Ichthyology & Herpetology Volume 110: Issue 3

A recent study reported widespread hybridization between the Eastern Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) and the Northern Ravine Salamander (P. electromorphus) in northern Ohio. In this study, DNA sequence data were obtained from three nuclear loci and 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified from the sequences. They found that 48 out of 90 individuals from 13 populations were hybrids, and in some localities every individual possessed an admixed genotype. As these results contradict our observations, and because levels of hybridization impact our interpretation of past and ongoing studies, we revisited the data. First we reanalyzed the original SNPs using STRUCTURE, then we repeated the analysis using haplotypes instead of SNPs. We found that K = 2 was best supported by both analyses, and they agree in recovering lower levels of hybridization than originally reported. For example, five populations in the original study identified as highly admixed or composed entirely of admixed genotypes we found to be pure P. cinereus or to lack evidence of extensive admixture. Similar results were obtained using NEWHYBRIDS and analyses based on gene trees. We conclude that while hybridization between P. cinereus and P. electromorphus occurs, it is much more restricted than originally reported.

In the present report, I evaluate life history and demography for two populations of the Black-bellied Salamander, Desmognathus quadramaculatus, in the Cowee and Nantahala Mountains, North Carolina, using published data on growth of females, fecundity, and larval growth and development to generate life tables and metabolic life histories for each population. I assumed that females in these populations reproduce biennially, beginning at ages 7–8 years and 8–10 years in Cowee and Nantahala populations, respectively. In deriving life tables, I posited stationary populations wherein net reproductive rate (R₀) equaled 1.0 and population growth rate (r) equaled 0. Fecundity (m_x column of the life table) was based on counts of ovarian follicles in gravid females. Survival values (l_x column of the life table) were generated by an iterative process that yielded a value of R₀ = 1.0. I projected the life spans in each population to 25 years. The demographic models developed by the procedure allowed comparison with those reported earlier for D. monticola and D. ocoee. Age at first reproduction and generation time are key contributors to variation in body size and life history in Desmognathus.

Advances in both morphological and molecular techniques have uncovered many lineages across the tree of life, and Neotropical vertebrates are no exception. Sphaerodactylus geckos (Sphaerodactylidae) are abundant and important components of the Neotropical herpetofauna, but few studies have thoroughly investigated them using a combination of morphology and modern molecular genetic methods. Here, we combine morphological and genetic data to describe a new species of Sphaerodactylus from the northwestern karst region of Puerto Rico. The new species is compared to other closely related and sympatric species of Sphaerodactylus. Morphological analysis shows that the combination of small body size (median SVL = 21.5 mm), lepidosis, skull morphology, and coloration of the head differentiates the new species from its closest relatives, including the related species, Sphaerodactylus klauberi. Comparing sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene showed a genetic distance between S. klauberi and the new species of 5.1–5.6%, which is similar to genetic distances among other recognized gecko species. This is the first new species of Sphaerodactylus to be described from Puerto Rico in nearly a century, highlighting the continued need to evaluate and chronicle biological diversity even in well-studied regions.

CURRENT APPOINTMENT

Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky

EDUCATION & PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS

B.S. Marine Science & Biology, University of Tampa, Tampa, Florida

M.Sc. Biological Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida

Ph.D. Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Post-Doctoral Researcher, Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, Washington

Post-Doctoral Fellow, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Tell us a little about your research.—

I study the evolution of form and function within the context of understanding aquatic biodiversity. My work integrates biomechanics,

IN MEMORIAM

THIS year we sadly report the passing of:

Jon Crawford “Kip” Staiger (1938–April 29, 2020)

Philip A. Medica (December 22, 1941–May 3, 2020)

Lonnie L. McClanahan, Jr. (January 23, 1937–May 21, 2021)

Fábio Hissa Vieira Hazin (1964–June 8, 2021)

H Geoffrey Moser (December 5, 1938–September 30, 2021)

Adrianus J. Kalmijn (November 7, 1933–December 7, 2021)

William Leo Pflieger (October 26, 1932–December 15, 2021)

Carter R. Gilbert (May 23, 1930–January 6, 2022)

Héctor Espinosa Pérez (February 7, 1954–February 20, 2022)

William E. Duellman (September 6, 1930–February 25, 2022)

Cecil Robert Schwalbe (April 2, 1942–April 3, 2022)

William Francis “Bill”

Hybridization between the Woodland Salamanders Plethodon cinereus and P. electromorphus Is Not Widespread

A Female-Centered Evaluation of Growth, Survival, Reproduction, and Demography in the Salamander Desmognathus quadramaculatus

A New Species of Sphaerodactylus (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae) from the Northwest Limestone Region of Puerto Rico

Acid-Free Staining Procedure to Demonstrate Nerves in Whole Vertebrate Specimens with the Differentiation of Bone and Cartilage

Regulation of Exposure to Ultraviolet Light in Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) in Relation to Temperature and Scalation Phenotype

Independent Loss of Cloacal Bursae and Age-Dependent Surfacing Postures in Diamond-Backed Terrapins (Chelonia: Emydidae: Malaclemys terrapin)

Early Life of the Mink Frog (Rana septentrionalis): From Fertilization to Metamorphosis

Environmental Factors in Spawning of Wild Devils Hole Pupfish Cyprinodon diabolis (Teleostei: Cyprinodontidae)

Revision of the Diploderma fasciatum (Mertens, 1926) Complex (Reptilia: Agamidae: Draconinae)

Integration of Ecology, Larval Phenotypes, and Mate-Recognition Signals with Molecular and Morphological Data Indicate Taxonomic Inflation in Nyctibatrachus (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae)

Hydrological Effects on the Reproduction of the Giant South American River Turtle Podocnemis expansa (Testudines: Podocnemididae)

Undescribed Diversity in a Widespread, Common Group of Asian Mud Snakes (Serpentes: Homalopsidae: Hypsiscopus)

Winterkill in Lotic Systems May Be an Important Driver of Amphibian Population Declines

A New Species of Brachycephalus (Anura, Brachycephalidae) from a Montane Atlantic Rainforest of Southeastern Brazil, with a Reappraisal of the Species Groups in the Genus

Genomic Data Clarify Aquarana Systematics and Reveal Isolation-by-Distance Dominates Phylogeography of the Wide-Ranging Frog Rana clamitans

Dr. Molly C. Womack

CURRENT APPOINTMENT

EDUCATION & PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS

Tell us a little about your research.—

How do you identify as a scientist?—

Dr. Matthew A. Kolmann

CURRENT APPOINTMENT

EDUCATION & PREVIOUS APPOINTMENTS

Tell us a little about your research.—

William E. Duellman (1930–2022)

Book Reviews

Techniques for Photographing Reptiles and Amphibians in the Field: How to Tell Better Stories. Second edition

In Memoriam

IN MEMORIAM

Temperature Manipulation Induces Ecdysis in Lab-Held Rattlesnakes

Integrative Taxonomy Reveals a New Species of Imparfinis (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Upper Xingu River Basin

A New Species of Psalidodon (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae) from the Upper Rio São Francisco Basin, Brazil, with Comments on Hasemania

SUMMARY OF THE MEETINGS

Illuminating the Early Life of Salamanders: Exploring Biofluorescence During Development