Leguane - faszinierend und exotisch.

4. Auflage (1. Auflage 2003); 64 Seiten, zahlreiche Farbfotos von Christine Steimer

Verlag Graefe & Unzer GmbH, München. ISBN 978-3-7742-5758-9.

Verlagstext:

Filme wie Jurassic Park haben Echsen ins Bewusstsein vieler Menschen gebracht. Leguane faszinieren uns, denn sie erinnern an die Saurier aus längst vergangenen Zeiten. Verbunden mit dem Wunsch immer Ausgefalleneres besitzen zu wollen, sind Terrarientiere – und damit auch Leguane – heute “en vogue”. Mit der richtigen Pflege und Haltung zeigen sie vielfältige und interessante Verhaltensweisen und werden damit für Ihre Halter zum spannenden Beobachtungsobjekt. Dieser GU Tierratgeber vermittelt alles Wichtige rund um die Themen Einrichtung und Technik, Ernährung und Pflege – damit Sie Ihrem Leguan ein artgerechtes Leben bieten können.

Applications of Ecological Niche Modeling for Species Delimitation: A Review and Empirical Evaluation Using Day Geckos (Phelsuma) from Madagascar.

Systematic Biology 56 (6): 907 - 923. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10635150701775111

Abstract:

Although the systematic utility of ecological niche modeling is generally well known (e.g., concerning the recognition and discovery of areas of endemism for biogeographic analyses), there has been little discussion of applications concerning species delimitation, and to date, no empirical evaluation has been conducted. However, ecological niche modeling can provide compelling evidence for allopatry between populations, and can also detect divergent ecological niches between candidate species. Here we present results for two taxonomically problematic groups of Phelsuma day geckos from Madagascar, where we integrate ecological niche modeling with mitochondrial DNA and morphological data to evaluate species limits. Despite relatively modest levels of genetic and morphological divergence, for both species groups we find divergent ecological niches between closely related species and parapatric ecological niche models. Niche models based on the new species limits provide a better fit to the known distribution than models based upon the combined (lumped) species limits. Based on these results, we elevate three subspecies of Phelsuma madagascariensis (P. m. madagascariensis, P. m. grandis, and P. m. kochi) to species rank and describe a new species of Phelsuma from the P. dubia species group. Our phylogeny continues to support a major endemic radiation of Phelsuma in Madagascar, with dispersals to Pemba Island and the Mascarene Islands. We conclude that ecological niche modeling offers great potential for species delimitation, especially for taxonomic groups exhibiting low vagility and localized endemism and for groups with more poorly known distributions. In particular, niche modeling should be especially sensitive for detecting recent parapatric speciation driven by ecological divergence, when the environmental gradients driving speciation are represented within the ecological niche models.

Geckos: Biologie - Haltung - Zucht.

176 Seiten, Farbfotos, Zeichnungen. 2. völlig neu bearbeitete Auflage.
Verlag Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-3854-9

Verlagstext:

Das Buch behandelt die Gruppe der Geckos einschließlich der Flossenfüße.Die vorliegende zweite Auflage des erfolgreichen Werkes berücksichtigt dabei neueste Erkenntnisse über Systematik, Biologie und Verhalten der Tiere. Neben den schon längere Zeit bekannten Geckos wird eine Vielzahl von Arten vorgestellt, die in den letzten Jahren neu importiert und beschrieben wurden. Dabei liegt der Schwerpunkt auf den Geckos, die in der Terraristik gepflegt werden. Systematik dieser Reptilien, ihre Biologie und das Verhalten werden nach den neuesten wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen dargestellt. Porträts von über 100 Geckoarten mit vielen Farbfotos vervollständigen dieses alle Aspekte umfassende Werk.

Inhaltsverzeichnis:

• Lebensweise und Verbreitung der Geckos
• Entwicklungsgeschichte und Systematik
• Besonderheiten des Körperbaues
• Terrarien für Geckos und ihre Einrichtung
• Fortpflanzung und Aufzucht
• Inkubationstemperatur und Geschlechterverhältnis
• Ernährung und Futtertierzuchten
• Erkrankungen und ihre Behandlung
• Vorstellung der einzelnen Geckoarten

Aktuelles zur Taxonomie und Systematik asiatischer Grubenottern.

TERRARIA elaphe Heft 1/2012: 52-61.

gumprecht-biblio

Chinese Alligator - Alligator sinensis.

In: Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin: 5-9.

Auszug:

Ecology and Natural History

The Chinese alligator is a relatively small crocodilian with a maximum length of approximately 2 m. Historically more widely distributed in the lower Changjiang (also known as Yangtze) River system in southeastern China, Alligator sinensis is currently only  known  from  a  small region  in  southeastern  Anhui Province, a fraction of its former distribution. Reports of very low numbers of wild A. sinensis in  Zhejiang  and  Jiangsu  Provinces have not been confi rmed in recent years, and certainly no breeding populations occur outside Anhui Province.

The three principal habitat types where A. sinensis can now be found are:

• remnant wetlands in low, broad, fertile valleys along main river courses, dominated by paddy fields;
• intermediate ponds in low hill valleys (<100 m) but with signifi cant agriculture in the valley above the pond; and, 
• ponds situated in low hill valleys (<100 m) at the upper edge of rice cultivation and the low edge of tree plantations.

Because  they  occur  at  relatively  high  northern  latitude, Chinese alligators spend a large portion of the year hibernating in subterranean burrows. The burrows can be complex, with above and below-ground pools, and numerous air holes. The extensive use of these burrows and their very secretive behavior has allowed A. sinensis to inhabit wetland habitats in areas with dense human populations.

Chinese alligators usually begin to emerge from their dens to bask in May. In June, with warming temperatures, they will begin to make nocturnal sorties. Nesting occurs from early July to late August, with 10-40 eggs being laid in a mound nest of decaying vegetation.

Volltext (PDF)

Dwarf Crocodile - Osteolaemus tetraspis.

In: Crocodiles.Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan: 127-132.
Third Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin.

Aus dem Inhalt:

The African dwarf crocodile historically ranged throughout the lowland regions of West and western Central Africa, from Senegal and The Gambia in the west to the eastern border of the Congo Basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Northern Nigeria and Cabinda Province (Angola) are considered to be the northern and southern extents of the genus, respectively. The Central and West African dwarf crocodile (O. tetraspis) is now distinguished from Osborn’s dwarf crocodile (O. osborni), and new research suggests that populations further west are signifi cantly differentiated from lineages in Central Africa and the Congo Basin and warrant a unique species designation (Osteolaemus cf. tetraspis) (Eaton et al. 2009).

The taxonomy of the African dwarf crocodile has been under debate for almost 80 years. Osteolaemus tetraspis was first described in 1860 from Gabon. A second morphological form, discovered in the upper Congo River Basin, was described as a new genus (Osteoblepharon osborni, Schmidt 1919). This new genus was subsequently considered to be unwarranted, resulting first in osborni being relegated as species of Osteolaemus and then to a subspecies, Osteolaemus tetraspis osborni (Wermuth 1953). Some authorities have even suggested that sub-species status may not be merited. A recent morphological study, however, has confirmed fixed differences between tetraspis and osborni, suggesting that each should be resurrected as a distinct taxon. Additionally, a recent molecular  phylogenetic analysis of samples collected from the Republic of Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast and Ghana supports the evolutionary distinctiveness of dwarf crocodiles in the Congo Basin (osborni) from those further west. This same investigation also revealed that the nominal form of O. tetraspis from Gabon’s Ogooué Basin is genetically distinct from dwarf crocodiles in West Africa, suggesting that at least one new morphologically cryptic species exists in the latter region.

Tomistoma - Tomistoma schlegelii. 

In: Crocodiles. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. Third  Edition, ed. by S.C. Manolis and C. Stevenson. Crocodile Specialist Group: Darwin:: 133-138.

Volltext (PDF)

Doppelt publiziert hält besser: ein "neues Nilkrokodil".

TERRARIA - elaphe, Heft 2012/1: 50-51.

Inhalt:

Aufgrund molekulargenetischer Untersuchungen wurde das Westafrikanische oder Wüstenkrokodil von niloticus abgespaltet und unter dem Namen suchus als eigene Art postuliert

Tropische Laubfrösche.

2. überarbeitete Auflage. 96 Seiten brosch., mit 4 Zeichnungen im Text und 49 Farbfotos auf 12 Tafeln.
Ulmer Stuttgart. ISBN-10: 3800172461; ISBN-13: 978-3800172467.

Verlagstext:

Die Haltung und Zucht von tropischen Laubfröschen hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren zu einem wichtigen und attraktiven Spezialbereich der Terraristik entwickelt. In ihrer Artenvielfalt und angesichts ihrer bemerkenswerten Brut- und Überlebensstrategien sind die Froschlurche ideale Terrarientiere. Entsprechend wurde auch die Neuauflage dieses Buches verbessert und erweitert, insbesondere um Laubfrösche aus Mittel- und Südamerika, die derzeit eine wesentliche Rolle spielen. Ralf Heselhaus stellt insgesamt 52 Arten tropischer Laubfrösche aus allen Kontinenten vor und beschreibt ihre Pflege und Zucht.

Crocodiles of Australia.

112 Seiten, farbig illustriert. Reed Books Pty. Ltd.; ISBN 6-7301-0254-8

Verlagstext:

Crocodiles are abundant in most rivers, creeks and swamps in northern Australia and are a major tourist attraction. They are part of the great 'northern adventure' that domestic and international visitors travel so far to experience. In Australian Crocodiles - A Natural History, Grahame Webb and Charlie Manolis uncover the 'private lives' of crocodiles, with comprehensive studies on reproduction, growth, movement, behaviour, habitats and food. The book begins by tackling the history of crocodile hunting and the rising demand for crocodile skins for use in fashion items, to their eventual protection and farming not just in Australia but around the world.The authors explore the anatomy, physiology and embryology of these fascinating animals. They also examine attacks on humans, the history of crocodile hunting and farming, surveying, catching and handling.Includes bibliographical references and index.