We describe a new species of forest frog (genus Platymantis) from Mt. Malinao, Bicol Peninsula, southern Luzon Island, The Philippines. The new species is distinguished from congeners by a moderate body size (28.3–39.1 mm for eight males; 49.8–52.7 in two females), slightly expanded terminal finger and toe disks, a distinct color pattern, a unique microhabitat preference, and various spectral and temporal aspects of the advertisement call. The new species is known only from 950–1160 m above sea level on Mt. Malinao and, as such, accentuates this mountain's unrecognized conservation significance as a minor center of herpetological diversity and endemism on southern Luzon. We compare the new species to all presumably related (phenotypically similar) species of Platymantis from the Philippines and comment on apparent trends in morphological evolution and habitat preference in Philippine members of the genus Platymantis. Current understanding of Platymantis species diversity throughout this topographically and geographically complex archipelago is underestimated and in need of comprehensive review.

Members of the genus Psilorhynchus are small cypriniform fishes adapted for life in the fast flowing streams of the Ganga–Brahmaputra drainage of India and Eastern Nepal and the Ayeyarwady drainage of Northern Myanmar and adjacent China. The systematic placement of Psilorhynchus within existing cypriniform classification schemes has been controversial since the creation of this genus by McClelland in 1839. Over the last 150 years Psilorhynchus has been assigned to, and removed from, the Cyprinidae, Balitoridae, and Cobitidae at least once and has even been placed in its own family, Psilorhynchidae. In this paper we investigate the gill-arch osteology of two species of Psilorhynchus (P. sucatio and P. balitora) and compare their general features to those of a ‘typical’ member of the Cyprinidae. Additionally, we reassess the most recent testable phylogenetic analyses to include species of Psilorhynchus. We conclude based on evidence from gill-arch osteology that Psilorhynchus is more closely related to non-cyprinid cypriniforms than to members of the Cyprinidae.

Because of their high densities and generalist feeding behaviors, the introduced frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui, has been hypothesized to consume and potentially reduce endemic invertebrates in Hawaii. To address this hypothesis, I compared E. coqui diets to invertebrate abundances in 11 sites on the Islands of Hawaii and Maui in the summer of 2004. At each site, I collected between 22 and 119 frogs from 20 × 20-m plots, and invertebrates from light traps, beating trays, and leaf litter samples. Prey items in frog stomachs were identified to order, and invertebrates collected in environmental samples were identified to the lowest taxonomic category possible. Multivariate analyses of diet content and invertebrates collected at each site suggest that most prey was from the leaf litter. Non-native ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and amphipods (Amphipoda: Talitridae) comprised 30% and 22%, respectively, of the total prey items consumed. These non-native invertebrates were more abundant in stomachs of E. coqui than in the environment indicating a preference for these species. There was little evidence that E. coqui were reducing important invertebrate pests. No mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) were found in stomachs, and termites (Isoptera) comprised <1% of the total prey items. Arthropod orders containing endemic species that appear most vulnerable to E. coqui predation include Acarina (mites), Coleoptera (beetles), Collembola (springtails), and Diptera (flies), which each made up >2% of the diet of E. coqui. Dominant prey items in frog stomachs differed among study sites suggesting that frogs are opportunistic feeders and forage on abundant prey items. Eleutherodactylus coqui management should focus on areas with endemic invertebrates of concern because it is these locations where E. coqui may have the greatest impact.

Two new species of Akysis from Sumatra are described, and A. variegatus, the type species of Akysis, is redescribed. All three species are members of the A. variegatus species group, characterized by a space between the anterior nostril and the base of the nasal barbel that is about equal to the diameter of the anterior nostril, relatively small anterior and posterior nostrils (with a diameter less than that of the eye), the anterior nostril located at the end of a short tube, subequal jaws, and an emarginate caudal fin. The two new species are morphologically similar to one another but differ dramatically in the sculpturing on top of the head.

We review the taxonomic status of all known populations of toads referred to Crepidophryne epiotica from Costa Rica and Panama and summarize what little is known about their distribution and ecology. Morphological comparisons of museum specimens indicate the existence of at least three species in this complex. We use these morphological data to describe two new species and offer a redescription of C. epiotica (sensu stricto). Based on the few records available, these species appear to be allopatrically distributed among the Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera Central of Costa Rica and Cordillera de Talamanca of Costa Rica and adjacent areas in Panama.

A new synaphobranchid eel from the Brazilian continental slope is described herein as Synaphobranchus calvus. The species is distinguished from its congeners by the absence of scales on the head (vs. head scaled in other species) and its black to brown body with a deep blue belly (vs. body entirely black, gray, or brown in the remaining species). Further comments about the synaphobranchid eels of the western South Atlantic are given and a key with new characters to all species of Synaphobranchus are provided.

We conducted a demographic analysis from 2000 to 2004 of a population of the crevice-dwelling lizard, Xenosaurus grandis, in Veracruz, México. We used population projection matrices to model its population dynamics. Three of the four annual matrices projected an actively growing population, whereas the matrix corresponding to 2003–2004 projected a declining population, apparently associated with a higher-than-average environmental temperature during this period. Observed population structure differed from that expected at equilibrium, according to the four matrices. Highest reproductive values corresponded to adult categories. The transition of newborns and juveniles to larger categories, as well as adult stasis, were the vital rates that made the largest contribution to population growth rate (λ). Growth from one size class to the next was the demographic process that contributed the most to λ, and all size classes had similar elasticities in all years. Stochastic simulations integrating interannual demographic variability projected population growth rates above unity, even under an ecological scenario that consisted of 50% of unfavorable years. Despite this trend toward positive population growth, this X. grandis population faces an imminent threat due to the growing industrial development in the region in which it is endemic. Thus, we suggest this population as a primary target for conservation efforts, as well as a change in the conservation category of this species from “special protection” to “threatened.”

Information about sexual dimorphism is essential for understanding the ecology, behavior, and life history of a species, as well as for making morphological comparisons between populations. Furthermore, in order to understand the evolution of sexual dimorphism, it is important to know whether sexual dimorphism is genetically determined or the result of phenotypic plasticity. To this end, we have characterized patterns of sexual dimorphism in the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). These fish are widely distributed throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, and their behavior, ecology, and evolution have been extensively characterized. We first examined sexual dimorphism in morphometric and meristic characters of wild-caught threespine sticklebacks from multiple populations that demonstrate different life history strategies in order to understand general patterns of sexual dimorphism in the threespine stickleback. Next, we made several crosses by in vitro fertilization and raised them in the laboratory to investigate developmental and genetic contributions to sexual dimorphism. Morphological analysis of wild-caught breeding males and females from four North American and six Asian populations revealed that adult males have larger heads and mouths than adult females in all populations. In contrast, adult females were longer in standard length and had longer pelvic girdles than adult males in many populations. Sexual dimorphism in dorsal-spine length was variable among populations. Except for body size, sexual dimorphism in most external morphological traits was similar between wild-caught and lab-reared fish. However, sexual dimorphism was only observed after the fish became reproductively mature. These results suggest that general features of secondary sexual characters are shared across different threespine stickleback populations and that sexual dimorphism in some morphological traits may have a genetic basis.

A new characid species, Hasemania nambiquara, is described from the upper Rio Tapajós, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all other Hasemania by the unique presence of one vertically-elongate black humeral spot and a broad horizontal black band ventral to midlateral line between humeral region and caudal fin.

We present body and clutch size information for two Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations, the southernmost populations for which such information is available. We combine these data with previous studies of 17 other populations to evaluate geographic variation in body and clutch size. Our study sites were Okeeheelee County Park, Palm Beach Co., Florida (OCP), and Archbold Biological Station, Highlands Co., Florida (ABS). Mean clutch sizes were 8.2 and 6.3 and mean adult female carapace lengths 308 mm and 274 mm at OCP and ABS, respectively. At OCP, clutch size showed a polynomial relationship with body size, with largest clutches at intermediate adult body sizes. This relationship may reflect senescence. Clutch sizes at ABS were not significantly associated with body size. Body size variation among populations showed a polynomial relationship to latitude, temperature, productivity, and seasonality; body sizes were smallest at intermediate values of all independent variables. Gopher Tortoises produce larger clutches in areas that are more southern, warmer, have greater productivity, and are less seasonal. Of environmental variables, clutch size variation is best explained by productivity. Future studies of other populations, particularly from the southern part of the range, are needed to evaluate the significance of the apparently unique clutch size--body size relationship observed at OCP, and to further clarify how and why body and clutch sizes vary throughout the range.

Pteropsaron springeri, new species, is described from 18 specimens collected from the Philippines and Indonesia. It differs from all other species of the Pteropsaron/Osopsaron complex in that the first dorsal fin has only three spines and is displaced anteriorly to lie over the posterior end of the occiput. The proximal ends of the pterygiophores lie against the second and third neural arches, which are bent forward to form horizontal processes that accommodate the pterygiophores. Based on a synapomorphy in the suspensorium, we suggest that the relationships of Pteropsaron and related genera (subfamily Hemerocoetinae) lie with the Creediidae and Trichonotidae, and not with the Percophidae, where they have traditionally been placed. An abbreviated key is provided to the family Trichonotidae as we construe it, which contains three subfamilies: the Creediinae, Hemerocoetinae, and Trichonotinae. We tentatively recognize eight genera in the Hemerocoetinae: Hemerocoetes, and the “Pteropsaron-like” genera Acanthaphritis, Osopsaron, Pteropsaron, Dactylopsaron, Enigmapercis, Matsubaraea, and Squamicreedia, although the relationship of the former to the latter seven needs further investigation. The species of Osopsaron and Pteropsaron are treated briefly, and some new information is presented. We provisionally place two species in Osopsaron (O. verecundum and O. karlik) and seven species in Pteropsaron (P. evolans, P. formosensis, P. heemstrai, P. incisum, P. natalensis, P. neocaledonicus, and P. springeri).

This research examined the onset, duration, and termination of hibernation in Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) over several years at multiple sites in the northeastern part of their geographic range, and recorded the temperatures experienced by tortoises during winter hibernation. The timing of hibernation by Desert Tortoises differed among sites and years. Environmental cues acting over the short-term did not appear to influence the timing of the hibernation period. Different individual tortoises entered hibernation over as many as 44 days in the fall and emerged from hibernation over as many as 49 days in the spring. This range of variation in the timing of hibernation indicates a weak influence at best of exogenous cues hypothesized to trigger and terminate hibernation. There do appear to be regional trends in hibernation behavior as hibernation tended to begin earlier and continue longer at sites that were higher in elevation and generally cooler. The emergence date was generally more similar among study sites than the date of onset. While the climate and the subsequent timing of hibernation differed among sites, the average temperatures experienced by tortoises while hibernating differed by only about five degrees from the coldest site to the warmest site.

The Neotropical ghost knifefish genus Sternarchogiton is revised on the basis of morphology and pigmentation. A new diagnosis for the genus is provided. Two new deep-channel taxa from the lowland portions of the Amazon basin are described: S. labiatus and S. preto. Sternarchogiton labiatus is diagnosed by the possession of a hard, prominent, three-lobed structure on the lower lips, two rows of teeth on the dentary, a second hypobranchial with a medial bridge, an ossified first basibranchial, and cartilaginous posterior basibranchials. Sternarchogiton preto is diagnosed by black or very dark brown body coloration, five long and conical teeth on the premaxilla, a dentary with one row of conical teeth pointing toward inside of mouth, the fusion of the supracleithrum and posttemporal, and anterior portion of coracoid not reaching anterior edge of cleithrum. A dichotomous key to species of the genus is provided.

We quantified movements, spacing, and activity of Sonoran Mud Turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) in interrupted mountain streams of southern Arizona over an 18-year period using capture–recapture sampling and radiotelemetry. Movement and activity patterns of turtles depended on water availability and varied by their sex and size. Although considered almost entirely aquatic in Arizona, mud turtles estivated terrestrially during periods of extreme drought. After the onset of summer rains, turtles increased the frequency with which they moved between pools and to nesting sites. Movements (average distance moved [AvD] ± SE) of all turtles were shorter during drought years (males = 26 ± 1.3 m, females = 19 ± 1.3 m) than non-drought years (males = 153 ± 1.2 m; females = 41 ± 1.2 m). Adult male turtles made longer movements (93 ± 1.2) and had longer home-range lengths (206 ± 1.2 m) than did adult females (AvD = 38 ± 1.2; home range = 40 ± 1.2 m). Younger adult females (carapace length [CL] 100–118 mm) made longer movements (52 ± 1.2 m) and had longer home ranges (80 ± 1.9 m) than did older females (>118 CL mm; AvD = 38 ± 1.2 m; home range = 26 ± 2.2 m). Males made movements >500 m more frequently (8%) than females (2%) and moved as far as 7.2 km as measured along drainage bottoms. Large turtles used pools exclusively, only rarely sharing pools with other large individuals of the same sex. Degradation and losses of interior wetlands in the southwestern U.S. have reduced the potential for long-distance movements of turtles among disjunct, remnant populations, which has consequences for conservation of turtles and other aquatic species in the region.

We describe a new species of Luperosaurus on the basis of three recently collected specimens from Panay Island, Philippines. The new species is phenotypically similar to L. cumingii, but differs from it by the absence of enlarged ventrolateral tail tubercles and spinose scales on the edges of the anterior cutaneous expansions of the limbs, by having fewer middorsal scales, fewer ornamented tubercles on the head, neck, and body, differences in ventral color pattern, and a larger maximum body size. Examination of all available specimens of L. cumingii demonstrates that this species exhibits a high degree of morphological variation correlated with patterns of lineage isolation on several Pleistocene aggregate island complexes (biogeographical subprovinces) of the Philippines. Although it is suspected that L. cumingii comprises a complex of multiple species, current sampling limitations prevent taxonomic subdivision beyond the recognition of the new species described here. The name L. cumingii probably should only be applied to populations from Luzon Island. Luperosaurus cf. cumingii from Camiguin Sur and Lubang Island may represent additional unnamed species.

The Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) is an aquatic colubrid that is known for having a basically piscivorous diet and a female-biased sexual size dimorphism (larger females). The feeding habits of three populations of N. tessellata from Mediterranean streams in central Italy were studied. The three streams differed in terms of their water regimes, one being seasonal and two being perennial. More than 2,000 snake individuals were handled for food items, and 1,200 prey items were collected. The percent of fed snakes was significantly influenced by the study area and by the interaction term between study area and season (i.e., by the hydric regime). Fishes accounted for over 90% of the snake diets at all study areas, the most common prey species being cyprinids. Overall, the three snake populations had similar taxonomic diet composition. There was a significant ontogenetic change in diets in all populations. There were also significant intersexual differences in prey composition, with the females taking more Scardinius erythrophtalmus fishes and more anurans, and the males more Leuciscus s. muticellus. The various fish species found at the three study areas (15 species) were classified in terms of six independent ecological characteristics in order to investigate what factors make a given prey species suited or not for Dice Snakes. It appeared that N. tessellata selected mainly fish species that were gregarious, small to medium sized, active foraging, diurnal, and not using mud as preferred substratum. We also found that the seasonal desiccation of the stream-bed of one study area caused a shift in the diet composition of these snakes, with males and juveniles being the categories where the seasonal dietary shift was more evident. Males preyed especially on the fishes S. erythrophtalmus and Leuciscus cephalus, and the juveniles preyed upon Leuciscus s. muticellus, whereas in spring their primary prey was Alburnus a. alborella.

Distinct differences in body size exist among three Rana grylio populations in areas of the Florida Everglades that differ in frog harvest pressure and hydroperiod. Frogs from two populations are harvested regularly throughout the year, while those in the third are protected from harvest. We compared seasonal and sex differences in diet, reproduction, and growth across these populations to examine life-history patterns. By volume, crayfish and anurans were the most abundant prey items for all adults across sites. Frogs from drier sites consumed more crayfish than frogs from the wettest site. Anurans were abundant in the diet during the wet season, while crayfish and fish were abundant during the dry season. More frogs with empty stomachs were captured during the wet season than the dry season. Feeding, growth, and fat deposition were greatest during the dry season across all sites. Although females were found in all reproductive stages throughout the year, the highest percentage of females had mature ova during the late dry season and spent ovaries during the early wet season. Individual patterns of growth were similar across all sites and matched historical growth data from the 1950s. Differences in body size among sites were most likely attributable to differential mortality (i.e., harvest pressure, predation) rather than to differences in food access or growth.

We quantified deformities in the marginal papillae, tooth rows, and jaw sheaths of tadpoles from 13 population samples representing three families and 11 sites in the southeastern United States. Oral deformities were observed in all samples and in 13.5–98% of the specimens per sample. Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (chytrid) infections were detected in three samples. There was high variability among samples in the pattern and number of discovered deformities. Pairwise associations between oral structures containing deformities were nonrandom for several populations, especially those with B. dendrobatidis infections or high total numbers of deformities. Comparisons of deformities among samples using multivariate analyses revealed that tadpole samples grouped together by family. Analyses of ordination indicated that three variables, the number of deformities, the number of significant associations among deformity types within populations, and whether populations were infected with B. dendrobatidis, were significantly correlated with the pattern of deformities. Our data indicate that the incidence of oral deformities can be high in natural populations and that phylogeny and B. dendrobatidis infection exert a strong influence on the occurrence and type of oral deformities in tadpoles.

On 7 June 2006 a specimen of Forcepsfish, Forcipiger flavissimus, was observed engaging in cleaning behavior of a Bigscale Soldierfish, Myripristis berndti (Holocentridae). This behavior is described here as novel for the species. Anecdotal reports of similar behavior indicate that this species engages in cleaning with several hosts including other fishes and sea turtles. Reports of this behavior at other localities and among a variety of butterflyfish species indicate that cleaning may be a more important foraging strategy than previously thought.

We conducted a radio-telemetric study to assess home range size and structure in the Komodo monitor, Varanus komodoensis, using minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel statistics. Home ranges calculated by MCP varied from 278 ha to 530 ha, while areas covered by 100% kernel contours ranged from 170 ha to 390 ha. We suggest that these areas probably represent only part of the entire home range of V. komodoensis. Locations recorded during long excursions of up to 5,500 m accounted for most of the difference observed between MCP and kernel-based methods. Home ranges showed different partitioning of core areas of most intensive use, which covered up to 29.5% of kernel utilization distribution and 56% of MCPs. Our results provide preliminary data to develop comprehensive studies on space use patterns of the Komodo monitor as part of management and conservation initiatives for Komodo monitors in Komodo National Park and the island of Flores, southeast Indonesia.

Skeletochronology is the most commonly used tool for evaluating the age of amphibians and reptiles. However, the accuracy of skeletochronology is questionable because few studies have utilized individuals of known age to calibrate their results. In this study, the accuracy of skeletochronology was assessed using individual Arizona Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum) that were of known ages that varied from 2–15 years. Cross-sections of salamander toes were analyzed to compare the number of LAG (lines of arrested growth) to the actual age of known cohorts. Our results suggest that skeletochronology was an inaccurate tool for estimating age in this population of A. tigrinum nebulosum because it grossly underestimated age. The high intensity of endosteal resorption coupled with rapprochement of the most peripheral LAG may have produced these results. Our research indicates that skeletochronological studies that do not use individuals of known age for calibration may underestimate age.

Digestive tract contents were examined from 297 Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) in Virginia during 1983–2002. Analyses revealed a shift from predominantly Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) during the early to mid-1980s to predominantly Common Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Diet in the mid-1990s and in 2000–2002 was dominated by finfish, particularly Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus). These diet shifts suggest that horseshoe crab and blue crab population declines have caused loggerheads to forage in nets or on discarded fishery bycatch.

Observations of behaviors associated with reproduction in Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) have been reported in several studies, yet no clear temporal pattern of such activities has emerged from these observations. We used remote cameras to monitor a total of 37 focal female Gopher Tortoises, from which we documented seasonal and diel patterns of mountings by males. This was done at two sites in southern Georgia that represent the best remaining tortoise habitat of the northern portion of the geographic distribution of the species. Mounting behavior occurred as early as March and as late as October and had a unimodal peak during July, August, and September, a pattern that mimics testosterone cycles in males and estradiol cycles in females. For all months during which mountings were observed, the majority of mounts occurred from 1500 hr to dusk, a pattern that was more pronounced during peak months of attempted matings. We estimated that individual adult females experience 26 mount attempts from an average of 6 to 14 males each year.