Zum Gedenken an Hans Schweizer - 11. September 1891 - 20. Juli 1975.

Salamandra 12 (1); 1-4.

Auszug:

SCHWEIZER war ein Feldherpetologe, dessen Ruf nicht nur durch die Entdeckung der nach ihm benannten Unterarten bekannter Reptilien (Vipera lebetina schweizeri WERNER 1935, Natrix natrix schweizeri L. MÜLLER 1932, Lacerta milensis schweizeri MERTENS 1934 und Lacerta trilineata hansschweizeri L. MÜLLER 1935) begründet war, auch seine 52 Publikationen in verschiedenen Zeitschriften, erschienen von 1921 bis 1971, seine zahlreichen Vorträge und seine fünf großen Ausstellungen aus der Kriegs- und Vorkriegszeit stempelten ihn zum gesuchten Fachmann in nah und fern.

Reproductive Biology of Boiga guangxiensis Wen, 1998 (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Asian Herpetological Research 2010, 1(1): 44-47
DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1245.2010.00044

Abstract:

Up to now, the reproductive biology of most species of the genus Boiga is investigated very little. Important data on the reproductive biology of Boiga guangxiensis were received by us for the first time. The investigations were carried out in Viet Nam during expeditions and in the laboratories of Tula Exotarium in the period between 1998−2000.

The data on the feeding, egg size, incubation, size of hatchings, and juvenile colouration of this species are provided for the first time. In addition, the data on size and ratio of snout-vent length/tail length of this snake are provided based on the Vietnamese samples. Our researches demonstrated that B. guangxiensis is distinguished from most other species of the genus by a number of peculiarities of its reproductive biology. Also, morphological differences between Chinese and Vietnamese individuals of this species were noted.

Phylogeography And Systematic Revision Of The Egyptian Cobra (Serpentes: Elapidae: Naja Haje) Species Complex, With The Description Of A New Species From West Africa.

Zootaxa. 2236. 1-25. 10.5281/zenodo.190424.

Abstract:

We use a combination of phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA sequences and multivariate morphometrics to investigate the phylogeography and systematics of the Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) species complex. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial haplotypes reveals a highly distinct clade of haplotypes from the Sudano–Sahelian savanna belt of West Africa, and that the haplotypes of Naja haje arabica  form the sister group of North and East African N. h. haje. Multivariate morphometrics confirm the distinctness of the Arabian populations, which are consequently recognised as a full species, Naja arabica Scortecci. The Sudano-Sahelian populations are also found to represent a morphologically distinct taxon, and thus a separate species, which we describe as Naja senegalensis sp. nov. The new species differs from all other members of the N. haje complex by a combination of colour pattern and scalation characteristics (especially higher numbers of scale rows around the neck), and the possession of a unique clade of mtDNA haplotypes. The distribution of the new species includes savanna areas of West Africa, from Senegal to western Niger and Nigeria.

Phylogeography And Systematic Revision Of The Egyptian Cobra (Serpentes: Elapidae: Naja Haje) Species Complex, With The Description Of A New Species From West Africa (PDF Download Available).

Full text available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228655725_Phylogeography_And_Systematic_Revision_Of_The_Egyptian_Cobra_Serpentes_Elapidae_Naja_Haje_Species_Complex_With_The_Description_Of_A_New_Species_From_West_Africa [accessed Oct 4, 2017].

Coalescent Species Delimitation in Milksnakes (Genus Lampropeltis) and Impacts on Phylogenetic Comparative Analyses.

Systematic Biology (63) 2: 231–250. 01.03.2014. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syt099

Abstract:

Both gene-tree discordance and unrecognized diversity are sources of error for accurate estimation of species trees, and can affect downstream diversification analyses by obscuring the correct number of nodes, their density, and the lengths of the branches subtending them. Although the theoretical impact of gene-tree discordance on evolutionary analyses has been examined previously, the effect of unsampled and cryptic diversity has not. Here, we examine how delimitation of previously unrecognized diversity in the milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) and use of a species-tree approach affects both estimation of the Lampropeltis phylogeny and comparative analyses with respect to the timing of diversification. Coalescent species delimitation indicates that L. triangulum is not monophyletic and that there are multiple species of milksnake, which increases the known species diversity in the genus Lampropeltis by 40%. Both genealogical and temporal discordance occurs between gene trees and the species tree, with evidence that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) introgression is a main factor. This discordance is further manifested in the preferred models of diversification, where the concatenated gene tree strongly supports an early burst of speciation during the Miocene, in contrast to species-tree estimates where diversification follows a birth–death model and speciation occurs mostly in the Pliocene and Pleistocene. This study highlights the crucial interaction among coalescent-based phylogeography and species delimitation, systematics, and species diversification analyses.

Species delimitation in the continental forms of the genus Epicrates (Serpentes, Boidae) integrating phylogenetics and environmental niche models.

PLoS One. 2011; 6(9): e22199.
Published online 2011 Sep 2. doi:  10.1371/journal.pone.0022199

Abstract:

Until recently, the genus Epicrates (Boidae) presented only one continental species, Epicrates cenchria, distributed in Central and South America, but after a taxonomic revision using morphologic characters five species were recognized: E. cenchria, E. crassus, E. maurus, E. assisi, and E. alvarezi. We analyzed two independent data sets, environmental niche models and phylogeny based on molecular information, to explore species delimitation in the continental species of this genus. Our results indicated that the environmental requirements of the species are different; therefore there are not evidences of ecological interchangeability among them. There is a clear correlation between species distributions and the major biogeographic regions of Central and South America. Their overall distribution reveals that allopatry or parapatry is the general pattern. These evidences suggest that habitat isolation prevents or limits gene exchange among them. The phylogenetic reconstruction showed that the continental Epicrates are monophyletic, being E. alvarezi the sister species for the remaining two clades: E. crassus-E. assisi, and E. maurus-E. cenchria. The clade grouping the continental Epicrates is the sister taxon of the genus Eunectes and not of the Caribbean Epicrates clade, indicating that the genus is paraphyletic. There is a non-consistent pattern in niche evolution among continental Epicrates. On the contrary, a high variation and abrupt shifts in environmental variables are shown when ancestral character states were reconstructed on the sequence-based tree. The degree of genetic and ecological divergence among continental Epicrates and the phylogenetic analyses support the elevation to full species of E. cenchria, E. crassus, E. maurus, E. assisi, and E. alvarezi.

Der Stachelige Riesenchuckwalla Sauromalus hispidus STEJNEGER, 1877: Biologie, Freilandbeobachtungen und europäische Erstnachzucht.

SALAMANDRA 38(1): 27-44.

Zusammenfassung:

Name, Systematik, Beschreibung, Verbreitung und Lebensraum des Stacheligen Riesenchuckwallas Sauromalus hispidus werden kurz zusammenfassend anhand von Literaturquellen dargestellt. Über eigene Freilandbeobachtungen auf der Isla Coronado (= Smith) wird berichtet. Die neunjährige Haltung und europäische Erstnachzucht wird beschrieben. In 2000 kam es zu heftigen Auseinandersetzungen zwischen zwei zusammen gepflegten adulten Männchen, worüber hier erstmals berichtet wird. Am 14.06.2000 legte ein Weibchen mit einer KRL von 18 cm ein Gelege mit 9 Eiern mit den Maßen 40x22 mm, die in einem Brutkasten in feuchtem Sand in den ersten 4 Wochen bei 30 °C, anschließend bei 32 °C gezeitigt wurden. Die Jungtiere schlüpften vom 01.09.-03.09.2000 und hatten eine KRL von 5,5-6,1 cm. Die Färbung der Schlüpflinge wird abweichend von bisherigen Literaturangaben beschrieben. Ergänzend wird die bisher nicht beschriebene Färbung von Juvenilen mit einer KRL von 11-15 cm beschrieben. Die Aufzucht bis zu einem Alter von 10 Monaten wird dargestellt. Abschließend wird auf den ungewissen Schutzstatus der Art hingewiesen.

The lizards of the Anolis equestris complex in Cuba.

Stud. Fauna Curaçao and Carib. Is. 39 (134):1-86.

Aus der Einleitung:

NOBLE & HASSLER (1935) named Anolis luteogularis from a long series from western Cuba. This species
was relegated to subspecific status under A. equestris by BARBOUR & SHREVE (1935), who also named A. e. hassleri from the Isla de Pinos (based upon two specimens) and A. e. noblei from eastern Cuba (based upon three specimens) SCHWARTZ (1958) named A. e. thomasi from Camagüey Province and later (1964) reviewed the status of the species in Oriente Province, naming A. e. smallwoodi, A. e. palardis, A. e. baracoae, A. e. galeifer, and A. e. saxuliceps. As presently understood, there are ten subspecies of A. equestris throughout Cuba and the Isla de Pinos. Comments by SCHWARTZ (1964) indicated that there were several Oriente specimens which did not agree with the concepts of the subspecies defined by him and suggested that there was still a great deal to be learned about the distribution and variation in A. equestris at least in Oriente, the physiographically and ecologically most diverse of the Cuban provinces.

... The discovery of two “subspecies” (equestris and luteogularis) occurring syntopically in the same wooded area suggested that perhaps the entire complex needed serious restudy and revision. ... Additional material, in the United States National Museum, indicates that sympatry between equestris and luteogularis occurs elsewhere but has gone unrecognized until now.

... Our final arrangement, which fits the facts as presently demonstrated, is that “Anolis equestris” is a composite of five species: A. luteogularis, A. equestris, A. noblei, A. smallwoodi, and A. baracoae. The rationale for this division will be discussed in detail in the present paper.

A new bush anole (Iguanidae, Polychrotinae, Polychrus) from the upper Marañon basin, Peru, with a redescription of Polychrus peruvianus (Noble, 1924) and additional information on Polychrus gutturosus Berthold, 1845.

ZooKeys 141 : 79–107, doi: 10.3897/zookeys.141.1678.

Abstract:

We herein describe a new colorful species of Polychrus with a conspicuous sexual dimorphism from the dry forest of the northern portion of Región de La Libertad, Peru. The new species differs from all other Polychrus species, in that this species has very small dorsal scales and thus a higher number of scales around midbody and in the middorsal line from behind the occipital scales to the level of the posterior edge of the thigh. Furthermore, we redescribe Polychrus peruvianus whose original description is short and lacks information on intraspecific variation and sexual dimorphism. Also, we add some information on intraspecific variation and ecology of Polychrus gutturosus. Finally, we synonymize Polychrus spurrelli Boulenger with Polychrus gutturosus.

Schwarzleguane: Lebensweise - Pflege - Zucht

2. stark erweiterte Auflage. 142 Seiten. 204 Farbfotos, Zeichnungen, Landkarten, Klimatabellen. Kartoniert. Herpeton Verlag, Offenbach. ISBN 978-3-936180-01-6.

Verlagstext:

Schwarzleguane (Ctenosaura) gehören zu den attraktivsten Echsen Mexikos und Mittelamerikas. Es handelt sich um stattliche Reptilien, die je nach Art eine Gesamtlänge von 25 bis über 100 cm erreichen und durch ihr archaisches Erscheinungsbild sowie -vor allem bei den kleineren Arten- durch ihre bunte Färbung beeindrucken. Ausführlich und reichlich bebildert werden die Pflege und Zucht der attraktiven Tiere im Terrarium beschrieben. Im Bereich der Systematik der Schwarzleguane waren in den vergangenen Jahren große Fortschritte zu verzeichnen. Alle 17 Arten werden ausführlich und mit brillanten Farbbildern vorgestellt:

C. acanthura , C. alfredschmidti ,C. bakeri , C. clarki , C. conspicuosa , C. defensor , C. flavidorsalis , C. hemilopha , C. macrolopha , C. melanosterna , C. nolascensis , C. oaxacana , C. oedirhina , C. palearis , C. pectinata , C. quinquecarinata , C. similis.

A phylogenetic analysis and taxonomy of iguanian lizards (Reptilia: Squamata).

University of Kansas. Museum of Natural History. Miscellaneous Publication. Nr. 81.
65 Seiten, 24 s/w-Abbildungen oder Landkarten.
University of Kansas, Lawrence KS 1989, ISBN 0-89338-033-4.