Scale Counts Research Articles

Molecular data from contemporary and historical collections reveal a complex story of cryptic diversification in the Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group.

Previous studies of color pattern, tongue pigmentation, and scale counts have been used to distinguish two species of semiaquatic varanids in Africa, but these findings have yet to be tested with molecular data. The Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus Species Group is comprised of the Nile monitor (V. niloticus) and the Ornate monitor (V. ornatus). Due to the high rate of exploitation of both species for bushmeat, the leather industry, and the pet trade, a clear understanding of the taxonomy and genetic partitioning is necessary for effective management. Here we utilize a multilocus approach, consisting of mitochondrial and nuclear markers, totaling 4251 bp, as well as microsatellite loci to assess the taxonomic validity and intraspecific evolutionary patterns within the V. niloticus Species Group. By incorporating historical specimens from museum collections as well as contemporary samples, we obtained range-wide coverage for both species across Africa. Concordant results from various approaches all suggest that V. ornatus does not represent a distinct monophyletic group. Our analyses recovered three genetic clades within V. niloticus, representing western, northern, and southern lineages. The western clade was found to diverge first, around 7.7 mya (95% HPD: 4.6-11.0 mya) and exhibits 8.4% and 8.7% uncorrected sequence divergence between the northern and southern V. niloticus clades, respectively. This geographically separate lineage corresponds to previous descriptions of Tupinambis stellatusDaudin (1802). These findings not only call for taxonomic revision of this species group, but also shed light on the biogeographic history of Africa as well as aid in the management planning of varanids and other co-distributed African species.

Cardioand neuroprotection with volatile anesthetics in cardiac surgery

The researcher's opinions about myocardial and brain anesthetic preconditioning efficiency are yet contradictive. In addition, the anesthetic neuroprotection phenomenon is poorly investigated. In this study the authors attempted to evaluate the efficiency of myocardial and central nervous system (CNS) protection by using a modified method of volatile induction and maintenance of anesthesia (VIMA) based on pulse-like sevoflurane dosing that excludes propofol usage. Ninety CABG patients aged 45-75 years were included in the study group (VIMA) and underwent volatile induction with sevoflurane and anesthetic preconditioning (2 MAC) for 10 min before aortic cross-clamping, with ataralgesia used during CPB. The control group patients (TIVA) received propofol and fentanyl, no inhalation anesthetics were applied. Preoperative concentrations of NTpro-BNP were comparable. There was no significant rise of NTpro-BNP concentration in the VIMA group during the postoperative period. In the TIVA group NTpro-BNP concentrations were 3.8 and 4.8 times as much as the baseline values at 24 and 48 postoperative hours respectively (р<0.05). 17 patients in the VIMA group needed dopamine infusion during 24 postoperative hours, this number was 1.7 times less than that in the TIVA group (23 patients) (р<0.05). VIMA patients had 2-fold lower troponin T concentration in 24 hours after surgery (р<0.01). Significant differences in protein S100B concentrations were observed only during the postoperative period. No significant differences in cognitive functions of the patients from both groups were identified before surgery. On postoperative day 2 MMSE scale count was significantly lower in TIVA patients (20.843.73) in comparison with VI-MA patients (23.364.34) (р<0.05). Thus, the modified VIMA technique with sevoflurane has a greater neuroprotective potential during CABG with CPB and provides better preservation of myocardium structural integrity and cardiac performance than fentanyl/4propofol-based TIVA would do.

Molecular phylogeny of Caribbean dipsadid (Xenodontinae: Alsophiini) snakes, including identification of the first record from the Cay Sal Bank, The Bahamas.

We document the first specimen of a dipsadid snake from the Anguilla Cays, Cay Sal Bank, The Bahamas. We analyze 3,426 base pairs (bp) of sequence data derived from five mitochondrial loci and one nuclear locus using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) methods. Our molecular data agree with some aspects of morphology (e.g., scale counts, dentition, and color pattern) supporting identification of this specimen as the Cuban Racer, Cubophis cantherigerus cantherigerus (Bibron 1840), a species previously regarded as endemic to Cuba. This discovery provides another example of the strong Cuban affinities of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of Bahamian islands.

A new skink (Scincidae: Liburnascincus) from rocky habitat on Cape York, northeast Australia.

The genus Liburnascincus is composed of saxicoline skinks restricted to northeast Australia. This small radiation consists of one widespread species, L. mundivensis, found in a variety of rocky habitats in eastern Queensland, and two localized species, L. coensis and L. scirtetis, restricted to granite boulder habitats on Cape York Peninsula, in north Queensland. Here we describe a fourth species, L. artemis sp. nov., from the Bamboo Range, a low rocky range on Cape York. As for other Liburnascincus, the new species is a saxicoline skink that is active on boulder surfaces primarily early and late in the day. Liburnascincus artemis sp. nov. is most similar to L. mundivensis but can be diagnosed based on longer limbs, higher toe and finger lamellae counts, lower midbody scale count, and other aspects of morphology, scalation and colour pattern. Liburnascincus artemis sp. nov. is currently known from a very small area but further surveys will likely extend the range. It is geographically separated from L. mundivensis to the south by unsuitable habitat in the Laura region, but it may abut the range of L. coensis to the north. Despite a small distribution, L. artemis sp. nov. occurs at high density at the known sites and appears to be currently secure. In this paper we also discuss the distributions and biogeography of Liburnascincus more broadly.

Descriptions of three new species of Glossogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from New Guinea

Three new species of Glossogobius are described from New Guinea. Glossogobius multipapillus, n. sp. from northeastern New Guinea has a lobed mental fraenum and a distinctive papilla pattern unlike any other species in the genus. Glossogobius sentaniensis, n. sp. is described from Lake Sentani. The species is similar to Glossogobius aureus and G. koragensis differing in head pores and large dark spots on the body. Glossogobius macrocephalus n. sp. from Lake Tebera and surrounding rivers has a lobed mental fraenum and differs from other species in the Glossogobius celebius group in the combination of having a large head, head pore, fin-ray and predorsal scale counts.

The Herpetological Collection of Maximilian, Prince of Wied (1782–1867), With Special Reference To Brazilian Materials

Prince Maximilian of Wied made important collections of reptiles and other vertebrate animals during pioneering expeditions to Brazil and North America. These were purchased for the American Museum in 1869. The present paper emphasizes Brazilian materials collected in 1815–1817.Prince Maximilian (aka Wied, Neuwied, and Prince Max) published extensively on this collection, especially in the Beiträge zur Naturgeschichte von Brasilien (“Contributions to the natural history of Brazil, 1825–1833”)—a meticulous account of the species collected—and in Abbildungen zur Naturgeschichte Brasiliens (“Illustrations of the natural history of Brazil, 1822–1832”).The unnumbered folio plates of the Abbildungen are so important, and so difficult to access, that the herpetological ones are resized and reprinted herein. These hand-colored plates are rare (only 300 of each were produced) and are reproduced herein “as is” with arbitrary plate numbers 1–56; this numbering approximates the organization of the present work and also the order of species presentation in volume 1 of the Beiträge.When received at AMNH, the herpetological specimens were accompanied by the Prince’s handwritten manuscript list, dated 1860, with 441 numbered items. The list is not a specimen catalog but a useful index to the collection, as indicated by its title: Verzeichniss der Reptilien-Sammlung nach Duméril, Bibron, und Jan. It includes separately numbered lists of genera and of species in the collections and therefore corresponds to taxa, not to actual specimens.Wied did not designate types, a concept not yet established; Wied, types, like Linnaean types, must be identified retrospectively. Our objective has been to identify the surviving types of Brazilian reptiles and amphibians in the Maximilian collection. Our starting point was forcibly the Beiträge, a work of singularly modern conformation. It may contain for each species a synonymy, a description, measurements, meristic data, and a discussion of distribution.The criteria for decision on the identification of types were fourfold: the description, the measurements, the scale counts, and the Abbildungen plates. A total of 21 primary type specimens were thus identified in the Wied collection (including some originally identified as types or cotypes). These include 15 holotypes (mostly newly identified) and six lectotypes (mostly newly designated).However, Wied had named about 61 species from his Brazilian collection, so approximately 40 primary type specimens of reptiles and amphibians are missing. Most of these never reached the American Museum; many had disappeared in Europe before Maximilian had started writing his 1860 manuscript catalogue. Wied wrote that he had been unable to preserve several specimens; some of the others may be in European museums or possibly in the remaining collection of his friend Blasius Merrem at the University of Marburg.

Redescription and validation of <i>Bothriechis supraciliaris</i> (Serpentes: Viperidae)

Las poblaciones de toboba de pestañas o bocaracá del suroeste de Costa Rica han sido denominadas tradicionalmente Bothriechis schlegelii supraciliaris Taylor 1954. Sin embargo, la morfometría y el patrón de coloración sugieren que es una especie aparte, que aquí se propone como Bothriechis supraciliaris stat.nov.

Analysis of the accuracy of the Wells scale in assessing the probability of lower limb deep vein thrombosis in primary care patients practice.

BackgroundThe clinical picture of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is nonspecific. Therefore assessment of the probability of occurrence of DVT plays a very important part in making a correct diagnosis of DVT.The aim of our prospective study was to assess the accuracy of the Wells scale in primary care setting in diagnostic procedure of suspected deep vein thrombosis.MethodsIn the period of 20 - months (from 2007 to 2009) a group of residents from one of the urban districts of Warsaw, who reported to family doctors (22 primary care physicians were involved in the study) with symptoms of DVT were assessed on the probability of occurrence of deep vein thrombosis using the Wells scale. Family doctors were aware of symptoms of DVT and inclusion patients to this study was based on clinical suspicion of DVT.Patients were divided into three groups, reflecting probability of DVT of the lower limbs.To confirm DVT a compression ultrasound (CUS) test was established.We analyzed the relationship between a qualitative variable and a variable defined on an original scale (incidence of DVT versus Wells scale count) using the Mann–Whitney test. Chi-square test compared rates of DVT events in all clinical probability groups.Patient were follow up during 3 months in primary care setting.ResultsIn the period of 20 months (from 2007 to 2009) a total number of 1048 patients (male: 250 , female: 798 mean age: 61.4) with symptoms suggestive of DVT of the lower extremities entered the study. Among the 100 patients classified in the group with a high probability of DVT of the lower extremities, 40 (40%) patients (proximal DVT - 13; distal DVT - 27) were diagnosed with it (95% CI [30.94% -49.80%]). In the group with a moderate probability consisting of 302 patients, DVT of the lower extremities was diagnosed in 19 (6.29%) patients (95% CI [4.06% -9.62%]), (proximal DVT – 1; distal DVT - 18). Of the 646 patients with a low probability of DVT of the lower extremities distal DVT was diagnosed in 1 (0.15%) patient (95% CI [0.03% -0.87%]).ConclusionThe Wells scale used in primary care setting demonstrated a high degree of accuracy.

NATURAL HISTORY AND MERISTICS OF AN ALLOPATRIC POPULATION OF RED CORNSNAKES, PANTHEROPHIS GUTTATUS (LINNAEUS, 1766) IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY, USA

Life history, morphological variation, and basic biology of Pantherophis guttatus (Linnaeus, 1766), the Red Cornsnake, are not well known, particularly for the allopatric populations in Kentucky. To address some of the information gaps for this species, we report field observations, including activity patterns, reproduction, and meristics of P. guttatus in Kentucky. In 2003 and 2004 we conducted field surveys using drift fences, artificial cover, manual searching, and driving on roads and captured 101 P. guttatus in Edmonson and Hart counties, Kentucky. We found that artificial cover was the best method of detection with 77% of snakes captured using this method. Numbers of encounters peaked in April-May and August-September suggesting bimodal activity patterns similar to other colubrid snakes. Males had signifi cantly higher subcaudal scale counts than females while females had significantly higher ventral scale counts than males. We detected more individuals in 2003 than in 2004, most likely influenced by severe drought conditions in Kentucky during 2004. Size-class distribution of snakes was skewed towards large individuals (> 70 cm SVL). The absence of individuals in juvenile size classes (30 cm -70 cm) may be an artifact of lower detection probabilities for smaller size classes, different habitat use by juveniles, or may indicate low recruitment.

Description of Danio absconditus, new species, and redescription ofDanio feegradei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae), from the Rakhine Yoma hotspotin south-western Myanmar.

Danio feegradei Hora is redescribed based on recently collected specimens from small coastal streams on the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma, ranging from the Thade River drainage southward to slightly north of Kyeintali. Danio absconditus, new species, is described from the Kyeintali Chaung and small coastal streams near Gwa, south of the range of D. feegradei. Both species are distinguished from other Danio by the presence of a dark, elongate or round spot at the base of the caudal fin and a cleithral marking composed of a small black spot margined by a much smaller orange spot. Danio feegradei is characterized by the colour pattern, with series of white spots along the otherwise dark side; D. absconditus by about 7--11 dark vertical bars on the abdominal side. Within Danio, the presence of a complete lateral line, cleithral spot, and 14 circumpeduncular scales is shared with D. dangila and similar species, but these character states may be plesiomorphic as suggested by the shared presence of cleithral spot and complete lateral line in Devario and Betadevario. In other Danio the cleithral spot is absent, the lateral line is short or absent, and the circumpeduncular scale count is lower (10-12). Twenty teleost species are reported from streams on the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma, all probably endemic. The parapatric distribution of D. absconditus and D. feegradei is unique within the genus, and may be partly explained by changes in eustatic sea levels.

Molecular phylogenetic relationships of the lizard clade Liolaemus elongatus (Iguania: Liolaemini) with the description of a new species from an isolated volcanic peak in northern Patagonia.

A new species of the Andean-Patagonian Liolaemus elongatus clade is described. Liolaemus crandalli sp. nov. differs from other members of its clade by a combination of coloration characters, scale counts and genetic traits. Liolaemus crandalli sp. nov. is known only from an isolated volcanic mountain in northwestern Patagonia above 1500 m.a.s.l. unconnected with other habitat suitable for species of the Liolaemus elongatus clade.

Morphological differences between two closely related East Asian flatfish species of the genus Pleuronichthys, with particular emphasis on growth-related changes

Morphological differences, including growth-related changes, were examined in two closely related East Asian flatfish species, Pleuronichthys lighti and Pleuronichthys cornutus. Body measurements of both species indicated frequent growth-related proportional changes, head length, pelvic fin length (both fins), eye diameter (both eyes), inter-orbital ridge length and the lengths of both jaws all showing relative decreases with growth. On the other hand, whereas caudal fin length became relatively shorter and snout length relatively greater with growth in P. lighti, those proportions remained unchanged with growth in P. cornutus. Conversely, although body depth became relatively greater and the longest dorsal and anal fin rays relatively shorter with growth in P. cornutus, those proportions remained unchanged with growth in P. lighti. Counts of scales below the lateral line and gill rakers both tended to increase with growth in P. cornutus, but remained stable in P. lighti. New key characters to distinguish between the two species included ocular side pectoral fin length and the area ratio between the upper and lower eyes. The ocular side pectoral fin of P. cornutus was generally longer than in P. lighti, with plots of the fin proportions in the two species showing modest separation. In addition, because both the horizontal and vertical diameters of the upper eye of P. cornutus were generally greater than those of P. lighti, graphical representation of the relationship between the upper and lower eye areas showed almost complete separation of the two species.

A new species of Amerotyphlops from Northeastern Brazil, with comments on distribution of related species.

We describe a new species of Amerotyphlops from an upland forest enclave in the state of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil. The new species is distinguished from the other seven South American species of Amerotyphlops by the combination of the following characters: nasal suture incomplete; rostral scale oval and yellowish cream with some dark brown spots; four supralabial scales; three infralabial scales; rows of scales around the body 18/18/18; middorsal scales from 204 to 225; dorsum with twelve to thirteen rows of scales dark brown and belly with four to five rows of scales immaculate yellowish cream; caudal spine dark brown; subcaudal scales 8-10 in female and 11-13 in males; maximum total length 233 mm. The new species is morphologically similar to A. amoipira and A. paucisquamus, sharing 18/18/18 rows of scales around the body and a small overlap of counts of middorsal scales.

Contributions to the herpetofauna of the Albertine Rift: Two new species ofchameleon (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae) from an isolated montane forest,south eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Two new species of chameleons from the genera Rhampholeon and Kinyongia are described from an isolated montane forest remnant situated toward the southern end of the Albertine Rift bordering Lake Tanganyika. The closest known localities of species from these genera are 200km and 400km to the north respectively, separated by large intervening tracts of lowland savannah and Brachystegia (Miombo) woodland - habitats not normally inhabited by species of these genera. Rhampholeon hattinghi sp. nov. and Kinyongia mulyai sp. nov. bear superficial resemblances to previously described species (Rh. boulengeri Steindachner and K. adolfifriderici (Sternfeld)). Rhampholeon hattinghi sp. nov. has a relatively smooth supra-orbital ridge, deep axillary but absent inguinal mite pockets, prominent white spots on the base of the tail and a uniquely derived hemipenal morphology with billowing parasulcal evaginations. Like K. adolfifriderici, Kinyongia mulyai sp. nov. is devoid of a rostral appendage but differs in having a longer and narrower head, a higher upper labial scale count and by the absence of a dorsal crest in the male. To place these new chameleons within the context of their respective genera, Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses were carried out utilising two mitochondrial (ND2 and 16S) and one nuclear marker (RAG1). Both chameleons were found to have morphological features that distinguish them from other congeners. Based on phylogenetic analysis they are clearly separate evolutionary lineages and are described as new species.

A phylogeny of Central African Boaedon (Serpentes: Lamprophiidae), with the description of a new cryptic species from the Albertine Rift

The Central African house snake Boaedon olivaceus has a large distribution from the forests of West Africa to Mabira Forest in Uganda. We sequenced two mitochondrial (cyt b and ND4) and two nuclear (c-mos and RAG1) genes from several populations of B. olivaceus in Central Africa and recovered two highly divergent lineages (Congo Basin and Albertine Rift) attributable to this species. Dating analyses with BEAST suggest the two lineages last shared a common ancestor during the mid-Miocene approximately 12 million years ago, and data from RAG1 showed consistent differences in two amino acids for topotypic Congo Basin B. olivaceus compared to the Albertine Rift lineage and all other examined species of Boaedon. Based on these striking molecular differences and significant differences in ventral scale counts and the number of supralabials contacting the eye, we describe the Albertine Rift lineage as a new species. The recognition of this new species bolsters the importance of the Albertine Rift as an important region for endemism and conservation in continental Africa. Based on the results of our phylogenetic analyses, the poorly known taxon Lycodonomorphus subtaeniatus upembae is elevated to full species status and transferred to the genus Boaedon. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:D0C0E5B5-DBE9-4D21-B5FE-86221DDF60BA

Molecular and biometric characterization of natural bream × roach hybrids population in the Dobczyce Reservoir (S Poland)

Event Abstract Back to Event Molecular and biometric characterization of natural bream × roach hybrids population in the Dobczyce Reservoir (S Poland) Maciej K. Konopiński1* and Antoni Amirowicz1 1 Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland Natural hybrids of leuciscine cyprinids were investigated in a medium-sized submontane reservoir (49°52'N, 20°03'E, altitude 270 m) in the Carpathian part of the Vistula basin. The material included 380 hybrid specimens (TL: 24.0–39.8 cm, SL: 19.0–31.7 cm, W: 134–714 g) collected in 2006–2013. To detect their ancestry, genotypes of the 327 putative hybrids were compared to reference genotypes of 85 roaches, 115 common breams, 18 rudds, and 99 silver breams. Individuals were typed in 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci (Dubut et al. 2009), while species specific amplification of a fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene was used to detect maternal origin of hybrids (Wyatt et al. 2006). Few individuals with traces of rudd and silver bream ancestry were excluded from the study. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA suggests bias towards bream maternal origin, with only 22 individuals (6,7%) with roach mitochondrial DNA. The analyzed set of hybrids was composed mostly of first generation bream × roach hybrids. Only 7 individuals (2,1%) showed a sign of backcrossing to bream, however, this finding has to be confirmed by analysis of further loci as it might result from presence of null alleles in roach. F2 generation hybrids were not detected. Biometric investigation of collected specimens comprised of selected morphometric (body height, and lengths of head, trunk, and tail) and meristic characters (counts of scales in lateral line and soft rays in anal fin) of individuals of different maternal origin. As all the analyzed differences between these categories of specimens appeared insignificant, the investigated population of hybrids may be regarded morphologically uniform. Figure 1 References Dubut, V., Martin, J.F., Gilles, A., Van Houdt, J., Chappaz, R., Costedoat, C. (2009). Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci for the dace complex: Leuciscus leuciscus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Mol. Ecol. Resour. 9(4): 1179-1183. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2009.02594.x. Wyatt, P.M.W. , Pitts, C.S., Butlin, R.K. (2007). A molecular approach to detect hybridization between bream Abramis brama, roach Rutlius rutilus and rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus. J. Fish Biol. 69(sa):52 - 71. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2006.01104.x. Keywords: Dam reservoirs, Hybridization, Genetic, Roach, Common bream, morphometry, microsatellites Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Phylogeny, Systematics and Genetics Citation: Konopiński MK and Amirowicz A (2015). Molecular and biometric characterization of natural bream × roach hybrids population in the Dobczyce Reservoir (S Poland). Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.fmars.2015.03.00112 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 20 Nov 2015; Published Online: 22 Nov 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Maciej K Konopiński, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 31-120, Poland, konopinski@iop.krakow.pl Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Maciej K Konopiński Antoni Amirowicz Google Maciej K Konopiński Antoni Amirowicz Google Scholar Maciej K Konopiński Antoni Amirowicz PubMed Maciej K Konopiński Antoni Amirowicz Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Geographic variation in the morphology of Macrovipera lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ophidia: Viperidae) in Iran

The Levantine viper, Macrovipera lebetina , has an extensive geographical range being distributed in central Asia and the Middle East. The species exhibits high levels of polymorphism, especially in colouration and pattern. Recent studies revealed significant morphological differences between the two subspecies from northeastern and western portions of Iran. However, considering limited geographic samplings, taxonomic status of Iranian Macrovipera are controversial. In this study, uni- and multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyze geographic variation in 31 morphological characters measured in 117 specimens of Macrovipera lebetina covering its entire range in Iran. Sexual dimorphism was obvious in number of scales across the head and subcaudals. Univariate analyses detected substantial geographic variation in several meristic characters. Pholidosis exhibits a general north-south pattern of variation and most scale counts averaged higher in southern regions. Colouration displayed a pattern of strong clinal variation among three broad areas consisting of the combined western and northwestern, northeastern, and southern highland regions. Also, morphometric characters exhibited a general north-south pattern of geographic variation and some characters averaged lower in southern regions. Populations from the southern regions remained clearly distinct in Principal Component, Cluster and Discriminant analyses. In the light of these differences, it is concluded that the southern Iranian populations should not be identified as belonging to Macrovipera lebetina obtusa (Dwigubsky, 1832), which occurs in northwestern and western regions of the Iranian Plateau.

A new species of Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 from the state of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil (Serpentes: Colubridae).

We describe a new species of Chironius Fitzinger, 1826 from the highlands of Chapada Diamantina, state of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all currently recognized congeners by a unique combination of states of characters on coloration, scale counts, scale ornamentation, and hemipenis. The new species closely resembles Chironius flavolineatus (Jan, 1863) in color pattern, but differs from the later taxon by the presence of two to four posterior temporal scales; cloacal shield entire; six to ten rows of keeled dorsal scales at midbody; ventral scales with posterior dark edges forming conspicuous transverse bars along almost the entire venter; conspicuous dark longitudinal stripes (in "zigzag") in the midventral portion of subcaudals; region of medial constriction of hemipenis slightly covered with spinules separating calyces of apex from spines below region of constriction; and sulcus spermaticus situated on convex face of hemipenis in lateral view. The new species is apparently restricted to Chapada Diamantina, corroborating the biological importance of this region from a conservational perspective.

Integration of Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference Systems and principal component analysis for the control of tertiary scale formation on tinplate at a hot mill

Scale is highly detrimental to surface quality for tinplate products. There are a large number of process variables at a typical hot mill and principal component analysis is a well-known technique for reducing the number of process variables. This paper estimates the principal components associated with the hot mill process variables and puts these through an Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) to find those hot mill running conditions that will minimise the amount of scale observed on the bottom of the rolled strip. It was found that the variation observed in all the hot mill process variables could be captured through the use of just six principal components, and that using just three of these in an ANFIS was sufficient to identify those operating conditions leading to coils being produced with a consistently low scale count. Specifically, it was found that the best operating conditions for the hot mill were when the first component was lower than −0.098 the second lower than 0.8058 and the third higher than −0.482. These ranges in turn corresponded to certain hot mill temperatures that depended to some extent on the base chemistry of the incoming slab.

Identity of the lectotype of the East Asian flatfish Pleuronichthys cornutus (Temminck and Schlegel 1846) and reinstatement of Pleuronichthys lighti Wu 1929

The taxonomy of two species of Pleuronichthys from East Asia was re-examined on the basis of scale characteristics. The lectotype of Pleuronichthys cornutus (Temminck and Schlegel 1846) was shown to be conspecific with Pleuronichthys japonicus Suzuki, Kawashima and Nakabo 2009, being characterized by oval scales, a greater exposed scale area and lower scale counts than a second species, formerly recognized as P. cornutus, but to which Pleuronichthys lighti Wu 1929, formerly considered a junior synonym of P. cornutus, should now be applied. Accordingly, P. japonicus is now considered a junior synonym of P. cornutus.