The Herpetological Journal
The Herpetological Journal is the Society's prestigious quarterly scientific journal. Articles are listed in Biological Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences,Current Contents, Science Citation Index, and Zoological Record.
ISSN 0268-0130
2021 Impact Factor from Clarivate for the Herpetological Journal is 1.194, an increase of 0.332 from 2020.
pdf 01. Hyperbiliverdinemia in the shingleback lizard (Tiliqua rugosa)
1202 downloads
Open Access
pp.161-165
Authors: Marcello Pennacchio, Michaela Bogyi, Likhim Teh And Emilio L. Ghisalberti
Abstract: Green pigmentation in the serum of shingleback lizards (Tiliqua rugosa) was the result of an excess of the bile pigment biliverdin (hyperbiliverdinemia). This was confirmed by comparing the absorbance spectrum of the affected serum with that of commercial biliverdin, using TLC and acidification with both nitric and sulphuric acid. The average content of biliverdin in animals with hyperbiliverdinemia was 2.52±0. 15 mg/I 00 ml. Significant changes in the packed cell volume, haemoglobin content, blood glucose levels, body mass and levels of erythropoietin were also observed in animals with this form of green jaundice. Interestingly, significant erythrocyte degeneration, especially in the stroma area of the red blood eells, appears to result in a significant release of haemoglobin into the blood serum, which may account for the excess levels of biliverdin. Changes in the haematology of shingleback lizards are discussed along with the probable cause for hyperbiliverdinemia.
Keywords: bile pigments, biliverdin, jaundice, shingleback lizards
Download Access:
The latest 8 issues can be downloaded when logged in with a Herpetological Journal subscription membership.
Individual articles can be purchased for download.
Older issues and occasional Open Access articles are available for public download
Submissions:
For further information and submission guidelines please see our Journal Instructions to Authors
Latest Issue
IMPORTANT NOTE - JUNE 2020
Please note that as from Volume 31 Number 1 (January 2021) on, the Herpetological Journal will be available as an online publication only - the last print edition will be Volume 30 Number 4.
Aligning with this change, it is now no longer possible to purchase a subscription that includes a print copy of the HJ. All members who have existing HJ print subscriptions that remain active as at end June 2020 will receive the full four 2020 print editions. New subscribers or renewals after this time will only have option to subscribe to the online only subscription package. Subscription pricing has been amended to reflect the content changes.