47,417 research outputs found
Typhlops eperopeus Thomas & Hedges, 2007, new species
No full textTyphlops eperopeus new species (Figs. 3 E, 4 B) Holotype: USNM 564785 (field tag number 266250), an adult female, collected 3.9 km airline SSW Barahona (4.5 km S Barahona along coast road and 2.8 km inland), 18 ° 9.854 ' N, 71 ° 5.497 ' W, 305 m, on 30 July 1999 by R. Thomas. Paratypes: All from the Dominican Republic. Barahona Prov.: AMNH 51496, above Del Monte’s Finca (mountains southwest of Barahona), 697 m, 1 August 1932, W. G. Hassler; USNM 564788, 13.5 km by road SW Barahona, 580 m, 18 August 1984, S. B. Hedges; USNM 564787, 4.5 km S Barahona, thence 4.0 km W, 460 m, 8 August 1975, R. Thomas; USNM 564786, 2.4 km WNW Paraiso, 200 m, 12 August 1983, S. B. Hedges, R. Thomas; KU 272423, 6 km NE Paraiso; RT 3516, 4 km NW Enriquillo, 212 m, 8 August 1975, R. Thomas. Independencia Prov.: AMNH 41265 – 266, Duvergé; USNM 564789 –791, 6 km W Duvergé at La Zurza (N 18 ° 23.978 ' W 71 ° 34.358 ', minus 7 m, 22 March 2004, S. B. Hedges. Diagnosis: This is a large, 20 scalerow species of Typhlops, not reducing to 18 scale rows posteriorly or reducing about 2 / 3 the way along the body. Despite the fact that specimens of this species were previously included within T. hectus (Thomas, 1974), T. eperopeus agrees with T. titanops in the presence of reduction from 20 to 18 scale rows fairly far anteriorly (60–65 % of the TL) in some individuals (all T. titanops reduce at around midbody; T. hectus reduce at 73–94 % TL). It differs from T. titanops in having a greater number of middorsal scales (307–329 versus 231–264). In body size (TL), T. eperopeus averages larger: 140–281 (= 234) mm versus 145–216 (= 185) mm in T. titanops. From the standpoint of size, middorsal counts and head scale shapes, however, the major comparisons are with T. hectus and the other species described herein. Typhlops eperopeus is sympatric with T. proancylops and differs from that species in having a nearly parallelsided rostral (oval in T. proancylops), having a rostral wide point relatively far posterior (anterior in T. proancylops; Fig. 7 A) and having a preocular with rounded apex (two angles near the apex in T. proancylops; Fig. 3 B). Typhlops eperopeus differs from T. hectus in having a nearly parallelsided rostral (distinctly clavate in T. hectus), and having a preocular with rounded apex (pointed in T. hectus; Figs. 3, 7 B). Typhlops eperopeus differs from T. agoralionis in having a broader rostral (RW 1 /RL 1 0.51–0.58 versus 0.41–0.45 in T. agoralionis), having a straightedged (Vshaped) preocular extension (lower edge with angled bend in T. agoralionis; Fig. 3 C). Typhlops eperopeus differs from T. sylleptor in having a broader rostral (RW 1 /RL 1 0.51–0.58 versus 0.44–0.50 in T. sylleptor), a nearly parallelsided rostral (oval in T. sylleptor), and in having a rostral wide point relatively far posterior (Fig. 7 A). Description: Rostral nearly parallelsided or only slightly clavate with widest point beyond the midpoint; labial flare 1.3. Preocular angle 46–58 °, with a broad but angled apex; lower portion contacting only the 3 rd of the upper labials. Ocular length approximately 1 / 2 height, sinuosity 0.25 – 0.19. Rostronasal pattern parallel to slightly divergent. Postoculars 2 (cycloid). First parietal standard, spanning 2 scale rows, occasionally narrower, spanning slightly more than 1 scale row. Second parietal present and equal in size to first. TL 140– 281 mm (= 234, excluding 140 mm juvenile). TL/TA: 22–31. TL/MBD 29–39. Middorsal scales 305–329 (= 314). Scale rows 20 – 18, reduction occurring at 57–66 % TL. Coloration bicolor with dorsal pigmentation (pale tan to dark brown) fading ventrally; facial area generally pigmented, although the rostral may lack pigment, as in the holotype. AMNH 51496 and KU 272423 are very heavily pigmented individuals. No males of this species have been identified; see comments above for T. hectus. Distribution: Known from below sea level in the Valle de Neiba up to relatively high elevations in the eastern Sierra de Baoruco. The elevational range is 7 meters below sea level to 697 m. In the lower elevations of its range, this species occurs sympatrically with T. pusillus and T. sulcatus (Schwartz & Henderson, 1991), and with T. proancylops in the vicinity of Puerto Escondido and Duvergé. Etymology: Eperopeus, which we use appositionally, is Greek for deceiver, in allusion to the deceptive morphological similarity of this species to Typhlops hectus and the other species described herein, in contrast to its presumed relationship to T. titanops based on molecular and some morphological characters.Published as part of Thomas, Richard & Hedges, Blair, 2007, Eleven new species of snakes of the genus Typhlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from Hispaniola and Cuba, pp. 1-26 in Zootaxa 1400 on pages 12-13, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17541
Typhlops sylleptor Thomas & Hedges, 2007, new species
No full textTyphlops sylleptor new species (Fig. 3 D) Holotype: USNM 564804 (field tag number 192317), collected 8.0 km WSW Baradères, Dépt. de la Grande Anse, Haiti, 420 m, 7 June 1991, by M. Leal and R. Thomas. Paratypes: USNM 564807, same data as holotype; USNM 564805 – 806, 5.0 km S Pestel, Dépt. de la Grande Anse, Haiti, 375 m, 24 May 1991, by S. B. Hedges, M. Leal, N. Plummer, and R. Thomas. Diagnosis: This is a moderate sized 20 scalerow species of Typhlops having no posterior reduction. Typhlops sylleptor is sympatric with T. hectus. It differs from T. hectus in being more bluntsnouted, having smaller eyes, and having a narrowly oval rostral (Fig. 3 D), in contrast to the clavate rostral of T. hectus (Fig. 3 A) that widens towards the tip. A large, broadly rounded anterior projection of the preocular also differentiates it from T. hectus, which has preocular with sharply pointed apex (Fig. 3 A). These differences can be seen also in graphs of RW 1 /RL 1 versus HR (Fig. 6 F), RWP versus RW 1 /RL 1 (Fig. 6 G), and PD versus HR (Fig. 6 H). Typhlops sylleptor is also a shorter tailed species (TL/TA 27–43, males) than either T. hectus or T. proancylops (TL/TA 20–24, males). From T. proancylops (Fig. 3 B), T. sylleptor also differs in having a preocular scale without a bent edge, and a relatively larger preocular angle and smaller preocular diameter (Fig. 6 I). The edges of the posterior nasals flanking the rostral are parallelsided or slightly divergent in T. sylleptor compared with T. proancylops. From T. agoralionis (Fig. 3 C), T. sylleptor differs in having differentlyshaped rostral and preocular scales, a larger, nonoverlapping, rostral wide point (0.39–0.47 versus 0.14–0.32), and a wider rostral in relation to rostral length, reflected in graphs of RWP versus RW 1 /RL 1 (Fig. 6 G) and RL 1 versus RW 1 (Fig. 6 J). Also, pigmentation in T. sylleptor is heavy, with pigment on the facial region extending irregularly across the venter. Description: Snout relatively short. The rostral is oval, wide at midpoint and tapering to the tip; labial flare 1.0– 1.3. PA 51–68 o, with a rounded apex (PD 0.29–0.54 mm; lower portion contacting only the 3 rd of the upper labials in a relatively short, steeply angled suture. Ocular length approximately 1 / 2 height, sinuosity 0.16 – 0.14. Rostronasal pattern parallel. Postoculars two (cycloid). First parietal standard, spanning two scale rows. Second parietal present (absent unilaterally in one) and equal in size to first or slightly narrower. TL 118–214 (= 166) mm, excluding 105 and 107 mm juveniles. TL/TA: males 27–43, female 30. TL/MBD 33–34. Middorsal scales 305–324 (= 313). Scale rows 20 – 20, no posterior reduction. Coloration medium brown above fading onto venter by lightening and dropping out of scales; all specimens pigmented across the throat, pigment continuing across venter irregularly, becoming less continuous posteriorly; in one specimen the venter is almost completely pigmented on the anterior half of the body. The rostral is largely unpigmented, but the flanking upper wing of the posterior nasal and the preocular are both pigmented. Distribution: Known only from the karst region between Baradères and Pestel in low but hilly, mesic habitat (375–420 m elevation). It occurs sympatrically with Typhlops hectus. In this karst region we also discovered an undescribed species of Amphisbaena (Thomas and Hedges, in press). Etymology: From the Greek, sylleptor, meaning a companion, in reference to the other 20 row Typhlops of similar morphology found on the distal part of the Tiburon Peninsula. The species from the eastern extreme of the La SelleBaoruco massif, in the Dominican Republic, may be known asPublished as part of Thomas, Richard & Hedges, Blair, 2007, Eleven new species of snakes of the genus Typhlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from Hispaniola and Cuba, pp. 1-26 in Zootaxa 1400 on pages 10-12, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17541
Tarentola crombiei Díaz & Hedges, 2008, new species
No full textTarentola crombiei, new species Fig. 1 A, 2 A Holotype. MNHNCu 4624, an adult male from La Mesa de Leo Prada (20 º05′ 11 ′′N, 074º 20 ′ 42 ′′W), a marine terrace at the W side of the mouth of Río Jauco, Maisí, Guantánamo, collected by Luis M. Díaz on August 4 of 2005. Paratypes (n= 55). Males (21): MNHNCu 4626 – 28 with same data as the holotype; MNHNCu 4638 – 42, and 4664, from Siboney, Reserva Ecológica Siboney-Juticí (19 º 57 ′ 40 ′′N, 075º 42 ′ 59 ′′W), Santiago de Cuba, collected by Luis M. Díaz and Antonio Cádiz on April 19–22 of 2007; MNHNCu 4647, same locality, but collected on June 20 of 2007; CRT 976, 978, 979, 984, 985, 987, and 988, from Puerto Escondido, east of Guantánamo harbor, Guantánamo province, collected by Charles T. Ramsden in June of 1914; USNM 335759 – 760, peak of John Paul Jones Hill, U.S. Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, collected on 19 March 1987 by S. Blair Hedges, Carla A. Hass, and George Zustak; USNM 315882, 315884, John Paul Jones Hill, U.S. Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, collected in 1988 by Ronald I. Crombie, Linda Gordon, and George Zustak. Females (26): MNHNCu 4625, from Reserva Ecológica de Hatibonico, Guantánamo, collected by Luis M. Díaz on April 16 of 2001. MNHNCu 4629 – 37 with same data as the holotype; MNHNCu 4643 – 44, from Siboney, Reserva Ecológica Siboney-Juticí, Santiago de Cuba, collected by Luis M. Díaz and Antonio Cádiz on April 19–22 of 2007; MNHNCu 4645 – 46, same locality, but collected on June 20 of 2007; CTR 974, 975, 977, 980, 981, 983, 986, 989 – 991, with the same collecting data; MFP 757, Puerto Escondido, collected by C. T. Ramsden on July 6 of 1914; USNM 315883, John Paul Jones Hill, U.S. Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, collected in 1988 by Ronald I. Crombie, Linda Gordon, and George Zustak; USNM 315880, Kittery Beach Road, near Graffiti Hill, U.S. Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, collected in 1988 by Ronald I. Crombie and Linda Gordon. Juveniles (1): USNM 315881, Windmill Beach Road, 1.9 km from Windmill Beach, U.S. Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay. Sex not determined (7): MCZ 8506, from Cabo Cruz, Granma, collected by Thomas Barbour in 1913; MCZ 11873, 11878, La Patana, Maisí, Guantánamo, collected by V. J. Rodríguez and F. R. Wulsin (respectively) in 1916. MCZ 96531, La Patana, Maisí, Guantánamo, collected by F. R. Wulsin in 1916; MCZ 9435 from Puerto Escondido, east of Guantánamo harbor, Guantánamo province, collected by Charles T. Ramsden in 1914; MCZ 68937, U.S. Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, collected by R. V. Lando; MCZ 141573, Cuzco Beach, U.S. Naval Base, Guantánamo Bay, collected in 1974 by W. E. Haas. Diagnosis. Tarentola crombiei has a small adult size: maximum SVL= 57.8 mm versus 120 mm in T. americana americana, and 92 mm in T. a. warreni (Schwartz, 1968). It has inconspicuous transverse folds among rows of enlarged tubercles (as usually present in T. americana); a tendency towards a lower number of dorsal tubercles in the axilla-groin distance despite a slight overlap (15–19, versus 18–25 in T. americana); lower number of ventral scales (35–45 versus 47–62 in T. americana) in the same distance; dorsal tubercles giving place to ventral scales without a definite zone of transitional scales (as present in T. a. americana); tendency for a lower number of subdigital lamellae in the fourth toe with only a slight overlap (10–14, versus 14– 21 in T. a. americana); lower number of subdigital lamellae in the first toe (8–12, versus 13–18 in T. a. americana); fourth toe dorsal scales arranged in 5–9 transverse rows (10–13 in T. a. americana) (see Fig. 2 for pattern comparisons); the toe marginal scales (dorsal view) are not conspicuously different from the submarginal scales (they are distinctive in T. americana) (Fig. 2); one egg per clutch (two eggs adhered to each other in T. a. americana); eggs fusiform shaped and usually not attached to the substrate (rounded, variably depressed in T. a. americana, and commonly attached to different surfaces). Regarding coloration, adult individuals of T. crombiei and young T. a. americana of similar size are easily separated because the later generally has better defined body bands than the former. The new species shares with T. a. warreni the condition of dorsal tubercles transitioning to ventral scales without a conspicuous zone of granules; however, the Bahamian subspecies, beside been larger in size, differs from T. crombiei by having a higher number of dorsal tubercles and ventral scales in the axilla-groin distance (which are within the referred range of variation of T. a. americana). At the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, the new species differs from T. americana by 22 % sequence divergence (Weiss and Hedges, 2007). Description. Size small [males SVL: 45.7–57.8 (x= 51.8; n= 16), females: 36.3–56.6 (x= 48.4, n= 18)]; head length 25–31 % (x= 27 %, n= 34) of SVL; head width 72–82 % (x= 78 %, n= 34) of head length; snout width 71–81 % (x= 75 %, n= 34) of head width; eye diameter 25–37 % (x= 31 %, n= 34) of head length; tail 1.1–1.2 times longer than body. Dorsum covered by slightly pointed, enlarged keeled tubercles arranged in 14–17 (mode 16, n= 33) transversal rows at midbody; ventral scales smooth, cicloid, and imbricated, forming 26–38 (n= 34) rows at midbody; interorbital scales 12–15 (n= 33); 0–3 scales bordering the mental; scales around naris 3 (n= 34); first toe lamellae 8–12 (n= 34); ventrolateral folds present, delimiting dorsal tubercles and ventral scales; ear opening height/width: 0.6–1.5 (x= 1.1)/ 0.3 –1.0 (x= 0.5). Males with hemipenial bulges at the base of tail, bearing arched series of 3–4 enlarged and projected rounded scales. All measurements and counts are shown in Table 1, compared with those of Cuban Tarentola americana. Tarentola crombiei n. sp. Tarentola americana Males Females Males Females (N= 16) (N= 18) (N= 17) (N= 11) Color in life: Pale gray to brownish gray. A wide dark postocular stripe extends to the insertion of the forelimbs. This stripe is flanked below by a longitudinal row of white to light cream colored tubercles. The lines on the top of head are narrow, diffuse or fragmented, often forming reticulations, but sometimes they are nearly absent. There are specimens with such lines fused at the level of the occiput. Generally, there are 6–7 barely defined transvere zones on the body between the limbs, containing scattered black tubercles bordered by transvere rows of white tubercles. Some specimens have no defined transverse dark zones, but only a scattered arrangement of white and dark brown to black tubercles. Tail with gray to dark brown bands which are sharper and more intensely colored distally. Regenerated tails have small dots and flecks. Enlarged supraciliary scales at the anterior border of eyes are whitish cream. Color in alcohol: The body is tan or whitish gray, with black and white blotches and stripes not conspicuously arranged in bands. Description of the holotype: SVL: 49 mm; tail length: 56.5 mm; head length: 12.8 mm; head width: 10.5 mm; eye-naris distance: 3.8 mm; eye diameter: 4.6 mm; axilla-groin distance: 19.1 mm; ear opening height/ width: 1.0/ 0.5 mm; supralabial scales: 6; infralabial scales: 5; scales around naris: 3; postmental scales: 2; interorbital scales: 15; dorsal tubercles in the axilla-groin distance: 16; ventral scales in the axilla-groin distance: 36; transversal series of dorsal tubercles: 16; transversal series of ventral scales: 33; first toe lamellae: 12; second toe lamellae: 13; fourth toe dorsal rows of scales: 7. Distribution. Known from seven localities along of the southern coast of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo provinces (Fig. 3). Etymology. The species name is a patronym for Ronald I. Crombie in recognition of his contributions to West Indian herpetology and for his early recognition of this distinct species. Ecological observations. The region inhabited by Tarentola crombiei is the driest part of Cuba and receives annually about 400–800 mm of rain (Fig. 4 A–C). The mean habitat is a coastal xerophytic scrub that grows over semidesertic lowlands and karstik marine terraces. During the day, all the lizards collected at the type locality were found inside dry plants of the genus Agave (Fig. 4 C). In Siboney (Reserva Ecológica Siboney-Juticí), nine specimens were collected actively at night in less than five square meters while perching on scrubs, at heights of 0.5 –3.0 meters above the ground (perch diameter <5 cm). A female obtained at this locality was in the process of shedding and was observed rubbing her snout on the leaf of a small epiphytic bromeliad (Tillandsia sp.) to assist in the process. At Reserva Ecológica de Hatibonico, a female (MNHNCu 4625) was found during the night on the walls of small volcanic elevations known as “monitongos.” Several communal nests of Tarentola crombiei were collected at the type locality and Reserva Ecológica de Hatibonico in dry clumps of Agave sp. (Fig. 4 D). Eggs were white, slightly fusiform shaped, and measured 11.0– 13.3 x 8.2–9.9 mm (mean= 12.1 x 9.1 mm, n= 12). Single eggs were seen through the ventral skin of females, or were laid in captivity by pregnant individuals. Tarentola crombiei and T. americana occur together in the same habitat, although the later is more easily seen than the former because it frequents human dwellings. Clutches of T. crombiei and T. americana were both found in the same dry plants of Agave sp. (in Reserva Ecológica de Hatibonico). Eggs of T. americana were bigger, usually depressed, round shaped, and always laid in pairs strongly attached to each other and to the substrate. Hatchlings of T. crombiei obtained in the laboratory from collected communal nests measured 23.8–25.7 mm (mean= 24.6, n= 5) in SVL, and 20.3– 23.2 mm (mean= 21.7, n= 5) in tail length. The following insects were found in the feces of Tarentola crombiei (from six adult specimens kept in the same collecting bag): cockroaches (Blaberinae and Blattidae), crickets, an elaterid beetle, and ants (Camponotus sp.). Very small stones were also present in several stools. In the surroundings of Río Jauco, local people use the vernacular name “ pega ” (singular) for both species of Cuban Tarentola, considering adults of T. crombiei as young individuals of T. americana.Published as part of Díaz, Luis M. & Hedges, Blair, 2008, A new gecko of the genus Tarentola (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Eastern Cuba, pp. 43-52 in Zootaxa 1743 on pages 44-48, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18158
Typhlops proancylops Thomas & Hedges, 2007, new species
No full textTyphlops proancylops new species (Fig. 3 B) Holotype: KU 272267, an adult male, collected at Soliette, 5 km airline NW Fond Verettes, 363 m, Dépt. du SudEst, Haiti, on 13 July 1979 by Haitian collectors. Paratypes: Haiti. Dépt. du SudEst: KU 272262 –268, 272269– 278, same data as the holotype; RT 5609 – 13, same locality as holotype, 12 July 1978, Haitian collectors; 5664 – 671, same locality as the holotype, 23 July 1978, Haitian collectors; USNM 564801 –802, 24 October 1984, Haitian collectors. Dépt. de l’Ouest: KU 269813, ca. 10 km by road W Pétionville, N versant, Morne l’Hôpital, 818 m, 1 March 1966, R. Thomas; KU 269814, KU 269899, ca. 7 km airline W Pétionville, N versant of Morne l’Hôpital, 606 m, 1 March 1966, R. Thomas. Dominican Republic. Independencia Prov.: KU 272525, 5 km W Puerto Escondido, 30 June 1969, R. K. Bobilin; USNM 564803, Rabo de Gato (ca. 3 km S Puerto Escondido), 383 m, 23 March 2004, S. B. Hedges. Associated specimens (all from Haiti): Dépt. de l’Ouest: KU 269825, 2.4 km S Trouin; RT 5301, 2.9 km S Découzé, 424 m; RT 7476, Vendal, 1.4 km N Découzé, 363 m (Coq Chanté); ASFS V 45526 – 527, V 45546, 5.0 km. S Béloc; ASFS V 46092, 1.2 km N Découzé. Dépt. du SudEst: RT 7575, ca. 5 km airline SW Blockhaus, 393 m. Diagnosis: A large, 20 scalerow species of Typhlops, having no posterior reduction. This species was previously included within T. hectus (Thomas, 1974) and the major comparison is with that species (Table 1). Typhlops proancylops is allopatric with T. hectus and differs from that species in having a narrower rostral that is widest more anteriorly than in T. hectus and which tapers towards the tip, in contrast to the clavate rostral of T. hectus that widens towards the tip (Figs. 3, 6 A). It has a larger, broader anterior projection of the preocular that is not smoothly rounded but has two angles near the apex, in contrast to T. hectus, which has, on the average, a more acuminate apex (Fig. 3). The posterior nasalpreocular suture has an angled deflection, rather than a continuously curved suture as in T. hectus. The suture between the preocular and the 3 rd infralabial is relatively long in comparison to T. hectus (Fig. 6 B). The edges of the posterior nasals flanking the rostral tend to be straight or very slightly divergent, whereas those of T. hectus are more bowed out. Also, T. proancylops is more heavily pigmented, with pigment in the facial region on the preoculars, posterior nasals, and rostral, in contrast to the palesnouted T. hectus (excepting the Morne Salagnac snakes referred to above). The hemipenes of T. proancylops are distinctive in being trumpetshaped and capitate with a fleshy rim around the apex; no other West Indian species is known to have this morphology (Thomas, 1976). Other species of West Indian Typhops have trumpetshaped organs that are flat apically (Thomas, 1976); in one species, T. rostellatus Stejneger, the organ is domed or rounded apically, but none have a comparable rim. Description: Rostral narrow in dorsal aspect (RW 1 /RL 1 0.37–0.50), varying from somewhat hastate (with widest part anterior to the middle) to a narrow oval (widest point about the middle), always tapering to a relatively narrow tip; labial flare 0.64–0.80. Preocular angle 42–61 o, with a nonacuminate apex with breaks interrupting its curvature (apical diameter 0.4–0.71 mm; lower portion of preocular contacting only the 3 rd of the upper labials. The angled anteriormost point is so pronounced that in a few animals a suture extends partly or all the way to the naris, partly or fully dividing the anterior nasal. Ocular length is approximately 1 / 2 height, sinuosity 0.23 – 0.10. The rostronasal pattern is parallel to slightly divergent with the dorsal limb of the posterior nasal typically having a slight bend rather than being smoothly curved, the bend being often most visible in the glandular edges of the scale papilla; postoculars, two (cycloid). The first parietal is standard, spanning two scale rows, occasionally narrower, spanning slightly more than one scale row. The second parietal is equal in size to first or absent. TL 127–243 mm (= 197, N = 28). (10) TL/TA: males 20–24, females 25–31. TL/MBD 31–46. Middorsal scales 283–312 (= 299, N = 28). Scale rows 20 – 20. Pigmentation is extensive, including the facial region and the venter; pigmentation on the venter is lighter but pigmented scales extend completely across the venter in the middle part of most specimens with dropping out of pigmented scales occurring on the anterior and posterior venter. Hemipenes are trumpetshaped with a domed apex having a fleshy rim. The sulcus spermaticus enters the organ medially, spirals posteriorly and laterally for 1 / 4 turn, proceeding to the distal region. TABLE 1. A summary of variation in selected characters of Typhlops hectus and associated species of Hispaniolan blindsnakes. 1 A, Typhlops hectus; B, T. proancylops; C, T. agoralionis; D, T. sylleptor; E, T. eperopeus. Distribution: This species occurs from the proximal Tiburon Peninsula, west to the uplands south of Port au Prince, to the type locality on the DominicanHaitian border and east into the Dominican Republic, to the region of Puerto Escondido. All are upland localities from around 300 to 600 m. The type locality is where the Rivière Soliette (on one map given as Soleilet) crosses the road from Fond Parisien to Fond Verrettes. It is also the type locality for Leptotyphlops leptepileptus. In the description of that species (Thomas, et al., 1985), it was noted that the site was "treelined" and shady compared to the more open cultivationscrub mosaic of the surrounding limestone hills. However, most of those specimens and all of the topotypes of T. proancylops were collected by Haitian collectors; and we have no way of knowing the exact sites where they were found. In general, this area is more mesic than the scrubbier area a couple of kilometers below Soliette at Plain Thoman. Likewise, the Morne l’Hôpital locality, along Route Boutilliers, is mesic, compared to the lowlands of PortauPrince and the CuldeSac Plain, immediately to the north. At the time of collection, in 1966, there was a certain amount of habitation and cultivation above Route Boutilliers and steep slopes below it. The unpaved roadbed itself provided some less exposed, moist sites where the three specimens of Typhlops proancylops were collected by turning rocks. However, Haitian cultivators obtained specimens of Typhlops capitulatus Richmond and Amphisbaena innocens from their fields above the road. The localities to the west near Découzé and Béloc lie in mesic upland areas of coffee cultivation along the road that crosses the Tiburon Peninsula from Carrefour Dufort to Jacmel. The most xeric habitat in which Typhlops proancylops has been found are the localities near Puerto Escondido in the Dominican Republic. These sites lie in the northern foothills of the Sierra de Baoruco, and the habitat was dry gallery forest and xeric woods (Acacia and Bucida). Etymology: Proancylops is from the Greek pro, before, ancistros, bent, and ops, eye, in reference to the bent or broken outline of the preocular. The second of the new species occurs on the northern slopes of the Massif de la Hotte in the distal part of the Tiburon peninsula of Haiti. It may be known asPublished as part of Thomas, Richard & Hedges, Blair, 2007, Eleven new species of snakes of the genus Typhlops (Serpentes: Typhlopidae) from Hispaniola and Cuba, pp. 1-26 in Zootaxa 1400 on pages 7-9, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17541
Phrynopus tribulosus Duellman & Hedges, 2008, new species
No full textPhrynopus tribulosus new species Holotype: KU 291630, adult male, from 2.9 km N, 5.5 km E (airline) Oxapampa, 2600 m, 10 ° 32 ' 38 "S, 75 ° 21 ' 10 "W, Departamento Pasco, Peru, obtained on 3 July 1987 by S. Blair Hedges. Diagnosis. A species of Phrynopus characterized by: (1) skin on dorsum finely shagreen with scattered small tubercles; that on venter smooth; dorsolateral folds absent; discoidal fold absent; (2) tympanic membrane not differentiated; tympanic annulus absent; (3) snout moderately short, bluntly rounded in dorsal view, rounded and inclined anteroventrally in profile; (4) upper eyelid bearing small tubercles, narrower than IOD; cranial crests absent; (5) dentigerous processes of vomers absent; (6) vocal slits and nuptial pads absent; (7) Finger I shorter than Finger II; tips of fingers rounded, barely expanded; (8) fingers lacking lateral fringes; (9) ulnar tubercles absent; (10) heel bearing one subconical tubercle, outer edge of tarsus with row of subconical tubercles; inner tarsal fold absent; (11) inner metatarsal tubercle ovoid, about equal in size to rounded outer metatarsal tubercle; supernumerary plantar tubercles absent; (12) toes lacking lateral fringes; webbing absent; Toes III and V equal in length; tips of toes rounded; (13) dorsum green with brown markings; (24) SVL in one male 15.2 mm. The presence of a single subconical tubercle on the heel and a row of subconical tubercles on the outer edge of the tarsus distinguishes Phrynopus tribulosus from most other species in the genus. Phrynopus barthlenae Lehr & Aguilar, P. k o t o s h Lehr, and P. oblivius Lehr have several small tubercles on the heel, and the last two species also have small tubercles on the outer edge of the tarsus; of these species, P. barthlenae and P. oblivius differ from P. tribulosus in having Toe V slightly longer than Toe III (instead of equal in length) and in color pattern—gray and black dorsally and ventrally in P. barthlenae, mottled tan and brown dorsally and ventrally in P. k o t o s h, and white spots on a brown dorsum and red venter in P. oblivius. The tubercles in P. bracki and P. dagmarae are larger and much like those in P. tribulosus; P. bracki differs from P. tribulosus in having Toe V slightly longer than Toe III (instead of equal in length), vomerine teeth present (absent in P. tribulosus) and in coloration—predominately brown dorsally and ventrally. Phrynopus tribulosus is most like P. dagmarae, which differs by being larger with a more robust body and in lacking vocal slits. Also, P. dagmarae has a red blotch in the groin; some individuals are brown and others are green (Fig. 1 D). See Table 1 for comparisons with all other species of Phrynopus. Description of holotype. Adult male with white testes; body moderately slender; head as wide as body, slightly longer than wide; head width 33.6 % SVL; head length 34.9 % SVL; snout bluntly rounded, nearly truncate in dorsal view, rounded and slightly inclined anteroventrally in profile; canthus slightly curved, rounded in profile; loreal region distinctly concave; lips not flared; nostrils not protuberant, directed laterally; internarial region not depressed; top of head slightly convex; width of upper eyelid much less (64.7 %) than IOD; eye large, its diameter much greater than its distance from nostril; tympanum and supratympanic fold absent. Tongue longer than broad, shallowly notched posteriorly, free behind for about one fourth of its length; choanae small, ovoid, partially concealed by palatal shelf of maxillary; dentigerous processes of vomers not visible; vocal slits absent. Forelimb slender; ulnar tubercles absent; palmar tubercle large, ovoid, slightly bifurcate distally, barely larger than elliptical thenar tubercle; subarticular tubercles large, rounded to subconical; supernumerary tubercles absent; fingers slender, lacking lateral fringes; relative lengths of fingers I<II<IV<III; tips of fingers barely expanded, rounded, lacking circumferential grooves; nuptial pads absent. Hind limb short, moderately slender; tibia length 44.1 % SVL; foot length 44.7 % SVL; heel bearing small, subconical tubercle; outer edge of tarsus having three broad subconical tubercles; inner tarsal fold absent; inner metatarsal tubercle ovoid, about same size as round outer metatarsal tubercle; subarticular tubercles small, rounded; supernumerary tubercles absent; toes slender, lacking lateral fringes; relative lengths of toes I<II<III=V<IV; tips of toes narrow, rounded, lacking circumferential grooves. Skin on dorsum smooth with scattered, small, round tubercles most prominent on flanks and hind limbs; tubercles on upper eyelids small; dorsolateral folds absent; skin on venter smooth; discoidal fold not evident; skin around cloaca and ventrolateral to cloaca granular. Coloration of holotype in preservative: Dorsum pale tan with brown markings consisting of canthal stripe, labial bars, postorbital stripe, interorbital bar, blotch on medial surface of forearm, and middorsal rectangular mark on body; cloacal area dark brown continuous with dark brown longitudinal stripe on posterior surface of thigh; flanks pale brown; faint brown bars on hind limbs; venter cream with brown blotches. Coloration of holotype in life: Dorsal surfaces of head, body, and limbs dull green with dark brown markings consisting of canthal stripe, three labial bars on each upper lip, short postorbital stripe, broad interorbital bar, irregularly bordered diagonal mark from behind orbit to X-shaped mark on midbody, blotch on medial surfaces of forearms, and diagonal bars on hind limbs (Fig. 1 B); flanks tannish green with brown smudge anteriorly and dark brown blotch in upper groin; posterior surfaces of thighs dark brown; Fingers I and II and Toes I–III dull greenish yellow; other digits brown; venter; posterior surfaces of thighs lacking flash marks; iris dark brown with gold flecks. Measurements of holotype in mm: SVL 15.2; tibia length 6.7; foot length 6.8; head length 5.3; head width 5.1; interorbital distance 1.7; width of eyelid 1.1; internarial distance 1.7; eye-nostril distance 1.3; diameter of eye 2.0. Distribution and ecology. The species is known only from the type locality in humid montane forest, where it was found deep within a mossy bank by day. Etymology. The specific name is Latin meaning thorny. The name refers to the short, thorn-like tubercles on the heel and outer edge of the tarsus. Discussion. Species of Phrynopus have restricted distributions at elevations of 2200–4400 m in the Andes in central Peru. Most frequently they are the only anurans found at the higher elevations, and there are few cases of sympatric pairs of species— P. dagmarae and P. tautzorum, P. heimorum and P. hortspauli, and P. kotosh and P. m o n t i u m all at elevations above 2900 m in Departamento Huánuco; P. juninensis and P. m o n t i u m as well as P. oblivius and P. peruanus at elevations in excess of 3000 m in Departamento Junín; P. juninensis and P. paucari at an elevation of 3600 m in Departamento Pasco (Lehr 2007 b; Lehr et al. 2002, 2005b). The type locality of the two new species at an elevation of 2600 m harbors three species of Phrynopus, the two species described herein plus P. bracki (Hedges, 1990). In the Andes in central Peru species of Phrynopus generally occur at higher elevations than do Pristimantis. The localities in the vicinity of Oxapampa are the lowest for species of Phrynopus. At the type locality at 2600 m, the three species of Phrynopus occur sympatrically with Pristimantis bromeliaceus and P. rhabdocnemus, and at San Alberto at 2200 m, Phrynopus bracki occurs sympatrically with these same two species of Pristimantis, plus Pristimantis sagittulus (Duellman and Hedges 2005; Lehr et al. 2004).Published as part of Duellman, William E. & Hedges, Blair, 2008, Two new minute species of Phrynopus (Lissamphibia: Anura) from the Cordillera oriental in Peru, pp. 59-66 in Zootaxa 1675 on pages 63-64, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.27405
PTU-101 The Introduction of a pathway featuring the use of nasal bridles improves outcomes following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion amongst an elderly cohort
No full textIntroduction: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are associated with complications and excess mortality if mistimed or inserted inappropriately. A 2008 anonymised NCEPOD review highlighted a very high mortality rate of 43% at one week post-insertion.1 The aim of this study was to see if the introduction of a new pathway, featuring the use of nasal bridles, could improve PEG related outcomes amongst inpatients at SRH - a hospital where >25% of inpatients are over 75.Methods: Nasal bridles for nasogastric (NG) tubes and a new multi-disciplinary pathway were introduced at SRH: May-Sept 2014. In Dec-2015 the notes for all inpatients receiving a PEG tube were reviewed. Group 1 – patients receiving PEG tube the year before the changes: [May 2013 – May 2014]. Group 2, the year after: [Sept 2014 – Sept 2015]. Prior modes of feeding and outcomes were analysed: 1 outcome: 30 day mortality. 2 outcomes: major complications; length of stay.Results: 58 inpatients received a PEG tube during the study period. Full records were unavailable for 2 from each group. Of the 54 remaining: 27 were male, 27 female; mean age: 76 (range: 34–95). Group 1: 29 patients (53.7%); None received a bridle or parenteral nutrition. 27.6% of patients multiply failed conventional NG progressing straight to PEG - mean age of subgroup: 85 (range: 76–93). 1 outcome:30 day mortality - 27.6%. 2 outcomes: two suffered a major complication (intra-abdominal sepsis); mean length of stay was 61 days. Group 2: 25 patients (46.3%); No patients received parenteral nutrition but 36% of patients received a nasal bridle prior to PEG - the mean age of this sub-group was 82 (range: 78–95). The mean delay from placement of bridle to PEG tube insertion was 26.5 days. 1 outcome outcomes: 30 day mortality - 12%. 2 outcomes: there were no major complications and the mean length of stay was 51 days.Conclusion: Decisions regarding the timing of PEG tube insertion are fraught with difficulty. The changes have greatly improved outcomes following PEG tube insertion locally. We, the authors, feel this is primarily because: 1) amongst a very elderly subgroup, nasal bridles helped to appropriately delay PEG tube insertion until nutrition was optimised; 2) the protocol served to improve communication between healthcare professionals preventing inappropriate PEG insertion. The changes were inexpensive but also contributed to saving the hospital up to 250 excess bed days, worth over £70,000
Some physical properties of solid argon
No full textThe velocities of ultrasonic waves in solid argon were measured by means of a pulse technique for temperatures between 74°K and the triple point (84.80°K). One longitudinal, v�, and two transverse, v[subscript t]� and v[subscript t]₂ , velocities, assumed to be single crystal velocities in the 110-direction, were observed. The values at 77.5°K were: v� = 1334 m/s; v[subscript t]� = 700 m/s; and v[subscript t]₂ = 642 m/s. the elastic constants obtained at 77.5°K were c�� = 3.045x10¹� dynes/cm²; and c₄₄ = 0.682x10¹� dynes/cm². Values of the velocities and elastic constants indicated that the solid became increasingly soft near the melting point and thus gave no indication of hole formation. Volume expansion measurements for temperatures from 67.7°K to 78.6°K were in close agreement with previously reported values and also gave no indication of hole formation. The vapor pressure was measured for temperatures from 63.5°K to 77.5°K under various conditions designed to observe the existence of the hcp phase reported to be in the solid argon. It was estimated that less than 1% (if any) of the hcp phase was formed at 77.5°K. Experiments with crystal growth techniques suggested that growing large single crystals is a formidable task. In conclusion, the hypothesis of hole formation near the melting point was not substantiated. The concentration of the hcp phase in solid argon seemed to be small or nonexistent. Crystals of 1 cc were consistently grown, if etch patterns on the free surface of the solid indicated grain boundaries. However, velocity measurements on optically clear solids of about 2 cc indicate that they were essentially single crystals
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