辽宁晚侏罗世～早白垩世一长颈双弓类爬行动物(英文)

初步记述了采自辽西凌源地区晚侏罗世～早白垩世义县组一新的双弓类水生爬行动物化石材料,并确立其为、新属新种──凌源潜龙（Ｈｙｐｈａｌｏｓａｕｒｕｓ　ｌｉｎｇｙｕａｎｅｎｓｉｓｇｅｎ．ｅｔ ｓｐ．ｎｏｖ．）。化石产于凌源大王杖子乡范杖子村义县组合火山灰的灰白色湖相页岩中,与狼鳍鱼（Ｌｙｃｏｐｔｅｒａ）共生。 凌源潜龙的正模是一具几乎完整、保存完好的化石骨架,包括近乎完整的头骨、下颌骨和头后骨骼,仅尾椎有少量丢失,标本上主要显露腹面骨骼（中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所标本编号Ｖ１１７０５）。其与水生爬行类Ｃｈｏｒｉｓｔｏｄｅｒｅｓ共有特征包括平凹型脊椎,３个荐椎,背肋肿大,肢骨下节远短于上节,腕骨和跗骨弱骨化。凌源潜龙主要鉴别特征为：相对身体比例,头骨较小;颈部大大加长,颈椎１９个;显著肿大的背肋呈Ｓ型;超过２０组腹肋,每组由３段组成,而对应每一椎体有２～３组腹肋;第Ⅲ、Ⅳ　骨长度基本相等,第Ｖ　骨不为钩状。 凌源潜龙所具有的异乎寻常的长颈与三叠纪海相幻龙类（Ｎｏｔｈｏｓａｕｒｓ）有相似的特征。其所具有的相对小的头骨,尖的吻部,似针状的牙,特殊的长颈及其埋藏特征反映该动物为适应湖泊环境的食鱼性动物。 凌源潜龙是迄?     

The Early Triassic 'lizard'Colubrifer Campi: A Reassessment

Colubrifer campi Carroll, 1982 is a small reptile represented by a single skeleton from the Lower Triassic of South Africa. Carroll attributed the genus to the Squamata, proposing that it was a derived lizard with reduced limbs. Re-examination of the specimen permits a rather different interpretation of the skull. The holotype of Colubrifer is the skeleton of a small primitive procolophonian, almost certainly referable to the established South African genus Owenetta .     

The marine diapsid reptile Endennasaurus from the Upper Triassic of Italy

Abstract:  The marine reptile Endennasaurus from the Upper Triassic Zorzino Limestone of northern Italy is redescribed and reassessed. New details of the skull and postcranial skeleton are revealed, confirming the attribution of this genus to the diapsid reptile clade Thalattosauriformes. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Endennasaurus was related to the European genus Askeptosaurus and the Chinese Anshunsaurus . Despite a rather conservative postcranial morphology, Endennasaurus clearly occupied a highly specialized dietary niche as it combined a slender tapering premaxillary rostrum with a complete absence of either marginal or palatal teeth.     

A two-headed reptile from the Cretaceous of China

A malformed embryonic or neonate choristoderan reptile from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of northeastern China is described. The tiny skeleton exhibits two heads and two necks, with bifurcation at the level of the pectoral girdle. In a fossil, this is the first occurrence of the malformation known as axial bifurcation, which is well known in living reptiles.     

The role of the forelimb in prey capture in the Late Triassic reptile Megalancosaurus (Diapsida,Drepanosauromorpha)

The pectoral girdle and forelimb of the Late Triassic drepanosauromorph reptile Megalancosaurus are redescribed and their function reinterpreted. The whole skeleton of this diapsid is highly specialised for arboreal life, and also the peculiarities of the shoulder girdle and forelimb were interpreted as adaptations for a limb-based locomotion using gap-bridging to move from one support to another, as in chameleons. Re-examination of the pectoral girdle and forelimb revealed the presence of clavicles fused into a furcula-like structure, a saddle-shaped glenoid and a tight connection between the radius and ulna that strengthened the forearm but hindered pronation and supination movements at that joint. The new information plus a reconstruction of the pectoral and forelimb musculature suggests that the forelimb was also specialised for grasping and raking in addition to climbing and thus prey capture may have been an important function for the forelimb. The new functional interpretation fits well with the overall body architecture of Megalancosaurus’ skeleton, suggesting that this reptile was an ambush predator that may have assumed a stable tripodal position, secured by the hooked tail and hind limbs, freeing its forelimbs to catch prey by sudden extension of the arm and firm grasping with the pincer-like digits.     

A crocodile from the Upper Triassic of Lesotho

In 1963, a specimen of a small, armoured reptile was discovered in the Red Beds formation in the Qacha's Nek Province of Lesotho, southern Africa. Unfortunately, the matrix in which the specimen is embedded is particularly hard and resistant to chemical action. Preparation must therefore be by mechanical means and is not yet complete. However, certain features of the osteology of the skull and postcranial skeleton of the specimen are clear and are described below.
In both skull and postcranial material, features indicating that this is a relatively advanced crocodilian form are present. It will be shown that on the basis of these characters, this form must be included within the order Crocodilia. It is proposed to name this specimen Ortho-suchus stormbergi.
The discovery of a specimen possessing many diagnostic crocodilian characteristics in Upper Triassic beds is remarkable since hitherto it has been considered that these forms did not appear before the Jurassic. Indeed, our knowledge of Jurassic crocodiles is mainly limited to the more aquatic members owing to the dearth of continental deposits.     

Evaluation of Enrichment for Reptiles in Zoos

Studies on environmental enrichment for reptiles are lacking in the scientific literature. Although the literature reflects a limited take on reptile enrichment in the zoological community, it may not be the case in reality as enrichment is generally considered an important aspect of the care of nonhuman animals in captivity. This project investigated the current state of reptile enrichment as it is being used in zoos. Although respondents were disproportionately accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the results showed many forms of enrichment being used for reptiles in zoos and happening at much greater levels than what has been suggested in the scientific literature. There were significant differences between a) reptile groups for each form of enrichment, and b) enrichment forms within each reptile group, except with the use of natural enrichment devices and structural/habitat design, which did not differ across all reptile groups. Enrichment goals, assessment methods, and sources of information for reptile enrichment used by zoos suggest the need for more scientific publications for facilities to make evidence-based decisions to improve the welfare of reptiles in captivity.     

The gliding reptiles of the Upper Permian

The skeleton of a long-ribbed reptile from the Upper Permian Marl Slate of north-east England is described. The animal is assigned to the genus Weigeltisaurus , previously recorded from the Kupferschiefer of West Germany. Long-ribbed reptiles from the Upper Permian of Madagascar are also considered. Daedalosaurus Carroll, 1978 is a junior synonym of Coelurosauravus Piveteau, 1926. The European and Madagascan genera can be accommodated within a single family Coelurosauravidae, Infraclass Eosuchia. The skull is diapsid with an incomplete lower temporal arcade. Comparison with the modern Draco and the Upper Triassic kuehneosaurids supports the conclusion that the coelurosauravids were effective gliders.     

Global analysis of reptile elevational diversity

Aim Latitudinal‐ and regional‐scale studies of reptile diversity suggest a predominant temperature effect, unlike many other vertebrate richness patterns which tend to be highly correlated with both temperature and water variables. Here I examine montane gradients in reptile species richness with separate analyses of snakes and lizards from mountains around the world to assess a predominant temperature effect and three additional theories of diversity, including a temperature–water effect, the species–area effect and the mid‐domain effect (MDE). Location Twenty‐five elevational gradients of reptile diversity from temperate, tropical and desert mountains in both hemispheres, spanning 10.3° N to 46.1° N. Methods Elevational gradients in reptile diversity are based on data from the literature. Of the 63 data sets found or compiled, only those with a high, unbiased sampling effort were used in analyses. Twelve predictions and three interactions of diversity theory were tested using nonparametric statistics, linear regressions and multiple regression with the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Results Reptile richness and, individually, snake and lizard richness on mountains followed four distinct patterns: decreasing, low‐elevation plateaus, low‐elevation plateaus with mid‐elevation peaks, and mid‐elevation peaks. Elevational reptile richness was most strongly correlated with temperature. The temperature effect was mediated by precipitation; reptile richness was more strongly tied to temperature on wet gradients than on arid gradients. Area was a secondary factor of importance, whereas the MDE was not strongly associated with reptile diversity on mountains. Main conclusions Reptile diversity patterns on mountains did not follow the predicted temperature–water effect, as all diversity patterns were found on both wet and dry mountains. But the influence of precipitation on the temperature effect most likely reflects reptiles' use of radiant heat sources (sunning opportunities) that are more widespread on arid mountains than wet mountains due to lower humidity, sparser vegetation and less cloud cover across low and intermediate elevations.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Kyrgyzsaurus bukhanchenkoi</Emphasis> gen. et sp. nov., a new reptile from the triassic of southwestern Kyrgyzstan

A new reptile, Kyrgyzsaurus bukhanchenkoi gen. et sp. nov., from the Triassic (Madygen Formation) of southwestern Kyrgyzstan is described based on the anterior part of the skeleton (skull, cervical and anterior dorsal vertebrae, ribs, pectoral girdle) and skin imprints. This is the most archaic representative of the family Drepanosauridae (Archosauromorpha, Diapsida). The most prominent features of the new form are the shortened lower jaw, numerous teeth, granular body osteoderms, large supraorbital shelflike skin folds, and thick and extensive throat sac.     

Further characterization of the major forms of reptile beta-endorphin

Biosynthetically labeled reptile intermediate pituitary beta-endorphin-sized material was fractionated by SP-Sephadex ion exchange chromatography into two major opiate-active forms which eluted at 0.28 M NaCl and 0.32 M NaCl, respectively; the 0.32 M form of reptile β-endorphin (mw=3500), serves as the precursor for the 0.28 M form of reptile β-endorphin (mw=3200), (Dores and Surprenant, 1983). Analysis of tryptic digests of these reptile β-endorphins by paper electrophoresis at pH 3.5 and gel filtration on a Sephadex G-15 column indicated that there are two tyrosine residues, two arginine residues and one methionine residue in reptile β-endorphin. Furthermore, the NH₂-terminal tryptic peptide of both reptile β-endorphins is approximately nine amino acids in size and contains tyrosine, methionine and arginine. Analyses of chymotryptic/protease digests of the [³H]tyrosine-labeled NH₂-terminal tryptic peptide analyzed by descending paper chromatography revealed that the NH₂-terminal tyrosine of reptile β-endorphin is not -N-acetylated. A second tyrosine-containing tryptic peptide was detected in the COOH-terminal region of reptile β-endorphin; however this tryptic peptide differs in the two forms of reptile β-endorphin in terms of size and net charge at pH 3.5. These differences account for the apparent molecular weight differences and distinct ion exchange properties of the 0.28 M and 0.32 M forms of reptile β-endorphin. Thus in the reptile intermediate pituitary the principal post-translational mechanism for modifying β-endorphin is COOH-terminal proteolytic cleavage.     

Relationships between vertebrate ZW and XY sex chromosome systems

The peculiar cytology and unique evolution of sex chromosomes raise many fundamental questions. Why and how sex chromosomes evolved has been debated over a century since H.J. Muller suggested that sex chromosome pairs evolved ultimately from a pair of autosomes. This theory was adapted to explain variations in the snake ZW chromosome pair and later the mammal XY. S. Ohno pointed out similarities between the mammal X and the bird/reptile Z chromosomes forty years ago, but his speculation that they had a common evolutionary origin, or at least evolved from similar regions of the genome, has been undermined by comparative gene mapping, and it is accepted that mammal XY and reptile ZW systems evolved independently from a common ancestor. Here we review evidence for the alternative theory, that ZW<-->XY transitions occurred during evolution, citing examples from fish and amphibians, and probably reptiles. We discuss new work from comparative genomics and cytogenetics that leads to a reconsideration of Ohno's idea and advance a new hypothesis that the mammal XY system may have arisen directly from an ancient reptile ZW system.     

Bone histology of claudiosaurus germaini (reptilia,claudiosauridae) and the problem of pachyostosis in aquatic tetrapods

Histological study of the skeleton of Claudiosaurus germaini reveals extensive pachyostosis. This feature results from the filling of intra‐osseous cavities by centripetal, endosteal deposits and occurs in conjunction with an intense remodelling of the bones by resorption and re‐deposition. Epiphyseal calcified cartilages are rapidly and entirely resorbed. Extensive pachyostosis suggests that Claudiosaurus was an aquatic reptile. However, the pachyostotic condition in this genus appears histogenetically quite different from the common type of pachyostosis observed in other aquatic tetrapods. Hence, it probably had a distinct physiological significance.     

The Conservation Value of Small Fragments For Atlantic Forest Reptiles

Loss and fragmentation of natural habitats are key contributors to the decline of populations and impoverishment of biological communities. The response to these disturbances can vary substantially among taxa and depends on spatial metrics of habitat fragments and the surrounding landscape. Herein we test how fragment area, shape, isolation, and matrix quality affect reptile richness, abundance, and occurrence in Brazilian Atlantic Forest fragments, a biodiversity hotspot with a poorly studied reptile fauna. We used 23 forest fragments, ranging from 2 to 30 hectares, surrounded by different matrix types, including sugarcane crop fields, cattle ranching, subsistence farmlands and rural communities. Species richness, total reptile abundance, population abundance, and occurrence probability of many species decreased with fragment area. Model selection suggested that fragment area is the main predictor of both richness and abundance, but matrix quality as well as fragment shape are also important predictors. For population abundance and occurrence probability, fragment area and proximity were the most important predictors followed by fragment shape and matrix quality, but the strength and even the sign of predictors varied substantially among species. We highlight that the value of small fragments should not be neglected for the conservation of Atlantic Forest reptiles.     

Rhynchocephalians (Diapsida: Lepidosauria) from the Jurassic Kota Formation of India

Despite their rarity today, rhynchocephalians formed a diverse Early Mesozoic clade with a comparatively good fossil record. They had a Pangaean distribution in the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic, although the Gondwanan record remains more limited than the Laurasian one. We report here on new sphenodontian material from the Jurassic Kota Formation of peninsular India. Two taxa are represented, and both are attributed to new genera. One is a relatively derived sphenodontian with a premaxillary morphology similar to that of the Late Triassic/ Early Jurassic genus Clevosaurus. The other is somewhat more primitive in its morphology, although clearly a crown-group sphenodontian. In addition, three dentary fragments and a partial maxilla signal the presence of a primitive pleurodont lepidosauromorph similar to the basal rhynchocephalians Gephyrosaurus and Diphydonto-saurus from Britain.     

湖南壶瓶山国家级自然保护区两栖 爬行动物多样性的时空格局

本研究利用2013至2016年湖南壶瓶山国家级自然保护区巡护监测数据,评估壶瓶山保护区两栖爬行动物多样性水平。壶瓶山保护区在8个监测站点布设了25条两栖爬行动物调查样线,进行常规监测,其中,日间样线14条,夜间样线11条,日间样线平均长度4 km,夜间样线平均长度0.75 km。每个月,每条样线平均调查3次。4年共调查到62种两栖爬行动物,占湖南省两栖爬行动物总种数的38.04%。逐月计算各监测站点的alpha多样性指数和整个保护区的beta多样性指数,按季节比较不同站点间物种组成的Hellinger距离。结果显示,保护区不同位置间、不同的监测站点间以及年际间的两栖爬行动物多样性没有显著差异,提示保护区环境具有相对稳定性。但是,个别位于实验区或邻近实验区的站点,物种组成有着剧烈的波动,表明人为活动影响了两栖爬行动物的分布。另外,保护区两栖爬行动物的物种组成与多样性有着显著的季节差异,这与两栖爬行动物的生物学特性有关。以上结果说明,壶瓶山保护区两栖爬行动物的多样性结构具有稳定性和敏感性的特点,可以考虑用作保护区生物多样性水平的监测指标。     

Reptile Ownership in Balkan Countries: Demographics and Reliance on Veterinary Advice

The objective of the research was to determine the profile of reptile owners (n = 238) in terms of their socio-demographic characteristics and evaluations of veterinarians’ expertise. Reptile owners living in four non-EU Balkan countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) were randomly selected from two social networks. Statistically significant differences were found in snake, lizard, and turtle owners (p < 0.05) in terms of gender, employment status, and monthly earnings. Male owners of reptiles were slightly more numerous (52%) compared with female owners (48%). Sixty-four percent of reptile owners were over 20 years old. The unemployed reptile owners (16%) were about five times fewer in number compared with those who studied at university and those who were employed. Forty-one percent of reptile owners declared high monthly incomes. Forty percent of reptile owners never contacted and had no experience with veterinarians. Fifty-eight percent of reptile owners contacted or visited veterinarians due to the medical condition of their animals, 14% of them contacted veterinarians for advice on reptile keeping, and only 6% did so for a preventive veterinary examination. Forty-seven percent of reptile owners were satisfied with veterinary services. The importance of the results of this survey is that they can provide a basis for adopting legislation on the ownership of reptiles as pet animals, together with being a baseline for monitoring subsequent changes in interest in these animals as pets. The results also identify the need for more dedication from veterinarians in educating reptile owners, and for necessary adjustments in veterinary education.     

滇西北中甸的两栖爬行动物

滇西北中甸地区共有两栖类13种（亚种）,隶属于2目5科;爬行动物11种（亚种）,隶属于1目2亚目5科。区系成分以东洋界西南区的种类占主导地位,两栖类占84．6％,爬行类占72．7％。区系特点表现为：区系组成单一却特有率高,成分古老又兼具年轻特点,南北动物交汇形成多样化。两栖爬行动物的种群分布与植被类型具有密切的相关性;为适应环境动物形态发生了较多变化。认为中甸地区是动物地理区划中的一关键地区,其两栖爬行类动物的调查及分类研究工作尚需进一步深入。     

The classification of the Lepidosauria

Recent work on modern and fossil genera, and new approaches to classification, have rendered older classifications of lepidosaurs inadequate. This paper discusses the history of lepidosaurian classification from 1860 to the present, and then presents a new hypothesis of lepidosaurian relationships based on phylogenetic analysis. It offers a new definition of the Lepidosauria based on derived character states. Under this definition, squamates, sphenodontids and Gephyrosaurus are lepidosaurs; kuehneosaurs and younginiforms are not. The younginiforms are related to lepidosaurs and may be included within the Lepidosauromorpha. The taxonomic position of kuehneosaurs remains uncertain.