Herpetological Highlights

This week we're diving into two reptile papers: the first is about desert lizards being secret nutritional strategists, timing what they eat across the year to nail mating season and prep for hibernation. Then we stumble into the chaotic world of rattlesnake seed dispersal, where a snake eats a rodent that ate a seed, and thanks to the snake, a tree grows. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Acevedo M, Salywon AM, Blackwell SA, Hodgson WC, Hughes ZS, Davis MA, Schuett GW. 2026. The potential for seed rescue and secondary dispersal in rattlesnakes. Royal Society Open Science 13:251226. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.251226. Joshi M, Tatu A, Hawlena D, Raubenheimer D, Thaker M. 2026. Desert lizards modulate nutritional responses to match seasonal biological needs. Royal Society Open Science 13:251690. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.251690. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com  

Bradykinin is a hormone that is released naturally in response to tissue damage, so if you hurt yourself, it makes it hurt. Quite a few animals from wildly different evolutionary histories have defensive toxins which are fake copies of this hormone. We discover which animals have them, when these defences evolved, and ultimately, how they are used for defence.  For our Species of the Bi-Week there have been multiple new rock monitors discovered - slender predators of Australia's rocky outcroppings. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Shi N, Touchard A, Schendel V, Koch TL, Starobova H, Niu P, Tran H, Ragnarsson L, Safavi-Hemami H, Vetter I, Robinson SD. 2026. Repeated convergent evolution of bradykinin mimics as defensive toxins. Science 391:1046–1052. DOI: 10.1126/science.adx0452. Species of the Bi-Week: Zozaya SM, Read WJ, Macor SA, Pavón-Vázquez CJ, Gale NP, Wright JM, Broady ES. 2026. Three new species reveal an unrecognized clade of rock monitors (Varanidae: Varanus ) from the eastern Australian savannas. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 206:zlaf192. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf192. Other Links/Mentions: AphibiaWeb donation link: https://give.berkeley.edu/fund/FU0863000 Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com    

Invasive species are well known to damage ecosystems by directly eating other animals and disrupting the food chain. But their impacts can go much deeper, as a new study about seed dispersal by pythons and tegus in the Everglades has shown - they may be contributing to the destruction of rare and unusual habitats. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Figueroa A, Davis KR, Harman MEA, Bartoszek IA, Easterling IC, Yackel Adams AA, Romagosa CM. 2025. Double agents: invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) and Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae) as potential seed dispersers in South Florida. Journal of Zoology:jzo.70082. DOI: 10.1111/jzo.70082. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Harman MEA, Fuller NR, Baiser B, Blackburn JK, Li X, Currylow AF, Yackel Adams AA, Falk BG, Romagosa CM. 2025. Dietary breadth and ecological plasticity facilitate invasion potential in a large omnivorous lizard. Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science 3:1635085. DOI: 10.3389/famrs.2025.1635085. Sapkota, A., Karki, A., Sapkota, K. R., & Baral, R. (2025). First record of death-feigning behavior in common wolf snake Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Nepal. Nepalese Journal of Zoology, 9(2), 85-88. Other Links/Mentions: AmphibiaWeb 2008 Acris gryllus: Southern Cricket Frog <https://amphibiaweb.org/species/671> University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Accessed Feb 24, 2026. Acris gryllus from James W. Beck: https://amphibiaweb.org/cgi/amphib_query?special=call&genus=Acris&species=gryllus  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Pitvipers of the genus Bothrops are famed for their camouflage and for being deadly ambush predators. New insights from snake CCTV have revealed that these snakes can only really catch and eat animals who can't spot them hiding in the leaf litter, and it's bad news for our furry friends. Then we chat about a jazzy new species of newt described from central China.  Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Glaudas X, Souza ED, Schunck F, Banci K, Rojas A, Hingst‐Zaher E, Martins M. 2025. To be (cryptic) or not to be? Variation in detectability by prey explains the diet of an ambush predator. Oikos:e11906. DOI: 10.1002/oik.11906. Species of the Bi-Week: Li S, Shi S, Liu J, Luo Z, Wang J, Liao L, Wang Y, Gong R, Wu J, Wang B. 2026. Description of a new species of the Asian newt genus Tylototriton Anderson, 1871 (Urodela, Salamandridae) from central China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 102:181–197. DOI: 10.3897/zse.102.173283. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Wang B, Nishikawa K, Matsui M, Nguyen TQ, Xie F, Li C, Khatiwada JR, Zhang B, Gong D, Mo Y, Wei G, Chen X, Shen Y, Yang D, Xiong R, Jiang J. 2018. Phylogenetic surveys on the newt genus Tylototriton sensu lato (Salamandridae, Caudata) reveal cryptic diversity and novel diversification promoted by historical climatic shifts. PeerJ 6:e4384. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.4384. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Mimic poison frogs are utterly amazing, famous for mimicking multiple different frog species, and like other dart frogs they demonstrate bi-parental care where both male and female frogs team up to look after the young. What we didn't know was how flexible these parental roles are - can females step in to move tadpoles when males start slacking, and what triggers them to do so? It turns out they can, but they don't always.  Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Moss JB, Winter BM, Westrick SE, Julkowski K, Podraza ME, Fischer EK. 2026. Partner cues and individual variation underlie sex-reversed parental care in poison frogs. Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences 293:20252200. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.2200. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Moss JB, Tumulty JP, Fischer EK. 2023 Evolution of acoustic signals associated with cooperative parental behavior in a poison frog. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 120, e2218956120. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2218956120 Other Links/Mentions: Buy Pyro by Dallin Kohler: https://www.torreyhouse.org/pyro  Kohler, Dallin. 2025. Pyro: The Quest for a Beautifully Elusive Snake. 979-8-89092-022-5 Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Chinese conservationists have worked hard to protect the critically endangered Chinese alligator, creating new habitats for them after significant alterations made most of their Yangtze River home unsuitable. Thanks to the power of GPS technology, we now have some fascinating insights into how they are using the wetlands they are being reintroduced to, and it's mixed news. We follow that chat up with two new species of sand swimming skinks from Madagascar, and some big news from Tom about a brand new mammal. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Li M, Sun K, Wang Z, Zhang C, Gao Y, Zhang S, Tu G, Wu X, Pan T. 2025. Extremely limited spatial and temporal utilization for wild Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis). Biology Letters 21:20250513. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0513. Species of the Bi-Week: Miralles A, Schmidt R, Rakotoarison A, Delaunay A, Freiwald A, Rahagalala NA, Rakotomanga S, Razafimanafo D, Ratsoavina FM, Crottini A, Raselimanana AP, Glaw F, Vences M. 2025. Integrative taxonomy of Madagascar’s sand-swimming skinks (Scincidae: Voeltzkowia , Grandidierina) and preliminary evidence for an overlooked inland belt of white sand patches across the island’s west. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 205:zlaf147. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf147. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Sun K, Li M, Wang Z, Sun S, Yang J, Wu X, Pan T. 2025. Habitat Integrity Challenges for the Chinese Alligator Amid Land Occupation by Human: Pathways for Protection. Ecology and Evolution 15:e71113. DOI: 10.1002/ece3.71113. Other Links/Mentions: Wild London (~37 minutes in for Aesculapian snakes) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hzg7  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Common knowledge suggests that albino animals are rare in the wild because they stick out like a sore thumb and get eaten by predators, but studies supporting this are relatively scarce. Now, researchers from Australia have discovered that the drawbacks of albinism are not limited to their obvious appearance. Even better, they used our old friends cane toads to prove it. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Funk AT, Martin J, Clark M, Païta A, Jolly CJ, Shine R. 2025. Knocking out genes to reveal drivers of natural selection on phenotypic traits: a study of the fitness consequences of albinism. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 292:20251458. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.1458. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Clark MB, Funk AT, Paporakis A, Brown GP, Beach SJ, Tay A, Deering S, Cooper C, Tizard M, Jolly CJ, Ward-Fear G, Waddle AW, Shine R, Maselko M. 2025. Efficient CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Genome Editing of the Cane Toad ( Rhinella marina ). The CRISPR Journal 8:321–332. DOI: 10.1177/25731599251382427. Stephenson BP, Velani Z, Ihász N. 2022. The effect of albinism on avian predator attack rates in eastern garter snakes. Zoology 150:125987. DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2021.125987. Other Links/Mentions: Motorbike frog call from: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/517096-Ranoidea-moorei  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

New methods in antivenom technology may yield a treatment that works on most of the cobras in Africa, thanks to the blood of alpacas and some very clever scientists. Then we follow up with two new species of sleepyhead snake from Venezuala. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Ahmadi S, Burlet NJ, Benard-Valle M, Guadarrama-Martínez A, Kerwin S, Cardoso IA, Marriott AE, Edge RJ, Crittenden E, Neri-Castro E, Fernandez-Quintero ML, Nguyen GTT, O’Brien C, Wouters Y, Kalogeropoulos K, Thumtecho S, Ebersole TW, Dahl CH, Glegg-Sørensen EU, Jansen T, Boddum K, Manousaki E, Rivera-de-Torre E, Ward AB, Morth JP, Alagón A, Mackessy SP, Ainsworth S, Menzies SK, Casewell NR, Jenkins TP, Ljungars A, Laustsen AH. 2025. Nanobody-based recombinant antivenom for cobra, mamba and rinkhals bites. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09661-0. Species of the Bi-Week: Esqueda LF, Rojas-Runjaic FJM, Prudente A, Bazó S, Navarrete LF, Carmargo-Sillet E, Ortiz JC, Correa C, Guerrero P, Urra F. 2025. A first phylogenetic and taxonomic approach to sleepyhead snakes from Venezuela (Dipsadidae: Atractus), with the description of two new Andean species. Organisms Diversity & Evolution. DOI: 10.1007/s13127-025-00682-1. Other Links/Mentions: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop  Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com

Urban areas represent both opportunities and risks for animals, and they adapt their behaviour in many ways to cope with this fast-paced lifestyle. Now, a new study has detailed how urban wall lizards in Croatia have richer social lives than their rural counterparts. Then we chat about a listener-submitted story detailing wild lizards eating pizza. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Maune AL, Wittenbreder T, Lisičić D, Caspers BA, Camerlenghi E, Damas-Moreira I. 2025. City lizards are more social. Biology Letters 21:20250326. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2025.0326. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Dendi, D., Segniagbeto, G. H., Meek, R., & Luiselli, L. (2023). Opportunistic foraging strategy of rainbow lizards at a seaside resort in Togo. African Journal of Ecology, 61(1), 226-227. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com  

Research from Asian geckos generally suggests that sticky pads are used for smooth surfaces, while claws help grip onto rougher surfaces like wood and rocks. But a new study using Australian geckos is has turned that paradigm upside-down. Then we talk about a brand new species of frog described from the mountains of central China. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Pillai RR, Riedel J, Wirth W, Allen-Ankins S, Nordberg E, Edwards W, Schwarzkopf L. 2025. What’s the point? The functional role of claws in pad-bearing taxa (Gekkota: Diplodactylidae). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 292:20251362. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2025.1362. Species of the Bi-Week: Li S, Shi S, Liu J, Zhao J, Gao S, Wang B. 2025. A new species of the Boulenophrys (Anura, Megophryidae) from Hubei, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution 101:1213–1226. DOI: 10.3897/zse.101.155859. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: GEORGALIS, G. L., & JONES, M. E. (2025). A new peculiar early diverging caenophidian snake (Serpentes) from the late Eocene of Hordle Cliff, England. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 24(25), 505-530. Editing and Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com