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Diversity
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Biology and Evolutionary History of Reptiles
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Biology and Evolutionary History of Reptiles

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (26 January 2025) | Viewed by 5283

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Adán Pérez-García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Grupo de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Avda. Esparta s/n, Las Rozas, 28232 Madrid, Spain
Interests: Mesozoic; reptiles; turtles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Reptiles arose about 320 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. So far, the fossil record for Reptilia (including the birds) is abundant, with numerous clades, adapted to very different lifestyles, being well-represented. These vertebrates are generally the most abundant and diverse in Mesozoic sites, and they are also relatively well-recorded throughout the Cenozoic. An analysis of new finds, as well as the reinterpretation of previously documented specimens by applying traditional or other more innovative methodologies, can help to improve our understanding of the evolutionary history of this relevant lineage.

However, there are more basic gaps remaining in our knowledge of reptiles. Considering all these findings and gaps, we seek contributions about the evolutionary history of this clade of vertebrates (tracing their origins from early ancestors to their present-day descendants) and their biology. Through phylogenetic analyses and fossil evidence, we aim to reconstruct the evolutionary relationships among different taxa, unraveling the biogeographical patterns and evolutionary processes that have shaped their diversification over millions of years. We believe that this collection of papers will be useful for a wide range of studies, from those working on the paleoecology of reptiles to those focusing on various aspects of vertebrate evolution or paleobiology.

Dr. Adán Pérez-García
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • reptiles
  • fossil record
  • paleontological sites
  • faunistic associations
  • systematics
  • diversity
  • evolutionary history
  • lifestyles
  • paleoecology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 3680 KiB  
Article
Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Adult and Juvenile Turtle Shells: Directional Asymmetry and Fluctuating Asymmetry
by Ece Oktay, İlayda Boz Doğan, Sokol Duro, Gülsün Pazvant, Funda Yiğit and Tomasz Szara
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 241; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040241 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 334
Abstract
Bilateral symmetry is quite common in animals, but in some cases, asymmetry can be altered by hereditary or developmental processes. Symmetry may be preserved, or asymmetry may increase as the developmental stages progress. This study applied geometric morphometric analyses at the juvenile and [...] Read more.
Bilateral symmetry is quite common in animals, but in some cases, asymmetry can be altered by hereditary or developmental processes. Symmetry may be preserved, or asymmetry may increase as the developmental stages progress. This study applied geometric morphometric analyses at the juvenile and adult stages to investigate directional asymmetry and fluctuating asymmetry in turtle shells. In total, 71 turtle shells (46 adults, 25 juveniles) of Testudo hermanni boettgeri were used. These turtle shells were recorded using the Generalized Procrustes method to interpret developmental asymmetry. A covariance matrix was then applied, followed by principal component analysis. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to explain individual variation. The procedures were applied and interpreted separately to the carapace and plastron. Specific structures, such as the nuchal and neural plates, exhibited a narrower shape than the mean shape configuration in directional asymmetry. The epiplastron region showed significant enlargement in juveniles compared to adults, potentially linked to developmental growth. This study investigated fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and directional asymmetry (DA) in turtle shells by analyzing the carapace and plastron. Although wavy asymmetry was not statistically significant overall, localized shape differences between the edges of the coastal and neural plates of the carapace and the edges of the plastron were observed. The side effects showed statistical significance (p = 0.0005). Environmental or developmental factors may have influenced these differences. Directional asymmetry was statistically significant for the carapace and plastron, indicating consistent shape changes associated with developmental growth. This study revealed significant directional asymmetry in the carapace and plastron of Testudo hermanni boettgeri, reflecting consistent developmental trends. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Evolutionary History of Reptiles)
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20 pages, 4021 KiB  
Article
The Herpetofauna of the Chihuahuan Desert Biogeographic Province of Mexico: Diversity, Similarity to Other Provinces, and Conservation Status
by Julio A. Lemos-Espinal, Geoffrey R. Smith and Christy M. McCain
Diversity 2024, 16(12), 771; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16120771 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1159
Abstract
The Chihuahuan Desert biogeographic province in Mexico is the largest of the fourteen biogeographic provinces of the country. This biogeographic province hosts a diverse array of amphibian and reptile species, with 262 native species, including 53 amphibians and 209 reptiles, accounting for a [...] Read more.
The Chihuahuan Desert biogeographic province in Mexico is the largest of the fourteen biogeographic provinces of the country. This biogeographic province hosts a diverse array of amphibian and reptile species, with 262 native species, including 53 amphibians and 209 reptiles, accounting for a significant portion of Mexico’s total amphibian (~12%) and reptile diversity (~21%). The Zacatecana subprovince exhibits the highest concentration of species for both groups (89% and 50% of Chihuahuan Desert amphibians and reptiles, respectively), indicating its importance for biodiversity within the Chihuahuan Desert. Comparative analyses with neighboring biogeographic provinces reveal substantial species overlap (48–55%), particularly with the Sierra Madre Oriental, the Transvolcanic Belt, and the Sierra Madre Occidental. These findings suggest strong ecological connections and corridors facilitating species exchange among these regions. Conservation assessments highlight the vulnerability of many species in the Chihuahuan Desert, with a notable percentage listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List (~12%) and higher percentages categorized by the Mexican government as at risk according to their conservation status and the Environmental Vulnerability Score (~40%). Threats primarily stem from habitat loss, pollution, and other anthropogenic factors. In conclusion, the Chihuahua Desert emerges as a biogeographic province of significant biological richness and valuable evolutionary history for amphibians and reptiles. Its conservation is imperative for safeguarding the distinctive species and ecosystems that characterize this desert biome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Evolutionary History of Reptiles)
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11 pages, 4990 KiB  
Article
New Data on the Poorly Known Jurassic Record of the Turtle Hylaeochelys (Thalassochelydia), Based on New Finds from Portugal
by Adán Pérez-García, Bruno Camilo and Francisco Ortega
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020167 - 25 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3315
Abstract
Hylaeochelys is the only thalassochelydian turtle identified in the Cretaceous record. A single Lower Cretaceous species is known, Hylaeochelys belli, identified in United Kingdom and Germany and defined in the first half of the 19th century. Less than a decade ago, the [...] Read more.
Hylaeochelys is the only thalassochelydian turtle identified in the Cretaceous record. A single Lower Cretaceous species is known, Hylaeochelys belli, identified in United Kingdom and Germany and defined in the first half of the 19th century. Less than a decade ago, the presence of Hylaeochelys in the Upper Jurassic was recognized through the find of a single partial shell from West-Central Portugal. It was attributed to a new species, Hylaeochelys kappa. Until now, no other Hylaeochelys specimen was known for either the Iberian Peninsula or the Jurassic record. Two new specimens attributable to Hylaeochelys, from two different Upper Jurassic outcrops of west-central Portugal, are presented here. Its systematic attribution is analyzed. Consequently, knowledge about the anatomy and intraspecific variability of Hylaeochelys kappa is increased. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology and Evolutionary History of Reptiles)
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