSTRACT – Few studies have attempted to simultaneously examine geographic, ontogenetic and sexual variation of lizard crania. This study does so with a focus on the Egernia depressa species complex (Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skinks), which occur throughout much of arid Western Australia and inhabits fallen trees in the southern part of its range and rock crevices in disjunct boulder outcrops in the northern part of its range in the Pilbara. Geometric (i.e. landmark-based) morphometrics were used to examine variation in cranial shape in E. depressa, E. cygnitos and E. epsisolus. Cranial differences were evident among the different species; however, the differences depended on which aspect of the cranium was being analysed. A comparison also was made between E. depressa which inhabits tree hollows v. E. cygnitos and E. epsisolus which use rock crevices. The lateral aspect of the cranium of the rock-inhabiting species differs from the log-inhabiting species in having dorsal-ventral compression of the postorbital region. Egernia cygnitos which lives western portion of the Pilbara differs from other species in having a wider cranium with a correspondingly broader palatal region. Sexual dimorphism was not evident, but ontogenetic changes in cranial form were present. KEYWORDS: Australian skinks, Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skinks, Western Australia, landmark-based methods. INTRODUCTION social groups, several individuals will occupy the same The Australian scincid genus Egernia includes some crevice, bask in close proximity and share the same scat of the continent’s largest and most ubiquitous lizards pile (Duffi eld and Bull 2002).
    [Show full text]
  • Species List of Amphibians and Reptiles from Turkey
    Journal of Animal Diversity Online ISSN 2676-685X Volume 2, Issue 4 (2020) http://dx.doi.org/10.29252/JAD.2020.2.4.2 Review Article Species list of Amphibians and Reptiles from Turkey Muammer Kurnaz Gümüşhane University, Kelkit Vocational School of Health Services, Department of Medical Services and Techniques 29600, Kelkit / Gümüşhane, Turkey *Corresponding author : [email protected] Abstract Turkey is biogeographically diverse and consequently has a rich herpetofauna. As a result of active herpetological research, the number of species has steadily increased in recent years. I present here a new checklist of amphibian and reptile species distributed in Turkey, revising the nomenclature to reflect the latest taxonomic knowledge. In addition, information about the systematics of many species is also given. In total 35 (19.4%) amphibian and 145 Received: 8 October 2020 (80.6%) reptile species comprise the Turkish herpetofauna. Among amphibians, 16 (45.7%) Accepted: 23 December 2020 anurans and 19 urodelans (54.3%) are present. Among reptiles, 11 (7.6%) testudines, 71 Published online: 31 January 2021 (49%) saurians, 3 (2.1%) amphisbaenians and 60 (41.3%) ophidians are considered part of the herpetofauna. The endemism rate in Turkey is considered relatively high with a total of 34 species (12 amphibian species – 34.3% and 22 reptile species – 15.2%) endemic to Turkey, yielding a total herpetofaunal endemism of 18.9%. While 38 species have not been threat-assessed by the IUCN, 92 of the 180 Turkish herpetofaunal species are of Least Concern (LC), 13 are Near Threatened (NT), 10 are Vulnerable (VU), 14 are Endangered (EN), and 7 are Critically Endangered (CR).
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of Reptiles in Kosovo and Metohija Province
    UNIVERSITY THOUGHT doi:10.5937/univtho8-16981 Publication in Natural Sciences, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2018, pp. 1-6. Original Scientific Paper CONTRIBUTION TO THE HERPETOFAUNA OF SERBIA - DISTRIBUTION OF REPTILES IN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA PROVINCE LJILJANA TOMOVIĆ1*, MAGDALENA TIMOTIJEVIĆ2, RASTKO AJTIĆ3, IMRE KRIZMANIĆ1, NENAD LABUS2 1Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia 2Faculty of Science and Mathematics, University of Priština, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia 3Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia ABSTRACT Kosovo and Metohija have already been recognized as regions with the highest diversity of reptiles in Serbia, where 92% (22 of 24) of existing reptile species can be found (Tomović et al., 2015a). First comprehensive contribution to herpetofauna of Kosovo and Metohija was provided by late Professor Gojko Pasuljević. In this study we present a complete dataset of distribution records for 13 most common reptile species in Kosovo and Metohija, including published and new distribution data compiled, and provide standardized 10 x 10 km UTM maps for these data. Results of this study include 1013 distribution records (278 new and 735 published data) for the following reptiles: Testudo hermanni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Anguis fragilis, Lacerta agilis, Lacerta viridis, Podarcis muralis, Podarcis tauricus, Coronella austriaca, Dolichophis caspius, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Zamenis longissimus and Vipera ammodytes. The most widely distributed species, which occupy more than 50 UTM 10 x 10 km squares are: Podarcis muralis and Vipera ammodytes. Species with limited distribution which occupy less than 20 UTM 10 x 10 km are: Dolichophis caspius and Lacerta agilis. The largest numbers of new or confirmed literature data are recorded for: Anguis fragilis, Testudo hermanni and Vipera ammodytes.
    [Show full text]
  • New Locality Records of Ablepharus Kitaibelii Fitzingeri Mertens, 1952 from the Area Surrounding the River Ipel’, in Slovakia and Adjacent Hungary
    North-Western Journal of Zoology Vol. 4, No. 1, 2008, pp.125-128 [Online: Vol.4, 2008: 05] New locality records of Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzingeri Mertens, 1952 from the area surrounding the river Ipel’, in Slovakia and adjacent Hungary Zoltán KORSÓS1, Róbert CSEKÉS2 and Eszter TAKÁCS3 1Department of Zoology, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Baross u. 13, H-1088 Budapest, Hungary, E-mail: [email protected] 2 U mlékárny 290, 353 01 Mariánské Lázně, Czech Republic 3Zoological Institute, Szent István University, Rottenbiller u. 50, H-1078 Budapest, Hungary Abstract. During a survey in August, 2006, the Ipoly (Ipel’) River region along the Hungarian-Slovakian border was visited for occurrences of the Pannonian Snake-eyed Skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzingeri Mertens, 1952) at the northernmost border of its range. Populations at four localities were found, two of which (one in Slovakia and one in Hungary) proved to be new without previously known records. Key words: Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzingeri, distribution, new localities, Slovakia, Hungary The Snake-eyed skink, Ablepharus In the framework of a Hungarian kitaibelii (Bibron & Bory, 1833), is the nationwide project on the origin and only representative of the genus in evolution of the selected faunal Europe, and the northernmost elements of the Carpathian Basin, we European member of the lizard family surveyed the appropriate area of the Scincidae. The species’ subspecific subspecies’ (Ablepharus kitaibelii fitzin- composition is still under discussion geri) range along the Slovakian-Hunga- (Fuhn 1970, Ljubisavljevic et al. 2002, rian border, determined mainly by the Schmidtler 1997), although a successful valley of the Ipoly (Ipel’) river and the attempt was already made on its adjacent slopes.
    [Show full text]
  • The Herpetofauna of the Island of Rhodes (Dodecanese, Greece)
    HERPETOZOA 21 (3/4): 147 - 169 147 Wien, 30. Jänner 2009 The herpetofauna of the Island of Rhodes (Dodecanese, Greece) Die Herpetofauna der Insel Rhodos (Dodekanes, Griechenland) THOMAS BADER & CHRISTOPH RIEGLER & HEINZ GRILLITSCH KURZFASSUNG Die Herpetofauna von Rhodos wird aufgrund von Literaturdaten, Sammlungsmaterial des Naturhistorischen Museums in Wien sowie Ergebnissen diverser herpetologischer Exkursionen aufgelistet. Verbreitungskarten aller nachgewiesenen Arten sowie eine aktuelle herpetologische Faunenliste werden erstellt. Folgende Arten wurden regelmäßig und wiederholt festgestellt: Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea, Pelophylax cerigensis, Mauremys rivulata, Hemidactylus turcicus, Laudakia stellio, Ophisops elegans, Lacerta trilineata, Anatolacerta oertzeni, Ablepharus kitaibelii, Chalcides ocellatus, Trachylepis aurata, Blanus strauchi, Typhlops vermicularis, Dolichophis sp., Platyceps najadum, Hemorrhois nummifer, Zamenis situla, Natrix natrix, Telescopus fallax. Der taxonomische Status der Springnatter wird diskutiert. Aufgrund mehrerer aktueller Funde wird Mediodactylus kotschyi ergän- zend zur Herpetofauna von Rhodos hinzugefügt und das Auftreten folgender Arten, deren Vorkommen in der Literatur regelmäßig für Rhodos angegeben wurde, in Frage gestellt: Testudo graeca, Pseudopus apodus, Natrix tessellata. Aktuelle Einzelfunde gelangen von Chamaeleo chamaeleon, Malpolon monspessulanus, Testudo grae- ca und Testudo hermanni, deren Status diskutiert wird. ABSTRACT Based on several recent herpetological surveys, as well as data from
    [Show full text]