Divergent calcium signaling in RBCs from Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata – Tropiduridae) strengthen classification in lizard evolution

Abstract Background We have previously reported that a Teiid lizard red blood cells (RBCs) such as Ameiva ameiva and Tupinambis merianae controls intracellular calcium levels by displaying multiple mechanisms. In these cells, calcium stores could be discharged not only by: thapsigargin, but also by the Na+/H+ ionophore monensin, K+/H+ ionophore nigericin and the H+ pump inhibitor bafilomycin as well as ionomycin. Moreover, these lizards possess a P2Y-type purinoceptors that mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular stores upon ATP addition. Results Here we report, that RBCs from the tropidurid lizard Tropidurus torquatus store Ca2+ in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) pool but unlike in the referred Teiidae, these cells do not store calcium in monensin-nigericin sensitive pools. Moreover, mitochondria from T. torquatus RBCs accumulate Ca2+. Addition of ATP to a calcium-free medium does not increase the [Ca2+]c levels, however in a calcium medium we observe an increase in cytosolic calcium. This is an indication that purinergic receptors in these cells are P2X-like. Conclusion T. torquatus RBCs present different mechanisms from Teiid lizard red blood cells (RBCs), for controlling its intracellular calcium levels. At T. torquatus the ion is only stored at endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Moreover activation of purinergic receptor, P2X type, was able to induce an influx of calcium from extracelullar medium. These studies contribute to the understanding of the evolution of calcium homeostasis and signaling in nucleated RBCs.

(Table 3) Growth rates of the juvenile polychaete Scolelepis squamata obtained from ice cores under varying conditions

In spring, Arctic coastal fast ice is inhabited by high densities of sea ice algae and, among other fauna, juveniles of benthic polychaetes. This paper investigates the hypothesis that growth rates of juveniles of the common sympagic polychaete, Scolelepis squamata (Polychaeta: Spionidae), are significantly faster at sea ice algal bloom concentrations compared to concurrent phytoplankton concentrations. Juvenile S. squamata from fast ice off Barrow, Alaska, were fed with different algal concentrations at 0 and 5 °C, simulating ambient high sea ice algal concentrations, concurrent low phytoplankton concentrations, and an intermediate concentration. Growth rates, calculated using a simple linear regression equation, were significantly higher (up to 115 times) at the highest algal concentration compared to the lowest. At the highest algal concentration, juveniles grew faster at 5 °C compared to those feeding at 0 °C with a Q10 of 2.0. We conclude that highly concentrated sea ice algae can sustain faster growth rates of polychaete juveniles compared to the less dense spring phytoplankton concentrations. The earlier melt of Arctic sea ice predicted with climate change might cause a mismatch between occurrence of polychaete juveniles and food availability in the near future. Our data indicate that this reduction in food availability might counteract any faster growth of a pelagic juvenile stage based on forecasted increased water temperatures.

Descrição morfológica e posicionamento filogenético de um lagarto (Reptilia, Squamata) do Mioceno Inferior da Formação Chichínales, General Roca, Província de Río Negro, Argentina

Embora os escamados sejam comumente encontrados em sítios fossilíferos cenozóicos sul−americanos, materiais esqueléticos completos são raros. Apenas alguns poucos exemplares assim foram registrados, com a maioria dos achados representando materiais fragmentários de crânio e mandíbulas ou vértebras isoladas. Dentre as localidades provedoras de vertebrados fósseis na América do Sul, a Formação Chichínales se destaca pela recente descoberta, em seus sedimentos, de um crânio quase completo de um lagarto teiídeo previamente desconhecido. Dada a fauna associada, a idade da formação é definida como Mioceno Temprano (Colhuehuapense). No presente estudo, conclui−se, através de uma análise filogenética contendo 39 espécies viventes e fósseis de escamados e 149 caracteres osteológicos, que este material pertence a uma nova espécie do gênero contemporâneo Callopistes. Uma descrição morfológica detalhada do fóssil, obtida através de análises estereoscópicas e de microtomografia computadorizada de alta resolução (CT Scan), também é apresentada. A matriz morfológica foi analisada com o auxílio do software TNT Versão 1.1, seguindo o princípio de máxima parcimônia, com todos os caracteres tratados com a mesma pesagem, resultando em quatro árvores igualmente parcimoniosas, que foram então utilizadas para a construção de uma árvore de consenso estrito. Em todas as quatro árvores, o novo táxon posicionou−se dentro da família Teiidae como um membro do clado formado pelas demais espécies viventes de Callopistes. Entretanto, não foi possível estabelecer uma relação de grupo−irmão inequívoca entre as duas espécies de Callopistes presentes na análise e o fóssil. A atual distribuição das duas espécies viventes de Callopistes e a localidade de onde foi recuperado o fóssil em estudo indicam que esse gênero possuía uma distribuição muito mais ampla no passado, chegando a áreas patagônicas cis−Andinas, diferentemente das áreas trans−Andinas de altitude onde as duas espécies atuais estão restritas

Ecologia e história natural de população Hemidactylus agrius (Squamata: Gekkonidae) em área de Caatinga, com avaliação da distribuição das espécies nativas do gênero no nordeste do Brasil

The genus Hemidactylus Oken, 1817 has cosmopolite distribution, with three species occurring in Brazil, two of them native, H. brasilianus and H. agrius, and one exotic, H. mabouia. Considering the studies about ecology of lizards conducted in the Ecological Station of the Seridó, from 2001 to 2011, this study aimed (1) to re-evaluate the occurrence of the species of Hemidactylus in this ESEC; (2) to analyze ecological and biological aspects of the H. agrius population; and (3) to investigate the current and potential distribution of the native species of the genus in northeastern Brazil, analyzing the suitability of ESEC to this taxon. For the first two objectives, a sampling area consisting of five transects of 200 x 20 m, was inspected in alternating daily shifts for three consecutive days, from August 2012 to August 2013. For the latter objective, occurrence points of H. agrius and H. brasilianus from literature and from the database of Herpetological Collections of the UFRN and the UNICAMP were consulted to build predictive maps via the Maximum Entropy algorithm (MaxEnt). In ESEC Seridó, 62 H. agrius individuals were collected (25 females, 18 males and 19 juveniles), and two neonates were obtained from a communal nest incubated in the laboratory. No record was made for the other two species of the genus. Hemidactylus agrius demonstrated to be a nocturnal species specialized in habitats with rocky outcrops; but this species is generalist regarding microhabitat use. In the population studied, females had an average body length greater than males, and showed higher frequencies of caudal autotomy. Regarding diet, H. agrius is a moderately generalist species that consumes arthropods, especially insect larvae, Isoptera and Araneae; and vertebrates, with a case of cannibalism registered in the population. With respect to seasonal differences, only the number of food items ingested differed between seasons. The diet was similar between sexes, but ontogenetic differences were recorded for the total volume and maximum length of the food items. Significant relationships were found between lizard body/head size measurements and the maximum length of prey consumed. Cases of polydactyly and tail bifurcation were recorded in the population, with frequencies of 1.6% and 3.1%, respectively. In relation xv to the occurrence points of the native species, 27 were identified, 14 for H. agrius and 13 for H. brasilianus. The first species presented restricted distribution, while the second showed a wide distribution. In both models generated, the ESEC Seridó area showed medium to high suitability. The results of this study confirm the absence of H. brasilianus and H. mabouia this ESEC, and reveal H. agrius as a dietary opportunist and cannibal species. Further, the results confirm the distribution patterns shown by native species of Hemidactylus, and point ESEC Seridó as an area of probable occurrence for the species of the genus, the establishing of H. brasilianus and H. mabouia are probably limited by biotic factors, a fact yet little understood

Herpetofauna associada à bromélia rupícola, encholirium spectabile, no semiárido brasileiro: revisão da literatura, ecologia das espécies e comportamento de psychosaura agmosticha (squamata: mabuyidae)

Bromeliads are an important microhabitat for the herpetofauna, for being widely used as refuge from predators and their leaf architecture allows humidity maintenance and relatively constant temperature inside, setting a favorable environment for amphibians and reptiles, especially in areas under hydric stress. However, studies addressing this relationship are still incipient and more concentrated in fitotelmatas bromeliad. For non-fitotelmatas rupicolous bromeliads of the gender Encholirium, which develops into rocky outcrops and contains species of semi-arid regions such as the Caatinga, animal-plant relationships are almost unknown. In this context, this study aimed to know the herpetological fauna inhabitant of macambiras bromeliads, Encholirium spectabile, analyzing occupation and use of these bromeliads by different taxa, and the behavioral ecology of the lizard Psychosaura agmosticha, seeking to identify factors associated with this strict relationship in Caatinga. An extensive review of the world literature on the subject “lizards in bromeliads” subsidized this study from the ecological perspective of this association. The field work was carried out at Fazenda Tanques, municipality of Santa Maria / RN, mesoregion of Agreste Potiguar. The observations and/or data collection in daytime and in the evening was conducted monthly during three consecutive days, from January 2011 to August 2012, totaling 450 hour.man of sampling effort. Sixteen species were registered: six lizards (Mabuyidae, Tropiduridae, Gekkonidae and Phyllodactylidae Families), six snakes (Boidae and Dipsadidae Families) and four of amphibians of Hylidae Family. The effect of the forest edge on the distribution of species along the outcrop was significant, with most species found in outcrop edges. Significant difference was found between some pairs of species concerning use of bromeliads, and almost total niche overlap in the use of microhabitat. 62.5% of the species are nocturnal and use these plants for sheltering, breeding and feeding. Regarding the relations between 4 the lizard Psychosaura agmosticha and macambiras bromeliads, behaviors of thermoregulation and foraging in the dry and wet seasons were recorded. Activity periods were concentrated between 7 and 10 am and between 3 and 5 pm in both seasons, showing a clear bimodal pattern. The species basically used the green leaves and there were no significant differences between males and females in the use of bromeliads. Positive associations were found between body temperature and temperatures of bromeliads and air. This species spent 1.95% ± 3.8 of the time moving (PTM) and moved on average 0:36 ± 2.1 seconds per minute (MPM), with significant differences between the wet and dry to PTM, and between the average time of stop and average duration of movements, being considered a sedentary forager. Psychosaura agmosticha, in the study area, is bromelicolous and uses macambiras primarily for thermoregulation and foraging. The results of this study elevate the rupicolous bromeliads Encholirium spectabile as key elements for the maintenance of amphibians and reptiles associated with it, and a clear advantageous association for the conservation of the groups involved.

Estudio anatómico del esqueleto en el género Gallotia (Squamata: Lacertidae)

[ES] Hemos realizado un estudio intra e interespecífico del esqueleto de las cinco especies que integran el género Gallotia. Los objetivos de este estudio han sido describir la anatomía de Gallotia spp y definir los caracteres que pueden ser utilizados en la diagnosis y en la identificación de las especies actuales y de los restos subfósiles. Se han identificado un total de 19 caracteres variables entre las especies de Gallotia, de los cuales 15 experimentan también cambios durante la ontogenia postnatal. De estos caracteres, 11 presentan estados de carácter limitados a una de las cinco especies: G. atlantica (4), G. caesaris (1), G. stehlini (3) and G. simonyi (3).

Estrutura da população de Coleodactylus natalensis Freire, 1999 (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) no Parque Estadual Dunas de Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Coleodactylus natalensis Freire, 1999, an endemic species of Atlantic Forest fragments around the Natal municipality, Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, has as type locality the Parque Estadual Dunas de Natal (05º48 S to 05º53 S and 35º09 W to 35º12 W), one of the largest restinga (herb and shrub association on sand dunes along the Brazilian coastline) associate fragment, surrounded by urban zone, placed on setentrional Atlantic Forest limits. We made estimates on populational density, spatial distribution, habitat and microhabitat preferences and feeding ecological aspects like sazonal and sexual variations on diet, prey electivities and niche breadth. We randomly sampled ninety-six 50m2 quadrants in each of the four habitats identified in the study area. Were collected 49 specimens and their stomach contents were analyzed; prey items found were correlated with leaf-litter invertebrates from habitat samples. We found a 98,5 ± 75,5 individuals/ha density, in grouped distribution pattern on densest habitats and random distribution on others habitats. This species lives mostly on leaf-litter in forest habitats, in higher humidity points, with lower temperatures, deeper leaf litter and lower sea level elevations than the randomly chosen points in the study area. Isopoda and Aranae were the most important prey categories in numeric, frequency and volumetric terms. Niche breadth has an intermediate value and was variable in sexual and in habitat terms. There was no correlation between morfometric measures and prey size on diet. The C. natalensis population studied seems to be diet opportunist, although selects larger prey items. The Parque Estadual das Dunas do Natal has several indications of anthropic pressure from the surrounding urban area that may affects the local C. natalensis population. Thus, the fragility of this species calls for urgent conservation efforts

Ecologia térmica e comportamento de construção de abrigos de Liolaemus lutzae (Lacertilia, Liolaemidae) em três áreas de restinga no estado do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil: os efeitos de fatores extrínsecos e intrínsecos

Fatores extrínsecos afetam a ecologia térmica e o comportamento de lagartos no habitat, com as características ambientais locais podendo ocasionar alterações na temperatura corpórea (Tc) e no comportamento destes animais. Entretanto, fatores intrínsecos também representam uma importante influência para sua biologia, assim como fatores filogenéticos (históricos). Liolaemus lutzae (Liolaemidae) é uma espécie de lagarto com ocorrência restrita a restingas do estado do Rio de Janeiro (entre a Restinga da Marambaia no município do Rio de Janeiro e a restinga da Praia do Peró no município de Cabo Frio), vivendo exclusivamente na zona de vegetação halófila-psamófila-reptante a chamada área-de-praia da restinga (sujeita a altas temperaturas ambientais e ventos intensos constantes). Nessa área, onde vivem restritos a uma faixa de poucos metros de restinga, os indivíduos se abrigam escavando abrigos no substrato arenoso. Avaliei a importância de fontes ambientais de calor, da intensidade dos ventos, do sexo, da ontogenia, do comprimento rostro-cloacal (CRC) e da massa corpórea para a Tc e a taxa de atividade de lagartos L. lutzae (observando a ocorrência de variações sazonais), em estudos conduzidos no município de Arraial do Cabo, estado do Rio de Janeiro, sudeste do Brasil. Além disso, eu analisei se o comportamento de L. lutzae, direcionando as aberturas de seus abrigos foi afetado por fatores ambientais nas restingas da Reserva Ecológica Estadual de Jacarepiá e do Parque Natural Municipal de Grumari, ambas no estado do Rio de Janeiro. A atividade dos lagartos se estendeu durante o dia (0600h às 1800h), com máximo entre 1100h e 1300h (com variações sazonais). A Tc dos indivíduos foi 31,7  3,4 C, e variou ao longo do dia e sazonalmente. Em ambas as estações a Tc dos lagartos relacionaram-se às temperaturas do microhabitat (substrato e ar). A intensidade do vento influenciou a Tc dos lagartos (causando seu decréscimo), e a intensidade média do vento afetou o número de lagartos ativos (causando redução da atividade). Houve diferenças intersexuais no CRC, com os machos maiores do que as fêmeas, embora as fêmeas tenham tido maior massa corpórea relativa ao CRC correspondente, comparado aos machos. A Tc também diferiu inter-sexualmente (com machos mais quentes do que fêmeas) e ontogeneticamente (com jovens mais quentes do que adultos depois de removido o efeito do tamanho corpóreo). Houve relações entre a Tc e o CRC e entre a Tc e a massa corpórea, com lagartos maiores tendo Tc mais elevada (causada pela inércia térmica dos corpos). A variabilidade na Tc dos lagartos parece refletir a interação entre características ambientais locais, fatores intrínsecos e a filogenia da espécie. As aberturas dos abrigos foram localizadas principalmente próximas à linha de praia (possivelmente devido ao substrato menos compacto), predominantemente em terrenos inclinados e tiveram uma tendência de orientação influenciada pela inclinação do terreno. O comportamento de L. lutzae de orientar a entrada de seus abrigos para a direção descendente das inclinações pode ser vantajoso para torná-los menos vulneráveis a potenciais ameaças e distúrbios vindos da superfície.

冷杉属的系统学研究

冷杉属是松科中的第二大属，在北半球有着广泛的分布区，从温带的高纬度地带到亚热带（偶达热带地区）的山地，呈间断不连续的分布。虽然一些学者曾对冷杉属进行过大量的分类学和系统学研究，但该属复杂的变异式样至今仍困扰着植物系统学家们。本论文是在腊叶标本和野外实地调查的基础上，从形态学、解剖学、分子系统学和植物地理学等方面进行分类学和系统发育的分析研究。现得到以下初步结果。1.对冷杉属叶角质层内表面胞间凸缘的研究结果表明，可以分为4种类型： 1. 弯曲且发达的单凸缘;2直且发达的单凸缘;3不发达的单凸缘;4双桥型凸缘。分布于欧洲和亚洲的绝大部分种类都是弯曲且发达的单凸缘类型（日本一种除外），而分布于北美的种类则具有四种不同的类型。 2. 叶横切面的研究结果表明皮下层细胞的发育状况和树脂道的位置与大小在Sect. Balsamea中稳定，皮下层细胞的缺失和不发育、树脂道大且中生在该属中可能反映原始状态。 3. 本研究首次发现nrDNA ITS的长度在属下有较大的变异，变异幅度1700 bp-2500 bp，分析得出引起这一变异的主要原因是由于ITS1中有以GGCCACCCTAGTC为核心数目不等的重复序列的存在，并讨论了ITS长度的变异在冷杉属和松科系统演化中的意义。 4. nrDNA ITS的RFLP分析结果和5种冷杉的ITS序列分析结果（以Keteleeria davidiana为外类群）表明A. bracteata与Sect. Balsamea总是聚在一起，亲缘最近;A. kawakamii应属于Sect. Momi。 5. 地理分布和系统发育分析的研究结果表明，冷杉属的多样性中心在北美西南部、而种类分布最大多的地区为东亚、种群分化最强烈的地区为我国的横断山脉。根据冷杉属的系统发育、化石资料和现代冷杉属的地理分布格局，冷杉属可能起源于白垩纪的高纬度地带。 6. 结合ITS RFLP和ITS序列的分支分析结果以及某些形态特征和地理分布资料，重建属下分类系统，将冷杉属分为8组2亚组。探讨了各组间的亲缘关系，认为Sect. Balsamea是冷杉属中的原始类群，Sect. Balsamea是与Sect. Balsamea亲缘最近，形态上十分特化的类群。来自ITS的分析结果为摒属下亚属的划分和将A. kawakamii自Sect. Balsamea中移出，放入Sect. Momi中提供了强有力的证据。经过标本和文献考证，综合各方面的资料，本文对冷杉属进行了全面系统的分类学修订，包括44种17变种1亚种，系统排列如下： 组1. 树脂冷杉组Sect. 1. Balsamea Engelmann。该组包括8种4变种：Abies balsamea, A. lasiocarpa, A. sibirica, A. sachalinensis, A. fraseri, A. koreana, A. nephrolepis, A. veitchii, A. bracteata。 组3. 日本冷杉组Sect. 3. Momi Franco。 亚组1.日本冷杉亚组Subsect. 1. Firmae (Franco) Farjon et Rushforth。该亚组包括6种3变种：A.holophylla, A. homolepis, A. firma, A. beshanzuensis, A. chensiensis, A. pindrow, A. beshanzuensis var. ziyuanensis, A. chensiensis var. ernestii, A. chensiensis var. salouenensis。 亚组2. 鳞皮冷杉亚组Subsect. 2. Squamatae E. Murray。该亚组包括12种6变种：A squamata, A. delavayi, A. nukiangensis, A. recurvata, A. spectabilis, A. mariesii, A. kawakamii, A. forrestii, A. fargesii, A. fansipanensis, A. fanjingshanensis, A. yuanbaoshanensis, A. delavayi var. fabri, A. delavayi var. motuoensis, A. spectabilis var. densa, A. forrestii var. georgei, A. forrestii var. ferreana, A. fargesii var. faxoniana。 组4. 冷杉组Sect. 4. Abies。该组包括7种1变种1亚种：A. alba, A. cephalonica, A. nordmanniana, A. nebrodensis, A. cilicica, A. pinsapo, A. numidica, A. nordamanniana ssp. equitrojani, A. pinsapo var. marocana。 组5. 太平洋冷杉组成Sect. 5. Amabiles (Matzenko) Farjon et Rushforth。该组仅一种：A. amabilis。 组6. 高贵冷杉组Sect. 6. Nobilis Engelmann。该组有2种1变种：A. procera, A. magnifica, A. magnifica var. shastensis。 组7. 大冷杉组成Sect. 7. Grandes Engelmann, emend. Farjon et Rushforth。该组包括4种2变种：A. concolor, A. grandis, A. durangensis, A. guatemalensis, A. concolor var. lowiana, A. durangensis var. coahuilensis。 组8. 墨西哥冷杉组Sect. 8. Oiamel Franco, emend. Farjon et Rushforth。该组包括A. religiosa, A. vejarii, A. vejari var. mexicana, A. hickelii

Meteorological influences on North America quail populations [abstract, table, and figure]

EXTRACT (SEE PDF FOR FULL ABSTRACT): Comparative study of environmental influences on the population dynamics of three North American species of quail, California quail (Callipepla california), Gambel's quail (C. gambellii), and scaled quail (C. squamata) has lead to identification of differential sensitivity of these species to global weather patterns.

沙蜥属部分物种分类性状评价

沙蜥属Phrynocephalus Kaup，1825隶属于爬行纲（Reptilia）有鳞目（Squamata）蜥蜴亚目（Lacertilia）鬣蜥科（Agamidae），是欧亚大陆荒漠和稀疏草原常见蜥蜴。沙蜥属的分类及系统演化关系、地理分布格局与新生代第三纪以来古地中海的变迁、青藏高原的抬升及亚洲内陆干旱荒漠化的过程有密切的关系，长期以来有关沙蜥属的研究一直受到中外学者们的关注。由于沙蜥属地理分布广、形态变异大、体色和斑纹变化复杂，虽然前人使用过许多形态性状来描述和分类沙蜥属物种，但是仍然存在许多问题。性状的分类学意义不明确是造成这些问题的主要原因之一，因此本研究针对沙蜥属常用的鉴别性状进行分类意义的分析，希望能对沙蜥属物种鉴定及分类学其它研究有所裨益。 中国沙蜥属物种主要分布于西北的干旱荒漠区域及青藏高原的大部分地区，大约为18种。 本文研究了中国境内12种沙蜥：青海沙蜥（Phrynocephalus vlangalii）、西藏沙蜥（P. theobaldi）、南疆沙蜥（P. forsythii）、变色沙蜥（P. versicolor）、旱地沙蜥（P. helioscopus）、荒漠沙蜥（P. przewalskii）、乌拉尔沙蜥（P. guttatus）、草原沙蜥（P. frontalis）、叶城沙蜥（P. axillaris）、白稍沙蜥（P. koslowi）、无斑沙蜥（P. immaculatus）和白条沙蜥（P. albolineatus），对它们的65项外部形态性状进行了观察和测量，其中数量性状29项、质量性状36项。评价了这些性状的序级性、间断性和代表性，结论如下： 1. 对于数量性状，得出了适合各级分类的数值区间； 2. 给出了在不同序级上适合分类的质量性状。 并利用各性状评价的结果，给出12种沙蜥的检索表，以及对中国沙蜥物种某些尚存在争议的问题进行了探讨。 详细记录了青海沙蜥红原亚种的骨骼系统，首次发现并命名了肘骨（elbow bone）和垫骨（stepping bone），为沙蜥属系统学研究补充了骨骼方面的证据；解剖了乌拉尔沙蜥、旱地沙蜥、荒漠沙蜥的雌体和雄体的骨骼系统，并在14项骨骼形态性状上对这3种沙蜥进行了比较。 Phrynocephalus （Squamata，Agamidae） is a familiar genus of lizards inhabited desert and sparse steppes in Eurasia. The taxonomics, phylogenetics and distribution pattern of Phrynocephalus are relative intensely to these events: the vicissitudes of the archaic Mediterranean sea since the Cainozoic, the uplift of Qingzang Plateau and the expending arid areas in the inland of Asia. Owing to the wide distribution, the large variability of the morphology and the different colors in Phrynocephalus, it is difficult to identify them. Tough many morphological characters are used to describe and discriminate them，a lot of questions still exist. One of the most important reasons is the confusion in the morphological characters. In this study, we demonstrate the validity and the invalidity of the familiar characters. There are about 18 species of the genus Phrynocephalus in China, which exist in arid desert in Northwest China and Qingzang Plateau. Twelve Chinese species was analyzed in this paper. They are P. vlangalii，P. theobaldi，P. forsythia，P. versicolor，P. helioscopus，P. przewalskii，P. guttatus，P. frontalis，P. axillaris，P. koslowi，P. immaculatus，P. albolineatus. We measure 29 quantitative characters and observe 36 qualitative characters in each individual. Through analyzing these characters, we made some conclusions as follows: 1. to every quantitative character, we get a clear numeric area to discriminate the different operational taxonomic units. 2. we chose the valid qualitative characters in these operational taxonomic units. This paper is the first to describe the “elbow bone”, which is a bone in pectoral appendage equivalent to patella，and “stepping bone”, which is a bone under carpal. A detailed description of the skeletal system of female Phrynocephalus vlangalii hongyuanensis was conducted. We also anatomise the skeletal systems of three species: P. guttatus，P. przewalskii，P. helioscopus, and compare or contrast 14 skeletal characters in them. What’s more，this paper offers some suggestions to the questions of Chinese Phrynocephalus species and keys to 12 species of Phrynocephalus basing on our conclusions on the evaluation of the morphological characters.

中国海异毛虫科和海稚虫科分类学和地理分布研究

异毛虫科（Paraonidae）和海稚虫科（Spionidae）是环节动物门（Annelida），多毛纲（Polychaeta）中两个常见的科，其成体在海洋生态系统尤其是海洋底栖动物群落中占有重要地位。中国近海异毛虫科和海稚虫科种类极为常见，在潮间带和潮下带均有分布。但由于此两科种类个体小，采集和鉴定困难，在中国一直没有系统的分类学研究。 本论文选择异毛虫科和海稚虫科为研究对象，以中国科学院海洋研究所海洋生物标本馆馆藏的3000余号成体标本为主要研究材料，结合攻读博士学位期间对全国各海域的补充采集标本和从其它单位借用的标本，在认真阅读相关文献和比对某些种类模式标本的基础上，首次对此两科的中国种类进行了全面系统的分类学和地理分布研究。结果如下： 1. 本文记述了中国海域异毛虫科4属18种，其中包括3新纪录种；海稚虫科16属39种，包括7新种，10新纪录种。各鉴定种类均进行了详细的分类学特征描述，并附有形态学结构图。对罕见种类的标本和保存状况较差、光学显微镜无法获得可靠分类学信息的标本进行了扫描电镜观察，并拍摄有电镜照片。 2. 对中国海域有关异毛虫科和海稚虫科种类记录进行了系统的分类学修订，澄清了部分种类特别是一些常见种类分类学研究中存在的错误和混淆。（1）通过大量阅读文献和反复比较检查标本，认为以前我国文献记录的海稚虫科奇异稚齿虫属的奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio pinnata (Ehlers, 1901)实际包括3种，即扭鳃奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio inaequibranchia (Caullery, 1914)、枫香树奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio coora Wilson, 1990和冠奇异稚齿虫Paraprionospio cristata sp. nov.，其中扭鳃奇异稚齿虫和枫香树奇异稚齿虫在中国海属首次记录，冠奇异稚齿虫为一新种。枫香树奇异稚齿虫主要分布于黄海，其分布南界为121°30′ E, 34°30′ N, 扭鳃奇异稚齿虫分布于南海，其分布北界为114°00′ E, 21°45′ N，冠奇异稚齿虫分布区域较广，从长江口到南海的沿岸水域均有分布。奇异稚齿虫是分布在智利、南加利福尼亚、西墨西哥（可能还有安哥拉）的种，在我国海域未见分布。（2）将在我国北方沿海非常常见但长期被记录为鳞腹钩虫Scolelepis (Scolelepis) squamata (Müller, 1806)(海稚虫科)的标本重新鉴定为一个新种，即红纹腹钩虫Scolelepis (Scolelepis) daphoinos sp. nov.；鳞腹钩虫分布于北大西洋和地中海沿岸水域，在我国海域未见分布。（3）明确了中国海Prionospio steenstrupi复合体种类。此复合体所包含的种类在形态上十分相似，分类学研究时极易混淆。在已有的文献记录中，该复合体中国种类包括两种，玛氏稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) malmgreni Claparède, 1870和西沙稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) sishaensis Wu & Chen, 1964。本文将该复合体中国种类修正为5种，分别是包氏稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) bocki Söderström, 1920、开普敦稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) dubia Maciolek, 1985、太平洋稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) pacifica sp. nov.、欢乐稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) paradisea Imajima, 1990和西沙稚齿虫Prionospio (Prionospio) sishaensis Wu & Chen, 1964。现在大多数分类学者认为玛氏稚齿虫是一个不可鉴定种，该种的原始描述可能包括数种，且模式标本已丢失。（4）将中国海记录的矮小离稚齿虫Apoprionospio pygmaea (Hartman, 1961)更正为卡米拉离稚齿虫Apoprionospio kirrae Wilson, 1990；将中国海记录的科氏光稚虫Spiophane kroyeri Grube, 1860更正为深蓝光稚虫Spiophanes fuscatus sp. nov.。 3. 比较研究了中国海域异毛虫科和海稚虫科的区系特点，详细分析了两科中国海种类的组成。认为中国种类在区系组成上属于印度-马来区系，异毛虫科中国海特有种较少，仅2种，占该科中国种数的11%；而海稚虫科中国海特有种较多，共9种，占该科中国种数的23%。中国海异毛虫科种类组成和日本、俄罗斯附近水域的组成较为相似，中国海海稚虫科种类组成和日本、澳大利亚附近水域的组成较为相似。

A new species of Scolelepis (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from sandy beaches in China, with a review of Chinese Scolelepis species

A new species of Spionidae, Scolelepis (Scolelepis) daphoinos sp. nov., is described and illustrated from northern China seas. The species was frequently encountered and highly abundant on sand beaches, but rarely found in subtidal areas. It was formerly misidentified as S. (S.) squamata (Muller, 1806) in China but differed from the latter species in several details in morphology, including the presence of obvious reddish pigmentation patches and the absence of unidentate hooded hooks. Another two Scolelepis species, S. (S.) lingulata Imajima, 1992 and S. (S.) variegata Imajima, 1992, are reported for the first time from Chinese waters. Two species of Scolelepis, S. (S.) globosa Wu & Chen, 1964 and S. (S.) lefebvrei (Gravier, 1905), were reported previously; therefore, five species in this genus are known from China in total. A key to all Scolelepis species from Chinese waters is provided.

Biodiversity and conservation of the middle-Araguaia herpetofauna

A conservação da biodiversidade nunca foi uma assunto tão popular como nas últimas décadas, mas esta popularidade crescente é devida à pior das razões: o passo acelerado da extinção de espécies e habitats. Os ecossistemas tropicais são, ao mesmo tempo, os mais diversos e os mais ameaçados, em parte porque muitos países destas regiões emergem ainda de situações de instabilidade social, económica e política. O Brasil é o maior país Neotropical, onde se encontram alguns dos biomas com maior diversidade e mais ameaçados do planeta. Actualmente, é também um país líder ao nível da planificação e implementação de medidas de conservação da biodiversidade. Vários dos biomas tropicais mais diversos e ameaçados encontram-se em território brasileiro. Dois destes biomas, a Amazónia e o Cerrado, convergem numa região ecotonal sujeita a uma elevada pressão humana, conhecida como o arco do desmatamento. O Araguaia, um dos maiores rios do Brasil, corre ao longo desta paisagem e os efeitos do desmatamento são já evidentes em toda a sua bacia. Por causa do acelerado ritmo de degradação deste ecossistema, torna-se urgente obter uma imagem clara da biodiversidade regional e compreender como e se a estratégia de conservação para esta região é capaz de lidar com as correntes ameaças e alcançar o seu objectivo a longo prazo: conservar a biota regional. Tendo a herpetofauna como grupo-alvo, os nossos objectivos principais foram: aumentar o conhecimento das comunidades de anfíbios e répteis squamata da região do curso médio do Rio Araguaia; compreender a importância deste rio nos padrões intraespecíficos de estrutura e diversidade genética para diferentes espécies com diferentes características ecológicas; avaliar o potencial de diferentes metodologias para o estudo e monitorização da herpetofauna regional. Os nossos resultados revelam que a amostragem continuada e o uso de diferentes técnicas são essenciais para a obtenção de uma imagem precisa da diversidade da herpetofauna local. As comunidades locais de anfíbios e lagartos apresentaram maior riqueza específica na Área de Protecção Ambiental Bananal/Cantão (APABC), uma área tampão, do no Parque Estadual do Cantão (PEC), uma área de conservação estrita. A APABC é caracterizada por uma maior heterogeneidade de habitats e os nosso resultados corroboram a teoria da heterogeneidade espacial e resultados recentes que revelam uma maior diversidade de lagartos nas zonas interfluviais do Cerrado, do que nas matas de galeria. Os resultados aqui apresentados não corroboram a hipótese de que os ecótonos apresentam maior diversidade do que os biomas em redor. Os nossos resultados revelaram ainda que o Rio Araguaia afecta de forma diferente a estrutura genética de várias espécies de anfíbios e lagartos. Estas diferenças poderão estar relacionadas com a ecologia das espécies, nomeadamente com o uso de diferentes habitats, a vagilidade, ou a estratégia alimentar. Sugerimos que a gestão integração de diferentes unidades de conservação, com diferentes estatutos, podem ajudar a preservar melhor a biota regional.

Local richness and distribution of the lizard fauna in natural habitat mosaics of the Brazilian Cerrado

We investigate local lizard richness and distribution in central Brazilian Cerrado, harbouring one of the least studied herpetofaunas in the Neotropical region. Our results are based on standardized samplings at 10 localities, involving 2917 captures of 57 lizard species in 10 families. Local richness values exceeded most presented in earlier studies and varied from 13 to 28 species, with modal values between 19 and 28 species. Most of the Cerrado lizard fauna is composed of habitat-specialists with patchy distributions in the mosaic of grasslands, savannas and forests, resulting in habitat-structured lizard assemblages. Faunal overlap between open and forested habitats is limited, and forested and open areas may act as mutual barriers to lizard distribution. Habitat use is influenced by niche conservatism in deep lineages, with iguanians and gekkotans showing higher use of forested habitats, whereas autarchoglossans are richer and more abundant in open habitats. Contrary to trends observed in Cerrado birds and large mammals, lizard richness is significantly higher in open, interfluvial habitats that dominate the Cerrado landscape. Between-localities variation in lizard richness seems tied to geographical distance, landscape history and phylogenetic constraints, factors operating in other well-studied lizard faunas in open environments. Higher richness in dominant, open interfluvial habitats may be recurrent in Squamata and other small-bodied vertebrates, posing a threat to conservation as these habitats are most vulnerable to the fast, widespread and ongoing process of habitat destruction in central Brazil.