1999. Volume 6. No. 2. Contents

DESCRIPTION AND ECOLOGY OF A NEW SUBSPECIES OF BLACK ROCK AGAMA, Laudakia melanura (SAURIA: AGAMIDAE) FROM BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

Khalid Javed Baig

A new subspecies of Laudakia melanura (Sauria: Agamidae) has been described from the Toba Kakar Range of northeastern Balochistan, Pakistan. The new taxon is distinct from all previously described forms of melanura in color, size and other morphological characteristics. It has only been collected from Toba Kakar Range whereas the species itself is spread over a wide area in the surrounding mountain ranges.

Key words: Sauria, Agamidae, Laudakia, ssp. nov, Balochistan, Pakistan.

CAPTIVE LONGEVITY IN Lacerta laevis laevis (REPTILIA: SAURIA): HYPOTHETICAL EFFECTS OF SEX, TEMPERATURE AND CLIMATE

Yael Bogin, Nomi Por Efrati, and Yehudah L. Werner

Under uniform laboratory conditions, wild-caught Lacerta laevis laevis Gray (Reptilia: Sauria) that had originated from a warmer environment appeared to live longer than those that had originated from a cooler environment (in both groups, males appeared to live longer than females). In this first discussion of potential factors of longevity in Lacertidae, this observation is considered in relation to literature data from two aspects: (a) direct temperature effects on physiological longevity of ectotherms, especially fish; (b) climatic effects on demography and age structure of lizard populations in the wild.

Key words: lizard, life span, sex, temperature, climate, Israel.

LIZARD JUMP (Lacerta agilis, LACERTILIA, SQUAMATA)

P. P. Gambaryan and V. N. Korolev

A rapid film of a jumping sand lizard, Lacerta agilis, has revealed it to show distinct asymmetrical locomotor activity. A symmetrical diagonal pattern which is commonly characteristic of lizards is considered to be a higher adaptation for rapid terrestrial locomotion among the Tetrapoda. The fact that lizards under certain circumstances are able to use an asymmetrical pattern as well, can hardly help to explain the evolutionary change to asymmetrical locomotion.

Key words: Locomotion, Lacertilia, symmetrical gaits, asymmetrical jumps.

THE PROBLEM OF POLYDACTYLY IN AMPHIBIANS

E. I. Vorobyeva

In this paper the origin of polydactylous limbs in oldest tetrapods and the digit homology are discussed using new developmental data. These data are obtained in the study of recent hynobiids as one of the primitive families of Caudata. We analyzed the pattern of limb development and morphology in Salamandrella keyserlingii and Ranodon sibiricus in comparison with limb skeleton of ancient tetrapods and their fish ancestors. Special attention is paid to the phenomenon of sixth toes in the development of Ranodon specimen, which is comparable with additional preaxial digits in some Devonian tetrapods such as Ichthyostega, Acanthostega, and Tulerpeton. This phenomenon can be considered as a variant of development connected with the more complete realization of the morphogenetic program common to recent caudates and Palaeozoic tetrapods. A hypothesis regarding the independence of preaxial and postaxial digital arches in oldest tetrapods is proposed.

Key words: Caudata, Hynobiidae, polydactyly, evolution, development.

POLYDACTYLY IN ANURANS IN THE TAMBOV REGION (RUSSIA)

G. A. Lada

Polydactyly in anurans is reported to have been found in the Tambov Region (Russia). Isolated cases of polydactyly in moor frog, Rana arvalis and marsh frog, Rana ridibunda are found. Mass polydactyly in common toad, Bufo bufo is detected. Anatomical types of irregular limbs, the dynamics of anomalies year after year and possible causes of polydactyly are being discussed.

Key words: Amphibia, Anura, Tambov Region, Russia, polydactyly.

THE METAMORPHOSIS IN Triturus vittatus ophryticus AND Triturus carnifex: TWO DIFFERENT LIFE HISTORIES

Stefano Gozzo, Rita Casetti, Alessandra Taglioni, Monica Meloni, and Vincenzo Monaco

Some developmental parameters in the larval, climax and postmetamorphic stages of Triturus vittatus ophryticus and Triturus carnifex were compared in order to identify interspecific differences within the genus Triturus. Seventy larvae from each investigated species were reared in the same experimental conditions from hatching to the postmetamorphic stage. Biometric (body weights, total body lengths, snout-vent lengths) and histological data (density of epidermic glands) were collected in ten specimens randomly chosen after hatching, from thirty days old larvae, at climax and at the first postmetamorphic stage. Dry-substrate migration trend in the first postmetamorphic life was also estimated. Higher developmental rates attained during metamorphosis, smaller body size in the climax and in the first postmetamorphic stages, higher dry-substrate migration pattern and lower glandular density in the skin were observed in Triturus vittatus ophryticus when compared to Triturus carnifex. Our data show remarkably differences of the developmental patterns in Triturus vittatus ophryticus and Triturus carnifex. The observed differences are correlated and discussed, taking into account some ethological peculiarities of the two species.

Key Words: Genus Triturus, Triturus vittatus ophryticus, Triturus carnifex, metamorphosis, life history, thyroid glands.

PARAMACELLODID LIZARD (SQUAMATA, SCINCOMORPHA) FROM THE EARLY CRETACEOUS OF TRANSBAIKALIA

Alexander O. Averianov and Pavel P. Skutchas

A maxilla of cf. Paramacellodus sp. from the Early Cretaceous (Barremian-Aptian) Murtoi Formation of the Mogoito locality in Buryatiya, Transbaikalia, is described. This is one of the youngest records for the genus, and the first for Asia.

Key words: Paramacellodus, Early Cretaceous, Transbaikalia.

PAEDOMORPHIC ORIGIN OF THE ANURANS: A NEW APPROACH TO PROVE IT

Sergei V. Smirnov

Anurans are proposed to be paedomorphic descendants of labyrinthodonts. This hypothesis is based on the similarity displayed by larval/juvenile dissorophoids and adult anurans. Firstly, anurans lack those cranial features that appeared lately in the labyrinthodont's ontogeny: skull ornamentation, postorbital, postfrontal, supratemporal, tabular, and postparietal ossifications. Secondly, they show pedicellate teeth which were ontogenetically transient in dissorophoids. However, this similarity is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition to assume the paedomorphic origin of the anurans. To prove it, one must show this similarity to have been attained via changes in the rate of somatic/sexual development at the labyrinthodont-anuran transition. Paedomorphosis results from the acceleration of sexual/retardation of somatic development leading to the incomplete realization of the morphogenetic program. Features lost via paedomorphosis may remain as latent capacities: continuation of postmaturational ontogeny or secondary acceleration of descendant ontogeny may result in their re-appearance. Consequently, if anurans have originated via paedomorphosis, the re-appearance of labyrinthodont-like features is likely in old frogs or frogs with accelerated cranial ontogeny. Indeed, such animals display: a) skull ornamentation, b) additional bones likely corresponding to the postparietal, supratemporal, etc., and c) non-pedicellate teeth. Accordingly, the re-appearance of these ancestral features must be considered as evidence supporting the hypothesis of paedomorphic origin of anurans.

Key words: Skull, Teeth, Anurans, Labyrinthodonts, Origin, Paedomorphosis.

ZOOGEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE HERPETOFAUNA OF SOUTH-WESTERN TURKMENISTAN

Boris Tuniyev, Goran Dusej, and Börje Flärdh

This article gives a complete overview about the reptiles of western Turkmenistan and their zoogeographical relation. The data were obtained by several expeditions during the last years and completed by compilation of the specific herpetological literature about this area. Ten general landscape units are described along a profile from the Central Karakum desert throughout the Malyi Balkhan chains, the Kyurendag Corridor, the Western Kopetdagh to the state border of Iran. The mountain and plain reptile fauna is analyzed. After discussing the faunal element composition of various landscapes, the Western Kopetdagh was included into the South-West Asian province while the Turanian plain and the Malyi Balkhan were included into the Turanian province of the Palearctic.

Key words: Herpetofauna, South-Western Turkmenistan, Biogeography.

FEMALE AMPLEXUS IN A YELLOW-BELLIED TOAD, Bombina variegata

Yegor B. Malashichev

A new type of behavior in a B. variegata female (female amplexus) is described. It is similar to a kind of aggressive behavior known for Rana temporaria. Female amplexus is interpreted however as non-typical mating rather than aggressive behavior. Interactions of fire-bellied toads at presentation of food are also discussed. It is inferred from original observations and literature data that agonistic attacks, misdirected feeding behavior and female amplexus are different types of behavior and should not be mixed.

Key words: Bombina variegata, anurans, amplexus, mating, feeding, aggressiveness.

A NEW LINDHOLMEMYDID TURTLE (TESTUDINES: LINDHOLMEMYDIDAE) FROM THE BAYN SHIRE FORMATION (LATE CRETACEOUS) OF MONGOLIA

Vladimir B. Sukhanov, Igor G. Danilov, and Pagam Narmandakh

Paragravemys erratica gen. et sp. nov. is described from the lower part of the Bayn Shire Formation (late Cretaceous, Cenomanian   Turonian) of Mongolia. This new genus differs from other lindholmemydids by unique pattern of inframarginals which include two wide and two narrow scutes on each side and by a sinuous medial sulcus on the plastron. Unlike known lindholmemydids with four pairs of inframarginals (with possible exception of Elkemys) the third inframarginal in the new genus is restricted to the hypoplastron.

Key words: Paragravemys erratica, Lindholmemydidae, turtles, Cretaceous, Bayn Shire Formation, Mongolia.

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF Triturus karelinii ON THE BALKANS, WITH SOME COMMENTS ABOUT OTHER CRESTED NEWT TAXA

S. N. Litvinchuk, L. J. Borkin, G. Dþukiã, M. L. Kaleziã, M. D. Khalturin, and J. M. Rosanov

Genome size, protein variation and morphological characteristics of three crested newt species (Triturus cristatus, T. dobrogicus, and T. karelinii) have been studied from Serbia and from the eastern parts of the species ranges. The Serbian samples of T. karelinii are distinct from other populations of the species, and we recognize the Balkan newts as a new subspecies, T. k. arntzeni n. ssp. The Serbian samples of T. dobrogicus and T. cristatus are characterized by an introgression of genes of other members of the T. cristatus superspecies.

Key words: Salamandridae, Triturus cristatus superspecies, Taxonomy, Genome size, Protein variation, Morphology, Hybridization, Yugoslavia, Triturus karelinii arntzeni, ssp. nov.

BOOK REVIEWS

ALL ABOUT GERMAN AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES R. Günther (Hrsg.) (1996), Die Amphibien und Reptilien Deutschlands, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Jena. 825 S., ISBN 3-437-35016-1.

Published by Publishing House Gustav Fischer edited by Dr. Rainer Günther full description of the herpetofauna of Germany with the participation of 26 authors, with 328 pictures, 10 plates of the colored illustrations and 86 tables. 825 pp.