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The Reptiles of Northern Eurasia. Taxonomic Diversity, Distribution, Conservation Status.
... Род гологлазы, Ablepharus Lichtenstein 1823, объединяет, по современным представлениям, 10-11 видов мелких роющих сцинков, обитающих преимущественно в аридных ландшафтах Евразии от юго-восточной Европы и Синая до северо-западной Индии (Ananjeva et al., 2006;Muammer, Hosseinian Yousefkhani, 2021;Uetz, 2021). Биология большинства представителей этой группы изучена слабо, что, вероятно, обусловлено их размерами и скрытностью (Еремченко, Щербак, 1986). ...
... Полосатый гологлаз (Ablepharus bivittatus (Ménétriés 1832) -один из наиболее широко распространенных представителей рода. Вид обитает в горно-ксерофитных степях Иранского нагорья, на периферии ареала также в Копетдаге, Талыше и Армянском нагорье (Anderson, 1999;Ananjeva et al., 2006;Safaei-Mahroo et al., 2015;Sanchooli, УДК 598.112.23:591.16 ЗООЛОГИЧЕСКИЙ ЖУРНАЛ том 102 № 6 2023 КИДОВ и др. ...
... 2016; Karamiani et al., 2017). A. bivittatus на большей части ареала является многочисленным видом (Кидов, 2019; Кидов, Кондратова, 2021), хотя на периферии ареала может быть редок (Ananjeva et al., 2006;Arakelyan et al., 2011;Ahmadov, 2013). В литературе практически отсутствуют сведения о большинстве демографических показателей этого вида. ...
The age, growth, and fertility of two populations of Ablepharus bivittatus in the Talysh Mountains are presented. Altogether, 59 individuals were studied from two localities in the Ardabil Province, Iran, one being the village of Khanegah-e-Oliya in Nemin shahrestan and the other the village of Majara in Khalkhal shahrestan. The age of the lizards was determined using skeletochronology. The average age of females was 3.6 ± 1.15 years (maximum 6 years), in males 2.6 ± 1.24 (maximum 5 years). On the sections of tubular bones of many individuals, lines of growth retardation are noted, corresponding to hibernation and aestivation. Lizards grow intensely during the first 3 years of life, but then their growth slows down. Animals in the age groups of 3 years and older do not differ in body length. The age of pregnant lizards is 2–5 years, on average 3.7 ± 0.91 years. The fertility of females does not depend on age.
... Fossil vipers at the Listvenka locality: (1) range of Vipera berus (adapted fromAnanjeva et al., 2006;Sillero et al., 2014); (2) location of Listvenka. ...
I do not support modern ideas regarding the sheltering of northern species of amphibians and reptiles in southern refugia during glacial periods. The current article presents arguments that reject the traditional point of view. The northern species did not fall within southern refugia, and therefore new forms (haplotypes) appeared within the periglacial hyperzone. I describe how these processes may have taken place.
... Members of Macrovipera are large, thickset snakes, generally measuring about 100-150 cm in total length (Gruber, 1989;Baier et al., 2013;Geniez, 2018). Vipers of this genus occur on the islands on the Milos archipelago (Greece) and Cyprus, and range from southern Turkey to Tajikistan and northern Pakistan (Ananjeva et al., 2006;Sindaco et al., 2013;Speybroeck et al., 2016) (see Figure 1), typically inhabiting stony and semiarid habitats up to more than 2000 m of altitude (Oraie et al., 2018;Aghasyan et al., 2021). Although the systematic relationships within the genus are subject to controversial discussion among taxonomists (Stümpel and Joger, 2009;Freitas et al., 2020;Speybroeck et al., 2020). ...
Introduction: Snakebite is a neglected tropical disease and a globally important driver of death and morbidity. Vipers of the genus Macrovipera (Viperidae: Viperinae) are among the snakes of higher medical importance in the Old World. Despite the medical relevance of Macrovipera venoms, the knowledge regarding them is heterogeneously distributed with virtually all works conducted so far focusing on subspecies of Macrovipera lebetinus, while other species within the genus are largely overlooked. Here we present the first proteomic evaluation of the venom from the Greek endemic Milos viper (Macrovipera schweizeri). In line with clinical symptoms typically elicited by Macrovipera envenomations, Milos viper venom primarily comprises coagulotoxic and cytotoxic protein families, such as metalloproteinases (svMP) and serine proteases (svSP).
Methods: We conducted comparative bioactivity assays on venoms from M. schweizeri and the M. lebetinus subspecies M. lebetinus cernovi, M. lebetinus obtusa, and M. lebetinus turanica, and showed that they all exhibit similarities in levels of cytotoxicity proteolytic activity, and inhibition of prokaryotic growth. Lastly, we compared Macrovipera venom profiles by 1D-SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC, as well as our proteomic data with previously published Macrovipera venom proteomes.
Results and Discussion: The analyzes performed to reveal that a general venom profile seems to be conserved across blunt-nosed vipers, and that, M. schweizeri envenomations, similarly to those caused by other blunt-nosed vipers, are able to cause significant tissue damage. The present work represents an important starting point for the development of comparative studies across the full taxonomic range of the genus Macrovipera and can potentially help optimize the treatment of envenomations caused by M. schweizeri.
... nov. is highly dependent on recent precipitation and relative humidity. Ananjeva et al. (2006) noted that O. transcaspicus comb. et stat. ...
The kukri snakes of the genus Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826 reach the westernmost limits of their distribution in Middle and Southwest Asia (Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan), and the Palearctic portions of Pakistan. In this article, we review the systematics and distribution of the two species native to this region, Oligodon arnensis (Shaw, 1802) and Oligodon taeniolatus (Jerdon, 1853) based on an integrative approach combining morphological, molecular, and species distribution modeling (SDM) data. Phylogenetic analyses recover O. taeniolatus populations from Iran and Turkmenistan in a clade with the O. arnensis species complex, rendering the former species paraphyletic relative to O. taeniolatus sensu stricto on the Indian subcontinent. To correct this, we resurrect the name Contia transcaspica Nikolsky, 1902 from the synonymy of O. taeniolatus and assign it to populations in Middle–Southwest Asia. So far, Oligodon transcaspicus comb. et stat. nov. is known only from the Köpet–Dag Mountain Range of northeast Iran and southern Turkmenistan, but SDM mapping suggests it may have a wider range. Genetic samples of O. “arnensis” from northern Pakistan are nested in a clade sister to the recently described Oligodon churahensis Mirza, Bhardwaj & Patel, 2021, and are phylogenetically separate from O. arnensis sensu stricto in south India and Sri Lanka. Based on morphological similarity, the Afghanistan and Pakistan populations are assigned to Oligodon russelius (Daudin, 1803) and we synonymize O. churahensis with this species. Our investigation leads us to remove O. taeniolatus from the snake fauna of Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan, with the consequence that only Oligodon transcaspicus comb. et stat. nov. and O. russelius are present in these countries. Additional studies are needed to resolve the taxonomy of the O. taeniolatus and O. arnensis species complexes on the Indian subcontinent, and an updated key for both groups is provided.
... One such species, the sunwatcher toad-headed agama, Phrynocephalus helioscopus (Pallas, 1771) belongs to the Eurasian genus Phrynocephalus and is one of the most taxonomically complex taxa within the Agamidae family (Barabanov and Ananjeva, 2007). As one of the most typical and widespread desert lizards in ACA, P. helioscopus occurs in a variety of habitats, including clay-based, gravel, saline-alkaline, xeric shrub, and steppe deserts (Ananjeva et al., 2006;Meyer and Zinke, 1992;Sindaco and Jeremcěnko, 2008). The approximate range of this species extends from the Astrakhan region to the east, north to the southern of Altai Krai (Russia), south to the northwest of Iran and Afghanistan, through Central Asia, and east to Xinjiang in northwestern China and southwestern Mongolia. ...
The complex orogenic history and structure of Central Asia, coupled with Pleistocene glacial cycles have generated its stepwise aridification. Such events would have significantly influenced the evolution of many mid-latitude species in arid Central Asia (ACA). In this study, we employed two mitochondrial genes (CO1 and ND2) and genome-wide SNPs, coupled with ecological niche modeling, to investigate the lineage diversification and historical demography within a widespread lizard Phrynocepahlus helioscopus, and their associations with geography and past climate change. We obtained themtDNA dataset for 300 individuals from 96 localities within the known range of the lizard, among which 51 individuals from 27 localities were selected for generating the SNP dataset via genotyping-by-sequencing approach. Phylogenetic analyses of the concatenated mtDNA dataset revealed eight geographically correlated lineages that diverged by 4.21-10.41% for the CO1 gene, which were estimated to have coalesced ∼4.47 million years ago. However, we observed mito-nuclear discordance pattern regarding the population of Clade V (P. helioscopus sergeevi) from Tajikistan. Ancestral area estimations suggested that P. helioscopus originated from the Fergana Valley and then dispersed into the adjacent areas in ACA along with a history of multiple allopatric divergence processes, suggesting that Fergana may have been the cradle of diversification of P. helioscopus. The intensification of aridification across Central Asia during the Late Pliocene may have facilitated the rapid radiation of this arid-adapted lizard throughout this vast territory. Subsequently, the geological events (e.g., uplift of the Hissar-Alay, transgressions of the Caspian Sea) and geographic barriers (e.g., Amu Darya River, Zerarshan River) during the Pleistocene triggered the progressive diversification of P. helioscopus. Interestingly, Clade VIII (P. helioscopus varius) experienced rapid population growth coupled with range expansion while Clade IV (P. helioscopus cameranoi) underwent drastic population expansion associated with range contraction during the Last Glacial Maximum. In Clade IV, but not in Clade VIII, environmental turnover contributes more to mitochondrial genetic distinctiveness than geographic distance. Overall, the SNP dataset demonstrates that geographic distance plays a greater role than environmental distance. Both the mtDNA dataset and the SNP dataset suggest local-scale genetic differentiation in Clade IV and Clade VIII, revealing potential geographic barriers in the Ili River Valley and the Junggar Basin, respectively. Twenty-seven outlier SNPs associated with environmental factors (precipitation and temperature) were identified, which supports the signature of local adaptation to the arid desert environment. Finally, our finding suggests taxonomic implications, such as support for full species status for P. saidalievi (Clade II) and P. meridionalis (Clade I). Future analyses based on further evidence and increased taxon and geographic sampling should be carried out to corroborate our findings.
... Ophisops elegans is the only European representative of the genus. It occurs from Algeria across North Africa, Asia Minor and Iran to West Pakistan, as well as in Southeast Europe (northeastern Greece, south-eastern Bulgaria, the islands along the Aegean coast, European Turkey and partially in the Caucasus region) (Ananjeva et al., 2006;Stojanov et al., 2011). In Bulgaria, the species has very limited distribution assigned to the easternmost part of the Rhodopes Mts up to 650 m a.s.l. ...
There is a lack of information for potential winter activity of the snake-eyed lizard Ophisops elegans in Europe, where it has a limited distribution. To test the hypothesis that this species can be active during the winter months, two locations in Bulgaria were chosen. The visits were conducted in January, February and December 2022 near the village of Meden Buk and in December 2022 above the village of Mezek. A total of 19 individuals of O. elegans were recorded. In addition, we confirmed foraging behaviour based on faecal sample collection. To our knowledge, this is the northernmost record of winter activity in the snake-eyed lizard and the first consecutive observation of year-round activity for this species in Europe.
Introduction. In the Oblazova Cave locality (Polish Carpathians), in addition to the remains of ancient man, mammals, birds and mollusks, the remains of cold-blooded terrestrial vertebrates wer e found. The results of the study materials were published. A small collection, including samples Ob.51, Ob.52, Ob.53, and Ob.54, was at the disposal of the authors of this article. The absolute age of the remains is approximately 33 000 years. This corresponds to the absolute dating of layer VIII of the cave accumulations.
Systematic part. The description and criteria for identification of amphibian and reptile bones defined to the species are given: Lissotriton vulgaris, Lissotriton montandoni, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Triturus cristatus, Salamandra salamandra, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria, Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Natrix natrix, Vipera berus, Vipera ursinii s.l..
Ecology of modern species. Brief data on the ecological features of the species found in the locality are given.
Discussion and conclusions: The systematic composition of the remains in each of the four samples differs from the others, but the paleogeographic reconstructions are approximately the same. To draw conclusions about the paleoenvironment of the past, we used a methodology different from that used by European specialists.
During the accumulation of sediments, characterized by samples Ob.51 – Ob.54, a mixed or deciduous forest existed in the area surrounding the cave. The number of open spaces and clearings in it varied slightly, but the nature of the forest did not change significantly. We can speak, perhaps, only of a slightly increased humidity during the accumulation of sediments containing sample Ob.54. The climatic situation was close to modern in the zone of mixed and deciduous forests. The authors note that the systematic composition of herpetofauna in the studied samples differs from the composition of amphibians and reptiles, determined by two European experts from their collections. Reconstructions of paleoconditions also differ, and Western experts contradict each other. Our conclusions are closer to those of a specialist who has studied amphibians.
For citation: Ratnikov V. Yu., Shiyan N. A. Late Pleistocene herpetofauna from Oblazova Cave (Polish Carpathians): additional collection // Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta. Seriya: Geologiya – Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geology, 2023, no. 3, pp. 67-81. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17308/geology/1609-0691/2023/3/67-81
Bведение: В местонахождении Облазова пещера (Польские Карпаты), кроме остатков древнего человека, млекопитающих, птиц и моллюсков, найдены остатки холоднокровных наземных позвоночных. Результаты изучения материалов были опубликованы. Небольшая коллекция, включающая пробы Ob.51, Ob.52, Ob.53 и Ob.54, оказалась в распоряжении авторов данной статьи. Абсолютный возраст остатков приблизительно 33 000 лет. Это соответствует абсолютным датировкам слоя VIII пещерных накоплений.
Систематическая часть: Приводятся описание и критерии идентификации определенных до вида костей амфибий и рептилий: Lissotriton vulgaris, Lissotriton montandoni, Ichthyosaura alpestris, Triturus cristatus, Salamandra salamandra, Bufo bufo, Bufotes viridis, Rana arvalis, Rana temporaria, Lacerta agilis, Zootoca vivipara, Natrix natrix, Vipera berus, Vipera ursinii s.l..
Экология современных видов. Приводятся краткие данные об экологических особенностях найденных в местонахождении видов. Обсуждение и выводы: Систематический состав остатков в каждой из четырех проб отличается от других, но палеогеографические реконструкции примерно одинаковы. Для выводов о палеообстановке прошлого мы применяли методику, отличную от используемой европейскими специалистами. В течение накопления осадков, охарактеризованных пробами Ob.51-Ob.54, на окружающей пещеру территории существовал смешанный или лиственный лес. Количество редин и полян в нем немного варьировало, но характер леса при этом существенно не менялся. Можно говорить, пожалуй, лишь о несколько повышенной влажности во время накопления осадков пробы Ob.54. Климатическая обстановка была близка современной в поясе смешанных и лиственных лесов. Авторы отмечают, что систематический состав герпетофаун в изученных пробах, отличается от состава амфибий и рептилий, определенного двумя европейскими специалистами по их коллекциям. Отличаются и реконструкции палеоусловий, причем западные специалисты друг другу противоречат. Наши выводы ближе к выводам специалиста, изучавшего амфибий.
Для цитирования: Ратников В. Ю., Шиян Н. А. Позднеплейстоценовая герпетофауна из Облазовой пещеры (Польские Карпаты): дополнительные данные // Вестник Воронежского государственного университета. Серия: Геология. 2023. № 3. С. 67–81. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17308/geology/1609-
0691/2023/3/67–81
Given Singapore’s location at the confluence of important maritime trading routes, and that it was established as a British East India Company trading post in 1819, it is unsurprising that Singapore has become one of the centres of natural history collecting and research in Southeast Asia. Despite its small size, Singapore is home to a diverse herpetofauna assemblage and boasts a rich herpetological history. The first systematic studies of Singapore’s herpetofauna (within the Linnaean binomial framework) date back to Stamford Raffles and the naturalists hired by him who first came to the island in 1819. Specimens that were collected during and after this time were deposited in museums worldwide. Over time, 39 species from Singapore were described as new to science. Due to the entrepôt nature of Singapore with its associated purchasing and trading of specimens (both alive and dead), poor record-keeping, and human introductions, numerous extraneous species from outside of Singapore were reported to occur on the island. Such issues have left a complicated legacy of ambiguous records and taxonomic complications concerning the identity of Singapore’s species-rich herpetofauna, many of which were only resolved in the past 30–40 years. By compiling a comprehensive collection of records and publications relating to the herpetofauna of Singapore, we construct an updated and more accurate listing of the herpetofauna of Singapore. Our investigation culminated in the evaluation of 309 species, in which we compiled a final species checklist recognising 166 species (149 native and 17 non-native established species). Among the 149 native species are two caecilians, 24 frogs, one crocodilian, 13 turtles (three visitors), 34 lizards, and 75 snakes. Of the 17 non-native species are five frogs, four turtles, six lizards, and two snakes. The remaining 143 species represent species to be excluded from Singapore’s herpetofauna species checklist. For each of the 309 species examined, we provide species accounts and explanatory annotations. Furthermore, we discuss Singapore’s herpetofauna from a historical and conservation perspective. Immediate deforestation and nationwide urbanisation following colonisation completely eliminated many species from throughout much of the country and restricted them to small, degraded forest patches. We hope this publication highlights the importance of publishing observations and serves as a valuable resource to future researchers, naturalists, biological consultants, and policy makers in initiating studies on species ecology, distribution, status, and promoting conservation efforts to safeguard Singapore’s herpetofauna.
Intraspecific rearrangements of mitochondrial genomes are rarely reported in reptiles, even in vertebrates. The sunwatcher toad-headed agama, Phryncoephalus helioscopus, can serve as an excellent model for investigating the dynamic mitogenome structure at intraspecific level. To date, seven subspecies of P. helioscopus are well recognized, but little is known about the mitogenomic evolution among different subspecies. In this study, complete mitogenomes of subspecies P. helioscopus varius II and P. helioscopus cameranoi were determined by next-generation sequencing, and another P. helioscopus varius I retrieved from GenBank was compiled for comparative analysis. The nucleotide composition and the codon usage are similar to those previously published from toad-headed agamas. P. helioscopus varius II and P. helioscopus cameranoi have 23 tRNA genes, including standard 22 tRNA genes and one extra tRNA-Phe (tRNA-Phe duplication). Gene order and phylogenetic analyses in the genus Phrynocephalus support prevalent intraspecific gene rearrangement in P. helioscopus and other congener species including P. erythrurus, P. vlangalii, and P. forsythii. Six different mitochondrial gene arrangements are observed in Phrynocephalus. Overall, the occurrence of rearrangements may result from multiple independent structural dynamic events. The split of the two subspecies in P. helioscopus was dated at approximately 2.34 million years ago (Ma). Two types of gene rearrangements are found in the three mitogenomes of P. helioscopus, and this intraspecific rearrangement phenomenon can be explained by the tandem duplication/random loss (TDRL) model. Post duplication, the alternative loss types can occur in 0.23–0.72 Ma, suggesting that the duplication and fixation of these rearrangements can occur quite quickly. These findings highlight the need for more mitogenomes at the population level in order to better understand the potentially rampant intraspecific mitogenomic reorganization in Phrynocephalus.
Abstract. A complete annotated list of Asian vipers of the subfamilies Azemiopinae and Crotalinae
is presented, supplemented with detailed information on distribution. Results of own
investigations in different regions of East, Southeast, and South Asia from the eastern Himalayas to
eastern Tonkin (Vietnam) and from the Russian Far East to the Great Sunda Archipelago are
summarised. Further, data on species from the Russian Far East (Primorsky territory, south of Amur
region, and Khabarovsk territory), Mongolia (Khalkhin-Gol river valley, western foothills of Great
Khingan),Vietnam (mountains of Tonkin and Annam), eastern Nepal and India (Sikkim), and the
Great Sunda Archipelago (mountain regions of southern Sumatra and western Java) are presented.
For many taxa age-dependent variation in diet and feeding behaviour, reproductive biology
and growth were studied under natural and laboratory conditions.The results of these investigations
are discussed in terms of ecological variation of Asian vipers of the subfamilies Azemiopinae
and Crotalinae.
DAVID P. & INEICH I., 1999 - Les serpents venimeux du monde: systématique et répartition. Dumerilia, Paris, 3: 3-499 [ouvrage publié avec le soutien financier des Laboratoires PASTEUR-MERIEUX, Lyon].
The phylogeography, intraspecific variation and speciation processes of the South East Asian scincid lizard genus Eutropis Fitzinger are investigated, based on a combined analysis of 564 bp and 408 bp fragments, respectively, of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA genes. Our results show that the Middle East species definitely do not belong to Eutropis but instead to the African genus Euprepis Fitzinger, and that Euprepis auratus (L.) and E. septemtaeniatus Reuss represent distinct species. In addition, we clarify systematics of the genus Apterygodon Edeling, supposed to be derived from within Eutropis. We show that Apterygodon does not reflect a true genealogical unit, and consequently synonymize it with Dasia Gray.We found strong evidence for the monophyly of the South East Asian genus Eutropis. Within Eutropis we could substantiate the systematics of Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl), and confirm that the distinction of a subspecies E. m. balinensis Mertens is not justified. Likewise, our results point out the necessity of further studies concerning the Eutropis macularia complex in which at least two different species are concealed under the name E. macularia (Blyth). We show that the Philippine-Palauan Eutropis species are part of a distinct radiation, probably representing an unrecognized taxonomic unit. We draw conclusions on zoogeographical aspects of dispersal routes in Eutropis, showing that the Philippines have been colonized from mainland Asia rather than via Borneo. Furthermore we outline a possible colonization scenario for the species on the Philippines and Palau.
External morphological features of Platyceps najadum and the distribution of this species in Iran and Turkmenistan are analysed. Based on morphological characters and mtDNA sequence data (12S rDNA), Coluber atayevi Tunijev & Shammakov, 1993 is ranked as a subspecies of the Slender racer, P. najadum atayevi comb. n. This taxon seems to have a restricted distribution in the Kopet Dag.
External morphology, skull bones, vertebrae, visceral topography and hemipenis features of the Sokotra racer were examined. Considerable differences exist vis-à-vis Palaearctic and East African racers and the insular species is thus referred to a monotypic genus, Hemerophis. The isolated position of H. socotrae (Günther, 1881) is confirmed by nucleotide sequences of two mitochondrial genes, cytochrome c oxydase I and 12S rRNA. As to its phylogenetic relationship, H. socotrae requires further comparison with Afrotropical colubrids. Based on morphology and molecular data (mtDNA), the whip snake Tyria najadum Eichwald and related eastern Mediterranean species, the East African Coluber florulentus group, and the Arabian endemics Zamenis elegantissimus Günther and Z. variabilis Boulenger are referred to Platyceps Blyth. Hemorrhois Boie is composed of the western H. algirus (Jan) and H. hippocrepis (Linnaeus), and an eastern subgroup with H. nummifer (Reuss) and H. ravergieri (Ménétries). Hemorrhois and Platyceps spp. belong to a monophyletic group including the mainly Saharo-Sindian genus Spalerosophis Jan. The composition and systematic content of Hierophis Fitzinger remain unclear. To judge from mtDNA data, eastern Mediterranean species including H. caspius (Gmelin) are much closer to Eirenis modestus (Martin) than to the purely European H. gemonensis (Laurenti) and H. viridiflavus (Lacépède). Additional studies with more taxa are necessary to scrutinize the sister group relationship of Eirenis Jan with Hierophis spp. and to assess their phylogenetic affinities with other Palaearctic racer genera.
