Conservation Of Reptiles Research Articles

Small-scale geographic factors promote a high diversity of amphibians and reptiles in Colombia

Analysing spatial biodiversity patterns in amphibians and reptiles is key to understanding the main drivers of community ecological structure, biogeography, and guiding conservation strategies. Our goal is to map patterns of taxonomic change and unravel the geographic and environmental factors driving species turnover among the biomes found in the Sogamoso river basin (SRB), which tributes to the inter-Andean middle Magdalena valley in Colombia, a hyperdiverse region at high-risk from human activities. The study area encompasses lowland forest, submontane, montane and high-elevation Andean habitats, with distinct biomes defined by elevation and physiographic characteristics. To do this, we compared species richness among different biomes and describe their variation along the altitudinal gradient. We collected data from literature and revision of specimens deposited in herpetological collections. Species distribution models were used to estimate geographic ranges and species composition was analysed among biomes using a presence/absence matrix. Generalised Dissimilarity Modelling (GDM) was employed to explore spatial turnover patterns of species composition. We observed that species richness of both amphibians and reptiles was the highest in the tropical humid forest biome and the lowest occurred mainly in the Sub-Andean semiarid vegetation. The spatial pattern of species turnover was the same for amphibians and reptiles and revealed an extreme similarity with the previous delimitation of the five biomes, which are supported by a combination of biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors. This study provides valuable baseline information for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the SRB and highlights the importance of considering geographic and environmental factors in understanding species distribution and turnover in the region. Keywords: Sogamoso River, herpetofauna, richness patterns, turnover species, ecological structure

Ten Principles from Evolutionary Ecology for the Effective Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians

Ten Principles from Evolutionary Ecology for the Effective Conservation of Reptiles and Amphibians

The distribution, diversity and conservation of the Mexican herpetofauna among its biogeographic provinces

Mexico houses a substantial diversity of amphibians and reptiles, with a large number of endemics. We generated a checklist of Mexico’s herpetofauna and their distribution among its biogeographic regions and provinces. We found a total 435 species of amphibians (70.6% endemic to Mexico), and 964 species of reptiles (60.7% endemic to Mexico). The Transition Zone had the greatest herpetofaunal richness, housing 90.8% of the amphibian species and 71.1% of the reptile species that inhabit Mexico. Amphibian and reptile richness decreased from south to north, with the highest richness in the Sierra Madre del Sur, followed by the Trans-volcanic Belt and the Sierra Madre Oriental. According to the IUCN Red List, currently 28.4% of the native species of Mexican amphibians and reptiles are in a category of conservation concern. The Transition Zone, specifically the Sierra Madre del Sur, is of utmost importance due to the conservation status of its species, since this biogeographic province is home to a large number of endemic species. The Neotropical and Nearctic Regions both have around 13% of their species included in some category of conservation concern. The pairwise Jaccard distances among the biogeographic provinces for amphibians and reptiles are highly correlated suggesting parallel patterns of similarity between these two taxonomic groups. We found a positive correlation between Jaccard distances and the length of the shared border between provinces and a negative correlation between Jaccard distance and the distance between the geographic centroids of the provinces, suggesting that geographic proximity plays an important role in the similarity of herpetofauna among biogeographic provinces. The number of species in a province was not correlated with its area or longitude but showed a negative correlation with its latitude. Cluster analyses showed three main clusters of biogeographic provinces for both amphibians and reptiles, with subclusters reflecting geographic proximity and shared habitats. These results highlight the importance of considering geographic factors, such as geographic proximity and habitat similarities, in understanding the distribution and conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Mexico.

Management of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes for reptile conservation

ABSTRACT Bushrocks provide critical habitat for reptiles and are a common feature in agricultural landscapes. Recent advances in soil amelioration practices have triggered a resurgence in the large-scale removal of bushrock from commodity production regions. Rock removal practices have substantial impacts on biodiversity, particularly for range-restricted and rock-dependent reptile species. We discuss findings from several observational studies and natural experiments on the ecological role of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes to inform land management and restoration practices. We found that bushrocks were critical as overwintering retreats, and reptiles preferred higher elevation areas with minimal canopy cover. We found reptiles rapidly responded to bushrock restoration, with increases in abundance and richness of reptiles in rock addition plots compared to controls. Our research highlights the importance of bushrock habitat, and the removal of such habitat may have far-reaching consequences. Conservation of reptiles in agricultural landscapes requires appropriate management and retention of bushrock. We urge for greater protection of existing bushrock habitats and consideration of rock as a restoration tool to improve conservation outcomes for reptiles in agricultural landscapes.

The relevance of Evolutionary Significant Units for the conservation of island-restricted reptiles: Tarentola boettgeri bischoffi as a case study

Abstract Within vertebrates, reptiles are good island colonisers, often leading to considerable levels of intraspecific diversity among populations inhabiting different islands/archipelagos. This study explores the mitochondrial phylogeographic structure of Tarentola boettgeri, a gecko species endemic to the Macaronesian archipelagos of Selvagens and the Canary Islands. Our research introduces a novel monophyletic group, comprising the populations from the islands of Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora. Furthermore, we confirm the previously identified genetic clusters associated with Selvagem Grande, Gran Canaria and El Hierro. We estimate that the origin of T. boettgeri dates to the upper Miocene (ca. 6.4 Mya), and that the separation of T. boettgeri bischoffi on Selvagem Grande, Selvagem Pequena, and Ilhéu de Fora, occurred ca. 0.5 Mya. The absence of genetic differences between Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora suggests recent gene flow or founder events, possibly facilitated by land connections during major glaciations. Conversely, the geographic barriers between Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena likely persisted, preventing genetic admixing. The significant genetic distances observed among all populations underscore the necessity of an integrative taxonomic revision for T. boettgeri. In light of our findings, and with particular consideration of the small population sizes of T. boettgeri bischoffi on Selvagem Pequena and Ilhéu de Fora, we propose that the identified monophyletic groups should be managed as Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs). Accordingly, our study highlights the importance of recognizing ESUs in island-restricted reptile populations for targeted conservation efforts, especially given their unique intraspecific diversity and the vulnerability of their habitats.

First successful artificial insemination of a reptile using frozen-thawed semen.

The use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) has considerable value for conservation. However, their development has been limited to relatively few species of charismatic megafauna. Non-avian reptiles are incredibly speciose and up to a third are threatened with extinction, but progress developing and implementing ARTs into conservation programs has lagged other taxonomic groups. Here, we describe successful artificial insemination of an endangered snake using frozen-thawed semen within the context of a species recovery program. Six female Louisiana pinesnakes (Pituophis ruthveni) were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen from six donor males resulting in oviposition of two fertile cutches producing three viable hatchlings. Paternity of hatchlings was confirmed using genetic analyses. This is the first documented case of successful artificial insemination using frozen-thawed semen in a reptile and is a significant step forward in the conservation of reptiles. The methods described here hold the potential for zoos and conservation organizations to diversify reptile gene pools in captivity and the transfer of genetic material between wild populations and captive breeding programs. In addition, the ability to use frozen-thawed semen for AI emphasizes the conservation value of establishing cryobanks for reptile semen. The development and implementation of ARTs in recovery programs for reptiles has great conservation potential and warrants exploration across a broader range of species.

Connectivity, land use, and fish presence influence smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) occurrence and abundance in an urban landscape

IntroductionUrban areas are challenging environments for wetland species with complex habitat requirements and life cycles. However, even semiaquatic species, representing such complex wetland groups, can be provided with adequate conditions through thorough understanding of their habitat requirements coupled with comprehensive wetland management.MethodsWe studied the occurrence and abundance of the smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), a widely distributed amphibian, in an urban landscape in metropolitan Helsinki, Finland. We classified 50 randomly selected urban wetlands based on their connectivity by applying isolation scores counted using principal component analysis (PCA) and measured the occurrence and abundance of smooth newts in these locations.ResultsOur analyses showed well-connected wetland sites to differ significantly in smooth newt occurrence from both isolated and partially connected sites. Additionally, smooth newt abundance in well-connected wetlands differed from isolated sites. A PCA model with residential buildings (negative effect) and aquatic vegetation (positive effect) best explained smooth newt occurrence and total and male abundance, and female newt occurrence was best explained by a model also incorporating forest and natural open areas. Predation pressure by fish negatively influenced both smooth newt occurrence and abundance.DiscussionTighter networks of constructed wetlands and stricter management guidelines for urban wetland planning and fish community management could increase the suitable habitat for smooth newts in urban landscapes. Managing such areas for the common smooth newt offers potential broad benefits to the conservation of other semiaquatic amphibians and reptiles in urban wetlands and to urban wetland biodiversity in general. Our results show that smooth newt presence may indicate sustained wetland connectivity in an urban landscape and could even be used to signal successful urban planning.

Recent Progress in Taxonomic Studies, Biogeographic Analysis, and Revised Checklist of Reptiles in Indochina

The Indochinese Peninsula represents one of the key global biodiversity hotspots in Southeast Asia. The herpetofauna of Indochina (herein including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand) currently (as by 10 August 2023) comprises 882 native and six invasive species of reptiles and is one of the richest in the world. About 40% of the Indochinese reptile species were discovered or recorded within the first two decades of the 21st century. We review the literature and our field data to assess all recent discoveries and taxonomic changes; we compile an annotated checklist of reptilian fauna of Indochina, including updated faunal lists for Vietnam and Thailand. Reptile species checklists for Laos and Cambodia are published for the first time. For each species we provide the following information: scientific name; recommended common name in English; information on type specimens; information on recognized subspecies; type locality; data on its distribution within Indochina and beyond; IUCN conservation status; taxonomic comments and the most important references. We review the distribution of each reptilian species across the 23 biogeographic subregions of Indochina, estimate the similarity among the regional faunas and evaluate their species richness and endemism. In total, we record 882 native reptile species belonging to three orders, 34 families and 163 genera; of them 408 species (46.3%) are endemic to Indochina. Comprising 512 known species, the reptilian fauna of Thailand is the richest (114 country endemics, 22.3%), followed by Vietnam with 496 species (157 endemics, 31.7%), Laos with 250 species (39 endemics, 15.6%), and Cambodia with 191 species (15 endemics, 7.9%). A cluster analysis of faunal similarity between the subregions revealed three major groupings, corresponding to the Sundaland fauna south of the Isthmus of Kra, the subtropical fauna of northeastern Indochina, and the tropical fauna of mainland Indochina. Within the latter grouping four clusters can be distinguished: (1) northern, central and southern Annamites, (2) western Indochinese subregions, (3) central-south Vietnam lowlands including the Bolaven Plateau and Cardamom Mountains, (4) and the depleted faunas of river deltas, coastal areas and offshore islands. We identify the Northern, Central and Southern Annamites, the Northwest Uplands of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, Southern Tenasserim in Thailand as the major centers of reptilian diversity in Indochina. The highest number of Indochinese endemic reptilian species was recorded in Central-Southern Vietnam Lowlands, Northern Annamites, and Central Annamites. The analysis of reptilian distribution patterns suggests the presence of 20 clusters of species sharing similar distribution patterns across Indochina. Our results further underline the key role of Indochina as an important area for diversity and conservation of reptiles. Among 882 native species of Indochinese reptiles, 356 species (40.4%) are considered as Data Deficient (DD) or were Not Evaluated (NE) according to the IUCN Red List criteria, while 106 species (12.0%) were considered Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR), 17 species (1.9%) were considered to be Near Threatened (NT), and 403 species (45.7%) to be of the Least Concern (LC) status. Our work has implications for elaboration of further conservation efforts for Indochinese reptiles on regional and global levels, as well as for a better understanding of the biogeographic patterns of reptilian richness and endemism in Asia.

Amphibians and reptiles in North Sweden: distribution, habitat affinities, and abundance (Classes: Amphibia and Reptilia).

North Sweden ('Norrland' in Swedish) covers 243000 km2 and lies mainly in the boreal biome. The herpetofauna comprises five amphibian and four reptile species: Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Zootoca vivipara, Anguis fragilis, Natrix natrix, and Vipera berus. Successful conservation and management of amphibians and reptiles depend on accurate information about distribution, habitat affinities, and abundance. Such knowledge is also essential as a benchmark to assess changes in distribution and abundance that may come about as a result of climate change and human habitat alteration. This paper aims to present accurate distribution maps, describe habitat affinities, and provide abundance estimates for the herpetofauna of North Sweden for the period 1970-2022. Distribution data are presented by traditional faunistic provinces, as well as by biotic regions and alpine life zones. Separate sections address post-glacial colonization and a herpetological perspective on anthropogenic changes in relation to species´ present status. Bufo bufo, Rana temporaria, Rana arvalis, Zootoca vivipara, and Vipera berus are widely distributed throughout the boreal sub-regions. Rana temporaria, Zootoca vivipara, and Vipera berus also extend into the alpine region. Triturus cristatus, Anguis fragilis, and Natrix natrix occur mainly in the coastal parts of the Southern Boreal region. There are no signs of recent changes in distribution range, but Lissotriton vulgaris, Triturus cristatus, and Rana arvalis have been largely overlooked in the past and have a much wider occurrence than previously recognized. Most species are found in habitats usually not described in all-European field guides. Nearly all anurans hibernate in water. Abundance estimates suggest that some species are more common in the boreal than thought, supporting the notion that a large share of their total European population occurs there. Although local extinctions and declines are known, there are no signs of widespread population decline for any species during the study period.

Book Review: Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles in Connecticut

Book Review: Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles in Connecticut

Threatened Species of Amphibians and Reptiles from Son La Province and Their Conservation Values

From the field survey research between 2012 and 2021, we herein provide a list of 39 threatened species of amphibians and reptiles from Son La Province. Of these, the following species have high conservation values: two species are listed in the Governmental Decree No. 64/2019/ND-CP, 12 species are listed in the Governmental Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP, 12 species are listed in the CITES Appendices, 22 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007), and 24 species are listed in the IUCN Red List (2022). In addition, 21 species are being exploited for food and wildlife trade by local people. Major threats to the habitat and populations of amphibians and reptiles in the study areas include deforestation, slash-and-burn cultivation, hunting activities, exploitation of forest products, quarrying, hydropower and road construction, as well as overharvesting for food and trade. The research results provide a scientific base for conservation and management of amphibians, reptiles and biodiversity of Son La Province.
 

Decline in semi-arid reptile occurrence following habitat loss and fragmentation

Context Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading causes of biodiversity decline worldwide. In Australia, woodland habitat has been extensively cleared and fragmented yet there has been limited research on the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on semi-arid reptiles, impeding conservation planning and recovery efforts. Aims We aimed to investigate factors influencing the distribution and occurrence of habitat specialist and generalist reptile species on a large agricultural holding in south-eastern Australia that has experienced habitat loss and fragmentation. Methods Reptiles were surveyed using pitfall and funnel traps and active searches across 20 sites stratified by land use and vegetation type. Twelve sites were established in remnant woodland patches embedded within an agricultural matrix and eight sites were established in a private conservation reserve on the same property. Generalised linear models were used to explore relationships between the occurrence of eight reptile species and predictor variables describing site, landscape and vegetation variables. Key results Of the 31 reptile species that were detected, eight were modelled. The results revealed that four specialist species, the eastern mallee dragon (Ctenophorus spinodomus), nobbi dragon (Diporiphora nobbi), barred wedge-snouted ctenotus (Ctenotus schomburgkii) and shrubland pale-flecked morethia (Morethia obscura), were closely associated with the conservation reserve, and that the southern spinifex ctenotus (Ctenotus atlas) had a strong association with spinifex (Triodia scariosa) dominated vegetation community. Conclusions Reptile habitat specialists are particularly sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation and are at a higher risk of local extinction compared with habitat generalists. Reptile occurrence was reduced in remnant woodland patches, but remnant patches also supported a suite of habitat generalists. Implications A suite of semi-arid reptile species are sensitive to the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation and are susceptible to localised extinction. However, the presence of habitat generalists within woodland remnants highlights the value of retaining representative habitat patches in agricultural landscapes. Conservation of semi-arid woodland reptiles will depend on the retention of large tracts of protected vegetation across a broad range of soil types to maintain habitat heterogeneity and reptile diversity.

A global assessment of research on urban ecology of reptiles: patterns, gaps and future directions

AbstractGlobal urban expansion has multiple impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Still, urban centres may play an important role in the conservation of reptiles, an undersampled, megadiverse and unevenly distributed group especially vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts. However, major gaps in research on the urban ecology of reptiles and species responses to urbanisation persist, which may limit our capacity to guide suitable conservation policies. We conducted a global systematic literature review to evaluate biogeographic, taxonomic and ecological research biases in the urban ecology of reptiles and ultimately to detect major gaps and steer future sampling efforts. Our database comprised 278 articles dealing with biological responses to urbanisation of 493 species across 45 countries, comprising 658 cases between a given species and specific biological response. Research on the urban ecology of reptiles was geographically and taxonomically biased. Developed countries within temperate regions were better sampled, whereas developing tropical and megadiverse countries were mostly undersampled or neglected. Among reptile orders, Testudines and Crocodylia were proportionally more studied than Squamata. Across lower groups within Squamata, lizards were present in most studies and were the biological model most commonly used. Studies evaluating biological responses associated with landscape‐level processes, behaviour and/or population dynamics were prevalent, whereas conservation, human–reptile conflicts and wildlife management were the least considered topics. Our results show that research on urban ecology of reptiles is unevenly distributed across regions and lineages. Overcoming these major gaps is an important step towards the improvement of the conservation of reptiles worldwide under the upcoming biodiversity loss scenario. Beyond spreading sampling efforts across undersampled countries, taxa and research topics to meet conservation objectives, we recommend more multidisciplinary approaches to evaluate and compare the actual performance of reptiles in urban environments and to achieve the equilibrium between human well‐being and species conservation.

A global reptile assessment highlights shared conservation needs of tetrapods

Comprehensive assessments of species’ extinction risks have documented the extinction crisis1 and underpinned strategies for reducing those risks2. Global assessments reveal that, among tetrapods, 40.7% of amphibians, 25.4% of mammals and 13.6% of birds are threatened with extinction3. Because global assessments have been lacking, reptiles have been omitted from conservation-prioritization analyses that encompass other tetrapods4–7. Reptiles are unusually diverse in arid regions, suggesting that they may have different conservation needs6. Here we provide a comprehensive extinction-risk assessment of reptiles and show that at least 1,829 out of 10,196 species (21.1%) are threatened—confirming a previous extrapolation8 and representing 15.6 billion years of phylogenetic diversity. Reptiles are threatened by the same major factors that threaten other tetrapods—agriculture, logging, urban development and invasive species—although the threat posed by climate change remains uncertain. Reptiles inhabiting forests, where these threats are strongest, are more threatened than those in arid habitats, contrary to our prediction. Birds, mammals and amphibians are unexpectedly good surrogates for the conservation of reptiles, although threatened reptiles with the smallest ranges tend to be isolated from other threatened tetrapods. Although some reptiles—including most species of crocodiles and turtles—require urgent, targeted action to prevent extinctions, efforts to protect other tetrapods, such as habitat preservation and control of trade and invasive species, will probably also benefit many reptiles.

Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa From the Skin Ulcer Disease of Crocodile Lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) and Probiotics as the Control Measure.

The crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) is an endangered ancient reptile species. Captive breeding is an important conservation measure for the potential restoration and recovery of their wild populations. However, a skin ulcer disease caused by an unknown pathogen has become a serious threat to captive breeding individuals. In the current study, based on microbial isolation, we identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the dominant pathogen in skin ulcer disease. Chinese skinks (Plestiodon chinensis) were used to verify the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa in skin ulcer disease in vivo. As expected, subcutaneous inoculation of P. aeruginosa induced skin disease in healthy skinks and P. aeruginosa was re-isolated from the induced skin ulcers. Therefore, P. aeruginosa, an opportunistic and ubiquitous pathogen that causes a wide range of infections, appears to be the main pathogen of the skin disease affecting crocodile lizards. In the aquaculture industry, probiotics are widely used in the prevention and control of animal diseases caused by such pathogens. Here, we administered probiotics to the breeding crocodile lizards for 6 months. The three experiment groups treated with different kinds of probiotics showed significance at controlling case incidence. Three of the four groups treated with probiotics showed significant disease prevention (Effective Microorganisms mixed probiotics P = 0.0374; Double-dose Effective Microorganisms, P = 0.0299; Bacillus subtilis, P = 0.0140, T-test), and CFUs in the water of the breeding enclosures were also inhibited after probiotics usage (P < 0.001, T-test). Our study demonstrated the role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in development of skin ulcer disease of crocodile lizards in a local zoo and offered the probiotic-based method for control measurements, which would be of benefit for the conservation of endangered reptiles.

What are the factors influencing the aversion of students towards reptiles?

BackgroundReptiles form a paraphyletic group with significant roles for human society, including species that are considered important for food, medicinal and mystical use and as pets. Some species are considered to be aversive, whereas others are captivating among people. Aversion is an important factor which should be considered in the conservation policies of these animals. As such, here, we investigate the demographic, educational, perceptives and behavioural factors of students related to their aversion and non-conservationist attitudes directed towards different reptile species and evaluated the effect of educational exhibition of animals as a strategy of mitigating these attitudes.MethodsThe data were obtained through forms on the aversion and conservation of reptiles represented by three species, a chelonian, a snake and a lizard. The form was given in two instances, before and after a visit to a private zoo (Museu Vivo Répteis da Caatinga), where the students had contact with the aforementioned species. A total of 133 students participated in the study, among these, 43 from elementary school (21 females and 22 males), 29 from high school (16 females and 13 males), 37 from university biology students (22 females and 15 males) and 24 university mathematics students (6 females and 18 males).ResultsAmong all evaluated species, snakes were considered to be the most aversive species. The aversion attitudes differed between the three evaluated species when correlated to age and type of university courses. However, this pattern did not differ between student sexes. Older students had a lower aversion to the chelonian compared to the younger ones, but for snakes and lizards, the aversion was high among students of all ages. The university biology students had a lower aversion compared to the university mathematics students for the three species. The recognition and handle of the tested species and previous visits to educational exhibitions of animals were negatively related to aversion. The comparative analysis of the forms applied before and after the visit to the Museu Vivo Répteis da Caatinga showed that this visit influenced the decrease of aversion, but not in non-conservationist attitudes, for which the attitude scores had always been low.ConclusionsWe conclude that reptile aversion varies in accordance with the taxon, being snakes the most disliked by students. The visit to the educational exhibition of animals contributed to the reduction of the observed aversion. This is especially true when the acquisition of educational information about species is associated with practical activities which includes contact with the animals. Finally, the fact that non-conservationist attitudes had been low towards all species perhaps demonstrates a conservationist tendency even for the most aversive species.

Rock removal associated with agricultural intensification will exacerbate the loss of reptile diversity

Abstract Rocky environments host rich levels of biodiversity and provide vital habitat for specialised organisms, range‐restricted species and a broad range of ectotherms adapted to saxicoline environments. In Australia, rock habitat is being destroyed during soil amelioration practices associated with agricultural intensification. Advances in rock crushing technology, developed to expand or increase crop yields and efficiency, pose an undocumented threat to global biodiversity, especially reptiles dependent on non‐renewable rock habitat in agricultural landscapes. Rock removal is a legislated key threatening process in parts of Australia and will accelerate biodiversity loss if not mitigated. We estimated reptile species’ range overlap with dryland cropping and modified pastoral regions within the Australian wheat‐sheep zone to assess the potential impacts of rock crushing practices. We examined species‐ and family‐richness within the impact zone and across bioregions within the impact zone, to identify areas where rock removal has the greatest potential to impact terrestrial and fossorial squamates. Our analysis revealed that 159 potentially impacted reptile species occur within the study area, representing 16% of Australian terrestrial squamates. Fourteen of these species, including six threatened species, have more than 50% range overlap with areas of intensive agriculture, and include several endangered pygopodids, scincids and agamids. Bioregions rich in rock and burrow‐dwelling reptiles include the Brigalow Belt South, Murray Darling Depression, Darling Riverine Plains, Eyre Yorke Block, Avon Wheatbelt, Nandewar, Flinders Lofty Block and New South Wales South Western Slopes. Synthesis and applications. The conservation of reptiles in agricultural landscapes requires appropriate management and retention of surface rocks. Potential yield increases from destroying rock habitat to intensify or expand cropland will not compensate for the net loss of reptile populations dependent on non‐renewable resources. Financial incentives to prevent the expansion and transformation of non‐arable landscapes to cropland are required to prevent the ongoing loss of biodiversity.

Systematics and Conservation of Neotropical Amphibians and Reptiles

n/a

Reconciling Rubber Expansion with Biodiversity Conservation

Over five million hectares of tropical forest were cleared across mainland Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa for rubber plantations between 2003 and 2017 [1, 2]. Millions of hectares of further clearance are predicted as rubber demand rises, which will have major consequences for biodiversity [3]. A key question is how to reconcile rubber expansion with biodiversity conservation. We assessed the feasibility of simultaneously meeting global future demand for rubber with conservation of extinction-threatened amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles. We compared the spatial congruence of rubber bioclimatic suitability with extinction vulnerability [4] in Africa, Asia, and New Guinea, where large-scale rubber cultivation is viable, and simulated rubber expansion under different scenarios. We found no "win-win" areas with highest rubber suitability and lowest extinction vulnerability. Projected rubber demand could be met by allowing expansion primarily in New Guinea and African Guinea. However, New Guinea has high ecosystem intactness and both regions are rich in endemics. Scenarios suggest converting only areas suitable for cultivation would cause the largest biodiversity losses, including endangered species, whereas prioritizing conservation would result in only the conversion of highly unsuitable land. Compromise scenarios that balance production with conservation could cut biodiversity losses by two-thirds, protecting most endangered species while maintaining high rubber suitability. Development of high-yielding hardy clones expands the amount of win-win areas, as well as suitable areas with high extinction risk. These trade-offs reveal that clonal research and development, strategic corporate and government land-use policies, and rigorous impact assessments are needed to prevent severe biodiversity losses from rubber development.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of a Semi-Aquatic Reptile Community in Caspian Reed Bed Ecosystems

Reed bed ecosystems are crucial for the survival of complex animal communities in Europe and Western Asia, but have been subjected to considerable decline, especially in beds in eutrophic shallow lakes, throughout Europe during the last decades. In Western Asia, however, these ecosystems are still wide and ecologically intact, and support highly biodiverse communities of species, including some highly threatened taxa. Here, we studied the spatio-temporal community dynamics of semi-aquatic reptiles in a wide reed bed biotope in Azerbaijan, and present conservation considerations for its optimal management for the survival of the authochtonous reptile species. Three reptile species (two snakes, Natrix natrix and Natrix tessellata, and one turtle Emys orbicularis persica) were found in the study area. Activity intensity was not even throughout the years, and was significantly more related to ambient temperatures in 2016 than in 2017. Interestingly, amphipod abundance was also significantly different between years, and correlated well with the differences in activity patterns observed in a turtle species. There were complex spatio-temporal patterns exhibited by the reptile species at the study area, with an excess of reptile individuals in the high density reed bed habitat during summertime whereas there was an excess of individuals in the open reed bed habitat in spring and autumn. This evidence suggests that there should be seasonal interhabitat movements of reptiles at the study area, and that the reed beds are not perceived as a homogeneous habitat by reptiles. Several hypotheses are presented to explain these unexpected spatio-temporal patterns by reptiles in reed beds. Our study clearly shows that, in order to enhance the conservation of reptiles, it is important to keep a mosaic of areas with dense reed stands (high density of young stems) and of open reed stands (lower density of older stems), thus increasing habitat heterogeneity and favouring small-scale ecological key-structures.