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Di Nicola MR, Pozzi AV, Mezzadri S, Faraone FP, Russo G, Dorne JLMC, Minuti G. The Endangered Sardinian Grass Snake: Distribution Update, Bioclimatic Niche Modelling, Dorsal Pattern Characterisation, and Literature Review. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1867. [PMID: 37763271 PMCID: PMC10533143 DOI: 10.3390/life13091867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Sardinian grass snake, Natrix helvetica cetti, is an endangered endemic snake subspecies with a restricted and highly fragmented geographic distribution. Information on its ecology and detailed geographic distribution are scarce and may negatively impact on its conservation status. Therefore, a literature review on its taxonomy, morphology, ecology, and conservation is presented here. Moreover, field records from the authors, citizen science and the existing literature provide an updated geographic distribution highlighting its presence within 13 new and 7 historic 10 × 10 km cells. Bioclimatic niche modelling was then applied to explore patterns of habitat suitability and phenotypic variation within N. h. cetti. The geographic distribution of the species was found to be positively correlated with altitude and precipitation values, whereas temperature showed a negative correlation. Taken together, these outcomes may explain the snake's presence, particularly in eastern Sardinia. In addition, analysis of distribution overlap with the competing viperine snake (N. maura) and the urodeles as possible overlooked trophic resources (Speleomantes spp. and Euproctus platycephalus) showed overlaps of 66% and 79%, respectively. Finally, geographical or bioclimatic correlations did not explain phenotypic variation patterns observed in this highly polymorphic taxon. Perspectives on future research to investigate N. h. cetti's decline and support effective conservation measures are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathobiology, Pharmacology and Zoological Medicine, Wildlife Health Ghent, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
- Unit of Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Asociación Herpetológica Española, Apartado de Correos 191, 28911 Leganés, Spain
| | - Andrea Vittorio Pozzi
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Group, School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor LL57 2UW, UK;
| | - Sergio Mezzadri
- Independent Researcher, Via Palmerio, 29121 Piacenza, Italy;
| | - Francesco Paolo Faraone
- Dipartimento Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Giorgio Russo
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jean Lou M. C. Dorne
- Methodology and Scientific Support Unit, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Via Carlo Magno 1A, 43126 Parma, Italy;
| | - Gianmarco Minuti
- Ecology & Biodiversity Research Unit, Department of Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
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2
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Schöneberg Y, Winter S, Arribas O, Riccardo Di Nicola M, Master M, Benjamin Owens J, Rovatsos M, Wüster W, Janke A, Fritz U. Genomics reveals broad hybridization in deeply divergent Palearctic grass and water snakes (Natrix spp.). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2023; 184:107787. [PMID: 37080398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Understanding speciation is one of the cornerstones of biological diversity research. Currently, speciation is often understood as a continuous process of divergence that continues until genetic or other incompatibilities minimize or prevent interbreeding. The Palearctic snake genus Natrix is an ideal group to study speciation, as it comprises taxa representing distinct stages of the speciation process, ranging from widely interbreeding parapatric taxa through parapatric species with very limited gene flow in narrow hybrid zones to widely sympatric species. To understand the evolution of reproductive isolation through time, we have sequenced the genomes of all five species within this genus and two additional subspecies. We used both long-read and short-read methods to sequence and de-novo-assemble two high-quality genomes (Natrix h. helvetica, Natrix n. natrix) to their 1.7 Gb length with a contig N50 of 4.6 Mbp and 1.5 Mbp, respectively, and used these as references to assemble the remaining short-read-based genomes. Our phylogenomic analyses yielded a well-supported dated phylogeny and evidence for a surprisingly complex history of interspecific gene flow, including between widely sympatric species. Furthermore, evidence for gene flow was also found for currently allopatric species pairs. Genetic exchange among these well-defined, distinct, and several million-year-old reptile species emphasizes that speciation and maintenance of species distinctness can occur despite continued genetic exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yannis Schöneberg
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sven Winter
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraße 1, 1160 Vienna, Austria
| | - Oscar Arribas
- IES Castilla, Junta de Castilla, Castilla y León, 42003 Soria, Spain
| | | | - Maya Master
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor (MEEB), School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, Wales, UK
| | - John Benjamin Owens
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor (MEEB), School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, Wales, UK
| | - Michail Rovatsos
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, 12844 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Wolfgang Wüster
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution at Bangor (MEEB), School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Environment Centre Wales, Bangor LL57 2UW, Wales, UK
| | - Axel Janke
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; LOEWE-Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG), Senckenberg Nature Research Society, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Uwe Fritz
- Senckenberg Dresden, Museum of Zoology, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109 Dresden, Germany.
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3
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Jablonski D, Trapp B, Tzoras E, Mebert K. Erythrism in the Eastern Grass Snake, Natrix natrix (Linnaeus, 1758). HERPETOZOA 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e90928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the unusual case of erythrism in the Eastern Grass Snake, Natrix natrix. This colour morph is very rare and has not been reported in the literature before. Despite having observed thousands of N. natrix in the field, we personally detected this morph in only three individuals originating from Slovakia, Romania, and mainland Greece, while photos of a fourth individual from a Greek island were provided to us. In addition, a recent study with a large data set from citizen scientists was unable to produce a single reddish Eastern Grass Snake. Such colouration is likewise uncommon in the western members of Grass Snakes (N. helvetica, N. astreptophora), with two examples provided herein. Because the potential biological importance of erythristic colouration is unclear, we encourage other field herpetologists and naturalists to publish their observations of reddish Grass Snakes in the printed literature.
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4
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Zotos S, Stamatiou M, Vogiatzakis IN. Elusive species distribution modelling: The case of Natrix natrix cypriaca. ECOL INFORM 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.101758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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5
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Asztalos M, Glaw F, Franzen M, Kindler C, Fritz U. Transalpine dispersal: Italian barred grass snakes in southernmost Bavaria—This far but no further! J ZOOL SYST EVOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marika Asztalos
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Frank Glaw
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM‐SNSB) Munich Germany
| | - Michael Franzen
- Zoologische Staatssammlung München (ZSM‐SNSB) Munich Germany
| | - Carolin Kindler
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Uwe Fritz
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
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6
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Temperature and Prey Species Richness Drive the Broad-Scale Distribution of a Generalist Predator. DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13040169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The ongoing climate change and the unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss render the need to accurately project future species distributional patterns more critical than ever. Mounting evidence suggests that not only abiotic factors, but also biotic interactions drive broad-scale distributional patterns. Here, we explored the effect of predator-prey interaction on the predator distribution, using as target species the widespread and generalist grass snake (Natrix natrix). We used ensemble Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) to build a model only with abiotic variables (abiotic model) and a biotic one including prey species richness. Then we projected the future grass snake distribution using a modest emission scenario assuming an unhindered and no dispersal scenario. The two models performed equally well, with temperature and prey species richness emerging as the top drivers of species distribution in the abiotic and biotic models, respectively. In the future, a severe range contraction is anticipated in the case of no dispersal, a likely possibility as reptiles are poor dispersers. If the species can disperse freely, an improbable scenario due to habitat loss and fragmentation, it will lose part of its contemporary distribution, but it will expand northwards.
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7
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Zotos S, Stamatiou M, Naziri A, Meletiou S, Demosthenous S, Perikleous K, Erotokritou E, Xenophontos M, Zavrou D, Michael K, Sergides L. New Evidence on the Distribution of the Highly Endangered Natrix natrix cypriaca and Implications for Its Conservation. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041077. [PMID: 33918973 PMCID: PMC8069274 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The critically endangered Cyprus grass snake (Natrix natrix cypriaca) has been studied for the past 25 years. Although the need for a complete survey on the distribution of its population, outside the strict boundaries of the known mountainous localities, had been stressed, such an effort has not been conducted to date. In this study, we used a rapid survey approach to investigate possible sightings of the species upstream of the known distribution in the Troodos Mountains. We are presenting evidence from 13 sightings of the species that expand the previously known distribution in Cyprus by nearly 70%. This is the first time that new localities for the critically endangered N. n. cypriaca have been reported since the rediscovery of the species in 1992 and the extensive work that followed. Almost all new localities were discovered outside of the currently known species distribution, while individuals were found, for the first time, within the Natura 2000 site of Dasos Machaira (CY2000004) with indications of healthy populations in the area. New localities were recorded within watersheds of the Pediaios and Gialias Rivers, the first sightings outside of Serrachis watershed, indicating an even broader distribution of the species in the Troodos region. The importance of sparse springs within systems of ephemeral streams is highlighted as an exceptional niche for the population in the region. We are discussing the importance of our findings for the conservation of the species and propose targeted conservation actions that will highly improve connectivity of the populations in the region. We underline the necessity of expanding the research on this critically endangered subspecies, based on current findings, so as to fully comprehend its ecology and distribution range in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savvas Zotos
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Management Lab, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 33, Latsia 2220, Cyprus
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, European University of Cyprus, Diogenous 6, Engomi 2404, Cyprus
- Correspondence:
| | - Marilena Stamatiou
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
- Terrestrial Ecosystem Management Lab, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 33, Latsia 2220, Cyprus
| | - Andrea Naziri
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Sotiris Meletiou
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Stalo Demosthenous
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Konstantinos Perikleous
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Elena Erotokritou
- Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, 28th Octovriou Avenue 20–22, Engomi, Nicosia 2414, Cyprus; (E.E.); (M.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Marina Xenophontos
- Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, 28th Octovriou Avenue 20–22, Engomi, Nicosia 2414, Cyprus; (E.E.); (M.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Despo Zavrou
- Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, 28th Octovriou Avenue 20–22, Engomi, Nicosia 2414, Cyprus; (E.E.); (M.X.); (D.Z.)
| | - Kyriaki Michael
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
| | - Lefkios Sergides
- Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation, Agiou Andreou 341, Limassol 3035, Cyprus; (M.S.); (A.N.); (S.M.); (S.D.); (K.P.); (K.M.); (L.S.)
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8
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Asztalos M, Schultze N, Ihlow F, Geniez P, Berroneau M, Delmas C, Guiller G, Legentilhomme J, Kindler C, Fritz U. How often do they do it? An in-depth analysis of the hybrid zone of two grass snake species (Natrix astreptophora and Natrix helvetica). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
We examined the contact zone of two parapatric species of grass snake (Natrix astreptophora and Natrix helvetica) in southern France. To this end, we used comprehensive sampling, analysed mtDNA sequences and microsatellite loci, and built Species Distribution Models for current and past climatic conditions. The contact zone had established by the mid-Holocene during range expansions from glacial refuges in the Iberian Peninsula (N. astreptophora) and southern or western France (N. helvetica). The contact zone represents a narrow bimodal hybrid zone, with steep genetic transition from one taxon to the other and rare hybridization, supporting species status for N. astreptophora and N. helvetica. Our results suggest that the steepness of the clines is a more robust tool for species delimitation than cline width. In addition, we discovered in western France, beyond the hybrid zone, a remote population of N. helvetica with genetic signatures of hybridization with N. astreptophora, most likely the result of human-mediated long-distance dispersal. For N. helvetica, we identified a southern and a northern population cluster, connected by broad-scale gene flow in a unimodal hybrid zone running across France. This pattern either reflects genetic divergence caused by allopatry in two microrefuges and subsequent secondary contact or introgression of foreign alleles into the southern cluster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Asztalos
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nadine Schultze
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Flora Ihlow
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Philippe Geniez
- UMR 5175 CEFE, Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés, EPHE, PSL Université Recherche, Montpellier, Cedex 5, France
| | | | - Claudine Delmas
- NEO/ANA-CEN Ariège, 18 Impasse Denis Papin, Lavelanet, France
| | | | | | - Carolin Kindler
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Uwe Fritz
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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9
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von Essen M, Leung WTM, Bosch J, Pooley S, Ayres C, Price SJ. High pathogen prevalence in an amphibian and reptile assemblage at a site with risk factors for dispersal in Galicia, Spain. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236803. [PMID: 32730306 PMCID: PMC7392302 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ranaviruses are agents of disease, mortality and population declines in ectothermic vertebrates and emergences have been repeatedly linked to human activities. Ranaviruses in the common midwife toad ranavirus lineage are emerging in Europe. They are known to be severe multi-host pathogens of amphibians and can also cause disease in reptiles. Recurrent outbreaks of ranavirus disease and mortality affecting three species have occurred at a small reservoir in north-west Spain but no data were available on occurrence of the pathogen in the other amphibian and reptile species present or at adjacent sites. We sampled nine species of amphibians and reptiles at the reservoir and nearby sites and screened for ranavirus presence using molecular methods. Our results show infection with ranavirus in all nine species, including first reports for Hyla molleri, Pelophylax perezi, Rana iberica, and Podarcis bocagei. We detected ranavirus in all four local sites and confirmed mass mortality incidents involving Lissotriton boscai and Triturus marmoratus were ongoing. The reservoir regularly hosts water sports tournaments and the risks of ranavirus dispersal through the translocation of contaminated equipment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius von Essen
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College London, Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park), Ascot, United Kingdom
| | - William T. M. Leung
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jaime Bosch
- Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Research Unit of Biodiversity—CSIC/UO/PA, Universidad de Oviedo, Edificio de Investigación, Mieres, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Simon Pooley
- Imperial College London, Department of Life Sciences (Silwood Park), Ascot, United Kingdom
| | - Cesar Ayres
- Asociación Herpetológica Española, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephen J. Price
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Genetics Institute, London, United Kingdom
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Schultze N, Spitzweg C, Corti C, Delaugerre M, Di Nicola MR, Geniez P, Lapini L, Liuzzi C, Lunghi E, Novarini N, Picariello O, Razzetti E, Sperone E, Stellati L, Vignoli L, Asztalos M, Kindler C, Vamberger M, Fritz U. Mitochondrial ghost lineages blur phylogeography and taxonomy of
Natrix helvetica
and
N. natrix
in Italy and Corsica. ZOOL SCR 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Schultze
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Cäcilia Spitzweg
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Claudia Corti
- Sede “La Specola” Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Università di Firenze Firenze Italy
| | | | | | - Philippe Geniez
- UMR 5175 CEFE Biogéographie et Ecologie des Vertébrés EPHE PSL Université Recherche Montpellier France
| | - Luca Lapini
- Sezione ZoologicaMuseo Friulano di Storia Naturale Udine Italy
| | | | - Enrico Lunghi
- Sede “La Specola” Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Università di Firenze Firenze Italy
- Key Laboratory of Zoological Systematics and Evolution Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | | | - Orfeo Picariello
- Dipartimento di Biologia Università di Napoli Federico II Napoli Italy
| | | | - Emilio Sperone
- Dipartimento di Biologia Ecologia e Scienze della Terra Università della Calabria Rende Italy
| | - Luca Stellati
- Dipartimento di Scienze Università degli Studi Roma Tre Roma Italy
| | - Leonardo Vignoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Università degli Studi Roma Tre Roma Italy
| | - Marika Asztalos
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Carolin Kindler
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Melita Vamberger
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
| | - Uwe Fritz
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde) Senckenberg Dresden Dresden Germany
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11
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Albrecht F, Hering J, Fuchs E, Illera JC, Ihlow F, Shannon TJ, Collinson JM, Wink M, Martens J, Päckert M. Phylogeny of the Eurasian Wren Nannus troglodytes (Aves: Passeriformes: Troglodytidae) reveals deep and complex diversification patterns of Ibero-Maghrebian and Cyrenaican populations. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230151. [PMID: 32191719 PMCID: PMC7082076 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Mediterranean Basin represents a Global Biodiversity Hotspot where many organisms show high inter- and intraspecific differentiation. Extant phylogeographic patterns of terrestrial circum-Mediterranean faunas were mainly shaped through Pleistocene range shifts and range fragmentations due to retreat into different glacial refugia. Thus, several extant Mediterranean bird species have diversified by surviving glaciations in different hospitable refugia and subsequently expanded their distribution ranges during the Holocene. Such a scenario was also suggested for the Eurasian Wren (Nannus troglodytes) despite the lack of genetic data for most Mediterranean subspecies. Our phylogenetic multi-locus analysis comprised 18 out of 28 currently accepted subspecies of N. troglodytes, including all but one subspecies which are present in the Mediterranean Basin. The resulting phylogenetic reconstruction dated the onset of the entire Holarctic radiation of three Nannus species to the early Pleistocene. In the Eurasian Wren, two North African subspecies represented separate basal lineages from the Maghreb (N. t. kabylorum) and from the Libyan Cyrenaica (N. t. juniperi), being only distantly related to other Mediterranean populations. Although N. troglodytes appeared to be paraphyletic with respect to the Nearctic Winter Wren (N. hiemalis), respective nodes did not receive strong statistical support. In contrast, paraphyly of the Ibero-Maghrebian taxon N. t. kabylorum was strongly supported. Southern Iberian populations of N. t. kabylorum did not clade with Maghrebian populations of the same subspecies but formed a sister clade to a highly diverse European clade (including nominate N. t. troglodytes and eight further taxa). In accordance with a pattern also found in other birds, Eurasian populations were split into a western clade (Europe, Caucasus) and an eastern clade (Central Asia, Sino-Himalayas, East Asia). This complex phylogeographic pattern revealed cryptic diversification in N. troglodytes, especially in the Iberio-Maghrebian region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Albrecht
- Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden, Senckenberg|Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Jens Hering
- Verein Sächsischer Ornithologen e.V., Limbach-Oberfrohna, Saxony, Germany
| | - Elmar Fuchs
- Verein Sächsischer Ornithologen e.V., Weimar, Thuringia, Germany
| | - Juan Carlos Illera
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University, Asturias, Spain
| | - Flora Ihlow
- Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden, Senckenberg|Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
| | - Thomas J. Shannon
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - J. Martin Collinson
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Wink
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Martens
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
| | - Martin Päckert
- Museum of Zoology, Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden, Senckenberg|Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research, Dresden, Saxony, Germany
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12
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Schultze N, Laufer H, Kindler C, Fritz U. Distribution and hybridisation of barred and common grass snakes (Natrix helvetica, N. natrix) in Baden-Württemberg, South-western Germany. HERPETOZOA 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.32.e38897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution and hybridisation zone of the two grass snake species occurring in the German state of Baden-Württemberg are described, based on genetic data from maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA, up to 1983 bp) and biparentally inherited microsatellite DNA (13 loci). In agreement with previously published morphological evidence, the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) occurs in the Upper Rhine Valley and the Black Forest, while the common grass snake (N. natrix, ‘yellow lineage’) is distributed across the remaining, more eastern parts of Baden-Württemberg. Cline analyses across two transects running through the region of Karlsruhe and the Black Forest indicate that the hybrid zone is similarly narrow here as in the previously characterised stretch near Lake Constance. With respect to nuclear DNA, the Black Forest constitutes no impediment to gene flow in comparison with lowland regions (Karlsruhe, Lake Constance). However, on the eastern slope of the Black Forest, the abrupt replacement of mtDNA of N. helvetica by that of N. natrix indicates male-mediated gene flow and that the Black Forest represents a dispersal barrier for female grass snakes.
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Zaher H, Murphy RW, Arredondo JC, Graboski R, Machado-Filho PR, Mahlow K, Montingelli GG, Quadros AB, Orlov NL, Wilkinson M, Zhang YP, Grazziotin FG. Large-scale molecular phylogeny, morphology, divergence-time estimation, and the fossil record of advanced caenophidian snakes (Squamata: Serpentes). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216148. [PMID: 31075128 PMCID: PMC6512042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Caenophidian snakes include the file snake genus Acrochordus and advanced colubroidean snakes that radiated mainly during the Neogene. Although caenophidian snakes are a well-supported clade, their inferred affinities, based either on molecular or morphological data, remain poorly known or controversial. Here, we provide an expanded molecular phylogenetic analysis of Caenophidia and use three non-parametric measures of support-Shimodaira-Hasegawa-Like test (SHL), Felsentein (FBP) and transfer (TBE) bootstrap measures-to evaluate the robustness of each clade in the molecular tree. That very different alternative support values are common suggests that results based on only one support value should be viewed with caution. Using a scheme to combine support values, we find 20.9% of the 1265 clades comprising the inferred caenophidian tree are unambiguously supported by both SHL and FBP values, while almost 37% are unsupported or ambiguously supported, revealing the substantial extent of phylogenetic problems within Caenophidia. Combined FBP/TBE support values show similar results, while SHL/TBE result in slightly higher combined values. We consider key morphological attributes of colubroidean cranial, vertebral and hemipenial anatomy and provide additional morphological evidence supporting the clades Colubroides, Colubriformes, and Endoglyptodonta. We review and revise the relevant caenophidian fossil record and provide a time-calibrated tree derived from our molecular data to discuss the main cladogenetic events that resulted in present-day patterns of caenophidian diversification. Our results suggest that all extant families of Colubroidea and Elapoidea composing the present-day endoglyptodont fauna originated rapidly within the early Oligocene-between approximately 33 and 28 Mya-following the major terrestrial faunal turnover known as the "Grande Coupure" and associated with the overall climate shift at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary. Our results further suggest that the caenophidian radiation originated within the Caenozoic, with the divergence between Colubroides and Acrochordidae occurring in the early Eocene, at ~ 56 Mya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussam Zaher
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo,
Brazil
- CR2P –Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie – Muséum national d’Histoire
naturelle – Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Robert W. Murphy
- Centre for Biodiversity, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming
Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
| | | | - Roberta Graboski
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo,
Brazil
- Laboratório de Herpetologia, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, Belém, Pará,
Brazil
| | | | - Kristin Mahlow
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity
Science, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Ana Bottallo Quadros
- Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo,
Brazil
- CR2P –Centre de Recherche en Paléontologie – Muséum national d’Histoire
naturelle – Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Nikolai L. Orlov
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg,
Russia
| | - Mark Wilkinson
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, United
Kingdom
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming
Institute of Zoology, Kunming, China
- Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resources, Yunnan
University, Kunming, China
| | - Felipe G. Grazziotin
- Laboratório de Coleções Zoológicas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, São
Paulo, Brazil
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Jablonski D, Nagy ZT, Avcı A, Olgun K, Kukushkin OV, Safaei-Mahroo B, Jandzik D. Cryptic diversity in the smooth snake (Coronella austriaca). AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2019. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-20181025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The smooth snake, Coronella austriaca, is a common snake species widespread in the Western Palearctic region. It does not form conspicuous morphological variants and, although several evolutionary lineages have been distinguished based on the analyses of the mitochondrial DNA sequences, only two subspecies with very limited distribution have been traditionally recognized. Here we present an mtDNA phylogeography of the species using geographically extended sampling while incorporating biogeographically important areas that have not been analyzed before, such as Anatolia, Crimea, and Iran. We find that the smooth snake comprises 14 distinct phylogenetic clades with unclear mutual relationships, characterized by complex genetic structure and relatively deep divergences; some of them presumably of Miocene origin. In general, the biogeographic pattern is similar to other Western Palearctic reptiles and illustrates the importance of the main European peninsulas as well as the Anatolian mountains, Caucasus, and Alborz Mts. in Iran for the evolution of the present-day diversity. Considerable genetic structure present in the smooth snake populations within these large areas indicates the existence of several regional Plio-Pleistocene refugia that served as reservoirs for dispersal and population expansions after the glacial periods. The current taxonomy of C. austriaca does not reflect the rich genetic diversity, deep divergences, and overall evolutionary history revealed in our study and requires a thorough revision. This will only be possible with an even higher-resolution sampling and integrative approach, combining analyses of multiple genetic loci with morphology, and possibly other aspects of the smooth snake biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jablonski
- 1Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Aziz Avcı
- 3Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydın, Turkey
| | - Kurtuluş Olgun
- 3Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Arts, Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydın, Turkey
| | - Oleg V. Kukushkin
- 4Department of Herpetology, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya emb. 1, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
- 5Department of Biodiversity Studies and Ecological Monitoring, T.I. Vyazemsky Karadag Research Station – Nature Reserve of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nauki 24, 298188 Theodosia, Crimea
| | - Barbod Safaei-Mahroo
- 6Pars Herpetologists Institute, 1st Floor, No. 5, Corner of third Jahad alley, Arash St., Jalal-e Ale-Ahmad Boulevard, Tehran, Iran
| | - David Jandzik
- 1Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
- 7Department of Zoology, Charles University in Prague, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague, Czech Republic
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Venkatraman MX, Deraad DA, Tsai WLE, Zarza E, Zellmer AJ, Maley JM, Mccormack JE. Cloudy with a chance of speciation: integrative taxonomy reveals extraordinary divergence within a Mesoamerican cloud forest bird. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Madhvi X Venkatraman
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Biology Department, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Devon A Deraad
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Biology Department, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Whitney L E Tsai
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eugenia Zarza
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - James M Maley
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John E Mccormack
- Moore Laboratory of Zoology, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Biology Department, Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Pöschel J, Heltai B, Graciá E, Quintana MF, Velo-Antón G, Arribas O, Valdeón A, Wink M, Fritz U, Vamberger M. Complex hybridization patterns in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis) in the Pyrenean Region. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15925. [PMID: 30374044 PMCID: PMC6206128 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-34178-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hybrid zones are natural laboratories allowing insights in genetic processes like lineage diversification, speciation and introgression. Using large sampling, 15 microsatellite loci and a mitochondrial marker, we examined the Pyrenean contact zone of three pond turtle taxa (Emys orbicularis orbicularis, E. o. galloitalica, E. o. occidentalis). The Pyrenees are a biogeographically important region separating many lineages endemic to the Iberian Peninsula from their Western European counterparts. We discovered limited admixture, reflecting a complex biogeographic scenario. Simulations using Approximate Bayesian Computing supported that E. o. orbicularis invaded the Iberian Peninsula in the Holocene, circumventing the Pyrenees along the Mediterranean coast, and hybridized in the northern peninsula with the local coastal subspecies galloitalica, and to a lesser extent, with occidentalis. While E. o. occidentalis, and in particular E. o. orbicularis, expanded their ranges considerably during Holocene warming, E. o. galloitalica remained largely confined to its former Iberian refuge. Admixture among the three taxa is surprisingly low, and a future taxonomic investigation that includes the unstudied subspecies of E. orbicularis from North Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia has to determine whether their current status properly reflects their evolutionary divergence or whether certain taxa should be regarded as full species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Pöschel
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany
| | - Botond Heltai
- Agricultural Biotechnology Institute - National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center, Szent-Györgyi Albert u. 4, 2100, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Eva Graciá
- Ecology Area, Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University, Av. de la Universidad, Torreblanca, 03202, Elche, Spain
| | - Marc Franch Quintana
- CICGE - Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais, Universidade de Porto, Observatório Astronómico Prof. Manuel de Barros Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Guillermo Velo-Antón
- CIBIO/InBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos da Universidade do Porto, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias de Vairão, R. Padre Armando Quintas 7, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal
| | | | - Aitor Valdeón
- Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Zaragoza, Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009, Zaragoza, Spain.,Aranzadi Society of Sciences, Zorroagagaina, 11, 20014, Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Michael Wink
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uwe Fritz
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany
| | - Melita Vamberger
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany.
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17
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Kindler C, Graciá E, Fritz U. Extra-Mediterranean glacial refuges in barred and common grass snakes (Natrix helvetica, N. natrix). Sci Rep 2018; 8:1821. [PMID: 29379101 PMCID: PMC5788984 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extra-Mediterranean glacial refugia of thermophilic biota, in particular in northern latitudes, are controversial. In the present study we provide genetic evidence for extra-Mediterranean refugia in two species of grass snake. The refuge of a widely distributed western European lineage of the barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) was most likely located in southern France, outside the classical refuges in the southern European peninsulas. One genetic lineage of the common grass snake (N. natrix), distributed in Scandinavia, Central Europe and the Balkan Peninsula, had two distinct glacial refuges. We show that one was located in the southern Balkan Peninsula. However, Central Europe and Scandinavia were not colonized from there, but from a second refuge in Central Europe. This refuge was located in between the northern ice sheet and the Alpine glaciers of the last glaciation and most likely in a permafrost region. Another co-distributed genetic lineage of N. natrix, now massively hybridizing with the aforementioned lineage, survived the last glaciation in a structured refuge in the southern Balkan Peninsula, according to the idea of 'refugia-within-refugia'. It reached Central Europe only very recently. This study reports for the first time the glacial survival of a thermophilic egg-laying reptile species in Central Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kindler
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany
| | - Eva Graciá
- Ecology Area, Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University, Av. de la Universidad, Torreblanca, 03202, Elche, Spain
| | - Uwe Fritz
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany.
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18
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do Vale R, Torres I, Gomes S, Fonseca C, Ferreira E. Ecological preferences of Hyla molleri in the colonisation of arboreal refuges in a human-shaped wetland. AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA 2018. [DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hyla molleri is well adapted to arboreal microhabitats, which are used among breeding seasons. This species is common in wetlands across the Iberian Peninsula and is therefore vulnerable to the loss and degradation of these ecosystems. Due to its secretive habits, the knowledge about the ecology of H. molleri, outside the breeding season, is still scarce. Using artificial refuges as a proxy to natural refuges, we studied how H. molleri uses arboreal microhabitats near reproductive areas and which environmental drivers influence refuge colonisation. We installed 70 PVC pipe refuges in isolated trees and tree patches. Pairs of pipes were installed at two different heights and monitored fortnightly, for four consecutive days, for one year. Each sampling day, we registered the values of variables related with seasonality, microhabitat, dominant plant species, weather and site fidelity. We recorded 2234 individual colonization events by H. molleri, including 516 multiple colonization events, with a maximum of nine individuals in a single refuge. Refuges that were colonized before were more likely to be colonized again. Additionally, colonization was lower in spring and summer and higher in tree clusters than in isolated trees. We found no significant differences on the height or temperature of colonized versus non-colonized refuges. Our results highlight the importance of adequate arboreal microhabitats and the need for the conservation of terrestrial habitats around breeding areas. We also show that artificial refuges can be useful for H. molleri and similar species, namely for habitat improvement or the implementation of citizen-science and monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Lacerda do Vale
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Inês Torres
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sara Gomes
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Fonseca
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Eduardo Ferreira
- Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
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19
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Kindler C, de Pous P, Carranza S, Beddek M, Geniez P, Fritz U. Phylogeography of the Ibero-Maghrebian red-eyed grass snake (Natrix astreptophora). ORG DIVERS EVOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-017-0354-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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20
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Kindler C, Chèvre M, Ursenbacher S, Böhme W, Hille A, Jablonski D, Vamberger M, Fritz U. Hybridization patterns in two contact zones of grass snakes reveal a new Central European snake species. Sci Rep 2017; 7:7378. [PMID: 28785033 PMCID: PMC5547120 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07847-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies found major conflicts between traditional taxonomy and genetic differentiation of grass snakes and identified previously unknown secondary contact zones. Until now, little is known about gene flow across these contact zones. Using two mitochondrial markers and 13 microsatellite loci, we examined two contact zones. One, largely corresponding to the Rhine region, involves the western subspecies Natrix natrix helvetica and the eastern subspecies N. n. natrix, whereas in the other, more easterly, contact zone two lineages meet that are currently identified with N. n. natrix and N. n. persa. This second contact zone runs across Central Europe to the southern Balkans. Our analyses reveal that the western contact zone is narrow, with parapatrically distributed mitochondrial lineages and limited, largely unidirectional nuclear gene flow. In contrast, the eastern contact zone is very wide, with massive nuclear admixture and broadly overlapping mitochondrial lineages. In combination with additional lines of evidence (morphology, phylogeny, divergence times), we conclude that these differences reflect different stages in the speciation process and that Natrix helvetica should be regarded as a distinct species. We suggest a nomenclatural framework for presently recognized grass snake taxa and highlight the need for reconciling the conflicts between genetics and taxonomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Kindler
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maxime Chèvre
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sylvain Ursenbacher
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Section of Conservation Biology, University of Basel, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.,Karch, Passage Maximilien-de-Meuron 6, 2000, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Böhme
- Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, 53113, Bonn, Germany
| | - Axel Hille
- Rosengarten 21, 33605, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Daniel Jablonski
- Department of Zoology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Mlynská dolina, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Melita Vamberger
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany
| | - Uwe Fritz
- Museum of Zoology (Museum für Tierkunde), Senckenberg Dresden, A. B. Meyer Building, 01109, Dresden, Germany.
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