Calculation of Fluctuating Asymmetry of the biggest Caspian whipsnake population in Hungary compared to a common snake species

Bellaagh, Mátyás; Lazányi, Eszter; Korsós, Zoltán

doi:10.2478/s11756-009-0219-z

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Reptiles have proven especially conducive to studies on the causes and consequences of morphological aberrations because their scalation can readily be quantified meristically 25 . Thus, numerous studies on reptiles have explored the causes of scalation asymmetries and abnormalities 10 , 28 – 31 , their frequencies in different environments 14 , 17 , 23 , 32 – 34 and their consequences 35 – 40 . Nonetheless, few studies have identified both the sources of a trait and their impacts on organismal performance 8 , 30 , 41 , 42 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The causes and ecological correlates of head scale asymmetry and fragmentation in a tropical snake

Brown

Madsen

Dubey

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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The challenge of identifying the proximate causes and ecological consequences of phenotypic variation can be facilitated by studying traits that are usually but not always bilaterally symmetrical; deviations from symmetry likely reflect disrupted embryogenesis. Based on a 19-year mark-recapture study of >1300 slatey-grey snakes (Stegonotus cucullatus) in tropical Australia, and incubation of >700 eggs, we document developmental and ecological correlates of two morphological traits: asymmetry and fragmentation of head scales. Asymmetry was directional (more scales on the left side) and was higher in individuals with lower heterozygosity, but was not heritable. In contrast, fragmentation was heritable and was higher in females than males. Both scale asymmetry and fragmentation were increased by rapid embryogenesis but were not affected by hydric conditions during incubation. Snakes with asymmetry and fragmentation exhibited slightly lower survival and increased (sex-specific) movements, and females with more scale fragmentation produced smaller eggs. Counterintuitively, snakes with more asymmetry had higher growth rates (possibly reflecting trade-offs with other traits), and snakes with more fragmentation had fewer parasites (possibly due to lower feeding rates). Our data paint an unusually detailed picture of the complex genetic and environmental factors that, by disrupting early embryonic development, generate variations in morphology that have detectable correlations with ecological performance.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The causes and ecological correlates of head scale asymmetry and fragmentation in a tropical snake

Brown

Madsen

Dubey

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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“…Compared to previous studies (Bellaagh et al 2010;Dudás 2018, 2019), we analysed a larger number of individuals of D. caspius. Biometric and morphological information has confirmed previously-described differences between sexes (Fuhn and Vancea 1961;Kotenko et al 1986) with maximum length of males not exceeding the previously-described range, although seven females were longer than previously recorded (Fuhn and Vancea 1961).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The temporal row was treated as in Brown et al (2017). All scales around the eye (subocular, preocular, supraocular and postocular) were treated as perioculars, as applied previously (Bellaagh et al 2010). The scales around the mouth (upper labials and lower labials) were treated as labials.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dead snakes and their stories: morphological anomalies, asymmetries and scars of road killed Dolichophis caspius (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Romania

Ile¹,

Maier²,

Cadar³

et al. 2020

Herpetozoa

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We analysed several morphological characters of 84 road-killed D. caspius individuals from different areas of southern Romania. Most presented asymmetries in the total number of temporal scales, the temporal row and the periocular and labial scales. Almost a quarter of snakes had scars, located especially on the head and tail; many individuals had multiple injuries. The lowest rate of individuals with scars was found in the area with the least anthropogenic impact (Danube Gorge). This finding suggests that, in other areas in Romania, the species is threatened and lives in less optimal conditions. The number of individuals with asymmetries and scars differed according to the populated region, sex or size class. Most of the individuals were killed in August, due to the large number of road-killed juveniles.

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“…Given its relationships with genetics and environmental conditions, FA can therefore be used to evaluate a species or population's conservation status (Bellaagh et al . ; Kourmpetis & Aravanopoulos ). However, the review by Bjorksten et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is phenotypic canalization involved in the decline of the endemic Aquilegia thalictrifolia? Rethinking relationships between fluctuating asymmetry and species conservation status

Abeli¹,

Zubani²,

Bonomi

et al. 2015

Plant Species Biology

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Fluctuating asymmetry (FA), the deviation from the normal symmetrical condition of a morphological trait having specific morphological symmetry, increases in response to environmental and genetic stress, is related to phenotypic plasticity and is considered a tool for monitoring a species conservation status. However, FA-stress relations are dependent on measured traits or species-specific characteristics such as mating system and habitat. This study investigates the relationships between FA, genetic diversity, population size, density and individual fitness traits (plant height, fruit and seed set), in the endemic Aquilegia thalictrifolia, a mixed breeder that is declining, but maintaining high levels of heterozygosity. Leaf and flower FA and other traits were investigated in 10 populations of A. thalictrifolia, the whole species range. As a result, we found similar patterns of FA in leaves and flowers between populations, indicating a homogenous level of stress between populations that differed for other traits. FA and the other traits were not related, including heterozygosity. Heterozygosity was not related to individual fitness traits with the exception of plant height. In accordance with other studies, we found that the role of FA as a tool for assessing the conservation status of a species or population should be reconsidered. However, we conclude that a low level of FA should not automatically be considered an indicator of good conservation status or low level of stress, because in species that evolved in highly stable environments it may indicate a scarce ability to plastically respond to environmental changes, as a consequence of environmental and genetic canalization. Further investigation of this point is needed.

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Calculation of Fluctuating Asymmetry of the biggest Caspian whipsnake population in Hungary compared to a common snake species

Cited by 8 publications

References 17 publications

The causes and ecological correlates of head scale asymmetry and fragmentation in a tropical snake

The causes and ecological correlates of head scale asymmetry and fragmentation in a tropical snake

Dead snakes and their stories: morphological anomalies, asymmetries and scars of road killed Dolichophis caspius (Serpentes, Colubridae) from Romania

Is phenotypic canalization involved in the decline of the endemic Aquilegia thalictrifolia? Rethinking relationships between fluctuating asymmetry and species conservation status

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