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2003. Volume 10. No. 3. Contents THE BREEDING BIOLOGY OF THE FROG Rana dalmatina IN TÂRNAVA MARE VALLEY, ROMANIA The agile frog is an endangered species. Despite this, only few studies refer on the biology of this species. In this paper quantitative information is presented concerning the beginning and duration of the spawning period, the number, the size and the distribution of the eggs from individual females based on data accumulated in six years of study in a man made environment in the Târnava-Mare Valley (Romania). The spawning season lasted from 18 to 32 days. There is a significant negative correlation between the average temperature in February and the beginning of the spawning period (r = -0.68, p < 0.05, n = 6). The total average water depth in the places where I observed deposited egg masses was 41.95 cm in 2001 (n = 22) and 28.42 cm in 2002 (n = 22). The depth in which the egg masses were deposited was 13 cm in 2001 (n = 22) and 9.85 cm in 2002 (n = 22). The average number of egg masses deposited yearly is 416 [range 233 (in 1998) - 581 (in 2000)]. The mean number of eggs per female was 996 (range 548 - 1755). The majority of egg masses contain between 600 and 1000 eggs (54.5%). The volume (V) of 22 batches varied from 240 to 710 ml (average 354 ml). The population shows no significant population decline (r2 = 0.013, p = 0.82). Keywords: Rana dalmatina, spawning behavior, egg mass distribution, population fluctuation. ON THE TAXONOMIC STATUS OF Asthenodipsas tropidonotus (VAN LIDTH DE JEUDE, 1923) AND Pareas vertebralis (BOULENGER, 1900) (SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE: PAREATINAE) The present article consists of five sections: 1) historical overview of the taxonomic classification of the subfamily Pareatinae; 2) examination, designation and description of the lectotype and paralectotype, and relegation of the taxon tropidonotus van Lidth de Jeude, 1923 into the synonymy of vertebralis Boulenger, 1900; 3) allocation of Pareas vertebralis and its junior synonym tropidonotus into the genus Asthenodipsas Peters, 1864, and description of meristic characters and dimensions, color patterns, and distribution; 4) designation of a lectotype, paralectotypes and type locality for Asthenodipsas laevis (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827); and 5) identification key to the subfamily Pareatinae and the species of the genus Asthenodipsas. Keywords: Reptilia: Serpentes: Colubridae: Pareatinae: Asthenodipsas, taxonomy, Asthenodipsas tropidonotus (van Lidth de Jeude, 1923) syn. nov. of Asthenodipsas vertebralis (Boulenger, 1900), lectotype designation; Asthenodipsas vertebralis nov. comb., pholidosis, distribution; Pareas laevis (H. Boie in F. Boie, 1827), lectotype designation, designation of type locality; Southeast Asia. CHANGES IN THE HERPETOFAUNA OF A FRESH WATER RIVER IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA, AFTER 20 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT Surveys of the herpetofauna of a fresh water river in Southern Nigeria were conducted in 1982 and 2002. Riparian forest in the area has diminished tenfold between the surveys and the environment nowadays resembles a bushland mosaic. This study therefore provides insight into species succession of an area undergoing major habitat disturbance. Accumulation curves for both years indicated that most amphibian species were captured but there were probably reptile species remaining undiscovered. In 1982, 11 amphibian and 17 reptile species were caught compared to 17 amphibian and 10 reptile species in 2002. The change in available habitat type is mirrored by the successional change in amphibian and reptilian species composition. Forest specialists (e.g., Ptychadena aequiplicata, Chiromantis rufescens, Acanthixalus spinosus, Hyperolius sylvaticus nigeriensis, Kinixys homeana, and Chamaeleo spp.) are no longer present in 2002, whereas more generalist species or those preferring disturbed habitats now dominate (e.g., Hoplobatrachus occipitalis, Ptychadena mascareniensis, P. bibroni, Phrynobatrachus latifrons, Bufo maculatus, Psammophis phillipsii, Philothamnus heterodermus, Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia, and Naja nigricollis). The greater diversity of amphibian species in 2002 maybe a reflection of an increased diversity of microenvironments in the bushland mosaic compared to the forest. The most successful species (Ranidae, esp. Ptychadena) are those that are able to take advantage of multiple habitat types depending on prevailing environmental conditions. Keywords: Succession, conservation, edge effect, spatial heterogeneity, herpetofauna, Nigeria, amphibian declines, habitat destruction/change. AN UPDATED OVERVIEW OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOLDAVIAN STEPPE VIPER (Vipera ursinii moldavica NILSON, ANDRÉN et JOGER, 1993) We give an overview of the current distribution of Vipera ursinii moldavica. Until 2000 just one small population was known to survive in the "Valea lui David" Natural Reserve, Iasi District, Romania. We surveyed the habitats in the Iasi District, in May and September 2000 and March 2001, where this snake was formerly reported: Tomesti and the surroundings of Românesti, Avântul, and Ursoaia. In the surroundings of Românesti, Avântul and Ursoaia we found the viper in two sites, Ciritei and Holm, in the proximity of a small hill informally called "Dealul lui Dumnezeu," where Vancea et al. had recorded the subspecies in 1985. V. u. moldavica has probably disappeared from Tomesti (Iasi District), Tecuci (Galați District), Horlăceni and Călărasi (Botosani District). The results of a short survey, from 1997, in the "Valea lui David" Natural Reserve are also presented. Based on a field survey (1998) in the Republic of Moldova, the survival of V. u. moldavica cannot be confirmed there. In this paper we describe the newly discovered habitats, and provide morphometric data for the captured specimens. An updated distribution map of the subspecies is provided. Keywords: Vipera ursinii moldavica, Moldova - Romania, Republic of Moldova, habitat description, morphometrics, distribution. THE MEASUREMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT IN AMPHIBIANS Relationships between dry and wet body weight, weight of ovaries and oviducts and egg diameters in the moor frog, Rana arvalis, were investigated in Middle Urals. Age of specimens was determined by skeletochronology. Relative wet clutch weight poorly correlates with eggs diameter, dry egg weight and fecundity, but it is essential more correlated with wet eggs weight and with water content in eggs. Relative dry weight of clutch is connected by a weak negative correlation with water content in an ovum and it considerably depends on total dry weight of clutch and average dry weight of ovum. There is no correlation of relative dry clutch weight with relative wet clutch weight (r = 0.134, p = 0.436, n = 36), and there is small negative correlation with egg diameter (r = -0.190, p = 0.038, n = 119). The correlation between egg diameter and dry egg weight is very small. Water content in ova before ovulation is essentially smaller compared with water content before spawning. The final egg diameter is determined by absorption of water during ovulation from oviducts. It is believed diameter of egg is insufficient character for evaluation of reproductive effort. Keywords: amphibians, frogs, Rana arvalis, growth, age, reproductive effort. ANURAN REMAINS FROM THE EARLY CRETACEOUS OF TRANSBAIKALIA, RUSSIA Fragment of maxilla and postcranial bones of ?Discoglossidae indet. from the Early Cretaceous (Barremian? - Aptian) Krasnyi Yar locality in Transbaikalia, Russia are described. These remains represent the first Mesozoic anuran record in Russia. Keywords: Anura, Early Cretaceous, Transbaikalia. NEW RECORDS AND DATA ON THE POORLY KNOWN SNAKES OF VIETNAM Data on the new records of rare snakes of Vietnam are presented including morphological characteristics and geographical distribution; extensive description of new records of snakes belonging to genera Liopeltis Fitzinger, 1843; Boiga Fitzinger, 1826, and Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 is provided. Paper included annotated list of rare snakes of Vietnam. Eight species and subspecies of snakes we recorded for the first time in Vietnam; 42 snake species we refer to rare and poorly known. Keywords: rear snakes; new records; Boiga; Liopeltis; Trimeresurus; Vietnam. SHORT NOTES CURRENT POPULATION STATUS OF DIURNAL LIZARDS OF KARACHI, PAKISTAN Five districts of Karachi (East, West, South, Central and Malir) contain resident populations of lizards. During the present studies the current status of diurnal lizards of Karachi was investigated. The faunistic studies were based on seven species from three districts East, South and Malir of Karachi. 182 lizards were captured belonging to seven species, six genera and four families; Agamidae, Scincidae, Lacertidae and Varanidae. Among the 182 captured lizards were 56 Indian Garden Lizards, Calotes versicolor; 20 Indian Spiny-tailed Lizards, Uromastyx hardwickii; 72 Bronze Grass Skinks, Mabuya macularia; 8 Striped Grass Skinks, Mabuya dissimilis; 15 Indian Fringe-toad Sand Lizards, Acanthodactylus cantoris; 10 Long-tailed Desert Lacertas, Mesalina watsonana, and 1 Indian Monitor Varanus bengalensis. The results of the present study indicate that the current status of diurnal lizards, i.e., Indian Garden Lizard (Calotes versicolor), Bronze Grass Skink (Mabuya macularia), Striped Grass Skink (Mabuya dissimilis), Indian Fringe-toad sand Lizard (Acanthodactylus cantoris), and Long-tailed Desert Lacerta (Mesalina watsonana) are common in three selected districts of Karachi, while the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) and Indian Monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis) have been recorded as threatened species. Uromastyx hardwickii is an endangered species and is already included in the IUCN Red List and CITES Appendix. Internationally, 25% of reptiles are listed as threatened (IUCN, 2002). In Pakistan some lizard species are threatened. Present studies also recorded Uromastyx hardwickii and Varanus bengalensis as threatened species in the three districts of Karachi. The Brilliant Agama (Trapelus agilis isolepis) was not found in the three districts of Karachi. Either it is threatened or has gone extinct or has been shifted to other habitats due to destruction of habitat and increase of human population. Keywords: Current status, diurnal lizards, Karachi, Pakistan, Calotes versicolor, Uromastyx hardwickii, Mabuya macularia, Mabuya dissimilis, Acanthodactylus cantoris cantoris, Mesalina watsonana, Varanus bengalensis. BOOK REVIEW GUIDE TO THE REPTILES OF THE EASTERN PALEARCTIC Nikolai N. Szczerbak (technically edited by M. L. Golubev) Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Co., 2003, xvii + 260 p. + 194 color pts., hardbound INDEX OF VOLUME 10 |
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