James R. Dixon is a Professor Emeritus in

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1 Volume 24 August 2011 Number 8 t h i s m o n t h s s p e a k e r Jim Dixon The Islands of the Sea of Cortez and their Lizard Fauna 7:15 PM Tuesday, 16 August University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street James R. Dixon is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, U.S.A. He received his Ph.D. at Texas A&M University, under the direction of Dr. Larry Dillon. The majority of his academic life has been devoted to the study of herpetology of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and the neotropics of Central and South America. Dr. Dixon has written numerous annual and quarterly reports on various projects from 1957 to present. Formal science publications consist of 7 Books and 340 science articles which have been published in various national and international journals. Abstract: In the summer of 1963, five university professors joined forces and applied for a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to study the lizards in the Sea of Cortez. The situation was unique because each professor had a vested interest in a particular genus or genera of lizards occurring on the islands. In turn, grants were difficult to obtain from the NSF at that time, and the NSF reviewers were looking for an opportunity to save grant money. A combined grant to study a group of organisms would be much cheaper than trying to fund five different grant proposals when the greatest cost was in obtaining a boat and crew. Baja California Sea of Cortez Map of the islands of the Sea of Cortez from Google Earth, prepared by Howard Clark. The professors were Charles C. Carpenter (University of Oklahoma) interest: spiny lizards (Sceloporus); Robert F. Clarke (Kansas State University, Emporia) interest chuckwallas (Sauromalus); James R. Dixon (New Mexico State University, Las Cruces) interest: leaf-toed geckos (Phyllodactylus); T. Paul Maslin (University of Colorado, Boulder) interest: whiptails (Aspidoscelis); Donald W. Tinkle (Texas Tech University, Lubbock) interest: side-blotched lizards (Uta). Continued on Page 79 N a t u r a l H i s t o r y N o t e 76 Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Predation on a Coachwhip by John Gunn a n n o u n c e m e n t s 77 Herpetofauna of the 100-mile Circle: Call for Articles 78 Please Report Box Turtle Observations through the Ornate Box Turtle Watch Project! n e x t m o n t h s S p e a k e r Justin Congdon Evolution of Life Histories, Indeterminate Growth, and Perceptions of Age in Turtles Tuesday, 20 September 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 24 (8)

2 N a t u r a l H i s t o r y n o t e Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Predation on a Coachwhip John Gunn; Maricopa County Parks, Phoenix Arizona 85003, johngunn@mail.maricopa.gov On 4 April 2011, a park visitor, Mr. Robert Nagle and his nephew of Inglewood, California, were hiking in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Maricopa County, Arizona, when they discovered a Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wiszlensii) in the trail with a Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum) in its mouth. The incident and photos were sent to our department via , and I subsequently interviewed Mr. Nagle by telephone on 4 May The deep bite, location of the bite, and retention of that bite is typical of leopard lizards preying on vertebrate prey. The snake in the photo (Figure 1) appears to be quiescent, so it likely was in this position for some period of time, though it is entirely too large to be swallowed. I estimate from its coloration, and the typical size of an adult Long-nosed Leopard Lizard in the Sonoran Desert (12-15 cm SVL), that the Coachwhip was approximately 1 m in length. Unfortunately, the observers got too close and the leopard lizard released the snake and both were reported to have rapidly departed in different directions. Leopard lizards are well known predators of other saurians, up to their own size. Occasionally other ver- tebrates including small snakes have been documented (Myers et. al. 2005). The leopard lizard in this incident appears to have had the end of its tail recently attacked. Possibly this was from this Coachwhip. If this were the case, this would be an incident where a leopard lizard successfully resisted a significant saurian predator. If not, it would appear these lizards occasionally attack prey much larger than we might think possible. In either case, these types of observations provide the type of insight Dr. Fitch refers to in his excellent piece on the sin of anecdotal writing (Fitch 1987). This species would make an interesting candidate for a series of properly designed feeding or defensive behavior experiments. Literature Cited Myers, J.J., A. Herrel, and B. Vanhooydonck Gambelia wislizenii (Leopard Lizard). Ophiophagy. Herpetological Review 36: Fitch, H.S The sin of anecdotal writing. Herpetological Review 18:68. On 4 April 2011, a park visitor, Mr. Robert Nagle and his nephew of Inglewood, California, were hiking in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Maricopa County, Arizona, when they discovered a Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wiszlensii) in the trail with a Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum) in its mouth. Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wiszlensii) with Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum), Usery Mountain Regional Park, Maricopa County, AZ. Photo by Robert Nagle. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 24 (8)

3 Herpetofauna of the 100-mile Circle: Call for Articles Howard O. Clark, Jr., and the Editorial Board, Sonoran Herpetologist; Tucson and its surrounding environs have long been a mecca of sorts for herpetologists. The reason for this is the density and diversity of the amphibian and reptile populations found here. The Sonoran Desert provides unusual habitats and ecological conditions for which a unique herpetofauna has evolved adaptations. The mountain ranges, which are forested islands in semi-arid grasslands, have isolated populations of amphibians and reptiles with evolutionary adaptations to montane environments. The Tucson Herpetological Society (THS) provides an illustrated checklist of the species of amphibians and reptiles found within the 100-mile circle an arbitrarily chosen area radiating 100 miles in all directions from the center of Tucson (Figure 1). The checklist can be found here: Along with each species listed are one or more photographs and a species account. However, the checklist, photographs, and species accounts are works in progress and are in need of completion. The THS encourages its members to draft available accounts and submit them to the editorial board for review. The account will be published in the Sonoran Herpetologist and then posted on the website. If you have a favorite herp species, please check to see if it has been completed already. In the following list are the species accounts already competed or spoken for. Check the online checklist (URL above) to see what species are still available. Figure 1. Map of southern Arizona and northern Sonora, with the 100-mile circle indicated in red. Please note that the actual boundaries of the circle vary a fair amount according to what part of Tucson is chosen for the center point. Map generated using Microsoft MapPoint AMPHIBIANS Salamanders Tlaconete Pinto (Bezy et al., December 2004) Sonora tiger Salamander (Jones, reserved) Frogs and Toads Sonoran Desert Toad (Enderson, November 2002) Arizona Toad (Clark, February 2011) Great Plains Toad (Enderson, December 2002) Sonoran Green Toad (Enderson, May 2002; first account published) Green Toad (Enderson and Bezy, reserved) Canyon Treefrog (Swann, April 2005) Lowland Burrowing Treefrog (Enderson, September 2002) Barking Frog (Goldberg, July 2003) Western Narrow-mouthed Toad (Enderson, July 2002) Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Enderson, March 2003) REPTILES Turtles Red-eared Slider (Stitt, June 2005) Spiny Softshell (Averill-Murray, September 2007) Lizards Western Banded Gecko (Bezy, July 2010) Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Clark, May 2010) Texas Horned Lizard (Swann et al., August 2007) Clark Spiny Lizard (Bezy, February 2003) Desert Spiny Lizard (Bezy, September 2003) Long-tailed Brush Lizard (Enderson, August 2002) Elegant Earless Lizard (Bezy, December 2010) Greater Earless Lizard (Bezy, May 2011) Zebra-tailed Lizard (Bezy, March 2011) Desert Iguana (Bezy, October 2010) Mountain Skink (Edwards, June 2003) Madrean Alligator Lizard (Bezy, July 2011) Snakes Western Hog-nosed Snake (Averill-Murray, September 2006) Coachwhip (Clark, November 2010) Sonoran Gophersnake (Repp, June 2002; first introduction article about the 100-mile circle) Neotropical Whipsnake (Rorabaugh, January 2008) Mexican Gartersnake (Wallace, October 2002) Desert Massasauga (Holycross, May 2003) Western Diamondback (Repp, January 2003) Sonoran Lyresnake (LaDuc, reserved) Tucson and its surrounding environs have long been a mecca of sorts for herpetologists. The reason for this is the density and diversity of the amphibian and reptile populations found here. The Sonoran Desert provides unusual habitats and ecological conditions for which a unique herpetofauna has evolved adaptations. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 24 (8)

4 Please report box turtle observations through the Ornate Box Turtle Watch Project! Little is known about Arizona s Ornate Box Turtles (Terrapene ornata), because, put simply, they are secretive and hard to find. Unfortunately, there is some evidence that suggests that Arizona s box turtle population may be in decline, possibly a result of habitat destruction and fragmentation and overcollection for the pet trade. In response, the Arizona Game and Fish Department closed the season on box turtles in 2005, making it illegal to collect them from the wild. The Department is now asking the public to become citizen scientists by reporting wild box turtle observations. Gathering data on box turtles, although difficult, allows biologists to draw conclusions on the status of this species and then develop and implement management decisions. This citizen scientist approach relies on valuable location data gathered from chance encounters by the people driving, hiking, birding, or working in box turtle habitat in southeastern Arizona, where the species is found. Specifically, the Department is interested in hearing about any box turtles observed in the desert grassland, desertscrub, and evergreen woodland habitats of Cochise and parts of Graham, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties. Box turtles are most active in the early morning and evening or just after a rain during the summer monsoons, when they may be observed crossing roads. If you are going to be spending time in box turtle habitat, download and print off a few observation forms from boxturtlewatch so you will be ready to collect data on any box turtles you might encounter. Mail the forms, along with any photographs, to Turtles Project, Arizona Game and Fish Department, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ The data requested will not require any handling of the turtle. You may only handle a box turtle to move it off the road, but remember to stop on the road only if it is safe. Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata); photo by Erik F. Enderson. Local Research News Remember the THS in Your Will 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. Please submit your materials to Howard Clark, editor.sonoran.herp@gmail.com. Submissions should be brief and in electronic form. 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. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 24 (8)

5 M e m B E R S H I P u p d a t e As of 13 July 2011 Membership Information Individual $20 Sustaining $30 Family $25 Contributing $50 Student $14 Life $500 The Tucson Herpetological Society would like to thank existing members and new members for renewing their membership. We appreciate your support and are always looking for members to actively participate in THS activities and volunteer opportunities. It is a great way to be involved with the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in the Sonoran Desert. Contributing Members Bayard Brattstrom Individual Members Bill Love Roger Cogan Audrey Toepper Manny Rubio 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, If you are a new member, please include your address with your payment to receive monthly newsletter online. A membership renewal form is attached for your convenience. We look forward to seeing you at the monthly meetings. Thank you! Memberships Due in June Melissa Amarello Caren Goldberg Taylor Edwards Bob Ashley Hill Johnson Janice and Randall Johnson Hans-Werner Herrmann Memberships Due in July Rebecca Lybrand Jerry Schudda Brian & Minerva Wooldridge Memberships Due in August Sarah Ashby Roy & Laurie Averill-Murray Robert Hansen Jonas Family Robert Kane Robin Llewellyn Walter Schoepfle Dixon abstract from page 75 All five men assembled on the evening of 2 August 1964, in Guaymas, Sonora, formed the itinerary for islands to visit, and on the early morning of August 4, set sail for the open sea and the southern islands. In all, 22 islands were visited, sometimes two in one day or evening. The number of species and individuals of each genus of interest that were captured on the expedition are: spiny lizard (Sceloporus), 3 species, 198 individuals; chuckwalla (Sauromalus), 7 species, 162 individuals; leaf-toed gecko (Phyllodactylus), 3 species, 151 individuals; whiptail (Aspidoscelis), 10 species, 435 individuals; and side-blotched lizard (Uta), 4 species, 1,298 individuals. In addition, other incidentally captured genera, species, and individuals of lizards were: Zebra-tailed Lizard (Callisaurus dracnoides), 240 individuals; Western Banded Gecko (Coleonyx variegatus), 1 individual; Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris), 6 individuals; Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii), 2 individuals; spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura sp.), 20 individuals; San Esteban Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura conspicuosa), 16 individuals; Cape Spiny-tailed Iguana (C. hemilopha), 9 individuals; C. h. insulana, 6 individuals; Santa Catalina Island Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus catalinensis), 36 individuals; Desert Iguana (Dipsosaurus subsp.), 108 individuals; Sonoran Earless Lizard (Holbrookia elegans thermophila), 11 individuals; Baja Blue Rock Lizard (Petrosaurus thalassinus), 9 individuals; Slevin s Banded Rock Lizard (P. slevini), 3 individuals; Regal Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma solare), 1 individual; Santa Cruz Island Sator (Sceloporus angustus), 111 individuals; Isla Cerralvo Spiny Lizard (S. grandaevus), 106 individuals; Baja California Brush Lizard (Urosaurus nigricaudus), 41 individuals; U. microscutatus (= Urosaurus nigricaudus); 137 individuals; and Ornate Tree Lizard (U. ornatus subsp.), 4 individuals. A few snakes were found, these were: Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), 2 specimens; Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake (C. catalinensis), 4 specimens; Lower California rattlesnake (C. enyo), 1 specimen; Black-tailed Rattlesnake (C. molossus), 2 specimens; Speckled Rattlesnake (C. mitchellii), 1 specimen; Red Diamond Rattlesnake (C. ruber), 5 specimens; Tortuga Island Rattlesnake (C. tortugensis), 24 specimens; North American Nightsnake (Hypsiglena sp.), 9 specimens; coachwhip (Coluber sp.), 3 specimens; Espiritu Santo Striped Whipsnake (C. barbouri), 1 specimen; Sonoran Whipsnake (C. bilineatus), 2 specimens; and Coachwhip (C. flagellum), 3 specimens. No amphibians were found on any of the islands. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 24 (8)

6 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-in-Chief Howard Clark, editor.sonoran.herp@gmail.com Associate Editors Roy Averill-Murray, averill-murray@sbcglobal.net Don Swann, donswann@dakotacom.net Robert Bezy, bezy@comcast.net Tim Allen, tallen@elmontgomery.com Art Editor Dennis Caldwell, dennis@caldwell-design.com Book Review Editor Philip Brown, philipandbarbara@earthlink.net Information for Contributors Authors should submit original articles, notes, book reviews to the Editor, either via 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. 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 Trevor Hare, trevor@skyislandalliance.org Vice President Robert Villa, cascabel1985@gmail.com Secretary Kris Ratzlaff, kratzlaf@ .arizona.edu Treasurer Heidi Flugstad, heidi_flugstad@hotmail.com Directors: Robin Llewellyn ( ), robinia2@msn.com Travis Boswell ( ), sndscooters@yahoo.com Tim Allen ( ), tallen@elmontgomery.com Robert Nixon ( ), sapo1047@msn.com Dennis Caldwell ( ), dennis@caldwell-design.com Past President Taylor Edwards, taylore@u.arizona.edu Society Activities Monthly Members Meeting Robert Villa, Program Chair 3rd Tuesday, 7:15 PM Tu c s o n H e r p S o c i e t y. o r g 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, 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 24(9): August 15 For more information about the THS and the reptiles and amphibians of the Tucson area visit tucsonherpsociety.org SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 24 (8)