Herpetological Bulletin最新文献

{"title":"Natural history of an anuran community in a coastal zone of north-eastern Brazil","authors":"Igor Joventino Roberto, P. Cascon","doi":"10.33256/hb165.1115","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.1115","url":null,"abstract":"We investigated the species composition and reproduction of an anuran community in a Restinga habitat in Ceará State of north-eastern Brazil. Twenty species of four families were observed and most of these reproduced in temporary ponds, whereas Boana raniceps and Scinax x-signatus were observed in a larger number of reproductive sites and micro-habitats. Vocalisation was seasonal, with the majority of the species showing reproductive activity only during the rainy season. Only three species also vocalised during the dry season. Increases in the number of vocalising species were associated with increases in rainfall and humidity but appeared to fall with rising temperatures. For most species, there was spatial overlap of vocalisation sites and strong temporal overlapping. The anuran community in the area was composed of a mix of species that can also be found in the Caatinga and Cerrado domains but not those of the Atlantic Forest.","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43265792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Winter predation of the viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara by the Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus in Britain","authors":"Josh Phangurha","doi":"10.33256/hb165.4142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.4142","url":null,"abstract":"T viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara is one of the mostly widely distributed reptile species and one of the most northerly, having been recorded within the Arctic Circle as far as 71° N. As protection from sub-zero temperatures during the winter months these lizards brumate in a hibernaculum under debris (Costanzol et al., 1995) or in a carefully prepared cell in the soil (Hodges & Seabrook, 2022). Lizard activity is dependent on weather conditions and in particular the amount of solar radiation available (Van Damme et al., 1987). The Eurasian kestrel Falco tinnunculus is a predator of small mammals, reptiles, other birds and invertebrates (Village, 1990) and is a significant predator of Z. vivipara with which it shares many habitats. One of the most comprehensive studies on this predator-prey relationship found that the likelihood of a viviparous lizard being delivered to a kestrel nest by the parent birds increased towards midday and independently increased with increasing ambient temperature (Steen et al., 2011). When lizards were delivered to the nest, the average temperature was 20.2 °C but other types of prey were delivered at an average temperature of 15.7 °C. Delivery of Z. vivipara to the kestrel nests could be a functional response to the increasing availability of lizards with increased temperature, as well as solar height (Steen et al., 2011). Those lizards basking or actively foraging will be at risk of predation (Lima & Dill, 1990; Caro, 2005) while at other times they stay well hidden within the vegetation. For the lizards, this means there may be a trade-off reaching their optimal body temperatures for maximum physiological performance (for foraging, mating etc.) and the likelihood of being captured by kestrels (Steen et al., 2011). In the middle of winter on 17 December 2020, I observed a female kestrel predating two viviparous lizards on the Solent coast in the Havant area of Hampshire (England) at 13:38 h, one of these is shown in Figure 1. The weather conditions at the time were unusually mild with a temperature of 11 °C, relative humidity of 85 % and wind speed of 9.3 mph (Timeanddate website, 2020). The observed temperature (11 °C) falls within the lower end of the temperature range at which lizards have been recorded to be delivered to nests by kestrels 7.1–31.4 °C (Steen et al., 2011). Due to the lack of orange ventral colouration, no distinct hemipenal bulge at the tail base and adult size, the lizard in this observation appears to be female. This is interesting to note, as males may be expected to emerge from hibernation earlier than females in readiness for reproduction (Van Damme et al., 1987). However, due to the disfigurement of the body, it is difficult to determine the lizard’s gender with certainty. This may be the first record of predation by kestrels on viviparous lizards in December in Britain. Certainly, warmer British winters in recent times may be rendering Z. vivipara more vulnerable to winter predation (Da","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41246833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"No amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis detected in four introduced populations of the midwife toad Alytes obstetricans in eastern England","authors":"M. Goodman, David J. Clemens, Mario I. Shimbov, S. J. R. Allain","doi":"10.33256/hb165.14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.14","url":null,"abstract":"The amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis threatens amphibian species globally as the causative agent of chytridiomycosis, with the introduction of non-native species being one of the pathways that the pathogen can spread to naive populations. We have monitored and screened the common midwife toad Alytes obstetricans in four separate populations in eastern England, to investigate the potential threats to local amphibians. Forty-eight toads across all life stages were swabbed between May 2018 and August 2020, and screened for the presence of B. dendrobatidis DNA using qPCR. None of the samples tested were positive, indicating that it is unlikely that any of the A. obstetricans swabbed were infected with B. dendrobatidis. The populations surveyed represent only a small part of the species range in Britain, consequently a more widespread survey is recommended to increase confidence that British A. obstetricans are free of B. dendrobatidis.","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43265913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interactions between the endemic gecko Phelsuma inexpectata and the introduced Phelsuma laticauda: understanding the drivers of invasion on Reunion Island","authors":"Grégory Deso, M. Roesch, Xavier Porcel, Juan Claudin, Jean‐Michel Probst, JEAN-MICHEL Luspot, Nicolas Dubos","doi":"10.33256/hb165.2123","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.2123","url":null,"abstract":"T introduction of non-native species of reptiles raise many concerns regarding the potential impact they may exert on indigenous species. The day geckos (Phelsuma spp) are territorial lizards. Several species have been repeatedly introduced to many areas outside their natural range (Fieldsend et al., 2021). One species, the gold dust day gecko Phelsuma laticauda is frequently reported as an invasive species (Dubos et al., 2014) and considered an aggressive competitor (Lund, 2015). It was first reported on Reunion Island in 1975 (Moutou, 1995) and is today present in habitats alongside the endemic Phelsuma inexpectata, a species listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (Sanchez, 2021). Here we report observations on interspecific interactions between the two species, including filmed material (BHS video, 2023), from a botanical garden where the native species P. inexpectata was first observed in 2012 and the non-native P. laticauda was first observed in 2015 (Personal obs., J.M. Luspot).","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43758842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Palmate newts Lissotriton helveticus infected with Amphibiocystidum sp. in France","authors":"Léa Lorrain‐Soligon, jean-pierre vacher, François Brischoux","doi":"10.33256/hb165.2728","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.2728","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42729231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Slow worms and greater white-toothed shrews sharing refuges","authors":"Nicholas Parry","doi":"10.33256/hb165.36","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.36","url":null,"abstract":"T slow worm Anguis fragilis is a legless anguid lizard native to Britain. There is also a colony in the Burren area of the west of Ireland, in counties Clare and Galway, where it is presumed to have been introduced. I have studied this colony since 2015 and to this end have employed the use of artificial cover objects (ACOs) of various materials including roofing felt, hardboard, and corrugated iron. The refuges had an area of about 0.05 m2 and were positioned close to various thick vegetation and bushes that provided good cover for slow worms. The presence of the greater white-toothed shrew Croidura russula was first discovered in Ireland in 2007 in pellets of birds of prey (Tosh et al., 2008) in Counties Tipperary and Limerick. It is thought to have originated from France and is believed to be spreading at a rate of 5 km per annum. It was on 16 June 2022, while completing my regular survey of ACOs, that I discovered the two species sharing the same refuge, in this instance a piece of corrugated iron placed on a roadside verge in the townland of Dereenatloghtan in County Clare. Upon lifting the refuge, a pair of white-toothed shrews were observed along with a male slow worm. One of the shrews immediately departed leaving just a single shrew and the slow worm (Fig. 1). While the slow worm was not disturbed by my frequent visits it appears the greater whitetoothed shrews were, as they were not observed there again. These shrews have increasingly been noted under a number of refuges at different sites, but this was the only occasion when a photograph was possible of the two species together. Shrews are insectivores whose diet is not confined to insects and it has been noted that young slow worms are at risk of predation by shrews (Simms, 1970; Beebee & Griffiths, 2000). In the case of white-toothed shrews, a study in Algeria showed that of 115 items in the stomach contents of 15 shrews, a total of three (1.9 %) were lizards/ geckos which accounted for 14.9 % of prey biomass (Brahmi et al., 2012). I have not observed slow worm predation by the white-toothed shrew but this very probably happens. The same is likely to be true for Ireland’s only native reptile, the viviparous lizard Zootoca vivipara, which may be even more vulnerable as it lacks the protective osteoderms that are present as a ‘chain-mail’ protection in the skin of slow worms (Beebee & Griffiths, 2000).","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45363230","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predation of a grass snake Natrix natrix by a Peloponnesian freshwater crab Potamon pelops","authors":"J. Groen, B. Bok, Elias Tzoras","doi":"10.33256/hb165.4647","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.4647","url":null,"abstract":"T grass snake Natrix natrix (L., 1758) has a broad Palearctic distribution that extends from central Germany in the west to southern central Russia in the east, and from central Scandinavia in the north to the Balkans and Middle East in the south (Speybroeck et al., 2016; Kindler et al., 2017; Schultze et al., 2020). It is known to be predated by a wide range of vertebrates, including various species of birds, mammals, fish, amphibians and reptiles (e.g. Kabisch, 1999; 2020; Cugnasse, 2001; Strugariu et al., 2014). It should however be noted that many reports mentioning predation refer to observations of snakes that are currently considered to be the barred grass snake Natrix helvetica (Lacépède, 1798), which has only recently been elevated to full species status (Kindler et al., 2017). In addition, some recent reports don’t take this taxonomic split into account. Records of N. natrix sensu lato being predated by invertebrates are rare but do include the predation of juveniles by Carabus ground beetles (Kabisch, 2020). In this report we share an observation of a juvenile N. natrix being predated by a Peloponnesian freshwater crab Potamon pelops, Jesse, Schubart & Klaus, 2010, on the south of the Peloponnese peninsular, Greece. On 10 July 2020, at 12:16 h, about 750 m south of Charavgi (36.98473° N, 21.85503° E, WGS 84) we were undertaking a herpetological survey from a trail adjacent to the stream that includes the Polylimnio waterfalls when we spotted a juvenile N. natrix (i.e. likely born in the previous season) in shallow water of the riparian zone of the stream. Upon further inspection, it turned out that the snake was being predated by a specimen of P. pelops (BHS video, 2023), which was partially hidden under a piece of dead wood. The crab was holding the snake with its pincers and eating it tail first (Fig. 1). The snake was fully conscious and trying to escape, but wasn’t capable of releasing itself from the crab’s grip. At the moment the observation took place, the crab had completely devoured the snake’s tail, the cloaca and part of the lower abdomen, indicating that it had been feeding for a while and that the snake had no chance of survival. We observed and documented the situation for twenty minutes, decided not to intervene and then left the scene. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of predation of a European snake by a crustacean. To understand the role of a snake species in an ecological system, it’s important to know the factors that play a role in its survival rate. With this contribution, we add to the knowledge regarding Greek herpetofauna and particularly to the ecology of N. natrix. Since N. natrix and other species of Natrix share their range with several other species of Potamon, it is likely that more interactions between members of these two genera are yet to be recorded.","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41869053","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Supernumerary rattle growth in a Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake Crotalus polystictus","authors":"R. Mendyk, Daniel Cutler, Adam Weisse","doi":"10.33256/hb165.3233","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.3233","url":null,"abstract":"C of teratological conditions and other developmental abnormalities are important to document in reptiles and amphibians because they can bring to light new emergent pathogens, diseases or conditions that can have ecological and conservation implications (Barr et al., 2020; Kaiser, 1997; Schmidt, 1997; Bishop et al., 1991; 1998; Bell et al., 2006) or highlight understudied physiological, developmental or healing processes that are in need of more focused research (Barr et al., 2019; Alibardi & Meyer-Rochow, 2021). In rattlesnakes (Crotalus and Sistrurus), a well-studied group of New World pit vipers (Crotalinae), a wide variety of developmental aberrations have been recorded (for example Klauber, 1956; Pendlebury, 1976; Wallach, 2007; Sant’Anna et al., 2013; Murphy, 2018), but with regard to the specialised crotaline rattle, abnormalities have been rare; they include a case of accelerated growth in the structure which resulted in the accumulation of an abnormal number of rattle segments over a brief period (Walker et al., 2008), and the loss of the rattle style and matrix (Rice et al., 2016). Here, we report on an unusual aberration in an adult Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake Crotalus polystictus that resulted in the growth of secondary rattle tissue. As part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums-managed Species Survival Plan (SSP) for the species, C. polystictus has been maintained by Audubon Zoo since 2002. In August 2019, a 13-year-old captive-bred male (AZA regional studbook #192) that had been maintained at Audubon Zoo since 2009, underwent a veterinary physical examination due to concerns over an uncharacteristic decrease in its body mass (30.6 %) over the previous winter cooling period, and apparent difficulties with regaining its lost weight despite feeding regularly. The examination was performed by staff veterinarians while the animal was conscious and restrained in a tube, and its demeanor was bright, alert, and responsive. Full body orthogonal radiographs and coelomic ultrasonography showed no abnormalities. Blood was collected from the caudal coccygeal vein and submitted for a complete blood count, biochemistry panel, and protein electrophoresis; no parameters were significantly abnormal. Upon close visual inspection, a small (ca. 1 mm), firm, subcutaneous swelling was noticed on the right lateral aspect of the tail at the base of the rattle, which, based on its size and general appearance, was presumed to be a caseous abscess. The mass was aspirated using a 22-gauge hypodermic needle, and a small amount of yellowish liquid was collected and submitted for cytological examination. No microbial organisms were observed; occasional white blood cells were noted. The mass was left untreated to be closely monitored for changes in size and potential impacts on the animal’s activity and behaviour. A follow-up examination in September 2020 revealed that the mass had increased in size to ca. 2 mm in diameter and had begun to protrude from th","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44854554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"King cobra Ophiophagus hannah exhibiting breaching behaviour while swimming in response to a predation threat from a white-bellied sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster","authors":"Z. Cheo, S.M.X. Hung","doi":"10.33256/hb165.4344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.4344","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41543737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Snakes of the World: A Guide to Every Family","authors":"Christopher J. Mcinerny","doi":"10.33256/hb165.48","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33256/hb165.48","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":35972,"journal":{"name":"Herpetological Bulletin","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43869934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}