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Seed dispersal by reptiles (saurochory) has recently received attention, and the consumption of fruits and seeds has been reported in crocodilians despite being mainly carnivores, acting as potential seed dispersers. We evaluate whether saurochory by Crocodylus acutus and C. moreletii affect the seed viability of three species of plants (Delonix regia, Inga sp., and Citrullus lanatus). We performed feeding trials, using three juvenile individuals of each species of crocodile, and fed them 22 seeds per plant species for a total of 66 seeds per enclosure (132 for both species). Seeds were combined with the usual diet each week. The unconsumed and excreted seeds were collected and planted in soil treated with compost to evaluate the relative germination rate. A total of 99 seeds were consumed, of which only 14 seeds of C. lanatus were recovered from the faeces, and only one of those germinated (7.14 %) with respect to 50 % in the control group. The results indicate that saurochory by C. acutus and C. moreletii has a negative effect on seed viability and germination of the plant species studied, as found in other studies using different species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scorpion or broken chest turtle, Kinosternon scorpioides scorpioides, is widely distributed in Venezuela. However, there are regions with few records of its presence and States where the species has not been reported yet. The present findings of this continental tortoise in the hydrographic basin of the Manzanares River, extend its range of distribution for the country and Sucre state, where there was only one documented report. The specimens were collected in 4 communities of this State; nevertheless, persons settled on the banks of this river have reported the sighting and captures in 10 additional localities (not yet confirmed), all of them composed of diverse marshy, riparian ecosystems. In view of this, there is a need for a more rigorous assessment of the geographical distribution of this continental quelonium to support its conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Caldasia is the property of Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad is the property of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Instituto de Biologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The herpetofaunal richness of Los Tarrales Natural Private Reserve (LTNPR), on the south side of the Lake Atitlán basin, in Guatemala, was investigated through three methods: 1) capture/sighting of specimens, 2) social inquiry, 3) desk research. The field work was distributed over a 10 year period (2003-2013) at a rate of six search sessions each year. Accumulated search time was 600 hours-transect. We walked the equivalent of 450 miles of trails, covering elevations between 700 and 1900 meters above sea level. Three former hunters were interviewed and asked to identify species occurring at the LTNPR. Published data was reviewed to identify species distributed in the LTNPR. The generated list includes 119 species. The quality and significance of our data are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liolaemus belongs to the Eulaemus subgenus, that is included in the Liolaemus montanus group or section, and is distributed in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. The species members of this clade inhabit arid and high altitude environments, usually above 2 800m, and have a strong tendency to herbivory and a viviparous reproductive type. In a herpetological expedition to the Salta Province highlands, Argentina, in April 2012, we collected individuals of this new species for their description. The specimens were collected with loop, slaughtered by anesthesia and deposited in the herpetological collection of Fundación Miguel Lillo in Tucumán (FML). To characterize this new taxon, we analyzed 144 external morphological characters, referring primarily to lepidosis, color pattern, and body proportions, comparing with data from 66 constituent species of the L. montanus group (45 taxa from collection specimens and 21 from literature). Description of the colors in life was made in the field and based on photographs taken during the capture. The species described in this work inhabits a very narrow mountain range area in Salta Province (Argentina), and the Atacama Region (Chile), always above the 3 600m. This new taxon shows characteristics of lepidosis and color patterns clearly different from the other species members of the L. montanus group: the maximum snout-vent length is 72.9mm; shows 74-96 scales around midbody, 89-104 dorsal scales between the occiput and hind limbs, 92-109 ventrals, precloacal pores are evident in both, males and females, and supernumerary pores in males. Also, the presence of postcloacal pores stands out as unique among all Liolaemus. This is a new character, not only for the genus, but also to all Reptilia, becoming a morphological discovery of great importance, since in reptiles only precloacal and femoral pores are known. Based on our field observations, this new Liolaemus is related to rocky environments, which are used as refuge by this omnivorous species, and when handled, very aggressive males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]