VIRGINIA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN No. SEVENTY

EASTERN SEABOARD HERPETO­ LOGICAL LEAGUE MEETING AT COLUMBIA UNION COLLEGE f -* • ' „ . ' •

VaHS members who started Opaque coverings on the of recent laws and regu­ hibernating early missed cages prevent laboratory lations, emphasizing the a great treat! Those who visitors from disturbing role of individual herpe- . made it to the Columbia the animals and making tologists and regional Union College’s science them nervous. They are societies. He stressed building, about 100 from housed one to a cage. Re­ the need for cooperation the eastern seaboard, saw mote handling of food and in line with the ASIH or exhibits and slide talks water jars protects the SSAR resolutions (pp.3-C) of excellent quality. laboratory staff from the and concluded that: possibility of snakebite. "Overall, few species and The occasion, October 29, subspecies of reptiles or was the first meeting of Current research is on amphibians are now really the Eastern Seaboard Her- the biochemical make-up protected from uncontrol­ petological League. Much of rattlesnake venom and led collecting by was learned from the ex­ has centered upon the• researchers, fanciers, posure . is o la tio n of s e v e ra l com­ and the pet trade. The ponents of the venom. Of survival of extant herpe- The assemblage was wel­ th e se , some components tiles is our responsibil­ comed by Dr. Lester E. have been obtained in too ity, individually and Harris, Jr., Chairman of small quantity to permit collectively. Reasonable the Biology Department of research results to be demands for pets can con­ Columbia Union College. obtained. It is hoped, tinue and studies can be in time, to have these in continued unimpaired only Professor Harris spoke of greater quantity for use. if threatened forms are some of the research un­ Action of each constitu­ adequately protected by derway over the past few ent of the venom can be u s . years on campus, and at traced using the carbon­ the college’s Biological ic-tagged amino acid Station at Head Waters, le u c in e . Afternoon’s light touch: V a., in HIGHLAND county. presentations of the ESHL Other research efforts at "coveted" HEDGETOAD AWARD "We have an active pro­ the "outdoor laboratory" for "outstanding contri­ gram of research going on in HIGHLAND county during butions to cooperation here at the campus on the the summers have included among h e rp e to lo g is ts and venom of the Timber Rat - behavioral research on the re g io n a l s o c ie tie s ." The tlesnake (Crotalus h. local box turtles (Terra- awards were presented to: horridus). For this, we pene c_. Carolina).>} Franklin J. Tobey, Jr., have kept specimens in VaHS; Mr. Itzch ak G ilboa, a we11-controlled labora­ e d ito r of HISS NEWS — a tory designed for the Dr. Bruce Bury, Fish and publication of the Herpe- comfort of the animals— Wildlife Service, Dep’t tological Information and the safety of the lab of the I n te r io r , was the Search Systems; and, in staff. We add a few more keynote speaker. He de­ absentia, to Dr. James A. specimens from HIGHLAND scribed the reasons for Peters (since deceased)., county each summer. protecting amphibians and (see page nine ) reptiles, reviewed the conservation legislation, ESHL MEETING continued and discussed the impact on page two ....

The VaHS BULLETIN and PROGRAMS are a non-profit,:science-information activity. i T ‘•' *. tf r.H% VaHS BULLETIN is a n e w sle tte r VaHS BULLETIN is s e n t, g r a tia , appearing at least six times to Virginia’s university and a y e a r. The pages a re open college biology, zoology, and f o r a r t i c l e s or comment on natural science departments.. topics related to Virginian Science and biology teachers, h erp eto lo g y . The p r in c ip a l high school or junior high,- activity is the state survey may receiv e the VaHS BULLETIN of reptiles and amphibians. (with membership) at $1 a •(Revised list available soon.) year; request on school letter head preferred.

- 1 VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January“February 1973

ESHL MEETING, continued: EASTERN SEABOARD HERPETO­ Mr. Jaren G. Horsley, Mr. Saul F r ie s s , NYHS, LOGICAL LEAGUE MEETS ON Curator of the Reptile delighted the ESHL meet­ STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.,3 /3 /3 Division at the National ing with a slide talk on Zoological Park (NZP) de­ his successful methods of The next m eeting of the fined a herpetologist as incubating and hatching Eastern Seaboard Herpeto­ "anyone with sufficient snake and other reptile logical League (ESHL) is interest in amphibians or eggs, the major problems at New York’s Staten Is­ reptiles to study them." encountered and how to land Zoo. The d ate is He said it was the res­ cope with them. Eggs are I^.rch 3> 1973 (Saturday). ponsibility of amateurs removed only from those Registration: 12:30 p.m. and professional alike to areas where the environ­ and first session at 1:30 refrain from indiscrimi­ ment was being destroyed p.m. with afternoon break nate and non-essential by bulldozers and similar and dinner scheduled. It collecting and to take construction equipment. is hoped that a number of whatever steps may be The h a tc h lin g s are l a t e r VaHS members w ill be on necessary to preserve the released in proper near­ hand. Hope to see you on natural gene pools. ... by habitats. A poster he Staten Island on 3 March I showed bearing one of his "Whenever possible, study photographs of three Pine Sponsoring the March ESHL animals in their environ­ snakes hatching was en­ meeting are the officers- ment and return them to titled- "Three Good Eggs." and-raembers of New York their environment because It has been a highly suc­ Herpetological Society of inadequate population cessful educational aid (NYHS). VaHS members and data, we cannot properly in New Jersey and N.Y. in friends have been extend­ assess the effects of our support of the New York ed a personal invitation collecting on a particular Herpetological Society’s by Mr. David Hulmes, population." conservation program. President of N.Y.H.S.

Dr. W. Leslie Burger,VaHS Of endangered species, The VaHS coordinator for cofounder and past presi­ Horsley said: "Wildlife • ESHL affairs is: dent (1959-196^)was.guest is more important than lecturer. He spoke on his scientific study. By all Mr. Robert D. Jennings proposed reclassification means, study a box turtle 593^ Telegraph Road and arrangement of pit- in the woods, but think Alexandria, VA. 22310 viper genera of Eastern twice before taking it A sia and th e W estern Hemi­ home. You don’t really Let Bob Jennings know i f sphere to reflect his know how many th e re are you plan to go, whether theory of the evolution l e f t . " you will be staying for and zoogeography of these dinner (6:00 p.m.)nearby groups. We plan to devote restaurant involved) and future BULLETIN space to a if you have an item for timely message from Leslie See next column: the program, as soon as Burger on his near-future you can. Thanks! FJT plans. He is at the U.S. NEXT ESHL MEETING AT N.Y. National Museum of Natur­ al History (Smithsonian). STATEN ISLAND ZOO ON SEE THE PRELIMINARY We wish he would remain PROGRAM FOR THE ESHL in the area longer than SATURDAY 3 MARCH 1973 MARCH 3, 1973 MEETING his present plans indi­ ON BOTTOM OF P .10. c ate . OF THIS VaHS BULLETIN

FAREWELL! GOOD LUCK! TO OUR FRIEND BOB TUCK!

Robert G. Tuck, ESHL co­ he will become the first friend in the Division ordinator, President of Curator in Zoology for of Reptiles and Amphi­ Maryland Herpetological the Iranian Department of bians and has kept the Society (MdHS), and the Environmental Conserva­ VaHS BULLETIN p o sted on f i r s t (c h a rte r) member of tion and will assist in new specimens recorded the Maryland section of the development of a new and preserved at USNM that VaHS (1958-1961) is leav­ Natural History Museum in were collected in Va. We ing the National Museum the Persian Capital City. will miss Bob and wish for Teheran, Iran, where - Bob has been a good VaHS him all good luck in Iran. VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January-F ebruary 1973 LETTERS, IDEAS, COMMENTS:

" Received VaHS BULLETIN A. opacum k laying season population of 3 to ^,000 #66 some tim e ago and was is shorter — about Sept­ larvae 30 to 50 mm in very interested in the ember 25 through O ct. 15. length. I have only two material concerning the records of A. jefferson- Ambystoma salam anders. I "In the mountainous areas ianum, both from western have been keeping notes and in the northern Tennessee. As far as I on this group since 1936 states the egg-laying know, these are the only and am contributing the season for A. maculaturn sp ecies of Ambystoma in W. following information on is short, usually less (western) Tennessee." the Tennessee animals. than 2 weeks. S in c e re ly , "I have been supplying A. texanum is not common, Ambystoma eggs, m ainly A. at least in middle Tenn., (Dr.) Glenn Gentry* opacum, maculaturn, and t . but I have several col­ 28l6 Colonial Circle tigrinum to research lab­ lection records for west­ Donelson, Tenn. 3721^ oratories for 30 y e a r s . I ern Tenn. There is a DO NOT over-harvest them colony near here in a *Dr. Glenn Gentry is a and have ponds that are small rocky stream that member o f VaHS of lo n g ­ still producing eggs goes dry in the summer. standing and aided it, on after twenty or more years. Here, I find eggs (fresh) several occasions, with from January to ftkrch a t­ encouragement and sound " The egg-laying periods tached to the underside a d v ic e . of A. tigrinum and macu- of flat stones near cur­ latum are longer in this rents . They must attach section than in any other their eggs to leaves and section of the country as twigs, etc., in western Enclosed with the current far as I can determine. Tennessee because there issu e of VaHS BULLETIN is This is no doubt due to are no stones on the a fo ld e r from The Univer­ weather--very changeable; stream or pond bottoms. sity of Kentucky Press neither temperature nor advertising availability rainfall are uniform over A. talpoideum lays eggs of "Turtles of the United a very large area. mostly in February but, I States" by DjFT C arl H. have found freshly laid Ernst of George I^.son A. tigrinum begins laying eggs in early March. In University (Fairfax, Va.) eggs in one or more two ponds known to me, and Dr. Roger H. Barbour ponds on or about Dec. 2d they apparently are neo- of the University of Ken­ and continues until the tenic (retain larval phy­ tucky. We are hopeful last of February in other sical characteristics in­ that this book will have ponds. to maturity). At least the success it deserves. some a r e . A h e rp e to lo g ­ While the price may be A. maculaturn starts lay­ ist at Austin Peay State "o u t-o f-re ac h " fo r some ing in the last week of University preserved a of the younger members, December along the Ala­ female (showing the lar­ it is hoped that those bama -Tennessee s ta te lin e val form) but containing who can obtain a copy and continues through eggs. I checked a shallow w ill do so, or recommend Ite.rch in n o rth Tennessee. pond last year in June and its purchase to your area estimated that it had a (or school) librarian. Ambystoma (the mole salamanders) n talpoideum Mole Salamander (w estern Tennessee) texanum Small-mouthed Salamander (not in Va.) opacum lte.rbled Salamander (Va. statewide) jeffersonianum Jefferson Salamander (Virginia) maculatum Spotted Salamander (Va. statewide) m--—~ Ooiarnsrider (Va, coastal plain)? VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January-February 1973 ARTICLES_OF BJTEREST_(^72) YELLOW- BELLIED TURTLE JOURML OF HERPETOLOGY; RECORD VIRGINIA BEACH: October 1972 Vol.6 nos.3- continued fromjcolumn one: 1+ (Soc. for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles) secondary sexual charac­ On September 18, 19^7* -ft pp. 209- 215: teristics, tadpole form, yellow-bellied , turtle mating call, and karotype (Chrysemys s_. scripta) Comparative Tolerance to (chromosomal plot), lie nest was uncovered by a Desiccation in the Sala­ w ith Hypopachus, and not plow near Long Isla n d , manders Desmognathus f . with Microhyla. Consider­ Back Eay Refuge, Va., in fuseus and Desmogna th us o. ation is given to the what was form erly P rin ­ ochrophaeus by M.A.Houck, 5 species of the genus. cess Anne county, now and E.D. Beilis,, Dep’t of VIRGINIA BEACH. A sp ro u t Biology, Pennsylvania of beardgrass(Andropogon) State University, Univer­ Since you have shown an had grown through the sity Park, Pa. 16802 interest in the VaHS, we plastron of one develop­ are asking you to parti­ ing turtle and emerged Investigation concerns: cipate more actively in through the carapace. the comparative tolerance the VaHS program in 1973• Though other external to water loss of two re­ Provide the editor with features appeared normal, lated species of pletho- news item s, b its of d a ta , shields were deformed dontid salamanders — the notes on new publications where the grass hadenter­ northern dusky salamander of direct interest to Va. ed ventrally between the and the Allegheny moun­ field herpetologists. Re­ left abdominal and femor­ ta in salam ander. The i n ­ member your c o lle c tin g al scutes and emerged be­ vestigations shoved that notes on Va. specimens! tween the junction of the the Allegheny mountain left third vertebral and salamander has a measura­ For those whose support second and third costals. bly greater tolerance to we still 'seek (those in The n e st was d istu rb e d water loss than northern arrears, or those who are greatly, but apparently duskies perhaps playing a not yet members) there is the specimen had hatched role in the movement of a membership renewal or as there were no adhering the Allegheny mountain application blank and an egg remains. "To my know­ salamander away from the envelope enclosed for ledge this is the first stream margins to more convenience. HAPPY 1973- deformity reported due to terrestrial habitats. direct contact of vegeta­ tion on a yellow-bellied t u r t l e em bryo." The item , JOURML OF HERPETOLOGY: Dr. J. Michael Jones has c a r rie d in HERPETOLOGICAL July 1972 Vol.6 No.2,SSAR accepted a position with REVIEW fo r October 1972, pp. HI-137: Emory and Henry C ollege, Vol'.V, No.5, page 165, Emory, Va. 21+327. With was written by Frank Jf Systematic Studies of the this issue, we are start­ Turkowski, Dep’t of Zool­ North American Microhylid ing to provide him copies ogy, Arizona State Univ., Genus G astrophryne by of the VaHS BULLETIN. He Tempe, A rizona 85281 Craig E. Nelson, Dep’t of has, according to HERPET­ Zoology, Indiana Univ,, OLOGICAL REVIEW, re c e n tly (Editor's note) Bloomington, Ind. !+7^01 completed a study of the Eecause of the early date evolutionary changes in (19^7 )> we are recording The a f f i n i t i e s o f G astro ­ the Bufo woodhousei and the specimen, the fourth phryne, based on osteo­ Bufo americanus popula­ record of the yellow- logy , adaptations for v tions near Bloomington, bellied turtle in Va. Any myrmecophagy (ant eating) In d ia n a . . added records welcomed.

(continued top of column 2) - 6 - VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January-February 1973 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: A PLEA FOR CONSERVATION (3 ) Commercial Exploitation In recent years the Amer­ Dr. Harold A. Dundee We have seen an unprece­ ican Society of Ichthyol­ Department of Biology dented rise in amateur ogists and Herpetologists Tulane University collector enthusiasm and (ASIH), the nation’s peak New Orleans, LA 70118 the building of institu­ professional society and tional collections, and, publishers of COPEIA, has Excerpted from October concomitantly, a great expressed concern about 1972 He rpetological rise in the number of the future of our faunal Review (SSAR) ‘ dealers trafficking in heritage ....It has vigo­ specimens. All too often rously supported the but especially they may the dealers, encouraged Endangered Species Act; disrupt normal ecosystems by the high price that pushed for federal legis­ to the extent that the can be commanded f o r ra re lation to place the gator native flora and fauna species of limited distri­ under interstate commerce may be severely damaged. b u tio n , have made heavy protection; recommended inroads on those animals. guidelines for responsible (2 ) Such crass commercialism conduct of research activ­ S c ie n tif ic _____ C o lle ctin g can lead to rapid demise ities, esp. as regards The encouragement o f s tu ­ and e x tin c tio n o f many procuring animals for dent collecting to aug­ species long before we research; and debated ... ment zoogeographic know­ are prepared to examine concerning introductions ledge of local or state significant aspects of of exotic species without faunas, which has, doubt­ their biologies. adequate pre-introduction less, brought to light studies. Yet, we still valuable specimens is It would be to the best disregard the danger sig­ fraught with pitfalls for long-range objectives of nals that have been rais­ the scholar who uses this scientists (and conserva­ ed. Despite resolutions, data. (Over-collecting) tionists) if they would flagrant disregard for may decim ate lo c a l faunas boycott such dealers or guidelines is evident. and, more importantly, foster action for suita­ the award of a grade ble local or federal laws Aspects of three of the credit for such collect­ to restrict the activity. resolutions are food for ing may result in delib­ thought, so please, let erate falsification of I know th a t many o f u s, the following weigh on collecting data by grade- including myself, could your consciences. conscious students. find ourselves living in the proverbial glass a ) house. From conversation Deliberate Introductions with other herpetologists Recent new locality rec­ (Editor's note: VaHS was I am aware that there may ords fo r r e p tile s in some once asked to provide a be strenuous objections states are directly trac­ small monetary bounty on to ’policing’ of our eable to the dubious new specimens to d efray scientific endeavors, but p le a su re s o f having some the expenses of a young we must face the fact intriguing and interest­ collector. Fortunately, that we can indeed easily ing "exotics" enlivening the VaHS Treasury has not be our own worst enemies. the local collecting been so fat as to tempt scene. ... Introduction us into such ill-advised Theme continued on next not only may flaw our efforts. We declined and page. concepts of natural zoo- have had to be content geographic distributions, with volunteers 1) FJT

- 3 - VaHS BULLETIN'No. 70 January-February 1973

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS: just another status sym­ principle from alligator bol. Pet shops, catering hides, ostrich feathers to this off-beat symptom or bird of paradise plumes of our affluent society, for ladies’ accessories. • • . • . • t <* • The S o ciety fo r Study of im port many thousands o f Amphibians and Reptiles specimens from the semi- So far as result goes ---- (SSAR) a t i t s Lake Texoma tropical and equatorial it removes the animals meeting in August 1972, re g io n s . Nkny o f th ese from the "gene pool" just urged the concerned units people profess to be good as effectively. of the federal and state conservationists. How­ governments to develop ever, growth of sales of At the end of his state­ regulations prohibiting exotic (South and Central ment, in HERPETOLOGICAL the importation of amphi­ American or African) rep­ REVIEW for October 1972, bians and reptiles except tiles has the scientists Dr. Dundee observed that: for legitimate scientific and true conservationists " An extinct species is educational or zoological extremely worried. not a renewable resource. display or^study purposes. Thus, my plea that this Whole areas a re being d e­ is the time for us to ex­ People who think in terms pleted of their natural pose our consciences to of keeping unusual or animal populations * to the realities of life and to re-examine our resolve. " e x o tic " r e p tile s o r am­ satisfy the demand. And, * . . ■ • • r ;• phibians and largely as long as there is a de­ for display purposes are mand th e re w ill be an e f ­ not true amateur herpe­ f o r t made to meet i t . (E d ito r ’s n o te : to lo g is ts . The anim al is • It isn't too different in Comments from VaHS re a d ­ ers w ill be welcomed.)FT

HERPETOLOGICAL INFORMATION SEARCH SYSTEMS (HISS) HAS THREE NEW PUBLICATIONS: (information on amphibians and reptiles and related fields at the prices noted.)

(l) HISS: NEWS a bimonthly magazine beginning January 1973 (replaces HERPETOLOGI­ CAL REVIEW a publication sponsored until December 1972 by Soc. for Study of Amphibians and Reptiles) w ill contain news of herpetology and herpetologists — institutions,-;societies, meetings, and other activities r- plus observa­ tions on anatomy, cytology, ecology, physiology, conservation, and geography.

(2) HISS: TITLES w ill appear four or five times a year with lists of "Current herpetological titles" that HISS has prepared since 1968 for Herpetol.Review. About 4,000 current books and papers on all aspects of herpetology: biochemi­ stry, embryology, experimental biology, are listed each year. Expanded cover­ age is promised including important contents of herpetological journals.

(3) HERPETOLOGISTS’ YEARBOOK -- a compendium of information on current herpetology. Names and addresses of active herpetologists and their institutions, along with much basic data on amphibian and reptilian classification and biology.

Your subscriptions should be sent in as soon as possible to avoid missing the first issues. Write: Dr. Herndon G. Dowling, Director of HISS, for prices and order form. American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) Central Park West at 79th Street New York, New York .. 10024

- 4 - VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January-February 1973

COLLECTING NOTES: SUSSEX COLLECTING NOTES: AMELIA specimens to see if this pattern is typical in the AND CAROLINE COUNTIES.. AND NOTTOWAY COUNTIES, VA. AMELIA area. Then perhaps we’l l know w hether th is The fifth record for the Here are a few observa­ is an aberrant specimen, state of the yellow- tio n s on NOTTOWAY and in a population of Coast­ bellied turtle (Chrysemys AMELIA counties 1 herpeto- al Plain Milk Snakes, or s. scripta) was collected fauna. Seventeen speci­ a member o f an in te rg ra d e in SUSSEX county near the mens have been tu rn ed population, or even pos­ SOUTHAMPTON county lin e over to Dr. Robert D. sibly one of a population in the v ic in ity o f Wake­ Ross at Virginia Tech(VPI of typical scarlet king- field,, Va. on June 10, *72. &SU) Blacksburg, Va. snakes . I also wonder if All of these species were this snake’s ventral pat­ The fifth state record expected to occur in the tern might have changed was collected on a sunny counties but most had not as it got older so that day in a roadside ditch been backed up with pre­ bands would no longer en­ by David B rittle, student served specimens. circle the body. Unfor­ living in Wakefield, Va., tunately, the snake died and Mrs. Dale Brittle of The mole snake (Lampro­ 2 days after swallowing a Bowling Green, Va., long­ pe Itis £. rhombomaculata) newborn gartersnake (T. s_. time VaHS member who has appears to be the most sirtalis). It has been reported regularly on the common of the king snakes preserved and w ill be de­ CAROLINE county r e p tile s in both AMELIA and NOTTO­ posited at VPI&SU with and amphibians. WAY counties from reports the other AMELIA county and specimens brought to m a te ria l. Other yellow-bellied tur­ my office and from my own The sp o tte d salam anders tle specimen records are: o b s e rv a tio n s. The e a s t­ (Ambystoma maculatum) Two from former Princess ern kingsnake (Lamprope1- from AMELIA and NOTTOWAY Anne county (now V irg in ia tis g. getulus) is by no were interesting finds Beach); one from NEW KENT means rare but doesn’t considering that CHESTER­ county; (the latter was a seem to be as widespread FIELD was the only o th e r record which was supplied or as numerous as the county south of the James by Mr. N eil D. Richmond of mole snake. Recently, I River for which there was Carnegie Museum); and one was given a live 8" spec­ a good record, according from Newport News, (found imen of our rarest king- to the article on "Spring by LTJG Glen Engeling, Va snake, the Coastal Plain- Research Project" (VaHS-B HS-B No. 6 2 ). Mi 11c Snake (LampropeItis No. 6 6 ). The AMELIA triangulum temporalis J~. specimen was found under A common musk t u r t l e Although AMELIA county is a log in an oak forest in (Sternotherus odoratus) almost in the center of which we also found the was collected 2 miles N. this subspecies’ range, m arbled salam ander (A. o f Dawn, CAROLINE county, according to Dr. Conant's opacum), dozens of slimy Va., near Mill Creek Br. Field Guide, this speci­ salamanders (Plethodon g. of Reedy Creek on Rt. 301 men’s pattern matches glutinosus) and a red- by Mrs. Dale Brittle on that of the scarlet king- spotted newt (Notophthal- July 7, 1972. A color snake . The red, black, mus v. viridescens) and, slide of each of the and white bands complete­ in a stream that runs specimens has been placed ly circle the snake along through the forest, seve­ in the VaHS 2” X 2" slide the whole length of the ral dusky salamanders collection to back up the body. Also, there are (Desmognathus f . fuscus). re le a se d specim ens. (More only 19 scale rows at mid All were found within a on this program in No.72.) body. I hope to get more few hundred yards.

- 7 - VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January-February 1973 ' “

_AMELIA and NOTTOWAY_c ont * d : COLLECTING NOTES: AMHERST AND AUGUSTA COUNTIES, V/U Because of the nature of the ribbon snake, mud my job (County Extension snake, the rough earth Specimens from the Va. Agent working with 4-H£rs snake and northern ring- counties indicated were and other youth) I have necked snake. Also, deposited in the U.S.- contact with a great many there have been several National Museum collec­ people, who „ wll^L .capture 4 reports of snakes fitting tion (Smithsonian Insti­ reptiles and amphibians the description of the tution) " As* 1 follows*: * for me. Well over 100 corn snake (E. guttata) snakes were brought to me Since AMELIA is near that Six red-spotted newts for identification,, or species* range, I would (Notophthalmus v. viri- confirmation of identifi­ also place it on the list descens) collected by Dr. cation, during 19 7 2 . of "expecteds". Ronald H. Pine on 31 Mky Judging from these speci­ 1969 in AUGUSTA county in mens, the black rat snake (Mr.) Michael Clifford small pond in the George appears to be the most County Extension Agent Washington National For­ abundant snake in AMELIA Amelia Court House, Va. est, near Deerfield, Va. county. They have ranged USNM #19^,751 to 19^,756. in length from overa foot Also, a northern water to over six feet and were snake (Natrix s_. sipedon) caught in barns, basement, found under rock in near­ b i rdhous e s, outhouse s, HENRICO COUNTY RECORD by stream; USNM #19^,757. trees, stumps, swamps, and an amazing variety of Four specimens of the Ap­ other places. Farmers in Eastern Painted Turtle palachian Seal Salamander the county generally pro­ (Chrysemys p^ picta) was. (Desmognathus m. montico- tect black rat snakes and recently recorded on VaHS la) collected by Dr. Pine w ill even release them in distribution maps. The Tusnm #19^ ,759- 19^ 7 62)-- barns to control rodents. shell (carapace and most from the waters of a cas­ Next in order of abund­ of the plastron) found at cade near Love, Va., in ance, according to my Laurel Lake near Glen Al­ the Geo.Wash.Natl Forest, records, are the hognosed len, Va., was probably AMHERST county. Also snake, eastern garter, and cleaned out by small mam­ found at this site was a northern water snakes. mals . A portion of the northern spring salaman­ plastron was chewed away. der (Gyrinophilus p. por- Occasionally,' ‘a' * rare" The shell- was collected . phyr i t i c u s ). USNM#19^, 7^3 • species is brought in. earlier in 1972 by Mr. One of the first snakes I Bill Hadley who is back saw from AMELIA was a in the area from military Four specimens of the ap- scarlet snake (Cemophora service and on the para­ palachian seal salamander coccinea) which had been medical staff of one of (D. m. m o n tico la) from found under a flower pot the Richmond hospitals. a small stream near the next to a gas station! Riffles Overlook, Blue The ra re Lamp rope I t is Ridge Parkway, GWNF, in mentioned previously was AMHERST county, Va. (USNM given to me by a ^-H’er # 194, 76^ to 19^ 7 6 7 *) who had caught it on his farm. Only four species listed as recorded or ex­ pected from AMELIA coun­ ty , according to VaHS B. - 8 - #38 have not shown up yet: VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January-February 1973 IN MEMORY OF . . .

JAMES ARTHUR PETERS (1922 - 1972)

The h o lid ay season was school years. At age 17, The d eath o f Dr. James A. saddened for all interes­ he attended a meeting of Peters, curator-in-charge ted in herpetology by the the American Society of of the Division of Rep­ death of VaHS member Ichthyologists^- and Her­ tiles and Amphibians,U.S. Dr. James Arthur Peters,, petologists (ASIH), and National Museum of Natur­ Curator-in-charge of the was active in that group al History (Smithsonian U.S. National Museum's over the years, later be­ Institution) ended at age Division of Reptiles and coming its Secretary and 50 a splendid career as Amphibians (Smithsonian its President. one of the outstanding Institution) Washington, herpetologists of our D.C. He attended meetings of time and plunges us all the VaHS h e ld a t Camp into deepest sorrow. Dr. Peters was one of the Monocan, near Nellysford, top men in h is f i e l d . His Va., and joint meetings Dr. Peters published over interests were in the o f VaHS and MdHS a t the 100 scientific papers, fields of zoogeography of National Zoological Park, including his doctoral reptiles and amphibians, W ashington, D.C. He, lik e thesis (University of and systematic zoology. his predecessor, the late Michigan, 1952) on the Doris M. Cochran, was a taxonomy and systematics Dr. Peters pioneered in good frie n d of VaHS. Dr. of snakes of sub-family the a p p lic a tio n o f com­ Peters was an acknowledged D ipsadinae; A lso, he com­ puter technology to sys­ expert on the reptiles pleted work on Ecuador­ tematic zoology and and amphibians of Ecuador ian frogs of the genus museum curatorial opera­ where he served as a Ful- Atelopus shortly before tions . He was the author bright Professor at the his final illness. of more than 100 scienti­ Central University in f i c p ap ers, among them, a Quito in 1956-1959* Dr. Dr. Peters’ constant and classic on genetics(1959) P e te rs came to the Smith­ continued interest in which is used in college sonian in February 1964, regional societies was courses. His published taking a position which manifested in his holding works include "A Diction­ led to the curatorship. two "open houses" at the ary of Herpetology"(1964) Smithsonian Institution and "Catalogue of the He was Secretary of the in 1965 and 1966, and h is Neotropical Squamata"C7D) Society for Systematic setting up an exchange published by the Smith­ Zoology at the time of with various groups for sonian Institution. His h is d eath , and a member their bulletins and news­ interest dated from high of many o th e r s c ie n tif ic letters, thus giving the s o c i e t i e s . National Museum fairly complete sets of state _ 9 - society material.

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DIRECTIONS TO THE STATEN ISIAND (N.Y.) ZOO

New Jersey Turnpike is reached from 1-95 and the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Take N.J. TPK to EXIT 13, STATEN ISIAND EXPRESSWAY (1-278). E ast on #278 about 4 to 5 miles from Goethals Bridge to ll plaza to Hylan Blvd.-Richmond Rd., exit. Exit to traffic light and then turn left into Clove Rd. Proceed North on Clove Road to Broadway (1 .5 miles) B'way is a right-hand fork. Zoo is on left side in second block on B’way. Park on the street wherever possible. If you miss B'way fork, take Glenwood Place (one-way) to right until left turn onto Broadway one block from the main entrance of the Zoo.

P r o T nT>nrry>Qr« nn +V10 V\a r\-F +Vi*? c -no fro VaHS BULLETIN No. 70 January-F ebruary 1973

ITEMS _ 0F ^INTEREST THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: Ronald Fisher $4.25 SUNDAY STAR (WASH.,D.C.): November 1972 (Vol. 1*4-2, (National Geographic Soc) 26 November 1972 An a r t i - No.5) PP. 633-650 Washington, D.C. 20036 cle by staff writer John Goliaths of the Galapagos Fialka stated in part: by Craig MacFarland. . . Full-time and part-time Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands naturalists, hikers, geo­ "in th e Back Bay N atio n al lie 600 miles W. of South logists and historians Wildlife Refuge, located America. Ancestors of the will enjoy this new vol­ below Virginia Beach (the archipelago’s tortoises ume in th e GEOGRAPHIC’S area was formerly part of may have d r if te d th e re on special publications PRINCESS ANNE county) the clumps of vegetation dis­ series. Experiences on sand has become compacted gorged from rivers of the the trail from Georgia to from the almost constant continent. Eleven of l4 ftkine (a long section of traffic of dune buggies subspecies survive. A map it lies in Virginia) with and four wheel drive ve­ shows extinct groups and photographs by the author. h ic le s . The im pact of endangered groups and the the vehicles, reportedly, homes o f le s s -th re a te n e d The majestic views, flora has caused disappearance g ro u p s. C ontains much on and fauna, geology, and of the loggerhead turtles the life style and ecolo­ more recent history, plus, that once laid their eggs gy of the Galapagos Tor­ make th is a "m ust'’ fo r along the beach. Some of toises . Even though this anyone interested in the the Interior Department is stretching the edi­ out-of-doors. officials believe the torial limits (only Va. sand has become too com­ material) more than ever, pact for the turtles to th is a r t i c l e has much to THE FENCE LIZARD: A CYCLE dig. Others think it’s recommend it to Virginian of SEASONS Lucille Trost just the traffic. 'That read ers of VaHS BULLETIN. $4.25 Addison-Wesley Pub­ turtle just gets ready to lishing Co.,Inc., Reading, lay an egg when she sees Ifessachusetts OI867 another vehicle coming,’ REPTILE SCIENCE ASSEMBLY commented one official." KIT (RENWAL models) A season-by-season ac­ count of fence lizard VIRGINIA WILDLIFE magazine Assembly kit contains: or "swift" activities. A April 1972 noted that the female fence lizard’s ex­ refuge manager at Back Alligator, Box Turtle, istence from birthto egg- Bay National W ildlife Re­ Chuckwalla, Leopard Frog, laying. The struggle for fuge is Mr. Dennis F.H ol­ R attlesn a k e, and Red E f t. survival against the nat­ land. He serves as man­ All are cast from live ural environment: temper­ ager for three areas: specimens supplied by the ature, moisture, predators. Back Bay NWR: 8,523 a cres American Museum of Natur­ It could lead to greater located near Princess al History and the N.Y. interest in studying the Anne; Fishermans Island Zoological Society (Bronx life habits of other less NWR: 1,000 acres at the N Zoo). Plastic models are well-known reptiles or end of the Chesapeake Bay for assembly and study. amphibians close at hand. Bridge-Tunnel (NORTH­ Kit includes an authori­ AMPTON county, Va.j; and tative handbook illustra­ Mac Kay Isla n d : 6,82 4 a cres ted in color and written SEND IN ITEMS-OF-INTEREST near Knotts Island in N.C. in popular style.($ 5 •9 5 )

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SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 1973, EASTERN SEABOARD HERP.ET0IOGICAL LEAGUE MEETING PROGRAM:

12:30 REGISTRATION Dr. Lester E. Harris, Jr. W illiam & Donna Marvel,Md 1:30 Introduction: Carl VaHS, Head Biology Dep't, HS, "Western Terrestrial Kauffeld, Director and Columbia Union College,on and Aquatic Garteremakes" Curator of Reptiles, The "The Galapagos A fte r Dar­ Staten Island (N.Y.) Zoo. win" (see top right col.) Michel Klemens,CtHS,"Tor­ 1:30-4:14 following: toises of the World." NY­ Dr. Herndon G. Dowling & 4:15 Break for viewing HS will supply a Kodak Mr. Itzch ak G ilboa --"The the reptile collection. Carrousel projector if New Look a t HISS (AMNH)." Followed by dinner at a you wish to present a local restaurant. slide talk and prepare Dr. James D. Anderson, 6:30 p.m. Tuck on ESHL. your tray ahead of time. Professor of Zoology,(N.J) Robert L. Brandner, NYZS, Rutgers University, "An NYHS,"Conservation Prac­ Don’t Forget: 3 March ’73 Outline for Studies of tices in the Jersey Pine See You at the Staten the Bog Turtle." B arren s." Island Zoo! ......