Ramphotyphlops Braminus Research Articles

Establishment of the Smooth-scaled Tegulet (Gymnophthalmus underwoodi) and the Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) on St. Eustatius

Within the northern Lesser Antilles, the island of Saint Martin, including the Dutch part (St. Maarten, a constituent country of The Netherlands) and the French part (the Collectivity of Saint Martin), is considered the main hub for established non-native reptiles, currently numbering ten species (Table 1) (Dewynter et al. 2022; Thorpe 2022). The islands of Saba and St. Eustatius are special municipalities of The Netherlands and frequently trade with St. Maarten. During the last five years, several new non-native reptile species have been reported on Saba and St. Eustatius, which originate from the non-native populations already present on Saint Martin: the Green Iguana, Iguana iguana (van den Burg et al. 2018, 2022) on St. Eustatius, and the Brahminy Blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (van den Burg et al. 2021) and Smooth-scaled Tegulet, Gymnophthalmus underwoodi on Saba (van den Burg et al. 2021). It is believed that these newly established populations have been facilitated by poor biosecurity between the islands. Here, we describe the establishment of two species, G. underwoodi and the Common House Gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, on St. Eustatius.

A widespread commensal loses its identity: suggested taxonomic revision for Indotyphlops braminus (Scolecophidia: Typhlopidae) based on molecular data

The widespread human commensal blindsnake species Indotyphlops braminus is currently the only known obligate parthenogenetic snake species. It is also known to be triploid. However, much of these data is from specimens collected outside India which is the native range of this species. Polyploidy and parthenogenesis are often associated with hybridization in amphibians and lizards. In this study, we generated nuclear and mitochondrial data from multiple Indotyphlops lineages from across peninsular India and investigated the possible hybrid origin of I. braminus. Species delimitation suggested three putative species, one of which was I. pammeces and the other two morphologically matched I. braminus. One of these was confined to the wet zone (high rainfall areas) while the other was largely distributed in the dry zone. There was wide discordance in the relationships between these lineages across markers and different tree building approaches suggesting past or ongoing geneflow. The statistical test for hybridization also implied geneflow across these three lineages. Furthermore, the dry zone I. braminus appears to be true I. braminus as the topotypic material falls within this clade. These results suggest that the widespread, commensal, and parthenogenetic Indotyphlops is a separate species from I. braminus, and further investigation is required to determine diagnostic morphological characters for a species description.

The draft genome sequence of the Brahminy blindsnake Indotyphlops braminus

Blindsnakes of infraoder Scolecophidia (order Squamata) are the most basal group of extant snakes, comprising of more than 450 species with ecological and morphological features highly specialized to underground living. The Brahminy blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus, is the only known obligate parthenogenetic species of snakes. Although the origin of I. braminus is thought to be South Asia, this snake has attracted worldwide attention as an alien species, as it has been introduced to all continents except Antarctica. In this study, we present the first draft genome assembly and annotation of I. braminus. We generated approximately 480 Gbp of sequencing data and produced a draft genome with a total length of 1.86 Gbp and N50 scaffold size of 1.25 Mbp containing 89.3% of orthologs conserved in Sauropsida. We also identified 0.98 Gbp (52.82%) of repetitive genome sequences and a total of 23,560 protein-coding genes. The first draft genome of I. braminus will facilitate further study of snake evolution as well as help to understand the emergence mechanism of parthenogenetic vertebrates.

Attempting genetic inference from directional asymmetry during convergent hindlimb reduction in squamates.

Loss and reduction in paired appendages are common in vertebrate evolution. How often does such convergent evolution depend on similar developmental and genetic pathways? For example, many populations of the threespine stickleback and ninespine stickleback (Gasterosteidae) have independently evolved pelvic reduction, usually based on independent mutations that caused reduced Pitx1 expression. Reduced Pitx1 expression has also been implicated in pelvic reduction in manatees. Thus, hindlimb reduction stemming from reduced Pitx1 expression has arisen independently in groups that diverged tens to hundreds of millions of years ago, suggesting a potential for repeated use of Pitx1 across vertebrates. Notably, hindlimb reduction based on the reduction in Pitx1 expression produces left‐larger directional asymmetry in the vestiges. We used this phenotypic signature as a genetic proxy, testing for hindlimb directional asymmetry in six genera of squamate reptiles that independently evolved hindlimb reduction and for which genetic and developmental tools are not yet developed: Agamodon anguliceps, Bachia intermedia, Chalcides sepsoides, Indotyphlops braminus, Ophisaurus attenuatuas and O. ventralis, and Teius teyou. Significant asymmetry occurred in one taxon, Chalcides sepsoides, whose left‐side pelvis and femur vestiges were 18% and 64% larger than right‐side vestiges, respectively, suggesting modification in Pitx1 expression in that species. However, there was either right‐larger asymmetry or no directional asymmetry in the other five taxa, suggesting multiple developmental genetic pathways to hindlimb reduction in squamates and the vertebrates more generally.

First report of the Southern Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius valliceps Wiegmann), Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril and Bibron), Schmidt’s Black-Striped Snake (Coniophanes schmidti Bailey), and Cozumel Whiptail (Aspidoscelis cozumela Gadow), on Turneffe Atoll, Belize

Each year from 2012 to 2019, during a 12-day period in November or December, we photographed common herpetofauna on Calabash Caye, a small mangrove-dominated island on the eastern edge of Turneffe Atoll, Belize. Turneffe Atoll is home to the newest, largest, and most biodiverse marine protected area in Belize. Calabash Caye exemplifies the islands on Turneffe’s eastern edge whose elevated beach ridges enable the development of coastal strand plain and littoral forest habitats, which are among the most threatened habitats in the world. As no herpetofaunal survey has been published for Turneffe in over twenty years, and as the herpetofauna is a conspicuous indicator of the health of terrestrial ecological communities on islands, we leveraged our annual field excursions to Calabash Caye to compile a photographic record of the island’s reptiles and amphibians. In multiple years, we documented the presence of five lizards (Anolis sagrei mayensis, Aspidoscelis cozumela, Ctenosaura similis, Phyllodactylus tuberculosus, and the invasive species Hemidactylus frenatus), three snakes (Boa imperator, Leptophis mexicanus hoeversi, and Coniophanes schmidti), and one amphibian (Incilius valliceps). This represents the first report of A. cozumela, H. frenatus, C. schmidti, and I. valliceps on Calabash Caye or on any island in Turneffe Atoll; H. frenatus, C. schmidti, and I. valliceps have never been reported on any of the Belizean cayes. We did not observe four species that have previously been reported on Calabash Caye: Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus), Mesoamerican Cane Toad (Rhinella horribilis), Mayan Skink (Marisora lineola; formerly Mabuya unimarginata), or a blindsnake, provisionally identified as Indotyphlops braminus. We also include photos of Anolis allisoni, Ctenosaura similis, and Anolis sagrei mayensis obtained during four single-day excursions to Half Moon Caye on Lighthouse Atoll; this represents three of four species reported from that location during the 1990s.

Establishment of the introduced Brahminy Blindsnake (Indotyphlops braminus) on Abaco Island, The Bahamas, with notes on potential niche overlap with the native Cuban Brown Blindsnake (Typhlops lumbricalis)

Establishment of the introduced Brahminy Blindsnake (Indotyphlops braminus) on Abaco Island, The Bahamas, with notes on potential niche overlap with the native Cuban Brown Blindsnake (Typhlops lumbricalis)

Establishment of two nonnative parthenogenetic reptiles on Saba, Dutch Caribbean: Gymnophthalmus underwoodi and Indotyphlops braminus

The native herpetofauna of the Lesser Antillean island of Saba (13 km2; 17.63°N, -63.24°W) includes one snake, Alsophis rufiventris, and four species of lizards, Anolis sabanus, Iguana melanoderma, Sphaerodactylus sabanus, and Thecadatylus rapicauda (Powell et al. 2015). Here, we report the establishment of both Gymnophthalmus underwoodi Grant, 1958 and Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) on the island.

Establishment of two nonnative parthenogenetic reptiles on Saba, Dutch Caribbean: Gymnophthalmus underwoodi and Indotyphlops braminus

Establishment of two nonnative parthenogenetic reptiles on Saba, Dutch Caribbean: Gymnophthalmus underwoodi and Indotyphlops braminus

New Faunal Records from a World Heritage Site in Danger: Rennell Island, Solomon Islands1

Remote oceanic islands have high potential to harbor unique fauna and flora, but opportunities to conduct in-depth biotic surveys are often limited. Furthermore, underrepresentation of existing biodiversity in the literature has the potential to detract from conservation planning and action. Between 18 and 29 October 2018, we surveyed the terrestrial vertebrates of East Rennell, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Solomon Islands. We documented 56 species, including 15 squamates, 13 mammals, and 38 birds, and present four new vertebrate records for the island: Stephan's emerald dove (Chalcophaps stephani), Maluku myotis (Myotis moluccarum), littoral skink (Emoia atrocostata) and brahminy blindsnake (Indotyphlops braminus). East Rennell was designated a World Heritage site for its significant on-going ecological and biological processes, and importance for the study of island biogeography. The new records presented here provide evidence that continued field studies combined with DNA analysis will continue to uncover even greater endemic biodiversity. Rennell is currently experiencing major habitat destruction in parts of the island that are not under World Heritage protection, and we anticipate collateral damage will likely extend into protected areas. Our survey also underscores the incredible vertebrate biodiversity that stands to be lost unless conservation actions and local community needs are intertwined to promote beneficial outcomes on both fronts.

Field surveys along habitat gradients revealed differences in herpetofauna assemblage in Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan.

This study was conducted to see whether herpetofaunal assemblage differed amongst hiking trails, undisturbed forest and urban areas within the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan. Circular plot area-constrained searches (45 plots in each habitat, each plot with an area of 25 m2) were used from March 2018 to July 2019. We recorded seven amphibian species, nine lizard species and six snake species. The species richness of amphibians and lizards was the same in the studied strata, while the detection and encounter rate of snakes was lower in the undisturbed forest and urban areas. The encounter rate of amphibians differed significantly between urban areas and hiking trails/undisturbed forest. The encounter rate and population density of lizards differed significantly between undisturbed forest and urban areas. The most frequently encountered amphibian species along the hiking trail and urban areas was Duttaphrynus stomaticus, with Hoplobatrachus tigerinus in undisturbed forest. The most common and frequently encountered lizard species along the hiking trail and urban areas was Hemidactylus brookii, while the Ophisops jerdonii was the most frequently seen in undisturbed forest. The most common and frequently encountered snake species along the hiking trail and undisturbed forest was the Indotyphlops braminus, while Ptyas mucosa was the most common in urban areas. The subsequent bio-assessment, based on herpetofauna, of the Park revealed good to excellent biotic integrity The Park faces threats including livestock grazing, alien invasive vegetation and human disturbance due to settlements, restaurants and tourism-related activities. While several of these threats have been mitigated since the establishment of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, the Park still requires improved management, especially regarding regulating tourism.

First records of the Brahminy blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) (Squamata: Typhlopidae) from Malta with genetic and morphological evidence

This publication reports the first two records of the Brahminy blindsnake Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), representing a new alien species in Malta. This species, native to Indo-Malayan region, has over the years broadened its distribution through anthropogenic international transportation of goods. Its unique parthenogenic reproductive strategy increases its potential for fast population expansion, becoming invasive. The two specimens analysed in this study were found in May, 2020, and were identified through external morphology and genetic sequencing of 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA and COI genes. These sequences were compared to other genetic data available for I. braminus from other locations, where it was found that the mitochondrial DNA variation for this species is very low at a global scale.

Reptiles of the Northern Marshall Islands

Fifteen species of reptiles are recorded from among the nine northernmost atolls in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI): 3 sea turtles, 10 lizards (3 geckos, 6 skinks, 1 monitor lizard) and 1 typhlopid snake. None is endemic to the Marshalls and all are widely distributed in Micronesia and, in many cases, well beyond. The Common House Gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, Mariana Monitor, Varanus tsukamotoi, and Brahminy Blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus, probably were introduced in recent times, but to what extent the other species arrived by natural dispersal, or, alternatively, by human-assisted transport at various times since the initial settlement of the islands about 2,000 years ago, is unknown. The 126 specimens of lizards collected from among eight of the atolls during March/April 2019 include the first records of terrestrial reptiles from Ailinginae Atoll, and the first records of Hemidactylus frenatus from Rongelap, Bokak, and Utirik Atolls, Gehyra oceanica from Rongelap and Taka Atolls, and Lepidodactylus lugubris from Utirik Atoll. Numerous other distribution records obtained from online databases—with the vast majority previously unreported in the literature—are included along with the earliest collection date in the RMI of H. frenatus and a revised early collection date for I. braminus.

Inventarisasi Jenis-jenis Ular ( Serpenthes ) di Kawasan Universitas Tanjungpura Pontianak

Snakes is a Reptilian that important role in the food chains. This research was conducted in the area of Tanjungpura University, Pontianak. The aim of this research use to determine the types of snakes found and to find out the characteristics of each snake types in Tanjungpura University area Pontianak. The sampling research was done from March to May 2018, with the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method. The results found 17 individual of 10 species, 7 families (Colubridae, Cylindrophiidae, Elapidae, Homalopsidae, Pythonidae, Typhlopidae, and Xenopeltidae). The snakes found consisted of 7 species of non- venomous snakes which included as Coelognathus flavolineatus, Cylindrophis ruffus, Homalopsis bucatta, Malayophiton reticulatus, Ptyas korros, Ramphotyphlops braminus (free-living snakes), Xenopeltis unicolor, and 3 species of poisonous snakes which included as Ahaetulla prasina, Dendrelaphis pictus, and Naja sputatrix

First report of the Brahminy Blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin), from the Caribbean island of Montserrat

First report of the Brahminy Blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin), from the Caribbean island of Montserrat

Karyotype Analysis of Four Blind Snake Species (Reptilia: Squamata: Scolecophidia) and Karyotypic Changes in Serpentes

The suborder Serpentes is divided into 2 infraorders, Scolecophidia and Alethinophidia, which diverged at an early stage of snake diversification. In this study, we examined karyotypes of 4 scolecophidian species (Letheobia simonii, Xerotyphlops vermicularis, Indotyphlops braminus, and Myriopholis macrorhyncha) and performed FISH with 18S-28S rDNA as well as microchromosomal and Z chromosome-linked genes of Elaphe quadrivirgata (Alethinophidia) to investigate the karyotype evolution in the scolecophidian lineage. Diploid chromosome numbers of X. vermicularis and L. simonii were 30 (16 macrochromosomes and 14 microchromosomes) and 32 (16 macrochromosomes and 16 microchromosomes), respectively. The karyotype of a female M. macrorhyncha consisted of 15 macrochromosomes and 19 microchromosomes, including a heterochromatic microchromosome, indicating the presence of a heteromorphic chromosome pair. E. quadrivirgata Z-linked genes mapped to chromosome 4 of M. macrorhyncha, not to the heteromorphic pair. Therefore, M. macrorhyncha may have differentiated ZW sex chromosomes which are not homologous to those of E. quadrivirgata. One of the E. quadrivirgata microchromosomal genes mapped to the terminal region of chromosome 4q in X. vermicularis, suggesting that fusions between microchromosomes and macrochromosomes occurred in this species. rDNA was localized in different macrochromosomal pairs in the 2 diploid scolecophidian snakes examined here, whereas the gene location in a microchromosomal pair was conserved in 5 alethinophidian species examined. These results might imply the occurrence of chromosome fusions in the scolecophidian lineages. In I. braminus, a unique parthenogenetic snake with a triploid karyotype (21 macrochromosomes and 21 microchromosomes), morphological heteromorphisms were identified in chromosomes 1 and 7. Such heteromorphisms in 2 chromosomes were also observed in individuals from distant locations in the broad distribution range of this species, suggesting that the heteromorphisms were fixed in the genome at an early stage of its speciation.

Non-native species dominate herpetofaunal community patterns in both native and non-native habitat patches in urban Miami-Dade County

Land use change and invasive species are two of the leading causes of native biodiversity loss, yet our understanding of how these interact in urban centers is limited. In South Florida (USA), urbanization and increased anthropogenic pressure has led to massive land conversion and species introductions. South Florida has the largest number of established non-native reptile and amphibian species in the world, while detection of many native species has decreased. Native species may be adapted to the unique and rare habitats of South Florida such as the pine rocklands, which have been reduced to 2% of their original extent. We conducted surveys for reptiles and amphibians in 15 pairs of native/non-native parks to examine the interaction between habitat modification and herpetofaunal invasion. Less than 10% of the individuals recorded were native, and we found no difference in the relative abundance or richness of native species between native and non-native parks. Community analyses indicate that only 9% of the total variance in herpetofaunal community composition is between native and non-native parks, and that even this difference is driven by non-native species. The brahminy blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus), the most widely introduced snake species in the world, is the best indicator of native habitat patches, and two invasive lizards from the Caribbean (Anolis sagrei and A. equestris) are the best indicators of non-native habitat. These results demonstrate that non-native reptiles and amphibians dominate both non-native and native habitat patches in Miami-Dade County.

Diversity and Habitat Preferences of Herpetofauna at Kalabagh Game Reserve, District Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan

During present survey extending from July, 2015 through March, 2016 six amphibian species representing 6 genera and 3 families and 24 reptilian species representing 23 genera and 13 families, were recorded from Kalabagh Game Reserve, district Mianwali, Pakistan. Among the five capture techniques, i.e., hand picking, use of snake sticks, forceps, drag nets and noose traps, hand picking appeared the most effective one. The captured amphibian species included Bufo stomaticus, Microhyla ornata, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Fejervarya limnocharis, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, and Sphaeroteca breviceps. Single turtle species, Lissemys punctata andersoni was recorded from the study area. Among lizard species, Calotes versicolor, Laudakia nupta, Trapelus agilis pakistanensis, Eublepharis macularis, Cyrtopodion montiumsalsorum, Hemidactylus brookii, Hemidactylus flaviviridis, Ablepharus grayanus, Eutropis macularia, Lygosoma punctatum, Novoeumeces indothalensis, Uromastyx hardwickii, and Varanus bengalensis were recorded. Similarly, snake species included Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus, Ramphotyphlops braminus, Eryx johnii, Amphiesma stolatum, Platyceps rhodorachis, Lycodon aulicus, Ptyas mucosus, Bungarus caeruleus, Naja oxiana, and Echis carinatus. The venomous snake species of the study area included Naja oxiana, Bungarus caeruleus, and Echis carinatus.

A karyological study of three typhlopid species with some inferences on chromosome evolution in blindsnakes (Scolecophidia)

Blindsnakes are poorly studied reptiles from the karyological point of view since chromosomal data are only known for eight out of more than 420 species. The present paper shows the results of a karyological study conducted by means of standard and banding staining (Ag-NOR-banding and C-banding plus CMA and DAPI fluorochromes) on three typhlopid species, Madatyphlops arenarius, Xerotyphlops vermicularis and the parthenogenetic blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus. Madatyphlops arenarius has conserved the primitive snake karyotype of 2n=36 with 16 biarmed macro- and 20 microchromosomes and NORs on a microchromosome pair. The karyotype of X. vermicularis differed in showing a reduced number of microchromosomes (16) and NORs on the long arms of the third macrochromosome pair. The parthenogenetic I. braminus exhibited a triploid karyotype of 3n=42 with seven macro- and seven microtriplets and NORs on a microtriplet. Comparison with chromosome data from the available literature suggests that the primitive snake karyotype of 2n=36 occurred in the common ancestor of Leptotyphlopidae+Typhlopidae and in the common ancestor of Typhlopidae. In the latter family chromosome evolution may well have proceeded towards a decrease in the chromosome number from 2n=36, 34, 32 until it reached 2n=28, mainly involving micro- to microchromosome and/or macrochromosome translocations. Furthermore, these chromosome rearrangements occurred independently and repeatedly in the different evolutionary lineages of this family and are partially concordant with phylogenetic relationships. Cytologically identifiable sex chromosomes were not revealed by either standard or C-banding staining.

First report of the Flowerpot Blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), from La Désirade (Guadeloupe Archipelago, the French West Indies)

First report of the Flowerpot Blindsnake, Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803), from La Désirade (Guadeloupe Archipelago, the French West Indies)

Histology of the Skin of Three Limbless Squamates Dwelling in Mesic and Arid Environments.

The skin of limbless squamates has an increased contact with the substrate compared with limbed counterparts. Comparatively, the contact with the substrate is intensified in fossorial species, where the whole circumference of the body interacts with the soil during underground locomotion. Although fossoriality in Squamata, specifically lizards and snakes, has been studied ecologically and morphologically (e.g., osteological changes), not enough detail is yet available regarding changes in organs critical for underground lifestyle such as the skin. Here we used histological and microscopical techniques (scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy) to uncover the structural detail of the epidermis and dermis in three limbless reptiles, the amphisbaenian Diplometopon zarudnyi, and two snakes, Indotyphlops braminus (Typhlopidae) and Cerastes cerastes (Viperidae). The skin of these taxa shows pronounced morphological diversity, which is likely associated to different environmental and functional demands upon these reptiles. Anat Rec, 299:979-989, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.