Sh january 2012

Volume 25

January 2012

Number 1

this month’s speaker

Roger A. Repp, Vice President, Tucson Herpetological Society Burrow Buddies—or Not? Twenty Years of Natural History Observations on Herps Sharing Sheltersites in Arizona 7:15 PM Tuesday, 17 January University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street

By profession, Roger is Instrument Shop Supervisor for National Optical Astronomy

Observatory. By avocation, he is a rabid field herpetologist who has spent over 20 years studying the herpetofauna of southern Arizona. “Burrow Buddies—or Not” will be a two-part presentation. The first part will center around a presentation that Roger gave to the Desert Tortoise Council in February 2011 on the subject of rattlesnakes sharing their shelters with tortoises. The second part will include some pretty incredible images of the local herps hanging out with each other, as well as with other animals. Roger promises that there will be something for everybody in this presentation.

f e at u r e a r t i c l e 2

“Ecological plasticity of Eutropis carinata (Schneider 1801), in West Bengal, India” by Suman Pratihar

summary report 4

“Mexican Tortoise Project – 2011 Project Update” by Taylor Edwards

announcements 7

2011 Election Results for the THS Board of Directors

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Please report box turtle observations through the Ornate Box Turtle Watch Project

meeting minutes 8

November 2011

next month’s Speaker

TBD Tuesday, 21 February

Roger makes a cautious approach to "Ron's Den." This den has been monitored since 1995, and is home for aggregations of Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox), Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), and White-throated Wood Rats (Neotoma albigula). Photo by Young Cage.

Tucson Herpetological Society meetings are open to the public and are held on the third Tuesday of each month starting at 7:15 PM

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (1) 2012

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Ecological plasticity of Eutropis carinata (Schneider 1801), in West Bengal, India Suman Pratihar, Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India; pratihar_vu@rediffmail.com

Abstract: There are more than 400 reptile species in India (6.2% of the world total). The Keeled Indian Mabuya (Eutropis carinata), also called Many-keeled Grass Skink or “golden skink”, is a species of skink found in South Asia. Deforestation and habitat destruction combined with pollution by agrochemicals are the main threat to the species. Because of this habitat demolition, this species is widening its habitat to include households and other similar structures.

R eptiles comprise onr of the largest components of

the wildlife of India and are widespread in the country. The Indian reptiles mainly inhabit the numerous rivers, ponds, lakes, swamps or the other water bodies and they include the snakes, crocodiles, tortoise, turtle, etc. India is home to numerous reptile species and they constitute 6.2% of the total population of reptiles in the world. Keeled Indian Mabuya is a very common species found in West Bengal.

Recently they are under stress due to extensive habitat destruction.

Species Description Many-keeled Grass Skink or “golden skink” is a species of skink found in South Asia. Snout moderate, obtuse. Lower eyelid scaly. Snout to vent length 15.2 cm (6 inches). Nostril behind vertical of suture between rostral and first labial; no postnasal; anterior loreal usually shorter and deeper than the second, in contact with the first labial; frontonasal broader than long, usually in contact with the rostral, and frequently also with the frontal; latter as long as the frontoparietals and interparietal together or shorter, in contact with the second supraocular (rarely also with the first); 4 supraoculars, second largest; usually 6 supraciliaries, first largest; frontoparietals distinct, larger than the interparietal, which entirely separates the parietals; a pair of nuchals; 4 labials anterior to the subocular, which is large and not narrower below. Dorsal, nuchal, and lateral scales more or less strongly tri- or quinquecarinate; 30 to 34 scales round the middle of the body, subequal. The hind limb reaches the wrist or the elbow of the adpressed fore limb. Sub digital lamellae smooth. Scales on upper surface of tibia mostly bicarinate. Brown or olive-brown above, uniform or with small black spots or longitudinal lines (Figures 1 and 2); sides darker, with or without lighter spots; a light dorso-latexal band begins on the supraciliaries;

Figures 1 and 2. Keeled Indian Mabuya (Eutropis carinata). West Midnapore district (22°15’ N and 87° 39’ E) of West Bengal, India.

Photo taken by Suman Pratihar.

Deforestation and habitat destruction combined with pollution by agrochemicals are the main threat to the Manykeeled Grass Skink. Because of this habitat demolition, this species is widening its habitat to include households and other similar structures.

lower surfaces yellowish. In the breeding-season males have a scarlet band from the shoulder to the thigh (Boulenger 1890).

Natural History The most common Indian skink, especially common in Bengal. It is mainly insectivorous but will also take small vertebrates (Daniel 2002).The specimens were found in early morning and evening but never found at night. Eutropis carinata (Schneider 1801) has been listed as Least Concern because it has an extensive distribution across India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, and Sri

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (1) 2012

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Lanka. No major threats have been documented and this species is not undergoing population declines.

Further research into the specific habitat preferences of this species should be carried out. This species is ground-dwelling, and is thought to inhabit shrubland and forests of the region. It is oviparous. Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern. Version 3.1. Year Assessed: 2009.

Ecology and Feeding Owing to the varying elevation from the Himalayas to the coastal plains, the flora and fauna of the state West Bengal is diverse. Forests make up 14% of the geographical area of West Bengal, which is lower than the national average of 23%. Protected forests cover 4% of the state area. Part of the world’s largest mangrove forest, Sundarbans, is located in southern West Bengal. From a phytogeographic viewpoint, the southern part of West Bengal can be divided into two regions: the Gangetic plain and the littoral mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. West Midnapore district also known as Midnapore West, is the district of the state of West Bengal, India. The district has 4 sub-divisions: Kharagpur, Medinipur Sadar, Ghatal and Jhargram. Diet was composed of various types of small arthropods, with no plant material being eaten. Spiders were the most important items in the diet, followed by orthopterans. They also take semi-slugs (Ratnadvipia irradians) as a food item in Sri-lanka (Karunarathna and Amarasinghe 2009).They are found at home in semi-urban areas and the forest. They are primarily a ground-dweller and actively search through the ground litter for prey in forest land and farmland.

Methodology The study area is subdivided into two zones (agriculture and industrial). Samples were collected in marshes, riverbanks, sandy soils, under large boulders, stones, and decaying logs from 4 sub-divisions (Kharagpur, Medinipur Sadar, Ghatal, and Jhargram) during the months of March-September, mainly during the morning and late evening. No systematic survey of the reptile has so far been undertaken in the district of West Midnapore (22° 15’ N, 87° 39’ E), which has a varied environmental scenario ranging from degraded landscape to deep forest.

Habitat Extension When a habitat is destroyed, the plants, animals, and other organisms that occupied the habitat have a reduced carrying capacity so that populations decline and extinction becomes more likely. Perhaps the greatest threat to organisms and biodiversity is the process of habitat loss. Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms which previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity (Sahney 2010).

Habitat destruction by human activity is mainly for the purpose of harvesting natural resources for industry production and urbanization. Clearing habitats for agriculture is the principal cause of habitat destruction. Other important causes of habitat destruction include mining, logging, trawling and urban sprawl.

Habitat destruction is currently ranked as the primary cause of species extinction worldwide. It is a process of natural environmental change that may be caused by habitat fragmentation, geological processes, climate change or by human activities such as the introduction of invasive species, ecosystem nutrient depletion and other human activities. The impending global food crisis will be a major source of habitat destruction.

Commercial farmers are going to become desperate to produce more food from the same amount of land, so they will use more fertilizers and less concern for the environment to meet the market demand. Regions of unsustainable agriculture or unstable governments, which may go hand-in-hand, typically experience high rates of habitat destruction. The Keeled Indian Mabuyas (Eutropis carinata) are under threat because of degradation of breeding habitat due to rapid industrialization, drainage of wetlands, and contamination of water bodies by agricultural pesticides.

Currently, skinks are now entering houses in their search for food, as well as creeping through leaf litter.

Their food source is becoming scarce due to rapid non-specific application of uncontrolled agricultural pesticides. The utilization of new urban habitats, such as houses and other structures, can provide a refuge for skinks, aiding in the control of insects within human dwellings. An education program should be implimented to inform the public about skinks and other reptiles using human structures as a refuge due to the loss of their natural habitat.

Literature Cited Boulenger, G.A. 1890. Fauna of British India. Reptilia and Batrachia.

Daniel, J.C. 2002. The Book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. Bombay Natural History Society, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Karunarathna Suranjan, D. M. S., and A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe. 2009. Common Skink Eutropis carinata (Reptilia: Scincidae) feed on endemic semi-slug Ratnadvipia irradians (Limacoidea: Ariophantidae).

Taprobanica 1:135-136.

Sahney, S., M.J. Benton, and H.J. Falcon-Lang. 2010.

Rainforest collapse triggered Carboniferous tetrapod diversification in Euramerica. Geology 38:1079-1082.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (1) 2012

The utilization of new urban habitats, such as houses and other structures, can provide a refuge for skinks, aiding in the control of insects within human dwellings.

An education program should be implimented to inform the public about skinks and other reptiles using human structures as a refuge due to the loss of their natural habitat.

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summary report

Mexican Tortoise Project—2011 Project Update

Taylor Edwards, University of Arizona Genetics Core, Tucson, Arizona; taylore@email.arizona.edu

T

he Tucson Herpetological Society is a partner in the Mexican Tortoise Project which was established in 2005 to investigate the status of Morafka’s Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai, Murphy et al. 2011; G. agassizii sensu lato) south of the international border and to aid in conservation of the species throughout its geographic range. This project is a multi-faceted, international, cooperative effort which focuses on crucial aspects of desert tortoise health, genetics, general biology, and ecology in Mexico.

For its seventh field season, project sampling focused on assessing genetic connectivity between Hermosillo and the Arizona border. We targeted two ranches in the vicinity of Caborca, Sonora, and sampled 27 tortoises in just 3 days (3-5 September 2011). We collected detailed health and morphometric data for all tortoises and blood samples for both DNA and disease analyses.

The area was typical Sonoran desert scrub reminiscent of southern Arizona where tortoises occur in disjunct habitat patches throughout the landscape. It is easy to imagine the connectivity of these populations to those in Arizona prior to anthropogenic barriers like the international border. All of our genetic data to this point support a continuum of genetic connectivity between desert tortoises ranging from Kingman, Arizon, to Hermosillo, Mexico. However, the samples collected during this field season are necessary to assess if this is consistent closer to the border.

The field crew worked in very hot conditions but was rewarded on the third day with overhead clouds and an afternoon monsoon shower. On the previous two days the tortoises were found deep in their shelters but on the last morning they were out and about. Many males and females were found together and the washes were covered in fresh tortoise tracks, including remarkably preserved courtship circles. Also on the final day, we found a tortoise in a burrow with a curious roommate: a Sonoran Desert Toad (Ollotis alvaria).

This same tortoise, an adult male (253 mm MCL), was observed being fed on by multiple parasitic sand flies (likely Lutzomyia tanyopsis). Phlebotomine sandflies in this genus are known to be a vector of many dis-

Gopherus morafkai observed at the north end of the El Viejo Mountains, south of Caborca, Mexico (photo by Nicole Stephens).

eases including Plasmodium (malaria) in reptiles. I have previously observed these ectoparisites on tortoises in Arizona. Typically, sand flies are observed feeding on tortoises in burrows, but infestations are inconsistent from year to year (some years they will be plentiful and other years I may observe none; I suspect they are more abundant in wetter years). I have collected blood from multiple tortoises observed with gorged Lutzomyia flies in an attempt to identify if desert tortoises are infected with Plasmodium parasites. I have examined blood smears for the blood form of plasmodium in basophilic cells stained with Giemsa. I have also performed PCR assays on DNA extracted from tortoise whole blood using primers designed to amplify the cytochrome b region of the Plasmodium mitochondria in P. mexicanum (which is present in a variety of lizards whose distribution overlaps with desert tortoises). I have not detected Plasmodium in desert tortoises using these methods, but it is difficult to determine the extent to which other attempts have been made since negative results are rarely published.

After 3 days of surveying in the Caborca area, a small group went down to the city of Alamos with Alice Karl to do annual assessments for the 16 tortoises in her radio telemetry study within the Sierra de Alamos Reserve. In two days, we were able to locate all of the tortoises in the study except one (which we suspect moved out of transmitter range). One individual was found dead, likely preyed on by a puma or jaguar. We replaced radios on individuals where necessary and

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (1) 2012

The Tucson Herpetological Society is a partner in the Mexican Tortoise Project which was established in 2005 to investigate the status of Morafka’s Desert Tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) south of the international border and to aid in conservation of the species throughout its geographic range.

This project is a multi-faceted, international, cooperative effort which focuses on crucial aspects of desert tortoise health, genetics, general biology and ecology in Mexico.

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added one new animal to the study. In addition, we helped Alice set up remote cameras at key den sites so that she can collect data on daily tortoise movements and interactions.

While the field work in Alamos went smoothly, we ran into some difficulty on the trip down. The Yaqui Indian Tribe was staging a demonstration that blocked traffic along International Highway 15. Traffic was blocked in both directions on this main thoroughfare by a civil protest between the tribe and the government of Mexico. On our way down we were able to skirt around the protest through agricultural lands, but those of us returning on 8 September were forced to detour to the MEX16 from the 117 in Ciudad Obregón. Despite the 12-hour travel day, this route was rewarded with incredible scenic views of deep canyons covered in lush, tropical deciduous forest. I highly recommend it (especially when there is not a caravan of 18-wheelers traveling the same route).

This project is possible only through generous contributions from many people and the help of our dedicated volunteers in the field. This year we had 23 participants including Imogen Daly, Taylor Edwards, Ted Faust, Martin Figueroa, Dave Focardi, Kelly Harding, Alice Karl, Alex Mach, Janine McCabe, Juan Miranda, Deirdre O’Connell, Liz Smith, Nicole Stephens, Suzanne Thomas, Molly Thompson, Marcella Wagonner, and Peter Woodman. Our Mexican collaborators from the Comisión de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable del Estado de Sonora included Ma. Cristina Melendez Torres, Yadid Antonio Leon Moreno, Laura Veronica Aruizu Valenzuela, Camero Sanchez, Hector Manuel Padilla Grijalava and Shandira Astrid Romero. We would also like to thank the people of La Candelaria and El Bamuri ranches and at the Sierra de Alamos Reserve who were extremely helpful during our collections. In addition, Phil Rosen was critical in obtaining the proper paperwork needed to bring the samples back into the U.S. Finally, this was the first year of the project that Mercy Vaughn was unable to join the field crew. Mercy has spear-headed this project and she was sorely missed. Despite her not being there, we still could not have done it without her.

A desert tortoise sharing its burrow with a Sonoran Desert Toad, Ollotis alvaria. Photo by Taylor Edwards.

The 2011 Mexican Tortoise Project field crew. Photo by Taylor Edwards.

We replaced radios on individuals where necessary and added one new animal to the study. In addition, we helped Alice set up remote cameras at key den sites so that she can collect data on daily tortoise movements and interactions.

Field crew collecting data. Left to right: Ted Faust, Nicole Stephens, Liz Smith, and Alice Karl. Photo by Taylor Edwards.

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A Morafka’s Desert Tortoise with an infestation of gorged parasitic sand flies (likely Lutzomyia tanyopsis). Photo by Taylor Edwards.

Radio tracking tortoises in lush summer vegitation in the Sierra de Alamos Reserve. Photo by Taylor Edwards.

Literature Cited Murphy, R.W., K.H. Berry, T. Edwards, A.E. Leviton, A. Lathrop, and J.D. Riedle. 2011. The dazed and confused identity of Agassiz’s land tortoise, Gopherus agassizii (Testudines, Testudinidae) with the description of a new species, and its consequences for conservation. ZooKeys 113:39-71.

A “Sinaloan” tortoise sunning itself outside a rock burrow in the Sierra de Alamos Reserve. Photo by Taylor Edwards.

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2011 Election Results for the THS Board of Directors

E lections were held at the November 15 general meeting of the Tucson Herpetological Society. The results of this election are as follows: Officers President: Robert Villa Vice President: Roger Repp Secretary: Rene’ Clark Treasurer: Heidi Flugstad New Directors Jim Rorabaugh (2011-2012) Warren Savary (2011-2012) Krista Schmidt (2011-2012)

A reminder is in order that the THS Board of Directors is comprised of 11 people.

The other Directors for 2011 are: Dennis Caldwell Robin Llewellyn Robert Nixon Serving as Past President: Trevor Hare Many thanks to the nominating committee, Robert Villa, Dianna, and Roger Repp for their efforts to line up the candidates. And we profusely thank Jeff Stensrud and Tim Allen for being willing to help make the process an actual election.

Please report box turtle observations through the Ornate Box Turtle Watch Project

L

ittle is known about Arizona’s Ornate Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata), because, put simply, they are secretive and hard to find. Unfortunately, there is some evidence that suggests that Arizona’s box turtle population may be in decline, possibly a result of habitat destruction and fragmentation and overcollection for the pet trade. In response, the Arizona Game and Fish Department closed the season on box turtles in 2005, making it illegal to collect them from the wild. The Department is now asking the public to become citizen scientists by reporting wild box turtle observations.

Gathering data on box turtles, although difficult, allows biologists to draw conclusions on the status of this species and then develop and implement management decisions.

This “citizen scientist” approach relies on valuable location data gathered from chance encounters by the people driving, hiking, birding, or working in box turtle habitat in southeastern Arizona, where

the species is found. Specifically, the Department is interested in hearing about any box turtles observed in the desert grassland, desertscrub, and evergreen woodland habitats of Cochise and parts of Graham, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties.

Box turtles are most active in the early morning and evening or just after a rain during the summer monsoons, when they may be observed crossing roads. If you are going to be spending time in box turtle habitat, download and print off a few observation forms from www.azgfd.gov/boxturtlewatch so you will be ready to collect data on any box turtles you might encounter. Mail the forms, along with any photographs, to Turtles Project, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086.

The data requested will not require any handling of the turtle. You may only handle a box turtle to move it off the road, but remember to stop on the road only if it is safe.

Editor’s note on Edwards, T., 2012, pages 4-6 (this issue): While Edwards (2012) uses the recent nomenclature proposed by Murphy et al. (2011), the editorial guidelines for Sonoran Herpetologist recommend use of scientific and English/Spanish names (e.g., Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii) listed by Crother (2008) and Liner and Casas-Andreu (2008) until new editions of the checklists are published.

Citizens gathering data on box turtles allows biologists to draw conclusions on the status of this species and then develop and implement management decisions. The “citizen scientist” approach relies on valuable location data gathered from chance encounters by the people driving, hiking, birding, or working in box turtle habitat in southeastern Arizona, where the species is found.

Literature Cited Crother, B.I. (ed.) 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 6th edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herpetological Circular 37:1-96.

Edwards, T. 2012. Mexican Tortoise Project—2011 Project Update. Sonoran Herpetologist 25(1):4-6.

Liner, E.A., and G. Casas-Andreu. 2008. Nombres estándar en Español en Inglés y nombres cientificos de los anfibios y reptiles de México/ Standard Spanish, English, and scientific names of amphibians and reptiles of Mexico. 2nd edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herpetological Circular 38:1-167.

Murphy, R.W., K.H. Berry, T. Edwards, A.E. Leviton, A. Lathrop, and J.D. Riedle. 2011. The dazed and confused identity of Agassiz’s land tortoise, Gopherus agassizii (Testudines, Testudinidae) with the description of a new species, and its consequences for conservation. ZooKeys 113:39-71.

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Board meeting minutes

Tucson Herpetological Society Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 29 November 2011 – 7 p.m.

U of A B105/Keating Building 1657 E. Helen Street

Directors present: Trevor Hare (President), Robert Villa (VP), Heidi Flugstad (Treasurer), Kris Ratzlaff (Secretary), Tim Allen (Director), Robin Llewellyn (Director), Travis Boswell (Director), Rob Nixon (Director), Dennis Caldwell (Director), Taylor Edwards (Past President) Members Present: Warren Savary, Jim Rorabaugh, Roger Repp, Krista Schmidt, and René Clark Minutes of October 2011 Meeting: Caldwell moved to accept with changes, Llewellyn seconded. Approved.

Treasurer’s Report (Flugstad): Caldwell moved, Nixon seconded. Approved. (as of 14 November 2011) Beginning Balance Deposits Expenses Ending Balance

$14,388.66 $229.00 $1,572.50 $13,045.16

General Fund Speaker’s Bureau Jarchow Award FTHL Fund C.H. Lowe Award Fund Mexican Tortoise Fund CRHSD V Bolson Tortoise

$15,933.61 $37.32 $289.10 $1,069.00 $4,301.33 $1,256.09 $4,158.71 $1,000.00

Total: (less) Savings

$28,045.16 -$15,000.00

Checking Balance CRHSD CD

$13,045.16 $5,122.72

Summary Report (25 October - 28 November) Income Membership $174.00 + T-shirts $55.00 = +$229.00 Expenses CRHSD V: Donation to Church - Parking: -$250.00 SB - Bio Blitz Coloring Book Printing: -$840.07 Living with Ven. Reptile Printing: -$482.43 Total expenses: -$1,572.50 Committee Reports Elections (Repp) – Report out on election –Successful elections with no unopposed directors held on

November 15. Introduce new board members: Warren Savary, Jim Rorabaugh, and Krista Schmidt.

Homepage (Tuegel) – Nothing to report.

Conservation (Caldwell) – Caldwell will attend Mexican Gartersnake and Narrow Headed Garter Snake recovery team working group. Members of THS attended public comments for Rosemont Mine.

Caldwell will draft a letter on behalf of THS for the public comment period of the Rosemont Augusta mine proposal review process.

Speakers Bureau (Villa/Moll): Villa – Staffed THS table with literature and live animals on November 20 at Dunbar Spring Mesquite pancake breakfast.

November 8: Ed Moll gave 2 live reptile presentations to four 3rd grade classes at Prince Elementary School.

The first presentation at 10 AM was attended by 49 children and three staff. The second presentation at 11 AM was attended by 51 children and three staff.

Sonoran Herpetologist (H. Clark) – Looking for submissions. Llewellyn offered ideas for submissions.

Membership (Llewellyn) – 150 active members, 1-2 new members per month. Caldwell suggested idea of purging old members from the database and informing late or non-paying members via individual e-mail.

Discussion on improving member payment method.

Pay Pal possibility for membership.

Program (Villa):

December – Anna Savage January – Matt Kaplan March - TBA

C.H. Lowe Fund (Hare) – Passing it on to Roger!

Much discussion about fund.

Student Chapter of the THS (Hare) – Nothing to report.

Board of Directors meetings are always on the last Tuesday of each month (except December), at 7:00 PM; University of Arizona, BIO5/ Keating Building, 1657 East Helen Street.

Jarchow Conservation Award – Next year early, Trevor will coordinate with committee. Still looking for committee leader.

Old Business 1. Elections 2. Mexican Tortoise Project change – To include other Gopherus species. Will be referred to as: Arid Lands Chelonian Project. Will be managed by Phil Rosen.

New Business Holiday Party! To be coordinated for late December or early January.

Gathering of the Greens – Donation of $100.00 to the annual holiday party of local environmental organizations at the historic Y on December 15. Everyone is welcome.

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Nixon motioned, Flugstad seconded. Approved.

Update website list for information experts.

Llewellyn – T-shirts/caps: New THS t-shirt printing for sale at the Tortoise Council Symposium.

(Llewellyn will meet with Caldwell.)

Repp – e-mail reminders and web page improvements

Llewellyn – Asked permission to make an announcement at the next general meeting regarding Herps for adoption.

M e m B ERSHIP u p d a t e

If you are a new member, please include your email address with your payment to receive monthly newsletter online. A membership renewal form is below for your convenience. We look forward to seeing you at the monthly meetings.

As of 12 January 2012 Membership Information Individual Family Student

$20 $25 $14

Sustaining Contributing Life

Meeting adjourned. Caldwell moved, Nixon seconded.

Thank you!

Robin Llewellyn - Membership Director

$30 $50 $500

The Tucson Herpetological Society would like to thank existing members and new members for renewing their membership. We appreciate your support and are always looking for members to actively participate in THS activities and volunteer opportunities. It is a great way to be involved with the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the Sonoran Desert.

Contributing Member Michael Cardwell Individual Membership Janine McCabe Time to Renew Your THS membership?

This is a friendly reminder for those of you whose membership is due. Please send your check and a membership form (especially if information has changed) to THS, P.O. Box 709, Tucson, AZ, 85702.

Memberships Due in December Jay Cole & Carol Townsend John Gray Doug and Laurie Moore Justin and Li Shen Schmidt Memberships Due in January Young Cage Paul, Steven & Lorna Condon Mark Dimmitt Kristine Klewin Marcia Lincoln & Victor Ong Brent Martin Brian Park Dennis & Gracie Jex Hugh McCrystal Trevor Persons Scott Trageser

Tucson Herpetological Society P.O. Box 709, Tucson, Arizona 85702-0709 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM NAME: ________________________________________________ Date ______________ Address or Personal Information Changes_______________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ MEMBERSHIP DUES [ ] $20 Individual [ ] $25 Family [ ] $14 Student [ ] $30 Sustaining [ ] $50 Contributing [ ] $500 Life $ _______ Jarchow Conservation Award $ _______ Flat-tailed horned lizard Fund

$ _______ Speakers Bureau $ _______ C.H. Lowe Herp Research Fund

$ _______ Total (MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: TUCSON HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY) The THS newsletter, the Sonoran Herpetologist, is delivered online only. Please indicate the email address you would like to receive the newsletter if you are not currently receiving the newsletter at your preferred address. If you are unable to receive the newsletter online, please contact Robin at robinia2@msn.com. If not already done, please add my email to the THS directory and/or email Monthly meeting announcement (circle one or both). Please return this form with your check to the address above.

Email address ___________________________________________________________

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (1) 2012

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Sonoran Herpetologist is the newsletter-journal of the Tucson Herpetological Society, and is Copyright 2012. The contents of Sonoran Herpetologist may be reproduced for inclusion in the newsletters of other herpetological societies provided the material is reproduced without change and with appropriate credit, and a copy of the publication is sent to the Tucson Herpetological Society. Occasional exceptions to this policy will be noted. Contents are indexed in Zoological Record. A complete set of back issues are available in the Special Collections area of the University of Arizona library. They are accompanied by a copy of The Collected Papers of the Tucson Herpetological Society, 1988-1991.

Editor-in-Chief Howard Clark, editor.sonoran.herp@gmail.com Associate Editors Roy Averill-Murray, averill-murray@sbcglobal.net Don Swann, donswann@dakotacom.net Robert Bezy, bezy@comcast.net Tim Allen, tallen@elmontgomery.com Art Editor Dennis Caldwell, dennis@caldwell-design.com Book Review Editor Philip Brown, philipandbarbara@earthlink.net

Information for Contributors Authors should submit original articles, notes, book reviews to the Editor, either via email using an attached word processed manuscript or by mail to the Society’s address. The manuscript style should follow that of Journal of Herpetology and other publications of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. For further information, please contact the editor, at editor.sonoran.herp@gmail.com.

Tu c s o n H e r p S o c i e t y. o r g

The Tucson Herpetological Society is dedicated to conservation, education, and research concerning the amphibians and reptiles of Arizona and Mexico.

Tucson Herpetological Society is a registered non-profit organization.

Officers President Robert Villa, cascabel1985@gmail.com Vice President Roger Repp, repp@noao.edu Secretary RenĂŠ Clark, serpentprincess@comcast.net Treasurer Heidi Flugstad, heidi_flugstad@hotmail.com Directors: Dennis Caldwell, dennis@caldwell-design.com Robin Llewellyn, robinia2@msn.com Robert Nixon, sapo1047@msn.com Jim Rorabaugh, jrorabaugh@earthlink.net Warren Savary, wsavary@yahoo.com Krista Schmidt, turtlerad@hotmail.com Past President Trevor Hare, trevor@skyislandalliance.org

Society Activities

Monthly Members Meeting Robert Villa, Program Chair 3rd Tuesday, 7:15 PM Board of Directors Meeting Last Tuesday of each month (except December), 7:00 PM University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street Speakers Bureau (scheduled presentations) Robert Villa & Ed Moll Conservation Committee Dennis Caldwell Herpetological Information Hotline Bob Brandner, 760-0574 Jarchow Conservation Award OPEN Publications: Sonoran Herpetologist, Backyard Ponds brochure, Living with Venomous Reptiles brochure, THS Herp Coloring Book, THS Collected Papers, 1988-1991 THS Internet World Wide Webpage http://tucsonherpsociety.org Marty Tuegel, Webmaster, mtuegel@cox.net

Deadline for Sonoran Herpetologist: 15th of each month

For more information about the THS and the reptiles and amphibians of the Tucson area visit

tucsonherpsociety.org

SONORAN SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST HERPETOLOGIST 25 (1)252012 (1) 2012

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