Help us building a database on spinal malformation in herps

[Gergely Horváth]

Dear Herper Friends,

Recently we initiated a research project at the Eötvös Loránd University of Budapest to build a global database on spinal malformations occurring in wild reptiles and amphibians. In particular, we are looking for kyphotic (abnormally excessive convex curvature of the spine in the thoracic and sacral regions; see the attached picture from Horváth et al.) and scoliotic (if the deviation affects the lateral plane of the spinal column) individuals. Such abnormalities were previously thought to be rare in the wild, simply because affected animals die at an early age. Nevertheless, recently we can see a growing trend in reports on such animals, covering all main reptile taxa. It was suggested that besides various environmental factors, the intensive use of chemical agents, such as herbicides may increase the prevalence of spinal malformations and one of our specific scientific goals is to answer whether this is true or not.

We already screened the literature and collected the available published records, and now we are reaching out to the active field herper community hoping that you could help us to expand our database. If you have personal, yet unpublished observations on kyphotic and scoliotic reptiles or amphibians, we would appreciate it if you’d share your data with us.

Our specific needs are the following:
1.Good quality photograph(s) on the individual(s)
2.The species, preferably with sex and (approximate) age of the individual(s)
3.If applicable, data on the size and weight of the individual(s)
4.The exact date and locality (with GPS coordinates) of the observation
5.If applicable, whether the individual(s) showed sign of any locomotor disorder

Please send the aforementioned information to the email address: gergely.horvath@ttk.elte.hu

Those, who are providing data will be acknowledged in all future publication from the project, while additional substantial contribution to the database/ project holds the opportunity to become a co-author of the publication(s).
Thanks for your help in advance!

Gergely Horváth, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University