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Introduction
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Publications
Publications (466)
We feel that two of the biggest challenges taxonomy is facing are the same as during the last twenty-five years since the biodiversity crisis moved to the center of attention: (1) inadequate funding combined with (2) the lack of succession planning, training and recruitment into permanent positions of competent taxonomists. Another significant issu...
We scrutinize scientific names erected for or referred to Natrix astreptophora (Seoane, 1884), Natrix helvetica (Lacepède, 1789), and Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758). As far as possible, we provide synonymies for the individual subspecies of each species, identify each name with one of the mtDNA lineages or nuclear genomic clusters within these taxa...
We present 10 nearly complete mitochondrial genomes of the extinct tortoise Chelonoidis alburyorum from the Bahamas. While our samples represent morphologically distinct populations from six islands, their genetic divergences were shallow and resembled those among Galápagos tortoises. Our molecular clock estimates revealed that divergence among Bah...
Based on 1031 samples of grass snakes from Central Europe, we examine the recently reported occurrence of the southern subspecies of the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica sicula) in southern Bavaria, Germany. Using 13 microsatellite loci and mtDNA coding for the cytb gene and the partial ND4 gene plus adjacent tRNAs, we show that N. h. sicula is...
Before humans arrived, giant tortoises occurred on many western Indian Ocean islands. We combined ancient DNA, phylogenetic, ancestral range, and molecular clock analyses with radiocarbon and paleogeographic evidence to decipher their diversity and biogeography. Using a mitogenomic time tree, we propose that the ancestor of the extinct Mascarene to...
Using two mitochondrial DNA fragments and six nuclear genes, we confirmed that a morphologically intermediate snake, captured in Andalusia, southwestern Spain (municipality of Huelva), was an F1 hybrid between a female Natrix astreptophora and a male N. maura. The two parental species diverged 21.5 million years ago, which is why their capability t...
The mitochondrial genome of three Trachemys medemi was sequenced and annotated for the first time. The mitochondrial genome is a circular DNA molecule of 16,711-16,810 bp in size, with 60.9% AT content. It includes 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and the non-coding control region. The ge-nome composition is characterized by...
The genus Helicops Wagler, 1828 comprises 20 species of semiaquatic snakes. It is mostly distributed in the cis-Andean region of South America, with only two trans-Andean species (H. danieli, H. scalaris). Helicops danieli is endemic to Colombia and occurs through most of the trans-Andean region. Herein two mitochondrial and two nuclear genomic mar...
Interspecific introgression is a potentially important source of novel variation of adaptive significance. Although multiple cases of adaptive introgression are well documented, broader generalizations about its targets and mechanisms are lacking. Multi-allelic balancing selection, particularly when acting through rare allele advantage, is an evolu...
This corrected map version has already been included in the PDF on ResearchGate. However, the PDF on the Zootaxa platform still shows the compromised map version.
This corrected map version has already been included in the PDF on ResearchGate. However, the PDF on the Zootaxa platform still shows the compromised map version.
Taxonomy, Description, Distribution, Habitat and Ecology, Diet, Activity, Predation, Parasites, Serology, Age at Maturity and Longevity, Reproduction, Embryonic Development, Population Status, Threats to Survival, Conservation Measures Taken, Conservation Measures Proposed, Captive Husbandry are discussed.
Syria is home to a wide range of ecosystems and landscapes that support a variety of animal species, including reptiles. Currently, Syria hosts nine species of chelonians (turtles and tortoises) from six different families, making its family-level diversity remarkable for the Mediterranean and the Middle East. We conducted a comprehensive review of...
Historical and nomenclatural information on the herpetology of the Expédition Scientifique de Morée (Peloponnese, Greece), in particular on the curious descriptions of new turtle taxa
(Bibron & Bory versus Valenciennes).
The Expédition Scientifique de Morée, a scientific expedition to the Peloponnese peninsula in 1828, accompanied the French-led mi...
The diverse climatic and geological history of Southeast Asia has been a driving force behind significant Pleistocene and Holocene range dynamics and the consequent biological diversification in the region. Among the species exhibiting wide distributions, extending across several well-known zoogeographic barriers, the Elongated Tortoise (Indotestud...
Background
Obtaining de novo chromosome-level genome assemblies greatly enhances conservation and evolutionary biology studies. For many research teams, long-read sequencing technologies (that produce highly contiguous assemblies) remain unaffordable or unpractical. For the groups that display high synteny conservation, these limitations can be ove...
A new snake species for Salzburg. First genetic findings on the distribution of barred grass snakes (Natrix helvetica sicula) and grass snakes (Natrix natrix) in the Austrian province of Salzburg.-Mitteilungen aus dem Haus der Natur 29: 65-68. In the course of analysing 24 genetic samples, the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica sicula) was identi...
Chemical signaling through pheromones is an ancient and widespread mode of communication. Turtles and tortoises (chelonians) secrete pheromones via mental (chin) glands and have superior olfactory capacities rendering them a promising group to study the evolution and function of chemical communication in vertebrates. Here, we use state-of-the art p...
Trachemys is a speciose genus of freshwater turtles distributed from the Great Lakes in North America across the southeastern USA, Mexico and Central America to the Rio de la Plata in South America, with up to 13 continental American species and 11 additional subspecies. Another four species with three additional subspecies occur on the West Indies...
Most of Switzerland is inhabited by the nominotypical subspecies of the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica helvetica), which is characterized by mitochondrial DNA lineage E. Only in the northeast of the country, the common grass snake (N. natrix) occurs and hybridizes with N. h. helvetica in a narrow contact zone. However, we discovered that in s...
The savannah side-necked turtle Podocnemis vogli is a species restricted to the savannas of the Orinoco basin in Colombia and Venezuela. Because of its apparent abundance, it is currently categorized as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN Red List. However, throughout its distribution range, several populations have been extirpated or individuals in rem...
Our focus is the colonization history of the Galápagos’ vertebrate clades: 11 land-bound groups (eight reptiles, three rodents) and 13 taxa of flyers and swimmers (ten winged birds, two pinnipeds, one penguin). Using ‘colonization intervals’ and ‘colonization profiles’, it is clear that the two sets of taxa assembled very differently. The former in...
Based on the phylogenetic placement of a near-complete mitogenome sequence of the holotype of Chelodina intergularis Fry, 1915 generated with hDNA approaches, we present evidence for the synonymy of this nominal species with Chelodina rugosa Ogilby, 1890. The type specimens of both taxa are housed in the Australian Museum, Sydney. Scrutinizing hist...
Background
Obtaining de novo chromosome-level genome assemblies greatly enhances conservation and evolutionary biology studies. For many research teams, long-read sequencing technologies (that produce highly contiguous assemblies) remain unaffordable or unpractical. For the groups that display high synteny conservation, these limitations can be ove...
Kinosternon is the most speciose genus of extant turtles, with 22 currently recognized species, distributed across large parts of the Americas. Most species have small distributions, but K. leucostomum and K. scorpioides range from Mexico to South America. Previous studies have found discordance between mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenies in some...
Age‐related telomere length (TL) variation is relatively well‐described for mammals, birds and other model organisms. Nevertheless, it remains largely unknown in ectotherms, especially turtles and tortoises, which are extremely long‐lived species with slow or negligible senescence. In this study, we described TL dynamics in wild spur‐thighed tortoi...
We sequenced the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) and ten nuclear loci of 20 Emydura samples from the Carson, Mitchell, and Ord River drainages to examine the taxonomic identity of turtles with variable facial coloration from the Mitchell River. We analysed our data together with previously published sequences, including mitogenomes of crucial n...
Based on dense sampling, we examined hybridization between Natrix helvetica sicula and N. natrix in a 24-km-long transect in the Prien Valley (southern Bavaria) using phenotypic data (six coloration and pattern traits), mtDNA sequences, and 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci. All three lines of evidence yielded concordant results. Genotypically pur...
Nilssonia leithii is an endemic species of softshell turtle from peninsular India, and though it has a widespread distribution, it is often difficult to spot. We are reporting two new records of Leith's softshell turtle (Nilssonia leithii) from the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu. These sightings have been made at a site 110 km upstream from the estuary...
This study describes the first fossils of Testudo hermanni hermanni from the island of Sicily (Late Pleistocene, Contrada Pianetti, Ragusa). They are among the most complete Pleistocene tortoise remains of Italy and by far the most informative ones from Sicily. The presence of two complete plastra permits the detection of a character typical of the...
The Asian box turtles of the Cuora galbinifrons complex (C. galbinifrons, C. bourreti, and C. picturata) rank among the most endangered chelonian species in the world. Despite several previous studies, the phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries of this complex remain a matter for dispute due to a shortage of field-collected samples for g...
We examined the mitochondrial identity of Aegean Natrix natrix moreotica representing different morphotypes, with a focus on new material from Milos and Skyros. We found no correlation between distinct morphotypes and mitochondrial identity. Our results support that grass snake populations are polyphenetic and that southern subspecies, including is...
Changes in the structural association of skeletal traits are crucial to the evolution of novel forms and functions. In vertebrates, such rearrangements often occur gradually and may precede or coincide with the functional activation of skeletal traits. To illustrate this process, we examined the ontogeny of African hinge-back tortoises (Kinixys spp...
Using 3226-bp-long mtDNA sequences and five nuclear loci (Cmos, ODC, R35, Rag1, Rag2, together 3409 bp), we examine genetic differentiation and relationships of Central American slider turtles (Trachemys grayi, T. venusta). Our investigation also included samples from taxa endemic to North America (T. gaigeae, T. scripta), the Antilles (T. decorata...
Supplementary text, Figures S1–S4, Tables S2–S6.
Table S1. Samples and DNA sequences used in the present study.
Using georeferenced photographic records of 2944 grass snakes from Germany, Austria, and northern Italy as well as previously published mtDNA sequences (n = 1062) and microsatellite data (n = 952) for grass snakes from the same regions, we examined whether or not coloration and pattern reliably allow to differentiate between Natrix natrix and N. he...
Understanding speciation is one of the cornerstones of biological diversity research. Currently, speciation is often understood as a continuous process of divergence that continues until genetic or other incompatibilities minimize or prevent interbreeding. The Palearctic snake genus Natrix is an ideal group to study speciation, as it comprises taxa...
The ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus) shows a recently expanding geographic distribution. Knowledge on its intraspecific variability, population structure, rate of genetic diversity and divergence, including its evolution and geographic distribution, is crucial to understand its dispersal capacity. All such information would help to evaluat...
A brief report on the Kehlmaier et al. paper that featured as a Nature 'Research Highlight'. The précis appeared in January 2023 at about the same time as the main work, but the author team has only recently became aware of its publication.
Species-level phylogeny and especially phylogeography of African chelonians is a comparatively under-studied field of research. We review the current knowledge of phylogeny and phylogeography, highlight congruence of spatial phylogeographic patterns amongst chelonians and other taxa and suggest future research directions to address gaps in knowledg...
We used a dataset of georeferenced photos of 5,751 grass snakes from iNaturalist to evaluate subspecific variation of Natrix natrix in coloration and pattern. Our results provide evidence that all four genetically delineated subspecies differ morphologically, although unstriped individuals of N. n. vulgaris are difficult to tell apart from the nomi...
Archaeological investigations carried out in the cave Zubbio di Cozzo San Pietro, Bagheria, Sicily, revealed the presence of a few skeletal elements of a large-sized tortoise in a funerary area dating to the Copper/Bronze Age. The tortoise has been AMS-dated revealing an age of 12.5 ± 0.5 kyr BP and therefore it pre-dates the funerary activities. T...
We describe a new species from the Pelodiscus axenaria complex from Hunan and Jiangxi Provinces, China. Also, the application of the name P. axenaria (Zhou, Zhang & Fang, 1991) is clarified by designating a neotype for this species. Besides its genetic divergence, the new species differs from all other Pelodiscus species, including the two other ta...
Using two mitochondrial DNA fragments and 13 microsatellite loci, we examined the phylogeographic structure and taxonomy of two codistributed snake species (Natrix natrix, N. tessellata) in their eastern distribution area, with a focus on Turkey. We found evidence for frequent interspecific hybridization, previously thought to be extremely rare, an...
This is our 9th edition of an annotated checklist and atlas of all recognized taxa of the world’s modern turtle and tortoise fauna, documenting recent changes and controversies through mid-2021, and including all primary synonyms, updated from eight previous checklists. We provide an updated comprehensive listing of taxonomy and nomenclature, inclu...
Eiselt's pond turtle (Emys orbicularis eiselti) was described in 1998, based on only 4 museum specimens collected in the 1960s and 1970s. Its distribution range has been massively reduced by large-scale drainage measures and only little suitable habitat remains near the Turkish–Syrian border. During 20-yr-long fieldwork we could locate only 18 indi...