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The trajectory of biological research may be affected by historical factors (such as locations of influential researchers) as well as by underlying biological dimensions (such as species diversity and location of potential study taxa). Such influences on research focus can be clarified by examining the topics of published papers. Based on 93,816 scientific papers published on snake biology since 1804 (from Web of Science), we found a nonrandom distribution of research output among snake clades, fields of research, and geographic locations and strong changes through time in overall research effort as well as in the foci of that work. Snakes have been the subject of more scientific papers than other lineages of reptiles, but research on turtles has been increasing faster, and research effort per species has been higher for smaller reptile lineages. Studies on systematics and taxonomy dominated snake research until the mid-20th century, when the field was overtaken by studies of venoms, ecology, morphology, and physiology. Colubrids and Vipers have been the most intensively studied taxa, reflecting a concentration of research on continents (Europe and the Americas) where these taxa are diverse and abundant. Research effort on Vipers (Viperidae) increased around 1920, reflecting advances in antivenom and radiotelemetry technology. Blindsnakes (Scolecophidia) and smaller families remain relatively neglected in absolute terms. The numbers of papers per species are 10-fold greater for North American and European snakes than those in most other regions. We attribute these nonrandom patterns to temporal and spatial variation in research priorities, methods, and availability of scientific infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on presenting concise summaries and citations of selected research papers from journals outside of those published by certain herpetological societies, aiming to cover a diverse range of taxa and topics within the constraints of limited space.

The article focuses on selected papers from various journals outside the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, The Herpetologists' League, and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Topics include sea turtle grazing behavior in response to habitat features, the influence of diet and exercise on anole egg and offspring phenotypes, and the mechanism of transparency in glass frogs.

The article discusses the brief summaries and citations for selected papers from journals other than those published by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Topics include the Columbia Spotted Frogs in the Great Basin of the western US require aquatic environments in all life stages; selection for traits that allow this species to prey upon land crabs may have driven its unusual evolutionary trajectory, and study used stable isotopes to study the diet of P. bocourti.

Desiccation may increase egg and tadpole mortality of anurans that reproduce in temporary ponds. Tadpoles of some species, however, can survive temporarily out of water. Among leptodactylids, desiccation-resistant tadpoles were reported only for species that use terrestrial foam nests for reproduction. To test whether Leptodactylus tadpoles' ability to survive out of water represents an exclusive trait of species with terrestrial nests, we compared survival and resistance to hydric stress of tadpoles of six different species of the Leptodactylus groups and one Physalaemus. We also present an exploratory discussion about the evolutionary association between dehydration-tolerant tadpoles, egg-laying microhabitat, and nitrogen excretion type. Tadpoles were divided into two groups, one staying in 100 mL of water and another subjected to hydric stress on moist paper substrate. Our results indicate that tadpoles resistant to desiccation are not common for all species tested, as only the species with terrestrial nests survived longer and lost less body mass than the other related species. As an estimate, tadpoles of terrestrial-nesting frogs were seven times more resistant to desiccation than those with eggs/nests placed directly into the water. A possible dehydration-resistance mechanism is the premetamorphosis ureotelism that has been shown in terrestrial breeding species with tadpoles that survive some time out of water. Therefore, the capacity of tadpoles to survive a few days after pool drying probably arose from the evolutionary association between terrestrial reproduction and the tadpole ability to prevent body dehydration by a mechanism such as ureotelism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the author's reflections on their 50 years of involvement in the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) and their vision for its future. Topics include the author's initial experiences with SSAR, the importance of the society's journals in staying updated in the field, the benefits of getting involved in SSAR's internal workings, and the society's contributions to herpetological history through publications and social events.

The article focuses on Nikolai N. Kondakov, a prominent Russian animal painter and zoologist. Topics include his passion for nature from childhood, his contributions to zoological illustration, and his collaborations with herpetologists, including illustrations for key publications on amphibians and reptiles in the USSR.

Extraction of oil and gas occurs around the world and associated worksite activity can affect native species, even when some good habitat remains. Understanding the possible negative effects is important for management of protected species. Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizards (Gambelia sila) are a state- and federally listed endangered species in the San Joaquin Desert of California, and part of their remaining range coincides with oil field operations. In 2015 and 2016, we used radiotelemetry to study home ranges and movements of G. sila living in an oil field with limited infrastructure and roads (a light-density oil field constructed from 2011 to 2014) and at a control site of native habitat about 3 km away. We did not find significant differences between the oil field and control site in either home-range size or daily distances moved. We did, however, find that the number of predation events was significantly greater at the oil field site, assuming that known predation occurrences represented all predation. Predation by birds was greater at the oil field site and likely was facilitated by predator perching locations provided by power poles, transmission lines, and other tall vertical structures associated with the oil field. No similar structures or other perching locations for large predatory birds existed at the control site. Only a twin-pole, three-wire transmission line existed adjacent to the oil field prior to its development. Given that G. sila are endangered largely because of habitat loss, their recovery may benefit from minimizing these hazards in oil fields that currently support the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well-documented natural history allows for thorough study of a species' ecology and evolution. However, inadequate natural history data hamper such studies for many species. For example, diet plays a major role in the evolution of species and traits, but thorough quantitative dietary information is often lacking for many groups. Garter snakes (Thamnophis) have been used as model organisms for numerous studies, including many focused on feeding ecology and evolution, but these studies lack a thorough compilation of dietary records. To fill the substantial natural history gap, we amassed nearly 10,000 dietary records for 32 of 35 Thamnophis species, from more than 150 sources, and classified each species' dietary repertoire. We categorized 15 of 32 species as generalist predators and 17 of 32 species as specialist predators of varying prey groups, presenting novel dietary classifications for 15 species. Additionally, we investigated the hypothesis that generalist predators have larger body size, a pattern shown in other snake communities and lineages. However, we found no significant relationship between body size and dietary specialization in the genus. Our findings add to the knowledge of natural history, ecology, and evolution of Thamnophis and provide access to the largest dietary record repository for the genus to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Elliott Jacobson, professor emeritus of Zoological Medicine with the University of Florida, is presented. Jacobson talks about his interest in reptiles and amphibians and his decision to focus on veterinary research. He tells about his work as wildlife veterinarian at the Maryland Department of Wildlife that led him to his residency position at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. He discusses the expansion of the Zoological Medicine program in Florida.

The article informs that longevity of snakes is poorly understood due to limited data on wild populations. Most records of snake longevity come from specimens in captivity, where they often live longer than their wild counterparts due to better living conditions. The oldest reported snake was a 47.5-year-old Python regius housed at the Philadelphia Zoo. This paper presents a new verified longevity record for P. regius and any captive snake.

The article reports that the genome-scale data becoming increasingly accessible and affordable, one question that has arisen from the field of conservation biology is whether we are better served securing genomic data for previously unstudied species or re-evaluating species previously studied with more limited genetic markers.

The article reports that the Cowles published on winter activity in California desert lizards, finding that though desert lizards overwinter underground, some periodically emerge and become active, and Cowles' results provided a springboard for an array of seasonal ecophysiology questions.

Territory selection is critical to foraging, courtship, and numerous other aspects of vertebrate ecology. We tested the effect of conspecific density on territory choices and exploratory behavior in Eastern Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) given choices of unfamiliar territories marked by single, multiple, or no conspecifics. We tested two alternative hypotheses: 1) the presence of conspecifics signals high-quality habitat, because it appears to support one or more individuals, and 2) the presence of conspecifics signals effectively low-quality habitat, because that habitat is already occupied and therefore subject to higher levels of competition. Focal salamanders tended to enter unoccupied territories more frequently than those marked by an individual conspecific, but did not spend more time in unoccupied territories than those marked by individuals or groups. However, they spent more time in individual-marked territories than group-marked territories. Intruding salamanders exhibited a lower head move rate in individual-marked territories than in group-marked or unoccupied territories. Intruding females were more likely to enter shelters within territories, regardless of whether they appeared to be occupied, and made fewer large movements while in territories, than intruding males. These results suggest there is a greater perceived cost to intruding P. cinereus of inhabiting territories occupied by multiple conspecifics than territories occupied by individual conspecifics. Our study suggests that the net benefit of entering an occupied territory is lower for male salamanders compared to females and this difference likely stems from the greater value of shelters to females or a higher risk of competition for males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history of the name Constrictores which was first used for a group of snakes by Oppel. It mentions that "the Code", specifies that a family-group name must be formed from the stem of an available generic name by the addition of an appropriate suffix. It informs that there is no evidence that Oppel ever used or intended to use the family name Constrictores as an order-group name.

The article looks at art in herpetology with reference to the author's first solo exhibition "East Asian Eublefars – Kings of the Asian Night" held at the Zoological Museum in November 2019 featuring black and white scientific illustrations on the morphology and behavior of Goniurosaurus.

The article presents a study which endeavored to perform an updated Bsal risk assessment for U.S. salamanders following the methods of the previous effort but incorporating regulatory changes and data that have amassed since the last assessment. It mentions that the updated risk assessment found the regulatory actions established in 2016 did decrease the risk of Bsal introduction in the U.S.

The article discusses research on the distribution and overwintering site selection in Chrysemys picta or Painted Turtle to provide baseline data for a planned removal of the Peninsular Paper Dam crossing the Huron River in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The study observed the temperature-dependent habitat use of Painted Turtles, overwintering of hatchling in the nest and juvenile and adult in sand or mud pond bottoms. The researchers recorded mass, carapace length and mass of the species.

Recent research has documented widespread biofluorescence across amphibians. Among caudates in particular, representative species from 8 of the 10 families fluoresce under blue light excitation. Although fluorescence has been reported on the ventral surface of the tail in Eastern Red-backed Salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, nothing is known about the source or function of the fluorescence. This fully terrestrial salamander species has a broad geographic range, has complex mating behavior involving chemosensory and visual behaviors, defends territories from conspecific and heterospecific intruders, and is a model organism for studying many aspects of sociobiology. Our goal was to learn more about the source of fluorescence in P. cinereus and to explore demographic patterns of fluorescence. Additionally, we wanted to establish whether there is seasonal and geographic variation in fluorescence in this widespread salamander species. Through our examination of histological literature and close examination of photos of the ventral surface of tails under both white and UV light, we concluded that S1 glands, which comprise the postcloacal gland (PCG) in P. cinereus, are the source of fluorescence on the ventral portion of the tail. We found this trait to be highly sexually dimorphic, with males having significantly more fluorescent S1 glands both across seasons and localities compared to females. Additionally, we found that fluorescence only occurs in adult salamanders. Further, because the ventral surface of the tail is exposed during courtship and during territorial disputes, we hypothesize that male fluorescence of the PCG may function in the context of both mate choice and territoriality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which analyzed fossil remains from the Guadeloupe Islands, an archipelago of six islands in the Caribbean Sea. The study discusses the islands' ecological differences pre- and post-European colonization that may have contributed to this dramatic loss of biodiversity, including the introduction of human commensal species of European origin.

The article focuses on a study that explores the potential use of cognitive maps in Painted Turtles and their ability to navigate a pond system, using pharmacological manipulation and radiotelemetry to assess their behaviors.

The article focuses on the Conservation Committee of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) and its role in addressing the conservation challenges faced by amphibians and reptiles, emphasizing the critical need for conservation efforts due to threats such as habitat loss and diseases, with a historical overview of the committee's formation and activities.

The article discusses the historical relationships between the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) and other herpetological organizations, including regional herpetological societies, and how SSAR facilitated collaborations and supported the development of the global herpetological community through initiatives like symposia and workshops.

The article focuses on the sperm retention behavior of the Cnemaspis Mysoriensis (Mysore Day Gecko), a species of lizards. Topics include the communal nesting habits of the gecko, the production of small clutch sizes, and the potential benefits of sperm storage in gecko species; and communal nesting habits of the Cnemaspis mysoriensis, the production of small clutch sizes, and the potential benefits of sperm storage in geckos.

The article focuses on the introduction of the 46th President of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, who shares personal experiences with reptiles and amphibians throughout his life. Topics include his passion for nature and science, involvement in conservation biology, and the need for inclusivity, internationalization, and improvements in publishing within the society.

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) populations have declined drastically since 1970 because of continued destruction and fragmentation of their habitat. Although they are known to shift their home ranges because of environmental degradation, it is unknown how solar arrays impact Eastern Box Turtles. From 2011–2018, we collected data on Eastern Box Turtle movement and occupancy in a 79-ha solar farm. The solar farm is divided into six fenced areas, each containing wildlife openings for movement of terrestrial fauna every 23 m around the fenced solar arrays. We hypothesized that the solar arrays changed the home range sizes of turtles that interacted with the field. We fitted 41 Eastern Box Turtles with radio transmitters and tracked their locations twice per week in June–August from 2011–2018. Seventeen turtles had home ranges that overlapped with the solar arrays whereas 24 turtles had home ranges that never interacted with the solar arrays. We calculated home range sizes and tested for differences between overlapping and nonoverlapping groups. We further considered if the number of observations within the solar farm impacted home range size and displacement. We found that Eastern Box Turtles that used the solar farm exhibited 55–83% larger home ranges on average than turtles in natural habitats, but there was no significant association of home range size with the amount of time observed within the solar farm. Finally, we discuss strategies to mitigate negative impacts of solar farm development on turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article informs that reptiles and amphibians have long been maintained in modern zoos and aquarium. The explosive emergence of menageries, circuses, zoological parks and gardens, and aquariums throughout Europe and North America between the late 18th and early 20th centuries fueled a strong demand for exotic animals.

The article offers information on frog and salamander stamps issued by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) between 1941 and 1995. The NWF stamp series was inspired by "duck stamps," with early issues designed by cartoonist and conservationist Jay Norwood Darling. Between 1941 and 1995, a total of 44 seals were issued by NWF that featured amphibians, including 19 species of frogs and 11 species of salamanders.

The article informs that the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) has started the Weinkle Family Endowment for Pre-College Scholars that provides funding for an academic year on-line program for high school students. The scholarship is an example of SSAR's commitment to the field of herpetology and the next generation of herpetologists.

The article informs that the 65th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR) was held in-person from July 27-31, 2022 in Spokane, Washington, U.S., marking SSAR's first fully in-person annual meeting since 2019. It is noted that the meeting included 409 oral presentations, 212 poster presentations, six workshops, and five symposia, including one on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Snakes have a wide range of antipredator behaviors that are often associated with unique morphological modification. Rhabdophis subminiatus (Red-Neck Keelback) is a snake with nuchal glands where toxins sequestered from prey animals are stored that work in conjunction with a set of antipredator behaviors. In this study, we investigated antipredator behavior in this species, particularly behavior that is coordinated with the presence of the nuchal glands. We tested the hypothesis that the nuchal gland-related behavior is exhibited more frequently as snake size increases because larger snakes have had more opportunities to consume toads and acquire toxins. We also examined the effects of sex and body condition on antipredator behavior. All snakes performed body flattening and neck flattening in response to a standardized stimulus, which suggests that these responses are their major antipredator behaviors. However, the results did not support our hypothesis. Snake body size was negatively correlated with the frequency of neck butt, neck flatten, and neck arch. This indicates that the tendency to perform the nuchal gland-related behavior declines as body size increases. There was no significant sexual difference except that females tended to exhibit a higher frequency of flight than males. Furthermore, we found a negative correlation between the frequency of neck butt and body condition. Overall, our study suggests that smaller snakes, particularly those in below-average body condition, depend more on nuchal glands to deter predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equal fitness paradigm (EFP) is a life-history model in which the currency of fitness is usable energy rather than individuals, and the principal trade-off is between survival, evaluated as generation time, and productivity, evaluated as growth and reproductive rates. In the current study I examined variation in generation time, age at first reproduction, productivity, and mortality in salamanders of the genus Desmognathus within the framework of the EFP. Desmognathus salamanders are restricted to eastern North America, with a center of distribution in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The data sources of the present report are published studies of life histories and demographics of five species of Desmognathus that include the smallest and largest members of the genus. The analysis showed that Desmognathus salamanders have greater ages at first reproduction, lengthier generation times, lower productivities, and lower mortality rates than are predicted by the scaling functions of the EFP for vertebrates of equivalent sizes. The differences among species in these parameters are correlated with variation in adult body size and the association between body size and habitat utilization in the genus, wherein the largest species are aquatic in mountain streams and the smallest are terrestrial in mesic forests. Streamside species of intermediate size exploit a broader range of habitats and are more widely distributed than the stream- and forest-dwelling forms. It is likely that the streamside mode of life in Desmognathus represents an adaptation promoting dispersal. Adaptive radiation in the genus is expressed in extreme life-history and body-size diversification mediated through variation in age at first reproduction and generation time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical tribe Sphaenorhynchini includes 15 recognized species, 14 of which are allocated to the genus Sphaenorhynchus and 1 in the genus Gabohyla. Here, we redescribe the external larval morphology and include novel information on the lateral line system of G. pauloalvini and S. prasinus from the type localities. In addition, we include comments on the oviposition site and larval development of G. pauloalvini. The tadpoles of G. pauloalvini differentiate from all described larvae of Sphaenorhynchus by having a unique combination of stripes in the coloration: three lateral dark stripes (canthal, oblique, and ventrolateral) on the body and a single ventral dark stripe on the tail. The tadpoles of S. prasinus distinguish from those of G. pauloalvini and from all other larvae of Sphaenorhynchus by having a single, median, dark stripe on the tail musculature, among other characters. Tadpoles of G. pauloalvini and S. prasinus are nektonic and found swimming in the middle of the water column or in deeper regions of ponds. Adults of G. pauloalvini were observed sitting next to spawns, reinforcing the possibility of parental care in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Burmese Eyed Turtle (Morenia ocellata) and addresses the lack of data on its body size and sexual size dimorphism, discussing various measurements reported in literature.

The article reports that the Sea turtle populations worldwide are threatened by numerous anthropogenic variables during both development in the nest and while at sea.

The article reports that the Giant tortoises are considered to be keystone species in the Galapagos Islands, acting as ecosystem engineers, and the island of Santa Fe, however, the endemic tortoise was driven to extinction by people over one hundred years ago.