Amphibia-Reptilia

Capriglione, T.; Olmo, E.; Odierna, G.; Kupriyanova, L.A.

doi: 10.1163/156853894x00506pmid: N/A

AbstractCytological and molecular evidence is provided to characterize the sex chromosomes of several species of Lacertidae. Observations on pachytene and lampbrush stages show that sex chromosomes have different condensation cycles and are only partially paired during meiosis. Bkm probe hybridization to Pst I-treated genomic DNA of Podarcis sicula and Lacerta vivipara shows the same pattern both in males and females. In situ hybridization of the same probe to Lacerta vivipara chromosomes shows no preferential localization of this DNA sequence. The results obtained clearly exclude the possible involvement of Bkm in sex-chromosome differentiation in the species investigated.

Odierna, G.; Kupriyanova, L.A.; Capriglione, T.; Olmo, E.

doi: 10.1163/156853894X00506pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Cytological and molecular evidence is provided to characterize the sex chromosomes of several species of Lacertidae. Observations on pachytene and lampbrush stages show that sex chromosomes have different condensation cycles and are only partially paired during meiosis. Bkm probe hybridization to Pst I-treated genomic DNA of Podarcis sicula and Lacerta vivipara shows the same pattern both in males and females. In situ hybridization of the same probe to Lacerta vivipara chromosomes shows no preferential localization of this DNA sequence. The results obtained clearly exclude the possible involvement of Bkm in sex-chromosome differentiation in the species investigated.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Bramble, Judith E.; Sexton, Owen J.

doi: 10.1163/156853894X00515pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The post-hibernation breeding activities of a small population of the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) were followed in the vicinity of their hibernaculum or den in St. Louis Co., Missouri, USA during the springs of 1981-85, inclusive. Individual males could emerge as early as mid-February and remain at the den and its immediate vicinity for three or more weeks. Each day, after elevating their body temperatures, males patrolled the ground surface within 2-3 m of the den entrance. During patrolling activities, males investigated each other at frequent intervals and often returned to re-enter the den briefly. Upon partial re-emergence, one or more males would assume a position such that the head and anterior portion of the body were elevated. This "blocking" activity may be a behavioral mechanism that controls access to the den by competing males and egress by females. Numerous males simultaneously court a single female. The social organization of garter snakes is compared to that typified by lek species and several similarities are noted.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Sexton, Owen J.; Bramble, Judith E.

doi: 10.1163/156853894x00515pmid: N/A

AbstractThe post-hibernation breeding activities of a small population of the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) were followed in the vicinity of their hibernaculum or den in St. Louis Co., Missouri, USA during the springs of 1981-85, inclusive. Individual males could emerge as early as mid-February and remain at the den and its immediate vicinity for three or more weeks. Each day, after elevating their body temperatures, males patrolled the ground surface within 2-3 m of the den entrance. During patrolling activities, males investigated each other at frequent intervals and often returned to re-enter the den briefly. Upon partial re-emergence, one or more males would assume a position such that the head and anterior portion of the body were elevated. This "blocking" activity may be a behavioral mechanism that controls access to the den by competing males and egress by females. Numerous males simultaneously court a single female. The social organization of garter snakes is compared to that typified by lek species and several similarities are noted.

Torr, Geordie A.; Shine, Richard

doi: 10.1163/156853894x00524pmid: N/A

AbstractThis paper describes and interprets the behaviours exhibited by captive specimens of Lampropholis guichenoti. An ethogram containing 45 behavioural acts was compiled. Complex communication displays were lacking in L. guichenoti, although many behaviours exhibited by this species were similar (and perhaps, evolutionarily homologous) to more complex displays in other types of lizards. Head-bobbing occurred but (judging from its context, and the lack of response of other lizards) functioned to enhance visual acuity rather than to serve as a social signal. Similarly, tail-twitching and tail-lashing occurred in both aggressive and submissive contexts, and seemed to express high levels of arousal rather than to act as ritualised social signals. Female L. guichenoti used a hitherto-unreported behaviour pattern (leg-twitching) to express submission.

Shine, Richard; Torr, Geordie A.

doi: 10.1163/156853894X00524pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>This paper describes and interprets the behaviours exhibited by captive specimens of Lampropholis guichenoti. An ethogram containing 45 behavioural acts was compiled. Complex communication displays were lacking in L. guichenoti, although many behaviours exhibited by this species were similar (and perhaps, evolutionarily homologous) to more complex displays in other types of lizards. Head-bobbing occurred but (judging from its context, and the lack of response of other lizards) functioned to enhance visual acuity rather than to serve as a social signal. Similarly, tail-twitching and tail-lashing occurred in both aggressive and submissive contexts, and seemed to express high levels of arousal rather than to act as ritualised social signals. Female L. guichenoti used a hitherto-unreported behaviour pattern (leg-twitching) to express submission.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Melodia, Federico; Salvidio, Sebastiano; Tavano, Maria; Pastorino, Mauro Valerio; Lattes, Aldo

doi: 10.1163/156853894X00533pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>A Speleomantes ambrosii population living in an artificial tunnel in NW Italy was studied for two consecutive years. Activity on the walls varied cyclically in relation to seasonal temperatures and food abundance. The main food item was the trogloxenic dipteran Limonia nubeculosa, which accounted for more than 80% of the total ingested prey by volume. Juvenile cave salamanders had a broader trophic nich than adults. Oviposition and juvenile recruitment appeared to be seasonal. The spatial distribution inside the tunnel was related to microhabitat heterogeneity and particularly to the distance from the entrance. Juveniles were observed outside or close to the entrance more often than adults. Movement of adult salamanders were generally low and averaged 7 cm/day; some repeatedly recaptured individuals had a mean home range of 6 m2.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Salvidio, Sebastiano; Lattes, Aldo; Tavano, Maria; Melodia, Federico; Pastorino, Mauro Valerio

doi: 10.1163/156853894x00533pmid: N/A

AbstractA Speleomantes ambrosii population living in an artificial tunnel in NW Italy was studied for two consecutive years. Activity on the walls varied cyclically in relation to seasonal temperatures and food abundance. The main food item was the trogloxenic dipteran Limonia nubeculosa, which accounted for more than 80% of the total ingested prey by volume. Juvenile cave salamanders had a broader trophic nich than adults. Oviposition and juvenile recruitment appeared to be seasonal. The spatial distribution inside the tunnel was related to microhabitat heterogeneity and particularly to the distance from the entrance. Juveniles were observed outside or close to the entrance more often than adults. Movement of adult salamanders were generally low and averaged 7 cm/day; some repeatedly recaptured individuals had a mean home range of 6 m2.

Aleksic, I.; Tucic, N.

doi: 10.1163/156853894X00542pmid: N/A

<jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>We estimated changes in the components of phenotypic variance and covariance among seven metric traits over the first 90 days of growth in the sharp-snouted rock lizard (Lacerta oxycephala). The broad-sense heritability estimated from the data representing mostly size components of the seven morphometic traits over four age periods was about 90%. The average broad-sense heritability for the shape components of the same traits and age periods amounted to about 42%. By using bivariate and multivariate statistical methods, ontogenetic allometry coefficients have been estimated. The average heritability estimated for the bivariate allometric coefficients was about 69%. Genetic correlation structures were highly integrated within each age period and this integration increased from newborn lizards to lizards aged up to 90 days. For absolute measurements, phenotypic correlation structures were less integrated than genetic correlation structures, while for size-free measurements the opposite trend was observed.</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Aleksic, I.; Tucic, N.

doi: 10.1163/156853894x00542pmid: N/A

AbstractWe estimated changes in the components of phenotypic variance and covariance among seven metric traits over the first 90 days of growth in the sharp-snouted rock lizard (Lacerta oxycephala). The broad-sense heritability estimated from the data representing mostly size components of the seven morphometic traits over four age periods was about 90%. The average broad-sense heritability for the shape components of the same traits and age periods amounted to about 42%. By using bivariate and multivariate statistical methods, ontogenetic allometry coefficients have been estimated. The average heritability estimated for the bivariate allometric coefficients was about 69%. Genetic correlation structures were highly integrated within each age period and this integration increased from newborn lizards to lizards aged up to 90 days. For absolute measurements, phenotypic correlation structures were less integrated than genetic correlation structures, while for size-free measurements the opposite trend was observed.