We present detailed species accounts for fifty-nine(59) species of amphibians and reptiles(17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids, and 17 snakes) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, which li...We present detailed species accounts for fifty-nine(59) species of amphibians and reptiles(17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids, and 17 snakes) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, which lies within the Caraballo Mountain Range, whose biota is poorly-known. This was also the first extensive survey of herpetofauna within the watershed. Together with data from previous literature reviews, our records bring the total number of species of amphibians and reptiles for the Caraballo Mountain Range to 66. Forty-two(42) species from the area were Philippine endemics, with 25 species recorded only from Luzon faunal region. Seven species of herpetofauna are associated with unresolved taxonomic issues(new species and species complexes needing taxonomic partitioning, e.g. splitting of species groups). Two species recorded from the area were rarely represented in museum collections. Major distributional and elevational range extensions were recorded for several species. Comparison with Luzon’s other mountain ranges showed that the Caraballo Mountain Range is similar, in terms of species composition, to the northern Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Ranges. The result of this survey showed the Caraballo Mountain Range and its mountains as a possible new center of herpetofaunal diversity and endemicity within Luzon. The importance of the Caraballo Mountain Range as an important biogeographic link merits further study.展开更多
Herpetological surveys of locations in six districts of Timor-Leste(Dili, Baucau, Ermera, Liqui a, Manatuto, Viqueque) during 2010 led to the discovery of a new, high-altitude species of Cryptoblepharus from Ermera Di...Herpetological surveys of locations in six districts of Timor-Leste(Dili, Baucau, Ermera, Liqui a, Manatuto, Viqueque) during 2010 led to the discovery of a new, high-altitude species of Cryptoblepharus from Ermera District, a new country record(Hemidactylus cf. tenkatei), and the recording of two previously unvouchered species(Python r. reticulatus and Liasis m. mackloti). In this article, we summarize these new records and present numerous new district records for Timor-Leste and four records for road-killed snakes seen in West Timor(Indonesia). With the addition of the results from our 2009 survey, the update presented herein increases the confirmed number of amphibian and reptile species for Timor-Leste to 47.展开更多
Northwestern Morocco is undergoing a sudden change in the level of infrastructure growth and pressure on the environment from increased tourism.The ongoing changes are raising questions about how the ecosystem will re...Northwestern Morocco is undergoing a sudden change in the level of infrastructure growth and pressure on the environment from increased tourism.The ongoing changes are raising questions about how the ecosystem will react,and the relevant drivers of these changes.The Oued Laou valley in north-west Morocco hosts high landscape,species and human cultural diversity.The Talassemtane National Park has been established to preserve the envi-ronment in this region;however,what information tools are available to children regarding this environment?The ecosystem is illustrated here using three components:herpetofauna(representing ecosystem components),prob-lems related to water quantity and quality(representing interactions within ecosystem components)and Talassemtane National Park(representing a case of ecosystem management).A children’s book was written on this topic,and when the book was delivered to pupils,a questionnaire was included,aimed at determining their sources of environ-mental information.The results identified major changes in the sources of information utilized by children in this part of Morocco,a clear role of schools in explaining ecosystem components,and an increasing role of TV in environmental information supply.The role of the family was found to be less important than TV or school.Another major source of pupils’environmental knowledge is personal observation and hands-on experience,both for rural and urban children.Children are willing to discover and understand complex systems,and researchers should be encouraged to supply children with correct and up-to-date information on environmental systems,focusing at first on the local environment,as a background for sustainable development.展开更多
We report on the discovery of a new genus of microhylid subfamily Asterophryinae from northern and eastern Indochina, containing three new species. Vietnamophryne （3en. nov. are secretive miniaturized frogs （SVL〈21...We report on the discovery of a new genus of microhylid subfamily Asterophryinae from northern and eastern Indochina, containing three new species. Vietnamophryne （3en. nov. are secretive miniaturized frogs （SVL〈21 mm） with a mostly semi-fossorial lifestyle. To assess phylogenetic relationships, we studied 12S rRNA - 16S rRNA mtDNA fragments with a final alignment of 2 591 bp for 53 microhylid species. Morphological and osteological characters were analyzed using micro-CT scanning and used to describe the new genus. Results of phylogenetic analyses assigned the new genus into the mainly Australasian subfamily Asterophryinae as a sister taxon to the genus Siamophryne from southern Indochina. The three specimens collected from Gia Lai Province in central Vietnam, Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam, and Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand proved to be separate species, different both in morphology and genetics （genetic divergence 3.1%〈P〈5.1%）. Our work provides further evidence for the ＂out of Indo-Eurasia＂ scenario for Asterophryinae, indicating that the initial cladogenesis and differentiation of this group of frogs occurred in the Indochina Peninsula. To date, eachof the three new species of Vietnamophryne Gen. nov. is known only from a single specimen; thus, their distribution, life history, and conservation status require further study.展开更多
Faunal species richness is traditionally assumed to decrease with increasing elevation and decreasing prmary productivity. Species richness is reported to peak at mid-elevation. This survey examines the herpetofaunal ...Faunal species richness is traditionally assumed to decrease with increasing elevation and decreasing prmary productivity. Species richness is reported to peak at mid-elevation. This survey examines the herpetofaunal diversity and distribution in Mt. Kenya （central Kenya） by testing the hypothesis that changes in species richness with elevation relate to elevation-dependent changes in climate. Sampling along transects from an elevation of approximately 1 700 m in Chogoda forest block （wind-ward side） and approximately 2 600 m in Sirimon block （rain shadow zone） upwards in March 2009. This starts from the forest to montane alpine zones. Sampling of reptiles and amphibians uses pitfall traps associated with ddfl fences, time-limited searches and visual encounter surveys. The results show that herpetofaunal richness differs among three vegetation zones along the elevation gradient. Chogoria has higher biodiversity than Sirimon. More species occur at low and middle elevations and few exist at high elevations. The trends are consistent with expected optimum water and energy variables. The lower alpine montane zone has high species richness but low diversity due to domi- nance of some high elevations species. Unambiguous data do not support a mid-domain effect （mid-elevation peak） because the observed trend better fits a model in which climatic variables （rainfall and temperature） control species richness, which indirectly measures productivity. It is important to continue protection of all indigenous forests, especially at low to mid elevations. These areas are vulnerable to human destruction yet are home to some endemic species. Firebreaks can limit the spread of the perennial wildfires, especially on the moor- lands.展开更多
基金the Rufford Small Grant for Nature Conservation (Project No. 19494-1)DOST-ASTHRDP-NSC and IdeaWild Organization for generously funding this research and for supporting the fieldworks
文摘We present detailed species accounts for fifty-nine(59) species of amphibians and reptiles(17 frogs, 14 skinks, 3 agamids, 6 gekkonid lizards, 2 varanids, and 17 snakes) from Pantabangan-Carranglan Watershed, which lies within the Caraballo Mountain Range, whose biota is poorly-known. This was also the first extensive survey of herpetofauna within the watershed. Together with data from previous literature reviews, our records bring the total number of species of amphibians and reptiles for the Caraballo Mountain Range to 66. Forty-two(42) species from the area were Philippine endemics, with 25 species recorded only from Luzon faunal region. Seven species of herpetofauna are associated with unresolved taxonomic issues(new species and species complexes needing taxonomic partitioning, e.g. splitting of species groups). Two species recorded from the area were rarely represented in museum collections. Major distributional and elevational range extensions were recorded for several species. Comparison with Luzon’s other mountain ranges showed that the Caraballo Mountain Range is similar, in terms of species composition, to the northern Sierra Madre and Cordillera Mountain Ranges. The result of this survey showed the Caraballo Mountain Range and its mountains as a possible new center of herpetofaunal diversity and endemicity within Luzon. The importance of the Caraballo Mountain Range as an important biogeographic link merits further study.
基金Financial assistance for equipment and supplies was partially provided by a Title V Grant to Victor Valley CollegePartial financing of student travel was provided by the Associated Student Body at Victor Valley College
文摘Herpetological surveys of locations in six districts of Timor-Leste(Dili, Baucau, Ermera, Liqui a, Manatuto, Viqueque) during 2010 led to the discovery of a new, high-altitude species of Cryptoblepharus from Ermera District, a new country record(Hemidactylus cf. tenkatei), and the recording of two previously unvouchered species(Python r. reticulatus and Liasis m. mackloti). In this article, we summarize these new records and present numerous new district records for Timor-Leste and four records for road-killed snakes seen in West Timor(Indonesia). With the addition of the results from our 2009 survey, the update presented herein increases the confirmed number of amphibian and reptile species for Timor-Leste to 47.
基金This work was carried out within the project WADI(EU contract INCO-CT2005-015226,6FP).
文摘Northwestern Morocco is undergoing a sudden change in the level of infrastructure growth and pressure on the environment from increased tourism.The ongoing changes are raising questions about how the ecosystem will react,and the relevant drivers of these changes.The Oued Laou valley in north-west Morocco hosts high landscape,species and human cultural diversity.The Talassemtane National Park has been established to preserve the envi-ronment in this region;however,what information tools are available to children regarding this environment?The ecosystem is illustrated here using three components:herpetofauna(representing ecosystem components),prob-lems related to water quantity and quality(representing interactions within ecosystem components)and Talassemtane National Park(representing a case of ecosystem management).A children’s book was written on this topic,and when the book was delivered to pupils,a questionnaire was included,aimed at determining their sources of environ-mental information.The results identified major changes in the sources of information utilized by children in this part of Morocco,a clear role of schools in explaining ecosystem components,and an increasing role of TV in environmental information supply.The role of the family was found to be less important than TV or school.Another major source of pupils’environmental knowledge is personal observation and hands-on experience,both for rural and urban children.Children are willing to discover and understand complex systems,and researchers should be encouraged to supply children with correct and up-to-date information on environmental systems,focusing at first on the local environment,as a background for sustainable development.
基金supported by the programs of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31501843,31622052)Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute,Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)(Y4ZK111B01:2017CASSEABRIQG002)+2 种基金Animal Branch of the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species,CAS(Large Research Infrastructure Funding)Thailand Research Fund(TRF)(DBG6180001)Molecular experiments,phylogenetic analyses,specimen storage,examination and micro CT-analysis were carried out with the financial support of the Russian Science Foundation(RSF14-50-00029)
文摘We report on the discovery of a new genus of microhylid subfamily Asterophryinae from northern and eastern Indochina, containing three new species. Vietnamophryne （3en. nov. are secretive miniaturized frogs （SVL〈21 mm） with a mostly semi-fossorial lifestyle. To assess phylogenetic relationships, we studied 12S rRNA - 16S rRNA mtDNA fragments with a final alignment of 2 591 bp for 53 microhylid species. Morphological and osteological characters were analyzed using micro-CT scanning and used to describe the new genus. Results of phylogenetic analyses assigned the new genus into the mainly Australasian subfamily Asterophryinae as a sister taxon to the genus Siamophryne from southern Indochina. The three specimens collected from Gia Lai Province in central Vietnam, Cao Bang Province in northern Vietnam, and Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand proved to be separate species, different both in morphology and genetics （genetic divergence 3.1%〈P〈5.1%）. Our work provides further evidence for the ＂out of Indo-Eurasia＂ scenario for Asterophryinae, indicating that the initial cladogenesis and differentiation of this group of frogs occurred in the Indochina Peninsula. To date, eachof the three new species of Vietnamophryne Gen. nov. is known only from a single specimen; thus, their distribution, life history, and conservation status require further study.
基金supported by the Mt.Kenya East Pilot Biodiversity Project by Global Environmental Facility to Kenya Wildlife Service
文摘Faunal species richness is traditionally assumed to decrease with increasing elevation and decreasing prmary productivity. Species richness is reported to peak at mid-elevation. This survey examines the herpetofaunal diversity and distribution in Mt. Kenya （central Kenya） by testing the hypothesis that changes in species richness with elevation relate to elevation-dependent changes in climate. Sampling along transects from an elevation of approximately 1 700 m in Chogoda forest block （wind-ward side） and approximately 2 600 m in Sirimon block （rain shadow zone） upwards in March 2009. This starts from the forest to montane alpine zones. Sampling of reptiles and amphibians uses pitfall traps associated with ddfl fences, time-limited searches and visual encounter surveys. The results show that herpetofaunal richness differs among three vegetation zones along the elevation gradient. Chogoria has higher biodiversity than Sirimon. More species occur at low and middle elevations and few exist at high elevations. The trends are consistent with expected optimum water and energy variables. The lower alpine montane zone has high species richness but low diversity due to domi- nance of some high elevations species. Unambiguous data do not support a mid-domain effect （mid-elevation peak） because the observed trend better fits a model in which climatic variables （rainfall and temperature） control species richness, which indirectly measures productivity. It is important to continue protection of all indigenous forests, especially at low to mid elevations. These areas are vulnerable to human destruction yet are home to some endemic species. Firebreaks can limit the spread of the perennial wildfires, especially on the moor- lands.
