Reptile

Avian influenza has emerged as one of the most ubiquitous viruses within our biosphere. Wild aquatic birds are believed to be the primary reservoir of all influenza viruses; however, the spillover of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and the recent swine-origin pandemic H1N1 viruses have sparked increased interest in identifying and understanding which and how many species can be infected. Moreover, novel influenza virus sequences were recently isolated from New World bats. Crocodilians have a slow rate of molecular evolution and are the sister group to birds; thus they are a logical reptilian group to explore susceptibility to influenza virus infection and they provide a link between birds and mammals. A primary American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) cell line, and embryos, were infected with four, low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) strains to assess susceptibility to infection. Embryonated alligator eggs supported virus replication, as evidenced by the influenza virus M gene and infectious virus detected in allantoic fluid and by virus antigen staining in embryo tissues. Primary alligator cells were also inoculated with the LPAI viruses and showed susceptibility based upon antigen staining; however, the requirement for trypsin to support replication in cell culture limited replication. To assess influenza virus replication in culture, primary alligator cells were inoculated with H1N1 human influenza or H5N1 HPAI viruses that replicate independent of trypsin. Both viruses replicated efficiently in culture, even at the 30 C temperature preferred by the alligator cells. This research demonstrates the ability of wild-type influenza viruses to infect and replicate within two crocodilian substrates and suggests the need for further research to assess crocodilians as a species potentially susceptible to influenza virus infection.

Oxygen isotopes can be used to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental conditions in which vertebrates lived, and thereby give an indication of their ecology. This has been done for faunas from the famous Late Jurassic lithographic limestones of Western Europe. Oxygen isotope compositions of phosphate from apatite were measured in aquatic or semiaquatic vertebrate remains (fish, turtles, and crocodilians) deposited in these

Spontaneous short-term oscillations in consecutive beat-to-beat RR interval (RRI) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) values of lizards (Gallotia galloti) in basal conditions and under parasympathetic blockade with atropine at 23°C body temperature were investigated using spectral analysis. In control conditions, both RRI and SBP spectra exhibited two major oscillations in very low (VLF 0.008–0.030 Hz) and low (LF 0.030–0.100 Hz) frequencies. Most lizards presented a high frequency (HF) respiratory peak in the SBP spectra whenever the lizard's ventilatory pattern was rhythmic. Parasympathetic blockade decreased all RRI oscillations and LF and HF oscillationsof SBP. VLF and LF oscillations of RRI and SBP were still clearly present after blockade, which shows that other neural or humoral systems different from parasympathetic could mediate also low frequency RRI and SBP variability. SBP-RRI cross-spectral analysis showed in control conditions a linear relationship between SBP and RRI variations in the VLF, LF and HF bands, with SBP variations leading RRI; the parasympathetic limb of the baroreflex seems to be involved in maintaining the SBP-RRI coherence in the LF and perhaps in the HF band.

Sex steroid hormones are known to play a central role in vertebrate sex determination and differentiation. However, the tissues in which they are produced or received during development, especially around the period of sex determination of the gonads, have rarely been investigated. In this study, we identified the cDNA sequence, including the full-length of the coding region of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), from the leopard gecko; a lizard with temperature-dependent sex determination. Embryonic expression analysis of two steroidogenic enzymes, P450scc and P450 aromatase (P450arom), and four sex steroid hormone receptors, androgen receptor, estrogen receptor α and β, and progesterone receptor, was subsequently conducted. mRNA expression of both steroidogenic enzymes was observed in the brain and gonads prior to the temperature-sensitive period of sex determination. The mRNAs of the four sex steroid hormone receptors were also detected in the brain and gonads at all stages examined. These results suggest the existence of a gonad-independent sex steroid hormone signaling system in the developing leopard gecko brain.

Adult galliform birds (e.g. chickens) exhibit a relatively small telencephalon and a proportionately large optic tectum compared with parrots and songbirds. We previously examined the embryonic origins of these adult species differences and found that the optic tectum is larger in quail than in parakeets and songbirds at early stages of development, prior to tectal neurogenesis onset. The aim of

Although the knowledge of morphometrics and hematology of reptiles in health has grown substantially in recent years, there are still knowledge gaps in many species and from different geographical regions. The objectives of this study were to document morphometrical measurements and hematological data of clinically healthy free-ranging adult Mesopotamian spiny-tailed lizards (Saara loricata), the Iraqi Mastigure or Iraqi spiny-tailed lizard, from Khuzestan Province, Iran, and to investigate sex differences in evaluated parameters. Although we did not observe any gender differences in morphometrical measurements, the visually larger genital pores of males allowed for differentiation of study animals into females (n = 6) and males (n = 5). We obtained femoral vein blood samples for hematological analysis, including detailed red blood cell (RBC) measurements, RBC count, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) counts, and blood film review. Gender differences were identified in some RBC measurements, notably length and width of erythrocytes and nucleus width, as well as RBC and WBC counts. Gametocytes of hemogregarines varied from absent to frequent. The information presented herein will be useful for interpretative considerations of health assessment data for this species from Iran in comparison to data from the same and closely related species from other geographical regions

Project LIFE-HerpetoLatvia LIFE09NAT/LV/000239 "Conservation of rare reptiles and amphibians in Latvia" was implemented in 2010 -2014 in Latvia. One of three target species of the Projects is Emys orbicularis, and the target territory is Silene Nature Park, Territory Natura 2000. 17 ponds were restored in Silene Nature Park in four key sites (site areas – 6.3 ha; 15.4 ha; 16.4 ha; 0.5 ha) near Belarusian border. 42 Emys orbicularis were raised in aquaculture for 4 – 7 years and were released in restored ponds in 2014 in Silene Nature Park. After-LIFE activities of the Project LIFE-HerpetoLatvia provide Ilgas population monitoring and enforcement.

Sex steroid hormones are known to play a central role in vertebrate sex determination and differentiation. However, the tissues in which they are produced or received during development, especially around the period of sex determination of the gonads, have rarely been investigated. In this study, we identified the cDNA sequence, including the full-length of the coding region of cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), from the leopard gecko; a lizard with temperature-dependent sex determination. Embryonic expression analysis of two steroidogenic enzymes, P450scc and P450 aromatase (P450arom), and four sex steroid hormone receptors, androgen receptor, estrogen receptor α and β, and progesterone receptor, was subsequently conducted. mRNA expression of both steroidogenic enzymes was observed in the brain and gonads prior to the temperature-sensitive period of sex determination. The mRNAs of the four sex steroid hormone receptors were also detected in the brain and gonads at all stages examined. These results suggest the existence of a gonad-independent sex steroid hormone signaling system in the developing leopard gecko brain.

As ectothermic vertebrates, reptiles undergo diurnal and seasonal changes in body temperature, which affect many biological functions. In conjunction with a general review regarding the effects of temperature on digestion in reptiles, we describe the effects of various ...

Ro is an artificial auxiliary language created by Edward P. Foster in the early 20 th century. Unlike most such languages (e.g. Esperanto), it is of the a priori type, meaning that it (supposedly) does not draw on natural languages as sources. Some a priori languages had their vocabulary designed in such a way that words with similar meani words for reptiles, and the system with which these words were formed. An additional interesting feature of Ro is that Foster wrote works on it over a period of more than 20 years, and he made (relatively minor) changes to it during that span of time, and this will be seen in the words for reptiles. Words for reptiles all begin with the sequence mu, as do all words for animals. Muk(a) all words for reptiles start with muk, but so do words for amphibians, e.g. mukaf mukag Was this because Foster did not know that amphibians are a separate class from reptiles or because he did not think it worth the trouble to create a different sequence of initial letters for amphibians? Words for different types of reptiles are distinguished by their fourth letter, e.g. mukla mukma Further letters distinguish different subtypes of these, e.g. muklab mukmal of a priori artificial languages have been constructed.