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Showing papers in "Journal of Herpetology in 1981"


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Evidence within the Dendrobatidae suggests that specialization on ants is derived from a generalized mode of foraging, which is generally similar to foraging mode in litter anurans.
Abstract: Litter frogs at two rainforest locations in Panama elect prey in a pattern similar to that found for litter frogs in lowland Peru (Toft, 1980) despite differences in the frog fauna between Panama and Peru. Species of litter frogs form a continuum from species that specialize on ants and mites, through generalists, to species that avoid ants and mites. Modes of foraging and predator defense and taxa of litter frogs are correlated with position along the continuum. Atelopus and Bufo (Bufonidae) and Dendrobates (Dendrobatidae) are poisonous, searching foragers which eat many small prey, primarily ants and mites, per day. Colostethus (Dendrobatidae) eat ants, but to a lesser degree, and have a more sedentary foraging behavior than Dendrobates. Eleutherodactylus (Leptodactylidae) are cryptic, sit-and-wait foragers which eat few large prey per day, with the exception of E. vocator, which eat ants in proportion similar to Colostethus. Evidence within the Dendrobatidae suggests that specialization on ants is derived from a generalized mode of foraging. Ecological correlates of foraging mode in litter anurans are summarized and are generally similar to

272 citations



Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Certain niche characteristics were quantified for Opheodrys aestivus in a forest habitat surrounding a central Arkansas lake, and preferred microhabitat for this diurnal, arboreal, forest edge species was dense, highly-branched vegetation.
Abstract: Certain niche characteristics were quantified for Opheodrys aestivus in a forest habitat surrounding a central Arkansas lake. Preferred microhabitat for this diurnal, arboreal, forest edge species was dense, highly-branched vegetation. There was no preference for plant taxon, but selection of perch height, perch diameter, perch angle and position on branch was restricted. Diel variation in some perch parameters was seen. Intraspecific class differences (sex, snout-vent length) were slight. More than 85% of the diet consisted of caterpillars, spiders, grasshoppers and crickets, and odonates. These prey were most abundant at the forest edge and were consumed by snakes in disproportion to the abundance of prey in the habitat. Distances between recaptures and size of activity range were markedly restricted compared to other snakes.

61 citations


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Larvae of two species of rhacophorids are reported from tree holes in Thailand, one of which has a peculiar mosaic of feeding structures associated with dietary extremes of microphagy and macrophagy and the other has features of an obligate macrophagous larva.
Abstract: Larvae of two species of rhacophorids are reported from tree holes in Thailand. One, referred to Theloderma stellatum, has a body nearly as wide as long and a denticle formula of 1:3+3/1+1:11. Internally, it has large branchial baskets with many rows of dense gill filters, but only two filter cavities. It has secretory cells in its branchial food traps, but they are not arranged in ridges. Its buccal musculature is slight. The larva of the second species, referred to Philautus (cf. carinensis) has a truncated snout, anteriorly directed mouth, denticle formula I/O, and unusually shaped beaks with the upper portion concave but serrations confined to the lower. It has huge buccal musculature. In this form all branchial structures associated with suspension feeding, and respiratory gill filaments, are absent. Both larvae have large, anteriorly placed glotta, which are evidently adaptations for aerial respiration. The Theloderma has a peculiar mosaic of feeding structures associated with dietary extremes of microphagy and macrophagy. Its gut contents consist of both large and small food items. The Philautus larva has features of an obligate macrophagous larva. From its gut contents it appears to eat only frog eggs. Certain arboreal tadpoles for the New World tropics, e.g., Hyla zetecki and others, resemble these Philautus tadpoles in form and diet. No analog of larval Theloderma stellatum is yet known from the American tropics.

61 citations


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Visual stimuli alerted rattlesnakes to the presence of potential prey and gave rise to elevated RTF which subsequently allowed these predators to utilize chemical cues that happened to be available.
Abstract: Many studies indicate that chemical cues activate garter snake feeding behavior whereas visual and/or thermal stimuli do so for rattlesnakes. However, no experiments have factorially combined chemical and visual cues for either of these taxa. The present work explored possible interactive effects of these stimuli on rate of tongue flicking (RTF) in garter snakes (Thamnophis radix haydeni) and rattlesnakes (Crotalus e. enyo, C. v. viridis, and Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus). In Experiments 1 and 2 snakes were exposed to four conditions represent- ing an orthogonal combination of presence vs. absence of visual and chemical stimuli arising from prey. RTF was recorded for 5 min under each condition. Garter snakes exhibited a significant elevation in RTF in the presence of chemical cues whether or not visual cues were present. There was also an effect of visual cues but no interaction between visual and chemical cues. Rattlesnakes did not respond to chemical cues; these snakes showed only an effect of visual cues. In Experiment 3, rattlesnakes were again observed as above, with the exception that test sessions were of 10 min duration. Behavior during the first 5 min was identical to that seen in Experiment 2, but during min 6-10 the snakes responded more in the condition containing visual plus chemical cues than in any other condition. Visual stimuli alerted rattlesnakes to the presence of potential prey and gave rise to elevated RTF which subsequently allowed these predators to utilize chemical cues that happened to be available. Hence, garter snakes and rattlesnakes use both chemical and visual information but differ in the sequence in which these stimuli are used.

57 citations


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The new iguanine can change color rapidly from light green to jet black in less than five minutes, though reversal to green takes far longer, and is apparently more primitive than B. fasciatus, and shows more obvious affinities with other iguanin genera including Conolophus, Iguana and Cyclura.
Abstract: Brachylophus fasciatus (Brongniart 1800) is widely distributed throughout Fiji and Tonga Groups, though little is known about its abundance on different islands. Brachylophus vitiensis sp. nov. is described from Yaduataba Island (16? 50' S; 178? 20' E), Fiji. Since B. brevicephalus Avery and Tanner 1970 is here regarded as synonymous with B. fasciatus, the genus has until now been monotypic. B. vitiensis differs from B. fasciatus in several morphological features including larger size; longer spines on the nape; little sexual dimorphism; a differently shaped dewlap; narrower vertical bands on the body; pinkish-gold eye coloration; greater numbers of upper and lower labial scales; structure of the nostril scale; the greater color lability; whitish ventral coloration; and larger eggs and hatchlings. There are also ecological and behavioral differences. The new iguanine can change color rapidly from light green to jet black in less than five minutes, though reversal to green takes far longer. B. vitiensis is apparently more primitive than B. fasciatus, and shows more obvious affinities with other iguanine genera including Conolophus, Iguana and Cyclura. The ancestral form of Brachylophus probably arrived in the South Pacific from the Americas on rafts of floating vegetation on a course determined by the South Equatorial Curent. The presence in Fiji and Tonga of the Atlantic mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, is in line with this view.

48 citations


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The cocoon of Pternohyla represents the first known case of cocoon formation in a hylid frog.
Abstract: The epidermal cocoon of Pternohyla consists of multiple sheddings of the stratum corneum interspersed with mucus filled subcorneal spaces. The rate of water loss through the cocoon is very low (0.6 mg g-1 hr-1) under the experimental conditions of flowing dry air. The cocoon of Pternohyla represents the first known case of cocoon formation in a hylid frog.

45 citations


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The "primitive" five digited, lacertiform ocellatus species group has a vast continuous range, with nine similar species, some of which may be species complexes.
Abstract: Sixteen species of Chalcides can be distinguished by means of morphological and geographical criteria. There are five species groups. Three of the groups are relictual, contain few, distinctive species, and show an advanced stage of the scincid trend toward slimmer habitus and limb reduction. The "primitive" five digited, lacertiform ocellatus species group has a vast continuous range, with nine similar species, some of which may be species complexes. A key to currently recognizable species is given.

43 citations


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Monthly samples of three tropical snakes, Acrochordus granulatus, Cerberus rhynchops and Laticauda colubrina, reveal pronounced diversity in reproductive seasonality and data for plasma sex steroids suggest greater variability in ovarian function than previously reported for snakes.
Abstract: Monthly samples of three tropical snakes, Acrochordus granulatus, Cerberus rhynchops and Laticauda colubrina from a limited collecting area where they are syntopic in the central Phillippines reveal pronounced diversity in reproductive seasonality. Both sexes of A. granulatus are highly seasonal and synchronized in their reproductive activity. Testis size, spermatogenic activity and plasma androgen levels declined precipitously in the non-breeding season to the same extent as observed in typical temperate species of snakes. Spermatogenesis and androgen secretion occur concomittantly and are prenuptial, coinciding with the appearance of enlarging yolked follicles in females. Gestation time (5-8 months) in this species may repesent one of the longest for a reptile, and females probably do not breed annually. C. rhynchops is also seasonal but to a lesser extent than Acrochordus. In males, testis weight, spermatogenesis and androgen secretion show a significant increase at certain times of year, but testis regression is only partial; there is some spermatogenic activity and epididymal sperm storage in all months. Gestation periods in this ovoviviparous species are probably much shorter (perhaps 3 months) than in Acrochordus, ovulation occurs over a broader season and females probably reproduce annually. In contrast, extensive evidence for male L. colubrina and limited observations on females indicate that this oviparous species is probably completely aseasonal in its reproductive biology. A review of reproductive data on other tropical marine snakes suggests that seasonality is probably the rule with the exception of L. colubrina (and some other species of Laticauda), the only oviparous species examined. Information on climatic conditions in the study area sugests that declining photoperiod and/or temperature may be responsible for testicular regression in Cerberus and Acrochordus. Data for plasma sex steroids (testosterone, estradiol and progesterone) suggest greater variability in ovarian function than previously reported for snakes.

42 citations



Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: This study was conducted throughout Iowa beginning in the lower reaches of each river system and working upstream into the headwaters and small tributaries with a focus on basking turtles and turtle fauna.
Abstract: This study was conducted throughout Iowa beginning in the lower reaches of each river system and working upstream into the headwaters and small tributaries. Trapping with baited hoop-nets (Legler, 1960) was begun in 1969 and continued through 1974. Trammel nets (15.25 x 1.25 m) were also used, and animals were collected by hand as described by Webb (1962). Basking sites were described and the number and kind of basking turtles, air and water temperatures, and time of basking were recorded. Turtles collected for stomach content analyses were immediately killed by cephalic injection of 95% ethanol and injection of 15% formalin into the stomachs. Shells and soft parts were preserved separately in 10% formalin as described by Christiansen and Dunham (1972) and all preserved specimens were deposited in the Drake University Research Collection. Approximate percentages of identifiable insects, unidentifiable insect parts, other identifiable animals and parts, miscellaneous animal material, plant material, sand and gravel, and debris were determined volumetrically. Significance of difference between food eaten by the two species was estimated at the 5% level with the help of 2 x 2 Chi-square and Student's t tests. Radiotelemetry observations were made in three abandoned, flooded sand pits adjacent to the Cedar River on the north side of Muscatine County highway F-70, 11.2 kilometers northwest of Muscatine, Iowa. During high water these ponds were continuous and connected to the river. They lacked rooted vegetation, but had a variety of fish. The turtle fauna included Graptemys pseudogeographica, Chrysemys picta, Chelydra serpentina, and the two Trionyx species. In 1974, one


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The stomachs of 105 Trionyx muticus contained mainly various invertebrates (primarily insects), fruits, and fish carrion, and the diet of males was more diverse and was significantly different from that of females.
Abstract: The stomachs of 105 Trionyx muticus contained mainly various invertebrates (primarily insects), fruits, and fish carrion. The diet of males was more diverse and was significantly different from that of females. About 71% by volume of the prey of females was aquatic items (especially Hydropsyche larvae), whereas about 67% of the prey of males was terrestrial items. No significant relationship could be found between comparisons of prey size and turtle size and of prey size and sex of turtle. Sexual differences in diet are related to different microhabitat preferences. Females forage primarily in stable microhabitats in deep water whereas males forage at the shallower interface between terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Fossils recovered from the Lower Miocene (Arikareean) Cabbage Patch Forma- tion of southeastern Montana include four vertebrae that can be assigned to the genera Plethodon and Aneides, family Plethodontidae, although species identification is not possible.
Abstract: Fossils recovered from the Lower Miocene (Arikareean) Cabbage Patch Forma- tion of southeastern Montana include four vertebrae that can be assigned to the genera Plethodon and Aneides, family Plethodontidae, although species identification is not possible. Discovery of these fossils corroborates views based on indirect paleobiological evidence that these genera were widely distributed in Central North America in early Tertiary times.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The evolutionary relationships among sea snakes, and between sea snakes and terrestrial elapids were examined by microcomplement fixation analyses using antisera to albumins from the genera hydrophis, Laticauda, and Micrurus, indicating that diversification of the Hydrophis group is relatively recent, and that the genus Hydroph is paraphyletic.
Abstract: The evolutionary relationships among sea snakes, and between sea snakes and terrestrial elapids were examined by microcomplement fixation analyses using antisera to albumins from the genera Hydrophis, Laticauda, and Micrurus. The sea snakes comprise three distinctive groups, the Hydrophis, Aipysurus, and Laticauda groups. These data thus corroborate other molecular and morphological studies of these snakes. All available data indicate that diversification of the Hydrophis group is relatively recent, and that the genus Hydrophis is paraphyletic. The question of a single or multiple origins for the sea snake lineages from terrestrial elapids cannot be resolved with the albumin immunological data. Of the terrestrial elapids examined, the Australian forms with the exception of Demensia psammophis are close to both Hydrophis and Laticauda. Bungarus, Ophiophagus, and Demansia are close to none of the reference antisera. Micrurus seems remote from all elapids tested, despite a previous suggestion allying it with Laticauda.



Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: No evidence was found to suggest that a salt gland capable of compensating for an induced salt load is functional in this species and this species is capable of prolonged substenance in marine environments.
Abstract: general. In sea water starved C. acutus lose weight as an inverse function of total body volume. Therefore large crocodiles are capable of prolonged substenance in marine environments, particularly if free water is gained from vertebrate prey in the diet. Young or small animals may avoid a rapid increase in body osmolality from sea water either by avoiding hyperosmotic salinities or by utilizing terrestrial microhabitats of high relative humidity. NaCI loading of 1 mmole Na / 100 g of body weight evokes an elevated blood Na concentration coupled with an apparent reduction of cloacal flow rate. These responses act to conserve body water and would be beneficial to a species that has only periodic access to fresh water. No evidence was found to suggest that a salt gland capable of compensating for an induced salt load is functional in this species.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: During the reproductive season, females reduce their foraging and become generally less active and nutritional intake is greatly reduced and results in a significant decrease in dry body weight as compared to male controls.
Abstract: Gravid females frequently become associated with a potential nesting site well in advance of oviposition. During the reproductive season, females reduce their foraging and become generally less active. Nutritional intake is greatly reduced and results in a significant decrease in dry body weight as compared to male controls.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The Mullerian glands of adult male caecilians, which are derived from the undifferentiated Mullerian ducts, secrete many constituents similar to those found in the semen of birds and mammals.
Abstract: The Mullerian glands of adult male caecilians, which are derived from the undifferentiated Mullerian ducts, secrete many constituents similar to those found in the semen of birds and mammals. These include fructose, acid phosphatase, and mucopolysaccharides. The pH of the secretion is similar to that of semen. Caecilians reproduce terrestrially using intromission and internal fertilization. It is likely that the secretion of the Mullerian glands provides fluid and metabolites for use in sperm transport since an aquatic medium for reproduction is obviated. Since part of the mammalian prostate is lined with epithelium of Mullerian duct origin, and the prostate secretes certain of the constituents of semen, it is possible that the caecilian condition is a primitive state in the evolution of accessory reproductive glands which facilitate terrestrial reproduction.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The authors suggest that the tongue is used to explore new situations, that pheromones may be deposited and detected by the lizards and that the tongues-Jacobson's organ system plays a role in chemical detection, as it does in snakes.
Abstract: The role of tongue extrusions in the chemical detection of conspecifics was examined in juvenile Yarrow's spiny lizard (Sceloporus jarrovi). A comparison was made between the number of tongue-touches performed under three different experimental conditions: home cage, unfamiliar clean cage and an unfamiliar cage previously occupied by conspecifics of the same sex. Both males and females exhibited the same number of tongue-touches in each condition. As a result data were combined before analysis of the differences between the three experimental conditions. The rate of tongue-touching in the home cage was significantly less than the rate in the clean unfamiliar cage, which in turn was less than the rate in the unfamiliar marked cage. This indicates that juvenile S. jarrovi deposit chemicals that are detected by conspecifics. DeFazio et al. (1977) determined that adult Yarrow's spiny lizards, Sceloporus jarrovi, exhibit an increase in substrate tongue-touches (touching the tongue to the substrate) when placed in an unfamiliar cage as compared to the home cage, and an even greater increase when placed in a cage where another lizard had been kept. The authors suggest that the tongue is used to explore new situations, that pheromones may be deposited and detected by the lizards and that the tongue-Jacobson's organ system plays a role in chemical detection, as it does in snakes. Bissinger and Simon (1979) further explored these three possibilities for a variety of lizard species. Field experiments also indicate that chemicals deposited by adult S. jarrovi during the breeding season are detected by conspecifics (Gravelle and Simon, submitted). Both sexes spent less time in the section of the enclosure containing chemical cues left by lizards of the same sex, while males remained in the female's area, after she was removed, for longer periods of time. Additionally, tongue-touches performed by both males and females decreased in areas previously inhabited by a same-sex adult, while males responded to the absent female's home area with an increase in tongue-touches. Males also showed a significant increase in marking behavior (defecations and pelvic rubs) in the female's home area. Recently, Duvall (1979) observed that male western fence lizards, S. occidentalis, can discriminate between unmarked surfaces and those labelled by conspecifics of the same sex.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Examination of female Sternotherus odoratus in central Alabama revealed that follicular enlargement begins soon after oviposition of the last clutch in July, and clutch size was positively correlated to body size, but there was no significant trend for larger females to produce larger oviducal eggs.
Abstract: Examination of female Sternotherus odoratus in central Alabama revealed that follicular enlargement begins soon after oviposition of the last clutch in July. Yolking of the ovarian follicles continued from August-December, until reaching a size not significantly different from spring preovulatory follicles. Ovulation of the first clutch occurred during late April, and eggs were found in the oviducts from May-July. Central Alabama females have at least 2 clutches per reproductive season, with many laying 3. Mean clutch size was 2.6 (range 1-6). Clutch size was positively correlated to body size, but there was no significant trend for larger females to produce larger oviducal eggs. Females first reached sexual maturity while in the 65-75 mm CL range. Estimated average annual reproductive potential of females laying a maximum of 3 clutches was 7.8 eggs per year.


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: The crocodile's behavior involved both nest defense and predatory behavior, although the exact motivational sequence is still unclear, and the mere presence in the nest clearing interfered with iguana nesting activity.
Abstract: Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) nest in association on Slothia, a small island in Gatun Lake, Panama. In the three nesting seasons that we observed on Slothia a crocodile remained near her nest and frequently charged the nesting iguanas. Observations indicated that the crocodile emerged from the lake significantly more often when iguanas were present in the nest clearing. We observed the crocodile seize an iguana on 12 occasions; five iguanas were eaten, five escaped, and the fate of two was unknown. In addition to the charges and captures, the crocodile's mere presence in the nest clearing interfered with iguana nesting activity. Conversely, the iguanas disturbed the crocodile nest and were observed to dig up crocodile eggs. The crocodile's behavior involved both nest defense and predatory behavior, although the exact motivational sequence is still unclear.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: It is concluded that the mating trill of Rana pipiens may function as a premating isolating mechanism as predicted by the currently accepted theory.
Abstract: Playback tapes of conspecific mating trills evoked positive phonotaxis in gravid (but not ovulated) female Rana pipiens under laboratory conditions, whereas, playbacks of mating trills of Rana blairi and a putative hybrid elicited what is interpreted to be negative phonotaxis and no response, respectively. It is concluded that the mating trill of Rana pipiens may function as a premating isolating mechanism as predicted by the currently accepted theory.


Journal Article•DOI•
Richard Shine1•
TL;DR: Information is provided on food habits, body sizes, clutch sizes, growth rates and seasonal schedules of reproduction of Furina and Glyphodon snake genera, which contain small to medium sized nocturnal species.
Abstract: fhe closely-related snake genera Furina and Glyphodon contain small to medium sized nocturnal species. Dissection of 472 specimens provided data on food habits, body sizes, clutch sizes, growth rates and seasonal schedules of reproduction. All 70 prey items recorded were scincid lizards; Furina species take small diurnal skinks (especially Lampropholis) whereas Gtyphodon take larger skinks (especially Sphenomorphus). Females attain larger body sizes than males in Furina species. Clutch sizes average 3 to 4 in Furina,6 to 10 in Glyphodon. Female reproductive cycles are strongly seasonal in temperate-zone Furina diadema, but aseasonal in tropical Furina. Both sexes ol F. diadema attain sexual maturity in the year following their birth.

Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Ritual combat and other agonistic behavior between male blacksnakes in a field population in central New South Wales apparently function as male "strategies" to displace rival courting males.
Abstract: We observed ritual combat and other agonistic behavior between male blacksnakes (Pseudechis porphyriacus) in a field population in central New South Wales. Combat bouts vary greatly in duration (2 to 30 minutes), and apparently function as male "strategies" to displace rival courting males. Direct attack and biting may serve to displace rival males in copulo. We briefly review published literature on male combat in snakes.


Journal Article•DOI•
TL;DR: Five sympatric geckos are found on Guam: Perochirus articulatus, Gehyra oceanica, G. mutilata, Lepidodactylus lugubris and Hemidactsylus frenatus, which are found in all major habitat types but is most common in native forest.
Abstract: Five sympatric geckos are found on Guam: Perochirus articulatus, Gehyra oceanica, G. mutilata, Lepidodactylus lugubris and Hemidactylus frenatus. Lepidodactylus matures at approximately 35 mm SV; Hemidactylus at 37 mm SV; G. mutilata at 42 mm SV; Perochirus at 47 mm SV; and G. oceanica at 72 mm SV. All five species produce an average of two eggs in a clutch but the number is not constant. Perochirus and G. oceanica are closely associated with relatively undisturbed habitat. G. mutilata is found in all major habitat types but is most common in native forest. Both Hemidactylus and Lepidodactylus are tolerant of human activity and reach highest density in the newly constructed urban complex with well lighted buildings and other foraging surfaces.