US ISSN: 0025-4231 Gl l— D. AA "3 fL e ?T •ULL.KTIN OF TMf ^Rarylanb f)crpetological ©ociety DEPARTMENT OF HERPETOLOGY THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MARYLAND, INC. MDHS . A Founder Member of the Eastern Seaboard Herpetological League H MARCH 2000 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1 BULLETIN OF THE MARYLAND HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 36 Number 1 31 March 2000 CONTENTS Further Observations on Iverson's Blind Snake in Tamaulipas, Mexico David L. Auth, Hobart M. Smith, Bryce C Brown, David Lintz and David Chiszar . . . . . 1 The Prepublication History of the Name Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae Williams, 1978, for the Sinaloan Milk Snake Hobart M. Smith, Kenneth L. Williams and David Chiszar . . . . . . 5 Further Observations on a Merolepid (Partially Scaleless) Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) Hobart M. Smith, Eric T. Thiss and David Chiszar . .....9 The Distribution of Sceloporus megalepidurus and of Abdominal Semeions in its Genus (Reptilia: Sauria) Hobart M. Smith, David L. Auth, David Chiszar, David Lintz and Bryce C. Brown . . . . . . . . 15 Variation and Integradation of Northern and Southern Prairie Lizards in Southwestern Oklahoma: Designation of Neotype for Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus, from Quartz Mountain State Park, Kiowa County, Oklahoma Edwin L. Bell and Hobart M. Smith . . . . 20 Book Review: J. ALAN HOLMAN - Pleistocene Amphibians and Reptiles in Britain and Europe- 1998- Oxford- (Oxford Oxford Monographs on Geology and Geophysics No. 38) - Oxford University Press- 254 pp., 46 figs. - book size: Royal 8vo (25 cm x 16 cm)- cloth bound- ISBN 0-19-511232-6 - US$ 65.00 [in English] . . . . . . . 35 BULLETIN OF THE mbt)6 Volume 36 Number 1 31 March 2000 The Maryland Herpetological Society Department of Herpetology, Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. President Tim Hoen Executive Editor Herbert S. Harris, Jr. Steering Committee Frank B. Groves Jerry D. Hardy, Jr. Herbert S. Harris, Jr. Tim Hoen Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 76-93458 Membership Rates Membership in the Maryland Herpetological Society is $20.00 per year and includes the Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society. For¬ eign is $30.00 per year. Make all checks payable to the Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. Meetings The third Wednesday of each month, 7:30 p.m. at the Baltimore Zoo’s Reptile House (except August and September due to The Mid-Atlantic Reptile Show). The Department of Herpetology meets informally on all other Wednesday evenings at the NHSM at 8:00 p.m. Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Further Observations on Iverson’s Blind Snake in Tamaulipas, Mexico David L. Auth, Hobart M. Smith , Bryce C. Brown, David Lintz and David Chiszar Abstract An additional series of seven specimens complement the six previously reported of Leptotyphlops dulcis iversoni in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Additional data and localities are reported for 59 L. d. dulcis from the same state. Surprisingly few records exist for Leptotyphlops dulcis (Baird and Girard) in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, as indicated for example in Hahn (1979). He there indicated records for the Matamoros area of L. d. dulcis, and in the Gomez Farias and.Tampico areas for L. d. myopicus. The only other notable records are of "L. myopicus " 6.4 km NW of Acuna in the Sierra de Tamaulipas (Martin et al., 1954), and of L. d. iversoni 36.5 km NE Jaumave (the type locality), 20.9 km NE Ignacio Zaragoza, and the vicinity of Llera (Smith et al., 1998). Thus the existence of 67 unreported specimens of Leptotyphlops dulcis in the Strecker Museum of Baylor University (SMBU) from various localities in Tamaulipas is of special interest. Among those 67 are seven representing L. d. iversoni, previously known from only the six types (Smith et al., 1998), as follows (all permanent SMBU numbers): 14549-51, 1.6 km E Llera, Bryce C. Brown, 24 March 1968, found under cover; 14552-3, Hda. La Clementina, 11.3 km W Ignacio Zaragoza, Bryce C. Brown, Alton Brown, and David Lintz, 25 December 1968, under rocks; and 14554-5, same locality, Brent and Alton Brown, 28 December 1968, dug from a cement pit. Most important, all lack supraoculars on both sides except one (14550) with one on one side. They consistently have a divided anterior supralabial on each side, 2-2 temporals, 14 scale rows on body, 10 on tail; 5 scale rows unpigmented on body, 3 on tail. The total length varies from 76 to 160 mm; the three largest (over 129 mm total length) have 210, 210 and 218 dorsals. The critical character of absence of the supraoculars is maintained in the total of 13 specimens now known on 22 of 26 sides. In addition to these specimens, there are 60 L. d. myopicus, from the following localities (all permanent SMBU numbers): 9.7 km NW Chamal Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 1 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 (14409-10, 14531-2); Gomez Farias (8783-5, 13143-6, 14533-48); 0.8 km S Gomez Farias (11518-9); 1.6 km N Gomez Farias (11520); 1.6 km W Gomez Farias (8775); 2.4 km W Gomez Farias (8780, 8786); 3.2 km W Gomez Farias (8773, 8787-8); 11.3 km NW Gomez Farias (8779); Vado del Mado, a small village about 48 km W Soto la Marina (14396-14408); 0.5 km N Vado del Mado (8770, 8776); 6.4 km E Vado del Mado (8774); 17.1 km E Vado del Mado (8772); 56 km E Cd. Victoria (8771); 69.2 km E Cd. Victoria, Soto la Marina rd (8782); 78.9 km E Cd. Victoria (8372, 8777, 8781); 80.8 km E Cd. Victoria (8778). All 60 specimens have supraoculars on both sides, and one (8372) has only a single anterior supralabial on both sides (the rest have two on both sides). The distributional pattern as now known of the three subspecies of L. dulcis in Tamaulipas (Fig. 1) remains uncertain to a considerable extent. How far south of the Matamoros area L. d. dulcis extends, or how far north L. d. myopicus extends, is not known. It is possible that the single specimen of the five from west of Soto la Marina with an undivided anterior supralabial indi¬ cates nearness of an area of intergradation. The range of L. d. iversoni appears to be completely surrounded by that of L. d. myopicus , to judge from records for the latter subspecies in Nuevo Le6n (Hahn, 1979; SMBU 11521, Horsetail Falls, 22 mi. S Monterrey), and near Laguna Carrizo, 3.2 km S Acuna, Tamaulipas (Martin et al., 1954; UMMZ 101234, presence of both supraoculars and of 2-2 anterior supralabials confirmed by Greg Schneider). Acknowled gments We are much indebted to the authorities of Baylor University for per¬ mission to study material in the Strecker Museum, and for facilities and ameni¬ ties during our stay; to Greg Schneider for information on the critical speci¬ men of L. d. myopicus in UMMZ from near Acuna; and to Deborah Aguiar for finalization of the map. page 2 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Fig. 1. Localities of record for Leptotyphlops dulcis in Tamaulipas. Triangles, L. d. myopicus; crosses, present records of L. d. iversoni; circle, type locality of L. d. iversoni; hatched area, localities of record for L. d. dulcis (Hahn, 1979). The northern triangles denote localities west of Soto la Marina and east of Cd. Victoria; the southwestern group denotes the Gomez Farias / Chamal area records; the central eastern triangle represents the locality near Acuha; and the southeastern one indicates Tampico (the syntypes). The crosses all indicate the localities near Llera and west of Ignacio Zaragoza. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 3 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Literature Cited Hahn, D. E. 1979 Leptotyphlops dulcis. Cat. Am. Amph. Rept. (231): 1-2. Martin, R S., C. R. Robins and W. B. Heed. 1954. Birds and the biogeography of the Sierra de Tamaulipas, an isolated pine-oak habitat. Wilson Bull. 66: 38-57. Smith, H. M., F. van Breukelen, D. L. Auth and D. Chiszar. 1998. A subspecies of the Texas blind snake (Leptotyphlops dulcis) without supraoculars. SW Nat. 43: 437-440. Florida Museum of Natural History , University of Florida, Gainesville , Florida 32611-7800 (DLA); University of Colorado Museum, Boulder, Colorado, 80309-0315 (HMS, DC); Strecker Museum, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798-7154 (BCB, DL). Received 19 March 1999 Accepted 26 June 1999 page 4 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 The Prepublication History of the Name Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae Williams, 1978, for the Sinaloan Milk Snake Hobart M. Smith , Kenneth L. Williams and David Chiszar Abstract One or more of the seven prepublication usages of the name Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae Williams, 1978, may be regarded as fulfilling the minimal requirements for nomenclatural availability. In the absence of specific action by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, we here pro¬ pose that all such usages be regarded by common consent as unavailable for nomenclatural purposes. Six subspecies of Lampropeltis triangulum (Lacepede) were formally de¬ scribed as new in an exhaustive taxonomic monograph of the species by Wil¬ liams (1978): andesiana, conanti, hondurensis , sinaloae , smithi and stuarti. One of those names, sinaloae , appeared in print at least seven times before Williams' monograph appeared. Our purpose here is to review those usages in the con¬ text of their nomenclatural significance. The earliest appearance of the name sinaloae in the nominal genus Lampropeltis was in an abstract of Williams' doctoral dissertation (Williams, 1970). The name was there an incontrovertible nomen nudum, however, com¬ pletely lacking any "indication" whatever. The second usage (Gillingham et al., 1975) was in an abstract of an oral presentation at herpetological meetings earlier that year. The only informa¬ tion recorded for Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae was that "These snakes show the following three major divisions of courtship and copulatory behavior: tactile-chase, tactile-alignment and intromission and coitus. Although these phases follow a general colubrid pattern, careful analysis has shown specific differences." We opine that this account does not satisfy the requirement of Art. 13(c)(i) of the Code that a name be "accompanied by a statement that purports to give characters differentiating the taxon," because the differences mentioned are stated explicitly to be specific (hence pertaining to the spe¬ cies), not subspecific. It is furthermore not clear that behavioral patterns by themselves are acceptable under the Code as an "indication." The third usage occurred in an article by Brecke et al. (1976: 394), in Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 5 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 which the mating behavior of Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae was compared with that of another snake, Elaphe obsolete bairdi (Yarrow). This usage appears to us to fail to qualify as an "indication" for the same reasons as the preceding. The fourth and fifth usages (Slavens, 1976: 58; Smith and Smith, 1976: S-G-4) provide no information that could be construed as making the name thereby available; the first is a list of zoos exhibitin g the subspecies, and the second is a bibliographic reference to Williams' 1970 usage of the name. The sixth usage (Gillingham et al., 1977) presents the most compelling case for providing the essential "indication." The article, with the same ab¬ stract that appeared in 1975, gives details of the behavioral sequences previ¬ ously mentioned, and depicts six different postures occurring in those se¬ quences. These line drawings might be construed as providing an acceptable "indication" since they do show a little of the pattern and scalation. How¬ ever, we regard this additional information as still insufficient to occupy the name, because no suggestion is made that what little structure is shown is distinctive. Without such a statement, even a photograph should not suffice to occupy a name. The seventh usage (Murphy et al., 1978), published March 23; Williams' monograph appeared April 13) certainly would not occupy the name if the preceding accounts do not, since it merely mentions the mating behavior re¬ corded for the subspecies. Because of the existence of-at least these seven usages of the name Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae , and perhaps others unknown to us, prior to the formal proposal of the name by Williams in 1978, workers in the future may well argue which usage properly makes the name available under the Code. Indeed, the question was submitted to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature in 1981. The response was that indeed some of the usages might well qualify for availability, but that action, if any, should not be taken on this individual case, but should take the form of revision of the Code, clarifying what constitutes an "indication." In the meantime, we propose that all cited usages of the name sinaloae , in combination with the nominal genus Lampropeltis , prior to that of Will¬ iams (1978), be regarded by common consent as unavailable for nomencla- tural purposes. page 6 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 We take this opportunity to reiterate the warning that names should never be used before their formal publication is assured. Literature Cited Brecke, B. J., J. B. Murphy and W. Seifert. 1976. An inventory of reproduction and social behavior in cap¬ tive Baird's ratsnakes, Elaphe obsoleta bairdi (Yarrow). Herpetologica, 32: 389-395. Gillingham, J. C, C. C. Carpenter, B. J. Brecke and J. B. Murphy. 1975. Courtship and copulatory behavior of the Mexican milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae. Herp. Rev., 6: 71. 1977. Courtship and copulatory behavior of the Mexican milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae (Colubridae). South¬ western Naturalist, 22: 187-194. Murphy, J. B., B. W. Tryon and B. J. Brecke. 1978. An inventory of reproductive and social behavior in cap¬ tive gray-banded kingsnakes, Lampropeltis triangulum altema (Brown). Herpetologica, 34: 84-93. Slavens, F. L. 1976. The working guide to breeding potential for reptiles and amphibians in United States zoos. Seattle, Washington, Woodland Park Zoological Gardens, ix, 81 pp. Smith, H. M. and R. B. Smith. 1976. Synopsis of the herpetofauna of Mexico. Volume III. Source analysis and index for Mexican reptiles. North Bennington, Vermont, John Johnson. 997 pp. Williams, K. L. 1970. Systematics of the colubrid snake Lampropeltis triangulum Lacepede. Diss. Abst. Int, 31(10): 6355. 1978. Systematics and natural history of the American milk snake, Lampropeltis triangulum. Milwaukee Public Museum, Publ. Biol. Geol., (2): i-xii, 1-258. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetoiogical Society page 7 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 (HMS, DC) Museum of Natural History ; University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334; (KLW) Department of Life Science, Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497. Received 13 August 1999 Accepted 26 August 1999 page 8 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Further Observations on a Merolepid (Partially Scaleless) Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) Hobart M. Smith , Eric T. Thiss and David Chiszar Abstract A previously reported merolepid water snake (Nerodia sipedon) has di¬ vided ventrals, previously thought not to occur in merolepid viviparous snakes. Most ventrals are divided into four scales, some into three, and few are undivided. Some subcaudals also are divided into three or four scales. Two stillborn young from the same female, not known to have mated since birth, have much the same characteristics and are regarded as another prob¬ able example of facultative parthenogenesis. A young merolepid Natrix sipedon , less than a year old, was reported and illustrated in color by Thiss (1993), and the same snake was figured in color by Bechtel (1995), but few details about it have been reported, other than pattern. Because of the rarity of the condition (Smith et al., 1996), we here provide additional information. The snake is now UCM 60580. As reported by Thiss (1993), the snake in question was one of two merolepid snakes born in September, 1992, to a wild-caught gravid female taken in Cook Co., Illinois, by Brad Scialabba, in a litter that included at least 15 normal appearing snakes. One of the two merolepid snakes died before Thiss' report appeared, and its present whereabouts is unknown. The other merolepid neonate, however, was maintained in captivity by Thiss until it died in his absence approximately 30 June 1998. By that time the snake had reached adult size (it now measures 935 mm in total length, 7 80 mm SVL, tail incomplete). In mid-1997 the snake gave birth to two still-born young, passed along with about 10 infertile ova, al¬ though the mother had not been bred. The snake was subsequently placed with normal males, but mating was never observed, and the female died be¬ fore producing any more litters. The two neonates, fully developed but still tightly coiled, are now UCM 60581-2. As noted by Thiss (1993), the mother, and the neonates as well, have some scales, hence none are truly scaleless. As in all other merolepid snakes, the only scales remaining are the ventrals, subcaudals and a few head scales. However, virtually all of the ventrals in these three snakes are divided, whereas Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 9 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Fig. 1. Dorsal view of a merolepid Nerodia s. sipedon, UCM 60580. Note especially the broad longitudinal stripe on neck, and the mostly unbroken transverse blotches, unlike the normal pattern of the subspecies, but some¬ what similar to that of N, s. pleuralis. Fig. 2. Ventral view of the same snake as in Fig. 1. The divided ventrals are evident where the dark spots are in pairs or in fours. page 10 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 W': T. :■ V ft : • ' ^ T SlPllfi ‘ ! i a £ '■ , >y Fig. 3. Dorsal views of the two merolepid neonates born by UCM 60580. Note the considerable similarity of pattern to that of the mother. Fig. 4. Ventral views of the same snakes as in Fig. 3. The markings are much less distinct in the less well developed neonate on the left (UCM 60582), perhaps as a product of incomplete development. Note its bulging left brille. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 11 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Smith et al. (1996) suggested that in viviparous examples the ventrals are not divided. That generality is therefore not valid. Indeed, not only are most of the ventrals divided medially in all three examples, but in all three many of them have each half, or the half on one side, also divided. Thus many of the ventrals are divided into four parts. In all cases the lateral scales are smaller than the paramidventral ones. In the adult, the 134 ventrals are either entire (indicated by 1), divided medially (2), divided medially and on one side (3), or divided medially and on both sides (4), as follows: ventral 1(4), 2(3), 3(2), 4-12(1), 13(2), 14-15(1), 16-23(2), 24(3), 25-26(2), 27(3), 28(2), 29-30(3), 31-32(2), 33(3), 34-37(2), 38(3), 39-41(2), 42(3), 43-44(2), 45-46(3), 47-53(4), 54(2), 55-56(4), 57)3), 58-81(4), 82(3), 83-92(4), 93(3), 94-95(4), 96(3), 97-98(4), 99(3), 100-101(4), 102(3), 103-104(2), 105(3), 106-108(2), 109(4), 110-112(2), 113(3), 114-134, including anal(2). In the adult, all of the subcaudals are divided, but about the terminal fourth of the tail lacks the scales; only a few have the right or left ends of the scales split from the more medial part. The rostral and mental are present, but rather more rounded than normal, and the nasal is recognizable. A brille appears to be present, but the only other scales are in the upper and lower labial region, where round or oval scales are scattered but seldom in contact with each other. A few small (<1 mm) corneous patches are scattered on neck. One neonate (UCM 60581), more readily examined than the other, mea¬ sures approximately 124 mm in total length, and the tail 41 mm. The long tail (33% of total length) suggests that it is not a female, as indicated for the spe¬ cies by P. W. Smith (1961: 258), with 25% being the maximum for females, 27% for males (McCauley, 1945, recorded much the same maxima for the popu¬ lations of N. s. sipedon of Maryland and the District of Columbia, with 23% for females, 29% for males). With 60 subcaudals and 113 ventrals, as best they can be counted or estimated were they present, both figures are well below or on the low side of the normal range (58-80 subcaudals, the lower figures presumably female, and 135-149 ventrals, fide Smith, 1961; in MD/DC, fide McCauley, 1945, there are 56-74 subcaudals and 132-144 ventrals in females, 66-80 subcaudals and 133-145 ventrals in males). Neither count on the neo¬ nate is definitive, because the ventrals are irregular, somewhat compressed together, and the subcaudals are lacking toward the tip of the tail and could only be estimated were all present. Nevertheless the actual number is prob¬ ably subnormal or low, as is the accurately countable 134 ventrals of the adult. page 12 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 The scales on head and ventral surfaces of body and tail in both neo¬ nates are much as in the adult. Most ventrals are in four rows. On UCM 60582, the brilles are protuberant, and the subcaudal scales are present only near the base of the tail. Its tail measures 34 mm, hence suggests that the snake is a male. The evidence is not conclusive, but it indicates that the neonates were produced by parthenogenesis, a phenomenon that has been confirmed in a number of other species of snakes, and is suspected also in certain lizards (Schuett et al., 1997, 1998; Chiszar et al., 1999). It is possible that the option of facultative parthenogenesis has evolved in at least some reptiles that occa¬ sionally fail to encounter mates; most if not all suspected cases occurred in animals kept isolated in captivity for several years. Presumably the phenom¬ enon would not occur when mates are encountered within reasonable time limits. Its mechanism and origin remain intriguing problems. There may be a relationship of the mechanism of facultative partheno¬ genesis in reptiles with that of obligate parthenogenesis in the burrowing, blind snake Ramphotyphlops braminus , the only known species of snake ex¬ hibiting obligate parthenogenesis. Of possible significance in this context is the idea that snakes originated from burrowing ancestors, an hypothesis origi¬ nating with Walls (1942), elaborated by Cans (1975), and supported by Rieppel (1988). Literature Cited Bechtel, H. B. 1995. Reptile and amphibian variants: colors, patterns and scales. Malabar, Florida, Krieger. 206 pp. Chiszar, D., T. Gingery, B. Gingery and H. M. Smith. 1999. Phymaturus patagonicus (Argentine chuckwalla): reproduc¬ tion. Herp. Rev., 3: 98. Cans, C. 1975. Tetrapod limblessness: evolution and functional corollar¬ ies. Am. Zool, 15: 455-467. McCauley, R. H. 1945. The reptiles of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Hagerstown, Maryland. Privately Printed, iv, 194 pp. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 13 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Rieppel, 0. 1988. A review of the origin of snakes. Evol. Biol, 22: 37-130. Schuett, G. W., P. J. Fernandez, W. F. Gergits, N. J. Casna, D. Chiszar, H. M. Smith, J. B. Mitton, S. P. Mackessy, R. A. Odum and M. J. Demlong. 1997. Production of offspring in the absence of males: evidence for facultative parthenogenesis in bisexual snakes. Herp. Nat. Hist., 5: 1-10. Schuett, G. W., P. J. Fernandez, D. Chiszar and H. M. Smith. 1998. Fatherless sons: a new type of parthenogenesis in snakes. Fauna, 1(3): 20-25. Smith, H. M., G. L. Smith and D. Chiszar. 1996. A new record and review of partially scaleless snakes. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc., 32: 107-112. Smith, P. W. 1961. The amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Bull. Illinois Nat. Hist. Surv., 28: 1-302. Thiss, Eric T. 1993. A "scaleless" water snake (Nerodia s. sipedon). Captive Breed¬ ing, 1(3): 16. Walls, G. L. 1942. The vertebrate eye and its adaptive radiation. Bull. Cranbrook Inst. Sci., 19: i-xiv, 1-785. (HMS) EPO Biology and Museum, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334; (ETT) P. 0. Box 405, Lanesboro, Minnesota 55949-0405 ; (DC) Department of Psychology and Museum, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0345. Received 1 September 1999 Accepted 2 October 1999 page 14 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 The Distribution of Sceloporus megalepidurus and of Abdominal Semeions in its Genus (Reptiiia: Sauria) Hobart M. Smith , David L. Auth, David Chiszar, David Lintz and Bryce C. Brown Abstract. Sceloporus megalepidurus pictus , diagnosed by having promi¬ nent, dark-bordered abdominal semeions in males, is recorded from 9.7 km N Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico - a range extension of about 125 km northwest of the nearest record in central Puebla. The only previous record of the spe¬ cies for the state had not been allocated to subspecies, but is a female from nearby Lake El Chico, hence is here regarded as representative of the same subspecies as the preceding. The record from Teotihuacan Valley, state of Mexico, was based on a single female previously allocated on geographic grounds to S. m. megalepidurus, diagnosed as lacking prominent abdominal semeions in males, but new geographic evidence now requires referral to S. m, pictus. Males of most species of Sceloporus have prominent abdominal semeions; only eight species lack them, and in only two species are they absent in one subspecies, present in another. A series of four Sceloporus megalepidurus from 9.7 km N Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico, taken 26 June 1964 by Bryce C. Brown and family, and in the Strecker Museum of Baylor University, Waco, Texas, includes two males (SMBU 12573, 12794), both of which possess prominent, dark-edged abdomi¬ nal semeions, even in the small individual (SMBU 12794, 33 mm SVL). The other two specimens (SMBU 12574-5) are females which, as in all other fe¬ males of the species, lack any evidence of abdominal semeions. We regard these specimens as S. m. pictus because of the presence of prominent, dark-edged abdominal semeions in both males of the present se¬ ries. However, previous records have indicated that S. m. pictus occurs south and southwest of the range of S. m. megalepidurus (Dasmann and Smith, 1974), whereas the Hidalgo locality is north (-125 km) of the nearest locality of record for S. m. pictus in central Puebla, and indeed is considerably north of the northernmost locality of record for S. m. megalepidurus, although to the west of the range of that subspecies. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 15 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 The only other record of the species for the state of Hidalgo (Larsen and Tanner, 1974) is for "Lake El Chico" (BYU 36421), which is essentially the same locality as that for the SMBU series. The BYU specimen is a female and was reported as S. megalepidurus, as a species separate from S. pictus. In the absence of males, on geographic grounds it is here regarded as representa¬ tive of the same subspecies as the SMBU specimens, not S. m. megalepidurus. One other western specimen of S. megalepidurus (MCZ 133166) has been recorded (Dasmann and Smith, 1974), from "Station 85, hills E San Marcos, Teotihuacan Valley, Mexico state." It was regarded in that work as represen¬ tative of the nominotypical subspecies, but the single specimen is a female, hence unidentifiable to subspecies. On geographic grounds we here refer it to S. m. pictus. The distributional picture (Fig. 1) that thus emerges from these identifi¬ cations suggests that S. m. pictus inhabits relatively open terrain at relatively low altitudes, west of the higher altitudes inhabited by S. m. megalepidurus. However, the survival value of the presence or absence of prominent abdomi¬ nal semeions remains to be determined. Both taxa appear to occur in semi- arid regions, where S. m. pictus was observed by Taylor (Smith, 1939) to be "confined to maguey plants, and extremely wary and difficult to extract." On the contrary, S.m. megalepidurus were readily caught by hand on "hills and lava beds, often under fallen yuccas, apparently not living on the plains" (Smith, 1939). The subspecies has been reported from altitudes as high as 10,000 feet on Mt. Orizaba (Smith, 1939). Of special interest is the report (Flores et al., 1991:124) of two S. m. megalepidurus from El Carmen municipality, at the extreme eastern limit of Tlaxcala, and one S. m. pictus from the same locality. On what bases they were so identified is unknown, but in the absence of further information we re¬ gard all of them as S. m. megalepidurus on geographic grounds (Fig. 1). Adrian Nieto Montes de Oca (pers. comm.) concurs; actually the three cited museum numbers exbrace six specimens, only one a male, which was referred to S. m. megalepidurus. So far as we are aware, the two subspecies differ tangibly only in the presence of prominent, dark-bordered abdominal semeions in male S. m. pictus , and their absence in S. m. megalepidurus. Smith (1939: 200) distin¬ guished the two taxa as full species on the additional bases of number of dorsals, number of scales between the femoral pores series, and presence or absence of keels on the basal subcaudals in females. However, Dasmann and Smith (1974) provided data on 58 specimens not previously reported, and page 16 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 found that the only possibly useful difference was in number of dorsals, 44- 56 in S. m. pictus (mean 51), 52-63 in S. m. megalepidurus (mean 57). No reliable difference in keeling of the basal subcaudals in females was found, nor have we found it reliable in specimens subsequently examined. Fig. 1. Locality records for Sceloporus megalepidurus , adapted from Dasmann and Smith (1974). The Oaxaca record (2 mi W Yanhuitlan) is from Smith (1992), and the one from western Puebla ("Putla," presumably a mis¬ spelling of Puctla) is from Boulenger (1885). Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 17 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Furthermore Dasmann and Smith (1974) reported intergrades between the two subspecies from 8 km SE Cd. Serdan, Puebla, so identified on the basis of irregular occurrence of semeions in males. We have examined part of that series again, and find that 2 of a total of 18 males have prominent, dark- bordered abdominal semeions, whereas the other 16 exhibit no evidence of them whatever. No other differences were detected between those with and those without dark-bordered semeions. The critical SMBU specimens we here assign to S. m. pictus have 49-53 dorsals, within the range of both subspecies, which have a considerable over¬ lap; 51-55 ventrals; 46-48 scales around body; 13-16 femoral pores; and 4-6 scales between the pore series. The problematic BYU female, and the one from the Teotihuacan Valley, have 56 and 55 dorsals, respectively. If it is correct that these two taxa are valid and subspecies of the same species, as now appears to be the case, they are a rare exception to the general rule in Sceloporus that presence or absence of prominent abdominal semeions in males is species-constant. Relatively few species lack them: S. chrysostictus, S. utiformis, S. virgatus, and the five species of the angustus and siniferus groups (S. angustus, S. carinatus, S. grandaevus, S. siniferus, S. squamosus). They are peculiarly barred in the pyrocephalus group. Only in S. megalepidurus and S. horridus are they absent in one subspecies, present in another. Either species would be a fascinating subject for study of the factors of life style, if any, that favors one condition over the other. Ackno wled gments We are much indebted to Jose Rosado, Dr. David Lintz and Dr. Wilmer W. Tanner for the loan of specimens from MCZ, SMBU and BYU respectively, to Dr. Adridn Nieto Montes de Oca for information on MZFC material, and to Dr. Bryce C. Brown for the privilege of studying his extensive Mexican collections. page 18 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Literature Cited Boulenger, G, A. 1885. Catalogue of the lizards in the British Museum. 2d ed. Vol. 2. London, British Mus. Nat. Hist. Dasmann, M. M. and H. M. Smith. 1974. A new sceloporine lizard from Oaxaca, Mexico. Gr. Basin Nat, 34: 231-237. Flores Villela, 0. A., E. Hernandez Garcia, and A. Nieto Montes de Oca. 1991. Catalog© de anfibios y reptiles del Museo de Zoologfa, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Serie Catalogos del Museo de Zoologfa "Alfonso L. Herrera/' 3: [i-xvi], 1-222. Larsen, K. R. and W. W Tanner. 1974. Numeric analysis of the lizard genus Sceloporus with spe¬ cial reference to cranial osteology. Gr. Basin Nat., 34: 1-44. Smith, H. M. 1939. The Mexican and Central American lizards of the genus Sceloporus. Zool. Ser. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., 26: 1-397. Smith, H. M. 1992. Distributional and taxonomic notes on some lizards of the genus Sceloporus from Mexico. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc., 28: 8-11. Museum , University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0334 ( HMS , DC); 425 NB 7th St., Gainesville , Florida 32601 (DBA); Strecker Museum , Baylor University , Waco , Texas 76798-7154 ( DL , BCB ). Received 1 October 1999 Accepted 24 November 1999 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 19 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Variation and Intergradation of Northern and Southern Prairie Lizards in Southwestern Oklahoma: Designation of Neotype for Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus, from Quartz Mountain State Park, Kiowa County, Oklahoma Edwin L. Bell and Hobart M. Smith Abstract Intergradation between Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus , the Southern Prairie Lizard, and Sceloporus undulatus garmani, the Northern Prairie Lizard is described for southwestern Oklahoma. A neotype for S. u. consobrinus is described from Quartz Mountain State Park, Kiowa County, Oklahoma. Baird and Girard (1854: 237-239) described a new species, Sceloporus consobrinus , from a single specimen allegedly collected on June 6, 1852 by the expedition exploring the Red River (Marcy, R. B., and G. B. McClellan, 1854). No specific type locality was given, but on the basis of date has been as¬ sumed to be Suydam Creek [presently Timber Creek]. Stejneger and Barbour (1917: 53) originally restricted the type locality to Roger Mills Co., Oklahoma. Smith (1938: 11) questioned this, stating the expedition could not have reached this point at the rate they were travelling. Stejneger and Barbour (1939: 70) then restricted the type locality to Beckham Co., Oklahoma, near the confluence of the North Fork of the Red River and Suydam Creek. Webb (1970:331-332) further clarified the type locality, to "about four miles east- southeast of Sayre, near or at the confluence of Timber Creek and the North Fork of the Red River, Beckham County, Oklahoma". He stated that on mod¬ ern maps there was no Suydam Creek, which presently is known as Timber Creek. He noted also (Webb, 1970: 186) that in Beckham County along Tim¬ ber Creek, nearly topotypic individuals in the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas (KU 84673-76) more closely resembled S. u. garmani than S. u. consobrinus. These specimens have been examined, and indeed do re¬ semble garmani , and are not typical of the well-known phenotype of S. u. consobrinus. Photograph of these near topotypes (Fig. 10) was provided by R. G. Webb. Even these show dorsal color variation, with the one individual (on right) showing seven separate dorsal paired spots in median dorsal area, whereas the other (on left) shows these spots surrounded by a light dark line just medial to the dorsolateral light stripe. page 20 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Applegarth (1969) reviewed the type localities, coloration, and ranges of S. u. consobrinus, S. u. garmani, S. u. tristichus, and S. u. erythrocheilus. His inter¬ grade area (S. u. consobrinus X garmani) is the same as in this paper. Our study is based upon relatively few specimens from the vicinity of Quartz Mountain State Park in the collection of the Oklahoma State University at Stillwater. The specific route followed by the expedition is quite important, and is summarized from Foreman (1937), who interpreted and often corrected er¬ rors of Marcy and McClellan (1854). The most flagrant error was placement of the One Hundredth Meridian about fifty miles east of the proper meridian (Foreman, 1937: 31 and map in report). This restricted neotype locality is near the expedition route (Fig. 1). The expedition proceeded up the North Fork of the Red River of Okla¬ homa, and from May 28-31 passed between the Wichita Mountains and the North Fork. Encampment on May 30 was "not far from the present town of Mountain Park, Kiowa County, near Twin Mountain" (Foreman, ibid., p. 34). On May 31 it passed over Elk Creek; "camp today is southwest of Hobart" (ibid., p. 35). On June 1 it passed Mount Webster, now known as Tepee Moun¬ tain (southeast of Lugert) and descended to the junction of Elm Fork and the North Fork of the Red River. Marcy reported Elm Fork as "Salt Fork," because its water was quite unpalatable. Modern maps show this stream as Elm Fork. Early maps call it Marcy's Creek, or Marcy's Fork of the Red River. Applegarth (1969: 24; after McCoy, 1961) diagrams one locality on Elm Fork as an inter¬ grade locality of S. u. consobrinus X garmani , which is within the intergrade area on Fig. 1 in this paper. On May 31 -June 1 Marcy's party was just east of the present Quartz Mountain State Park. Marcy remarked he could not leave the Wichita Mountains "without a feeling of sincere regret", because of the beauty of the terrain. On June 3 the expedition crossed the North Fork (Foreman, ibid., p. 41) to the west bank, proceeded northward, and on June 6 again crossed the North Fork to the north bank. After about ten miles they came to a large creek, which Marcy named Suydam Creek after his friend J. R. Suydam of New York City, who accompanied the expedition (Foreman, ibid., p. 44; Marcy and McClellan, 1854: 25). The original holotype of S. u. consobrinus was recorded as collected on June 6, 1852 (Baird and Girard, 1854: 209). The range of S. u. consobrinus (Cope, 1900: 377; Smith, 1938: 10; Smith, 1946: 217) is south of that of S. u. garmani, which occurs from Oklahoma north¬ ward through the Great Plains to South Dakota. So interpreted, S. u. consobrinus Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 21 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Fig. 1. Map of central Oklahoma with localities, Beckham, Greer, Kiowa, Jackson and Harmon Counties; — = Pathway of expedition of Marcy and McClellen. G= S.u. garmani; C= S. u. consobrinus; C X G = S. u. consobrinus X garmani intergrade. N= neotype locality at SOAARR Camp, Quartz Moun¬ tain State Park. T= Timber Creek (original type locality of S.u . consobrinus). page 22 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 has been consistently regarded as the taxon occurring southward from south¬ western Oklahoma through western Texas and westward across southern New Mexico to southeastern Arizona, thence southward into northern Mexico. The term "semeion" (introduced by Smith et al., 1991: 5) is derived from a Greek word meaning "'flag or signal/" and designates patches of color that lizards and other vertebrates display during courtship or aggressive behav¬ ior. The term interabdominal semeion area (IASA) is here introduced to indi¬ cate the ventral area between the black borders of the abdominal semeions. The IASA is here counted in scalerows at mid-body, and color is described. The IASA is considered important in many species and subspecies of Sceloporus. The term "total ventral count" is also here introduced as the num¬ ber of scales or scalerows counted just beside the ventral median line from (but not including) postmentals to edge of vent. Small scales inside the vent are often exposed in specimens, but these are not part of the total ventral count. One of us previously used total ventral count (Bell, 1954: 33), but called it ventral scale count. "Ventral scales," or ventral count as originally defined (Smith, 1939: 26), began at a line between the anterior margins of the shoul¬ ders, and ended at the edge of the vent. Total ventral count has the advantage of beginning at a specific scale. The original type specimen of Sceloporus consobrinus, USNM 2855, has been destroyed (Jones, 1926: 1) and a neotype is described below. The cata¬ logue of the National Museum of Natural History has "type destroyed" in the right margin of entry USNM 2855. "It is not dated, but the handwriting is that of E. D. Cope" (Ronald Crombie, Dept, of Amphibians and Reptiles, USNM, pers. comm.). Original type description omits sex, but the femoral pores are described as "conspicuous." Elongated blue patches are described on the sides of the abdomen, and enlarged male postanal scales, typical of males (Smith, 1946: 16; Cope, 1900: 332) are shown on (Baird and Girard, 1854: 13-14, Fig. 10, Plate X). Males of S. u. consobrinus usually have conspicuous medial black bor¬ ders at least two scalerows wide on the ventral abdominal semeions. Gular semeions are paired blue spots usually surrounded by black. Females have smaller femoral pores, and usually no ventral abdominal semeions (except for faint ones in occasional specimens), and occasionally small blue paired gular semeions. Fixation of the name S. u. consobrinus is permitted by Article 75 of the International Rules of Zoological Nomenclature, third edition. We here also Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 23 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 follow Art. 72h, and Art. 75(d)(5) in having the neotype type locality (Quartz Mountain State Park, Kiowa County, Oklahoma) as near as possible to the area of the original type locality, consistent with the very extensive usages and understanding of applications of the name for nearly 150 years, thereby also assuring the continuation of the name S. u. garmani Boulenger, 1882: 761, for over 100 years. The neotype type locality is about thirty miles southeast of the original holotype type locality at Timber Creek, Beckham County, Okla¬ homa. A number of series were taken in the Park in both Kiowa and Greer counties, Oklahoma. Numerous specimens of S. u. consobrinus from the Wichita Mountains exist (McCoy, 1961:84). Description of Neotvpe Oklahoma State University (OSU) No. R5284, field tag PNW (Pattie N. White), vicinity of junction of North Fork of Red River, and Elm Fork, R20W, T4N, S34; Southern Oklahoma Adolescent Alcoholics Rehabilitation Ranch (SOAARR), Quartz Mountain State Park, Kiowa County, Oklahoma. Fig. 2. Dorsal aspect, OSU R5284, male, (Neotype), S. u. consobrinus, SOAARR Camp, Quartz Moutain State Park, Kiowa Co., Oklahoma. 53 mm. SVL. page 24 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Fig. 3. Ventral aspect, OSU R5284, male, (Neotype), S. u. consobrinus, SOAARR Camp, Quartz Moutain State Park, Kiowa Co., Oklahoma. 53 mm. SVL. SVL 53 mm; tail length 71 mm; dorsal count 38; total ventral count 65; femoral pores, 12 (right), 13 (left); 4 scales between medial ends of femoral pore series. Prominent paired dorsolateral stripes, each about one scale wide, lateral to mid-dorsal area; dorsolateral stripes extending from just above each ear opening onto base of tail. Mid-dorsal area about 6 1/2 scales wide with paired lateral dark spots posteriorly, but with such spots confluent anteri¬ orly; black stripe 2 1/2 scales wide, laterad to dorsolateral stripe; narrow light lateral stripe 1-11/2 scalerows wide below black stripe, beginning at ear opening and extending to the hind leg; 1-2 dark scalerows between light lateral light stripe and blue of abdominal semeion, which is about three blue scalerows wide, with medial black borders two to three scalerows wide; black border of blue abdominal semeion extending posteriorly onto groin and an¬ terior surface of hind limb. Eight scalerows ventrally between black borders on I ASA at mid-body; IASA, chest and ventral thighs whitish, heavily suf¬ fused with small dark flecks. Gular semeions black, each with small blue central spot, each spot with about five scales completely blue. Nuchal pouch black with black bar extending onto proximal end of forelimb. Five auricular Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 25 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 scales on each side. Four postrostrals, four internasals; six supraoculars on each side with posterior two supraoculars on each side contacting frontoparietals; lateral light stripe originating below each eye, extending pos¬ teriorly over auriculars, and continuing laterally on body. Twenty lamellae on right fourth hind toe, twenty-one lamellae on left fourth hind toe. En¬ larged postanal scales, lateral postanals larger than medial postanals. Faired postmentals in contact. Variation and Intergradation The major diagnostic color diferences between these subspecies con¬ cern the ventral abdominal and gular areas of the males. Typically, S. u. garmani males have blue abdominal semeions with narrow medial black borders one scalerow or less wide. These narrow black borders are usually continuous, with opposing borders never in contact, and are best seen with a low power stereoscope. Examinations of S. u. garmani by the naked eye, or without ste¬ reoscopes have apparently led some to erroneously state that this subspecies has no black borders on the blue abdominal semeions in males. Black borders may be inconspicuous, particularly if the specimen is a juvenile, or is faded due to improper preservation. S. u. garmani males usually have a wide im¬ maculate IAS A, whereas male S. u. consobrinus have a narrower I AS A, which is often heavily flecked with black, and conspicuous continuous black borders at least two scalerows wide on the abdominal semeions. Opposing black borders occasionally are wide and may merge at one or more points in some spe cimens. S.u. garmani males usually have faint, or no gular semeions, and rarely have the gular areas showing black or blue spots. S. u. consobrinus males usu¬ ally have a pair of conspicuous black-bordered blue gular semeions. The black borders of the gular semeions often meet medially, such junction varying from a narrow isthmus to a more broad union. McCoy (1961: 83) described a pair of specimens two miles west of Reed, Greer County, as representative of an intergrade population. Reed is about three miles south of Elm Fork, and about twenty miles west of Quartz Moun¬ tain State Park. The specimens had black-edged abdominal semeions, typical of S. u. consobrinus, "with the gular area only faintly suffused with dark color as in S. u. garmani." These subspecies occur at numerous localities in central Oklahoma. Non-intergrade selected specimen localities on the range map (Fig. 1) are from McCoy (1960, 1961): S. u. consobrinus : Harmon Co., 3 miles W Vinson; 1 mile N Hollis; Jackson Co., near Elmer; S. u. garmani: Beckham Co., page 26 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Sayre; Elk City; Mayfield. Quartz Mountain State Park surrounds the junction of Elm Fork and the North Fork of the Red River: Greer Co., - west bank, Kiowa Co., - east bank. Quartz Mountain is elevated about 500 ft. above the prairie, and is on the western border of Lake Altus, which is impounded by Altus Dam. The following intergrade specimens are all from Quartz Mountain State Park. Six specimens (OSU R5441, R5443-7) (four males, two females) strongly resembling S. u. garmani are from Greer Co. near the Park Lodge, west of Lake Altus. Dorsal and ventral aspects of R5443 are on Figs. 4 and 5. Snout- vent lengths are smaller: 37, 41, 42, 43, 46, 47 mm. Fig. 4. Dorsal aspect, OSU R5443, male. Quartz Mountain State Park S. u. consobrinusX garmani intergrade resembling S. u. garmani, Greer Co., Okla¬ homa. 47 mm. SVL. Fig. 5. Ventral aspect, OSU R5443, male. Quartz Mountain State Park S. u. consobrinusX garmani intergrade resembling S. u. garmani, Greer Co., Okla¬ homa. 47 mm. SVL. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 27 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Two specimens from Greer Co. (OSU 4856, OSU 5334) seem to be inter¬ grades. The two specimens from Kiowa Co. (OSU 5284 -neotype, and OSU 5440) from Kiowa Co. are identified as S. u. consobrinus. Dorsal and ventral aspects of R5440 are on Figs. 6 and 7, and IAS A is lighter than on the neotype (OSU 5284). R4856 is on Figs. 8 and 9. This latter group from Greer and Kiowa counties has larger snout-vent lengths of 58, 53, 60, and 55 mm. This slight SVL difference is typical of these two subspecies. These groups are described below. In the intergrade group resembling S. u. garmani, the blue of the ab¬ dominal semeions is two to four scalerows wide in the males, and the black borders are one to one and one-half scalerows wide. The females (R5441, R5446) arid two of the males (R5444 and R5445) have either immaculate white gular areas or with just a few darkly pigmented areas. A third male (OSU 5443) (Figs. 4 & 5) has small black paired lateral gular semeions, and the fourth male (OSU 5447) has small blue paired lateral spots in the gular semeion. The spots (semeions) are far apart in both the third and the fourth male. The male with the blue spots (OSU 5447) has two blue scales in each gular semeion, which presumably represents the intergrading influence of S. u. consobrinus. No males have extensive black in the gular areas. The IASA of the four males varies from 8-12 white scalerows wide at midbody. In these four males the black borders of the abdominal semeions are one to one and one-half scalerows wide. Scale counts of these six specimens from Greer Co. were dorsal count 40-44, mean 41.5; total ventral count 65-72, mean 69.67; total femoral pore count 25-29, mean 27. In the intergrade group from Greer Co. resembling S, u. consobrinus , one male (OSU R4856)(58 mm SVL) strongly resembles the consobrinus phenotype, and is from northwest of the Lodge on the western border of Lake Altus. One female (OSU R5334) (60 mm SVL) from Greer Co., west of Lake Altus, shows no subspecific color differences, but is larger than the intergrades resembling S. u. garmani. The group (S. u. consobrinus.) from Kiowa Co. includes the two males from the SOAARR Camp., the neotype (OSU R5284)(53 mm SVL), and (OSU R5440) (55 mm SVL). The neotype shows the typical coloration of consobrinus , having large blue gular semeions completely surrounded by black. Six blue scales in the right gular semeion and ten blue scales in the left semeion are at least 50% blue. The blue of the abdominal semeions is two to three scalerows wide, with black borders three scalerows wide. The IASA of the neotype is eight scalerows wide at midbody and is heavily flecked with black (Figs. 2-3). page 28 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 The other male (OSU R5440) (Figs. 6 & 7) has gular semeions of paired blue scales, with one blue scale on each side surrounded by black. Black bor¬ ders of the abdominal semeions are two scalerows wide, and the blue of the semeions are each two to three scalerows wide. The IASA is twelve scalerows wide and is nearly immaculate white. OSU R5440 resembles R5447 from Greer Co., but the latter has no black surrounding the blue spots in each gular semeion, and only two blue scales in each semeion are 50% or more blue. R5440 has considerable black around the small blue spots. These two (R5284 and R5440) Kiowa Co. specimens have scale counts of dorsal count (38, 45), mean 41.5; total ventral count (65, 74), mean 69.5; and total femoral pore count (25, 28), mean 26.5. Fig. 6. Dorsal aspect, OSU R5440, male. Quartz Mountain State Park S. u, consobrinus Kiowa Co., Oklahoma. 55 mm. SVL. Fig. 7. Ventral aspect, OSU R5440, male. Quartz Mountain State Park S. u. consobrinus Kiowa Co., Oklahoma. 55 mm. SVL. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 29 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Intergradation as here interpreted occurs in a very narrow zone across Quartz Mountain State Park in Greer Co. Judgment of this is based upon coloration and SVLs and not upon standard scale counts. The north-south range formed by Quartz Mountain, Williams Peak, and King Mountain does not seem to be a geographic barrier between these two subspecies. However, more specimens from this area should certainly contribute to an understand¬ ing of the nature of the intergradation regarding color. Proper technique is very important to effect preservation of the blue color, which is quite susceptible to fading if specimen is left in formalin for more than a day. Injection of a 1/10 dilution of commercial formalin is quite preferable to mere immersion. Specimens should be rinsed of formalin in less than a day, and then placed in 70% alcohol. There should be no or mini¬ mal fading of the blue color, providing that they are not exposed to strong continuous light. Identifying certain subspecies with faded blue semeions is quite frustrating, particularly if the blue semeions are diagnostic features. It is well-known that Dr. Joseph R. Slevin, now deceased, a former cu¬ rator at the California Academy of Science, would not allow specimens he collected to touch formalin. His aversion to formalin was such that when he could not get ethyl alcohol from the Academy for field trips, he relied on moonshine whiskey (pers. comm, to E. L. Bell). Fig. 8. Dorsal aspect, OSU R4856, male. Quartz Mountain State Park S. u. consobrinus X garmani, intergrade resembling S. u. consobrinus , Greer Co., Oklahoma. 58 mm. SVL. page 30 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 31 Appreciation and acknowledgement of aid is given to the members of the staff of the Oklahoma State University: Dr. Tracy Carter, Director; Dr. Stanley Fox, Curator of the Collections of Vertebrates; and J. Kelley McCoy, Assistant to the Curator. Appreciation is also given to Victoria Mason, Natu¬ ralist, Quartz Mountain State Park. Fig. 9. Ventral aspect, OSU R4856, male. Quartz Mountain State Park S. u. consobrinus X garmani, intergrade resembling S. u. consobrinus, Greer Co., Oklahoma. 58 mm. SVL. Fig. 10. Former near-topotypes of Sceloporus undulatus from Timber Creek, Beckham Co., Oklahoma; this was the first type locality of S. consobrinus , but these resemble S.u. garmani (see text). Photos courtesy of R. G. Webb. Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Literature Cited Applegarth, J. S. 1969, The variation, distribution, and taxonomy of the eastern fence lizard Scelopoms undulatus Bose in Latreille, in north¬ eastern New Mexico. M. S. Diss. 124 pp. University of New Mexico. Albuquerque. Baird, S. F. and C Girard. 1854. Appendix F.— Reptiles, pp. 188-215, pis. 1 XL [5. consobrinus Fig. 5-12, pi X]. In R. B. Marcy and G. B. McClellan, 1854. Exploration of the Red River of Louisiana, in the year 1852: Senate Executive Document 54, 32nd Congress, 2nd Ses¬ sion, Washington, D. C. Bell, E. L.. 1 954. A preliminary report on the subspecies of the Western Fence Lizard, Scelopoms occidentalis, and its relationships to the Eastern Fence Lizard, Scelopoms undulatus . Herpetologica, 10: 31-36. Boulenger, G. A. 1882. Description of an apparently new species of lizard of the genus Scelopoms. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 761-2, pi. 56 Cope, E. D.. 1900. The crocodilians, lizards and snakes of North America. Re¬ port of U. S. National Museum for 1898, 153-1270, pis. 1-36. Foreman, G. 1937. Adventure on Red River. Report on the exploration of the headwaters of the Red River by Captain Randolph B. Marcy and Captain G. B. McClellan. Univ. of Oklahoma Press. Jones, J. P. 1926. The proper name for Scelopoms consobrinus Baird and Girard. Museum of Zoology, Univ. of Michigan, Oec. Pap. (172): 1-3. page 32 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Marcy, R. B. and G. B. McClellan. 1854. Report on the exploration of the Red River of Louisiana. 32nd Congress, 2nd Session, Senate Executive Document No. 54. (Reprinted by the 33rd Congress, 1st Session, House of Representatives Document, 1854.) McCoy, C. J., Jr. 1960. Systematics and variation of Sceloporus undulatus in Okla¬ homa. M. S. Thesis. Oklahoma State University. 55 pp. 1961. Distribution of the subspecies of Sceloporus undulatus (Rep- tilia: Iguanidae) in Oklahoma. Southwestern Nat., 6(2): 79-85. Smith, H. M. 1938. Remarks on the status of the subspecies of Sceloporus undulatus, with descriptions of new species and subspecies of the undulatus group. Mus. Zook, Univ. Michigan, Occ. Pap. (387): 1-17. 1939. The Mexican and Central American lizards of the genus Sceloporus. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zook Ser., Publ. 445, 26:1- 397, pis. 1-31. 1946. Handbook of Lizards. Comstock Publ. Co., Ithaca, N. Y.. xxi + 557. 135 pis., 41 maps. — - - — , M. S. Rand, J. D. Crew, B. D. Smith, D. Chiszar, and C. M. Dwyer. 1991. Relictual intergrades between the Northern Prairie Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus garmani) and the Red-Lipped Plateau Lizard (S. u. erythrocheilus) in Colorado. Northwest. Natu¬ ralist (72): 1-11. Stejneger, L. and T. Barbour. 1917. A check list of North American amphibians and reptiles. Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, xiv + 185 - and 1939. Fourth Edition, idem., xvi + 207. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 33 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 Webb, R. G. 1970. Reptiles of Oklahoma. Univ. Oklahoma Press, xi + 270. Albright College , Department of Biology, Reading, Pennsylvania , 19612-5234, ( ELB ); Department of Environmental, Population, and Organismal Biology, Univ. Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309-0334 (HMS). Received 9 December 1999 Accepted 27 December 1999 page 34 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 News and Notes Book Review |» ALAN HOLMAN - Pleistocene Amphibians and Reptiles in Britain and Europe- 1998- Oxford- (Oxford Monographs on Geology and Geo¬ physics No, 38) - Oxford University Press- 254 pp., 46 figs, - book size: Royal 8vo (25 cm x 16 cm)- cloth bound- ISBN 0-19-511232-6 - US$ 65.00 [in English] The author has produced a badly needed sequel volume on the Pleis¬ tocene herpetofauna of Britain and Europe, which follows the format of his previous volume on "Pleistocene Amphibians and Reptiles in North America," published in the same series as monograph number 32, in 1995, and reviewed in Herpetozoa in 1996 and American Scientist during the same year. This book dealing with herpetofauna of Great Britain and Europe is the first major work relating to European herpetofauna. The major focus of the book is on the herpetofaunal record during the interval of postglacial megafaunal extinctions. During this period an almost worldwide extinction of megafauna occurred, resulting in the extinction of more than 200 mammalian genera, (large land mammals), and several spe¬ cies of birds having taken place by the end of the epoch of 10,000 years ago. Palaeobatrachidae was the only herpetofaunal genera that became extinct in Europe during this period, with an additional single species of anuran, and three species of Lacertidae becoming extinct during this same period. The author felt that the giant Lacertas (Lacerta goliath , L. maxima and L. siculimeltensis) which were restricted on several oceanic islands near Europe possibly became extinct from human introductions of non endemic plant and animal species. The Bistiary' consists of some 109 pages, and represents the major por¬ tion of the text, containing much valuable data on families, genera, and spe¬ cies found within Britain and Europe. The author provides needed illustra¬ tions for identification of genera, and species. While keys are not provided for identification of fossil genera or species, it would be difficult in present¬ ing reliable keys, as material varies from vertebrae. Ilia, Ilium, carapacial bones, dentary bones, which would make reliable keys extremely difficult. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 35 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 News and Notes The final chapter compares the Pleistocene herpetofauna of Britain, Eu¬ rope and North America. The author recognizes Britain, and Europe as hav¬ ing a depauperate Pleistocene fauna, which has carried over into modern times. This has been attributed to the extremely harsh inter-glacial periods that occurred throughout Europe, whereas in North America warm air masses from the Gulf Coast contributed to a milder climate in areas as near as 150 km from the ice front (Holman and Richards, 1993). In summary, this is a highly useful book, with the most current litera¬ ture having been cited, along with forthcoming literature. The introduction implies that the book is intended for college students, and it certainly will be a vital tool in the library, although I somehow feel it is actually geared more for the specialist in paleoherpetology. The author should be highly commended, and has certainly earned the gratitude of his colleagues for providing this sequel volume. Literature Cited Holman, J.A. 1995. Pleistocene Amphibians and Reptiles of North America. Ox¬ ford Monogr. Geol. Geophys. (32). Oxford Univ. Press, New York. Holman, J.A. and R.L. Richards. 1993. Herpetofauna of the Prairie Creek site, Daviess County, In¬ diana. Proc. Indiana Acad. Sci. 102:115-13 1. Harlan D. Walley ; Department of Biology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115 Received 30 August 1999 Accepted 4 September 1999 page 36 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 News and Notes Presented by MARS Preservation Fund, Inc . M« ^EPTTDLE 5 We believe in education , the promotion of captive breeding and the protection of critical habitats . arranS^^fo^L LOCATION: Maryland State Fairgrounds 4-H Building (Daily Show and Seminars) Days Hotel Timonium (Host Hotel & Lectures Saturday Evening) • Captive bom reptiles & amphibians for display and sale • Equipment , books & supplies 9 Book signings each day •Educational exhibits • Door Prizes •Raffles • NEW! Live Auction • Display & photographs of Costa Rican rainforest area purchased by MARS • NEW! Pre-show social gathering with speaker • “Reptiles & Rainforests ” art collection • Seminars throughout the show • “Critter Contact hands-on animal display Professional Lecture Series Saturday evening will feature well-known herpetologists (to be announced) and another “ Fabulous Fotosn exhibit Show proceeds are donated to purchase and protect rainforest and critical habitat THE MID-ATLANTIC REPTILE SHOW, now in its eighth year, has protected 2,606 acres of critical habitat to date, ADMISSION: Weekend Pass (includes show both days and lectures) $13 Adults, One Day Pass (Sat. or Sun. $7 Adults. Children 6-12 and Seniors over 65 - $6 (for one day or weekend pass), Children under 5 are free. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Call the MARS Hotline at 410*5804)250, visit our web site at http://www.reptileinfo.com or e-mail us at mars@reptileinfo.com Only registered vendors may display or sell on the premises . Please leave your pet animals home! They will not be admitted to the show . Thank you. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society p age 37 Volume 36 Number 1 March 2000 News and Notes Reptile and Amphibian Rescue 410-580-0250 We will try to take as many unwanted pet reptiles and amphibians as we can. Leave a message with your name and number to meeds- .Peop* f «"•** or snaHes give up an animal for adoption; or to volunteer to help with our efforts. WE NEED: Cages, Lights, Other Equipment & Food • Drivers to Transport Animals • Foster Homes • Adoptive Homes page 38 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Society Publication Back issues of the Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society, where available, may be obtained by writing the Executive Editor. A list of available issues will be sent upon request. Individual numbers in stock are $5.00 each, unless otherwise noted. The Society also publishes a Newsletter on a somewhat irregular basis. These are distributed to the membership free of charge. Also pub¬ lished are Maryland Herpetofauna Leaflets and these are available at $.25 /page. Information for Authors All correspondence should be addressed to the Executive Editor. Manuscripts being submitted for publication should be typewritten (double spaced) on good quality 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper with adequate margins. Submit original and first carbon, retaining the second carbon. If entered on a word processor, also submit diskette and note word proces¬ sor and operating system used. Indicate where illustrations or photographs are to appear in text. Cite all literature used at end in alphabetical order by author. Major papers are those over five pages (double spaced, elite type) and must include an abstract. The authors name should be centered un¬ der the title, and the address is to follow the Literature Cited. Minor pa¬ pers are those papers with fewer than five pages. Author's name is to be placed at end of paper (see recent issue). For additional information see Style Manual for Biological Journals (1964), American Institute of Biological Sciences, 3900 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016. Reprints are available at $.07 a page and should be ordered when manuscripts are submitted or when proofs are returned. Minimum order is 100 reprints. Either edited manuscript or proof will be returned to au¬ thor for approval or correction. The author will be responsible for all cor¬ rections to proof, and must return proof preferably within seven days. The Maryland Herpetological Society Department of Herpetology Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. 2643 North Charles Street Baltimore , Maryland 21218 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 39 ol Matylaod US ISSN: 0025-4231 &ET P KU«Ul.U*T!N OF THE Warylanb f)?rpetoIogica( 0ociety DEPARTMENT OF HERPETOLOGY THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MARYLAND, INC. MDHS . A Founder Member of the Eastern Seaboard Herpetological League 30 JUNE 2000 VOLUME 36 NUMBER 2 BULLETIN OF THE MARYLAND HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY Volume 36 Number 2 30 June 2000 CONTENTS The Occurrence of a Malformed Leopard Frog (Ram sphetiocephala) from Florida Kenneth L. Krysko and Anthony T Reppas ................ 40 Notes on Two Specimens of Some Aspects of the Population Ecology of the Giant Toad Bufo paracnemis (Anura, Bufonidae) in Northeastern Argentina A. Alberto Yanosky, Claudia Mercolli and James R. Dixon ................................................................. 42 Notes on Two Specimens of Fhrynops Vanderhaegei Bour, 1973 (Testudines: Chelidae) from Formosa (Northeastern Argentina) A. Alberto Yanosky, James R. Dixon, Claudia Mercollil and Jorge Williams . . . 61 Notes and Observations on Body Size in an Unusually Large Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, crotalus atrox Thomas P. Wilson ............................................................. 64 Notes on Eggshell Type of the Spotted Turtle, Clemmys guttata: Geographic Variation or Differences in Definition? Thomas P. Wilson ............................................................ 68 BULLETIN OF THE mbt)6 Volume 36 Number 2 30 June 2000 The Maryland Herpetological Society Department of Herpetology, Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. President Tim Hoen Executive Editor Herbert S. Harris, Jr. Steering Committee Frank B. Groves Jerry D. Hardy, Jr. Herbert S. Harris, Jr. Tim Hoen Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 76-93458 Membership Rates Membership in the Maryland Herpetological Society is $20.00 per year and includes the Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society. For¬ eign is $30.00 per year. Make all checks payable to the Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc, Meetings The third Wednesday of every other month, 7:30 p.m. at the Baltimore Zoo’s Reptile House (except August and September due to The Mid- Atlantic Reptile Show). The Department of Herpetology meets informally on all other Wednesday evenings at the NHSM at 8:00 p.m. Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 The Occurrence of a Malformed Leopard Frog (Rana sphenocephala) from Florida For more than 250 years, reports of amphibian malformations have been widespread (Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 1997). Potential causes of malformations or atypical development are chemicals (Maden, 1993; Harmon et al, 1995; Ouellet et al, 1997), and trematodes (Sessions and Ruth, 1990). There have been four previous reports of amphibian malformations from Florida, a cricket frog (Acris gryllus) in 1969 from Levy Co. (Christman, 1970), a leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) in 1954 from Jackson Co., an uni¬ dentified treefrog (Hyla sp.) in 1991-92 from Highlands Co., and a Cuban treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) in 1997 from Broward Co. (Northern Prai¬ rie Wildlife Research Center, 1997). Here we report the fifth overall occur¬ rence of an amphibian malformation from Florida, including the second of the Florida leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) from approximately 750 km south of the previous reported specimen. On 3 December 1970, a malformed Florida leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) was collected by M. L. May at the Collier-Seminole State Park, Collier Co., FL, and was deposited in the Florida Museum of Natural His¬ tory, University of Florida (UF 112078). This specimen has a total of nine limbs, with six radiating out of the left shoulder girdle. The cause for this malformed Fig. 1. Malformed leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) from Collier Co., Florida. page 40 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 frog is presently unknown, however, it is the first known case of an amphib¬ ian malformation in southwestern peninsular Florida. We thank M. A. Nickerson, R. Owen and F. W. King for review of this manuscript. Literature Cited Christman, S. P. 1970. A three-legged cricket frog from Florida. Bulletin Maryland Herpetological Society 6(1):9-10. Harmon, M. A., M. F. Boehm, R. A. Heyman, and D. J. Mangelsdorf 1995. Activation of mammalian retinoid X receptors by the insect growth regulator methoprene. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 92(13):6157-6160. Maden, M. 1993. The homeotic transformation of tails into limbs in Rana temporaria by retinoids. Developmental Biology 159(2):370- 391. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. 1997. North American Reporting Center for Amphibian Malfor¬ mations. Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Re¬ search Center Home Page http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/ narcam (Version 23 Dec. 99). Ouellet, M., J. Bonin, J. Rodrigue, J. L. DesGranges, and S. Lair. 1997. Hindlimb deformities (ectromelia, ectrodactyly) in free-liv¬ ing anurans from agricultural habitats. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 33:95-104. Sessions, S. K., and S. B. Ruth 1990. Explanation for naturally occurring supernumerary limbs in amphibians. The Journal of experimental Zoology 254- 38-47. Kenneth L. Krysko and Anthony T. Reppas , Florida Museum of Natural History, Division of Herpetology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 41 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Some Aspects of the Population Ecology of the Giant Toad Bufo paracnemis (Anura, Bufonidae) in Northeastern Argentina A. Alberto Yanosky1, Claudia Mercolli 1 and James R. Dixon2 1 Fundacion Moises Bertoni, C.C. 714 , Asuncion , Paraguay. 2Dept. Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX 77843^2258, USA. Introduction The giant toad Bufo paracnemis occurs in the arid lands of Bolivia, Para¬ guay, Brazil and Argentina (Cei, 1980), and probably evolved in the Chaco habitat through speciation from an ancestral marinus form from the Guiana shield (Cei, 1968; 1972). Modern argentine Bufo paracnemis is restricted to Chacoan northeastern Argentina, reaching as far south as 32' S in Entre Rios. This species had an extended southern distribution in the Upper Pliocene (Baez & Yane, 1979). Bufo paracnemis and B. marinus are the world's largest toads. Adult B. marinus average 100-150 mm SVL with a maximum known size of 230 mm (Zug & Zug, 1979). Adult B. paracnemis are usually larger on average (150-190 mm), with a maximum record of 210 mm SVL (Cei, 1980); however, it is im¬ portant to remember that the taxonomy of both species in Argentina has been thoroughly confused in the past (Freiberg, 1941). Though Bufo paracnemis is commonly found in the wild and frequently associated with human dwellings, little is known about its ecology (Yanosky, 1989). Cei (1980) reported that B. paracnemis is not found in the dry season. In a wildlife refuge in northeastern Argentina, B. paracnemis occurs with three smaller species of Bufo: B. fernandezae, B. pygmeus, and B. granulosus major, and a large number of other amphibians (Yanosky et al, 1993). Gallardo (1979) suggested a predatory position for this species in Chacoan foodwebs because of its size and its potential predation on other amphibians. Local tanneries have discovered that tanned Bufo paracnemis skins may be profitable in the international skin trade (Yanosky, 1989). In the classroom, Bufo paracnemis is a model specimen for physiological studies in Argentina. The skin trade and classroom use may represent a local threat for natural populations if these practices are widespread. page 42 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Our goal was to obtain data on movements, activity patterns, breeding cycle, and growth from a natural population of this giant toad. Material and Methods Bufo paracnemis commonly occurs in the province of Formosa, north¬ eastern Argentina (Yanosky et al. 1993). Adult males are distinguished from females by the presence of hard, black nuptial pads on the fingers of males and by a conspicuous release call when grasped on the dorsum. The toad population utilized for this study is located on the grounds of the El Bagual Biological Station, within El Bagual Reserve (26°10'53"S, 58°,56'39"W), approxi¬ mately 110 km southwest of the city of Formosa (Fig. 1). El Bagual Reserve is characterized by marshes and shrubby savannas interspersed with various woody stages. Annual rainfall varies between 100 and 200 cm, with minimum records in August and maximum in March- April. Though rains occur all year, a seasonal dry period usually occurs from May to October. The average annual ambient humidity is 74% and the average temperature is 22°C (range -2°C - 45°C). From the beginning of the study, ponds were periodically checked for tadpoles and metamorphosed toadlets. Mating calls and rainy days were also recorded. Marked adult toads were measured a minimum of 18 times during the study to provide growth rates. Each toad over 40 mm SVL was individually marked with a microchip, injected subcutaneously in the abdomen with a sterilized syringe and #12 gauge needle. Passive integrated transponders (PITs) are inert 0.7 g elements measuring 2 mm x 12 mm, encased in transparent glass material; activated by low frequency radio signals (e.g. reader); that transmit an alphanumeric code to the reading system. PITs provided us with an effective method for marking caiman hatchlings; further comments on this marking system may be found in Camper and Dixon (1988), and Dixon and Yanosky (1993). A total area of 0.1 ha, including the buildings, was surveyed nightly for active toads from 10 November 1993 to October 1994. Toads were detected with the aid of flashlights, were hand caught, and brought to the laboratory. Snout-vent length (SVL), body weight, and sex were recorded. Nightly sur¬ veys were conducted at least 20 times per month, usually two hours follow¬ ing darkness (ca. 2000-2200 hs). As each toad was captured, air temperature and location were recorded. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 43 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 EL BAGUAL RESEARCH STATION Fig. 1. Study area location within the El Bagual Ranch. The 0.1 ha area (200 x 500 m) surveyed for toads includes buildings (squares), an artificial pond (wavy lines), lights (dots) and forest areas (tree shading). Remaining areas are mowed natu¬ ral grasses. page 44 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 The El Bagual research station grounds are actively used by B. paracnemis because of four outdoor pole lights and other scattered external building lights. Although toads tended to concentrate around lights, they did not totally con¬ fine their activities to brightly lighted areas. The grounds included natural grasses and small forested areas, as well as small ornamental plants, potted plants, small ponds surrounded by scattered trees, and board walkways (fig. 1). The grass immediately surrounding the buildings was frequently mowed, leaving an edge effect with unmowed natural grasslands. Activity was recorded during the entire wet season (November through March) as the inverse of the activity index (1 / AI) of individual toads by count¬ ing the mean number of days between consecutive observations (Fox, 1978) rather than the number of days on which a toad was observed. This was done to avoid underestimating the activity of toads that were observed fre¬ quently but only for a short period (e.g. few weeks). Commonness was de¬ fined as the frequency of occurrence for each toad and was calculated as C -1/AI x 100 / AImax, 1/AI being the inverse activity index and AImax, the maximum value of inverse activity index recorded for the toad population. Analysis of activity was restricted to those toads recaptured at least four times during the study period. From 5 January to 14 February, 17 evening surveys were conducted hourly (1800 to 0300 hours) to estimate evening activity of toads. An occa¬ sional 0400 to 0600 hrs survey was conducted to evaluate all-night toad activ¬ ity. Each evening the survey required 30-45 minutes. After each survey, the position of each toad was plotted on a map similar to Fig. 1. Home-range areas were estimated by minimum convex polygon method, based on all the positions observed. The polygon was scale measured and extrapolated to actual meters in the study area. In the early months of 1994, night surveys were repeated following the dry season, and 1993-94 residents were classified either as present or absent. Survival estimates were based on the repeated sampling of marked animals (Turner, 1977). Population size was estimated by three methods: 1) Schnabel or "esti¬ mated mean," 2) Schumacher-Eschmeyer or "regression;" and 3) Seber or "non-estimated mean" with the calculation of confidence intervals for esti¬ mates (Krebs, 1989; Telleria, 1986). All estimates of population size from mark- recapture studies are known to have biological as well as sampling errors, which often cause incorrect population estimates. However, our sampling Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 45 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 method is similar to the studies of the cricket frog (Pyburn, 1958) and the marine toad (Zug & Zug, 1979), which revealed comparable population esti¬ mates. The use of these three methods provided somewhat independent means for comparisons of the estimates. For all three methods, an important assumption is that the population is closed. In reality all natural populations are open. We did not violate this assumption because we analyzed data in short periods of time. Mortality is assumed to be the same in marked and unmarked parts of the population. Recruitment is assumed to occur; however, to avoid the bias of recruitment, sampling must occur over short time intervals. There was no indication of juvenile recruitment in the present population even though nearby breeding chourses were heard and amplexing individuals were observed during the study. Toadlets outside of the study area were marked and released but were never recaptured in the study area. Finally, systematic and periodic sampling of the same area provide adequate estimates of population size when assum¬ ing uniform mixing of marked and unmarked animals and that all toads are equally catchable. Standard univariate statistical tests were performed and a was set at 0.05. Results Thirty-one Bufo paracnemis were marked in the study area. Fourteen of these (45%) were recaptured less than four times, thus they were not in¬ cluded in the analysis of activity. These 14 Bufo paracnemis consisted of seven males and seven females, five adults and nine juveniles, with an average SVL of 122.21; SD = 29.34 mm (range = 85-175 mm) and a body weight of 204.61 SD = 137.16 g (r = 57-505 g). Seventeen B. paracnemis were recaptured more than four times from 10 November 1993 through March 1994. We did not sacrifice any of the females for an examination of their oviducts to deter¬ mine sexual maturity. We assumed an artificial limit of 100 mm SVL for maturity of females (similar sizes for males with horny nuptial toe pads), similar to Bufo marinus (Zug & Zug, 1973). Therefore our sample is made up of 12 males and five females. Even though the male toads were twice as numerous as the females, there was no statistically significant size differ¬ ence (x2 = 3.87; dF = 1; P > 0.2). page 46 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Movements In 63.1% of the toad captures, there was no second capture. These toads may have been moving through the area, stopped to feed under the lights, and then moved out of the study site. Hourly Activity of Marked Toads 50 40 A c 30 T I V I T Y 20 % 10 0 19 20 21 22 23 24 04 TIME Fig 2. Hourly activity of marked toads summarized at seven day intervals during the study period. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetologieal Society page 47 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Seventeen toads were recaptured 452 times. Of these, 105 recaptures provided enough distance between individual movements per hour to pro¬ vide an average movement of 5.79 m/h; SD = 5.84 m/h (range 0 - 25.23). On six (15.4%) recaptures toads had not moved from the original place of cap¬ ture (O m/h). This suggests that 84.6% of the recaptured toads changed their feeding sites during single evenings. While hourly records were collected there was an opportunity to obtain information on evening activity (Fig. 2). Activity begins after dusk at approximately 2000 hrs and usually lasts until 2400 hrs. A few toads were occasionally active past midnight, but no toads were found active from 0400 to 0600 hrs. This suggests that following twi¬ light, toads became active and feeding was accomplished during the first hours of activity. Of all toads present at our site, 30 % were captured at 2000 hours, 21 % at 2100 hrs, 40 % at 2200 hrs, and 9 % during the remaining hours. However, no significant differences were detected among toads captured at 2000, 2100, and 2200 hr (Friedmann = 2.32; dF - 2; P = 0.313). Commonness Greatest frequency of occurrence was shared by two adult males (table 1, no. 19 and no. 9), that were captured 46 and 55 times, respectively, with an average activity index of nearly 0.5. Both males were present throughout the study period. An adult female (no. 22), adult male (no. 10), and a juvenile female (no. 13) followed in percent of occurrence >50%. Female no. 22 was first captured almost a month into the study, while male no. 10 and female no. 13 left the area by January-February and were never recaptured. Home Ranges Home ranges were calculated based on daily locations (feeding sites) for 15 toads (Table 2). Home ranges were obtained with a minimum of 7 points and a maximum of 46 points on maps for each individual toad. A home range of 749.33 m2, SD = 570.795 was found to be the average for the 15 toads sampled. Smallest home range was 92.51 m2 (adult male) and the largest home range was 2612.26 m2 (female). The home range data was based on the daily locations of three juveniles, three females and nine males. Home ranges were larger for larger animals (Table 2) (r - 0.38; r2= 0.144; P = 0.162). A positive relationship (r = 0.577; r2 0.33; P = 0.049) was found between distance moved and home ranges. This suggests that larger toads move more than smaller toads, thus larger toads have access to more surface area, which gives rise to larger feeding home ranges. Homes ranges among adult females, males and juveniles were not significantly different (Friedmann = 4.29; dF = 2; P = 0.117). page 48 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Table 1. Commonness as a measure of activity (Inverse of the Activity Index , AI) with corresponding recaptures , standard deviations , ranges , commonness of toads recaptured more than 4 times during the study. Toad recaptures I/AI SD range Commonness 19 46 0.45 0.81 0-04 100.00 09 55 0.49 1.12 0-06 91.93 22 37 0.54 0.87 0-03 83.42 10 40 0.77 1.25 0-04 58.50 13 26 0.80 1.60 0-06 56.31 06 7 0.86 0.69 0-02 52.56 08 32 0.93 2.06 0-09 48.44 30 14 1.07 1.82 0-06 42.10 12 12 1.08 1.67 0-06 41.71 04 18 1.16 2.33 0-10 38.83 07 28 1.25 1.46 0-04 36.04 05 34 1.32 2.32 0-10 34.13 16 24 2.04 3.35 0-14 22.08 18 21 2.52 2.50 0-09 17.88 27 16 2.75 5.19 0-21 16.38 31 6 4.80 7.53 0-18 09.38 01 5 6.40 6.02 0-15 07.04 Size Relationships Bufo paracnemis adults reach 1 kg. Weight/length data for B. paracnemis of 30-70 mm SVL is lacking (Fig. 3a), but may be postulated from the data. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 49 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Table 2. Home ranges of 15 Bufo loaracnemis, including SVL, sex, age, aver¬ age movements, and number of recaptures. Toad # sex age SVL recapture home average (mm) rate range movement (m2) (m) 27 M Ad 128 16 92.51 6.00 06 — Jv 82 07 325.68 — 30 F Ad 185 14 388.12 5.64 12 — Jv 115 12 433.32 — 16 M Ad 175 24 486.82 7.31 19 M Ad 160 46 496.52 10.07 10 M Ad 184 40 604.07 6.64 13 — Jv 112 26 733.58 11.06 09 M Ad 181 55 749.69 9.67 08 M Ad 156 32 754.54 6.65 04 M Ad 129 20 780.25 — 05 M Ad 136 35 878.78 4.67 18 F Ad 197 21 931.77 5.60 07 M Ad 187 28 969.09 5.23 22 F Ad 194 37 2,612.26 1.79 Weight-length regression is shown in Fig. 3b. Few data were available to esti¬ mate size differences between sexes, but weight and length for both sexes were positively associated, (r2 male = 0.81, n =48; r2 female = 0.85, n = 16) as shown in Fig. 4, suggesting heavier males for a given SVL. However, because of adult status, growth rates were very low. The regression modelling showed a low positive association between SVL and growth rate (mm /day) (r = 0.137; r2 = 0.19; F = 0.586) with constant = 0.772 (P = 0.05) and size = -0.002 (P = 0.586). page 50 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 g o § p H & H P O £ GO 200- ISO- 160- 140- June 2000 Bufo paracnemis 300 400 500 600 700 800 800 BODY MASS (g) Fig. 3a. Snout-vent length (mm) and body mass (q) relationships for all ages of Bufo paracnemis. O £ tq £ w > o £ GO O P 0 2 4 6 LOG2 BODY MASS (g) 10 Fig . 3fc. Log, transformed data and regression analysis for data on SVL-mass relationships. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 51 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Fig. 4. Theoretical regression lines for body mass vs snout-vent length rela¬ tionships in juvenile and adidt Bufo paracnemis of both sexes. Weight loss during the dry season (aestivation period) was estimated from data taken from three resident toads that remained in the area. When first found following aestivation, these animals had lost 16.68 ± 6.93 % of body weight (r = 10.7 - 24.28). Reproduction Breeding choruses of B. paracnemis are loud enough to be heard at great distances. A chorus was heard 500 m north of the study area on 13 and 14 November 1993. The male toads chorused throughout the day, at dusk and first hours of night. Choruses were heard again on 5 February 1994 in a stream area 100 m south of the study area. Coincidently with choruses on 13 No¬ vember, night searches revealed no adults, and only a juvenile remained at the study site. Again, on 5 February, adult toads were absent from the study area, suggesting that the adults moved to the breeding site. Two to three days following the breeding chorus adult toads reappeared in the study area (Fig. page 52 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 5). On 22 and 23 October 1994, choruses were heard 100 m east of the study area during daylight, dusk and night. This event coincided with a 160 mm rainfall, the first heavy and abundant rain that flooded most of the study for post winter 1994. Males call from the ground and among grass clumps no higher than 50 cm in the vicinity of water bodies. Choruses were always heard following heavy rains. The first rain of 103.5 mm occurred on 12 November with scattered showers on the two following days (3 mm). Choruses heard on 5 February coincided with 66 mm of rainfall over a three day period. MONTHS TEMPERATURE — RAINFALL Fig. 5. Monthly averages of rainfall and temperature for the sampling period from the study site. Metamorphosis On 15 and 28 December 1993, toadlets were found dispersing from a pond in the study area. The two week gap represents two breeding periods between two periods of rainfall. Toadlets from 15 December were signifi¬ cantly (t = 7.28; dF = 8; F < 0.05) larger (18.06 ± 1.24 mm SVL; n - 5; range 16.1 - 19.4), than those of 28 December (11.26 ± 1.66 mm SVL; n = 5; range = 9.2 12.9). The reason for the differences in metamorphosing size is unknown. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetoiogical Society page 53 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 The latter group agrees with metamorphic size of 10-12 mm given by Cei (1980). Although night surveys were not done prior to 10 November 1993, no heavy rains occurred and the only chance this species had to mate was prob¬ ably the heavy rain of 12 November. Assuming oviposition occurred on 14 November, this yields a larval period of 34 days, agreeing closely with a lar¬ val period of 32 days for Bufo marinus (Zug and Zug, 1979). Activity Seventeen toads were used for estimating activity levels. Summary Results are summarized in Table 1. Seven B. paracnemis had an activity index < 1, meaning that they were active almost every day of the sampling period. This group of seven toads was composed of three adult males of 160, 165, and 184 mm SVL, three juveniles and one adult female of 170 mm SVL. One adult male was recaptured a total of 55 times. Six toads were recaptured >50% of the maximum of 55 times. Lower variability in inverse activity index based on deviations from the mean were obtained for three toads with < 100%, four toads with < 150%, and highest variability was 228% for an adult male. Toad presence was relatively constant over the entire wet season or until mid February (Fig. 5), when both rainfall and ambient temperature abruptly decreased. During April and May, the study site contained only 3 active toads (males nos. 9 and 19 and female no. 22). In August and September, temperature increased (Fig. 6) but rainfall remained low and no toads were active. Toads were again active in October after a four month dry season. Three previous residents were recaptured in October, (two from May), and one after a nine month absence. During October toads were seen hidden in ground holes four times over several days. The toads did not move and were especially inactive during nights of high insect biomass around the out¬ door lights of the study area. Relationships between number of toads, amount of rainfall and ambi¬ ent temperature (Fig. 5) show no association (r2 = 0.013, n - 116, P = 0.23 and r2 - 0.234, n = 115, P = 0.23). General information from the data suggests that toad activity doesn't occur below 19°C ambient temperature and that toads are active on hot nights on which temperatures may reach 32°C. The upper limits of activity have not been recorded. A 32° temperature at 2100 or 2200 hrs is usually associated with a daytime maximum temperature of over 40°C, and toads are active. Toad activity seems to be related to soil and ambient humidity conditions. Increases in ambient temperature during the dry sea- page 54 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society ;ER OF TOADS Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 son did not increase toad activity. During rainy nights, toad activity was re¬ duced, probably due to poor insect activity. Population Estimates Nine B. paracnemis were captured on the first night of the study. The number of individually marked toads reached 29 on the 30th night. Follow¬ ing the next 80 night surveys, the sample size was increased by two toads, bringing the total to 31 (Fig. 6). This figure shows that in the first 30 days almost the entire toad population within the study area was marked. The maximum number of marked and/or unmarked toads captured on any night was 12. Three methods were used for estimating densities of Bufo paracnemis. Both Schnabell's and Bailey's method independently yielded an average den¬ sity of 27 toads with a 95% confidence interval of 24-30 specimens (SD = 1.28). NUMBER OF CONSECUTIVE NIGHT SURVEYS Fig. 6. Cumulative number of toads sighted for the consecutive night surveys performed at El Bagual study area. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 55 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 The regression method yielded an average density of 28 toads with a 95% confidence interval of 27-30. Estimated density for Bnfo paracnemis in the 0.1 ha study area statistically occurred between 24 and 30 individuals. This sug¬ gests 2400 to 3000 ind/ha. The weight data for 64 individuals show an aver¬ age B. paracnemis weighs 357.481 234.5 g, suggesting a total toad biomass between 295 and 704 kg/ha. At the end of February only 12 toads were active in the study area and following the dry season only 3 of the 12 (25%) remained. Because of the disparity in sample sizes, an averaging of the survival rates would be mean¬ ingless. Annual survivorship of the adult toads is postulated to be 25%. Whether there is 75% mortality of adult toads is unknown. Some may have moved from the study site and still may contribute reproductively to the popu¬ lation. However our sample of the metapopulation did not show signs of increase due to juvenile recruitment. Eight toads appeared for one night, stayed one night and disappeared the next night, never to appear again. Five of them were juveniles, two adult females and one adult male. Eight other toads, six juveniles and two males, were marked and appeared daily until December 1993, and then disappeared. The appearance /disappearance of the toads suggests emigration may be the reason for their absence and ephemeral presence in the study area. However, predation likely occurs on all life stages, from larvae through adults. Discussion Data have not been obtained on sexual maturity but if Bufo marinns can be used as a species of similar size and weight, female B. marinas are expected to reach maturity at 90-100 mm and males after 85 mm (Zug & Zug, 1979). Using the above data, Bufo paracnemis in our study are heavier than B. marinus. Zug & Zug (1979) have reported a maximum weight of nearly 600 g. for B. marinas. The adult males in the present study ranged from 185-740 g X 376.9, and females from 391-840 g, X 430.8. Zug and Zug (1979) sex ratio data suggest that adult B. marinas females were more abundant than males. In the B. paracnemis population studied, males were twice as numerous as females. In adult anurans, there may be a preponderance of one sex over another, and males often appear to outnum¬ ber females in terrestrial species. This fact is determined by environmental page 56 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 conditions surrounding each population and does appear to be species-spe¬ cific (Zug and Zug, 1979). During observations on reproduction, only three breeding periods were recorded, based on male vocalizations. These major reproductive efforts appear to coincide with heavy rains as mentioned ear¬ lier. These data suggest that B. paracnemis probably mates opportunistically and breed throughout the year when conditions are optimal. Adjacent popu¬ lations may have different breeding periods depending upon heavy rains at the local level. However, because reproductive choruses were heard only three times, it suggests that Bufo paracnemis does not have an extended breeding period as reported for B. marinus (Zug & Zug, 1979). Interviews with local settlers indicate that Bufo paracnemis is the most abundant anuran species. However, the close association of this giant toad with the man-made landscape has created the impression that they are ex¬ tremely abundant and ubiquitous animals. Drift fences installed in different areas of El Baqual Ecological Reserve have captured most anuran species and the three other species of Bufo in the reserve. However, in a year of drift fence sampling, neither toa diets, juveniles nor adults of Bufo paracnemis have been captured. The Bufo paracnemis population estimates presented here rep¬ resent a population within a manmade landscape, favored by the presence of increased biomass of prey items because of outdoor lights. Activity data are dearly indicate that these toads are not active for the entire night. Most toads appear and stay at a feeding site, or move among different feeding sites, for one to three hours after dusk, and then disappear for the night, and in many cases, for several successive nights. This short foraging period may be associated with outdoor lights that act as insect at- tractants, thus facilitating the search of prey. In the wild, the search for prey may be extended longer into the night in order to find and consume suffi¬ cient prey. Some toads remain hidden in holes in the ground for several days without moving, suggesting that they are digesting large amounts of food taken during a particular night. Mortality and emigration may account for undetected toads, but it is also possible that immigration may equal emigration rates. We have confirmed predation upon Bufo paracnemis adults by Caiman latirostris. These toads were taken while in the water, and the same predator has been reported for B marinus (Pope, 1955). Smaller B. paracnemis have been observed in stomach contents of Tupinambis teguixin (Mercolli & Yanosky, 1994), and tegu lizards have demonstrated a preference for this prey (Yanosky et ah, 1993). Another confirmed predator of juvenile Bufo paracnemis is Waglerophis merremt. Possi- Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetologicai Society page 57 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 bly other snakes in the area, such as Helicops leopardinus and Leptodeira annulata, may consume B pamcnemis, and are cited as predators on B. marinus by Zug & Zug (1973). The ecology of Bufo pamcnemis makes it a particularly interesting spe¬ cies for study and if its population numbers are high, it may be a "keystone" species because of its size and trophic level. A declining population due to the skin trade may have a cascading effect on the food web. Acknowledgments We thank Alparamis S.A. for financial and logistic support to this project and Mr. Douglas Hull, American Veterinary Identification Devices Inc. for providing the PITs and the reader instrument. M. Dixon, C. Cerddn, and J. Moreira helped us with the handling and implanting of microchips and toads. D. and T. Yanosky, M. and E. Mercolli helped locate toads during our search procedure. We appreciate the critiques of earlier drafts of the manuscript by Drs. Janalee Caldwell and Kathryn Vaughan. Literature Cited Baez, A.M. & G.J.S. Yane. 1979. Late Cenozoic environmental changes in temperate Argen¬ tina. Pp. 14 11 56 in "The South American Herpetofauna: its origin, evolution and dispersal" (Ed. W.E. Due! I man), Mus. Nat. Hist., Univ. Kansas, Monoq. 7, Kansas. Cei, J.M. 1968. Remarks on the geographical distribution and phyletic trends of south American toads. Pearce-Sellards Ser. (13):1-21. Cei, J.M. 1972. Bufo of South America. Pp. 82-92 in "Evolution in the ge¬ nus Bufo " (Ed. W.E Blair), Univ. Texas Press, Austin. Cei, J.M. 1980. Amphibians of Argentina. Monitore ZooL Ital Monoqr. 2: XII + 609 pp. Dixon, J.R. & A. A. Yanosky. 1993. A microchip marking system for identification of caiman hatchlings. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc. 29(4): 156-159. page 58 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Fox, S.F. 1978. Natural selection on behavioral phenotypes of the lizard Uta stansburiana. Ecology 59(4):834-847. Freiberg, M.A. 1941. Bufo paracnemis Lutz y la presencia de B. marinus (L.) en la Argentina. Physis 19: 112-116. Gallardo, J.M. 1987. Anfibios argentinos. Guia para su identificacion. Libr. Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires, 98 pp. Mercolli, C. & A.A. Yanosky. 1994. The diet of adult Tupinambis teguixin (Sauria: Teiidae) in the eastern Chaco of Argentina. Herpetol. J. 4: 1,5-19. Pope, C.H. 1955. The Reptile World. A. A. Knopf Pub., New York, 325 pp. Turner, F.B. 1977. The dynamics of populations of squamates, crocodilians and rhynchocephalians. Pp.: 157-264. In Biology of the Reptilia. Vol. 7. Ed. C. Cans & D.W. Tinkle. Academic Press, New York. Yanosky, A.A. 1989. Approche de Therpetofaune de la reserve ecoloqique El Baqual (Formosa, Argentine). I. Anoures et Ophidiens. Rev. Fr. Aquariol. Herpetol. 16(2): 57-62. Yanosky, A.A.; J.R. Dixon & C. Mercolli. 1993. The herpetofauna of El Bagual Ecological Reserve (Formosa, Argentina) with comments on its herpetological collection. Bull. Maryland Herp. Soc. 29(4): 160-171. Yanosky, A. A.; D. E. Iriart & C. Mercolli. 1993. Predatory behaviour in Tupinambis teguixin (Sauria: Teiidae). I. Tongue-flicking responses to chemical food stimuli. J. Chem. Ecol. 19(2): 291-299. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 59 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Zug, G.R. & P.B. Zug. 1979. The marine toad, Bufo marinus : a natural, history resume of native populations. Smith. Contrib. Zool. pg 284, Smith. Inst. Press., Washington. 58 PP. Received 28 December 1999 Accepted 6 January 2000 page 60 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Note on Two Specimens of Phrynops Vanderhaegei Bour, 1973 (Testudines: Chelidae) from Formosa (Northeastern Argentina) A. Alberto Yanosky \ James R. Dixon2, Claudia Mercollil and Jorge Williams3 lFundaci6n Moises Bertoni, C.C. 714 , Asuncion, Paraguay . 2Dep. Wildlife & Fish. Sc., Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2258, USA. 3Museo de La Plata, C.C. 745, 1900 - La Plata, Argentina. Abstract First record of Phrynops vanderhaegei for the province of Formosa, north¬ eastern Argentina; extending its range from the province of Misiones. The record is based on two specimens male, female) captured in Lindo Creek at the El Bagual Ecological Reserve. Description of the specimens and habitat are given. Introduction The genus Phrynops as presently recognized comprises ten species distributed exclusively in South America and Trinidad (Pritchard, 1979). Phrynops vanderhaegei is considered as a species by Bour & Pauler (1987). However, Wermuth and Mertens (1977) considers it a race of P. tubercidata, and McDiarmid and Foster (1987) believe it to be a subspecies of P. gibhus, respectively). Little knowledge is available for the majority of the members of the genus and Phrynops vanderhaegei is known only for eight localities (Iverson, 1992). Phrynops vanderhaegei occurs in the Paraguay and Brazil basins of the Parana and Paraguay rivers (Freiberg, 1981; Pritchard & Trebbaeu, 1984). This species was not included in the turtle fauna of Argentina (Freiberg, 1977) until Iverson (1992) cited this species for Santa Fe, based on an unconfirmed identification of a specimen housed at Hamburg Museum (ZMH R-1025). Since the above specimen did not have a confirmed identification. Waller & Chebez (1987) doubted the species presence in Santa Fe, Argentina, but con¬ firmed its presence in the province of Misiones. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 61 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 The present report extends the species range into the eastern Chaco region of southeastern Formosa, Argentina. Our two specimens were cap¬ tured from Lindo Creek, El Bagual Ecological Reserve, northeastern Argen¬ tina (26°10'53"S, 58°56'39"W). All drainage patterns within the reserve are in¬ fluenced by the Bermejo River, a tributary of Paraguay River. Turtle Description REB-21451: Male, total length from tip of snout to tip of tail (head and neck extended) 212 mm; straight carapace length 117 mm, curved 123 mm ; straight carapace width 91 mm, curved 106 mm; plastron length 112 mm; plastron width 77 mm, height 31 mm; neck + head 86.6 mm; head length 30 mm, head width 22 mm (19.6% of carapace length); weight 172 g. REB-21452: Female, total length from tip of snout to tip of tail (head and neck extended) 225 mm; straight carapace length 162 mm, curved 177 mm; straight carapace width 115 mm, curved 151 mm; plastron length 145 mm, plastron width 100 mm, height 48.3 mm; neck + head 114.1 mm, head length 36 mm, head width 28 mm (17.5% of carapace length); weight 390 g. Based upon Iverson's (1992) key, the specimens are easily assigned to Phrynops vanderhaegei because the head width is less than 20% of carapace length; the jaws without dark bars, and there is a medial groove present on the carapace (Iverson, 1992). Based upon a published color description by Cei (1994), the diagnostic coloration is adequate only for our female which has the dark pigmentation on the plastron restricted from the pectorals to femorals. The whole plastron is grey and without pigment in the male. Cei (1994) reported a carapace length of 27 cm. Our specimens are considerably smaller and may represent juveniles or subadults. Habitat Our specimens were captured while walking along the bank of Lindo Creek during an extensive flood in the autumn of 1992. Lindo Creek is a small, narrow, silt laden stream flowing through closed-canopy forest which eventu¬ ally empties into the Paraguay River. The current is relatively slow (maximum recorded 3.7 m3/s). During extensive rainy periods, Lindo Creek rises out of its banks and floods onto neighboring grasslands. Rocks are absent from the area and leaf-litter covers the substrate to a considerable depth. The fish fauna is composed of approximately 40 species (Azpelicueta & Yanosky, 1992). page 62 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Temperature in the region fluctuates between 44°C to -2X1, with an average annual temperature of 22-23°C Though rain occurs year round, it is more abundant in the summer. Occasionally, a dry period is present during winter and spring. The banks of Lindo Creek contain such grasses as Paspalum interme¬ dium, Panicum prionites, and Tessaria integrifolia, while emergent vegetation consists of Thalia multiflora, Cyperus giganteus, Typha sp., and Juncus sp. Other aquatic plants occur in deeper water (depth > 0.5 m), such as Sagittaria montividensis, Pontederia cordata, Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Lemna sp., Hymenachne amplexicaulis and Echinodorus grandiflorus. Behavior in Captivity After capture, both specimens were maintained in a wet area with natural vegetation. They spent much of the time hidden beneath submerged under brush and leaf litter. This turtle is highly aquatic and rarely seen dur¬ ing the daytime. Both specimens were primarily active at night, frequently leaving the water and hiding among dried vegetation in the enclosure. We set a number of funnel traps in creek areas using different types of baits but never captured this species. Several hours were spent in the field during day¬ light hours in search of basking turtles but we failed to find a single indi¬ vidual. Based on its reported carnivorous diet (Cei, 1994) and the meat baits we utilized, we suspect that this species is not common. Literature Cited Azpelicueta, M.M. & A. A. Yanosky. 1992. A check-list of fishes from El Bagual Ecological Reserve, Ar¬ gentina. Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 3(1): 73-76. Bour, R. & I. Pauler. 1987. Identite de Phrynops vanderhagei Bour, 1873, et des especes affines (Reptilia-Chelonii-Chelidae). Mesogee 47: 3-23. Cei, J.M. 1993 [1994]. Reptiles del noroeste, nordeste, y este la Argentina. Mongr. XIV. Mus. reg. Sci. nat. Torino, 949 pp. Freiberg, M.A. 1977. Reptilia Testudines o Chelonia. Fauna de agua dulce de la Republica Argentina XLII(l): 1-55. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 63 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Freiberg, M.A. 1981. Turtles of South America. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., New Jer¬ sey, 125 pp. Iverson, J.B. 1992. A checklist with distribution maps of the turtles of the world. Privately printed, Richmond, Indiana, 283 pp. McDiarmid, R.W. & M.S. Foster. 1987. Additions to the reptile fauna of Paraguay with notes on a small herpetological collection from Amambay. Stud. Neotrop. Fauna Environ. 22(1): 1-10. Pritchard, P.C.H. & P. Trebbau. 1984. The turtles of Venezuela. SSAR, Contrib. Herpetol. No.2, Caracas, 399 pp. Waller, T. & J. C. Chebez. 1987. Notas sobre las tortugas de la provincia de Misiones, Argen¬ tina e inclusion de Phrynops williamsi Rhodin y Mittermeier, 1983 (Testudines: Chelidae) en la herpetofauna argentina. Hist. Nat. 7(5): 53-59. Wermuth, H. & R. Mertens. 1977. Liste der rezenten Amphibien und Reptilien. Testudines, Crocodylia, Rhynchocephalia. Das Tierreich, Berlin 100: 1-174. Received 22 December 1999 Accepted 28 December 1999 page 64 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Notes and Observations on Body Size in an Unusually Large Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox (Baird and Girard, 1853) Size records for the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) have been debated by numerous biologists. However, few argue against the fact that C. atrox is one of the largest rattlesnakes in North America, and is only exceeded in size by the eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). Conant and Collins (1998) gave a maximum total body length (TBL) of 213 cm for the western diamondback rattlesnake. Other authors, such as Coborn (1991) and Phelps (1989) reported a maximum length of 210 cm. Campbell and Lamar (1989) suggested that C. atrox over 120 cm (TBL) are frequently encountered, and those over 180 cm (TBL) are extremely rare. They, as well as Ernst (1992), concur with the measurements reported by Conant and Collins (1998). However, Tennant (1985) suggested that several huge western diamondbacks from the lower Rio Grande Valley measured over 228 cm, but this was not confirmed through museum specimens. These sizes might be explained by the snakes being over stretched after death, and their lengths are exaggerated after being hung-up for photographs. A larger C. atrox than that recognized by Conant and Collins (1998) was kept at the Eastern Illinois University Vivarium, Charleston, Illinois un¬ til its death in March 1989, where it died of an intestinal complication. The male was originally collected in April 1985 by F. Joe Fasig along the Cimarron River at a rattlesnake roundup in Okeene, Blaine Co., Oklahoma. The linear measurements for the specimen did not differ before or after death as measured using the string technique (Dr. M.A. Goodrich pers.comm.), thus suggesting that the animal did not grow significantly dur¬ ing its captivity. This point is difficult to confirm, since this specimen was troublesome to manipulate when it was alive. However, at its death the speci¬ men measured 220 cm TBL, 231 cm STR (snout to tip of rattle), 205 cm SVL (snout to vent length), 33 cm maximum girth, and weighed 12.3 kg. Its rattle had 41 segments and this may indicate an older individual, since specimens with 30 or more rattle segments are rare. Whether this specimen represents size maxima for the species or is just a captive anomaly, it is one of the largest Crotalus atrox every recorded (Dr. M.A. Goodrich; T.L. Vandeventer; and D. Bright pers.comm.). The preserved Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 65 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 specimen is currently in the Scrugg's Museum collection at Eastern Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, Division of Herpetology. Acknowledgments I thank Dr. Michael A. Goodrich for presenting me with this speci¬ men, and Frank H. Hedges III for providing me this opportunity. Dr. Ed¬ ward O. Moll encouraged this submission. Dr. Carl H. Ernst, Penni Jo Wilson and Dr. Edward O. Moll reviewed the manuscript and offered useful sugges¬ tions. Terry L. Vandeventer reaffirmed my belief in the value of such natural history observations. Literature Cited Campbell, J.A., and W.W. Lamar. 1989. The venomous reptiles of Latin America. Cornell Univer¬ sity Press, Ithaca, New York. 425 p. Coborn, J. 1991. The atlas of snakes of the world. T.F.H. Publications Inc., Neptune City, New Jersey. 591 p. Conant, R. and J. Collins. 1998. A field guide to reptiles and amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Houghton Mifflin Company, Bos¬ ton. 616 p. Ernst, C.H. 1992. Venomous reptiles of North America. Smithsonian Institu¬ tion Press, Washington, D.C. 236 p. Phelps, T. 1989. Poisonous snakes. Blanford Press, London. 237 p. Tennant, A. 1985. Texas monthly field guide series. A field guide to Texas snakes. Lone Star Books, Gulf Publishing Company, Hous¬ ton. 260 pp. page 66 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Thomas P. Wilson , Department of Zoology, Eastern Illinois University , Charleston, Illinois 61920, USA. Present address, MSN 3E1, Department of Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444, USA. Received 11 Januay 2000 Accepted 22 January 2000 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 67 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 Notes on Eggshell Type of the Spotted Turtle, Clemmys guttata: Geographic Variation or Differences in Definition? Ewert (1979) presented three general classifications of eggshells in chelonians. These are 1) parchment, 2) brittle, and 3) hard-expansible shelled eggs (see Ewert 1979 for complete descriptions). A great amount of confusion appears in the literature regarding eggshell types. Ernst (1970) described spotted turtle eggs in Pennsylvania as having soft leathery shells. However, the eggshells obtained in Illinois (1992-1993 and 1997) and Virginia (1994-1997) appeared different. In Illinois, all eggs were elliptical and white with slightly pliant shells that were neither a typical soft leathery shell nor a hard brittle shell. The eggs obtained in Virginia were elliptical, white and hard, similar to that of Kinosternon; however, they were not considered brittle. Eggshells in both populations were best categorized as a variation of the "hard-expansible" shell type. Ewert (1979) suggested that Clemmys guttata eggs can vary between the parchment and hard-expan¬ sible eggshell types, and within each type, there can be considerable varia¬ tion (from pliable to hard). The later was not documented due to small sample sizes; however, my observations, in general, concur with those of Ewert. Hard expansible type eggshells are not commonly mention in the literature for C. guttata . Ewert (1979) suggests that both parchment and hard- expansible eggshell types can occur within different populations of the same species. Also, the flexibility of the eggshells may vary between females of the same population, and eggshells may harden after ovaposition and dur¬ ing incubation. Hence, hard-expansible eggs behave unlike brittle shelled eggs and will flex slightly during incubation, and their harder shells, at first glance, have lead to general confusion with brittle shelled eggs. At present there have been no published accounts suggesting C. guttata as having brittle shelled eggs. The primary difference in eggshell characterization with C. guttata is probably because Ernst described spotted turtle eggs before Ewert's (1979) introduction of the term "hard-expansible." Although these differences may be superficial, this should be furthered studied to eliminate the possibility of geographic differences in eggshell type among spotted turtle populations. Also, the variation within populations may be of interest to researchers. Of¬ ten variation is limited to morphological measurements and other biological page 68 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 aspects are overlooked (Laemmerzahl, 1990). In closing, if geographic varia¬ tion is not found to exist, concerning eggshell type, then researchers are asked to conform to Ewert's (1979) general definition of "hard-expansible". Acknowledgments I thank my advisors Dr. Edward O. Moll (Eastern Illinois University), Dr. Carl H. Ernst (George Mason University), and David Mauger (Will County Forest Preserve District) for their encouragement and allowing me to con¬ duct this research. Dr. Carl H. Ernst and Penni Jo Wilson reviewed the manu¬ script and offered words of encouragement. Jennifer Ross and Ken Mills pro¬ vided assistance in the field. Literature Cited Ernst, C.H. 1970. Reproduction in Clemmys guttata. Herpetologica 26:228-232. Ewert, M.A. 1979. The embryo and its egg: Development and natural history, p. 333-413. In M. Harless and H. Morlock (eds.). Turtles, per¬ spectives and research. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Laemmerzahl, A.F. 1990. Variation in the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata. M.S. The¬ sis, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. 54 p. Thomas P. Wilson , MSN 3E1, Department of Biology, George Mason University , Fairfax, Virginia 22030-4444, USA. Received 11 January 2000 Accepted 22 January 2000 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 69 Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 News and Notes page 70 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 News and Notes Presented by MARS Preservation Fund, Inc. "Mu, da Ktc? ^EIPTDLE SHOW We believe in education, the promotion of captive breeding and the protection of critical habitats. Make jo u'h°‘?Jsav‘ AR! I 7 4:30 P-m., I c 11 Pm. 1 LOCATION: Maryland State Fairgrounds 4-H Building (Daily Show and Seminars) Days Hotel Timonium (Host Hotel & Lectures Saturday Evening) • Captive bom reptiles & amphibians for display and sale • Equipment, books & supplies •Book signings each day • Educational exhibits • Door Prizes • Raffles • NEW! Live Auction • Display & photographs of Costa Rican rainforest area purchased by MARS • NEW! Pre-show social gathering with speaker • 1 Reptiles & Rainforests " art collection * Seminars throughout the show • “Critter Contact ” hands-on animal display Professional Lecture Series Saturday evening will feature well-known herpetologists (to be announced) and another <(Fabulous Fotos” exhibit. Show proceeds are donated to purchase and protect rainforest and critical habitat. THE MID-ATLANTIC REPTILE SHOW, now in its eighth year, has protected 2,606 acres of critical habitat to date. ADMISSION: Weekend Pass (includes show both days and lectures) $13 Adults, One Day Pass (Sat. or Sun. $7 Adults. Children 6 - 12 and Seniors over 65 - $6 (for one day or weekend pass), Children under 5 are free. FOR INFORMATION; Call the MARS Hotline at 410-580-0250, visit our web site at http://www.reptileinfo.com or e-mail us at mars@reptileinfo.com Only registered vendors may display or sell on the premises. Please leave your pet animals home! They will not be admitted to the show. Thank you. page 72 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Volume 36 Number 2 June 2000 News and Notes Reptile and Amphibian Rescue 410-580-0250 We will try to take as many unwanted pet reptiles and amphibians as we can. Leave a message with your name and number to give up an animal for adoption; or to volunteer to help with our efforts. WE NEED: ► Cages, Lights, Other Equipment & Food • Drivers to Transport Animals • Foster Homes • Adoptive Homes Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society page 73 Society Publication Back issues of the Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society, where available, may be obtained by writing the Executive Editor. A list of available issues will be sent upon request. Individual numbers in stock are $5.00 each, unless otherwise noted. The Society also publishes a Newsletter on a somewhat irregular basis. These are distributed to the membership free of charge. Also pub¬ lished are Maryland Herpetofauna Leaflets and these are available at $. 25/page. Information for Authors All correspondence should be addressed to the Executive Editor. Manuscripts being submitted for publication should be typewritten (double spaced) on good quality 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper with adequate margins. Submit original and first carbon, retaining the second carbon. If entered on a word processor, also submit diskette and note word proces¬ sor and operating system used. Indicate where illustrations or photographs are to appear in text. Cite all literature used at end in alphabetical order by author. Major papers are those over five pages (double spaced, elite type) and must include an abstract. The authors name should be centered un¬ der the title, and the address is to follow the Literature Cited. Minor pa¬ pers are those papers with fewer than five pages. Author's name is to be placed at end of paper (see recent issue). For additional information see Style Manual for Biological Journals (1964), American Institute of Biological Sciences, 3900 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016. Reprints are available at $.07 a page and should be ordered when manuscripts are submitted or when proofs are returned. Minimum order is 100 reprints. Either edited manuscript or proof will be returned to au¬ thor for approval or correction. The author will be responsible for all cor¬ rections to proof, and must return proof preferably within seven days. The Maryland Herpetological Society Department of Herpetology Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. 2643 North Charles Street Baltimore , Maryland 21218 page 74 Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society Maiyland Kerpeioiogical .Society &0„ . MUtUCTlN or THE acylanb US ISSN: 0025-4231 f)erpetological ©oriety DEPARTMENT OF HERPETOLOGY THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF MARYLAND, INC.