A third giant species of Diploglossus, D. carraui, is described from north-central República Dominicana. Comparisons between this species and D. warreni from Haiti and D. anelpistus from south-central República Dominicana are made. The taxonomic status of the three named populations is discussed, and alternative arrangements are noted. Diploglussus warreni is viviparous, and gives birth in July-August (wet season). Number of young (8-27) is positively correlated with female body size, but mean size of young is not correlated with litter size. D. warreni takes a wide variety of prey species (including other lizards) but, in terms of prey volume, centipedes (Scolopendra) and millipedes (Rhinocricidae) predominate.
The herpetofauna of the Dominican Republic consists of 39 frogs (two of which are introduced), 110 squamates (one possibly extinct and three or four introduced), one crocodilian, three turtles (one introduced), plus four species of sea turtles. Reflecting the recent "Global Amphibian Assessment", 32 of 37 (86%) native species of amphibians are included on the IUCN Red List. Reptilian species given formal recognition as being in need of protection include the sea turtles (listed in CITES appendices and the IUCN Red List), the two native species of pond turtles (Trachemys spp.; IUCN, although one as being at "lower risk" of extinction), both species of rock iguanas (Cyclura spp.; CITES and IUCN), two giant galliwasps (Celestus spp., IUCN), three boids (Epicrates spp., CITES), a ground boa (Tropidophis haetianus, CITES), and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus; CITES and IUCN). However, at least some additional squamate species appear to meet criteria for inclusion on the IUCN Red List. Four factors largely responsible for the status of these species are: (1) small ranges, habitat specialization, and encroachment by human activities (many amphibians); (2) large size and economic value (turtles, iguanas, crocodile); (3) persecution by people who fear them (galliwasps and snakes); and (4) diurnally active, terrestrial, and vulnerable to predation by mongooses and other introduced mammalian predators (some snakes, Mabuya). Although protection for a few species and for national parks in critical habitats is legislated, enforcement is sporadic and threats, mostly associated with exploitation and development, remain. Specific recommendations for the conservation of the herpetofauna are listed.
I guana iguana has a natural distribution from México (Sinaloa and Veracruz) southward through Central America and into northeastern South America to the Tropic of Capricorn in Paraguay and southeastern Brazil. The species also occurs on numerous islands, including Cozumel,
. dorsalis) are rare and may never listed, evidence must exist that: (1) populations are have been common. Their size and habits render them dwindling, (2) the range is shrinking, or (3) a species vulnerable to predation by the introduced mongoose and must be vulnerable to exploitation and historically rare.to decimation by humans who fear and dislike them. Two iguanas (Cyclura cornuta, C. ricordii ), two turtles (Trachemys decorata, T. stejnegeri vicina), and one crocodilian (Crocodylus acutus) have been exploited ex-
Anoles are a group of lizards that offer a wide range of opportunities to study different biological topics. In this work, we examined some aspects of the morphology from 139 individuals of green anoles collected in urban parks of Santo Domingo and the Distrito Nacional. We investigated evidence of hybridization between the two Hispaniola endemic species Anolis chlorocyanus and A. cyanostictus and the introduced species A. porcatus. We categorized the individuals in pure species and intermediates based on their phenotype. Additionally, mitochondrial 16S sequence data was generated from the collected specimens, to compare molecular and phenotypic species assignments. We consider the general congruence between both data sets in most but inconsistency in a few specimens as evidence for hybridization between the two endemic species. However, we did not find evidence of hybridization between any of these species and the introduced species A. porcatus. Nevertheless, the continuous expansion of the distribution of this invasive species possibly will have drastic negative consequences for the populations of the endemic species.
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