Amphibian and reptile biodiversity in the semi-arid region of the municipality of Nopala de Villagrán, Hidalgo, Mexico

The Phylogeography and Diversification of an Endemic Trapdoor Spider Genus, Stasimopus Simon 1892 (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Stasimopidae) in the Karoo, South Africa

The genus Stasimopus is endemic to South Africa but has never undergone a phylogeographic review. This study aims to unravel the phylogeographic patterns and history of the many Stasimopus species which occur in the greater Karoo region. A fossil-calibrated phylogeny was produced based on three gene regions (CO1, 16S and EF-1ɣ) for Stasimopus (Cor-k-lid trapdoor spiders) specimens collected in the Karoo region, to infer dates of origin and diversification. Demographic analyses were performed on species with sufficient sample sizes (> 4). Haplotype networks were constructed for each gene region and plotted on a map to infer phylogeographic patterns. Lastly, Mantel tests were performed to test for isolation by distance. It was found that 15 species occur in the Karoo and that the genus radiation in the area is in the early Palaeocene. Most diversification occurred between the late Eocene and the Miocene, coinciding with significant changes in climate. Several species show signals of demographic expansions. Isolation by distance was detected, but only with a slight correlation. It is apparent that aridification has played a vital role in the diversification of the genus in the Karoo region. This is a shared biogeographic influence between the mygalomorph fauna of the Karoo and arid region of western Australia. Stasimopus has radiated from the late Eocene and through the Miocene resulting in 15 extant species in the region. The Tankwa Karoo has been identified as a possible Pleistocene glacial cycle refugia for the species S. leipoldti. Many of the species in the Karoo are short-range endemics, making them of high conservation concern. This study provided vital information as the Karoo is undergoing further desertification due to factors such as climate change, which may affect the future of short-range endemic spiders.

An integrative taxonomy of the genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae) of the Karoo with the description of nine new species and a Stasimopus maraisi Hewitt 1914 male

The genus Stasimopus Simon 1892 is endemic to Southern Africa, but is historically largely understudied. This paper provides a taxonomic revision for the Stasimopus species of the Karoo region of South Africa and includes the description of nine new species (S. dylani sp. nov., S. finni sp. nov., S. hamartia sp. nov., S. ignis sp. nov., S. karooensis sp. nov., S. malesociatus sp. nov., S. tera sp. nov., S. theaei sp. nov. and S. venterstadensis sp. nov.). A description of the genetically matched S. maraisi Hewitt 1914 male is provided. The original S. maraisi male is designated to its own new species (S. malesociatus sp. nov.). An identification key is provided for species occurring in the Karoo region. This is the first integrative taxonomy for the genus that includes morphological, geometric morphometric as well as genetic data.

Population dynamics of three lizard species from the genus Sceloporus: short-term changes in demographic parameters

Most demographic studies focus on numerical changes that occur within populations across years. However, typically studies at an interannual scale do not provide information on the particular times of the year (particular months or seasons) when rates of survival, recruitment, or migration increase or decrease due to physiological, behavioral or ecological processes. These monthly or seasonal changes in demographic parameters may lead to substantial variations in population abundance. In this study, we collected capture–mark–recapture data on 3 species of lizards of the genus Sceloporus (Sceloporus torquatus, Sceloporus grammicus and Sceloporus megalepidurus) found in ecologically similar habitats to examine potential changes in demographic rates among 3 different climatic seasons: rainy, cold‐dry and warm‐dry seasons. We tested different hypotheses about the effect of these seasons on survival, recruitment of new adults, and temporary emigration. We found that during the season with severe thermal constraints, the cold‐dry season, survival of S. torquatus decreased markedly. We also detected a considerable increase in the recruitment rate of S. grammicus during the rainy season, when these lizards are establishing territories and finding mates. In contrast, we found no evidence of intra‐annual changes in the rate of temporary emigration. In addition, we calculated abundance and population growth rates for each species and for each season. Our study represents a significant contribution to the understanding of intra‐annual demographic variation in lizards.