DOCSLIB.ORG

Sympatry of Pseudocerastes Persicus and P. Urarachnoides in the Western Zagros Mountains, Iran

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Sympatry of Pseudocerastes Persicus and P. Urarachnoides in the Western Zagros Mountains, Iran Herpetology Notes, volume 10: 323-325 (2017) (published online on 05 June 2017) Sympatry of Pseudocerastes persicus and P. urarachnoides in the western Zagros Mountains, Iran Bobby Bok1,*, Matthieu Berroneau2, Masoud Yousefi3, Joachim Nerz4, Frank Deschandol5, Maud Berroneau2 and Laura Tiemann6 The viperid genus Pseudocerastes Boulenger, 1896 currently consists of three Middle Eastern species: P. persicus (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854), P. fieldi Schmidt, 1930, and P. urarachnoides Bostanchi, Anderson, Kami & Papenfuss, 2006. The generic name Pseudocerastes (“false horned”) refers to the horn-like structures above the eyes, which consist of numerous smaller scales, in contrast with the horns of the “true” horned viper (genus Cerastes). Pseudocerastes persicus is the most widely distributed species of the genus, ranging from Pakistan and Afghanistan westwards to Iraq. An isolated occurrence is known from extreme northern Oman and the UAE (Gardner, 2013; Sindaco, et al., 2013). Pseudocerastes fieldi was long considered a subspecies of P. persicus. Its distribution is confined to the north of the Arabian Peninsula, eastern Egypt and southwestern Iran (Gholamifard and Reza Esmaeili, 2010). Pseudocerastes urarachnoides is endemic to the western Iranian Zagros mountain range. The dorsal scales are even more strongly keeled than in the other two species. The headscales end in knob-like structures giving the animal a rugous appearance. Its most distinct feature is an oval bulb-like structure with protruding elongated scales at the end of the tail. This structure is 1 St. Michael College, Leeghwaterweg 7, 1509 BS Zaandam, The Netherlands 2 Association ATHERIS, 15 allée Terre Rouge,33320 Le Taillan- Médoc, France 3 Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran 4 Jägerstrasse 50, 71032, Böblingen, Germany 5 26 Impasse Niepce, 76600 Le Havre, France 6 Department of Neurology, Technische Universität München, Figure 1. Heads of Pseudocerastes persicus (upper) and 81675 Munich, Germany P. urarachnoides (middle). Lower: Size comparison of P. * Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] urarachnoides (left) and P. persicus (right). 324 Bobby Bok et al. persicus was found lying in the shade of a large boulder at 994m a.s.l. After being disturbed it regurgitated an Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Sitta tephronata. Shortly after noon, a specimen of P. urarachnoides was found resting in a small hole on a vertical limestone cliff near a small Ficus carica at 927m a.s.l. Both observation sites were located on the same southward facing slope. The distance between the two sites was 150m and no notable differences between them were observed. Pseudocerastes urarachnoides is only known from a confined distributional range, where it can almost exclusively be found on vertical limestone cliffs in close vicinity to large bushes (Fathinia, et al., 2016). It has been suggested to be specialized on migratory birds as prey items (Fathinia, et al., 2015). In contrast, the more widespread P. persicus is known to occur in various semi-desert habitats such as mountain wadis and rocky deserts, and feeds on a variety of prey items such as lizards, mammals or birds (Disi, et al., 2001). The observations reported here present a first well- documented case of syntopy between two species. It can be hypothesized that the two species are able to co- occur in certain habitats due to their specific trophic- and ecological niches. Sympatry between these two Figure 2. Upper: Map depicting the observation locality in the species is not new and has been mentioned before province of Ilam, Iran. Lower: Observation site. (Fathinia and Rastegar-Pouyani, 2010). However, this is not well known to the wider public and has therefore not yet been considered in more recent distribution maps (Bostanchi, et al., 2006; Martínez Del Marmol, used as a caudal lure to attract prey (Fathinia, et al., 2015; et al., 2016), demonstrating the demand for further Martínez Del Marmol, et al., 2016; Phelps, 2010). publications. During a field excursion to the western Zagros Based on the presence of suitable habitat we deem it Mountains in the Ilam Province, Iran in May 2016, we likely that P. urarachnoides might be more widespread explored a known habitat of P. urarachnoides in the Bina than currently assumed. Thus, the exploration of & Bijar No-hunting Area. This habitat consists mostly suitable habitat in search of contact zones between the of limestone substrate providing many deep holes and two species and analyses of their habitat requirements crevices in which the vipers can hide. Vegetation is appears to be a promising goal for future studies. xerophylic and sparse but a few scattered trees such as Pistacia khinjuk, P. atlantica, Quercus brantii and Acknowledgments. The authors would like to thank the Ficus carica are present (Fathinia, et al., 2016). We Department of Environment of Iran for providing the necessary searched between 800 – 1000m a.s.l. We refrain from permits (permit number: 95/3966), the DOE officers who assisted presenting exact locality data to discourage poaching. them in the field, as well as Anooshe Kafash for providing the Other herpetofauna recorded at the locality represented map used in Fig. 2. tadpoles and one adult of Bufotes luristanicus found in the riverbed of a small temporal stream, and Ophisops References elegans, Heremites septemtaeniatus and Laudakia Bostanchi, H., Anderson, S.C., Gholi Kami, H., Papenfuss, T.J. nupta found on steep slopes rising from the stream. The (2006): A new species of Pseudocerastes with elaborate tail weather was cloudy with rain in the morning. However, ornamentation from Western Iran (Squamata: Viperidae). the sky cleared at around 10am and temperatures Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 57: 443- rose quickly. Shortly before noon, one specimen of P. 450. Sympatry of Pseudocerastes persicus and P. urarachnoides in Iran 325 Disi, A.M., Modrý, D., Nečas, P., Rifai, L. (2001): Amphibians and Reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: An Atlas and Field Guide. Frankfurt am Main, Edition Chimaira. Fathinia, B., Rastegar-Pouyani, N. (2010): On the species of Pseudocerastes (Ophidia: Viperidae) in Iran. Russian Journal of Herpetology 17: 275-279. Fathinia, B., Rastegar-Pouyani, N., Rastegar-Pouyani, E., Todehdehghan, F., Amiri, F. (2015): Avian deception using an elaborate caudal lure in Pseudocerastes urarachnoides (Serpentes: Viperidae). Amphibia-Reptilia 36: 223-231. Fathinia, B., Rastegar-Pouyani, N., Rastegar-Pouyani, E., Todehdehghan, F., Mansouri, M. (2016): Annual activity pattern of Pseudocerastes urarachnoides BOSTANCHI, ANDERSON, KAMI & PAPENFUSS, 2006, with notes on its natural history. Herpetozoa 29: 135-142. Gardner, A.S. (2013): The Amphibians and Reptiles of Oman and the UAE. Frankfurt am Main, Edition Chimaira. Gholamifard, A., Reza Esmaeili, H. (2010): First record and range extension of Field’s horned viper, Pseudocerastes fieldi Schmidt, 1930 (Squamata: Viperidae), from Fars province, southern Iran. Turkish Journal of Zoology 34: 551-552. Martínez Del Marmol, G., Mozaffari, O., Gállego, J. (2016): Pseudocerastes urarachnoides: the ambush specialist. Boletín de la Asociación Herpetológica Española 27: 39-44. Phelps, T. (2010): Old World Vipers - A Natural History of the Azemiopinae, and Viperinae. Frankfurt am Main, Edition Chimaira. Sindaco, R., Venchi, A., Grieco, C. (2013): Annotated Checklist and Distributional Atlas of the Snakes of Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia. Latina, Edizioni Belvedere. Accepted by Jiri Smid.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Sitta Tephronota
    Sitta tephronota -- Sharpe, 1872 ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- PASSERIFORMES -- SITTIDAE Common names: Eastern Rock-nuthatch; Eastern Rock Nuthatch European Red List Assessment European Red List Status LC -- Least Concern, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC) EU27 regional assessment: Not Applicable (NA) This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence 10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (30% decline over ten years or three generations). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern in Europe. The bird is considered vagrant in the EU27 and is assessed as Not Applicable (NA) for this region. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Armenia; Azerbaijan; Georgia; Turkey Population The European population is estimated at 16,600-53,500 pairs, which equates to 33,200-107,000 mature individuals. The species does not occur in the EU27. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF . Trend In Europe the population size is estimated to be stable. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology This is a species of rocky mountain slopes and valleys, cliffs, ravines and gorges. It may favour streams, and its distribution is closely correlated to a milk-vetch-wormwood-Rosaceae (Astragalus-Artemesia-Rosaceae) vegetation community, including almonds (Prunus dulcis) and pistachios (Pistacia vera).
    [Show full text]
  • Timeline of Natural History
    Timeline of natural history This timeline of natural history summarizes significant geological and Life timeline Ice Ages biological events from the formation of the 0 — Primates Quater nary Flowers ←Earliest apes Earth to the arrival of modern humans. P Birds h Mammals – Plants Dinosaurs Times are listed in millions of years, or Karo o a n ← Andean Tetrapoda megaanni (Ma). -50 0 — e Arthropods Molluscs r ←Cambrian explosion o ← Cryoge nian Ediacara biota – z ←Earliest animals o ←Earliest plants i Multicellular -1000 — c Contents life ←Sexual reproduction Dating of the Geologic record – P r The earliest Solar System -1500 — o t Precambrian Supereon – e r Eukaryotes Hadean Eon o -2000 — z o Archean Eon i Huron ian – c Eoarchean Era ←Oxygen crisis Paleoarchean Era -2500 — ←Atmospheric oxygen Mesoarchean Era – Photosynthesis Neoarchean Era Pong ola Proterozoic Eon -3000 — A r Paleoproterozoic Era c – h Siderian Period e a Rhyacian Period -3500 — n ←Earliest oxygen Orosirian Period Single-celled – life Statherian Period -4000 — ←Earliest life Mesoproterozoic Era H Calymmian Period a water – d e Ectasian Period a ←Earliest water Stenian Period -4500 — n ←Earth (−4540) (million years ago) Clickable Neoproterozoic Era ( Tonian Period Cryogenian Period Ediacaran Period Phanerozoic Eon Paleozoic Era Cambrian Period Ordovician Period Silurian Period Devonian Period Carboniferous Period Permian Period Mesozoic Era Triassic Period Jurassic Period Cretaceous Period Cenozoic Era Paleogene Period Neogene Period Quaternary Period Etymology of period names References See also External links Dating of the Geologic record The Geologic record is the strata (layers) of rock in the planet's crust and the science of geology is much concerned with the age and origin of all rocks to determine the history and formation of Earth and to understand the forces that have acted upon it.
    [Show full text]
  • Amphibian and Reptilian Biodiversty of Ararat Mountain and Near Environment
    ’ Ğ ğıİÇçÜıı AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILIAN BIODIVERSTY OF ARARAT MOUNTAIN AND NEAR ENVIRONMENT Mehmet Zülfü YILDIZ* Naşit İĞCİ** Bahadır AKMAN*** Bayram GÖÇMEN**** ABSTRACT n this study, it is aimed to determine Amphibian and Reptilian species of Ararat Mountain and near Environment, threats to species and precautions to be taken against these factors. IFor these purposes, total of 18 days herpetological trips carried out in Ararat Mountain between 2011-2017. As a result of the trips and literature searches, 4 Anuran (Bufotes variabilis, Pelophylax ridibundus, Hyla savignyi, Pelobates syriacus), 2 Chelonian species (Mauremys caspica, Testudo graeca) 10 lizard species (Paralaudakia caucasia, Phrynocephalus horvathi, Heremites auratus, Eumeces schneiderii, Eremias strauchi, Eremias pleskei, Darevskia valentini, Lacerta strigata, Ophisops elegans, Pseudopus apodus) and 13 snake species (Xertoyphlops vermicularis, Dolichophis schmidti, Eirenis collaris, Hemorrhois ravergieri, Natrix natrix, N. tessellata, Platyceps najadum, Zamenis hohenackeri, Z. longissimus, Eryx jaculus, Malpolon insignitus, Macrovipera lebetina, Montivipera raddei) a total of 4 amphibians and 25 reptilian species belonging to 14 families were determined in Ararat Mountain. The observed specimens were released to their natural habitats after their photos were taken, not to damage the populations. According to IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) determined species listed as follows: 2 species were Critically Endangered (CR), 1 species was Vulnerable (VU), 2 species were Near Threatened (NT), 1 species was Data Deficient (DD), 16 species were Least Concern (LC), 8 not evaluated. Just only, two species were protected under CITES Convention, and 9 species were also strictly protected (Appendix II) and the rest of the species were protected with BERN Convention. In addition, the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs protect all reptile species but not Amphibians.
    [Show full text]
  • Medically Important Differences in Snake Venom Composition Are Dictated by Distinct Postgenomic Mechanisms
    Medically important differences in snake venom composition are dictated by distinct postgenomic mechanisms Nicholas R. Casewella,b,1, Simon C. Wagstaffc, Wolfgang Wüsterb, Darren A. N. Cooka, Fiona M. S. Boltona, Sarah I. Kinga, Davinia Plad, Libia Sanzd, Juan J. Calveted, and Robert A. Harrisona aAlistair Reid Venom Research Unit and cBioinformatics Unit, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, United Kingdom; bMolecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Biological Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, United Kingdom; and dInstituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 11 46010 Valencia, Spain Edited by David B. Wake, University of California, Berkeley, CA, and approved May 14, 2014 (received for review March 27, 2014) Variation in venom composition is a ubiquitous phenomenon in few (approximately 5–10) multilocus gene families, with each snakes and occurs both interspecifically and intraspecifically. family capable of producing related isoforms generated by Venom variation can have severe outcomes for snakebite victims gene duplication events occurring over evolutionary time (1, 14, by rendering the specific antibodies found in antivenoms in- 15). The birth and death model of gene evolution (16) is fre- effective against heterologous toxins found in different venoms. quently invoked as the mechanism giving rise to venom gene The rapid evolutionary expansion of different toxin-encoding paralogs, with evidence that natural selection acting on surface gene families in different snake lineages is widely perceived as the exposed residues of the resulting gene duplicates facilitates main cause of venom variation. However, this view is simplistic subfunctionalization/neofunctionalization of the encoded proteins and disregards the understudied influence that processes acting (15, 17–19).
    [Show full text]
  • EGP Sale Uruguay
    Media Relations PRESS T +39 06 8305 5699 RELEASE F +39 06 8305 3771 [email protected] enelgreenpower.com ENEL GREEN POWER STEPS OUT OF URUGUAY THROUGH SALE OF 50 MW WIND FARM FOR 120 MILLION US DOLLARS • EGP closed the sale to Atlantica Yield of Enel Green Power Uruguay S.A., 100% owner of the Melowind plant • The transaction is part of Enel’s active portfolio management strategy, rotating assets to finance growth in strategic areas Rome, December 14th , 2018 – Enel Green Power S.p.A. (“EGP”) closed the sale to power company Atlantica Yield of its fully-owned subsidiary Enel Green Power Uruguay S.A. (“EGP Uruguay”), which owns through its project company Estrellada S.A. the 50 MW Melowind wind farm located in Cerro Largo, around 320 km away from Montevideo. EGP has sold its subsidiary in Uruguay for around 120 million US dollars, equal to the company’s Enterprise Value. The transaction is part of the disposal programme of non-core assets provided for in the Enel Group’s active portfolio management plan. This strategy allows for the reallocation of resources to areas with a greater growth margin and potential for the Group. The Melowind farm sells its electricity output to the state-owned power company UTE (Administración Nacional de Usinas y Trasmisiones Eléctricas), which manages the transmission, distribution and sale of electricity in Uruguay, under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Atlantica Yield plc owns a diversified portfolio of contracted renewable energy, efficient natural gas, electric transmission and water assets in North and South America, and certain markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
    [Show full text]
  • Experience of Snakebite Envenomation by a Desert Viper in Qatar
    Hindawi Journal of Toxicology Volume 2020, Article ID 8810741, 5 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8810741 Review Article Experience of Snakebite Envenomation by a Desert Viper in Qatar Amr Elmoheen ,1 Waleed Awad Salem ,1 Mahmoud Haddad ,1 Khalid Bashir ,1 and Stephen H. Thomas1,2,3 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar 2Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, Doha, Qatar 3Barts and "e London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK Correspondence should be addressed to Amr Elmoheen; [email protected] Received 8 June 2020; Revised 8 September 2020; Accepted 28 September 2020; Published 12 October 2020 Academic Editor: Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim Copyright © 2020 Amr Elmoheen et al. &is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Crotaline and elapid snakebites are reported all over the world as well as in the Middle East and other countries around this region. However, data regarding snakebites and their treatment in Qatar are limited. &is review paper is going to investigate the presentation and treatment of snakebite in Qatar. A good assessment helps to decide on the management of the snakebites envenomation. Antivenom and conservative management are the mainstays of treatment for crotaline snakebite. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has been suggested to do early diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue problems, such as edema and compartment syndrome, after a snakebite. &e supporting data are not sufficient regarding the efficiency of POCUS in diagnosing the extent and severity of tissue involvement and its ultimate effect on the outcome.
    [Show full text]
  • Mafic Dyke Swarm, Brazil: Implications for Archean Supercratons
    Michigan Technological University Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech Michigan Tech Publications 12-3-2018 Revisiting the paleomagnetism of the Neoarchean Uauá mafic dyke swarm, Brazil: Implications for Archean supercratons J. Salminen University of Helsinki E. P. Oliveira State University of Campinas, Brazil Elisa J. Piispa Michigan Technological University Aleksey Smirnov Michigan Technological University, [email protected] R. I. F. Trindade Universidade de Sao Paulo Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p Part of the Geological Engineering Commons, and the Physics Commons Recommended Citation Salminen, J., Oliveira, E. P., Piispa, E. J., Smirnov, A., & Trindade, R. I. (2018). Revisiting the paleomagnetism of the Neoarchean Uauá mafic dyke swarm, Brazil: Implications for Archean supercratons. Precambrian Research, 329, 108-123. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2018.12.001 Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/443 Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p Part of the Geological Engineering Commons, and the Physics Commons Precambrian Research 329 (2019) 108–123 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Precambrian Research journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/precamres Revisiting the paleomagnetism of the Neoarchean Uauá mafic dyke swarm, T Brazil: Implications for Archean supercratons ⁎ J. Salminena,b, , E.P. Oliveirac, E.J. Piispad,e, A.V. Smirnovd,f, R.I.F. Trindadeg a Physics Department, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box
    [Show full text]
  • Powpa Action-Plan-Republic of Iraq
    Action Plan for Implementing the Programme of Work on Protected Areas of the Convention on Biological Diversity Iraq Submitted to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity [20 May 2012] Protected area information: PoWPA Focal Point Dr. Ali Al-Lami, Ph.D.(Ecologist) Minister Advisor; Ministry of Environment of Iraq Email: [email protected] Lead implementing agency : Ministry of Environment of Iraq Multi-stakeholder committee : In Iraq there are several national Committees that were established to support the Government in developing policies, planning and reporting on different environmental fields. As for Protected areas, two national committees are relevant: - The National Committee for Protected Areas - Iraq National Marshes and Wetlands Committee National Committee for Protected Areas A National Committee for Protected Areas was established in 2008 for planning and management of a network of Protected Areas in Iraq. This national inter-ministerial Committee is lead by the Ministry of Environment and is formed by the representatives of the following institutions: • Ministry of Environment (Leader) • Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research • Ministry of Water Resources • Ministry of Science & Technology • Ministry of Municipalities & Public Works • Ministry of State for Tourism & Antiquities • Ministry of Agriculture • Ministry of Education • NGO representative Nature Iraq Organization Iraq National Marshes and Wetlands Committee (RAMSAR Convention) The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was ratified by Iraq in October
    [Show full text]
  • Dead Sea Pollen Provides New Insights Into the Paleoenvironment of the Southern Levant During MIS 6ￃﾢￂﾀￂﾓ5
    Quaternary Science Reviews 188 (2018) 15e27 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Quaternary Science Reviews journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/quascirev Dead Sea pollen provides new insights into the paleoenvironment of the southern Levant during MIS 6e5 * Chunzhu Chen a, b, , Thomas Litt b a School of Geographic Science, Nantong University, Tongjingdadao 999, 226007 Nantong, China b Steinmann Institute for Geology, Mineralogy, and Paleontology, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany article info abstract Article history: The paleoclimate of the southern Levant, especially during the last interglacial (LIG), is still under debate. Received 18 December 2017 Reliable paleovegetation information for this period, as independent evidence to the paleoenvironment, Received in revised form was still missing. In this study, we present a high-resolution pollen record encompassing 147e89 ka from 17 March 2018 the Dead Sea deep drilling core 5017-1A. The sediment profile is marked by alternations of laminated Accepted 18 March 2018 marl deposits and thick massive halite, indicating lake-level fluctuations. The pollen record suggests that steppe and desert components predominated in the Dead Sea surroundings during the whole investi- gated interval. The late penultimate glacial (147.3e130.9 ka) and early last glacial (115.5e89.1 ka) were Keywords: fi Last interglacial cool and relatively dry, with sub-humid conditions con ned to the mountains that sustained moderate Paleovegetation amounts of deciduous oaks. Prior to the LIG optimum, a prevalence of desert components and a Lake level concomitant increase in frost-sensitive pistachio trees demonstrate the occurrence of an arid initial Early modern human migration warming phase (130.9e124.2 ka).
    [Show full text]
  • Precambrian Basement and Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic Tectonic Evolution of the SW Yangtze Block, South China
    minerals Article Precambrian Basement and Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic Tectonic Evolution of the SW Yangtze Block, South China: Constraints from Zircon U–Pb Dating and Hf Isotopes Wei Liu 1,2,*, Xiaoyong Yang 1,*, Shengyuan Shu 1, Lei Liu 1 and Sihua Yuan 3 1 CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; [email protected] (S.S.); [email protected] (L.L.) 2 Chengdu Center, China Geological Survey, Chengdu 610081, China 3 Department of Earthquake Science, Institute of Disaster Prevention, Langfang 065201, China; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] (W.L.); [email protected] (X.Y.) Received: 27 May 2018; Accepted: 30 July 2018; Published: 3 August 2018 Abstract: Zircon U–Pb dating and Hf isotopic analyses are performed on clastic rocks, sedimentary tuff of the Dongchuan Group (DCG), and a diabase, which is an intrusive body from the base of DCG in the SW Yangtze Block. The results provide new constraints on the Precambrian basement and the Late Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the SW Yangtze Block, South China. DCG has been divided into four formations from the bottom to the top: Yinmin, Luoxue, Heishan, and Qinglongshan. The Yinmin Formation, which represents the oldest rock unit of DCG, was intruded by a diabase dyke. The oldest zircon age of the clastic rocks from the Yinmin Formation is 3654 Ma, with "Hf(t) of −3.1 and a two-stage modeled age of 4081 Ma. Another zircon exhibits an age of 2406 Ma, with "Hf(t) of −20.1 and a two-stage modeled age of 4152 Ma.
    [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]
  • Vipera Berus) Neonate Born from a Cryptic Female: Are Black Vipers Born Heavier?
    North-Western Journal of Zoology Vol. 5, No. 1, 2009, pp.218-223 P-ISSN: 1584-9074, E-ISSN: 1843-5629 Article No.: 051206 A melanistic adder (Vipera berus) neonate born from a cryptic female: Are black vipers born heavier? Alexandru STRUGARIU* & Ştefan R. ZAMFIRESCU “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Faculty of Biology, Carol I Blvd. No. 20 A, 700506, Iaşi, Romania. * Corresponding author’s e-mail address: [email protected] Abstract. The ecological advantages and disadvantages of melanism in reptiles, especially in the adder (Vipera berus (L. 1758)), have been intensively studied over the years. General consideration would agree that, in most cases, adders which go on to become melanistic, are born cryptic, with a typical zigzag pattern, and darken with age, becoming black in the second or third year of life. In the present note we report the second known case in which a cryptic female adder gave birth to a melanistic neonate. Based on the fact that the observed body mass (7 g) of the melanistic neonate lies beyond the upper 95% confidence zone of the expected body mass (5.74g ± 0.977) calculated using the linear regression model from the cryptic neonates for a snout-vent length of 175 mm, and on the supporting literature, we propose a new hypothesis (which should be tested in future studies) according to which, melanistic adders may benefit of a significant higher fitness since birth. Key words: reptiles, colour polymorphism, reproduction, new hypothesis, body size, fitness advantage The coloration of animals is considered 2003). Although generally rare in reptiles, to be an adaptation to different biotic and melanism has been reported to be locally abiotic environmental factors.
    [Show full text]