Annotated catalogue of acrodont lizard types in the collection of the Naturalis Biodiverstity Center (Squamata: Agamidae, Chamaeleonidae).

A list of acrodont lizard type specimens extant in the Naturalis collection is presented here for the first time. The collections combines original specimens of the former Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden (RMNH) and the former Zologisch Museum Amsterdam (ZMA). Currently the Naturalis collection holds primary types of 25 agamid lizard species (11 holotypes, six lectotypes and syntypes for eight species, including types of two species where the type status is unclear) as well as numerous secondary types for 22 species (14 para- and eight paralectotype series). Type material present in the collection represents 29 currently valid agamid lizards taxa and three currently valid chameleon taxa.

Dragons in neglect: Taxonomic revision of the Sulawesi sailfin lizards of the genus Hydrosaurus Kaup, 1828 (Squamata, Agamidae).

Currently three different species are recognized within the Southeast Asian agamid genus Hydrosaurus: H. amboinensis (Schlosser, 1768) from Ambon, Seram, Sulawesi and New Guinea, H. pustulatus (Eschscholtz, 1829) from the Philippines and H. weberi Barbour, 1911 from Halmahera and adjacent islands. Historically, two additional species were described from the island of Sulawesi, but were synonymized with H. amboinensis more than a century ago and have been treated as such in most subsequent publications. In order to revise the taxonomy and diversity of these enigmatic agamid lizards, we examined the corresponding type specimens and additional material originating from Sulawesi and compared them to photographs of live specimens from field trips. Due to differences in colour pattern and scalation characters, we resurrect the taxa celebensis Peters, 1872 and microlophus Bleeker, 1860 from the synonymy of H. amboinensis, which in turn is restricted to the central Moluccas and New Guinea. Hence, Sulawesi is currently the only known island within the genus' range to be inhabited by two different species of sailfin lizards. Our systematic investigation brings the number of recognized species within the genus Hydrosaurus to five.

Annotated catalogue of chameleon types in the collection of the Natural History Museum, UK (NHMUK) (Reptilia: Squamata: Chamaeleonidae).

We provide a list of type specimens of chameleons present in the collection of the Natural History Museum in London for the first time, including their associated collection numbers. Currently the collection contains 54 primary types (29 holotypes, two lectotypes and 23 syntype series plus two syntypes where the type status is in doubt) as well as numerous secondary types for 12 species (nine paratype and three paralectotype series). Type material present in the collection represents 39 valid chamaeleon taxa.

Catalogue of type specimens of the agamid lizard genus Japalura s. l. (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae).

The genus Japalura Gray, 1853 s. l. currently comprises 34 species (Japalura n=7; Cristidorsa Wang, Deepak, Datta-Roy, Lin, Jiang, Che Siler, 2018, n=2; Diploderma Hallowell, 1861, n=25). Furthermore the species Diploderma polygonatum is composed of its nominate form and three additional subspecies. For all but one species primary types (holo-, syn- or lectotypes) are available, and in most cases paratypical specimens have also been deposited. The type specimen of Japalura yunnannensis appears to be lost.

Gram-negative and -positive bacteria differentiation in blood culture samples by headspace volatile compound analysis.

BACKGROUND: Identification of microorganisms in positive blood cultures still relies on standard techniques such as Gram staining followed by culturing with definite microorganism identification. Alternatively, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry or the analysis of headspace volatile compound (VC) composition produced by cultures can help to differentiate between microorganisms under experimental conditions. This study assessed the efficacy of volatile compound based microorganism differentiation into Gram-negatives and -positives in unselected positive blood culture samples from patients. METHODS: Headspace gas samples of positive blood culture samples were transferred to sterilized, sealed, and evacuated 20 ml glass vials and stored at -30 °C until batch analysis. Headspace gas VC content analysis was carried out via an auto sampler connected to an ion-molecule reaction mass spectrometer (IMR-MS). Measurements covered a mass range from 16 to 135 u including CO2, H2, N2, and O2. Prediction rules for microorganism identification based on VC composition were derived using a training data set and evaluated using a validation data set within a random split validation procedure. RESULTS: One-hundred-fifty-two aerobic samples growing 27 Gram-negatives, 106 Gram-positives, and 19 fungi and 130 anaerobic samples growing 37 Gram-negatives, 91 Gram-positives, and two fungi were analysed. In anaerobic samples, ten discriminators were identified by the random forest method allowing for bacteria differentiation into Gram-negative and -positive (error rate: 16.7 % in validation data set). For aerobic samples the error rate was not better than random. CONCLUSIONS: In anaerobic blood culture samples of patients IMR-MS based headspace VC composition analysis facilitates bacteria differentiation into Gram-negative and -positive.

The systematic status of Gonocephalus robinsonii Boulenger, 1908 (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae).

The generic assignment of the draconine lizard Gonocephalus robinsonii from the highlands of West-Malaysia has been uncertain since the original description. Here we present a study based on morphology, previously published karyotype data and molecular phylogenetics using 16S rRNA sequences to evaluate the systematic status of G. robinsonii. As a result we describe Malayodracon gen. nov. to accommodate the species.