Sh may 2012

Volume 25

January 2012 May 2012

Number 15

this month’s speaker

Clear Skies: A Herpetological Roast and Tribute for Young Cage

short article 40

7:15 PM Tuesday, 15 May University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street

Young and Cheryl Cage, married since 1981.

N ote from your Program Chair, Roger Repp: As many of you know, Young has been assailed by health issues of late. Originally, Mr. Cage was slated to give a presentation entitled “Some Thoughts on Nature Photography” for the 15 May program. Unfortunately, by 1 May, Young’s health had deteriorated to the point that he made the decision to enter hospice. He was incapable of delivering the program. In early May, he will go off the antibiotics that are keeping him alive, and will remain home with his loved ones until the end. Those who love Young most agree that this is the right thing to do.

The recent passing of Jerry Feldner brought about an epiphany to me. That epiphany was how much Jerry would have enjoyed the company that gathered on his behalf after he was dead. Why not do something like this for the living?

It’s too late for Jerry—but for Young, it is not. We have the chance to honor all that Young has done for us and others on this night. We are lining up 10 speakers who know Young best. We are also including Young’s all time favorite 25 photos. At the end of it all, I hope to lead the group in a rousing chorus of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” (That should be good for a couple yucks!)

We ask that you attend, whether you know Young Cage well, or don’t know him at all.

This is the chance for us to send somebody off with the style and panache that is our trademark. Without further adieu, Young’s bio: Young Cage grew up in a military family where his father was an Air Force pilot. Fortunately for Young one of his father’s assignments took them to live in the Panama Canal Zone for three years. What better place for an aspiring wildlife enthusiast and herpetologist to live?

After graduation from George Washington H.S. in Denver, Young attended Colorado State University with the thought of perhaps becoming a veterinarian. He decided to give aviation a hard try and he transferred to the University of Colorado at Boulder and graduated from the Aeronautical Engineering program.

After a short stint as an engineer for McDonnell-Douglas, Young was hired by United Airlines at the ripe old age of twentyContinued on page 39

“Reproduction of the Spiny Chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) and the Piebald Chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius) (Squamata: Iguanidae) from Mexico” by Stephen R. Goldberg and Kent R. Beaman

R e c e n t ly P u b l i s h e d Pa p e r s 42

Heloderma suspectum (Gila Monster). Tree-Climbing.

Book review 43

“The Wildlife Techniques Manual”

by Howard O. Clark, Jr.

announcements 45

Southwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SWPARC) 2012 annual meeting

46

10th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles

46

Field Herpetology of the Southwest

next month’s Sp e a k e r

Katie Gray Effects of Buffelgrass on Sonoran Desert Tortoises Tuesday, 19 June 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 (5) 2012

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A Herpetological Roast and Tribute for Young Cage (continued) two with a whopping 200 hours of flight time. During his thirty-five years as a pilot Young flew engineer (Boeing 727, 737, and DC-10), Co-pilot (Boeing 737, 727 and DC-10), and his last twenty years as Captain (Boeing 737, 757, 767 and 777). As captain he flew internationally, mostly to Europe.

Young was also active in the Air Line Pilots Association (largest airline pilot union in the U.S.). In addition to his years of being an active member he was elected Co-Pilot Representative for the Denver-based pilots. During the time when the pilots were pursuing the ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Program) Young was elected as the Captain Representative for the Denver pilots. In this capacity he worked diligently to bring the ESOP to a reality.

During the years of airline deregulation Young was the driving force behind instituting priority hiring for displaced pilots, beginning with the Eastern Air Line Pilots. Because of Young’s work, pilots who lost their jobs due to the bankruptcy of their airline had an opportunity to transition to United Airlines.

Young also worked as a Captain IOE Instructor (Initial Operating Experience). In this capacity Young would be assigned new pilots flying their first trips within a new cockpit position (i.e., When a co-pilot would move into the captain’s seat. During this pilot’s first three-day trip Young would be his mentor/instructor in the cockpit).

Young also did a great deal of groundbreaking work on aviation diversity issues. At the request of the company, Young worked on ideas and programs to make the pilot workforce more gender and diversity friendly.

While enjoying his career, Young also pursued with great vigor and enthusiasm his love of herpetology.

Happily for Young, his son, Matt, turned out to be a clone of his father carrying the same fascination for all things ‘herp’. Over the years Young and Matt have traveled to Costa Rica seven times, Peru twice, Australia twice, South Africa/ Botswana, Zimbabwe once, Mexico too many times to count and all around the

U.S. in pursuit of sighting snakes, frogs, lizards, and anything else that lives in the wild. Young and Cheryl, his wife, also traveled together extensively including a remarkable trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in 2009.

Young worked diligently to educate people about the importance of our natural world. He was elected President of the Colorado Herpetological Society and the Tucson Herpetological Society. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Friends of Ironwood Forest in Tucson.

Always willing to share his passions, Young has sparked several young people to pursue their natural history passions as professions. Years ago Young was asked to take an aspiring eight-year old nature lover out road hunting. This young man wrote about his experiences searching for snakes with Young in his college application packet and is now pursuing a career in biology.

When Young and Cheryl moved to Tucson, Young’s passion went into overdrive. He added to his herping a desire to become a good photographer. His pursuit has turned out to be a huge success as there are now many homes and restaurants around Tucson that display his nature photography.

On the home front Young has been just as fortunate. From his early first marriage he was given two of the best kids in the world, Matt and Kelly. When he and Cheryl married in 1981 the kids immediately took to Cheryl and they have been a tight, loving family ever since. Matt lives in Colorado with his wife Sheila and two great kids, Samantha and Brandon, and is a Sergeant with the Longmont Police Department. Kelly is a Nutritionist living in Stamford, CT, with her husband Lou and two wonderful girls, Abigail and Tigist.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (5) 2012

When Young and Cheryl moved to Tucson Young’s passion went into overdrive.

He added to his herping a desire to become a good photographer. His pursuit has turned out to be a huge success as there are now many homes and restaurants around Tucson that display his nature photography.

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short article

Reproduction of the Spiny Chuckwalla (Sauromalus hispidus) and the Piebald Chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius) (Squamata: Iguanidae) from Mexico Stephen R. Goldberg, Whittier College, Department of Biology, Whittier, California 90608; sgoldberg@whittier.edu Kent R. Beaman, Section of Herpetology, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angdeles, California 90007; heloderma@roadrunner.com

T

he Spiny Chuckwalla, Sauromalus hispidus Stejneger, 1891 is known from the Gulf of California islands of Ángel de la Guarda, Cabeza de Caballo, Flecha, Granito, La Ventana, Mejía, Piojo, Pond, San Lorenzo Norte, San Lorenzo Sur and Smith (Grismer 2002).

The Piebald Chuckwalla, Sauromalus varius Dickerson, 1919 is known from the Gulf of California Islands of San Esteban, Sonora and Roca Lobos (Grismer 2002).

The biology of S. hispidus and S. varius are summarized in Grismer et al. (1995) and Lawler et al. (1995).

The most detailed information on reproduction in S. hispidus and S. varius is in Case (1982, 2002). Other information is in the following reports from captive specimens. Carl and Jones (1979) reported on eggs and hatchlings of S. hispidus and Sylber (1985) reported on hatchlings of S. hispidus and S. varius. The purpose of this paper is to present additional information on the reproductive biology of S. hispidus and S. varius from a histological examination of gonadal material from museum holdings. Due to the difficulty in justifying collections of large monthly lizard samples, use of museum collections for obtaining reproductive data has become increasingly important.

A sample of 48 S. hispidus consisting of 25 females (mean snout-vent length, SVL = 255.9 mm ± 23.8 SD, range = 219-304 mm), 9 males (mean SVL = 243.0 mm ± 26.7 mm SD, range = 206-283 mm), 13 subadults (mean SVL = 160.5 mm ± 39.1 SD, range = 85-203) and one neonate (SVL = 70 mm) collected

from 1921 to 1978 and 16 S. varius consisting of 4 males (mean SVL = 281.3 mm ± 16.9 SD, range = 263-304 mm), 8 females (mean SVL = 272.4 mm ± 19.9 SD, range = 240-304 mm) and 4 subadults (mean SVL = 173.8 mm ± 27.5 SD, range = 133-193 mm) collected from 1931-1967 was examined from the herpetology collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (LACM), Los Angeles, California; the San Diego Society of Natural History (SDSNH), San Diego, California; The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ), University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; the California Academy of Sciences (CAS), San Francisco, California, USA (Appendix 1).

The snout-vent length (SVL) of each specimen was measured from the tip of the snout to the posterior margin of the vent to the nearest mm. The left gonad was removed from each S. hispidus and S. varius and embedded in paraffin. Histological sections were cut at 5 µm and stained by hematoxylin followed by eosin counterstain (Presnell and Schreibman 1997).

Enlarged follicles > 5 mm length and oviductal eggs were counted. Histology slides were deposited in the CAS, LACM, MVZ and SDSNH. An unpaired t-test was used to compare S. hispidus and S. varius male and female mean body sizes (SVL) using Instst (vers. 30b, Graphpad Software, San Diego, CA).

Three stages were noted in the testicular cycles of S. hispidus and S. varius (Tables 1, 3). (1) Regression, germinal epithelium in the seminiferTable 1. Monthly stages in the testicular cycle of 9 Sauromalus hispidus. ous tubules is reduced to a few layers Month n Regressed Recrudescence Spermiogenesis of spermatogonia with interspersed January 1 0 0 1 Sertoli cells; (2) Recrudescence, proliferation of cells for the next period of April 5 0 0 5 sperm formation (spermiogenesis) is June 1 1 0 0 underway, primary spermatocytes preAugust 2 2 0 0 dominate and occasional secondary Table 2. Monthly stages in the ovarian cycle of 25 Sauromalus hispidus. spermatocytes are seen; (3) Spermiogenesis, lumina of the seminiferous Early yolk Enlarged follicles Oviductal Month n Quiescent deposition > 5 mm eggs tubules are lined by clusters of sperm or clusters of metamorphosing sperJanuary 1 0 1 0 0 matids. Spermiogenesis occurs during March 9 8 0 1 0 spring in both species but commences April 5 1 1 0 3 in winter in S. hispidus (Tables 1, 3).

May 3 3 0 0 0 The smallest reproductively active August 2 2 0 0 0 male S. hispidus measured 206 mm September 3 3 0 0 0 SVL (SDSNH 46394) and was collected in April. The smallest reproOctober 1 1 0 0 0 ductively active male S. varius (sperDecember 1 1 0 0 0

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (5) 2012

The purpose of this paper is to present additional information on the reproductive biology of S. hispidus and S. varius from a histological examination of gonadal material from museum holdings.

40

S. hispidus (33%) and S. varius (50%) are higher, but our sample sizes are too small, Month n Regression Recrudescence Spermiogenesis and spread over many years, to make a January 2 2 0 0 meaningful statement on percentage of April 1 0 0 1 reproducing females. Goldberg and Bezy (1974) similarly, reported only part of the May 1 0 0 1 female population of the xantusid lizard, Table 4. Monthly stages in the ovarian cycle of 8 Sauromalus varius.

Xantusia riversiana (as Klauberina riversiana) Early yolk Enlarged Oviductal Month n Quiescent reproduced each year. This contrasts with deposition follicles > 5 mm eggs other North American lizards (Sceloporus January 1 0 1 0 0 vandenburgianus [as S. graciosus] and SceloMarch 1 1 0 0 0 porus jarrovii) (Goldberg 1971, 1975) in April 2 0 0 1 1 which > 90% of the female population are reproductively active. Bull and Shine May 1 0 0 1 0 (1979) listed amphibian and reptile speJuly 2 2 0 0 0 cies that did not reproduce each year and November 1 1 0 0 0 postulated that reproduction was delayed in females from resource poor habitats. According to miogenesis) measured 263 mm SV and was collected Grismer (2002), successful reproduction of S. hispidus in May (CAS 16112). It should not be considered as and S. varius is dependent on adequate rainfall and the minimum size for reproductive maturity as smaller Case (1982) found no breeding in either S. hispidus or S. varius of possible adult size were not examined.

S. varius during the dry years of 1972, 1975, or 1976.

Four stages were noted in the ovarian cycles of S. Using museum specimens Case (1982) found gravid hispidus (Table 2) and S. varius (Table 4); (1) Quiescent, females of S. hispidus and S. varius most prevalent in no yolk deposition observed; (2) Early yolk deposiwet years. In view of the limited number of females tion, basophilic yolk granules noted in ooplasm; (3) that breed per year, collections of both S. hispidus and Enlarged oocytes > 5 mm length; (4) Oviductal eggs.

S. varius should be discouraged.

Only one clutch of eggs was produced per year as We thank Christine Thacker (LACM), Bradford there was no evidence to suggest otherwise such as Hollingsworth (SDSNH), Carol Spencer (MVZ) and corpora lutea or oviductal eggs and concomitant yolk deposition for a subsequent clutch in the same female. Gens Vindum (CAS) for permission to examine Sauromalus hispidus and S. varius.

Mean clutch size for four S. hispidus was 21.5 ± 10.1 SD, range = 13-36 eggs). Mean clutch size for three S. Literature Cited varius females was 18.3 ± 6.4 SD, range = 11-23. The Berry K.H. 1974. The ecology and social behavior smallest reproductively active S. hispidus measured 219 of the chuckwalla, Sauromalus obesus obesus Baird. mm SVL (early yolk deposition) and was collected in University of California Publications in Zoology April (SDSNH 46391). The smallest reproductively 101:1-60. active female S. varius (11 enlarged follicles > 16 mm) Bull, J.J., and R. Shine. 1979. Iteroparous animals that measured 269 mm and was collected in May (CAS skip opportunities for reproduction. American 16106). Of 18 presumably mature S. hispidus females Naturalist 114:296-303. collected during January to May, six (33.3 %) exhibited Carl, G., and J.P. Jones. 1979. The eggs and hatchlings reproductive activity. Of six S. varius collected January of Sauromalus hispidus (Reptilia, Lacertilia, Iguanito May, three (50%) exhibited reproductive activity. dae). Journal of Herpetology 13:293-296.

The only presumed neonate examined was S. hispidus Case, T.J. 1982. Ecology and evolution of the insu(MVZ 161286) which measured 70 mm and was collar gigantic chuckwallas, Sauromalus hispidus and lected 9 September 1978. September captive hatchlings Sauromalus varius. Pages 184-212 in: G.M. Burghardt of S. hispidus were reported by Sylber (1985). and A.S. Rand (editors). Iguanas of the World: Both S. hispidus and S. varius exhibit spring breedTheir Behavior, Ecology, and Conservation. Noyes ing cycles which are typical of many North American Publications, Park Ridge, New Jersey, USA. temperate zone lizards, see for example (Goldberg Case, T.J. 2002. Reptiles Ecology. Pages 221-270 in: T.J. 1974). Case (2002) lists the maximum clutch size for Case, M.L. Cody and E. Ezcurra (editors). A New S. hispidus as 29 and 32 for S. varius. Our value of 36 Island Biogeography of the Sea of Cortés. Oxford follicles > 11 mm for S. hispidus collected March 1966 University Press, Oxford, UK. from Isla Mejia (SDSNH 46393) is a new maxium Goldberg, S.R. 1971. Reproductive cycle of the clutch value for this species. Only a portion of ovoviviparous iguanid lizard Sceloporus jarrovii Cope.

Sauromalus sp. females breed each spring as 8% of 82 Herpetologica 27:123-131.

S. hispidus and 16% of 70 S. varius were gravid (Case Goldberg, S.R. 1974. Reproduction in mountain and 1982). Berry (1974) reported only 32% of 47 S. obesus lowland populations of the lizard Sceloporus occidentafemales were gravid. The values presented herein for Table 3. Monthly stages in the testicular cycle of 4 Sauromalus varius.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (5) 2012

In view of the limited number of females that breed per year, collections of both S. hispidus and S. varius should be discouraged.

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lis. Copeia 1974:176-182.

Goldberg, S.R. 1975. Reproduction in the sagebrush lizard, Sceloporus graciosus. American Midland Naturalist 93:177-187.

Goldberg, S.R., and R.L. Bezy. 1974. Reproduction in the island night lizard, Xantusia riversiana. Herpetologica 30:350-360.

Grismer, L.L. 2002. Amphibians and Reptiles of Baja California, Including its Pacific Islands and the Islands in the Sea of Córtes. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, USA. Grismer, L.L., K.R. Beaman, and H.E. Lawler. 1995.

Sauromalus hispidus Stejneger Spiny Chuckwalla.

Catalogue American Amphibians and Reptiles 615.1-615.4.

Lawler, H.E., K.R. Beaman, and L.L. Grismer. 1995.

Sauromalus varius Dickerson Piebald Chuckwalla.

Catalogue American Amphibians and Reptiles 616.1-616.4.

Presnell, J.K., and M.P. Schreibman. 1997. Humason’s Animal Tissue Techniqies. 5th edition. The Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, MD, USA. Sylber, C.K. 1985. Eggs and hatchlings of the yellow giant chuckwalla and the black giant chuckwalla in captivity. Herpetological Review 16:18-21.

Appendix 1 Specimens of Sauromalus hispidus (n = 47 ) and S. varius (n = 16) from Baja California, Mexico, examined from CAS, LACM, MVZ and SDSNH Sauromalus hispidus Granito Island: LACM 19354-19356, MVZ 16506, 96627, 96628, 96642, 176034, Isla Angel de la Guarda: CAS 50958, 50965, LACM: 19352, 19353, 95417, MVZ 96627, 96628, 96642, 176034, SDSNH: 19705, 46387, 46388, 48263, 48264, 48267, 52926; Isla Mejia: CAS 53367, SDSNH: 46393-46395; Isla Piojo: MVZ 16506, 161286, 176033, 176034; Isla Pond: SDSNH 25426, 46397 46398, 46411, 46418, 50930; Isla San Lorenzo Norte: SDSNH 50932, 50933, 50936; Isla San Lorenzo Sur: SDSNH: 46390, 46391, 46392, 46408, 46410, 50927, 50929, 50934, 50935; Isla Smith: SDSNH 46382.

Sauromalus varius San Esteban Island: CAS 16106,16112, LACM 95583, MVZ 74947, 74948, 74949, 74951, 74952, 81494, 96719, SDSNH 6862, 6863, 6864, 46402, 46406, 46407.

R e c e n t ly P u b l i s h e d Pa p e r s

Heloderma suspectum (Gila Monster). Tree-Climbing.

R. A. Repp and G. W. Schuett; Herpetological Review 41(4):491-492, 2010.

T

he authors provide additional information on tree climbing of an adult Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) from a population in the Sonoran Desert of south-central Arizona. The individual discussed in this paper is the subject of an ongoing radiotelemetric study in which various features of behavior, physiology, and spatial ecology have been investigated since March 2001. On 25 April 2010, at 1205 h, in an area of interfacing bajada and desert flats, an adult male Gila Monster was radio-tracked and located beneath a moderate-sized Yellow Paloverde (Cercidium microphyllum).

Upon detection, the Gila Monster began a deliberate (non-erratic) and Radio-telemetered Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) #15 goes arboreal on 25 April consistent ascent into the tree that con2010—and earns the nickname “Tarzan”. Photo by Roger A. Repp. tinued for about 1 min; he stopped and remained on a large main branch angled at 20-35º and approximately 1.2 m above the ground. The authors were unable to determine whether the Gila Monster made his ascent to escape their presence or for other reasons, such as avoiding high ground temperatures. The authors did not locate bird nests in the tree, thus, it appears unlikely that foraging was a motivation to climb. To date, there are no observations to support arboreal foraging in H. suspectum.

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (5) 2012

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Book review

The Wildlife Techniques Manual

Howard O. Clark, Jr., Sonoran Herpetologist; editor.sonoran.herp@gmail.com Silvy N.J. (Editor). 2012. The Wildlife Techniques Manual. 2 Volumes. 7th Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore, Maryland, USA. ISBN-10: 1-4214-0159-2; ISBN-13: 978-1-4214-0159-1; Product Dimensions: 11.3 Ă— 8.9 Ă— 3.0 inches; 1136 pages. $150.00.

T

he 7th edition of The Wildlife Techniques Manual is a landmark publication that will certainly become a classic and highly recommended tool (Figure 1). The 7th edition is completely revised and updated, and for the first time appears as a two-volume set. Volume 1, with 22 chapters, covers techniques in wildlife research, and Volume 2, with 15 chapters, covers techniques in wildlife management (see Table 1 for a complete list of chapters).

Since its original publication in 1960, The Wildlife Techniques Manual, a concept created by The Wildlife Society, has remained the cornerstone text for the professional wildlife biologist. Every decade or so (Figure 2) the book is revised, edited, and updated. As new techniques are developed, new chapters are warranted. Edited by Nova J. Silvy, the new edition covers new methodologies used in the field and laboratory.

Topics include experimental design, wildlife health and disease, capture techniques, population estimation, telemetry, vegetation analysis, conservation genetics, wildlife damage management, and urban wildlife management.

As I read through the manual, one chapter in particular caught my attention: Chapter 5, use of dogs in wildlife research and management (Dahlgren 2012).

I have a keen interest in the use of dogs in conservation because I worked with a dog handler in the early 2000s searching for the often elusive San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica; Smith et al. 2006). My dog handler colleague, Dr. Deborah A. Smith, was indeed a co-author on this chapter and I was very pleased to see her work mentioned in this manual. Certainly, the use of dogs in wildlife studies would seem to be a new thing. In assuming this, I am wrong. The 4th edition was the first to have a chapter specifically on the use

of dogs in wildlife biology (Zwickel 1980). However, a chapter specific to dogs as wildlife management tools did not appear again until the 7th edition. The ebb and flow of chapter topics represents how the wildlife research community perceives demand for various field techniques and methods.

Chapter 6 is an important example of how relevant The Wildlife Techniques Manual is to current events (Sheffield 2012). At 9:45 PM, CDT, on 20 April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil drilling rig exploded and resulted in a significant oil spill along the Gulf Coast. Chapter 6 addresses how to identify and handle contaminant-related wildlife. Various contaminants are addressed including mercury, lead, cadmium, solvents, ethylene glycol, and petroleum products.

As new environmental catastrophes develop due to demands of our ever-changing world, The Wildlife Techniques Manual will be right there to provide guidance and techniques to preserve and conserve our natural resources.

The second volume of the 7th edition is key in understanding wildlife in the landscape and how it relates to the human dimension. With habitat loss, fragmentation, and modification, wildlife species are becoming displaced and have fewer places to go. The second volume discusses wildlife management in a variety of landscape types, including rangelands, inland and coastal wetlands, farmlands, and urban environments. As impacts to the remaining wildland areas continue, these chapters will become cornerstone guides for informing wildlife managers how to address a variety of wildlife management issues. Region-wide management plans will quickly become vital to the continued conservation of natural resources, and tools like Habitat Conservation Plans will (and should be

Since its original publication in 1960, The Wildlife Techniques Manual, a concept created by The Wildlife Society, has remained the cornerstone text for the professional wildlife biologist.

Figure 1. All editions of The Wildlife Techniques Manual, with the 7th edition featured as two volumes (far right).

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (5) 2012

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Table 1: List of Chapters Volume 1 Research and Analytical Techniques Chapter 1

Research and Experimental Design

Chapter 2

Management and Analysis and Wildlife Biology Data

Capture and Handling Techniques Chapter 3

Capturing and Handling Wild Animals

Chapter 4

Wildlife Chemical Immobilization

Chapter 5

Use of Dogs in Wildlife Research and Management

Chapter 6

Identifying and Handling Contaminant-related Wildlife Mortality or Morbidity

Chapter 7

Wildlife Health and Disease: Surveillance, Investigation, and Management

Identification and Marking Techniques Chapter 8

Criteria for Determining Sex and Age of Birds and Mammals

Chapter 9

Techniques for Marking Wildlife

Chapter 10

Wildlife Radiotelemetry and Remote Monitoring

Measuring Animal Abundance Chapter 11

Estimating Animal Abundance

Chapter 12

Use of Remote Cameras in Wildlife Ecology

Chapter 13

Radar Techniques for Wildlife Research

Chapter 14

Invertebrate Sampling Methods for Use in Wildlife Studies

Chapter 15

Population Analysis in Wildlife Biology

Measuring Wildlife Habitat Chapter 16

Vegetation Sampling and Measurement

Chapter 17

Modeling Vertebrate Use of Terrestrial Resources

Chapter 18

Application of Spatial Technologies in Wildlife Biology

Research on Individual Animals Chapter 19

Animal Behavior

Chapter 20

Analysis of Radiotelemetry Data

Chapter 21

Reproduction and Hormones

Chapter 22

Conservation Genetics and Molecular Ecology in Wildlife Management

Volume 2 Management Perspectives Chapter 23

Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management

Chapter 24

Communications and Outreach

Chapter 25

Adaptive Management in Wildlife Conservation

Managing Landscapes for Wildlife Chapter 26

Managing Forests for Wildlife

Chapter 27

Managing Rangelands for Wildlife

Chapter 28

Managing Inland Wetlands for Wildlife

Chapter 29

Managing Coastal Wetlands for Wildlife

Chapter 30

Managing Farmlands for Wildlife

Chapter 31

Managing Urban Environments for Wildlife

Chapter 32

Assessing and Managing Wildland Recreational Disturbance

Managing Wildlife Populations Chapter 33

Harvest Management

Chapter 34

Identification and Management of Wildlife Damage

Chapter 35

Ecology and Management of Small Populations

Chapter 36

Captive Propagation and Translocation

Chapter 37

Habitat Conservation Planning

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (5) 2012

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Figure 2. All editions of The Wildlife Techniques Manual plotted by year and edition; 1st and 2nd editions Mosby (1960, 1963); 3rd edition Giles (1969); 4th edition Schemnitz (1980); 5th edition Bookhout (1994); 6th edition Braun (2005); and 7th edition Silvy (2012).

already) be a paramount force in wildlife preservation (Randel et al. 2012).

In summary, this new and revised 7th edition could not have been published at a better time. The dynamic and changing landscape needs wildlife managers with a passion for wildlife conservation and preservation; this two volume techniques manual is a vital tool in accomplishing the goals and aspirations of local and global wildlife biologists to the betterment of our planet.

As this 7th edition is field-tested and exercised to its limits, I predict an 8th edition will soon need to be developed, as loss of habitat, disappearing biodiversity, and the ever-expanding human population will create new challenges that will need to be quickly addressed before it’s too late.

Literature Cited Bookhout, T.A., editor. 1994. Research and Management Techniques for Wildlife and Habitat. 5th Edition. Allen Press, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas, USA. Braun, C.E., editor. 2005. Techniques for Wildlife Investigations and Management. 6th Edition. Port

City Press, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Dahlgren, D.K., R.D. Elmore, D.A. Smith, A. Hurt, E. B. Arnett, and J.W. Connelly. 2012. Use of Dogs in Wildlife Research and Management. Pages 140153 in: N.J. Silvy (editor). The Wildlife Techniques Manual. 7th edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Giles, R.H., Jr., editor. 1969. Wildlife Management Techniques. 3rd Edition. Edward Brothers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Mosby, H.S., editor. 1960. Manual of Game Investigational Techniques. Edward Brothers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Mosby, H.S., editor. 1963. Wildlife Investigational Techniques. 2nd Edition. Edward Brothers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. Randel, C.J., III, H.O. Clark, Jr., D.P. Newman, and T.P. Dixon. 2012. Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitat Conservation Plans. Pages 307318 in: N.J. Silvy (editor). The Wildlife Techniques Manual. 7th edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Schemnitz, S.D., editor. 1980. Wildlife Management Techniques Manual. 4th Edition. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Silvy, N.J., editor. 2012. The Wildlife Techniques Manual. Two volumes, 7th edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Smith, D.A., K. Ralls, B.L. Cypher, H.O. Clark, Jr., P.A. Kelly, D.F. Williams, and J.E. Maldonado. 2006.

Relative abundance of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) based on scat-detection dog surveys. Southwestern Naturalist 51:210-219.

Zwickel, F.C. 1980. Use of Dogs in Wildlife Biology.

Pages 531-536 in: S.D. Schemnitz (editor). Wildlife Management Techniques Manual. 4th Edition. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.

announcement

Southwest Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (SWPARC) 2012

P lease join us for the 2012 SWPARC annual meeting, in Las Vegas, NV on 24-27 October 2012.

The Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Jeffrey Lovich. Field workshops will include Red Rock Canyon, Springs Preserve, and the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center. This year’s theme for the meeting is “Energy Development and Herpetofauna Conservation”.

Meeting link: http://www.swparc.org/meetings.html

SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 25 (5) 2012

In summary, this new and revised 7th edition could not have been published at a better time.

The dynamic and changing landscape needs wildlife managers with a passion for wildlife conservation and preservation; this two volume techniques manual is a vital tool in accomplishing the goals and aspirations of local and global wildlife biologists to the betterment of our planet.

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announcementS

10th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles The 10th Annual Symposium on the Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles will be hosted 16-19 August 2012 in Tucson, Arizona. The meeting, sponsored by Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc., is co-hosted by the Turtle Survival Alliance and the IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (TFTSG). The symposium has hosted an average of more than 200 attendees over the past six years and represents the largest gathering of

non-marine turtle biologists in the world, providing an unmatched opportunity for networking and strategizing turtle conservation.

The host city of Tucson is in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. The months of July and August bring monsoon rains that make the desert spring to life with herps, providing wonderful opportunities to see some of North America’s most charismatic reptiles.

Please visit their webstie for more information or to register http://www.turtlesurvival.org/get-involved/ conference

Field Herpetology of the Southwest Southwestern Research Station (SWRS), Portal, Arizona, 22 July to 31 July 2012 During this 9-night course, participants will gain knowledge on the outstanding biodiversity of amphibians and reptiles found in a wide diversity of habitats throughout southeastern Arizona and parts of southwestern New Mexico.

Participants will obtain hands-on experience in amphibian and reptile identification, collecting and marking techniques, and data documentation. The course also will cover specimen preparation of a full museum voucher specimen, including tissue vouchers.

Board meeting minutes

Tucson Herpetological Society Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 27 March 2012 — 7 p.m.

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

Directors present: Roger Repp (VP), Heidi Flugstad (Treasurer), René Clark (Secretary), Dennis Caldwell (Director), Jim Rorabaugh (Director), Rob Nixon (Director), Warren Savary (Director), Trevor Hare (Past President) Directors Absent: Robert Villa, Krista Schmidt, Robin Llewellyn, Trevor Hare Members Present: Ed Moll Approval of February 2012 Minutes: Flugstad moved to approve with changes, Nixon seconded. Approved.

The course is designed for students, conservation biologists, and other individuals who have a background in biology at the college level. It will emphasize taxonomy, ecology, and field identification of reptiles and amphibians of southeastern Arizona and parts of southwestern New Mexico. The course will include lectures, field trips, and labs. Collection of specimens during the course will be confined to instructors; no private collecting permitted. Visit their website for the course announcement and application form: http://research.amnh.org/swrs/herpetology-field-course

Treasurer’s Report (Flugstad): Caldwell moved to accept, Rorabaugh seconded. Approved. (as of 27 March 2012) Beginning Balance Deposits Expenses Ending Balance

$34,182.99 $222.00 $50.00 $34,354.99

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

$16,310.11 $87.32 $372.43 $1,069.00 $4,301.33 $20,800.00 $1,256.09 $4,158.71 $1,000.00

Total: (less) Savings 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.

$49,354.99 -$15,000.00 $34,354.99 $5,123.35

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Summary Report (Feb 29 to March 27, 2012) Income General Fund Membership T-shirts, hats, stickers Speaker’s Bureau

+$155.00 +$17.00 +$50.00

Total income

+$222.00

Expenses Honorarium: Amarello

-$50.00

Total expenses

-$50.00

Madrean Archipelago Conference: Edwards/Repp: Discussion about selling T-shirts at conference. Board approved donation of $500.00. Research needs to be done regarding what recognition THS would receive as a supporter. Caldwell moved for donation, and to negotiate the details. Nixon seconded. Approved.

Committee Reports Speakers Bureau (Villa/Moll) March 4. Moll manned a table with live animals and THS literature in the children’s area at Sabino Canyon’s Music in the Canyon event. Some 1200 persons attended the event. Ca. 60 children came by the table.

March 10. Schmidt, Villa, Moll, and Kris Klewen represented the THS at the Science Tent of the 2012 “Tucson Festival of Books.” Villa gave a presentation on the Sonoran Desert Toad at the Science Stage. Villa and Schmidt presented a desert kingsnake, a desert gophersnake, and a desert box turtle at the Science City area of the FoB. From 9 am - 5 pm over one thousand parents, children and adults visited the THS table.

Literature about Sonoran desert herps was handed out during the event.

March 11. Moll, Schmidt and two THS volunteers presented a desert kingsnake, a desert gophersnake, an Arizona mountain kingsnake and a hognose snake.

One thousand parents, children and adults visited the THS table. Moll had snake skulls, a snake skeleton, a lizard skeleton, and a snapping turtle shell which were used as props to explain about the morphology and behavior of reptiles in general. On both days the animals were well received by most who visited the table.

Many THS coloring books and information brochures about Living With Venomous Reptiles and Native Plants for the Desert Tortoises were handed out.

Homepage (Tuegel) – No Report.

Website, New (Savary) – No Report. Discussion about finding several price quotes, and about future web page design and functions. The committee will put together an outline. Savary will schedule a meeting and send out an e-vite to the board.

Conservation (Caldwell) – Discussion about critical habitat for the Chiricahua Leopard Frog.

Sonoran Herpetologist (Clark/Repp) – Looking for submissions. Year end reports - Everyone will get them out when they can. Don Swann is emailing erstwhile Lowe Fund recipients, requesting “deliverables.”

Membership (Llewellyn) – No Report. Discussion about issues concerning the tracking of membership.

Program (Repp for Villa): March - Melissa Amarello and Jeff Smith, Social Behavior on Rattlesnakes. April - Matt Kaplan, Genetics of Yarrow’s Spiny Lizards.

May - Repp is trying to get Dr. Phil Medica.

C.H. Lowe Fund (Rorabaugh) – Discussion about fund. No proposals have been received with only days left until the deadline. Rorabaugh will compose an email to the THS membership for new proposal ideas.

Repp will send out.

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

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

Old Business “Rattlesnake Republic” Letter of Protest - Repp/Villa Board will sign and Villa will send to the producers of the show.

New Business Tee-shirt and Hat Sales - Nixon: Repp will bring all supplies to the next general meeting. He will not take them home again.

National Herpetological Society - All Rorabaugh will email Justin to let him know that if he is available, he will attend the conference call. Rorabaugh will report back to the board.

Meeting adjourned. Caldwell moved, Flugstad seconded.

March 17. Caldwell and Flugstad presented a talk at the 2012 Yuma Tree and Landscape Expo. The topic was “Landscaping for Lizards”.

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M e m BERSHI P u p d a t e

As of May 2012 Membership Information Individual Family Student

$20 $25 $14

renewal form is below for your convenience. We look forward to seeing you at the monthly meetings.

Sustaining Contributing Life

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.

New Members Mary A. Hahurrd Morgan (Individual) Chuck Mulcahy (Family) Individual Members Trevor Persons Emily Bennett John Gray

Individual Members Robert Villa Tim Allen 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

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

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.

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

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

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