John grew up in Northern Virginia and Southern California.

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1 Volume 21 April 2008 Number 4 t h i s m o n t h s g u e s t s p e a k e r John Porter Reproductive Behavior in Huachuca Mountain Rattlesnakes 7:15 PM Tuesday, 15th April University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street John grew up in Northern Virginia and Southern California. When not in school, he spent most of his time exploring the woods and canyons in his neighborhoods. He caught his first snake at the age of seven and has been hooked ever since. John began his rattlesnake studies in 1969 driving the desert roads of Anza-Borrego, where he plotted sightings against habitat types and evaluated the effects of lunar cycles on snake numbers. That same year he began a survey of Red Diamond, Southern Pacific, and Southwestern Speckled rattlesnakes at several den sites in San Diego County. This study continues to this day. In 1983 John visited the Huachuca Mountains and began an intensive survey of the mountain rattlesnakes found there. This work is also on-going. John moved from San Diego to Sierra Vista, Arizona, in 1992 and currently lives in Ramsey Canyon. He builds custom cabinets for a living, which allows him to take time off to pursue his snake studies. John Porter in the field. Photo by Chuck Rau. Sonoran Herpetologist Local Research News The Sonoran Herpetologist welcomes short reports for our Local Research News, a regular feature in our journal. We are interested in articles that can update our readers on research about amphibians and reptiles in the Sonoran Desert region. These articles need be only a few paragraphs long and do not need to include data, specific localities, or other details. The emphasis should be on how science is being applied to herpetological questions. Also, if you have seen an article published elsewhere in a peerreviewed journal and would like to share it with others, feel free to submit a summary or forward the citation. Style and format are informal (see Sonoran Herpetologist July or September 2006 issues for examples). Please submit your observations to Roy Averill-Murray (averill-murray@ sbcglobal.net). Submissions should be brief and in electronic form. n e x t m o n t h s g u e s t s p e a k e r Multiple Speakers Herpetological Potpourri Natural History Observations on Herps of the Sonoran Desert Tuesday, 20th May 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 21 (4)

2 P a t r o n y m s o f t h e P i o n e e r W e s t A Tale of Two Texas Ratsnakes (or are they Gophersnakes?) XVI. Elaphe [Pantherophis] bairdi (Yarrow, 1880) Baird s Ratsnake XVII. Elaphe [Pantherophis] obsoleta lindheimeri (Baird and Girard, 1853) Texas Ratsnake Edward O. Moll Tucson, Arizona, USA. e.o.moll@att.net Baird s can be likened to a serpentine Dr. Jekyll and the Texas Ratsnake to Mr. Hyde. Texas might well be considered the ratsnake capital of the United States. At least six snakes with a Texas zip code have at sometime in their history shared the generic name of Elaphe: the Trans-Pecos Ratsnake (Bogertophis subocularis; see Patronym XIV), Baird s Ratsnake (E. bairdi), Slowinski s Cornsnake (E. slowinskii), Great Plains and Southwestern Ratsnakes (E. guttata emoryi and E. g. meahllmorum, respectively, synonomized as E. emoryi), and Texas Ratsnake (E. obsoleta) (Werler and Dixon, 2000, with updated taxonomy by Crother et al., 2003). Herein I deviate from my usual practice of highlighting a single patronym and instead will feature two of these lone-star ratsnakes (so many patronyms so little time). This article examines sister-species, Baird s Ratsnake and Texas Ratsnake (E. obsoleta lindheimeri), named in honor of two engrossing historical figures, Spencer Fullerton Baird and Frederick Jacob Lindheimer. Adult Texas Ratsnakes are distinguishable from Baird s by their black crown and a median row of large, dark body blotches. Baird s has a light crown and a striped body pattern. Juveniles of both species share a blotched pattern, but Baird s has more blotches. The Texas Ratsnake is one of the state s longest snakes, attaining lengths exceeding 7 feet (218 cm). Baird s barely reaches a length of 5 feet and typically ranges between 28 and 42 inches ( cm). Like other native ratsnakes, both are constrictors that tend to feed on endothermic prey. Rodents are most prominent in the Baird s carte du jour along with a sampling of birds, eggs, and the occasional lizard. Texas Ratsnakes eat rodents, rabbits, and some birds. Its local name, chicken snake, is largely undeserved but, like the proverbial fox, should a ratsnake be left guarding the hen house, it is not likely to turn up its tongue at the windfall. Despite a close relationship, these two could hardly be more divergent in demeanor. Baird s can be likened to a serpentine Dr. Jekyll and the Texas Ratsnake to Mr. Hyde. Whereas the former s calm, laid-back manner has made it a favorite of collectors and breeders, Texans often refer to their namesake ratsnake as one of the meanest snakes alive. Along with its proclivity to bite, a Texas Ratsnake responds to capture by writhing over its captor while simultaneously discharging generous amounts of a malodorous blend of feces/caudal gland exudate capable of repulsing all but the most olfactorally-impaired. Behavioral differences are but one area of deviation. Baird s is a relatively rare habitat specialist, restricted to a limited range in northwestern Mexico and west-central Texas. Its narrow habitat range Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer, includes rocky (igneous or limestone), wooded canyons and forested uplands. By contrast, the Texas Ratsnake is a highly successful generalist that is regularly encountered in both town and country from Louisiana through the eastern two-thirds of Texas. Its broad habitat array includes the bayous and swampland of its eastern range to stream valleys and rocky canyons of the western portion. While both are adept climbers, the Texas Ratsnake is characterized as semi-arboreal. Key habitat requisites include oak trees and rodents. As for taxonomic history, the Texas Ratsnake was recognized first by S.F. Baird and C.F. Girard in their 1853 Catalogue of North American Reptiles Part I. Snakes (the only part ever to be published). 38 SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4) 2008

3 They named it Scotophis lindheimeri after the collector, Ferdinand Jacob Lindheimer. Although known chiefly as a botanist, Lindheimer provided a total of 15 snake specimens representing 9 species from central Texas that were acknowledged in the Catalogue. In 1883 Garmen demoted the taxon lindheimeri to a subspecies of the Black Ratsnake Elaphe obsoleta. Current taxonomy (Crother et al., 2003) is based on Burbrink s (2001) division of E. obsoleta into three species, with no subspecies, based on morphological and mtdna evidence. Baird s Ratsnake was described by Henry Crècy Yarrow (Patronym VII) in an 1880 paper by E.D. Cope on the Texas fauna. The snake was initially given the name Coluber bairdi and was dedicated to Prof. S.F. Baird, director of the Smithsonian Institution. Yarrow was serving under Baird as honorary curator of herpetology at the time of this description and wanted to honor his friend and mentor as Baird had honored so many others with patronyms. Considering the important role played by Baird in the collecting and naming of the Western herpetofauna, it seems surprising that Elaphe bairdi is the only U.S. amphibian or reptile named in his honor. However, one cannot feel too sorry for him in this regard, as he does have a crab, 5 fish, 3 birds, 2 mammals, and a glacier named after him. The name Elaphe bairdi was first used in the 1917 Stejneger and Barbour checklist. It temporarily became a subspecies of Elaphe obsoleta based upon a recommendation by Dowling in his 1952 taxonomic study of the genus. However, Conant and Collins restored it to a full species in their 1991 field guide. The history of the ratsnake genus has been considerably more convoluted than that of the specific epithets. At the outset, ratsnakes sported a variety of aliases including Callopeltis, Coluber, Elaphis, Natrix, Pantherophis, Pityophis, and Scotophis. However, the name Elaphe, first introduced in 1833 by Fitzinger, has had the greatest staying power, epitomizing the generic designation for both new and old world ratsnakes since early in the 20 th Century. A few deviant forms have split off into their own genera (e.g., Senticolis, Bogertophis) but, for the most part, the group has remained remarkably stable. Enter the age of molecular taxonomy, when splitting has elevated to a new art form. In this age any taxon (such as Elaphe) with diverse species ranging over multiple continents is ripe for the splitting. Predictably, once this genus was discovered, the molecular taxonomists leapt into action. Exercising their mystical powers and with a wave of a magic pipette, the long-used and widely-recognizable name Elaphe was detached from the North American species and replaced with the alien and unfamiliar name, Pantherophis (see Utiger et al., 2002). Then before anyone could get used to this name, a competing group of molec techs, not to be outdone, constructed their own phylogeny indicating that the use of Pantherophis was in violation of the cladist s 11 th commandment -- Thou shalt not commit paraphyly (see Burbrink and Lawson, 2006). According to their phylogenetic tree, the Gophersnake (Pituophis) and the Foxsnake (Pantherophis) were sister species. Hence gophersnakes became congeneric with the Cornsnake and other ratsnakes. Further, as Pituophis (Holbrook, 1842) predates Pantherophis (Fitzinger, 1843), it becomes the accepted genus. The magic pipette has waved once again, miraculously transforming the ratsnakes into gophersnakes. Should you not like this change, don t worry. With molec Spencer Fullerton Baird, techs running amok, it is only a matter of time before publication of still another taxonomic study and phylogeny for the genus. We can only hope that, when the smoke clears, ratsnakes will again be ratsnakes, gophersnakes will be gophersnakes, and never the twain shall meet. On the other hand the way things are going ratsnakes may turn out to be kingsnakes. Fortunately, this feature emphasizes patronyms, so let me dispense with this depressing and confusing game of taxonomical musical chairs and instead provide biographical accounts of the men for which our taxa were named. Both are intriguing in their own way. Federick Jacob Lindheimer is today known as The Father of Texas Botany. However, his early life gives few clues to such leanings. Born in Germany in Although known chiefly as a botanist, Lindheimer provided a total of 15 snake specimens. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4)

4 Over his career Lindheimer is credited with discovery of several hundred plant species and, of course, one exceedingly ornery ratsnake. A Texas ratsnake in greeting mode. Photo courtesy of Gary Nafis, CaliforniaHerps.com. 1802, he attended the University of Weisbanden, then studied law at Jena and philology at Bonn. He then became a teacher at the Bunsen Institute until political activity, as a reformer, got him into trouble with both his family and the government. In 1834 he immigrated to the United States as a political refugee and settled first in a German community in Belleville, Illinois. Next he moved on to New Orleans and then to Vera Cruz, Mexico, where he became a plantation manager. At this time he began collecting plants and insects. Some of the plant specimens were sent to George Englemann, a friend, countryman, medical doctor, and well-known botanist who resided in St. Louis. After a few years of farming in Mexico and the U.S., Lindheimer concluded that he preferred collecting to growing. Determined to earn a living at the former, he contacted Englemann for help. Englemann provided him with training and helped to set up an arrangement with Asa Gray, the famed Harvard botanist who agreed to pay Lindheimer eight dollars per hundred specimens. Thus in 1843, Lindheimer loaded up a twowheeled, horse-drawn, covered cart with provisions and, armed with a rifle, set off with his two dogs to scour the wilds of Texas for plants. Over the next nine years this was his chief occupation, at times going a month or more without seeing another human being. Likely, he also sold non-plant specimens, such as reptiles, to other institutions. This would explain how the Smithsonian ended up with his collection of 15 snakes that included his namesake ratsnake. It seems that Lindheimer didn t spend all of this time in the field between 1843 and He married Eleanor Reinartz in 1846 and they had three children in 1847, 1849, and 1851, respectively. Just how much time Ferdinand did spend in the field after marriage is unclear, but there is one report that he may have left his wife and first-born son for as long as 15 months. As Ferdinand and Eleanor went on to have three more children, one can only surmise that naturalists wives were more understanding in those days. In 1852 Lindheimer settled down in New Braunfels, Texas, becoming a vocal and controversial editor of the local German language newspaper for the next 20 years. He died December 2, Over his career Lindheimer is credited with discovery of several hundred plant species and, of course, one exceedingly ornery ratsnake. The patronym of our other snake, Elaphe bairdi, honors one of the giants of natural history, Spencer Fullerton Baird (1823 to1887). One cannot speak about the history of the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. National Museum, or herpetology of the western states without paying homage to S.F. Baird. If he had been reincarnated, Baird likely returned as a pack rat. Beginning as a preteen, Spencer became an inveterate collector of natural history specimens. His collection, along with that of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition (a grand seafaring expedition of the Pacific covering 87,000 miles from the Antarctic sea to the The Texas ratsnake, an adaptable climber. Photo courtesy of Clint The Snake Man Pustejovsky. 40 SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4) 2008

5 North American coast from 1838 to 1842), eventually formed the foundation for the Smithsonian natural history collection. But this is getting ahead of our story. At age 13 the precocious Baird enrolled at Dickinson College in his home state of Pennsylvania. Here he received his AB in 1840 and MA in In between these degrees, Baird enrolled in Medical School, based on the advice of his brother who told him, There is no living in ornithology. However, medicine could not compete with natural history and he soon returned to his life-long passion. From 1844 to 1848 Baird served as Professor of Natural History and Chemistry at his alma mater, a position that paid chiefly in prestige rather than salary. (Nothing has changed very much for those of us carrying on the natural history tradition). During his college years Baird wrote John James Audubon stating, I am but a boy and very inexperienced. He went on to describe two species of flycatchers that defied identification. Both proved to be new species. Audubon was impressed and began a collaboration with the keen young naturalist. Baird regularly traveled to the major centers of natural science in the New World (Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C.), meeting many of the great naturalists of the time (e.g., Agassiz, Brewer, Cassin, Dana, Gray, Lawrence, Leidy, Marsh). Not only did he impress these esteemed scientists, but many became life-long friends. These circumstances positioned him well in 1850 when, at age 23, his dream job, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, became available. Baird s naturalist friends made sure that Smithsonian Secretary, Joseph Henry, was well aware of the young naturalist and his abilities, making him a shoo-in for the appointment. Although he was a great choice, Baird and Henry often did not see eye to eye on the mission of the Smithsonian (i.e., the increase and diffusion of knowledge among men). A case in point was the museum function. Whereas Henry felt that museums did not fit the mission, he allowed that the Institution might hold holotypes of each newly described taxon; conversely, Baird yearned to build as large a collection as possible. In the final analysis, Baird s view seems to have prevailed. In 1850 when he was hired, the Smithsonian natural history collection numbered 6000 specimens. In 1861 when collecting stopped briefly due to the Civil War, it had grown to some 150,000 specimens. How Baird managed to Baird s ratsnake, a serpentine Dr. Jekyll. Photo courtesy of Blain Eaton, South Texas Herp Association. increase the collection size 25 fold in 10 years is an amazing story that begins with his choice of a wife. In 1846, the year that the Smithsonian was founded, Spencer married Mary Churchill, daughter of the Inspector General of the Army. Now, an idealist would not question that our hero s motives for this union were anything but romantic. However, a realist, knowing Baird s passion for collecting and collections, might at least suspect that he may have had an epiphany, foreseeing how useful the general could be to one interested in obtaining collections from the newly opened West. Whether or not this epiphany occurred, it is history that General Churchill instructed the army to collect on behalf of the Smithsonian. Further, Baird regularly used his fatherin-law s position to place naturalists, often trained by himself, in frontier forts (many as surgeons), and as members of expeditions by the Army and the Corps of Topographical Engineers as they mapped, explored and opened up the West. Later, Baird s collectors were placed on Pacific railroad surveys and the four great geological/mapping surveys. Baird had metamorphosed from a mere packrat who did his own collecting to a Collector of Collectors. His stable of collectors included notables such as Janus Xantus, Willam B. Emory, R.B. Marcy, George McClellan, Darius Couch, David Farragut, George Hammond, Howard Stansbury, Henry Crècy Yarrow, and thanks to his father-in-law the whole US Army. From 1852 to 1854 alone, Baird received materials and information from 26 separate expeditions. In addition to continually augmenting the collections, Baird led the way in establishing a major program of publications on natural history subjects. In his view, the quality of a publication depended upon both text and illustrations. He further felt that high-quality illustrations would increase the likelihood that Congress would fund additional expeditions. Known for his meticulous description and technique, Baird provided a standard for future generations of biologists to emulate. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4)

6 Skeletochronology was an inaccurate tool for estimating age in this population of A. tigrinum nebulosum because it grossly underestimated age. Thus, well-illustrated, natural history results typically accompanied the published findings of each expedition as separate addenda. Many of these reports were written by Baird himself and/or his sidekick Charles Girard. Known for his meticulous description and technique, Baird provided a standard for future generations of biologists to emulate. His best-known herpetological work is the Catalogue of North American Reptiles, which was coauthored by Charles Girard. Baird s many responsibilities only increased with age. He became the curator of the newly formed U.S. National Museum in In 1874, he became the 1 st Commissioner of the U.S. Department of Fish and Fisheries. Then in 1878, upon Joseph Henry s death, he became Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. At the time of his death in 1887, Baird had published 1063 papers, the National Museum had burgeoned to 2.5 million specimens, and under his direction the prestigious Woods Hole Marine Biological Station had been established in Massachusetts. Over his long career, the packrat progressed to a collector of collectors, then became one of the most influential biologists of his time, and finally reached the zenith of his career by bestowing his name to the Dr. Jeckyll of ratsnakes. Sources Burbrink, F.T Systematics of the Eastern Ratsnake complex (Elaphe obsoleta). Herpetological Monographs 15:1-53. Burbrink, F.T., and R. Lawson How and when did Old World ratsnakes disperse into the New World. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 43: Crother, B.I., J. Boundy, J.A. Campbell, K. de Quieroz, D. Frost, D.M. Green, R.Highton, J.B. Iverson, R.W. McDiarmid, P.A. Meylan, T.W. Reeder, M.E. Seidel, J.W. Sites, Jr., S.G. Tilley, and D.B. Wake Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico: update. Herpetological Review 34: Evans, H.E Pioneer naturalists. Henry Holt and Company, New York. Goyne, M.A A life among the Texas flora. Texas A&M, College Station. Youssef, R Spencer Baird of the Smithsonian. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C. Werler, J.E., and J.R. Dixon Texas Snakes, Identification, Distribution, and Natural History. University of Texas Press, Austin. Yarrow, H.C Coluber bairdi. P. 41 in E. D. Cope. On the Zoological Position of Texas. Washington: Government Printing Office. C U R R E N T R E S E A R C H s u m m a r i e s Accuracy of Skeletochronology in the Arizona Tiger Salamander Data on the age of individuals is important for understanding the ecology of wildlife populations, including the construction of life tables and evaluation of age structure. Skeletochronology is the most commonly used tool for evaluating the age of amphibians and reptiles. This technique uses stained crosssections of long bone, which allow visualization of lines of arrested growth (LAG). Studies of a variety of amphibian taxa suggest that each LAG corresponds to an annual resting growth period and that the number of LAG represents the age of the animal. Because LAG are clearly visible in bones such as phalanges, the determination of age only requires the removal of a toe, allowing the animal to be released with minimal trauma. However, the accuracy of skeletochronology is questionable because few studies have used individuals of known age to calibrate their results. The authors of the current study assessed the accuracy of skeletochronology by using individual Arizona Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum) of known ages, varying from 2 to 15 years. They analyzed cross-sections of salamander toes to compare the number of LAG to the actual age of known cohorts. The number of LAG in relation to actual age varied by 0 2 LAG in younger age classes, but only one of 14 individuals had LAG equalling its actual age. In older age classes, all skeletochronological estimates varied by 5 11 LAG compared to actual age. They observed resorption of the innermost LAG in all individuals, with the most extensive resorption occurring in individuals greater than 12 years. Rapprochement (compaction of LAG as a result of reduced growth rate, which creates difficulty in accurately counting the number of LAG) also occurred in some older individuals. Skeletochronology was an inaccurate tool for estimating age in this population of A. tigrinum nebulosum because it grossly underestimated age. These authors research indicates that skeletochronological studies that do not use individuals of known age for calibration may underestimate age. Eden, C.J., H.H. Whiteman, L. Duobinis-Gray, and S.A. Wissinger Accuracy assessment of skeletochronology in the Arizona Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum). Copeia 2007: SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4) 2008

7 A n n o u n c e m e n t s Gila Monster Records from California The Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) is widely distributed in parts of the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, but is rare in California. However, during the last 153 years, as many as 26 credible records have been documented from four California counties. Habitat in which the species has been observed in California is characterized by rocky, deeply incised topography, in most cases, associated with large and relatively high mountain ranges. Most localities are associated with riparian areas (including the lower Colorado River) and range from near sea level to over 1,200 m (>3,900 ft). All records except one (Mojave River) occur east of about 116º longitude. Records documented with photographs or museum specimens generally show color patterns diagnostic of the geographically expected subspecies H. s. cinctum. The distribution of the species in California suggests an invasion into the high mountain ranges of the northeastern Mojave Desert during the last interglacial via the Colorado River corridor. The authors also explored patterns of climate relative to the current distribution of the Gila Monster in California. Precipitation is decidedly biphasic east of 116º longitude, with over 24% falling in the warm season. Warm season precipitation data from recording stations closest to Gila Monster localities (32.5%) are almost identical to those in western Arizona (39.7%) where the species is more common. Summer precipitation may be important in the foraging ecology of the species. However, Gila Monsters have yet to be recorded from other mountain ranges east of 116º longitude, including the Granite, Whipple, Turtle, and Chemehuevi mountains. These ranges warrant further scrutinty in efforts to clarify the species distribution within California. Gila Monsters were probably already rare in California long before the arrival of Europeans due to changes in climate and landform that delimited the marginal location of California in the range of this species. Fortunately, most of the habitat for this species in California is protected or relatively free from human disturbance. Lovich, J.E., and K.R. Beaman A history of Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum cinctum) records from California with comments on factors affecting their distribution. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 106: New SSAR Herpetological Review Section on Distribution of Chytridiomycosis A special section on Amphibian Chytridiomycosis Geographic Distribution has been developed for Herpetological Review. This section offers a timely outlet for streamlined presentation of research exploring the distribution and prevalence of the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Bd is an emerging infectious disease linked to mass mortality of amphibians worldwide, yet Bd detections in amphibians with no symptoms also are known in many areas. To aid in our understanding of the scope of this issue, the editors of Herpetological Review encourage submission of studies on Bd geographic distribution, including research on individual/groups of species, wild or captive animals, native or non-native species, live animals or museum specimens, environmental samples, and findings with no Bd detections. The editors ask authors to: 1) restrict the Introduction to a maximum of two paragraphs to highlight the context of their study; 2) briefly include both field and laboratory Methods; 3) present Results in a Table, although a map also may be very useful, and limited text; and 4) have a short Discussion of a maximum of three paragraphs. Please also consider including the following information: coordinates and description of sampling areas (or note if locations are extremely sensitive to reveal and provide general area instead); positive and negative results; disposition of voucher specimens; date of specimen collection; name of collaborative laboratory or researcher conducting histological sections or PCR analyses; and names of cooperative land owners or land management agencies. Please submissions directly to the Associate Editor of the section, Dr. Dede Olson, at dedeolson@ fs.fed.us Photo Contest Dust off your cameras! The THS will once again be holding its annual photo contest. Submissions will be exhibited at the November 2008 general meeting. Look for rules and categories soon to be posted on the website. Gila Monsters have yet to be recorded from other mountain ranges east of 116º longitude, including the Granite, Whipple, Turtle, and Chemehuevi mountains. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4)

8 Upcoming Meetings 5-8 June 2008 Southwest PARC Annual Meeting. University of Texas, Austin, Texas July st Annual Meeting, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles; 88th Annual Meeting, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists; 66th Annual Meeting, The Herpetologists League. Le Centre Sheraton Montréal Hotel, Montréal, Quebec, Canada August th World Congress of Herpetology, Manaus, Brazil. index.php?section=51/ September 2008 Turtle Survival Alliance 6th Annual Symposium on Conservation and Biology of Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. Tucson, Arizona. Sonoran Herpetologist Natural History Observations The Tucson Herpetological Society invites your contributions to our Natural History Notes section. We are particularly interested in photographs and descriptions of amphibians and reptiles involved in noteworthy or unusual behaviors in the field. Notes can feature information such as diet, predation, community structure, interspecific behavior, or unusual locations or habitat use. Please submit your observations to Dale Turner who is editor for this section. Submissions should be brief and in electronic form. Remember the THS in Your Will 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 Kent Jacobs, Treasurer, Tucson Herpetological Society, at B O A R D M E E T I N G S Y n o p S E S 26 February 2008 Philip R. Brown, Secretary Directors Present: Philip Brown, Dennis Caldwell, Heidi Flugstad, Kent Jacobs, Elissa Ostergaard, Roger Repp, Erin Zylstra Directors Absent: Young Cage, Paul Condon, Taylor Edwards, Robert Villa Members Present: Robert Bezy, Emma Mujica, Marty Tuegel Treasurer s Report - Jacobs 24 February 2008 Beginning Balance $17, Deposits $3, Expenses $3, Ending Balance $16, Speaker s Bureau $1, Jarchow Award $2.05 FTHL Fund $ C.H. Lowe Research $2, General Fund $4, PARC $0.00 CRHSD IV $5, Mexican Tortoise $1, Itemized Deposits (January 27, February 25, 2008): Membership $217.00, CRHSD IV $ , Raffle $115.00, Mexican Tortoise $1, Itemized Expenses: Newsletter (Feb.) $139.64, Gifts (books for Roger Repp and Bob Bezy) $218.92, PARC $3, Committee Reports Web Site - Tuegel: Site will be updated to next month s speaker by next week. Conservation - Caldwell: Dennis showed a prototype copy of a new brochure, Native Plants for Desert Tortoises, which is in production. He suggested we sponsor it along with the Arizona Native Plants Society, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Arizona Game and Fish Department. It was decided to donate $250 toward the production of this brochure. Speaker s Bureau - Brown for Villa and Ed Moll: February 1 Ed gave two programs to the Math, Science, & Technology Club at Canyon View Elementary School using live reptiles. Each program comprised 50 children (100 total) the first group was Kindergarten to 2nd Grade, and the second group was 3rd through 5th Grade. February 8 Ed presented an after-school program using live reptiles to 10 students and two staff at Robles Ranch Community Center. February 11 Ed presented an after-school program using live reptiles to 28 students at Lew Sorenson Community Center. February 20 Ed gave two programs using live reptiles to two groups of 2nd and 3rd grade students at Academy Village Charter School 44 SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4) 2008

9 Library. Each group comprised 20 students and two staff. February 20 Robert gave a PowerPoint presentation on the herps of the 100-mile circle along with the use of 3 native nonvenomous snakes at Pima County Natural Resources, Parks, & Recreation Littletown Teen Center for an after-school program to about 15 kids and 3 supervisors. Sonoran Herpetologist Ostergaard for Roy Averill-Murray: The proposed system of making a PDF version of SH available online to members was successful and should go ahead. Program Roger Repp: Scheduled programs: 18 March - Wade Sherbrooke 15 April - John Porter C.H. Lowe Research Fund Ostergaard for Edwards: The deadline for submission of proposals is March 1. One application has been received. Student Chapter of the THS - Mujica: The Student Chapter is planning a field trip to the Maricopa Mountains during March. They also are looking for a speaker on some aspect of herpetological research for a 5:30pm meeting on 27 March. Photo Contest - Flugstad: The contest will be held in November in conjunction with the elections meeting. Categories are still to be determined, but will be available on the web site soon. Old Business Current Research on the Herpetofauna of the Sonoran Desert IV - Zylstra: Erin reported that we have a full program and that registrations are coming in. An reminder regarding early registration was sent out to members. Marty mentioned that he needs help to solicit items for the auction. New Business Native Plant Society event, April 12 - Ostergaard and Caldwell: The Native Plant Society will be hosting a Wildlife in the Garden tour of homes with wildlife habitat. Although it is occurring during the CRHSD conference, non-herpetologist spouses or significant others might want to participate. Tortoise Adoption Event Ostergaard: The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum will host an adoption day at the Tucson AFGD office on 26 April from 8:30 to 4:00. Presentations on Desert Tortoise care will be given at 10am and 1:30pm. Prospective adopters should mail in an application form and photos by March 31; application forms are available at www. azgfd.gov/tortoise. Tortoises will be marked, and it is hoped that several tortoises will be found homes. Desert Tortoise Council Raffle Report - Repp for Llewellyn: Robin reported over $400 in sales of THS items at the Desert Tortoise Council meeting in Las Vegas. The BOD gratefully acknowledged Robin s part in helping us remain fiscally healthy. 25 March 2008 Philip R. Brown, Secretary Directors Present: Philip Brown, Dennis Caldwell, Taylor Edwards, Heidi Flugstad, Kent Jacobs, Roger Repp, Erin Zylstra, Robert Villa Directors Absent: Young Cage, Paul Condon, Elissa Ostergaard Members Present: Robert Bezy, Ed Moll, Marty Tuegel Treasurer s Report - Jacobs 22 March 2008 Beginning Balance $16, Deposits $4, Expenses $ Ending Balance $20, Speaker s Bureau $1, Jarchow Award $2.05 FTHL Fund $ C.H. Lowe Research $2, General Fund $5, CRHSD IV $8, Mexican Tortoise $1, Itemized Deposits (February 25, March 22, 2008): Membership $434.00; CRHSD IV $3,125.00; Raffle $48.00; Mexican Tortoise $200.00; T-shirts/hats $ Itemized Expenses: Newsletter (March) $139.67; Donation Tortoise/Plants brochure $250.00; Hats $318.00; AZ Corp. Commissioner $ Committee Reports Web Site - Tuegel: Web site is up to date. New material will include articles from past SH issues and information about Jarchow and Lowe Fund recipients. Conservation - Caldwell: Dennis discussed the Rosemont Mine project. He will draft a letter stating THS opposition to the project for review at the next BOD meeting. Dennis also introduced the new brochure, Native Plants for Desert Tortoises. 3,000 have been printed, and THS is a sponsor. Speaker s Bureau - Villa and Moll: March 1 Ed gave a PowerPoint presentation, Living with Urban Reptiles, to 35 adults and children at Agua Caliente Park. Following the talk, guests were given the opportunity to view, touch, and ask questions about several live specimens. March 1 Robert presented live animals and answered questions to about people at the WomanKraft wildlife art exhibit. March 5 Ed presented a class, Herpetology for Beginners, to seniors as part of the OASIS educational program. The class included a PowerPoint presentation as well as living specimens and skeletal material. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4)

10 March 14 Ed gave a PowerPoint and live animal presentation, Reptiles Among the Saguaros, to 45 seniors at Academy Village. The program was part of a series sponsored by the Rincon Institute and organized by Lynsey Gould. Robert reported that he has the following upcoming programs scheduled: 30 March: Humane Society of Southern Arizona 5 April: Wilmot Library 8 April: Tucson Saddle Club 10 April: Southern Arizona Horseman s Association Let Robert know if you would like to tag along or help out. Ed and Robert requested permission to purchase skeletal materials for use in Speaker s Bureau programs. It was decided to allow up to $650 for this purpose. Robert requested input on the possible use of some venomous animals at certain public programs. It was determined that he should develop a suggested protocol for this to be discussed at future BOD meetings. Sonoran Herpetologist - Edwards for Roy Averill- Murray: The testing of electronic versions of SH by Taylor was discussed; he will open the process to the general membership to get their input. He stated that Roy is getting low on original material and urged people to submit articles. Program - Repp: Upcoming programs include: 15 April - John Porter on montane rattlesnakes 20 May - Repp, Villa, Zylstra, Tuegel (perhaps others, as well) - short presentations on unusual or very interesting observations 17 June - Cage on Australia C.H. Lowe Research Fund - Edwards: Two proposals were received and both deemed by the committee to be worthy of funding. The Board agreed to fund both. The recipients are: Adrian Munguia-Vega, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona, and Kimberly Baker and Dr. Kevin Bonine, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona Student Chapter of the THS - Villa for Emma Mujica: The Student Chapter conducted a field trip to the Maricopa Mountains. Five attendees saw an assortment of lizards, a Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, and a Red Coachwhip. Mexican Tortoise project - Rosen: No report. Kent Jacobs noted that money was coming in from this project. THS 2008 Photo Contest - Flugstad: Categories have been determined; details and announcement will be posted in the SH soon. Old Business Current Research on the Herpetofauna of the Sonoran Desert IV - Zylstra: Erin reported that there are attendees registered, with some still to go. Registration online ends April 1 (as does registration for the banquet). Registration for the conference will be available at the venue, but no registration for the banquet will be taken. New Business 501(c)(3) Sponsorship for REI grant - Edwards for Jeff Servoss: Jeff requested coverage by the THS nonprofit incorporation to cover educational programs using venomous reptiles. The BOD decided not to allow it in this case because it is not an official THS program. Taylor will write a letter. TSA (Turtle Specialist Alliance) and IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialists meeting in Tucson - Edwards: Taylor mentioned this meeting for any chelonian enthusiasts who may not have been aware of it. It will be in September. M e m B E R S H I P u p d a t e Membership Information Individual $20 Sustaining $30 Family $25 Contributing $50 Student $14 Life $500 To receive a membership form and recent issue of Sonoran Herpetologist call (520) or write: Tucson Herpetological Society, P. O. Box 709, Tucson AZ Time to Renew Your THS Membership? I hope this is a helpful reminder to those of you whose membership renewal is due this month. Please call or with corrections and errors or dhardysr@theriver.com Dave Hardy Sr., Membership Secretary Due in April George Coffee, Michael & Marlis Douglas, Stan & Emily Draper, Heidi Flugstad, Gene Foltz, Carianne Funicelli, Richard Funk, Ryan Isaac, Craig & Rachel Ivanyi, Kent Jacobs & Cyndy Wicker, Jeff Moorbeck & Jennifer O Leary, Lee Oler, Chris Scott, Wade Sherbrooke, Mauricio Solís, Jefferson Stensrud Membership Update - 27 March 2008 Contributing Bayard Brattstrom Wikieup, AZ Sustaining Members Norma & Abe Lackow Tucson New Members Howard Clark Fresno, CA Robert Fitak Tucson Adrián Munguía-Vega Tucson Kitty Tobin & Mary Beth Barone Tucson Horned Lizard Fund Bayard Brattstrom Wikieup, AZ 46 SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4) 2008

11 Sonoran Herpetologist is the newsletter-journal of the Tucson Herpetological Society, and is Copyright 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, Editor Roy Averill-Murray, averill-murray@sbcglobal.net Associate Editors Robert Bezy, bezy@comcast.net Don Swann, donswann@dakotacom.net Dale Turner, dturner@theriver.com Art Editor Dennis Caldwell, dennis@caldwell-design.com Book Review Editor Eric Stitt, stitt@cox.net Distribution Fred Wilson, fredtj@comcast.net Trevor Hare, trevor@skyislandalliance.org Membership Dave Hardy Sr., dhardysr@theriver.com Information for Contributors Authors should submit original articles, notes, book reviews to the Editor, either via 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. 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 Taylor Edwards, taylore@u.arizona.edu Vice President Elissa Ostergaard, elissaost@gmail.com Secretary Philip Brown, philipandbarbara@earthlink.net Treasurer Kent Jacobs, jacobskent@earthlink.net Directors: Young Cage, ydcage@aol.com Dennis Caldwell, dennis@caldwell-design.com Paul Condon, ptcondon@comcast.net Heidi Flugstad, flugstad@ .arizona.edu Robert Villa, herpsandviolin@aol.com Erin Zylstra, erinzylstra@hotmail.com Past President Roger Repp, repp@noao.edu Society Activities Monthly Members Meeting Elissa Ostergaard, Program Chair 3rd Tuesday, 7:15 PM Board of Directors Meeting Last Tuesday of each month (except December), 7:00 PM Arizona Game and Fish Department Office 555 North Greasewood Road Speakers Bureau (scheduled presentations) Robert Villa, Director Ed Moll, Director Conservation Committee Dennis Caldwell, Director Herpetological Information Hotline Bob Brandner Jarchow Conservation Award Taylor Edwards, Chairperson Publications: Sonoran Herpetologist, Backyard Ponds brochure, Living with Venomous Reptiles brochure, THS Herp Coloring Book, THS Collected Papers, THS Internet World Wide Webpage Marty Tuegel, Webmaster, mtuegel@cox.net Deadline for Sonoran Herpetologist 21(6): May 15 For more information about the THS and the reptiles and amphibians of the Tucson area visit tucsonherpsociety.org SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 21 (4)

12 Your membership has expired. This is your only reminder. Please renew! Newsletter-Journal of the Tucson Herpetological Society April 2008, Volume 21, Number 4 P a t r o n y m s o f t h e P i o n e e r W e s t 38 A Tale of Two Texas Ratsnakes (or are they Gophersnakes?) C U R R E N T R E S E A R C H S U M M A R I E S 42 Accuracy of Skeletochronology in the Arizona Tiger Salamander 43 Gila Monster Records from California A n n o u n c e m e n t s 43 New SSAR Herpetological Review Section on Distribution of Chytridiomycosis Photo Contest 44 Upcoming Meetings tucsonherpsociety.org