Latest Articles from Herpetozoa Latest 23 Articles from Herpetozoa https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 10:33:15 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Herpetozoa https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/ Reproductive effort of Plestiodon copei (Squamata, Scincidae), a highland viviparous lizard from Central Mexico https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/111749/ Herpetozoa 37: 1-10

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e111749

Authors: Hermilo Sánchez-Sánchez, Adriana Jocelyn Morales-Gonzaga, Ken Oyama, J. Carlos Alvarado-Avilés

Abstract: Female reproductive effort is defined as the proportion of total energy or resources devoted to reproduction. In reptiles, there is frequently high inter- and intra-population variation related to several factors, such as food availability, climatic conditions, age and size, all of which, in turn, also influence survival and future reproduction. The present study is the first reproductive effort analysis of a population of the high-mountain scincid lizard Plestiodon copei in central Mexico, focusing on relative litter mass (RLM), investment per capita (INV) and productivity (PROD). We also compared the reproductive efficacy of P. copei to those of other Mexican congeners. We collected 24 gravid females of P. copei over a 4-year period and recorded a total of 90 neonates born in captivity. We found significant variation in neonatal mass amongst individual females and across years. We recorded an average litter size of 3.75 and an average litter mass of 1.25 g, which were positively correlated with both the size and total mass of the reproductive females. The RLM, INV and PROD values (0.301, 0.428 g and 1.236 g × year-1, respectively) for P. copei were greater than those for other Mexican species in the P. brevirostris group (0.290, 0.412 g and 1.135 g × year-1), revealing that females of P. copei from Tenango invest a comparatively high amount of their resources in reproduction.

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Research Article Mon, 8 Jan 2024 09:25:03 +0200
Expanded description of Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis (Squamata, Gekkonidae) https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/106566/ Herpetozoa 36: 225-232

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.36.e106566

Authors: Xiang-Yi Li, Shi-Shi Lin, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Yan-Jun Sun, Jian Wang

Abstract: The expanded description of Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis Sung, Lee, NG, Zhang & Yang, 2018 is provided based on four newly collected specimens from eastern Guangdong Province, China, which is beyond its previously known range. The new collection also fills the distribution gap of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus in the region. Due to the absence of sufficient data, we recommend Hemiphyllodactylus hongkongensis be listed as Data Deficient (DD) in the IUCN conservation status categorization.

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Research Article Thu, 17 Aug 2023 10:53:05 +0300
Microhabitat sharing for basking between squamate species in Poland https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/94064/ Herpetozoa 36: 65-71

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.36.e94064

Authors: Przemysław Zdunek, Maksymilian Jarmoliński

Abstract: Aggregations (e.g. group basking) by snakes are usually limited to specific life cycle phases (e.g. mating) or are a consequence of drastic environmental changes (e.g. habitat destruction), high prey densities or highly limited resources within an environment (e.g. basking sites, wintering dens). Here, we report intra- and interspecific observations of four reptile species (primarily Natrix natrix and Vipera berus) sharing basking sites at the confluence of the rivers Dunajec and Poprad near the town of Stary Sącz in southern Poland. From a total of 84 records in the field between 2020–2022, there were 11 interactions from 24 July 2020 to 1 May 2022. Previous studies have indicated direct competition or interference in many species, which we did not observe. There is a noticeable lack of such observations of microhabitat sharing for basking between squamate species in scientific literature. Hence, the accumulation of such observations has the potential to reveal new insights into the behaviour and ecology of N. natrix and V. berus.

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Short Communication Mon, 27 Mar 2023 14:49:35 +0300
A new species of saxicolous Lepidophyma (Squamata, Xantusiidae) from Tamaulipas, Mexico https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/96184/ Herpetozoa 36: 9-21

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.36.e96184

Authors: Christoph I. Grünwald, Jacobo Reyes-Velasco, Iván T. Ahumada-Carrillo, Carlos Montaño-Ruvalcaba, Héctor Franz-Chávez, Brandon T. La Forest, Ricardo Ramírez-Chaparro, Sergio Terán-Juárez, Juan Miguel Borja-Jiménez

Abstract: We describe a new saxicolous species of Lepidophyma from the Sierra Madre Oriental, in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico and provide morphological and molecular data to support the novelty of this species. The new species is most closely related to members of the L. sylvaticum group; however; it is a flattened form specialised for a saxicolous lifestyle and it can be distinguished from all other members by a combination of meristic characters. Genetic analysis suggests that several populations of L. sylvaticum might represent additional novel taxa, while the validity of L. micropholis is questioned. We discuss conservation priorities of the new species.

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Research Article Wed, 8 Feb 2023 15:03:30 +0200
Observation records of the Bangon Monitor Lizard, Varanus bangonorum (Squamata, Varanidae), with emphasis on behaviour and local threats, from the Municipality of Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/96841/ Herpetozoa 36: 1-8

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.36.e96841

Authors: Przemysław Zdunek, Michaela S. Webb

Abstract: Varanus bangonorum, the Bangon Monitor Lizard, is one of eleven Varanidae species endemic to the Philippines; its occurrence is restricted to dwindling habitats on the islands of Mindoro and Semirara. This lizard is still poorly known and is presently classified as “Least Concern” under the IUCN Red List in 2022. Observations recorded during eleven years (2011 to 2022) originate from the north-central Municipality of Abra de Ilog in Occidental Mindoro where this species was never before documented. We emphasise the primary factors that pose threats to the monitor lizard population, including insights gained from the knowledge of local community members. We present information about the lizards’ diet, for example, they can consume invasive toxic cane toads without harm. The result of our collective long-term observation records may serve as a baseline for further studies and contribute to evaluating the conservation status of this species.

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Short Communication Wed, 25 Jan 2023 18:33:48 +0200
Ecomorphological differences among forest and rock dwelling species of Darevskia Arribas, 1999 (Squamata, Lacertide) in the Elburz Mountains, Iran https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/95257/ Herpetozoa 35: 245-256

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e95257

Authors: Seyyed Saeed Hosseinian Yousefkhani, Hossein Nabizadeh, L. Lee Grismer

Abstract: Ecological pressure is the major driver of morphological adaptation. Different habitat preferences even among closely related species, often result in the evolution of different body shapes. In the present study, we employed geometric morphometric and principal component analyses (PCA) to compare body shape and head plate morphology among seven species in the genus Darevskia Arribas, 1999 from the Elburz Mountains, Iran that occur in either rocky or forested habitats. The geometric morphometric analysis and the PCA of meristic characters recovered a wide degree of overlap between the rock and forest dwelling species. The PCA of the morphometric characters showed wide separation among the rock and forest dwelling species as well as among some of the rock dwelling species. These results strongly suggest that body shape is correlated with the habitat type whereas head plate morphology and scale meristics are not. Furthermore, the results suggest that the rock dwelling species may be occupying and navigating their microhabitat in different ways. Ecological observations are needed to test this hypothesis.

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Research Article Wed, 21 Dec 2022 10:41:55 +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
Filling a gap in the distribution of the Berthold’s Bush Anole, Polychrus gutturosus (Squamata, Polychrotidae), in Honduras https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/86751/ Herpetozoa 35: 219-223

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e86751

Authors: Cristopher A. Antúnez-Fonseca, Marcio Martínez, Travis W. King, Diego I. Ordoñez-Mazier, Larry D. Wilson, Manfredo A. Turcios-Casco

Abstract: The family Polychrotidae Fitzinger, 1843 is represented in Honduras by a single species, Polychrus gutturosus Berthold, 1845. This canopy dweller is distributed in the lowland moist forests and riparian forest within pine savannah of the northern and eastern regions of Honduras. Only 13 records and nine localities support the presence of the species in the country; therefore, the distribution and natural history of the species in Honduras is essentially unknown. Herein, we provide a new locality and natural history observations of a specimen captured in the core zone of the Reserva del Hombre y La Biosfera del Río Plátano. This record represents the north-western most occurrence of Polychrus gutturosus in a region known as the Mosquitia and fills an important distributional gap for this poorly known species.

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Research Article Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:53:43 +0200
Trophic ecology of Gymnodactylus geckoides Spix, 1825 (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) from Caatinga, Northeastern Brazil https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/87199/ Herpetozoa 35: 187-197

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e87199

Authors: Leonardo P. C. Oitaven, Sydnei S. Calado, Hilton N. da Costa, Glaucilane S. Cruz, Juan S. Monrós, Daniel O. Mesquita, Álvaro A. C. Teixeira, Valéria W. Teixeira, Geraldo J. B. de Moura

Abstract: The diet of lizards is mainly composed of arthropods. It can be affected by biotic and abiotic factors, which influence the energy supply provided by the composition of the animal´s diet. The richness and abundance of many arthropod species can be influenced by environmental seasonality, especially in the Caatinga ecoregion, due to the rainfall regimes. The present study aims to describe aspects of the seasonal and morphological variation in the lizard Gymnodactylus geckoides diet and their energy content. We collected 157 individuals (63 females, 68 males, and 26 juveniles) at the Catimbau National Park, Northeastern Brazil, of which 72 were analyzed for the dry season and 59 for the rainy season. Our data indicates Isoptera to be the most common prey in G. geckoides’s diet. Energy content, prey number was higher in the dry season, whereas prey volume and glycogen content increased in the rainy season. Proteins and lipids did not show marked differences. The present study represents the first effort to understand variations in G. geckoide’s trophic ecology, indicating that this specie presents a wide variation in their diet, especially when considering seasonal factors, revealing their needs and restrictions according to prey availability and environmental conditions.

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Research Article Tue, 11 Oct 2022 14:09:37 +0300
First record of Lepidodactylus lugubris (Duméril & Bibron, 1836) (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Hainan Island, China https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/84045/ Herpetozoa 35: 99-105

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e84045

Authors: Hao-Tian Wang, Shuo Qi, Xian-Chun Qiu, Pi-Peng Li

Abstract: Lepidodactylus lugubris is known from tropical Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, but in China it was previously known only from Taiwan Island. In this paper, we report a new herpetofaunal record based on one specimen collected from Wanning, Hainan, China, which conforms to L. lugubris on both morphological and molecular data. Our finding brings the total species of the family Gekkonidae in Hainan to six.

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Research Article Tue, 7 Jun 2022 13:32:32 +0300
On the occurrence of Lygosoma siamense Siler, Heitz, Davis, Freitas, Aowphol, Termprayoon & Grismer, 2018 (Squamata, Scincidae) in China https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/80151/ Herpetozoa 35: 51-58

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e80151

Authors: Shuo Qi, Jin-Long Ren, Zeng Wang, Hao-Cong Yang, Ke Jiang

Abstract: The genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 is a group of semi-fossorial supple skink from Southeast Asia, the members of which are still understudied in Indochina. Lysosoma quadrupes (Linnaeus, 1766) was once recorded from China based on historical literature; until recent its Indochina specimens were revised and placed into a newly described species, i.e., L. siamense Siler, Heitz, Davis, Freitas, Aowphol, Termprayoon & Grismer, 2018. However, Lygosoma quadrupes had long been unknown from China but the historical record had not been confirmed. Here we report a vouchered record for L. siamense from China for the first time based on four specimens collected in Sanya, Hainan, China. Furthermore, the taxonomic history of Lygosoma from China is also reviewed.

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Research Article Mon, 7 Mar 2022 13:39:25 +0200
Effects of body temperature on initial bite force in three species of rock- and crevice-dwelling lizards from Mexico https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/64040/ Herpetozoa 34: 163-168

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e64040

Authors: Guillermo A. Woolrich-Piña, Geoffrey R. Smith, Norberto Martínez-Méndez, Julio A. Lemos-Espinal, Héctor Gadsden-Esparza

Abstract: Bite force can be an important aspect of a lizard’s organismal performance, and is likely to be subject to influence by ambient conditions including an individual’s thermal environment. We examined the effects of body temperature (Tb) on initial bite force of rock- and crevice-dwelling individuals of three species of lizards: Abronia graminea (Anguidae), Barisia imbricata (Anguidae), and Xenosaurus fractus (Xenosauridae) from Mexico. In B. imbricata and X. fractus from one site (Xochititan, Puebla) initial bite force was greatest at intermediate Tb. In contrast, X. fractus from a second site (Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla) showed a weak tendency for initial bite force to increase with Tb. Initial bite force in A. graminea was not affected by Tb. Taking our results together, we infer that initial bite force in rock- or crevice-dwelling lizards is often, but not always, related to Tb.

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Short Communication Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:53:04 +0300
The Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica Linnaeus, 1758 (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae), in Albania https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/69381/ Herpetozoa 34: 159-162

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e69381

Authors: Márton Szabolcs, Edvárd Mizsei, Aleksander Golemaj, Daniel Jablonski

Abstract: We summarised the records of Tarentola mauritanica in Albania. The first record for the country was published in 1989 from Sazan Island; however, it was never confirmed again. Another population was found recently in an urban habitat of Vlorë City near the main city port, probably of human-mediated origin.

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Short Communication Wed, 4 Aug 2021 16:26:25 +0300
Distribution extension of Calotes irawadi Zug, Brown, Schulte & Vindum, 2006, previously confused with C. versicolor (Daudin, 1802): first record from China https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/62596/ Herpetozoa 34: 83-88

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e62596

Authors: Shuo Liu, Changsheng Zuo, Dingqi Rao

Abstract: We report the first country record of Calotes irawadi, identified previously as C. versicolor, from China based on four specimens collected from Tongbiguan Nature Reserve, Western Yunnan, China. Morphologically, the specimens show good agreement with the original description of C. irawadi, and phylogenetically clustered with specimens (including holotype) of C. irawadi from Myanmar with strong support. This is also the first record of C. irawadi from outside Myanmar.

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Research Article Mon, 15 Mar 2021 12:59:56 +0200
Fine-scale analysis of habitat occupancy by Kura lizard (Darevskia portschinskii) and its daughter parthenogenetic form (Darevskia dahli) https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/63072/ Herpetozoa 34: 71-81

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e63072

Authors: Natia Barateli, David Tarkhnishvili, Giorgi Iankoshvili, Luka Kokiashvili, Nikoloz Dvali, Zurab Janiashvili

Abstract: Two species of rock lizards, the parthenogenetic D. dahli and the sexually reproducing D. portschinskii, coexist in a rocky outcrop in an area of ca. 1 ha, in the vicinity of Tbilisi, Georgia; the location has been well-known since the middle 1960s. The population density of the parthenogenetic lizard is five times higher than that of the sexual breeder. We studied the distribution of active lizards in space and time over three consecutive years, during the spring and autumn activity periods, to explore spatial and temporal differences between the species on a fine spatial scale. We studied the influence of temperature, humidity, and quantitative characteristics of the surface and the distance from permanent water source on the spatial distribution of D. dahli and D. portschinskii. Darevskia portschinskii was less dependent on the distance from the water source and more evenly distributed in space and time than D. dahli. Despite potential competitive interactions, the species did not avoid each other on the microhabitat scale, suggesting that the observed ecological differences are not caused by a niche shift. More individuals of the sexual breeder than individuals of the parthenogen were found in suboptimal habitats. This feature may increase the evolutionary success of D. portschinskii in a long-term perspective.

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Research Article Tue, 9 Mar 2021 16:13:58 +0200
Digit ratio in three species of tropidurid lizards https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/59064/ Herpetozoa 34: 67-70

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e59064

Authors: Kelton Gonçalves Miranda, Marcella Junqueira Goulart, Conrado Barbosa Galdino

Abstract: Proportions between pairs of digits are linked to fitness in tetrapods and they can be influenced by sex hormones through individuals’ ontogenies. Therefore, in many species, the proportions amongst finger length ratios (referred as digit ratio, i.e. 2D second and 4D fourth digits) can differ between males and females. We investigated whether the three most commonly used forelimb digit ratios are sexually dimorphic in three tropidurid species. In one of the three lizard species, Eurolophosaurus nanuzae, males and females differ for only 2D:4D digit ratio. Otherwise, our results on the studied Tropidurus species conform to previous studies showing no differences in digit ratios between males and females. Hence, it might be the case of local selective forces shaping interpopulation variation in the expression of sexual dimorphism for digit ratio.

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Short Communication Tue, 9 Mar 2021 14:03:16 +0200
Distribution and conservation status of the herpetofauna of Dugi Otok Island, Croatia https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/53525/ Herpetozoa 33: 191-205

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e53525

Authors: Bruno Schmidt, Daria Kranželić, Đurđica Majetić, Boris Lauš, Ana Štih, Toni Koren

Abstract: The first overview of the amphibians and reptiles of Dugi Otok Island, Northern Dalmatia, is presented, based on the published data and new records collected during the last twenty years. A total of 15 species are present on the island, of which only one was not recorded on our surveys. In comparison to other islands of Northern Dalmatia, Dugi Otok is the second most diverse island in terms of herpetofauna, just after Pag Island. The main threats to the amphibians and reptiles on the island are the disappearance and degradation of aquatic habitats, the abandonment and succession of traditional agricultural fields and olive groves and the increasing presence of several invasive species.

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Research Article Fri, 13 Nov 2020 11:25:46 +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
Aspidoscelis costatus costatus (Squamata, Teiidae): high elevation clutch production for a population of whiptail lizards https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/54901/ Herpetozoa 33: 131-137

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e54901

Authors: Gisela Granados-González, Carlos Pérez-Almazán, Aldo Gómez-Benitez, James Martin Walker, Oswaldo Hernández-Gallegos

Abstract: Clutch size and number of clutches per reproductive cycle are important life history traits that can be influenced by anatomical, physiological, evolutionary, and ecological factors. This report on the clutch size and number of clutches of an endemic Mexican whiptail lizard, Aspidoscelis costatus costatus (Cope, 1878), is based on a study of population at an unusually high elevation for a member of this genus. The study site is located in Ixtapan de la Sal, southeastern Estado de México, Central Mexico, at 2090 m a.s.l. Lizards were sampled in June 2006, and from May to July 2007, where females of Aspidoscelis costatus costatus were collected by hand along a drift fence. Female reproductive condition was evaluated based on abdominal palpation for presence of developing eggs; clutch size was determined by actual counts of either vitellogenic follicles or oviductal eggs. The smallest reproductive female was 77 mm snout-vent length; females produced a minimum of two clutches during the breeding season, the mean clutch size of 6.5 eggs (n = 33) was one of the largest reported for the genus. However, both length and width of its eggs, and the relative clutch mass have not been diminished by development of a large clutch. Additionally, comparisons of clutch size were undertaken within the polytypic A. costatus complex, within the genus Aspidoscelis, and between certain genera of whiptail lizards. This apparently represents the first study of whiptail lizards (genus Aspidoscelis), assessing the aforementioned reproductive characteristics, in a population above 2000 m.

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Research Article Fri, 31 Jul 2020 13:38:45 +0300
First record of the invasive gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris Duméril & Bibron, 1836 in mainland Chile (Squamata, Gekkonidae) https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/53625/ Herpetozoa 33: 125-129

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e53625

Authors: Felix A. Urra, Alejandro Zúñiga, Alejandro Bruno Miranda-Calle, Nel Melero

Abstract: In Chile, the presence of Mourning Gecko, Lepidodactylus lugubris Duméril & Bibron, 1836 has been recognized for Easter Island (Rapa Nui) from late 19th century. Here, we report the first observation of a juvenile specimen of L. lugubris in an urban zone of Santiago, Región Metropolitana, mainland Chile, representing the southernmost non-insular record in America for this invasive species. Moreover, an updated distributional map of L. lugubris for South America and the Antilles is provided.

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Short Communication Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:44:33 +0300
An assessment of vouchered records and field observations of the rare anguid, Dopasia buettikoferi (Lidth de Jeude, 1905) in Borneo https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/51089/ Herpetozoa 33: 59-65

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e51089

Authors: Daniel Jablonski, Martina Lawson, Andy J. Boyce, Christian Molls, Indraneil Das

Abstract: We report recent observations, two new locality records and an updated overview of the distribution of Dopasia buettikoferi (Lidth de Jeude, 1905) from Borneo, as well as photographic documentation of this species showing colouration and patterns in living individuals and the holotype. This note represents the first complete compilation of distributional knowledge of this rarely-encountered member of the family Anguidae.

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Short Communication Thu, 7 May 2020 17:23:35 +0300
Injuries reflecting intra- and interspecific interactions in the Snake-eyed Skink Ablepharus kitaibelii (Bibron & Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1833) (Squamata, Scincidae) from Bulgaria https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/37735/ Herpetozoa 32: 171-175

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e37735

Authors: Vladislav Vergilov, Yurii V. Kornilev

Abstract: The Snake-eyed Skink’s intra- and inter-specific interactions and their impacts on the individual (e.g. injuries) have received little attention so far. As part of copulation, male lizards bite the females; observations confirm an old report that bites occur in the fore side of the body, along with more recently published information about the back side. Additionally, out of 435 individuals observed in situ, 10 had missing extremities (toes, ankles, etc.); however, further studies should identify the causes of such injury, e.g. male-male combat, predators. For the first time, an adult male was observed biting a juvenile ex situ; the specific reasons, however, remain unknown. This report should generate further interest in ecological and behavioral studies, assessing the costs and benefits to potential territorial defense, intra-specific combat, and predator pressure and escape mechanisms.

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Short Communication Fri, 23 Aug 2019 15:34:58 +0300
Age structure and body size of the endangered species Darevskia bendimahiensis (Schmidtler, Eiselt & Darevsky, 1994) from eastern Turkey (Squamata, Sauria, Lacertidae) https://herpetozoa.pensoft.net/article/37094/ Herpetozoa 32: 159-163

DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e37094

Authors: Elif Yıldırım, Yusuf Kumlutaş, Kamil Candan, Çetin Ilgaz

Abstract: The life-history traits of the parthenogenetic lizard Darevskia bendimahiensis were studied by skeletochronology in a population inhabiting highlands in Çaldıran, Van, Turkey. Endosteal resorption was observed in 18 specimens (55%). The mean age was 4.91 ± 0.19 SD years. The mean snout-vent length (SVL) was 51.11 ± 1.15 SD mm. The age at sexual maturity was estimated as 3 years. Longevity was 7 years. Snout-vent length and age were positively correlated (Spearman’s correlation; r = 0.797, P = 0.000). The aim of this study is to contribute to the future conservation activities for this endangered species.

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Research Article Wed, 24 Jul 2019 10:15:27 +0300