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Natusch DJ, Esquerré D, Lyons JA, Hamidy A, Lemmon AR, Moriarty Lemmon E, Riyanto A, Keogh JS, Donnellan S. Species delimitation and systematics of the green pythons (Morelia viridis complex) of melanesia and Australia. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2020; 142:106640. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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2
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Meningeal Granular Cell Tumour in a Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis). J Comp Pathol 2019; 174:54-57. [PMID: 31955803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2019.10.190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Granular cell tumours (GCTs) are uncommon neoplasms mostly reported in man, dogs and horses. The origin of GCT is thought to be Schwann cells, with the associated characteristics of neural crest morphology. Neoplastic cells often demonstrate positive immunoreactivity for S100, LC3, vimentin and p62. They are also periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive and diastase resistant. A female green tree python (Morelia viridis) was presented for severe constipation and hyporexia of 4 month's duration and, despite treatment, died the next day. A 4.8 × 3.4 mm intracalvarial GCT was identified, compressing the overlying cerebrum without invasion. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive to S100 and had brightly eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules that were PAS positive and diastase resistant. Electron microscopy revealed numerous cytoplasmic lysosomes in neoplastic cells. GCTs are reported rarely in non-mammalian species with three reports in birds. This represents the first report of a GCT in a reptile.
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Khan MK, Herberstein ME. Ontogenetic colour change signals sexual maturity in a non‐territorial damselfly. Ethology 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Md Kawsar Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Marie E. Herberstein
- Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney New South Wales Australia
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Shelton MB, Goldingay RL, Phillips SS. Population ecology of a cryptic arboreal snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus). AUST J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/zo18009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Biologists have traditionally been reluctant to study arboreal snakes due to low rates of capture. Overlooking such taxa can mislead interpretations of population trends for data-deficient species. We used regularly spaced transect searches and standard capture–mark–recapture techniques to describe population structure, growth rates, survival and capture probability in a population of the pale-headed snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus) in southern Queensland. We obtained data from 194 captures of 113 individual snakes between 2009 and 2015. Using the Cormack–Jolly–Seber method, we estimated apparent annual survival in subadult snakes at 0.23 ± 0.01 (s.e.) and 0.81 ± 0.08 for adults. Capture probability was estimated at 0.16 ± 0.14 per session in subadult snakes and 0.33 ± 0.06 for adults. Within the red gum forests of our study site, we estimate pale-headed snake density at ~13 ± 7 ha–1. Using von Bertalanffy growth modelling, we predict that snakes reach sexual maturity after about four years and may live for up to 20. Our results suggest that the species is a ‘k’ strategist, characterised by slow maturation and low fecundity. These traits suggest that populations will recover slowly following decline, exacerbating the risk of local extinction.
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Lee SA. Metabolism of dinosaurs as determined from their growth. PHYSICAL REVIEW. E, STATISTICAL, NONLINEAR, AND SOFT MATTER PHYSICS 2015; 92:032706. [PMID: 26465497 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.92.032706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A model based on cellular properties is used to analyze the mass growth curves of 20 dinosaurs. This analysis yields the first measurement of the average cellular metabolism of dinosaurs. The organismal metabolism is also determined. The cellular metabolism of dinosaurs is found to decrease with mass at a slower rate than is observed in extant animals. The organismal metabolism increases with the mass of the dinosaur. These results come from both the Saurischia and Ornithischia branches of Dinosauria, suggesting that the observed metabolic features were common to all dinosaurs. The results from dinosaurs are compared to data from extant placental and marsupial mammals, a monotreme, and altricial and precocial birds, reptiles, and fish. Dinosaurs had cellular and organismal metabolisms in the range observed in extant mesotherms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Lee
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio 43606, USA
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Rajabizadeh M, Adriaens D, Kaboli M, Sarafraz J, Ahmadi M. Dorsal colour pattern variation in Eurasian mountain vipers (genus Montivipera): A trade-off between thermoregulation and crypsis. ZOOL ANZ 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2015.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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7
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Geographic and Sexual Variations in Body Size, Morphology, and Diet among Five Populations of Green Pythons (Morelia viridis). J HERPETOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1670/12-207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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8
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Grady JM, Enquist BJ, Dettweiler-Robinson E, Wright NA, Smith FA. Dinosaur physiology. Evidence for mesothermy in dinosaurs. Science 2014; 344:1268-72. [PMID: 24926017 DOI: 10.1126/science.1253143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Were dinosaurs ectotherms or fast-metabolizing endotherms whose activities were unconstrained by temperature? To date, some of the strongest evidence for endothermy comes from the rapid growth rates derived from the analysis of fossil bones. However, these studies are constrained by a lack of comparative data and an appropriate energetic framework. Here we compile data on ontogenetic growth for extant and fossil vertebrates, including all major dinosaur clades. Using a metabolic scaling approach, we find that growth and metabolic rates follow theoretical predictions across clades, although some groups deviate. Moreover, when the effects of size and temperature are considered, dinosaur metabolic rates were intermediate to those of endotherms and ectotherms and closest to those of extant mesotherms. Our results suggest that the modern dichotomy of endothermic versus ectothermic is overly simplistic.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Grady
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.
| | - Brian J Enquist
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. The Santa Fe Institute, USA, 1399 Hyde Park Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
| | | | - Natalie A Wright
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Felisa A Smith
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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9
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Allen WL, Baddeley R, Scott-Samuel NE, Cuthill IC. The evolution and function of pattern diversity in snakes. Behav Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/art058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Natusch DJD, Lyons JA. Relationships between ontogenetic changes in prey selection, head shape, sexual maturity, and colour in an Australasian python (Morelia viridis). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.01941.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Porter R, Weigel J, Shine R. Natural history of the rough-scaled python,Morelia carinata(Serpentes: Pythonidae). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.7882/az.2012.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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12
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Natusch DJD, Natusch DFS. Distribution, abundance and demography of green pythons (Morelia viridis) in Cape York Peninsula, Australia. AUST J ZOOL 2011. [DOI: 10.1071/zo11031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The green python (Morelia viridis) is an iconic snake species highly sought after in the pet trade and is the target of illegal collection. Despite their popularity, some important ecological attributes of green pythons remain unknown, making their effective conservation management difficult. Detection-only surveys were conducted throughout the potential range of the green python in Australia, and intensive mark–recapture surveys were conducted in the areas where there have been previous records. In total, 298 green pythons were located in the Iron, McIlwraith and Kawadji–Ngaachi ranges of Cape York, distributed over an estimated area of 2289 km2, where they frequented rainforest habitats and adjacent vine thickets. They were not found in the Lockerbie Scrub or Jardine River Catchment, despite anecdotal records. Green python density was estimated to be 540 km–2 in the Iron Range and 200 km–2 in the McIlwraith Range, where the percentages of adults captured were 56% and 83%, respectively. The differences between abundance and population demographics in the Iron and McIlwraith ranges may be due to differences in prey abundance and the impacts of collection. The results of this study provide baseline data to conservation managers and policy makers for the future conservation management of this species in Australia.
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Fearn S, Trembath DF. Body size, food habits, reproduction and growth in a population of black whip snakes (Demansia vestigiata) (Serpentes:Elapidae) in tropical Australia. AUST J ZOOL 2009. [DOI: 10.1071/zo08078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Two species of large black whip snakes (Demansia vestigiata and D. papuensis) are morphologically and ecologically similar and have broadly overlapping distributions. A long history of taxonomic difficulties has meant that most previous taxonomic and ecological studies comprise composite samples of both taxa. Here, we provide ecological data (body sizes, food habits, reproduction and inferred growth rates) collected from captured and road-killed specimens from a tropical population of D. vestigiata at Townsville, north-eastern Queensland, Australia. Males attain larger body sizes and have longer tails than females. All food items were ectotherms (lizards and frogs). Female reproductive cycles were strongly seasonal. Clutch size is significantly positively related to maternal body size. Egg dimensions, clutch mass and neonatal size are reported. Inferred growth rates indicate that sexual maturation is attained at ~21 months for females.
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Wilson D, Heinsohn R, Endler JA. The adaptive significance of ontogenetic colour change in a tropical python. Biol Lett 2007; 3:40-3. [PMID: 17443961 PMCID: PMC2373822 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2006.0574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ontogenetic colour change is typically associated with changes in size, vulnerability or habitat, but assessment of its functional significance requires quantification of the colour signals from the receivers' perspective. The tropical python, Morelia viridis, is an ideal species to establish the functional significance of ontogenetic colour change. Neonates hatch either yellow or red and both the morphs change to green with age. Here, we show that colour change from red or yellow to green provides camouflage from visually oriented avian predators in the different habitats used by juveniles and adults. This reflects changes in foraging behaviour and vulnerability as individuals mature and provides a rare demonstration of the adaptive value of ontogenetic colour change.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wilson
- Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National UniversityCanberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia
| | - Robert Heinsohn
- Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian National UniversityCanberra, Australian Capital Territory 0200, Australia
- Author for correspondence ()
| | - John A Endler
- School for Tropical Biology, James Cook UniversityTownsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
- Animal Behaviour Research Group, School of Psychology, Washington Singer Labs, University of ExeterPerry Road, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK
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Wilson D, Heinsohn R. Geographic range, population structure and conservation status of the green python (Morelia viridis), a popular snake in the captive pet trade. AUST J ZOOL 2007. [DOI: 10.1071/zo06078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Accurate knowledge of distribution and population size is required for effective conservation and management of wild species. Here we report on the first estimates of the distribution and density of the green python (Morelia viridis), an iconic rainforest species widely kept in captivity. We used climatic modelling to predict its distribution in Papua New Guinea, and both climate and vegetation mapping to predict its Australian distribution. We used mark–recapture methods to estimate the density and population structure of green pythons at Iron Range, northern Australia. Bioclimatic analyses suggested that there is extensive climatically suitable habitat in Papua New Guinea (≥200 000 km2), but very little in Australia (~300 km2). However, use of vegetation maps increases the predicted suitable area of occupancy in Australia to 3127 km2, including nine regional ecosystems. Density estimates at Iron Range were 4–5 ha–1 in the complex vine forest regional ecosystem; however, only half of these were mature adults. The large predicted area of occurrence and the high density in the one intensively studied area suggest that the species is not vulnerable to extinction in the short term. However, more studies are needed in both New Guinea and Australia, especially to quantify the impact of harvesting green pythons for the pet trade.
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