Latest Articles from Herpetozoa Latest 9 Articles from Herpetozoa https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:46:16 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Herpetozoa https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/ New data on the distribution of the Vipera ammodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) mitochondrial lineages place their contact zone in western Bulgaria https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/116879/ Herpetozoa 37: 57-63

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e116879

Authors: Angel Dyugmedzhiev, Kostadin Andonov, Georgi Hristov, Simeon Borissov

Abstract: Molecular studies have outlined several mitochondrial lineages of Vipera ammodytes, but the limits of their distribution ranges remain unclear due to limited sampling throughout the vast range of the species. One particularly understudied area is the Eastern Balkan Peninsula where at least three lineages occur, showing ranges that may be partly overlapping. We used two mitochondrial markers (cytb and ND2) to unveil mtDNA distribution patterns based on vipers from 31 localities across Bulgaria. Our results confirmed the presence of the north-eastern (NE) and the south-eastern (SE) mitochondrial clade in Bulgaria, the latter being represented by its southern (S) and eastern (E) subclades. Among the sampled localities, two were suspected to be potential contact zones between these mtDNA lineages based on old morphology-derived distributional records. The NE clade was absent from both potential contact zones. However, our data showed that in western Bulgaria, populations of this clade establish contact with populations of the E subclade in at least one area, and also come close to contact with populations of the S subclade. These results indicate the need for more detailed research in the potential areas of contact in western Bulgaria, integrating morphological data with extensive mitochondrial and nuclear DNA-sampling to better understand the phylogeographic patterns of intraspecific differentiation in V. ammodytes.

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Research Article Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:17:09 +0200
First record of Anatololacerta pelasgiana (Mertens, 1959) in mainland Greece: another new species in Athens https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/97649/ Herpetozoa 35: 239-244

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e97649

Authors: Apostolos Christopoulos, Charikleia-Foteini Pantagaki, Nikos Poulakakis, Panayiotis Pafilis

Abstract: Urban habitats receive an increasing number of species due to anthropogenic activities, mainly transportations. Here, we report a new addition to the herpetofauna of Athens (Greece): a small population of the Pelasgian wall lizard (Anatololacerta pelasgiana) was found in a suburb of the Athenian metropolitan area. The species normally occurs in southwestern Anatolia and southeastern Aegean islands and this is the first record in the Greek mainland. Allochthonous species that successfully colonize cities raise new challenges to urban ecology.

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Short Communication Wed, 14 Dec 2022 09:46:13 +0200
Molecular phylogeny of Lytorhynchus diadema (Reptilia, Colubridae) populations in Saudi Arabia https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/74009/ Herpetozoa 34: 271-276

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e74009

Authors: Ahmed Alshammari, Ahmed Badry, Salem Busais, Adel A. Ibrahim, Eman El-Abd

Abstract: This study presents the molecular phylogenetic relationships among Lytorhynchus diadema (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) populations in Saudi Arabia relative to populations from Africa and Asia. This phylogenetic analysis was based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA partial gene fragments using Neighbor-joining, Maximum Parsimony, and Bayesian methods. The results strongly support the monophyly of Lytorhynchus based on two concatenated genes and the 12S rRNA gene separately. Also, a significant separation is observed between the Arabian samples from Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman, and the African populations from Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco.

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Research Article Tue, 21 Dec 2021 14:10:16 +0200
The first record of the genus Microgecko Nikolskii, 1907 for Iraq https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/52736/ Herpetozoa 33: 149-155

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e52736

Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Michal Benovics, Jiří Vorel, Sarbaz Ibrahim Mohammed, Saman R. Afrasiab

Abstract: The genus Microgecko Nikolskii, 1907 (Gekkonidae) currently includes eight species distributed from western Iran to north-western India and Pakistan. During field research in Iraq, we found a population of the genus near to the Darbandikhan Lake in the north-eastern part of the country. Because members of the genus are characterized by a higher level of morphological and genetic diversity, we investigated the population using both morphological and molecular approaches. The phylogenetic analyses based on a fragment of the mitochondrial marker cytochrome b and morphological characters showed that our investigated population belongs to M. helenae fasciatus. This is the first record of the genus and species for Iraq. Moreover, the phylogenetic structure within M. helenae shows divergences that suggest the elevation of M. h. fasciatus to species level.

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Research Article Fri, 11 Sep 2020 13:28:13 +0300
Genetic evidence for occurrence of Macrovipera razii (Squamata, Viperidae) in the central Zagros region, Iran https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/51186/ Herpetozoa 33: 27-30

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e51186

Authors: Hamzeh Oraie

Abstract: This study presents the first molecular evidence of Macrovipera razii from central Zagros, more than 300 km north-west of its prior records in southern Iran. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences identified the individuals from central Zagros as a lineage of M. razii. Specimens from the new localities are separated by a genetic distance of 1.46% from the known populations of M. razii. The results extend the known distribution range of M. razii as an endemic species of Iran.

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Short Communication Thu, 9 Apr 2020 08:10:36 +0300
The Caucasian Toad, Bufo verrucosissimus (Pallas, 1814) in the Levant: evidence from mitochondrial DNA https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/37560/ Herpetozoa 32: 255-258

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e37560

Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Riyad A. Sadek

Abstract: We present the first molecular analysis of the Bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758) complex population in the Levant. This complex contains four species distributed through the Western Palearctic. Based on the analysis of the widely used mitochondrial marker 16S rRNA, populations from the Levant belong to B. verrucosissimus (Pallas, 1814) and have a close affiliation to populations from the Transcaucasian region rather than southern Turkey. Such identified relationships may imply past rapid colonisation from north to south and support the need for further research.

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Short Communication Tue, 29 Oct 2019 08:29:44 +0200
Genetic diversity and structure of two endangered mole salamander species of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/38023/ Herpetozoa 32: 237-248

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e38023

Authors: Octavio Monroy-Vilchis, Rosa-Laura Heredia-Bobadilla, Martha M. Zarco-González, Víctor Ávila-Akerberg, Armando Sunny

Abstract: The most important factor leading to amphibian population declines and extinctions is habitat degradation and destruction. To help prevent further extinctions, studies are needed to make appropriate conservation decisions in small and fragmented populations. The goal of this study was to provide data from the population genetics of two micro-endemic mole salamanders from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Nine microsatellite markers were used to study the population genetics of 152 individuals from two Ambystoma species. We sampled 38 individuals in two localities for A. altamirani and A. rivulare. We found medium to high levels of genetic diversity expressed as heterozygosity in the populations. However, all the populations presented few alleles per locus and genotypes. We found strong genetic structure between populations for each species. Effective population size was small but similar to that of the studies from other mole salamanders with restricted distributions or with recently fragmented habitats. Despite the medium to high levels of genetic diversity expressed as heterozygosity, we found few alleles, evidence of a genetic bottleneck and that the effective population size is small in all populations. Therefore, this study is important to propose better management plans and conservation efforts for these species.

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Research Article Tue, 8 Oct 2019 16:07:59 +0300
Distribution and hybridisation of barred and common grass snakes (Natrix helvetica, N. natrix) in Baden-Württemberg, South-western Germany https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/38897/ Herpetozoa 32: 229-236

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e38897

Authors: Nadine Schultze, Hubert Laufer, Carolin Kindler, Uwe Fritz

Abstract: The distribution and hybridisation zone of the two grass snake species occurring in the German state of Baden-Württemberg are described, based on genetic data from maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA, up to 1983 bp) and biparentally inherited microsatellite DNA (13 loci). In agreement with previously published morphological evidence, the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) occurs in the Upper Rhine Valley and the Black Forest, while the common grass snake (N. natrix, ‘yellow lineage’) is distributed across the remaining, more eastern parts of Baden-Württemberg. Cline analyses across two transects running through the region of Karlsruhe and the Black Forest indicate that the hybrid zone is similarly narrow here as in the previously characterised stretch near Lake Constance. With respect to nuclear DNA, the Black Forest constitutes no impediment to gene flow in comparison with lowland regions (Karlsruhe, Lake Constance). However, on the eastern slope of the Black Forest, the abrupt replacement of mtDNA of N. helvetica by that of N. natrix indicates male-mediated gene flow and that the Black Forest represents a dispersal barrier for female grass snakes.

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Research Article Fri, 4 Oct 2019 10:54:30 +0300
Multiple origins of the common chameleon in southern Italy https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/35611/ Herpetozoa 32: 11-19

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e35611

Authors: Roberto Basso, Maria Luisa Vannuccini, Luca Nerva, Giuseppe Mazza, Matteo Seno, Emiliano Mori

Abstract: The common chameleon Chamaeleo chamaeleon is a Mediterranean lizard which has been introduced in many islands and its native origin in European countries is debated. Chameleons have been introduced in southern Italy, possibly from the Middle East and Tunisia. We conducted genetic analyses on mitochondrial DNA 16S gene on a larger sample. We observed a multiple origin for the Salento (Apulia, southern Italy) population, with individuals phylogenetically related to populations of North Africa and two areas in the Middle East. Some individuals may have been released before the 1950s and some others in the 1980s, improving the establishment success of this species.

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Research Article Mon, 13 May 2019 15:42:48 +0300