Eumeces Research Articles

A new species of Eumeces Wiegmann 1834 (Sauria: Scincidae) from Iran

We describe a new species of skink in the genus Eumeces Wiegmann 1834 from Iran. Eumeces persicus sp. nov. is a medium-sized skink, distinguished by two clear, wide, and brown lateral lines extending from the ear opening to the hindlimbs, with scattered light orange spots, and two median rows of dorsal scales broadly enlarged in eight longitudinal rows. The new species ranges from southern Tehran to Kerman Province along the eastern slopes of the Zagros Mountains towards the Iranian plateau. We provide morphological comparisons of the new species with other Eumeces species from the region and molecular analyses of two mitochondrial markers (16S and Cytb). We also present taxonomic and phylogenetic accounts, with an updated identification key for the genus Eumeces in Iran and surrounding regions.

The Karyotype ofPlestiodon anthracinus(Baird, 1850) (Sauria: Scincidae): A Step Toward Solving an Enigma

The cosmopolitan lizard genus Eumeces was first revised in 1936 and consisted of 15 species-groups comprising a total of 50 species. Nine species in North America were later recognized as belonging to the genus Plestiodon and all contained the diploid chromosome number of 26. Modern cladistic techniques indicated that Plestiodon anthracinus (Coal Skink) was near the ancestral form for the fasciatus group. We employed the hypotonic citrate method to study chromosomes of 5 Coal Skink specimens from Louisiana and Arkansas and found them to have a diploid number of 24 (12 macrochromosomes, 12 distinctly smaller chromosomes, all biarmed) and a fundamental number of 48. The diploid number of 24 is probably derived by some chromosome rearrangements in the evolution of Plestiodon and of the Plestiodon anthracinus group.

Systematics of the genera Eumeces Wiegmann, 1834 and Eurylepis Blyth 1854 (Sauria: Scincidae): A review

There are several papers related to the split of the genus Eumeces sensu lato into four distinct genera (Eumeces sensu stricto Wiegmann, 1834; Plestiodon Dumeril & Bibron, 1839; Mesoscincus Griffith, Ngo & Murphy, 2000 and Eurylepis Blyth, 1854). From these, three important ones stand out. The genus has undergone extensive taxonomic changes. There was an initial morphologcial split which identified the correct four groups but failed to get the correct nomenclatures. These errors were later corrected. In a chronological order, Novoeumeces suggested as a new name for the schneiderii group and subsequently re-changed to the genus Eumeces s.s. North American-clade is now considered as Plestiodon. The name Eumeces (sensu stricto) was retained for the group close to the type species (Eumeces pavimentatus) which is part of the African-Central Asian clade. There are now only five species of Eumeces left. The others (old Eumeces) are now found in Eurylepis (2 species), Mesoscincus (3 species) and Plestiodon (47 species). A detailed story of these changes plus a brief comparison of current four genera based on mentioned morphological characters in the literatures are discussed in this paper.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Eumeces elegans (Squamata: Scincidae)

Eumeces elegans is a kind of blue-tailed lizard in the genus Eumeces, and widely distributed in southern provinces of China. We sequenced and characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of Eumeces elegans. The total length of the complete mitochondrial genome was 17,304 bp with 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, two rRNAs and a control regions. The overall base composition of Eumeces elegans was 31.0% A, 15.0% G, 29.8% C, and 24.2% T. ND6 subunit gene and eight tRNA genes were encoded on the L-stand, and other genes were distributed on the H-strand.

Genetic Relationships of a Morphologically Unique Population of the Genus Eumeces (Scincidae: Squamata) from Iotorishima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, as Revealed by Allozyme Data.

Genetic Relationships of a Morphologically Unique Population of the Genus Eumeces (Scincidae: Squamata) from Iotorishima Island, Ryukyu Archipelago, as Revealed by Allozyme Data.

Embryonic metabolism and growth in lizards of the genus Eumeces

Eggs of Eumeces fasciatus are 398 ± 25 mg and of E. anthracinus are 293 ± 27 mg. At 27°C, incubation in E. fasciatus is 24.8 ± 0.7 days and E. anthracinus is 26.9 ± 0.4 days, shorter than other published data for lizards incubated at similar temperatures. The energetic cost of development is much lower ( E. fasciatus = 12.4 ± 0.5 kJ/g; E. anthracinus = 13.6 ± 0.7 kJ/g) than published data for lizards with longer incubation periods. Yold-free hatchling dry mass of E. fasciatus is 71.2 ± 6.5 mg and E. anthracinus is 59.8 ± 2.0 mg. There is no significant rise in rate of oxygen consumption for the first 3 days of incubation in embryos of E. fasciatus, and rate of oxygen consumption does not rise steeply until about 40% of the way through incubation, at the time of increased rate of growth. Thus, we reject the hypothesis that oviposition is timed to coincide with a rapid increase in demand for oxygen. Our data fit the avian model that divides the energetic cost of growth or development into cost of biosynthesis and a cost of maintenance.

Biochemical systematics of the Latiscutatus species-group of the genus Eumeces (Scincidae: Reptilia) from east asian islands

Genetic differentiation and phylogenetic relationships were examined for populations belonging to six species and one subspecies of the latiscutatus species-group of the genus Eumeces from East Asia by use of allozyme data. Results indicate that the population of Kuchinoshima of the northern Ryukyus, formerly assigned to E. latiscutatus, actually belongs to E. marginatus. This suggests the past dispersal of the species over Tokara Tectonic Strait, which is considered to have existed since the Pliocene. Current outlines for the two subspecies of E. marginatus ( E. m. marginatus and E. m. oshimensis) were not supported; our data strongly suggested that Okinoerabujima and Yoronjima populations, currently assigned to E. m. oshimensis on the basis of color pattern, are actually more closely related to the nominotypical subspecies in the Okinawa Group. The UPGMA phenogram and the Wagner tree obtained from the genetic distance matrices seem to support Hikida's (1993) recently proposed phylogram constructed on the basis of distance matrix of morphological data in confirming the exclusively close relationships between E. okadae and E. latiscutatus, and E. marginatus and E. stimpsonii.

A chromosomal study ofEumecesandScincus,primitive members of the Scincidae (Reptilia, Squamata)

Abstract Standard karyotypes and NOR chromosomal localizations were compared in species of the genera Eumeces and Scincus. A remarkable karyological heterogeneity was revealed within the genus Eumeces, as well as a resemblance between the karyotypes of some Palaearctic species of this genus (E. schneidern, E. algeriensis) and those of species of the genus Scincus (S. scincus and S. hem‐prichii). An XY sex‐chromosome NOR‐associated heteromorphism was identified in S. scincus.

Relative utilization of reptiles and rodents as hosts by immature Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in the coastal plain of North Carolina, USA.

The interaction of immature black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, with reptiles and rodents was investigated in various woodland habitats in the coastal plain of North Carolina. Reptiles were sampled from April 1 to September 30, 1991. No ticks were found on 95 specimens representing 16 species of snakes. Ticks were found on 54 (36.7%) of 147 lizards. I. scapularis was the only tick recovered from lizards. Some lizards were collected in drift fence traps each month of the study except August. Capture rates averaged one lizard per 16 trap-days. Larvae and nymphs of I. scapularis were removed from the southeastern five-lined skink (Eumeces inexpectatus), the ground skink (Scincella lateralis), the broad-headed skink (E. laticeps) and the eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis), but ticks were not found on three other lizard species. Tick infestation rates and loads for parasitized species are presented. Ticks were almost exclusively attached at the base or in the axils of forelimbs of skinks and in the lateral grooves of eastern glass lizards. Rodents were live-trapped at sites where lizards were sampled and at other sites from 1 July, 1990 to 30 January, 1992. Capture rates averaged one rodent per 47 trap-nights. Ticks were found on 23 (17.8%) of 129 animals inspected. Five species of rodents were examined but only four species were found to be tick-infested. In contrast to lizards, few I. scapularis were collected. Rodents, principally the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) and cotton mouse (P. gossypinus) were most frequently infested with immature American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis, during winter and early spring months. Burdens of D. variabilis on these rodents averaged 0.3 ticks per rodent. Effects of the diversion of ticks from feeding on Peromyscus mice on the transmission of the Lyme disease spirochete are discussed.

Heterochrony and Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism in the fasciatus Group of the Scincid Genus Eumeces

-We studied diet composition of Lacerta lepida in a sample of 325 specimens from central Spain. This large lacertid lizard feeds predominantly on Coleoptera, but also consumes other arthropods, snails, small vertebrates, and some plant material. Composition of the animal fraction of the diet and trophic diversity were virtually identical in adult males and females. Juveniles fed upon a restricted number of prey types which were small in size, whereas adults consumed a large number of prey taxa, covering a wider range of prey sizes. Trophic segregation among individual lizards was highest in the smaller size classes. The incidence of plant material increased with lizard size and was highest in males, but it never represented a substantial fraction of the total diet. The contribution of small vertebrates to total prey numbers also increased with lizard body size. Our results indicate that vertebrates are of marginal numerical importance to the diet of L. lepida. Most lizards feed primarily on arthropods, although some species have adopted a diet consisting mainly of molluscs, plant material or small vertebrates (see Greene, 1982). Insectivorous lizards are often opportunistic feeders, eating any suitable sized arthropods. Hence, diet composition has been shown to exhibit seasonal or (micro)geographic variation, in response to a shift in prey availability which is either presumed (e.g., Avery, 1966; Mou and Barbault, 1986; Arnold, 1987) or documented (e.g., Ballinger and Ballinger, 1979; Stamps et al., 1981; 4 Present Address: University of Antwerp (U.I.A.), Department of Biology, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. Mou, 1987). Body size is another factor that influences prey choice and diet composition (Pough, 1973). Although most evidence for a relation between body size and dietary composition derives from interspecific comparisons, ontogenetic changes in prey choice within single lizard species have been described (see Pough, 1973; Greene, 1982). European lizards of the family Lacertidae are basically insectivorous, although some forms occasionally eat other invertebrates, small vertebrates or plants (see Arnold, 1987). Lacerta lepida, the largest European lacertid (adult snoutvent-length 140-220 mm), is a diurnal, heliothermic, ground-dwelling lizard that is found in a variety of mediterranean habitats throughout most of Spain and Portugal, in southern 30 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.104 on Mon, 20 Jun 2016 07:29:21 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms

Miniaturization and Elongation in Eumeces (Sauria: Scincidae)

Relationships among size, number of presacral vertebrae, morphology and life history in members of the Pariocela section of the genus Eumeces were investigated. Presacral vertebral counts range from 26 in the largest, most stout-bodied species to 33 in the smallest, most elongate species. Female abdominal growth is positively allometric in all species, but strength of allometry is inversely correlated with size. Small, elongate Mexican montane species achieve a level of morphological development typical of subadults of larger forms, and reach sexual maturity in less time. They are thus progenetic (larger, slower maturing forms showing the primitive condition), and small size is proposed to be an adaptation to the short montane growing season. Abdominal elongation is interpreted as a means of maintaining a minimum critical clutch size, given a functionally constrained minimum neonate size and physical limitations on abdominal volume in a juvenile-sized adult.

Interspecific Odour Discriminations Among Syntopic Congeners in Scincid Lizards (Genus Eumeces)

In a successive discrimination experiment several odours were presented to male Eumeces fasciatus on cotton-tipped applicators. The males displayed higher tongue-flick rates during a 60 second interval when responding to cloacal odours of conspecific females than to cloacal odours of females belonging to two very closely related species in the fasciatus group of Eumeces, water, or a pungency control. Similarly, male E. inexpectatus emitted higher tongue-flick rates to cloacal odors of conspecific females than to those of female E. fasciatus. Because male E. laticeps, which can follow female scent trails, also can discriminate conspecific from heterospecific female odors and because all three of these lizards tongue-flick repeatedly at the outsets of potential social encounters, chemical signals appear to be a basis for important social discriminations in the fasciatusgroup.

Notes concerning Reproduction of the Montane Skink, Eumeces copei

Eumeces copei is a viviparous, high elevation Mexican lizard. Specimens examined were obtained from several locations within the Parque Nacional de Zoquiapan, Mexico, Mixico and from museum collections. This species mates in the fall. Males exhibit maximum testicular volume and activity during the fall. Likewise, females exhibit the onset of vitellogenesis in Sep- tember, ovulation during late fall and embryonic development throughout the remaining winter months with parturition occurring in late spring. This reproductive activity pattern appears com- mon in high elevation, viviparous reptiles and its adaptive significance is discussed. The genus Eumeces is a relatively large group of skinks primarily inhabiting the temperate regions of the Northern Hemi-

A herpetofauna from an eastern extension of the Harrison Formation (early Miocene : Arikareean), Cherry County, Nebraska

ABSTRACT The Mouth of McCann's Canyon Site represents an eastern extension of the Harrison Formation (early Miocene: Arikareean) in Cherry County, Nebraska. At least one anuran, one turtle, three lizards, and six snakes are present. The fauna provides the earliest North American records of the modern lizard genus Eumeces, and of the snake family Viperidae. Two new lizards are described: Harrisonsaurus fossilis gen. et sp. n., of uncertain familiar status, and Eumeces antiquus sp. n. of the family Scincidae. The teeth of Harrisonsaurus have bulbous tips separated from the remainder of the crowns by constricted necks. With the exception of a single viperid, the snake fauna is a typical early Miocene one, consisting of five small boids. A cervical vertebra of the extinct boid genus Geringophis is described and figured for the first time.

Problems of Distribution and Systimatics of the Genus Eumeces in East Asia : Memoirs of the Seminars of the Natural History, Kyoto University V

Problems of Distribution and Systimatics of the Genus Eumeces in East Asia : Memoirs of the Seminars of the Natural History, Kyoto University V

Ecological Notes on Two Mexican Skinks (Genus Eumeces)

Ecological Notes on Two Mexican Skinks (Genus Eumeces)

The Distribution of Eumeces in Kentucky

The Distribution of Eumeces in Kentucky

A Noteworthy Record of Eumeces multivirgatus from Texas

A Noteworthy Record of Eumeces multivirgatus from Texas

Noteworthy Records of Skinks (Genus Eumeces) from Northwestern Mexico

Distributional records and taxonomic notes are presented for the following seven species of rare or little-known skinks from the Mexican states of Chihuahua and Durango: Eumeces brevirostris bilineatus, E. callicephalus, E. lynxe durangoensis, E. multilineatus, E. multivirgatus, E. obsoletus, and E. parviauriculatus. E. lynxe durangoensis Tanner is a junior synonym of E. lynxe belli (Gray). E. multivirgatus mexicanus Anderson and Wilhoft is probably a junior synonym of E. multilineatus Tanner. In the collections of reptiles and amphibians made in northern Mexico by summer field expeditions of the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History since 1955, there are some noteworthy specimens of scincoid lizards from Chihuahua and Durango. EUMECES BREVIROSTRIS BILINEATUS Tanner. Data for five specimens from Chihuahua are as follows: KU 44262-3, 15 mi. S and 6 mi. E Creel, 7300 ft., July 16, 1957, and KU 47429, 2 mi. W. Samachique, 7000 ft., July 11, 1958 (juveniles); and KU 51324-5, 2 mi. W. Samachique, 7000 ft., July 11-12, 1958 (adults). The five specimens provide additional information on variation in this recently described subspecies and extend its known range slightly eastward in Chihuahua. The juvenal specimens differ from two juvenal paratypes of bilineatus (KU 44728 and 44730) from the region of El Salto, Durango (paratype from Mojarachic, Chihuahua, not examined), as follows: markings on anterior part of body having greater contrast; dorsolateral lines paler and wider, most distinct anteriorly but easily discernible to insertions of hind limbs; dorsal field between pale lines uniformly metallic, tannish gray (more evident in specimens from Creel than specimen from Samachique); tail bright blue; a distinct, wide, dark stripe on side of body, bordered above by pale dorsolateral line and below by silverish color of belly. Colors of the two adults fall within the range of variation seen in the holotype and four adult paratypes (KU 44726-7, 29, 31-32). One of the adults from Samachique (KU 51324) was giving birth to young when caught;

A Motion Picture Study of Maternal Behavior of the Lizard, Eumeces obsoletus Baird and Girard

cation will depend upon the ecological factors prevailing such as moisture, solar radiation, soil drainage, etc. Asana (1941) described the actual egg-laying habits of a female of a non-brooding species, Calotes versicolor (Boulenger). In the genus Eumeces, however, the female deposits her clutch in a burrow or in a hollow beneath a stone or other covering or in a hollow log; she then remains nearby during the period of incubation. This brooding habit has been referred to by Smith (1946) for six species: Eumeces fasciatus L., E. laticeps Schneider, E. anthracinus Baird, E. skiltonianus Baird and Girard, E. s. septentrionalis Baird, and E. obsoletus Baird and Girard. The species E. obsoletus is the subject of the present report. Taylor (1936) suggested that the female of this form broods its eggs since it has been collected close to its nest. My observations of the female recorded with 16 mm. motion pictures will describe such activities as the daily turning and cleaning of the eggs, moving eggs to shelter when they are exposed to view, active assistance in the hatching process, grooming of the young, and the behavior toward the young during the feeding period.