Edoardo Razzetti

Morph-specific immunity in male Podarcis muralis

Permanent colour polymorphism in lizards is maintained by complex interactions between environmental pressures and physiological traits (such as immune responsiveness) that differ among morphs. In this study we investigated whether T-cell mediated immune response vary among male colour morphs in the trimorphic (white, yellow and red) common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis . We found that yellow males showed a lower immune response compared to both red and white males, whose responses were similar. Thus, immune responsiveness is morph-specific in male common wall lizards, suggesting that this physiological trait could play an important role in maintaining colour polymorphism in this species. Moreover, immune responsiveness significantly increased with increasing male size, irrespective of colour morph, indicating that it could be regarded as a condition-dependent trait.

Unexpectedly High Levels of Cryptic Diversity Uncovered by a Complete DNA Barcoding of Reptiles of the Socotra Archipelago.

Few DNA barcoding studies of squamate reptiles have been conducted. Due to the significance of the Socotra Archipelago (a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site and a biodiversity hotspot) and the conservation interest of its reptile fauna (94% endemics), we performed the most comprehensive DNA barcoding study on an island group to date to test its applicability to specimen identification and species discovery. Reptiles constitute Socotra’s most important vertebrate fauna, yet their taxonomy remains under-studied. We successfully DNA-barcoded 380 individuals of all 31 presently recognized species. The specimen identification success rate is moderate to high, and almost all species presented local barcoding gaps. The unexpected high levels of intra-specific variability found within some species suggest cryptic diversity. Species richness may be under-estimated by 13.8–54.4%. This has implications in the species’ ranges and conservation status that should be considered for conservation planning. Other phylogenetic studies using mitochondrial and nuclear markers are congruent with our results. We conclude that, despite its reduced length (663 base pairs), cytochrome c oxidase 1, COI, is very useful for specimen identification and for detecting intra-specific diversity, and has a good phylogenetic signal. We recommend DNA barcoding to be applied to other biodiversity hotspots for quickly and cost-efficiently flagging species discovery, preferentially incorporated into an integrative taxonomic framework.

Directional asymmetry and correlation of tail injury with left-side dominance occur in Serpentes (Sauropsida)

Recent evidence on directional asymmetry (DA) in species of the paraphyletic assemblage “Lacertilia” indicates a possible biological significance of this phenomenon, and we tested its occurrence in Serpentes by examining bilateral morphological characters, such as the numbers of supralabial and infralabial scutes and the diameter of the eyes, on both sides of museum specimens of seven species: Coronella austriaca, Elaphe longissima, Hierophis viridiflavus, Natrix natrix, Natrix tessellata, Platyceps saharicus, and Vipera aspis. Significant DA (not antisymmetry) occurred in at least one sex of four species and in two characters: H. viridiflavus—the number of infralabial scutes in males; N. tessellata—the diameter of the eyes in males; P. saharicus—the number of infralabial scutes in males and the diameter of the eyes in females; and V. aspis—the number of infralabial scutes in the pooled sexes. In N. tessellata and P. saharicus the DA varied geographically. Rank correlation between the DA of different characters, positive or negative, was significant in one character pair in each of three species. In the largest sample (N. tessellata males from the Levant), tail injury correlated with morphological left-dominant asymmetry (a greater number on the left) of infralabial scutes. Four of ten morphologically left-dominant males, but only 1 of 37 symmetrical or right-dominant males, had an injured tail. The syndrome of morphological DA with functional handicap may be genotypical or phenotypical. Our results support three earlier conclusions: bilateral characters should be examined on both sides of an animal; asymmetry should be analyzed separately in each sex; and the accident proneness of left-handed Homosapiens merits re-evaluation in view of the apparently wide-spread accident proneness in left-biased Sauropsida (exclusive of Aves).

A New Species of "Hemidactylus" from Lake Turkana, Northern Kenya (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

A new species of the genus Hemidactylus is described on the basis of two specimens (an adult male and an adult female) collected in 2005 in rocky and sandy habitat of the semiarid climatic region on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana (Kenya). It is a medium-sized Hemidactylus (SVL from 40 to 50 mm) distinguished from all other species by a unique combination of characters. The back is covered by large, trihedral, strongly keeled tubercles, intermixed with a few small, irregular shaped granules, forming 14 quite regular transverse rows from axilla to groin; nostrils contact the rostral, first supralabial, 1 enlarged internasal and 2-3 postnasals; the dorsal half of the rostral scale is divided longitudinally; there are 6 lamellae under the first toe and 10 under the 4th toe; male with 8 precloacal pores; female without pores. The dorsal colour pattern is very distinctive, consisting of four transverse bands, bordered with dark margins. The types are housed in the Herpetological Collections of the Museo di Storia Naturale of the University of Pavia and in the National Museums of Kenya (Nairobi).

Rana dalmatina and R. latastei: Habitat selection, fluctuation in egg clutch deposition and response to exceptional floods in northern Italy

Abstract A ten year census was carried out on Rana dalmatina and R. latastei egg masses deposited in 36 reproductive sites in a 10‐hectare area, subject to periodic flooding, on the banks of the Ticino River. The vegetation type surrounding reproductive sites was noted. There were no signs of decline in the populations of either frog species. The number of egg clutches fluctuated widely from year to year but no correlation between clutch number and either flooding or climate parameters were detected. R. dalmatina preferred partly open areas for reproductive sites, whereas R. latastei selected areas characterized by hygrophilous vegetation and a high tree canopy.

Lista ragionata di nomi comuni degli anfibi e dei rettili italiani

Abstract Common Italian names of the amphibians and reptiles present in the geographic Italy are proposed. We analysed a large set of bibliography in order to assess a list of Italian common names used and we proposed the utilization of a single name, also in view of the forthcoming publication of the distribution atlas of the Italian herpetofauna. The criteria used to assign such names follow in general the current use, the possibility to clearly distinguish similar species, geographic and linguistic parameters.

Italian natural history museums on the verge of collapse

Abstract The Italian natural history museums are facing a critical situation, due to the progressive loss of scientific relevance, decreasing economic investments, and scarcity of personnel. This is extremely alarming, especially for ensuring the long-term preservation of the precious collections they host. Moreover, a commitment in fieldwork to increase scientific collections and concurrent taxonomic research are rarely considered priorities, while most of the activities are addressed to public events with political payoffs, such as exhibits, didactic meetings, expositions, and talks. This is possibly due to the absence of a national museum that would have better steered research activities and overall concepts for collection management. We here propose that Italian natural history museums collaborate to instate a “metamuseum”, by establishing a reciprocal interaction network aimed at sharing budgetary and technical resources, which would assure better coordination of common long-term goals and scientific activities.

Factors affecting repatriation success of the endangered Italian agile frog ( Rana latastei )

Repatriations and translocations are among the most frequent actions deployed for conservation of amphibians all over the world. However, very few studies have analysed the effectiveness of these actions. The aims of this study were i) to measure the success of repatriations of Rana latastei carried out within a conservation project in Lombardy (Northern Italy) from 1999 to 2001, and ii) to analyse how the environmental factors affected repatriation success. Eighteen ponds were surveyed from February to April 2006, for an overall of 45 field surveys. Each pond was carefully checked for frogs and egg masses. We classified each pond as newly excavated or pre-existing according to habitat management actions and we measured 16 variables concerning micro- and macro-habitat characteristics, human disturbance and presence of predators. Rana latastei was found in 33.3% of monitored sites and the repatriation outcome of tadpole release did not differ between newly excavated and non managed ponds. Habitat variables influenced the success of repatriations, which increased in sites with higher percentage of woodlands. Finally, repatriation outcome was also negatively influenced by human disturbance and predator occurrence.

Male calling activity in syntopic populations of Rana latastei and Rana dalmatina (Amphibia: Anura)

Abstract Rana latastei and Rana dalmatina are two explosive breeder amphibians whose mating seasons last less than 1 month. The two species have very different repertoires of vocalisations, as Rana dalmatina uses only one advertisement call while Rana latastei uses two different vocalisations with opposite structural features. In our research, we continually recorded the calling activity of the two species during a whole breeding season in a pond where they breed in syntopy in order to assess the possible functions of their vocalisations. Males of both species increased their activity in coincidence with the peak of activity of females, but Rana latastei males reached the peak 2–3 days before the deposition peak. By contrast, males of Rana dalmatina reached the peak at the same time as the deposition peak, and called at high intensity long after the deposition peak. These different acoustic patterns led us to infer different prevailing functions for the vocalisations of these species. Male vocalisations of Rana latastei are addressed only to males in order to gain and confirm their position within male hierarchy. By contrast, Rana dalmatina males might vocalise also in order to attract females, rather than to deter rival males. Thus, vocalisation in this second species might also play an intersexual function. The two call types of Rana latastei were used since the beginning of the breeding season. No difference was found also in daily activity, and both vocalisations were used preferentially during night time.