Reptile Species Research Articles

What are we saving? The amphibians and reptiles of the rice paddies in the Balasore District, Odisha, India

Agriculture is widely recognized as one of the major conservation threats to herpetofaunal species. Any conservationactions, particularly those aimed at herpetofauna beyond the network of protected areas, require baseline dataon existing species diversity in an area. Unfortunately, most biodiversity studies are focused on producing inventoriesof animals in a small number of protected areas. To accrue truly meaningful benefits, conservation needs to focus onhuman-dominated landscapes beyond protected areas, such as agricultural lands. Scientific documentation of farmlandherpetofauna is entirely lacking, which could lead to a lack of management and effective inclusion of herpetofaunain conservation. I assessed the species of amphibians and reptiles in tropical rice paddies near the Kuldiha WildlifeSanctuary in Balasore District, Odisha, India. Based on ecological sampling and community interviews, combined withliterature reviews and field guides, I report a total of 55 species including 16 species of amphibians in five families and39 species of reptiles in 15 families.

Verifying the Diet of the Slender Racer, <i>Orientocoluber spinalis</i> (Peters, 1866), Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Across Northeast Asian Countries

Understanding the diet of a species provides important information on various aspects of its ecology. Diet studies are few on the reptile species, of which observation frequency is very low, due to the great difficulty of sampling. We investigated the diet of Orientocoluber spinalis, a long and slender small grassland snake with high rarity and a high extinction risk across northeast Asian countries, by applying regurgitated stomach content analysis and metabarcoding analysis using a developed O. spinalis blocking primer. Among 19 diet samples, which were mainly collected on islands along the west coast of the Korean Peninsula, we determined the food sources of 13 samples, which consisted of four small vertebrate species, the Tsushima smooth skink (Scincella vandenburghi), mountain grass lizard (Takydromus wolteri), Japanese keelback (Hebius vibakari), and lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura shantungensis). Among them, O. spinalis most frequently fed on S. vandenburghi (10 of 13 cases). Our results show that O. spinalis mainly forages small reptiles and mammals in grasslands adjoining to lowland forests and could be beneficial for conservation in the field and rearing of this vulnerable species in the facilities.

Patient-friendly clinics: exotics

Patient-centric care is increasingly better represented across many veterinary practices, particularly in the most commonly kept domestic companion pets. With specialised accreditations such as the International Society of Feline Medicine ‘Cat Friendly Clinic’ award, the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund ‘Rabbit Friendly Vets’ initiative and the Dogs Trust ‘Dog Friendly Vet Clinics’, veterinary practices and individuals are able to demonstrate their commitment to species-focused practice, incorporating up-to-date techniques and implementing species-specific adaptations to ultimately reduce stress to the patients and owners while simultaneously cementing a pledge to advocate for these patients when they are under veterinary care. Currently, there are fewer available resources or accreditations for the less commonly presented pets, which are often grouped as ‘exotics’ – a large category of animals from a variety of taxonomic groups including avian, reptilian, amphibian, invertebrate, rodent and small mammal species – though this does not mean that they should not be represented or advocated for, in the same way.

Mandibular gland proteomics of the Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea, and the red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard, Abronia lythrochila

A useful approach to deepen our knowledge about the origin and evolution of venom systems in Reptilia has been exploring the vast biodiversity of this clade of vertebrates in search of orally produced proteins with toxic actions, as well as their corresponding delivery systems. The occurrence of toxins in anguimorph lizards has been demonstrated experimentally or inferred from reports of the toxic effects of the oral secretions of taxa within the Varanidae and Helodermatidae families. In the present study, we have focused on two alligator lizards of the Anguidae family, the Mexican alligator lizard, Abronia graminea, and the red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard, A. lythrochila. In addition, the fine morphology of teeth of the latter species is described. The presence of a conserved set of proteins, including B-type natriuretic peptides, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, group III phospholipase A2, and kallikrein, in submandibular gland extracts was demonstrated for both Abronia species. These proteins belong to toxin families found in oral gland secretions of venomous reptile species. This finding, along with previous demonstration of toxin-producing taxa in both paleo- and neoanguimorpha clades, provides further support for the existence of a handful of conserved toxin families in oral secretions across the 100+ million years of Anguimorpha cladogenesis.

Freshwater fish sanctuaries provide benefits for riparian wildlife

AbstractBenefits to wildlife communities stemming from the protection of a single species have been documented in terrestrial and marine systems but remain understudied within the context of freshwater‐protected areas (FPAs). We used five long‐standing (>80 years) FPAs in three lakes in eastern Ontario, Canada, which were initially established to protect native black bass (Micropterus spp.) from angling exploitation, to assess whether this protection affected wildlife communities found in the riparian areas of these FPAs. From May to July 2021, we used baited remote camera traps and visual surveys to assess species diversity within and outside of FPAs. We recorded 61 species spanning mammalian, avian and herpetofauna taxa, with the two assessment methods identifying unique sets of species (23% overlap). Camera traps showed that animals were more active in riparian areas during the day (62% of detections) than at night. FPAs had a variable but overall positive influence on riparian wildlife biodiversity, hosting more bird, mammal, amphibian and reptile species than non‐protected areas and having higher species richness. FPAs differed from other sites in the lakes by having higher habitat complexity, less human infrastructure and less human use, which potentially contributed to these differences. This study raises awareness that even small FPAs can have legacy, umbrella‐type benefits that extend beyond fishes to the wildlife that use the adjacent riparian areas.

A new long-snouted vine snake species in the genus Ahaetulla Link, 1807 (Colubridae: Chrysopeleinae) from India

A new species of long-snouted arboreal snake of the genus Ahaetulla Link, 1807, is described from the Indian states of Bihar and Meghalaya. Molecular phylogenetic analysis using three mitochondrial genes recovered the new species as a member of the A. fusca clade and as a sister the species to A. laudankia. The new species differs from its congeners in bearing an elongate rostral appendage, green or ochre dorsum, orange-brown belly, and moderately keeled vertebral dorsal scale row. This description of a new reptile species highlights the need for systematic documentation of biodiversity in the region.

Management of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes for reptile conservation

ABSTRACT Bushrocks provide critical habitat for reptiles and are a common feature in agricultural landscapes. Recent advances in soil amelioration practices have triggered a resurgence in the large-scale removal of bushrock from commodity production regions. Rock removal practices have substantial impacts on biodiversity, particularly for range-restricted and rock-dependent reptile species. We discuss findings from several observational studies and natural experiments on the ecological role of bushrocks in agricultural landscapes to inform land management and restoration practices. We found that bushrocks were critical as overwintering retreats, and reptiles preferred higher elevation areas with minimal canopy cover. We found reptiles rapidly responded to bushrock restoration, with increases in abundance and richness of reptiles in rock addition plots compared to controls. Our research highlights the importance of bushrock habitat, and the removal of such habitat may have far-reaching consequences. Conservation of reptiles in agricultural landscapes requires appropriate management and retention of bushrock. We urge for greater protection of existing bushrock habitats and consideration of rock as a restoration tool to improve conservation outcomes for reptiles in agricultural landscapes.

Crepuscular and small but not evolutionary unique species are the reptiles less affected by roadkill in Europe

We extensively reviewed scientific literature and extracted a large dataset with roadkill events for reptile species. We examined 300 articles from 33 European countries, gathering 1688 records of reptiles killed by vehicle traffic. A total of 125 taxa were found documented as roadkill (100 native and 25 exotic species). We calculated each species' occurrence frequency within the database (henceforth ‘relative roadkill frequency'). The relative roadkill of species was strongly and significantly correlated when comparing the whole dataset and the subset of systematic studies. We modelled the inter‐specific variation in relative roadkill frequency across the European reptilian phylogeny concerning species traits, evolutionary uniqueness, and distribution range using a phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS) model. Overall, reptile casualties are more pronounced for more closely related species. However, the relative roadkill frequency was unrelated to the level of evolutionary distinctiveness of European reptiles. Additionally, relative roadkill frequency was not correlated to the distribution range but was positively correlated with the species' body mass. The reptiles more frequently cited as road casualties were overall relatively large species: Montpellier snake Malpolon monspessulanus, European grass snake Natrix natrix, and Caspian whipsnake Dolichophis caspius. Additionally, more active species during the crepuscular hours were less affected by roadkill. From a conservation point of view, our results suggest that roadkill frequency is not more significant for evolutionary, more unique reptiles than for other species in Europe, while at the same time, widely distributed species are not the main target of roadkill events. Then, the main causes of roadkill in reptiles must be associated with other factors, such as behavioural traits or density of populations, rather than simply the size of their distribution range.Keywords: evolutionary uniqueness, phylogenetic signal, reptile species, roadkill incidence, wildlife conservation

Hatching success rate of sea turtle in the north coast of Pinrang Regency, South Sulawesi

Background: Turtles are endangered marine reptile species due to various factors, including hunting, habitat loss, and predation. Therefore, practical conservation efforts are essential to protect turtle populations. One effective conservation strategy is to transfer turtle eggs to safe semi-natural nests. Methods: This study was conducted in Turtle Village, Pinrang Regency. Leatherback and Green Turtle eggs were collected from natural nests along the coast and transferred to semi-natural nests. Observations were made to measure the hatching success rate of the eggs, and factors such as temperature, incubation period, predators, microorganism development, and changes in egg position were also recorded and analyzed. Finding: The results showed that the hatching success rate of eggs in semi-natural nests reached 80.23%. The highest hatching percentage was 86.36%, and the lowest was 68.33%. Factors that influenced hatching success included temperature and incubation period while hatching failure was caused by predators, microorganism development, and changes in egg position. Conclusion: This study shows that semi-natural nests in Turtle Village have a high hatching success rate with supportive environmental conditions and proper egg transmission. This indicates that conservation efforts through egg transfer to semi-natural nests can effectively increase turtle populations. Novelty/Originality: This study: It contributes to turtle conservation by demonstrating the effectiveness of semi-natural nests in increasing the hatching success rate of Leatherback and Green Turtle eggs. This approach can serve as a model for turtle conservation programs in other areas facing similar challenges.

The herpetofauna of the Sporades Islands (Aegean Sea, Greece): New discoveries and a review of a century of research

The Sporades are one of the most biologically important archipelagos in the Aegean Sea (Greece) and have received priority conservation over the last 50 years. However, despite numerous early efforts, its herpetofauna is only partially described, resulting in many distributional gaps that have prevented adequate understanding and management of the resident species communities. We review one century of bibliography from the Northern Sporades and combine this information with a review of museum specimens and insights from numerous extensive field surveys over the last near-decade to provide for the first time a comprehensive picture of the reptiles and amphibians of the archipelago. We report here on 26 new island records and find that the herptile communities of the region are largely derived from the herpetofauna of the nearby Thessaly mainland, with only a few introduced taxa. There is also a small but significant set of endemic taxa in the archipelago. Island species richness declines with decreasing island size and increasing duration of island isolation. Herptile communities on smaller islands are progressively nested subsets of the communities on larger islands. The presence of reptile species depends sensitively on the condition and management of native ecosystems. While non-aquatic species maintain largely healthy populations, most populations are under pressure from the combined effects of rampant tourist development, the destruction and degradation of rare wetland habitats, and the abandonment of traditional agricultural landscapes. We provide recommendations regarding sustainable management of the local reptile and amphibian populations.

Role of local markets in illegal wildlife trade and conservation efforts for trafficked species

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in wildlife crime worldwide. In Benin, hunting activities are prevalent near protected areas, facilitating networks engaged in the illicit trade of wildlife products. Consequently, there is an urgent need to investigate the specific role of local markets in wildlife trafficking to support conservation efforts. This study examined 24 markets selling carcasses of animals and conducted interviews with forestry officers to compile a list of ex-situ wildlife management centres and the species they protect. A total of 161 wildlife species were identified, including 39 mammal species, 33 reptile species, and 89 bird species, whose products are traded in these markets. A substantial portion of these species is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List and the appendices of the CITES convention. These products originate from both domestic and international sources, including Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon, and Senegal. The beneficiaries of these trafficked products span populations in Benin, Nigeria, China, Burkina Faso, India, Ghana, Niger, and Togo. Interestingly, the proximity of markets to protected areas did not significantly impact species richness within the markets, although traded species reflected those found in protected areas. Furthermore, our investigation revealed 20 ex-situ wildlife management centres in Benin, demonstrating a strong correlation between species managed ex-situ and those traded. This study highlights the substantial pressure exerted by illegal wildlife trade on conservation efforts in Benin.

EDNA metabarcoding: an effective tool for vertebrate diversity studies in the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco basins

The development of fast, cost-effective, non-invasive, and efficient sampling alternatives, such as environmental DNA (eDNA), is crucial for understanding the changes in species biodiversity and distributions worldwide, particularly for low abundance, cryptic, and threatened species. This study utilized environmental eDNA to analyze the variety of aquatic, semi-aquatic, and terrestrial vertebrates in the Colombian Amazon and Orinoco basins. The study focused on four main subregions: Bojonawi Natural Reserve and adjacent areas (Vichada Department), Sierra de la Macarena National Park and Tillavá (Meta Department), Puerto Nariño and adjacent areas (Amazonas Department), and the Municipality of Solano (Caquetá Department). A total of 709 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified across all sampling locations. The Orinoco River had the highest number of fish genera (68), while the Guayabero River had the highest number of tetrapod genera (13). New taxonomic records were found for all locations, with the highest number of previously undetected fish diversity being found in the Bita, Orinoco, and Tillavá rivers, compared to traditional surveys. Likewise, the study identified two fish species, four mammal species, and one reptile species as vulnerable. Additionally, four mammal species were identified as endangered, including the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), two subspecies of the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis and Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana), and the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis). Standardizing the methodology and improving current DNA sequence databases for the Neotropics is essential to develop future eDNA studies and enhance our understanding of the region’s diversity.

Ctenotus rungulla sp. nov. (Scincidae; Sphenomorphinae), a new sandstone-associated skink that highlights reptile endemism in Queensland's Gregory Range

Cuckoo wasp strip.jpg Open-access, online, rapid taxonomy Australian Journal of Taxonomy AJT Home | Taxonomy Australia Home https://doi.org/10.54102/ajt Ctenotus rungulla sp. nov. (Scincidae; Sphenomorphinae), a new sandstone-associated skink that highlights reptile endemism in Queensland's Gregory Range Stephen M. Zozaya, Dylan W. Case, & Conrad J. Hoskin Author details ⏷ Abstract We describe a new sphenomorphine skink, Ctenotus rungulla sp. nov., currently known only from sandstone habitats in the Gregory Range of inland northern Queensland. Ctenotus rungulla sp. nov. would be identified as C. brevipes or C. terrareginae using keys available at the time of publication. The new species differs most obviously from the regionally sympatric C. brevipes in having 5–6 distinct ear lobules, which are entirely absent in C. brevipes. The new species differs from the allopatric C. terrareginae in being smaller and in various aspects of colour-pattern. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data, however, indicate that C. rungulla sp. nov. is most closely related to the allopatric C. ingrami, from which the new species differs in being smaller, lacking a vertebral stripe, possessing a red-orange flush on the hindbody, and in having a higher midbody scale row count. Ctenotus rungulla sp. nov. is now the fourth reptile species known to be endemic to the Gregory Range, highlighting the biodiversity values of this remote rocky region.

Evidence for seasonal shift in the reproduction of Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) in managed care in the Northern hemisphere compared to the natural habitat in the Southern hemisphere.

Ex situ breeding constitutes an important tool for species conservation; however, many reptile species are not managed sustainably under human care due to poor fecundity in ex situ settings. In this study, we tested whether the translocation of a seasonally reproducing species to a different environment results in decoupling of extrinsic signals and intrinsic conditions. The endocrinological patterns of plasma steroid sex hormones, follicular development, and mating behaviour of two female and two male sexually mature Aldabra tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) in a zoological institution in the Northern hemisphere was aligned with enclosure climate data (mean monthly daylight duration, temperature, and precipitation) and compared with respective hormone patterns of wild individuals and climate conditions in the native habitat on the Aldabra Atoll in the Southern hemisphere. Whereas occurrence of mating behaviour was not considered a limiting factor, lack of ovulation and subsequent follicular atresia was the main reason for the lack of reproductive output. While it was impossible to elucidate the triggering factors of ovulation and the multifactorial complexity of reproduction was not fully addressed, this study indicates suboptimal temperature conditions and relative temporal shifts of interacting external triggers (temperature and photoperiod) in the zoo setting.

Using bioindicators to inform effective predator management for threatened species protection

AbstractIn Australia, most threatened species translocations conducted into areas where feral predators are present fail to establish viable, self‐sustaining populations despite intensive predator control. These translocations are occurring amidst a lack of understanding regarding the conditions required for native species to survive, including predator densities. This study investigated whether population trends of in situ common species could be used as bioindicators to determine the effectiveness of predator management for threatened species protection. We compared changes in capture rates of four small mammals and four reptile species inside and outside a predator‐proof reserve for 11 years after cat and fox removal to identify which species responded to cat and fox eradication at various time scales. We only used sites inside the reserve where threatened species had not yet been reintroduced to isolate the effects of cat and fox removal. The effectiveness of these bioindicators was then tested at an unfenced reserve where predators were controlled using baiting, trapping, and shooting. There was a significant increase in the abundance of native rodents (spinifex hopping mouse and Bolam's mouse) inside the fenced reserve compared to outside, however, these differences were not detected in the unfenced reserve possibly due to inadequate predator control or insufficient time for in situ species to recover with sustained predator control. Captures of the introduced house mouse were higher at sites inside the fenced reserve in some years, but the difference was not consistent. Native dunnarts and all four reptile species did not respond consistently over the 11‐year time frame at either reserve. Native rodent abundance was the best indicator of effective feral predator control and may provide a useful bioindicator for threatened species management, such as reintroductions.

Forecasting potential invaders to prevent future biological invasions worldwide.

The ever-increasing and expanding globalisation of trade and transport underpins the escalating global problem of biological invasions. Developing biosecurity infrastructures is crucial to anticipate and prevent the transport and introduction of invasive alien species. Still, robust and defensible forecasts of potential invaders are rare, especially for species without known invasion history. Here, we aim to support decision-making by developing a quantitative invasion risk assessment tool based on invasion syndromes (i.e., generalising typical attributes of invasive alien species). We implemented a workflow based on 'Multiple Imputation with Chain Equation' to estimate invasion syndromes from imputed datasets of species' life-history and ecological traits and macroecological patterns. Importantly, our models disentangle the factors explaining (i) transport and introduction and (ii) establishment. We showcase our tool by modelling the invasion syndromes of 466 amphibians and reptile species with invasion history. Then, we project these models to amphibians and reptiles worldwide (16,236 species [c.76% global coverage]) to identify species with a risk of being unintentionally transported and introduced, and risk of establishing alien populations. Our invasion syndrome models showed high predictive accuracy with a good balance between specificity and generality. Unintentionally transported and introduced species tend to be common and thrive well in human-disturbed habitats. In contrast, those with established alien populations tend to be large-sized, are habitat generalists, thrive well in human-disturbed habitats, and have large native geographic ranges. We forecast that 160 amphibians and reptiles without known invasion history could be unintentionally transported and introduced in the future. Among them, 57 species have a high risk of establishing alien populations. Our reliable, reproducible, transferable, statistically robust and scientifically defensible quantitative invasion risk assessment tool is a significant new addition to the suite of decision-support tools needed for developing a future-proof preventative biosecurity globally.

MILK-SUCKING "THIEVES" IN INDO-EUROPEAN FOLKLORE: AN ETYMOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ZOONYMS

The paper investigates the etymologies of several species of reptiles, amphibians, and birds whose names draw on the ancient cattle-sucker myths rooted in cultures of Indo-European origin. New or corrected explanations are suggested for a number of animal names, including the Lithuanian žal(k)tỹs 'grass snake', South Slavic *guja 'snake, viper', Hittite akuu̯akuu̯aš 'toad', which seem to confirm a primitive conviction of prehistoric people that some frogs, toads, lizards, snakes, and even birds drink milk and are able to take it directly from udders.

Development of Video Media on Reptilian and Aves Biodiversity at Ragunan Zoo

The decline in biodiversity and lack of knowledge among young people regarding Reptilia or reptiles and Aves or birds are pressing issues that require attention. To address this, an educational video has been created to provide information on various species of reptiles and birds. Field research was conducted at Ragunan Zoo to gather data on these species, which was then used to produce the educational video. The exploration results reveal the classification of 17 species of Reptilia into three orders: Crocodilia, Squamata, and Testudines. A video on Reptilia is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/NT5GOaZXmdQ. The video has a duration of 16 minutes and 44 seconds. Observations at Ragunan Zoo revealed the presence of 12 Aves species from 10 orders: Galliformes, Gruiformes, Phoenicopteriformes, Bucerotiformes, Ciconiiformes, Columbiformes, Falconiformes, Psittaciformes, Struthioniformes, and Pelecaniformes. A video about Aves is available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/aUGOXCsspmM, with a duration of 11 minutes and 47 seconds. Educational videos that feature native animals and species can help viewers gain a better understanding of animal diversity, particularly Reptilia and Aves. This increased understanding of biodiversity, including different species, can help raise awareness of the importance of preserving biodiversity.

Non-native herpetofauna of Aruba island (Caribbean): patterns and insights

Islands harbor a significant proportion of global biodiversity and also have disproportionately high richness of introduced species relative to continents. Given the sensitivity of island ecosystems to introduced species, data deficiencies on introduction pathways, patterns of establishment, and potential impacts of introduced species can hamper mitigation and conservation efforts on islands. The Caribbean region is emerging as a hotspot for introduced amphibian and reptile (herpetofaunal) species, but patterns associated with herpetofaunal introductions on specific islands are not well explored. Here, we perform a detailed investigation of Aruba, a small Caribbean island with an exceptionally high number of introduced herpetofaunal species. We compile a database from the literature of introduction pathways, introduction years, source locations, native ranges, establishment outcomes, habitat use, and ecological impacts for three newly documented species and the 12 previously documented introduced herpetofaunal species on Aruba. From this database we synthesize emergent introduction patterns on Aruba and highlight areas of data deficiency. Overall, the patterns on Aruba echo the patterns exhibited in the greater Caribbean region. Introduction rates on Aruba have been increasing exponentially, yet the introduction pathways and source locations of most species are unknown. Following introduction, most species successfully establish localized populations in anthropogenic habitat, but the ecological impacts of most species have not been well-assessed. We suggest increased monitoring of shipments will help identify potential pathways to slow the introduction of new species, and further studies of ecological impacts of introduced species are needed.

The implications of estimating rarity in Brazilian reptiles from GBIF data based on contributions from citizen science versus research institutions

AbstractUnderstanding the distribution of rare species is important for conservation prioritisation. Traditionally, museums and other research institutions have served as depositories for specimens and biodiversity information. However, estimating abundance from these sources is challenging due to spatiotemporally biased collection methods. For instance, large‐bodied reptiles that are found near research institutions or in popular, easily accessible sites tend to be overrepresented in collections compared to smaller species found in remote areas. Recently, a substantial number of observations have been amassed through citizen (or community) science initiatives, which are invaluable for monitoring purposes. Given the unstructured nature of this sampling, these datasets are often affected by biases, such as taxonomic, spatial and temporal preferences. Therefore, analysing data from these two sources can lead to different abundance estimates. This study compiled data on Brazilian reptile species from the Global Information Biodiversity Facility (GBIF). It employed a community‐ecology approach to analyse data from research institutions and citizen science initiatives, separately and collectively, to assess taxonomic and spatial species coverage and predict species rarity. Using a 1‐degree hexagonal grid, we analysed the spatial distribution of reptile communities and calculated rarity indices for 754 reptile species. Our findings reveal that 87 species were exclusively recorded in the citizen science subset, while 212 were recorded only by research institutions. The number of observations per species in the citizen science data followed a Gambin distribution, which aligns with the expected pattern of abundance in natural communities, unlike the data from research institutions. This suggests that citizen science data may be a more accurate source for estimating species abundance and rarity. The discrepancies in rarity classifications between the datasets were likely due to differences in sample size and potentially other sampling parameters. Nevertheless, combining data collected by both research institutions and citizen science initiatives can help to fill knowledge gaps in reptile species occurrence, thus enhancing the foundation for conservation efforts on a national scale.