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Observation of the endolymphatic sac in the lizard Homonota borelli (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae) in Argentina. Increased endolymphatic sac size in reptiles has received little attention in the literature. We present a note based on the observation of inflated endolymphatic sacs in two female specimens of Homonota borelli (Phyllodactylidae) from an urbanized site in Argentina. The macroscopic results indicated that the samples analyzed showed a surface with a soft and whitish dermis. Microscopically, a cystic cavity lined by simple epithelium with calcium crystals was observed. We conclude that the endolymphatic sacs presented accumulation of calcium crystals which play a role during the reproductive period in reptiles. This finding represents the first record of a macro- and microscopic analysis of inflated endolymphatic sacs in the bush lizard H. borelli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of Microlophus tigris in the surroundings of the Parque Ecológico de La Molina was registered, and distribution and behavioral patterns were recorded. Males showed a preference for areas close to the park, while females were more distant with other males. Habitat preference suggests territorial and adaptive patterns. The presence of males was pronounced compared to females, suggesting a possible sex imbalance in the population. These results provide important information for the management and conservation of the species, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches and future research on social interactions and reproductive aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a list of observations on ectoparasites of the Argentine herpetofauna reported in different publications from 1928 to 2022. A bibliographic search was carried out in electronic databases such as SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Dialnet, and Google Scholar. In total, 30 articles published in national and international journals were included. Our list contains records for 54 hosts: 36 reptiles and 18 amphibians. The registered parasites correspond to mites from the families Trombiculidae, Pterygosomatidae, Leeuwenhoekiidae, Ereynetidae and ticks from the families Ixodidae and Argasidae. In total, 4 species of Amblyomma, 1 Ornithodoros, 7 Hannemania, 2 Eutrombicula, 2 Lawrencarus and 2 Neopterygosoma were recorded. Of the total number of reptiles mentioned for Argentina (425 species), 36 species have been registered with some type of ectoparasite, with the lizards of the Liolaemidae family presenting the highest records. The ectoparasites with the highest records in reptiles are ticks of the genus Amblyomma spp. For amphibians, out of 170 species mentioned, only 18 species have been recorded with some type of ectoparasite, with frogs from the Leptodactylidae family being the ones with the highest records. The ectoparasites with the highest records in amphibians are mites of the genus Hannemania. This work is the first compilation of ectoparasites in the Argentine herpetofauna. This compilation will help to understand the current ectoparasitic situation in reptiles and amphibians, allowing the development of new management plans for species with conservation problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Intersecciones en Antropología is the property of Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? That is not a pun, joking or irrelevant question. Two hypotheses have tried to answer it. The first, and accepted for years, proposes that the evolutionary process went from oviparity, through an Embryonic Retention (ER) phase, to viviparity. In other words, the simpler egg came first, which hatched into the more complex chicken. That is known as the terrestrial model. Indeed, fishes typically lay eggs, albeit some sharks are viviparous. Even some living (extant) mammals are oviparous, (monotremes like platypus and echidnas). But new evidence has challenged such traditional view, proposing that it was the other way round. Thus, first came the chicken, which eventually laid the egg. That is the Extended Embryo-Retention (EER) model. In the first evolutionary step of this scenario, ancient reptiles, birds and mammals gave birth to offspring. Subsequently, some of them developed oviparity. Indeed, several archaeological and phylogenetic discoveries have shown that first, during the ER period, thin layers of tissues (extraembryonic membranes) evolved for a better development of the embryo, given rise to the amniotes. It is known that living reptiles (like crocodiles and turtles) and birds typically show non-EER oviparity. But curiously, most lizards, snakes and mammals exhibit oviparity with EER or viviparity. While the debate continues, both archaeology and molecular biology will contribute to clarify this interesting topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín Científico Centro de Museos de Historia Natural is the property of Universidad de Caldas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Zoologica Lilloana is the property of Fundacion Miguel Lillo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Urbanization advances progressively in Mexico City, altering multiple ecosystems. However, a great variety of organisms have successfully adapted to the urban environment, building relationships of commensalism and mutualism. Also, the proximity between urban wild species and citizens can bring benefits, but it is likely that they can start being considered a problem. Therefore, the necessity to know the perception of the inhabitants of Mexico City regarding these specimens arises, to propose solutions to this problem. An online survey was carried out, and was added to a review of the sightings of urban wildlife recorded in the last ten years in the Naturalista.mx database. It was observed that the most common wild mammals are the red-bellied squirrel, the northern cacomixtle, and the opossum. Also, the most abundant class of wild species are birds, represented by the Mexican finch and the European sparrow. Sightings of some reptiles are also reported. The benefits of urban wildlife are more difficult to quantify than human-wildlife conflicts. In such contexts, there are institutions that provide support to the population, to deal with the presence of urban fauna. Disseminating information about the contributions to the ecosystem of these species is essential to promote their conservation and harmonious coexistence with human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild fauna is of crucial importance in the social, economic and cultural construction of peasant communities, although its use can generate threats to the stability of the most exploited wild populations. This article determined from an ethnozoological point of view the uses received by wildlife in a rural town of Plato Magdalena. 70 structured interviews were carried out, using illustrated files of amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal species with distribution for this region. 103 species were recognized (11 amphibians, 29 reptiles, 32 birds and 31 mammals), where 65% support different categories of use: food, trade, pet, handicrafts and medicine, uses that include 12 reptiles, 28 birds and 27 mammals. The species with the greatest use as food are Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasiprocta punctata, Hydrochoerus h. isthmius, Mazama sanctaemartae, Pecari tajacu, Sylvilagus floridanus, Trachemys callirostris, Iguana iguana, Ortalis garrula, Dendrocygna autumnalis. Commercial use falls on Caiman crocodilus fuscus, I. iguana, T. callirostris and Chelonoidis carbonarius; and as pets Ara araruana, A. macao, Eupsittula pertinax, Brotogeris jugularis, Amazona ochrocephala, Thraupis episcopus, Sicalis flaveola, Cebus versicolor, Notosciurus granatensis and C. carbonarius. The skins of Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor, Panthera onca, C. crocodilus fuscus, Boa constrictor, and shells of C. carbonarius are used in crafts. Different species of birds, mammals and reptiles are important resources for the survival of the peasant community, whose utilitarian value is closely related to sociocultural aspects and traditional knowledge, which is important to take into account in the design of conservation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Determine the presence of Salmonella spp and the AMR in isolates of cloacal and muscle swabs in specimens of Caiman crocodilus fuscus and Crocodylus acutus in captivity, in Colombia. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional and descriptive sampling was carried out with a nonprobabilistic design for convenience, once, during the month of February 2021. 150 Caiman crocodilus fuscus and Crocodylus acutus animals were included, with a 50/50 distribution. Cloacal and muscle samples were taken with sterile swabs. These were planted on MacConkey agar, then on SS agar. These positive samples were then reconfirmed on TSI agar. Serotyping was performed with specific monovalent and polyvalent antisera. The diffusion test was performed on Mueller-Hinton agar. Results. There was no growth of colonies in any muscle sample. The presence of the bacteria in cloacal samples of Caiman crocodilus fuscus was 36% and for Crocodylus acutus 50.6%. The serotypes with the highest detection percentage in both groups were serogroup C1 and polyvalent serogroup B. Some colonies were resistant to tetracycline, while other colonies had intermediate resistance to ampicillin, cefoxitin, sulfa trimethoprim, and tetracycline. Conclusions. This is the first report related to the detection of Salmonella spp. in alligator carcasses in the country, without finding the presence of the agent in any sample evaluated, however, the importance of continuing its monitoring is emphasized to guarantee innocuous products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mundo de Antes is the property of Revista Mundo de Antes and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Colombiana de Ciencia Animal - RECIA is the property of Revista Colombiana de Ciencia Animal - RECIA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and aims: Ecological knowledge of wildlife shows that species are not equally important to human communities. The present work aims to identify the ethnospecies of higher cognitive salience to local people, and to explain their salience based on the cultural value they are assigned. M&M: The Sutrop's cognitive salience index of each ethnospecies and its statistical significance were calculated from fauna free lists. Descriptive statistical and qualitative analysis of uses and perceptions was carried out through the nature's contributions to people categories, using interviews and observation. Results: The free lists recorded a total of 100 ethnospecies, corresponding to birds (58%), mammals (18%), insects (13%), reptiles (7%), and amphibians and arachnids (2% each). Positive and negative contributions were detected in thirty-eight ethnospecies, although only eleven were statistically significant. Among the positive ones, material contributions stand out, followed by non-material and regulating ones. Among the negative, contributions were linked to damage to domestic animals and dangerousness. Additionally, relational and non-anthropocentric values appeared. Discussion and conclusions: Among relevant ethnospecies, those with the greatest number of positive contributions stand out. Also some related to negative perceptions for being responsible for attacks on domestic animals, and their dangerousness. The results provide inputs for policy makers and to re-think the links of local people with the fauna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this research was to evaluate and record the herpetological species inhabiting the La Molina Ecological Park. This is a natural area forming part of the Villa María del Triunfo hill system, despite being in the district of La Molina in Lima. We recorded five reptiles from the Order Squamata: two snakes, Bothrops pictus (Viperidae Family) and Dipsas willamsi (Colubridae Family); and three saurians, Phyllodactylus lepidopygus (Gekkonidae Family), Microlophus tigris and Microlophus sp. (Family Tropiduridae). All five species had previously documented to occur in the department of Lima, with M. tigris (n = 31/64) and P. lepidopygus (n = 29/64) being the most abundant. Out of the five species reported in this study, two species (B. pictus and P. lepidopygus) are classified as Vulnerable (VU) and one (M. tigris) as Near Threatened (NT) by the Peruvian Government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Zoologica Lilloana is the property of Fundacion Miguel Lillo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Avances en Ciencias e Ingeniería is the property of Avances en Ciencias e Ingenieria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The duration of hibernation in the green lizard (Podarcis virescens) is directly related to the reduction of the frost period in the central peninsula. According to a study conducted in the Community of Madrid, a significant decrease in the duration of hibernation of this species has been observed over the years. Furthermore, a direct relationship has been found between the duration of hibernation and the number of frost days, as well as the duration of the frost period. These results indicate that climate change and milder winters are affecting the behavior and phenology of animal species, and could lead to green lizards reducing their hibernation period and remaining active throughout the year. Further studies in this field are necessary to understand the causes and consequences of these alterations and to implement appropriate management measures. [Extracted from the article]

The Caquetá titi monkey, Plecturocebus caquetensis (Primates: Pitheciidae), is endemic to the Amazon foothills in the departments of Caquetá and Cauca, Colombia. Being a species recently described, the information on its distribution and natural history is still scarce. We present a distribution update and observations on its natural history and ecological relationships in the Department of Cauca. We obtained 129 occurrences in Caquetá (n=75) and Cauca (n=54), 51 and 31 of them, respectively, representing new records for each department. The extension of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) were 3741 km² and 196 km², respectively. Among the natural history observations, P. caquetensis occurred mainly in the edges of seasonally flooded forests with bamboo plants (Guadua sp.). The diurnal behavior included vocalization, locomotion, rest, play and feed. Ecological relationships of the species with birds, reptiles and mammals includes predation events by boas and birds. Furthermore, ecological observations about the consumption of bamboo petioles and the use of Vochisia sp. trees as nesting site is provided. We suggest exploring the presence of P. caquetensis in the "Serranía de los Churumbelos Auka-Wasi" protected area and the creation of conservation plans with the communities inhabiting the distribution area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Veterinaria is the property of Universidad Nacional del Nordeste and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We evaluated the diversity of reptiles and birds in the Distrito de Manejo Integrado de Cabo Manglares Bajo Mira-Frontera, department of Nariño, Colombia, through samplings carried out in November 2018. We carried out time-constrained searches for reptiles, and free route and observation points for birds. We obtained 25 records of reptiles, belonging to three orders, 17 families, 23 genera and 24 species. For birds, we recorded 179 individuals, belonging to 16 orders, 40 families, 106 genera and 119 species. The records of the turtles Lepidochelys olivacea, categorized as Vulnerable, and Chelonia mydas, Endangered, stand out for reptiles, as well as the species Caiman crocodilus and Boa constrictor, included in Appendix II of CITES. The records of 31 migratory species stand out for birds, as well as three Near Threatened species (Ramphastos ambiguus, Campephilus gayaquilensis, Capito squamatus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge of reptiles in Colombia is still incomplete, although the country harbors a high diversity of this group. In recent years, regional collections have helped to fill information gaps on the biogeography, intra- and interspecific variation, and systematics of several groups. Here we present the information of 613 voucher records deposited in the Reptile Collection of the Museo de Historia Natural of the Universidad de Caldas. Most of the records (527) come from the Department of Caldas, but there are records for 15 additional departments. The best represented order is Squamata (603 records). The collection houses 108 specimens that have been referenced in 20 national and foreign publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aspects of biodiversity addressed have focused mainly on the vegetation, assuming that the fauna would return after the return of the flora. Fauna could participate in restoration in two ways: as "passengers", responding passively to the developing habitat provided by plant regeneration, or as "drivers", determining the trajectories of plant regeneration. In this framework, the goal of our work was to evaluate in the scientific literature the current state of knowledge about the relationship of lizards with ecological restoration, with special emphasis on arid zones. From a bibliographic search with the keywords "lizard" and "restoration" we found 72 publications that reported the lizards as "passengers", and only three publications as "drivers" of ecological restoration. According to our results, the countries with the highest number of studies linking lizards to restoration are Australia, the United States and New Zealand. We consider that these works may influence progress on this issue in the arid zones of Latin America, in many of which these animals possibly exhibit a fundamental role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These are the preliminary results of the investigations carried out on the archaeological site Cerro Pergoche, located on the left bank of the Alto Chicama River, San Isidro farmhouse, Barro Negro town center, Usquil district, Otuzco province, La Libertad region at 3500 m altitude; with a pre-Hispanic occupation corresponding to the Early Intermediate Period, Late Intermediate Period, and probably the Late Horizon (1st to 15th centuries AD), whose outstanding evidence is located, at the top and western slopes of Cerro Pergoche in two very well defined sectors, and corresponding to constructions with edged stone and with an orthogonal plan, including dwelling places, spaces in the form of squares, terraces, walls, among other architectural characteristics and cemetery areas, associated with ceramics, mainly from the mountain tradition. The flora has 24 families, 37 genus and 39 species that include seven endemic species (Nasa usquiliensis, Elaphoglossum nivosum, Coreopsis senaria Calceolaria cajabambae, Paspalum tuberosum, Trihesperus glaucus and Drymaria diva ricata). The new species named in honor of Usquil as Nasa usquiliensis Weigend, T. Henning & C. Schneid. (Loasaceae), and traditionally values the medicinal and dry cleaning importance of various plant species. The fauna was represented by species of reptiles (2), birds (55) and mammals (3); of which two saurians (Stenocercus peruvianus and Stenocercus melanopygus) and two birds (Incaspiza personata and Metallura phoebe) are endemic and frequent in rocky and shrubby areas of the northern Andes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We expand the geographical distribution of Amphisbaena himbricalis throughout the first record for a semiarid Caatinga area in the Paraiba state, northeastern Brazil. Furthermore, we report the first predation report of A. himbricalis by the snake Erythrolamprus viridis. Our findings contribute with information about the habitats occupied by a hitherto considered "Data Deficient" species, beyond to reveal the potential of E. viridis to prey upon reptiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between Mexican ethnic groups and wildlife is known by its use for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Particularly, in the Maya culture ornamental and ceremonial uses have been attributed to the fauna. Similarly, different beliefs, stories and legends have been developed around it. The studies conducted to document these relationships in the state of Yucatan are scarce; therefore this work was raised to determine the uses and beliefs of the wildlife in the Maya town of Zavala. 174 semi-structured interviews were conducted among men and women of different ages. The significant species were then divided into seven categories of use: food, medicine, pets, ornamental, ceremonial, mythical, and ominous. 54 species related with the worldview of the residents were identified, and divided into three classes, 20 orders, 38 families, and 54 genera. The birds were the most represented with 30 species, followed by Mammalia class with 19, and Reptilia with 5. Mammals were the group with the highest general use index. With this work, it was concluded that the inhabitants of Zavala preserve in their daily activities the ancestral uses and knowledge of the wildlife. Likewise, the information collected contributes to the knowledge of ethnozoology in Yucatán. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present investigation we broaden the geographical distribution of the endemic saurian of the Peruvian desert Liolaemus nazca. Its distribution is extended in approximately 45 km from its type locality (Lomas of the San Fernando National Reserve), reporting it for the first time for the department of Arequipa. Also, its distribution of occurrence is widened to other undocumented localities in San Juan de Marcona (Nasca, Ica) and Lomas (Caravelí, Arequipa) in Peru. These new records, added to those already known, allow us to characterize their habitats and analyze their state of conservation. These data highlight the importance and ecological value of the 'lomas' of Marcona, a site of interest in the conservation and protection of the biodiversity it refuge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Las carreteras generan impactos negativos sobre la biodiversidad, dentro de los cuales los atropellamientos configuran una de las causas directas más relevantes. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la distribución temporal y evaluar los patrones espaciales relacionados con el atropellamiento de vertebrados silvestres en las rutas Yopal-Quebradaseca y Yopal-variante Jagüeyes, en Casanare, Colombia. Entre 2017 y 2018 se realizaron 18 recorridos a 40 km/hora en los que se registraron eventos de atropellamiento. Se determinaron tasas de atropellamiento, puntos calientes, así como variables del paisaje (humedales, vegetación nativa, construcciones) y de la vía (forma y presencia de señales de paso) relacionadas con este tensor. Se registraron 139 eventos de colisión, que incluyeron ocho especies de mamíferos, 13 de reptiles, 20 de aves y una de anfibio. Caiman crocodilus (n = 17), Rhinella marina (n = 13) y Tamandua tetradactyla (n = 13) fueron las especies más atropelladas. Myrmecophaga tridactyla fue la única especie amenazada reportada dentro de este grupo de vertebrados. La mayor tasa de atropellamiento en ambas vías fue encontrada para los reptiles. Para el total de datos, se identificaron 15 puntos calientes de atropellamiento. De forma general, los atropellamientos estuvieron asociados a tramos curvos de la vía, cercanos a humedales cercanos y en zonas sin infraestructura. El 64 % de los individuos atropellados se encontraron una distancia menor a 2 km a una señal de tránsito, lo que indica una baja efectividad de esta medida. Este es el primer reporte de atropellamiento de fauna para la sabana inundable y se espera que sea una herramienta de mitigación de esta amenaza en el departamento. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paleontological diversity of Mesozoic marine reptiles in northeastern Mexico shows an extensive fossil record, composed of different orders, including Ichthyosauria, a group with reports in Jurassic formations of the region. This paper presents two specimens collected in Galeana, Nuevo León, comprised by postcranial elements, from the La Caja Formation, of the Upper Jurassic. The mentioned specimens increase the fossil record of the area and contribute to the greater understanding of the fauna and paleoecological diversity of the Paleo-Gulf of Mexico during the Upper Jurassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiology and tomography applied to the research of mummies of animals give us valuable information on different aspects: to know the different tissues and layers of bandages; determining the existence of amulets inside animals; specifying the dating of the mummies; analyzing conservation techniques and animal anatomy; knowing the existence of internal elements. The animals examined have been a young crocodile of the Nile and an american reptile with a particular embalming process filled with papyrus. The study has been completed with a bronze cat wrapped in line mummified. With this new work, 21 animals have been studied at the University of Navarra since 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza is an important viral disease of worldwide distribution. It is caused by the Alfainfluenzavirus or influenza virus type A (IAV). A segmented ssRNA genome in the influenza viruses confers high variability and reassortment capability to the virus. That and the broad range of susceptible hosts, along with the possibility of inter-species transmission, represents a challenge to human and animal health. The IAV is able to infect a large variety of hosts such as several wild and domestic avian and mammalian species, including humans, as well as reptiles and amphibians, among others. There are 16 hemagglutinin (HA) and nine neuraminidase (NA) subtypes recognized until know, whose main reservoir are the wild aquatic birds. In addition, two new subtypes (H17-18 and N10- 11) have been recognized in bats, and these have been designated as influenza-like viruses. Taking this into account and knowing the richness of biodiversity in Colombia, there is an imperative need to study and to know about the IAV circulating in the field in order to establish risk factors and to analyze the past, the current and the future effect that climate change, sociodemographic factors and the role that different species could play in the eco-biology of this viral agent. This should be considered under the one health concept of influenza virus infection as a whole, considering the fact that Colombia is a country in which the circulation of IAV has been demonstrated in the swine and human population and there are preliminary results of the presence of Orthomyxovirus in bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 18 species of amphibians and 27 species of reptiles have been reported at "Reserva Natural El Caduceo," San Martín, Meta (Colombia). However, there are no sufficient reports to determine the state of these communities, which makes the conservation and protection efforts of these organisms harder to perform. This work preliminarily identified some of the associated families and species of amphibians and reptiles occurring at this natural reserve. We considered two landscape units that have been under the pressure of human activities: gallery forest and the Camoa river sub-basin. Surveys through longitudinal transects and direct observations were performed in two sample sites during day and night. We report nine species belonging to the families Ranidae, Hylidae, Bufonidae, Testudinidae, Dipsadidae, Colubridae, Teiidae, Sphaerodactylidae, and Gekkonidae. We also state the presence of invading geckos (genus Hemydactylus) and suggest continuous monitoring of the current state of this invading population and its impact on native populations. More reports on the state of amphibian and reptile fauna occurring in these sites are needed, especially during different seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Páramo has been defined from various points of view, which take into account different factors that are easy to recognize or measure, nevertheless at the biogeographic level it has been evaluated with criticized methods used to identify historical units. The analysis of endemicity, despite its importance and wide recognition, has not been used as a tool to evaluate Páramo. Objective: Determine whether the neotropical Páramo is one or several biogeographic units. Methods: We included distributional records from Aves, Amphibia, Mammalia, Reptilia, Marchantiophyta, and Spermatophyta. We found 7 025 species with 193 250 suitable occurrences obtained from the GBIF. We used each taxonomic group as an independent partition or as a component of a larger partition, such as total plants (Plants-T: Marchantiophyta + Spermatophyta), or total animals (Animals-T: Aves + Amphibia + Mammalia + Reptilia), or total evidence (Plants-T + Animals-T). In order to identify areas of endemism, we used the optimality criterion (NDM/VNDM) with grids of 0.5° or 0.25°. We calculated the intersection among polygons of previous definitions and the areas recovered in our analyses. Results: Both grid sizes, 0.25° and 0.5°, identified areas of endemism in different sectors along the Andean and Central American cordilleras, but only the 0.25° size allowed us to recognize areas/sectors with a higher resolution. We recovered eight areas, which were considered as subprovinces (Santa Marta-Perijá, Mérida, Santanderes-Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Central-Western Cordillera, Northern Ecuador, Central-South Ecuador, and Talamanca). These areas were between 4 and 66 % consistent with previous definitions. Conclusions: Páramo has been considered a single biogeographic unit, however, given our analyses we identified it as a unit composed of eight biogeographic subprovinces, which is consistent with some published studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cases of pigmentary abnormalities have been documented in several amphibians and reptiles. These abnormalities have been classified as leucism, albinism, melanism and axanthism, among others. We report here the first case of axanthism in the frog Smilisca baudinii, as well as in the entire corresponding genus. To our knowledge, it is also the first report of axanthism in wild amphibians from Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The available information on snake taxocenosis in Northeast Brazil is still incipient. To contribute to filling this gap, this study describes the composition of snake species from an Atlantic Forest Protected Area, Dois Irmãos State Park - PEDI, in Pernambuco. Data were collected using the methods: (1) occasional encounters, (2) active search, (3) interception and pitfalls, performed bimonthly for three years. 117 snakes were registered, distributed in five families, 21 genera, 23 species. Xenodon rabdocephalus species had its geographical distribution expanded by 742.2 km from the nearest registered location. The first order Jackknife index estimated a richness of 30 species and the rarefaction curve did not reach asymptote, indicating that there are still species to be found in the study area. The registration of rare and endemic species indicates the good quality of the area, but have highlighted a warning about the warns of the anthropic pressure suffered by PEDI, putting at risk the conservation of its fauna and flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review is the first to summarize published studies that document nocturnal activity events in reptiles previously considered exclusively diurnal. The ecophysiological implications of this nocturnal activity in tropical and high-latitude environments are described and discussed from the perspective of optimal activity temperature ranges, tolerance thresholds, activity periods, cathemerality, voluntary hypothermia and its importance in the face of global climate change. Gaps in the research field are finally identified, and new lines of study are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]