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Journal articles on the topic 'Reptiles'
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1
Azevedo, Alexandre, Leonor Guimarães, Joel Ferraz, Martin Whiting, and Manuel Magalhães-Sant’Ana. "Pet Reptiles—Are We Meeting Their Needs?" Animals 11, no. 10 (October 14, 2021): 2964. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11102964.
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The ability to meet the needs of each species in captivity is at the heart of the ethical debate on the acceptability of keeping reptiles and other animals as pets. Little is known about the ability of reptile owners to understand their pets’ behavior and to meet their welfare requirements. In this study, we surveyed pet reptile owners in Portugal (N = 220) to assess their behavioral knowledge and the provision of essential husbandry needs. Although two-thirds of respondents (68%) scored very good to excellent in terms of knowledge of their pet reptile’s behaviors, only 15% of respondents met four essential reptile husbandry needs (temperature, lighting, diet and refuge) and 43% met two or less. None of the respondents reported their reptile’s welfare as very poor, and only a single respondent reported it as poor. Logistic regression model showed that while snake owners had fourteen times higher odds of reporting adequate husbandry provision, lizard owners had the highest odds of reporting good or very good welfare despite providing less of their animals’ basic husbandry needs. These results suggest that many pet reptiles in Portugal live in, at best, ‘controlled deprivation’ and are at risk of suffering poor welfare throughout their captive lives. Moreover, behaviors indicative of poor welfare and captivity stress were considered ‘normal’ by up to one quarter of respondents. We suggest that the frequency of these behaviors in pet reptiles has led to their acceptance as normal, precluding the search for ways to prevent them. These results suggest that campaigns aimed at challenging the current norm for adequate reptile welfare are warranted.
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Woinarski, J. C. Z., B. P. Murphy, R. Palmer, S. M. Legge, C. R. Dickman, T. S. Doherty, G. Edwards, A. Nankivell, J. L. Read, and D. Stokeld. "How many reptiles are killed by cats in Australia?" Wildlife Research 45, no. 3 (2018): 247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr17160.
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Context Feral cats (Felis catus) are a threat to biodiversity globally, but their impacts upon continental reptile faunas have been poorly resolved. Aims To estimate the number of reptiles killed annually in Australia by cats and to list Australian reptile species known to be killed by cats. Methods We used (1) data from >80 Australian studies of cat diet (collectively >10 000 samples), and (2) estimates of the feral cat population size, to model and map the number of reptiles killed by feral cats. Key results Feral cats in Australia’s natural environments kill 466 million reptiles yr–1 (95% CI; 271–1006 million). The tally varies substantially among years, depending on changes in the cat population driven by rainfall in inland Australia. The number of reptiles killed by cats is highest in arid regions. On average, feral cats kill 61 reptiles km–2 year–1, and an individual feral cat kills 225 reptiles year–1. The take of reptiles per cat is higher than reported for other continents. Reptiles occur at a higher incidence in cat diet than in the diet of Australia’s other main introduced predator, the European red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Based on a smaller sample size, we estimate 130 million reptiles year–1 are killed by feral cats in highly modified landscapes, and 53 million reptiles year–1 by pet cats, summing to 649 million reptiles year–1 killed by all cats. Predation by cats is reported for 258 Australian reptile species (about one-quarter of described species), including 11 threatened species. Conclusions Cat predation exerts a considerable ongoing toll on Australian reptiles. However, it remains challenging to interpret the impact of this predation in terms of population viability or conservation concern for Australian reptiles, because population size is unknown for most Australian reptile species, mortality rates due to cats will vary across reptile species and because there is likely to be marked variation among reptile species in their capability to sustain any particular predation rate. Implications This study provides a well grounded estimate of the numbers of reptiles killed by cats, but intensive studies of individual reptile species are required to contextualise the conservation consequences of such predation.
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Jordan, Francis, and Sze-Man Ngai. "REPTILES WITH HOLES." Proceedings of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society 48, no. 3 (September 15, 2005): 651–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s001309150400001x.
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AbstractCroft, Falconer and Guy asked: what is the smallest integer $n$ such that an $n$-reptile in the plane has a hole? Motivated by this question, we describe a geometric method of constructing reptiles in $\mathbb{R}^d$, especially reptiles with holes. In particular, we construct, for each even integer $n\ge4$, an $n$-reptile in $\mathbb{R}^2$ with holes. We also answer some questions concerning the topological properties of a reptile whose interior consists of infinitely many components.
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Deakin, Janine E., and Tariq Ezaz. "Understanding the Evolution of Reptile Chromosomes through Applications of Combined Cytogenetics and Genomics Approaches." Cytogenetic and Genome Research 157, no. 1-2 (2019): 7–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000495974.
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Studies of reptile (nonavian reptiles) chromosomes began well over a century ago (1897) with the initial report on the description of sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) chromosomes. Since then, chromosome analysis in reptiles has contributed significantly to understanding chromosome evolution in vertebrates. Reptile karyotypes are also unique, as being the only vertebrate group where the majority of the species possess variable numbers of macro- and microchromosomes, which was first reported for iguanids and teiids in 1921. In addition, many reptiles have microchromosomes as sex chromosomes, highlighting their evolutionary significance, yet very little is known about their evolutionary origin and significance in shaping amniote genomes. Advances in genomic technologies in recent years have accelerated our capacity to understand how sequences are arranged within a genome. However, genomic and cytogenetic analyses have been combined for only 3 species to provide a deeper understanding of reptile chromosome evolution and sequence organization. In this review, we highlight how a combined approach of cytogenetic analysis and sequence analysis in reptiles can help us answer fundamental questions of chromosome evolution in reptiles, including evolution of microchromosomes and sex chromosomes.
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Lambert, Carder, and D’Cruze. "Given the Cold Shoulder: A Review of the Scientific Literature for Evidence of Reptile Sentience." Animals 9, no. 10 (October 17, 2019): 821. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani9100821.
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We searched a selection of the scientific literature to document evidence for, and explorations into reptile sentience. The intention of this review was to highlight; (1) to what extent reptile capability for emotions have been documented in the scientific literature; (2) to discuss the implications this evidence has for the trade in reptiles; and (3) to outline what future research is needed to maximise their captive welfare needs. We used 168 keywords associated with sentience, to search through four journal databases and one open-access journal. We recorded studies that explored sentience in reptiles and those that recognised reptile sentience in their experiments. We found that reptiles were assumed to be capable of the following emotions and states; anxiety, distress, excitement, fear, frustration, pain, stress, and suffering, in 37 articles. We also found four articles that explored and found evidence for the capacity of reptiles to feel pleasure, emotion, and anxiety. These findings show that reptiles are considered to be capable of experiencing a range of emotions and states. This has implications for how reptiles are treated in captivity, as a better understanding could help to inform a range of different operational initiatives aimed at reducing negative animal welfare impacts, including improved husbandry and consumer behaviour change programmes.
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Worrell, Brianna. "How to intubate a reptile." Veterinary Nurse 10, no. 10 (December 2, 2019): 548–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/vetn.2019.10.10.548.
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Intubation in reptiles can be challenging in some species. From their anatomy, anaesthetic protocols, technique, and recovery, reptiles have several special considerations. With the right instruments, intubation can be performed successfully on reptiles. In this article, we will discuss the various tools that help to properly intubate reptiles. We will also discuss techniques that will help with intubation on reptile patients as well as protocols for anaesthesia and recovery.
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Mirza, Amrin Naimoddin, and Satish S. Patil. "Seasonal Reptilian Diversity at Gautala Reserve Forest, Aurangabad (Maharashtra), India." Current World Environment 18, no. 2 (August 31, 2023): 786–94. http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/cwe.18.2.27.
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Reptiles are playing a vital role in ecology. These reptiles show a diverse range of habitat adaptations. They are dispersed in extreme desert conditions as well as in low-temperature areas and they are broadly dispersed across the world. The occurrence of reptiles is a sign of rich biodiversity and ecology. To assess the distribution of the reptile species in a given area, a reptilian species survey was carried out in the Gautala Reserve Forest, where 15 different spots were selected during the rainy, winter, and summer seasons. A checklist was created for the period of 2017-2018. During the investigation, a total of 28 species of reptiles from 6 families were found. The transect method was used to sample direct and indirect evidence of reptilian species. This paper discusses seasonal variations in reptilian diversity and statistical analysis methods. The Boidae family has fewer species than various other families, compared to the huge number of species of the Colubridae family reported in the current study. According to the IUCN, Three species of reptiles, the Common Sand Boa (Gongylophis Conicus), India Rock Python (Python molurus molurus), and John's Sand Boa (Eryx johnii), are Near Threatened (NT- Decreasing), and one species of reptile, the Gunther's Racer (Coluber gracilis), is Data Deficient (DD-Unknown). The remaining 24 species of reptiles are considered Least Concerned. Baseline information on the resilience of these reptile species was collected for the current investigation. These details will be useful for future planning on the preservation of reptile diversity.
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Vera, David Gustavo, Diego Omar Di Pietro, Germán Tettamanti, Manuel Eirin, Clara Trofino Falasco, María Florencia Aranguren, Jorge Daniel Williams, Federico Pablo Kacoliris, and Igor Berkunsky. "An annotated list of the reptiles of the highland grassland of Tandilia Mountains, Argentina." Neotropical Biology and Conservation 16, no. 1 (March 9, 2021): 185–204. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neotropical.16.e60629.
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The study of biodiversity is a fundamental step to develop conservation strategies. Reptile populations are immersed in a global crisis, due to anthropic disturbances. Almost the entire Pampa ecoregion in Argentina was modified for agricultural and livestock activities, the only remnants of mountain native grasslands in Buenos Aires province being the Tandilia and Ventania mountain systems. Ventania reptiles have been exhaustively researched in last years, while Tandilia counts with fewer studies. We presented an actualized reptiles list of the Tandilia Mountain System. We used five data sources to collect presence records: literature, fieldwork, museum collection, citizen science, and a online database. The composition of reptiles from the Tandilia Mountain range includes 26 species in 12 families. Due to the presence of several endemic reptiles, and the representativeness of more than half of the reptiles of Pampa Ecoregion, Tandilia would be useful to determine conservation priority areas to conserve the native grassland and their reptile fauna.
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Madella-Auricchio, Cláudia Renata, Paulo Auricchio, and Enio Saraiva Soares. "Reptile species composition in the Middle Gurguéia and comparison with inventories in the eastern Parnaíba River Basin, State of Piauí, Brazil." Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo) 57, no. 28 (September 15, 2017): 375. http://dx.doi.org/10.11606/0031-1049.2017.57.28.
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The reptile diversity of the Middle Gurguéia River Basin in southern Piauí, Brazil, is little known. The rapid expansion of agriculture in the region is converting the Cerrado and Caatinga into large farming areas, which threatens biodiversity and hastens its loss. In this study, 68 specimens of reptiles from a university collection were examined, comprising 29 species: ten lizards, one amphisbaenian, 15 snakes, two turtles and one crocodilian. They were collected from five locations in the Middle Gurguéia Basin, a region not previously evaluated for reptiles. The most abundant species is a member of Tropidurus. Comparison with eight other areas in the eastern Parnaíba Basin indicated that the diversity of reptiles in the Middle Gurguéia is similar to that in other Caatinga-Cerrado ecotone areas. The reptile assemblage in the eastern Parnaíba Basin comprises 100 species of reptiles: 39 lizards, five amphisbaenians, 50 snakes, four chelonians and two crocodilians. This study expanded the known distributions of some reptiles and recorded the first occurrence of Helicops leopardinus (Schlegel, 1837) for Piauí. A cluster analysis showed that the reptile composition concords with the habitat where species were found, i.e. Cerrado, Caatinga or ecotone. Studies that associate habitat structure with each species are essential to propose efficient strategies for reptile management and conservation for the entire Parnaíba River Basin, mostly in areas that are not yet protected.
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Valdez, Jose W. "Using Google Trends to Determine Current, Past, and Future Trends in the Reptile Pet Trade." Animals 11, no. 3 (March 3, 2021): 676. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11030676.
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Reptiles are one of the most popular exotic pets in the world, with over a third of all described species currently being traded. However, the most commonly available reptiles are typically non-threatened, captive-bred, and/or domestically obtained, which means they are also largely unregulated and unmonitored, resulting in a large portion of the reptile pet trade remaining unknown. In this study, the past, current, and future trends of the most popular reptiles in the pet trade were examined. Google Trends was used to determine the global popularity of the most popular pets from 2004 to 2020 and compared to the results from an online survey sent to individuals involved in the reptile trade. The most popular pets from the previous five years were also compared globally across regions and countries. The results determined that the most popular reptile species during the last decade is by far bearded dragons, followed by ball pythons and leopard geckos. Although the survey results were similar when asked what the top reptiles were, most respondents named ball pythons as the most popular reptile. However, when asked what reptiles had lost the most popularity during the previous decade, the survey respondents named green iguanas, Burmese pythons, chameleons, red-eared sliders, and green anoles, concurring with what was found with Google Trends. The reptiles thought to be more popular in the upcoming decade by the survey participants were blue-tongued skinks, tegus, uromastyx, crested geckos, and ball pythons—most of which did indeed show an increase in popularity during the last decade, as indicated with Google Trends. The results from Google Trends demonstrated that ball pythons and crested geckos have increased their popularity more than any other reptile in the last two decades. Reptile popularity also differed between countries, with bearded dragons the most popular reptile in Australia, Western Europe, the U.S., and Canada. Leopard geckos were the most popular reptile in Italy and Turkey, and ball pythons were the reptile of choice in Mexico, Indonesia, and India. The general finding of this study is that the reptiles declining in popularity were mostly wild-caught or restricted due to regulations, while current and future species were captive-bred and available in many varieties or morphs. The most popular species were also docile, medium-sized, and easy to handle, with relatively simple care requirements. This study demonstrates that Google Trends can be a useful tool for determining relative popularity among reptiles, or any other pet group, with results closely mirroring those obtained through direct surveying of people involved in the pet trade. However, unlike surveys, this analysis is quick, quantifiable, and can show what is popular and in-demand not only at the global level but at much finer scales. Thus, Google Trends can be a valuable tool in many research applications, especially in topics that may otherwise be difficult to monitor and quantify.
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Syafiq, Muhamad Fatihah, Baizul Hafsyam Badli-Sham, Noor-Shahirah Ibrahim, Lukman H. B. Ismail, Muhammad Afif Mohd Amin, Goh Shu Xian, Rabiatul ‘Aqilah Mohamad Ariffin, et al. "Taxonomic Composition, Diversity, and Conservation Status of Reptilian Fauna at Sekayu Lowland Forests, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia." Russian Journal of Herpetology 31, no. 1 (February 29, 2024): 14–23. http://dx.doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2024-31-1-14-23.
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Lowland forests of Terengganu are still lacking in extensive studies on reptiles, and Sekayu lowland forest is one such example. We assess the composition, diversity and conservation status of reptiles in this area based on seven years (2013 – 2019) of data collection via Visual Encounter Survey and pitfall traps as the collecting methods. We also compiled a checklist by combining the data from our surveys and previous studies done at this area. We discovered a total of 84 species of reptiles belonging to 15 families and 50 genera. Of these, lizards were the most abundant whereas snakes had the highest number of families, genera and highest species richness. Approximately 71% of the sampled reptiles are categorised as «Least Concern» based on the IUCN Red List Categories. Overall, reptile species richness is high and these records highlight the importance of lowland forests in Terengganu as a source of significant reptile diversity.
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Lemos-Espinal, Julio A., and Geoffrey R. Smith. "Amphibians and reptiles of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico." Check List 11, no. 3 (April 24, 2015): 1642. http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/11.3.1642.
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We compiled a checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. The herpetofauna of Hidalgo consists of a total of 175 species: 54 amphibians (14 salamanders and 40 anurans); and 121 reptiles (one crocodile, five turtles, 36 lizards, 79 snakes). These taxa represent 32 families (12 amphibian families, 20 reptile families) and 87 genera (24 amphibian genera, 63 reptile genera). Two of these species are non-native species (Hemidactylus frenatus Duméril and Bibron, 1836 and Indotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803)). This herpetofauna represents a mixture of species from both the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Transvolcanic Belt. In addition, 26% of all categorized amphibian and reptile species in Hidalgo are considered Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Endangered, or Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Thus, Hidalgo represents a relatively unique and threatened diversity of amphibians and reptiles.
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Miles, Sonya. "A surgical approach to the reptile patient." Companion Animal 27, no. 3 (March 2, 2022): 32–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/coan.2021.0068.
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Reptile surgery, as well as owner expectations for the care of reptiles, is constantly evolving. It is essential that the unique anatomical and physiological differences between reptiles and mammal patients, as well as between reptiles of different groups, be fully understood before undertaking any surgery. All reptile patients should undergo a full clinical examination and be stabilised wherever possible before surgery, with the patient's preferred optimum temperature being ensured pre-, peri- and postoperatively to optimise drug metabolism and wound healing. It is important to optimise patient and surgeon positioning, use appropriately sized suture material, and maintain haemostasis, magnification and lighting to improve surgical technique, regardless of the procedure or organ system being operated on.
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Loc-Barragán, Jesús A., Geoffrey R. Smith, Guillermo A. Woolrich-Piña, and Julio A. Lemos-Espinal. "An updated checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Nayarit, Mexico with conservation status and comparison with adjoining States." Herpetozoa 37 (February 12, 2024): 25–42. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e112093.
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Herein, we present an updated list of the species of amphibians and reptiles that inhabit Nayarit, Mexico. In the years since the publication of a previous list in 2016, threats to amphibians and reptiles in Nayarit have continued unabated and efforts to more fully catalogue the richness of Nayarit’s herpetofauna have continued. Nayarit harbours 162 native species of amphibians and reptiles, representing 35 families and 85 genera. These include 37 species of amphibians (35 anurans and two salamanders) and 125 species of reptiles (one crocodile, 44 lizards, 69 snakes and 11 turtles). Of the amphibian and reptile species in Nayarit, 102 are endemic to Mexico and two endemic to Nayarit. The ecoregion with the highest richness of amphibians and reptiles in Nayarit is the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt followed closely by the Sierra Madre Occidental and then the Sierra Madre del Sur, the Pacific Lowlands and the Nayarit Islands. Just 5.8% of the species of amphibians and reptiles in Nayarit is IUCN-listed as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered, 11.1% are placed in a protected category by SEMARNAT and nearly a third are categorised as high risk by the Environmental Vulnerability Score. The herpetofauna of Nayarit overlaps the most with Jalisco (88.9%). One of the main conclusions of our updated list of the amphibian and reptile species of Nayarit is that our understanding of the full complement of species is not complete, especially the reptiles.
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Wirth, Wytamma, Lin Schwarzkopf, Lee F. Skerratt, and Ellen Ariel. "Ranaviruses and reptiles." PeerJ 6 (December 12, 2018): e6083. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6083.
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Ranaviruses can infect many vertebrate classes including fish, amphibians and reptiles, but for the most part, research has been focused on non-reptilian hosts, amphibians in particular. More recently, reports of ranaviral infections of reptiles are increasing with over 12 families of reptiles currently susceptible to ranaviral infection. Reptiles are infected by ranaviruses that are genetically similar to, or the same as, the viruses that infect amphibians and fish; however, physiological and ecological differences result in differences in study designs. Although ranaviral disease in reptiles is often influenced by host species, viral strain and environmental differences, general trends in pathogenesis are emerging. More experimental studies using a variety of reptile species, life stages and routes of transmission are required to unravel the complexity of wild ranavirus transmission. Further, our understanding of the reptilian immune response to ranaviral infection is still lacking, although the considerable amount of work conducted in amphibians will serve as a useful guide for future studies in reptiles.
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Anđelković, Marko, and Neda Bogdanović. "Amphibian and Reptile Road Mortality in Special Nature Reserve Obedska Bara, Serbia." Animals 12, no. 5 (February 23, 2022): 561. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12050561.
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Amphibians and reptiles are the most threatened vertebrates by traffic, especially near ponds and wetlands. The main aim of this study was to examine seasonal and spatial patterns of amphibian and reptile road mortality in Special Nature Reserve “Obedska bara” (Serbia). We chose a road section of 4.2 km near the largest wetland in Serbia, with two different habitat types (forest-pond and agricultural area-pond). During 2018 (32 fieldwork days) and 2019–2020 (three control fieldwork days), we found 20,457 and 2231 road-killed animals, respectively. We recorded nine amphibian and eight reptile species. Amphibians (93%) were more vulnerable to traffic than reptiles (7%). The number of killed amphibians and reptiles varied between the seasons. Generally, amphibian roadkill was most frequent during the summer, whereas reptile roadkill was most frequent in spring and at the end of the summer. Furthermore, different roadkill patterns were observed during the examined months. In addition, we found that habitat type significantly affects the vulnerability of animals towards the roads. For both amphibians and reptiles, there were significant aggregations of roadkill, and most hotspots were located at the forest pond habitat type where mitigation measures must be applied (construction of tunnels and fences).
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Lemos-Espinal, Julio A., Geoffrey R. Smith, and James C. Rorabaugh. "A conservation checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Sonora, Mexico, with updated species lists." ZooKeys 829 (March 11, 2019): 131–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.829.32146.
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Sonora has a rich natural diversity, including reptiles and amphibians. Sonora’s location on the United States-Mexico border creates some unique conservation challenges for its wildlife. We compiled a list of the amphibian and reptile species currently known for Sonora, summarized the conservation status of these species, and compared our list of species with known species lists for adjacent states. The herpetofauna of Sonora comprises 200 species of amphibians and reptiles (38 amphibians and 162 reptiles). Overall, Sonora shares the most species with Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Arizona. Approximately 11% of the amphibian and reptile species are IUCN listed, but 35.5% are placed in a protected category by SEMARNAT, and 32.6% are categorized as high risk by the Environmental Vulnerability Score.
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De Meester, Gilles, and Simon Baeckens. "Reinstating reptiles: from clueless creatures to esteemed models of cognitive biology." Behaviour 158, no. 12-13 (September 16, 2021): 1057–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1568539x-00003718.
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Abstract Non-avian reptiles have long been neglect in cognitive science due to their reputation as slow and inflexible learners, but fortunately, this archaic view on reptile cognition is changing rapidly. The last two decades have witnessed a renewed interest in the cognitive capacities of reptiles, and more ecologically relevant protocols have been designed to measure such abilities. Now, we appreciate that reptiles possess an impressive set of cognitive skills, including problem-solving abilities, fast and flexible learning, quantity discrimination, and even social learning. This special issue highlights current research on reptiles in cognitive biology and showcases the diversity of research questions that can be answered by using reptiles as study model. Here, we briefly address (the key results of) the contributing articles and their role in the endeavour for total inclusion of reptiles in cognitive biological research, which is instrumental for our understanding of the evolution of animal cognition. We also discuss and illustrate the promising potential of reptiles as model organisms in various areas of cognitive research.
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Zverkov, Nikolay, Maxim Arkhangelsky, Denis Gulyaev, Alexey Ippolitov, and Alexey Shmakov. "Callovian Marine Reptiles of European Russia." Diversity 16, no. 5 (May 10, 2024): 290. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d16050290.
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Our knowledge of marine reptiles of the Callovian age (Middle Jurassic) is majorly based on the collections from the Oxford Clay Formation of England, which yielded a diverse marine reptile fauna of plesiosaurians, ichthyosaurians, and thalattosuchians. However, outside of Western Europe, marine reptile remains of this age are poorly known. Here, we survey marine reptiles from the Callovian stage of European Russia. The fossils collected over more than a century from 28 localities are largely represented by isolated bones and teeth, although partial skeletons are also known. In addition to the previously described rhomaleosaurid and metriorhynchids, we identify pliosaurids of the genera Liopleurodon and Simolestes; cryptoclidid plesiosaurians, including Cryptoclidus eurymerus, Muraenosaurus sp., and cf. Tricleidus, and ophthalmosaurid ichthyosaurians, including the iconic Ophthalmosaurus icenicus. These findings expand the ranges of several Callovian marine reptile taxa far to the Eastern Europe, and support the exchange of marine reptile faunas between Western and Eastern European seas in the middle to late Callovian. However, some specimens from the lower Callovian of European Russia show differences from typical representatives of the middle Callovian Oxford Clay fauna, possibly representing the earlier stages of evolution of some of these marine reptiles not yet recorded in Western Europe or elsewhere.
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Pritchard, Adam C., and Sterling J. Nesbitt. "A bird-like skull in a Triassic diapsid reptile increases heterogeneity of the morphological and phylogenetic radiation of Diapsida." Royal Society Open Science 4, no. 10 (October 2017): 170499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.170499.
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The Triassic Period saw the first appearance of numerous amniote lineages (e.g. Lepidosauria, Archosauria, Mammalia) that defined Mesozoic ecosystems following the end Permian Mass Extinction, as well as the first major morphological diversification of crown-group reptiles. Unfortunately, much of our understanding of this event comes from the record of large-bodied reptiles (total body length > 1 m). Here we present a new species of drepanosaurid (small-bodied, chameleon-like diapsids) from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation of New Mexico. Using reconstructions of micro-computed tomography data, we reveal the three-dimensional skull osteology of this clade for the first time. The skull presents many archaic anatomical traits unknown in Triassic crown-group reptiles (e.g. absence of bony support for the external ear), whereas other traits (e.g. toothless rostrum, anteriorly directed orbits, inflated endocranium) resemble derived avian theropods. A phylogenetic analysis of Permo-Triassic diapsids supports the hypothesis that drepanosaurs are an archaic lineage that originated in the Permian, far removed from crown-group Reptilia. The phylogenetic position of drepanosaurids indicates the presence of archaic Permian clades among Triassic small reptile assemblages and that morphological convergence produced a remarkably bird-like skull nearly 100 Myr before one is known to have emerged in Theropoda.
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Read, J. L., and K. E. Moseby. "Factors affecting pitfall capture rates of small ground vertebrates in arid South Australia. I. The influence of weather and moon phase on capture rates of reptiles." Wildlife Research 28, no. 1 (2001): 53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr99057.
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The effect of temperature, humidity, cloud cover, wind and rainfall on capture rates of small reptiles in pitfall traps was assessed in the South Australian arid zone. Capture rates increased significantly with increased ambient temperature. Captures of diurnal reptiles were highest when the minimum temperature was greater than 26°C, while captures of nocturnal reptiles peaked when maximum temperatures exceeded 34°C. Dark nights, particularly those with cloud cover, yielded higher captures of nocturnal reptiles than moonlit or cloudless nights. Representative sampling periods to record a wide range of reptile species should extend for at least 8 days, which is the modal period of a major change in daily temperature during the summer months.
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Vasconcelos, Raquel, Eudald Pujol-Buxó, Gustavo A. Llorente, Ahmed Saeed, and Salvador Carranza. "Micro-Hotspots for Conservation: An Umbrella Tree Species for the Unique Socotran Reptile Fauna." Forests 11, no. 3 (March 21, 2020): 353. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f11030353.
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Umbrella species are defined as species that can be rare and sensitive to human disturbance, whose protection may confer the protection of other co-occurring species. The dragon’s blood tree Dracaena cinnabari Balf.f. was already considered an umbrella species on Socotra Island (Indic Ocean, Yemen) due to its ecological importance for some native biota. We studied the reptile community living on D. cinnabari from Socotra Island. We sampled reptiles on trees across most D. cinnabari populations and applied co-occurrence and network partition analyses to check if the presence of reptiles on D. cinnabari populations was random or structured. Regardless of its patched and scarce actual distribution, we report the use of this tree as a habitat by more than half of the reptile community (12 endemic reptiles). Co-occurrence and network partition analyses demonstrate that this community is structured across the distribution of dragon’s blood trees, reflecting complex allopatric, vicariant, and biotic interaction processes. Hence, these trees act as micro-hotspots for reptiles, that is, as areas where endemic and rare species that are under threat at the landscape scale co-occur. This Socotra endemic tree is currently threatened by overgrazing, overmaturity, and climate change. Its protection and declaration as an umbrella species are expected to benefit the reptile community and to protect evolutionary processes that are partially driven by the ecological links between reptiles and this tree. To our knowledge, no tree species has been proposed as an umbrella species for island vertebrate endemics so far, highlighting the ecological uniqueness of Socotra Island.
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Warren, Dr Kristin. "Reptile Euthanasia — No Easy Solution?" Pacific Conservation Biology 20, no. 1 (2014): 25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc140025.
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Reptiles are commonly studied in biological research projects, and wildlife researchers may be required to euthanize a reptile if it sustains a severe injury associated with the research. When conducting euthanasia of any animal it is critical to confirm death. Whilst in mammals and birds euthanasia and confirmation of death can easily be accomplished, in reptiles these are not straight forward processes due to reptilian poikilothermic biology and physiology. Many traditional methods of reptile euthanasia are controversial, and recommended methods of acceptable euthanasia vary amongst the different reptilian orders. Physical methods of euthanasia involving hypothermia or decapitation alone are considered inhumane and are not acceptable methods of euthanasia. Injectable pentobarbitone sodium is considered an acceptable method of euthanasia for all reptiles, except large crocodiles and other large reptile species where carcass removal in the wild may be problematic. However, in Australia pentobarbitone sodium is a Scheduled 4 drug with requirements for locked storage, and users other than registered veterinarians must apply for authorization to administer scheduled drugs. Stunning followed by destruction of the brain is considered acceptable with reservations in some small species of snakes and lizards, where these methods can be effectively accomplished. MS222 has been used in several species of reptiles, however further research is required to determine whether this technique is effective and humane across the diverse range of reptilian species. Humane euthanasia in reptiles is not easily achieved and, whilst recognizing limitations in accessing veterinary anaesthetic and euthanasia drugs, it can best be assured by using a two-stage euthanasia process — whereby the reptile is initially anaesthetized, and then euthanized by administration of pentobarbitone sodium or alternatively a combination of decapitation and brain destruction following anaesthesia.
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Hu, Yang, Graeme Gillespie, and Tim S. Jessop. "Variable reptile responses to introduced predator control in southern Australia." Wildlife Research 46, no. 1 (2019): 64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr18047.
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Context Australia harbours an immense diversity of reptiles, which are generally expected to have frequent and diverse trophic interactions with introduced mammalian carnivores. Nevertheless, the potential for predatory or competitive interactions is likely to be contingent on multiple processes, including the importance of reptiles in the diet of introduced predators, alongside overlaps in their body sizes and ecological niches that would influence the strength of their interactions. In Australia’s temperate and relatively productive mesic environments there is little understanding of how introduced mammalian predators affect reptile assemblages. Aims The aim was to investigate the effects that a European red fox (Vulpes vulpes; 5–7kg) suppression program had on the abundance and species richness of a reptile community, with species ranging in size from the largest local ectothermic predator, the lace monitor (Varanus varius; 4–7kg), to small terrestrial reptiles (mostly 10–150g). Methods We utilised two sampling designs (baited camera monitoring stations and pitfall trapping) to evaluate the effects of fox suppression and other site-level ecological covariates (fire regime and habitat vegetation characteristics) on the lace monitor and small terrestrial reptiles. Reptile abundance and richness at site level were estimated from count-related abundance models. Key results For lace monitors, significantly higher abundances occurred in poison-baited areas relative to control areas. This suggests that fox suppression can affect the populations of the lace monitor via mesopredator release arising from reduced competition and, possibly, predation. For small terrestrial reptiles, neither abundance nor species richness were influenced by fox suppression. Individual abundances of the three most common small reptile species matched the overall pattern, as only responses to structural parameters of the habitat were detected. Conclusions Fox suppression can have different impacts for different reptile taxa, pending their ecological niche, as only the largest species was affected. Implications Increase in lace monitor abundance may change food web dynamics in fox-suppressed sites, such as by increasing predation pressure on arboreal marsupials.
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G. Thompson, Graham, and Scott A. Thompson. "Mammals or reptiles, as surveyed by pit-traps, as bio-indicators of rehabilitation success for mine sites in the goldfields region of Western Australia?" Pacific Conservation Biology 11, no. 4 (2005): 268. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/pc050268.
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We compare the relative merits of using mammals and reptiles as bla-indicators of rehabilitation success for mine sites in the semi-arld goldfields region of Western Australia (WA). Based on 54 600 pit-trap days of data we found that both mammals and reptiles colonized rehabilitated areas that were between three and nine years old. The complete suite of mammals generally return in the early stages of the rehabilitation programme, whereas the movement of reptiles into a rehabilitated area is spread over a much longer period. More reptile species seem to have specific requirements that are provided in the latter stages of the rehabilitation process. Using criteria of relative abundance, species richness, habitat preference, activity area and period, diet and foraging strategies, reptiles were assessed as a better bio-indicator than mammals. On other criteria such as population fluctuations, colonizing capacity and sensitivity to environmental changes, differences between reptiles and mammals were not as clear but most favoured reptiles as the preferred bio-indicator. Overall, we judged reptiles to have more merit as bio-indicators of rehabilitation success than mammals in the Ora Banda area.
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Lemos-Espinal, Julio A., Geoffrey R. Smith, Leland J. S. Pierce, and Charles W. Painter. "The amphibians and reptiles of Colima, Mexico, with a summary of their conservation status." ZooKeys 927 (April 16, 2020): 99–125. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.927.50064.
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Colima is the fourth smallest Mexican state, covering only 0.3% of the surface area of Mexico, but due to the remarkable diversity of physiographic and environmental conditions present in Colima it contains a high biological diversity. We generated an up-to-date herpetofaunal checklist for Colima, with a summary of the conservation status of Colima’s amphibians and reptiles. Our checklist contains a total of 153 species of amphibians and reptiles (three introduced). Thirty-nine are amphibians and 114 are reptiles. More than half of Colima’s herpetofauna are Mexican endemics (66.7% of amphibians, 67.5% of reptiles). Less than 25% of the amphibian and reptile species in Colima are in protected categories according to the IUCN Red List and SEMARNAT. The reptiles in the Marine and Revillagigedo Archipelago regions are the most threatened taxa of the Colima herpetofauna. Colima shares > 80% of its herpetofauna with its neighboring states, Jalisco and Michoacán.
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Paunikar, Sanjay. "Status of Reptiles Fauna in Tropical Forest Research Institute, Campus, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh." Indian Journal of Forestry 37, no. 4 (December 1, 2014): 403–8. http://dx.doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2014-5257e4.
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The status of reptiles fauna was studied in Tropical Forest Research Institute, Campus, Jabalpur area 109 ha from 2010 to 2011. A total 18 species of reptiles, belonging 10 families were recorded from TFRI Campus, Jabalpur. Several species of reptiles like skinks, lizards and snakes were recorded in the different habitat of TFRI such as forest nurseries, plantations, experimental fields, residential colony, near Gour River and surrounding agriculture fields. Among these, 2 species of skinks (11%), 3 species of lizards (16%) and 13 species of snakes (73%) were found during the extensive field survey study. The serpent (snake) species were dominance species as comparison to other reptiles. Some species of reptiles were found very rarely and comes under different Schedule and Parts of Wild Life Protection Act, (1972). The observations support the value of the campus area in providing valuable resources for reptile fauna.
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Teffo, Thabang Rainett, Ádám Fehér, and Krisztián Katona. "Ungulates and Their Impact on Reptiles: A Review of Interspecific Relationships." Diversity 15, no. 1 (December 25, 2022): 28. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d15010028.
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Several ungulate species are showing increasing population patterns within their geographical distribution ranges, leading to constant interactions with other animal species. Varying densities and activities of different ungulates may result in diverse impacts on other coexisting species groups, including large numbers of threatened species, such as reptiles. In this study, we performed an analysis of the available literature to investigate the impacts of ungulates on reptiles. We aimed to reveal the diversity of: (1) the geographical and environmental distribution of related investigations; (2) the ungulate and reptile species involved; and (3) the characteristics of interactions (direct or indirect, positive or negative) from 69 publications. Our results show that the most papers were reported from the Americas (42%) and Australia (28%). The proportions of studies were balanced for wild ungulates (53%) and livestock (47%). Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was found to be the most problematic species on reptiles whereas reptiles which suffered the harshest impacts were Squamates (i.e., lizards, and snakes). Ungulate activities (e.g., digging by wild boar) may directly harm reptiles (consuming or killing them) or indirectly affect them by modifying their habitats or destroying their hideouts. Some preferential effects were also noted (e.g., by moderate livestock grazing or when wild ungulates are prey for large reptiles). Published livestock impacts were mainly indirect and mostly negatively linked to overgrazing. We conclude that it is important to manage and monitor the densities of ungulates to minimize their negative impacts on reptile species, especially in case of wild boar and grazing livestock, but also to maintain their moderate beneficial effects (e.g., as prey basis).
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Dégi, János, Viorel Herman, Isidora Radulov, Florica Morariu, Tiana Florea, and Kálmán Imre. "Surveys on Pet-Reptile-Associated Multi-Drug-Resistant Salmonella spp. in the Timișoara Metropolitan Region—Western Romania." Antibiotics 12, no. 7 (July 19, 2023): 1203. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12071203.
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The number of reptiles owned as pets has risen worldwide. Additionally, urban expansion has resulted in more significant human encroachment and interactions with the habitats of captive reptiles. Between May and October 2022, 48 reptiles from pet shops and 69 from households were sampled in the Timișoara metropolitan area (western Romania). Three different sample types were collected from each reptile: oral cavity, skin, and cloacal swabs. Salmonella identification was based on ISO 6579-1:2017 (Annex D), a molecular testing method (invA gene target), and strains were serotyped in accordance with the Kauffman–White–Le-Minor technique; the antibiotic susceptibility was assessed according to Decision 2013/652. This study showed that 43.28% of the pet reptiles examined from households and pet shops carried Salmonella spp. All of the strains isolated presented resistance to at least one antibiotic, and 79.32% (23/29) were multi-drug-resistant strains, with the most frequently observed resistances being to gentamicin, nitrofurantion, tobramycin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. The findings of the study undertaken by our team reveal that reptile multi-drug-resistant Salmonella is present. Considering this aspect, the most effective way of preventing multi-drug-resistant Salmonella infections requires stringent hygiene control in reptile pet shops as well as ensuring proper animal handling once the animals leave the pet shop and are introduced into households.
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Meletiadis, Arianna, Cristina Biolatti, Davide Mugetti, Teresa Zaccaria, Raffaella Cipriani, Monica Pitti, Lucia Decastelli, et al. "Surveys on Exposure to Reptile-Associated Salmonellosis (RAS) in the Piedmont Region—Italy." Animals 12, no. 7 (April 1, 2022): 906. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani12070906.
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Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS), Salmonella infection in humans, is acquired through contact with reptiles. Reptiles have become popular pet animals, and RAS is likely to be an underestimated but growing problem. No epidemiological data about RAS are routinely collected in Italy. In order to estimate the occurrence of RAS in the Italian human population and to investigate the exposure, two epidemiological studies on patients with sporadic salmonellosis were carried out in the Piedmont region, along with an evaluation of human exposure in public places displaying reptiles and with a survey on people awareness. RAS appeared make up 7% of sporadic salmonellosis in the first study and 3% in the second, more extensive study. A prevalence of 11.7% and 5.7%, respectively, were calculated for the age range of 0–21 years. It was observed that in public places displaying reptiles, it was possible to easily come into contact with the animals and their environment. Some knowledge about RAS emerged from the interviews with the general population, but preventive measures are not completely applied by reptile owners. In conclusion, RAS in Italy is present and constitutes a proportion of the human salmonellosis cases in line with the percentages reported in other countries. Exposure to reptiles should always be considered as a risk factor, and people should be more informed about RAS and the related preventive measures.
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Viana, Lúcio André, Gisele Regina Winck, Marlon Almeida-Santos, Felipe Bottona da Silva Telles, Gilberto Salles Gazêta, and Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha. "New host records for Amblyomma rotundatum (Acari: Ixodidae) from Grussaí restinga, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil." Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária 21, no. 3 (September 2012): 319–22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612012000300028.
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Amblyomma rotundatum Koch is a parthenogenetic tick usually associated with reptiles and amphibians. However, relatively few studies on occurrences of ticks in wild reptile populations in Brazil have been produced. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence of ticks associated with reptile species in the Grussaí restinga, in the municipality of São João da Barra, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Between December 2010 and January 2011, 131 individuals belonging to nine species of reptiles of the order Squamata were sampled: the lizards Tropidurus torquatus (n = 51), Hemidactylus mabouia (n = 25), Mabuya agilis (n = 30), Mabuya macrorhyncha (n = 6), Cnemidophorus littoralis (n = 5) and Ameiva ameiva (n = 10); and the snakes Philodryas olfersii (n = 2), Oxyrhopus rhombifer (n = 1) and Micrurus corallinus (n = 1). The only tick species found to be associated with any of the reptiles sampled was A. rotundatum. One adult female was detected on one individual of the lizard A. ameiva, one nymph on one individual of the lizard T. torquatus and four nymphs on one individual of the snake P. olfersii. This study is the first record of parasitism of A. rotundatum involving the reptiles T. torquatus and P. olfersii as hosts. Our results suggest that in the Grussaí restinga habitat, A. rotundatum may use different species of reptiles to complete its life cycle.
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Malinovskaya, Yu V., V. A. Minoranskiy, S. I. Kolesnikov, and V. I. Dankov. "Reptile Number Observation on the Rostov Nature Reserve Grounds the Middle of 20th Century to 2020." UNIVERSITY NEWS. NORTH-CAUCASIAN REGION. NATURAL SCIENCES SERIES, no. 3 (207) (October 2, 2020): 98–106. http://dx.doi.org/10.18522/1026-2237-2020-3-98-106.
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To ascertain the changes in complexes of Reptilia species due to human activities on the Rostov Nature Reserve grounds in the 20th-21st centuries. Research Location and methods: There are 10 Reptilia species that habits observed territory. Starting from the middle of 20th century steppes had huge anthropological changes, which had significant impact on reptiles. The Re-serve creation had positive contribution to reptile group. In this region were preserved species included in Rostov region red book, such as Eremias arguta Pall., Coronella austriaca Laur., Hierophis caspius Gmel., Elaphe sauromates Pall., El. dione Pall. и Vipera renardi Chris. Intensification of agricultural activities in this region in last decade requires improved environmental work.
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Maute, Kimberly, Kristine French, C. Michael Bull, Paul Story, and Grant Hose. "Current insecticide treatments used in locust control have less of a short-term impact on Australian arid-zone reptile communities than does temporal variation." Wildlife Research 42, no. 1 (2015): 50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr14194.
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Context Despite the regular use of pesticides to control locusts, there is a lack of information on the effects of locust-control treatments on reptiles worldwide. Exposure to pesticides poses a significant potential hazard to small reptiles, both from the direct effects of exposure, and indirectly because of their largely insectivorous diet and small home ranges. Aims Our study aimed to monitor the effects of two insecticides applied operationally for locust control in Australia. A phenyl pyrazole pesticide, fipronil, and a fungal biopesticide, Metarhizium acridium (Green Guard®), were applied aerially in either a barrier or block treatment in the absence of dense locust populations, and effects on non-target arid-zone reptiles were measured. Methods We monitored reptile-abundance and community-composition responses to treatments using a large field-based pitfall-trapping experiment, with replicated control and spraying treatments, which approximated the scale of aerial-based locust-control operations in Australia. Key results Neither reptile abundance nor community composition was significantly affected by locust-control treatments. However, both abundance and community composition as detected by pitfall trapping changed over time, in both control and treatment plots, possibly as a result of a decrease in annual rainfall. Conclusions The absence of any significant short-term pesticide treatment effects in our study suggests that the two locust-control application methods studied present a relatively insignificant hazard to reptiles at our site, based on a single application. Similar to other areas of Australia, climate and other factors are likely to be stronger drivers of reptile abundance and community structure. Implications Monitoring over an area that approximates the scale of the current locust-control operations is an important step in understanding the possible effects of current pesticide exposure on reptile populations and will inform insecticide risk assessments in Australia. However, important information on the immediate response of individuals to insecticide application and long-term effects of exposure are missing. The preliminary research reported in the present paper should be complemented by future investigations on long-term and sublethal impacts of pesticide exposure on Australian native reptiles and the possible benefits provided to reptiles by the resource pulses represented in untreated high-density locust populations.
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Lemos-Espinal, Julio A., and Geoffrey R. Smith. "An analysis of the inter-state similarity of the herpetofaunas of Mexican states." Nature Conservation 53 (September 25, 2023): 223–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.53.106732.
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Mexico is a megadiverse country with high amphibian and reptile richness. Understanding how Mexico’s herpetofauna is shared among Mexican states can contribute to developing conservation plans by figuring out which states may need to coordinate conservation actions. We generated species lists for the herpetofauna for all Mexican states, and used hierarchical clustering analyses to identify clusters of states on the basis of amphibian and reptile species separately. We also calculated pair-wise Jaccard distances for all Mexican states for amphibians, reptiles, and physiographic provinces and estimated the length of shared borders between states and the geographic (straight-line) distance between the centroids of pairs of states. We used these data to explore potential drivers of the cluster analysis results. Our cluster analysis for amphibians identified five clusters with nine subclusters, and for reptiles, resulted in four clusters with six subclusters. In general, the clusters for Mexican amphibians and reptiles have a similar composition of states. However, for amphibians, the states of Veracruz and Puebla form a cluster separate from a large cluster of northeastern Mexican states, whereas in reptiles Veracruz and Puebla cluster with northeastern Mexican states. Jaccard distances of amphibians and reptiles were highly, positively correlated. Both amphibian and reptile Jaccard distances were positively correlated with the physiographic provinces’ Jaccard distance and shared border length and negatively correlated with the distance between centroids. Taken together, our results suggest that the pattern of the sharing of herpetofaunal species among Mexican states is a consequence of the states’ proximity. Such a pattern is consistent with the underlying driver being the similarity of physiographic provinces (i.e., habitats and ecosystems) of these states (i.e., geographic proximity likely reflects, at least in large part, ecological similarity). Our results suggest clusters of states that should coordinate the conservation and management of their herpetofaunas. For example, clusters of states in southern Mexico share a high number of threatened amphibian species and clusters of states in northern Mexico share a high number of threatened reptile species. Oaxaca is also a state that has a unique herpetofauna and a high number of threatened species of both amphibians and reptiles.
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Spence-Bailey, Lisa M., Dale G. Nimmo, Luke T. Kelly, Andrew F. Bennett, and Michael F. Clarke. "Maximising trapping efficiency in reptile surveys: the role of seasonality, weather conditions and moon phase on capture success." Wildlife Research 37, no. 2 (2010): 104. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr09157.
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Context. Designing an appropriate survey protocol requires understanding of how capture rates of target species may be influenced by factors other than on-ground abundance, such as weather conditions or seasonality. This is particularly relevant for ectotherms such as reptiles, as activity can be affected by environmental conditions such as ambient temperature. Aims. The present study examines factors affecting capture success of reptiles in semi-arid environments of southern Australia, and addresses the following two main questions: (1) what is the influence of weather and seasonal factors on capture rates of reptiles, and (2) what are the implications for developing an effective protocol for reptile surveys? Methods. We surveyed reptiles using pitfall traps in spring and summer of 2006/07 and 2007/08 at sites (n = 280) throughout the Murray Mallee region of south-eastern Australia. We used mixed-effect regression models to investigate the influence of seasonal and weather-related variables on species’ capture success. Key results. Total captures of reptiles, and the likelihood of capture of 15 reptile species, increased with rising daily temperature. Greater numbers of individual species were captured during spring than in summer, even though temperatures were cooler. This probably reflects greater levels of activity associated with breeding. Several species were more likely to be captured when maximum or minimum daily temperatures exceeded a certain level (e.g. Lerista labialis, Delma australis, Nephrurus levis). Other factors, such as rainfall and moon phase, also influenced capture success of some species. Conclusions. Surveys for reptiles in semi-arid environments are likely to capture the greatest diversity of species on warm days in late spring months, although surveys on hot days in summer will enhance detection of particular species (e.g. Morethia boulengeri, Varanus gouldii). We recommend trapping during periods with maximum temperatures exceeding 25–30°C and minimum overnight temperatures of 15°C. Finally, trapping during rainfall and full-moon events will maximise chances of encountering species sensitive to these variables (blind snakes and geckoes). Implications. Selecting the most favourable seasonal and weather conditions will help ensure that reptile surveys maximise the likelihood of capturing the greatest diversity of reptiles, while minimising trap-effort required.
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Choquette, Jonathan D., and Lindsey Valliant. "Road Mortality of Reptiles and Other Wildlife at the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem in Southern Ontario." Canadian Field-Naturalist 130, no. 1 (January 1, 2016): 64. http://dx.doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v130i1.1804.
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The Ojibway Prairie Complex in Windsor contains the largest protected tallgrass prairie ecosystem in Ontario and supports numerous species at risk. Despite its ecological significance, it is crossed by multiple high-traffic roads. Road mortality is a major threat to endangered species in Canada, particularly reptiles. The main goal of this study was to describe the nature and extent of vertebrate road mortality, with a focus on reptiles, on roads bisecting the Ojibway Prairie Complex, and the Greater Park Ecosystem, in Windsor and Lasalle, Ontario. A systematic road mortality survey was conducted by bicycle along seven roads (12.5 km) in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Also, opportunistic observations (n = 103) spanning over 30 years were assembled from a variety of sources. In total, 2083 vertebrates (49 species), including 446 reptiles (11 species), were recorded “dead onroad” during systematic surveys. The highest diversity of reptiles was recorded on Matchette Road, whereas the highest rate of reptile mortality was recorded on Malden Road. Reptile species at risk were killed on all roads surveyed. Combining systematic and opportunistic data, we found seven reptile species at risk: Butler’s Gartersnake (Thamnophis butleri), Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus), Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus), Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii),Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica), and Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). Reptile road mortality “hotspots” occurred where each road is intersected by a naturalized utility right-of-way. Our results can be used to focus mitigation efforts in space and time to reduce mortality rates and enhance connectivity in the Ojibway Prairie Complex and Greater Park Ecosystem.
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Cerdeña, José, Jackie Farfán, and Aarón J. Quiroz. "A high mountain lizard from Peru: The world’s highest-altitude reptile." Herpetozoa 34 (February 15, 2021): 61–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.34.61393.
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Life at high altitudes is particularly challenging for ectothermic animals like reptiles and involves the evolution of specialised adaptations to deal with low temperatures, hypoxia and intense UV radiation. As a result, only very few reptile taxa are able to survive above 5,000 m elevation and herpetological observations from these altitudes are exceedingly rare. We report here an exceptional observation of a lizard population (Liolaemus aff. tacnae; Reptilia, Squamata) from the high Andes of Peru. During an ascent of Chachani mountain (6,054 m, 16°11'S, 71°32'W), we observed and documented photographically this species living between 5,000 and 5,400 m above sea level. Following a review of literature, we show that this is the highest known record of a reptile species.
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Cozer, Jonathan Silva, Juliane Pereira-Ribeiro, Thais Meirelles Linause, Atilla Colombo Ferreguetti, Helena de Godoy Bergallo, and Carlos Frederico Duarte da Rocha. "Reptile diversity in the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve, Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil." Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 60 (August 28, 2020): e20206040. http://dx.doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2020.60.40.
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The lack of information on the occurrence of species in a region limits the understanding of the composition and structure of the local community and, consequently, restricts the proposition of effective measures for species conservation. In this study, we researched the reptiles in the Duas Bocas Biological Reserve (DBBR), Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. We analyzed the parameters of the local community, such as richness, composition, and abundance of species. We conducted samplings from August 2017 to January 2019, through active search. We performed the samplings in nine standard plots of 250 meters in length. All individuals located in the plots or occasionally on the trails were registered. To evaluate sample effort to characterize the reptile community, we performed an accumulation curve of species, and to update the DBBR reptile list, we used as secondary data specimens deposited in collections and previously published studies. Considering primary and secondary data, we recorded 38 species, one chelonia, 13 lizards, and 24 snakes. Our study showed a richness of 15 additional species to the previous list of reptiles, increasing by about 40% the known richness to the area. We concluded that the DBBR holds a high richness of reptile species, representing 12% of the richness of reptiles of the Atlantic Forest and with a considerable number of endemic species in this biome. This suggests that the DBBR is an important forest fragment constituting a reservoir of the biodiversity of the reptiles of the Atlantic Forest.
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Escoriza, Daniel. "Patterns of occurrence of semi-aquatic reptiles in highly invaded Mediterranean rivers." NeoBiota 38 (May 14, 2018): 23–35. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.38.23940.
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The fluvial systems in the north-east of the Iberian Peninsula are highly disturbed habitats, with widespread occurrence of alien species. Previous studies have shown that alien species have a major impact on native freshwater fauna, but it is not known what effect they have on semi-aquatic reptiles. Here the author investigated the factors that influence the occurrence of three species of semi-aquatic reptiles, one turtle (Mauremysleprosa) and two snakes (NatrixastreptophoraandNatrixmaura), at 261 sites in seven rivers/streams in Girona (north-eastern Spain). The studied semi-aquatic reptiles are habitat generalists which can occupy sections of rivers with altered regimes. The relationships of reptile presence to abiotic niche parameters and the presence of alien species were evaluated, as well as the patterns of pairwise co-occurrence between the reptiles. The presence of alien species did impact one out of three reptiles in this community. The association between both species of natricines was weakly negative, suggesting that interspecific competition does not structure their co-occurrences. The removal of alien species is the most appropriate strategy to preserve the complete diversity of native semi-aquatic reptiles.
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Derez, Chantelle M., and Richard A. Fuller. "The Reptile Relocation Industry in Australia: Perspectives from Operators." Diversity 15, no. 3 (February 28, 2023): 343. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d15030343.
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Thousands of reptiles are relocated annually in Australia, yet there has been relatively little research aimed at understanding how the reptile relocation industry operates. An online questionnaire was distributed to anyone who had relocated a reptile between April 2019 and April 2020, including wildlife relocators, wildlife rehabilitators and the general public. The questionnaire explored demographics, decision-making and concerns about how the industry functions, through 24 questions and two opportunities to provide open-ended comments. We received 125 responses and 123 comments from operators in all Australian states and territories. Beliefs about appropriate times and places for reptile releases were not reflected in practice for the majority of operators. Confidence about reptiles remaining at recipient sites was low regardless of how many years’ experience an operator had. Escaped captive native reptiles were encountered by most operators, and a quarter of operators were called out to exotic non-native snakes. Operators across all levels of experience indicated a need for changes within the industry, including increased training and professionalism, and more scientific studies on the outcomes of relocations to address concerns about the impacts that the industry has on the wildlife that it is trying to protect.
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Annesa, Olvy Diaz, Condro Kartiko, and Agi Prasetiadi. "Identification of Reptile Species Using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN)." Jurnal RESTI (Rekayasa Sistem dan Teknologi Informasi) 4, no. 5 (October 30, 2020): 899–906. http://dx.doi.org/10.29207/resti.v4i5.2282.
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Reptiles are one of the most common fauna in the territory of Indonesia. quite a lot of people who have an interest in knowing more about this fauna in order to increase knowledge. Based on previous research, Deep Learning is needed in particular the CNN method for computer programs to identify reptile species through images. This reseacrh aims to determine the right model in producing high accuracy in the identification of reptile species. Thousands of images are generated through data augmentation processes for manually captured images. Using the Python programming language and Dropout technique, an accuracy of 93% was obtained by this research in identifying 14 different types of reptiles.
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McGaugh, Suzanne E., Anne M. Bronikowski, Chih-Horng Kuo, Dawn M. Reding, Elizabeth A. Addis, Lex E. Flagel, Fredric J. Janzen, and Tonia S. Schwartz. "Rapid molecular evolution across amniotes of the IIS/TOR network." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112, no. 22 (May 19, 2015): 7055–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1419659112.
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The insulin/insulin-like signaling and target of rapamycin (IIS/TOR) network regulates lifespan and reproduction, as well as metabolic diseases, cancer, and aging. Despite its vital role in health, comparative analyses of IIS/TOR have been limited to invertebrates and mammals. We conducted an extensive evolutionary analysis of the IIS/TOR network across 66 amniotes with 18 newly generated transcriptomes from nonavian reptiles and additional available genomes/transcriptomes. We uncovered rapid and extensive molecular evolution between reptiles (including birds) and mammals: (i) the IIS/TOR network, including the critical nodes insulin receptor substrate (IRS) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), exhibit divergent evolutionary rates between reptiles and mammals; (ii) compared with a proxy for the rest of the genome, genes of the IIS/TOR extracellular network exhibit exceptionally fast evolutionary rates; and (iii) signatures of positive selection and coevolution of the extracellular network suggest reptile- and mammal-specific interactions between members of the network. In reptiles, positively selected sites cluster on the binding surfaces of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), and insulin receptor (INSR); whereas in mammals, positively selected sites clustered on the IGF2 binding surface, suggesting that these hormone-receptor binding affinities are targets of positive selection. Further, contrary to reports that IGF2R binds IGF2 only in marsupial and placental mammals, we found positively selected sites clustered on the hormone binding surface of reptile IGF2R that suggest that IGF2R binds to IGF hormones in diverse taxa and may have evolved in reptiles. These data suggest that key IIS/TOR paralogs have sub- or neofunctionalized between mammals and reptiles and that this network may underlie fundamental life history and physiological differences between these amniote sister clades.
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Masroor, Rafaqat, Muhammad Khisroon, and Daniel Jablonski. "A case study on illegal reptile poaching from Balochistan, Pakistan." Herpetozoa 33 (May 13, 2020): 67–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.33.e51690.
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The southwestern part of the Balochistan Province is a faunal extension of the Iranian Plateau in Pakistan, harboring more than one-third of Pakistan’s known amphibian and reptile species. We carried out field visits in five districts of southwestern Balochistan during 2013–2017 to investigate the scale and hotspots of reptile poaching. We encountered 73 illegal collectors possessing 5,369 live reptiles representing 19 species in ten families. Overall, Teratoscincus keyserlingii, T. microlepis (both Sphaerodactylidae), Phrynocephalus maculatus and P. luteoguttatus (both Agamidae) were the most collected lizards, having a relative abundance of 22.4%, 13.5%, 11.9% and 11.3 %, respectively. Eumeces schneiderii zarudnyi (Scincidae) was among the least collected lizard. Similarly, Lytorhynchus maynardi (Colubridae) and Eryx tataricus speciosus (Erycidae) were the most abundant snakes in the total collection (4.4% and 3.0%, respectively). Among the poached reptiles were internationally protected species: Varanus griseus caspius (Varanidae; CITES Appendix-I), E. t. speciosus (Appendix-II), Naja oxiana (Elapidae; Appendix-II), and Saara asmussi (Uromastycidae; Appendix-II). We found that the overall trend of illegal reptile poaching steadily decreased during the study period (from 1,724 individuals in 2013 to 633 in 2017). According to collectors, poached reptiles were largely destined for the local and international pet trade but also targeted other markets including folk medicines and snake charmer shows. One particular hotspot for the collection of reptiles was identified and should be a focus of law-enforcement activities. This particular case study partly demonstrates the effectiveness of strict enforcement of recently amended provincial wildlife protection legislation in the less studied regions of Asia.
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Lindenmayer, David B., Daniel Florance, David Smith, Clare Crane, Angelina Siegrist, Eleanor Lang, Mason Crane, Damian R. Michael, Ben C. Scheele, and Maldwyn John Evans. "Temporal trends in reptile occurrence among temperate old-growth, regrowth and replanted woodlands." PLOS ONE 18, no. 9 (September 28, 2023): e0291641. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291641.
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Reptiles are an important part of the vertebrate fauna in the temperate woodlands of south-eastern Australia. However, compared to birds and mammals, the long-term occurrence of reptiles across woodland growth types–old growth, regrowth, and replantings–remains poorly understood. Here, using 18-years of data gathered at 218 sites across 1.5 million hectares in New South Wales South West Slopes bioregion, we sought to quantify patterns of temporal change in reptile occurrence and determine if such changes varied between woodland growth types. Despite extensive sampling, almost 75% of our 6341 surveys produced no detections of reptiles. Significant survey effort exceeding 2000 surveys was needed over a prolonged period of time to record detections of 26 reptile species in our study area. Our analyses showed a temporal increase in estimated reptile species richness and abundance over 18 years. Such increases characterized all three vegetation structural types we surveyed. At the individual species level, we had sufficient data to construct models for five of the 26 species recorded. Three of these species were least commonly detected in replantings, whereas the remaining two were most often detected in replantings relative to old growth and regrowth woodland. We found evidence of a temporal increase in two skink species, a decline in one gecko species, and no change in the remaining two skink species. Although detections were consistently low, active searches were the best survey method, and we suggest using this method in habitats known to be hotspots for reptiles, such as rocky outcrops, if the aim is to maximize the number of individuals and species detected. Our findings highlight the value of all three broad vegetation structure types in contributing to woodland reptile biodiversity.
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Teixeira, Camila Palhares, Luiza Passos, Vinicius D. L. R. Goulart, Andre Hirsch, Marcos Rodrigues, and Robert J. Young. "Evaluating patterns of human–reptile conflicts in an urban environment." Wildlife Research 42, no. 7 (2015): 570. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/wr15143.
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Context Reptiles, especially snakes, can cause a fear reaction in the public and are, therefore, a good model to examine human–wildlife conflicts. Human city dwellers often respond to the presence of snakes or other reptiles by calling out the responsible agency for animal control, which has to mediate the situation. Aims To determine how the temporal and spatial occurrence of human–reptile conflicts were associated with environmental conditions and socio-economic factors in a large Brazilian city (Belo Horizonte). Methods The callout reports of the Environmental Police of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, over a 7-year period from 2002 to 2008 to mediate reptile conflicts were analysed. Densities of callouts were determined by kernel-density estimator and matched with the vegetation cover and land use, to determine how the environment affected reptile callout distribution. The study area was divided into nine regions with different socio-economic and demographic characteristics to evaluate the possible effects of human factors in the conflict. Key results Reptile callouts were almost exclusively about snakes or freshwater turtles, despite a large population of wild lizards. In general, the difference in callout distribution of snakes and freshwater turtles was the result of different attitudes from city dwellers on the basis of socio-economic characteristics. Snakes were less frequent as urbanisation increased, whereas freshwater turtles were associated with water or open areas. Significantly, more conflicts occurred during the rainy season. People in areas of high per capita income used the Environmental Police as mediators more often than did those in poorer areas, but callouts were not related to human population density. Conclusions Habitat type and climate were significantly predictive of human–reptile conflicts. Human populations with higher salaries and education levels tended to resolve their conflicts with reptiles using official mediators whether the reptile was venomous or not. Implications The environmental and climatic data show that it is possible to predict when and where human–reptile conflicts are most likely. Thus, official mediators can use this information for targeted education programs. Such education programs should emphasise, at all levels of society, how to deal with such conflicts sensibly, so as to ensure the best outcomes for people and reptiles.
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Ravkin, Yu S., V. M. Efimov, I. P. Kokorina, S. V. Chesnokova, and M. I. Lyalina. "SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL HETEROGENEITY OF THE REPTILE ASSEMBLAGE IN WESTERN SIBERIA." Зоологический журнал 102, no. 9 (September 1, 2023): 1046–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.31857/s0044513423090118.
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Results of assessing the abundance and distribution of reptiles, which are poorly studied in this regard, are presented in comparison with those on birds and mammals in general and on hunting and commercial species in particular. As a result, data of the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the reptile populations are unique and of particular value. The studies were carried out over the West Siberian Plain and in the territory of the Altai-Sayan mountainous country. The numbers of reptiles are calculated and their dynamics given across western Siberia. At the same time, bootstrap analysis was used, making it possible to obtain more reliable conclusions on the dynamics of the animal numbers with an insufficient data background. However, the main objective of the study was to identify the main trends in the variability of the reptile populations as a whole. Information concerning the abundance of these animals serves only as the basis for solving this main problem. In addition, the data amassed allow for the dynamics of the numbers of reptiles for certain time periods to be talked about.
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Ahmed, Kaleem, and Jamal A. Khan. "Herpetofauna assemblage in two watershed areas of Kumoan Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India." Journal of Threatened Taxa 13, no. 2 (February 27, 2021): 17684–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/jott.5587.13.2.17684-17692.
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We surveyed herpetofauna along the poorly-explored region of two watersheds of Kumoan Himalaya, Dabka and Khulgarh. Adaptive cluster method was used to collect forest floor reptiles, and stream transect was used for stream reptiles and amphibians. In total, 18 species of reptiles were recorded in two watersheds, with 15 and nine species recorded in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Forest floor density of reptiles was 87.5/ha in Dabka and 77.7/ha in Khulgarh. In terms of species, Asymblepharus ladacensis and Lygosoma punctatus density were highest in Dabka and Khulgarh, respectively. Eight species of amphibians were recorded in Dabka with a density of 9.4/ha and four species in Khulgarh with density of 5.2/ha. In both watersheds, density of Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis was highest. Reptilian and amphibian diversity of Dabka was 1.52 and 1.23, respectively, and in Khulgarh 0.43 and 0.23, respectively. In both watersheds reptile density, diversity and richness decreased with increasing elevation. Reptile density showed a weak correlation with microhabitat features such as litter cover, litter depth, and soil moisture in both watersheds. Amphibian density was positively correlated with soil moisture, litter cover, and litter depth. Comparison showed that Dabka is richer and more diverse than Khulgarh, presumably because of the undisturbed habitat, broad and slow stream, and deeper forest litter of the former.
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Mihalca, A. D., C. Gherman, I. Ghira, and V. Cozma. "Helminth parasites of reptiles (Reptilia) in Romania." Parasitology Research 101, no. 2 (February 16, 2007): 491–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0486-y.
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Lemos-Espinal, Julio A., and Geoffrey R. Smith. "A conservation checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of Mexico City, with comparisons with adjoining states." ZooKeys 951 (July 22, 2020): 109–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.951.52578.
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Mexico City houses one of the most populous urban areas of the world, and the modification of its natural habitat likely influences the biological diversity found there. In particular, amphibians and reptiles are likely affected by these modifications. Herein, we present an updated list of the species of amphibians and reptiles that inhabit Mexico City. Mexico City harbors 65 species of amphibians and reptiles, which represent 21 families and 33 genera. These include 18 species of amphibians (nine anurans and nine salamanders) and 47 species of reptiles (14 lizards, 30 snakes [one introduced], and three turtles [one introduced]). Forty-eight of the amphibian and reptile species in Mexico City are endemic to Mexico, with two endemic to Mexico City. The most diverse region of Mexico City is the Forests and Ravines region, which is home to 43 species. Eleven species of amphibians and reptiles in Mexico City are IUCN listed, 16 are placed in a protected category by SEMARNAT (Secretaria del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales), and 27 species are categorized as high risk by the EVS (Environmental Viability Score). Mexico City shares almost 94% of its species with the State of Mexico.
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Krasovskaya and Rachikhina. "HELMINTH FAUNA AND TREATMENT OF REPTILES IN ABAKAN." THEORY AND PRACTICE OF PARASITIC DISEASE CONTROL, no. 22 (May 19, 2021): 270–75. http://dx.doi.org/10.31016/978-5-6046256-1-3.2021.22.270-275.
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In recent years, exotic animals have been kept not only in zoos, but also at home quite often. This trend is growing. Special literature and training of specialists in this profile is not enough and a veterinarian who is engaged in private practice has to face the problem of how to correctly diagnose and treat such a patient. The aim of the study was to identify helminth fauna in reptiles in Abakan before and after treatment. During 2019 and 2020, on the basis of the veterinary office of BALTO, Abakan, studies of reptile feces were conducted by the flotation method and the direct smear method. A total of 40 reptiles were studied. We found Ascarididae, Oxyuridae, and Strongyloides. The prevalence of the infection ranged from 25% to 100%. All owners of reptiles were recommended to carry out disinfection of terrariums, and quarterly studies for helminths, and maintain a Pet Passport. It is also necessary to talk to the owner of reptiles about correct maintenance, feeding, and observance of zoohygienic requirements in keeping reptiles. Preventive measures will help the animal live a long and healthy life.