Bunopus Tuberculatus Research Articles

Resolving species delimitation within the genus Bunopus Blanford, 1874 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Iran using DNA barcoding approach.

Mitochondrial COI sequences were used to investigate species delimitation within the genus Bunopus in Iran. A dataset with a final sequence length of 633 nucleotides including 100 specimens from 31 geographically distant localities across Iran were generated. The result demonstrated that two major clades with strong support can be identified within the genus Bunopus in Iran. Clade A includes Bunopus crassicaudus and two new entities, eastern populations (subclade A2,1) and Shahdad populations (subclade A2,2). The second clade comprises western and southwestern populations (subclade B1,1), Arabian populations (subclade B1,2) and south and southeast populations in Iran, to which Bunopus tuberculatus (subclade B2) is assigned. In addition to Bunopus crassicaudus and B. tuberculatus, three new candidate species in Iran can easily be identified based on the DNA barcoding approach.

Ecological variables determining the presence of lizards in the Sistan region, Eastern Iran

AbstractClimate condition is an important key affecting species presence, especially for reptiles. Precipitation and temperature are especially important environmental factors to consider. In the present study, I collected as many presence records as possible for seven lizard species from the Sistan region and analyzed them in relation to environmental variables using the maximum entropy algorithm. According to the analysis, temperature seasonality affected the distributions of three species (Eremias fasciata, Ophiomorus tridactylus, Teratoscincus bedriagai) and precipitation affected the presence of four species (Ablepharus pannonicus, Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Trapelus agilis). The most important variable affecting E. fasciata and O.tridactylus (23% of contribution) is isothermality. For T. bedriagai, temperature seasonality was more important (32% contribution). Annual precipitation was the most highly contributed variable for A. pannonicus. Precipitation of the wettest month has a high contribution for the other species, representing 49, 48, and 54% for B. tuberculatus, C. scabrum and T. agilis, respectively.

Taxonomy and biogeography ofBunopus spatalurus(Reptilia; Gekkonidae) from the Arabian Peninsula

In the last decade, taxonomic studies have drastically increased the number of species known to inhabit the Arabian deserts. While ongoing phylogenetic studies continue to identify new species and high levels of intraspecific genetic diversity, few studies have yet explored the biogeographic patterns in this arid region using an integrative approach. In the present work, we apply different phylogenetic methods to infer relationships within the Palearctic naked-toed geckos. We specifically address for the first time the taxonomy and biogeography of Bunopus spatalurus Anderson, 1901, from Arabia using multilocus concatenated and species tree phylogenies, haplotype networks and morphology. We also use species distribution modelling and phylogeographic interpolation to explore the phylogeographic structure of Bunopus spatalurus hajarensis in the Hajar Mountains and the roles of climatic stability and possible biogeographic barriers on lineage occurrence and contact zones in this arid mountain endemism hot spot. According to the inferred topology recovered using concatenated and species tree methods, the genus ‘Bunopus’ is polyphyletic. Bunopus tuberculatus and B. blanfordii form a highly supported clade closely related to Crossobamon orientalis, while the two subspecies of ‘Bunopus’ spatalurus branch together as an independent highly supported clade that diverged during the Miocene according to our estimations. Within B. s. hajarensis, three geographically structured clades can be recognized that according to our estimations diverged during the Late Miocene to Pliocene. The paleodistribution models indicate climatic stability during the Late Pleistocene and the lineage occurrence, and predicted contact zones obtained from phylogeographic interpolation therefore probably result from the older splits of the groups when these lineages originated in allopatry. As demonstrated by the results of the multilocus molecular phylogenetic analyses and the topological test carried out in this study, the genus ‘Bunopus’ is not monophyletic. To resolve this, we resurrect the genus Trachydactylus Haas and Battersby, 1959; for the species formerly referred to as Bunopus spatalurus. Considering the morphological differences, the high level of genetic differentiation in the 12S mitochondrial gene and the results of the phylogenetic and the cmos haplotype network analysis, we elevate Trachydactylus spatalurus hajarensis to the species level Trachydactylus hajarensis (Arnold, 1980).

A preliminary report on the distribution of lizards in Qatar

We have updated the list of the lizard species present in Qatar and produced the first distribution maps based on two field surveys in 2012 and 2013. We used the QND95/Qatar National Grid with a grid of 10 × 10 km squares for mapping. Our results show the occurrence of 21 lizard species in Qatar, from the 15 species indicated in the last biodiversity report conducted in 2004. The most abundant family found in Qatar is Gekkonidae with nine species (Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Hemidactylus robustus, H. flaviviridis, H. persicus, Stenodactylus arabicus, S. slevini, S. doriae, Pseudoceramodactylus khobarensis), followed by Lacertidae with four species (Acanthodactylus schmidti, A. opheodurus, Mesalina brevirostris, M. adramitana), Agamidae with three species (Trapelus flavimaculatus, Uromastyx aegyptia, Phrynocephalus arabicus), Scincidae with two species (Scincus mitranus, Trachylepis septemtaeniata), and Varanidae (Varanus griseus), Sphaerodactylidae (Pristurus rupestris) and Trogonophiidae (Diplometopon zarudnyi) with one species each. The species richness fluctuated largely across Qatar between one and eleven species per grid square. We believe that the lizard fauna records in Qatar are still incomplete and that additional studies are required. However, our study here fills a gap concerning lizard biodiversity knowledge in the Gulf Region.

A New Species ofIsospora(Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) Infecting the Baiuch Rock Gecko,Bunopus tuberculatus, in Saudi Arabia

Isospora bors n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) is described from 6 of 30 (20%) Baiuch rock gecko Bunopus tuberculatus Blanford in Saudi Arabia. Sporulated oocysts are subspheroidal to spheroidal, 18 × 16 (17-20 × 15-17) μm, with a bilayered, smooth, yellow-orange wall, without striae or micropyle. Polar body and oocyst residuum, both absent. Sporocysts are ovoidal, 10 × 7 (9-11 × 6-9) μm, with a Stieda body and sporocyst residuum. Endogenous stages developed in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells of the small intestine and above the host cell nucleus.

A New Sarcocystis Species (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) from the Rock Gecko Bunopus tuberculatus in Saudi Arabia

Sarcocystis bunopusi n. sp. from the muscle fibres of the rock gecko ( Bunopus tuberculatus ) in Saudi Arabia is described. Sarcocysts were found in skeletal muscles of the tail and fore and hind limbs in 3 of 30 geckos. Sarcocysts were microscopic, 42-45 µm long and 22-25 µm wide. Using light microscopy, the cyst wall was thin and smooth. Ultrastructurally, the primary cyst wall consisted of a thin parasitophorous vacuolar membrane with osmiophilic 100 nm × 50 nm knob-like papillae, and no perpendicular protrusions. Septae were indistinct. Bradyzoites were 5-7 × 1.5-2.0 µm in size. This is the first description of a Sarcocystis species from this gecko.

THE LIZARD FAUNA OF ILAM PROVINCE, SOUTHWESTERN IRAN

Western Iran in general and Ilam province in particular, has unique geographical and climatic conditions that support a rich flora and fauna. In view of the lack of in-depth studies of lizards of the region, an investigation was initiated in most areas of Ilam Province for an inventory of lizard species and their habitats. A total of 189 specimens were collected and identified from May 2005 to August 2009. Twenty one species belonging to 18 genera and 8 families were represented, including Agamidae: Laudakia nupta, Trapelus lessonae (formerly T. ruderatus), Trapelus ruderatus (formerly T. persicus); Eublepharidae: Eublepharis angramainyu; Gekkonidae: Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Cyrtopodion heterocercum, Hemidactylus persicus, Stenodactylus affinis, Tropiocolotes helenae; Lacertidae: Acanthodactylus boskianus, Apathya cappadocica, Mesalina brevirostris, Ophisops elegans; Phyllodactylidae: Asaccus elisae; Scincidae: Ablepharus pannonicus, Eumeces schneiderii, Trachylepis aurata, Trachylepis vittata; Uromastycidae: Uromastyx loricatus; Varanidae: Varanus griseus griseus, Varanus griseus caspius. Comparing this list to the data provided by Anderson (1999), several lizards are reported for the first time in this region. With six species represented, gekkonids have the highest species diversity in the area.

LIZARDS OF THE GANDO PROTECTED AREA IN SISTAN AND BALUCHESTAN PROVINCE, SOUTHEASTERN IRAN

We report observations on the natural history of lizards in the Gando Protected Area, within the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. The identity of the lizards is recorded, along with remarks on some meristic characteristics. Brief descriptions of their habitats are also given with a distribution map. Lizards (n = 132) were collected and photographed in 2008-09. Twelve species belonging to 9 genera and five families were found: Agamidae: Laudakia melanura lirata, Trapelus agilis, Laudakia fusca; Gekkonidae:Bunopus tuberculatus, Cyrtopodion scabrum, Hemidactylus persicus, Hemidactylus flaviviridis; Lacertidae: Mesalina brevirostris, Mesalina watsonana, Acanthodactylus blanfordi; Scincidae: Eumeces schneiderii zarudnyi; Varanidae: Varanus griseus caspius. This is the first record of Mesalina brevirostris in southeastern Iran.

A herpetological survey of some islands in the Arabian Gulf, Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates

Five species of geckos (Bunopus tuberculatus, Crytodacylus scaber, Hemidactylus flavivirdis, H. turcicus, and Pristurus rupestris), one lizard species (Mesalina brevirostris) and three snake species (Eryx jayakari, Coluber ventromaculatus and Psammophis schokari) were recorded on a total of 13 islands during a herpetological survey conducted in 2003–2004 in the Arabian Gulf, Abu Dhabi Emirate. The distribution and abundance of these species is also described in detail. Bunopus tuberculatus and Mesalina brevirostris are more commonly distributed on the islands and the remaining gecko species are limited only to certain islands, whilst the three snake species were recorded only on one island.