Amphibia-Reptilia

Inger, Robert F.; Shaffer, H.B.; Koshy, M.; Bakde, R.

doi: 10.1163/156853887x00234pmid: N/A

AbstractWe collected detailed microhabitat information on 1460 specimens comprising 52 species of amphibians and reptiles from a small area of tropical evergreen forest in South India. Although most individuals were found in non-riparian situations, the number caught in and along streams was higher than expected on the basis of collecting effort. Very few animals were caught under logs and rocks. When niche breadth values are corrected for variation in sample size, we find no correlation between magnitude of niche breadth and general habitat usage, such as terrestriality vs. arboreality. A cluster analysis of 28 common species using niche overlap values reveals one group of 6 terrestrial species with very high niche overlap values and high co-occurrence within collecting sorties; this group probably represents a genuine terrestrial guild. Another set of 4 terrestrial species is peripherally associated with the first 6, whereas the remaining species show generally low overlap values. Altitudinal restriction is an almost ubiquitous feature of the distribution of species in this fauna, with distinct groups of low (below 300 m), intermediate (300-399 m), and high altitude (above 399 m) taxa roughly corresponding to major shifts in forest types. At a broader level of analysis, we find considerable evidence for local endemism within partially isolated hill ranges in the Western Ghats, suggesting that geographic isolation may be an important contributing factor to the diversity of the South Indian herpetofauna.

Koshy, M.; Inger, Robert F.; Shaffer, H.B.; Bakde, R.

doi: 10.1163/156853887X00234pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>We collected detailed microhabitat information on 1460 specimens comprising 52 species of amphibians and reptiles from a small area of tropical evergreen forest in South India. Although most individuals were found in non-riparian situations, the number caught in and along streams was higher than expected on the basis of collecting effort. Very few animals were caught under logs and rocks. When niche breadth values are corrected for variation in sample size, we find no correlation between magnitude of niche breadth and general habitat usage, such as terrestriality vs. arboreality. A cluster analysis of 28 common species using niche overlap values reveals one group of 6 terrestrial species with very high niche overlap values and high co-occurrence within collecting sorties; this group probably represents a genuine terrestrial guild. Another set of 4 terrestrial species is peripherally associated with the first 6, whereas the remaining species show generally low overlap values. Altitudinal restriction is an almost ubiquitous feature of the distribution of species in this fauna, with distinct groups of low (below 300 m), intermediate (300-399 m), and high altitude (above 399 m) taxa roughly corresponding to major shifts in forest types. At a broader level of analysis, we find considerable evidence for local endemism within partially isolated hill ranges in the Western Ghats, suggesting that geographic isolation may be an important contributing factor to the diversity of the South Indian herpetofauna.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Veith, Michael

doi: 10.1163/156853887X00243pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis was carried out on water soluble proteins of eggs and embryos of Triturus alpestris, T. boscai, T. cristatus, T. helveticus, T. marmoratus and T. vulgaris. "Major bands" and "minor bands" were defined and species specific phenotyps are described. The patterns of major bands proved to be rather constant during embryonic development up to approximately stage 30 (stretched tailbud stage). The method as used in this study is considered to be practical and relevant for diagnostic studies on Triturus species.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Veith, Michael

doi: 10.1163/156853887x00243pmid: N/A

AbstractPolyacrylamide disc electrophoresis was carried out on water soluble proteins of eggs and embryos of Triturus alpestris, T. boscai, T. cristatus, T. helveticus, T. marmoratus and T. vulgaris. "Major bands" and "minor bands" were defined and species specific phenotyps are described. The patterns of major bands proved to be rather constant during embryonic development up to approximately stage 30 (stretched tailbud stage). The method as used in this study is considered to be practical and relevant for diagnostic studies on Triturus species.

Gollmann, Günter

doi: 10.1163/156853887X00252pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina and B. variegata) were collected at eight locations in the Mátra mountains and subjected to morphological examinations and electrophoretic investigations of nine enzymes encoded by twelve presumptive loci. Both species occurred together at one place. Another site was inhabited exclusively by B. bombina, while only B. variegata was found at the other localities. Analysis of variation at four marker loci revealed varying degrees of introgression of alien alleles in all populations. Individuals of hybrid origin prevail in most of the B. variegata samples. At Idh-1 and Aat B. variegata exhibits polymorphism for both those electromorphs fixed in northern Carpathian populations of this species and those characteristically found in western parts of its range.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Gollmann, Günter

doi: 10.1163/156853887x00252pmid: N/A

AbstractFire-bellied toads (Bombina bombina and B. variegata) were collected at eight locations in the Mátra mountains and subjected to morphological examinations and electrophoretic investigations of nine enzymes encoded by twelve presumptive loci. Both species occurred together at one place. Another site was inhabited exclusively by B. bombina, while only B. variegata was found at the other localities. Analysis of variation at four marker loci revealed varying degrees of introgression of alien alleles in all populations. Individuals of hybrid origin prevail in most of the B. variegata samples. At Idh-1 and Aat B. variegata exhibits polymorphism for both those electromorphs fixed in northern Carpathian populations of this species and those characteristically found in western parts of its range.

Williams, Jorge D.; Gudynas, Eduardo

doi: 10.1163/156853887X00261pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Nine tadpoles of Elanchistocleis bicolor from Uruguay are described and figured. Main characters are a globular body; oral disc with two ventral projecting flaps, with a medial notch, and denticulate edges; spiracle reotal in position and to the left of a midventral anal tube; and width of dorsal fin to width of ventral fin 1:1. The tadpole is similar to that of other Elachistocleis: E. ovalis and E. surinamensis. After comparisons with tadpoles of other related genera, Dermatonotus and Elachistocleis appeared to have a symplesiomorphic condition (aquatic development), while Myersiella and Synapturanus presented a synapomorphy (terrestrial development), Synapturanus also having an autapomorphic condition (vestigial fins).</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Williams, Jorge D.; Gudynas, Eduardo

doi: 10.1163/156853887x00261pmid: N/A

AbstractNine tadpoles of Elanchistocleis bicolor from Uruguay are described and figured. Main characters are a globular body; oral disc with two ventral projecting flaps, with a medial notch, and denticulate edges; spiracle reotal in position and to the left of a midventral anal tube; and width of dorsal fin to width of ventral fin 1:1. The tadpole is similar to that of other Elachistocleis: E. ovalis and E. surinamensis. After comparisons with tadpoles of other related genera, Dermatonotus and Elachistocleis appeared to have a symplesiomorphic condition (aquatic development), while Myersiella and Synapturanus presented a synapomorphy (terrestrial development), Synapturanus also having an autapomorphic condition (vestigial fins).

Busack, Stephen D.

doi: 10.1163/156853887X00270pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Reported only from three general areas at elevations between 2500-3700 m within the High Atlas Mountains of Marrakech Prefecture, Morocco, Lacerta andreanszkyi appears little studied (Saint Girons, 1953; Pasteur and Bons, 1960; Bons, 1967; Klemmer, 1969). Since Werner's (1929) description of this apparently restricted apecies, nothing has been published regarding its biology. The following limited data concerning population density, biomass, sex ratio, feeding ecology, reproduction, frequency of injury, and thermal environment and response of this elusive species are presented below to partially fill this void.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Busack, Stephen D.

doi: 10.1163/156853887x00270pmid: N/A

AbstractReported only from three general areas at elevations between 2500-3700 m within the High Atlas Mountains of Marrakech Prefecture, Morocco, Lacerta andreanszkyi appears little studied (Saint Girons, 1953; Pasteur and Bons, 1960; Bons, 1967; Klemmer, 1969). Since Werner's (1929) description of this apparently restricted apecies, nothing has been published regarding its biology. The following limited data concerning population density, biomass, sex ratio, feeding ecology, reproduction, frequency of injury, and thermal environment and response of this elusive species are presented below to partially fill this void.