The Herpetological Journal

pp.81-90

Authors: A. R. Giraudo And G. J. Scrocchi

Abstract: We present a revision of Atractus in north-eastern Argentina based on the examination of newly collected specimens and most of the material available in Argentinean museums. Four species are reported: A. snethlageae, A. paraguayensis, A. reticulatus and A. taeniatus. Atractus badius was erroneously cited as occurring in Argentina based on a specimen from Las Palmas, Chaco province which is reassigned to A. snethlageae. This record represents a considerable southern extension of the known range of the species. Atractus paraguayensis is redescribed based on three new specimens. This species was previously known only from the holotype reported from "Paraguay" without definite locality data. Adult and juvenile colour patterns in life are described. The validity of some diagnostic characters is discussed, and new diagnostic characters are given for A. reticulatus and A. paraguayensis. All species examined showed noteworthy variation in colour pattern. Sexual dimorphism is reported in all species. The distributional patterns and phytogeographic areas occupied by each species in Argentina are discussed. We also characterize morphological variation for each and provide a key for the Argentinean species.

Keywords: Atractus, snake, classification, distribution, taxonomy

pp.91-94

Authors: Ma. Carmen Blázquez, Carmen Díaz-paniagua And José A. Mateo

Abstract: In a year of drought conditions, gravid chameleons showed difficulties at the time of oviposition and made unsuccessful attempts at nesting. Two females died while constructing nests and 10 females retained eggs in the oviduct after oviposition; death was subsequently confirmed for three of the latter. Female chameleons that died whilst laying eggs, or those that retained eggs, were smaller in body length and body mass and were in poorer physical condition than females that survived long after nesting. After depleting their reserves by allocating them to egg production, it is unlikely that some females were able to complete the gravid period in sufficiently good condition to survive the effort of nesting and oviposition,

Keywords: Chamaeleo chamaeleon, reproduction, egg-retention, nesting, cost, mortality

pp.95-110 

Authors: Massimo Delfino And Salvador Bailon

Abstract: The Early Pleistocene fissure fillings of Cava Dell' Erba and Cava Pirro (Apricena, Apulia, Southern Italy) have yielded abundant fossil vertebrate remains. The study of more than 1 4 OOO amphibian and repti le remains revealed the presence of the following 18 taxa (6 amphibians and 12 Reptiles): Triturus cf. T. alpestris, T. vulgaris group, Bufo bufo, Bufo viridis, Hyla arborea group, Rana cf. R. ridibunda vel Rana kl. R. esculenta, Testudo hermanni group, Emys orbicularis, Mauremys sp., Pseudopus sp., Podarcis sp., Lacerta sp., Blanus sp., Hierophis viridiflavus, Elaphe longissima, Coronella cf. C. austriaca, Natrix natrix, Vipera aspis group. Some of the materials referred to "Colubrines" indet. could represent taxa different from those listed above. The high taxonomic diversity, good preservation and abundance of the material place this herpetofauna amongst the most informative ever recovered in the European Quaternary. Some of the identified tax a are reported for the first time in Italy. Others are of particular interest as they help to fill present or past gaps in E-W disjunct ranges. The ecological requirements of the amphibians and reptiles suggest the presence of a typical Mediterranean landscape: a relatively dry environment with water bodies of temporary nature (at least those closer to the sites) surrounded by scattered trees or/and bushes.

Keywords: amphibians, reptiles, palaeontology, early Pleistocene, late Villafranchian, Italy

pp.111-118

Authors: Feng Xie, Liang Fe!i, Changyuan Ye , Chunmo Cai , Zu Wang Wang And Max Sparreboom

Abstract: Breeding migration, oviposition, egg development and larval migration to water were studied in the Chinhai salamander, Echinotriton chinhaiensis during three consecutive breeding seasons. During 1997, 1998 and 1999, mainly females were found around the three ponds where breeding was recorded. Females migrate to breeding sites in late March and April and deposit egg clutches on the banks of the breeding ponds. Characteristic features of these egg-laying areas are high humidity, thick cover of plant debris and location on slopes bordering the water's edge. The eggs develop on land and hatch in early May, when the hatchlings are washed into the ponds during heavy rains. Experiments show that the eggs also develop normally when placed in water. In the natural habitat neither adults nor eggs were ever found in water. Reproduction in this species is dependent on a combination of very specific requirements, which make the species particularly sensitive to the environmental changes that threaten the scarce habitat in which it has been able to survive thus far.

Keywords: Echinotriton chinhaiensis, Echinotriton andersoni, breeding, conservation

pp.119-122

Authors: Kenneth E. Nussear, Eric T. Simandle And C. Richard Tracy