http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/tiniest-chameleon-madagascar-brookesia-micra_n_1280151.html
Friday, March 29, 2013
Tiniest Chameleon, Brookesia Micra, Discovered On Madagascar Island
The smallest chameleon in the world (Brookesia micra) is so tiny it can sit on the head of a match! It's so adorable! Click on the link below to read about it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/tiniest-chameleon-madagascar-brookesia-micra_n_1280151.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/tiniest-chameleon-madagascar-brookesia-micra_n_1280151.html
Lizard fossil provides missing link to show body shapes of snakes and limbless lizards evolved independently
Click on the link below to read how snakes evolved and are closer related to monitor lizards than legless lizards.
Lizard fossil provides missing link to show body shapes of snakes and limbless lizards evolved independently
Lizard fossil provides missing link to show body shapes of snakes and limbless lizards evolved independently
Image of the nearly complete fossil of Cryptolacerta hassiaca. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of Toronto)
Turtles win greater protection at CITES meeting
A WIN for the turtles! Yay! Click on the link below to read about it.
Turtles win greater protection at CITES meeting
Turtles win greater protection at CITES meeting
Freshwater turtle in Sumatra. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0308-cites-turtles.html#EGt418fmABQKumQ9.99
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0308-cites-turtles.html#EGt418fmABQKumQ9.99
Madagascar's chameleons came from African mainland
Chameleon awesomeness! Click on the link below to learn about how Madagascar's chameleons came from Africa years ago.
Madagascar's chameleons came from African mainland
Madagascar's chameleons came from African mainland
Parson's chameleon in Madagascar
Peyrieras' Pygmy Chameleon (Brookesia peyrierasi) in Madagascar
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0329-madagascar-chameleon-origin.html#Q1TmLSiUuIGt8hXZ.99
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0329-madagascar-chameleon-origin.html#Q1TmLSiUuIGt8hXZ.99
Panther chameleon in Madagascar
Juvenile Elliott's Chameleon in Uganda
Calumma crypticum chameleon in Madagascar
Furcifer pardalis chameleon in Madagascar
Over ten percent of a species' total population found in smuggler's bag
Reptile smuggling is a serious threat to reptiles. For those of you who do not know, reptile smuggling is only second to drug smuggling worldwide. It's really sad that there are people who don't care that they are wiping out populations of wild reptiles. The only thing they care about is money:(
Take some time and click on the link to read about a smuggler who got caught. Yea for the tortoises! I hope they live long enough to be relocated back to where they came from.
Over ten percent of a species' total population found in smuggler's bag
Take some time and click on the link to read about a smuggler who got caught. Yea for the tortoises! I hope they live long enough to be relocated back to where they came from.
Over ten percent of a species' total population found in smuggler's bag
Ploughshare and radiated tortoises confiscated in Bangkok. Photo by: P.Tansom/TRAFFIC.
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0325-hance-ploughshare-trafficking.html#8H5TLUHrKGoEQzrL.99
Read more at http://news.mongabay.com/2013/0325-hance-ploughshare-trafficking.html#8H5TLUHrKGoEQzrL.99
First Prehistoric Pregnant Turtle And Nest Of Eggs Discovered In Southern Alberta
How cool is this!? Click on the link below and check it out!
First Prehistoric Pregnant Turtle And Nest Of Eggs Discovered In Southern Alberta
First Prehistoric Pregnant Turtle And Nest Of Eggs Discovered In Southern Alberta
"Although it is relatively rare to find the eggs and babies of extinct animals, it is even rarer to find them inside the body of the mother," says Darla Zelenitsky. (Credit: Photo by Ken Bendiktsen)
Biting back: Snake venom contains toxic clotting factors
Click on the link below to learn how snake venom might one day be used in human medicine.
Biting back: Snake venom contains toxic clotting factors
Biting back: Snake venom contains toxic clotting factors
In tiny Amazon frogs, males observed extracting oocytes from females killed in mating struggles
OMG, click on the link below and learn about male frogs who fertilize the eggs of dead females!
In tiny Amazon frogs, males observed extracting oocytes from females killed in mating struggles
In tiny Amazon frogs, males observed extracting oocytes from females killed in mating struggles
Giant fossil turtle from Colombia round like car tire
Click on the link below to learn about this cool fossil turtle!
Giant fossil turtle from Colombia round like car tire
Giant fossil turtle from Colombia round like car tire
The round shape of a new species of fossil turtle found in Cerrejon coal mine in Colombia may have warmed readily in the sun. (Credit: Liz Bradford)
New report lists 25 most endangered turtle species; Some turtle species number less than 5 individuals
Click on the link below to learn about endangered turtles.
New report lists 25 most endangered turtle species; Some turtle species number less than 5 individuals
The Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) is characterized by well defined, symmetrical star patterns that radiate across the reptile's carapace or shell. Very little is known about the species, which is threatened by both the pet trade and a demand for meat. The Burmese star tortoise is listed as "Critically Endangered." (Credit: Brian D. Horne/Wildlife Conservation Society)
New report lists 25 most endangered turtle species; Some turtle species number less than 5 individuals
The Burmese star tortoise (Geochelone platynota) is characterized by well defined, symmetrical star patterns that radiate across the reptile's carapace or shell. Very little is known about the species, which is threatened by both the pet trade and a demand for meat. The Burmese star tortoise is listed as "Critically Endangered." (Credit: Brian D. Horne/Wildlife Conservation Society)
Getting under the shell of the turtle genome
Click on the link below to learn about how turtles evolve.
Getting under the shell of the turtle genome
Getting under the shell of the turtle genome
The genome of the western painted turtle, one of the most widespread, abundant and well-studied turtles in the world, has been sequenced. (Credit: © Willee Cole / Fotolia)
Slithering towards extinction: Reptiles in trouble
Click on the link below to learn about this pressing issue....
Slithering towards extinction: Reptiles in trouble
Snake (Atheris ceratophora) eating prey. (Credit: © Michele_Menegon)
Slithering towards extinction: Reptiles in trouble
Snake (Atheris ceratophora) eating prey. (Credit: © Michele_Menegon)
Satellite images help species conservation
Click on the link below to learn how satellites help conservationists find suitable habitats for threatened species.
Satellite images help species conservation
Satellite images help species conservation
A male Mayotte Chameleon (Furcifer polleni), endemic to the island of Mayotte, Comoros. (Credit: Oliver Hawlitschek 2010)
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Parthenogenesis
parthenogenesis [pahr″thĕ-no-jen´ĕ-sis]
a modified form of sexual reproduction in which a gamete develops into a new individual without the fertilization of an oocyte by a spermatozoon, as in certain arthropods and other animals; it may occur as a natural phenomenon or be induced by chemical or mechanical stimulation (artificial parthenogenesis). adj., adj parthenogenet´ic.
Did you know several species of reptile and amphibian are parthenogenetic? Most reptiles reproduce sexually, but parthenogenesis has been observed to occur naturally in certain species of whiptails, geckos, rock lizards, blindsnakes, Komodo dragons and boa constrictors. There is also a debate on whether Giant New Caledonian geckos (Rhacodactylus leachianus) are parthenogenetic since some owners have reported offspring from non fertilized eggs.
Flying snakes and leaping lizards
You MUST watch this fantastic video of a flying snake trying to capture a flying dragon lizard.
Galápagos Tortoises: Slow and Steady Migrators
Click on the link below to learn about these awesome giants!
Galápagos Tortoises: Slow and Steady Migrators
They don't cover thousands of miles, but Galápagos tortoises do migrate, study finds.
Galápagos Tortoises: Slow and Steady Migrators
They don't cover thousands of miles, but Galápagos tortoises do migrate, study finds.
Endangered Frogs Get Helping Hand
Click on the link below and learn how researchers want to build a captive population of endangered limosa harlequin frogs.
Endangered Frogs Get Helping Hand
Endangered Frogs Get Helping Hand
Colorful New Lizard Identified in Vietnam
Click on the link and learn about this beautiful lizard
Colorful New Lizard Identified in Vietnam
Lizard was previously confused with another species, study says.
Colorful New Lizard Identified in Vietnam
Lizard was previously confused with another species, study says.
"Fantastic" New Flying Frog Found—Has Flappy forearms
Click on the link below and learn about this cool new species
"Fantastic" New Flying Frog Found—Has Flapp
Huge new frog discovered not far from Vietnamese metropolis, study says.
"Fantastic" New Flying Frog Found—Has Flapp
Huge new frog discovered not far from Vietnamese metropolis, study says.
Crayfish Harbor Fungus That’s Wiping Out Amphibians
Click on the link below and check out this article
Crayfish Harbor Fungus That’s Wiping Out Amphibians
Freshwater crustaceans could be the key to understanding how the chytrid fungus persists in the ecosystem long after the last amphibian is gone.
Crayfish Harbor Fungus That’s Wiping Out Amphibians
Freshwater crustaceans could be the key to understanding how the chytrid fungus persists in the ecosystem long after the last amphibian is gone.
Komodo Dragons, Komodo Dragon Pictures, Komodo Dragon Facts - National Geographic
Check out this article about Komodo dragons, the largest lizards in the world.
Komodo Dragons, Komodo Dragon Pictures, Komodo Dragon Facts - National Geographic
Komodo dragons are awesome monitor lizards. Not too long ago it was discovered that in addition to the deadly bacteria in their saliva, they are also venomous. How cool is that? Click on the link below to read about it.
Komodo Dragons, Komodo Dragon Pictures, Komodo Dragon Facts - National Geographic
Komodo dragons are awesome monitor lizards. Not too long ago it was discovered that in addition to the deadly bacteria in their saliva, they are also venomous. How cool is that? Click on the link below to read about it.