Green Dorsal Coloration Research Articles

A new species of pit-viper from the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions in Myanmar (Viperidae, Trimeresurus).

In a genomic study by Chan and colleagues, pit-vipers of the Trimeresuruserythrurus-purpureomaculatus complex from the Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions in Myanmar were demonstrated to be a distinct species based on robust population genetic and species delimitation analyses. Here, we provide morphological characterizations and a formal description of those populations as a new species. The new species, Trimeresurusayeyarwadyensissp. nov., is most closely related to T.erythrurus and T.purpureomaculatus and shares morphological characteristics with both of those species. Some specimens of T.ayeyarwadyensissp. nov. have green dorsal coloration and no distinct dorsal blotches (a trait shared with T.erythrurus but not T.purpureomaculatus), while others have dark dorsal blotches (a trait shared with T.purpureomaculatus but not T.erythrurus). The distinct evolutionary trajectory of the new species, coupled with the lack of obvious morphological differentiation, represents a classic example of the cryptic nature of species commonly found in the Trimeresurus group of Asian pit-vipers and underscores the need for data-rich analyses to verify species' boundaries more broadly within this genus.

Novel observations of "freeze resistance" and dynamic blue and green dorsal coloration in frozen and thawing Dryophytes chrysoscelis.

Freeze tolerant animals survive the winter by tolerating the freezing and thawing of up to 70% of body water and the respective cessation and resumption of essential functions including circulation and respiration during each freeze-thaw cycle. Cope's gray treefrog Dryophytes chrysoscelis is a freeze tolerant anuran that uses a system of cryoprotectants to prevent intracellular freezing and mitigate osmotic stress during freezing and thawing episodes. Morphological features were documented in D. chrysoscelis using a repeated freeze-thaw protocol. Dorsal skin in frozen frogs was distinctly blue and green before reverting to brown during thawing. The dorsal color change in frozen frogs does not function similarly to other known color change events in amphibians. The return to brown skin color in thawing animals coincides with recovery of vital functions in freeze tolerant frogs, suggesting that dorsal color change is an indicator of postfreeze recovery in D. chrysoscelis. We also provide evidence of "freeze resistance" in D. chrysoscelis. Two individuals did not freeze following three successive bouts of ice inoculation at -2.5°C and maintained brown dorsal color despite ice crystallization on the dorsum and contact with frozen substrate. Both frogs had similar plasma osmolality, circulating cryoprotectants, and incidence of cryoinjury compared to frogs that were frozen and thawed once or three times. Freeze resistance may be explained by physical changes in the skin including lipid accumulation and dehydration. This integrative study presents novel attributes of organismal freeze tolerance in D. chrysoscelis.

A new species of marsupial frog (Anura; Gastrotheca) from the Cordillera de Colán in northeastern Peru

We describe a new species of marsupial frog, genusGastrotheca, using morphological characters and molecular data as lines of evidence. The new species was discovered in the páramo and the ecotone between páramo and humid montane forest of Cordillera de Colán, at elevations between 3136 and 3179 m a.s.l., in northeastern Peru. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by the combination of the following characters: coarsely granular skin on dorsum, a green dorsal coloration without pattern, finger I shorter than finger II, turquoise iris, and a venter without blotches, flecks or dots. Furthermore, we include a detailed osteological description of the newGastrothecaspecies based on Micro-CT scanning. Based on our phylogenetic analyses, the new species belongs to theGastrotheca marsupiataspecies group, is sister toG. oresbiosand closely related toG. psychrophila,G. spectabilis,G. stictopleuraand one undescribed species. Additionally, we test for the presence of the fungal pathogenBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd). NoBdinfection was detected forG. gemmasp. nov. specimens butBdprevalence was detected among syntopic frogs.

Sexually dichromatic coloration of female Iberian green lizards correlates with health state and reproductive investment

Females often have chromatic patterns that differ from those of males. The evolution and function of female coloration is less known than those of males. Female ornaments can result from non-adaptive intersexual genetic correlation, but they may also signal female quality, health state, or potential fecundity. We examined whether the spectral characteristics of the sexually dichromatic coloration of female Iberian green lizards (Lacerta schreiberi) correlate with their condition, parasite load (ticks, hemoparasites and Borrelia infection) and the inflammatory response, and predict reproductive investment and offspring quality. Females with more intense UV-blue throat structural coloration and with more intense carotenoid-dependent yellow chests had less hemoparasites, and females with more saturated green dorsal coloration had lower tick loads. Also, females with greener backs seemed less prone to Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. infection. Surprisingly, in females not infected with Borrelia, there was a negative relationship between tick load and carotenoid content in the chest, which was not obvious in infected females. Characteristics of the females’ coloration may also predict several variables of reproductive investment, such as egg laying date, incubation time, hatchling number, hatching success, and body size and condition of their hatchlings. Because this is a polygynandric species and mating investment is costly for males, we suggest that males might use female coloration to select potential mates. However, we can expect that the physiological basis of coloration is similar in both sexes and, therefore, genetic correlation and sexual selection may act synergistically. Despite widespread misconception that males are brightly colored and females are dull, females of some species also signal their quality with colorful ornaments. However, the function of female coloration is less often studied, although it may be important to fully understand sexual selection. Coloration of female Iberian green lizards is not so bright as that of males, but spectral characteristics of female colors can reflect body condition, parasite load, and immune response and, moreover, predict the number and quality of her future offspring. These correlations might help males to choose among female partners when selecting a good mate is a time and energy demanding task, increasing males’ fitness. This would support direct sexual selection of female ornaments.

Xalpirta mauryi sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Erotylidae: Tritomini) from Southeast Brazil.

Xalpirta mauryi sp. nov. (Erotylidae: Tritomini) is described from Parque Nacional do Itatiaia (in the state of Rio de Janeiro) and Campos do Jordão (in the state of São Paulo), Southeast Brazil. Xalpirta mauryi differs from other described Xalpirta in the uniformly green dorsal coloration, with a metallic sheen, and pronotum without spots or black marks. The pore on the posterior 1/3 of each pronotal edge (present in the other Xalpirta) is apparently absent in X. mauryi. We provide a detailed description of adults, including morphology of mouthparts, and male and female terminalia. Additionally, we discuss the morphological affinities of X. mauryi with other species in the genus and with species of other closely related genera within Tritomini, and provide a new geographical record for X. maderi in Southeast Brazil.

A new species of cascade frog (Amphibia: Ranidae) in the Amolops monticola group from China.

A new species, Amolops wenshanensis sp. nov., is described from Guangxi and Yunnan Provinces, China. The new species is a member of the A. monticola group, and is distinguished from its congeners using morphological and molecular data. The new species is diagnosed by having glandular dorsolateral folds; smooth skin; side of head dark with a light-colored upper lip stripe extending to axilla; green dorsal coloration in life; immaculate venter; indistinct transverse bands on dorsal surfaces of limbs; tympanum distinct; pineal body absent; all fingertips expanded with circummarginal grooves; two oblique vomerine teeth; vocal sac and white nuptial pad present in males; supratympanic fold absent; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; glandular gold-white flank spot absent; and skin on venter not translucent. A molecular phylogenetic analysis is performed using the mitochondrial (mt) NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene and parts of flanking tRNA genes for nine of the 15 members of the A. monticola group with available homologous sequences. The new species is sister to a clade containing A. cucae and A. compotrix, two species known from adjacent parts of Vietnam and Laos. The new species differs from its congeners by having an uncorrected p-distance of > 6.7% in the mt DNA fragment examined. At present, the new species is known from small, montane streams near Wenshan, Yunnan Province, and Jingxi, Guangxi Province, China.

Immune challenged male Iberian green lizards may increase the expression of some sexual signals if they have supplementary vitamin E

Honesty of sexual signals demands a link between the signal and fitness of the signalers, which can be based on the costs of the signal and trade-offs between signal development and essential physiological functions, such as the immune defense or the antioxidant system. We experimentally challenged the immune system of male lizards Lacerta schreiberi with a bacterial antigen (lipopolysaccharide; LPS). We explored whether the immune activation influenced structural- and pigment-based visual signals and chemical signals. Furthermore, we examined the interactive effects of the immune activation with a vitamin E dietary supplementation, as this vitamin has important antioxidant functions in an immune challenged situation. Contrary to expected, lizards that suffered an immune challenge alone did not decrease the brightness or saturation of visual signals, and even, when challenged lizards had supplementary vitamin E, they were able to increase saturation of UV-blue throat coloration. Similarly, vitamin E supplementation allowed challenged males to maintain high levels of secretion of this vitamin in chemical signals. Males with an immune challenge would have low long-term expectatives of survival and future reproduction and, therefore, these challenged males, especially those with supplementary resources (vitamin E), might try to maximize their current fitness by investing in costly sexual signals, instead of compensating the negative physiological effects of the immune activation. Surprisingly, vitamin E alone did not affect structural and/or melanin-based coloration, but decreased carotenoid-based coloration, which was opposite to a previous experiment when climatic conditions in the year of study were more favorable. This might be explained if females showed flexible mate choice, selecting the type of signals that more reliably indicate male quality under different environmental circumstances. The trade-offs between sexual signals and the immune and antioxidant systems, which allow honesty of signals, are little investigated, especially in reptiles. We examined in a lizard with multiple types of signals (UV-blue throat, yellow chest and green dorsal coloration, and chemical signals) the effects of a simulated immune challenge on these signals. Furthermore, we studied the interactions with vitamin E in the diet, as this is an important antioxidant and immunostimulant. Surprisingly, carotenoid-based signals were not influenced by the immune activation, but throat blue and UV of color patches increased when challenged males had more available vitamin E. This suggests that challenged, apparently ill, males might try to maximize their current mating success because their survivorship probabilities were low. Additionally, climatic differences and flexible female mate choice might explain the different effects of vitamin E observed in different years.

A Remarkable New White-Eyed Glassfrog Species ofSachatamiafrom Colombia (Anura: Centrolenidae), with Comments on the Systematics of the Genus

We describe a striking new species of the genus Sachatamia from the eastern slope of Colombia's Central Andes. The new species differs from the most closely related species (i.e., Sachatamia albomaculata and S. punctulata) by its green dorsal coloration in life with yellow and blue dots, and unique semicirclular, white blotch in the dorsal portion of the iris. With this new species, we increase the currently recognized species in the genus to five. Mitochondrial DNA sequences corroborate both the phylogenetic position of the new species within Sachatamia and its status as a new species. In addition, in light of our results some taxonomic implications are briefly discussed.

A New Species ofHyperolius(Amphibia: Hyperoliidae) from Príncipe Island, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe

Abstract: I describe a new species of reed frog (Hyperolius: Hyperoliidae) from the island of Principe in the Gulf of Guinea archipelago. The new species is within the Hyperolius cinnamomeoventris species complex, which includes four described species: H. cinnamomeoventris, H. veithi, H. molleri, and H. thomensis. The new species is sexually monochromatic (males and females have green dorsal coloration) and is thus distinguished from H. cinnamomeoventris, which is sexually dichromatic, and from H. veithi, in which both males and females are tan with yellow dorsolateral lines. The new species is smaller in size than H. thomensis, and differs in coloration from H. molleri and H. thomensis by lacking a black contour along the edges of the green/yellow band of coloration that extends down the dorsal side of the thigh, by lacking red/orange coloration on the dorsal and ventral sides of the thigh, and in the mitochondrial 16s and cytochrome-b genes. Furthermore, previous work indicates that the new species is d...

Microgeographical Variations in Coloration of Male Iberian Wall Lizards May Be Related to Habitat and Climatic Conditions

Intraspecific variations in coloration may represent a compromise between selection for intraspecific communication and selection for thermoregulation and predator avoidance. Iberian wall lizards, Podarcis hispanica, exhibit substantial levels of intraspecific variation that cannot be necessarily attributed to genetic differences. We compared variations in coloration and habitat use of three phenotypically distinct populations of P. hispanica in Central Spain. Results suggested that differences in coloration may be related to habitat characteristics and climatic conditions. Thus, lizards from populations with colder temperatures were darker and larger, which may favor thermoregulation. Lizards that lived in habitats with more vegetation and darker granite rocks showed a dark brown to black dorsal coloration. In contrast, lizards from habitats with gypsum and light sandy soil without vegetation or large rocks had a brighter yellow to green dorsal coloration. These differences may increase crypsis to predators in each habitat. There were also differences in the characteristics and relative importance of sexual visual signals (i.e., ventrolateral coloration and number of lateral blue spots) and chemical signals (i.e., number of femoral pores) that might increase efficiency of communication in each environment. Natural selection for traits that allow a better thermoregulation, predator avoidance, and communication might lead to population divergence.

A relict lineage and new species of green palm-pitviper (Squamata, Viperidae, Bothriechis) from the Chortís Highlands of Mesoamerica.

A new species of palm-pitviper of the genus Bothriechis is described from Refugio de Vida Silvestre Texíguat in northern Honduras. The new species differs from congeners by having 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody, a bright green dorsal coloration in adults, the prelacunal scale fused to the second supralabial, and in representing a northern lineage that is sister to Bothriechis lateralis, which is distributed in Costa Rica and western Panama and is isolated from the new taxon by the Nicaraguan Depression. This represents the 15th endemic species occurring in Refugio de Vida Silvestre Texíguat, one of the richest herpetofaunal sites in Honduras, itself being the country with the highest degree of herpetofaunal endemism in Central America. We name this new species in honor of a Honduran conservationist slain in fighting against illegal logging, highlighting the sacrifices of rural activists in battling these issues and the critical importance of conservation in these areas.

A new genus of neobatrachian frog from southern Patagonian forests, Argentina and Chile NÉSTOR G. BASSO, CARMEN A. ÚBEDA, MARÍA M. BUNGE & LIZA B. MARTINAZZO (Argentina)

In 1975 Lynch named a new species of frog based on two specimens from Puerto Eden, Wellington Island, southern Chile, tentatively allocated to the genus Telmatobius. Telmatobius grandisonae Lynch was later included by the same author in his genus Atelognathus. Based on a reappraisal of the type material and the description of the internal and external morphology, karyotype, tadpole morphology and molecular evidence from recently discovered specimens collected at Lago del Desierto, southern Argentina, we describe the monotypic genus Chaltenobatrachus, with Telmatobius grandisonae (Lynch) serving as the type species. Chaltenobatrachus differs from Atelognathus mainly in having a uniform bright green dorsal coloration, with brown to reddish warts; orange iris with gold spots; fingers with interdigital membrane; frontoparietals well developed; small nasals;well ossified sphenethmoid; anteriorly expanded homosternum; skin of tadpole transparent; oral disc with protruding anterior and lateral papillae; diploid number 2n = 32 chromosomes. The genetic distances between Chaltenobatrachus and Atelognathus meet or exceed most other intergeneric comparisons.

Ontogenetic and sexual variation in the coloration of the lacertid lizards Iberolacerta monticola and Podarcis bocagei. Do the females prefer the greener males?

AbstractChanges in the coloration of the lacertid lizards Iberolacerta monticola and Podarcis bocagei with age in populations from NW Spain are described. The onset of sexual maturity in P. bocagei males involves a change in the ventral (yellow) and dorsal (green) colorations, which is different from immature males (dorsally brownish in color). In I. monticola males, the ventral coloration also changes to a deep green when they reach maturity, while the dorsal coloration remains brownish as in the immature specimens. In this species, the green dorsal coloration is acquired gradually after maturity. Only the oldest individuals have a predominantly green dorsal coloration. The differences between the two species in the time males take to acquire the green dorsal coloration could be related to their different longevity. The coloring is acquired gradually in the most long-lived species (I. monticola). A field study was carried out on the behaviour of adult males of I. monticola during the reproductive period. The males with green dorsal coloration were seen to pair with females significantly more frequently than those with the brownish dorsal color. The increase in the green dorsal coloration (conspicuous) with the size and age of the males of this species would appear to have a clear function as an intersexual or intrasexual signal.

Systematics of the genus Rhacophorus (Amphibia, Anura): <br /> identity of red-webbed forms and description of a new species from Assam

The taxonomic status of Rhacophorus maculatus Anderson, 1871 and its replacement names (alloneonyms) Rhacophorus bimaculatus Boulenger, 1882 and Rhacophorus bipunctatus Ahl, 1927 is assessed and a lectotype (lectophoront) for this nomen is designated. Morphological evidence supports the nomen Rhacophorus htunwini Wilkinson et al., 2005 being a junior subjective synonym of Rhacophorus maculatus Anderson, 1871. Rhacophorus rhodopus Liu & Hu, 1960 is considered a valid nomen with a new junior subjective synonym, Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar & Sanyal, 1985. A new species of red-webbed Rhacophorus is described which can be distinguished by the other species by the presence of web between fingers, green dorsal coloration and red web on feet, the absence of blackish spots on web and on flanks, the absence of complete web between fingers and the absence of distinct dermal appendages on forelimbs, tarsi and feet. A key to the red-webbed species of Rhacophorus is given.

A new species of Glassfrog (Anura: Centrolenidae) from the lowlands of northwestern Ecuador, with comments on centrolenid osteology

A new species of Glassfrog is described from the lowlands of northwestern Ecuador. The species is placed in the genus Centrolene and differs from the genera, Cochranella and Hyalinobatrachium, by having humeral spines in males. It differs from congenerics by having a uniformly green dorsal coloration, conspicuous humeral spine, and white iris with clearly defined black reticulations. Detailed cranial and postcranial osteological descriptions are provided, and some of osteological features that seem to be peculiar to centrolenids are discussed. A new suite of traits to characterize Glassfrogs and simplify comparisons among species is proposed.

A NEW SPECIES OF HYPSIBOAS (AMPHIBIA; ANURA; HYLIDAE) FROM THE VENEZUELAN GUAYANA, WITH NOTES ON HYPSIBOAS SIBLESZI (RIVERO 1972)

We describe a new species of Hypsiboas from the slopes and summit of Auyan-tepui in Canaima National Park, Bolivar State, Venezuela. The new species resembles H. sibleszi, but it differs from that species in having pale green dorsal coloration with numerous small chromatophores, dorsolateral white stripes that extend from the tip of snout to the groin when present, pale interorbital bar absent, a transparent yellow venter, yellow-colored digits and webbing, a more extensive webbing on hands and feet, a prepollical spine not protunding, very narrow nasals partially fused with sphenethmoid, a moderate-sized frontoparietal fontanelle, and an advertisement call consisting of three or four notes with a dominant frequency between 3010 and 3488 Hz. New data on the vocalization, osteology and distribution of H. sibleszi are provided.

A Colorful New Species of Albericus (Anura: Microhylidae) from Southeastern Papua New Guinea

We describe a new species of Albericus from the northern slope of Mt. Simpson, in the Owen Stanley Range of southeastern Papua New Guinea. The new species differs from all other known species of the genus in having pale blue or pale green dorsal coloration with red punctations (light metallic green and burnt orange in preservative). It is further distinguished from its congeners in its combination of oblique lores, granular skin with a few tubercles, broad head, large distance separating the external nares from the eyes, and in features of its call. We also provide comparative morphological measurements for most other species of Albericus to supplement the paucity of such data in original descriptions and to assist with future diagnoses of other new species.

Nova espécie de Hyla Laurenti do grupo de H. microcephala Cope (Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae) do nordeste do Brasil

A new species, attributed to the group of Hyla microcephala Cope, 1886, is described. The new species is close to H. bipunctata Spix, 1824, and it is found in Quebrangulo, State of Alagoas, in Northeastern Brazil. The eggs and larvae are also described and some ecological information is added. The new species is compared with other species of the same group, and with species of closely related groups that occur in syntopy. With H. bipunctata, it shares the general form of the body, the yellow ventral coloration and the orange color of the thighs, but it is distinguished by the dorsal Paris-green coloration (beige in H. bipunctata), absence of a dorsal pattern, light red thighs, and ornamentation of the upper lip with two or three yellow stains instead of the characteristic aureolate of H. bipunctata. With H. elegans Wied-Neuwied, 1824, it also shares the general form of the body and the ventral and the thighs coloration, but it is distinguished by the smaller size, absence of a dorsal pattern and light red thighs. From H. oliveirai Bokermann, 1963, the new species is distinguished by the dorsal coloration, the ornamentation of the upper lip and larger size. From H. branneri Cochran, 1948, it differs by the presence of the stains in the upper lip (just one in H. branneri), absence of the dorsal pattern and green dorsal coloration, which is more intense. The tadpole of the new species is provided.

Phylogenetic relationships, taxonomy, character evolution and biogeography of the lacertid lizards of the genus Takydromus (Reptilia: Squamata): a molecular perspective

Historical relationships were inferred for the oriental lizards of the genus Takydromus Daudin 1802 (Lacertidae) on the basis of DNA sequences. Of the 17 species currently recognized for the genus, 13 species represented by 42 specimens from 29 localities were examined. Maximum-likelihood and maximum-parsimony analyses of data for 829 aligned sites from parts of the mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes yielded relationships that, while showing no substantial discrepancy with each other, were strikingly different from a currently prevailing phylogenetic hypothesis from a parsimony analysis of morphological characters. Based on the results of these molecular analyses, supplemented by results of the morphological analysis that offered robust evidence for positions of two additional species (T. khasiensis and T. sylvaticus), the following interrelationships were hypothesized as the most preferred phylogeny: (kuehnei (sexlineatus khasiensis))(tachydromoides ((smaragdinus (sauteri (dorsalis sylvaticus))) (amurensis (((formosanus wolteri) hsuehshanensis)(toyamai (septentrionalis stejnegeri)))))). These interrelationships indicate: (1) invalidity of PlatyplacopusBoulenger 1917, which was recently resurrected as a subgenus of Takydromus on the basis of the morphological analysis; (2) homoplasy in states of some morphological characters, such as green dorsal coloration, that were considered as synapomorphs of certain nodes in the morphological analysis; and (3) involvement of the genus in a series of vicariances in both the continental and insular parts of eastern Eurasia. Due to the paucity of available samples, phylogenetic status of T. intermedius and T. haughtonianus remain to be examined in future studies. © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 76, 493–509.

Females that Imitate Males: Dorsal Coloration Varies with Reproductive Stage in FemalePodarcis bocagei(Lacertidae)

Abstract Adults of Bocage's Wall Lizard (Podarcis bocagei), a lacertid endemic to the northwestern Iberian Peninsula, generally show marked sexual dichromatism with males having green dorsal coloration and females brown dorsal coloration. In some populations, however, some adult females show dorsal coloration similar to that of males. I used mark-recapture methods to study a population of this type on a coastal promontory in A Coruna. A proportion of adult females showed green dorsal coloration during the reproductive period (April–July), but not during the rest of the year. Green dorsal coloration was most frequent among females with oviductal eggs, whereas preovulatory females with vitellogenic follicles in all cases showed brown dorsal coloration. These findings suggest that the green dorsal coloration observed in some females may be related to stage in the reproductive cycle, with green coloration developing during the gravid phase (i.e., with fertilized eggs). The findings also raise the possibility ...