Reptile & Amphibian Forums

LEEWAY CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (LCRC)

Excerpt from TROPHIC LEVEL ANALYSIS OF EXTINCT SCINCIDAE
SPECIES: Macroscincus coctei -2003.

ABSTRACT: (Abbreviated)

It became apparent in research and recognized that a direct correlation with the Scincidae exists between Trophic level and appendage size.

Extant members of the Scincidae and preserved specimens of Macroscincus coctei were measured.

SFCRC (Southern Florida Corucia Research Center) Location: LEE/1 Corucia were used for the the Corucia STLI values.

INTRODUCTION: (Abbreviated)

The Skink Trophic Level Index (STLI) Schnirel, 2003 is a ratio based on anterior foot length at the junction of the Ulna/Radius-Carpal bones to longest digit over snout to vent length (SVL). Schnirel, 2003. The STLI is a useful Paleontological tool in confirming the environmental niche, including feeding habits, of extinct skink species lost to direct examination.

After five hundred years ago, the Cape Verde Archipelago felt the effects of being denuded. Macroscincus coctei was reduced to feeding on stunted mallows and their seeds -Day,1979 and taking advantage of the protein opportunities that presented themselves. It is possible that Macroscincus coctei supplemented it's largely herbivorous diet with land snails found in the low-canopy. Macroscincus possessed a heavy jaw structure suggestive of a Gastropodivorous ancestry-it would be needed for the strong concentrated crushing of snails.-Schnirel 2003. The jaw structure consists of a strong developed ligamentous sheet at the quadrate base and a weak quadratojugal ligament as in Corucia zebrata.-Herrel,1998.

RESULTS:

Table 2:

SKINK TROPHIC LEVEL INDEX (STLI)

Species Trophic Level: STLI value:
scientific name / common name

Chalcides chalcides Subterranean .01
North African Worm Skink (Deep-Burrower)
(Extant)

Chalcides sepsoides Subterranean .02
North Afican Ribbon Skink (Deep Burrower)
(Extant)

Eumeces scheideri Fossorial
Berber Skink (Shallow-Burrower) .06
(Extant)

Tiliqua gigas Fossorial .06
New Guinea Blue-Tongue Skink (Shallow-Burrower)
(Extant)

Hemisphaeriodon gerrardi Semi-Arboreal .11
Pink-Tongue Skink
(Extant)

Macroscincus coctei Arboreal .13
Cape Verde Giant Skink (Low-Canopy)
(Extinct-1940)

Corucia zebrata Arboreal .17
Monkey Skink (High-Canopy)
(Extant)-But Endangered

...but it came out haywire!!!

Apparently, columns don't configure when processing.

n/p
-----
Edward
Carpe diem

This was to be published in Palydicola. It will not now for two reasons:

1). I feel knowledge should be accessable for all- not just a
selected few with membership access to a journal. Had I
published it there as such, my hands would be tied in
presenting it here.

2). I was appalled that a reviewer didn't know of Viviparous
Matrotrophy amoung reptiles!

When it will be I can't say at this time but other than postings in sites such as this, The plan is to incorporate this material into a larger book.

-Brian
LCRC

n/p
-----
Edward
Carpe diem

.

"1). I feel knowledge should be accessable for all- not just a
selected few with membership access to a journal. Had I
published it there as such, my hands would be tied in
presenting it here."

If you were to publish in a journal the material would be available to a much wider audience than just those few who happen to frequent KS. Not that we're not happy to see new info here.

Curious - Did the journal have rules about you publishing your article online in addition to them publishing it? I thought (but I could be wrong) that most peer-reviewed journals allowed the authors to reprint their own articles where they see fit. Is this incorrect?

"2). I was appalled that a reviewer didn't know of Viviparous
Matrotrophy amoung reptiles!"

Well, it is extremely rare in reptiles, limited to only a few genera of Skinks, and only recently discovered, right? If the journal you mentioned isn't herp-oriented I wouldn't be too surprised. Of course, the reviewer *could* have looked it up and educated himself/herself. Lazy reviewers, just what we need more of!

-Z

Brian,

Thank You for the informative post.

Best Regards,
Jean

/

VERY nice work. Could you elaborate on the behavior at each numberical level, perhaps giving comparisons to prey and predators that coexist with each species? I know that's asking for a lot, but it certainly would be interesting!

Thanks again for the excellent work.
-----

E2MacPets
http://www.e2macpets.com

LEEWAY CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (LCRC)

Thank you for your kind words.

Are you asking for a listing of ALL species in a given niche?

ie. a listing of all species under Subterranean-(Deep burrower)?

The Subterranean species are primary insectivorous.

Fossorial (Shallow burrower), Saxicolous species
are largely omnivorous.

Semi-Arboreal
Hemisphaeriodon gerrardi is a specialized Gastropod feeder.

Arboreal (low canopy) Largely herbivorous with some carnivorous tendencies- however, the latter may be opportunistic as The Cape Verde Archipelago was denuded. Macroscincus was noted as taking young petrels and eggs during the Breeding season.

Arboreal (High Canopy) Herbivorous.

Predators can include birds, many different mammalian predators, other lizards, snakes, etc.

Corucia zebrata has moss-like mottling to blend in with the foliage to avoid pick-off by predatory birds.

Macroscincus mottling reflects blending with brown colored branches of low shrubs.

Sincerely,
Brian
LCRC

LEEWAY CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (LCRC)

Hello Again,

I'd be happy to supply additional info beyond this.

Sincerely,
Brian
LCRC

Well, you knew I would bite with that kind of invitation!

I'm curious about two things:

What was the n for each group that you measured?

I'm assuming that you're using an alternative definition for trophic level, or are you equating spatial niche occupation (fossorial, arboreal, etc.) with the more traditional definition of trophic level (ie, primary producer, primary consumer, etc.)?

Very interesting data you have there. Thanks for sharing.

-Z

np

LEEWAY CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (LCRC)

Z,

1) N= 10 Extant Species N=6 Extinct species

2). It is a marriage of the two as this was a condensed watered
down version of the broader paper. The given ecological
niches were included as a reference to the orientation. As It was because Kingsnake is impossible to set up columns and other necessities, I could only take things so far.

ie. If one is looking at the principal herbivore in a given niche with skinks (the monkey/sloth niche), a STLI well over 10 is indicated. Corucia zebrata = .17

Brian

Ah. I see.
Thanks for the quick reply!

-Z