On the Presence of Pipistrelle Bats (PipistrellusandHypsugo; Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in Sardinia

Islands are biodiversity hotspots, often containing numerous endemic species. This makes them also hotspots for conservation. Within the Mediterranean region, Sardinia is known for its comparatively high degree of endemism, including cryptic diversity. In this paper we aim to elucidate the variability of pipistrelles (Pipistrellus and Hypsugo) on Sardinia. More specifically, we ask which species occur on Sardinia and we describe the geographic affiliations of these evolutionary lineages. We sequenced ca. 560 bp of the 16S rRNA gene from 36 pipistrelle specimens representing 17 localities from all major parts of Sardinia. For comparison we added samples from the entire Mediterranean region a…

Complete nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of a salamander, Mertensiella luschani

The complete nucleotide sequence (16,650 bp) of the mitochondrial genome of the salamander Mertensiella luschani (Caudata, Amphibia) was determined. This molecule conforms to the consensus vertebrate mitochondrial gene order. However, it is characterized by a long non-coding intervening sequence with two 124-bp repeats between the tRNA Thr and tRNA Pro genes. The new sequence data were used to reconstruct a phylogeny of jawed vertebrates. Phylogenetic analyses of all mitochondrial protein-coding genes at the amino acid level recovered a robust vertebrate tree in which lungfishes are the closest living relatives of tetrapods, salamanders and frogs are grouped together to the exclusion of cae…

Introducing water frogs - Is there a risk for indigenous species in France?

The ecological success of introduced species in their new environments is difficult to predict. Recently, the water frog species Rana ridibunda has raised interest, as different genetic lineages were introduced to various European countries. The aim of the present study was to analyze the potential invasiveness of R. ridibunda and assess the risk of replacement for indigenous water frog species. The investigation of over 700 water frogs from 22 locations in southern France and four locations in Spain shows that the competition with indigenous species is mainly limited to a particular habitat type, characterized by high-oxygen and low-salinity freshwater. The competitive strength of R. ridib…

Is triploidy indisputably determinable in hybridogenetic hybrids by planimetric analyses of erythrocytes?

The size of amphibian erythrocytes is positively correlated to their DNA content. Therefore, planimetry of erythrocytes has long been used to determine ploidy levels in amphibians. In Rana esculenta. a hybrid originating from Rana ridibunda x Rana lessonae natural crosses, planimetric determination of erythrocyte size is used to distinguish diploid and triploid specimen. In the present study we performed planimetric analyses on the hybrid Rana grafi, comprising a second hybridogenetic system with its parental species Rana ridibunda and Rana perezi in southern parts of France. We found size differences of diploid and triploid erythrocytes to range between 26 and 33% in studies on adult R. es…

Sexual selection drives asymmetric introgression in wall lizards.

Hybridisation is increasingly recognised as an important cause of diversification and adaptation. Here, we show how divergence in male secondary sexual characters between two lineages of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) gives rise to strong asymmetries in male competitive ability and mating success, resulting in asymmetric hybridisation upon secondary contact. Combined with no negative effects of hybridisation on survival or reproductive characters in F1-hybrids, these results suggest that introgression should be asymmetric, resulting in the displacement of sexual characters of the sub-dominant lineage. This prediction was confirmed in two types of secondary contact, across a natur…

Osseoconductivity of a Specific Streptavidin-Biotin-Fibronectin Surface Coating of Biotinylated Titanium Implants - A Rabbit Animal Study

Background Biofunctionalized implant surfaces may accelerate bony integration and increase long-term stability. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the osseous reaction toward biomimetic titanium implants surfaces coated with quasicovalent immobilized fibronectin in an in vivo animal model. Materials and Methods A total of 84 implants (uncoated [control 1, n = 36], streptavidin–biotin coated [test 1, n = 24], streptavidin–biotin–fibronectin coated [test 2, n = 24]) were inserted 1 mm supracortically in the proximal tibia of 12 rabbits. The samples were examined after 3 and 6 weeks. Total bone-implant contact (tBIC; %), bone-implant contact in the cortical (cBIC; %) and in the spong…

Disentangling composite colour patterns in a poison frog species

A phylogenetic approach was performed to infer whether variation in conspicuous colour-patterns of a poison frog (Dendrobatidae: Dendrobates tinctorius) has evolved neutrally or under selection. Colour and pattern were split into components that were separately analysed and subsequently re-grouped via principal component analysis. This revealed four different ‘displayed’ factors on the dorsal and lateral views versus one ‘concealed’ factor on the ventral view. Based on the assumption that current patterns of trait variation contain information about the evolutionary history of the phenotype, we correlated these trait components to a neutrally evolving gene fragment (cytochrome b). The conce…

Testing alternative vicariance scenarios in Western Mediterranean discoglossid frogs

Dated molecular phylogenies are often used to interpret evolutionary history with respect to paleogeographic events. Where more than one interpretation is possible, it is desirable but difficult to assess the alternatives in an objective manner. The present work demonstrates a formalized method for testing molecular clock calibrations and biogeographic scenarios based on them. We assessed the plausibility of several previously published biogeographic hypotheses, using the frog genera Alytes, Discoglossus, and Bombina as model groups. Our data set comprised ca. 900bp of partial mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA gene sequences (both genes evolved in a clock-like manner across genera) from nearly…

Allozyme clines in Salamandra salamandra populations from the Cantabrian Mountains, Spain

Synthese und Strukturen neuer Eisen-Sauerstoff-Alkoxid-Cluster

Der Eisen-Sauerstoff-Alkoxy-Cluster [Fe9O3(OC2H5)21]·C2H5OH kann unter unterschiedlichen Bedingungen zu Molekulen umgesetzt werden, denen alle die allgemeine Formel [Fe5O(OR)8(OR′)5] gemeinsam ist. Erwarmt man [Fe9O3(OC2H5)21]·C2H5OH in Toluol, so entsteht [Fe5O(OC2H5)13], das durch Kristallisation abgetrennt werden kann, wohingegen ein Auflosen von [Fe9O3(OC2H5)21]·C2H5OH in tert-Butylamin zum 1 : 2-Addukt [Fe5O(OC2H5)13]·2 t-Bu-NH2 fuhrt. Mit Triethyl- oder Triphenylsilanol entsteht aus [Fe9O3(OC2H5)21]·C2H5OH wieder ein Sauerstoff-Eisencluster des gleichen Motivs: [Fe5O(OC2H5)8{OSi(C2H5)3}5] bzw. [Fe5O(OC2H5)8{OSi(C6H5)3}5]. Die Molekulstruktur [Fe5O(OC2H5)8{OSi(C2H5)3}5], die uber Rontg…

Adsorption and Conformation Behavior of Biotinylated Fibronectin on Streptavidin-Modified TiOX Surfaces Studied by SPR and AFM

It is well-known that protein-modified implant surfaces such as TiO(2) show a higher bioconductivity. Fibronectin is a glycoprotein from the extracellular matrix (ECM) with a major role in cell adhesion. It can be applied on titanium oxide surfaces to accelerate implant integration. Not only the surface concentration but also the presentation of the protein plays an important role for the cellular response. We were able to show that TiO(X) surfaces modified with biotinylated fibronectin adsorbed on a streptavidin-silane self-assembly multilayer system are more effective regarding osteoblast adhesion than surfaces modified with nonspecifically bound fibronectin. The adsorption and conformati…

Palaeoclimatic changes explain Anatolian mountain frog evolution: a test for alternating vicariance and dispersal events

Holarctic biodiversity has been influenced by climatic fluctuations since the Pliocene. Asia Minor was one of the major corridors for postglacial invasions in the Palearctic. Today this area is characterized by an extraordinarily rich fauna with close affiliation to European, Asian and Indo-African biota. However, exact scenarios of range expansion and contraction are lacking. Using a phylogeographical approach we (i) identify monophyletic lineages among Anatolian mountain frogs and (ii) derive a spatio-temporal hypothesis for the invasion process in Anatolia. We sequenced 540 bp of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene from 40 populations of mountain frogs from Anatolia, the Elburz Mountains and…

Genetic cohesion of Eresus walckenaeri (Araneae, Eresidae) in the eastern Mediterranean

The eresid spider genus Eresus is morphologically and ecologically conservative. At least three species occur in Europe. However, deep genetic divergence among geographical samples within two species, E. cinnaberinus and E. sandaliatus, may suggest more cryptic species. In the present study we investigate the genetic cohesion of the third species, Eresus walckenaeri, throughout its eastern Mediterranean distribution range, relative to the E. cinnaberinus–E. sandaliatus species complex. Eresus walckenaeri specimens were monophyletic. Genetic discreteness of E. walckenaeri in a region of sympatry with its sister species in Greece provides evidence for species integrity of E. walckenaeri withi…

Molecular phylogeny of Malagasy poison frogs, genus Mantella (Anura: Mantellidae): homoplastic evolution of colour pattern in aposematic amphibians

Abstract We studied the evolution of colour pattern in Malagasy poison frogs, genus Mantella , a group of diurnal and toxic frogs endemic to Madagascar. Based on a phylogeny reconstructed using 1130 bp of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, the genus can be divided into five species groups. Within some of these groups, interspecific genetic divergences were very low (1.2–2.8% sequence divergence) while colour patterns were markedly different. In contrast, Mantella madagascariensis and M . baroni , two species which show extremely similar dorsal coloration patterns, were not included in the same clade. This conclusion was supported by high bootstrap values and by significant rejection of altern…

Reconciling fossils and molecules: Cenozoic divergence of cichlid fishes and the biogeography of Madagascar

Aim The biogeographical origins of the extant vertebrates endemic to Madagascar are largely unsolved, but have often been related to vicariance in the context of fragmentation of the supercontinent Gondwana in the Mesozoic. Such hypotheses are especially appealing in the case of cichlid fishes, which show phylogenetic relationships reflecting the temporal successions of the breakup of Gondwana. We used molecular clock data to test this assumption. Location Fragments of the 16S rRNA gene and of the nuclear Tmo-4C4 locus, partly obtained from Genbank from South American, African, Malagasy and Indian cichlids were analysed. Methods Based on monophyletic cichlid radiations in African lakes, we …

The role of swarming sites for maintaining gene flow in the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus)

Bat-swarming sites where thousands of individuals meet in late summer were recently proposed as 'hot spots' for gene flow among populations. If, due to female philopatry, nursery colonies are genetically differentiated, and if males and females of different colonies meet at swarming sites, then we would expect lower differentiation of maternally inherited genetic markers among swarming sites and higher genetic diversity within. To test these predictions, we compared genetic variance from three swarming sites to 14 nursery colonies. We analysed biparentally (five nuclear and one sex-linked microsatellite loci) and maternally (mitochondrial D-loop, 550 bp) inherited molecular markers. Three m…

Fossorial but widespread: the phylogeography of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), and the role of the Po Valley as a major source of genetic variability.

International audience; Pelobates fuscus is a fossorial amphibian that inhabits much of the European plain areas. To unveil traces of expansion and contraction events of the species' range, we sequenced 702 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. To infer the population history we applied phylogeographical methods, such as nested clade phylogeographical analysis (NCPA), and used summary statistics to analyse population structure under a neutral model of evolution. Populations were assigned to different drainage systems and we tested hypotheses of explicit refugial models using information from analysis of molecular variance, nucleotide diversity, effective population size estimation, NCP…

Amphibians of the Kayan Mentarang National Park (East Kalimantan, Indonesia): estimating overall and local species richness

On the basis of surveys since 1997 and an intensive survey at the World Wildlife Fund field station at Lalut Birai in 2001, we assessed the importance of the Kayan Mentarang National Park in East Kalimantan for the conservation of Borneo's amphibian fauna. Sixty-five frog species and one Caecilian species are currently known to occur in this region. We report their occurrence in 16 subareas. Most of the species were recorded at Upper Bahau (41) and at the Lalut Birai field station (33). Based on the results of opportunistic searches and transect censuses at Lalut Birai, we argue that the amphibian diversity of the national park is still greatly underestimated.

Inheritance in the water frog Rana ridibunda Pallas, 1771 - Is it Mendelian or hemiclonal?

The genome of Rana ridibunda has been detected in all known hybridogenetic water frog systems. This raises the question whether R. ridibunda is pre-adapted to reproduce hemiclonally by hybridogenesis. We allozymatically compared genotypes of primary oocytes and somatic cells of R. ridibunda females from several sites in southern France. In case of hemiclonal reproduction only one allele per locus is expected to be detectable in oocytes. However, patterns detected from oocytes of analysed females were not different from those of sexually reproducing water frogs. We therefore conclude that R. ridibunda in southern France reproduces sexually and is not pre-adapted to hemiclonal reproduction.

First Data on the Molecular Phylogeography of Scincid Lizards of the Genus Mabuya

A 487-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene was sequenced in 26 species of the circumtropical lizard genus Mabuya and used to analyze phylogenetic relationships within the genus. The species from Africa and Madagascar formed a monophyletic group relative to the included Asian and South American taxa. The Malagasy species included (M. elegans, M. cf. dumasi, and M. comorensis) did not appear as a monophylum. Combined and separate analysis of the 16S data and additional sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, ND4, and cytochrome b genes (a total of 2255 bp) in one Asian, two Malagasy, and two African species also did not result consistently in a monophyletic grouping of the Malagasy…

Streptavidin-coated TiO2 surfaces are biologically inert: Protein adsorption and osteoblast adhesion studies

Non-fouling TiO2 surfaces are attractive for a wide range of applications such as biosensors and medical devices, where biologically inert surfaces are needed. Typically, this is achieved by controlled surface modifications which prevent protein adsorption. For example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) or PEG-derived polymers have been widely applied to render TiO2 surfaces biologically inert. These surfaces have been further modified in order to achieve specific bio-activation. Therefore, there have been efforts to specifically functionalize TiO2 surfaces with polymers with embedded biotin motives, which can be used to couple streptavidin for further functionalization. As an alternative, here a s…

Interannual Fidelity to Roosting Habitat and Flight Paths by Female Western Barbastelle Bats

The roost area selection of reproductive female western barbastelles was examined throughout four study seasons (2004–2007) via radio-tracking and automated acoustic monitoring. We specifically analysed the spatial structure of the roosting habitat and roost fidelity including a flight path connecting the roosts. We radio-tracked 13 colony members to 46 natural roosts, mainly dead oaks with large pieces of loose bark. Simultaneous tracking of four pairs of females revealed the existence of subgroups and fission-fusion-behaviour in Barbastella barbastellus. The colony displayed fidelity to the roost area rather than to single roost trees, although some trees were reused in two or three study…

Convergent evolution of aposematic coloration in Neotropical poison frogs: a molecular phylogenetic perspective

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2014-02-26T17:17:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000186417800006.pdf: 196897 bytes, checksum: cbe901a47807d22aec173ee8cc011a64 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-02-26T17:17:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000186417800006.pdf: 196897 bytes, checksum: cbe901a47807d22aec173ee8cc011a64 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-01-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:59:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000186417800006.pdf: 196897 bytes, checksum: cbe901a47807d22aec173ee8cc011a64 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:59:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000186417800006.pdf: 196…

Promotion of osteogenic cell response using quasicovalent immobilized fibronectin on titanium surfaces: introduction of a novel biomimetic layer system.

Purpose Despite the undeniable potential of cell adhesion molecules such as fibronectin to support osteogenic cell responses and consecutive dental implant healing, the most beneficial mode of application onto titanium implant surfaces still requires investigation. Unspecific fibronectin adsorption on titanium dioxide (TiO2) surfaces can result in low-loading, high-desorption rates and protein–metal interactions with impaired biologic activity. The aim of the present study was to monitor the osteogenic cell responses (cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation) specifically to fibronectin biofunctionalized TiO2. Materials and Methods An innovative biomimetic streptavidin-biotin layer…

Conservation priorities for harlequin frogs (Atelopus spp.) of Peru

Populations of harlequin frogs Atelopus are declining throughout their geographical range. In Peru six of the 11 nominally described species are Critically Endangered, and there are at least 17 undescribed additional forms (all representing apparently distinct species), the conservation status of which is unknown. Most Atelopus taxa in Peru have relatively small geographical ranges, some known only from single populations, and have only a limited chance of survival. Conservation will require: (1) improvement of the faunistic and taxonomic knowledge of the genus, (2) field surveys, including in remote areas, (3) assessment of all species and populations for chytridiomycosis and research on t…

Are Salamandra atra and S. lanzai sister species?

Mitochondrial sequence analysis of Salamandra taxa suggests old splits of major lineages and postglacial recolonizations of Central Europe from distinct source populations of Salamandra salamandra

Representatives of the genus Salamandra occur in Europe, Northern Africa and the Near East. Many local variants are known but species and subspecies status of these is still a matter of dispute. We have analysed samples from locations covering the whole expansion range of Salamandra by sequence analysis of mitochondrial D-loop regions. In addition, we have calibrated the rate of divergence of the D-loop on the basis of geologically dated splits of the closely related genus Euproctus. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences suggests that six major monophyletic groups exist (S. salamandra, S. algira, S. infraimmaculata, S. corsica, S. atra and S. lanzai) which have split between 5 and 13 milli…

The significance of relatedness and gene flow on population genetic structure in the subsocial spider Eresus cinnaberinus (Araneae: Eresidae)

Interdemic selection, inbreeding and highly structured populations have been invoked to explain the evolution of cooperative social behaviour in the otherwise solitary and cannibalistic spiders. The family Eresidae consists of species ranging from solitary and intermediate subsocial to species exhibiting fully cooperative social behaviour. In this study we, in a hierarchical analysis, investigated relatedness of putative family clusters, inbreeding and population genetic structure of the subsocial spider Eresus cinnaberinus. Five hierarchical levels of investigation ranging from large scale genetic structure (distances of 250 and 50 km level 1 and 2) over microgeographic structure (20 km 2 …

Phylogeny and classification of poison frogs (Amphibia: dendrobatidae), based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S ribosomal RNA gene sequences.

An analysis of partial sequences of the 16S ribosomal rRNA gene (582 bp) of 20 poison frog species (Dendrobatidae) confirmed their phylogenetic relationships to bufonid and leptodactylid frogs. Representatives of the ranoid families and subfamilies Raninae, Mantellinae, Petropedetinae, Cacosterninae, Arthroleptidae, Astylosternidae, and Microhylidae did not cluster as sister group of the Dendrobatidae. Similar results were obtained in an analysis using a partial sequence of the 12S gene (350 bp) in a reduced set of taxa and in a combined analysis. Within the Dendrobatidae, our data supported monophyly of the genus Phyllobates but indicated paraphyly of Epipedobates and Colostethus. Minyobat…

From Europe to Africa and vice versa: evidence for multiple intercontinental dispersal in ribbed salamanders (Genus Pleurodeles)

Aim  The intricate puzzle-like geography of the western Mediterranean is a product of long-term tectonic and orogenic events, supplemented by repeated climatic oscillations since the Pliocene. It offers numerous vicariance events that may be invoked to explain speciation in amphibians. We test for plausibility of two mutually exclusive Iberian–African vicariance hypotheses to explain the basal split within newts of the genus Pleurodeles: (1) the disconnection of the Betic arch c. 14 Ma and (2) the end of the Messinian salinity crisis 5.33 Ma. Location  Specimens of P. waltl and P. poireti were sampled from 32 populations in Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Methods  Parts of th…

Sex-Specific Habitat Selection in an Edge Habitat Specialist, the Western Barbastelle Bat

The niche variation hypothesis suggests that a population's ability to react to varying environmental conditions depend on the behavioural variability of its members. However, most studies on bats, including the work on the habitat use of the western barbastelle bat, Barbastella barbastellus, have not considered sex-specific and individual variability. We studied the habitat use of 12 female and five male western barbastelle bats within their home ranges with respect to available habitat types by applying kernel methods and Euclidean distances. Our results indicate individual habitat preferences within and among sexes of this species. Females preferred deciduous forest and linear elements w…

Range size: Disentangling Current Traits and Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Factors

The range size of a species can be determined by its current traits and by phylogenetic and biogeographic factors. However, only rarely have these factors been studied in combination. We use data on the geographic range sizes of all 26 Sylvia warblers to explicitly test whether range size was determined by current species-specific traits (e.g., body size, dispersal ability), phylogenetic factors (e.g., age of the lineage), or environmental, biogeographic factors (e.g., latitudinal position of the range). The results demonstrated that current traits and phylogenetic and biogeographic factors were interrelated. While a number of factors were significant in simple regression analyses, only one…

Cracking the nut: Geographical adjacency of sister taxa supports vicariance in a polytomic salamander clade in the absence of node support

The urodelan genus Lyciasalamandra, which inhabits a relatively small area along the southern Turkish coast and some Aegean islands, provides an outstanding example of a diverse but phylogenetically unresolved taxon. Molecular trees contain a single basal polytomy that could be either soft or hard. We here use the information of nuclear (allozymes) and mitochondrial (fractions of the 16S rRNA and ATPase genes) datasets in combination with area relationships of lineages to resolve the phylogenetic relationships among Lyciasalamandra species in the absence of sufficient node support. We can show that neither random processes nor introgressive hybridization can be invoked to explain that the m…

First Record of the Genus Acanthixalus Laurent, 1944 from the Upper Guinean Rain Forest, West Africa, with the Description of a New Species

Abstract We describe a new species of Acanthixalus from southwestern Ivory Coast. Acanthixalus sonjae sp. nov. differs from the Central African Acanthixalus spinosus genetically by 4.6 % in the investigated 16S rRNA. Morphologically adult frogs are very similar to A. spinosus. Male A. sonjae have wider heads and probably smaller gular glands than A. spinosus. Tadpoles of A. sonjae differ by much longer tails. Acanthixalus sonjae males are apparently mute. The new species is semiaquatic and lives in large water-filled cavities of trees in secondary and primary rain forest. Tadpoles complete metamorphosis in three months. They are at least partly carnivorous.

Exploring the potential of life-history key innovation: brook breeding in the radiation of the Malagasy treefrog genus Boophis

The treefrog genus Boophis is one of the most species-rich endemic amphibian groups of Madagascar. It consists of species specialized to breeding in brooks (48 species) and ponds (10 species). We reconstructed the phylogeny of Boophis using 16S ribosomal DNA sequences (558 bp) from 27 species. Brook-breeders were monophyletic and probably derived from an ancestral pond-breeding lineage. Pond-breeders were paraphyletic. The disparity in diversification among pond-breeders and brook-breeders was notable among endemic Malagasy frogs, although it was not significant when considering Boophis alone. Sibling species which have different advertisement calls but are virtually indistinguishable by mo…

Distribution patterns of amphibians from the Kakamega forest, Kenya

We discuss generalized geographical range patterns for the 24 anuran species that occur in the Kakamega Forest, western Kenya. Eight distributions are distinguished: from "western Equatorial Rift Valley" to almost entire sub-Saharan. The former may be more common than previously assumed, because some species displaying this geographical range pattern were only recently identified out of species complexes with large distributions. In contrast, continuous distributions of species over the Congo basin may be less common than currently understood.

Analysis of gene flow and habitat patch network for Chazara briseis (Lepidoptera: Satyridae) in an agricultural landscape

Abstract A fine geographic-scale population genetic structure analysis was performed for the endangered butterfly species Chazara briseis in the region of Halle an der Saale, Germany, for the investigation of gene flow and possible effects of habitat fragmentation on genetic variability. Patterns of genetic variance were estimated by allozyme electrophoresis and quantified with F -statistics. Levels of genetic variation were high, expected heterozygosity H e = 0.20, and mean number of alleles per locus, A = 1.93, indicating large population sizes. Butterflies inhabiting the study area probably constituted just one population and the fragmented nature of the habitat patches did not substanti…

Egg and embryo proteins in European newts (genus Triturus) and their taxonomic potential

AbstractPolyacrylamide disc electrophoresis was carried out on water soluble proteins of eggs and embryos of Triturus alpestris, T. boscai, T. cristatus, T. helveticus, T. marmoratus and T. vulgaris. "Major bands" and "minor bands" were defined and species specific phenotyps are described. The patterns of major bands proved to be rather constant during embryonic development up to approximately stage 30 (stretched tailbud stage). The method as used in this study is considered to be practical and relevant for diagnostic studies on Triturus species.

Climatic oscillations triggered post-Messinian speciation of Western Palearctic brown frogs (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae)

Abstract Oscillating glacial cycles over the past 2.4 million years are proposed to have had a major impact on the diversity of contemporary species communities. We used mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data to infer phylogenetic relationships within Western Palearctic brown frogs and to test the influence of Pliocene and Pleistocene climatic changes on their evolution. We sequenced 1976 bp of the mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and cytochrome b and of the nuclear rhodopsin gene for all current species and subspecies. Based on an established allozyme clock for Western Palearctic water frogs and substitution rate constancy among water frogs and brown frogs, we calibrated a molecular clock…

Molecular markers and species delimitation: examples from the European batrachofauna

AbstractMolecular techniques have revolutionised zoological systematics since the beginning of the seventies. Within the last twenty years numerous new amphibian species have been described in Europe almost solely on the basis of molecular data. This paper focuses on the use of molecular character state and genetic distance data for the delimitation of species. Case studies of European anurans (Discoglossus, water frogs of the genus Rana) are discussed in the framework of concurring species concepts to illustrate problems of assigning species status to divergent populations on the basis of molecular data.

A New species of long-eared bat (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) from Sardinia (Italy)

We describe a new species of long eared bat, genus Plecotus, from the island of Sardinia (Italy). The new species is clearly distinguishable from other European Plecotus species by its mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene (4.1–9.6 % sequence divergence) as well as by a unique combination of morphological characters such as brownish colour of dorsal pelage, a relatively large thumb and thumb claw, an almost cylindrical form of the penis and the characteristic shape of the baculum. The most important morphological diagnostic characters is a relatively long (≥18mm) and wide (≥6mm) tragus. The new species is currently known from three localities on Sardinia. In addition to the new species we discovered …

The fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra L., in central Europe: subspecies distribution and intergradation

AbstractAllozyme electrophoresis of 14 loci provided information on the distribution of the two central European subspecies of the fire salamander, Salamandra salamandra salamandra (dotted taxon) and S.s.terrestris (striped taxon), along an east-west-transect in Germany. 2183 larvae from 48 populations situated in 14 mountain ranges were studies. A broad (about 140 km wide) zone of intergradition between the two forms is described, ranging from the Hunsrück Mountains in the west to the Spessart in the east. Within this hybrid zone the populations are panmictic. Focussing on the Rhenish Slate Mountains, the western border of the hybrid zone is described in detail. A comparison between allozy…

Foraging site fidelity shapes the spatial organisation of a population of female western barbastelle bats

Abstract Information about the spatial distribution of individual foraging habitats, which determines the space required by a population to be viable, is vitally important for the conservation of bats. Detailed knowledge of this kind is crucial for the design of nature reserves and management plans. Recent field studies that examined habitat use and home range distribution of bats largely ignored factors like traditional range use vs. intra- and interspecific competition, which may be responsible for the spatial organisation of a population home range. We investigated the home range sizes and distribution of a maternity colony of the western barbastelle bat via radio telemetry in four conse…

Molecular phylogeny of hyperoliid treefrogs: biogeographic origin of Malagasy and Seychellean taxa and re-analysis of familial paraphyly

Treefrogs of the family Hyperoliidae are distributed in Africa, Madagascar and the Seychelles. In this study, their phylogeny was studied using sequences of fragments of the mitochondrial 16Sand 12SrRNA and cytochrome b genes. The molecular data strongly confirmed monophyly of the subfamily Hyperoliinae but indicated that the genus Leptopelis (subfamily Leptopelinae) is more closely related to species of the African family Astylosternidae. The Seychellean genus Tachycnemis was the sister group of the Malagasy Heterixalus in all molecular analyses; this clade was deeply nested within the Hyperoliinae. A re-evaluation of the morphological data did not contradict the sister group relationships…

Layer-by-Layer Assembly of a Streptavidin–Fibronectin Multilayer on Biotinylated TiOX

The biomodification of surfaces, especially titanium, is an important issue in current biomedical research. Regarding titanium, it is also important to ensure a specific protein modification of its surface because here protein binding that is too random can be observed. Specific nanoscale architectures can be applied to overcome this problem. As recently shown, streptavidin can be used as a coupling agent to immobilize biotinylated fibronectin (bFn) on a TiO(X) surface. Because of the conformation of adsorbed biotinylated fibronectin on a streptavidin monolayer, it is possible to adsorb more streptavidin and biotinylated fibronectin layers. On this basis, an alternating protein multilayer c…

The stream-dwelling larva of the Ruwenzori River Frog, Amietia ruwenzorica, its buccal cavity and pathology of chytridiomycosis

Tadpoles of Amietia ruwenzorica (Pyxicephalidae, Cacosterninae) were collected in the Ruwenzori Mountains, Uganda(identified by DNA barcoding). The ventrally directed enlarged oral disc with a high number of labial tooth rows (LTRF9(4)/9(1)) and the narrow tail with robust caudal musculature characterise them as stream-dwellers. We name this mor-photype the 'common or standard type of stream-adaptation', because special additional adhesive organs are missing in A.ruwenzorica. The uniserially arranged oral teeth of the spoon-shaped type with 16 to 18 cusps per tooth are known fromother anuran larvae, especially from pyxicephalids. The buccal morphology resembles generalized tadpoles with som…

Distortion of symmetrical introgression in a hybrid zone: evidence for locus-specific selection and uni-directional range expansion

The fate of species integrity upon natural hybridization depends on the interaction between selection and dispersal. The relative significance of these processes may be studied in the initial phase of contact before selection and gene flow reach equilibrium. Here we study a hybrid zone of two salamander species, Lyciasalamandra antalyana and Lyciasalamandra billae, at the initial phase of hybridization. We quantify the degree and mode of introgression using nuclear and mtDNA markers. The hybrid zone can be characterized as an abrupt transition zone, the central hybrid zone being only c. 400 m, but introgressed genes were traced up to 3 km. Introgression was traced in both sexes but gene flo…

Population genetic structure of the butterflyMelitaea didyma(Nymphalidae) along a northern distribution range border

The population genetic structure of the butterfly Melitaea didyma was studied along the northern distribution range border in Central Germany by means of allozyme electrophoresis. Individuals were sampled from a total of 21 habitat patches from four regions, and two provinces. Sampling was designed to estimate local vs. regional differentiation. High levels of variability were found, He= 0.14-0.21. The mean expected sample heterozygosity from one region, Mosel, was significantly lower than from the Hammelburg region, He= 0.17 and 0.19, respectively. Two hierarchical levels of genetic differentiation were found. Within regions individuals sampled from different patches behaved as belonging t…

Multiple overseas dispersal in amphibians

Amphibians are thought to be unable to disperse over ocean barriers because they do not tolerate the osmotic stress of salt water. Their distribution patterns have therefore generally been explained by vicariance biogeography. Here, we present compelling evidence for overseas dispersal of frogs in the Indian Ocean region based on the discovery of two endemic species on Mayotte. This island belongs to the Comoro archipelago, which is entirely volcanic and surrounded by sea depths of more than 3500 m. This constitutes the first observation of endemic amphibians on oceanic islands that did not have any past physical contact to other land masses. The two species of frogs had previously been tho…

Conflicting molecular phylogenies of European long-eared bats (Plecotus) can be explained by cryptic diversity

Abstract Conflicting phylogenetic signals of two data sets that analyse different portions of the same molecule are unexpected and require an explanation. In the present paper we test whether (i) differential evolution of two mitochondrial genes or (ii) cryptic diversity can better explain conflicting results of two recently published molecular phylogenies on the same set of species of long-eared bats (genus Plecotus). We sequenced 1714 bp of three mitochondrial regions (16S, ND1, and D-loop) of 35 Plecotus populations from 10 European countries. A likelihood ratio test revealed congruent phylogenetic signals of the three data partitions. Our phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the exis…