BLOOD CELL MORPHOLOGY, ERYTHROCYTE SIZE, AND MICRONUCLEUS COUNTS OF Neurergus crocatus (COPE, 1862) (URODELA: SALAMANDRIDAE) IN TURKEY

Yucel Basimoglu Koca, Serdar Koca, Kurtulus Olgun, Pinar Beytas, and Nazan Taskin Uzum

In this study, which was carried out in June 2004, erythrocyte sizes of Neurergus crocatus were examined. Specimens of N. crocatus were collected from Sirnak, Turkey. Morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells were examined. Morphology of the erythrocytes and leukocytes were described using Wright’s technique. Erythrocytes and their nuclei sizes were measured using an ocular micrometer. Mean length and width of the erythrocytes in N. crocatus were 32.6 ± 2.46 and 23.8 ± 2.49 μm, respectively (surface 610.9 μm²) and mean length and width of their nuclei were 15.3 ± 1.30 and 9.6 ± 0.76 μm, respectively (surface 115.5 μm²). Micronucleated nuclei were counted among 1000 randomly chosen erythrocytes from each blood smears. The micronucleated erythrocyte values were 0.001 and 0 for males and females, respectively.

Keywords: Neurergus crocatus, Urodela, blood cells morphology, erythrocyte size, micronucleus

TAXONOMIC STATUS OF SOME Lacerta danfordi (GUNTHER, 1876) POPULATIONS

Ethem Cevik, Eyup Baskale, Ugur Kaya, and Ferai Turgay

Morphometric characters and pholidosis features of Tinaztepe (Konya), Camliyayla, and Sebil (Icel) Lacerta danfordi populations from Turkey were examined and interpreted by univariate and multivariate analysis methods. As a result of these analyses, Tinaztepe population was found to differ from amliyayla and Sebil populations. We recognize two subspecies of L. danfordi, and our detailed analysis results demonstrate that the Tinaztepe population represents subspecies of L. d. bileki, and both Camliyayla and Sebil populations represent L. d. danfordi. Other subspecies in the remaining part of the species’ range are needed for further detailed comparisons to clarify their taxonomical positions.

Keywords: Lacerta danfordi, L. d. bileki, L. d. danfordi, Tinaztepe, Camliyayla, Sebil

KARYOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MICROTEIID LIZARD Cercosaura schreibersii schreibersii (SQUAMATA, GYMNOPHTHALMIDAE) INCLUDING A CHROMOSOMAL POLYMORPHISM

Alejandra Hernando

Cytogenetic analysis were performed on fifteen specimens of the microteiid lizard Cercosaura schreibersii schreibersii. The individuals were collected in the north-east of Argentine. Chromosomes from intestinal epithelium and testis were studied after Giemsa and Ag-NOR staining. A karyotype of 2n = 52 was found in thirteen specimens. Diploid number 2n = 53 occurred in two specimens which was interpreted as the result of a fission and pericentric inversion in pair 1. NOR regions were observed on one pair of acrocentric chromosomes. Comparisons of the present results with previously reported Cercosaura karyotypes indicate interspecific variations.

Keywords: Gymnophthalmidae, Cercosaura, microteiid lizards, chromosomes, polymorphism, Ag-NOR.

ERYTHROCYTE COUNT AND SIZE IN SOME COLUBRIDS (REPTILIA: OPHIDIA) FROM TURKEY

C. Varol Tok, Murat Tosunoglu, Cigdem Gul, Burcu Yigini, Mehmet Turkakin, Gulsah Saruhan, and Serhat Kaya

In this study, erythrocyte count and size of the Colubrids snake, Hierophis caspius, Coluber collaris, Coluber najadum, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Malpolon monspessulana, Eirenis modestus living in Turkey were examined. Blood smears stained with Wright’s stain were utilized. The blood cell counts are found to be highest in Coluber collaris. Of the investigated species, the longest erythrocytes belong to Natrix tessellata, the biggest sized erythrocytes were found in Hierophis caspius, while the shortest erythrocytes belong to Malpolon monspessulana and hence the smallest sized erythrocytes were found in Coluber collaris.

Keywords: Ophidia, Colubridae, blood cells counts and sizes, Wright’s stain, blood smears

ON THE DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES IN THE SOUTH OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST

E. V. Adnagulov and A. Yu. Oleinikov

The paper reports on the distribution and ecology of amphibians and reptiles in the south of the Russian Far East, including previously unstudied areas within Khabarovsk Kray, Primorskiy Kray, and Yevreyskaya Autonomous Oblast’ (209 localities in total) studied in 1998 – 2004.

Keywords: Russian Far East, Amphibians, Reptiles, distribution

ECOLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE EZO BROWN FROG (Rana pirica MATSUI, 1991) ON HOKKAIDO ISLAND, JAPAN

Sergius L. Kuzmin, Takanori Sato, Shigehiro Nakabayashi, Irina V. Maslova, and Nobuyuki Narumi

Observations on reproductive ecology in Rana pirica were conducted in several sites of Hokkaido Island, Japan. Data on adult sizes, phenology, migrations, habitat use, temperatures, and spatial distribution of clutches are discussed in comparison with those on taxonomically related continental species, Rana dybowskii from Russia.

Keywords: Rana pirica, reproduction, migration, clutch, habitat

HERPETOFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN DOTHALUGALA MAN AND BIOSPHERE RESERVE, OF THE KNUCKLES FOREST RANGE, SRI LANKA

D. R. N. S. Rajapaksha, V. A. M. P. K. Samarawickrama, and K. B. Ranawana

The Knuckles Forest Range (KFR) is distinct morphological unit of the central highland of Sri Lanka. A survey was carried out using 10 × 10 m plots in two major habitats, namely Montane forest (MF, >1300 m a.s.l.) and Sub montane (600 – 1300 m a.s.l.) forests (SMF) in the Dothalugala MAB reserve in the Knuckles Forest Range in order to evaluate its herpetofaunal diversity. Distribution and abundance of amphibians and reptiles in their microhabitats were recorded during the study. A total of 30 species in 18 genera in 7 families were encountered during the study. This includes two unidentified amphibians as well. Among herpetofauna endemic and threatened Ceretophora tenenntii (Leaf Nosed Lizard) and Nannophrys marmorata (Kirtisinghe’s Rock Frog) are restricted to KFR. Of these 14 species were amphibians and 16 were reptiles. Comparison of herpetofaunal diversity among two forest habitats showed that SMF habitats supported higher diversity for amphibians. According to Shannon index (HI) amphibian diversity in SMF was 1.05 whereas low diversity was recorded from the MF for amphibians (H ¢ = 0.40). Shannon evenness for SMF was 0.42 while this value for MF was 0.21 for amphibians. Reptiles also showed a similar pattern of diversity where Shannon Index for MF was 0.5 while the SMF recorded higher value (1.29). Shannon evenness for reptiles in the MF was 0.26 and for the SMF was 0.49. Reasons for high diversity in SMF is mainly due to the availability of number of microhabitats including man modified habitats that are favorable for amphibian and reptiles. Low diversity of MF may be due to canopy opening resulting exposure of the forest floor to high temperature and winds. Due to this reason species loose their habitats and are subjected to predation. Findings of this study could be used baseline information for future research works.

Keywords: Knuckles forest range, Dothalugala Man and Biosphere Reserve, diversity, diversity indices, montane, sub-montane

NEW SPECIES OF Theloderma FROM KON TUM PROVINCE (VIETNAM) AND NAGALAND STATE (INDIA) [ANURA: RHACOPHORIDAE]

Nikolai L. Orlov, S. K. Dutta, H. V. Ghate, and Y. Kent

Eleven known species of the genus Theloderma are distributed in Indochina, eastern India, Sumatra (Indonesia) and Sri Lanka (see Appendix I). A description of two new species is presented. Theloderma ryabovi sp. nov. originated from Kon Tum Province, Vietnam. It is characterized by a combination of the following characters: webs between fingers and toes, shape of head and body, limb proportions, nature of integument and color pattern. A second new species, Theloderma nagalandensis sp. nov. is described from Nagaland State, northeastern India. It differs from the congeners in the following characters: head shape, tympanum size, dorsal ridges and warts, webbing between fingers and toes, coloration and possesion of vomerine teeth.

Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, Rhacophoridae, Theloderma, new species, Kon Tum Province, Vietnam, Nagaland State, northeastern India.

A NEW CASCADE FROG (AMPHIBIA: RANIDAE) FROM CENTRAL VIETNAM

Nikolai L. Orlov, Natalia B. Ananjeva, and Ho Thu Cuc

A new frog species of the family Ranidae (cascade frog from Odorrana-group) is described from central Vietnam. Rana gigatympana sp. nov. is distinguished by very small body size and very large tympanum.

Keywords: Ranidae, Rana, Amolops, Odorrana, Kon Tum, Vietnam, new species.

ERRATA

OBITUARY

To the Memory of Mikhail Mikhailovich Pikulik