Species Of Mabuya Research Articles

Hemipenial morphology of nine South American species of Mabuya (Scincidae: Lygosominae) with comments on the morphology of the family.

Species of the genus Mabuya are barely recognizable because of their highly conservative external morphology, resulting in unstable systematic and taxonomic status. Considering that hemipenial morphology has been extensively used as a source of systematic information for several groups of Squamata, we described the hemipenial morphology of nine species of Mabuya, searching for diagnostic features useful to taxonomic and systematic studies. To have comparative parameters within the family, we also presented the description of the hemipenes of two other Scincidae species (i.e., Trachylepis atlantica and Tiliqua rugosa). This information, together with the available literature, was analyzed in a comparative framework, allowing us to define some variation for the genus and family. The hemipenial morphology of the species of Mabuya studied is very conservative; features that show subtle variation were the shape of the protuberances present on the asulcate face of the hemipenial body and the presence and type of a lateral fold, on the body. Also, within the family, some variation was found in the shape and length of lobes, length of branches of the sulcus spermaticus, and in the kind of folds and protuberances in both faces of the lobes and hemipenial body. Although these features were not tested in a systematic context, this information suggested variations in hemipenial morphology that could contribute to taxonomic diagnostics and phylogenetic characters. The importance of obtaining proper preparations for gathering accurate information is emphasized, and the use of fresh-killed specimens that shows fewer difficulties for the procedures of preparation is highly recommended.

Reproductive biology of a viviparous lizard (Mabuya dorsivittata) from the subtropical Wet Chaco of Argentina: geographical variations in response to local environmental pressures.

Herein we studied the reproductive biology of a viviparous lizard (Mabuya dorsivittata) from the Wet Chaco region (northeastern Argentina) and compared the results with other populations from the Espinal (central Argentina) and the Atlantic Forest (southeastern Brazil), and with other Neotropical species of Mabuya to better understand the possible causes of its reproductive phenotype variation. Males and females of M. dorsivittata from the Wet Chaco exhibited associated, seasonal, and annual reproductive cycles. Spermatogenic activity related positively to a lengthening photoperiod reaching maximum activity in late spring (December). Females displayed an extended gestation period of 11 months, from mid-summer (February) to late spring or early summer (December) when births occur. Embryonic development was associated with temperature and historical rainfall. Litter size ranged from 3 to 8 (mean = 5.3 ± 1.3 SD) and increased with body size and body mass of females. Fat-body mass varied seasonally and was inversely correlated with spermatogenesis and to embryonic development. Females were larger in body size and interlimb length, and smaller in head length than males. We observed interpopulational differences in minimum body size, litter size, and timing of birth, probably as a result of phenotypic plasticity, genetic divergence or both.

An endogenous retroviral envelope syncytin and its cognate receptor identified in the viviparous placental Mabuya lizard

Syncytins are envelope genes from endogenous retroviruses that have been captured during evolution for a function in placentation. They have been found in all placental mammals in which they have been searched, including marsupials. Placental structures are not restricted to mammals but also emerged in some other vertebrates, most frequently in lizards, such as the viviparous Mabuya Scincidae. Here, we performed high-throughput RNA sequencing of a Mabuya placenta transcriptome and screened for the presence of retroviral env genes with a full-length ORF. We identified one such gene, which we named "syncytin-Mab1," that has all the characteristics expected for a syncytin gene. It encodes a membrane-bound envelope protein with fusogenic activity ex vivo, is expressed at the placental level as revealed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, and is conserved in all Mabuya species tested, spanning over 25 My of evolution. Its cognate receptor, required for its fusogenic activity, was searched for by a screening assay using the GeneBridge4 human/Chinese hamster radiation hybrid panel and found to be the MPZL1 gene, previously identified in mammals as a signal-transducing transmembrane protein involved in cell migration. Together, these results show that syncytin capture is not restricted to placental mammals, but can also take place in the rare nonmammalian vertebrates in which a viviparous placentotrophic mode of reproduction emerged. It suggests that similar molecular tools have been used for the convergent evolution of placentation in independently evolved and highly distant vertebrates.

Systematics of the Genus Trachylepis Fitzinger, 1843 (Sauria: Scincidae) in Iran: A review

There are several papers related to the split of the Mabuya group (sensu lato) into four different subfamilies (Chinoniniinae, Mabuyinae, Dasiinae, Trachylepidinae). The Iranian species of Mabuya and totally the Middle East species of this old genus come under Afro-Malagasy clade. Also septemtaeniata and transcaucasica are more related to Euprepis branch in Afro-Malagasy clade. Further, transcaucasica should be treated as a subspecies of Euprepis and with septemtaeniata as a good species (Mausfeld and Schmitz, 2003). The Turkish species of Mabuya not only belong to any of the four aforementioned genera (Durmus et al., 2011), but also diversified from Mabuya and the rest Trachylepis species (Guclu et al., 2014). The Mabuya Afro-Malagasy and Cape Verdian group morphologically shows an intermediate position between the Asian and the South American groups. Assuming an Asian origin of the genus “Mabuya” (Horton 1973; Greer 1977) (Quoted from Faizi and Rastegar-Pouyani, 2006). According to Moravec et al. (2006) there is no record of T.aurata from Iran, but Turkish populations belong to T.aurata. The Populations from central and northern Iran belong to T. s. transcaucasiaca (Chernov, 1926) and southern populations belonging to Trachylepis septemtaeniata (Reuss, 1834). According to Morphological and molecular data, the Turkish T.vittata, T.aurata, T. septemtaeniata are separate species and T. vittata is branched off first. Based on morphological characters the Iranian T.vittata is a distinct species. The aim of this study is to provide a detailed account on current taxonomic and distributional status of the genus Trachylepis with special reference to the Iranian Plateau species. A new and updated taxonomic, biogeographic and phylogenetic status of the Iranian species of Trachylepis, based on morphological and molecular data, is at hand by the authors

A new species of skink from the Guadeloupe Archipelago (Squamata, Mabuyidae, Mabuya)

A new species of lizard of the genus Mabuya is described from a small island in the Guadeloupe Archipelago: Terre de Bas, Iles de la Petite Terre. Mabuya parviterrae sp. nov. is allied with the other four species of Mabuya from Guadeloupe. However, it differs in scalation, coloration, and (where available) DNA sequence. Of the nine named species in the genus, only M. dominicana (from Dominica), M. desiradae (from La Desirade), nd M. parviterrae sp. nov. have escaped decimation and possible extinction by the Small Indian Mongoose, Urva auropunctata. The latter two species of skinks are critically endangered, being threatened by the Black Rat (Rattus rattus) and degraded habitat that has not recovered from early land use. The Petite Terre Skink probably has one of the smallest distributions of a vertebrate species. The species consists of approximately 50 individuals living primarily in a dry stone wall of less than 500 square meters in extent.

Diet, Microhabitat use and Daily Activity Patterns of an Andean Population ofMabuya(Squamata: Scincidae)

We studied diet composition, microhabitat use and daily activity patterns of an Andean population of Mabuya in a disturbed tropical habitat to evaluate if these features differed sexually, ontogenetically, seasonally, and among reproductive stages. Lizards ate mainly crickets plus grasshoppers, spiders and cockroaches; these prey were the most important in terms of volume and number. There were no significant differences in the number, type and abundance of prey, as well as in the length and volume of the consumed prey between males and females. There were significant differences between the diet of adults and juveniles. Lizards ate prey with similar volumes and lengths throughout the year independent of the rainfall regime. Also, there were no significant differences in prey volume and length with regard to the reproductive stages of females and males. The lack of variation in diet in this population suggests a constant availability of prey in the study area. When we compared diet composition of this population with that of other species of Mabuya, we found that diet tends to be similar among the different species and populations of Mabuya in South America. Adult lizards showed two activity peaks during the day, before and after midday; this pattern of daily activity was constant throughout the year. Preferred microhabitats used by this population are related to anthropogenic disturbance. The population of the present study seems to have quite wide ecological requirements (generalist diet, use of a wide spectrum of microhabitats and extended daily activity), which allows it to exploit disturbed habitats.

Redescription and biogeography of Mabuya cochabambae Dunn with comments on Bolivian congeners (Lacertilia: Scincidae)

On the basis of new material, observations in the field, and data from living specimens, we redescribe Mabuya cochabambae Dunn and discuss its distribution and biogeography. Morphological and molecular evidence strongly suggests that M. cochabambae and M. dorsivittata are sister taxa. In addition to M. cochabambae, we tabulate morphological data for three other Mabuya occurring in Bolivia: M. dorsivittata Cope, M. frenata (Cope), and M. guaporicola Dunn. Mabuya altamazonica Miralles et al. and M. nigropunctata (Spix) both occur in Bolivia, specimens of the former coming from the western lowlands and of the latter from the eastern lowlands of central Santa Cruz. Finally, we propose a new key to the eight species of Mabuya occurring in Bolivia.

Predation by lizards as a mortality source for juvenile lizards in Brazil

Abstract Among mortality factors for juvenile lizards one of the most important is predation, either by individuals of different sympatric species or by individuals of the same species (cannibalism). We analyzed the available data in the literature regarding Brazilian lizards in order to evaluate the role of lizards as source of mortality for juvenile sympatric lizards, with emphasis on cannibalism. We found a total of eight species of juvenile lizards reported as prey of other sympatric lizard species, and six species of lizards that preyed on juvenile ones. Of the 13 records of predation on juvenile lizards, 46.1% were made by tropidurid lizards, 30.8% by teiids, and 23.1% by skinks. We found a total of 13 cases of cannibalism reported for nine species of lizards, with the frequency of occurrence varying from 0.7 to 3.8% in the sample of the lizards analyzed. Most cannibalistic lizards were males, which are the sex with the largest body size in most species, but in species of Mabuya, in which males are ...

Ecological Characteristics of the Skink, Mabuya Longicaudata, on a Tropical East Asian Island

I describe morphological and ecological characteristics including habitat use, diet, and male and female reproductive cycles of Mabuya longicaudata, an oviparous lizard inhabiting a tropical island off the coast of Taiwan. Nearly 50% (n = 76) of individuals observed were in holes in a concrete wall that had higher temperatures than other microhabitats. The diet consisted mostly of orthopterans (31.1%), coleopterans (20.5%), and hemipterans (15.2%). Four prey categories, Tettigoniidae, crickets, Scarabaeidae, and Cicadellidae, dominated the diet, and some lizards' stomachs contained plant food, including seeds, leaves, and fruit. The mean snout-vent length (SVL) of adult males (n = 71) was 118.7 mm (range 100.9–130.4), and that of females (n = 82) was 113.5 mm (range 98.1–126.8). Females exhibited a spring vitellogenic period with parturition occurring from February to August. The onset of vitellogenesis showed a negative correlation with the mass of the female fat bodies. Females produced one to 13 eggs per clutch, and clutch size was positively correlated with SVL. Two clutches were suggested during a single year in some individuals. Testis mass showed cyclical changes with a maximum in the breeding months from January to July. Male fat bodies exhibited the lowest mass from January to June, coincident with the period of reproductive activity. Clutch size in other Mabuya species are compared with those in M. longicaudata.

Speciation in the "Várzéa" flooded forest: a new Mabuya (Squamata, Scincidae) from Western Amazonia

Mabuya altamazonica sp. nov. is described from Peruvian Amazonia. This species is sympatric with M. nigropunctata. Despite their superficial similarity, those two Amazonian species could be differentiated both by cephalic scalation characters and molecular results (12S rRNA). Mabuya altamazonica sp. nov. differs from all Amazonian and Andean species of Mabuya by the combined presence of (1) paired prefrontals and frontoparietals, (2) a single pair of nuchals, (3) four supraoculars, (4) five subequal supraciliaries, (5) seven supralabials with the fifth being the largest and placed under the eye, (6) parietals in contact behind the interparietal and (7) dark palms and soles.

Allantoplacental ultrastructure of an Andean population ofMabuya (Squamata, Scincidae)

Mabuya species are highly matrotrophic viviparous lizards with Type IV epitheliochorial allantoplacenta. The allantoplacenta of an Andean population of this genus, currently assigned to Mabuya sp., possesses specializations related to histotrophic nutrition at the embryonic hemisphere (placentome, paraplacentome, and chorionic areolas), while at the abembryonic hemisphere it has a mixed function: histotrophic transfer (absorptive plaques) and hemotrophic nutrition (gas exchange in respiratory segments). These placental specializations were studied using high-resolution light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and were compared with those found in other squamate reptiles and eutherian mammals. Cytological features of the placentome suggest that this is an important region for nutritional provision; the paraplacentome also shows characteristics for nutrient transfer, especially lipids. Chorionic areolas allow the absorption of glandular products, as well as uterine and chorionic cellular debris produced by lysis of some cells of both epithelia during areola formation. In the absorptive plaques both uterine and chorionic epithelia are firmly attached and their cellular apices exhibit electron-dense granules that could be related to autocrine and paracrine functions. The short interhemal distance found in the respiratory segments confirms their role in gas exchange. A common feature of all regional specializations in the Mabuya sp. allantoplacenta is the presence of lipids in the interacting chorionic and uterine epithelia, suggesting that lipids are transferred throughout the entire embryonic chamber; placental transfer of lipids may be the principal fetal energy and lipid source in this species. In spite of this feature, each one of the specialized areas of the allantoplacenta has different features suggesting particular functions in the transfer of nutrients (as ions, lipids, proteins, amino acids, sugar, water, and gases), and in the possible synthesis of hormones and proteins. The placental complexity observed in this species of Mabuya is greater than in any other reptile, and resembles that of eutherian mammals: Each one of these specializations of the placental membranes in Mabuya sp. is similar to those found among different eutherian mammals, indicating a very impressive evolutionary convergence at the histological and cytological levels between both clades. However, no eutherian mammal species simultaneously displays all of these specializations in the embryonic chamber as does Mabuya sp.

A new species of Mabuya (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Venezuelan Andes

A new species of Mabuya (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Venezuelan Andes

A new species of Mabuya (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Venezuelan Andes

Mabuya meridensis sp. nov. is described from the Cordillera de Mérida, Venezuelan Andes. This species differs from all other Mabuya species by the combined presence of seven dark and four whitish longitudinal stripes, paired frontoparietals, and forelimbs touching hindlimbs when adpressed against body. Mabuya meridensis is the second species of Mabuya to be described from the Andes. The only other species described from the Andes is M. cochabambae, native to the Inner-Andean dry valley of central Bolivia. With addition of the new species, five species of Mabuya are now known to occur in Venezuela (M. carvalhoi, M. croizati, M. falconensis, M. meridensis, and M. nigropunctata).

Helminth communities of two sympatric skinks (Mabuya agilis and Mabuya macrorhyncha) from two "restinga" habitats in southeastern Brazil.

The helminth fauna of two sympatric congeneric skinks (Mabuya agilis and M. macrorhyncha) from two distinct "restinga" habitats (Praia das Neves and Grussaí) in southeastern Brazil were studied, totalling four data sets (sample sizes ranging from 11 to 28). A total of ten helminth species were associated with the skinks: Raillietiella sp., Paradistomum parvissimum, Pulchrosomoides elegans, Oochoristica ameivae, Hexametra boddaertii, Parapharyngodon sceleratus, Physalopteroides venancioi, Physaloptera sp., an unidentified acuariid nematode and an unidentified centrorhynchid acanthocephalan. Except for Hexametra boddaertii (found only in Grussaí) and Pulchrosomoides elegans (found only in Praia das Neves), all helminth species were present at both localities. Half of the helminth species were present only as larvae and, in most cases, appear to represent paratenic parasitism. Overall prevalences of infection were high for both host species in both localities. Mabuya agilis tended to have richer and more diverse infracommunities than M. macrorhyncha. Some parameters of infection by individual helminth species seem to be related to the ecology of each Mabuya species. The parasite faunas were qualitatively very similar among species and/or localities, but quantitative similarities were more varied, due to differential representativeness of individual helminth species among host populations. The helminth communities of both skink species can be classified as non-interactive, being composed of site-specialists and immature stages of non-lizard parasites.

On the Nomenclature of the Skink (Mabuya) Endemic to the Western Atlantic Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil

The skink genus Mabuya currently comprises more than 100 species worldwide (Greer and Broadley, 2000; Greer and Nussbaum, 2000). Approximately 20 species are known for the Neotropics (Mijares-Urrutia and Arends R., 1997; Greer et al., 2000; Rodrigues, 2000). As is the case for many of the Old World species, systematics of the Neotropical forms remain unsatisfactorily resolved. One of the South American taxa, currently referred to as Mabuya maculata, is endemic to the archipelago of Femando de Noronha, in the western Atlantic, approximately 200 km off the northeast Brazilian coast. Specimens from Fernando de Noronha differ from other Mabuya species in numerous morphological features, especially strongly keeled dorsal scales, uniform coloration without a trace of striping, and unusually high dorsal, ventral, and midbody scale counts (e.g., Dunn, 1935; Peters and Donoso-Barros, 1970). As a result, they have been linked to the Cape Verde Islands Mabuya species, rather than to any of the New World congeners (e.g., Dunn, 1935; Horton, 1973). In spite of the Noronha species' distinctiveness and restricted geographic range, the question of which is the valid name because it has been much discussed since its first description over 160 years ago and, in our opinion, is not yet resolved. The Mabuya from Fernando de Noronha was first described by Gray (1839) as Tiliqua punctata. On the same page of the same work, Gray described a second skink, Tiliqua maculata, from Demerara, British Guiana (now Guyana). Since then, both names have been alternatively considered synonymous and distinct by

Parallel gigantism and complex colonization patterns in the Cape Verde scincid lizards Mabuya and Macroscincus (Reptilia: Scincidae) revealed by mitochondrial DNA sequences.

The scincid lizards of the Cape Verde islands comprise the extinct endemic giant Macroscincus coctei and at least five species of Mabuya, one of which, Mabuya vaillanti, also had populations with large body size. Phylogenetic analysis based on DNA sequences derived from the mitochondrial cytochrome b, cytochrome oxidase I and 12S rRNA genes (711, 498 and 378 base pairs (bp), respectively) corroborates morphological evidence that these species constitute a clade and that Macroscincus is unrelated to very large skinks in other areas. The relationships are ((M. vaillanti and Mabuya delalandii) (Mabuya spinalis and Macroscincus coctei (Mabuya fogoensis nicolauensis (Mabuya fogoensis antaoensis and Mabuya stangeri)))). The Cape Verde archipelago was colonized from West Africa, probably in the Late Miocene or Early Pliocene period. The north-eastern islands were probably occupied first, after which the ancestor of M. vaillanti and M. delalandii may have originated on Boavista, the ancestor of the latter species arriving on Santiago or Fogo later. The M. fogoensis--M. stangeri clade colonized the islands of Branco, Razo, Santa Luzia and São Vicente from São Nicolau and reached Santo Antão after this. Colonization of these northeastern islands was slow, perhaps because the recipient islands had not developed earlier or because colonization cut across the path of the Canary Current and the Northeast Trade Winds, the main dispersing agents in the region. Rapid extension of range into the southwestern islands occurred later in M. spinalis and then in M. vaillanti and M. delalandii. The long apparent delay between the origin of these species and their southwestern dispersal may have been because there were earlier colonizations of the southern islands which excluded later ones until the earlier inhabitants were exterminated by volcanic or climatic events. The evolution of large size in Macroscincus occurred in the northwestern islands and was paralleled in the eastern and southern islands by populations of M. vaillanti. Both cases of size increase in Cape Verde skinks were accompanied by the development of herbivory.

Thermal ecology and activity patterns of the lizard community of the Restinga of Jurubatiba, Macaé, RJ.

We analyzed the thermal ecology and activity patterns of the lizard community from the Restinga of Jurubatiba, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The broadest activity was that of Tropidurus torquatus, a sit-and-wait forager, while the active foraging teiid Cnemidophorus littoralis had the shortest activity. The nocturnal gekkonid Hemidactylus mabouia was found active during the day only during early morning and late afternoon, when environmental temperatures are low. Body temperature was highest for Cnemidophorus littoralis and lowest for the two Mabuya species. The patterns found here are discussed and compared to those of congeneric species in other habitats in Brazil.

Nematode infection patterns in four sympatric lizards from a restinga habitat (Jurubatiba) in Rio de Janeiro state, southeastern Brazil

AbstractSpecimens of the four most abundant diurnal lizards (Tropidurus torquatus, Cnemidophorus littoralis, Mabuya macrorhyncha and M. agilis) inhabiting the restinga of Jurubatiba, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil were examined for nematodes. Eight species of nematodes were found. Tropidurus torquatus had the richest (8 species) and most diverse nematode fauna, whereas that of C. littoralis was the poorest (2 species) and less diverse. Tropidurus torquatus also had the highest overall prevalence (92%) and mean infection intensity (37.2; standard deviation 82.0; range 2-549). Similarities in nematode faunal composition between host species was generally low, except between the two Mabuya species.

Additional Species of Mabuya Fitzinger (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) from Western Madagascar

Two new species of the lygosomine, scincid genus Mabuya, tentatively assigned to the aureo- punctata-Group, are described from the drier regions of western Madagascar. Mabuya tandrefana sp nov. was found at seven sites ranging from Kirindy Forest northward along the western coastal belt to Baly Bay. It occurs in tsingy, limestone habitats in Bemaraha and Namoroka Reserves and on the ground and bases of tree trunks in dry, deciduous forests and in savannah dominated by satrana palms. It is a small- to medium-sized species (adults 50-58 mm SVL) identified by (1) the presence of a rectangular subocular scale, (2) absence of a bold pattern of white spots on a dark background on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the head, neck, and anterior half of the body, (3) four supraocular scales and a model number of five (4-6) superciliary scales, (4) dorsum nearly immaculate brown to tan-brown separated from a black lateral stripe by a dorsolateral, narrow, light tan stripe, which may be faintly expressed or absent, especially posteriorly, and (5) absence of a ventrolateral, white stripe below the black lateral stripe. Mabuya volamenaloha sp nov. is known from three sites in the deciduous dry forests and tsingy habitats associated with Bemaraha Re- serve. It is smaller than M. tandrefana (adults 48-52 mm SVL), with which it is sympatric, and has the same scalation pattern (rectangular subocular, four supraoculars, five superciliaries). It is further identified by having (1) a lateral black stripe from behind the eye to just above the forelimb or slightly beyond, below which is a row of large white spots that may be fused or partially fused into a white line extending from below the eye, across the ear, and ending above the forelimb or further posteriorly on the body, (2) a bright coppery (in life) dorsal head coloration, and (3) five, dorsal, coppery, longitudinal stripes on a black ground color extending from the back of the head onto the neck, fading posteriorly, and disappearing above the pelvis. These two new forms increase to 14 (possibly 15 if the holotype of M. betsileana was collected in Mad- agascar) the number of Mabuya species known for Madagascar, all but one of which are endemic. The discovery during the past five years of eight new skinks of the genus Mabuya in Madagascar, more than doubling the number of species known for that island, dramatically emphasizes both our poor understand- ing of the biodiversity of Madagascar and the startlingly high number of species endemic to this island. Recent surveys of the amphibian, reptile, and small mammal faunas of Madagascar have re- vealed a high number of unknown species. This is surprising, because Madagascar, with about 400 previously described species of amphibians and reptiles, was already considered to have an unusually large herpetofauna for an island of its size. We now estimate that the herpetofauna of Madagascar minimally comprises 550-600 spe- cies, including recently discovered and as yet undescribed species. Most of the recently found species belong to genera or species-groups that are endemic to Madagascar, reinforcing the con- clusion that the herpetofauna consists of groups that have been isolated on Madagascar for a very long period. The lygosomine scincids of Madagascar con-

The Ecology of the Skink Mabuya frenata in an Area of Rock Outcrops in Southeastern Brazil

The Ecology of the Skink Mabuya frenata in an Area of Rock Outcrops in Southeastern Brazil