UVB-emitting LEDs for reptile lighting: Identifying the risks of nonsolar UV spectra

UVB lamps are used to provide reptiles housed indoors with the UV radiation necessary to synthesize vitamin D3 in their skin. Since 2019, UVB-LED lamps have been on sale for use in reptile husbandry. We performed spectral analysis and mapped the UV irradiance for 18 of these lamps. The positive benefits of UVB-LED lamps over traditional products include greater energy efficiency, freedom from mercury and easy installation without external ballasts. However, the spectra of all the UVB-LED lamps tested had little similarity to the solar UV spectrum. Some lamps emitted short-wavelength, non-terrestrial, radiation known to cause acute photo-kerato-conjunctivitis; we report one case. All lamps were lacking significant output in the range 315-335 nm, essential for natural self-regulation of cutaneous vitamin D3 synthesis, preventing overproduction. We describe a possible risk of serious hypervitaminosis D based on our spectral analysis. We call for long-term animal studies to assess this risk, in which the reptiles under these lamps are exposed to species-appropriate UV index levels according to their Ferguson Zone allocation and serum levels of vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 monitored. Spectral modifications of the lamps to make the spectrum more like sunlight may be an essential way of mitigating this risk.

The Numbers of Animals Used in Mexico for Scientific and Educational Purposes

In Mexico, there are no official public and reliably reported data on the total number and species of non-human animals used for scientific purposes. The aim of the current study was to calculate the total numbers of animals used for scientific and educational purposes in Mexico, from January 2015 to October 2021, based on data requested from the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information and Protection of Personal Data (INAI, in Spanish). In this period, authorised laboratory animal facilities reported the use of 5,437,263 animals for scientific and educational purposes. However, these data should be viewed with caution, since there is no official register of all Mexican institutions that use animals for these purposes. The use of various species of different taxonomic groups was reported, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. The main scientific purposes of this animal use were: technological development; innovation; laboratory testing; production of biologicals; quality control; diagnostic purposes; basic and applied research; and education. A robust system for the licensing and approval of animal use, as well as a means to ensure compliance with the relevant regulations, are both urgently required. In addition, in order to regulate animal use, monitor animal care and protect their welfare, the creation of a publicly accessible national database that records the number and species of the animals used is imperative.

Sensory Mechanisms of Parent-Offspring Recognition in Fishes, Amphibians, and Reptiles

Parental care is important for offspring survival and success. Recognition of offspring by parents is critical to ensure parents direct care behaviors at related offspring and minimize energy lost by caring for unrelated young. Offspring recognition of parents prevents possible aggressive interactions between young and unrelated adults and allows offspring to direct begging behaviors toward the correct adult. Despite its importance and widespread nature, much of the current research has focused on a small range of species, particularly mammals and birds. We review the existing literature on the sensory mechanisms of parent-offspring recognition in fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. Within these groups, there is diversity in the presence and strategies for parent-offspring recognition. Future studies should continue to identify these mechanisms, as well as the neural and endocrine underpinnings in non-model organisms to expand our knowledge of this behavior and inform our understanding of the evolution of parent-offspring recognition.

Role of Sox3 in Estradiol-Induced Sex Reversal in Pelodiscus sinensis

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis, an economically important species in China, exhibits significant sexual dimorphism. Males are more valuable than females owing to their wider calipash and faster growth. Estradiol (E2)-induced sex reversal is used to achieve all-male breeding of turtles; however, the mechanism of this sex reversal remains unclear. In this study, we characterized the Sox3 gene, whose expression level was high in the gonads and brain and exhibited significant sexual dimorphism in the ovary. During embryonic development, Sox3 was highly expressed at the initiation of ovarian differentiation. E2 and Sox3-RNAi treatment before sexual differentiation led to 1352, 908, 990, 1011, and 975 differentially expressed genes in five developmental stages, respectively, compared with only E2 treatment. The differentially expressed genes were clustered into 20 classes. The continuously downregulated and upregulated genes during gonadal differentiation were categorized into Class 0 (n = 271) and Class 19 (n = 606), respectively. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that Sox3 significantly affected sexual differentiation via the Wnt, TGF-β, and TNF signaling pathways and mRNA surveillance pathway. The expression of genes involved in these signaling pathways, such as Dkk4, Nog, Msi1, and Krt14, changed significantly during gonadal differentiation. In conclusion, the deletion of Sox3 may lead to significant upregulation of the mRNA surveillance pathway and TNF and Ras signaling pathways and downregulation of the Wnt and TGF-β signaling pathways, inhibiting E2-induced sex reversal. These findings suggest that Sox3 may play a certain promoting effect during E2-induced sex reversal in P. sinensis.

Does the expensive brain hypothesis apply to amphibians and reptiles?

Vertebrate brains show extensive variation in relative size. The expensive brain hypothesis argues that one important source of this variation is linked to a species' ability to generate the energy required to sustain the brain, especially during periods of unavoidable food scarcity. Here we ask whether this hypothesis, tested so far in endothermic vertebrates, also applies to ectotherms, where ambient temperature is an additional major aspect of energy balance. Phylogenetic comparative analyses of reptiles and amphibians support the hypothesis. First, relative brain size increases with higher body temperature in those species active during the day that can gain free energy by basking. Second, relative brain size is smaller among nocturnal species, which generally face less favorable energy budgets, especially when maintaining high body temperature. However, we do not find an effect of seasonal variation in ambient temperature or food on brain size, unlike in endotherms. We conclude that the factors affecting energy balance in ectotherms and endotherms are overlapping but not identical. We therefore discuss the idea that when body temperatures are seasonally very low, cognitive benefits may be thwarted and selection on larger brain size may be rare. Indeed, mammalian hibernators may show similarities to ectotherms.

The spatial, climatic and temporal factors influencing roadkill change according to the taxonomic level

Roads are the second largest anthropogenic cause of mortality for most vertebrates. Previous research has analyzed the factors influencing roadkill either by species or by group of species based on some species-specific characteristics. However, to gain a comprehensive understanding on the consistency of findings within and between taxa, it is necessary to conduct an analysis that encompasses both individual species and group of species. This study aims to assess the role of taxonomic level in determining the spatial, climatic and temporal drivers using roadkill data for 70 species. We used generalized linear models to examine the association between roadkill and land cover and climate across 26 individual species and groups of reptiles, birds and mammals. Temporal patterns were evaluated using circular statistics. Our study revealed variations in spatial, climatic and temporal factors among taxa. For reptiles, spatial patterns differed between the class/order and species level, while climatic and temporal patterns remained consistent among these taxonomic levels. Spatial and climatic patterns were not consistent between class, order and associated species for birds and mammals. Temporal patterns, on the other hand, were consistent between each order and its associated species. In general, we found that roadkill incidence was positively associated with silviculture and agriculture cover as well as proximity of rivers. Accumulated insolation and mean minimum temperature were positively associated with roadkill, while mean temperature exhibited a negative association. Our study emphasizes the importance of analyzing roadkill variables on a species-specific basis. In the case of endangered species with low roadkill rates, it is essential to consider their assessment alongside other species exhibiting similar behavior and ecological needs.

A global synthesis and assessment of free-ranging domestic cat diet

Free-ranging cats (Felis catus) are globally distributed invasive carnivores that markedly impact biodiversity. Here, to evaluate the potential threat of cats, we develop a comprehensive global assessment of species consumed by cats. We identify 2,084 species eaten by cats, of which 347 (16.65%) are of conservation concern. Islands contain threefold more species of conservation concern eaten by cats than continents do. Birds, reptiles, and mammals constitute ~90% of species consumed, with insects and amphibians being less frequent. Approximately 9% of known birds, 6% of known mammals, and 4% of known reptile species are identified in cat diets. 97% of species consumed are <5 kg in adult body mass, though much larger species are also eaten. The species accumulation curves are not asymptotic, indicating that our estimates are conservative. Our results demonstrate that cats are extreme generalist predators, which is critical for understanding their impact on ecological systems and developing management solutions.

Postfire biodiversity database for eastern Iberia

In the summer of 2012, two fires affected Mediterranean ecosystems in the eastern Iberian Peninsula. The size of these fires was at the extreme of the historical variability (megafires). Animals are traditionally assumed to recolonize from source populations outside of the burned area (exogenous regeneration) while plants recover from endogenous regeneration (resprouting and seeding). However, there is increasing evidence of in situ fire survival in animals. To evaluate the effect of large-scale fires on biodiversity and the mechanism of recovery, in 2013, we set up 12 plots per fire, covering burned vegetation at different distances from the fire perimeter and unburned vegetation. In each plot, we followed the postfire recovery of arthropods, reptiles (including some of their parasites), and plants for 2 to 5 years. Here we present the resulting database (POSTDIV) of taxon abundance. POSTDIV totals 19,906 records for 457 arthropod taxa (113,681 individuals), 12 reptile taxa (503 individuals), 4 reptile parasites (234 individuals), and 518 plant taxa (cover-abundance). We provide examples in the R language to query the database.

Food transport in Reptilia: a comparative viewpoint

Reptilia exploit a large diversity of food resources from plant materials to living mobile prey. They are among the first tetrapods that needed to drink to maintain their water homeostasis. Here were compare the feeding and drinking mechanisms in Reptilia through an empirical approach based on the available data to open perspectives in our understanding of the evolution of the various mechanisms determined in these Tetrapoda for exploiting solid and liquid food resources. This article is part of the theme issue 'Food processing and nutritional assimilation in animals'.

Corticosterone and immune responses to dehydration in squamate reptiles

Many environments present some degree of seasonal water limitations; organisms that live in such environments must be adapted to survive periods without permanent water access. Often this involves the ability to tolerate dehydration, which can have adverse physiological effects and is typically considered a physiological stressor. While having many functions, the hormone corticosterone (CORT) is often released in response to stressors, yet increasing plasma CORT while dehydrated could be considered maladaptive, especially for species that experience predictable bouts of dehydration and have related coping mechanisms. Elevating CORT could reduce immunocompetence and have other negative physiological effects. Thus, such species likely have CORT and immune responses adapted to experiencing seasonal droughts. We evaluated how dehydration affects CORT and immune function in eight squamate species that naturally experience varied water limitation. We tested whether hydric state affected plasma CORT concentrations and aspects of immunocompetence (lysis, agglutination, bacterial killing ability and white blood cell counts) differently among species based on how seasonally water limited they are and whether this is constrained by phylogeny. The species represented four familial pairs, with one species of each pair inhabiting environments with frequent access to water and one naturally experiencing extended periods (>30 days) with no access to standing water. The effects of dehydration on CORT and immunity varied among species. Increases in CORT were generally not associated with reduced immunocompetence, indicating CORT and immunity might be decoupled in some species. Interspecies variations in responses to dehydration were more clearly grouped by phylogeny than by habitat type.

The Role of the Grass Snake Natrix natrix (Reptilia, Colubridae) in the Transfer of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids from Aquatic to Terrestrial Ecosystems to Land

As a result of analyses of fatty acid (FA) composition in the grass snake Natrix natrix and its food objects, tadpoles and metamorphs of two amphibian species: the moor frog Rana arvalis and the Pallas spadefoot toad Pelobates vespertinus, it was shown for the first time that the high total content of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids in the biomass of the snakes indicates its important role in the transfer of these essential substances from aquatic ecosystems to land. It was found that, since food sources of DHA in terrestrial ecosystems are absent, its high level in R. arvalis metamorps and grass snakes may be provided only by synthesis from biochemical precursors contained in food of aquatic origin.

DNA metabarcoding reveals consumption of diverse community of amphibians by invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) in the southeastern United States

Invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are one of the most widespread, destructive vertebrate species globally. Their success can largely be attributed to their generalist diets, which are dominated by plant material but also include diverse animal taxa. Wild pigs are demonstrated nest predators of ground-nesting birds and reptiles, and likely pose a threat to amphibians given their extensive overlap in wetland use. DNA metabarcoding of fecal samples from 222 adult wild pigs culled monthly from 2017 to 2018 revealed a diverse diet dominated by plant material, with 166 plant genera from 56 families and 18 vertebrate species identified. Diet composition varied seasonally with availability for plants and was consistent between sexes. Amphibians were the most frequent vertebrate group consumed and represented the majority of vertebrate species detected, suggesting amphibians are potentially vulnerable to predation by wild pigs in our study region. Mammal, reptile, and bird species were also detected in pig diets, but infrequently. Our results highlight the need for research on the impacts of wild pigs on amphibians to better inform management and conservation of imperiled species.

Assessing the illegal hunting of native wildlife in China

Illegal harvesting and trading of wildlife have become major threats to global biodiversity and public health1-3. Although China is widely recognized as an important destination for wildlife illegally obtained abroad4, little attention has been given to illegal hunting within its borders. Here we extracted 9,256 convictions for illegal hunting from a nationwide database of trial verdicts in China spanning January 2014 to March 2020. These convictions involved illegal hunting of 21% (n = 673) of China's amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal species, including 25% of imperilled species in these groups. Sample-based extrapolation indicates that many more species were taken illegally during this period. Larger body mass and range size (for all groups), and proximity to urban markets (for amphibians and birds) increase the probability of a species appearing in the convictions database. Convictions pertained overwhelmingly to illegal hunting for commercial purposes and involved all major habitats across China. A small number of convictions represented most of the animals taken, indicating the existence of large commercial poaching operations. Prefectures closer to urban markets show higher densities of convictions and more individual animals taken. Our results suggest that illegal hunting is a major, overlooked threat to biodiversity throughout China.

Relocating built-up land for biodiversity conservation in an uncertain future

Land use changes associated with habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation exert profoundly detrimental impacts on biodiversity conservation. Urban development is one of the prevailing anthropogenic disturbances to wildlife habitat, because these developments are often considered permanent and irreversible. As a result, the potential benefits of built-up land relocation for biodiversity conservation have remained largely unexplored in environmental management practices. Here, we analyze recent built-up land relocation in Shanghai and explore how such restoration programs can affect future land change trajectories with regards to biodiversity conservation. Results show that 187.78 km2 built-up land in Shanghai was restored to natural habitat between 2017 and 2020. Further simulation analysis highlights that relocating built-up land can substantially promote conserve biodiversity. In particular, there would be less habitat loss, better natural habitat quality and more species habitat-suitable range under the scenarios with built-up land relocation. Species extinction assessment suggest that amphibians, mammals, and reptiles will all have an increasingly high extinction risk without built-up land relocation. However, there will even be a marginal decrease in extinction risk over time for mammals and reptiles if the relocation of built-up land is permitted, but still a moderate increase in extinction risk for amphibians. This study highlights the importance of incorporating rigorous conservation planning prior to development activities, thereby underpinning a sustainable approach to environmental management.

The East Indies reptile tick Amblyomma helvolum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae), taxonomy, biology and new host records, including the first record of human infestation

Amblyomma helvolum is a widespread, generalist ectoparasite of reptiles in the oriental region, and has the potential to become highly invasive should it be inadvertently introduced outside its native range through the exotic pet trade. All life stages of A. helvolum are re-characterised morphologically and the first examples of nanism (dwarfism) and gynandromorphy (male and female tissue in one animal) for the species are described. Eighteen new hosts records are presented for A. helvolum, including the first case of human infestation. The taxonomy, distribution, ecology, phenology, disease associations, and invasion biology of the species are also discussed.

Thyroid and reproduction in amphibians and reptiles

The relationship between the thyroid gland and reproduction in amphibians and reptiles has been studied for more than 100 years. Most studies suggest a positive involvement of thyroid hormones with some aspects of reproduction, but some studies support a negative role for thyroid hormones at certain life stages. Comprehensive studies of gene activation/suppression by thyroid hormones and their absence at various levels of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis coupled with observations of adrenocorticoid activity, reproductive performance, and metabolic involvement are needed to understand this complex relationship.

Maximizing the potential for living cell banks to contribute to global conservation priorities

Although cryobanking represents a powerful conservation tool, a lack of standardized information on the species represented in global cryobanks, and inconsistent prioritization of species for future sampling, hinder the conservation potential of cryobanking, resulting in missed conservation opportunities. We analyze the representation of amphibian, bird, mammal, and reptile species within the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Frozen Zoo® living cell collection (as of April 2019) and implement a qualitative framework for the prioritization of species for future sampling. We use global conservation assessment schemes (including the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species™, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Alliance for Zero Extinction, the EDGE of Existence, and Climate Change Vulnerability), and opportunities for sample acquisition from the global zoo and aquarium community, to identify priority species for cryobanking. We show that 965 species, including 5% of all IUCN Red List "Threatened" amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles, were represented in the collection and that sampling from within existing zoo and aquarium collections could increase representation to 16.6% (by sampling an additional 707 "Threatened" species). High-priority species for future cryobanking efforts include the whooping crane (Grus americana), crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), and Siberian crane (Leucogeranus leucogeranus). Each of these species are listed under every conservation assessment scheme and have ex situ populations available for sampling. We also provide species prioritizations based on subsets of these assessment schemes together with sampling opportunities from the global zoo and aquarium community. We highlight the difficulties in obtaining in situ samples, and encourage the formation of a global cryobanking database together with the establishment of new cryobanks in biodiversity-rich regions.

Keeping reptiles as pets in Brazil: keepers' motivations and husbandry practices

BACKGROUND

Reptiles are considered one of the most popular pets in the world and are often associated with an incorrect belief that they are simple, highly adaptable, and easy to keep animals when compared with other pets, such as dogs and cats. However, keeping reptiles as pets can pose several challenges in meeting their needs in a domestic setting, requiring specific conditions and effort to maintain their health, well-being, and survival.

METHODS

During 2015, using online semi-structured questionnaires applied to 719 Brazilian pet reptile keepers who participated in online groups of reptile breeders on the social network Facebook, this study aimed to identify Brazilian keepers' motivations for maintaining reptiles as pets, investigate their monthly expenses, and the husbandry practices for the maintenance, such as housing and feeding conditions, handling of the animal, health issues, and treatment provided.

RESULTS

We found multiple motivations for keeping reptiles as pets (mostly snakes, lizards, and chelonians), the main motivation being emotional reasons, followed by entertainment and convenience reasons. The great majority of keepers (69%) declared to spend less than or up to US$30 per month in maintaining their reptiles. Most reptiles were kept alone in terrarium/aquarium enclosures, with basic environmental complexity in terms of physical elements. Lizards and chelonians were fed with a few insect species, cultivated fruits and vegetables, while snakes were fed mainly with domestic rodents, rabbits, or birds. Keepers declared frequent cleaning of the enclosure, but inappropriately handled their animals directly with their hands, which might result in potential threats to human and reptile health and safety. Several diseases or injuries were mentioned and 55.6% of the keepers declared taking the reptile to the vet for treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our findings revealed several challenges that reptiles face when kept in domestic environments, including issues related to housing, nutrition, and healthcare. Even though keepers demonstrated positive feelings toward their pets, suggesting a positive relationship and a willingness to provide them with proper care, it seems that without the proper knowledge and awareness, reptiles may unintentionally be kept with poor husbandry. Addressing these challenges on husbandry practices is essential for improving reptiles' welfare and promoting a responsible pet ownership.

One Health Approach to Globalizing, Accelerating, and Focusing Amphibian and Reptile Disease Research-Reflections and Opinions from the First Global Amphibian and Reptile Disease Conference

The world's reptiles and amphibians are experiencing dramatic and ongoing losses in biodiversity, changes that can have substantial effects on ecosystems and human health. In 2022, the first Global Amphibian and Reptile Disease Conference was held, using One Health as a guiding principle. The conference showcased knowledge on numerous reptile and amphibian pathogens from several standpoints, including epidemiology, host immune defenses, wild population effects, and mitigation. The conference also provided field experts the opportunity to discuss and identify the most urgent herpetofaunal disease research directions necessary to address current and future threats to reptile and amphibian biodiversity.

Evolution of RNA viruses in trypanosomatids: new insights from the analysis of Sauroleishmania

RNA viruses play an important role in Leishmania biology and virulence. Their presence was documented in three (out of four) Leishmania subgenera. Sauroleishmania of reptiles remained the only underinvestigated group. In this work, we analyzed the viral occurrence in Sauroleishmania spp. and detected RNA viruses in three out of seven isolates under study. These viruses were of two families-Narnaviridae and Totiviridae. Phylogenetic inferences demonstrated that totiviruses from L. adleri and L. tarentolae group together within a larger cluster of LRV2s, while a narnavirus of L. gymnodactyli appeared as a phylogenetic relative of narnaviruses of Blechomonas spp. Taken together, our work not only expanded the range of trypanosomatids that can host RNA viruses but also shed new light on the evolution and potential routes of viral transmission in these flagellates.

Temporal trends in reptile occurrence among temperate old-growth, regrowth and replanted woodlands

Reptiles are an important part of the vertebrate fauna in the temperate woodlands of south-eastern Australia. However, compared to birds and mammals, the long-term occurrence of reptiles across woodland growth types-old growth, regrowth, and replantings-remains poorly understood. Here, using 18-years of data gathered at 218 sites across 1.5 million hectares in New South Wales South West Slopes bioregion, we sought to quantify patterns of temporal change in reptile occurrence and determine if such changes varied between woodland growth types. Despite extensive sampling, almost 75% of our 6341 surveys produced no detections of reptiles. Significant survey effort exceeding 2000 surveys was needed over a prolonged period of time to record detections of 26 reptile species in our study area. Our analyses showed a temporal increase in estimated reptile species richness and abundance over 18 years. Such increases characterized all three vegetation structural types we surveyed. At the individual species level, we had sufficient data to construct models for five of the 26 species recorded. Three of these species were least commonly detected in replantings, whereas the remaining two were most often detected in replantings relative to old growth and regrowth woodland. We found evidence of a temporal increase in two skink species, a decline in one gecko species, and no change in the remaining two skink species. Although detections were consistently low, active searches were the best survey method, and we suggest using this method in habitats known to be hotspots for reptiles, such as rocky outcrops, if the aim is to maximize the number of individuals and species detected. Our findings highlight the value of all three broad vegetation structure types in contributing to woodland reptile biodiversity.

Phenology and predictors of spring emergence for the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Many temperate reptiles survive winter by using subterranean refugia until external conditions become suitable for activity. Determining when to emerge from refugia relies on the ability to interpret when above-ground environmental conditions are survivable. If temperate reptiles rely on specific environmental cues such as temperature to initiate emergence, we should expect emergence phenologies to be predictable using local climatic data. However, specific predictors of emergence for many temperate reptiles, including the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), remain unclear, limiting our understanding of their overwintering phenology and restricting effective conservation and management. Our objectives were to identify environmental cues of spring emergence for C. horridus in Illinois to determine the species' emergence phenology, and to examine the applicability of identified cues in predicting emergence phenology across the species' range. We used wildlife cameras and weather station-derived environmental data to observe and predict the daily surface presence of C. horridus throughout the late winter and early spring at communal refugia in west-central and northern Illinois. The most parsimonious model for predicting surface presence included the additive effects of maximum daily temperature, accumulated degree days, and latitude. With a notable exception in the southeastern U.S., the model accurately predicted the average emergence day for eight other populations range wide, emphasizing the importance of temperature in influencing the phenological plasticity observed across the species' range. The apparent broad applicability of the model to other populations suggests it can be a valuable tool in predicting spring emergence phenology. Our results provide a foundation for further ecological enquiries and improved management and conservation strategies.

Ecophysiology of neotropical amphibians and reptiles: lessons learned from Colombia

Ecophysiology and herpetology share a close historical relationship, but earlier work at the interface of these disciplines was carried out in temperate regions. Tropical regions like the Neotropics exhibit the highest species richness for amphibians and reptiles, but the pace for ecophysiological research on tropical herpetofauna has been slower relative to temperate counterparts. We are a group of early-career, Latin American researchers interested in the physiological diversity exhibited by neotropical herpetofauna. As such, we have engaged in the organization of the Symposium on the Ecophysiology of Neotropical Amphibians and Reptiles (ECOPHYSHERP) to integrate the scientific community interested on these topics. ECOPHYSHERP has been held three times already within the Colombian Congress of Herpetology, and collectively it has hosted >60 contributions from researchers at 26 institutions and eight countries. Participation has been diverse in terms of gender, age, and career stage, but most participants have been young undergraduate biology students. This generation of early-career researchers is producing excellent research in a broad range of topics, but difficulties to convert this research into scientific publications may exist. Identifying and contributing in order to solve such problems are priorities for this organizing committee, and also our endeavours towards ECOPHYSHERP 4.0 in Santa Marta in 2025.

Matrilineal phylogeny and habitat suitability of the endangered spotted pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii; Testudines: Geoemydidae): a two-dimensional approach to forecasting future conservation consequences

The spotted pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) is a threatened and less explored species endemic to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. To infer structural variation and matrilineal phylogenetic interpretation, the present research decoded the mitogenome of G. hamiltonii (16,509 bp) using next-generation sequencing technology. The mitogenome comprises 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), and one AT-rich control region (CR) with similar strand symmetry in vertebrates. The ATG was identified as a start codon in most of the PCGs except Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1), which started with the GTG codon. The non-coding CR of G. hamiltonii was determined to have a unique structure and variation in different domains and stem-loop secondary structure as compared with other Batagurinae species. The PCGs-based Bayesian phylogeny inferred strong monophyletic support for all Batagurinae species and confirmed the sister relationship of G. hamiltonii with Pangshura and Batagur taxa. We recommend generating more mitogenomic data for other Batagurinae species to confirm their population structure and evolutionary relationships. In addition, the present study aims to infer the habitat suitability and habitat quality of G. hamiltonii in its global distribution, both in the present and future climatic scenarios. We identify that only 58,542 km2 (7.16%) of the total range extent (817,341 km2) is suitable for this species, along with the fragmented habitats in both the eastern and western ranges. Comparative habitat quality assessment suggests the level of patch shape in the western range is higher (71.3%) compared to the eastern range. Our results suggest a massive decline of approximately 65.73% to 70.31% and 70.53% to 75.30% under ssp245 and ssp585 future scenarios, respectively, for the years between 2021-2040 and 2061-2080 compared with the current distribution. The present study indicates that proper conservation management requires greater attention to the causes and solutions to the fragmented distribution and safeguarding of this endangered species in the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra (IGB) river basins.

Cu2+-dependent hydrolysis of O-hexyl 2,5-dichlorophenyl phosphoramidate by reptile sera

This study shows the EDTA-resistant, Ca2+ and Cu2+-dependent hydrolysis of O-hexyl 2,5-dichlorophenyl phosphoramidate (HDCP) compound in reptiles sera determined by spectrophotometry UV/Vis and chiral chromatography. Samples of ten reptile species were incubated with aliquot of 100 or 400 μM HDCP in presence of 100 or 300 μM Cu2+, or 2.5 mM Ca2+ or 5 mM EDTA at 37 °C for 30-60 min. The results shown an activator effect of Cu2+ on HDCP hydrolysis in freshwater turtles sera (Trachemys scripta, Chelydra serpentina and Macrochelys temminckii) because the levels of 2,5-dichlorophenol (DCP; product hydrolysis) were similar (∼37 μM DCP) to chicken serum (positive control group). The marine turtles (Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata) and crocodiles (Crocodylusacutus and Crocodylus moreletii) showed ∼50% less HDCPase activity (13-17 μM DCP) compared to the HDCPase activity of the freshwater turtle species. Terrestrial reptile species (snakes and lizards) showed around 25% of activity (7-13 μM DCP) with both copper concentrations. These Cu2+-dependent hydrolysis were stereospecific to R(+)-HDCP (p˂0.05) in the three freshwater turtle species that showed similar hydrolysis to the chicken serum. However, the Ca2+ did not show a significant activating effect on the HDCPase activity (1-8 μM DCP) in any reptile serum. Their hydrolysis levels were very similar to those of EDTA-resistant activity. The present study demonstrates a Cu2+-dependent A-esterase (HDCPase) activity in turtles and points serum albumin as the cuproprotein responsible for this activity, reinforcing its N-terminal sequence (DAEH) as a catalytic center.