Vol. 34 (2014), No. 10

The newsletter of the

Minnesota Herpetological Society October Meeting Notice General Meeting will be October 3rd, 2014 October Speaker Steve Freedberg—Genetic Markers in Turtles Proposed Bylaw Change— page 7 Annual meeting and Elections—page 3 Book Review: The Texas Tortoise A Natural History—page 6

Current Slate of Candidates—page 3 (bottom)

October 2014

Volume 34

Number 10

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Chris Smith 612.275.9737 President@mnherpsoc.org Vice President Peter Tornquist 952.797.6515 VicePresident@MnHerpSoc.org

C/O Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church Street Southeast Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455-0104

Recording Secretary Heather Clayton 612.886.7175 RecSecretary@MnHerpSoc.org

And, you can still leave us a Voice Mail: 612.326.6516

Membership Secretary Micole Hendricks 651.356.1669 MemSecretary@MnHerpSoc.org Treasurer Nancy Haig 763.434.8684 Treasurer@MnHerpSoc.org Newsletter Editor Ellen Heck 612.750.1649 NewsletterEditor@MnHerpSoc.org Members at Large Kelli Bornholdt 612.710.5919 MemberAtLarge3@MnHerpSoc.org Rebecca Markowitz 409.750.0235 MemberAtLarge4@MnHerpSoc.org Terry Odegaard 612.840.7674 MemberAtLarge1@MnHerpSoc.org Misi Stine 952.217.1267 MemberAtLarge2@MnHerpSoc.org

COMMITTEES Adoption Sarah Richard RealSarah@aol.com

Stay informed! Join us on our forums!

The purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is to: • Further the education of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles and amphibians; • Educate the members and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; • Promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

The Minnesota Herpetological Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. Membership is open to all individuals with an interest in amphibians and reptiles. The Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter is published monthly to provide its members with information concerning the society’s activities and a media for exchanging information, opinions and resources.

General Meetings are held at Borlaug Hall, Room 335 on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, on the first Friday of each month (unless there is a holiday conflict). The meeting starts at 7:00pm and lasts about three hours. Please check the MHS Voice mail for changes in schedules or cancellations.

Submissions to the Newsletter Ads or Notices must be submitted no later than the night of the General Meeting to be included in the next issue. Longer articles will be printed as time and space allows and should be in electronic file format if possible.

See inside back cover for ad rates. Submissions may be sent to:

612.781.9544

Education Jan Larson 507.263.4391 Jan.SkunkHollow@Juno.com Fostering Nancy Haig 763.434.8684 NancHaig@CitiLink.com WebMaster Kimber Anderson WebMaster@MnHerpSoc.org Cover by Matthew L. Niemiller Cartoons by Fran Frisch

The Minnesota Herpetological Society -or- newslettereditor@mnherpsoc.org Attn: Newsletter Editor C/O Bell Museum of Natural History 10 Church St SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104

SNAKE BITE EMERGENCY HENNEPIN REGIONAL POISON CENTER 800-222-1222

© Copyright 2014, Minnesota Herpetological Society. Except where noted, contents may be reproduced for non-profit, non-commercial use only. All material must be reproduced without change. Proper credit will be given including the author/photographer and the Minnesota Herpetological Society Newsletter citing: volume, number and date.

General Meeting — Steve Freedberg October 3rd, 7:00pm; 6:30pm Social Hour Social hour begins at 6:30pm. This is a time for people to minge and catch up before the meeting starts.

What can DNA tell us about turtle populations?

While genetic research often focuses on mechanisms of inheritance and gene expression, studying “silent” genetic markers that are not expressed can reveal valuable insight into population biology and evolution. Steven Freedberg develops and uses these genetic markers to study populations of aquatic turtles in Minnesota. He will discuss three recent project that utilize genetic markers to study three very different types of questions. First, he will discuss how genetic tools can illuminate among-population movements of spiny and smooth softshell turtles in riverine systems. Then, he will describe the results of an ongoing study aimed at quantifying hybridization between common and false map turtles.

Finally, he will talk about a project that investigated the impacts of environmental sex determination on sex ratios of snapping turtles nesting in agricultural fields.

Steven Freedberg is an Associate Professor of Biology at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He obtained his PhD at Indiana University in 2003 where he studied the factors underlying sex ratio evolution in reptiles with environmental sex determination. He conducted postdoctoral work on related theoretical topics at the University of Virginia. Recently, he has been combining population genetic work in riverine turtles ( Chelydra, Graptemys, and Apalone) with mathematical modeling to examine the forces driving mutation accumulation and speciation. His students work on subjects ranging from microsatellite evolution in turtles to mutation rates in viruses.

Matt Niemiller—Tennessee Cave Salamanders Submitted by Heather Clayton Matt and others have been researching the above-mentioned salamander species for about a decade, so there is an increasingly large amount of current data on them. Much of this data shows that some species of the salamanders are more plentiful in certain areas than previously thought, and gives great insight into their life histories.

ciated with life in the dark and in slow-moving water, include reduced eyes, loss of circadian rhythms, lateral lines, and changes in pigmentation. These salamanders often have longer lifespans, and if they metamorphose at all their juvenile larval period is much longer than that of many more terrestrial salamanders. The caves these animals are in range from the Ozarks and many parts of the Appalacian Valley. Each cave is different There is comparatively little life in caves here in Minnesota verin size, appearance, resources, etc., resulting in differences in sus the Southeast, primarily due to the salamander's traits. glaciation differences in the areas.

Due to their small size, TN and One of the species Matt has been Berry Cave Salamanders are able working with is Gyrinophilus palto exploit more spaces in the caves leucus and G. gulolineatus. These are than many other animals, and in aquatic and neotinic species some places are found in high den(meaning they will not metamorsities. Classified by their lifestyles, phose). They are endemic to central most of these salamanders are and eastern Tennessee, Northern “troglobites,” meaning they spend Alabama, and northwestern Georgia. all or most of their lives in the There are two subspecies of G. paldark, under water or under leucus Matt is working with: G. p. ground. Some species return to palleucus, also known as the Pale land edges and even specific cave Salamander, has a sensory line on sites to reproduce. Most of these both sides, no patterns or blotching, salamanders never undergo metaand reduced eyes. G. p. necturoides morphosis, and most cave systems host only one species of may be spotted or blotched with variations coresponding with cave salamander. locality, but otherwise look very much like G. p. palleucus until they mature and develop more pigmentation.

Being in cave systems most or all of their lives has resulted in traits selected for by the environment. These traits, often assoOctober 2014

Volume 34 Number 10

Page 1

The Berry Cave Salamander (G. gulolineatus) has a very obvious oar-like tail, a large head, and their scientific name comes from a dark line which runs in the middle of the underside of the jaw, although this line only occurs in specimens from a particular area. This animal is only known from 7 cave sites. The Spring Salamander ranges all the way from Canada to Georgia and Alabama, often overlapping the range of Tennessee cave salamanders. They do metamorphose but this may take several years.

These animals are troglophiles, being terrestrial and aquatic. They are larger than many other local salamanders, and take advantage of that by including smaller salamanders in their diet. They have disctinct crests on their heads, and their eyes are large relative to head size when compared to other cave salamanders.

There appears to be some elevational distribution differences between species and subspecies, and every cave is different. Matt and other researchers must wear a variety of gear and equipment based on the cave type and depth they are exploring. They commonly have to wear protective wet suits due to the cold water in the caves, and are also often in very small spaces.

When they catch their target animals, they measure them, and take vital information on the animal, but often are not able to sex them unless they are seen with eggs, sperm packets, or if they are able to witness breeding.

Matt talked about some of the caves he works in next. One of these is Cruze Cave in southern Knoxville, TN. This cave holds large Spring Salamanders with exceptionally large larvae, up to 95mm. It is believed that that was a population of Berry Cave Salamanders there which integrated into a Spring Salamander group. This is not uncommon in these cave system where movement between spaces may depend on periodic flooding.

Another cave with a similar story is Frick's Cave, where genetic studies show oddities and integrades in many animals. This mixture of genes sometimes results in larvae that would not normally metamorphose, and many offspring who go through this process may die due to the stress. Mead Quarry Cave, also in Knoxville, is a concerning place because there a large spike in the pH of the water there from the mines. Matt and other researchers believe that the pH change is stressing the animals and causing metamorphosis, and many of them are dying due to this.

It used to be thought that cave salamanders were rare, and they are not necessarily common, but there are more of them Page 2

than previously thought. Past studies were conducted with different methods than now, so it is likely the researchers then were not as successful locating the animals as they are now.

Some changes include things like flipping rocks, better equipment, etc. Big Mouth cave salamanders are large enough to get tagged, for example, and they may be recaught and healthmonitored to help with population studies. For this animal it turns out there are many more than originally thought, as much as several hundred individuals. Through tracking these animals over time, researchers have created growth and longevity models, and have found that sexual maturity happens at about 3-5 years, and 70+mm.

These salamanders may live as long as 14 years in the wild, and possibly longer. Cave salamanders sometimes metamorphose naturally, often due to some environmental stress, but often to not live more than another year or so in this new form.

Reproduction has never been observed, but females protecting eggs have been seen. The body condition of the salamanders show no real change over the course of a year and seasonal changes. There are some exceptions to this depending on how much the environment and food supply changes with the seasons. These animals eat small insect larvae, small crayfish, and other salamanders. Their predators include other salamanders, fish, and crustaceans. Many of the salamanders seen have evidence of some trauma from predators or the use of cover, such as loss of a tail or toes, and will regrow these body parts.

Along with their target animals, Matt has seen many other species of herps, such as frogs like the Pickerel and Green, other salamanders, and even some snakes. Some were likely there accidentally, having fallen through a hole or being deposited there in a flooding event. Most of the animals there are meant to be there, and the most common salamander is the Eurycea. Southern Two -Lined salamanders are found in the caves as well, the first population found to reproduce in the cave system. The females head deep into the caves, the males follow, and the larvae work their way back out of the system over time. Long-Tailed and Red salamanders were also found, and the researchers were able to follow their reproductive habits as well. They were able to track 7 clutches of eggs over the year. One of their findings was that a female will go to another female's clutch and attempt to eat her eggs. The other female will defend her clutch against the mirauder. A couple other salamanders found are the Zig-Zag and Northen Slimy.

Volume 34 Number 10

October 2014

Board Positions Responsibility of All Board Members Board members must be a current active member that has reached the age of majority. Board members duties include serving on and chairing committees, working on special projects and assignments for the Board and responding to correspondence as required. Board members are also required to attend board meetings, fill in for any missing board member at meetings and monitor the voicemail messaging service on their assigned month. All Board members must abide by the Bylaws and Policies of MHS. President The President chairs the monthly general and board meetings of MHS, appoints and maintains contact with committee chairs and delegates tasks to other Board members. The President also makes a calendar of meetings, picks up and distributes the society's mail and acts as a public spokesperson for the Society. The President coordinates the common vision and goals of MHS, promoting its growth and sustainability, and upholds the Bylaws.

Vice President The Vice President is responsible for coordinating and introducing the speakers for the monthly Meetings and introducing the Critter of the Month presenters. Vice presidential duties also include assisting the President, performing the President's duties in case of absence, notifying the Newsletter editor of upcoming speakers, sending notices of monthly meetings to local newspapers and changing the voicemail message monthly.

Treasurer The Treasurer is required to maintain and balance the MHS financial accounts and keep complete records of all financial transactions. This includes collecting and depositing all income in a timely manner, producing both a monthly and an annual financial statement for the newsletter and supplying the Board with a monthly financial activity report. The Treasurer also participates in the complete yearly audit and budget.

Membership Secretary The Membership Secretary collects, maintains and updates the membership database. The Membership Secretary is also responsible for supplying a monthly summary of membership activities, maintaining a file of prior newsletters and responding to all information and membership inquiries. The Membership Secretary also maintains the name tag box.

Recording Secretary The Recording Secretary records the minutes of the monthly board and general meetings and provides summaries to the Newsletter Editor. The Recording Secretary maintains: the minutes of the board meetings, a complete archive of past newsletters, and a listing of the inventory of MHS supplies, fixtures and goods. Other duties include chairing the Election Committee and providing an annual summary of any unresolved action items.

Newsletter Editor The Newsletter Editor edits submissions, enters monthly business, and prepares the MHS newsletterg. The Editor also solicits articles, items of interest and advertising. The Editor is responsible for the appearance of the newsletter.

Members-At-Large / Immediate Past President The Members-At-Large participate in the decision making process, volunteer for projects or committees. The MembersAt-Large perform other duties as assigned by the President. The Immediate Past President will serve as an advisor to the new board.

The election will be held at the November meeting on the 3rd at 7:00pm. To be eligible to vote, you must be 18 years old and a member in good standing. Members must be present to vote; no proxy votes are allowed.

If you are interested in running for a board position or have questions regarding the election, please contact Heather Clayton RecSecretary@MnHerpSoc.org. If you would like more information on any position, feel free to contact the board member who currently holds that position.

Current Slate of Candidates: President: VACANT Vice President: VACANT Treasurer: Rae Jacobs Rueber Membership Secretary: VACANT October 2014

Recording Secretary: VACANT Newsletter Editor: Ellen Heck Members At Large: Lois Hall, Jeff LeClere, Chris Smith, Emily Roberts Volume 34 Number 10

Page 3

The Quick and the Dead Some tropical reptiles may be able to adapt quickly to climate change rather than go extinct as widely expected, a study finds. The research is the first direct measurement of climate-driven natural selection on the thermal physiology of a wildlife species -- in other words, survival of the fittest in an increasingly warm world. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140915153830.htm

How Amphibians Crossed Continents A professor has succeeded in constructing a first-of-its-kind comprehensive diagram of the geographic distribution of amphibians, showing the movement of 3,309 species between 12 global ecoregions. Armed with DNA sequence data, he sought to accurately piece together the 300-million -year storyline of their journey. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140804123214.htm

Tiny New Rainforest Frog Molecular analysis helps scientists discover and describe a tiny new species of narrow-mouthed frog from the genus Chiasmocleis. The news species, Chiasmocleis quilombola is named after the quilombos -- communities constituted by and used as refuges for slaves who had the brevity to escape in colonial Brazil. http://www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2014/07/140724112600.htm

Page 4

Volume 34 Number 10

October 2014

MHS Reports and Announcements Treasurer's Report for August 2014

August Adoption Report

prepared By Nancy Haig

For the sept meeting we had 38 new animals including: Several Bearded Dragons, a Leopard Gecko, Red Tegu (adult), Russian Tortoise, Asian Box Turtle, Snapping turtle, 2 Sulcata Tortoies, Mud turtle, Western Painted, Yellow Belly Slider, several Red-eared sliders, California Kingsnake, Cornsnakes, Burmese Python (large), Common Boas, Ball Pythons.

And 13 returning fosters: Alligator, Ball Pythons, Reeves Turtle, Peninsula Cooter, Southern Painted turtle, 2 Red foot Tortoises,and a cornsnake.

A total of 51 animals were at the Sept meeting. 19 of the new animals were adopted including most of the Bearded Dragons, Tegu, Leopard Gecko, Tortoises, and cornsnakes. The Redeared sliders and Alligator were out-sourced. Only 4 of the returning fosters were adopted leaving several Ball Pythons, the Common Boas, and a few aquatic turtles in foster for next month.

Do you really like Rats?

Beginning Balance

Raffle Donations Hands Ons Renfest Donations Membership Rodent Sales Total Income

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

79.00 215.00 106.00 565.68 300.00 407.00 1,672.68

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

53.10 50.00 176.99

$

280.09

$

1,392.59

$

1,598.10

$ $ $ $ $

1,598.10 17,212.43 151.27 900.00 175.00

Expense Grants/donations Adoption Newsletter printing Newsletter postage Program Rodent cost equiptment (donation boxes)

Ending Balance

Our speaker for November is Paul Brown, giving a talk on Garter Snakes of Isle Royale, the largest island in Lake Superior.

205.51

Income:

The MHS is looking for someone to take over processing the rodent orders for the Friday meeting pick-up. The job involves storing and repackaging the frozen rodents into the members’ acct debit orders and delivering them to the Friday night meeting. Comes Total Expense complete with a 50” x 34” x 22” chest freezer. For more information please contact Nancy Haig treasurer@mnherpsoc.org Cash Increase/Decrease

November Speaker

$

Placement of cash holdings Checking Savings Paypal Transfer to checking Cash on hand

http://www.nps.gov/isro/naturescience/reptiles.htm

Looking for a few good MHSers Total

$ 20,036.80

Do you attend all monthly MHS meetings (or nearly so)?

Are you willing to volunteer a few extra hours per month to support MHS' mission?

Board Meeting

If yes, the MHS Board of Directors needs you!

The board meeting will be held 6pm October 4th in the St Paul Student Union.

Please contact Chris Smith at President@mnherpsoc.org with any questions.

Everyone is welcome to attend the board meeting. If you think you may be interested in running for a position, we encourage you to come check it out.

October 2014

Volume 34 Number 10

Page 5

Book Review—The Texas Tortoise: A Natural History.

Francis L. Rose and Frank W. Judd. 2014.

University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-8061-4451-1. $39.95 cloth/dust jacket The Texas Tortoise is the first book devoted to this little known North American tortoise. The authors Francis Rose and Frank Judd have decades of field work on the Texas Tortoise and Texas ecology. I was looking forward to reading about this interesting tortoise, but was slightly discouraged when in the preface the authors stated the Speckled Padlopers (Homopus sp.) were from Australia. They are native to South Africa. There are no tortoises in Australia. The authors also mention in Chapter 12 that tortoises are found in Australia. This is a major error for a tortoise book and changed the way I read the book.

The book is arranged in twelve chapters, covering all aspects of the tortoise’s biology, natural history, and conservation.

The first chapter on General Description and Phylogenetic Relationships discussed the relationship of the Texas Tortoise to the other North American Tortoises. The Texas Tortoise is the smallest of the Genus and has the lowest reproduction. The chapter on Geographic Range and Habitats talks about the association of the tortoise to the Tamaulipan Biotic Province. Map 3 in the chapter is supposed to show that association, but is overly simplified with a generalized range line and only the southern boundary of the biotic province shown. Dixon (2014, Amphibians and Reptiles of Texas, 3 rd ed.) has a more detailed map and a better explanation of the tortoise’s range and the problem of extralimital records. I had expected this book to have a detailed map showing current and historic records. The description of the biotic province provides good information on the habitats the tortoise uses.

The Animal Associates and Relationship chapter discusses the relationships between tortoises and other animals whether they are predators, parasites, competitors for food or commensals. The authors go into detail on the woodrat-tortoise relationship. The Morphology and Anatomy chapter gives a detailed account of the skeletal and soft tissue organs and systems. The Size, Growth, and Sexual Dimorphism; Sensory Modalities: and Temperature Regulation, Water Use and Retention, and Photoperiod Response chapters give detailed, sometimes overly detailed information on basic biology.

The Behavior chapter discusses male to male combat and its role in courtship and mating. Home range, movements, and dispersal in the Texas Tortoise are examined. The Population Ecology Chapter takes the mating section from the Behavior chapter and expands it to mating seasons, clutch size, and reproductive cycles.

The final chapters on Environmental Resistance to Tortoise Survival; Conservation, Monitoring and Maintenance; and the Future: Species Significance and Bearing give a look into the continued survival of the Texas Tortoise in the face of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation and climate change. The authors express their concerns about captive populations and their role in conservation. The one hope they raised was that as long as there are large cattle ranches, there should be tortoises wandering around south Texas.

The book gives a good overview of the Texas Tortoise. Biologists and conservationists specifically interested in Texas Tortoises would definitely want to have this book. Those with a more general interest in North American Tortoises may want to look for a more generalized text.

Reviewed by: John Moriarty Three Rivers Park District Plymouth, MN 55441

Page 6

Volume 34 Number 10

October 2014

Proposed Bylaw Change From: Section 7.02

Disbursements. The Treasurer shall be authorized to make disbursements on accounts and expenses provided for the budget for an event in an amount not to exceed $500.00, or provided for in the budget for the general office purposes in an amount not to exceed $100.00. All disbursements shall be by check. The Board shall authorize all other disbursements. Checks shall be signed by any two Directors.

To: Section 7.02.

7.025

Disbursements. The President, Vice President, and Treasurer are the only authorized Directors that can disburse funds.

Authorized Directors can make disbursements in an amount not to exceed $250. The Board shall authorize all other disbursements.

Rationale: This change is intended to update the bylaws to better reflect current MHS financial disbursement practices, including the use of the MHS debt card and electronic banking accounts (PayPal and Square Up).

FYI—The Minnesota Herpetological Society is governed by Bylaws and Policies. The Bylaws are the foundation of the society and require a vote by the membership. Policies can be changed by a vote of the Board. http://www.mnherpsoc.com/content/bylaws-minnesota-herpetological-society http://www.mnherpsoc.com/content/mhs-general-policies

Upcoming Hands-on Event Schedule 3M Teacher’s Workshop—Friday October 3rd, 2014. 3pm-6pm. 3M Center, Maplewood, MN 3M Family Day– Saturday October 4th, 2014. 11am-3pm. 3M Center, Maplewood, MN Sherburne Wildlife Festival—Saturday October 4th, 2014. 10am-3pm.

Chuck & Don’s—Saturday October 4th, 2014. Mahtomedi, MN Fields Leadership Day—Monday October 6, 2014. 8am-2:30pm. McColl’s Pond, Savage, MN Lark Toy Store Saturday October 11th, 2014. 1pm to 4pm. 63604 170th Ave., Kellog, MN Plymouth Pet Expo—Saturday October 23rd, 2014. 9am-4pm. Plymouth Creek Activity Center, 14800 35th Ave N Plymouth, MN

Here’s the deal- Bring your herp(s) to one of the shows listed above, and talk about them. That’s it! You don’t have to be an expert, you’re not giving speeches. Most of the time you will find that people are more than open to hearing about our misrepresented critters.

Contact Jan at Jan.SkunkHollow@Juno.com for details or if interested in signing up. Or sign up on the website. Contact Jan or check online for the latest hands-in opportunities!

October 2014

Volume 34 Number 10

Page 7

Online Classifieds In addition to ads in the newsletter, MHS provides online classifieds via the forums. A valid login (provided to current members) is required to both post and read ads. http://www.mnherpsoc.org/forums/members/classifieds Page 8

Volume 34 Number 10

October 2014

Minnesota Herpetological Society Membership Application New

Name

Renewal

Address

Membership #

City, State, Zip Phone

Type Check #

Email

List in MHS Directory? Yes No

Herp related interests

Active Memberships: Sustaining ($60/year)

Contributing ($40/year) Basic ($20/year)

Corresponding Memberships: Commercial ($25/year, 2 business card ads/year) Required check info. Drivers Lic #

State

DOB

Please enclose the proper payment with your application. Make checks payable to MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY. Membership is for 12 months from the date of approval. A receipt will be sent only upon request.

Mail To: Minnesota Herpetological Society, C/O BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing.

Rodents!

Order your MHS Rodents today!

Ordering by phone? See the new phone number below.

Mice

Weight

Price

Pinkies

2-3 grams

$7/dz

Fuzzies

5-7 grams

$7/dz

Hoppers

8-11 grams

$8/dz

Adult

25-30 grams

$10/dz

Jumbo Adult

45+ grams

$14/dz

Rats

Weight

Price

Small Adult

50-60 grams

$18/dz

Med. Adults

125-150 grams

$22/ 10 rats

Large Adult

200-240 grams

$17/ 6 rats

may be resubmitted.

Jumbo

250-350 grams

$16/ 5 rats

Submissions: All advertisements should be submitted to the MHS Membership Secretary at the general

For pickup at monthly meetings only. Orders may be placed via: 1. At the meeting for the following month 2. Online at www.MnHerpSoc.org

Orders MUST be placed 10 days in advance of the meeting to guarantee availability. We no longer keep an inventory of rodents on hand, so if you attempt to place an order after the deadline, there is no way to fill it.

Advertising Policies MHS Ad Policy: The MHS assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY regarding the health or legality of any animal, or the quality or legality of any product or service advertised in the MHS Newsletter. Any ad may be rejected at the discretion of the Newsletter Editor. Due to space limitations, unpaid and complimentary advertisements are subject to occasional omission.

Classified Ads: All active members are allowed a classified ad, run free of charge as space permits. Ads may be run three (3) consecutive months, after which time they

meeting or mailed to: Minnesota Herpetological Society, C/O Bell Museum of Natural History. 10 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Deadline is the night of the General Meeting for inclusion in the next newsletter. Make checks payable to: Minnesota Herpetological Society.

Advertising Costs Size Cost Business Card Sized $5/month or $55/year* 1/4 Page $10/month or $110/year* 1/2 Page $20/month or $220/year* Full Page $40/month or $440/year*

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY C/O BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SE MINNNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

Next Meeting: Friday October 3rd - 7:00 pm Room 335 Borlaug Hall, U of M St. Paul Campus Save the dates!

Friday October 3rd —General Meeting 7pm Friday November 7th—General Meeting 7pm Midwest Symposium—October 17th-19th MHS Voice Mail: 612.326.6516 MHS Web Page: www.MnHerpSoc.org

This newsletter is printed on recycled paper