Brian Sullivan first searched for amphibians. Brian K. Sullivan. Janice Johnson. Australia: A (Herp-centric) Natural History of Isolation

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1 Volume 23 September 2010 Number 9 T H I S M O N T H S G U E S T S P E A K E R Brian K. Sullivan Australia: A (Herp-centric) Natural History of Isolation 7:15 PM Tuesday, 21 September University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street F E AT U R E A R T I C L E 122 A Checklist of the Species of Amphibians and Reptiles of Arizona by Erik F. Enderson and Robert L. Bezy S H O R T A R T I C L E S 127 Herpetofauna of Mare Island, Solano County, California by Howard O. Clark, Jr. 130 Results of the Sonoran Herpetologist Readers Survey by Roy C. Averill-Murray R E C E N T LY P U B L I S H E D PA P E R 132 Returning the Reptile Rocks - Pike et al A N N O U N C E M E N T Brian Sullivan first searched for amphibians and reptiles in Arizona in 1970; he returned to attend graduate school in 1979 and has been in residence for most years since. He first taught at Arizona State University at the West Campus in 1984 and arrived as an Assistant Professor of Zoology in He was promoted to Full Professor of Herpetology in 2002 and served as the Editor of the Journal of Herpetology from 2000 through He is interested in the evolutionary biology of vertebrates; more specifically, his research is focused on the behavior, ecology, conservation, and systematics of amphibians and reptiles of arid regions, especially the southwestern United States. One current investigation concerns temporal and spatial dynamics Brian near Mareeba, Queensland, holding a Water Python (Liasis mackloti); photo by Elizabeth Sullivan. of hybridization between Arizona and Woodhouse s toads in central Arizona. Another is focused on the nature of species boundaries and conservation of lizards of the Southwest. Mate recognition and acoustic communication in desert amphibians with temporally restricted breeding periods is another area of study. With support from the Arizona Game and Fish Department, he has investigated the population status of a number of amphibians and reptiles found in urbanized desert environments. He has authored over 100 articles, book reviews, technical reports, and book chapters, including many coauthored with students and colleagues in the Phoenix area. 133 Please join us on how our desert may be responding to climate change N E X T M O N T H S G U E S T S P E A K E R Janice Johnson Rattlesnake Translocation at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Tuesday, 19 October 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 23 (9)

2 A Checklist of the Species of Amphibians and Reptiles of Arizona Erik F. Enderson, Drylands Institute, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA; Robert L. Bezy, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA; Using the scientific and English names in Crother (2008), we present an updated checklist of the species of amphibians and reptiles found in the state of Arizona. Based on this list, which is modified from Enderson et al. (2009), the Arizona herpetofauna is comprised of 137 native species: 1 salamander, 24 frogs, 6 turtles, 53 lizards, and 53 snakes. In addition, there are 11 introduced species (3 frogs, 3 turtles, 4 lizards, and 1 snake). Four lizard species are endemic to the state. Previously considered to be Arizona endemics, the Red-backed Whiptail (Aspidoscelis xanthonota) has been found in Sonora by Rosen and Quijada Mascareñas (2009) and the Ramsey Canyon Leopard Frog (Rana subaquavocalis) has been placed in the synonymy of the Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis) by Goldberg et al. (2004). We use the names in Liner and Casas-Andreu (2008) for the two species of spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaura) established on the grounds of the Arizona- Sonora Desert Museum (Edwards et al. 2005). The Brahminy Blindsnake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) is listed as an introduced species on the basis of a specimen (UAZ 56919) collected by Philip C. Rosen, but whether this represents an established population remains unclear. We follow Crother (2008) for the Sceloporus magister species complex and list S. bimaculosus, S. magister and S. uniformis, which were recognized as separate species by Schulte et al. (2006), but note that Leaché and Mulcahy (2007) have subsequently presented convincing evidence that these represent a single species, S. magister. In the checklist, endemic species are marked with (E) and introduced species are marked with (I). Status under the Endangered Species Act (ESA; May 2010) and under Wildlife of Special Concern in Arizona (WSCA, Arizona Department of Game and Fish; March, 1996) is given in the footnotes. Literature Cited Crother, B. I. (ed.) Scientific and Standard English Names of Amphibians and Reptiles of North America North of Mexico. Sixth Edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 37:1-84. Edwards, T., K. E. Bonine, C. Ivanyi, and R. Prescott The molecular origins of spiny-tailed iguanas (Ctenosaura) on the grounds of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Sonoran Herpetologist 18: Tarahumara Frog (Lithobates tarahumarae): the high divers of Sycamore, vanished and all but forgotten. Enderson, E. F., A. Quijada-Mascareñas, D. S. Turner, P. C. Rosen, and R. L. Bezy The herpetofauna of Sonora, Mexico, with comparisons to adjoining states. Check List 5: Goldberg, C. S., K. J. Field, and M. J. Sredl Mitochondrial DNA sequences do not support species status of the Ramsey Canyon Leopard Frog (Rana subaquavocalis). Journal of Herpetology 38: Leaché, A. D., and D. G. Mulcahy Phylogeny, divergence times and species limits of spiny lizards (Sceloporus magister species group) in western North American deserts and Baja California. Molecular Ecology 16: Liner, E. A., and G. Casas-Andreu Standard Spanish, English, and Scientific Names of the Amphibians and Reptiles of Mexico. Second Edition. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles Herpetological Circular 38: Rosen, P. C., and A. Quijada Mascareñas Geographic distribution. Aspidoscelis xanthanota. Herpetological Review 40:237. Schulte, J. A., J. R. Macey, and T. J. Papenfuss A genetic perspective on the geographic association of taxa among the North American lizards of the Sceloporus magister complex (Squamata: Iguanidae: Phrynosomatinae). Molecular Phylogentics and Evolution 39: SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

3 Taxon English Name CAUDATA Salamanders Ambystomatidae 1, 12 Ambystoma mavortium Baird, 1850 Barred Tiger Salamander ANURA Bufonidae Anaxyrus cognatus (Say, 1823) Anaxyrus debilis (Girard, 1854) Anaxyrus microscaphus (Cope, 1866) Anaxyrus punctatus (Baird and Girard, 1852) Anaxyrus retiformis (Sanders and Smith, 1951) Anaxyrus woodhousii (Girard, 1854) Ollotis alvaria (Girard, 1859) Frogs Great Plains Toad Green Toad Arizona Toad Red-spotted Toad Sonoran Green Toad Woodhouse s Toad Sonoran Desert Toad Brachycephalidae Craugastor augusti (Dugès, 1879) Barking Frog 11 Hylidae Hyla arenicolor Cope, 1866 Canyon Treefrog Hyla wrightorum Taylor, 1939 Mountain Treefrog 2 Pseudacris hypochondriaca (Hallowell, 1854) Baja California Treefrog Pseudacris maculata (Agassiz, 1850) Boreal Chorus Frog Smilisca fodiens (Boulenger, 1882) Lowland Burrowing Treefrog 11 Microhylidae Gastrophryne olivacea (Hallowell, 1857) Great Plains Narrow-mouthed Toad 11 Pelobatidae Scaphiopus couchii Baird, 1854 Spea bombifrons (Cope, 1863) Spea intermontana (Cope, 1883) Spea multiplicata (Cope, 1863) Couch s Spadefoot Plains Spadefoot Great Basin Spadefoot Mexican Spadefoot Ranidae Lithobates berlandieri (Baird, 1854) Rio Grande Leopard Frog (I) Lithobates blairi (Mecham, Littlejohn, Oldham, Brown, and Brown, 1973) Plains Leopard Frog 11 Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) American Bullfrog (I) Lithobates chiricahuensis (Platz and Mecham, 1979) 3, 11 Chiricahua Leopard Frog Lithobates onca (Cope, 1875) 4, 11 Relict Leopard Frog Lithobates pipiens (Schreber, 1782) Northern Leopard Frog 11 Lithobates tarahumarae (Boulenger, 1917) 11, 14 Tarahumara Frog Lithobates yavapaiensis (Platz and Frost, 1984) Lowland Leopard Frog 11 Pipidae Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802) TESTUDINES Chelydridae Chelydra serpentina (Linnaeus, 1758) Emydidae Chrysemys picta (Schneider, 1783) Terrapene ornata (Agassiz, 1857) Trachemys scripta (Schoepff, 1792) African Clawed Frog (I) Turtles Snapping Turtle (I) Painted Turtle Ornate Box Turtle Pond Slider (I) SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

4 Kinosternidae Kinosternon arizonense Gilmore, 1922 Arizona Mud Turtle Kinosternon flavescens (Agassiz, 1857) Yellow Mud Turtle Kinosternon sonoriense LeConte, 1854 Sonoran Mud Turtle 5 Testudinidae 6, 11 Gopherus agassizii (Cooper, 1863) Desert Tortoise Trionychidae Apalone spinifera (Lesueur, 1827) SQUAMATA Anguidae Elgaria kingii Gray, 1838 Crotaphytidae Crotaphytus bicinctores Smith and Tanner, 1972 Crotaphytus collaris (Say, 1823) Crotaphytus nebrius Axtell and Montanucci, 1977 Gambelia wislizenii (Baird and Girard, 1852) Eublepharidae Coleonyx variegatus (Baird, 1859) Gekkonidae Hemidactylus turcicus (Linnaeus, 1758) Helodermatidae Heloderma suspectum Cope, 1869 Iguanidae Ctenosaura conspicuosa Dickerson, 1919 Ctenosaura macrolopha Smith, 1972 Dipsosaurus dorsalis Baird and Girard, 1852 Sauromalus ater Dumeril, 1856 Spiny Softshell (I) Lizards Madrean Alligator Lizard Great Basin Collared Lizard Eastern Collared Lizard Sonoran Collared Lizard Long-nosed Leopard Lizard Western Banded Gecko Mediterranean House Gecko (I) Gila Monster Isla San Esteban Spiny-tailed Iguana (I) Sonoran Spiny-tailed Iguana (I) Desert Iguana Common Chuckwalla Phrynosomatidae Callisaurus draconoides Blainville, 1835 Zebra-tailed Lizard Cophosaurus texanus Troschel, 1852 Greater Earless Lizard Holbrookia elegans Bocourt, 1874 Elegant Earless Lizard Holbrookia maculata Girard, 1851 Common Lesser Earless Lizard Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan, 1825) Texas Horned Lizard Phrynosoma goodei Stejneger, 1893 Goode s Horned Lizard Phrynosoma hernandesi Girard, 1858 Greater Short-horned Lizard Phrynosoma mcallii (Hallowell, 1852) 7, 11 Flat-tailed Horned Lizard Phrynosoma modestum Girard, 1852 Round-tailed Horned Lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard, 1852 Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma solare Gray, 1845 Regal Horned Lizard Sceloporus bimaculosus Phelan and Brattstrom, 1955 Twin-spotted Spiny Lizard Sceloporus clarkii Baird and Girard, 1852 Clark s Spiny Lizard Sceloporus cowlesi Lowe and Norris, 1956 Southwestern Fence Lizard Sceloporus graciosus Baird and Girard, 1852 Common Sagebrush Lizard Sceloporus jarrovii Cope, 1875 Yarrow s Spiny Lizard Sceloporus magister Hallowell, 1854 Desert Spiny Lizard Sceloporus slevini Smith, 1937 Slevin s Bunchgrass Lizard Sceloporus tristichus Cope, 1875 Plateau Fence Lizard SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

5 Sceloporus uniformis Phelan and Brattstrom, 1955 Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard Sceloporus virgatus Smith, 1938 Striped Plateau Lizard Uma rufopunctata Cope, 1895 Yuman Desert Fringe-toed Lizard 11 Uma scoparia Cope, 1894 Mohave Fringe-toed Lizard 11 Urosaurus graciosus Hallowell, 1854 Long-tailed Brush-lizard Urosaurus ornatus (Baird and Girard, 1852) Ornate Tree Lizard Uta stansburiana Baird and Girard, 1852 Common Side-blotched Lizard Scincidae Plestiodon callicephalus (Bocourt, 1879) Mountain Skink Plestiodon gilberti Van Denburgh, 1896 Gilbert s Skink 12 Plestiodon multivirgatus (Hallowell, 1857) Many-lined Skink Plestiodon obsoletus (Baird and Girard, 1852) Great Plains Skink Plestiodon skiltonianus (Baird and Girard, 1852) Western Skink Teiidae Aspidoscelis arizonae (Van Denburgh, 1896) Aspidoscelis burti (Taylor, 1938) Aspidoscelis exsanguis (Lowe, 1956) Aspidoscelis flagellicauda (Lowe and Wright, 1964) Aspidoscelis neomexicana (Lowe and Zweifel, 1952) Aspidoscelis pai (Wright and Lowe, 1993) Aspidoscelis sonorae (Lowe and Wright, 1964) Aspidoscelis tigris (Baird and Girard, 1852) Aspidoscelis uniparens (Wright and Lowe, 1965) Aspidoscelis velox (Springer, 1928) Aspidoscelis xanthonota (Duellman and Lowe 1953) Xantusiidae Xantusia arizonae Klauber, 1931 Xantusia bezyi Papenfuss, Macey, and Schulte, 2001 Xantusia vigilis Baird, 1859 SQUAMATA Boidae Lichanura trivirgata (Cope, 1861) Arizona Striped Whiptail (E) Canyon Spotted Whiptail Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail Gila Spotted Whiptail New Mexico Whiptail (I) Pai Striped Whiptail (E) Sonoran Spotted Whiptail Tiger Whiptail Desert Grassland Whiptail Plateau Striped Whiptail Red-backed Whiptail Arizona Night Lizard (E) Bezy s Night Lizard (E) Desert Night Lizard Snakes Rosy Boa Colubridae Arizona elegans Kennicott 1859 Glossy Snake Chilomeniscus stramineus Cope, 1860 Variable Sand Snake Chionactis occipitalis (Hallowell, 1854) Western Shovel-nosed Snake 8 Chionactis palarostris (Klauber, 1937) Sonoran Shovel-nosed Snake Coluber bilineatus (Jan, 1863) Sonoran Whipsnake Coluber constrictor Linnaeus, 1758 North American Racer Coluber flagellum Shaw, 1802 Coachwhip Coluber taeniatus (Hallowell, 1852) Striped Whipsnake Diadophis punctatus (Linnaeus, 1766) Ring-necked Snake Gyalopion canum Cope, 1860 Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake Gyalopion quadrangulare (Günther, 1893) Thornscrub Hook-nosed Snake Heterodon kennerlyi Kennicott, 1860 Mexican Hog-nosed Snake Hypsiglena chlorophaea Cope, 1860 Desert Nightsnake Hypsiglena jani (Duges, 1866) Chihuahuan Nightsnake Lampropeltis getula (Linnaeus, 1766) Common Kingsnake Lampropeltis pyromelana (Cope, 1867) Sonoran Mountain Kingsnake Lampropeltis triangulum (Lacépède, 1789) Milksnake Oxybelis aeneus (Wagler, 1824) Brown Vine Snake 11 Phyllorhynchus browni Stejneger, 1890 Saddled Leaf-nosed Snake Phyllorhynchus decurtatus (Cope, 1868) Spotted Leaf-nosed Snake SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

6 Pituophis catenifer (Blainville, 1835) Gophersnake Rhinocheilus lecontei Baird and Girard, 1853 Long-nosed Snake Salvadora grahamiae Baird and Girard, 1853 Eastern Patch-nosed Snake Salvadora hexalepis (Cope, 1866) Western Patch-nosed Snake Senticolis triaspis (Cope, 1866) Green Ratsnake Sonora semiannulata Baird and Girard, 1853 Western Groundsnake Tantilla hobartsmithi Taylor, 1937 Smith s Black-headed Snake Tantilla nigriceps Kennicott, 1860 Plains Black-headed Snake Tantilla wilcoxi Stejneger, 1902 Chihuahuan Black-headed Snake Tantilla yaquia Smith, 1942 Yaqui Black-headed Snake Thamnophis cyrtopsis (Kennicott, 1860) Black-necked Gartersnake Thamnophis elegans (Baird and Girard, 1853) Terrestrial Gartersnake Thamnophis eques (Reuss, 1834) 9, 11 Mexican Gartersnake Thamnophis marcianus (Baird and Girard, 1853) Checkered Gartersnake Thamnophis rufipunctatus (Cope, 1875) Narrow-headed Gartersnake 11 Trimorphodon lambda (Duméril, Bibron, and Duméril, 1854) Western Lyre Snake Elapidae Micruroides euryxanthus (Kennicott, 1860) Leptotyphlopidae Leptotyphlops dissectus (Cope, 1896) Leptotyphlops humilis (Baird and Girard, 1853) Typhlopidae Ramphotyphlops braminus (Daudin, 1803) Sonoran Coral Snake New Mexico Threadsnake Western Threadsnake Brahminy Blind Snake (I) Viperidae Crotalus atrox Baird and Girard, 1853 Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake Crotalus cerastes Hallowell, 1854 Sidewinder Crotalus cerberus (Coues, 1875) Arizona Black Rattlesnake Crotalus lepidus (Kennicott, 1861) Rock Rattlesnake Crotalus mitchellii (Cope, 1861) Speckled Rattlesnake Crotalus molossus Baird and Girard, 1853 Black-tailed Rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus Holbrook, 1840 Western Rattlesnake Crotalus pricei Van Denburgh, 1895 Twin-spotted Rattlesnake Crotalus scutulatus (Kennicott, 1861) Mohave Rattlesnake Crotalus tigris Kennicott in Baird, 1859 Tiger Rattlesnake Crotalus viridis (Rafinesque, 1818) Prairie Rattlesnake Crotalus willardi Meek, , 11 Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake Sistrurus catenatus (Rafinesque, 1818) Massasauga 11 1 Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi, Sonoran Tiger Salamander: ESA Endangered 2 Huachuca and Canelo populations: ESA Candidate 3 ESA Threatened 4 ESA Candidate 5 Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale, Sonoyta Mud Turtle: ESA Candidate 6 Populations north and west of Colorado River: ESA Threatened 7 ESA Proposed Threatened 8 Chionactis occipitalis klauberi, Tucson Shovel-nosed Snake: ESA Candidate 9 Thamnophis eques megalops, Northern Mexican Gartersnake: ESA Candidate 10 Crotalus willardi obscurus, New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake: ESA Threatened 11 WSCA. 12 Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi, Sonoran Tiger Salamander: WSCA 13 Plestiodon gilberti arizonensis, Arizona Skink: WSCA. 14 Extirpated SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

7 S H O R T A R T I C L E Herpetofauna of Mare Island, Solano County, California Howard O. Clark, Jr., Wildlife Division, H. T. Harvey & Associates, Fresno, CA 93711, USA; hclark@harveyecology.com Mare Island is a peninsula alongside the city of Vallejo, in Solano County, California, about 37 km (23 miles) northeast of San Francisco. The Napa River forms its eastern boundary as it enters the Carquinez Strait juncture with the east side of San Pablo Bay. Mare Island is considered a peninsula because no full body of water separates the island from the mainland. Instead, a series of small sloughs cause seasonal water-flows on the so-called island. The habitat associated with these sloughs is tidal and non-tidal wetlands dominated with pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) and other salt-tolerant species. At one time, Mare Island was an actual island artificial build-up of the island was accomplished by creating a series of dredge ponds by the US Navy over the past century to accommodate their use of the island as a shipyard. The original island still exists and is the only portion of the peninsula with any significant relief (Figure 1). During 2009 and 2010, I had the opportunity to work on Mare Island as a biological monitor for several endangered species, including the salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) and the California Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus). During my monitoring work, I kept track of the various reptiles and amphibians I encountered and took natural history notes. Although technically attached to the mainland, the large expanses of pickleweed and tidal action in the northern portion of the peninsula seem to form a barrier for herpetofaunal movements. Therefore, I believe that most of the herpetofauna populations are in semi-isolation, and some species may actually be relictual remnants of mainland populations. Herein I list the species I have observed and provide my notes on the species. List order based on Jennings (2004) and range based on Literature Cited Frost et al The Amphibian Tree of Life. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 297: Jennings, M. R An annotated check list of the amphibians and reptiles of California and adjacent waters. California Fish and Game 90: Although technically attached to the mainland, the large expanses of pickleweed and tidal action in the northern portion of the peninsula seem to form a barrier for herpetofaunal movements. Therefore, I believe that most of the herpetofauna populations are in semi-isolation, and some species may actually be relictual remnants of mainland populations. Figure 1. Map showing Mare Island, near Vallejo, Solano County, CA. Note the area labeled Mare Island Golf Course. This high relief area is the orignial island. The Mare Island Golf Club was established in 1892 and is the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi River. Highest elevation is 86.6 m (284 ft). Mare Island History: In 1775, a Spanish explorer, Perez Ayala, became the first European to land on what would become Mare Island. This area became part of Rancho Suscol, deeded to General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo (Mexican Commandante for Northern California) in Originally named Isla de la Plana by Ayala, the island became a waypoint for early settlers. In 1835, whilst traversing the Carquinez Strait, a crude ferry transporting men and livestock capsized in a squall, among the livestock feared lost in the wreckage was General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo s prized white mare. Several days later, General Vallejo s mare was found on the island, having swam ashore. The island was renamed by Vallejo to Isla de la Yegua, Spanish for Mare Island in her honor. The red marker labeled A in the vicinity map marks Mare Island. Maps by Howard Clark using Google. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

8 CLASS AMPHIBIA Amphibians ORDER ANURA Frogs and Toads FAMILY BUFONIDAE True Toads California Toad Anaxyrus boreas halophilus Although not seen directly, I detected the tracks of the California Toad after a rain event on 23 December Toad populations likely occur in the nearby upland habitat vegetated with coyote bush (Baccharis pilularis) and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). The genus Anaxyrus was split from Bufo by Frost et al. in Most references still use the long-established Bufo. FAMILY HYLIDAE Treefrogs and Their Allies Sierran Treefrog Pseudacris sierra There are three subspecies of treefrogs in California, with the Sierran Treefrog represented on Mare Island. The first treefrog I found was in a storage trailer and green in color (18 September 2009). I found two additional frogs that were beige (8 January 2010). I encountered the beige frogs during the removal of a stand of fennel. I often hear the calls of the treefrogs during my silt fence inspections. CLASS REPTILIA Reptiles ORDER SQUAMATA Lizards and Snakes FAMILY PHRYNOSOMATIDAE Zebra-tailed, Rock, Horned, Spiny, Fringe-toed, Tree, and Sideblotched lizards Coast Range Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii Six subspecies of Western Fence Lizard occur in California, with the Coast Range Fence Lizard (Figure 2) present on Mare Island. I commonly saw this lizard crawling on silt fence installed to exclude salt marsh harvest mice from work areas. I conducted 3 daily inspections of the silt fence over the course of several months and took special note of the fence lizards. I was able to recognize individuals based on tail regrowth patterns. I encountered the same lizard along the same panel of silt fence for several weeks during August and September. FAMILY ANGUIDAE Alligator and Legless Lizards Southern Alligator Lizard Elgaria multicarinata There are two species of alligator lizard in California, with the Southern Alligator Lizard (E. multicarinata) likely occurring on Mare Island (Figure 3). The Southern Alligator Lizard range overlaps the Northern Alligator Lizard (E. coerulea) range in the San Francisco area. The Southern Alligator Lizard is rather common, as I ve encountered 20 to 25 individuals during vegetation removal activities. They occurred within non-tidal pickleweed patches, as well as within swaths of fennel. I ve mainly seen adults, with a single juvenile observed in late September. Both species of alligator lizards have four subspecies each, with the San Francisco Alligator Lizard (E. c. coerulea) and the California Alligator Lizard (E. m. multicarinata) potentially occuring on Mare Island. Figure 3. Southern Alligator Lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) detected on 10 September Photo by Howard Clark. FAMILY COLUBRIDAE Colubrids Western Yellow-bellied Racer Coluber constrictor mormon California only has one subspecies of racer the Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Figure 4). This encounter is only my second with this subspecies. During the late summer months juvenile racers appeared everywhere. I was catching them on a regular basis in September; however, I found only one adult. Six subspecies of Western Fence Lizard occur in California, with the Coast Range Fence Lizard present on Mare Island. I commonly saw this lizard crawling on silt fence installed to exclude salt marsh harvest mice from work areas. Figure 2. Coast Range Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis bocourtii) detected on 10 September Photo by Howard Clark. Figure 4. Juvenile Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon) detected on 17 September Photo by Howard Clark. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

9 Figure 5. Pacific Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus amabilis) detected on 15 October Photo by Howard Clark. Pacific Ring-necked Snake Diadophis punctatus amabilis California has seven subspecies of the ring-necked snake, and the Bay Area harbors the Pacific Ringnecked Snake (Figure 5). My encounter with this species on the island is my first. On 15 October 2009 we were clearing upland vegetation which mainly contained coyote bush and fennel where these snakes appeared in the recently cleared areas. Approximately 10 to 15 individuals were observed by the crew. I handled one specimen and took note of its defensive posture the exposure of the bright red belly. A few days later I found another ring-necked snake, and it discharged a foul-smelling fluid out of its cloaca. On 16 February 2010, another ring-necked snake was found along a strip of silt fence near a pickeweed wetland. It was rather cool that day (10-15 C [50-59 F]) and the snake was not active. Figure 6. Pacific Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer catenifer) detected on 29 April Photo by Howard Clark. Pacific Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer catenifer California has five subspecies of gopher snake, with Mare Island supporting the Pacific Gopher Snake. The only place I was able to find this common species was near a concrete loading platform (17 October 2009) and next to silt fence near an excavation site along several buildings (Figure 6; 29 April 2010). The concrete slab was raised off the ground a few inches providing excellent cover for snakes. I was able to capture one juvenile near this platform in mid October. Other crew members have observed several gopher snakes taking cover in small concrete electrical and plumbing vaults. FAMILY VIPERIDAE Vipers Northern Pacific Rattlesnake Crotalus oreganus oreganus There are three subspecies of western rattlesnakes in California, with the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake occurring on the island (Figure 7). I personally have not seen this species, but crew members on the island provided photos (photographed on 14 April 2005). It mainly occurs on the original island rather than in the dredge pond build-up areas. The snake has been observed on the golf course which spans over a large portion of the high relief areas. The original island area has thick patches of shrubs and vegetation, which is ideal cover for the rattlesnake. It would be interesting to determine if the Mare Island population shows signs of genetic isolation from mainland populations. Figure 7. Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) detected on 14 April Photo by Cirilo Lacson. General Comments: All of these species were found in the artificial built-up areas of Mare Island, except for the rattlesnake. I have not had the opportunity to thoroughly inventory the original portion of the island, but suspect that there are a few more species that likely occur. I predict that Skilton s Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus skiltonianus) is present on the island as well as the American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus). The Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis) and the California Nightsnake (Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha nuchalata) have the potential to occur on the original portions of the island. The Bay Area is within the range of three species of gartersnake; these include Diablo Range Gartersnake (Thamnophis atratus zaxanthus), Coast Gartersnake (T. elegans terrestris), and California Red-sided Gartersnake (T. sirtalis infernalis). Gartersnake occurrence on the island is unknown, although suitable habitat may occur on the golf course. Mare Island falls within the range of the California Legless Lizard (Anniella pulchra) and the Northern Rubber Boa (Charina bottae) but the potential of occurrence is remote. Although within the range, the California Red-legged Frog (Rana draytonii) and the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog (R. boylii) are not likely to occur due to lack of habitat (i.e., flowing streams). Five species of salamanders and newts could potentially occur on the island: Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris), California Slender Salamander (Batrachoseps attenuatus), Yellow-eyed Ensatina (Ensatina eschscholtzii xanthoptica), Rough-skinned Newt (Taricha granulosa), and Coast Range Newt (T. torosa torosa). I searched for salamanders and newts during the early spring in oak leaf litter within the original portions of the island but made no detections. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9) All of these species were found in the artificial built-up areas of Mare Island, except for the rattlesnake. I have not had the opportunity to thoroughly inventory the original portion of the island, but suspect that there are a few more species that likely occur.

10 S H O R T A R T I C L E Results of the Sonoran Herpetologist Readers Survey Roy C. Averill-Murray, Associate Editor, Sonoran Herpetologist; averill-murray@sbcglobal.net On behalf of the Sonoran Herpetologist (SH) editorial board, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the first readers survey. We received 37 responses, which represents an ~25% member response rate, although not all questions were answered by each respondent. As expected, most respondents were from Tucson (n=26). In addition to five other Arizonans, members from Clovis and Sacramento, California; Binghamton, New York; and Austin, Texas, also contributed. Two-thirds of respondents have been members of the Tucson Herpetological Society for >5 years, but responses tended to be similar regardless of membership duration. Seventy-six percent of respondents (n=28) read the SH monthly. Most others read the newsletter most or some months, but one individual reported never reading it. A majority (68%, n=25) of readers find the electronic-only publication to be at least somewhat convenient (Figure 1), and almost ¾ (73%, n=27) of the respondents read the SH at least as frequently as before we shifted to electronic-only publication (Figure 2). A majority (68%, n=25) of readers prefer to continue receiving the SH on a monthly basis, with handfuls reporting that a less frequent schedule would better meet their needs (Figure 3). Among the features of the SH, Feature Articles and Natural History Notes were found to be the most interesting by strong majorities of readers (72%, n=26; 75%, n=27, respectively; Figure 4). Greater than 90% of respondents found Herpetofauna of the 100-mile Circle and Natural History Notes (both 92%, n=33) and Local Research News (94%, n=34) to be interesting to very interesting. Two features were found to be only occasionally interesting by substantial proportions of respondents: Letters to the Editor (28%, n=10), which are relatively infrequent, and Recently Published Papers (31%, n=11). Overall, almost 90% of respondents rated the diversity of content in the SH to be good to excellent (Figure 5). We also received additional written comments from 23 readers, and we will be taking this feedback into consideration along with the results summarized above as we continue to strive to make the Sonoran Herpetologist the highest quality newsletter-journal possible. Please continue to provide constructive criticism (or kudos!), as appropriate; let us know how we re doing. Comments can be sent via to any of the editorial board members listed on the back page of each issue. Please continue to provide constructive criticism (or kudos!), as appropriate; let us know how we re doing. Comments can be sent via to any of the editorial board members listed on the back page of each issue. Figure 1. Survey responses regarding convenience of electronic-only format. Figure 2. Survey responses regarding reading frequency. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

11 Figure 3. Survey responses regarding preferred publication frequency. Figure 4. Survey responses regarding reader interest in SH features. Figure 5. Survey responses regarding diversity of SH content. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

12 R E C E N T L Y P U B L I S H E D P A P E R Returning the Reptile Rocks Subtle anthropogenic disturbance seriously degrades habitat quality for rock-dwelling reptiles Even apparently subtle disturbance to habitat may have severe long-term consequences if that disturbance alters specific microhabitat features upon which animals depend. For example, in southeastern Australia, the endangered Broadhead Snake, Hoplocephalus bungaroides, and its prey (Velvet Geckos, Oedura lesueurii) shelter in narrow crevices beneath sunwarmed rocks. Humans frequently displace rocks while searching for snakes and lizards, and these reptiles are rarely found under such displaced rocks (even when the rocks superficially appear suitable). The authors quantified disturbance to rock outcrops and show that most disturbance was subtle (rocks were typically displaced <30 cm from their original position), but that disturbed rocks harbored fewer reptiles than undisturbed rocks (Pike et al. 2010). In a field experiment, they replaced half of the rocks back to their original positions to test whether crevice structure and microclimates differed between disturbed and restored rocks. Crevices beneath displaced rocks were larger and cooler than those beneath restored rocks, M E E T I N G M I N U T E S Tucson Herpetological Society Board of Directors Meeting 27 July 2010 Directors Present: Trevor Hare (President), Robert Villa (Vice President), Sarah Ashby (Secretary), Heidi Flugstad (Treasurer), Robin Llewellyn (Director), Kim Baker* (Director), Travis Boswell (Director), Tim Allen (Director), and Taylor Edwards (Past President). Directors Absent: (excused), Jeff Stensrud (excused), Robin Llewellyn (excused), and Tara Luckau* (excused). Members Present: Dennis Caldwell. *These Board members will remain in service through the end of the year although they no longer reside in Tucson. They will retain voting priveledges via at the discretion of the Board president. Meeting called to order by THS President Trevor Hare at 7:03 p.m. Minutes of the June 2010 Board meeting were reviewed. Treasurer Report (Flugstad) Two reports were given, one for June and one for July. Only the July report is included in these minutes for brevity sake. and precise repositioning of rocks enhanced use by reptiles. Both crevice size and temperature influence reptile retreat-site selection; hence, minor displacement of overlying rocks reduces habitat quality by modifying critical crevice attributes. The subtlety of this disturbance suggests that even well intentioned researchers could damage habitat during field surveys. Conservation of rock outcrop systems requires efforts to reduce rock disturbance, and to educate those searching for animals beneath rocks about the importance of replacing rocks properly. Encouragingly, if rocks are not completely removed, disturbed outcrops can be quickly and easily restored by returning displaced rocks to their original locations. Literature Cited Pike, D. A., B. M. Croak, J. K. Webb and R. Shine Subtle but easily reversible anthropogenic disturbance seriously degrades habitat quality for rock-dwelling reptiles. Animal Conservation 13: As of : Beginning Balance $8, Deposits $ Expenses $ Ending Balance $8, General Fund $10, Speaker s Bureau $1, Jarchow Award $ FTHL Fund $1, C.H. Lowe Award Fund $4, Mexican Tortoise Fund $5, Program $ Committee Reports Homepage (Luckau) A new THS website is under construction. The Board discussed ideas for the new website. Suggestions were made for hosting vendors. Please any idea/suggestions for the new website to Dennis Caldwell at dennis@caldwell-design.com. Conservation (Caldwell) Dennis attended the second meeting of the Local Chiricahua Leopard Frog Recovery Group on July 20th to discuss conservation issues surrounding populations residing in the Huachuca and Las Cienegas areas. He is representing THS as a stakeholder. Conservation of rock outcrop systems requires efforts to reduce rock disturbance, and to educate those searching for animals beneath rocks about the importance of replacing rocks properly. Encouragingly, if rocks are not completely removed, disturbed outcrops can be quickly and easily restored by returning displaced rocks to their original locations. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

13 M E E T I N G M I N U T E S C O N T I N U E D Speakers Bureau (Moll) No speaking engagements to report. Sonoran Herpetologist (Howard Clark) Archive project continues with Robert Villa at the helm. Dennis will post the SH online in Taylor s absence this month. Membership (Llewellyn) Membership renewal notices are up to date. Program (Repp) August, September, and October are covered for speakers. November will be the THS Photo Contest. Volunteer judges will be sought for this event. C.H. Lowe Fund (Hare) Trevor will be requesting the 2009 recipients of the C.H. Lowe Fund awards report out on their projects in the near future. Student Chapter of THS (Hare) Trevor will attend their meetings once school is back in session at the U of A. Per THS bylaws, the Board will be requesting that if the Student Chapter is to be active, it will need to submit a mission statement to the THS Board, send a representative to THS Board meetings and/or THS members meetings. Mexican Tortoise Project Taylor is leaving August 2nd for the first fall trip to San Isteban Island. Jarchow Conservation Award (Edwards) A new committee chairperson is needed for Roger Repp has volunteered but will step aside if someone else steps forward. Old Business Current Research of the Herpetofauna of the Sonoran Desert (Hare) This will not be happening in Mexico for Spring Trevor will make the offer to Phoenix to host this symposium next Spring. International Herpetology Symposium (Hare) Volunteers will be at the THS table throughout the symposium to answer questions and provide education to attendees. Kim, Robert, and Sarah volunteered their time. Video Archive/Vimeo (Boswell) Travis will serve as the Board s new video archive liaison. Mexican Outreach (Villa) Nothing to report. Program Chair Position (Repp) Trevor will contact people about filling this position. Regal Horned Lizard Project An was distributed to THS members from Phil Rosen on his conservation project to save Horned Lizards in urban Tucson. Robin, who is also familiar with the area that is to be developed, has collected numerous amphibian tadpoles and adults to be released in nearby washes in hopes to avoid their sure demise once the planned construction begins. Please contact Robin (robinia2@ msn.com) if you can assist in disbursing large quantities of adult and tadpole amphibians in the central Tucson area or know of any urban washes that can effectively house these rescues. New Business The Board wishes to thank Tara Luckau and Kim Baker for their service. Tara and Kim will remain on the Board officially through the end of the year, with their votes being collected electronically by Trevor when necessary. Motion to adjourn was made by Heidi at 8:45pm with a second by Taylor and passes unanimously. Minutes submitted by Sarah Ashby THS Secretary 2010 M E M B E R S H I P U P D A T E As of 16 August 2010 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, Robin Llewellyn, Membership Secretary, at robinia2@msn.com 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 with corrections and errors: Robin Llewellyn, Membership Secretary, robinia2@msn.com. Renewals paid since July, 2010 Brian and Minnie Wooldridge Hans-Werner Hermann Sarah Ashby Robin Llewellyn New Members Jeremy and Matt Jonas Rebecca Lybrand Family Individual Special thanks to Jerry Schudda (contributing member) who donated $10 to the FTHL; $20 to Jarchow Award; $10 to Speakers Bureau; and $10 to Lowe Fund How might climate change affect Saguaro National Park? Please join us at a symposium for the public on how our desert may be responding to climate change. Leading scientists will share recent research results in Saguaro National Park and the surrounding Sonoran Desert region. Location: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Warden Oasis Theatre. Date: Saturday, October 2, Time: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. More info: contact Cori Dolan at cdolan@ag.arizona.edu. Board of Directors Meetings are always on the last Tuesday of each month (except December), at 7:00 PM; University of Arizona, BIO5/ Keating Building, 1657 East Helen Street. SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)

14 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 Membership Robin Llewellyn, robinia2@msn.com Video Resource Manager Tara Luckau, tkluckau@ .arizona.edu 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. Tu c s o n H e r p S o c i e t y. o r g Officers President Trevor Hare, trevor@skyislandalliance.org Vice President Robert Villa, herpsandviolin@aol.com Secretary Sarah Ashby, halfaussie@gmail.com Treasurer Heidi Flugstad, heidi_flugstad@hotmail.com Directors: Robin Llewellyn ( ), robinia2@msn.com Tara Luckau ( ), tkluckau@ .arizona.edu Jeff Stensrud ( ), jeffstensrud@gmail.com Travis Boswell ( ), sndscooters@yahoo.com Kim Baker ( ), kimsgeckos@gmail.com Tim Allen ( ), tallen@elmontgomery.com Past President Taylor Edwards, taylore@u.arizona.edu Society Activities Monthly Members Meeting Roger Repp, Program Chair 3rd Tuesday, 7:15 PM Board of Directors Meeting Last Tuesday of each month (except December), 7:00 PM University of Arizona, BIO5/Keating Building 1657 East Helen Street Speakers Bureau (scheduled presentations) Robert Villa, 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 23(10): September 15 For more information about the THS and the reptiles and amphibians of the Tucson area visit tucsonherpsociety.org SONORAN HERPETOLOGIST 23 (9)