This episode is all behaviour, looking at whether Australian lizards can exercise inhibitory control.

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Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Szabo B, Hoefer S, Whiting MJ. 2020. Are lizards capable of inhibitory control? Performance on a semi-transparent version of the cylinder task in five species of Australian skinks. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 74:118. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-020-02897-y.

Editing and Music:

Podcast edited by Wojciech – https://www.fiverr.com/buczar 

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

This episode we are looking at egg-feeding poison frogs and their ability to find their way back to their home territory. Species of the Bi-week is a fresh mud snake.

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Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Gómez-Consuegra J, Amézquita A. 2024. Ecological and behavioral correlates of homing performance in the egg-feeding poison frog Oophaga histrionica. Evolutionary Ecology 38:241–253. DOI: 10.1007/s10682-023-10283-z.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Nguyen SN, Le MV, Lathrop A, Vo T-D-H, Murphy RW, Che J. 2024. A new species of mud snake (Squamata: Homalopsidae: Myrrophis) from southern Vietnam. Vertebrate Zoology 74:221–233. DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e116992.

Editing and Music:

Podcast edited by Wojciech – https://www.fiverr.com/buczar 

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

The mirror test is often used to try and determine if animals have self recognition. If they recognise it is them in the mirror, they will react to a change in their appearance. But for snakes, sight is not the primary sense, so scientists have had to get a bit more creative.

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Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Freiburger T, Miller N, Skinner M. 2024. Olfactory self-recognition in two species of snake. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 291:20240125. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.0125.

Other Links/Mentions:

Maggie Koerth-Baker. 2010. Kids (and Animals) Who Fail Classic Mirror Tests May Still Have Sense of Self. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/kids-and-animals-who-fail-classic-mirror/

Fejervarya cancrivora call by Zaharil Dzulkafly from: AmphibiaWeb - Fejervarya cancrivora

Crocodile sister hero: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-69002147.amp 

Editing and Music:

Podcast edited by Alex – https://www.fiverr.com/alexanderroses

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

What can we learn about Endangered Giant herpetofauna from observing their movements? We take a look at some monster tortoises and gargantuan salamanders from opposite sides of the world. Later on hear the calls of our very red Species of the Bi-week.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Pike KN, Blake S, Cabrera F, Gordon IJ, Schwarzkopf L. 2021. Body size, sex and high philopatry influence the use of agricultural land by Galapagos giant tortoises. Oryx:1–10. DOI: 10.1017/S0030605320001167.

Zhang L, Zhao H, Willard S, Wang Q, Jiang W, Zhang H-X, Kouba A. 2019. Spatial distribution and seasonal movement patterns of reintroduced Chinese giant salamanders. BMC Zoology 4:7. DOI: 10.1186/s40850-019-0046-9.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Baptista NL, Pinto PV, Keates C, Edwards S, Rödel M-O, Conradie W. 2021. A new species of red toad, Schismaderma Smith, 1849 (Anura: Bufonidae), from central Angola. Zootaxa 5081:301–332. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5081.3.1.

Other Links/Mentions:

Archer A.M. 2016. 910 -- Schismaderma carens. Red Toad (Bufonidae). https://vmus.adu.org.za/?vm=FrogMAP-6628

Baptista & Frommolt 2021. Advertisement calls of the toad Schismaderma branchi from Angola [Dataset]. Data Publisher: Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MfN) - Leibniz Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity Science. https://doi.org/10.7479/063t-ta10.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Slow worm combat and snake fungal disease are the topics of this episode - turns out slow worms are savages. 

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Capula, M., Anibaldi, C., Filippi, E., & Luiselli, L. (1998). Sexual combats, matings, and reproductive phenology in an alpine population of the slow worm, Anguis fragilis. Herpetological Natural History, 6(1), 33–39.

Romer, A. S., Grinath, J. B., Moe, K. C., & Walker, D. M. (2022). Host microbiome responses to the Snake Fungal Disease pathogen (Ophidiomyces ophidiicola) are driven by changes in microbial richness. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 3078. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-07042-5

Species of the Bi-Week:

Trivalairat, P., Sumontha, M., Kunya, K., & Chiangkul, K. (2022). Acanthosaura meridiona sp. nov. (Squamata: Agamidae), a new short-horned lizard from southern Thailand. Herpetological Journal, 32(1), 34–50. https://doi.org/10.33256/32.1.3450

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

 

One of our favourite groups of lizards is the topic of this episode. They are truly incredible beasts capable of learning, adapting, and apparently creating fantastic metropolis fir for all sorts of creatures to co-exist. Of course Species of the Bi-week is back, this time with a stunning South American lizard.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Doody JS, Soennichsen KF, James H, McHenry C, Clulow S. 2021. Ecosystem engineering by deep‐nesting monitor lizards. Ecology 102. DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3271.

Pettit L, Ward-Fear G, Shine R. 2021. Invasion of cane toads (Rhinella marina) affects the problem-solving performance of vulnerable predators (monitor lizards, Varanus varius). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 75:39. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-02978-6.

Species of the Bi-Week:

García-Vázquez UO, Clause AG, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez J, Cazares-Hernández E, Torre-Loranca MÁ de la. 2022. A New Species of Abronia (Squamata: Anguidae) from the Sierra de Zongolica of Veracruz, Mexico. Ichthyology & Herpetology 110. DOI: 10.1643/h2021051.

Other Links/Mentions:

Video footage of lizards solving problems - https://figshare.com/articles/media/Invasion_of_cane_toads_Rhinella_marina_affects_the_problem-solving_performance_of_vulnerable_predators_monitor_lizards_Varanus_varius_/12830750/1?file=24355235

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

It's episode 100! We talk a bit about the effects of pesticides on frogs before having some fun testing our knowledge of herpetofauna.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Hua, J., Wuerthner, V. P., Jones, D. K., Mattes, B., Cothran, R. D., Relyea, R. A., & Hoverman, J. T. (2017). Evolved pesticide tolerance influences susceptibility to parasites in amphibians. Evolutionary Applications, 10(8), 802–812. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12500

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Snakes can bite; and when venomous, these bites can cause serious harm. But how frequently do snakes actually deploy that venom? We look at a review breaking down current knowledge. We also check out a paper looking at local names for herpetofauna, and whether that is connected to the danger those species pose. Species of the Bi-week returns with another venomous beastie.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Farooq, H., Bero, C., Guilengue, Y., Elias, C., Massingue, Y., Mucopote, I., Nanvonamuquitxo, C., Marais, J., Antonelli, A., & Faurby, S. (2021). Species perceived to be dangerous are more likely to have distinctive local names. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 17(69), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-021-00493-6

Pucca, M. B., Knudsen, C., Oliveira, I. S., Rimbault, C., Cerni, F. A., Wen, F. H., Sachett, J., Sartim, M. A., Laustsen, A. H., & Monteiro, W. M. (2020). Current Knowledge on Snake Dry Bites. Toxins, 12(668).

Species of the Bi-Week:

Barbo, F. E., Grazziotin, F. G., Pereira-filho, G. A., Freitas, M. A., Abrantes, S. H. F., & Kokubum, M. N. D. C. (2022). Isolated by dry lands: integrative analyses unveil the existence of a new species and a previously unknown evolutionary lineage of Brazilian Lanceheads (Serpentes : Viperidae : Bothrops) from a Caatinga moist-forest enclave. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 159(January), 147–159.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Ward-Smith, H., Arbuckle, K., Naude, A., & Wüster, W. (2020). Fangs for the memories? A survey of pain in snakebite patients does not support a strong role for defense in the evolution of snake venom composition. Toxins, 12(3), 201.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Renowned for their habit of eating other snakes, just how do colourful kingsnakes manage to tackle prey almost their own size? We delve into this mystery, and find out just how much these snakes can eat. To top it off, there is a serpentine Species of the Bi-Week. 

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Penning DA, Moon BR. (2017). The king of snakes: performance and morphology of intraguild predators (Lampropeltis) and their prey (Pantherophis). Journal of Experimental Biology 220:1154–1161. DOI: 10.1242/jeb.147082.

Penning DA. 2017. The gluttonous king: the effects of prey size and repeated feeding on predatory performance in kingsnakes. Journal of Zoology 302:119–125. DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12437.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Entiauspe-Neto, O. M., Abegg, A. D., Koch, C., Nuñez, L. P., Azevedo, W. D. S., Moraes, L. J., Tiutenko, A., Bialves, T. S., & Loebmann, D. (2021). A new species of Erythrolamprus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae: Xenodontini) from the savannas of northern South America. Salamandra, 57(2), 196-218.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Chameleons! Specifically Panther Chameleons. We look at the decisions made by female chameleons, what are they looking for in a male chameleon, are they capable of forward planning? And a double-species Species of the Bi-week.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Dollion, A. Y., Herrel, A., Marquis, O., Leroux-Coyau, M., & Meylan, S. (2020). The colour of success: Does female mate choice rely on male colour change in the chameleon Furcifer pardalis ? Journal of Experimental Biology, jeb.224550. doi: 10.1242/jeb.224550

Eppley, T. M. (2019). Evidence of spatiotemporal planning in a panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) on the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar. Herpetology Notes, 12.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Shi, J.-S., Liu, J.-C., Giri, R., Owens, J. B., Santra, V., Kuttalam, S., … Malhotra, A. (2021). Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Gloydius (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae), with description of two new alpine species from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. ZooKeys, 1061, 87–108. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.1061.70420

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Gol, S., Pena, R. N., Rothschild, M. F., Tor, M., & Estany, J. (2018). A polymorphism in the fatty acid desaturase-2 gene is associated with the arachidonic acid metabolism in pigs. Scientific reports, 8(1), 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-19070-7

Other Links/Mentions:

Ross McGibbon Calendar: https://rmrphotography.com.au/2022-calendar-1/

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

This time we chat about the mighty Australian dragons of genus Ctenophorus. These little dragons have some serious personality, but how does it affect their lives, and can their colour give us clues about how aggro they can be? There's also a brand new dragon species.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Johnstone, K. C., McArthur, C., & Banks, P. B. (2021). Catch me if you can: Personality drives technique-specific biases during live-capture trapping. Wildlife Research. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR20121

Yewers, M. S. C., Pryke, S., & Stuart-Fox, D. (2016). Behavioural differences across contexts may indicate morph-specific strategies in the lizard Ctenophorus decresii. Animal Behaviour, 111, 329–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.10.029

Species of the Bi-Week:

Sadlier, R. A., Colgan, D., Beatson, C. A., & Cogger, H. G. (2019). Ctenophorus spinodomus sp. nov., a new species of dragon lizard (Squamata: Agamidae) from Triodia mallee habitat of southeast Australia. Records of the Australian Museum, 71(5), 199–215. https://doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.71.2019.1700 

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Spraying salt while chilling next to the shoreline –the M.O. of marine iguanas. But how do they cope with the harsh reality of life in 2021, like dramatic climate fluctuations and the increased pressures from humans? We also check out a tiny new Species of the Bi-week.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

French SS, Neuman-Lee LA, Terletzky PA, Kiriazis NM, Taylor EN, DeNardo DF. 2017. Too much of a good thing? Human disturbance linked to ecotourism has a “dose-dependent” impact on innate immunity and oxidative stress in marine iguanas, Amblyrhynchus cristatus. Biological Conservation 210:37–47. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.04.006.

Wikelski M, Thom C. 2000. Marine iguanas shrink to survive El Niño. Nature 403:37–38. DOI: 10.1038/47396.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Torres-Carvajal O, Parra V, Sales Nunes PM, Koch C. 2021. A New Species of Microtegu Lizard (Gymnophthalmidae: Cercosaurinae) from Amazonian Ecuador. Journal of Herpetology 55. DOI: 10.1670/20-142.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

D’souza A, Gale GA, Marshall BM, Khamcha D, Waengsothorn S, Strine CT. 2021. Space use and activity of Boiga cyanea – a major songbird nest predator in a seasonal tropical forest in Thailand. Global Ecology and Conservation:e01875. DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01875.

Moravec, J., Šmíd, J., Štundl, J., & Lehr, E. (2018). Systematics of Neotropical microteiid lizards (Gymnophthalmidae, Cercosaurinae), with the description of a new genus and species from the Andean montane forests. ZooKeys, (774), 105.

Wikelski, M. and P.H. Wrege. 2000. Niche expansion, body size, and survival in Galápagos marine iguanas. Oecologia 124: 107–115

Other Links/Mentions:

Cassella, C. 2021. Injecting Algae Into Suffocated Tadpoles Brings Their Brain Cells Back to Life: https://www.sciencealert.com/injecting-algae-into-the-brains-of-suffocating-tadpoles-keeps-their-neurons-alive 

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Hognose snakes - famous for their funny expressions and death-feigning, but why do Eastern hognoses come in different colours, and are some populations smaller than others? We find out, followed up by a brand new species of amphibian.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Lattanzio, M. S., & Buontempo, M. J. (2021). Ecogeographic Divergence Linked to Dorsal Coloration in Eastern Hog-Nosed Snakes (Heterodon platirhinos). Herpetologica, 77(2), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-19-00031.1

Vanek, J. P., & Burke, R. L. (2020). Insular dwarfism in female eastern hog-nosed snakes (Heterodon platirhinos; dipsadidae) on a barrier island. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 98(3), 157–164. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjz-2019-0137

Species of the Bi-Week:

De Oliveira, R. F., de Medeiros Magalhães, F., da Veiga Teixeira, B. F., de Moura, G. J. B., Porto, C. R., Guimarães, F. P. B. B., Giaretta, A. A., & Tinoco, M. S. (2021). A new species of the Dendropsophus decipiens Group (Anura: Hylidae) from Northeastern Brazil. PLoS ONE, 16(7 July), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0248112

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Malayan krait spatial ecology pre-print: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.09.08.459477v1.full.pdf 

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Common grass snakes are a widespread European species that are often spotted by people and recorded using apps. To the surprise of scientists, they have an interesting nightlife.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Spaseni P, Sahlean TC, Gherghel I, Zamfirescu  Ștefan R, Petreanu IC, Melenciuc R, Alistar CF, Gavril VD, Strugariu A. 2024. Natrix natrix after dark: citizen science sheds light on the common grass snake’s nightlife. PeerJ 12:e17168. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17168.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Gabriel H, Rothe L-D, Köhler J, Rakotomanga S, Edmonds D, Galán P, Glaw F, Lehtinen RM, Rakotoarison A, Vences M. 2024. Unexpected diversity and co-occurrence of phytotelmic frogs (Guibemantis) around Andasibe, one of the most intensively surveyed amphibian hotspots of Madagascar, and descriptions of three new species. Zootaxa 5397:451–485. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5397.4.1.

Other Links/Mentions:

Vences, M. (2023). Dataset from the paper: Unexpected diversity and co-occurrence of phytotelmic frogs (Guibemantis) around Andasibe, one of the most intensively surveyed amphibian hotspots of Madagascar, and descriptions of three new species [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10028230

Editing and Music:

Podcast edited by Alex – https://www.fiverr.com/alexanderroses

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

How social are tortoises? This episode we look at a paper investigating tortoises’ preference for faces, and a second on whether they stick together. While neither provide definitive answers, they both pose questions about how tortoises interact. 

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Versace E, Damini S, Stancher G. 2020. Early preference for face-like stimuli in solitary species as revealed by tortoise hatchlings. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 117:24047–24049. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2011453117.

Ward M, Marshall BM, Hodges CW, Montano Y, Artchawakom T, Waengsothorn S, Strine CT. 2021. Nonchalant neighbors: Space use and overlap of the critically endangered Elongated Tortoise. Biotropica:btp.12981. DOI: 10.1111/btp.12981.

Species of the Bi-Week:

David P, Vogel G, Nguyen TQ, Orlov NL, Pauwels OSG, Teynié A, Ziegler T. 2021. A revision of the dark-bellied, stream-dwelling snakes of the genus Hebius (Reptilia: Squamata: Natricidae) with the description of a new species from China, Vietnam and Thailand. Zootaxa 4911:1–61. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4911.1.1.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Crane M, Silva I, Marshall BM, Strine CT. 2021. Lots of movement, little progress: a review of reptile home range literature. PeerJ 9:e11742. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11742.

Montano, Y, Marshall, BM, Ward, M., Silva, I., Artchawakom, T., Waengsothorn, S., & Strine, C. 2021. A stable home: Autocorrelated Kernel Density Estimated home ranges of the critically endangered Elongated Tortoise. OSF Preprints. DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/ka5t6

Rai TP. 2020. An Elongated Tortoise Attempting to Prey on a Buff-striped Keelback the Turtle Rescue and Conservation Centre in Eastern Nepal. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 27:297–299.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

In this episode we are talking about the life and times of one of the world’s largest snakes - the Burmese python. We compare their movements in their native and introduced range, and talk a bit about what they get up to. Our Species of the Bi-Week is a colourful mimic.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Smith, S. N., Jones, M. D., Marshall, B. M., Waengsothorn, S., Gale, G. A., & Strine, C. T. (2021). Native Burmese pythons exhibit site fidelity and preference for aquatic habitats in an agricultural mosaic. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-86640-1

Bartoszek, I. A., Smith, B. J., Reed, R. N., & Hart, K. M. (2021). Spatial ecology of invasive Burmese pythons in southwestern Florida. Ecosphere, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3564

Species of the Bi-Week:

Qi, S., Shi, J.-S., Ma, Y.-B., Gao, Y.-F., Bu, S.-H., Grismer, L. L., Li, P.-P., & Wang, Y.-Y. (2021). A sheep in wolf’s clothing: Elaphe xiphodonta sp. nov. (Squamata, Colubridae) and its possible mimicry to Protobothrops jerdonii. ZooKeys, 1048, 23–47. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1048.65650

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

In the forests of the night, What immortal pit or eye, Could frame thy venomous symmetry? This episode we look at the biting behaviour, and glowing tails of vipers. Species of the Bi-week is a green treat from Southeast Asia.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Mendyk, R. W., & Laurence, P. (2021). Glow and Behold : Biofluorescence and New Insights on the Tails of Pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae) and Other Snakes. Herpetological Review, 52(2), 221-237.

Piao, Y., Yao, G., Jiang, H., Huang, S., Huang, F., Tang, Y., Liu, Y., & Qin, C. (2021). Do pit vipers assess their venom? Defensive tactics of Deinagkistrodon acutus shift with changed venom reserve. Toxicon, 199, 101–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.06.003

Species of the Bi-Week:

Liu, S., Hou, M., Lwin, Y. H., Wang, Q., & Rao, D. (2021). A new species of Gonyosoma Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes, Colubridae), previously confused with G. prasinum (Blyth, 1854). Evolutionary Systematics, 5(1), 129–139. https://doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.5.66574

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Paul, L., & Mendyk, R. W. (2021). Glow and Behold: Biofluorescence and New Insights on the Tails of Pitvipers (Viperidae: Crotalinae) and Other Snakes. Herpetological Review, 52(2), 221-237.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Urban snakes - are they more hip than their rural cousins, or do they suffer worse from parasites? We delve into some unexpected outcomes of urban life, followed by a brand new species of amphibian for our Species of the Bi-Week.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

T-shirts and other swag: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop 

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Lettoof, D., von Takach, B., Bateman, P. W., Gagnon, M. M., & Aubret, F. (2020). Investigating the role of urbanisation, wetlands and climatic conditions in nematode parasitism in a large Australian elapid snake. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 11, 32–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.11.006

Bury, S., & ZajĄc, B. (2020). The loss of sexual size dimorphism in urban populations of a widespread reptile, the European grass snake Natrix natrix. Current Zoology, 66(2), 217–218. https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoz034

Species of the Bi-Week:

Chávez, G., García-Ayachi, L. A., & Catenazzi, A. (2021). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: Cruciform eye reveals new species of direct-developing frog (Strabomantidae, Pristimantis) in the Amazonian Andes. Evolutionary Systematics, 5, 81–92. https://doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.5.63674

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Sprent, J. F. A. (1988). Ascaridoid nematodes of amphibians and reptiles: Ophidascaris Baylis, 1920. Systematic Parasitology, 11(3), 165-213.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Fluorescing frogs (toadlets) and glowing geckos are topics of discussion this episode. We dig into the whys and ecological context of glowing, but really there remains a lot to learn. Carrying over from last episode is a wonderful Bungarus for the Species of the Bi-week. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Prötzel D, Heß M, Schwager M, Glaw F, Scherz MD. 2021. Neon-green fluorescence in the desert gecko Pachydactylus rangei caused by iridophores. Scientific Reports 11:297. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79706-z.

Rebouças R, Carollo AB, Freitas M de O, Lambertini C. 2019. Is the conspicuous dorsal coloration of the Atlantic forest pumpkin toadlets aposematic? Salamandra 55:39–47.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Chen Z-N, Shi S-C, Vogel G, Ding L, Shi J-S. 2021. Multiple lines of evidence reveal a new species of Krait (Squamata, Elapidae, Bungarus) from Southwestern China and Northern Myanmar. ZooKeys 1025:35–71. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1025.62305.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Taboada, C., Brunetti, A.E., Pedron, F.N., Neto, F.C., Estrin, D.A., Bari, S.E., Chemes, L.B., Lopes, N.P., Lagorio, M.G. and Faivovich, J., (2017). Naturally occurring fluorescence in frogs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(14), 3672-3677.

Other Links/Mentions:

Supplementary video for Prötzel et al., 2021: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-79706-z#Sec18

Mark Scherz blog about geckos: http://www.markscherz.com/archives/4715  

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Kraits! These banded and venomous beasts are still shrouded in mystery, but we cover some of the things we DO know about them in this Patreon special.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Hodges, C. W., Barnes, C. H., Patungtaro, P., & Strine, C. T. (2021). Deadly dormmate: A case study on Bungarus candidus living among a student dormitory with implications for human safety. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 2(e12047), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12047

Hodges, C. W., D’souza, A., & Jintapirom, S. (2020). Diurnal observation of a Malayan Krait Bungarus candidus (Reptilia: Elapidae) feeding inside a building in Thailand. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 12(8), 15947–15950. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.5746.12.8.15947-15950

Crane, M., Oliver, K., Silva, I., Aksornneam, A., Artchawakom, T., Suwanwaree, P., & Strine, C. T. (2016). A report of a Malayan Krait snake Bungarus candidus mortality as by-catch in a local fish trap from Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. Tropical Conservation Science, 9(1), 313–320. https://doi.org/10.1177/194008291600900116

Knierim, T. K., Strine, C. T., Suwanwaree, P., & Hill, J. G. (2019). Spatial ecology study reveals nest attendance and habitat preference of banded kraits (Bungarus fasciatus). Herpetological Bulletin, 150, 6–13. https://doi.org/10.33256/hb150.613

Knierim, T. K., Marshall, B. M., Hayes, L., Waengsothorn, S., Suwanwaree, P., & Strine, C. T. (2018). The movements and habitat preferences of a Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) in an agrarian landscape. Herpetological Bulletin, 143, 30–33.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Gaynor KM, Hojnowski CE, Carter NH, Brashares JS. 2018. The influence of human disturbance on wildlife nocturnality. Science 360:1232–1235. DOI: 10.1126/science.aar7121.

Karraker NE, Fischer S, Aowphol A, Sheridan J, Poo S. 2018. Signals of forest degradation in the demography of common Asian amphibians. PeerJ 6:e4220. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4220.

Mohammadi S, Kluever BM, Tamashiro T, Amano Y, Hill Iii JG. 2014. Spatial and Thermal Observations of a Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) From Thailand. Tropical Natural History 14:21–26.

Tucker MA, et al. 2018. Moving in the Anthropocene: Global reductions in terrestrial mammalian movements. Science 359:466–469. DOI: 10.1126/science.aam9712.

Other Links/Mentions:

“Does ocean acidification alter fish behavior? Fraud allegations create a sea of doubt” By Martin Enserink - https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/05/does-ocean-acidification-alter-fish-behavior-fraud-allegations-create-sea-doubt

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Frogs: invasive menace, and victim. We look at two papers showing how frogs are faring in the face of human-caused species invasions. One where the frog is the invader, another where the frogs are facing down a novel threat –mongooses. Species of the Bi-week is a wee salamander from Japan.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Kim R, Halstead BJ, Routman EJ, Andersen J. 2021. When introduced prey violates trophic hierarchy: Conservation of an endangered predator. Biological Conservation 256:109019. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109019.

Komine H, Iwai N, Kaji K. 2021. Rapid responses in morphology and performance of native frogs induced by predation pressure from invasive mongooses. Biological Invasions 23:1293–1305. DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02440-0.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Okamiya H, Sugawara H, Nagano M, Poyarkov NA. 2018. An integrative taxonomic analysis reveals a new species of lotic Hynobius salamander from Japan. PeerJ 6:e5084. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5084.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Cooper, W. (2005). The foraging mode controversy: Both continuous variation and clustering of foraging movements occur. Journal of Zoology, 267(2), 179-190. DOI: 10.1017/S0952836905007375

King, R.B., Ray, J.M., Stanford, K.M. (2006). Gorging on gobies: beneficial effects of alien prey on a threatened vertebrate. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 84, 108–115.

Other Links/Mentions:

RedBubble Storefront: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Voices of Missouri's Toads and Frogs (1985) by Missouri Department of Conservation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDf_GLpC3uQ&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=mooutdoors

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

In this instalment we are talking tortoises - how clever are they, and how well do they get on with ravens? We follow up the tortoise double header with a miniature Species of the Bi-Week. 

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Santacà, M., Petrazzini, M. E. M., Agrillo, C., & Wilkinson, A. (2019). Can Reptiles Perceive Visual Illusions? Delboeuf Illusion in Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonaria) and Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 133(4), 419–427. https://doi.org/10.1037/com0000176

Segura, A., Jimenez, J., & Acevedo, P. (2020). Predation of young tortoises by ravens: the effect of habitat structure on tortoise detectability and abundance. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58851-5

Species of the Bi-Week:

Loc-Barragán, J. A., Reyes-Velasco, J., Woolrich-Piña, G. A., Grünwald, C. I., de Anaya, M. V., Rangel-Mendoza, J. A., & López-Luna, M. A. (2020). A new species of mud turtle of genus kinosternon (Testudines: Kinosternidae) from the pacific coastal plain of northwestern Mexico. Zootaxa, 4885(4), 509–529. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4885.4.3

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Smith, S. N., Jones, M. D., Marshall, B. M., Waengsothorn, S., Gale, G. A., & Strine, C. T. (2021). Native Burmese pythons exhibit site fidelity and preference for aquatic habitats in an agricultural mosaic. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-13.

Soldati, F., Burman, O. H. P., John, E. A., Pike, T. W., & Wilkinson, A. (2017). Long-term memory of relative reward values. Biology Letters, 13, 20160853. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2016.0853

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Lizards live in a world of colour. But how do they react to different colours, and what role does colour play in creating new species of lizard? We dip into papers covering Anoles and Geckos, with a bend-toed Species of the Bi-week.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Fondren A, Swierk L, Putman BJ. 2020. Clothing color mediates lizard responses to humans in a tropical forest. Biotropica 52:172–181. DOI: 10.1111/btp.12744.

Fulgione D, Buglione M, Rippa D, Trapanese M, Petrelli S, Monti DM, Aria M, Del Giudice R, Maselli V. 2019. Selection for background matching drives sympatric speciation in Wall Gecko. Scientific Reports 9. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37587-3.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Liu S, Rao D. 2021. A new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Yunnan, China. ZooKeys 1021:109–126. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1021.60402.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Gould, M. L., Green, L., Altenau, B., & Blumstein, D. T. (2004). A study of the species-confidence hypothesis with Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters (Acanthagenys rufogularis). Emu - Austral Ornithology, 104(3), 267– 271. https ://doi.org/10.1071/MU03033

Huang, B., Lubarsky, K., Teng, T., & Blumstein, D. T. (2011). Take only pictures, leave only fear? The effects of photography on the West Indian anole Anolis cristatellus. Current Zoology, 57(1), 77–82. https :// doi.org/10.1093/czool

Swierk, L. (2019). ANOLIS AQUATICUS (= NOROPS AQUATICUS) (Water Anole). UNDERWATER BREATHING. Herpetological Review, 50(1), 134–135.

Other Links/Mentions:

Dude! Nature podcast https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vlLbzAsEkQLv0YXkMxoB8?si=V1BBt-NfSDarUkAnSLrQaw  

Pokemon beetles: https://www.enmu.edu/about/news-and-events/enmu-news/academic-news/3088-enmu-professor-s-beetle-discovery-named-after-three-legendary-bird-pokemon  

Kestrel audio from Xeno-Canto recorded by: Peter Ward & Ken Hall [XC603740], Jerome Fischer [XC570888], Thomas G. Graves [XC565023]

Chickadee audio from Xeno-Canto recorded by: Thomas Magarian [XC464517]

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Battle music – “The Ritual/Ancient Battle” composed by Gerald Fried

This episode we delve into the problem solving capabilities of some large lizards, and uncover the lifestyle of Guatemalan beaded lizards. We also discuss the mysterious black beasts that inhabit the Caribbean Islands of the Lesser Antilles.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Ariano-Sánchez D, Mortensen RM, Reinhardt S, Rosell F. 2020. Escaping drought: Seasonality effects on home range, movement patterns and habitat selection of the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard. Global Ecology and Conservation 23:e01178. DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01178.

Cooper T, Liew A, Andrle G, Cafritz E, Dallas H, Niesen T, Slater E, Stockert J, Vold T, Young M, Mendelson J. 2019. Latency in Problem Solving as Evidence for Learning in Varanid and Helodermatid Lizards, with Comments on Foraging Techniques. Copeia 107:78. DOI: 10.1643/CH-18-119.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Breuil M, Schikorski D, Vuillaume B, Krauss U, Morton MN, Corry E, Bech N, Jelić M, Grandjean F. 2020. Painted black: Iguana melanoderma (Reptilia, Squamata, Iguanidae) a new melanistic endemic species from Saba and Montserrat islands (Lesser Antilles). ZooKeys 926:95–131. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.926.48679.  

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Crawford, L. E., Knouse, L. E., Kent, M., Vavra, D., Harding, O., LeServe, D., ... & Lambert, K. G. (2020). Enriched environment exposure accelerates rodent driving skills. Behavioural brain research, 378, 112309.

Other Links/Mentions:

Varanus prasinus opening a door: https://youtu.be/ukayoMTScXw

Heloderma charlesbogerti opening a door: https://youtu.be/JJZ6J1igNNo 

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

 

This episode we chat about the thousands of frog ancestors whose stories can still be heard in the DNA of modern frogs. How did these frogs from the past deal with dramatic changes, and is modern urbanisation having a sizable effect today?

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Moran PA, Bosse M, Mariën J, Halfwerk W. 2024. Genomic footprints of (pre) colonialism: Population declines in urban and forest túngara frogs coincident with historical human activity. Molecular Ecology 33:e17258. DOI: 10.1111/mec.17258.

Editing and Music:

Podcast edited by Alex – https://www.fiverr.com/alexanderroses

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Humans and snakes share a long and storied past. In this episode we examine one paper that looks at the prehistoric relationship between humans and cobras (namely their spitting), and a second that looks at how we can mitigate the negative impacts of this relationship today. Our stunning Species of the Bi-week looks to be covered in duck-weed.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Kazandjian TD, Petras D, Robinson SD, van Thiel J, Greene HW, Arbuckle K, Barlow A, Carter DA, Wouters RM, Whiteley G, Wagstaff SC, Arias AS, Albulescu L-O, Plettenberg Laing A, Hall C, Heap A, Penrhyn-Lowe S, McCabe CV, Ainsworth S, da Silva RR, Dorrestein PC, Richardson MK, Gutiérrez JM, Calvete JJ, Harrison RA, Vetter I, Undheim EAB, Wüster W, Casewell NR. 2021. Convergent evolution of pain-inducing defensive venom components in spitting cobras. Science 371:386–390. DOI: 10.1126/science.abb9303.

Samuel SP, Chinnaraju S, Williams HF, Pichamuthu E, Subharao M, Vaiyapuri M, Arumugam S, Vaiyapuri R, Baksh MF, Patel K, Trim SA, Duncombe TE, Vaiyapuri S. 2020. Venomous snakebites: Rapid action saves lives—A multifaceted community education programme increases awareness about snakes and snakebites among the rural population of Tamil Nadu, India. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 14:e0008911. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008911.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Liu X, He Y, Wang Y, Beukema W, Hou S, Li Y, Che J, Yuan Z. 2021. A new frog species of the genus Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) from Yunnan, China. Zootaxa 4908:263–275. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4908.2.7.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Who doesn't love blue tongue skinks? In this episode we discuss their ability to learn complex tasks, and finally discover why that tongue is so blue. Our Species of the Bi-Week is beautiful in more ways than one.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Badiane, A., Carazo, P., Price-Rees, S. J., Ferrando-Bernal, M., & Whiting, M. J. (2018). Why blue tongue? A potential UV-based deimatic display in a lizard. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 72(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-018-2512-8

Szabo, B., Noble, D. W. A., Byrne, R. W., Tait, D. S., & Whiting, M. J. (2019). Precocial juvenile lizards show adult level learning and behavioural flexibility. Animal Behaviour, 154, 75–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.06.003

Species of the Bi-Week:

Vanderduys, E., Hoskin, C. J., Kutt, A. S., Wright, J. M., & Zozaya, S. M. (2020). Beauty in the eye of the beholder: A new species of gecko (Diplodactylidae: Lucasium) from inland north Queensland, Australia. Zootaxa, 4877(2), 291–310. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4877.2.4

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Frogs come in all shapes and sizes, but some frogs are particularly odd. Rain frogs with their globus bodies are the topic for this episode. Why are they living with mole-rats? And what do people living side-by-side with them think? Species of the Bi-week is a fresh rain frog, with remarkable colour variation.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Brom P, Anderson P, Channing A, Underhill LG. 2020. The role of cultural norms in shaping attitudes towards amphibians in Cape Town, South Africa. PLOS ONE 15:e0219331. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219331.

Šklíba J, Jirků M, Šumbera R. 2016. Burrow systems of mole-rats as refuges for frogs in the Miombo woodlands of south-east Africa. Journal of Tropical Ecology 32:158–161. DOI: 10.1017/S0266467415000644.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Nielsen SV, Conradie W, Ceríaco LMP, Bauer AM, Heinicke MP, Stanley EL, Blackburn DC. 2020. A new species of Rain Frog (Brevicipitidae, Breviceps) endemic to Angola. ZooKeys 979:133–160. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.979.56863.

Other Links/Mentions:

Voices of Missouri's Toads and Frogs (1985) by Missouri Department of Conservation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDf_GLpC3uQ&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=mooutdoors

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Hello 2021! We are back and this time discussing genetic rescue - can isolated, dwindling populations be assisted by adding individuals from elsewhere? After that, our Species of the Bi-Week has a dewlap but it isn't an anole.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Madsen, T., Loman, J., Anderberg, L., Anderberg, H., Georges, A., & Ujvari, B. (2020). Genetic rescue restores long-term viability of an isolated population of adders (Vipera berus). Current Biology, 30(21), R1297–R1299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.08.059

Scott, P. A., Allison, L. J., Field, K. J., Averill-Murray, R. C., & Shaffer, H. B. (2020). Individual heterozygosity predicts translocation success in threatened desert tortoises. Science, 370(6520), 1086–1089. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abb0421 

Species of the Bi-Week:

Sadasivan, K., Ramesh, M. B., Palot, M. J., Ambekar, M., & Mirza, Z. A. (2018). A new species of fan-throated lizard of the genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 from coastal Kerala, southern India. Zootaxa, 4374(4), 545–564. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4374.4.5

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Asad, S., Abrams, J. F., Guharajan, R., Sikui, J., Wilting, A., & Rödel, M. O. (2020). Stream Amphibian Detectability and Habitat Associations in a Reduced Impact Logging Concession in Malaysian Borneo. Journal of Herpetology, 54(4), 385-392. Read free here: https://bit.ly/2JoXJz7 

Marshall, B. M. & Strine, C. (2021). Make like a glass frog: In support of increased transparency in herpetology. Herpetological Journal. 31, 35-45. Read free here: https://bit.ly/35J8W5L 

Kyriazis, C. C., Wayne, R. K., & Lohmueller, K. E. (2020). Strongly deleterious mutations are a primary determinant of extinction risk due to inbreeding depression. Evolution Letters. https://doi.org/10.1002/evl3.209

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

This week’s episode is a bit jumbled as we focus on whether birds are using alligators to help protect nests. For the Species of the Bi-week we have a tiny tiny toad.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Burtner BF, Frederick PC. 2017. Attraction of Nesting Wading Birds to Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis). Testing the ‘Nest Protector’ Hypothesis. Wetlands 37:697–704. DOI: 10.1007/s13157-017-0900-x.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Li S-Z, Liu J, Wei G, Wang B. 2020. A new species of the Asian leaf litter toad genus Leptobrachella (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae) from southwest China. ZooKeys 943:91–118. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.943.51572.

Other Links/Mentions:

Alligator eating ducks: https://bit.ly/36VyJZi 

Alligators regrowing tails: https://bit.ly/3lXtz3k

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Greater earless lizards use their tail for all manner of things - but how has this shaped its evolution? We delve into this mystery and find out how horny toads (the lizards) cope with life at hot and cold extremes. Our Species of the Bi-Week is a colourful new desert dweller.

Ross McGibbon's 2021 calendar: https://bit.ly/3f93mgp 

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Gilbert, A. L., Brooks, O. L., & Lattanzio, M. S. (2020). Multiple behavioral contexts of a melanized tail display in a desert lizard. Ethology, 126(3), 333–343. https://doi.org/10.1111/eth.12975

Parlin, A. F., Schaeffer, P. J., & Jezkova, T. (2020). Modelling the effect of environmental temperatures, microhabitat and behavioural thermoregulation on predicted activity patterns in a desert lizard across its thermally diverse distribution. Journal of Biogeography, January, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13936

Species of the Bi-Week:

Huamani-Valderrama, L., Quiroz, A., Gutiérrez, R., Aguilar-Kirigin, A., Huanca-Mamani, W., Valladares-Faundez, P., Cerdeña, J., Chaparro, J. C., Santa-Cruz, R., & Abdala, C. S. (2020). Some color in the desert: description of a new species of Liolaemus (Iguania : Liolaemidae) from southern Peru, and its conservation status. Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, 14(3), 1–30.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Outomuro, D., Söderquist, L., Nilsson‐Örtman, V., Cortázar‐Chinarro, M., Lundgren, C., & Johansson, F. (2016). Antagonistic natural and sexual selection on wing shape in a scrambling damselfly. Evolution, 70(7), 1582–1595. https ://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12951

Other Links/Mentions:

David, P., Vogel, G., & Dubois, A. (2011). On the need to follow rigorously the Rules of the Code for the subsequent designation of a nucleospecies (type species) for a nominal genus which lacked one: the case of the nominal genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Reptilia: Squamata: Viperidae). Zootaxa, 2992(1), 1-51.

Hasson, O., Hibbard, R., & Ceballos, G. (1989). The pursuit deterrent function of tail‐wagging in the zebra‐tailed lizard (Callisaurus dra‐ conoides). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 67(5), 1203–1209. https://doi.org/10.1139/z89‐174

Outomuro, D., Söderquist, L., Nilsson‐Örtman, V., Cortázar‐Chinarro, M., Lundgren, C., & Johansson, F. (2016). Antagonistic natural and sexual selection on wing shape in a scrambling damselfly. Evolution, 70(7), 1582–1595. https ://doi.org/10.1111/evo.12951

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

A rainy night in a tropical forest; the sound of frog battle calls ring out –but who will be victorious? This episode we dive into the details of frog battles for supremacy, where tiny strawberry frogs of all colours are fierce combatants. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Magalhães, R. F. de, Lacerda, J. V. A., Reis, L. de P., Garcia, P. C. A., & Pinheiro, P. D. P. (2018). Sexual Dimorphism in Bokermannohyla martinsi (Bokermann, 1964) (Anura, Hylidae) with a Report of Male–Male Combat. South American Journal of Herpetology, 13(2), 202. doi: 10.2994/SAJH-D-17-00039.1

Yang, Y., Prémel, V., & Richards‐Zawacki, C. L. (2020). Prior residence effect determines success of male–male territorial competition in a color polymorphic poison frog. Ethology, eth.13093. doi: 10.1111/eth.13093

Species of the Bi-Week:

Rowley, J. J. L., Le, D. T. T., Hoang, H. D., Cao, T. T., & Dau, V. Q. (2020). ­A new species of phytotelm breeding frog (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Zootaxa, 4779(3), 341–354. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4779.3.3

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Farnsworth, E. J., Chu, M., Kress, W. J., Neill, A. K., Best, J. H., Pickering, J., … Ellison, A. M. (2013). Next-generation field guides. BioScience, 63(11), 891–899. doi: 10.1525/bio.2013.63.11.8

Maritz, R. A., & Maritz, B. (2020). Sharing for science: High-resolution trophic interactions revealed rapidly by social media. PeerJ, 8, e9485. doi: 10.7717/peerj.9485

Nali, R. C., & Prado, C. P. (2014). The fight call of Bokermannohyla ibitiguara (Anura: Hylidae): first record for the genus. Salamandra, 50(3), 181-184.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

They don't come greener than this - but what are they up to? We discuss the behaviour of some (mostly green) pit vipers, and we even have a brand new green species. 

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Strine, C., Brown, A., Barnes, C., Major, T., Artchawakom, T., Hill, J., & Suwanwaree, P. (2018). Arboreal mating behaviors of the big-eyed green pit viper (Trimeresurus macrops) in Northeast Thailand (Reptilia: Viperidae). Current Herpetology, 37(1), 81–87. https://doi.org/10.5358/hsj.37.81

Barnes, C. H., Farren, W., Strine, C. T., & Suwanwaree, P. (2020). Social behavior displayed by the Green Pit Viper Trimeresurus (Cryptelytrops) macrops. Tropical Natural History, 20(1), 95–103.

Bhaisare, D., & Pelling, E. (2015). Trimeresurus malabaricus (Malabar pit viper): Diving behaviour and underwater apnoea duration. Herpetological Bulletin, 134, 33–34.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Chen, Z., Yu, J., Vogel, G., Shi, S., Song, Z., Tang, Y., Yang, J., Ding, L., & Chen, C. (2020). A new pit viper of the genus Trimeresurus (Lacépède, 1804) (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwest China. Zootaxa, 4768(1), 112–128. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4768.1.7

Other Links/Mentions:

Wildlife laundering through breeding farms: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320711003685 

Turtle laundering presentation (Starts at 1h50): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCMDKzhzkwU 

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme- Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

In a mixed episode, we explore some gruesome ways to eat a toad practiced by kukri snakes, how the reptile trade looks to be a lot larger than what international trade databases report, and the description of a new cylindrical snake. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Bringsøe, H., Suthanthangjai, M., Suthanthangjai, W., & Nimnuam, K. (2020). Eviscerated alive: Novel and macabre feeding strategy in Oligodon fasciolatus (Günther, 1864) eating organs of Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider, 1799) in Thailand. Herpetozoa, 33, 157.

Marshall, BM., Strine, CT., Hughes, AC. (2020). Thousands of reptile species threatened by under-regulated global trade. Nature Communications, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18523-4

Species of the Bi-Week:

Bernstein, J. M., Bauer, A. M., Mcguire, J. A., Arida, E., Kaiser, H., Kieckbusch, M., & Mecke, S. (2020). Molecular phylogeny of Asian pipesnakes, genus Cylindrophis Wagler, 1828 (Squamata: Cylindrophiidae), with the description of a new species from Myanmar. Zootaxa, 4851(3), 535-558.

Other Links/Mentions:

Ball python trade: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/03/ball-pythons-west-africa-exports/

HERpers facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2741262562643265/?ref=share 

Happy Hour Field Guides Podcast: https://www.bourassawildlife.com/podcast/1-the-pandemic

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

This bi-week we are talking about some underwater cannibals, with a very stylish new species of salamander thrown in too. We also answer a patreon question about arboreal snakes, and how they avoid blood rushing out of their heads. 

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

McLean, K. I., Stockwell, C. A., & Mushet, D. M. (2016). Cannibalistic-morph Tiger Salamanders in Unexpected Ecological Contexts. The American Midland Naturalist, 175(1), 64-72.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Palacios-Aguilar, R., Cisneros-Bernal, A. Y., Arias-Montiel, J. D., & Parra-Olea, G. (2020). A new species of Bolitoglossa (Amphibia: Plethodontidae) from the central highlands of Guerrero, Mexico. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 98(6), 359-365.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Seymour, R. S., & Lillywhite, H. B. (1976). Blood pressure in snakes from different habitats. Nature, 264(5587), 664-666.

Seymour, R. S., & Arndt, J. O. (2004). Independent effects of heart–head distance and caudal blood pooling on blood pressure regulation in aquatic and terrestrial snakes. Journal of experimental biology, 207(8), 1305-1311.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme- Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

This episode is all about questioning the assumption that snake male-male combat is driven by competition for mates. We look at a paper that presents evidence showing that food might be behind the combat. Species of the Bi-week returns for a variable and vibrant viper.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Farrell TM, Gull HC, Boyce FS, Richter SC. 2024. Ritualized male–male combat resulting from intraspecific food competition in three Agkistrodon species. Journal of Ethology 42:83–88. DOI: 10.1007/s10164-024-00806-8.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Arteaga A, Pyron RA, Batista A, Vieira J, Meneses Pelayo E, Smith EN, Barrio Amorós CL, Koch C, Agne S, Valencia JH, Bustamante L, Harris KJ. 2024. Systematic revision of the Eyelash Palm-Pitviper Bothriechis schlegelii (Serpentes, Viperidae), with the description of five new species and revalidation of three. Evolutionary Systematics 8:15–64. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.8.114527.

Editing and Music:

Podcast edited by Alex – https://www.fiverr.com/alexanderroses

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Lizards of the night - Night lizards - Xantusiidae. We take a close look at the genetics of the island night lizards, and explore some new options for reptile home range estimations. Luck would have it, a new night lizard is our Species of the Bi-week. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

O’Donnell RP, Drost CA, Fellers GM, Crabb BA, Mock KE. 2018. Rare long-distance dispersal of the Island Night Lizard, Xantusia riversiana, maintains high diversity in a fragmented environment. Conservation Genetics 19:803–814. DOI: 10.1007/s10592-018-1055-x.

Silva I, Crane M, Marshall BM, Strine CT. 2020. Revisiting reptile home ranges: moving beyond traditional estimators with dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models. bioRxiv:23. DOI: 10.1101/2020.02.10.941278.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Palacios-Aguilar R, Santos-Bibiano R, Flores-Villela O. 2018. A New Species of Lepidophyma (Squamata: Xantusiidae) from the Pacific Lowlands of Guerrero, Mexico. Journal of Herpetology 52:327–331. DOI: 10.1670/17-061.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Fellers GM, Drost CA. 1991. Ecology of the island night lizard, Xantusia riversiana, on Santa Barbara Island, California. Herpetological Monographs 5:28–78.

Noonan MJ, et al. 2020. Effects of body size on estimation of mammalian area requirements. Conservation Biology:cobi.13495. DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13495.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme- Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Sidewinders, how do they go about life? From their hunting techniques, to how they view the landscape around them, this episode delves into the lives of these iconic vipers. Our Species of the Bi-Week is of course a recently described viper.

 

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Clark RW, Dorr SW, Whitford MD, Freymiller GA, Putman BJ. (2016) Activity cycles and foraging behaviors of free-ranging sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes): The ontogeny of hunting in a precocial vertebrate. Zoology 119, 196–206. (doi:10.1016/j.zool.2016.02.005)

 

Schraft HA, Bakken GS, Clark RW. (2019) Infrared-sensing snakes select ambush orientation based on thermal backgrounds. Scientific Reports. 9, 1–6. (doi:10.1038/s41598-019-40466-0)

 

Species of the Bi-Week: 

Sumontha M et al. 2020 Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. (Squamata : Viperidae), the Second Known Species of Lance-Headed Pit Viper from Thailand. Tropical Natural History 20, 43–59.

 

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Link to Tom’s marking snakes with VIE study: https://bit.ly/2ZNzUGA 

 

Other Links/Mentions:

Sidewinder videos: Video 1 http://youtu.be/AmGn3eESJkg Video 2 http://youtu.be/pPF0Wupl3lE Video 3 http://youtu.be/N2Nf8uMOZ2c Video 4 http://youtu.be/Jl8Ma7GMLks Video 5 http://youtu.be/epwYN9qp2TI Video 6 http://youtu.be/hREihZCiCd8 Video 7 http://youtu.be/BLLoYSz7DiI 

Eyewitness doc on reptiles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuyQsHWpBDQ

 

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme- Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Like many a fossorial snake, Sand Boas hold many surprises; this episode we explore some of those. First, an investigation into Dollo’s “Law”, then a couple of natural history notes providing some insight into Sand Boa diets. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Lobo, J. V., & Streepada, K. S. (2015). First report on Whitaker’s boa Eryx whitakeri feeding on common vine snake. Reptile Rap, 17.

Londei, T. (2015). Arabian sand boa Eryx jayakari (Squamata: Boidae) preying on Arabian toad-headed agama Phrynocephalus arabicus (Squamata: Agamidae): A nocturnal-to-diurnal species interaction. Herpetology Notes, 8, 155–15.

Lynch, V. J., & Wagner, G. P. (2010). Did Egg-laying Boas Break Dollo’s Law? Phylogenetic Evidence For Reversal To Oviparity In Sand Boas (Eryx: Boidae). Evolution, 64(1), 207–216. doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00790.x

Species of the Bi-Week:

Nguyen, H. N., Tran, B. V., Nguyen, L. H., Neang, T., Yushchenko, P. V., & Poyarkov, N. A. (2020). A new species of Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826 from the Langbian Plateau, southern Vietnam, with additional information on Oligodon annamensis Leviton, 1953 (Squamata: Colubridae). PeerJ, 8, e8332. doi: 10.7717/peerj.8332

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Laird, M. K., Thompson, M. B., & Whittington, C. M. (2019). Facultative oviparity in a viviparous skink (Saiphos equalis). Biology Letters, 15(4), 20180827. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0827

Recknagel, H., Kamenos, N. A., & Elmer, K. R. (2018). Common lizards break Dollo’s law of irreversibility: genome-wide phylogenomics support a single origin of viviparity and re-evolution of oviparity. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 127, 579-588.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

In this Patreon special episode we delve into the underground lives of the ultimate oddities - worm lizards. Find out how they go about tackling their invertebrate prey, and hear about a brand new species.

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Baeckens, S., García‐Roa, R., Martín, J., Ortega, J., Huyghe, K., & Van Damme, R. (2017). Fossorial and durophagous: implications of molluscivory for head size and bite capacity in a burrowing worm lizard. Journal of Zoology, 301(3), 193-205.

López, P., Martín, J., & Salvador, A. (2013). Flexibility in feeding behaviour may compensate for morphological constraints of fossoriality in the amphisbaenian Blanus cinereus. Amphibia-Reptilia, 34(2), 241-247.

Species of the Bi-Week:

De Almeida, J. P. F. A., De Freitas, M. A., Da Silva, M. B., Valverde, M. C. C., Rodrigues, M. T., Pires, A. M., & Mott, T. (2018). A new four-pored Amphisbaena (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) from northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa, 4514(4), 553-562.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Martín, J., Polo-Cavia, N., Gonzalo, A., López, P., & Civantos, E. (2012). Sexual dimorphism in the North African amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni. Journal of Herpetology, 46(3), 338-341.

Other Links/Mentions:

https://in2scienceuk.org/

Fundraiser for Ciliwung Herpetarium: https://bit.ly/3fJw6vj 

www.herpetofaunaindonesia.org 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mronxhn2sU Amphisbaenia alba

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoyrON_kGKw Amphisbaena fuliginosa

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species of the Bi-Week theme - Mike Mooney

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

We’re back and exploring the toughest of frogs; those frogs braving the harsh northern conditions that literally freezes them to the bone. How do they manage this incredible feat? We head south for a Species of the Bi-week because not all frogs are as tough as the Wood Frog. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Costanzo JP. 2019. Overwintering adaptations and extreme freeze tolerance in a subarctic population of the wood frog, Rana sylvatica. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 189:1–15. DOI: 10.1007/s00360-018-1189-7.

Storey KB, Storey JM. 2017. Molecular Physiology of Freeze Tolerance in Vertebrates. Physiological Reviews 97:623–665. DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00016.2016.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Catenazzi A, Ttito A. 2019. Noblella thiuni sp. n., a new (singleton) species of minute terrestrial-breeding frog (Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae) from the montane forest of the Amazonian Andes of Puno, Peru. PeerJ 7:e6780. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6780.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Ward M, Marshall BM, Hodges C, Montano Y, Artchawakom T, Waengsothorn S, Strine C. 2020. Nonchalant neighbours: Space use and overlap of the critically endangered elongated tortoise. OSF Preprints. DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/t34ax.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

We had the good fortune to be joined by herpetologist and author Scott Eipper for this special episode on Hoplocephalus. We also talk about Scott and his wife Tie’s new book on Aussie snakes, and of course we have a Species of the Bi-Week - this one is a robust new sand dweller.

Grab the new book by Scott and Tie Eipper here: https://bit.ly/2WewX0a 

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Shelton, M. B., Goldingay, R. L., & Phillips, S. S. (2018). Population ecology of a cryptic arboreal snake (Hoplocephalus bitorquatus). Australian Journal of Zoology, 65(6), 383-390.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Eskandarzadeh, N. et al. (2020) A new species of Eryx (Serpentes: Erycidae) from Iran. Zootaxa, 4767, 182-192. 

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Mirza, Z. A., Bhosale, H. S., Phansalkar, P. U., Sawant, M., Gowande, G. G., & Patel, H. (2020). A new species of green pit vipers of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Reptilia, Serpentes, Viperidae) from western Arunachal Pradesh, India. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 96, 123.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

A selection of papers are discussed in this episode. Starting with a big finding from Central America on the fate of snakes post-frog loss, and ending with a pair of more lighthearted natural history notes. Species of the Bi-week returns with a serpentine ocean dweller. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

 

Main Paper References:

Anderson, C. V., & Liebl L. A. (2019) MICRURUS ALLENI (Allen’s Coralsnake). DIET. Herpetological Review 50(1), 162-163

Paniagua K. S. & Abarca J. G. (2016). Thanatosis in four poorly known toads of the genus Incilius from the highlands of Costa Rica. Mesoamerican Herpetology 3(1), 135–140.

Zipkin, E. F., DiRenzo, G. V., Ray, J. M., Rossman, S., & Lips, K. R. (2020). Tropical snake diversity collapses after widespread amphibian loss. Science, 367(6479), 814-816.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Nankivell, J. H., Goiran, C., Hourston, M., Shine, R., Rasmussen, A. R., Thomson, V. A., & Sanders, K. L. (2020). A new species of turtle-headed sea Snake (Emydocephalus: Elapidae) endemic to Western Australia. Zootaxa, 4758(1), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.6

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Arias-Piedra, E., & Chaves-Cordero, G. A. (2013). Dermophis glandulosus. Predation by Micrurus alleni. Dermophis glandulosus. Depredación por Micrurus alleni. Herpetological Review., 44(4), 657-658.

Fernández, J., Vargas-Vargas, N., Pla, D., Sasa, M., Rey-Suárez, P., Sanz, L., ... & Lomonte, B. (2015). Snake venomics of Micrurus alleni and Micrurus mosquitensis from the Caribbean region of Costa Rica reveals two divergent compositional patterns in New World elapids. Toxicon, 107, 217-233.

Marshall BM, Strine CT. 2020. Make like a glass frog: In support of increased transparency in herpetology. OSF Preprints. DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/74frd.

Montgomery, C. E., Lips, K. R., & Ray, J. M. (2011). Ontogenetic shift in height of sleeping perches of Cope's Vine Snake, Oxybelis brevirostris. The Southwestern Naturalist, 358-362.

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Reptiles and amphibians are hard to find, so how can you be sure you haven’t missed any? We explore some reptile detectives, some of which are good boys. The Species of the Bi-Week is coming at you from the rainforests of Sri Lanka.

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Boback, S. M., Nafus, M. G., Yackel Adams, A. A., & Reed, R. N. (2020). Use of visual surveys and radiotelemetry reveals sources of detection bias for a cryptic snake at low densities. Ecosphere, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.3000

Jean-Marie, B., Raphael, G., Fabien, R., Aurélien, B., Sébastien, C., Nicolas, B., & Xavier, B. (2019). Excellent performances of dogs to detect cryptic tortoises in Mediterranean scrublands. Biodiversity and Conservation, 28(14), 4027–4045. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01863-z

Species of the Bi-Week:

Wickramasinghe, L. J. M., Vidanapathirana, D. R., Pushpamal, V., & Wickramasinghe, N. (2020). A new species of Dryocalamus (Serpentes: Colubridae) endemic to the rainforests of southwestern Sri Lanka. Zootaxa, 4748(2), 248–260. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4748.2.2

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: King cobra preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.03.24.006676v1

Egg swallowing bridle snake: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/A-inserting-the-upper-jaw-from-the-punctured-point-of-the-shell-B-C-swallowing-the_fig1_327623312

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

This episode we take a look at the Gaboon Viper… or is that a toad? Looking at a couple of papers, we check out the characteristics of Gaboon Viper skin, and how a smart toad may be harnessing the looks of a viper to stay safe. Species of the Bi-week returns and continues our African toad journey. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Spinner M, Gorb SN, Balmert A, Bleckmann H, Westhoff G. (2014). Non-Contaminating Camouflage: Multifunctional Skin Microornamentation in the West African Gaboon Viper (Bitis rhinoceros). PLoS ONE 9:e91087. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091087.

Vaughan ER, Teshera MS, Kusamba C, Edmonston TR, Greenbaum E. (2019). A remarkable example of suspected Batesian mimicry of Gaboon Vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae: Bitis gabonica) by Congolese Giant Toads (Amphibia: Bufonidae: Sclerophrys channingi). Journal of Natural History 53:1853–1871. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2019.1669730.

Species of the Bi-Week:

Ceríaco LMP, Marques MP, Bandeira S, Agarwal I, Stanley EL, Bauer AM, Heinicke MP, Blackburn DC. (2018). A new earless species of Poyntonophrynus (Anura, Bufonidae) from the Serra da Neve Inselberg, Namibe Province, Angola. ZooKeys 780:109–136. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.780.25859.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Spinner M, Kovalev A, Gorb SN, Westhoff G (2013) Snake velvet black: hierarchical micro- and nanostructure enhances dark colouration in Bitis rhinoceros. Scientific Reports 3: 1846. doi: 10.1038/srep01846

Penner J, Fruteau C, Range F, Rödel M-O. (2008). Finding a needle in a haystack: new methods of locating and working with rhinoceros vipers (Bitis rhinoceros). Herpetological Review 39:310–314.

Wittenberg, R.D., Jadin, R.C., Fenwick, A.M. et al. (2015). Recovering the evolutionary history of Africa’s most diverse viper genus: morphological and molecular phylogeny of Bitis (Reptilia: Squamata: Viperidae). Organisms Diversity and Evolution 15, 115–125 https://doi.org/10.1007/s13127-014-0185-3

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Painted turtles - cute, and brightly coloured, but are they harbouring a dark secret? We first discuss identifying their gender, followed by talk of some unusual behaviour. Our Species of the Bi-Week is an Angolan lizard.

Main Paper References:

Moldowan, P. D., Brooks, R. J., & Litzgus, J. D. (2017). Assessing head morphology dimorphism in the Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) using a photographic questionnaire. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 16(1), 76-82.

Moldowan, P. D., Brooks, R. J., & Litzgus, J. (2020). Demographics of injuries indicate sexual coercion in a population of Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta). Canadian Journal of Zoology, (ja).

Species of the Bi-Week:

Branch, W. R., Conradie, W., & Vaz Pinto, P. (2020). Another Angolan Namib endemic species: a new Nucras Gray, 1838 (Squamata: Lacertidae) from south-western Angola. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 13(2), 82–95 (e199).

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Hawkshaw, D. M., Moldowan, P. D., Litzgus, J. D., Brooks, R. J., & Rollinson, N. (2019). Discovery and description of a novel sexual weapon in the world’s most widely-studied freshwater turtle. Evolutionary Ecology, 33(6), 889-900.

Silva, I., Crane, M., Marshall, B. M., & Strine, C. T. (2020). Revisiting reptile home ranges: moving beyond traditional estimators with dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models. BioRxiv, 23. doi:10.1101/2020.02.10.941278

Other Links/Mentions:

Sexing dolphins by their fins: https://www.nature.com/news/2008/081013/full/news.2008.1166.html

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

 

Killing snakes is bad karma, but it might also be bad for business.

Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights

Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop

Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Shine R, Dunstan N, Abraham J, Mirtschin P. 2023. Why Australian farmers should not kill venomous snakes. Animal Conservation:acv.12925. DOI: 10.1111/acv.12925.

Other Links/Mentions:

Pseudothecadactylus australis Gecko call courtesy of Jari Cornelis

Editing and Music:

Podcast edited by Alex – https://www.fiverr.com/alexanderroses

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Crocodiles! What are they doing, running about, biting bones… We take a look at a couple of papers: one examining just how they run, the other examining their role in the study of fossil bones. Species of the Bi-week is back and we finally give the newly rediscovered caiman sub-species the attention it deserves…. And a bonus species! FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Domínguez-Rodrigo, M., & Baquedano, E. (2018). Distinguishing butchery cut marks from crocodile bite marks through machine learning methods. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 5786. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-24071-1

Hutchinson, J. R., Felkler, D., Houston, K., Chang, Y.-M., Brueggen, J., Kledzik, D., & Vliet, K. A. (2019). Divergent evolution of terrestrial locomotor abilities in extant Crocodylia. Scientific Reports, 9(19302). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55768-6

Species of the Bi-Week:

Balaguera-Reina, S. A. (2019). Rediscovering the Apaporis Caiman (Caiman crocodilus apaporiensis): Notes from a Long-Anticipated Expedition. Journal of Herpetology, 53(4), 310. doi:10.1670/19-028

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Sahle, Y., El Zaatari, S. & White, T. D. (2017). Hominid butchers and biting crocodiles in the African Plio–Pleistocene. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi:10.1073/pnas.1716317114

Smales, L. R., Allain, S. J. R., Wilkinson, J. W., & Harris, E. (2020). A new species of Pseudoacanthocephalus (Acanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae) from the guttural toad, Sclerophrys gutturalis (Bufonidae), introduced into Mauritius, with comments on the implications of the introductions of toads and their parasites into the UK. Journal of Helminthology, 94.

Other Links/Mentions:

Cuban crocodile galloping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O78CxqRl7NE 

Freshwater croc galloping etc: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co7bJlJliEs

Crocodilian movement discoveries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdaH73fD5dY

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

They’re strange, they’re soft, they’re turtles - but where do they go? This episode is all about the comings and goings of softshell turtles living in the rivers of the USA. Species of the Bi-week is back, where we check out a slender character from Laos.

FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Plummer, M. V., & O’Neal, C. S. (2019). Aerobic Pushups: Cutaneous Ventilation in Overwintering Smooth Softshell Turtles, Apalone mutica. Journal of Herpetology, 53(1), 27. https://doi.org/10.1670/18-038

Ross, J. P., Bluett, R. D., & Dreslik, M. J. (2019). Movement and Home Range of the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica): Spatial Ecology of a River Specialist. Diversity, 11(8), 124. https://doi.org/10.3390/d11080124

Species of the Bi-Week:

Luu, V. Q., Bonkowski, M., Nguyen, T. Q., Le, M. D., Calame, T., & Ziegler, T. (2018). A New Species Of Lycodon Boie, 1826 (Serpentes: Colubridae) From Central Laos. Revue Suisse de Zoologie, 125(2), 263–276. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.1414221

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Cahn, A. R. (1937). The turtles of Illinois. Illinois Biological Monographs 16:1–218.

Fraser, K. C., Davies, K. T., Davy, C. M., Ford, A. T., Flockhart, D. T. T., & Martins, E. G. (2018). Tracking the conservation promise of movement ecology. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 6(October), 150. https://doi.org/10.3389/FEVO.2018.00150

Other Links/Mentions:

Crocfest: https://www.facebook.com/crocfests 

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Amphibians can make use of all sorts of places: from underground grottos to the tips of trees –but are there any patterns in where amphibians take to the trees? This episode we discuss a paper exploring just that, followed by an example of some civil serpents. This weeks Species of the Bi-week is tiny and cute. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com

Main Paper References:

Oliveira, B. F., & Scheffers, B. R. (2019). Vertical stratification influences global patterns of biodiversity. Ecography, 42(2), 249-249.

Barnes, C. H., Farren, W., Strine, C. T., Hill III, Jacques., Waengsothorn, S., & Suwanwaree, P. (2019). Are the habitat niches of female green pit vipers Cryptelytrops macrops and Viridovipera vogeli partitioned by vertical stratification?. Herpetological Bulletin, (149).

Species of the Bi-Week:

Santa-Cruz, R., von May, R., Catenazzi, A., Whitcher, C., López Tejeda, E., & Rabosky, D. L. (2019). A New Species of Terrestrial-Breeding Frog (Amphibia, Strabomantidae, Noblella) from the Upper Madre De Dios Watershed, Amazonian Andes and Lowlands of Southern Peru. Diversity, 11(9), 145.

Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:

Scheffers, B. R., Phillips, B. L., Laurance, W. F., Sodhi, N. S., Diesmos, A., & Williams, S. E. (2013). Increasing arboreality with altitude: a novel biogeographic dimension. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 280(1770), 20131581.

Strine, C., Barnes, C., Crane, M., Silva, I., Suwanwaree, P., Nadolski, B., … Hill, J. (2015). Sexual dimorphism of tropical green pit viper Trimeresurus (Cryptelytrops) macrops in Northeast Thailand. Amphibia-Reptilia, 36(4), 327–338. https://doi.org/10.1163/15685381-00003010

Other Links/Mentions:

Posts concerning the resignation of Diversity and Distributions editorial staff:

https://retractionwatch.com/2018/11/28/majority-of-journals-editorial-board-resigns-after-publishers-handling-of-letter-about-move-to-open-access/

https://oanarchy.wordpress.com/2018/09/04/to-the-editors-diversity-and-distributions-and-wiley-publishers/

Music:

Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson

Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com