Despite the fact that venom is an intrinsically ecological trait, the ecological perspective has ... more Despite the fact that venom is an intrinsically ecological trait, the ecological perspective has been widely neglected in toxinological research. This neglect has hindered our understanding of the evolution of venom by causing us to ignore the interactions which shape this evolution, interactions that take place between venomous snakes and their prey and predators, as well as among conspecific venomous snakes within populations. In this opinion piece, we introduce and briefly discuss several ecologically oriented concepts that may be of interest to toxinologists, before reviewing a range of non-front-fanged snake taxa that have been neglected toxinologically, but which represent the majority of extant ecological diversity amongst snakes. We conclude by noting that the ecological perspective even has something to offer to clinical toxinology, in the wake of the World Health Organization reinstating snakebite envenoming to its list of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Résumé - La liste taxinomique de référence est établie pour les Amphibiens et les Sauropsides non... more Résumé - La liste taxinomique de référence est établie pour les Amphibiens et les Sauropsides non aviens de la collectivité d'outre-mer français de Saint-Martin, dans les Petites Antilles. Elle tient compte des publications les plus récentes. Le choix des noms des taxons et la validation de la liste ont été opérés par le comité scientifique de validation mixte du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris et de la Société herpétologique de France. A côté du nom scientifique zoologique, un nom scientifique français est joint à chaque taxon. Il est pour beaucoup inspiré des noms disponibles dans la littérature scientifique à partir de Duméril et Bibron (1834-1844), mais a été créé quand il n'était pas disponible ou non applicable.
Summary – Taxinomic list of the herpetofauna in the overseas territories of France: I. Collectivity of Saint Martin. The taxinomic checklist is established for the Amphibians and non-avian Sauropsids of the French collectivity of Saint Martin, in the Lesser Antilles. It takes into account the most recent publications. The choice of taxinomic names and the validation of the checklist have been made by the scientific validation committee of the Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris and the Société herpétologique de France. In addition to zoological scientific names, a French scientific name is attached to each taxon. It mostly has been taken from the scientific literature since Duméril and Bibron (1834-1844), but has been created when names were not available or inappropriate.
The blindsnake genus Anilios (formerly Ramphotyphlops) is the largest and most diverse genus of s... more The blindsnake genus Anilios (formerly Ramphotyphlops) is the largest and most diverse genus of snakes in Australia with 45 currently recognized species. Recent molecular genetic studies of the genus have identified high levels of cryptic diversity within many taxa, suggesting true species diversity is greatly underestimated. Anilios leptosoma is a slender blind-snake endemic to the mid-west of Western Australia. Although morphological variation has been identified within the species in the past, the systematics and true diversity remained unstudied. Here we use recent molecular data to guide a reappraisal of morphology in order to provide a taxonomic revision of the A. leptosoma species complex. We redescribe A. leptosoma and describe two new species that occur to the south of most of true A. leptosoma's distribution: A. systenos sp. nov. and A. obtusifrons sp. nov. Anilios systenos sp. nov. is known from the Geraldton region with the furthest record only 100 km to the northeast , a very small range for a species of snake. Anilios obtusifrons sp. nov. has an even smaller distribution, as it is only known from a small coastal area south of Kalbarri and may represent a range-restricted taxa. All species are genetically divergent from each other and can be distinguished by consistent morphological characteristics, including the shape of the snout, the termination point of the rostral cleft and number of mid-body scale rows and ventral scales. Introduction Australia supports a diverse herpetofauna and current species counts continue to increase with cryptic species frequently identified and described from within what were previously considered single taxa. True species diversity has largely been underestimated historically due to relatively few workers covering a large diverse area and the high levels of cryptic diversity occurring in a range of taxa. Cryptic species diversity within Australian herpetofauna was first summarized by Donnellan et al. (1993) and there has subsequently been a significant increase in studies testing for cryptic diversity within nominal species, especially widespread taxa, and resolving the attendant taxonomic problems (Oliver et al. 2014a). While morphology has often been the sole factor in identifying new taxa historically, molecular genetic methods are now used to identify cryptic diversity occurring within taxa and assist in resolving the taxonomy of these species. The increased use of molecular genetic methods as a taxonomic tool has allowed considerable understanding and resolution of many species complexes and cryptic taxa (summarized in Oliver et al. 2015). Through integrative approaches to taxonomy, an abundance of cryptic lineages have been identified within currently-recognized species across Australia, leading to the description of a range of new taxa (e.
The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resol... more The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resolution of higher-order molecular phylogenetics has clearly established that a venom system is ancestral to snakes. The diversification of the venom system within lizards is discussed, as is the role of venom delivery in the behavioural ecology of these taxa (particularly Varanus komodoensis). The more extensive diversification of the venom system in snakes is summarised, including its loss in some clades.
The differentiated serous-secreting dental glands of caenophidian snakes are diverse in form desp... more The differentiated serous-secreting dental glands of caenophidian snakes are diverse in form despite their developmental homology. This variation makes the eluci-dation of their evolutionary history a complex task. In addition, some authors identify as many as ten discrete types/subtypes of ophidian oral gland. Over the past decade and a half, molecular systematics and toxinology have deepened our understanding of the evolution of these fascinating and occasionally enigmatic structures. This paper includes a comprehensive examination of ophidian oral gland structure and (where possible) function, as well as new data on rictal glands and their associated anatomy. Following this, appropriate use of terminology, especially that pertaining to homologous structures (including the controversial ''venom gland'' vs ''Duvernoy's gland'' debate), is considered. An interpretation of the evolutionary history of the ophidian venom system, drawing on recent results from molecular systematics, toxinology and palaeontology, concludes the paper.
The Persian Gulf is known as the westernmost distribution limit for sea snakes, except for Hydrop... more The Persian Gulf is known as the westernmost distribution limit for sea snakes, except for Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766) that reaches southeastern Africa. Previous identification guides for sea snakes of the Persian Gulf and its adjacent waters in the Gulf of Oman were based on old data and confined mostly to written descriptions. Therefore, a series of field surveys were carried out in 2013 and 2014 through Iranian coastal waters of both gulfs to provide a comprehensive sampling of sea snakes in the area. This paper presents an illustrated and updated checklist and identification tool for sea snakes in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, which are based on new material and a review of the literature. This checklist includes ten species of marine hydrophiines, of which one, Microcephalophis cantoris (Günther, 1864), is a new record for the area. All specimens examined herein are deposited and available at the Zoological Museum of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman province, Iran.
Despite the fact that venom is an intrinsically ecological trait, the ecological perspective has ... more Despite the fact that venom is an intrinsically ecological trait, the ecological perspective has been widely neglected in toxinological research. This neglect has hindered our understanding of the evolution of venom by causing us to ignore the interactions which shape this evolution, interactions that take place between venomous snakes and their prey and predators, as well as among conspecific venomous snakes within populations. In this opinion piece, we introduce and briefly discuss several ecologically oriented concepts that may be of interest to toxinologists, before reviewing a range of non-front-fanged snake taxa that have been neglected toxinologically, but which represent the majority of extant ecological diversity amongst snakes. We conclude by noting that the ecological perspective even has something to offer to clinical toxinology, in the wake of the World Health Organization reinstating snakebite envenoming to its list of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Résumé - La liste taxinomique de référence est établie pour les Amphibiens et les Sauropsides non... more Résumé - La liste taxinomique de référence est établie pour les Amphibiens et les Sauropsides non aviens de la collectivité d'outre-mer français de Saint-Martin, dans les Petites Antilles. Elle tient compte des publications les plus récentes. Le choix des noms des taxons et la validation de la liste ont été opérés par le comité scientifique de validation mixte du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle de Paris et de la Société herpétologique de France. A côté du nom scientifique zoologique, un nom scientifique français est joint à chaque taxon. Il est pour beaucoup inspiré des noms disponibles dans la littérature scientifique à partir de Duméril et Bibron (1834-1844), mais a été créé quand il n'était pas disponible ou non applicable.
Summary – Taxinomic list of the herpetofauna in the overseas territories of France: I. Collectivity of Saint Martin. The taxinomic checklist is established for the Amphibians and non-avian Sauropsids of the French collectivity of Saint Martin, in the Lesser Antilles. It takes into account the most recent publications. The choice of taxinomic names and the validation of the checklist have been made by the scientific validation committee of the Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris and the Société herpétologique de France. In addition to zoological scientific names, a French scientific name is attached to each taxon. It mostly has been taken from the scientific literature since Duméril and Bibron (1834-1844), but has been created when names were not available or inappropriate.
The blindsnake genus Anilios (formerly Ramphotyphlops) is the largest and most diverse genus of s... more The blindsnake genus Anilios (formerly Ramphotyphlops) is the largest and most diverse genus of snakes in Australia with 45 currently recognized species. Recent molecular genetic studies of the genus have identified high levels of cryptic diversity within many taxa, suggesting true species diversity is greatly underestimated. Anilios leptosoma is a slender blind-snake endemic to the mid-west of Western Australia. Although morphological variation has been identified within the species in the past, the systematics and true diversity remained unstudied. Here we use recent molecular data to guide a reappraisal of morphology in order to provide a taxonomic revision of the A. leptosoma species complex. We redescribe A. leptosoma and describe two new species that occur to the south of most of true A. leptosoma's distribution: A. systenos sp. nov. and A. obtusifrons sp. nov. Anilios systenos sp. nov. is known from the Geraldton region with the furthest record only 100 km to the northeast , a very small range for a species of snake. Anilios obtusifrons sp. nov. has an even smaller distribution, as it is only known from a small coastal area south of Kalbarri and may represent a range-restricted taxa. All species are genetically divergent from each other and can be distinguished by consistent morphological characteristics, including the shape of the snout, the termination point of the rostral cleft and number of mid-body scale rows and ventral scales. Introduction Australia supports a diverse herpetofauna and current species counts continue to increase with cryptic species frequently identified and described from within what were previously considered single taxa. True species diversity has largely been underestimated historically due to relatively few workers covering a large diverse area and the high levels of cryptic diversity occurring in a range of taxa. Cryptic species diversity within Australian herpetofauna was first summarized by Donnellan et al. (1993) and there has subsequently been a significant increase in studies testing for cryptic diversity within nominal species, especially widespread taxa, and resolving the attendant taxonomic problems (Oliver et al. 2014a). While morphology has often been the sole factor in identifying new taxa historically, molecular genetic methods are now used to identify cryptic diversity occurring within taxa and assist in resolving the taxonomy of these species. The increased use of molecular genetic methods as a taxonomic tool has allowed considerable understanding and resolution of many species complexes and cryptic taxa (summarized in Oliver et al. 2015). Through integrative approaches to taxonomy, an abundance of cryptic lineages have been identified within currently-recognized species across Australia, leading to the description of a range of new taxa (e.
The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resol... more The evolutionary origin and diversification of the reptilian venom system is described. The resolution of higher-order molecular phylogenetics has clearly established that a venom system is ancestral to snakes. The diversification of the venom system within lizards is discussed, as is the role of venom delivery in the behavioural ecology of these taxa (particularly Varanus komodoensis). The more extensive diversification of the venom system in snakes is summarised, including its loss in some clades.
The differentiated serous-secreting dental glands of caenophidian snakes are diverse in form desp... more The differentiated serous-secreting dental glands of caenophidian snakes are diverse in form despite their developmental homology. This variation makes the eluci-dation of their evolutionary history a complex task. In addition, some authors identify as many as ten discrete types/subtypes of ophidian oral gland. Over the past decade and a half, molecular systematics and toxinology have deepened our understanding of the evolution of these fascinating and occasionally enigmatic structures. This paper includes a comprehensive examination of ophidian oral gland structure and (where possible) function, as well as new data on rictal glands and their associated anatomy. Following this, appropriate use of terminology, especially that pertaining to homologous structures (including the controversial ''venom gland'' vs ''Duvernoy's gland'' debate), is considered. An interpretation of the evolutionary history of the ophidian venom system, drawing on recent results from molecular systematics, toxinology and palaeontology, concludes the paper.
The Persian Gulf is known as the westernmost distribution limit for sea snakes, except for Hydrop... more The Persian Gulf is known as the westernmost distribution limit for sea snakes, except for Hydrophis platurus (Linnaeus, 1766) that reaches southeastern Africa. Previous identification guides for sea snakes of the Persian Gulf and its adjacent waters in the Gulf of Oman were based on old data and confined mostly to written descriptions. Therefore, a series of field surveys were carried out in 2013 and 2014 through Iranian coastal waters of both gulfs to provide a comprehensive sampling of sea snakes in the area. This paper presents an illustrated and updated checklist and identification tool for sea snakes in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, which are based on new material and a review of the literature. This checklist includes ten species of marine hydrophiines, of which one, Microcephalophis cantoris (Günther, 1864), is a new record for the area. All specimens examined herein are deposited and available at the Zoological Museum of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman province, Iran.
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Papers by Nicolas Vidal
Summary – Taxinomic list of the herpetofauna in the overseas territories of France: I. Collectivity of Saint Martin. The taxinomic checklist is established for the Amphibians and non-avian Sauropsids of the French collectivity of Saint Martin, in the Lesser Antilles. It takes into account the most recent publications. The choice of taxinomic names and the validation of the checklist have been made by the scientific validation committee of the Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris and the Société herpétologique de France. In addition to zoological scientific names, a French scientific name is attached to each taxon. It mostly has been taken from the scientific literature since Duméril and Bibron (1834-1844), but has been created when names were not available or inappropriate.
Summary – Taxinomic list of the herpetofauna in the overseas territories of France: I. Collectivity of Saint Martin. The taxinomic checklist is established for the Amphibians and non-avian Sauropsids of the French collectivity of Saint Martin, in the Lesser Antilles. It takes into account the most recent publications. The choice of taxinomic names and the validation of the checklist have been made by the scientific validation committee of the Muséum national d'Histoire Naturelle de Paris and the Société herpétologique de France. In addition to zoological scientific names, a French scientific name is attached to each taxon. It mostly has been taken from the scientific literature since Duméril and Bibron (1834-1844), but has been created when names were not available or inappropriate.