Genetic variability of the tokay gecko based on microsatellite analysis

The black-spotted tokay gecko and red-spotted tokay gecko have different distribution areas and are significantly different in appearance but are classified into the same species Gekko gecko. Twelve microsatellite loci were isolated, characterized and evaluated from wild black-spotted tokay geckos for the first time. Of them, nine loci were successfully amplified in red-spotted tokay geckos using multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCRs). A total of 208 different alleles were observed in the 70 wild black-spotted and red-spotted tokays, and the average number of alleles per locus was 17.3. The average values for observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity and polymorphism information content were 0.762, 0.891 and 0.871, respectively, which showed that the wild G. gecko population had a high level of genetic variability. Both black-spotted tokays and red-spotted tokays showed a significant (P < 0.001) deficit of heterozygotes. The red-spotted tokay (H_E = 0.881, A = 16.4) had a higher level of genetic variability than black-spotted tokay (H_E = 0.804, A = 10.7). The pairwise F_ST (P < 0.001) estimates of the two types of tokay were 0.143, which indicated that there was a significant level of genetic differentiation between the two.     

大壁虎两种群的求偶鸣叫变异

大壁虎Gekko gecko俗称蛤蚧,可分为黑蛤蚧和红蛤蚧.黑蛤蚧主要分布在中国的广东、广西和越南的东北部,而红蛤蚧则主要分布在东南亚地区,包括越南南部、老挝、泰国等.本文对这两种蛤蚧种群的求偶鸣叫进行了定性和定量研究.经比较分析结果表明这两个种群蛤蚧的求偶鸣叫声学特征存在明显差异.大壁虎的求偶鸣叫由一系列的音节组成,可分为3段:第一段由0～5个脉冲串组成,每个脉冲串含多个脉冲(7～10);第二段由4～10个双音节组成;第三段由1～3个单音节组成,只有红蛤蚧的求偶鸣叫具有第三段.此外,黑蛤蚧和红蛤蚧的求偶鸣叫差异也表现在第二段,即双音节的结构上.黑蛤蚧的双音节呈现出复杂的频率调节模式,且第一音节和第二音节之间有明显的沉默间隔.红蛤蚧的求偶鸣叫很少或基本没有频率调节,第一音节和第二音节之间没有沉默间隔.结合这两种蛤蚧在形态、染色体和基因结构方面的显著差异,推测传统认为的大壁虎可能由两个不同的物种以及一个亚种组成.     

大壁虎不同地理居群的遗传变异与分化

以线粒体细胞色素b(Cytb)基因作为分子标记,对中国广西12个地区,以及越南和老挝大壁虎(Gekko gecko)进行序列测定,获得Cytb基因424bp的序列片段,共有7个单倍型。以白脊壁虎和沙虎为外群,用邻接法和最大简约法构建了大壁虎不同地理种群的系统发育关系,其结果显示中国广西4个不同单倍型黑大壁虎之间的平均遗传距离为0.20%—1.20%,越南红大壁虎与老挝红大壁虎之间的平均遗传距离为0.50%,广西宁明红大壁虎与越南红大壁虎和老挝红大壁虎之间平均遗传距离分别为1.70%和2.20%。广西黑大壁虎种群与红大壁虎种群之间的平均遗传距离为8.60%—9.50%,达到了亚种或种分化的差异。     

Complete mitochondrial genome of the red-spotted tokay gecko (Gekko gecko, Reptilia: Gekkonidae): comparison of red- and black-spotted tokay geckos

Here, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of the red-spotted tokay gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae). The genome is 16,590 bp in size. Its gene arrangement pattern was identical with that of black-spotted tokay gecko. We compared the mitochondrial genome of red-spotted tokay gecko with that of the black-spotted tokay gecko. Nucleotide sequence of the two whole mitochondrial genomes was 97.99% similar, and the relatively high similarity seems to indicate that they may be separated at the subspecies level. The information of mitochondrial genome comparison of the two morphological types of tokay gecko is discussed in detail.     

大壁虎与嗅觉相关的学习记忆

壁虎科动物鼻腔较大,化学感觉系统发达,类似于对化学信息敏感的舌端游离的蜥蜴目动物（Malan,1946),并且嗅黏膜面积很大,感觉器神经元多,嗅神经系统十分完善（Gabe and Saint,1976).     

Passively stuck: death does not affect gecko adhesion strength

Many geckos use adhesive toe pads on the bottom of their digits to attach to surfaces with remarkable strength. Although gecko adhesion has been studied for hundreds of years, gaps exist in our understanding at the whole-animal level. It remains unclear whether the strength and maintenance of adhesion are determined by the animal or are passively intrinsic to the system. Here we show, for the first time, that strong adhesion is produced passively at the whole-animal level. Experiments on both live and recently euthanized tokay geckos (Gekko gecko) revealed that death does not affect the dynamic adhesive force or motion of a gecko foot when pulled along a vertical surface. Using a novel device that applied repeatable and steady-increasing pulling forces to the foot in shear, we found that the adhesive force was similarly high and variable when the animal was alive (mean ± s.d. = 5.4 ± 1.7 N) and within 30 min after death (5.4 ± 2.1 N). However, kinematic analyses showed that live geckos are able to control the degree of toe pad engagement and can rapidly stop strong adhesion by hyperextending the toes. This study offers the first assessment of whole-animal adhesive force under extremely controlled conditions. Our findings reveal that dead geckos maintain the ability to adhere with the same force as living animals, disproving that strong adhesion requires active control.     

广西弄岗国家级自然保护区蛤蚧分布与种群数量

2008年5～6月,采用访问调查和样线法,对弄岗国家级自然保护区蛤蚧Gekko gecko的分布和种群数量进行了调查.结果表明,弄岗片蛤蚧分布较多,陇山片和陇呼片分布较少;用样线法重点对弄岗片蛤蚧数量进行调查,根据统计数据计算出种群密度为13.45对/km2.     

Testing the phylogenetic affinities of Southeast Asia's rarest geckos: Flap-legged geckos (Luperosaurus), Flying geckos (Ptychozoon) and their relationship to the pan-Asian genus Gekko

Some of Southeast Asia's most poorly known vertebrates include forest lizards that are rarely seen by field biologists. Arguably the most enigmatic of forest lizards from the Indo Australian archipelago are the Flap-legged geckos and the Flying geckos of the genera Luperosaurus and Ptychozoon. As new species have accumulated, several have been noted for their bizarre combination of morphological characteristics, seemingly intermediate between these genera and the pan-Asian gecko genus Gekko. We used the first multilocus phylogeny for these taxa to estimate their relationships, with particular attention to the phylogenetic placement of the morphologically intermediate taxa Ptychozoon rhacophorus, Luperosaurus iskandari, and L. gulat. Surprisingly, our results demonstrate that Luperosaurus is more closely related to Lepidodactylus and Pseudogekko than it is to Gekko but that some species currently classified as Luperosaurus are nested within Gekko. The Flying Gecko genus Ptychozoon is also nested within Gekko, suggesting that higher-level taxonomic revision of the generic boundaries within Southeast Asian gekkonines will be a priority for the immediate future.     

Sex steroids and epidermal glands in two species of gekkonine lizards.

In vivo and in vitro experiments on the endocrine relationships of epidermal glands in the tokay Gekko gecko, and the common house gecko Hemidactylus bowringii are reported. The results show that certain aspects of beta-gland differentiation involve a synergistic action between androgens and those hormones responsible for controlling the normal shedding cycle, while other aspects are solely under androgenic control. Pre-anal organ activity appears to be solely under androgenic control.     

Ultrahydrophobicity indicates a non-adhesive default state in gecko setae

Geckos may represent the world’s most demanding adhesives application. The adhesive setae on the toes of climbing geckos must adhere strongly yet avoid fouling or attachment at inappropriate times. We tested the hypothesis that gecko setae are non-adhesive in their unloaded default state by comparing the water droplet contact angle (θ) of isolated setal arrays to the smooth surface of eye spectacle scales of tokay geckos (Gekko gecko). At equilibrium, θ was 98.3 ± 3.4° in spectacle scales of live geckos and 93.3 ± 3.5° in isolated spectacles. Isolated setal arrays were ultrahydrophobic, with θ of 160.6 ± 1.3° (means ± SD). The difference in θ of setal arrays and smooth spectacles indicates a very low contact fraction. Using Cassie’s law of surface wettability, we infer that less than 6.6% of the surface of unloaded setae is solid and at least 93.4% is air space. We calculated that the contact fraction must increase from 6.6% in the unloaded state to 46% in the loaded state to account for previously measured values of adhesion. Thus gecko setae may be non-sticky by default because only a very small contact fraction is possible without mechanically deforming the setal array.     

从12S rRNA基因序列探讨中国10种壁虎的系统关系

对肌肉样品采用SDS／蛋白酶K裂解,酚－氯仿抽提和乙醇沉淀提取总DNA,用线粒体12SrDNA通用引物扩增,用银染测序和ABI Prism 310型遗传分析仪测定了Gekko japonicus,G.swinhonis,G.hokouensis,G.gecko,Cyrtopodion elongatus,C.russowi,Teratoscincus roborowskii,Hemidactylus bowringii.,H.frenatus和Gehyra mutilata 10种壁虎的线粒体12SrRNA基因片段的序列,对位排列后的序列长421bp,含201个变异位点,属间核苷酸变异范围为0．228－0．282,属内是0．005－0．263。重建的分子系统树将10种壁虎聚为三支：第1支是大壁虎和截趾虎,第2支由壁虎属其余的3个种构成一个单系;第三支由基余3个属的5个种组成,研究结果表明：截趾虎与壁虎属4物种亲缘关系较近;吐鲁番沙虎和弯脚虎属2物种,晰虎属2物种之间的亲缘关系较近,支持Russell(1976)关于弯脚虎属与晰虎属间进化关系的研究结果而不支持Kluge(1987)将沙虎属另立亚科的系统发生假说;铅山壁虎与无蹼壁虎最先聚为姐妹群,再与多疣壁相聚组成一个单系。     

Mitochondrial Diversity and Phylogeographic Patterns of Gekko gecko(Squamata: Gekkonidae) in Thailand

The Tokay Gecko, Gekko gecko(Linnaeus, 1758) is widely distributed in Asia and there have been concerns regarding locally decreasing populations due to overexploitation for traditional Chinese medicine. Previous studies of the genetic relationships of G. gecko populations included few populations from Thailand. Here we investigated the phylogeographic patterns of G. gecko from different regions in Thailand using mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two lineages: one(Lineage A) comprising populations from Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand; and a second(Lineage B) comprising three genetically distinct groups within Thailand alone. Some Thai populations were found to have both lineages represented within them. Highly significant genetic differentiation(FST) showed geographic population structuring in Lineage B, indicating limited gene flow among groups in Thailand. Although G. gecko has a wide distribution and is well adapted to human habitation, the observed genetic structure could potentially be explained by geographic barriers such as mountain ranges. In Lineage A, our study provided primary phylogeographic evidence for lineage mixture that might be a result of human-mediated transport. Future research should include more extensive sampling across the geographic distribution of G. gecko and a landscape genetics approach could be applied for conservation planning.     

The microscopic anatomy of epidermal glands in two species of gekkonine lizards, with some observations on testicular activity.

The gross and microscopic anatomy of epidermal glands has been studied in laboratory maintained tokays (Gekko gecko), and house geckos (Hemidactylus bowringii) captured from the wild throughout the year. Annual testicular activity in the house gecko has also been studied. While no significant differences in glandular development at various times have been observed in G. gecko, there are clear-cut annual cycles in H. bowringii. The evolution of epidermal glands in gekkonid lizards is reviewed; the cellular dynamics of beta-glands are compared with those of unspecialized epidermis; the possibility that gekkonine epidermal glands respond to quantitative variation in circulating testosterone titers is discussed.     

Observation of optimal gecko's adhesion on nanorough surfaces

In this letter we report experimental observations on the times of adhesion of living Tokay geckos (Gekko geckos) on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) inverted surfaces. Two different geckos (male and female) and three surfaces with different root mean square (RMS) roughness (RMS=42, 618 and 931 nm) have been considered, for a total of 72 observations. The measured data are proved to be statistically significant, following the Weibull Statistics with coefficients of correlation between 0.781 and 0.955. The unexpected result is the observation of a maximal gecko adhesion on the surface with intermediate roughness of RMS=618 nm, that we note has waviness comparable to the seta size.     

不同地理区域蛤蚧的RAPD分析

应用随机扩增多态性DNA（RAPD）技术,对6个不同地域（河池、南宁、桂林、百色、越南、泰国）的蛤蚧（Gekko gecko）进行了遗传多样性和系统发育分析。21个RAPD引物共扩增了218个位点,片段大小在200～2000bD,其中184个是多态位点,占84．4％。地域之间的遗传距离指数在0．0112～0．9631,遗传相似性系数在0．3817～0．9888之间,根据遗传距离指数和遗传相似性系数,用NTSYSpc 2．10软件包中的UPGMA法构建了系统聚类图,结果均显示南宁地区、桂林地区、百色地区和河池地区先聚在一起,再和越南聚在一起,最后和泰国群体聚类。这与形态地理分布特征相一致。     

大壁虎线粒体基因组全序列及其结构(英文)

采用长PCR扩增、克隆和引物步行等方法,测定了大壁虎(Gekkogecko)线粒体基因组全序列。序列全长16435bp,共有13个蛋白质编码基因、2个rRNA基因和22个tRNA基因。基因组的组成、顺序、编码链的选择、tRNA的结构、较低的碱基G含量、对碱基T的偏好以及GC和AT偏斜,都与大部分脊椎动物相同或相近。但有些特征揭示了壁虎类的原始性蛋白质编码基因密码子第3位表现为对碱基A的偏好,更接近两栖类和鱼类而不是羊膜动物;标准终止密码子(TAA)只出现于3个蛋白质编码基因中,比大部分脊椎动物少。tRNA基因核苷酸长度为63～76nt,除了tRNACys和tRNASer(AGY)缺少D臂,其余的二级结构均呈典型的三叶草状。     

Study on Karyotypes of Six Species in Angelica from Sichuan,China

Karyotypes of 6 species in Angelica L . from Sichuan are studied at population level and the karyotype of A. pseudoselinum is firstly reported . It is found that the number of chromosomes are invariably 2n = 2x =22 , with most of them are median and submedian centromeric chromosomes, while subterminal centromeric chromosomes exist in A. omeiensis . The majority of karyotypes belong to 2A, and Shihuiyao population of A. laxifoliata has 1A types . As for karyotypic formula , A. omeiensis is 2n =22 = 10m+ 2sm+ 10st , A. maowenensis is 2n =22= 16m+ 4sm+ 2sm (SAT) , A. sinensis is 2n = 22 = 14m+ 8sm, A. apaensis is 2n = 22 = 14m+8sm, and A. pseudoselinum is 2n =22 = 12m+ 8sm+2sm (SAT ) . However, different populations of A. laxiforliata don’t have the same karyotypic formulae, and there are some variations between the caryotypes more or less . According to Stebbins, A. omeiensis’s evolution status was showed by the highest index of asymmetry among six species studied in this paper , while A. laxiforliata is a little primitive because of its lower index of asymmetry and its 1A caryotypes . However , the morphological, anatomic , karyotypic characters and that of pollen grains are evolving asynchronously , suggesting that, Sichuan as one of the frequency centers of Angelica L . in China , is also one of thedifferentiation centers of Angelica L .     

Home Range Size and Overlap of the Small Nocturnal Schlegel's Japanese Gecko (Gekko japonicus), Introduced into a City Park in Korea

Studying the home range of an organism is important in understanding its ecology. Due to being cryptic, few studies have been conducted on the home range studies of small, nocturnal geckos. We conducted radio-tracking surveys for 23 individuals to estimate the home range size and home range overlap of the Schlegel's Japanese gecko(Gekko japonicus) previously introduced into a suburban city park. Individuals were commonly found in artificial structures(buildings and accessory structures) and on nearby natural trees. Daily moved distance was positively correlated with home range size. Minimum convex polygon(MCP) home range was 97.8 m~2 for females and 99.5 m~2 for males, on average. Gekko japonicus moved farther daily distances and used wider MCP and Kernel 95 home ranges in breeding season compared to non-breeding season, while the size of Kernel 50 home range did not differ between seasons. Both daily moved distance and home range size were not significantly different between sexes. In the breeding season, MCP and Kernel 50 home ranges of each gecko overlapped with 32.4% and 13.8% of remaining geckos, respectively. Our results not only show that 1) G. japonicus uses both artificial structures and adjacent natural trees as microhabitat, but also suggest that 2) G. japonicus is non-territorial, but has a core habitat that is shared with few other individuals, and 3) the reproductive system of G. japonicus is polygamous.     

Laryngotracheal morphology of Afro-Madagascan geckos: a comparative survey

The structural variation of the gekkonid larynx and trachea is examined within a representative subset of 17 species of Afro-Madagascan gekkonines to determine if there are underlying morphological correlates of vocalization. The documented morphology is compared to that of the tokay (Gekko gecko), which has previously been described. Data were obtained from gross anatomical observations, scanning electron microscopy, histological examinations and computer-generated, three-dimensional, skeletal reconstructions. Although there is limited variation among most Afro-Malagasy gekkonids, the larynges of Ptenopus garrulus and Uroplatus fimbriatus exhibit marked degrees of differentiation, suggesting that laryngeal and tracheal morphology may account for the documented vocal variability of gekkonid lizards. Cladistic analyses indicated that parallel adaptive trends characterize the laryngeal morphology of the examined taxa. Alternate designs and refinements to a model of gekkonid phonation are presented, and the evolution of acoustic communication in the Gekkonidae is considered.     

鹅观草属五个类群的核型与进化

报道了鹅观草属５个类群的核型,即长芒鹅观草,核型２ｎ＝４ｘ＝２８＝２２ｍ＋６ｓｍ（２ＳＡＴ）;短颖鹅观草,核型２ｎ＝４ｘ＝２８＝２０ｍ（２ＳＡＴ）＋８ｓｍ（２ＳＡＴ）;短柄鹅观草,核型２ｎ＝４ｘ＝２８＝２２ｍ（２ＳＡＴ）＋６ｓｍ;纤毛鹅观草,核型２ｎ＝４ｘ＝２８＝２０ｍ＋８ｓｍ（４ＳＡＴ）;毛盘鹅观草,核型２ｎ＝４ｘ＝２８＝１８ｍ＋６ｓｍ（４ＳＡＴ）＋４ｓｔ。同时,通过核型重要性状的递变分析,揭示了鹅观草属５个类群的相对进化程度以及宏观分类中４个组的系统发育关系,表明鹅观草属的半颖组在系统发育中可能既派生了颖体短小的小颖组,又派生了颖体长大的大颖组和长颖组。