Eutropis Multifasciata Research Articles

Study of Some Reproductive Traits in Mabuya multifasciata (Sauria: Scincidae) Regarding Sexual Dimorphism during 2013-2015

The Mabuya skink is a widely distributed species in India as well as in North East India and China (Zhaao and Adler, 1995; Ngnyen et al., 2009). In fact the species Mabuya multifasciata is commonly found in the open region of villages, secondary forests of different humid regions and in the region with variable temperatures (Ngnyen et al. 2009; Li et al. 2010). Many reptiles lay eggs while Mabuya gives birth to live young. This is a unique feature in case of lizards and skink as for example Mabuya multifasciata. We studied the size of the eggs and the nutrients and its effect on the reproductive cycle. The male reproductive cycle was also studied.

Gut Microbial Communities Are Seasonally Variable in Warm-Climate Lizards Hibernating in the Winter Months.

Hibernation is an energy-saving and adaptive strategy adopted by a diverse array of animals, rarely including warm-climate species, to survive in the harsh winter environment. Here, we collected large-intestinal microbial samples from two species of warm-climate lizards, one (the Reeves' butterfly lizard Leiolepis reevesii) hibernating in the winter months and one (the many-lined sun skink Eutropis multifasciata) not doing so, in summer and winter to analyze and compare their microbiota using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing technology. Gut microbiota were seasonally variable in L. reevesii but not in E. multifasciata. The decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and increased relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia in hibernating butterfly lizards in a state of long-term fasting should help them live through the winter months, as bacteria of the phyla Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia can use host-derived mucin glycans in the absence of dietary substrates. Facultative plant feeding by omnivorous butterfly lizards resulted in a significant increase in the relative abundance of bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes (e.g., Lachnospiraceae) with the ability to degrade plant fibers. This study not only validates the role of gut microbiota in dietary adaptation in lizards but also shows that gut microbial communities are seasonally variable in warm-climate lizards hibernating in the winter months.

Exploration correlates with dietary choosiness and avoidance learning style in a generalist predator

Abstract The hypothesis of slow-fast syndromes predicts a correlation between personality type and learning style; fast explorers would have a more proactive (fast but inflexible) learning style whereas slow explorers would be more reactive (slow but flexible) learners. Empirical evidence for this personality-cognition coupling remains inconclusive and heavily biased towards birds. Moreover, most studies did not examine the personality-cognition correlation when the cognitive task is discerning food quality, a scenario directly related to energy acquisition that underpins the evolution of slow-fast syndromes. In this study, we examined the exploration-cognition correlation in the context of avoidance learning in an opportunistic predator - the common sun skink Eutropis multifasciata. We quantified exploration tendencies of individuals in an unfamiliar environment and compared foraging behaviors when lizards associated prey color and taste during the initial learning trials and subsequent reverse learning trials, where the color-taste associations were switched. We found that fast explorers were less choosy and modified their foraging behaviors less with experience, conforming to a more proactive cognitive style. In contrast, slow explorers were reactive learners and were able to change foraging behaviors in both learning and reverse learning phases, even though the ability to do so depended on the color-taste treatment. Contrary to conventional predictions, the proactive-reactive learning styles in our focal species was not differentiated by a learning speed-flexibility trade-off. Our findings offer nuanced support to the slow-fast syndromes and suggest that the two types of exploration-cognition correlations could be different responses to fast-changing environmental predictability.

Herpetofauna Diversity at Eaglewood Gyrinops vesteegii Conservation Area in Pusuk Protected Forest, Lombok

Pusuk Protected Forest at Lembah Sari Village, Batu Layar District, western Lombok is Gyrinops vesteegii conservation area, the one of eaglewood trees in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Studying diversity and distribution of herpetofauna in conservation area to understanding how this fauna could be stabilized the community structure of organisms in the ecosystems with their act as secondary and tertiary consumers in food web organization. Herpetofauna in this area was captured by visual encounter surveys (VES) method. Eleven species of herpetofauna have been collected from eaglewood conservation area in protected forest of Pusuk, is comprised by four species of amphibians (Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Ingerophrynus biporcatus, Limnonectes dammarmani and Limnonectes kadarsani) and seven species of reptiles (Ahaetulla prasina, Cyrtodactylus petani, Dendrelaphis pictus, Draco volans, Eutropis multifasciata, Gekko gecko, Sphenomorpus melanopogon and Sibynopis geminatus). This animal group plays as a role in maintaining the stability of eaglewood ecosystems by controlling its pest populations such as moth larvae of Heortia vitessodes and white lice of Dysmicoccus brevipes. Based on this research, higher diversity of herpetofauna with varying types of their habitats could be control the varying types of forest tree pests

Next-generation Sequencing of MHC Class I Genes Reveals Trans-species Polymorphism in <italic>Eutropis multifasciata</italic> and Other Species of Scincidae

Next-generation Sequencing of MHC Class I Genes Reveals Trans-species Polymorphism in <italic>Eutropis multifasciata</italic> and Other Species of Scincidae

The potential role of herpetofauna species diversity on palm oil agro-ecosystems: a case study in the plantation of PT BSM South Sumatra

The palm oil industry is one of the national strategic industries that must gradually apply the concept of green economy where the use of biodiversity (to reduce the use of chemicals in increasing land fertility and controlling pests/diseases) should be optimized in various aspects of management. Therefore, the potential for species diversity and the role of biodiversity in palm oil agro-ecosystems needs to be investigated, one of which is herpetofauna diversity. Data collection on the diversity of herpetofauna species was carried out simultaneously on seven types of land cover for PT BSM’s palm oil plantations using the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method. The results showed that the number of herpetofauna species varied according to land cover type with a total of 26 species. The highest number of species and individuals was found in shrubs (12 species and 18 individuals). While the lowest number of species and individuals was found in smallholder palm oil plantations 1 (5 species and 9 individuals). Based on the list of herpetofauna species in the study area, nine of these species have potential roles for the oil palm agro-ecosystem. These roles as biological control (predators, parasitoids, pathogens) include Takydromus sexlineatus, Eutropis multifasciata, Chalcorana chalconota, Occydoziga sumtrana, Malayopython reticulatus, Bungarus candidus, and Naja sumatrana, as well as decomposition controllers, Varanus salvator. The Shrubs land cover has a complete composisition of the roles of herpetofauna, while in the others land cover, have one individuals that play a role in the oil palm agroecosystem.

The Diversity of Reptile Species in Mangrove Ecotourism of Kampung Rawa Mekar Jaya, Siak Regency

Rawa Mekar Jaya mangrove ecotourism is the last mangrove forest on the east coast of Sumatra Island. This mangrove forest is a home for reptiles. The reptilian fauna of the Mekar Jaya mangrove has the potential to become an ecotourism object. This study aims to determine the diversity, evenness, abundance, and status of reptile species in the Mekar Jaya mangrove ecotourism. Four 3 x 400 m transects were conducted in two habitat types: aquatic (10 m of bank) and terrestrial (30 m of bank). Observations were made in the morning and evening at low tide and repeated five times at three-day intervals. Direct collection of reptile data using a visual survey (VES) and passive sampling (glue trap). The researchers managed to capture 52 individuals, which were reptiles, consisting of 4 species (Draco sumatranus, Hemidactylus platyurus, Mabuya multifasciata, and Varanus savator) found directly in the field. The results of the interviews with the managers indicate that there are 2 species of crocodiles: Crocodylus porosus and Tomistoma schlegelii. Shannon-Wiener diversity index value was medium (H'=1.02). Evenness index was labile (0.57). The highest species abundance was M. multifasciata (0.65), while the lowest abundance was H. platyurus (0.12). All reptile species found were not protected. V. salvator is classified as a low-risk species (LC/Minor Concern) and is listed in Appendix II of CITES. Two crocodile species reported by the community are protected. T. schlegelii is vulnerable and listed in Appendix I of CITES. C. porosus is low-risk and listed in CITES Appendix II.

Intricate covariation between exploration and avoidance learning in a generalist predator

Abstract Many predators avoid unprofitable prey by learning to use visual features of the prey as reliable indicators of quality. However, individual variation in avoidance learning is rarely examined in detail. It has been hypothesized that better avoidance learning ability might correlate with faster exploration tendency, but available data are limited in both quantity and scope. In this study, we examined the covariation between exploration, foraging decisions, and avoidance learning in a generalist lizard Eutropis multifasciata to test the prediction that faster explorers are also better avoidance learners. We also examined how sex, population, and color of unpalatable prey might mediate the exploration-avoidance learning covariation. We collected data on exploration and foraging behavior in individuals from two allopatric populations and quantified changes in foraging decisions over five daily learning trials, in which individuals were presented with normal- and bitter-tasting prey that differed consistently in color. Even though bitter prey elicited strong negative responses, lizards overall did not avoid consuming fewer such prey with learning. Instead, they learned to prioritize on palatable prey as the experiment progressed. In concordance with our prediction, we found that faster explorers were generally better avoidance learners, even though sex, population, and prey color were also important. Our study represents a rare experimental test of the exploration-avoidance learning covariation, especially in non-avian systems. Our results suggest that unpalatability might be an ineffective defense against generalist predators such as E. multifasciata and that faster explorers might impose stronger selection for the evolution of warning signals in unprofitable prey.

Dances with wolves: The demographic consequence of asymmetric competition and intraguild predation in a native‐invasive skink system

Abstract Currently, we lack enough knowledge to fully explain how the impacts of species invasion on native communities are attributed to multifaceted, individual‐based behavioural outcomes. Here, we illustrate the long‐term population dynamics of the native long‐tailed sun skink (Eutropis longicaudata) before and after the invasion of the common sun skink (Eutropis multifasciata). We conducted diet investigation, morphological measurement, and a series of behavioural experiments both in the field and laboratory. We explained how the impacts of the invasive skink on the native skink can cascade towards the population level based on these individual‐level behavioural data. We present evidence of competition exclusion of the native skink population resulting from the invasion of the common sun skink. The drastic decline found in the native skink population was largely accounted for by low recruitment, as shown by the decrease in its clutch numbers correspondingly. We also found dominance of the invasive skink in both exploitation competition and intraguild predation. Considering the highly overlapping morphological and dietary niches between the two species, our findings imply that the native skink has undergone strong food competition and predation pressure on its eggs and juveniles. Interestingly, the native skink started to display parental care behaviour 2 years after the invasion event, and its clutch survival rate has recovered since then. The shift in parental care behaviour may help the native skink cope with this new predation pressure from the invasive skink. Overall, the two competitive skinks showed low chances of coexisting. The negative population growth of this native skink species may be primarily derived from poor reproductive performance, given a sharp decline in its clutch numbers and its inferiority in exploitation competition, despite rebounding clutch survival rates. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Development and characterization of SNP markers in many-lined sun skink (Eutropis multifasciata) from transcriptomic sequences

Development and characterization of SNP markers in many-lined sun skink (Eutropis multifasciata) from transcriptomic sequences

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of the many-lined sun skink (Eutropis multifasciata) and comparison with other Scincomorpha species

Characterizating the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of an organism allows detailed genomic studies in systematics and evolution. The present study decodes the mitogenome (17,062 bp) of the many-lined sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata, using next-generation sequencing. To compare the diversity of mitogenomic structure and investigate intraspecific evolutionary relationships among the Asian Scincomorpha, the mitogenomes of 46 other species were examined concurrently. Within the group, the size of mitogenomes varied predominantly in the length at their control regions. The Ka/Ks ratios of 12 protein codon genes (PCGs) were lower than 1.00, demonstrating that they were under relaxed or moderate purifying selection. However, the ND5 had a Ka/Ks ratio >1, and was considered to be under positive selection. Currently there are two superfamilies in Scincomorpha (i.e. Scincoidea and Lacertoidea), but phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian Inference and Maximum-Likelihood Estimations produced phylogenetic trees with three clades in Scincomorpha ((Scincoidea + Lacertoidea (part)) + Gymnophthalmidae)).

Landscape forest impacts the potential activity time of an invasive lizard and its possibilities for range expansion in Taiwan under climate warming.

Climate warming may have an impact on invasive species and their ecological consequences. Invasive reptiles, which have temperature-dependent physiology, are expected to be greatly impacted by climate warming, though data supporting this is limited. We investigated the potential impact of a warmer climate on an invasive lizard, Eutropis multifasciata, in Taiwan. A mechanistic model, NicheMapR, was used to simulate the maximum activity time available at three elevations, with varying forest densities, under the current climate and a warmer scenario. The results show that climate warming will provide this species more time for activity in the currently occupied lowland region but not in the mountain areas, which are covered with dense forests. However, if the landscape becomes more open in mountain areas, it will become more suitable for this species and may enable an expansion upslope. Our results show that climate warming has a positive impact on this species, and that landscape's characteristics profoundly modulate its impact and the possibilities for elevational expansion in the future.

Short Communication: Wildlife species used as traditional medicine by local people in Indonesia

Abstract. Mardiastuti A, Masy'ud B, Ginoga LN, Sastranegara H, Sutopo. 2021. Short Communication: Wildlife species used as traditional medicine by local people in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 329-337. Since a long time ago, wild animals (wildlife species) have been used by the local people as traditional medicine. Research has been conducted in some areas, but there was no study that incorporates all data. The objective of this research was to collect nation-wide information on the wildlife species (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) used as traditional medicine, identify the species used the most, and collect information on the diseases that were believed can be cured by the wildlife species. Papers and reports from previous studies were collected and analyzed. Based on 55 published scientific papers, 114 wildlife species were known to be used by the local people as traditional medicine (59 species of mammals, 12 birds, 37 reptiles, 6 amphibians). Reptiles were used more intensively and believed may cure many diseases, mainly respiratory, digestive, skin, and musculoskeletal diseases. Among all species, Reticulated Python (Malayopython reticulatus), Common Water Monitor (Varanus salvator), Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko), Common Sun Skink (Eutropis multifasciata), and Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura) were listed as the most popular species for traditional medicine. As some species have already listed as protected and endangered, a necessary precautionary program is needed to ensure the harvest sustainability and survival of the endangered species.

First record of the Common Wolfsnake, Lycodon capucinus (H. Boie in F. Boie 1827), from New Guinea, with comments on its widespread distribution and confused taxonomy, and a new record for the Common Sun Skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl 1820)


 
 
 
 We report the first records of the Island Wolfsnake, Lycodon capucinus (H. Boie in F. Boie 1827) at Timika, Mimika Regency, Papua Province, Indonesian New Guinea. These are of considerable interest since they provide further proof for the ability of this species to disperse via human transport, and the expansion into New Guinea represents a significant milestone, a distance of 675 km (by air) from the closest known population on Seram Island in the Moluccan Archipelago. Of even broader interest is the fact that one of the specimens contained a prey item, a Common Sun Skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl 1820), in itself a significant territorial expansion for that species. We preface our reports with a comprehensive review of the available information on the Island Wolfsnake’s taxonomy and distribution. We also discuss the expansion of E. multifasciata across Wallacea and into New Guinea.
 
 
 

New distribution record and an updated map of Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl, 1820) (Squamata, Scincidae) from Dhaka division, Bangladesh

The Many-lined Sun Skink, Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl, 1820), has so far been reported from seven localities in Bangladesh. We present the first record of this species from Faridpur district of the country. Our new record extends the distribution of the species by nearly 123 km from its nearest previously known record at Jahangiragar University, Dhaka district, and updates the distribution of this poorly known species in Bangladesh.

EFFECTS OF INFRARED LIGHT ON THE SURVIVAL RATE OF COMMON SUN SKINK (Eutropis multifasciata) IN A SEMI-NATURAL HABITAT IN QUANG BINH PROVINCE, VIET NAM

This study aimed to determine the effects of infrared lamps on survival rates of mature and immature common sun skinks (Eutropis multifasciata) in semi-natural conditions in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, in the cold weather. A sample size of 400 mature (28 weeks old) and 120 immature common sun skinks were used in a completely randomized design with two variables of different lighting methods: infrared and incandescent light. Suitable food and water were freely provided. Results showed that the survival rates of the mature and juvenile common sun skinks were 82.5% and 39.2% with infrared light and 30.5% and 0% with incandescent light. Compared to incandescent light, the growth of young offsprings in the first 4 weeks after birth was greater with the infrared light and the average cumulative growth weight reached 2.18 g per individualby the fourth week. With incandescent light, common sun skinks lost their weight over time and gradually died out by the third week. Thus, infrared light which can be used to warm up pens may be an effective techniquein raising common sun skinks in semi-natural conditions in Quang Binh.

Common Sun Skink Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl 1820) sold for Traditional Medicine in Indonesia and potential conservation implications.

Reptiles are one of the most frequently encountered animal species in the trade for traditional medicine. The use of reptiles for medicinal purposes has been documented throughout the world, impacting dozens of species. Despite the broad occurrence of reptiles in medicinal trade, there is a general lack of information concerning the scale or impact of this trade and the species involved. Here we report the sale of Common Sun Skinks Eutropis multifasciata on the island of Java in Indonesia. We surveyed 13 wildlife markets and three reptile pet stores in eight cities across Java, documenting 110 Common Sun Skinks in trade in six markets in five cities. This skink is sold for traditional medicinal purposes with several vendors stating its use to treat skin problems like “itchiness”. This particular use has not been well documented in Indonesia. Further, the Common Sun Skinks were primarily sold by vendors selling Tokay Geckos for a similar purpose. This is of potential conservation concern as Tokay Geckos are harvested en masse for medicinal purposes which has resulted in significant population declines, and this could lead to potential over¬exploitation of the Common Sun Skink in response to this decline.

Inventarisasi Jenis-Jenis Kadal (Sub Ordo Sauria) di Kawasan Hutan Primer, Hutan Sekunder dan Pemukiman di Desa Parek Kacamatan Air Besar Kabupaten Landak

Parek Village Air Besar District Landak Regency has two types of forests, primary forest and secondary forest. Parek villagers generally open forests for farming, the activities of these residents can disrupt the existence of the Sauria Sub-Order. The purpose of this study was to determine the species of Sauria Sub-Order in Parek Village. The research was conducted by exploration method which was combined with the line transect method in the area of primary forest, secondary forest and settlement. The results of the study found 7 species from the Sauria Sub-Order there are Gonocephalus borneensis, Tachydromus sexlineatus, Cyrtodactylus sp., Hemidactylus sp., Draco sp., Eutropis multifasciata and Apterygodon vittatum which belong to 4 families, Scincidae, Gekkonidae, Agamidae and Lacertidae.

Molecular phylogeny of common sun skink, Eutropis (Squamata: Scincidae), of northwestern part of Bangladesh

A study on the phylogenetic relationship of Bangladeshi Skink confirmed species as Eutropis multifasciata by Bayesian inference (BI) (100%) and 98% node support to maximum likelihood (ML) tree topology, respectively. The sequence divergences between Eutropis multifasciata and other congeneric species were significant, ranging from 0.1 to 13.6% for 16S rRNA. Intraspecific genetic divergence within E. multifasciata was estimated 10.3%. E. multifasciata formed a distinct clade with high posterior probability support. This maiden study on Bangladeshi Skink results support that one monophyletic subgroup containing all specimens of E. multifasciata and all recently recognized E. multifasciata populations have evolved from one common ancestor.
 Bangladesh J. Zool. 47(1): 13-25, 2019

Low cold tolerance of the invasive lizard Eutropis multifasciata constrains its potential elevation distribution in Taiwan.

1. The invasive many-lined sun skink, Eutropis multifasciata, is established in much of southern Taiwan and is spreading northward. We investigated whether winter temperatures constrain further dispersion of this skink by comparing its cold tolerance to the spatial distribution of winter temperatures in Taiwan. 2. We measured the 28-day survival rate of this species at 4 constant temperatures (10-16°C in 2°C increments) and its critical thermal minimum (CTmin), i.e., the body temperature at which the righting reflex is lost during the cooling process. For comparison with the spatial distribution of temperatures over Taiwan, we used the biophysical model Niche Mapper™ in order to simulate the soil temperatures, where lizards are inactive in the winter, during the coldest month of the year, January, under three climatic scenarios (average temperature, average-3°C, average+3°C). 3. Our results indicate that this species has low tolerance to cold. Combining cold tolerance data with soil temperature data suggests that its upper elevation limit could range from 1000 m to 1500 m, above which the weather is lethal and precludes overwintering. The locations of sightings of E. multifasciata are consistent with this prediction, with no known locations above 500 m elevation. 4. This study highlights that the winter climate is a major factor in determining population establishment and hence in limiting this species' range. Future studies would benefit from accounting for low winter temperatures and their potential influence on range limits of invasive species.