The British Herpetological Society

The Herpetological Journal is the Society's prestigious quarterly scientific journal. Articles are listed in Biological Abstracts, Current Awareness in Biological Sciences,Current Contents, Science Citation Index, and Zoological Record.

 ISSN 0268-0130

2021 Impact Factor from Clarivate for the Herpetological Journal is 1.194, an increase of 0.332 from 2020.


Volume 4, Number 2, April 1994 Volume 4, Number 2, April 1994



pdf 02. Developmental arrest in Leptodactyus fascus tadpoles (Anura Leptodactylidae) I Descriptive analysis

854 downloads

Open Access

pp.29-38

Authors: J. R. Downie

Abstract: Eggs of the neotropical frog Leptodactylus fuscus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) are laid in foamy masses in burrows close to sites of temporary pools. After about two days, tadpoles hatch into the foam, but after two days further development, ifno rain has fallen, the tadpoles enter a period of developmental arrest, maintained until rain falls and the nest is inundated. Results reported here document the developmental status of the arrested tadpoles, and compare this with tadpoles that enter water immediately. Arrest involves a gradual slowing and eventual cessation of cell proliferation, a slowing of hatching gland degeneration, a cessation of limb bud morphogenesis and slowing of yolk utilization from intestinal lining cells. Arrest is not simply the result of lack of food, since the intestinal lining contains abundant yolk particles when it begins. The period of developmental arrest is not unlimited: around 20 days after egg deposition, the resultant tadpoles undergo progressive weight loss and eventually die; death occurred on average 27.5 days after egg deposition,under laboratory conditions.


pdf 03. Developmental arrest in Leptodactylus fascus tadpoles (Anura Leptodactylidae) II Does a foam borne factor block development

731 downloads

Open Access

pp.39-45

Authors: J. R. Downie

Abstract: Several experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that foam made by hatched Leptodactylus fuscus tadpoles contains an inhibitor that maintains them in a state of developmental arrest. The results did not support the hypothesis. Tadpole-made foam did not inhibit the development of earlier stage L. fuscus, later stage L. fuscus or tadpoles of another species, Colostethus trinitatis, nor did removal from foam in itself release tadpoles from developmental arrest. Developmental arrest was found not to be obligate: tadpoles transferred to water at prearrest stages developed continuously through to later stages. Preliminary evidence suggested that transfer to water alone, irrespective of the presence of food, allowed tadpoles to bypass the arrest stage at least partially, possibly using their yolk reserves to continue development. The possibility that developmental arrest is mediated via Candida or Prototheca infection is briefly discussed.


pdf 04. Comparative study of the dorsal pattern in Saamandra saamandra bejarae (Wolterstorff, 1 934) and S s amanzoris (Millier & Hellmich, 1 935)

693 downloads

Open Access

pp.46-48

Authors: Jaime Bosch And Inmaculada López-bueis

Abstract: The dorsal pattern of six populations of Salamandra salamandra was studied. Several quantitative characters of the dorsal spots (number, area, perimeter, axes length, co-ordinates of the centre of gravity, etc.) were analysed using computer assisted technology. The study of these characters results in unexpected clustering of the populations. The population of Macizo de Pefialara, which is considered within S. s. bejarae seems to be closely related to the S. s. almanzoris populations.


pdf 05. Reproductive strategy in a montane population of the lizard Lacerta schreiberi (Sauria Lacertidae)

919 downloads

Open Access

pp.49-55

Authors: Adolfo Marco, Valentin Perez-mellado And Martin J. Gil-costa

Abstract: The mountain population of Lacerta schreiberi studied at the Sistema Central (Spain) showed a narrow and highly synchronized reproductive period, adjusted to short periods of annual activity, that are characteristic of these Iberian areas. Adult females reached sexual maturity at a minimum age of four years. Only one clutch of eggs is laid per year. The average clutch size of 14 eggs was positively correlated with female body size. Clutch weight was high (25 to 56% of net female weight), and incubation time was long (65 to 1 1 0 days). During incubation eggs reached three times their initial weight. We found a noticeable variability in some reproductive characteristics during the three years under study and among individual females. The greatest phenotypic plasticity was in the size of the eggs, incubation time, and the size of hatchlings, while clutch size showed a higher stability in its average values.


pdf 06. Diel variation in preferred body temperatures of the moorish gecko Tarentola mauritanica during summer

647 downloads

Open Access

pp.56-59 

Authors: Martin J. Gil, Fatima Guerrero And Valentin Perez-mellado

Abstract: We studied dieI variation in preferred body temperatures (TP) of adult and subadult geckos (Tarentola mauritanica) in a laboratory thermogradient. Overall TP averaged 31 .6°C and is significantly higher that the activity body temperatures recorded in the field. We did not detect differences in TP between adult and subadult lizards. TP varied according to a diel cycle. There was a gradual increase in TP during the afternoon-early evening period, leading to peak values just before the beginning of the night-time activity period. During the subsequent hours, TP s decrease again.




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IMPORTANT NOTE - JUNE 2020

Please note that as from Volume 31 Number 1 (January 2021) on, the Herpetological Journal will be available as an online publication only - the last print edition will be Volume 30 Number 4.   

Aligning with this change, it is now no longer possible to purchase a subscription that includes a print copy of the HJ.  All members who have existing HJ print subscriptions that remain active as at end June 2020 will receive the full four 2020 print editions.  New subscribers or renewals after this time will only have option to subscribe to the online only subscription package.  Subscription pricing has been amended to reflect the content changes.

 

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