ABSTRACT
The golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) is a critically endangered snake endemic to Queimada Grande Island, southeastern Brazil. Captive breeding programs are vital for the conservation of this species. This study evaluates the gestation of two females golden lanceheads using radiography and ultrasonography. The first female was collected on the island while reproductively active (late vitellogenesis or early pregnancy) and kept in captivity. This female gave birth to five neonates after an 8-month gestation period, which is longer than estimates based on specimens preserved in museums. The second female copulated in captivity in July and probably ovulated in October. In this case, no embryonic development was detected, and the female deposited 14 undeveloped eggs approximately 6 months after ovulation.
Subject(s)
Bothrops , Female , Animals , Pregnancy , Animals, Zoo , BrazilABSTRACT
The golden lancehead (Bothrops insularis) is a critically endangered snake endemic to Queimada Grande Island, southeastern Brazil. Captive breeding programs are vital for the conservation of this species. This study evaluates the gestation of two females golden lanceheads using radiography and ultrasonography. The first female was collected on the island while reproductively active (late vitellogenesis or early pregnancy) and kept in captivity. This female gave birth to five neonates after an 8-month gestation period, which is longer than estimates based on specimens preserved in museums. The second female copulated in captivity in July and probably ovulated in October. In this case, no embryonic development was detected, and the female deposited 14 undeveloped eggs approximately 6 months after ovulation.
ABSTRACT
We describe two new species of Proceratophrys allied to the P. appendiculata species complex by the presence of single and long palpebral appendages and a triangular rostral appendage. Proceratophrys izecksohni sp. nov. is characterized by having small to medium size (SVL 32.1-54.2 mm in males), elongated hindlimbs (thigh length plus tibia length corresponding to more than 90% of snout-vent length), a broad head (head width corresponding to 55% of the snout-vent length), and by the light brown gular region and a cream colored ventral surface with scattered brown dots. Proceratophrys belzebul sp. nov. is characterized by its medium size (SVL 40.5-51.3 mm in males), by the absence of contact between the nasals bones and between the nasals and frontoparietals, by a very reduced iliac projection, by having frontoparietal bones very depressed and broad rostrally, by the smooth surface of the squamosal and nasal, by shallow, inconspicuous ventral pits on the maxillae, and by the females presenting the gular region dark brown. The two new species were previously confused with P. appendiculata for which we provide a new diagnosis. A molecular analysis based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes recovers a monophyletic Proceratophrys with high support, and the two new species in a clade with P. appendiculata and P. tupinamba. The data also reinforce the idea that the species groups presently admitted to the genus are not monophyletic.
Subject(s)
Anura/anatomy & histology , Anura/classification , Phylogeny , Animals , Anura/genetics , Brazil , Cell Nucleus/genetics , Female , Male , Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics , Molecular Sequence Data , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
The chondrocranium and hyobranchial morphology are described for the tadpoles of five species of Proceratophrys Miranda-Ribeiro. The chondrocranium of P. appendiculata, P boiei, P laticeps and P. tupinamba are very similar and can be distinguished from that of P. cristiceps by: 1) less developed processus muscularis; 2) thinner palatoquadrate; 3) broadest ethmoidal region; 4) longer cornua trabeculae; and 5) morphology f the suprarostral cartilages. A morphological variation among Proceratophrys boiei is described. It reveals the existence of at least three distinct evolutionary lineages under this name. A brief comparison with other cycloramphid species is also provided.
