Herpetofauna Research Articles

Annotated checklist of reptiles of Fars Province, southern Iran

The revised checklist of reptiles for Fars Province, southern Iran, comprises of 63 species in 41 genera, 17 families and two orders (Squamata and Testudines). The most diverse suborder is the Sauria with 38 species or 60.31% of the herpetofauna, followed by Serpentes (23 species, 36.5%) and the Testudines (2 species, 3.17%). The most diverse families are the Colubridae and Gekkonidae with 15 and 14 species (23.8% and 22.2%), respectively, followed by Agamidae (9 species, 14.3%), Lacertidae and Scincidae each with five species or 7.9% of the herpetofauna, and Viperidae (four species, 6.35%). Eleven families have only one species each. The Fars Province is the type locality of several endemic species, as a new species has recently been described as well as several newly recorded species.

Jones-Lovich Grant in Southwestern Herpetology Call for Applications

Jones-Lovich Grant in Southwestern Herpetology Call for Applications

Research on Asian Agamid Lizards: Contribution of Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg

In this paper, I give an overview of the study of agamid lizards in the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ZISP), St.Petersburg. Naturally , history of this study is inseparabl y associated with general zoological research in Russia. During the period of exploration and organized scientific expeditions, the Russian Academy of Sciences aimed to study the natural resources of the unbounded territories of Russia, and a number of prominent foreign scientists were invited to Russia for these research expeditions. One of the most prominent scientists was Peter S. Pallas (1741-1811) , whose activities resulted in the first inventory of biological resources of the country. This period was also a time of exploration and descriptions in herpetology. Among the first expeditions, of interest to herpetologists was Peter S. Pallas’s trip to eastern Russia and Siberia (1768-1773), and herpetological studies can be traced to this scientist , whose 270th Anniversary we celebrated in 2011. One of the results of Pallas 's great expedition was the first inventory of amphibians and reptiles of the fauna of Russia and of description of numerous new species of amphibians and reptiles. Most of the collections (including amphibians and reptiles) were taken to the Crimea where he finished writing his classical book, «Zoographia Rosso-Asiatica» (Svetovidov, 1978) that can be regarded as the first complete inventory of amphibians and reptiles. Unfortunately, most of his material is no longer available ; some specimens were transferred later to the Zoological Museum of the Humboldt-University in Berlin and the National Museum of Natural History in Paris.

Predation of Liolaemus huacahuasicus (Squamata: Iguania: Liolaemini) by Brachistosternus intermedius (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae) in Cumbres Calchaquíes, Tucumán Province, Northwestern Argentina

In the course of a herpetological survey of the summit of the Cumbres Calchaquies Mountains, on a rocky outcrop facing south east, near Provincial Road352 (26o22'45.7”S, 65o43'54.7”W, 3612 m),38.3 km W Hualinchay, Trancas Department, Tucuman Province, on 16 December 2009 at ca. 1500, we found an adult male scorpion (Brachistosternus intermedius) under a rock holding with the chelae and eating the remains of a neonate lizard (posterior midbody, missing tip of tail).

Zoogeographic Analysis of the Herpetofauna of South-Western Turkmenistan

This article gives a complete overview about the reptiles of western Turkmenistan and their zoogeographical relation. The data were obtained by several expeditions during the last years and completed by compilation of the specific herpetological literature about this area. Ten general landscape units are described along a profile from the Central Karakum desert throughout the Malyi Balkhan chains, the Kyurendag Corridor, the Western Kopetdagh to the state border of Iran. The mountain and plain reptile fauna is analyzed. After discussing the faunal element composition of various landscapes, the Western Kopetdagh was included into the South-West Asian province while the Turanian plain and the Malyi Balkhan were included into the Turanian province of the Palearctic.

Conservation-Oriented Herpetological Research in Israel

Israel is small and shared by contrasting ecological regions. Local amphibian and many reptilian populations are at peril as components of endangered ecosystems, and because they live at the limit of specific ranges and requirements. Some of them are also endangered commercially. Most local herpetological research efforts have been conservation-oriented on three levels: (1) Studies of endangered species: ecology in the field, specific requirements (incubation etc.) and taxonomic definition of taxa for protection. (2) Studies of other species, contributing data to conservation policy. (3) A policy to prefer investigations not requiring the collection of specimens.

Jones-Lovich Grant in Southwestern Herpetology Call for Applications

Jones-Lovich Grant in Southwestern Herpetology Call for Applications

The History of Herpetology in Western Asia

A historical perspective on herpetological studies and literature since the 8 th century is given to the year 2000. It includes the early work of Muslim scholars. Due to the religious and geopolitical importance of the Holy Land, «Jordan and Palestine», and the mystery that surrounded the Levant, this region gained much interest among European naturalists since the 16 th century. Also, several European missionaries from England and Germany traveled through the Levant and lived in the Holy Land for an extended period of time, where they collected specimens to furnish European museums. During the First and Second World War, several institutions and interested individuals collected and published on materials from the area. A chronological history summarizing expeditions is included and contemporary research activities in herpetology are highlighted.

AN ANNOTATED CATALOGUE OF THE AMPHIBIAN TYPES IN THE COLLECTION OF THE ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, ST. PETERSBURG

A complete catalogue is provided of the type specimens of amphibians in the herpetological collection of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg. The collection contains 513 type specimens representing 103 taxa in 18 families under consideration. Of these 69 taxa are currently recognized as valid species or subspecies.

The Balearic herpetofauna: a species update and a review on the evidence

th May. Abstract. Here, we update the current list of amphibian and reptile fauna present in the Balearic Islands, probably the most outstanding case in the Mediterranean and of the most in the world where massive species introduction is in conflict with the survi- vorship of highly restricted endemic taxa. Resulting of a long term evolution in insu- larity, endemic herpetofauna was already decimated during the Pleistocene but, after the human colonisation of the archipelago, the introduction of alien species, passive or deliberate, has been provoking new extinctions and range retractions in the native her - petofauna. Such process is not interrupted but has even intensified during the last years. The current species list is composed by five amphibians (one native) and 21 reptiles (2 native). A critical review of the evidence on extinctions and introductions is provided together with the conservation implications. Compared to the last review (Mayol, 1985) six new reptile species are now naturalised or are in process of naturalization, colubrid snakes constituting the most conflicting element due to their predator role.

Editorial: Changes at theJournal of Herpetology

Editorial: Changes at the<i>Journal of Herpetology</i>

SEH Grant in Herpetology for 2012

SEH Grant in Herpetology for 2012

Note on the Herpetofauna of the Vâlcan Mountains and their Foothills (Southern Carpathians, Romania)

The results of herpetological studies in the south-facing slope of the Vâlcan mountain massif and associated foothills (Gorj county, Romania), are presented. 20 amphibian and reptile species (and hybrids between Bombina bombina and B. variegata, as well as the hybridogenetic kleptotaxon Pelophylax kl. esculentus) were identified in the field in 22 sites investigated. Resume. On presente les resultats des etudes herpetologiques sur le versant sud des montagnes du Vâlcan et de son piemont (departement de Gorj, Roumanie). 20 especes d'amphibiens et reptiles (tout comme des hybrides entre Bombina bombina et B. variegata, et le kleptotaxon hybridogenetique Pelophylax kl. esculentus) ont ete identifiees sur le terrain dans 22 locations etudiees.

Jones-Lovich Grant in Southwestern Herpetology Call For Applications

Jones-Lovich Grant in Southwestern Herpetology Call For Applications

Two new types of noose for capturing herps

th July; Revised on 2010, 27 th October; Accepted on 2010, 15 th November. Abstract. We present two new types of noose for capturing herps, which allow adapt- ing the size of the loop to the size of prey rapidly. We use a plastic ring to make the loop: the thread moves perfectly without any impediment or friction, and remains in good conditions for a longer time. The plastic ring can be made during fieldwork. Both new types of noose increase capture effectiveness, as it is possible to noose dif - ferent types of preys with a simple and rapid adaptation of the loop. We have tested this methodology in different species of lacertids, some snakes under rocks, and also some amphibians.

Third Contribution to the Herpetology of the Solomon Islands1

Third Contribution to the Herpetology of the Solomon Islands1

Stalking the plumed serpent: and other adventures in herpetology

Stalking the plumed serpent: and other adventures in herpetology

Study of the ethmoidal region of Liophis jaegeri jaegeri, Philodryas olfersii and Thamnodynastes strigatus, by three-dimensional volumetric reconstruction and morphological adaptations to the habitat

The Neotropical region shows an extremely diverse snake fauna. These animals present great morphological and ecological variation in relation to the microhabitat analyzed. Nevertheless, few studies can qualify the use of skull development in the relation between animal and habitat. The results of such studies can contribute to about the research on adaptation to the habitat use and morphology. This work aims to reconstruct a threedimensional virtual model through histological sections of Liophis jaegeri jaegeri ’s, Philodryas olfersii ’s and Thamnodynastes strigatus ’s ethmoidal region, to contribute to the knowledge of colubrids’ ontogeny, and to describe comparatively the ethmoidal region of the skull of these three species trying to elucidate aspects of its development in response to selection for adaptive features to the habitat. The material was obtained from the herpetological scientific collection of the Natural Sciences Zoobotanic Foundation of Rio Grande do Sul . To the reconstruction of the three-dimensional models of the ethmoidal region were used 15 sections of the snake Liophis jaegeri jaegeri , 22 sections of Philodryas olfersii and 21 sections of Thamnodynastes strigatus . The identified modifications in the examined ethmoidal region in relation to the environment occur mainly in the narial fenestra, nasal vestibule and nasal cavity. Key words: histology of the ethmoidal region, virtual models, snakes, habitats.

Herpetological bibliography and scientific name index to the Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, volumes 1-90, 1901-1991 and the Memoirs 1-10, 1938-1986

Herpetological Bibliography and Scientific Name Index to the Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences, Volumes 1-90, 1901-1991 and the Memoirs 1-10, 1938-1986. Smithsonian Herpetological Information Service, no. 139, 2009.

Investigating effect of fusion gene therapy by MR diffusion-weighted imaging in a rat C6 glioma model

Objective To evaluate the use of diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)for early detection of tumor response to Angiostatin-Endostatin(Statin-AE)fusion gene therapy in a rat C6 glioma model.Methods Fifty male wistar rats with C6 tumor cells implanted into the striatum were examined by a 3.0T MR scanner,then the rats beating tmors were divided into two groups,treatment group and control group.Rats in the treatment group received 107 plaque forming unit(pfu)recombinant herps simplex viral (R-HSV)mediated Statin-AE fusion gene therapy on day 7,and then the tumors were conformed on MRI.Conventional MR and DWI examination were acquired on 1,2,3 weeks after implantation with a 5-inch surface coil.Two(1 w),eight(2 w)and all the residual rats(3 w)of each group were sacrificed to perform the histopathological examination after each MBI examination.Pretreatment and post treatment tumor volulnes and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values were calculated.Rank sum test and t test were employed for statistical analysis.Results On MRI,43 rats demonstrated tumors on day 7 with a successful rate of 86%,On week 2,the tumor volumes of the controh and treatment group were 90.6 and 91.64 mm3,with no significant difference(Z=-0.14,P＞0.05).On week 3,the tumor volumes of the controls and treatment group were 156.64 and 29.64 mm3,and a significant difference was observed(Z=-3.45,P＜0.01).On week 2.the ADC values of the tumor centers of the treatment group and the control group were (1.20±0.25)×10-3 and(0.99±0.08)×10-3 mm2/s,and the values of the tumor peripheral parts of the two groups were(1.00±0.25)×10-3 and(0.83±0.12)×10-3mm2/s,the ADC values of both tumor centers and peripheral parts of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group (t=-0.82 and-0.46,P＜0.05).On week 3,the ADC values of the tumor centers of the treatment group and the control group were(0.92±0.21)× 10-3 and(0.99±0.09)×10-3mm2/s,and the values of the tumor peripheral parts of the two groups were(0.81±0.19)×10-3 and(0.78±0.11)×10-3 mm2/a,there were no statisfical difference between the two groups(t=0.82,and-0.46,P＜0.05).HE stained slices showed more prominent tumor interstifial edenla.swelling and death of tumor cells in the treated rats than the controls.Conclusions Combination of conventional MRI and DWI can be powerful to monitor tumor progression and therapy effecL Conventional MRI showed that the therapy slow the tumor progression in size while DWI demonstrated the tumor response even earlier than size change.DWI has potential use forthe detection of early response to antiangiogenic gene therapy. Key words: Rats; Glioma; Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging