bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lacerta siculimelitensis sp. n. (Sauria: Lacertidae), a giant lizard from the Late Pleistocene of Malta
Authors: Böhme Wolfgang , Zammit-Maempel George 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Lacerta siculimelitensis sp. n., an extinct giant lizard species is described from the Late Pleistocene of Malta. It is shown that this species lived contemporaneously also on Sicily. The zoogeographical aspects of the fossil form as compared with recent members of the genus are discussed.
The true Status and Future of Hermann's Tortoise Testudo hermanni robertmertensi WERMUTH 1952 in Western Europe
Authors: Cheylan Marc 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHermann's tortoise of western Europe, Testudo hermanni robertmertensi WERMUTH 1952, is in fact seriously endangered throughout its range of distribution. In Spain, one comes across only a few in Minorca and Majorca (Balearic Is.) and in an area confined to the north of the province of Gerona. In France, it occurs in the Maures and Estérel mountains (Var), the Albères (Pyrénées-orientales) and Corsica. The importance of the Italian populations is less understood. On the mainland, it is mainly on the west coast and in the south. It also occurs on the islands of Sicily, Sardiniaand Elba. In all these areas, Hermann's tortoise is in strong decline on account of forest fires, increased urbanisation of the coastal areas and commercial and individual collecting. Proper safeguards are extemely limited and will not allow populations of this tortoise to be maintained. Prompt action to safeguard the species is required. One of the most effective means qould be to increase breeding in populations reduced by fire. The formation of nature reserves is also desirable to protect the small isolated populations of the Albères, Maurea, Minorca and Mallorca.
An F2-Generation of Testudo hermanni hermanni GMELIN Bred in Captivity with Remarks on the Breeding of Mediterranean Tortoises 1976-1981
Authors: Kirsche W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHatchlings were obtained from eggs laid by Testudo hermanni hermanni GMELIN, which had hatched in captivity in 1965. To our knowledge this is the first report of a second generation breeding of Testudinidae under conditions in captivity. Two hybrid hatchlings between a male T. h. hermanni and female Testudo horsfieldii (GRAY) were also obtained.
Karyological Divergence in three Platymantine Frogs, Family Ranidae
Authors: Kuramoto Mitsuru 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe karyotypes of three platymantine frogs, Platymantis hazelae and P. dorsalis from Philippines and P. papuensis from Papua New Guinea, were described and compared. P. hazelae has 2n = 26 chromosomes consisting of five large and eight small pairs, as in many other species of Ranidae. The karyotypes of P. dorsalis (2n = 20) and P. papuensis (2n = 22) may be derived from the basic karyotype of 2n = 26. Simple fusions and pericentric inversions explain the karyotypic relationships between P. hazelae and P. papuensis, while the karyotype of P. dorsalis seems to have resulted from more complicated chromosome rearrangements.
Haematopoiesis and Regeneration: Changes in the Liver, Spleen, Bone Marrow and Hepatic Iron Content during Tail Regeneration in the Scincid Lizard, Mabuya Carinata (Boulenger)
Authors: Ramachandran A.V. , Kinariwala R.V. , Shah R.V. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIn response to the observed changes in blood during tail regeneration, a detailed histophysiological study of the haemopoietic organs such as liver, spleen and bone marrow was undertaken. During regeneration, all three organs were found to undergo histophysiological changes. Increased haemopoietic activity in the marrow and hyperplasia of the white pulp were the important changes shown by the bone marrow and spleen respectively. In the liver, the most marked effect appeared to be the formation of large numbers of lymphocytopoietic nodules. Another interesting observation was the influx and destruction of red blood cells both in the liver and spleen, once during the early regressive phase and once during the late progressive phase of regeneration. An attempt is made to correlate these changes in the three haemopoietic organs with the possible involvement of lymphocytes in the formation of a regeneration blastema and a possible haemoglobin transition during regeneration. The present observations are in concordance with the previous observations on blood.
The Histochemistry of the labial Salivary Glands of the Spiny-Tailed Lizard Uromastyx microlepis (Blandford)*
Authors: Jarrar Bashir M. , Taib Noory T. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe labial salivary glands of the spiny-tailed lizard, Uromastyx microlepis (Blandford) were used in morphometric, histological and histochemical investigations. Both supra and infralabial glands are of the compound tubulo-acinar type and are of a mixed nature containing both mucous and mucoserous cells. The mucous cells secrete and elaborate neutral mucosubstances, sialomucins and hyaluronidase resistant sulfomucins, whereas the mucoserous cells secrete protein radicals as well. The histoenzymological tests used have detected alkaline phosphatase, succinic dehydrogenase and carbonic anhydrase in these glands.
Notes on nesting and parental care in Caiman crocodilus crocodilus in northern Suriname and an analysis of crocodilian nesting habitats
Authors: Ouboter Paul E. , Nanhoe Lurly M.R. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCaiman c. crocodilus constructed nests on small elevations in swamps during the long rainy season (May-July). Eggs were buried just beneath ground level and in addition covered by a small mound of dry leaves. This nest type is intermediate between the hole-type and the mound-type nest. Hatching occurred from the beginning until midway into the long dry season. One of two egg-containing nests studied was destroyed by predators. In the other nest 18 of 28 eggs hatched, which coincides with estimates based on pod sizes and estimated mean clutch sizes. Hatchlings stayed together (sometimes associated with second year caimans) for up to 18 months. Most of these pods were attended by an adult caiman for about seven months, until the beginning of the long rainy season. The sex ratio of newborn young was 0.5, but some pods seemed to consist of one sex only (sex ratio being 0 or 1). These results are compared with data on other populations of C. crocodilus and other crocodilians. In general there is a correlation between the nest type used and the nesting season; hole-nesting species nest in the dry season, whereas mound-nesting species usually nest in the rainy season. Nesting in the dry season by mound-nesting species occurs and possibly can be explained by avoidance of competition with sympatric moud-nesting species.
Comparative Aspects of Diet and Habitat in some New Caledonian Lizards
Authors: Bauer Aaron M. , De Vaney Kathleen D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNo comparative ecological studies have previously been conducted on the lizards of New Caledonia. This study examines two parameters of resource partitioning-diet and microhabitat, for eleven species of native lizards (Gekkonidae and Scincidae). Differences in diel activity patterns and coarse habitat differences tend to segregate geckos from skinks. Microhabitat and dietary differences were found among four sympatric species in a forest assemblage at Mt. Koyaboa, but retreat sites and some food resources were employed by all. Rock piles and crevices are important retreats for all the forest species studied and are a crude predictor of lizard abundance. Crickets and terrestrial isopods are the most important items in the diet of the predominant gecko Bavayia sauvagii. Though generally considered arboreal, this lizard is frequently active on the ground as well. Ants are an important food source of the forest skink Leiolopisma tricolor, whereas the ubiquitous ground skink Leiolopisma austrocaledonicum eats a wide variety of prey, with smaller individuals selectively taking smaller prey. Larger individuals consume feew large prey items but these may be of great energetic importance.
Taxonomic Implications of NOR-Localization in Lacertid Lizards
Authors: Cobror O. , Olmo E. , Odierna G. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNucleolar organizer position was studied by means of AgNOR technique in 11 species of the Lacerta-complex. NOR position is the same in species within a subgenus, but it is different in different subgenera. This observation supports Arnold's (1973) and Guillaume and Lanza's (1982) suggestion that the different subgenera of Lacerta (Gallotia, Lacerta part I, Lacerta part II and Podarcir) are distinct genera. The results of this study also support the hypothesis that the evolution of lacertid karyotypes is characterized by progressive translocation of microchromosomes to macrochromosomes.
The Phylogenetic Significance of Morphological Characters in the Holarctic Racers of the Genus Coluber Linnaeus, 1758 (Reptilia, Serpentes)
Authors: Schätti Beat 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe Holarctic racers (Coluber s.l.) do not represent a holophyletic genus. The unifying characters of Old and New World species are mainly those of external morphology and represent convergence. Differences in hemipenes and osteological characters (basisphenoid, vertebrae) necessitate generic distinction of Old and New World species and thus the restriction of Coluber s.s. to Nearctic forms. The results, moreover, do not justify the separation of the genus Masticophis Baird and Girard from the single Nearctic species, C. constrictor Linnaeus. Sixteen of twenty Palearctic species can be assigned to three species groups most typically represented by C. jugularis, C. rhodorachis, and C. hippocrepis, respectively. Changing or proposing new generic names for these groups must be avoided until the evolutionary polarity of characters is known for the Oriental and Ethiopian forms.
Ecological structure of a herpetological assemblage in South India
Authors: Inger Robert F. , Shaffer H.B. , Koshy M. , Bakde R. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
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.
Karyotype of horvath's rock lizard Lacerta (Archaeolacerta) horvathi Mehely, 1904 (Reptilia: Lacertidae)
Authors: Dulic Beatrice , De Luca Nina 
Published: April 2008

AbstractKaryotype analysis of 2 male horvath's rock lizard, Lacerta (Archaeolacerta) horvathi, found 2n = 36 in both somatic and spermatogonial metaphases. All the chromosomes are acrocentric. In diakinesis, 18 bivalents are visible. Microchromosomes, characteristic of most lacertid karyotypes, are absent in this species. In a single metaphase, satellites were observed on the 8th pair of chromosomes. Male sex chromosomes have not been determined. Overall, the karyotype of Lacerta horvathi is similar to that of Lacerta vivipara,
Multiple clutches, egg mortality and mate choice in the mid-wife toad, Alytes obstetricans
Authors: Clarke R.T. , Reading C.J. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractEgg laying, clutch brooding, egg survival and mate choice were investigated in the mid-wife toad, Alytes obstetricans (Lataste) at a small reservoir in central Spain during 1986 and 1987. Females divided their total egg production into at least three separate clutches. The majority of males brooded between one and three clutches of eggs, though one may have brooded four. First clutches received by males were 24-34% larger than subsequent clutches. No significant differences were found in egg fertilisation, survival and hatching success between individual clutches. The results show that females prefer to spawn with non-brooding males rather than brooding males but that they will spawn with brooding males. When spawning with brooding males they lay smaller clutches than with non-brooding males.
Tests for age and size effects on male mating success in a plethodontid salamander
Authors: Francillon-Vieillot Hélène , Houck Lynne D. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWe used the skeletochronological method to obtain estimates of age for male Desmognathus ochrophaeus (Urodela: Plethodontidae). Age estimates were compared with body size and with a measure of matiing success obtained from an earlier study. Body size is significantly correlated with age, but there is much variation in age among animals having the same body size. Mating success was not significantly correlated either with size or age when males had equal access to potentially receptive females.
An analysis of Hydrophis ornatus (Gray), H. lamberti Smith, and H. inornatus (Gray) (Hydrophiidae, Serpentes) based on samples from various localities, with remarks on feeding and breeding biology of H. ornatus
Authors: Redsted Rasmussen Arne 
Published: April 2008

AbstractHydrophis ornatus (Gray) is described from Phuket Island, Andaman Sea, Siam Gulf, and the Philippine Islands, with remarks on feeding and breeding biology. Hydrophis lamberti Smith, is recognised as a distinct species and described from type locality (Bight of Bangkok), Siam Gulf, and the Philippine Islands. The type specimen of Hydrophis inornatus was reexamined. The results showed certain similarities between H. ornatus and the type specimen of H. inornatus, however, in the present paper the type specimen is maintained as a distinct species. Position of internal organs, in relation to number of vertebrae and ventral scales, is used as a new method for identifying sea snakes. Furthermore the number of vertebrae appeared to be a useful character to distinguish between H. ornatus and H. lamberti.
A multivariate clustering approach to display repertoire analysis: headbobbing in Anolis equestris
Authors: Font Enrique , Kramer Matthew 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Display repertoire analysis requires and unbiased estimate of the number of different displays. Anolis lizards, with easily quantifiable visual displays, provide a system amenable to determining display repertoire size. We used multivariate clustering techniques to classify Anolis equastris headbobbing displays. Forty displays, to conspecifics and mirrors, were graphed and 23 variables from each were used in a cluster analysis. Displays were classified into four distinct groups and a single odd display. The most important variables for classifying displays, assessed with a stepwide discriminant analysis, were associated with the general cadence, number of headbobs, and location of large and small headbobs. Most headbobbing displays ended in lateral head movements, possibly arising from ritualized mouth-wiping. All displays analyzed were apparently aggressive ("threat") displays, suggesting a rich display repertoire for this species but leaving unexplained the reasons so many display types are used. Social and defensive displays, while sharing a number of motor patterns, are readily distinguished by the long duration of dewlap extension and gaping in defensive behavior.
Alimentación de Coluber hippocrepis en el SE de la península Ibérica
Authors: Pleguezuelos Juan M. , Moreno Manuel 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe food habits of 214 specimens of C. hippocrepis were analyzed throughout the year in an extensive area (44000 km2). This species mainly fed on vertebrates, especially mammals and reptiles which constituted more than 92% of its prey; other items included birds and invertebrates. Mammals represented more than 70% of the total prey mass. There was an ontogenetic shift in prey type; small snakes fed almost exclusively on small lizards, large snakes on rodents, although this change was gradual. There was not an ontogenetic shift in the percentage of snakes with gut contents, number of prey types or food diversity. C. hippocrepis captured relatively small prey. Most of them were taken head first, and those taken tail first were significantly smaller. We discuss the type of prey and the ontogenetic food shift in relation to the habits of this species in the south of Iberian Pcninsula.
Descripcion del renacuajo de Colostethus leopardalis Rivero con algunos comentarios sobre su historia natural
Authors: Mijares-Urrutia Abraham 
Published: April 2008

Abstractn. Se describe el renacuajo de Coloslethus leopardalis, Rivero (Dendrobatidae), en base a tres ejemplares provenientes de La Corcovada, Páramo de Mucubají, Edo. Mérida, Los renacuajos se distinguen de las demás larvas conocidas del género en los Andes de Mérida, por los siguientes detalles: 1) Reborde de las narinas con papilas; 2) Sierras del pico anterior más grandes que las del pico posterior; 3) Sistema de lineas de poros caracteristico. El renacuajo fue observado principalmente en las partes torrentosas de las quebradas, comportamiento novedoso en las larvas de las especies de la familia Dendrobatidae.
Adaptation and evolution in Gallotia lizards from the Canary Islands: age, growth, maturity and longevity
Authors: Castanet Jacques , Baez Marcos 
Published: April 2008

AbstractQualitative and quantitative comparisons of histological data recorded from growing bone from seven extant and extinct taxa of Gallotia show that these lizards do not have the same longevity, reach sexual maturity at various ages and probably have different growth rates which are in reverse proportion to the specific size of individuals in each taxon. In term of relative growth, the highest rate is seen in the smallest taxon (G. atlantica) and the lowest in the largest taxon (G. goliath). It appears that differences between the maximum size reached, irrespective of the size of hatchlings, are only the consequence of changes in longevity allowing a more or less protracted growth; they are not due to differences in growth rates. On the basis of these data we discuss some points relating to adaptive strategies and evolutionary features of these lizards.
Biennial reproduction in the female viviparous lizard Cordylus giganteus
Authors: Van Wyk J.H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCordylus giganteus is a large, terrestrial, viviparous lizard, endemic to the Highveld grasslands of South Africa. Autopsy and mark-recapture methods were used to study the female reproductive cycle. Although reproduction was distinctly seasonal, most mature females reproduced biennially, with 53 % of the females not reproducing in a given year. Vitellogenesis commenced in late summer (February), and continued through winter hibernation to culminate in ovulation during spring (October). The onset of vitellogenesis correlated inversely with both ambient temperature and photoperiod. Reproducing females were pregnant for most of the summer and gave birth in late summer (January-February). At the onset of vitellogenesis, fat body mass was generally small in all females but smallest in late-gravid and nonreproductive females. Only in vitellogenic females did the fat body mass increase significantly prior to hibernation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that biennial reproduction is determined by the magnitude of energy reserves at the onset of vitellogenesis and that the potential for annual reproduction remains in any year.
Preliminary analysis of phylogenetic relationships among Galapagos Island lizards of the genus Tropidurus
Authors: Lopez T.J. , Hauselman E.D. , Maxson L.R. , Wright J.W. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Albumin evolution in six species of Galapagos iguanid lizards of the genus Tropidurus was measured using the quantitative immunological technique of micro-complement fixation. We propose a phylogeny for these species based upon their albumin differentiation. Our data suggest several colonizations from the South American mainland are needed to account for current species diversity on the Galapagos Islands. The standard calibration for the albumin molecular clock yields divergence estimates for Galapagos Tropidurus that are similar to those previously reported for the iguanas in the Galapagos and are not in conflict with recent understanding of the geological history of these islands.
Female reproductive biology of the southeastern crowned snake (Tantilla coronata)
Authors: Aldridge Robert D. , Semlitsch Raymond D. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract
Female Tantilla coronata reach sexual maturity in the spring of their third calendar of life (about 21 months of age) at about 150 mm snout-vent length. Vitellogenesis occurs in the spring, ovulation in June and oviposition in June and early July. Both ovaries are fully functional despite the lack of a functional left oviduct. The number of vitellogenic follicles is correlated with snout-vent length, however, the number of eggs or corpora lutea are not correlated with snout-vent length. Mean litter size and percent of females reproductive varied between years. The difference in the expected litter size between snakes with vitellogenic follicles and snakes with oviducal eggs or corpora lutea is due to atresia of vitellogenic follicles. Coelomic fat mass of adults showed a significant negative correlation during the course of vitellogenesis. Fat mass increased significantly following oviposition, however, some females had low coelomic reserves in late summer.
Seasonal variation in field body temperatures of the lizard Mabuya striata punctatissima
Authors: Patterson J.W. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractField body temperatures (Tbs) were studied in Mabuya striata punctatissima, a high altitude lizard from central Africa. Body temperatures were recorded in the middle of the day when the sun was shining brightly (high activity) and in other weather conditions (low activity). There was a significant correlation between Tb and air temperature (Ta) under both of these conditions, although the slope of the regression was higher in the former. The slope was negative for high activity times during the rainy season. In general, Tbs were higher during high activity than low activity. There were significant differences in the regressions of Tb on Ta between early dry, late dry and wet season.
The current taxonomic status of Tornier's cat-snake (Crotaphopeltis tornieri)
Authors: Rasmussen Jens Bødtker 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe recent collection of more than 50 specimens and more than 140 eggs of Tornier's cat-snake, Crotaphopeltis tornieri, together with an examination of material already deposited in various museums provides new records outside the previously known geographical range. Variation in external and internal characters has been examined and the results have been analyzed. In regard to several characters, including the internal ones, the population of the East Usambara Mountains in Tanzania is significantly different from the population of the West Usambara Mountains, probably indicating an early vicariance event between the two areas. Due to the lack of data relating to internal characters, the affinities of the populations further south remain obscure, and no nomenclatural conclusions have so far been reached. The recently acquired specimens provide new information on the natural history of the species.