1
|
Grismer LL, Aowphol A, Grismer JL, Aksornneam A, Quah ESH, Murdoch ML, Gregory JJ, Nguyen E, Kaatz A, Bringsøe H, Rujirawan A. A new species of the Cyrtodactyluschauquangensis group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from the borderlands of extreme northern Thailand. Zookeys 2024; 1203:211-238. [PMID: 38855793 PMCID: PMC11161685 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1203.122758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Phylogenetic and morphological analyses delimit and diagnose, respectively, a new population of a karst-dwelling Cyrtodactylus from extreme northern Thailand. The new species, Cyrtodactylusphamiensis sp. nov., of the chauquangensis group inhabits karst caves and outcroppings and karst vegetation in the vicinity of Pha Mi Village in Chiang Rai Province, Thailand. Within the chauquangensis group, Cyrtodactylusphamiensis sp. nov. is the earliest diverging species of a strongly supported clade composed of the granite-dwelling C.doisuthep and the karst-dwelling sister species Cyrtodactylus sp. 6 and C.erythrops. The nearly continuous karstic habitat between the type locality of Cyrtodactylusphamiensis sp. nov. and its close relatives Cyrtodactylus sp. 6 and C.erythrops, extends for approximately 200 km along the border region of Thailand and the eastern limit of the Shan Plateau of Myanmar. Further exploration of this region, especially the entire eastern ~ 95% of the Shan Plateau, will undoubtably recover new populations whose species status will need evaluation. As in all other countries of Indochina and northern Sundaland, the continual discovery of new karst-dwelling populations of Cyrtodactylus shows no signs of tapering off, even in relatively well-collected areas. This only highlights the conservation priority that these unique karstic landscapes still lack on a large scale across all of Asia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Lee Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California 92505, USALa Sierra UniversityRiversideUnited States of America
- Department of Herpetology, San Diego Natural History Museum, PO Box 121390, San Diego, California, 92112, USAUniversiti Malaysia SabahKota KinabaluMalaysia
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, MalaysiaSan Diego Natural History MuseumSan DiegoUnited States of America
| | - Anchalee Aowphol
- Animal Systematics and Ecology Speciality Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandKasetsart UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Jesse L. Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California 92505, USALa Sierra UniversityRiversideUnited States of America
| | - Akrachai Aksornneam
- Animal Systematics and Ecology Speciality Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandKasetsart UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Evan S. H. Quah
- Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, MalaysiaSan Diego Natural History MuseumSan DiegoUnited States of America
- Biodiversity Center, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, 2 Conservatory Drive, 117377, SingaporeUniversiti Sains MalaysiaPenangMalaysia
| | - Matthew L. Murdoch
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, MalaysiaLa Sierra UniversityCaliforniaUnited States of America
| | - Jeren J. Gregory
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, MalaysiaLa Sierra UniversityCaliforniaUnited States of America
| | - Eddie Nguyen
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, MalaysiaLa Sierra UniversityCaliforniaUnited States of America
| | - Amanda Kaatz
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, MalaysiaLa Sierra UniversityCaliforniaUnited States of America
| | | | - Attapol Rujirawan
- Animal Systematics and Ecology Speciality Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandKasetsart UniversityBangkokThailand
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Grismer LL, Pawangkhanant P, Idiiatullina SS, Trofimets AV, Nazarov RA, Suwannapoom C, Poyarkov NA. A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Thai-Malay Peninsula and the independent evolution of cave ecomorphology on opposite sides of the Gulf of Thailand. Zootaxa 2023; 5352:109-136. [PMID: 38221458 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
An integrative taxonomic analysis recovers a distinctive new species of the gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from Satun Province in extreme southern Thailand as the sister species to the Cyrtodactylus intermedius group of southern Indochina, approximately 600 km to the northeast across the Gulf of Thailand. Based on 1449 base pairs of the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and its flanking tRNAs, the new species, C. disjunctus sp. nov., bears a pairwise sequence divergence from the mean divergences of the intermedius group species ranging from 17.923.6%. Three different principal component analyses (PCA) and a multiple factor analysis (MFA) recover C. disjunctus sp. nov. as a highly distinctive karst cave-adapted species based on morphology and color pattern. Its sister species relationship to the intermedius groupto which it is added herefurther underscores a growing body of analyses that have recovered a trans-Gulf of Thailand connection across the submerged Sunda Shelf between the southern Thai-Malay Peninsula and southern Indochina. Fragmented karstic archipelagos stretching across Indochina have served as foci for the independent evolution of nearly 25% of the species of Cyrtodactylus. The description of C. disjunctus sp. nov. continues to highlight the fact that karstic habitats support an ever-increasing number of threatened site-specific endemics that compose much of the reptile diversity of many Asian nations but, as of yet, most of these landscapes have no legal protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Lee Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory; Department of Biology; La Sierra University; 4500 Riverwalk Parkway; Riverside; California 92505; USA; Department of Herpetology; San Diego Natural History Museum; PO Box 121390; San Diego; California; 92112; USA; Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation; Universiti Malaysia Sabah; Kota Kinabalu; Malaysia.
| | - Parinya Pawangkhanant
- Division of Fishery; School of Agriculture and Natural Resources; University of Phayao; Phayao; Thailand.
| | - Sabira S Idiiatullina
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology; Lomonosov Moscow State University; Leninskiye Gory; GSP1; Moscow 119991; Russia.
| | - Alexei V Trofimets
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology; Lomonosov Moscow State University; Leninskiye Gory; GSP1; Moscow 119991; Russia.
| | - Roman A Nazarov
- Zoological Museum; Moscow State University; Moscow; 2 Bolshaya Nikitskaya St.; Moscow 125009; Russia.
| | - Chatmongkon Suwannapoom
- Division of Fishery; School of Agriculture and Natural Resources; University of Phayao; Phayao; Thailand.
| | - Nikolay A Poyarkov
- Zoological Museum; Moscow State University; Moscow; 2 Bolshaya Nikitskaya St.; Moscow 125009; Russia; Joint Vietnam - Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Centre; 63 Nguyen Van Huyen Road; Nghia Do; Cau Giay; Hanoi; Vietnam.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pholyotha A, Sutcharit C, Lin A, Panha S. Uncovering local endemism from southeastern Myanmar: description of the new karst-associated terrestrial snail genus Burmochlamys (Eupulmonata, Helicarionidae). Zookeys 2022; 1110:1-37. [PMID: 36761453 PMCID: PMC9848772 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1110.82461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Salween River basin's karst ecosystems in southeastern Myanmar remain largely unexplored and are likely to harbour a high terrestrial snail diversity that are often associated with high levels of snail endemism. Here, an outstanding group of new karst-associated terrestrial snails, Burmochlamys gen. nov., are discovered. A study of the comparative morphological and anatomical data reveals that the reproductive tract and radula of this new genus are closely related to the helicarionid genus Sophina Benson, 1859 but shell morphology (shape, size, and sculpture) and mantle extensions are distinct from the latter genus. Burmochlamys gen. nov. now consists of four known nominal species, B.cassidula comb. nov., B.cauisa comb. nov., B.perpaula comb. nov., and B.poongee comb. nov., and five new species; B.albida sp. nov., B.fasciola sp. nov., B.moulmeinica sp. nov., B.versicolor sp. nov., and B.whitteni sp. nov. The highlight is that the members of the new genus show site-specific endemism, being restricted to karstic habitat islands of the Salween River basin. In addition, the discovery supports that the unique and complex structure of Salween River basin's karst ecosystems are habitats in which the terrestrial malacofauna have speciated and become endemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthit Pholyotha
- Animal Systematics Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Chirasak Sutcharit
- Animal Systematics Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Aung Lin
- Fauna and Flora International, Sanchaung Township, Yangon, MyanmarFauna and Flora International, Sanchaung TownshipYangonMyanmar
| | - Somsak Panha
- Animal Systematics Research Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand,Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Bangkok, ThailandAcademy of Science, The Royal Society of ThailandBangkokThailand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mahony S, Kamei RG. A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Manipur State, northeast India, with a critical review highlighting extensive errors in literature covering bent-toed geckos of the Indo-Burma region. J NAT HIST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2021.1994667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Mahony
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Evan S.H. Quah, Lee L. Grismer, Perry L. Wood, Jr., Lin A, Myint Kyaw Thura. COVID-19 and civil unrest undoing steady gains in karst conservation and herpetological research in Myanmar, and an impediment to progress. JOURNAL OF THREATENED TAXA 2022. [DOI: 10.11609/jott.7753.14.1.20500-20502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and political turmoil in Myanmar has dealt a severe blow to the country’s progress in herpetological research and the protection of limestone habitats. Both afflictions have reversed much of the scientific and conservation gains made in the past decade, and continue to hinder exploratory surveys and continued monitoring of threatened karst ecosystems. There is an urgent need to resume field studies and conservation effort as soon as possible and continue enhancing the capacity of local scientific and technical staff in Myanmar.
Collapse
|
6
|
Termprayoon K, Rujirawan A, Grismer LL, Jr. PLW, Aowphol A. Taxonomic reassessment and phylogenetic placement of Cyrtodactylus phuketensis (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) based on morphological and molecular evidence. Zookeys 2021; 1040:91-121. [PMID: 34135657 PMCID: PMC8178289 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1040.65750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus complex along the Thai-Malay Peninsular region has been the focus of many recent studies and has resulted in the recognition of 17 species. However, the majority of these studies were focused on Peninsular and insular Malaysia where there were specimens and genetic vouchers. The taxonomic status and phylogenetic relationships of the Thai species in this complex remain unresolved, due to the lack of genetic material of some species, especially C. phuketensis and C. macrotuberculatus from Thai populations. In this study, we investigated the phylogenetic relationship between C. phuketensis and its closely related species C. macrotuberculatus, using both morphometric and molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene revealed that C. phuketensis is embedded within a C. macrotuberculatus clade with 1.45-4.20% (mean 2.63%) uncorrected pairwise sequence divergences. Morphological comparisons showed nearly identical measurements of C. phuketensis and C. macrotuberculatus and overlapping ranges in meristic characters. Based on these data, C. phuketensis is considered to be a variant of C. macrotuberculatus, thus rendering C. phuketensis a junior synonym of C. macrotuberculatus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Korkhwan Termprayoon
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, ThailandKasetsart UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Attapol Rujirawan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, ThailandKasetsart UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - L. Lee Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, California 92515, USALa Sierra UniversityRiversideUnited States of America
| | - Perry L. Wood Jr.
- Department of Biological Sciences and Museum of Natural History, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USAAuburn UniversityAuburnUnited States of America
| | - Anchalee Aowphol
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, ThailandKasetsart UniversityBangkokThailand
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Karstic Landscapes Are Foci of Species Diversity in the World’s Third-Largest Vertebrate Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Squamata; Gekkonidae). DIVERSITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/d13050183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Karstic landscapes are immense reservoirs of biodiversity and range-restricted endemism. Nowhere is this more evident than in the world’s third-largest vertebrate genus Cyrtodactylus (Gekkonidae) which contains well over 300 species. A stochastic character mapping analysis of 10 different habitat preferences across a phylogeny containing 344 described and undescribed species recovered a karst habitat preference occurring in 25.0% of the species, whereas that of the other eight specific habitat preferences occurred in only 0.2–11.0% of the species. The tenth category—general habitat preference—occurred in 38.7% of the species and was the ancestral habitat preference for Cyrtodactylus and the ultimate origin of all other habitat preferences. This study echoes the results of a previous study illustrating that karstic landscapes are generators of species diversity within Cyrtodactylus and not simply “imperiled arks of biodiversity” serving as refugia for relics. Unfortunately, the immense financial returns of mineral extraction to developing nations largely outweighs concerns for biodiversity conservation, leaving approximately 99% of karstic landscapes with no legal protection. This study continues to underscore the urgent need for their appropriate management and conservation. Additionally, this analysis supports the monophyly of the recently proposed 31 species groups and adds one additional species group.
Collapse
|
8
|
Chomdej S, Pradit W, Suwannapoom C, Pawangkhanant P, Nganvongpanit K, Poyarkov NA, Che J, Gao Y, Gong S. Phylogenetic analyses of distantly related clades of bent-toed geckos (genus Cyrtodactylus) reveal an unprecedented amount of cryptic diversity in northern and western Thailand. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2328. [PMID: 33504821 PMCID: PMC7840752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70640-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyrtodactylus species are the most diverse of the geckos and are widely distributed in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. However, their patterns of distribution, especially in northern and western parts of Thailand, remain unknown because few Cyrtodactylus species in these regions have been described. Thus, a data set of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) gene and flanking tRNAs from Cyrtodactylus found in northern and western Thailand, including contiguous areas, was assembled to elucidate phylogenetic relationships and identify the distribution patterns of these geckos. The results showed four well-supported clades, a northwestern clade (A), a northern clade (B), a western clade (C), and a special clade characterized by specific morphological features (D). Clades A-C were grouped with strong support by the geography of their localities from northern Thailand (Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai Provinces) along the Tenasserim mountain ranges to Phang-Nga Province, Thailand. Clade D is a distinct clade of Cyrtodactylus species characterized by a tuberculate and prehensile tail and distributed widely in mainland Southeast Asia. Overall, the results suggest a pattern of geographic separation and distribution of Cyrtodactylus in northern and western Thailand. Additionally, this study provides evidence of a hidden biodiversity of Cyrtodactylus in these regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siriwadee Chomdej
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
- Research Center in Bioresources for Agriculture, Industry and Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
| | - Waranee Pradit
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | | | - Parinya Pawangkhanant
- School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao, 56000, Thailand
| | - Korakot Nganvongpanit
- Department of Veterinary Bioscience and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand
- Excellence Center in Veterinary Bioscience, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand
| | - Nikolay A Poyarkov
- Biological Faculty, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, 119234
- Laboratory of Tropical Ecology, Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Jing Che
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, Yunnan, China
- Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw, 05282, Myanmar
| | - Yangchun Gao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China
| | - Shiping Gong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Guangdong Institute of Applied Biological Resources, Guangdong Academy of Science, Guangzhou, 510260, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Keating SE, Blumer M, Grismer LL, Lin A, Nielsen SV, Thura MK, Wood PL, Quah ESH, Gamble T. Sex Chromosome Turnover in Bent-Toed Geckos ( Cyrtodactylus). Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12010116. [PMID: 33477871 PMCID: PMC7832896 DOI: 10.3390/genes12010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lizards and snakes (squamates) are known for their varied sex determining systems, and gecko lizards are especially diverse, having evolved sex chromosomes independently multiple times. While sex chromosomes frequently turnover among gecko genera, intrageneric turnovers are known only from Gekko and Hemidactylus. Here, we used RADseq to identify sex-specific markers in two species of Burmese bent-toed geckos. We uncovered XX/XY sex chromosomes in Cyrtodactylus chaunghanakwaensis and ZZ/ZW sex chromosomes in Cyrtodactylus pharbaungensis. This is the third instance of intrageneric turnover of sex chromosomes in geckos. Additionally, Cyrtodactylus are closely related to another genus with intrageneric turnover, Hemidactylus. Together, these data suggest that sex chromosome turnover may be common in this clade, setting them apart as exceptionally diverse in a group already known for diverse sex determination systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon E. Keating
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA; (S.V.N.); (T.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-414-288-6551
| | - Madison Blumer
- Keck Science Department, Scripps College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA;
| | - L. Lee Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA 92515, USA;
| | - Aung Lin
- Fauna and Flora International, No (35), 3rd Floor, Shan Gone Condo, Myay Ni Gone Market Street, Sanchaung Township, Yangon 11111, Myanmar;
| | - Stuart V. Nielsen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA; (S.V.N.); (T.G.)
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI 48128, USA
- Department of Herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, FL 31611, USA
| | - Myint Kyaw Thura
- Myanmar Environment Sustainable Conservation, Yangon 11181, Myanmar;
| | - Perry L. Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences and Museum of Natural History, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
| | - Evan S. H. Quah
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu 21030, Malaysia;
| | - Tony Gamble
- Department of Biological Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA; (S.V.N.); (T.G.)
- Milwaukee Public Museum, 800 W. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
- Bell Museum of Natural History, University of Minnesota, 2088 Larpenteur Ave. W., St. Paul, MN 55113, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Quah ESH. BOOK REVIEWS. COPEIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1643/ct2020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Evan S. H. Quah
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia;
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Grismer LL, Wood PL, Le MD, Quah ESH, Grismer JL. Evolution of habitat preference in 243 species of Bent-toed geckos (Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827) with a discussion of karst habitat conservation. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:13717-13730. [PMID: 33391675 PMCID: PMC7771171 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the processes that underpin adaptive evolutionary shifts within major taxonomic groups has long been a research directive among many evolutionary biologists. Such phenomena are best studied in large monophyletic groups that occupy a broad range of habitats where repeated exposure to novel ecological opportunities has happened independently over time in different lineages. The gekkonid genus Cyrtodactylus is just such a lineage with approximately 300 species that range from South Asia to Melanesia and occupy a vast array of habitats. Ancestral state reconstructions using a stochastic character mapping analysis of nine different habitat preferences were employed across a phylogeny composed of 76% of the known species of Cyrtodactylus. This was done in order to ascertain which habitat preference is the ancestral condition and from that condition, the transition frequency to more derived habitat preferences. The results indicate that a general habitat preference is the ancestral condition for Cyrtodactylus and the frequency of transitioning from a general habitat preference to anything more specialized occurs approximately four times more often than the reverse. Species showing extreme morphological and/or ecological specializations generally do not give rise to species bearing other habitat preferences. The evolution of different habitat preferences is generally restricted to clades that tend to occur in specific geographic regions. The largest radiations in the genus occur in rocky habitats (granite and karst), indicating that the transition from a general habitat preference to a granite or karst-dwelling life style may be ecologically uncomplicated. Two large, unrelated clades of karst-associated species are centered in northern Indochina and the largest clade of granite-associated species occurs on the Thai-Malay Peninsula. Smaller, independent radiations of clades bearing other habitat preferences occur throughout the tree and across the broad distribution of the genus. With the exception of a general habitat preference, the data show that karst-associated species far out-number all others (29.6% vs. 0.4%-10.2%, respectively) and the common reference to karstic regions as "imperiled arcs of biodiversity" is not only misleading but potentially dangerous. Karstic regions are not simply refugia harboring the remnants of local biodiversity but are foci of speciation that continue to generate the most speciose, independent, radiations across the genus. Unfortunately, karstic landscapes are some of the most imperiled and least protected habitats on the planet and these data continue to underscore the urgent need for their conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Lee Grismer
- Herpetology LaboratoryDepartment of BiologyLa Sierra UniversityRiversideCAUSA
| | - Perry L. Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences & Museum of Natural HistoryAuburn UniversityAuburnALUSA
| | - Minh Duc Le
- Department of Environmental EcologyFaculty of Environmental SciencesUniversity of ScienceVietnam National University, HanoiHanoiVietnam
- Central Institute of Natural Resources and Environmental StudiesVietnam National University, HanoiHanoiVietnam
- Department of HerpetologyAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Evan S. H. Quah
- Herpetology LaboratoryDepartment of BiologyLa Sierra UniversityRiversideCAUSA
- Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable DevelopmentUniversiti Malaysia TerengganuTerengganuMalaysia
| | - Jesse L. Grismer
- Herpetology LaboratoryDepartment of BiologyLa Sierra UniversityRiversideCAUSA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Luu VQ, Van OL, Hoang TT, Pham Van T, Le Duc O, Bordes C, Leprince B, Amori G, Luiselli L. Ecological characteristics of a recently described, critically endangered gecko species, endemic to Central Highland, Vietnam. TROPICAL ZOOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.4081/tz.2020.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Gia Lai bent-toed gecko (Cyrtodactylus gialaiensis) was firstly described in 2017, and is an endemic species with very restricted distributional range, estimated to be less than 10 km2 in coffee plantation in Gia Lai province, Central Highland of Vietnam. This species is listed as Critically Endangered (CR) in the IUCN Red List. To date, the natural history of this species is totally unknown. In this paper, we provide the first-of-ever natural history data on this highly threatened gecko species, with emphasis on morphometrics, habitat preferences, thermal ecology, and activity patterns. In 23 days of surveys, we captured 42 C. gialaiensis individuals and recaptured 4 of them. Sex ratio was not skewed from equality and juveniles accounted for 23.8% of the observed individuals. The two sexes did not differ in terms of mean Snout-to-Vent Length, Tail Length and weight, but the adult females had longer head than adult males. Geckos were observed at a mean substratum temperature of 24.2±1°C (n=14), and exhibited a mean body temperature of 29.5±2.5°C (n=14). There was no significant correlation between substratum and body temperatures. Body temperatures were significantly higher than substratum temperatures. The study species exhibited a clearly nocturnal above-ground activity, with main peak occurring between 20:00-21:30 h.
Collapse
|
13
|
Diversification of bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus) on Sumatra and west Java. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 134:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
14
|
Grismer LL, Wood PL, Quah ES, Thura MK, Espinoza RE, Murdoch ML. A new species of crocodile newt Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from northern Myanmar (Burma). J NAT HIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1587534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Lee Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Perry L. Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences & Museum of Natural History, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Evan S.H. Quah
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Minden, Malaysia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Rujirawan A, Fong JJ, Ampai N, Yodthong S, Termprayoon K, Aowphol A. A new karst-dwelling gecko of the Gekko petricolusgroup (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Phitsanulok Province, central Thailand. J NAT HIST 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1597937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Attapol Rujirawan
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Natee Ampai
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Yodthong
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Korkhwan Termprayoon
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anchalee Aowphol
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Agarwal I, Khandekar A, Giri VB, Ramakrishnan U, Karanth KP. The hills are alive with geckos! A radiation of a dozen species on sky islands across peninsular India (Squamata: Gekkonidae, Hemiphyllodactylus) with the description of three new species. ORG DIVERS EVOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s13127-019-00392-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
|
17
|
Poyarkov NA, Nguyen TV, Duong TV, Gorin VA, Yang JH. A new limestone-dwelling species of Micryletta (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from northern Vietnam. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5771. [PMID: 30310757 PMCID: PMC6174876 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report on a new species of the genus Micryletta from limestone karst areas in northern Vietnam, which is described on the basis of molecular and morphological evidence. Micryletta nigromaculata sp. nov. is restricted to narrow areas of subtropical forests covering karst massifs in Cat Ba National Park (Hai Phong Province) and Cuc Phuong National Park (Ninh Binh Province) at elevations of 90-150 m a.s.l. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species is unambiguously positioned as a sister lineage to all remaining species of Micryletta. We also discuss genealogical relationships and taxonomic problems within the genus Micryletta, provide molecular evidence for the validity of M. erythropoda and discuss the taxonomic status of M. steinegeri. We suggest the new species should be considered as Endangered (B1ab(iii), EN) following the IUCN's Red List categories. A discussion on herpetofaunal diversity and conservation in threatened limestone karst massifs in Southeast Asia is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay A. Poyarkov
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Laboratory of Tropical Ecology, Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Tan Van Nguyen
- Save Vietnam’s Wildlife, Ninh Binh, Vietnam
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang City, Vietnam
| | - Tang Van Duong
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Vladislav A. Gorin
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jian-Huan Yang
- Kadoorie Conservation China, Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Grismer LL, Wood PL, Quah ES, Murdoch ML, Grismer MS, Herr MW, Espinoza RE, Brown RM, Lin A. A phylogenetic taxonomy of the Cyrtodactylus peguensis group (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) with descriptions of two new species from Myanmar. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5575. [PMID: 30258710 PMCID: PMC6151117 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A phylogenetic taxonomy of species in the Cyrtodactylus peguensis group from the Ayeyarwady Basin of Myanmar is constructed based on color pattern, morphology, and molecular systematic analyses using the mitochondrial gene NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2. Newly collected samples from the type locality of C. peguensis and other localities indicate that this clade is endemic to central Myanmar and contains at least seven species, four of which are undescribed. Three species, including C. peguensis occur in the low hills of the Bago Yoma Range within the central portion of the Ayeyarwady Basin. Two of these, C. myintkyawthurai sp. nov. from the northern and central Bago Yoma and C. meersi sp. nov. which is syntopic with C. peguensis in the southern Bago Yoma are described herein. As more lowland hilly areas bordering, and within the Ayeyarwady Basin are surveyed, more new species of this group are likely to be discovered. These discoveries continue the recent surge of descriptions of new species of Cyrtodactylus that are being discovered in Myanmar.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L. Lee Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Perry L. Wood
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Evan S.H. Quah
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Marta S. Grismer
- Herpetology Laboratory, Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Mark W. Herr
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Robert E. Espinoza
- Department of Biology, California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA, USA
| | - Rafe M. Brown
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity Institute, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Aung Lin
- Department of Biology, Fauna and Flora International, Yangon, Myanmar
| |
Collapse
|