New Record of Lycodon liuchengchaoi in Anhui

One juvenile and one adult female wolf snake(Colubridae: Lycodon) were sampled at Yixian and Fuxi, Huangshan, Anhui, China in the summer of 2011 and 2012, respectively. The two specimens were identified as Lycodon liuchengchaoi based on external morphology and molecular data. This is a new reptile record in Anhui Province. In our laboratory, four eggs were laid and three neonates were hatched successfully. This is the first record of the laying and incubation of L. liuchengchaoi eggs. The five specimens were deposited at the Museum of Huangshan University(HUM20140001) and Guangdong Entomological Institute(HB-lcfsp12613, HB-lcfsp-ch1~3).     

3种广东省两栖爬行动物新纪录

2008～2010年,在对广东省山区开展陆生脊椎动物野外调查过程中,记录了3种广东省尚无正式分布纪录的两栖纲和爬行纲动物:宜章臭蛙(Odorrana yizhangensis)、锯尾蜥虎(Hemidactylus garnotii)及白尾双足蜥(Dibamus bourreti).     

Mexico in the International Reptile Skin Trade: a Case Study

This paper examines the role of Mexico as importer, manufacturer, producer and distributor centre of reptile skins from non-native and native species, through a combination of documentary research and survey methods. A number of key findings were derived from this study. Although Mexico has adopted the “System for the Conservation, Management and Sustainable Use of Wildlife” (SUMA), the country still relies on reptile skins from non-native species. In contrast, the smaller numbers of skins used from native species mainly derive from captive breeding schemes that although biologically sustainable, provide no incentive for habitat conservation. Sustainable use of reptile skins from native species could positively encourage conservation in Mexico. However, as a megadiverse country with potential to produce wildlife, Mexico will have to implement an appropriate regulatory framework to support local communities to promote the sustainable use of native species.     

西藏八宿、左贡和芒康两栖爬行动物多样性调查报告

于2019年8月至2020年7月调查了西藏生态安全屏障生态监测站网芒康生态站所辖3县(八宿、左贡和芒康)的两栖爬行动物多样性.本次调查共计布设155条样线,海拔区间为2 270～4 610 m.调查结果显示,该地区两栖动物共计有8种,隶于4科5属;爬行动物7种,隶于3科4属.其栖息地共有5种植被类型,Shannon-W...     

贵州江口和福建连江分别发现中国棱蜥和变色树蜥

2019年8月和2019年10月,分别在贵州省江口县和福建省连江县分别采集到蜥蜴标本各1号,经形态鉴定,为中国棱蜥(Tropidophorus sinicus)和变色树蜥(Calotes versicolor).中国棱蜥为贵州省爬行动物分布新记录种,是目前该种分布最北记录.变色树蜥为福建省爬行动物分布新记录种,是目前该...     

Post-feeding thermophily in lizards (Lialis burtonis Gray,Pygopodidae): Laboratory studies can provide misleading results

Many ectothermic vertebrates raise their preferred body temperature after feeding, likely expediting digestion. However, most studies documenting this phenomenon have relied upon laboratory thermal gradients, which grossly oversimplify an animal's environment. We explored the validity of thermal gradient methodology by investigating post-prandial thermophily in an Australian pygopodid lizard (Lialis burtonis Gray). Mean body temperatures did not differ between fed and unfed lizards in field enclosures. Feeding influenced body temperature in a thermal gradient, but in opposite directions depending on details of the methodology. When we introduced L. burtonis into the gradient at the warmer end, fed lizards had higher body temperatures than unfed conspecifics. However, the opposite was true when lizards were introduced at the cooler end. These contrasting results indicate that lizards with food in their stomachs did not seek out higher temperatures, but instead were more sedentary than unfed lizards. Our study highlights the need for caution in interpreting thermal gradient results unaccompanied by field data, and it demonstrates how minor changes in equipment design or procedures can significantly alter conclusions from laboratory studies.     

Pteridine, not carotenoid, pigments underlie the female-specific orange ornament of striped plateau lizards (Sceloporus virgatus)

Indicator models of sexual selection suggest that signal honesty is maintained via costs of ornament expression. Carotenoid-based visual signals are a well-studied example, as carotenoids may be environmentally limited and impact signaler health. However, not all bright yellow, orange and red ornaments found in vertebrates are carotenoid-based; pteridine pigments may also produce these colors. We examine the contribution of carotenoid and pteridine pigments to the orange reproductive color of female striped plateau lizards (Sceloporus virgatus). This color ornament reliably indicates female mate quality, yet costs maintaining signal honesty are currently unknown. Dietary carotenoid manipulations did not affect orange color, and orange skin differed from surrounding white skin in drosopterin, not carotenoid, content. Further, orange color positively correlated with drosopterin, not carotenoid, concentration. Drosopterin-based female ornaments avoid the direct trade-offs of using carotenoids for ornament production vs egg production, thus may relax counter-selection against color ornament exaggeration in females. Direct experimentation is needed to determine the actual costs of pteridine-based ornaments. Like carotenoids, pteridines influence important biological processes, including immune and antioxidant function; predation and social costs may also be relevant.     

昆明市宠物市场爬行动物贸易调查

目的了解昆明市宠物市场上销售爬行动物的种类、数量、来源、价格及市场管理情况,为爬行类资源的保护和管理提供基础资料。方法采用观察和访谈相结合方式进行调查。结果昆明市6个宠物市场爬行动物类共有35种,其中蛇类14种,隶属3科12属;蜥蜴类6种,隶属4科5属;龟类15种,隶属6科12属。国外物种15种,占市场种类的42.9%;国内物种20种,占57.1%。依据《中国物种红色名录》(2004),1种为极危,4种为濒危,2种为易危;属于CITES(2013)附录Ⅱ有5种,附录Ⅲ有3种;属于国家重点保护的有2种。结论昆明市宠物市场爬行动物贸易缺乏相应的法制法规进行监督管理,应尽早制定规章制度加强对市场的管理,使市场更加规范有序。     

爬行动物温度依赖性性别决定研究进展

综述了近年来爬行类温度依赖性性别决定的最新进展。回顾了爬行类TSD的特点,并从性激素方面和分子水平上探讨了TSD的可能机制。     

Effect of age and body size on selected temperature by juvenile wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta)

In an aquatic thermal gradient of 15–30 °C, 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old juvenile wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) acclimated to 20 °C selected the warmest temperature available (30 °C) and avoided the coldest temperatures available (15 and 18 °C). Mean selection of chambers differed between control and gradient tests across all temperatures except 27 °C. Turtles of all age classes relocated between chambers less often when the gradient was present than during control tests. Six- and 12-month-old turtles selected 30 °C more frequently, and selected colder temperatures less frequently, than 3-month-old turtles, suggesting that the ability to select preferred temperatures is better developed in older hatchlings.