Sh june 2012

Volume 25

January 2012 June 2012

Number 16

this month’s speaker

Katie Gray University of Arizona, School of Natural Resources and the Environment

Effects of Buffelgrass on Sonoran Desert Tortoises 7:15 PM Tuesday, 19 June University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street

Katie Gray received her B.S. in Zoology at Auburn University and became interested

in the Sonoran Desert on a class field trip to southern Arizona and New Mexico. Shortly after graduating, she was accepted into the University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment program to pursue a Master’s degree in Wildlife Conservation, which focused on the impacts of

short article buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) on Sonoran Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii).

Buffelgrass is a nonnative grass that has increased markedly in distribution throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico.

By altering ecosystem structure and function, buffelgrass has the potential to alter the quantity and quality of habitat for animals such as Desert Tortoises, which inhabit areas being invaded by buffelgrass. In 2010 and 2011, Katie examined effects of buffelgrass on density, condition, and habitat use of Sonoran Desert Tortoises, as well as on vegetation composition in tortoise habitat. She and her collegues found that the proportion of buffelgrass on their 50 4-ha study plots did not alter density or patterns of habitat use by tortoises. Condition of adult tortoises, however, averaged 10% lower in areas where cover of buffelgrass was high, perhaps in response to reduction in forage quality in areas where buffelgrass has become dominant. Results of their study will help biologists understand the threat that buffelgrass poses to this rare vertebrate in the southwestern United States.

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“Conservation and Awareness of Amphibians in Third World Countries” by Suman Pratihar

Madrean Archipelago Conference Abstracts 52

Herpetology in the Madrean Archipelago Conferences

announcements 59

Tenth Jarchow Conservation Award: Request for nominations

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A New Sonoran Herpetologist Editor Needed

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State of the Union: Legal Authority Over the Use of Native Amphibians and Reptiles in the United States

next month’s Speaker

Christian D. Wright Examining the broad applicability of StateDependent Foraging using a low energy system, the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) Tuesday, 17 July

Retrieving a Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) from a rock crevice at Saguaro National Park, Rincon Mountain District, Tucson, AZ. Photo by Chris Magionami.

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 (6) 2012

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Conservation and Awareness of Amphibians in Third World Countries Suman Pratihar, Department of Zoology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India

T he term conservation is puzzling and confusing in developing countries. Overpopulation, illiteracy, over-

exploitation, and lack of employment are some of the biggest problems in developing countries. ‘Western’ countries generally have a higher standard of livelihood than third world countries. Western populations normally have access to employment, clean water, electricity, food, clothing, housing, schools, hospitals, and medicines. They consume more resources than developing countries. In third world countries, most people are forced to live without access to these things. So in this stipulation how can anybody think about development, sustainable development, and conservation?

Currently, people are talking more about sustainable development. So what is sustainable development?

According to UN’s World Commission on Environment and Development (the Brundtland Commission) it is defined as ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs’. How can we do justice with those words against such a backdrop?

The 28th of April was Save the Frogs Day, the world’s largest day of amphibian education and conservation action, organized by Save the Frogs, an organization dedicated to protecting the world’s amphibian species, founded by ecologist Dr. Kerry Kriger. They acknowledged that frogs and other amphibians face an array of threats from climate change to habitat destruction; pesticide use; over-collection for frog legs and dissections; invasive species; and infectious diseases spread by human activity. Save the Frogs is America’s first and only public charity dedicated to amphibian conservation since 2008.

Conserving animals with proper awareness and education is a bit tricky in India. People are attending awareness programs in large numbers but they are not willing to alter their lifestyle. They are eager to maintain their normal life style and don’t even bother to participate in sustainable development and conservation.

In 2010, the Zoological Survey of India has documented a total of 311 amphibian species in India (Dinesh et al. 2010). Out of these, 46 amphibian spe-

cies are found in the State of West Bengal. Of these only 14 anuran species are found in West Midnapore district (22°15’ N and 87°39’ E) of West Bengal (Mansukhani and Sarkar 1977). Alteration in global weather patterns can change breeding behavior, affect reproductive success, decrease immune functions and increase their sensitivity to chemical contaminants.

Researchers have found that UV-B radiation can kill amphibians directly, and can cause sub-lethal effects, such as slowed growth rates and immune dysfunction (Relyea 2004). Local threats consist of deforestation and habitat destruction combined with pollution by agrochemicals, adult mortality rate during their movement along roads, and over collection of adults for subsistence use. Frogs and tadpoles are common in the diet of herons and other water birds. Amphibians, especially toads, are very slow in movement during their foraging or other activity; and therefore, they are more prone to road strikes by vehicles. Drivers do not notice amphibians crossing roads, as they are keen in reaching their destination in time. During the night, toads are more prone to road strikes than during daylight hours.

Many crushed amphibians can be found the following morning on the road, which are quick meals to scavenging birds.

Education and awareness programs are in dire need in India. When implimented, hopefully the negative impacts on native herpetofuana will be lessened. A human population willing to participate in sustainable development and conservation is the first crucial step in conserving India’s biodiversity.

Literature Cited Dinesh, K.P., C. Radhakrishnan, K.V. Guraja, K. Deuti, and G. Bhatta. 2010. A checklist of amphibia in India. Online version. Zoological Survey of India.

Mansukhani, M.R., and A.K. Sarkar. 1977. Amphibians of Midnapore district, West Bengal. Newsletter— Zoological Survey of India 3(4):156-157.

Realya, R. A. 2005. The lethal impact of insecticides and herbicides on biodiversity and productivity of aquatic communities. Ecological Adaptations 15(4):1118-1124.

Education and awareness programs are in dire need in India.

When implimented, hopefully the negative impacts on native herpetofuana will be lessened. A human population willing to participate in sustainable development and conservation is the first crucial step in conserving India’s biodiversity.

Indus Valley Toad (Duttaphrynus stomaticus Lutken, 1862) attempting to cross a road. Photo by Suman Pratihar.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (6) 2012

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conference abstracts

Herpetology in the Madrean Archipelago Conferences Thomas R. Van Devender, Sky Island Alliance, PO Box 41165, Tucson, AZ 85717; Dale Turner, The Nature Conservancy, 1510 E. Fort Lowell Road, Tucson, AZ 85719; Cecil R. Schwalbe, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, Sonoran Desert Research Station, U.S. Geological Survey, 123 Saguaro Hall, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721

T oday the term ‘bioblitz’ is popular, meaning an

intensive effort in a short period to document the diversity of animals and plants in an area. The first bioblitz in the southwestern United States was the 1848-1855 survey of the new boundary between the United States and Mexico after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1448 ended the Mexican-American War. The border between El Paso, Texas and the Colorado River in Arizona was surveyed in 1855-1856, following the Gadsden Madrean Archipelago Conference poster. Photo by Erik F. Enderson .

Purchase in 1853. Besides surveying and marking the border with monuments, these were expeditions that diversity increases southward in Sonora into the Sierra made extensive animal and plant collections, often by Madre Occidental and the New World tropics. army physicians. Zoologists John H. Clark (ScelopoIn a biogeographical analysis of the herpetofauna rus clarkii) and Arthur C. V. Schott (Urosaurus ornatus of Saguaro National Monument, University of Arischottii) collected amphibians and reptiles between the zona herpetologist and ecologist Charles H. Lowe was Santa Rita Copper Mines (= Silver City), New Mexico, probably the first to use the term Madrean Archiand Santa Cruz, Sonora, in the modern Arizona-Sono- pelago to describe the Sky Island ranges between the ra borderlands in 1851.

Sierra Madre Occidental in Sonora and Chihuahua and In 1892-94, Edgar A. Mearns collected 30,000 the Mogollon Rim of central Arizona (Lowe 1992). animal and plant specimens on the second United In September 1994, a conference entitled “BiodiverStates-Mexico Boundary Survey (Mearns 1907). On sity and Management of the Madrean archipelago: that expedition Lieutenant David Gaillard described The Sky Islands of Southwestern United States and the region as “bare, jagged mountains rising out of the Northwestern Mexico” was organized by the Rocky plains like islands from the sea” (Hunt and AnderMountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, U.S. son 2002). Weldon Heald, a resident of the ChiricaForest Service, along with Sky Island Alliance (Dehua Mountains, coined the term Sky Islands for the Bano et al. 1995). There were 69 presentations and 20 ranges in southeastern Arizona (Heald 1951). In 1981, posters, with only four of them related to amphibians Frederick H. Gehlbach’s book Mountain Islands and and reptiles.

Desert Seas: A Natural History of the US Mexican The second Madrean Archipelago Converence In Borderlands discussed Sky Islands in the southwestern May 2004 was entitled “Connecting Mountain Islands United States. and Desert Seas: Biodiversity and Management of the Conservation International in 2007 named the Madrean Archipelago”. There were 93 presentations Madrean Pine-oak Woodlands as a global biodiversity and 14 posters, with 12 of them on herpetological tophotspot. This area included the Sierra Madre Oriental ics (Gottfried et al. 2005). in eastern Mexico, the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) In May 2012, the third installment of the Madrean in western Mexico, and the Sky Island ranges north of Archipelago conference assembled the current state them into Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The Sierra of our knowledge about the unique natural and Madre Occidental extends in western Mexico from cultural resources of the Madrean region and continZacatecas and Jalisco north to Chihuahua and Sonora, ued the discussion of management practices useful Mexico. The southwestern United States is famous for for maintaining those resources with 24 sponsoring its diversity of amphibians and reptiles, and in general organizations. It brought together researchers, partners

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (6) 2012

Conservation International in 2007 named the Madrean Pine-oak Woodlands as a global biodiversity hotspot.

This area included the Sierra Madre Oriental in eastern Mexico, the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) in western Mexico, and the Sky Island ranges north of them into Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

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in resource stewardship, land managers, educators and students, government officials, consultants, and the interested public from both sides of the border to examine the Madrean Archipelago of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The conference was an opportunity to achieve more collaboration through discussion of active projects and future research and management needs. There were 151 presentations and posters. Abstracts for the 15 amphibian and reptile topics are presented below.

As recently as two decades ago, few people knew of the Madrean Archipelago as a distinct region and the evidence for its importance was scattered among many disciplines in two countries. These three conferences and their proceedings volumes are major contributions to understanding the biodiversity of this region, but are really just the starting point for future natural history studies and a baseline for conservation initiatives.

Literature Cited DeBano, L.F., P.F. Ffolliott, A. Ortega-Rubio, G.J. Gottfried, R. H. Hamre, and C.B. Edminster (coords.). 1995. Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago: The Sky Islands of Southwestern

United States and Northwestern Mexico. USDA Forest Service, General Technical Report, RM GTR 264.

Gehlbach, F.H. 1981. Mountain Islands and Desert Seas: A Natural History of the U.S.–Mexican Borderlands. Texas A & M University Press, College Station, TX. Gottfried, G.J., B.S. Gebow, L.G. Eskew, and C.B. Edminster (compilers). 2005. Connecting Mountain Islands and Desert Seas: Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago II. Proc. RMRS-P-36, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mt. Res. Station, Ft. Collins, CO. Heald, W.F. 1951. Sky Islands of Arizona. Natural History 60:56-63, 95-96.

Hunt, R., and W. Anderson. 2002. A rapid biological and ecological inventory and assessment of the Cajon Bonito watershed, Sonora, Mexico. Part 1: Natural history. Desert Plants 18:3-20.

Lowe, C.H. 1992. On the biogeography of the herpetofauna at Saguaro National Monument. Pages 91-104 in: C.P. Stone and E.S. Bellantoni (editors).

Proceedings of the Symposium on Research in Saguaro National Monument, Tucson, Arizona.

Mearns, E.A. 1907. Mammals of the Mexican boundary of the United States. Part 1. Smithsonian Institution, Bulletin 56, Government Printing Office.

Papers on Amphibians and Reptiles Presented at the Conference on Biodiversity and Management of the Madrean Archipelago III Tucson, Arizona 1-5 May 2012 COGAN: Herpetofauna at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch.

COGAN: Rattlesnake Wintering Sites at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch.

EDWARDS, Vaughn, Meléndez-Torres, Murphy, Karl, Rosen, Berry: A Biogeographic Perspective of Speciation among Desert Tortoises in the Genus Gopherus.

FREDERICK, Gebow, Jones: Establishment and Protection of a Chiricahua Leopard Frog Population in Scotia Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona.

GRAY, Steidl: Effects of Buffelgrass on Habitat Use of Sonoran Desert Tortoises.

JONES: Changes in a Lizard Assemblage at an Ecotone in Southeastern Arizona.

KAPLAN: Phylogeography of Yarrow’s Spiny lizard: What Didn’t Happen in the Holocene.

MIMS, Olden, Schlaepher, Phillipson, Lytle: Population Structure and the Landscape Genetics of a Common Desert Anuran.

PRIVAL, Schroff: Ecology and Conservation of a Madrean Rattlesnake, Crotalus pricei.

RATZLAFF, Schwalbe, Rosen, Swann: Amphibian Disease and Lowland Leopard Frogs: Trials in Identification, Treatment, and Death.

RORABAUGH, Servoss, Boyarski, Fernandez, Duncan, Robles-Elías, Bonine: A Comparison of the Herpetofaunas of Ranchos Los Fresnos and El Aribabi in Northern Sonora, México.

SREDL: Calibrating Our Progress towards Recovery of Amphibian Populations: an Area-based Approach and Occupancy Modeling.

Swann, RATZLAFF, Ward: Long Term Dynamics of Lowland Leopard Frogs (Rana yavapaiensis).

VAN DEVENDER, Enderson, Turner, Villa, Hale, Ferguson, Hedgcock: Preliminary Herpetofaunas of the Sierras la Madera (Oposura) and Bacadéhuachi, Sonora, México.

ZYLSTRA, Steidl, Jones: Drought Decreases Survival of Sonoran Desert Tortoises in Arizona.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (6) 2012

As recently as two decades ago, few people knew of the Madrean Archipelago as a distinct region and the evidence for its importance was scattered among many disciplines in two countries.

These three conferences and their proceedings volumes are major contributions to understanding the biodiversity of this region, but are really just the starting point for future natural history studies and a baseline for conservation initiatives.

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Herpetofauna at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch ROGER C. COGAN; National Audubon Society, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, Elgin, Arizona.

A rich diversity of amphibian and reptile species occurs at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch. The Research Ranch is an 8000-acre sanctuary for native biota and research facility in the semi-arid grasslands of southeastern Arizona, managed by the National Audubon Society. Since cattle were removed from the sanctuary in the late 1960s, nine species of amphibians and forty-two species of reptiles have been identified by staff and researchers within the preserve. Several species have not been seen in the recent years and may no longer occur on the Research Ranch. Ongoing efforts are underway to locate and document the presence of the herpetofauna. Our challenge into the future is to safeguard the continued existence of those that are still found and return native species that may have been extirpated.

Rattlesnake Wintering Sites at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch ROGER C. COGAN; National Audubon Society, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch, Elgin, Arizona.

The Research Ranch is an 8000 acre sanctuary and research facility in the semi-arid grasslands of southeastern Arizona managed by the National Audubon Society. At the Research Ranch we work to protect native species and the natural systems that occur both on the preserve and the surrounding area. Snakes are an integral element within all of the habitats where they are found. Snakes not only help maintain the fitness of their prey but they themselves are food for a wide variety of predators. They are a vital part of the landscape at all times of the year, yet little is know about the habitat requirements necessary for successful overwintering. Four rattlesnake species are known to occur at the Research Ranch: Western Diamondback (Crotalus atrox), Black-tailed (C. molossus), Rock (C. lepidus) and Mohave (C. scutulatus) rattlesnakes. During the months of February, March and April 2011, a survey for potential rattlesnake wintering sites was conducted. This search was conducted whenever time permitted or when weather conditions seemed most likely to expose snakes at the surface. Surveys during February, March and April are conducted when climate conditions are optimal for snakes to exit their den sites for brief periods. Confirmed den sites are photographed and georeferenced and, if possible, the snakes are photographed for vouchering.

A biogeographic perspective of speciation among Desert Tortoises in the genus Gopherus TAYLOR EDWARDS1, Mercy Vaughn2, Ma. Cristina Meléndez-Torres3, Robert Murphy4, Alice E. Karl5, Philip R. Rosen6, Kristin H. Berry7 1 University of Arizona Genetics Core, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, taylore@email.arizona.edu; 2Paso Robles, CA; 3CEDES (Comisión de Ecología y Desarrollo Sustentable del Estado de Sonora), Sonora, México; 4Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada; 5Alice E. Karl and Associates, Davis, CA; 6School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ; 7U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Riverside, CA

The distribution of organisms we observe in the Sonoran Desert has been sculpted by the enduring processes of time, climate, and adaptation. One of these species is Morafka’s Desert Tortoise, Gopherus morafkai and we are applying a genomic approach to better understand what evolutionary processes were responsible for shaping diversity in this species. The “Sonoran” Desert Tortoise exhibits a continuum of genetic similarity spanning 850 km of Sonoran desertscrub, from Hermosillo, Sonora to Kingman, Arizona. However, at the ecotone between desertscrub and thornscrub we identify a distinct, “Sinaloan” lineage that suggests a more complex evolutionary story for this species. By using multiple loci from throughout the tortoise genome, we aim to determine if divergence between these lineages occurred in allopatry, or if there are signatures of past or current introgression.

This international, collaborative project will assist state and federal agencies in developing management strategies that best preserve the evolutionary potential of the Desert Tortoise. Ultimately, understanding the evolutionary history of Desert Tortoises will not only clarify the forces that have driven the divergence in this group, but it will also contribute to our knowledge of the biogeographic history of the southwestern deserts and how diversity is maintained within them.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (6) 2012

The distribution of organisms we observe in the Sonoran Desert has been sculpted by the enduring processes of time, climate, and adaptation. One of these species is Morafka’s Desert Tortoise, Gopherus morafkai and we are applying a genomic approach to better understand what evolutionary processes were responsible for shaping diversity in this species.

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Reestablishment and protection of a Chiricahua Leopard Frog population in Scotia Canyon, Huachuca Mountains, Arizona GLENN P. FREDERICK1, Brooke S. Gebow2, and Thomas R. Jones3 USDA Forest Service, Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista Ranger District, 5990 S. Highway 92, Hereford, AZ 85615; 2The Nature Conservancy, 27 Ramsey Canyon Road, Hereford, AZ 85615; 3Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086 1

Bullfrogs are significant impediments to recovery of native aquatic amphibians and reptiles in riparian systems in the American Southwest. Until recently, bullfrog control across a landscape with many stock ponds was considered unlikely to succeed. In 2008, however, the Coronado National Forest launched a multi-year, multi-partner project to eliminate bullfrogs within a 113 km2 area centered on Scotia Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. We eliminated all bullfrogs in Scotia Canyon and reestablished Chiricahua Leopard Frogs. Bullfrogs were removed at 10 stockponds and along 3.7 km of stream within 6 miles of Scotia Canyon. We focused control efforts at perennial ponds and 130-acre Parker Canyon Lake. We found adult bullfrogs in the Cave Canyon watershed during the summer monsoon season traveling to headwaters with direct connections to Scotia Canyon. Bullfrogs reinvaded some stock ponds but not Scotia Canyon, where leopard frogs have continued to persist. The Forest Service in cooperation with the livestock grazing permittee has developed plans to manage stock ponds to disrupt bullfrog dispersal and control their reproduction. How to simultaneously maintain multiple stock ponds for livestock and native wildlife without perpetuating invasive species is a management challenge that is likely to increase in complexity with climate change.

Effects of buffelgrass on habitat use of Sonoran Desert Tortoises KATHERINE M. GRAY and Robert J. Steidl School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ, 85721, graykat@email. arizona.edu, steidl@ag.arizona.edu Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare) is a nonnative grass that is increasing markedly in distribution throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico. By altering ecosystem structure and function, buffelgrass has the potential to alter the quantity and quality of habitat for animals such as the Sonoran Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), which inhabits areas being invaded by buffelgrass. We examined effects of buffelgrass on habitat use of desert tortoises by surveying tortoises on 50 4-ha plots that we established across the gradient of buffelgrass cover in Saguaro National Park in 2010 and 2011. On each plot, we contrasted characteristics of vegetation and substrate in 5-m-radius plot centered on 186 tortoises with areas thought available to tortoises as measured along a systematic array of transects established across each plot. Our results will help biologists understand the threat that buffelgrass poses to this rare vertebrate in the southwestern United States.

Changes in a lizard assemblage at an ecotone in southeastern Arizona LAWRENCE C. JONES; Coronado National Forest, 300 West Congress, Tucson, Arizona 85701, ljones02@fs.fed. us

Bullfrogs are significant impediments to recovery of native aquatic amphibians and reptiles in riparian systems in the American Southwest.

Until recently, bullfrog control across a landscape with many stock ponds was considered unlikely to succeed.

The Madrean Archipelago and its associated valleys have the highest diversity of lizards in the United States.

This is due to a convergence of ecoregions in an area that provides excellent environmental conditions for life history needs of terrestrial ectotherms. The study area, near Safford, Arizona, is known to have about 20 species of sympatric lizards, although only about one-half are common. The lizard community is typical of Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts, semi-desert grasslands, and lower Madrean and boreal woodlands. It has recently been suggested that lizard species are expected to decline globally due to climate change and other factors. The study site is located at an ecotone between desert and grasslands in a foothills situation, as ecotones are expected to be sensitive to environmental change. Study objectives were to (1) assess the baseline lizard community and (2) detect changes in the lizard assemblage over time. In 2003, 2010, and 2011, about 4,000 lizards were recorded on transects. Early data returns suggest that adaptable desert and grassland species are common, while other, more specialized or mesic species appear to be trending toward a decline. Lizards may be better bio-indicators of environmental change than the plant communities in which they occur.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (6) 2012

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Phylogeography of Yarrow’s Spiny lizard: What didn’t happen in the Holocene MATTHEW E. KAPLAN; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721; Division of Biotechnology, Arizona Research Laboratories, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, mkaplan@email.arizona.edu Estimates from radiocarbon-dated packrat middens indicate that the high elevation woodland communities of the Madrean Sky Islands were continuous as recently as 8,000 to 12,000 years ago. A number of population studies on a diverse collection of taxa have investigated the extent to which the Madrean Sky Island system has limited gene flow among mountain ranges. The results of several of these studies indicate that population divergences may be more ancient than the Holocene. Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards, Sceloporus jarrovii, were sampled from eight sites representing seven mountain ranges. DNA sequences from the lizards were used to reconstruct their evolutionary relationships and estimate the ages of the populations. The findings of these analyses indicate that the sky island populations of S. jarrovii have been isolated for hundreds of thousands of years and did not experience gene flow during the last woodland expansion.

Population structure and the landscape genetics of a common desert anuran MERYL C. MIMS1, Julian D. Olden1, Martin A. Schlaepfer2,3, Ivan C. Phillipsen4, Dave A. Lytle4 University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, 1122 Northeast Boat Street, Seattle, WA 98105, mmims@uw.edu, olden@uw.edu; 2State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210, mschlaepfer@esf.edu; 3INRA, Ecologie et Santé des Ecosystèmes, 35042 Rennes, France; 4Oregon State University, Department of Zoology, 501 Life Sciences West, Corvallis, OR 97331, philliiv@science.oregonstate.edu, lytleda@oregonstate.edu 1

Desert streams play a prominent role in shaping hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological structure of arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Many anurans in the Madrean Archipelago rely on streamflows generated by winter storms and summer monsoons that provide favorable breeding habitat and hydrologic connectivity with individuals or populations that are otherwise isolated by harsh and dry habitat. The predictability, frequency, and magnitude of these flows will likely be altered by climate change and increasing human requirements for freshwater. Examining population structure of desert anurans - and its relationship to hydrology - is an important step in understanding how these species will be affected by climate change and land use. We present results of a landscape genetic analysis of one common desert anuran of the Madrean Archipelago, Spea multiplicata (Mexican Spadefoot). Individuals were collected during the summers of 2010 and 2011. We first examine population structure throughout the Huachuca, Santa Rita, and Dragoon Mountain ranges. We then examine the relationship of population structure to major landscape features, including hydrology. These results are the first part of a comparative study examining the role of hydrology in population structure of multiple anuran species found throughout the Sky Islands.

Ecology and conservation of a Madrean rattlesnake, Crotalus pricei DAVE PRIVAL1 and Mike Schroff2 Southwestern Ecological Research Company, 530 S. Herbert Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701, deprival@yahoo.com; 23547 E. Flower St., Tucson, AZ 85716

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Twin-spotted Rattlesnakes (Crotalus pricei) are small-bodied snakes found in six ranges within the Madrean Archipelago as well as the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental. Within the Madrean Archipelago they are most common in Madrean montane conifer forest above 2400 m, making them the region’s highest elevation snake. A warming, drying climatic trend is an obvious conservation concern. We monitored populations of C. pricei in Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains from 1997-2009 to learn about diet, reproduction, growth rates, and survival trends. We captured 306 individuals and recaptured snakes on 155 occasions. Spiny lizards (Sceloporus) were the most frequently taken prey for both juveniles and adults. Larger females were more likely to be gravid than smaller adult females. Our best model indicated that survival rate remained constant at our most-studied site over the 13 years; detectability varied by search effort and weather. Although there was no evidence of a population decline during our study, we identified ways in which climate change and continued illegal collection for the pet trade could pose a threat to the conservation of isolated, high elevation populations.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (6) 2012

Desert streams play a prominent role in shaping hydrological, biogeochemical, and ecological structure of arid and semi-arid ecosystems.

Many anurans in the Madrean Archipelago rely on streamflows generated by winter storms and summer monsoons that provide favorable breeding habitat and hydrologic connectivity with individuals or populations that are otherwise isolated by harsh and dry habitat.

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Amphibian disease and Lowland Leopard Frogs: Trials in identification, treatment, and death KRISTINA M. RATZLAFF1, Cecil Schwalbe1, Phil Rosen1, and Don E. Swann2 University of Arizona, 1110 East South Campus Dr. Rm. 123, Bldg 33, Tucson, AZ 85721, kris.ratzlaff@gmail. com; 2Saguaro National Park, 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730-5601, Don_Swann@nps.gov.

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Population declines of amphibians have been recorded worldwide. When two populations of Lowland Leopard Frog became locally extirpated from the Rincon Mountains of Saguaro National Park, eggs and tadpoles of this frog were taken from the park and placed in backyard ponds nearby for potential future reintroduction. Through an unknown vector, frogs in these ponds were infected with the amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (“Bd”), and in some cases had near 100% mortality each winter following initial metamorphosis due to this disease. While these backyard ponds were initially intended as ideal breeding facilities, they now provide a unique opportunity to learn more about how Lowland Leopard Frogs interact and respond to Bd on a smaller scale, without affecting frog populations in the wild. We present findings of what we have learned about Lowland Leopard Frogs and Bd from two backyard ponds, including identification of dead frogs, the possibility of freezing frogs found dead and later obtaining usable Bd assays from them, and the feasibility of treating wild Lowland Leopard Frogs for Bd to help them survive the winter.

A comparison of the herpetofaunas of Ranchos Los Fresnos and El Aribabi in Northern Sonora, México JAMES C. RORABAUGH1, Jeffrey M. Servoss2, Valerie L. Boyarski3, Erin C. Fernandez2, Doug Duncan2, Carlos Robles-Elías4, and Kevin E. Bonine5 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tucson, AZ (retired, jrorabaugh@earthlink.net); 2U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tucson, AZ (jeff_servoss@fws.gov, erin_fernandez@fws.gov, doug_duncan@fws.gov); 3Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, AZ (vboyarski@azgfd.gov); 4Rancho El Aribabi, Carretera Imuris-Cananea Km 131+900, Imuris, Sonora, MX (elaribabi@telcel.blackberry.net.mx); 5Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, (kebonine@u.arizona.edu) 1

To compare and contrast herpetofaunas at Ranchos Los Fresnos and El Aribabi in northern Sonora, México, we conducted herpetological surveys during 2006-2011, contacted others working in these two areas, and queried 25 museums for specimens collected at or near these ranchos. Based on this work, nine and seven amphibian, and 27 and 23 reptile species are known to occur at Ranchos El Aribabi and Los Fresnos, respectively. Significant findings include at Los Fresnos, presence of presumed Sonora Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi), of which there are only three localities in México; Arizona Treefrog (Hyla wrightorum) at several sites; and Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques); and at El Aribabi, Neotropical Whipsnake (Coluber mentovarius), a range extension of 212 km, Tarahumara sSalamander (Ambystoma rosaceum) near the northern edge of its range, and Mexican Gartersnake. Both ranchos support non-native American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) and non-native fishes.

Non-native crayfish (Orconectes virilis) are also present at Rancho Los Fresnos. In total, 46 species of amphibians and reptiles were found, 22 of which occur on both ranchos. Rancho Los Fresnos supports high grassland species not found at El Aribabi, while a number of typically Sonoran Desert, foothills thornscrub, and montane species found at El Aribabi were not encountered at Los Fresnos.

Like many amphibian species worldwide, the Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Rana chiricahuensis) experienced a dramatic, range wide decline during the past three decades and was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as threatened in 2002.

Calibrating our progress towards recovery of amphibian populations: an area-based approach and occupancy modeling MICHAEL J. SREDL; Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Hwy., Phoenix, AZ 88086, msredl@azgfd.gov Like many amphibian species worldwide, the Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Rana chiricahuensis) experienced a dramatic, range wide decline during the past three decades and was listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as threatened in 2002. A species recovery plan was finalized in 2007 that included four recovery criteria that, when reached, will have: 1) established sufficient populations and metapopulations, 2) managed the necessary aquatic breeding habitats, 3) managed important dispersal corridors, and 4) reduced threats so that the Chiricahua Leopard Frog no longer needs the protection of the ESA. Although great progress has been made since federal listing, progress on recovery criterion 1 has been hampered by 1) the dearth of suitably configured landscapes that could “host” candidate metapopulations and 2) the difficulty of establishing and monitoring stable and viable

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metapopulations given the limited human and financial resources available. I develop a conceptual area-based approach to calibrate progress toward recovery that is applicable to the Chiricahua Leopard Frog that utilizes occupancy modeling to gauge progress in establishing, managing, and monitoring viable metapopulations. This approach is easier to design and implement, makes fewer assumptions, and is less biased than the current “strict metapopulation” approach and is applicable to other patchily distributed amphibians.

Long-term dynamics of Lowland Leopard Frogs (Rana yavapaiensis) Don E. Swann1, KRISTINA M. RATZLAFF2, and Michael K. Ward3 Saguaro National Park, 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730-5601, Don_Swann@nps.gov; 2University of Arizona, 1110 East South Campus Dr. Rm. 123, Bldg 33, Tucson, AZ 85721, kris.ratzlaff@gmail.com; 3Saguaro National Park, 3693 South Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, AZ 85730-5601, Michael_K_Ward@nps.gov.

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Amphibians appear to be declining throughout the globe. In the Desert Southwest, a number of amphibian species, particularly ranid frogs, have experienced dramatic decreases in population, local extinctions, and regional extinctions. Although these declines are well documented, surprisingly little is known about the natural longterm dynamics of amphibian populations. Lowland Leopard Frogs (Rana yavapaiensis) in the Rincon Mountains of Saguaro National Park are faced with challenges of drought, sedimentation of pools, potential invasion of American Bullfrogs, and disease. We present findings from a 15 year monitoring program of Lowland Leopard Frogs in the park which provides evidence on which of these challenges pose the greatest threat to occupancy and abundance of Lowland Leopard Frogs.

Comparison of preliminary herpetofaunas of the Sierras la Madera (Oposura) and Bacadéhuachi with the mainland Sierra Madre Occidental in Sonora, Mexico THOMAS R. VAN DEVENDER1, Erik F. Enderson2, Dale Turner3, Roberto A. Villa4, Stephen F. Hale5, George M. Ferguson6, and Charles Hedgcock1 Sky Island Alliance, PO Box 41165, Tucson, Arizona 85717, vandevender@skyislandalliance.org; 2Drylands Institute, PMB 405 2509 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85719; 3The Nature Conservancy, 1510 E. Ft. Lowell Road, Tucson, Arizona 85719; 4Tucson Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 709, Tucson, Arizona 85702; 5EcoPlan Associates, Inc., 701 W. Southern Ave., Suite 203, Mesa, Arizona 85210; 6University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA 1

Amphibians and reptiles observed in the Sierra la Madera, an isolated Sky Island mountain range in east-central Sonora, and the Sierra de Bacadéhuachi, the westernmost Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) range, were compared with the herpetofauna of the Yécora area in eastern Sonora in the main Sierra Madre Occidental. Four areas in the Sierra la Madera near Moctezuma were visited in November 1981, September 2003, July 2009, and on a Madrean Archipelago Biodiversity Assessment (MABA) Expedition in August 2010. MABA Expeditions went to the Sierra de Bacadéhuachi in August and September 2011, and March 2012. Observations and photos in the Sierra la Madera (59 species) and the Sierra de Bacadéhuachi (30 species) are in the online MABA database (madrean.org). About 92 species are known from along MEX 16 in the Municipio de Yécora. Seven species in the Sky Island ranges were not in the SMO fauna. Although the Sky Island inventories are incomplete, it is clear that the herpetofauna of the SMO is much more diverse than any Sky Island fauna. Madrean species dominate the Sky Island faunas, which are mixtures of species with tropical, desert and northern temperate biotic affinities.

Amphibians appear to be declining throughout the globe. In the Desert Southwest, a number of amphibian species, particularly ranid frogs, have experienced dramatic decreases in population, local extinctions, and regional extinctions.

Drought decreases survival of Sonoran Desert Tortoises in Arizona ERIN R. ZYLSTRA1, Robert J. Steidl1, and Cristina A. Jones2 School of Natural Resources and the Environment, University of Arizona, 325 Biological Sciences East, Tucson, AZ 85721; 2Nongame Branch, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000.

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Decisions relevant to conservation of rare and threatened species can be hampered by our inability to differentiate between short-term, local fluctuations in population attributes and long-term, widespread declines that can affect persistence. We used 22 years of capture-recapture data for Sonoran Desert Tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) collected from 15 locations across their geographic range in Arizona to evaluate environmental factors associated

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with spatial and temporal variation in adult survival. Rates of annual survival were generally high (mean = 0.92, SE = 0.01), as expected for a long-lived species, but decreased with proximity to human habitation. Survival of adults also varied markedly in response to drought; when drought severity was high, survival of tortoises was reduced, particularly in the most arid parts of their range. In three well-studied populations, survival of adults was markedly lower during one survey interval (0.77-0.81) than all other intervals (0.93-0.98); these periods of reduced survival coincided with periods of extreme drought. If drought frequency or severity increases as predicted by several climate-change models, recovery and persistence of tortoise populations in this region could be affected adversely. announcements

Tenth Jarchow Conservation Award: Request for nominations

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he Board of Directors of the Tucson Herpetological Society (THS) established the Jarchow Conservation Award (JCA) in July 1992 to honor individuals or organizations for their service to the conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of the deserts of North America. THS is currently soliciting nominations for the tenth presentation of the award from members of the society. Most desirable as candidates are individuals and organizations that have received little recognition and whose conservation work would benefit from the award. A letter or email as to why the candidate should receive the award should be sent to the JCA Selection Committee Chair, accompanied by any supporting documents. The deadline for receipt of nominations is 20 July, 2012. The THS Board of Directors must approve the final selection of any candidate chosen by the committee.

The award is named for James L. Jarchow, D.V.M, of Tucson, and consists of an engraved plaque, a written citation, Honorary Life Membership in the society, and $500. Because of his dedication contributions to the conservation of amphibians and reptiles for more than 20 years, the first Jarchow Conservation Award (JCA) was given to Dr. Jarchow on 15 September 1992. The second JCA was awarded to Roger Repp in 1994 followed by Cecil Schwalbe in 1997, Dave Hardy, Sr., in 1999, Dennis Caldwell in 2001, Phillip Rosen in 2003, Jim Rorabaugh in 2005, Erika Nowak in 2007,

and Don Swann in 2009. The 10th JCA ceremony is scheduled for October 2012, provided a suitable candidate is nominated to the selection committee.

The committee consists of a quorum of the previous awardees plus a Chairperson (Roger Repp).

The Jarchow Conservation Award is supported entirely by donations made to the society. Those wishing to support the conservation of our region’s herpetofauna through the continuation of this important award should send their contributions to the JCA Fund in care of the Tucson Herpetological Society, P.O. Box 709, Tucson AZ 85702-0709. Or, if you prefer, there is a convenient check off box on the THS Membership form.

Nominations for the 10th JCA or requests for further information can be emailed to Roger Repp (repp@ noao.edu), or snail mailed to: Roger Repp C/O NOAO 950 N. Cherry Ave Tucson, AZ 85719 In closing, there is one important thing to remember: It is a very rare event that somebody wins the award without written documentation. Your letter is very important to us! Thanks.

The Board of Directors of the Tucson Herpetological Society (THS) established the Jarchow Conservation Award (JCA) in July 1992 to honor individuals or organizations for their service to the conservation of the amphibians and reptiles of the deserts of North America.

A New Sonoran Herpetologist Editor Needed

T he Tuscon Herpetological Society is in need of a new editor for their monthly newsletter-journal,

the Sonoran Herpetologist. Howard Clark, our currently editor since November 2009, plans to continue being editor until January 2013, at which time he will become an Associate Editor for the Sonoran Herpetologist. The current editor as well as the editoral board are available to ease the transition.

• Need to be familiar with or willing to learn Adobe InDesign (THS owns software you can use); • Requires a few hours each month to assemble material, layout pages, and produce a PDF file. Editorial committee helps with editing; • Good knowledge of scientific terminology; • Able to meet monthly deadlines.

If interested in the position, please contact the editor at editor.sonoran.herp@gmail.com.

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announcement

State of the Union: Legal Authority Over the Use of Native Amphibians and Reptiles in the United States

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n the United States, the State Fish and Wildlife Agencies have the primarily responsibility and authority for managing fish and wildlife species, including amphibians and reptiles, in the public trust. Native amphibians and reptiles (i.e., herpetofauna) provide a resource that can be used in a unique way relative to other vertebrates managed by the states. Herpetofauna are harvested for human food consumption, for their skins, as pets, for bait, and for hobbyist collection as well as for traditional wildlife uses such as for research or educational purposes. Each state has adopted laws and regulations pertaining to many of these various uses of amphibians and reptiles. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (Association) Amphibian and Reptile Subcommittee, in partnership with the Association’s Law Enforcement Committee, created this document to summarize these existing laws and regulations. This report is up-to-date as of February 2012, and will be maintained to incorporate changes each year (for most current laws/regulations, be sure to contact an individual state directly).

The Subcommittee will be using this report to guide the development of Association committeereviewed companion recommendations for model regulatory approaches for these uses of amphibians and reptiles.

Board meeting minutes

Tucson Herpetological Society Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 24 April 2012 — 7 p.m.

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

Directors: Robert Villa (President), Roger Repp (Vice President), Heidi Flugstad (Treasurer), René Clark (Secretary), Dennis Caldwell (Director), Krista Schmidt (Director), Jim Rorabaugh (Director), Rob Nixon (Director), Warren Savary (Director), Robin Llewellyn (Director), Trevor Hare (Past President) Directors Absent: Robert Villa, Krista Schmidt, Robin Llewellyn, Warren Savary, Trevor Hare Members Present: Ed Moll

The purpose and intended use of this report is to: • Determine the current “State of the Union” with respect to: • Laws and regulations in place for native amphibians and reptiles, • Legal and regulatory approaches for specific uses, and other special protections or policies • Identify commonalities among states, and unique or particular approaches that could inform the development of recommendations for model approaches • Provide a quick-reference and resource for state agency biological, law enforcement, or management personnel as part of their own state’s regulatory processes • Facilitate communication and collaboration among states to address challenges in regulating amphibian and reptile use and in enforcing existing laws http://bit.ly/LIqKua For questions regarding this report, please contact Priya Nanjappa (pnanjappa@fishwildlife.org).

Treasurer’s Report (Flugstad): Nixon moved to accept, Caldwell seconded. Approved. (as of 22 April 2012) Beginning Balance Deposits Expenses Ending Balance

$34,354.99 $378.00 $510.00 $34,222.99

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

$16,178.11 $87.32 $372.43 $1,069.00 $4,301.33 $20,800.00 $1,256.09 $4,158.71 $1,000.00

Approval of March 2012 Minutes:

Total: (less) Savings

Flugstad moved to approve with changes, Caldwell seconded. Approved.

Checking Balance CRHSD CD

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.

$49,222.99 -$15,000.00 $34,222.99 $5,123.35

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Summary Report (March 28 to April 22, 2012) Income General Fund Membership T-shirts, hats, stickers

+$348.00 +$30.00

Total income

+$378.00

Expenses Donation Madrean Arch. Conf AZ Corp. Commission Filing

-$500.0 -$10.00

Total expenses -$510.00 Committee Reports Speakers Bureau (Villa/Moll) April 14. Moll drove down for the Madera Canyon 25th Anniversary Celebration only to find that it had been cancelled due to bad weather.

April 21. Moll attended the 4th Annual Town of Marana’s “Camping Under The Stars” event at Ora Mae Harn Park from 4 to 6:30 PM. As always, the live reptiles were a big hit with the kids.

April 25. Moll took live herps to Holladay Magnet School to do a program for Mary Rogers’ 5th grade class.

Website, Old (Repp for Tuegel) – Marty updated SHs through 2009. Marty is working on getting all SHs through 2011 on the site. Marty is also working with Jim Rorabaugh on the Species of the 100 Mile Circle.

Discussion about Website and member requests. Marty is trying.

Website, New (Savary) – Discussion about new Website. Good news: Been in communication with a potential new Web designer. Committee getting emailed a list of links and references on his work. Website committee not able to meet, they will be presented with preliminary work over e-mail.

Conservation (Caldwell) – Much discussion about legislation HR 4089, The Sportsmen’s Heritage Act. C.H. Lowe Fund (Rorabough) – Three excellent proposals received.

Finding Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) Genetic Microsatellites for Use in Studying Population Structure - Dr. Kevin Bonine The role of kin selection in rattlesnake aggregations Melissa Amarello Gila Monsters, Heloderma suspectum, in a Suburban Environment Near a National Park - Darren Anderson Much discussion about funding proposals. Caldwell moved to fund all three proposals, Repp seconded.

Approved.

Sonoran Herpetologist (Clark/Repp) – Looking for submissions. Year end reports. Don Swann is emailing erstwhile Lowe Fund recipients, requesting “deliverables.” Howard Clark resigning at the end of 2012.

Looking for a new editor to replace Howard. Discussion about news letter and finding a new editor. Repp will send out an e-mail.

Membership (Llewellyn) – No Report.

Program (Repp for Villa): April: Matt Kaplan, Genetics of Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards (Great talk, well attended!). May: Young Cage, “Some thoughts on nature photography.” June: TBD. July: TBD, August: Dr. Phil Medica, title TBD (Considering Stefanie Leland: Where did the horny toad go? Travel expenses?).

Jarchow Conservation Award (Repp) – Roger will start soliciting letters for potential candidates from the general membership in May, and will put together a nominating committee meeting by late May..

Old Business “Rattlesnake Republic” Roger Repp for Robert Villa. Letter was sent.

Madrean Archipelago Conference: Heidi Flugstad/ Dennis Caldwell. Happened as stated. We have a table.

We have to pay to man the table, and an additional fee if we want to sell anything. Do we want to pay, or not bother? Caldwell will coordinate with Speakers Bureau.

New Business Tee-shirt and Hat Sales: Rob Nixon. Repp will bring all supplies to next general meeting. He will not take them home again). (And he didn’t!)

“The Symbol: Wall Lizards of the Pityusic Archipelago.” Heidi Flugstad/All. No need to donate to project, for it is already funded. Caldwell motioned not to fund, Nixon seconded. Approved.

National Herpetological Society: Jim Rorabaugh.

Long conference call attended by Rorabaugh. Discussion about NHS. Rorabaugh recommended to THS Board to stay involved and see how it evolves.

Richard Zweifel (retired from the American Museum in New York and living in Portal, AZ) wants to dispose of his reprint library (which I surmise is rather extensive and valuable) to students and researchers and is looking at THS as a possible outlet.

Discussion and recommendation about donating whole collection to UAZ Herpetological collection.

Tortoise Enclosure Advice for Pinacate Preserve for Victor E. Del Rio Delgadillo: Caldwell will send PDF on Native Plants for Desert Tortoises.

Meeting adjourned. Caldwell moved, Nixon seconded.

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M e mBERSHIP u p d a t e

Thank you!

Robin Llewellyn - Membership Director

As of June 2012 Membership Information Individual Family Student

$20 $25 $14

Sustaining Contributing Life

Individual Members Robert Villa Tim Allen

$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.

New Members Mary A. Hahurrd Morgan (Individual) Chuck Mulcahy (Family)

Individual Members Howard Clark Livy Williams David Bertelsen Royce Ballinger Ronald Spark

Family Member Itzchak & Carolyn Gilboa

Sustaining Member Michael and Mary Ann Smith

Remember the THS in Your Will

Individual Members Trevor Persons Emily Bennett John Gray 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.

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.

Including the THS in your will is an excellent way to support the value of this organization and the conservation of the herpetofauna of the Sonoran Desert. We would like to recognize and thank anyone who has included the THS in their will. Please contact us so we can express our appreciation. For information about designating the THS in your will, please contact Heidi Flugstad, Treasurer, Tucson Herpetological Society, at heidi_ flugstad@hotmail.com.

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 ___________________________________________________________

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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 Suman Pratihar, pratihar_vu@rediffmail.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.

Deadline for Sonoran Herpetologist: 15th of each month

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 Roger Repp 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

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

tucsonherpsociety.org

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