Ecophysiological observations on the body temperatures of the anurans Dendropsophus bifurcus, Rhinella marina, and Scinax ruber from upper basin Amazon in northeastern Ecuador

Ectothermic inhabitants of tropical forests are subjected to constant environmental temperatures, which determine their passive thermoregulatory strategies. We observe these trends during the summer of 2017, in the anurans Dendropsophus bifurcus, Rhinella marina, and Scinax ruber, in a tropical rainforest from the Upper Amazon Basin of Ecuador. D. bifurcus and S. ruber showed a tendency to tigmothermy, whereas R. marina presented tendencies towards heliothermy. Body temperatures (Tbs) did not differ between D. bifurcus and R. marina, but S. ruber presented a lower Tb. Our results suggest that thermal environment is influencing different thermoregulatory strategies as tigmothermy and heliothermy of frogs and toads distributed in tropical environments at low elevation

Nocturnal Behavior of Clark’s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii; Squamata; Lacertilia) in Acaponeta, Nayarit, México

There are several documented reports of nocturnal activity in reptiles considered exclusively diurnal (Lara- Resendiz 2020, Perry et al. 2008). Clark?s Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) is considered a diurnal active species, but there is a single observation of an adult male attempting to feed on moths at night over a two-hour period (Martínez-Méndez et al. 2013). Herein we report on additional nocturnal activities of S. clarkii and include descriptive thermal data.Fil: Loc Barragán, Jesús A.. Tecnológico Nacional de México. Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Zacapoaxtla. Maestría en Ciencias Ambientales; MéxicoFil: Lara Resendiz, Rafael Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Woolrich Piña, Guillermo A.. Tecnológico Nacional de México. Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Zacapoaxtla; Méxic

Avances y perspectivas en el estudio de la herpetofauna en el estado de Puebla, México

La herpetofauna es particularmente significativa para México, ya que a escala mundial ocupa el segundo lugar en diversidad de reptiles y el quinto lugar en diversidad de anfibios. En este contexto, el estado de Puebla ubicado en la región centro-sur de México, es de especial interés por ser uno de los estados con mayor diversidad herpetofaunística. En este trabajo se presenta un análisis bibliométrico de los estudios realizados en el campo de la herpetología en Puebla. A través de una búsqueda en bases de datos de artículos científicos, libros, capítulos de libros y tesis entre 1869 y 2020, se identificaron 187 trabajos relacionados con herpetofauna. Los temas con más representación fueron la ecología, distribución geográfica e inventarios herpetofaunísticos, mientras que los estudios relacionados con los efectos del cambio climático y la conservación estuvieron poco representados. Los reptiles fueron los más estudiados (53.5 %) con respecto a los anfibios (22.5 %), el restante 24 % corresponde a estudios que incluyeron ambos grupos taxonómicos. En el grupo de los reptiles, las lagartijas han sido objeto de un mayor número de estudios (66 %), seguidas de las serpientes (27 %), tortugas (3 %), cocodrilos (1 %) y de trabajos que incluyeron todos los grupos de reptiles (3 %). En el caso de los anfibios, los anuros han sido los más estudiados (59.6 %) con respecto a los caudados (35.7 %), mientras que sólo un 4.7 % de los estudios han abarcados ambos grupos. Se observa un desarrollo considerable en el estudio de los anfibios y reptiles en Puebla durante las últimas dos décadas. Sin embargo, es necesario focalizar la atención en los tópicos relacionados con la conservación y el cambio climático, los cuáles permitirán implementar estrategias de conservación efectivas orientadas a las especies más vulnerables.The herpetofauna is particularly significant for Mexico, since worldwide it ranks second in diversity of reptiles and fifth of amphibians. The Puebla State, located in the south-central region of Mexico, is of special interest because to the greatest herpetofaunal diversity. This paper presents a bibliographic review of the studies realized in the field of herpetology for the state of Puebla. Through a search in databases of scientific papers, books, chapters books and thesis between 1869 and 2020, we identified 187 products related to herpetofauna. The topics with more representation were the ecology, geographic distribution, and herpetofaunal inventories, compared to studies related to the effects of climate change and conservation. The reptiles were most studied (53.5%) with respect to amphibians (22.5%), the remaining 24% corresponds to studies that included both taxonomic groups. For reptiles, lizards have been most studied (66%), followed by snakes (27%), turtles (3%), crocodiles (1%) and works that included all reptile groups (3%). In the case of amphibians, anurans have been more studied (59.6%) with respect to caudates (35.7%), while only 4.7% of the studies have covered both groups. A considerable development is observed in the study of amphibians and reptiles in Puebla during the last two decades. However, it is necessary to focus attention on topics related to conservation and climate change, which will implement effective conservation strategies oriented to the most vulnerable species

Dieta de larvas de Ambystoma rivulare (Caudata: Ambystomatidae), una especie de salamandra amenazada del Volcán Nevado de Toluca, México

Varias especies de salamandras del género Ambystoma que habitan en las montañas que rodean a la Ciudad de México están consideradas en peligro de extinción. Sin embargo, se conoce poco sobre su ecología e historia natural. El Ajolote Arroyero de Toluca (Ambystoma rivulare) está clasificado como “Información Deficiente” por la UICN, y como “Amenazada” bajo la ley mexicana. De octubre 2013 a septiembre 2014, examinamos la dieta de larvas de A. rivulare que habitan en un arroyo del Volcán Nevado de Toluca en México. El estudio de la dieta de larvas de A. rivulare puede darnos el conocimiento necesario para saber cuáles son las características del hábitat que esta salamandra requiere para sobrevivir. Los ostrácodos representaron casi el 90% de las presas consumidas por larvas de A. rivulare. El número de ostrácodos encontrados en el estómago de un individuo incrementó con el tamaño corporal. Se observaron nematodos en tan sólo un poco más de un tercio de los estómagos examinados. En conclusión, la dieta de A. rivulare en el arroyo que estudiamos es poco diversa y está dominada por una sola presa, ostrácodos. Estos resultados sugieren que si las condiciones ambientales de este arroyo cambiarán tal que los ostrácodos se vieran afectados negativamente entonces la persistencia a largo plazo de esta población de A. rivulare podría estar en peligro.Várias espécies de salamandra do gênero Ambystoma ocorrem nas montanhas em torno da Cidade do México e são consideradas em risco de extinção. Contudo, pouco é conhecido sobre sua ecologia e história natural. Ambystoma rivulare é classificada como Deficiente em Dados pela IUCN e considerada Ameaçada pela lei mexicana. De outubro de 2013 a setembro de 2014 examinamos a dieta de larvas de A. rivulare de um riacho de Volcán Nevado de Toluca, México, para obter informações sobre a adequabilidade do habitat para sustentar essa população de salamandras. Ostrácodes responderam por cerca de 90% de todos os itens alimentares consumidos pelas larvas de A. rivulare. O número de ostrácodes encontrado nos estômagos aumentou com o tamanho corpóreo dos indivíduos, mas a proporção de ostrácodes não variou com o tamanho do corpo. Nemátodes foram observados em cerca de 1/3 dos estômagos examinados. A diversidade de presas na dieta de A. rivulare no riacho estudado é baixa e dominada por um único táxon, ostrácodes. Nossos resultados sugerem que, se as condições ambientais do riacho mudarem de maneira que os ostrácodes sejam negativamente afetados, a persistência de longa duração dessa população poderá tornar-se ameaçada.Several species of salamander in the genus Ambystoma occur in the mountains surrounding Mexico City and are considered at risk of extinction. However, little is known about their ecology and natural history. The Toluca Stream Siredon (Ambystoma rivulare) is classified as “Data Deficient” by the IUCN, and considered “Threatened” under Mexican law. From October 2013 to September 2014, we examined the diet of larval A. rivulare from a stream on the Volcán Nevado de Toluca in Mexico to provide insight into the suitability of the habitat to support this population of salamanders. Ostracods accounted for approximately 90% of all prey items consumed by larval A. rivulare. The number of ostracods found in stomachs increased with individual body size, but the proportion of ostracods in stomachs did not vary with body size. Nematodes were observed in approximately one third of the stomachs we examined. The diversity of prey in the diet of A. rivulare in the stream we studied is low and dominated by a single prey taxon, ostracods. Our results suggest that if environmental conditions in the stream change such that ostracods are negatively affected then the long-term persistence of this population of A. rivulare might be in jeopardy

Effects of body temperature on initial bite force in three species of rock- and crevice-dwelling lizards from Mexico

Bite force can be an important aspect of a lizard’s organismal performance, and is likely to be subject to influence by ambient conditions including an individual’s thermal environment. We examined the effects of body temperature (Tb) on initial bite force of rock- and crevice-dwelling individuals of three species of lizards: Abronia graminea (Anguidae), Barisia imbricata (Anguidae), and Xenosaurus fractus (Xenosauridae) from Mexico. In B. imbricata and X. fractus from one site (Xochititan, Puebla) initial bite force was greatest at intermediate Tb. In contrast, X. fractus from a second site (Tlatlauquitepec, Puebla) showed a weak tendency for initial bite force to increase with Tb. Initial bite force in A. graminea was not affected by Tb. Taking our results together, we infer that initial bite force in rock- or crevice-dwelling lizards is often, but not always, related to Tb

Thermal ecology of the lizard Sceloporus gadoviae (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) in a semiarid region of southern Puebla, Mexico.

Estudamos a ecologia térmica do lagarto Sceloporus gadoviaede Puebla, México. A temperatura corporal média (Tb) foi de 31.5 ± 0.3˚C. Uma regressão múltipla sugeriu que Tb foi afetada pela temperatura do substrato e insolação, e minimamente afetada pela temperatura do ar (Ta), sexo e tamanho do corpo. No entanto, a temperatura corporal foi mais elevada em fêmeas do que em machos e em fêmeas ovígeras do que em fêmeas não-ovígeras. Também encontramos diferenças significativas nas Tbs de lagartos que ocupam micro-habitats com diferentes graus de insolação (ensolarado, nublado e sombreado). Os resultados sugerem que a variação na Tb de S. gadoviae pode ser explicada pela condição reprodutiva, uso de micro-habitats e variação na temperatura do substrato dos micro-habitats ocupados por esses lagartos.We studied the thermal ecology of the lizard Sceloporus gadoviae from Puebla, Mexico. Mean body temperature (Tb) was 31.5 ± 0.3˚C. A multiple regression suggested that Tb was affected by substrate temperature and solar insolation, and minimally affected by ambient temperature (Ta), sex, and body size. However, body temperature was higher in females than males, and higher in gravid females than non-gravid females. We also found significant differences in Tbs of lizards occupying microhabitats with different insolation (sunny, overcast day, and shade). Results suggestthat variation in Tb of S. gadoviae can be explained by reproductive condition, microhabitat use, and variation in substrate temperature of microhabitats occupied by these lizards

Distribution of tadpoles of Ollotis occidentalis (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae) along the Río Salado, Puebla, México

We examined monthly variation in the characteristics of river sections along the Río Salado (Puebla, Mexico) and how these factors were associated with the dis- tribution of the tadpoles of the toad Ollotis occidentalis. Tadpoles were observed in the river in March 2007, and from November 2007 through February 2008 and were only found in the main river channel. Sections of the Río Salado with tadpoles were deeper, wider, and longer than sections without tadpoles. Dissolved oxygen levels were higher and salinity was lower in river sections with tadpoles compared to the sections without tadpoles. There was no difference in temperature between sections with and without tadpoles. Tadpoles were found in river sections that contained more vegeta- tion than river section without tadpoles. Our results suggest that the distribution of tadpoles of O. occidentalis is related to the permanence of water, the chemical nature of the water, and the presence of vegetation