Our findings, therefore, suggest that species distributions in this contact zone are mainly determined by the environmental conditions, with almost no contribution of competitive pressure. Still, a localized competition might exist due to minor differences in the ecological niches and a marked and unequal reduction of suitable areas for the sympatric populations, which could be favouring V. aspis in small regions of the contact zone. Leer más.

Here we provide an overview of the European vertebrate species of greatest toxicological interest, the clinical manifestations their toxins can cause, and their treatment. We report the clinical symptoms induced by envenomations and poisoning caused by reptiles, fishes, amphibians and mammals in Europe, ranging from mild, local symptoms (e.g., erythema, edema) to systemic and potentially deadly. Leer más.

We found that body temperature reflected substrate temperatures, and that the proportion of melanistic coloration has no influence on heating or cooling rates or on color changes. These findings suggest that, in E. macularius, melanistic coloration may not be used for thermoregulation. Leer más.

Body size tends to exert a negative effect on the dispersal capacity of island squamates, but this relationship is positive in a subgroup of recently introduced commensal species. Leer más.

We found a decrease in population density and body size in the upstream subpopulation due to metal pollution. Water diversion by the dam reduced the metal pollution impact downstream. Leer más.