- Conservation Biology, Biology, Evolutionary Biology, Paleobiology, Systematics (Taxonomy), Zoology, and 14 moreHerpetology, Ornithology, Macroevolution, Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology, Conservation, Modelling, Amphibians, Mammals, Reptiles, DISTRIBUTION, Diversification, Dispersal Ecology, and Global changeedit
Research Interests: Geography, Molecular Evolution, Biological Sciences, Indian Ocean, Phylogeny, and 14 moreMitochondrial DNA, Movement, Molecular clock, Animals, Anura, Endemic species, nuclear DNA, Genetic Differentiation, Comoros, Oceanic Islands, Osmotic Stress, Base Sequence, Likelihood Functions, and Molecular Sequence Data
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Zoology, Molecular Evolution, Systematics, and 12 morePhylogeny, Mitochondrial DNA, Sequence alignment, Lizards, Animals, Molecular phylogeny, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, South America, Morphological Characters, Molecular phylogenetics, Cell nucleus, and Species Specificity
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Abstract. We describe an extraordinarily bright-coloured new species of lamprophiid snake from Makira reserve in the North East of Madagascar, assigned to the subfamily Pseudoxyrhophiinae. Liophidium pattoni sp. n. is characterised by... more
Abstract. We describe an extraordinarily bright-coloured new species of lamprophiid snake from Makira reserve in the North East of Madagascar, assigned to the subfamily Pseudoxyrhophiinae. Liophidium pattoni sp. n. is characterised by four pink-red longitudinal lines on a black dorsum, a yellow venter and a pink-red ventral side of tail.
Abstract Female multiple mating and alternative mating systems can decrease the opportunity for sexual selection 1, 2, 3. Sperm competition is often the outcome of females mating with multiple males and has been observed in many animals... more
Abstract Female multiple mating and alternative mating systems can decrease the opportunity for sexual selection 1, 2, 3. Sperm competition is often the outcome of females mating with multiple males and has been observed in many animals 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, and alternative reproductive systems are widespread among species with external fertilization and parental care 3, 8, 9, 10.
Abstract Malagasy poison frogs of the genus Mantella are diurnal and toxic amphibians of highly variable and largely aposematic coloration. Previous studies provided evidence for several instances of homoplastic colour evolution in this... more
Abstract Malagasy poison frogs of the genus Mantella are diurnal and toxic amphibians of highly variable and largely aposematic coloration. Previous studies provided evidence for several instances of homoplastic colour evolution in this genus but were unable to sufficiently resolve relationships among major species groups or to clarify the phylogenetic position of several crucial taxa.
Coturnix coturnix is a climatically widespread farmland specialist bird with a well-known distribution in the Iberian Peninsula. Therefore, its current real distribution can be finely mapped. We used recent atlas data and high-resolution... more
Coturnix coturnix is a climatically widespread farmland specialist bird with a well-known distribution in the Iberian Peninsula. Therefore, its current real distribution can be finely mapped. We used recent atlas data and high-resolution climate layers to model the climatic distribution of this species. Next, we compared the obtained predictive maps with the real distribution of the species. Precise information about underestimation and overestimation of model predictions at different sample sizes was obtained.
Background Identifying species of organisms by short sequences of DNA has been in the center of ongoing discussions under the terms DNA barcoding or DNA taxonomy. A C-terminal fragment of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome oxidase... more
Background Identifying species of organisms by short sequences of DNA has been in the center of ongoing discussions under the terms DNA barcoding or DNA taxonomy. A C-terminal fragment of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) has been proposed as universal marker for this purpose among animals. Results Herein we present experimental evidence that the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene fulfills the requirements for a universal DNA barcoding marker in amphibians.
Abstract Living salamanders (~ 570 species) are placed in 10 families, comprising the Order Caudata. Their classification is relatively stable, but phylogenetic relationships amongfamilies are contentious. Recent molecular phylogenetic... more
Abstract Living salamanders (~ 570 species) are placed in 10 families, comprising the Order Caudata. Their classification is relatively stable, but phylogenetic relationships amongfamilies are contentious. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have found five major clades.
Abstract We describe a new species of small diurnal frog of the genus Gephyromantis from Mahasoa, a fragment of mid-altitude rainforest in the northern central east of Madagascar, located to the north east of Lake Alaotra. Analysis of DNA... more
Abstract We describe a new species of small diurnal frog of the genus Gephyromantis from Mahasoa, a fragment of mid-altitude rainforest in the northern central east of Madagascar, located to the north east of Lake Alaotra. Analysis of DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and cytochrome b genes and of the nuclear Rag 1 gene indicate that Gephyromantis mafy sp. nov. is closely related to G. eiselti and G.
Abstract. Madagascar harbors a rich and diverse amphibian fauna, with over 280 nominal species of native frogs, all of which are endemic to the island. Although many species are threatened predominantly by habitat destruction, so far this... more
Abstract. Madagascar harbors a rich and diverse amphibian fauna, with over 280 nominal species of native frogs, all of which are endemic to the island. Although many species are threatened predominantly by habitat destruction, so far this fauna has not experienced any enigmatic declines as amphibians have in other parts of the globe.
Abstract Living amphibians (6449 species) include three distinctive orders: salamanders (Caudata), caecilians (Gymnophiona), and frogs (Anura). Each is supported as monophyletic in molecular phylogenetic analyses, with frogs+ salamanders... more
Abstract Living amphibians (6449 species) include three distinctive orders: salamanders (Caudata), caecilians (Gymnophiona), and frogs (Anura). Each is supported as monophyletic in molecular phylogenetic analyses, with frogs+ salamanders formingtheclade Batrachia. Moleculartime estimates ofthe origin of Lissamphibia vary greatly (367-282 million years ago; latest Devonian to Early Permian), although recentanalyses favor the youngest ages.
Oil spills caused by maritime transport of petroleum products are still an important source of ocean pollution, especially in main production areas and along major transport routes. We here provide a historical and geographic analysis of... more
Oil spills caused by maritime transport of petroleum products are still an important source of ocean pollution, especially in main production areas and along major transport routes. We here provide a historical and geographic analysis of the major oil spills (> 700 t) since 1960. Spills were recorded from several key marine ecosystems and marine biodiversity hotspots.
Abstract. The spider tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides, is one of the four extant endemic terrestrial chelonian species of Madagascar. Although this species is considered to be vulnerable, little is known about the status and genetic... more
Abstract. The spider tortoise, Pyxis arachnoides, is one of the four extant endemic terrestrial chelonian species of Madagascar. Although this species is considered to be vulnerable, little is known about the status and genetic differentiation of its three subspecies. Here we report on field observations made in early 2004 during collection of blood samples of this species for genetic analysis. We investigated the genetic differentiation within the above mentioned subspecies using mtDNA sequences (cytochrome b).
A bstract. Genetic differentiation of Rana temporaria from the Pyrenean and Cantabrian mountains in Spain was studied by means of allozyme electrophoresis. 24 loci were analysed in 104 specimens from 15 populations: nine populations from... more
A bstract. Genetic differentiation of Rana temporaria from the Pyrenean and Cantabrian mountains in Spain was studied by means of allozyme electrophoresis. 24 loci were analysed in 104 specimens from 15 populations: nine populations from the Pyrenean massif, five populations from the area of the Cantabrian mountain chain (regions of Galicia, Asturias, and Basque Country), and one population from Germany.
34| FrogLog Vol. 98| September 2011 of the mountain yellow-legged frog over the course of several seasons, with metapopulations being driven to extinction within months (Vredenburg et al. 2010). This does not appear to be the pattern in... more
34| FrogLog Vol. 98| September 2011 of the mountain yellow-legged frog over the course of several seasons, with metapopulations being driven to extinction within months (Vredenburg et al. 2010). This does not appear to be the pattern in Asia where several years of sampling have not revealed population-level declines.
Body temperature has an important influence on physiological and behavioural performance of ectothermic animals. These effects are well documented in reptiles (eg, Huey 1982, Lillywhite 1987, Huey & Kingsolver 1989), as are their means of... more
Body temperature has an important influence on physiological and behavioural performance of ectothermic animals. These effects are well documented in reptiles (eg, Huey 1982, Lillywhite 1987, Huey & Kingsolver 1989), as are their means of attaining optimum body temperatures by thermoregulation (Avery 1982, Hertz et al. 1993, Bauwens et al. 1996, Díaz et al. 1996,
Abstract The Ankaratra Massif in central Madagascar includes rainforest between ca. 1500 and 2000 m elevation and montane savannah and heathland between ca. 2000 and 2642 m elevation. It is populated by 15 species of amphibians and 12... more
Abstract The Ankaratra Massif in central Madagascar includes rainforest between ca. 1500 and 2000 m elevation and montane savannah and heathland between ca. 2000 and 2642 m elevation. It is populated by 15 species of amphibians and 12 species of reptiles, all of which were observed in our surveys between 1992–2001. Additionally, the Ankaratra material housed in several herpetological collections was revised.
A bstract. The highest altitude recorded for an amphibian in Europe (west of the Caucasus) is 2965 m. It refers to the" lacs de Cambalès" according to an old reference. However, these lakes are all situated below 2600 m, while the... more
A bstract. The highest altitude recorded for an amphibian in Europe (west of the Caucasus) is 2965 m. It refers to the" lacs de Cambalès" according to an old reference. However, these lakes are all situated below 2600 m, while the altitude corresponds exactly to that of the summit of the Pic de Cambalès. We undertook an almost complete survey of ponds in a 2.5 km radius from the Cambalès peak, and complemented these data by fieldwork in a larger portion of the Central Pyrenees.
ABSTRACT We summarize the current state of the exploration of the spatial pattern of the amphibian diversity in Madagascar based on a comprehensive database of specimen and locality data records for Malagasy amphibians, containing 2154... more
ABSTRACT We summarize the current state of the exploration of the spatial pattern of the amphibian diversity in Madagascar based on a comprehensive database of specimen and locality data records for Malagasy amphibians, containing 2154 unique records. Data were gathered from museum voucher specimens, literature and from recent field work, and geo-referenced when possible.
Abstract Dyscophus antongilii and D. guineti are two morphologically very similar microhylid frogs from Madagascar of uncertain taxonomy. D. antongilii is currently included in Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in... more
Abstract Dyscophus antongilii and D. guineti are two morphologically very similar microhylid frogs from Madagascar of uncertain taxonomy. D. antongilii is currently included in Appendix I of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and its exportation is banned completely. In contrast, D. guineti does not receive any legal protection and it is regularly exported. Field data on ecology and behaviour are to a large extent lacking. Here we report on a genetic survey of D. antongilii and D.
Abstract Environmental variables shaped the morphology of tadpoles of the common frog, Rana temporaria, in various ways at the Pyrenean locality Circo de Piedrafita. Examining only specimens in similar developmental stages, those from... more
Abstract Environmental variables shaped the morphology of tadpoles of the common frog, Rana temporaria, in various ways at the Pyrenean locality Circo de Piedrafita. Examining only specimens in similar developmental stages, those from small ponds (with higher temperature and higher tadpole density) had lower growth rates, lower relative tail height, lower relative body width and fewer labial keratodonts and keratodont rows.
Abstract We describe three new species of the plethodontid salamander genus Oedipina from Honduras. All three are relatively small to moderate sized, elongated and attenuate forms, which are differentiated from each other and from other... more
Abstract We describe three new species of the plethodontid salamander genus Oedipina from Honduras. All three are relatively small to moderate sized, elongated and attenuate forms, which are differentiated from each other and from other members of the genus in limb and digital features, size, and body shape. Their distinctiveness is validated by phylogenetic analysis of mtDNA (cytochrome b and 16S) data, which shows each to be strongly differentiated.
The cophyline microhylid frogs of Madagascar show a wide range of habitat specialization, ranging from terrestrial/burrowing and semi-arboreal to entirely arboreal species. The classification of these frogs is thus far mainly based upon... more
The cophyline microhylid frogs of Madagascar show a wide range of habitat specialization, ranging from terrestrial/burrowing and semi-arboreal to entirely arboreal species. The classification of these frogs is thus far mainly based upon morphological, largely osteological, characters that might be homoplastic. Using 1173bp of DNA sequences from the mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA genes, we here present a molecular phylogeny for 28 species of all known genera, except for the genus Madecassophryne.
Madagascar is populated by a fascinating fauna with an extraordinary degree of endemism (Glaw & Vences, 2000). Species-level endemism is almost complete in amphibians (> 99%), with one species, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Daudin, 1803... more
Madagascar is populated by a fascinating fauna with an extraordinary degree of endemism (Glaw & Vences, 2000). Species-level endemism is almost complete in amphibians (> 99%), with one species, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus Daudin, 1803 introduced from India (Kosuch et al., 2001) and a second species, Ptychadena mascareniensis Duméril & Bibron, 1841, closely related to (although probably not conspecific with) African populations. Among reptiles, more nonendemic species or populations of questionable status exist (Raseli-
Abstract We report on seven new localities for Mantella bernhardi, a Malagasy poison frog that was previously known only from a single site. This species has been considered threatened with extinction because of ongoing habitat... more
Abstract We report on seven new localities for Mantella bernhardi, a Malagasy poison frog that was previously known only from a single site. This species has been considered threatened with extinction because of ongoing habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade (up to c. 3,000 specimens per year). The new localities considerably extend the known range of this species, which has now been documented from c. 21.00 to 24.15 S and 47.00 to 48.00 E, and over 60–629 m altitude.
Abstract The larval stages of three species of frogs from montane habitats in the Andringitra Massif, southern central Madagascar at 2100-2500 m above sea level, were identified through mitochondrial DNA sequences and are described... more
Abstract The larval stages of three species of frogs from montane habitats in the Andringitra Massif, southern central Madagascar at 2100-2500 m above sea level, were identified through mitochondrial DNA sequences and are described herein. The tadpoles of Boophis laurenti agree with the previously known tadpoles of the closely related Boophis microtympanum, whereas the tadpoles of Mantidactylus madecassus are similar to those of other species of the subgenus Brygoomantis that occur at lower altitudes.
Abstract Amphibians are thought to be unable to disperse over ocean barriers because they do not tolerate the osmotic stress of salt water. Their distribution patterns have therefore generally been explained by vicariance biogeography.... more
Abstract Amphibians are thought to be unable to disperse over ocean barriers because they do not tolerate the osmotic stress of salt water. Their distribution patterns have therefore generally been explained by vicariance biogeography. Here, we present compelling evidence for overseas dispersal of frogs in the Indian Ocean region based on the discovery of two endemic species on Mayotte. This island belongs to the Comoro archipelago, which is entirely volcanic and surrounded by sea depths of more than 3500 m.
Abstract Amphibians are characterized both by a strongly increasing number of newly discovered species and by a high degree of decline. The observed increase in species numbers, over 25 percent in 11 years, is largely due to the... more
Abstract Amphibians are characterized both by a strongly increasing number of newly discovered species and by a high degree of decline. The observed increase in species numbers, over 25 percent in 11 years, is largely due to the intensified exploration of tropical areas and the application of more efficient techniques such as bioacoustics and molecular genetics, rather than to the elevation of subspecies to species rank or the distinction of species that were formerly considered synonymous.
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Demography, Systematic Biology, Molecular Evolution, and 15 morePopulation Dynamics, Mammals, Phylogeny, Adaptive Radiation, Madagascar, von Willebrand factor, Maximum Likelihood, Animals, Late Cretaceous, Molecular phylogeny, Molecular dating, Base Sequence, Bayes Theorem, Likelihood Functions, and Molecular Sequence Data
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Geography, Conservation, International Trade, Phylogeography, Gene Flow, and 20 moreEndangered Species, Genetic Diversity, Molecular Ecology, Biological Sciences, Molecular, Phylogeny, Mitochondrial DNA, Madagascar, Haplotypes, Animals, Anura, Habitat fragmentation, Endemic species, National Park, Cytochrome B, Natural Resource, Genetic variation, Conservation of Natural Resources, Environment, and International Union for Conservation of Nature
Research Interests: Evolutionary Biology, Geography, Ecology, Population Dynamics, Biodiversity, and 17 moreNorth Eastern North America Archaeology, Genetic Diversity, Phylogeny, Mitochondrial DNA, Haplotypes, Animals, Arkansas, Introduced species, Long Distance Dispersal, Comparative Phylogeography, Genetic variation, Urodela, Species Specificity, Native Species, Likelihood Functions, Genetic Markers, and Statistical Distributions
Research Interests:
Alkaloid profiles for 81 individual mantellid frogs, Mantella baroni (Boulenger 1988) (N = 19), M. bernhardi (N = 51), and M. madagascariensis (Grandidier 1877) (N = 11), from six different populations from Madagascar were examined.... more
Alkaloid profiles for 81 individual mantellid frogs, Mantella baroni (Boulenger 1988) (N = 19), M. bernhardi (N = 51), and M. madagascariensis (Grandidier 1877) (N = 11), from six different populations from Madagascar were examined. Marked individual differences in alkaloid composition (number, type, and amount) were observed between different species and between populations of the same species. Disjunct populations of each of the three species differed significantly in alkaloid composition. Sympatric populations of M. baroni and M. madagascariensis also differed significantly in alkaloid composition. In M. bernhardi, differences in alkaloid composition were marginally associated with different sexes. A total of 111 alkaloids, including isomers, were detected in analysis of the individuals from the three species. The majority (47%) appear likely to be obtained from dietary mites, whereas many of the others (18%) are presumed to be from ants, and a few (4%) are from millipedes. Putative dietary sources for the remaining alkaloids are generally unknown, but beetles are probably the source of at least some of the tricyclic alkaloids (6%). In addition, alkaloid compositions from extracts of groups of individuals from five additional populations of M. baroni and from one population of M. bernhardi (Vences et al. 1994) and one population of M. cowanii (Boulenger 1882) were examined. An additional 50 alkaloids, including isomers, were detected in the combined samples, bringing the total number of alkaloids identified from these four species of mantellid frogs to 161. Alkaloid compositions in mantellid poison frogs are diverse and highly dependent on geographic location that appear to be largely determined by the nature and availability of alkaloid-containing prey items.