Reptile Diversity Research Articles

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.

A New Species of Ground-Dwelling Hemidactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Southwestern Democratic Republic of the Congo

A recent taxonomic revision of geckos of the genus Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 uncovered cryptic diversity within the Congolese population of H. nzingae Ceríaco, Agarwal, Marques and Bauer, 2020. Herein, we describe an unnamed southern Congolese lineage of H. nzingae as a new species. We base our description on previously published molecular evidence and newly collected morphological, meristic, and coloration data. Members of the group share a conservative morphology, and the newly described species is very similar to H. nzingae from which it differs mostly on the basis of coloration and tubercle scale rows. Our description is the first new species of gecko described from Democratic Republic of the Congo in nearly 7 decades and reinforces the already strong evidence that the country is a hotspot of reptile diversity.

Reptile diversity in a Mediterranean wetlands landscape (Alto Guadalquivir region, southeastern Spain): are they affected by human impacts?

This study was carried out to evaluate the diversity in reptile communities in wetland landscapes located in the Mediterranean region. For this, the status of the reptile populations linked to different Mediterranean wetlands in relation to the different types of land use established in the nearby drainage basins (500 m around the wetlands perimeter) was determined. The different types of land use were determined together with the presence/absence, abundance and size class of the different reptile species. The results showed that areas with high anthropic pressure had a lower diversity of species, as well as a less balanced community structure, that could put at risk the effective recruitment and hence the maintenance of the reptile populations in these areas. The reasons behind the decline in the reptile community are similar to those put forward for explaining the decline in amphibians in the same area.

Amphibian and reptile diversity of Peleng Island, Banggai Kepulauan, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract. Riyanto A, Rahmadi C. 2021. Amphibian and reptile diversity of Peleng Island, Banggai Kepulauan, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 2930-2939. Indonesia is an archipelagic country and is known as one of the world’s megadiverse countries and has three zoogeographic zones. Therefore, proper conservation efforts to face extinction threats are very important, and the fundamental steps to better understanding it’s biodiversity provide valuable baseline information. Amphibians and reptiles (herpetofauna) are main biodiversity components that experience extinction threats but, at the same time, provide an important role in ecosystems and community life. This paper is the first to provide a checklist of the herpetofauna of Peleng Island, Banggai Kepulauan, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data was gathered by field surveys and supplemented by references. Visual Encounter Surveys (VES) were undertaken in 8 sites. A total of 34 species are listed herein, 29 (85%) of them revealed from this fieldwork, and 21 (62%) new for the island. At least two candidate new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus were confirmed by molecular data and one frog of the genus Kaloula also suspected new species.

Morphological and genetic differentiation in the anguid lizard Pseudopus apodus supports the existence of an endemic subspecies in the Levant

The Levant represents one of the most important reptile diversity hotspots and centers of endemism in the Western Palearctic. The region harbored numerous taxa in glacial refugia during the Pleistocene climatic oscillations. Due to the hostile arid conditions in the warmer periods they were not always able to spread or come into contact with populations from more distant regions. One large and conspicuous member of the Levantine herpetofauna is the legless anguid lizardPseudopus apodus. This species is distributed from the Balkans to Central Asia with a portion of its range running along the eastern Mediterranean coast. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences, microsatellite genotypes, and morphology show that populations in this region differ from the two named subspecies and presumably had a long independent evolutionary history during the Quaternary. Here we describe the Levantine population as a new subspecies and present biogeographic scenarios for its origin and diversification. The new subspecies is genetically highly diverse, and it forms a sister lineage toPseudopusfrom the remaining parts of the range according to mtDNA. It is the largest-bodied of the three subspecies, but occupies the smallest range.

Anthropogenic impacts on the diversity and distribution of amphibian and reptiles in the vicinity of Dhirkot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Anthropogenic impacts on the diversity and distribution of amphibian and reptiles in the vicinity of Dhirkot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

Two New Species of Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 (Reptilia: Squamata: Agamidae) from the Hengduan Mountain Region in China and Rediscovery of D. brevicaudum (Manthey, Wolfgang, Hou, Wang, 2012).

Recent studies have highlighted the underestimated diversity of the genus Diploderma Hallowell, 1861 in the Hengduan Mountain Region in Southwest China, but much of the region remains poorly surveyed for reptile diversity. In this study we describe two new species of Diploderma from the upper Jinsha and middle Yalong River Valley, based on evaluations of morphological, genetic, and distribution data. The two new species are morphologically most similar to D. angustelinea and D. vela, but they can be diagnosed from both recognized taxa and all remaining congeners by a suite of morphological features, particularly the distinct coloration of gular spots. Additionally, both new species either render other recognized species paraphyletic or are allopatric with respect to their morphologically similar congeners. Furthermore, we rediscover D. brevicaudum in the wild for the first time, which was known from historical museum specimens only. We estimate the phylogenetic position of D. brevicaudum within the genus Diploderma based on mitochondrial genealogy, and we provide an expanded diagnosis and comparisons against closely related congeners and provide a detailed description of coloration in life based on newly collected specimens. Our discoveries of the new Diploderma species further highlight the urgent conservation needs of the currently neglected hot-dry valley ecosystems in the Hengduan Mountain Region of China.

A new diapsid with a unique tooth structure from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) of Germany

ABSTRACT The Middle Triassic was an important time in the evolutionary history of reptiles because it was during this time that many modern groups originated and initially diversified. In this context, the rich fossiliferous deposits of the Ladinian-age Erfurt Formation in southern Germany play an important role in elucidating reptilian diversity during this interval. Here we present an interesting record of a reptile with an unusual dentition. The material comprises a fragment of a left dentary. The teeth are tightly spaced and have chisel-shaped crowns, with the posterolingually extending apices abutting those of the successive teeth and forming a continuous cutting edge. Micro-computed tomography scanning of the jaw fragment revealed the teeth have expanded roots and sit on an open, shallow groove. The Meckelian canal is partially open lingually and a second canal for the inferior alveolar nerve and artery extends parallel to it. Although the preserved anatomical features of the material are insufficient for precise phylogenetic placement, the structure of the robust dentary and its teeth resembles those of some lepidosaurs and certain early Mesozoic marine diapsids. The distinctive morphology of the teeth, combined with the apparent lack of tooth wear, makes it difficult to assess their functional significance. It is interesting that extinct tetrapods with similar tooth morphologies come from strata representing freshwater and brackish-water paleoenvironments, which may serve as an additional line of evidence for future Morpho-functional assessments.

Herpetofaunal inventory of Van Province, eastern Anatolia, Turkey

In this study, amphibian and reptile diversity in the province of Van (eastern Anatolia, Turkey) was surveyed. For this purpose, four herpetological excursions (20 days in total) were conducted covering all the districts of the province in 2014. In this paper, up-to-date herpetofaunal inventory of Van Province, including two urodelian, four anuran, two chelonian, 15 saurian (lizards), and 14 ophidian (snakes) species (six amphibians and 31 reptiles in total) is presented. To the best of our knowledge, Salamandra infraimmaculata, Heremites auratus, Dolichophis jugularis, Eirenis modestus, and Telescopus fallax were recorded for the first time in the province of Van. Additionally, the first published print record of Stellagama stellio in Van Province is presented. The major threat to the herpetofaunal diversity in surveyed habitats was found as human-origin habitat degradation. With the georeference database obtained in this study, it will be possible to determine the actual distribution ranges of the species and to guide decision-makers. The results of the study will provide a useful basis for future monitoring studies and distribution information will contribute to the conservation of the species of interest.

The role of spatial heterogeneity in diversity of squamate reptiles in the Atlantic Forest highlands of southeastern Brazil.

Spatial heterogeneity of vegetation is considered to be one of the most important factors that can influence species richness in a region and, therefore, an important driver for species diversity. Here, we investigate how squamate diversity varies throughout a heterogeneous area in southeastern Atlantic Forest. Our sampling site corresponded to a mosaic of forest and open fields in Curucutu nucleus, Serra do Mar State Park, São Paulo State, Southeastern Brazil. Species diversity varied throughout the mosaic in terms of species composition and relative abundance, with some species being clearly associated with a particular physiognomy. However, a decrease is observed in species richness in forest, after the rarefaction method is applied, showing that when the abundance effect is excluded, only species composition differed between physiognomies. On the other hand, both space and environmental heterogeneity were associated with diversity and distribution of squamates. Our results emphasize the importance of environmental heterogeneity, as well as the influence of the spatial location of the sample units, in structuring squamate diversity in a highland assemblage from the Atlantic Forest.

Herpetofauna of Matas de Água Azul, an Atlantic Forest remnant in Serra do Mascarenhas, Pernambuco state, Brazil

Abstract: The northern most portion of Atlantic Forest is currently considered as the most vulnerable and threatened in this ecoregion, while also harboring the ecoregion’s least studied biota. Herein we present results of a herpetofaunistic survey in Refúgio de Vida Silvestre (Wildlife Refuge) Matas de Água Azul (RVSMAA), in the mountain range Serra do Mascarenhas, northeastern state of Pernambuco, Brazil, one of the largest forest remnants in the northern Atlantic Forest. The sampling was carried out in four expeditions using methods of visual searching and pitfall traps. A total of 43 species of amphibians and 40 species of reptiles were registered, including anurans, caecilians, lizards, snakes and chelonians. The richness recorded represented 56% of amphibians and 20% of reptiles registered in the Atlantic Forest north of the São Francisco River. The RVSMAA holds a high diversity of amphibians and reptiles, representing one of the highest levels of richness in the northern Atlantic Forest. The record of seven species included in some of the threatened species lists reinforces the importance of the area for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest herpetofauna and adds relevant information to our knowledge of northern Atlantic Forest biodiversity and aids in its assessment of conservation.

An Endemic and Endangered New Species of the Lizard Liolaemus montanus Group from Southwestern Peru (Iguania: Liolaemidae), with a Key for the Species of the L. reichei Clade.

The southwestern Andes of Peru harbor a hidden taxonomic diversity of reptiles. We describe a new species of Liolaemus Wiegmann (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from xerophytic environments of the southwestern slopes of the Andes of Peru, 2,400-2,900 m asl. The new species, previously considered to be a population of L. insolitus Cei, exhibits unique diagnostic characters of morphology, scalation and color pattern, and molecular evidence that suggest that it belongs in the Liolaemus montanus species group and the L. reichei clade. Moreover, the species is endemic to the eastern slopes of La Caldera batholith in the Department of Arequipa, southern Peru. We also provide information on the conservation status of the species and suggest it be included in the IUCN red list of the threatened species as endangered (EN). A key for the species of the L. reichei clade is provided.

Species diversity of reptiles in the landscapes of the Lesser Caucasus within Azerbaijan

Species diversity of reptiles in the landscapes of the Lesser Caucasus within Azerbaijan

Biogeography, inventory and new data on reptiles of M’sila region, Algeria

This study is the first contribution to the evaluation of reptile diversity in different habitats of M’sila region, Algeria. We carried out 94 trips between 2016 and 2018 across three sites: Mergueb (six stations), L’mhazem (three stations) and Kaf Afoul (two stations), on average, accompanied by prospectors. Our aims were to make an inventory of reptilian species in this region, as well as to study their diversity, distribution, ecology and abundance. Altogether, we recorded 193 specimens belonging to 22 species: two turtles, one amphisbaenian, twelve lizards and seven snakes. Two species classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN were recorded: Uromastyx acanthinurus (Bell, 1825) and Daboia mauritanica (Duméril & Bibron, 1848). Statistical analysis revealed that the type of habitat directly influences the distribution of reptiles in the study area. Although this small area is rich in reptilian species, their abundance remains low and worrying

Diversity of Amphibians and Reptiles at Chiremera Locality, Vanduzi - Mozambique

Diversity of amphibians and reptiles was studied at Chiremera locality in Manica Province, Mozambique. To the best of our knowledge, no herpetofauna study has been done at the Chiremera locality. Globally the herpetofauna of Mozambique remains poorly documented compared to other areas of southern Africa [1]. The study aims to assess the diversity of amphibians and reptiles at Chiremera locality. The data was collected using two techniques: Visual Search and Intercept and pit fall traps. The data was collected in two habitat types: wild areas and human altered areas. We recorded on the wild areas 91 individual of amphibians (18 species, 10 genera and 9 families). The human altered areas had a total of 27 individual amphibians, (4 species, 4 genera and 4 families). Hemisus marmoratus (marbled snout-burrower) was the most abundant species in the two habitats, accounting for 26.3% of all individuals identified. The Shannon winner of amphibians was higher at the wild areas (H '= 2, 1) and lower in the human altered area (H' = 1, 2). A total of 24 individual reptiles were recorded on the wild areas (7 species, 7 genera and 5 families). In contrast to human altered areas we recorded (5 species, 3 Genera, and 3 families). Bitis arietans (puff adder) was the most abundant reptile accounting for 26% of all individuals identified. The Shannon wiener of reptiles was (H’=1, 6) at the wild areas and (H’=1, 5) at the human altered areas. Four rare species namely Hyperolius acuticeps (sharp-headed long reed frog), Hyperolius benguellensis (Benguella long reed frog), Ptychadena subpunctata (spotted ridged frog) all amphibians and Naja mossambica (Mozambique spitting cobra) - reptile were detected during our study. The result of the current study revealed that effect of human altered areas on the richness and abundance of amphibians and reptiles.

Diversity of snake in Kaski district of Gandaki Province, Nepal

Snakes are one of the most diverse vertebrates on the globe, mostly prefer arid zones. Nepal harbors a high unrecognized reptilian diversity. Information on the diversity and distribution of snakes in the western Nepal are derived from relatively from old literatures. This study updated the diversity and distribution of snakes from the Kaski district based on rescuing activities, field survey and literature review. Altogether 40 species of snake from five families were recorded in the Kaski district. The family Colubridae (70%) had the highest species diversity followed by Elapidae (12.5%), Viperidae (12.5%), Pythonidae (2.5 %), and Typhlopidae (2.5 %) respectively. Based on the IUCN global status of snake, 5 % are vulnerable, 5 % data deficient, 27.5 % are Least Concern and 62.5 % are Not Evaluated. Six species were found new distribution records in Kaski. Four species were the species listed on CITES II. Out of 40 species, 27.5% venomous (2.5 % were venomous but not fatal to human, 12.5% were neurotoxic, 12.5% were hemotoxic which are deadly venomous), 20% were weakly venomous and not fatal to human and 50 % were non-venomous. Habitat loss, nest destroyed, road-killed and meaningless killing by the negative perception of people was the most threat to snake in Kaski district.

An examination of the import of live reptiles from Indonesia by the United States from 2000 to 2015

Millions of reptiles are both legally and illegally traded annually. However, the number of species being exploited for the live animal trade far exceeds any other demand, such as for use in the exotic leather trade. The huge diversity and abundance of reptiles traded globally is concerning as commercial consumer demand can result in unsustainable harvests which could lead to species declines or even extinctions. With this study we examine the trade between two of the significant countries involved in the global reptile trade: Indonesia and the United States (US). Between 2000 and 2015, the US imported at least 234 070 live reptiles encompassing 83 CITES-listed species and 810 534 live reptiles encompassing 118 non-CITES listed species from Indonesia. Besides the export of its native reptiles to the US, Indonesia also plays a role as re-exporter of live reptiles from other countries; specifically, those of the Asian region and Australia. Moreover, not only did we detect fraudulent trade, we also found potentially unsustainable trade levels for several species. This is concerning for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that reptiles are still very much an understudied group of animals, whereby biological information and the status of wild populations are lacking for many species, information that is crucial in assessing whether harvest for trade is sustainable or a threat to species.

Diversity of Amphibians and Reptiles in Various Anthropogenic Disturbance Habitats in Nantu Forest, Sulawesi, Indonesia

The Nantu Forest in Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi, Indonesia holds one of the few remaining pristine habitats in the island. The reserve is surrounded by human habituation which provide opportunity to study the impact of forest lost on biodversity. In addition, data on Nantu mostly focused on big mammals, as there is no previous herpetofauna survey at the area. Sampling of amphibian and reptile was conducted in June 2013 and in May–June 2014 using Visual Encounter Survey method, glue traps and transect sampling in seven different sites at the eastern part of Nantu. We categorized four habitat types based on human disturbances: high disturbed habitat (HDH), moderate disturbed habitat (MDH), low disturbed habitat (LDH) and pristine habitat (PH). A total of 680 individual amphibians (4 families; 17 species) and 119 individual reptiles (9 families; 29 species) were recorded. Species richness and species composition for amphibians and reptiles differs according to the level of human disturbances. Low level disturbances habitat demonstrated the highest diversity of amphibians and reptiles, whereas as expected, high distubed habitat showed the lowest diversity. Anthropogenic pressures in forest will decrease species richness of amphibian and reptiles. Although most amphibian and reptiles will be able to persist in low disturbances habitat, forest-dependent species will be lost when pristine forests are disturbed.

Effects of Vineyards and Olive Plantations on Reptiles in a Mediterranean Agroecosystem

Agriculture poses a threat upon wildlife worldwide and particularly to reptiles. However, the effects of many crop types on reptile diversity remain unknown. In this field study, we examined the local effects of two understudied common crop types in Mediterranean regions, intensively cultivated vineyards and intensified-traditional olive plantations, on reptile diversity patterns. We compared measurements of diversity among an array of study plots representing each crop as well as plots in adjacent patches of natural habitat. We developed a new index, the Average Specialization Index, in order to compare the degree of habitat-specialization of the species in the different habitats. Among the habitat types examined, the natural patches were the most structurally heterogeneous and contained the greatest species richness and diversity. In contrast, the intensive vineyards were structurally homogeneous and were uninhabitable areas for reptiles. The more-traditionally cultivated olive plantations were intermediately heterogeneous and provided a unique habitat occupied by a community with a high proportion of reptile species considered to be habitat specialists. Despite showing high abundance and eveness, the reptile community within the olive plantations still contained a lower species richness and diversity compared to natural patches. In light of our results, we recommend implementing a more wildlife-friendly management strategy in landscapes converted to agricultural cultivation.

Diversity and distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the Caramoan Island Group, Maqueda Channel, Southern Luzon, Philippines

We report for the first time the herpetological biodiversity (amphibians and reptiles) of the Caramoan Island Group (CIG), Maqueda Channel, southern Luzon Island, the Philippines. Herpetofaunal biodiversity assessment, using the standard field-based methodology for survey work, was conducted at nine sites in the CIG, off the northeast coast of the Bicol Peninsula of southern Luzon. The overall species richness (s) in the CIG is 22 (three amphibians, 12 lizards, and seven snakes) represent new island records for a variety of the native species, ten of which are endemic to the Philippines. Beta diversity (β-diversity) of the CIG is 0.84 reflecting a relatively high degree of local area turnover of species when among-site comparisons were quantified; this finding most likely reflects habitat variability which is consistent with our observation emphasizing how a high proportion of faunal diversity is associated with, or confined, to very specific microhabitats (limestone areas, lower-montane forests, mangroves, beach coastal forests, etc.). The overall community similarity index of the archipelago was 0.545 implying that CIG has moderate overlap of amphibian and reptilian species composition. Our findings provide baseline information on the unique composition of herpetofauna in the CIG, which highlights a general paucity of knowledge about the Peninsula’s herpetofaunal diversity.