Herpetological Highlights

Latest Episodes:

087 Invasion Evasion May 04, 2021

Show notes

Frogs: invasive menace, and victim. We look at two papers showing how frogs are faring in the face of human-caused species invasions. One where the frog is the invader, another where the frogs are facing down a novel threat –mongooses. Species of the Bi-week is a wee salamander from Japan.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Kim R, Halstead BJ, Routman EJ, Andersen J. 2021. When introduced prey violates trophic hierarchy: Conservation of an endangered predator. Biological Conservation 256:109019. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109019.

Komine H, Iwai N, Kaji K. 2021. Rapid responses in morphology and performance of native frogs induced by predation pressure from invasive mongooses. Biological Invasions 23:1293–1305. DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02440-0.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Okamiya H, Sugawara H, Nagano M, Poyarkov NA. 2018. An integrative taxonomic analysis reveals a new species of lotic Hynobius salamander from Japan. PeerJ 6:e5084. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5084.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Cooper, W. (2005). The foraging mode controversy: Both continuous variation and clustering of foraging movements occur. Journal of Zoology, 267(2), 179-190. DOI: 10.1017/S0952836905007375

King, R.B., Ray, J.M., Stanford, K.M. (2006). Gorging on gobies: beneficial effects of alien prey on a threatened vertebrate. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 84, 108–115.

Other Links/Mentions:

RedBubble Storefront: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Voices of Missouri's Toads and Frogs (1985) by Missouri Department of Conservation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDf_GLpC3uQ&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=mooutdoors

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

086 Illusionary Tortoises Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

In this instalment we are talking tortoises - how clever are they, and how well do they get on with ravens? We follow up the tortoise double header with a miniature Species of the Bi-Week.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Santacà, M., Petrazzini, M. E. M., Agrillo, C., & Wilkinson, A. (2019). Can Reptiles Perceive Visual Illusions? Delboeuf Illusion in Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) and Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 133(4), 419–427. https://doi.org/10.1037/com0000176

Segura, A., Jimenez, J., & Acevedo, P. (2020). Predation of young tortoises by ravens: the effect of habitat structure on tortoise detectability and abundance. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58851-5

Species of the Bi-Week:

Loc-Barragán, J. A., Reyes-Velasco, J., Woolrich-Piña, G. A., Grünwald, C. I., de Anaya, M. V., Rangel-Mendoza, J. A., & López-Luna, M. A. (2020). A new species of mud turtle of genus kinosternon (Testudines: Kinosternidae) from the pacific coastal plain of northwestern Mexico. Zootaxa, 4885(4), 509–529. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4885.4.3

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Smith, S. N., Jones, M. D., Marshall, B. M., Waengsothorn, S., Gale, G. A., & Strine, C. T. (2021). Native Burmese pythons exhibit site fidelity and preference for aquatic habitats in an agricultural mosaic. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-13.

Soldati, F., Burman, O. H. P., John, E. A., Pike, T. W., & Wilkinson, A. (2017). Long-term memory of relative reward values. Biology Letters, 13, 20160853. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0853

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

085 Technicolour Dream Lizards Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

Lizards live in a world of colour. But how do they react to different colours, and what role does colour play in creating new species of lizard? We dip into papers covering Anoles and Geckos, with a bend-toed Species of the Bi-week.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Fondren A, Swierk L, Putman BJ. 2020. Clothing color mediates lizard responses to humans in a tropical forest. Biotropica 52:172–181. DOI: 10.1111/btp.12744.

Fulgione D, Buglione M, Rippa D, Trapanese M, Petrelli S, Monti DM, Aria M, Del Giudice R, Maselli V. 2019. Selection for background matching drives sympatric speciation in Wall Gecko. Scientific Reports 9. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37587-3.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Liu S, Rao D. 2021. A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Yunnan, China. ZooKeys 1021:109–126. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1021.60402.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Gould, M. L., Green, L., Altenau, B., & Blumstein, D. T. (2004). A study of the species-confidence hypothesis with Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters (Acanthagenys rufogularis). Emu - Austral Ornithology, 104(3), 267– 271. https ://doi.org/10.1071/MU03033

Huang, B., Lubarsky, K., Teng, T., & Blumstein, D. T. (2011). Take only pictures, leave only fear? The effects of photography on the West Indian anole Anolis cristatellus. Current Zoology, 57(1), 77–82. https :// doi.org/10.1093/czool

Swierk, L. (2019). ANOLIS AQUATICUS (= NOROPS AQUATICUS) (Water Anole). UNDERWATER BREATHING. Herpetological Review, 50(1), 134–135.

Other Links/Mentions:

Dude! Nature podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vlLbzAsEkQLv0YXkMxoB8?si=V1BBt-NfSDarUkAnSLrQaw

Pokemon beetles: https://www.enmu.edu/about/news-and-events/enmu-news/academic-news/3088-enmu-professor-s-beetle-discovery-named-after-three-legendary-bird-pokemon

Kestrel audio from Xeno-Canto recorded by: Peter Ward & Ken Hall [XC603740], Jerome Fischer [XC570888], Thomas G. Graves [XC565023]

Chickadee audio from Xeno-Canto recorded by: Thomas Magarian [XC464517]

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Battle music – “The Ritual/Ancient Battle” composed by Gerald Fried

084 Beady Brains on the Move Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

This episode we delve into the problem solving capabilities of some large lizards, and uncover the lifestyle of Guatemalan beaded lizards. We also discuss the mysterious black beasts that inhabit the Caribbean Islands of the Lesser Antilles.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Ariano-Sánchez D, Mortensen RM, Reinhardt S, Rosell F. 2020. Escaping drought: Seasonality effects on home range, movement patterns and habitat selection of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard. Global Ecology and Conservation 23:e01178. DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01178.

Cooper T, Liew A, Andrle G, Cafritz E, Dallas H, Niesen T, Slater E, Stockert J, Vold T, Young M, Mendelson J. 2019. Latency in Problem Solving as Evidence for Learning in Varanid and Helodermatid Lizards, with Comments on Foraging Techniques. Copeia 107:78. DOI: 10.1643/CH-18-119.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Breuil M, Schikorski D, Vuillaume B, Krauss U, Morton MN, Corry E, Bech N, Jelić M, Grandjean F. 2020. Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles). ZooKeys 926:95–131. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.926.48679.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Crawford, L. E., Knouse, L. E., Kent, M., Vavra, D., Harding, O., LeServe, D., ... & Lambert, K. G. (2020). Enriched environment exposure accelerates rodent driving skills. Behavioural brain research, 378, 112309.

Other Links/Mentions:

Varanus prasinus opening a door: https://youtu.be/ukayoMTScXw

Heloderma charlesbogerti opening a door: https://youtu.be/JJZ6J1igNNo

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

083 Humans and Venom Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

Humans and snakes share a long and storied past. In this episode we examine one paper that looks at the prehistoric relationship between humans and cobras (namely their spitting), and a second that looks at how we can mitigate the negative impacts of this relationship today. Our stunning Species of the Bi-week looks to be covered in duck-weed.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Kazandjian TD, Petras D, Robinson SD, van Thiel J, Greene HW, Arbuckle K, Barlow A, Carter DA, Wouters RM, Whiteley G, Wagstaff SC, Arias AS, Albulescu L-O, Plettenberg Laing A, Hall C, Heap A, Penrhyn-Lowe S, McCabe CV, Ainsworth S, da Silva RR, Dorrestein PC, Richardson MK, Gutiérrez JM, Calvete JJ, Harrison RA, Vetter I, Undheim EAB, Wüster W, Casewell NR. 2021. Convergent evolution of pain-inducing defensive venom components in spitting cobras. Science 371:386–390. DOI: 10.1126/science.abb9303.

Samuel SP, Chinnaraju S, Williams HF, Pichamuthu E, Subharao M, Vaiyapuri M, Arumugam S, Vaiyapuri R, Baksh MF, Patel K, Trim SA, Duncombe TE, Vaiyapuri S. 2020. Venomous snakebites: Rapid action saves lives—A multifaceted community education programme increases awareness about snakes and snakebites among the rural population of Tamil Nadu, India. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14:e0008911. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008911.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Liu X, He Y, Wang Y, Beukema W, Hou S, Li Y, Che J, Yuan Z. 2021. A new frog species of the genus Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) from Yunnan, China. Zootaxa 4908:263–275. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4908.2.7.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

082 Hey skink, why so blue? Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

Who doesn't love blue tongue skinks? In this episode we discuss their ability to learn complex tasks, and finally discover why that tongue is so blue. Our Species of the Bi-Week is beautiful in more ways than one.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Badiane, A., Carazo, P., Price-Rees, S. J., Ferrando-Bernal, M., & Whiting, M. J. (2018). Why blue tongue? A potential UV-based deimatic display in a lizard. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 72(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-018-2512-8

Szabo, B., Noble, D. W. A., Byrne, R. W., Tait, D. S., & Whiting, M. J. (2019). Precocial juvenile lizards show adult level learning and behavioural flexibility. Animal Behaviour, 154, 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.06.003

Species of the Bi-Week:

Vanderduys, E., Hoskin, C. J., Kutt, A. S., Wright, J. M., & Zozaya, S. M. (2020). Beauty in the eye of the beholder: A new species of gecko (Diplodactylidae: Lucasium) from inland north Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa, 4877(2), 291–310. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4877.2.4

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

081 Is that even a frog? Jan 20, 2021

Show notes

Frogs come in all shapes and sizes, but some frogs are particularly odd. Rain frogs with their globus bodies are the topic for this episode. Why are they living with mole-rats? And what do people living side-by-side with them think? Species of the Bi-week is a fresh rain frog, with remarkable colour variation.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Brom P, Anderson P, Channing A, Underhill LG. 2020. The role of cultural norms in shaping attitudes towards amphibians in Cape Town, South Africa. PLOS ONE 15:e0219331. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219331.

Šklíba J, Jirků M, Šumbera R. 2016. Burrow systems of mole-rats as refuges for frogs in the Miombo woodlands of south-east Africa. Journal of Tropical Ecology 32:158–161. DOI: 10.1017/S0266467415000644.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Nielsen SV, Conradie W, Ceríaco LMP, Bauer AM, Heinicke MP, Stanley EL, Blackburn DC. 2020. A new species of Rain Frog (Brevicipitidae, Breviceps) endemic to Angola. ZooKeys 979:133–160. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.979.56863.

Other Links/Mentions:

Voices of Missouri's Toads and Frogs (1985) by Missouri Department of Conservation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDf_GLpC3uQ&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=mooutdoors

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

080 Genetics to the Rescue Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

Hello 2021! We are back and this time discussing genetic rescue - can isolated, dwindling populations be assisted by adding individuals from elsewhere? After that, our Species of the Bi-Week has a dewlap but it isn't an anole.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Madsen, T., Loman, J., Anderberg, L., Anderberg, H., Georges, A., & Ujvari, B. (2020). Genetic rescue restores long-term viability of an isolated population of adders (Vipera berus). Current Biology, 30(21), R1297–R1299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.08.059

Scott, P. A., Allison, L. J., Field, K. J., Averill-Murray, R. C., & Shaffer, H. B. (2020). Individual heterozygosity predicts translocation success in threatened desert tortoises. Science, 370(6520), 1086–1089. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abb0421

Species of the Bi-Week:

Sadasivan, K., Ramesh, M. B., Palot, M. J., Ambekar, M., & Mirza, Z. A. (2018). A new species of fan-throated lizard of the genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from coastal Kerala, southern India. Zootaxa, 4374(4), 545–564. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4374.4.5

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Asad, S., Abrams, J. F., Guharajan, R., Sikui, J., Wilting, A., & Rödel, M. O. (2020). Stream Amphibian Detectability and Habitat Associations in a Reduced Impact Logging Concession in Malaysian Borneo. Journal of Herpetology, 54(4), 385-392. Read free here: https://bit.ly/2JoXJz7

Marshall, B. M. & Strine, C. (2021). Make like a glass frog: In support of increased transparency in herpetology. Herpetological Journal. 31, 35-45. Read free here: https://bit.ly/35J8W5L

Kyriazis, C. C., Wayne, R. K., & Lohmueller, K. E. (2020). Strongly deleterious mutations are a primary determinant of extinction risk due to inbreeding depression. Evolution Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/evl3.209

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

079 Close Encounters of the Bird Kind Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

This week’s episode is a bit jumbled as we focus on whether birds are using alligators to help protect nests. For the Species of the Bi-week we have a tiny tiny toad.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Burtner BF, Frederick PC. 2017. Attraction of Nesting Wading Birds to Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Testing the ‘Nest Protector’ Hypothesis. Wetlands 37:697–704. DOI: 10.1007/s13157-017-0900-x.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Li S-Z, Liu J, Wei G, Wang B. 2020. A new species of the Asian leaf litter toad genus Leptobrachella (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae) from southwest China. ZooKeys 943:91–118. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.943.51572.

Other Links/Mentions:

Alligator eating ducks: https://bit.ly/36VyJZi

Alligators regrowing tails: https://bit.ly/3lXtz3k

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

078 Colour in the Desert Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

Greater earless lizards use their tail for all manner of things - but how has this shaped its evolution? We delve into this mystery and find out how horny toads (the lizards) cope with life at hot and cold extremes. Our Species of the Bi-Week is a colourful new desert dweller.

Ross McGibbon's 2021 calendar: https://bit.ly/3f93mgp

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Gilbert, A. L., Brooks, O. L., & Lattanzio, M. S. (2020). Multiple behavioral contexts of a melanized tail display in a desert lizard. Ethology, 126(3), 333–343. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12975

Parlin, A. F., Schaeffer, P. J., & Jezkova, T. (2020). Modelling the effect of environmental temperatures, microhabitat and behavioural thermoregulation on predicted activity patterns in a desert lizard across its thermally diverse distribution. Journal of Biogeography, January, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13936

Species of the Bi-Week:

Huamani-Valderrama, L., Quiroz, A., Gutiérrez, R., Aguilar-Kirigin, A., Huanca-Mamani, W., Valladares-Faundez, P., Cerdeña, J., Chaparro, J. C., Santa-Cruz, R., & Abdala, C. S. (2020). Some color in the desert: description of a new species of Liolaemus (Iguania : Liolaemidae) from southern Peru, and its conservation status. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, 14(3), 1–30.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Outomuro, D., Söderquist, L., Nilsson‐Örtman, V., Cortázar‐Chinarro, M., Lundgren, C., & Johansson, F. (2016). Antagonistic natural and sexual selection on wing shape in a scrambling damselfly. Evolution, 70(7), 1582–1595. https ://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12951

Other Links/Mentions:

David, P., Vogel, G., & Dubois, A. (2011). On the need to follow rigorously the Rules of the Code for the subsequent designation of a nucleospecies (type species) for a nominal genus which lacked one: the case of the nominal genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Reptilia: Squamata: Viperidae). Zootaxa, 2992(1), 1-51.

Hasson, O., Hibbard, R., & Ceballos, G. (1989). The pursuit deterrent function of tail‐wagging in the zebra‐tailed lizard (Callisaurus dra‐ conoides). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 67(5), 1203–1209. https://doi.org/10.1139/z89‐174

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

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