Isolation and characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers in the tropical house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia)

We present 12 variable microsatellite loci isolated from the invasive tropical house gecko, Hemidactylus mabouia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were tested on 39 individuals from two locations in Miami, Florida. Heterozygote deficiency was detected for four loci, and we attribute this to possible null alleles or population substructure. Some loci successfully amplified PCR products in several congeners, indicating their potential for use in other geckos.     

Assessment of rates of deformity in wild frog populations using in situ cages: a case study of Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens) in Ontario, Canada

High rates of deformity in wild amphibian populations from north-eastern North America have been increasingly reported since 1995. In the St Lawrence River basin (Canada) elevated frequencies of limb and eye deformities in mudpuppies (Necturus maculosus) and leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) were recorded in the early 1990s. A caging study was conducted during 1998 to verify the rates recorded in leopard frogs and pursue the potential causes of deformities seen in juveniles and adults. Week-old leopard frog tadpoles were collected from a reference wetland and maintained through to metamorphosis in cages in previously identified high risk wetlands. Deformity frequencies were measured and compared with frequencies measured in wild populations of leopard frogs inhabiting the same wetlands. The results of caging studies and sampling of wild populations were also compared with corresponding data collected from a reference wetland. No deformities were observed in caged or wild reference animals. Very low deformity frequencies (up to 2.2%) were observed in frogs caged in high risk wetlands, but greater frequencies (3.4-10%) were observed in wild young-of-the-year frogs captured at the same sites. The types of deformities were similar among groups; they included fused, missing or extra digits and disproportionate hindlimb length or eye pupil size. In addition, mortality rates were elevated in two cages in high risk wetlands. In general, the caging procedure was effective in establishing the potential for production of deformities in the waters of a given wetland, but tended to underestimate the rates calculated for samples of wild populations. The ramifications of the first-year findings for similar assessments of amphibian deformity rates and establishment of cause-effect linkages are discussed.     

Ultrastructure of the corpus luteum of antarctic seals during pregnancy

Summary The fine structure of granulosa lutein cells from three crabeater seals, Lobodon carcinophagus, and two leopard seals, Hydrurga leptonyx, has been studied from early through mid-pregnancy. Analysis of the arrangement and modifications of the cytoplasmic organelles and inclusions has revealed three types of lutein cells throughout the corpus. Type I cell typically possesses a central nucleus and cytoplasm containing very large amounts of smooth and/or fenestrated endoplasmic cisternae which frequently extend from the juxta-nuclear to the periphery of the cell. Type II cell contains a central or eccentric nucleus, moderate amounts of peripheral, smooth and fenestrated cisternae which often form large and concentric membranous whorls, numerous mitochondria and small lipid droplets. Frequently these cells show polarity in the arrangement of the cytoplasmic organelles and inclusions. Type III cell contains predominant large lipid droplets, many mitochondria, and small amounts of smooth and fenestrated cisternae. In light microscopy the type I cell is evenly granular, while the type III cell is highly vacuolated. Type II cells have both granular and vacuolated conditions. Ultrastructural features of type I and II cells suggest that they probably secrete most of the steroids, whereas the primary role of the type III cells appear to be lipid storage.This research was supported by National Science Foundation, Grant No. 1325 from the Office of Antarctic Biology.     

Taxonomy and biogeography of Bunopus spatalurus (Reptilia; Gekkonidae) from the Arabian Peninsula

In the last decade, taxonomic studies have drastically increased the number of species known to inhabit the Arabian deserts. While ongoing phylogenetic studies continue to identify new species and high levels of intraspecific genetic diversity, few studies have yet explored the biogeographic patterns in this arid region using an integrative approach. In the present work, we apply different phylogenetic methods to infer relationships within the Palearctic naked‐toed geckos. We specifically address for the first time the taxonomy and biogeography of Bunopus spatalurus Anderson, 1901, from Arabia using multilocus concatenated and species tree phylogenies, haplotype networks and morphology. We also use species distribution modelling and phylogeographic interpolation to explore the phylogeographic structure of Bunopus spatalurus hajarensis in the Hajar Mountains and the roles of climatic stability and possible biogeographic barriers on lineage occurrence and contact zones in this arid mountain endemism hot spot. According to the inferred topology recovered using concatenated and species tree methods, the genus ‘Bunopus’ is polyphyletic. Bunopus tuberculatus and B. blanfordii form a highly supported clade closely related to Crossobamon orientalis, while the two subspecies of ‘Bunopus’ spatalurus branch together as an independent highly supported clade that diverged during the Miocene according to our estimations. Within B. s. hajarensis, three geographically structured clades can be recognized that according to our estimations diverged during the Late Miocene to Pliocene. The paleodistribution models indicate climatic stability during the Late Pleistocene and the lineage occurrence, and predicted contact zones obtained from phylogeographic interpolation therefore probably result from the older splits of the groups when these lineages originated in allopatry. As demonstrated by the results of the multilocus molecular phylogenetic analyses and the topological test carried out in this study, the genus ‘Bunopus’ is not monophyletic. To resolve this, we resurrect the genus Trachydactylus Haas and Battersby, 1959; for the species formerly referred to as Bunopus spatalurus. Considering the morphological differences, the high level of genetic differentiation in the 12S mitochondrial gene and the results of the phylogenetic and the cmos haplotype network analysis, we elevate Trachydactylus spatalurus hajarensis to the species level Trachydactylus hajarensis (Arnold, 1980).     

蛤蚧前背侧室嵴(ADVR)的分区及细胞形态学研究

采用解剖学方法和绀织学方法仔细观察,分析蛤蚧（Gekko gecko）前背侧室嵴（ADVR）的形态学分区,发现以ADVR表面的浅沟为标记,参照细胞着色深浅,细胞密度分布特征以及细胞形态大小,可将ADVR分为内侧区（ma）、嘴外侧区（rla）和尾外侧区（cla）等3个部分,为ADVR的结构功能的深入研究提供了形态学依据。     

Tempo and mode of performance evolution across multiple independent origins of adhesive toe pads in lizards

Understanding macroevolutionary dynamics of trait evolution is an important endeavor in evolutionary biology. Ecological opportunity can liberate a trait as it diversifies through trait space, while genetic and selective constraints can limit diversification. While many studies have examined the dynamics of morphological traits, diverse morphological traits may yield the same or similar performance and as performance is often more proximately the target of selection, examining only morphology may give an incomplete understanding of evolutionary dynamics. Here, we ask whether convergent evolution of pad‐bearing lizards has followed similar evolutionary dynamics, or whether independent origins are accompanied by unique constraints and selective pressures over macroevolutionary time. We hypothesized that geckos and anoles each have unique evolutionary tempos and modes. Using performance data from 59 species, we modified Brownian motion (BM) and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) models to account for repeated origins estimated using Bayesian ancestral state reconstructions. We discovered that adhesive performance in geckos evolved in a fashion consistent with Brownian motion with a trend, whereas anoles evolved in bounded performance space consistent with more constrained evolution (an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck model). Our results suggest that convergent phenotypes can have quite distinctive evolutionary patterns, likely as a result of idiosyncratic constraints or ecological opportunities.     

新疆雪豹调查中的痕迹分析

雪豹(Unciauncia)属于中亚高山高度濒危动物,夜行性,极其罕见。新疆雪豹研究小组2004年9~11月,在新疆的北塔山、阿尔泰山东部、天山东部和托木尔峰地区大约9个地点,对雪豹的痕迹进行了全面调查。共计完成67个样线,总长度47776m,其中发现遗留痕迹的样线有27条,痕迹数118个,平均为2.47个/km。记录到的痕迹有粪团、嗅痕(气味标记)、足迹、刨痕、卧迹、爪印、毛发、尿迹、血迹、剩余食物(动物尸体)和吼声等。同步还完成了200余份问卷调查表,充分了解雪豹与当地居民的冲突。最后,通过痕迹学的分析,初步掌握雪豹的栖息地选择、领域范围、分布规律和相对密度。这对于种群数量估计和物种的保护管理具有重要意义。     

Extended gestation with late‐autumn births in a cool‐climate viviparous gecko from southern New Zealand (Reptilia: Naultinus gemmeus)

Abstract Female viviparous lizards from temperate locations in the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, Tasmania (Australia), South Africa and South America) often have reproductive activity spanning many months of the year. In contrast, vitellogenesis and pregnancy are often confined to the spring/summer months in viviparous species from temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. An extreme Southern Hemisphere example is the nocturnal common gecko from New Zealand, Hoplodactylus maculatus (Gray 1845), in which females exhibit biennial reproduction with pregnancy lasting up to 14 months in a cool‐climate population. Here, we examined whether such an extended reproductive cycle also occurs in a diurnal species, the jewelled gecko Naultinus gemmeus (McCann 1955), at a similar latitude. Palpation was used to assess reproductive condition non‐invasively. In contrast to the nearby higher‐altitude population of H. maculatus, N. gemmeus reproduces annually. Vitellogenesis occurs from autumn to spring in both species, but pregnancy ends after about 7 months in N. gemmeus. Birth occurs in the seemingly unpropitious season of mid‐ to late autumn, a pattern that may be unique for lizards from cool‐temperate zones. We hypothesize that there are major differences between populations of N. gemmeus and H. maculatus with respect to survival of autumn‐born neonates and/or costs to females from remaining pregnant over winter. Museum specimens of N. gemmeus support anatomical inferences from palpation; they also suggest that vitellogenesis may begin before the end of pregnancy (which may be essential to completing each reproductive cycle within a year) and that some populations may show gestation in utero over winter, as in H. maculatus. Extended gestation appears to be a common response to cool climates for Southern Hemisphere lizards that have independently evolved viviparity.     

Clues to the cause of the Tsushima leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura) decline from isotopic measurements in three species of Carnivora

The estimated population of the Tsushima leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis euptilura is only 80–110 individuals. However, the cause of the population decline is not clear. We investigated temporal changes in the food habits of the cat and two other species of Carnivora (marten and weasel) inhabiting the Tsushima Islands by measuring δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in hair samples. Hair samples of the cat were collected not only from specimens and furs, but also from feces. The gathering of hair from cat feces was most efficient when the feces were collected in the spring. The food habit of male cats seemed to be more diverse and tended to comprise prey of higher trophic levels than the food habits of the females. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N measurements suggested that the trophic level of the food sources has been decreasing over the last several decades for the cat and weasel, but not for the marten. Increased consumption of prey from lower trophic levels in the food habit of the cat seems to be related to the decline of the cat population because these phenomena occurred simultaneously.