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Literatur und Schriften
MELNIKOV, D.A. & E.N. MELNIKOVA (2013): Taxonomic diversity of the genus Pseudotrapelus (Agamidae; Sauria) and biogeography of Afro-Arabia. [in Russian, with English Abstract]. - Proceedings of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences 317 (4): 438–451. This is the first annotated check-list on taxonomic structure of Pseudotrapelus, a genus that was considered previously to be monotypic. The paper is based on a large collection (more than 250 specimens from the whole range of the genus), and represents the first publication about this genus in Russian. Five Pseudotrapelus species are divided into two groups: the African one with Ps. sinaitus sensu stricto and the Arabian one with Ps. neumanni, Ps. aqabensis, Ps. dhofarensis and Ps. jensvindumi. The division into two groups was caused, probably, by separation of Arabia from Africa 28–23 mya. The collision of these landmasses via the Gomphoterium land bridge, south from the Sinai Peninsula 18–15 mya caused the secondary colonization of Arabia by Pseudotrapelus (this time by Ps. sinaitus) and formation of the sympathry zone and, probably, hybridization with the Arabian species group in the Aqaba area. South-Western Arabia is the center of recent taxonomic diversity of Pseudotrapelus. MELNIKOV, D.A., MELNIKOVA, E., BONDARENKO, D.A. & Z.S. AMR (2013): Taxonomy and distribution of Pseudotrapelus (Agamidae, Sauria) in Jordan. – Russ. J. Herpetol., 20 (3): 213-216. New information on distribution of P. sinaitus and P. aqabensis in Jordan based on morphological and molecular data is presented. P. sinaitus is widely distributed though all of Jordan, P. aqabensis live only in Aqaba vicinity. The agamid Pseudotrapelus lizards inhabit the mountainous areas of the Arabian Peninsula and eastern North Africa. Currently six Pseudotrapelus species are recognised, though diagnostic morphological characters are still lacking, creating great difficulty in describing new species. Recently, two specimens of Pseudotrapelus were collected from the vicinity of Riyadh in central Saudi Arabia, an area that was not sampled in previous phylogenetic studies. In here we used both mitochondrial and nuclear data to investigate the phylogenetic position of the new samples, and assess their phylogenetic relationships with the other recognised species of Pseudotrapelus from across the distribution range of the genus. We used a multilocus approach of haplotype networks, concatenated datasets and species trees, performed mitochondrial and nuclear species delimitation analyses, and estimated divergence times. In general, our results support previous molecular studies and uncover the presence of cryptic diversity within Pseudotrapelus. The phylogenetic structure of the genus is of two major clades and within them seven distinct, delimited phylogenetic groups belonging to the six recognised species and the seventh to the individuals from Riyadh. The Riyadh specimens were distinct in all analyses performed. We suggest that the new specimens from the Riyadh area are a distinct lineage, forming a clade with their phylogenetic relatives, P. sinaitus and P. chlodnickii. The clade formed by these three species diverged during the Late Miocene around 6.4 Ma, with cladogenesis possibly facilitated by vicariance and isolation caused due to climatic fluctuations and the progression of sandy areas. Our results suggest further morphological research is necessary to revise the taxonomic status of this lineage and of the entire genus.
MELNIKOV, D.A., MELNIKOVA, E.N., MILTO, K.D. & N.B. ANANJEVA (2014): On an occurrence of Pseudotrapelus aqabensis Melnikov, Nazarov, Ananjeva et Disi, 2012 in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. - Current Studies in Herpetology, 14 (1/2): 27-31. Data on a new occurrence of Ps. aqabensis in the Sinai peninsula, Egypt, are presented. The specimens from the Taba prefecture are characterized by the morphological and genetic characters of Ps. aqabensis. All the specimens studied have their third toe longer than the fourth one, and males have four welldeveloped preanal pores separated from each other. The sequences of mtDNA (COI and ND2) and nuclear DNA (RAG1) fragments are similar to those of the specimens from the typical locality of Ps. aqabensis, including the Holotype. We assume that Ps. aqabensis has penetrates to the Sinai Peninsula from the Arabia. This direction is opposite to the Ps. sinaitus penetration from Africa to Arabia, which was proposed in our earlier paper based on the study of more than 150 sequences of mitochondrial (COI and ND2) and nuclear (RAG1) DNA of all Pseudotrapelus species from whole distributional range. It was shown very low genetic variability of Ps. sinaitus from the most south-western locality in African Egypt (Azraq) through the type locality of the species (mountain Sinai) to the north-eastern Jordan (Mquat). This indicates a very fast species expansion through the paleo-bridge that connecting Africa and Asia in the past. While recent features as geographic barriers – Red Sea, Suez and Aqaba bay, are not affecting the molecular-genetic structure of the species. The history of Ps. aqabensis и Ps. sinaitus colonization of this territory is complicated and needs further investigations. A new species of Pseudotrapelus from Aqaba, southern Jordan is described. It differs from P. sinaitus in four well developed separated preanal pores in males, 3rd toe much longer than 4th and 16% incorrect p-distance (COI). Taxonomic relationships between Arabian Peninsula Pseudotrapelus need further investigations.
MELNIKOV, D., ŚMIELOWSKI, J., MELNIKOVA, E., NAZAROV, R. & N.B. ANANJEVA (2015): Red’n’blues - a new species of Pseudotrapelus (Agamidae, Sauria) from Sudan, Africa. – Russ. J. Herp., 22 (1): 53-60.
GROSSMANN, W. & H.-J. ZILGER (2016): Pseudotrapelus dhofarensis MELNIKOV & PIERSON, 2012 Dhofar-Agame; englisch: Dhofar Agama. – Sauria, Berlin, 38 (1): 1-2. MELNIKOV, D. & T. PIERSON (2012): A new species of Pseudotrapelus (Agamidae, Sauria) from Dhofar, Oman. – Current Studies in Herpetology, 12 (3/4): 143-151. A new species of Pseudotrapelus from Dhofar, Oman is described. It differs morphologically from P. sinaitus in that its 3rd toe is much longer than its 4th one (11–13 lamellae under the 4th toe), from P. aqabensis and P. neumanni in that it has one row of 6 – 8 unseparated precloacal pores in males. This new species also has 15% genetic divergence from P. sinaitus and 10% from P. aqabensis (COI). Taxonomic relationships of Arabian Peninsula Pseudotrapelus need further investigations.
MELNIKOV, D.A., ANANJEVA, N.B. & T.J. PAPENFUSS (2013): A new species of Pseudotrapelus (Agamidae, Sauria) from Nizwa, Oman. – Russian Journal of Herpetology, 20 (1): 79-84. A new species of Pseudotrapelus from Nizwa, Oman is described. It differs morphologically from P. sinaitus in that its 3rd toe is much longer than its 4th (14 lamellae under the 4th toe), from P. aqabensis, P. dhofarensis, and P. neumanni in that it has one row of 4 unseparated precloacal pores in males. This new species also has 16.6% genetic divergence from P. sinaitus, 11% from P. aqabensis and 11.2% from P. dhofarensis (COI). Taxonomic relationships of Arabian Peninsula Pseudotrapelus need further investigations.
Sinai Agama ABU BAKER, M., QUARQAZ, M., RIFAI, L., HAMIDAN, N., AL OMARI, K., MODRY, D. & Z. AMR (2004): Results of herpetofaunal inventory of Wadi Ramm protected area, with notes on some relict species. – Russian Journal of Herpetology, 11 (1): 1-5. ALI-SHTAYEH, M.S. & A.K. HAMAD (1997): Biodiversity in Palestine: West Bank and Gaza Strip. In: Proceedings of the Arab experts meeting on biodiversity in the Arab world. (ed. ACSAD: The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands (Damascus) and the Technical Secretary of the League of the Arab States (Cairo). 1-5 October 1995, Cairo, Egypt. ACSAD/AS/P171/1997. Damascus. p. 469-529. DIECKMANN, M. (2011): Pseudotrapelus sinaitus (HEYDEN, 1827). – Iguana, 24 (1): 17-20. FROMMER, J. (2009): Zu Besuch bei Laudakia stellio und Pseudotrapelus sinaitus in Jordanien. – Iguana, 22 (1): 5-14. GOLDBERG, S.R. (2013): Pseudotrapelus sinaitus (Sinai agama) reproduction. - Herpetological Review 44 (4): 681-682. GOLDBERG, S.R. & C.R. BURSEY (2013): Pseudotrapelus sinaitus (Sinai agama) endoparasites. - Herpetological Review 44 (4): 681. HERTZ, P.E., HUEY, R.B. & E. NEVO (1982): Fight versus flight: body temperature influences defensive responses of lizards. – Anim. Behav., 30 (3): 676-679. HERTZ, P.E. & E.NEVO (1981): Thermal biology of four Israeli agamid lizards. – Israel Journal of Zoology, 30: 190-210. KOWALSKI, T. & W. GROSSMANN (2011): Pseudotrapelus sinaitus (HEYDEN, 1827). – Sauria, Berlin, 33 (1): 1-2. MELNIKOV, D., NAZAROV, R., DISI, A.M. & N.B. ANANJEVA (2011): How many species in the genus Pseudotrapelus (Agamidae)? New basal member from southern Jordan. – In: Abstr. Of the Second Mediterranean Congr. Of Herpetol., 23-27 May 2011, Marrakesh, Morocco: p. 65 MEYERS, J.J., HERREL, A. & K.C. NISHIKAWA (2002): Comparative Study of the Innervation Patterns of the Hyobranchial Musculature in Three Iguanian Lizards: Sceloporus undulatus, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus, and Chamaeleo jacksonii. – Anat. Rec., 267: 177-189. The neuroanatomy and musculature of the hyobranchial system was studied in three species of iguanian lizards: Sceloporus undulatus, Pseudotrapelus sinaitus, and Chamaeleo jacksonii. The goal of this study was to describe and compare the innervation and arrangement of the hyobranchial musculature in the context of its function during tongue protrusion. A comparison of the hyobranchial innervation patterns revealed a relatively conserved innervation pattern in S. undulatus and P. sinaitus, and a modified version of this basic layout in C. jacksonii. All three species show anastomoses between sensory neurons of the trigeminal nerve and motor neurons of the hypoglossal nerve, suggesting that feedback may be important in coordinating tongue, jaw, and hyoid movements. The hyobranchial musculature of S. undulatus is very similar to that of P. sinaitus; however, there are minor differences, including the presence of an M. genioglossus internus (GGI) muscle in S. undulatus. Further differences are found mainly in functional aspects of the hyobranchial musculature, such as changes in the muscle lengths and the origins and insertions of the muscles. In C. jacksonii the hyobranchial system is comprised of largely the same components, but it has become highly modified compared to the other two species. Based on the innervation and morphological data gathered here, we propose a revision of the terminology for the hyobranchial musculature in iguanian lizards. NORFOLK, O., MELOTTE, A., GILBERT, F., ZALAT, S. & T. READER (2010): A comparative study of two agamid lizards, Laudakia stellio and Pseudotrapelus sinaitus, in southern Sinai. – Egypt. J. Biol., 12: 27-42. The study compared habitat use and behaviour in two sympatric species of agamid lizard, Laudakia stellio and Pseudotrapelus sinaitus. Despite sharing the same habitat, the two species differed in their utilisation of microhabitats within it. Pseudotrapelus spent significantly longer on rocks compared to Laudakia. Pseudotrapelus showed evidence of heliothermic regulation, spending most of the time in the sun, but moving into the shade in the warmer afternoons. These varying temporal patterns may reflect differential thermoregulatory requirements between the two lizard species. Pseudotrapelus can change colour rapidly. There was no evidence of any thermoregulatory function in this ability; it is likely to be a form of social communication. Being brightly coloured was associated with behaviours implying increased conspicuousness: blue lizards were alert and vigilant for an average of 93% of each viewing session, compared to just 60% of the time in non-blue camouflaged lizards. The striking nature of the transitory blue colouration suggests it may have evolved for maximum salience, a trait common with signals. We simulated social encounters using blue model lizards and mirrors. Behavioural responses to these stimuli all involved colour changes, and support the social-signaling hypothesis. Kurzfassung:
Tuwaiq Agama SMID, J., R. SINDACO, M. SHOBRAK, S. BUSAIS, K. TAMAR, T. AGHOVÁ, M. SIMÓ-RIUDALBAS, P. TARROSO, P. GENIEZ, P.-A. CROCHET, J. ELS, B. BURRIEL-CARRANZA, H. TEJERO-CICUÉNDEZ & S. CARRANZA (2021): Diversity patterns and evolutionary history of Arabian squamates. - Journal of Biogeography. 2021; 00: 1–17. (early view) Aim: Deserts are generally perceived as areas of low diversity, and hence receive little attention from researchers and conservationists. Squamates are the dominant group of vertebrates in arid regions, and as such represent an ideal model to study biodiversity patterns in these areas. We examine spatial patterns of diversity, evolutionary history and endemism of terrestrial squamates of the Arabian Peninsula and test hypotheses on the role of topography and history of isolation so as to identify possible environmental drivers of diversification. - Location: The Arabian Peninsula. - Taxon: Squamate reptiles (Squamata; lizards and snakes). - Methods: We generated distribution maps for all Arabian squamate species (including yet undescribed) and reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships using existing and newly produced genetic data for nearly all the species. We assessed patterns of the distribution of species richness, phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic endemism across the peninsula to identify areas that could be considered evolutionary or endemicity hotspots for squamates. We evaluated community turnover across the peninsula and assessed the possible environmental drivers affecting the diversity of Arabian squamates in a regression framework. - Results: The main hotspots of Arabian squamate diversity are mostly along the mountains that rim the peninsula while the most arid, central regions support a low diversity of species. The distribution of the phylogenetic diversity mirrors that of the species richness. Phylogenetic endemism is also highest in the mountains, especially when only endemic species are analysed. The deserts of northern Arabia are poor in terms of species richness and they show low connectivity to the peninsular communities. Topographic heterogeneity is the strongest predictor for Arabian squamates, followed by elevation. There is no correlation between richness and temperature. - Main conclusions: The mountains of Arabia support rich and unique squamate communities that are dominated by local radiations of closely related and narrow-ranging species. In particular, the Asir Mountains of SW Arabia, Dhofar Province of Oman and the Hajar Mountains of northern Oman and UAE show unprecedented levels of squamate endemism and phylogenetic endemism. While many generalist species range across Arabia, a low number of species is shared between the peninsula and mainland Asia, indicating an effective isolation of the Arabian fauna. Squamate richness is highest in heterogeneous, topographically complex habitats TAMAR, K., L. CHIRIO, M. SHOBRAK, S. BUSAIS & S. CARRANZA (2019): Using multilocus approach to uncover cryptic diversity within Pseudotrapelus lizards from Saudi Arabia. - Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 26: 1442–1449. The agamid Pseudotrapelus lizards inhabit the mountainous areas of the Arabian Peninsula and eastern North Africa. Currently six Pseudotrapelus species are recognised, though diagnostic morphological characters are still lacking, creating great difficulty in describing new species. Recently, two specimens of Pseudotrapelus were collected from the vicinity of Riyadh in central Saudi Arabia, an area that was not sampled in previous phylogenetic studies. In here we used both mitochondrial and nuclear data to investigate the phylogenetic position of the new samples, and assess their phylogenetic relationships with the other recognised species of Pseudotrapelus from across the distribution range of the genus. We used a multilocus approach of haplotype networks, concatenated datasets and species trees, performed mitochondrial and nuclear species delimitation analyses, and estimated divergence times. In general, our results support previous molecular studies and uncover the presence of cryptic diversity within Pseudotrapelus. The phylogenetic structure of the genus is of two major clades and within them seven distinct, delimited phylogenetic groups belonging to the six recognised species and the seventh to the individuals from Riyadh. The Riyadh specimens were distinct in all analyses performed. We suggest that the new specimens from the Riyadh area are a distinct lineage, forming a clade with their phylogenetic relatives, P. sinaitus and P. chlodnickii. The clade formed by these three species diverged during the Late Miocene around 6.4 Ma, with cladogenesis possibly facilitated by vicariance and isolation caused due to climatic fluctuations and the progression of sandy areas. Our results suggest further morphological research is necessary to revise the taxonomic status of this lineage and of the entire genus. A recent molecular phylogeny of the agamid genus Pseudotrapelus, distributed in the rocky areas of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, revealed the presence of a genetically distinct lineage around the city of Riyadh in central Saudi Arabia. With the inclusion of additional specimens, we were able to describe this lineage as a new species, P. tuwaiqensis sp. nov., confined to the Tuwaiq Escarpment, thus endemic to central Saudi Arabia. Our results of morphological examinations and molecular analyses, using three mitochondrial (COI, 16S, ND4-tRNAs) and two nuclear (c-mos, MC1R) gene fragments, show the new species is genetically differentiated and phylogenetically close to and P. chlodnickii. |
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