2003. Volume 10. No. 2. Contents

HABITAT OCCUPANCY AND INFLUENCE OF ABIOTIC FACTORS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF Nyctibatrachus major (BOULENGER) IN CENTRAL WESTERN GHATS, INDIA

K. V. Gururaja, A. H. Manjunatha  Reddy, J. Keshavayya, and S. V. Krishnamurthy

Habitat feature and influence of abiotic factors on the occurrence of Nyctibatrachus major in the streams of central Western Ghats was studied by comparing microhabitat variables of the streams inhabited and those streams not inhabited by frogs. The study reveals the requirement of low concentration of carbon dioxide, alkalinity and high concentration of dissolved oxygen under low air, water and soil temperatures. Further, analysis of abiotic factors and density of the frog reveals that concentration of carbon dioxide in water directly influences on the occurrence of the species, while other factors in combinations determines the suitability of the habitat.

Keywords: habitat, Nyctibatrachus major, abiotic factors, Western Ghats, India.

SKELETAL AND DENTAL ONTOGENY IN THE SMOOTH NEWT, Triturus vulgaris (URODELA: SALAMANDRIDAE): ROLE OF THYROID HORMONE IN ITS REGULATION

Sergei V. Smirnov and Anna B. Vassilieva

Skeletal and dentitional development was compared in T. vulgaris larvae reared 1) under normal conditions, 2) at high exogenous thyroid hormones (TH) concentrations, 3) in the goitrogen inhibiting the endogenous TH synthesis. Ossification of the axial (vertebral column and associated ribs) and appendicular skeletons (pectoral and pelvic girdles plus associated limbs), proceeding before metamorphosis in controls, is TH-independent. Ossification of the hyobranchial apparatus, proceeding after metamorphosis in controls, is also TH-independent. In the skull, early-appearing bones (coronoid, palatine, dentary, vomer, then - premaxilla, squamosal, angular, pterygoid, parasphenoid, and later - parietal and frontal) and midlarval ones (exoccipital, orbitosphenoid, quadrate, and prootic) are not TH-inducible, though their growth at the midlarval stage may be accelerated by high TH. In contrast, late-appearing bones (maxilla, prefrontal, and nasal) and metamorphic skull remodeling are exclusively TH-inducible. The only postmetamorphic bone, the articular, is TH-independent. In the dentition, the early-larval events are TH-independent, whereas changes associated with metamorphosis (e.g., transition from mono- to bicuspidity) are TH-inducible. As a whole, in the T. vulgaris ontogeny, TH-dependence is low (if ever) at the early-larval stages, increases by the late-larval stage, attains a peak at metamorphosis, and reduces to zero in postmetamorphosis.

Keywords: thyroid hormones (TH), urodele, development, skull, dentition, hyobranchium, limbs, vertebrae.

NEW DATA ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF TWO CRYPTIC FORMS OF THE COMMON SPADEFOOT TOAD (Pelobates fuscus) IN EASTERN EUROPE

L. J. Borkin, S. N. Litvinchuk, J. M. Rosanov, M. D. Khalturin, G. A. Lada, A. G. Borissovsky, A. I. Faizulin, I. M. Kotserzhinskaya, R. V. Novitsky, and A. B. Ruchin

The genome size variation in almost four hundred specimens of Pelobates fuscus fuscus, collected from 61 localities in Russia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldavia, and Kazakhstan, was studied by DNA flow cytometry. The existence of two geographic groups differed by genome size was confirmed by allozyme analysis. The distribution of the western type (with smaller genome size) and the eastern type (with larger genome size) of P. f. fuscus is described.

Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, Pelobatidae, Pelobates fuscus, distribution, cryptic speciation, genome size, allozymes.

ON COMPARISON OF MORPHOMETRICAL DATA RECEIVED "BY DIFFERENT HANDS" AND MORPHOMETRICAL INDICES CALCULATION

R. V. Novitsky and S. G. Krasovskii

On the basis of morphometrical data that are received by beginners as well as by experienced researchers studying anurans, the main errors of measured parameters and mistakes in morphometrical indices calculating are discussed. The influence of the probable errors of a measurement on the magnitude of the error in calculating morphometrical indices is analyzed. There are given recommendations to calculate correctly the averages of morphometrical indices and the mean error of a morphometrical index.

Keywords: Anura, body length, sample mean error, morphometrical indices, error in mean of index.

A NEW SPECIES OF CASCADE FROG FROM NORTH VIETNAM (RANIDAE, ANURA)

Nikolai L. Orlov, Le Nguyen Ngat, and Ho Thu Cuc

A new species of cascade frog genus Rana sensu lato is described on the base of morphological study of material collected in North Vietnam. Comparison with cascade frogs of Amalops, Odorrana and Huia genera is given.

Keywords: Anura, Ranidae, cascade frogs, Amolops, Odorrana, Rana, Huia, new species, Vietnam, Son La Province.

FORMATION AND BONE GROWTH MARK PATTERNS IN THE INDIAN SKIPPER FROG Rana cyanophlyctis (Schn.)

Suresh M. Kumbar and Katti Pancharatna

Formation and pattern of distribution of bone growth marks were studied in the phalangeal bones of the Indian skipper frog Rana cyanophlyctis using skeletochronology. Frogs belonging to different age groups such as pre-metamorphic larvae, metamorphosed frog-lets, young, sub-adult and adults were used for the study. Lines of arrested growth (LAGs), including the line of metamorphosis, and sexual maturity were observed in the phalangeal histology of frogs at different stages of growth. The results reveal that in this frog growth mark patterns vary with the age and growth of the individual.

Keywords: frog, Rana cyanophlyctis, expression, distribution, growth marks, skeletochronology.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LIMB PROPORTIONS IN FIVE SYMPATRIC SPECIES OF DESERT LIZARDS (Eremias, LACERTIDAE, SAURIA)

Natalia B. Ananjeva

Morphometric evaluation of limb proportions in five sympatric desert lacertas of the genus Eremias, namely E. velox, E. grammica, E. intermedia, E. lineolata, and E. scripta inhabiting southern Balkhash Lake region (Sary-Ishyk-Otrau desert), Kazakhstan, was made. Considerable species differences in proportions of some limb segments associated with locomotion adaptations (burrowing, climbing etc) of these lizards have been found as well as sexual dimorphism and age variability. Associations among morphometric peculiarities (limb proportions), locomotion activity, spatial, temporal, and trophic characteristics of ecological niches of sympatric species are discussed.

Keywords: sympatric species, Eremias, limb proportion, habitat preference, locomotion, Kazakhstan.

THE INCIDENCE OF MUTILATIONS AND MALFORMATIONS IN A POPULATION OF Pelobates fuscus

Paul Szekely and Szilard Nemes

We studied the incidence of different mutilations and malformations in a population of Pelobates fuscus from Romania. Four types of mutilations and malformations were recorded. Three toads presented polyphalangy, 8 toads were missing 10 toes, and three were missing the lower proportion of their arms, ectromelia. Two males presented anophthalmia (missing eye), one was missing the left the other the right eye. Comparative multivariate analysis on morphometric traits did not show any difference between injured and uninjured toads. The recorded malformations and mutilations are the result of accidents and unsuccessful predation encounters. No evidence of malformations caused by pollution was found

Keywords: Pelobates fuscus, Anophthalamia, Ectrodactily, Ectromelia, Polyphalangy.

THE COMPARISON OF MORPHOLOGICAL AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERS INHERITANCE IN FAMILY GROUPS OF RAT SNAKES OF Elaphe GENUS (SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE)

Olga Sideleva, Natalia Ananjeva, Sergius Ryabov, and Nikolai Orlov

The estimating of interspecific hybrids in nature is frequently difficult. Incomplete knowledge of pedigrees in natural populations limits the investigation of hybrids. Snakes breeding in captivity provide a model system for dissolving such evolutionary problem. In present investigation were studied principles of heredity of morphological and molecular characters in rat snakes (Elaphe genus, Colubridae family). We found that in interspecific hybrids of rat snakes the number of subcaudal scales has the average meaning between the values in parental individuals. Coloration is inherited independently of the pattern of snakes. There are at least four independent characters: background coloration, type of pattern, frequency of elements in color pattern, color of bands or spots. Molecular RAPD-DNA-markers have paternal inheritance. There is inheritance of the complex of paternal RAPD fragments that could show the possibility of linkage between these specific markers. This study found the opportunity to determine the hybrid origin of rat snakes in natural populations with application of the complex analysis of morphological characters which are mostly similar with maternal species, and molecular characters which comes from the paternal species.

Keywords: inheritance, family groups, genealogy, hybrids, molecular markers, Elaphe.

DISTRIBUTION AND CONSERVATION OF THE HIMALAYAN NEWT (Tylototriton verrucosus, URODELA, SALAMANDRIDAE) IN THE DARJEELING DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL (INDIA)

D. Seglie, D. Roy, C. Giacoma, and M. Mushahiddunnabi

The Himalayan newt, Tylototriton verrucosus, is reported from the mountainous region of Nepal, India, Bhutan, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, and Southwest China. This species is the only representative of the order Caudata in the Indian subcontinent. We investigated the distribution of this taxon in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal and we evaluated the conservation status of the species from observations collected in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2002. All the suitable sites present in the area of study showed the presence of Tylototriton verrucosus, with an occurrence rate of 100%. An estimate of population abundance, carried out on three unaltered ponds, suggests a density of newts between 18 and 101 individuals per 100 m² during the breeding season. Despite the relative high abundance of newts in the area, the breeding sites are disappearing at a dangerously rapid rate: 5 of the 23 sites found from the 1998 - 2000 were destroyed before the June of 2002; out of the remaining ponds, at-least 5 ponds are strongly threatened of being covered or drained in near future. The most common cause of destruction is the draining by local people for utilizing the land for cultivation. Recommendations for the future conservation plans include collecting data on population reduction and extent of occurrence for the Indian range of the Himalayan newt outside the Darjeeling District, and their evaluation on the basis of the new IUCN criteria for getting a more reliable prioritisation of this taxon.

Keywords: Caudata, Salamandridae, Tylototriton verrucosus, conservation, distribution, population abundance, Darjeeling.

ERYTHROCYTE SIZE AND NUMBER IN Neurergus strauchii (URODELA: SALAMANDRIDAE)

Hüseyin Arikan, Kurtulus Olgun, Cetin Ilgaz, Ibrahim Baran, and Yusuf Kumlutas

We here report on the size and counts of blood cells in 10 salamanders (four males, six females) of Neurergus strauchii from Yam Village near Bitlis, Turkey. Within 1 mm³ of blood erythrocytes and leucocytes counts were 127.000 (range 110.000 - 140.000) and 2330 (range 2200 - 2600), respectively. Mean length and width of the erythrocytes were 31.20 and 18.93 ìm, respectively (surface 463.82 ìm²) and mean length and width of the nuclei were 15.45 and 9.88 ìm, respectively (surface 120.10 ìm²). The mean lengths and widths of thrombocytes were 24.13 and 12.88 ìm, respectively. The mean diameters of the smaller lymphocytes, larger lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, and baophils were 14.92, 20.73, 21.00, 22.78, 21.13, and 19.41 ìm respectively.

Keywords: Neurergus strauchii, Urodela, Blood cell counts, Blood smears, Erythrocyte-Leucocyte-Thrombocyte sizes.

BOOK REVIEW

Axel Gomille (2002) Die Äskulapnatter Elaphe longissima. Verbreitung und Lebensweise in Mitteleuropa Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt am Main 158 pp., hardbound