Resource partitioning and dwarfism patterns between sympatric snakes in a micro‐insular Mediterranean environment

Luiselli, Luca; Petrozzi, Fabio; Mebert, Konrad; Zuffi, Marco Alberto Luca; Amori, Giovanni

doi:10.1007/s11284-015-1250-x

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Conversely, lizards, geckoes, and snakes showed no impact, in some cases increasing in numbers (Capizzi et al ). Luiselli et al () hypothesised a possible lowering of average body size of asp viper Vipera aspis on Montecristo, due to the lack of mammal prey following black rat eradication. Concerns were raised, despite vipers being introduced to Montecristo by humans, possibly between VIII and III century BC from Sicily (Barbanera et al , Masseti & Zuffi ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of mammal eradications on Mediterranean islands

Capizzi¹

2020

Mammal Review

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Impacts of alien invasive species on island communities and ecosystems may be even more detrimental than on the mainland. Therefore, since the 1950s, hundreds of restoration projects have been implemented worldwide, with the aim of controlling or eradicating alien species from islands. To date, no review has been focused on eradication on Mediterranean islands. To fill the gap, I reviewed the available information concerning mammal eradications so far carried out on Mediterranean islands, examining the details of several aspects of project implementation and monitoring. I obtained data for 139 attempted eradications on 107 Mediterranean islands in eight countries, with Greece, Italy, and Spain accounting for the highest number. Eradication projects targeted 13 mammal species. The black rat Rattus rattus was the target of over 75% of the known attempted eradications in the Mediterranean Basin; other species targeted were feral goat Capra hircus, house mouse Mus musculus, European rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus, and domestic cat Felis catus. The most widely adopted technique was poisoning (77% of all eradications), followed by trapping (15%) and hunting (4%). However, techniques were largely target‐specific. The average failure rate was about 11%. However, this percentage varied according to the specific mammalian order, and eradications of Carnivora failed more often than those of other mammals. Among rodents, house mouse eradication attained a very high failure rate (75%). Reinvasion occurred after 15% of successful eradications. A better understanding of the motivations of animal rights activists may improve the chance of success when eradicating charismatic or domesticated species. Furthermore, it is crucial to collect data and case studies about reinvasions, in order to strengthen biosecurity programmes following eradication. As in other parts of the world, the next frontier in alien mammal management on Mediterranean islands concerns the eradication of invasive species from inhabited islands.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of mammal eradications on Mediterranean islands

Capizzi¹

2020

Mammal Review

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“…One example that illustrates well the problem of high morphological variation within species is the case of V. lotievi, for which morphological convergence across similar environments and confusion over species identification are highlighted as a possible explanation for its polyphyly (Zinenko et al, 2015). Similarly, the occurrence of ecotypes can lead to the designation of taxonomic units which are not concordant with evolutionary history (e.g., V. aspis atra, Ursenbacher et al, 2006b; V. aspis montecristi, Barbanera et al, 2009;Luiselli et al, 2015;V. monticola, Velo-Antón et al, 2012).…”

Section: Taxonomic Inflation and Need For An Integrative Taxonomymentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating taxonomic inflation: towards evidence-based species delimitation in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae)

Freitas

Ursenbacher

Mebert³

et al. 2020

Amphib.-Reptilia

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Abstract The designation of taxonomic units has important implications for the understanding and conservation of biodiversity. Eurasian vipers are a monophyletic group of viperid snakes (Serpentes, Viperinae), currently comprising four genera (Daboia, Macrovipera, Montivipera and Vipera) and up to 40 species. Taxonomic units have been described using a wide variety of methods and criteria, and consequently, considerable controversy still surrounds the validity of some currently listed species. In order to promote a consensus- and evidence-based taxonomy of Eurasian vipers, we analysed published mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences for this group to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among currently recognized viper species. We also compiled information on external morphology to assess their morphological distinctiveness. Phylogenetic inference based on mtDNA sequences shows contrasting levels of divergence across genera and species and identifies several instances of non-monophyly in described species. Nuclear DNA sequences show extremely low levels of genetic variation, with a widespread pattern of allele sharing among distant species, and even among genera. Revision of morphological data shows that most species designations rely on scalation traits that overlap extensively among species of the same genus. Based on our combined assessment, we recognize 15 taxa as valid species, three taxa which likely represent species complexes, 17 taxa of doubtful validity as species, and five taxa for which species status is maintained but further research is highly recommended to assess taxonomic arrangements. We stress the need to implement integrative taxonomic approaches for the recognition of evidence-based taxonomic units in Eurasian vipers.

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“…They also do not have the olive coloration of the southern mainland snakes and are instead coloured black and brown. The smaller size of the island cobras could be due to limited resources, leading to selection for a reduction in body size and, if confirmed, could represent an example of insular dwarfism in snakes (Boback, 2003;Card et al, 2016;Keogh, Scott, & Hayes, 2005;Luiselli, Petrozzi, Mebert, Zuffi, & Amori, 2015). However, a much larger data set based on measurement and body weight data is needed to confirm this observation, as the sample from Pha-ngan was limited to eight small individuals whose maturity was not determined.…”

Section: Endemic Island N Kaouthia and Population Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Geographical differentiation and cryptic diversity in the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia (Elapidae), from Thailand

et al. 2019

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South‐East Asia has an exceptionally high diversity of snakes, with more than 250 snake species currently recorded from Thailand. This diversity likely reflects the diverse range of geographical and climatic conditions under which they live, but the evolutionary history and population genetics of many snake species in South‐East Asia have been little investigated in comparison with morphological studies. Here, we investigated genetic variation in the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia, Lesson, 1831, across its distribution range in Thailand using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b, control region) for ~100 individuals and the nuclear DNA gene (C‐mos) for a small subset. Using population genetic and phylogenetic methods, we show high levels of genetic variation between regional populations of this non‐spitting cobra, including the north‐eastern, north‐central and southern regions, in addition to a population on Pha‐ngan Island, 150 km offshore from the southern peninsula. Moreover, inclusion of the north‐eastern population renders N. kaouthia paraphyletic in relation to other regional Naja species. The north‐eastern population is therefore probably specifically distinct. Given that these cobras are otherwise undifferentiated based on colour and general appearance to the “typical” cobra type of this region, they would represent a cryptic species. As has been shown in other animal groups from Thailand, it is likely that the geographical characteristics and/or tectonic alteration of these regions have facilitated high levels of population divergence of N. kaouthia in this region. Our study highlights the need for dense sampling of snake populations to reveal their systematics, plan conservation and facilitate anti‐snake venom development.

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Resource partitioning and dwarfism patterns between sympatric snakes in a micro‐insular Mediterranean environment

Cited by 18 publications

References 42 publications

A review of mammal eradications on Mediterranean islands

A review of mammal eradications on Mediterranean islands

Evaluating taxonomic inflation: towards evidence-based species delimitation in Eurasian vipers (Serpentes: Viperinae)

Geographical differentiation and cryptic diversity in the monocled cobra, Naja kaouthia (Elapidae), from Thailand

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