2004. Volume 11. No. 1. Contents

RESULTS OF HERPETOFAUNAL INVENTORY OF WADI RAMM PROTECTED AREA, WITH NOTES ON SOME RELICT SPECIES

Mohammad Abu Baker, Mayas Qarqaz, Lina Rifai, Nashat Hamidan, Khaldoun Al Omari, David Modry, and Zuhair Amr

In the course of the faunistic inventory in Wadi Ramm Protected Area, a total of 34 species of reptiles representing nine families (Gekkonidae, Chamaeleonidae, Agamidae, Lacertidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Leptotyphlopidae, Colubridae, and Viperidae) were recorded from different habitats in Wadi Ramm and its closest vicinity. Three species (Lacerta cf. kulzeri, Chamaeleo chamaeleon, and Ablepharus rueppellii) are considered to represent relicts from earlier, more humid periods. Habitat preferences for collected species are included.

Keywords: Reptilia, diversity, distribution, relicts, Wadi Ramm Protected Area, Jordan.

NEW LOCALITY RECORDS EXTENDED THE DISTRIBUTION OF SOME OPHIDIANS IN SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA

Ibrahim Baran, Yusuf Kumlutas, Çetin Ilgaz, Oguz Türkozan, and Aziz Avci

In this study, 64 specimens belonging to 6 Ophidians (Leptotyphlops macrorhynchus, Eirenis collaris, Pseudocyclophis persicus, Eirenis coronella, Eirenis punctatolineatus, and Spalerosophis diadema) collected from SE Turkey were examined in terms of morphological characters and compared with literature data. The distribution area of ophidians were extended while collecting specimens from new localities.

Keywords: Morphology, distribution, ophidians.

Bungarus niger WALL, 1908 (REPTILIA: SERPENTES: ELAPIDAE): EXTENSION OF RANGE TO CACHAR DISTRICT, ASSAM, INDIA

Olivier Grosselet, Mélina Vauché, Abhik Gupta, and Susmita Gupta

Keywords: range, Bungarus niger, India, Assam, Cachar District.

COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF THREE POPULATIONS OF Testudo graeca LINNAEUS, 1758 FROM THE WESTERN TAURUS MOUNTAINS, TURKEY

Oguz Türkozan, Yusufs Kumlutas, and S. Hakan Durmu

We examined a total of 65 specimens of the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise Testudo graeca Linnaeus, 1758 from three distinct localities in the western Taurus Mountains of the Mediterranean region of Turkey: Kalkan (12 }, 14 ), Çiğlikara (6 }, 7 ), and Akseki (7 }, 19 ). For morphological comparisons 15 morphometric characters and 17 ratios developed by combination of characters were investigated. Post-ANOVA pairwise analysis (Tukey's) across all groups verified sexual dimorphism in the Kalkan and Çığlıkara populations in terms of the following ratios: plastron length/plastron width 2 (p = 0.02) and straight carapace length/femoral suture length (p = 0.04), respectively. Females in all three populations are larger than males, and in the Çığlıkara population individuals are larger than those from other populations (ANOVA F(2.22) = 16.28, p << 0.0001). The maximum straight carapace length measured was of a female in the Çığlıkara population (295 mm). This is a new record size for Turkish tortoises. Discriminant analysis based on 13 ratios confirms that the Kalkan population tends to differ from the other two populations. This difference was more clear between Akseki and Kalkan.

Keywords: Reptilia, Testudines, Testudinidae, Testudo graeca, Taurus Mountains, Turkey.

EFFECT OF THE VENOMS OF TWO VIPERID SNAKES, THE COPPERHEAD (Agkistrodon contortrix_{_}) AND THE COTTONMOUTH (Agkistrodon piscivorus), ON THE LIVER AND KIDNEY OF THE BULLFROG (Rana catesbeiana)

James M. Green, Harold Heatwole, Betty Black, and Naomie Poran

Injection of venom into bullfrogs caused a loss if integrity of the epithelium of Bowman's capsules and of the capillaries of the glomeruli in the kidneys. The kidney tubules were unaffected. Cottonmouth venom had a more severe effect on the kidney than did copperhead venom. Venom of neither snake caused any in vivo effect on the livers of bullfrogs. However, liver slices cultured in vitro with cottonmouth venom showed deterioration of the nuclei above the levels of autolysis in controls. The extent of denucleation was proportional to venom dose. Cottonmouth venom had a greater effect on the nuclei of liver slices than did copperhead venom.

Keywords: venom, Agkistrodon, cottonmouth, copperhead, bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana, liver, kidney, nuclei, cytolysis.

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Bronchocela FROM THE TROPICAL RAIN FOREST OF SOUTHERN VIETNAM

Jakob Hallermann

A new species of Bronchocela is described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam in Gia Lai Province. These description increase the number of species of this genus to 8. A key to the species of Bronchocela of Incdochina is provided.

Keywords: Reptilia, Squamata, Agamidae, new species Bronchocela orlovi, taxonomic key.

OLFACTORY ORIENTATION IN ANURAN AMPHIBIANS

S. V. Ogurtsov

Anuran amphibians are known to learn chemical stimuli in embryonic and larval development. Data on "kin recognition" and data on learning of native pond odor are considered as parts of complex chemical imprinting typical for other groups of vertebrates. It is rather probable that 2 sensitive periods of chemical learning exist in larval development. Imprinting, at least partly, determines species-specific strategy of dispersal in newly metamorphosed individuals. It is proposed that chemical stimuli learnt during larval development could be among cues that guide adult individuals to their native pond for breeding. Anuran olfactory abilities, such as discrimination of scent mixture components, seasonal changes and hormonal regulation of sensitivity, individual differences in perception are also discussed.

Keywords: amphibians, larval development, chemical imprinting, "kin recognition," native pond odor, sensitive periods.

NEW TURTLE REMAINS FROM THE LATE CRETACEOUS AND PALEOGENE OF VOLGOGRAD REGION, RUSSIA

Alexander O. Averianov and Alexander A. Yarkov

Fragmentary remains of Cryptodira incertae sedis sp. 1 (dentary, scapular fragments, and neural; Rasstrigin 1, Maastrichtian), Cryptodira incertae sedis sp. 2 (fused epiplastra with two pairs of gular scutes; Bereslavka 1, Maastrichtian), Chelonioidea incertae sedis sp. 1 (frontal bone and carapace fragments; Polunino 2, Campanian), and Testudines indet. (phalanx; Loznoe, upper Paleocene) are described. Chelonioidea incertae sedis sp. 1 from Polunino 2 is similar to Allopleuron by lacking a prefrontal-postorbital contact, in having a interdigitating contact between costals and neurals, the loss of suprapygal-pygal contact, the reduction of horn sulci, and the possible development of the secondary bony palate (inferred from the rather long dentary symphysis). Three new localities for marine turtles (Cenomanian Solodcha and Paleocene Bereslavka 2a and 2b) are also indicated for the first time, but the material is insufficient for description.

Keywords: Testudines, Cretaceous, Paleogene, Volgograd Region.

A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Philautus FROM CENTRAL VIETNAM (ANURA: RHACOPHORIDAE)

Nikolai L. Orlov, Ho Thu Cuc, and Nguyen Quang Truong

A new rhacophorid species of the tribe Rhacophorini, tentatively assigned to the genus Philautus, is described on the basis of five specimens collected from Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam provinces, central Vietnam. It is most similar to P. gracilipes in external morphology and coloration, much different from the other congeners.

Keywords: Anura, Rhacophoridae, Philautus, new species, Vietnam, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam provinces.

REEVALUATION OF THE STATUS OF Lacerta agilis tauridica SUCHOV, 1926

Svetlana A. Kalyabina-Hauf, Konstantin D. Milto, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Ulrich Joger, Tatiana I. Kotenko, and Michael Wink

According to our results based on the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of Lacerta agilis sand lizards from Crimean mountain region turned to be genetically different from known subspecies. The Crimean sand lizards form a separate group, closely related to Lacerta agilis exigua subspecies. A comparative morphological analysis of the Crimean Lacerta agilis was conducted and revealed some differences of analyzed lizards with respect to other subspecies of the sand lizards. Both molecular and morphological data led to the conclusion about the distinct taxonomical status of the Crimean Lacerta agilis. Redescription of Lacerta agilis tauridica is given and neotype is designated.

Keywords: lacertid lizards, Lacerta agilis tauridica, taxonomic status, Crimea.

SHORT COMMUNICATIONS

PROPOSAL FOR A REPLACEMENT NAME OF THE SNAKE GENUS Ermia ZHANG, 1993

Andreas Gumprecht and Frank Tillack

Keywords: Reptilia, Viperidae, Crotalinae; China; Zhaoermia mangshanensis nom. nov.

A NEW RECORD OF Vipera barani BÖHME ET JOGER, 1983 (REPTILIA, VIPERIDAE) FROM NORTH-EASTERN ANATOLIA, TURKEY

Aziz Avci, Nazan Üzüm, and Kurtulus Olgun

The distribution of Vipera barani known from Western Black Sea Coast to Eastern Black Sea Coast with gaps at the wide range were filled with a new record from Ikizce, province Ordu. Morphology and habitat features of the specimen were given.

Keywords: Vipera barani, distribution, Northeast Turkey, Middle East.

2nd INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "BEHAVIOURAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL ASYMMETRIES". St. Petersburg, Russia, September 3 - 5, 2004