scholarly journals REDESCRIPTION OF Minervarya nicobariensis (STOLIZKA, 1870) (AMPHIBIA: DICROGLOSSIDAE) WITH A NEOTYPE DESIGNATION

2020 ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
S.R. Chandramouli ◽  
K.V. Devi Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Larval Morphology ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
History Of ◽  
New Material ◽  
Insular Endemic

The poorly-known, insular endemic frog species, Minervarya nicobariensis (Stoliczka, 1870) is re-described based on new material from the Nicobar Archipelago. A neotype is designated as its holotype had been lost. Novel data on biology, ecology, distribution and natural history of this poorly known species are provided. Breeding biology and larval morphology are described in detail. Potential threats to the species are discussed and an assessment of its conservation status is attempted.

scholarly journals ON TWO POORLY KNOWN, INSULAR SKINKS, Eutropis tytleri (THEOBALD, 1868) AND E. andamanensis (SMITH, 1935) (REPTILIA: SCINCIDAE), ENDEMIC TO THE ANDAMAN ISLANDS, INDIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-38
Author(s):  
S.R. Chandramouli ◽  
A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Zoological Survey ◽  
Andaman Islands ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
History Of ◽  
Insular Endemic ◽  
Distribution Behaviour

We examined the holotype of Eutropis tytleri and one of the syntypes of E. andamanensis collected from the Andaman Islands, currently deposited at the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Information on taxonomy, morphology, distribution, behaviour and natural history of these two poorly-known, insular endemic skinks are presented here based on individuals recorded and examined in-situ, in the field as well as preserved material. Their types are illustrated and redescribed. A distribution map is presented based on records from the present study; threats and conservation status are discussed.

Taxonomy, natural history, and conservation of the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851) (Thraupidae, Sporophilinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4442 (4) ◽  
pp. 551 ◽  
Author(s):  
FLÁVIO KULAIF UBAID ◽  
LUÍS FABIO SILVEIRA ◽  
CESAR A. B. MEDOLAGO ◽  
THIAGO V. V. COSTA ◽  
MERCIVAL ROBERTO FRANCISCO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
South America ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Taxonomic Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphometric Characters ◽  
History Of

Seed-finches are small-sized Neotropical granivorous birds characterized by extremely strong and thick beaks. Among these birds, the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani has been selectively and intensively trapped to the extent that has become one of the most endangered bird species in South America, yet its taxonomy remains complex and controversial. Two subspecies have been recognized: S. m. maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851), mainly from the Cerrado of central South America, and S. m. parkesi Olson (= Oryzoborus m. magnirostris), from northeastern South America. Originally, S. m. parkesi was diagnosed as being larger than the Large-billed Seed-Finch, S. c. crassirostris (Gmelin, 1789), but proper comparisons with S. m. maximiliani, which is larger than S. c. crassirostris, were never performed. Here we provide a review of the taxonomic and nomenclatural history of S. maximiliani, reevaluate the validity and taxonomic status of the subspecies based on morphological characters, and significantly revise its geographic distribution. Analyses based on plumage patterns and a Principal Component Analysis of morphometric characters indicated that S. m. parkesi is most appropriately treated as a synonym of the nominate taxon, which results in a monotypic S. maximiliani comprising two disjunct populations. Further, we conducted systematic searches for S. maximiliani in Brazil, in an attempt to obtain natural history information. After more than 6,000 hours of fieldwork in 45 areas of potential and historical occurrence, S. maximiliani was located only in two sites, in marshy environments called veredas, confirming the critical conservation status of this species, at least in Brazil. We discuss the conservation potential for, and the problems involved with, captive breeding of S. maximiliani for reintroduction into the wild. 

scholarly journals Phylogenomic Reconstruction of the Neotropical Poison Frogs (Dendrobatidae) and Their Conservation

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilson X. Guillory ◽  
Morgan R. Muell ◽  
Kyle Summers ◽  
Jason L. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Nuclear Data ◽  
Nuclear Markers ◽  
Poison Frog ◽  
Sequence Capture ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
History Of

The evolutionary history of the Dendrobatidae, the charismatic Neotropical poison frog family, remains in flux, even after a half-century of intensive research. Understanding the evolutionary relationships between dendrobatid genera and the larger-order groups within Dendrobatidae is critical for making accurate assessments of all aspects of their biology and evolution. In this study, we provide the first phylogenomic reconstruction of Dendrobatidae with genome-wide nuclear markers known as ultraconserved elements. We performed sequence capture on 61 samples representing 33 species across 13 of the 16 dendrobatid genera, aiming for a broadly representative taxon sample. We compare topologies generated using maximum likelihood and coalescent methods and estimate divergence times using Bayesian methods. We find most of our dendrobatid tree to be consistent with previously published results based on mitochondrial and low-count nuclear data, with notable exceptions regarding the placement of Hyloxalinae and certain genera within Dendrobatinae. We also characterize how the evolutionary history and geographic distributions of the 285 poison frog species impact their conservation status. We hope that our phylogeny will serve as a backbone for future evolutionary studies and that our characterizations of conservation status inform conservation practices while highlighting taxa in need of further study.

The tadpole of Dendropsophus novaisi (Bokermann, 1968) (Anura: Hylidae), with comments on natural history

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4375 (2) ◽  
pp. 296 ◽  
Author(s):  
DANILO SILVA RUAS ◽  
CAIO VINICIUS DE MIRA-MENDES ◽  
MARIA LÚCIA DEL-GRANDE ◽  
JULIANA ZINA ◽  
MIRCO SOLÉ
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Phylogenetic Relationships ◽  
Basic Information ◽  
Larval Morphology ◽  
Anuran Species ◽  
Frog Species ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Species Descriptions ◽  
Behavioral Information

Several frog species descriptions from this century provide larval morphology, acoustical, molecular, ecological and behavioral information that, together, provide a better species characterization (e.g., Glos et al. 2005; Toledo et al. 2010; Vassilieva et al. 2016). For the majority of anuran species, basic information is still lacking, despite being fundamental to understand the evolution of a taxonomic unit as well as phylogenetic relationships established between taxa. Such information can be particularly useful for species groups with unresolved taxonomic issues, such as the Dendropsophus marmoratus group (Bokermann 1964; Heyer 1977; Caramaschi & Jim 1983; Gomes & Peixoto 1996). 

scholarly journals Reptile diversity and community composition in the Puyango dry forest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Acosta Vásconez Ana ◽  
Cisneros-Heredia Diego ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Tropical Dry Forests ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dry Deciduous Forest

Reptiles are key animals in vertebrate communities in most ecosystems. However, there is little information on their diversity and abundance in dry forests of Ecuador. Between 2013 and 2014 we studied the reptile diversity and natural history of the Puyango Protected Forest, on the border between the province of Loja and El Oro, Ecuador. This area protects relicts of dry deciduous forest in hills and patches of semi-deciduous forest around ravines. We used belt transects in three different streams and irregular band transects in trails, together with pitfall traps, funnel traps, and litter quadrants. The richness of the Puyango Protected Forest represents a small percentage of the Ecuadorian reptile diversity, but covers much of the representative phylogenetic groups of tropical dry forests of the world. Sampling was effective to determine saurian diversity, but more sampling is needed to estimate snake diversity. Evidence of the presence of 21 species, divided into 10 families, was obtained; of which 14 are snakes (including a potential new species of the genus Epictia) and seven are lizards. Natural history is described for each species, including time and space use, and their conservation status is analyzed. The reptile community is characterized by a relative homogeneity over the vegetation remnants and the highest abundances correspond to saurian species.

scholarly journals Notes on some Glass Frogs (Anura: Centrolenidae) from Western Ecuador: Taxonomy, natural history and conservation status, with the description of a new species

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego F Cisneros-Heredia ◽  
Roy W. McDiarmid
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
Science Center ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
Forest Remnants ◽  
History Of

Ecuador has the biggest number of amphibian species per unit of area in the world (425 species in 283,560 km2). In the last decade, conservative estimates indicate that at least 26 species of Ecuadorian amphibians have declined or gone extinct. The reasons for this crisis are not clear but have been related to habitat destruction, climate change, and/or diseases, such as chytridiomycosis. The Río Palenque Science Center (RPSC) was among the last remnants of tropical rainforest in the western lowlands of Ecuador. Twenty years ago, investigations done by R. McDiarmid, Ken Miyata and others lead to the discovery of an amazing herpetofauna, including several undescribed species. However, the expansion of the agricultural frontier and transformation of the forest remnants into oil palm and banana plantations destroyed this site. Among the species identified from RPSC were five species of glass frogs (family Centrolenidae): Centrolene prosoblepon, Cochranella spinosa, Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni, Hyalinobatrachium sp. (cf. valerioi), and an undescribed species of the genus Centrolene. This research analyzed the morphological characters and natural history of the five glass frogs of RPSC in order to describe the new species of Centrolene from RPSC, which seems to be critically endangered, if not extinct. The new species is characterized by a combination of the following characters: 1) distinctive coloration in life with dark flecks and yellow dorsolateral stripes on a green dorsum; 2) parietal peritoneum white, covering about ½ of the venter, pericardium white, liver and stomach without guanophores, large intestine with guanophores; 3) presence of exposed prepollical spines; 4) humeral spines in males; 5) unique glandular nuptial pad between fingers I and II; and 5) reddish iris.

scholarly journals Natural history of neotropical Ericaceae, 1

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-392
Author(s):  
James L. Luteyn ◽  
Daniel Mauricio Díaz-Rueda
Keyword(s):  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Second Step ◽  
Herbarium Specimens ◽  
Colombian Andes ◽  
History Of ◽  
Species Descriptions

Gonocalyx pulcher (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae) has been rediscovered in the northeastern Colombian Andes after a lapse of over 135 years. Recent collections herein reported represent the only collections made since the type gathering by Schlim in 1851. The history of collections, cultivation, taxonomy, and nomenclature is re-viewed. Generic and species descriptions for G. pulcher are updated and photographic illustrations are provided. The vegetation in which G. pulcher occurs, a list of its commonly associated Ericaceae, and its conservation status are briefly described. A new second-step lectotypification is made and the associated type herbarium specimens are illustrated. A key to all 11 species of Gonocalyx is provided.

scholarly journals A review of the Malagasy Pachypanchax (Teleostei: Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae), with descriptions of four new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 1366 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL V. LOISELLE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Unique Type ◽  
Diagnostic Characters ◽  
History Of

The history of the genus Pachypanchax Myers, 1933 in the literature is reviewed and the utility of the diagnostic characters proposed by various authors is evaluated. On the basis of five synapomorphies, four skeletal and one squamational, six of the seven presently known Malagasy aplocheilids are found to be unambiguously referable to the genus Pachypanchax. The seventh, Poecilia nuchimaculata Guichenot 1866, known only from the unique type specimen, displays several peculiar skeletal and squamational features. Pending the acquisition of additional material, it is tentatively assigned to the genus. Of the six species treated here, Pachypanchax omalonotus (Duméril, 1861) and P. sakaramyi (Holly, 1828) are redescribed from recently collected topotypical material; and the following four are described as new: P. varatraza., P. patriciae, P. sparksorum, and P. arnoulti. Data on life colors, distribution, natural history and conservation status on all six Malagasy Pachypanchax species are presented.

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