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Year of the Lizard News No

Year of the Lizard News No

Year of the News No. 3 May 2012 V V V V V V V V V V www.YearoftheLizard.org Looking After : The States’ Role In the , the State Fish and Wildlife Conservation Agencies are charged with managing all fish and wildlife, including lizards. They play a vital role in managing lizard populations in the wild, including for various human uses, such as for pets, or for scientific study, and in protecting rare and threatened lizards in the United States. In 2005, all State Fish and Wildlife Agencies completed State Wildlife Action Plans to help assess the status of their wildlife and to develop specific actions to help keep common common (see www.teaming. Juvenile (Phrynosoma cornutum). Who com/state-wildlife-action-plans-swaps to learn more says lizards can’t be cute? Photo © LLC Jones. about your state’s goals). In these, they identified “species A Love Affair with Horny Toads – Use of of greatest conservation need” and in several states, lizard Citizen Scientists to Detect Past and Current species were part of this list. As a result of these plans and State Wildlife Grant funding, and with many partners, Trends in Horned Lizard Populations in Texas lizards are receiving more conservation attention than Since 1997, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ever before in many of these agencies. has recruited citizen scientists to assist in assessing the In this newsletter issue we feature some of the research, status of and trends in horned lizard populations across conservation, and management work that is being done the state. In the first 15 years of across the United States, highlighting State Fish and Watch over 230 volunteers submitted data forms Wildlife Agency projects. We hope the stories of this from 180 of 254 counties in the state. These data were ongoing work inspire you to learn more about the native continued on p. 4 lizards in your neighborhood, and the lizard and other Inside: wildlife conservation efforts in your state. page —Priya Nanjappa, PARC State Agencies Coordinator Photo Contest Calendar 2 Year of the Lizard Partners 3 c - see p. 5 Left: What’s this Gila Wyoming Lizards 10, 16 Monster up to? Find out Lizard Malaria 11 on p. 5. Lizards in the News 13 Lizards & Wonder Drugs 14 Look for Issue No. 4 Measuring Lizards 18 of Year of the Lizard An Interview with Polly Conrad 19 News in July! Featured Lizard Families 21 Fijian Crested 26

“Precisely the least, the softest, lightest, a lizard’s rustling, a breath, a flash, a moment - a little makes the way of the best happiness.” Friedrich Nietzsche (German classical scholar, philosopher and critic of culture, 1844-1900) Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 2 Get Your May Photo Contest Calendar Though it could just as easily have been named the Stained Glass , the May Photo Contest Calendar winner, a denizen of Omani , is a Sandfish photographed by Todd Pierson. Get a closer look at this beautiful little lizard and our runner-up when you download your monthly calendar from http://parcplace.org/images/stories/YOL/ YearoftheLizardCalendarMay.pdf.

Green Anole, carolinensis, John C. Murphy Call for Photos for the 2012 Year of the Lizard Calendar Photo Contest We are seeking close-up, digital photos of lizards, preferably in their natural or within an educational or conservation context. One winner will be selected each month to be the featured photo as part of the Year of the Lizard online calendar. Runner-up photos will also These are be included in the calendar. Additionally, all submitted just some of images will be considered for use in the Year of the Lizard the amazing monthly newsletter and website as well as other Year of photos we’ve the Lizard related conservation, outreach, and educational already efforts. Give us your best shot! For more information and received. for entry details, please visit http://www.parcplace.org/ Iguana, Sarah images/stories/YOT/YOLphotocontest.pdf. Goldman.

Ask the Experts many Abronia are literally “dead man in the March issue of Year of the walking” species that will go extinct Lizard News in the Project Abronia Anthony Yeung, Director of during our lifetimes (Campbell and segment of the article on the Alliance our partner group Hong Kong Frost 1993). Sadly, some species for the Conservation of Endangered Herpetology Foundation, asked: of Abronia likely went extinct in Species in . See http:// What is the most endangered lizard southern Guatemala and adjacent El projectabronia.com/ for a video species in the world? Salvador due to destruction documentary on Arboreal Alligator even before they were officially Eric Pianka, Univeristy of Texas at Lizards of . described by biologists (Campbell Austin, answers: and Frost 1993). Ask the Experts! Probably some of the Guatemalan Campbell JA, Frost DR. 1993. Bull. Am. Abronia (Arboreal Alligator Lizards). Mus. Nat. Hist. 216. Submit your lizard questions via Three highly vulnerable email (yearofthelizard@gmail. See Dr. Pianka’s work featured in Guatemalan species are A. frosti, com) to our panel of lizard experts, NOVA’s Lizard Kings: www.pbs. A. meledona, and A. campbelli and we will select questions to org/wgbh/nova/nature/lizard- (Campbell, pers. comm.). Because answer in upcoming newsletters. kings.html of their small population sizes and Please include your name and Conservation efforts for limited geographic ranges in areas location in your email message. grossly overpopulated with humans, Guatemalan Abronia were highlighted Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 3 May Year of the Lizard Collaborating Partners The Year of the Lizard Planning Team is pleased to welcome the following organizations to our growing list of collaborating partners: Societas Herpetologica Slovenica – Society for the study of Amphibians and is a non-profit organization with the general aims of study and protection of amphibians and reptiles in Slovenia as well as education and popularization of these groups in the professional and general public. Regarding lizards, our research activities include field surveys to determine species distributional ranges for the future Atlas of reptiles of Slovenia. Our members also give support to students involved in individual studies on the ecology of lizards. We organize and give lectures for general public, carry out workshops for school children of different age and participate as mentors on school or student field camps. www.herpetolosko-drustvo.si Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation was established in 2007. It is the first and the only registered charitable organization (IR File No: 91/9058) in Hong Kong related to Amphibians and Reptiles. Being a charitable organization, they aim to carry out the following missions: To prevent cruelty to reptiles and amphibians through education; To increase the public’s knowledge of amphibians and reptiles through our website and various activities, such as exhibitions, seminars; To promote the conservation of local species of reptiles and amphibians and their natural habitats so that the public can appreciate the ecological value of the local species; To promote public awareness of the crisis of endangered species; To carry out research and study on local amphibians and reptiles whilst emphasizing the importance of preservation of these and the environment; and To do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the above objectives. Website (Chinese): www.hkherp.org Website (English but some pages are under construction): www.hkherp.org.hk/en/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/hkherp

Herpetology Laboratory’ Bangladesh (hl’b) is a sister concern of the Society for Research and Development (SRD). hl’b is a non-profit organization. Our work is performed by a cluster of dedicated volunteers, mainly young people. All lab members are self-funding - working from passion and self-motivation. They are dedicated to improving herpetological knowledge and conservation. The lab is also working to improve research capacity on some colleges in less developed areas of Bangladesh. hl’b was established to increase research capacity, improve conservation knowledge and develop rural talent in herpetology among underprivileged young people. www.herplabbd.org

If your organization is interested in joining the list of Year of the Lizard Collaborating Partners and would like to assist in Year of the Lizard efforts throughout 2012, please send an email to [email protected] with a brief description of your organization and its efforts.

Follow all of the Year of the Lizard news and happenings on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/yearofthelizard2012) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/YearOfTheLizard). Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 4

continued from p. 1 Figure 1. Hometown Horned Toad interviewee-reported causes for THL decline in Texas, (n = 867).

the eastern half of the state to report declines in the 1960s through 1980s—periods of rapid population growth, road expansion, and invasion by imported red fire ants. Respondents from the western part of the state primarily on the Texas Horned Lizard histories about horned lizards in their (i.e., the Rolling Plains, High Plains, (Phrynosoma cornutum). Volunteers communities. and Trans-Pecos—regions where have confirmed reports that horned Over five years, 458 essays horned lizards can consistently be lizards are much reduced in their representing 1732 interviews were found) reported later perceived dates distribution in the state, but they submitted to Hometown Horned of decline (Figure 2), with students also have documented previously Toads. Interviewees shared their sometimes linking those perceptions unknown remnant populations and opinions regarding causes of to changes in agricultural practices produced statistically significant decline, with open-ended questions or declining participation in outdoor findings regarding correlations with consistently producing urbanization/ activities. distribution of the imported red fire human population growth, pesticides/ Though no longer offered as ant (Solenopsis invicta). A description ant pesticides, and invasion of red a contest, research materials for of the volunteer program, including imported fire ant/decline in harvester Hometown Horned Toads are still an analysis of its first ten years, was ants (Pogonomyrmex spp.) as the top offered on the TPWD website (www. recently published in Reptiles and responses (Figure 1). tpwd.state.tx.us/htht/). In addition, Amphibians (Linam 2011). Interviewees were also consistent classrooms are encouraged to expand One discovery in the first several regarding decade of decline, with a the monitoring activities associated years of Texas Horned Lizard Watch strong tendency for respondents in with Texas Horned Lizard Watch was that Texans weren’t simply content to fill out data forms when it Figure 2. came to their beloved “horny toads.” Hometown Many volunteers took time to write Horned Toad notes or send emails sharing stories interviewee- reported about childhood memories of horned decade of lizards, their own perceptions of decline, (n = decline, and even sometimes personal 618). confessions about their role in the demise of a few horned lizards. This “story-telling” prompted TPWD to launch an ancillary program in 2002 called Hometown Horned Toads, an essay contest designed to engage school students in gathering local Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 5 (www.tpwd.state.tx.us/hornedlizards/) through conducting more in-depth habitat research. a

Linam, L.A.J. 2011. The Texas Horned Lizard Watch 1997- 2006: A 10-year review of a successful citizen-science program. Reptiles & Amphibians Conservation and Natural History 18(4):208-213. —Lee Ann Linam, Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Using Trail Cameras to Observe Banded Gila Monsters ( suspectum cinctum) in The Nevada Department of Wildlife lists Gila b Monsters as state protected and has designated them as Species of Conservation Priority in Nevada’s Wildlife Action Plan. Data on populations are needed in order to ensure populations are not declining and to avoid federally listing this species under the Endangered Species Act. Gila Monsters are not commonly observed in Nevada and, aside from a University of Nevada, Reno study in 2003, Gila Monster data are largely lacking in this state. As such, preliminary observational studies have been implemented by Nevada Department of Wildlife in order to begin to learn more about this elusive protected reptile in the Nevada portion of its range. d A study site was chosen based on the presence of suitable substrate to observe Gila Monster tracks in the sand. The area consists of rocky sandstone outcrops adjacent to sandy soils dominated by Creosote Bush. The site is occupied by typical prey species for Gila Monsters, including quail, mourning dove, and kangaroo . The rocky areas likely serve as ideal shelters and overwinter sites, while the adjacent sandy areas serve as prime foraging ground containing plenty of quail nests with and kangaroo nests with nestlings. The sandy soil and unique footprints left by Gila Monsters provide an opportunity to indirectly Series of trail camera photos illustrating two adult Gila Monsters observe Gila Monster activity at this site. (one male and one female) using the same burrow. (a) A female Biologists conducted trackway surveys throughout enters the burrow on 6 June 2011 at 1817. (b) A male enters on 7 April, May, and June of 2011. Ten sets of tracks June 2011 at 1643. (c - front page) The same male exits 7 June 2011 were observed in May and June, as well as two Gila at 1735. (d) The same male enters again on 8 June 2011 at 1749. Photos captured by trail camera set up by Polly Conrad. Monsters (one adult gravid female and one subadult). It was noted that some trackways terminated at certain and/or exiting the burrows). By identifying individual Gila burrows. Two trail cameras were then set up in order Monsters by their unique banding patterns, photos captured to detect Gila Monster activity patterns and use of two by the trail cameras documented a male and female Gila burrows. The cameras were focused on burrows of Monster co-occupying one burrow (see previous page), known Gila Monster use (tracks were noted entering suggesting this burrow may serve as a communal site for Gila Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 6 Monsters. Late afternoon and early evening hours (1630- 1830) are the times noted in the month of June in which the Gila Monsters are entering and/or exiting this burrow. These preliminary observations are sufficient evidence of Gila Monster use at this study site, and show that trail cameras can successfully be used to capture photos of Gila Monsters and aid in our understanding of Gila Monster activity patterns and burrow use in Nevada. For more Above, rt: Northern rigorous scientific data on Gila Monster activity patterns, ,. Photo by L. home range, and habitat use, a telemetry project has been Hallock and T. Thompson recommended to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. —Polly Conrad, Nevada Department of Wildlife Mistaken Lizards in Alabama Aside from the ongoing management of maintaining Left: Side-blotched Lizard. and enhancing Alabama’s natural communities on public Photo by L. Hallock. lands to benefit native herpetofauna (i.e., prescription fire, exotic species removal, etc.), there are currently no lizard-focused conservation projects being performed by Alabama DCNR this year. However, our Department biologists regularly write articles for outreach, particularly when the public inquires about Alabama’s native wildlife. Some of the more regular inquiries we receive pertain Washington Lizards Under Threat to misconceptions about reptiles. One such topic dealt The Northern Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) and with the confusion in distinguishing glass lizards ( the Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana; above) reach Ophisaurus) from . In our October 2007 issue of the northern extent of their distributions in Washington Outdoor Alabama, we put together a Glass Lizard article State. Within the state, they occur in the driest portions to help address this misidentification issue and to provide of the Columbia Basin in shrub-steppe habitats (see additional information about these unique lizards. photos, p. 7). Both species are ground-dwelling, active Check out the Glass Lizard Identification article here: visual predators and gregarious. When not basking in www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-alabama/ the sun, they are preying on or socializing. This GlassLizard.pdf requires that the lizards have unobstructed ground where —Eric Soehren, Alabama Deparmtent of Conservation they can see both prey and one another. and Natural Resources Side-blotched Lizards can be abundant where they occur in Washington but are restricted to low elevations (≤ 460 m/1,500 ft; Nussbaum et al. 1983). These same areas are those that have been most frequently converted to agriculture. Northern Sagebrush Lizards are more widely distributed but occurrences are limited to active inland sand dunes and associated sandy soils. Side-blotched Lizards may also occur on sand dunes, but are not limited to this habitat type. Inland sand dunes are under threat in Washington; the total extent of inland sand dune systems has declined from approximately 448,177 acres (181,371 hectares) in the early 1970s to 106,953 acres (43,282 hectares) by 2006, a loss of 76% (Fig. 5) (Hallock et al.

An Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis), one of the species of glass lizards found in Alabama. Photo © Laurie J Vitt. Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 7

Typical Northern Sagebrush Lizard habitat in Washington. Side- Example of Side-blotched Lizard habitat in Washington. Photo by blotched Lizards may also live in sand dune habitat in some L. Hallock. areas. Photo by L. Hallock.

2007). While most (65%) of this loss reflects a g r i c u l t u r a l c o n v e r s i o n , development, and flooding b e h i n d reservoirs, a third of the loss (35%) resulted Example of sand dune conversion to agriculture that occurred between the 1970s and 1990s in Washington from stabilization State. From Hallock et al. 2007. of sand dune habitat by exotic species, primarily Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Cheatgrass is a common exotic in shrub-steppe habitats as well. It can be so invasive on dunes and in shrub-steppe habitats that it dominates the entire understory and excludes most other native grasses and forbs (Fig. 6). On sand dunes, overgrowth of Cheatgrass seals the dune and prevents sand movement, effectively ending the life of the dune. This degradation of habitat quality is a major threat to these two lizard species in Washington because it limits their ability to see prey, move rapidly and interact with conspecifics. At this time, no management solution exists Shrub-steppe habitat overgrown by invasive Cheatgrass. Photo for this problem. While neither species is under threat of credit: L. Hallock. extinction in Washington, substantial concern exists for Management, Spokane. 35 pp.+ appendices. their persistence in many areas. Nussbaum, R. A., E. D. Brodie, Jr., and R.M. Storm. 1983. References cited: Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific Northwest. University of Hallock, L, R. Haugo, and R. Crawford. 2007. Conservation Idaho Press, , Idaho. 332 pp. Strategy for Washington State Inland Sand Dunes. Washington Department of Natural Resources’ Natural Heritage Program, —Lisa Hallock, Washington Department of Fish and Olympia, report 2007-05 prepared for prepared for Bureau of Land Wildlife Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 8 collected, likely because of the severe drought conditions in SE . We collected lizard-eating snakes representing a total of 9 species (742 individuals) that provided 177 useful fecal samples.

A Sand Dune Lizard, . Photo: Charles W Painter. Investigations of the Lizard Eating Community in the Mescalero Sands Region of Southeast New Mexico From telemetry studies of the Sand Dune Lizard, Coachwhip eating a Sand Dune Lizard. Photo by Don Sias. Sceloporus arenicolus, it is known that the snake commonly Fecal samples from the snakes were sorted and all the referred to as the Coachwhip, Masticophis flagellum, is a lizard parts were identified to species when possible. major predator of the species. The importance of the snake Microscope slide mounts prepared from the scales of community as predators on Sand Dune Lizards has not known species were used as comparative material to been investigated other than through incidental sightings determine the identification of the lizard in the samples. associated with other natural history investigations of All species of snakes examined are known to include the species. By establishing trapping arrays designed lizards as part of their diet and are potential predators to capture snakes in undisturbed lands, and on lands of the Sand Dune Lizard. A total of 7 lizard species were fragmented by oil and gas exploration and extraction, we identified, however only the Coachwhip and the New hope to add to our knowledge of the threats and natural Mexico Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum, contained history of the Sand Dune Lizards in the Mescalero Sands identifiable parts of the Sand Dune Lizard. ecosystem. Additional data on this lizard-eating snake community We established drift fence trapping arrays to investigate will be collected during 2012 and 2013. We hope the lizard-eating snake community at fragmented and to provide an analysis of the differences between the non-fragmented sites, and routinely monitored them fragmented and non-fragmented sites at the conclusion in 2009–2011. We obtained snake fecal samples when of this study. possible to help determine their prey sources. Trapping —Charles W. Painter, New Mexico Department of efforts across years were similar; however during 2011 Game and Fish there was a significant reduction in the number of snakes

Above: Sand Dune Lizards need shrub cover to hide from predators and for temperature regulation. Left: Sand dune habitat in the Mescalero Sands, NM. Photos by Charles W. Panter. Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 9

By Jenny Dickson, Species Spotlight The Five-lined Skink: Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Connecticut’s Own Protection occur in steep, rocky areas with open Why Focus on Lizards and Why ledges, patchy tree and shrub cover, Now? Lizard populations in North and an abundance of rotten logs and America and throughout the world loose rock slabs.” are being impacted by the expansion If you are ever fortunate enough to of human communities. Threats observe one of these smooth, shiny faced by lizards include habitat loss lizards, look at the rows of tiny scales and fragmentation, invasive species, around the center of the body and the , over-exploitation, and color of its tail. Young have a climate change. You can make a bright blue tail and five white or difference for Connecticut’s only yellowish stripes on a blackish body. native lizard by observing skinks from As skinks grow older and larger, the The Common Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon a distance and leaving them alone. fasciatus) is Connecitut’s only native pattern becomes less conspicuous; Report any possible sightings of Five- lizard. This animal has the bright blue tail the stripes darken, the body lightens, lined Skinks to the DEEP Wildlife typical of juvenile skinks. Photo by Paul and the tail turns gray. Males are Division at 860-675-8130. Fusco/DEEP Wildlife. territorial during the breeding season, and develop orange-red coloration on the head and jaws as a display of 2012 has been proclaimed the aggression. Five-lined Skinks measure Year of the Lizard by Partners in from 5 to 8.5 inches long, including Amphibian and Reptile Conservation the tail. (PARC) to raise awareness for lizard Although Five-lined Skinks spend conservation. The Connecticut much of their time under rocks and Department of Energy and other shelter, they will bask in sunny Environmental Protection (DEEP), spots on logs or rocks. Rock climbers a member of PARC since 1999, is at several sites in Connecticut often participating in this outreach effort by see them running along cliffs. Skinks shining a spotlight on Connecticut’s Adult male Five-lined Skink in breeding feed on various insects (crickets, flies, color. Photo © Laurie J Vitt. only native lizard, the Five-lined grasshoppers, grubs, beetles, ants) Skink, Plestiodon fasciatus. Wild skinks should NOT be kept as and spiders. Also found in Vermont and pets. Those sold in pet stores should “When grasped by a predator, historically in Massachusetts, the NOT be released to the wild as they both adult and juvenile skinks will Five-lined Skink is at its northeastern can introduce diseases to wild and readily lose most of their tails,” added range limit in southwestern New genetically distinct populations. Dickson. “There are cleavage points . The Five-lined Skink’s range One of the best ways to learn along the tail vertebrae that facilitate corresponds closely with the eastern more about the Year of the Lizard the breakage, much like perforations deciduous forest. The skink is so and the Five-lined Skink is to on a piece of paper that make tearing uncommon in Connecticut that it is subscribe to DEEP’s Connecticut the paper easier.” The detached tail considered a threatened species on our Wildlife magazine (www.ct.gov/ thrashes on the ground to distract state’s Threatened and Endangered deep/wildlifemagazine). You also the predator, generally allowing the Species List. “Skink populations are can visit PARCs Web site at www. lizard to escape. The Five-lined Skink found in four widely separated areas yearofthelizard.org, as well as the will grow a new tail that is somewhat in western Connecticut,” said Jenny wildlife section of the DEEP’s Web site shorter than the original and grayish Dickson, DEEP Wildlife Division (www.ct.gov/deep/yearofthelizard). in coloration. Supervising Wildlife Biologist. “They Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 10

Ants, Plants, and a Horned Lizard’s Reilly R Dibner, Home in the Wyoming Dirt University of Wyoming question of my work is: How does specialization affect horned lizard distribution, abundance, and sensitivity to disturbance at a variety of scales? In particular, I address three aspects of this broad question: 1. Which factors are most limiting to horned lizard distribution and abundance?; 2. How and why do specialist traits vary between different populations and different individuals?; and 3. Do the factors that most strongly determine horned lizard responses to disturbance differ from the limiting factors across natural landscape variation? Greater Short-horned Lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi. I am testing hypotheses related to each of these questions Horned lizards (Phrynosoma spp.), popularly known in sites around Wyoming that are characterized by varying as “horny toads,” are highly specialized reptiles with degrees of disturbance. In addition to field surveys, I am distinctive morphologies, physiologies, and behaviors using remote sensing techniques to quantify a variety of unlike those of most other lizards. The 13 horned lizard habitat characteristics in these sites. species that are native to western have little overlap in range and differ substantially in habitat associations, but a variety of specialized traits characterize the genus. These lizards have short, squat bodies armored with spines, prey preferentially on native ants, and move at speeds that seem languid in comparison with other lizards. Four of the eight horned lizard species found in the US are declining, and the reasons for their decline are only partially understood. Invasive species pose a direct threat to horned lizards, as do the loss and fragmentation of habitat through the development of land for roads, settlements, infrastructure, and agriculture. In the intermountain West, extractive energy operations are a rising pressure on resident flora and fauna. The rapid development of oil and natural gas fields has had a detrimental effect on sagebrush species and will impact more species as development intensity increases. Given that horned lizard Submit Your Lizard Art, declines have been caused by land conversions elsewhere, Stories, and Poetry these broad-scale developments are likely to affect lizard Submit photos of your lizard art populations in Wyoming. (jpg, tiff, or pdf files) and copies of I am currently exploring how specialized traits your stories and poems via email to influence population distribution and dynamics of the [email protected]. Please Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi). A include your name, location, and substantial component of my research deals specifically any comments about the submission with which factors most affect lizard response to in your email message. We will select disturbance. To investigate the possible range of responses several submissions to include in to disturbance within this species I am comparing degrees upcoming newsletters. of specialization between different populations, as well as between individuals within populations. The central Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 11 By Heather Peterson, Oregon State Lizard Malaria in Oregon University, Corvallis, OR

Percent of Sceloporus occidentalis infected with malaria at 9 Collecting lizards for malaria testing. populations in Oregon (from Scholnick et al. 2010, J. Herpetol. 44:634-640. David Scholnick, Associate and not only among lizards but Professor of Biology at Pacific among Oregon populations of the possibly among human populations University in Oregon, researches (see map). In as well. malaria in lizards. The disease is the summer months, they trek from Upon collecting lizards around best known for its transmission to Pacific University in Forest Grove Oregon, Scholnick and his team humans from infected mosquitoes to southern Oregon where there is determine which lizards have the and its rampant occurrence in a higher incidence of infection. The disease by examining a small blood tropical regions, but it has been goal of their research is to understand sample for the parasite. The infected discovered in the Western Fence the appearance of malaria in lizard lizards are then taken back to Pacific Lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, which populations and investigate its University where they are examined is common in Oregon. Lizard malaria impact on individuals. Scholnick has for several potential effects of is caused by Plasmodium mexicanum, observed that when populations of the disease, including changes in and it is believed to be transmitted to lizards carry malaria, the disease can performance. The infected lizards are lizards by a bloodsucking sand fly, or be very prevalent, with as many as 30 put on a treadmill so that the team possibly a mosquito or mite. This is percent of the lizards being infected. It can determine how malarial infection not the same Plasmodium species that is possible that the infection rate and can affect metabolism, exercise, and infects humans. distribution of the disease in Oregon recovery. Although it seems odd, the Scholnick and his team of students may be influenced by future climate results might translate into help for have found a latitudinal gradient change. Increases in precipitation and humans suffering from malaria. If in lizard malaria infection rates temperature could likely facilitate the spread of the disease from warmer locations to more temperate areas around the planet,

Lizard treadmill made Western Fence Lizard infected with from a remote control malaria. car. Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 12 we can understand how the disease affects the biology and environment Dr. Scholnick collecting for lizards, we can hopefully better malarial lizards with the understand the impact on humans. filming. By studying lizard biology in the lab it is possible to determine how symptoms. The goal the anemia, which is associated with of David Scholnick’s malarial infections in both lizards and research is not to cure humans, affects stamina and ability malaria, but rather to to exercise. By attaching a mask to better understand how measure airflow as the lizard exhales, malaria is influencing Scholnick has found that an infected the biology and success lizard uses 40% more energy to run of Oregon lizards. than an uninfected lizard, and it takes Ultimately, this research may provide There is also great video clip more than two hours of rest for the insights into how wild populations from the discovery channel here: infected lizards to fully recover from of animals are able to cope with a http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/ just seconds of running. In addition disease that continues to have such clip351857#clip351857 to the stress test, Scholnick and his an important role in human health. Scholnick, D.A., R.V. Manivanh, O.D. Savenkova, T.G. Bates, and S.L. McAlexander. 2010. Impact of malarial students are looking at malarial effects I thank Dr. David Scholnick for infection on metabolism and in the on thermoregulation and metabolic providing information for this article. Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis from Oregon. J. Herpetol. 44:634-640. physiology. The experiments For more information, David’s Scholnick, D.A., N.T. Gilpin, and R.V. Manivanh. have shown that lizards do in fact website is: www.pacificu.edu/as/ 2012. Distruption to recovery metabolism in the Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis infected with the malarial experience the same effects as humans: biology/faculty/DavidScholnick. parasite Plasmodium mexicanum. J. Herpetol. (In Press). fever, anemia, acidosis, and other cfm

State Lizard Match-up Photos courtesy of Simone Des Roches and Stephen Spear Did you know that twenty-six states in the U.S. have designated an official state reptile? Of these, there are only four states that have given this honor to a lizard. If your state has no state reptile, that would be a great class project--pick your favorite native lizard! Can you use the ecological descriptions below to match the lizards with the state they represent?

____Oklahoma – this state’s lizard is quite nimble; they can jump between rocks and often run on their hind limbs. ____Texas – this state’s lizard is 3. ______Horned Lizard 1. ______Whiptail heavily armored with spiny scales, so predators won’t mess with it. ____New Mexico – this state’s lizard is very active and speedy and has an extremely long, slender tail. ____Wyoming – this state’s lizard can squirt blood out of their 4. Eastern (Common) 2. Greater Short-horned Lizard eyes to deter predators! Collared Lizard Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 13 Lizards in the News

Biologists have discovered the new lizards, as they are being heavily Penh Post at: www.phnompenhpost. ‘Bumblebee’ Gecko in Papua New poached in the wild for their blood com/index.php/2012022354688/ Guinea. See the USGS press release at: and skins. The full story available at: National-news/unknown-lizard- www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article. http://articles.timesofindia. unearthed.html asp?ID=3172#.T5VyUqvJFyk indiatimes.com/2012-03-03/ Dunes-Sagebrush Lizard This year, the Connecticut goa/31118817_1_skins-wildlife- Making Waves Department of Energy and activists-lizard Environmental Protection (DEEP) is National Review: Save the Sand- In many cultures, lizards have a Dune Lizard? www.nationalreview. out to protect the state’s only native symbolic meaning. Bold Sky shares lizard species, the Five-lined Skink. com/articles/295019/save-sand- that in Hinduism, lizards have been dune-lizard-nash-keune Read more from the Yale Daily News: frequently mentioned in the myths www.yaledailynews.com/ and legends as a vehicle of Gods and Odessa American: Little lizard news/2012/apr/04/year-of-the- Goddesses. www.boldsky.com/yoga- becomes media maven. www. lizard-comes-to-conn/ spirituality/faith-mysticism/2012/ oaoa.com/articles/lizard-83619- escaped-taken.html In less than a second, a sandfish spiritual-significance-lizards- lizard can dig its way into the sand hinduism-130312.html Greenwire: Tiny lizard a and disappear. Blink and you miss it. Russian scientists are training big headache for Obama Miles O’Brien and Ann Kellan share geckos, who undergo a tough admin in Southwest oil fields. how the sandfish’s slithering moves are selection process, to go into space www.eenews.net/public/ inspiring new robotics that could one in a research satellite, Interfax Greenwire/2012/03/23/1 day help search-and-rescue crews find reported. Read the full story at: www. Las Cruces News: Lizards, not survivors in piles of rubble left from themoscowtimes.com/news/article/ oil and gas, at risk of extinction. disasters. Find out more and watch lizards-being-trained-for-space- www.lcsun-news.com/las_ a neat video at: www.physorg.com/ mission/454691.html cruces-opinion/ci_20154721/ news/2012-03-sandfish-lizard- According to the United States lizards-not-oil-and-gas-at-risk- slithers-science-spotlight.html Geological Survey, a species of lizard is extinction Adam Halliday of Indian Express now extinct in the Hawaiian Islands, shares that a new species of gecko, making it the latest native first found on a wall at Junagadh’s species to disappear from the Vagheshwari Mata Temple has archipelago. Read more at: www.kitv. earned Gujarat the distinction of com/USGS-Skink-Now-Extinct- having a lizard named after it. Read In-/-/8906042/9657796/- the story at: www.indianexpress. /9jw8kh/-/index.html com/news/new-lizard-species- Singapore News reports a creature— found-in-junagadh-named-after- feared to be a crocodile—spotted by gujarat/913970/ residents in the north eastern part The Quang Ninh newspaper of Singapore has been confirmed to reports a seizure of 6,000 kg (13,228 be a . The full story lbs), including 1,554 kg (3426 lbs) of available at: www.channelnewsasia. monitor lizards (Varanus spp.). Find com/stories/singaporelocalnews/ out more from: http://envietnam. view/1184316/1/.html org/E_News/E_452/E_452.html A newly discovered species of Paul Fernandes from Times of skink crawls on a rock in Ratanakkiri reports that wildlife activists province, Cambodia. Find out more have sprung to the rescue of monitor from Dani McDonald of the Phnom Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 14 Lizards and Wonder Drugs By Dede Olson

Diabetic? You may have approved its use as a prescription cause to thank a Gila medication for Type 2 , Monster. Photo © LLC Jones. for use by those diabetics who have trouble controlling their condition Eng from the Bronx by with other medications. Since Veteran’s Administrative 2006, Byetta sales have exceeded VA Hospital in New York one billion dollars. The discovery found a hormone in the of exendin-4 from Gila Monster of Gila Monsters venom has opened up a new class of that acted on the human pharmaceuticals, called incretins, that pancreas to decrease blood may revolutionize diabetes treatment. sugar. Simply stated, in Type-2 diabetes affects millions of Gila Monster venom, he people worldwide, so the application found a (which of this novel medicine has been huge. When asked about the value of he named Exendin 4) that was Additional bio-active chemical world biodiversity conservation, a similar to a human hormone (called have been found in the potential bank of yet undiscovered -like peptide 1, or GLP-1) venom of both Gila Monsters and their applications to human health is that stimulates the pancreas to create relative the , often cited. Although that may seem . Up to that time, the problem Heloderma horridum. One snippet of to be a vague and dim futuristic with using the human hormone to the exendin-4 peptide, called Gilatide, notion, tangible benefits already have treat diabetes was that it was rapidly has been shown to improve memory, been realized for human medicinal destroyed in the human body by our and is being explored as a tool in advances from plants and animals. own enzymes. However, the Gila treating Alzheimer’s. Some have been With ever-growing technological Monster hormone was found to be found to relax artery smooth muscle, advances, laboratory scientists now immune to destruction by human and regulate water and can both define the structure and re- enzymes, making it functionally secretion between the small and large create chemicals found in animals to superior to the human hormone. intestines. One chemical peptide, examine their utility for new human The Gila hormone lasts longer in helodermin, inhibits the growth applications. have proven to the human body, giving it time to of lung cancer. Currently, this is a be a source of several novel chemical act on the pancreas to release insulin rich avenue of biomedical research, peptides with human therapeutic and thereby help regulate blood with pharmaceutical applications no applications. Have there been any sugar in diabetics. Another benefit doubt to follow. medicinal leads from lizards? Yes! was that the Gila Monster peptide caused the pancreas to release insulin 2. High 1. Diabetes and more only when blood sugar was elevated, Anguimorphs are a group of lizards The Gila Monster, Heloderma so the danger of insulin-induced including the Monitor, Alligator, and suspectum, is a rarely seen lizard hypoglycemia (common in diabetics) Legless Lizards. In 2010, Dr. Bryan species from the southwestern deserts would be greatly reduced. It also Fry of the University of , of the United States and northern served to reduce appetite in diabetic , and his international Mexico. The Gila Monster’s venom is patients, and to facilitate weight collaborators published their about as potent as a Diamond-backed loss. From Dr. Eng’s foundation research investigating venoms from ’s, yet its effect on humans work and patent, in the 1990s, 25 anguimorph lizard species: they is very different. Biomedical research partnered discovered five entirely new classes of on Gila Monster venom has opened with Eli Lilly to manufacture the . Three of these venoms have new avenues for synthetic chemical exanatide, which biomedical properties for potential treatment. was later given the commercial drug development to lower blood In a breakthrough investigation name Byetta. In 2005, the US Food pressure. The excitement about the in the 1980s, endocrinologist John and Drug Administration (FDA) medical applications of these toxins is Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 15 due to their new ways that they interact people’s health; regulations are being on safety & hygiene consequences from with the human blood pressure violated as a result of illegal gecko exposure to geckos. system. Dr. Fry is now working now collection, rearing, and trade; there We understand there are people out to develop pharmaceuticals from is a rising risk of extinction of rare there who are willing to pay big money these chemicals to contribute to novel wild-caught animals, and; there is an for these animals but this is simply heart disease treatments. environmental cost of to removing because they are being manipulated by 3. Geckos are not a cure-all! a keystone species that is central to others. This is NOT cool. natural food webs. Please help us to spread the word.” Gecko products are being used On November 17, 2011, the World I sincerely thank Dr. Daniel Beck, today in many Asian cultures as Health Organization (WHO) posted Central Washington University, traditional remedies for asthma, the following notice on its Facebook Ellensburg, Washington (www. turberculosis, impotence, cancer, and page: cwu.edu/~biology/faculty/ AIDS. Unfortunately, these claims are “We’d like to remind you that gecko is currentFaculty/beck/) and Dr. Bryan not supported by scientific evidence. NOT a cure for HIV/AIDS, or cancer. Grieg Fry, University of Melbourne, The costs of this practice is high The rumour that says otherwise is a Australia (http://venomdoc.com) for both humans and lizards: scams HOAX. for their comments that improved are affecting people’s pocketbooks; To date, there is NO scientific this article. known treatments are not being evidence that gecko can cure HIV/AIDS applied in some cases, worsening or cancer. NOR is there information

New “State of the Union” Regulatory Summary Report consumption, for their skins, as pets, for specific uses, and other special for bait, and for hobbyist collection, protections or policies as well as for research or educational 2. Identify commonalities among purposes, and each state regulates states, and unique or particular these uses differently. The Association approaches that could inform the of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ development of recommendations (Association) Amphibian and Reptile for model approaches Subcommittee, in partnership with 3. Provide a quick-reference and the Association’s Law Enforcement resource for state agency biological, Committee, created this document law enforcement, or management to summarize these existing laws and personnel as part of their own state’s regulations. Current as of February regulatory processes 2012, it will be updated annually, and will be used to guide the development 4. Facilitate communication and of Association committee-reviewed collaboration among states to Now available online: AFWA’s recommendations for model address challenges in regulating State of the Union: Legal Authority regulatory approaches for the use of amphibian and reptile use and in Over the Use of Native Amphibians amphibians and reptiles. enforcing existing laws and Reptiles in the United States The purpose and intended use of Find the State of the Union online Native amphibians and reptiles this report is to: at: www.fishwildlife.org/files/ (herpetofauna) provide a resource 1. Determine the current “State of SOU_FULL-lo-res.pdf that can be used in a unique way the Union” with respect to: For questions regarding this report, relative to other managed • Laws and regulations in place for please contact Priya Nanjappa by State Fish and Wildlife Agencies native amphibians and reptiles, ([email protected]). in the public trust. Herpetofauna • Legal and regulatory approaches are harvested for human food Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 16 Exploring the Effects of Climate Change on Lizard Distributions in Southwestern Wyoming By Denim Jochimsen, PhD candidate at the University of Idaho

may be particularly vulnerable to climate change (Huey et al. 2009; Sinervo 2011). They are ectothermic (they lack the ability to maintain a constant internal body temperature) and their physiological functions are temperature dependent. It is actually quite easy for a lizard to overheat, and they need to seek refuge in order to avoid it. Furthermore, lizards partition niche space (species may vary activity with regards to time or space or they may consume different prey items) (Schoener 1975; Pianka 1986), which offers the potential to explore species interactions. I am conducting this research within and around the Flaming Gorge Recreation Area, Sagebrush Lizard, Sceloporus graciosus. Wyoming. This scenic area is characterized by sagebrush- Landscape alteration is considered the single greatest steppe habitat interspersed with rocky outcrops. Several threat to the preservation of biodiversity (Sanderson et al. reptile species native to the region are considered of 2002; Foley et al. 2005). One way that human activities greatest conservation need, and in general, studies on have altered natural habitats is via climate change (IPCC these organisms are rather limited. 2001). Although temperatures have fluctuated in the past, the current rate of warming surpasses those on record. In the face of such rapid change, populations will be forced to either adapt or move in order to persist. For instance, scientists have already reported range shifts in a variety of organisms as they attempt to track preferred temperatures (Parmesan 2006). Consequently, it is critical that we consider future climate scenarios when trying to predict species distributions and identify where to best direct conservation actions (Araújo et al. 2004; Kleinbauer et al. 2010). Some studies take a simplified approach to do this—they measure climatic variables where individuals occur and then identify Plateau Fence Lizard, Sceloporus tristichus, typically perched on similar areas on maps generated via forecasted climate a boulder. data. Although such models can be useful, they fail to consider the variety of other factors that could influence The rocky habitats are home to three lizard and several why a species occurs where it does. For instance, research snake species. Interestingly, the lizards occur in three suggests that history, demography, dispersal capabilities, different combinations in the study area. Sagebrush and ecological interactions are all important predictors Lizards (Sceloporus graciosus) are commonly observed of species occurrence (Geber 2011). Therefore, taking darting among the sagebrush (as their name implies), a more integrative approach when studying climate but at some sites, where they are the only lizard species impacts could increase the accuracy of predictions. I plan present, they will bask on rocks. Some rock outcrops to do just this with my dissertation research. I hope to also have Plateau Fence Lizards (Sceloporus tristichus), identify which factors influence the occurrence of three which is the largest lizard species in the area. They tend lizard species in southwestern Wyoming, and then use to be saxicolous (rock-dwelling) and they can be spotted this information to predict how their ranges may change from quite a distance when they sit perched atop large in the future. boulders. Finally, there are a limited number of sites You may be asking yourself: why lizards and why where Tree Lizards ( ornatus) occur. They are southwestern Wyoming? Research suggests that lizards slender bodied and quite compact and can hide in the Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 17 narrowest of cracks. This species is also Lizard habitat saxicolous, but they seem to prefer around Flaming Gorge Reservoir taller rock formations that are cliff- in southwestern like, rather than boulders, perching at Wyoming. great heights. This field season, I will continue to gather data to address two questions: 1) Do these lizard species use their environment differently? 2) How do lizard species change their niche use in the presence of competitors? I will conduct surveys within eight 1-ha plots identified last field season I am especially thankful for an amazing that vary with respect to the lizard JH, Holloway T, Howard EA, Kucharik CJ, undergraduate researcher, Andy Gygli, assemblage present. Each time I Monfreda C, Patz JA, Prentice IC, Ramankutty who contributed to study design, shared observe a lizard, I will record data N, Snyder PK. 2005. Global consequences of insightful ideas, and worked tirelessly in the land use. Science 309: 570-574. associated with fine-scale habitat field for the entirety of my first field season Geber MA. 2011. Ecological and use, including that of the thermal in Wyoming. I appreciate the guidance evolutionary limits to species geographic environment. I will also capture a and support of my PhD advisor (Dr. Luke ranges. The American Naturalist 178: S1-S5. subset of these lizards to record their Harmon) and committee members at the Huey RB, Deutsch CA, Tewksbury JJ, Vitt University of Idaho (Dr. Olle Pellmyr, Dr. LJ, Hertz PE, Álverez Pérez HJ, Garland T Jr. active body temperature, and collect Bree Rosenblum and Dr. Lisette Waits) and 2009. Why tropical forest lizards are vulnerable a tail clip for genetic analyses and from my lab group. The Wyoming Game to climate warming. Proceedings of the Royal to measure diet (via stable isotope and Fish Department has been extremely Society 276: 1939-1948. analysis). These data will help me supportive of this research, especially Robb IPCC 2001. Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability – a Report of identify why lizards occur where they Keith. They provided a place to stay and conduct “lab” work, as well as assistance in Working Group II. Cambridge University Press, do, and will ultimately be used to the field. Funding was provided through the Cambridge, USA. generate predictive models of their University of Idaho Student Grant Program Kleinbauer J, Dullinger S, Peterseil J, Essl and the Graduate and Professional Student F. 2010. Climate change might drive the ranges. This research can therefore invasive tree Robinia pseudacacia into nature be used to guide management of Association. reserves and endangered habitats. Biological these reptiles and help ensure their References Conservation 143: 382-390. persistence. Parmesan C. 2006. Ecological and Araújo MB, Cabeza M, Thuiller W, Hannah evolutionary responses to recent climate L, Williams PH. 2004. Would climate change change. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution and Acknowledgments drive species out of reserves? An assessment Systematics 37: 637–669. of existing reserve-selection methods. Global I am extremely grateful for the people Pianka ER. 1986. Ecology and Natural History Change Biology 10:1618-1626. who helped familiarize me with the study of Desert Lizards: Analyses of the Ecological Niche Foley JA, DeFries R, Asner GP, Barford and Community Structure. Princeton University area (Dr. Josh Parker and Dr. Stephen Spear) C, Bonan G, Carpenter SR, Chapin FS, and assisted with data collection last field Press. Coe MT, Daily GC, Gibbs HK, Helkowski Sanderson EW, Jaiteh M, Levy MA, Redford season (Colter Jenkins and Troy Laughlin). KH, Wannebo AV, Woolmer G. 2002. The human footprint and the last of the wild. BioScience 52: 891-904. Schoener TW. 1975. Presence and absence of habitat shift in some widespread lizard species. Ecological Monographs 45: 233- 258. Sinervo B, Mendez-de-la-Cruz G, Miles DB, Heulin B, Bastiaans E, Villagran-Santa Cruz M et al. 2010. Erosion of lizard diversity by climate change and altered thermal niches. Science 328:894-899.

Tree Lizards, , choose steeper, higher, more clifflike perches than Plateau Fence Lizards. Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 18

Measuring Lizards with Pictures: By Max Lambert, Brian Todd, and Catherine Yasuda, University of A Field Ecology Tool for Everyone , Davis are challenging to catch, this method the lizard. Usually we measure lizard could be used to gather data either by length as snout-to-vent length (SVL); trained scientists or citizen scientists however it is usually impossible to during their weekly hikes. see the cloaca from a photograph. Here we outline this photographic Instead, we measure snout-to-hind technique and hope that its simplicity limb length (SHL) which is the allows it to be applied to a variety of distance from the tip of the snout to situations. just in front of the hind limb. Our The fast, elusive - hard to 1. When you see a lizard, stop and work shows that SHL is a very good catch, never mind measure. mark where you are standing with estimation of SVL. some small object. 10. Click on “Analyze” and Everyone from academics to 2. Take a picture of the lizard. We “Measure” and now you have a neophyte herpetologists loves recommended being fully zoomed-in picture of a lizard and a measurement catching lizards. Indeed catching and centering the lizard in the frame of its length! lizards is both a rewarding experience of the picture. Measuring lizards this way makes and sometimes a necessary process 3. When the lizard has run away, field biology accessible to many for research. However, handling wild place a ruler where the lizard was people. Biology courses could lizards may exert extra stress on the previously perched and animals and typically requires time- in line with how the intensive methods such as noosing lizard was lying or pit-fall trapping. Below we outline 4. Go back to where a recent method we have used to you took the first measure lizards from a distance using picture. This is why nothing more than a ruler, a camera, you marked where you and easy-to-use, free ImageJ software were standing! (rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/). We believe this 5. With the camera new technique (Lambert et al. 2012) settings exactly how can be used in certain field ecology they were for the studies and can also have applications previous photograph, in citizen science projects or as a take a picture of the tool for teaching young students ruler. Make sure to center the ruler as about wildlife biology. Although you did the lizard. there are obvious limitations to not 6. Back at home, open the ruler actually handling an animal (e.g., not picture in ImageJ marking, weighing, or sexing) this 7. Using the “Straight Line” tool, photographic technique can easily draw a line over a part of the ruler be applied in various situations. For that can be read. We usually draw a example, photographic measurements line over a 1-cm interval. can be made on common taxa such 8. Use “Set Scale” and set this line as fence lizards (Sceloporus spp.) as “Global” making sure to indicate or wall lizards (Podarcis spp.) as a the value (e.g., 1 cm) on the ruler you way of teaching students how to measured. take and analyze data on wildlife. 9. Next, open the picture of the Furthermore, for species like Desert lizard and use the “Freehand Line” (Dipsosaurus dorsalis), which or “Segmented Line” tool to measure Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 19 capitalize on this technique to teach amazing group of animals and we Lambert, M.R., Yasuda, C.M., and B.D. students about wildlife ecology look forward to the ways in which Todd. 2012. Evaluation of a photographic or organizations might be able to this method is used both to study as technique for estimating body size in lizards from a distance. Herpetological Conservation encourage local community members well as to appreciate these animals. and Biology 7 (1). to collect data when they are out For more information, contact Max and about. Lizards are no doubt an Lambert at [email protected]

An Interview with Polly Conrad (genus Phrynosoma) in Nevada, in order to gain a better understanding inhabit the harsh conditions of the of where short-horned lizards Mojave and Great Basin Deserts. occurred in Nevada, which habitat Polly is currently the Co-Chair for types they preferred. We also looked the Partners in Amphibian and at how the populations of pygmy Reptile Conservation’s Joint National Short-horned Lizards (P. douglasii) Steering Committee, where she plans and Great Short-horned Lizards (P. to continue to work towards the hernandesi) were related. Next, I conservation of herpetofauna and assisted the University of Nevada, their habitats. Reno, with a Common How did you become interested in (Sauramalus ater) telemetry project. lizards, and at what age? The goal of this work was to determine home range sizes and My love for the outdoors began at densities of chuckwalla populations my grandparents’ log cabin located located in areas of high commercial Polly holding a Gila Monster the safe way. in southeast Missouri along the St. collection rates and compare them Photo by Martin Olson. Francis River. Starting at the age of to chuckwalla populations where 5, I spent part of my summers every Polly Conrad attended Truman commercial collection was prohibited. year at the log cabin where most days State University where she spent her Last, I studied habitat associations I would spend catching lizards, time catching lizards, other reptiles, and activity patterns of Gila Monsters and butterflies. The frequency with amphibians and small , (Heloderma suspectum) in Nevada which my cousin, Libby, and I spent including bats. Her graduate work and successfully detected communal time catching frogs and lizards landed focused on non-game wildlife burrow use via trail cameras (see us the nicknames “frogger” and management and habitat restoration other article in this issue). “toad,” coined by my Grandfather. of small communities. Polly also volunteered in the Truman What is your current role in lizard State Herpetology Lab, where she research and conservation? helped care for amphibian and reptile Currently, I serve as PARC’s specimens used in educational shows. Joint National Steering Committee After acquiring her Master’s degree Co-Chair, where I’m planning to in 2003, Polly went on to work develop, facilitate, and implement for the State of Nevada for 8 years, lizard conservation efforts on the first as a Staff Research Associate ground as well as in the outreach and at the University of Nevada, Las education arena on a national level. Vegas, then as the Reptile Biologist Most recently, as Reptile Biologist for for the Nevada Department of the Nevada Department of Wildlife Wildlife from 2005–2012. Over the until March 2012, I was engaged in last 8 years, Polly has been able to three lizard projects. The first project ...and letting it go safely when she’s done. study and gain an appreciation for assessed the phylogeography and Photo by Margie Klein. the lizards and other reptiles that habitat use of Short-horned Lizards Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 20 What is your favorite lizard or group Desert Horned of lizards? Lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos, doing Horny toads! These are not actually pushups on a toads at all, but are horned lizards. Nevada rock. Photo They are just so cool looking, plus by Fred Henson. some of them can squirt blood from their eyes; you’ve got to appreciate a lizard that can do that! Although, I grew up catching skinks, so they too, have always been close to my heart. What is your defining moment or favorite memory of working with lizards? animals). This is also a controversial Year of the Lizard sales will directly issue, as it is often perceived as support lizard conservation efforts. The first time I saw and filmed a simply taking away the public’s right subadult Gila Monster in Nevada was What advice would you give to young to use this resource. I think wildlife a total adrenaline rush. I documented people or adults who love lizards and administrators should strive to find the Gila Monster walking from burrow want to work with them? the balance between allowing the to burrow, stopping perpendicular to public to use wildlife resources, There are so many different ways to each one, as though it was listening or but also conserving, appropriately work with, or for the benefit of, lizards ‘smelling’ for kangaroo rat nestlings. managing, and tracking allowable and other wildlife. Find the option With no apparent success, the Gila uses for all wildlife, including lizards. that works best for you. As someone monster stopped under a dense The idea is sustainable use, just as is who works with lizards, I see the need thicket of Joshua trees to cool off and implemented for most game species, for much more than just biologists. I was off to look for other monsters. not eliminating use. Education and Effective lizard conservation What do you believe is the biggest outreach to inform the public of needs teachers and educators, threat facing lizards in the 21st the importance of implementing naturalists, law enforcement officers, century? sustainable use practices and responsible private and public regulations for lizard use is needed to land managers, environmental While habitat loss, conversion, and advance this issue. lawyers, photographers, designers, fragmentation are likely the biggest accountants, writers, and the list threats, these topics are very well How can the public help in the could go on. Chances are, no matter discussed. I think one of the biggest conservation of lizards? what you do, you have something to potential threats to lizards that is There are so many ways everyone offer lizard conservation efforts, even not often talked about, is the lack of can help to conserve lizards if it’s just enthusiasm! regulations pertaining to the uses and or their habitats! You can join collection of native lizards as well as free organizations, like Partners the lack of consistency of lizard use in Amphibian and Reptile regulations among the states. This Submit Your Citizen Conservation, and help out with is a particularly dangerous threat many lizard conservation efforts. Science Projects because most states are not tracking You can volunteer for your local fish A compilation of lizard citizen any lizard uses or any potential and wildlife agency to help collect science (volunteer) inventory impact to lizard populations from lizard occurrence data. Join your and monitoring projects has commercial, personal, or educational local Herpetological Society and get begun. These will be featured in uses. As a result, we may not notice outdoors to explore lizard habitats. our monthly newsletters. Send any impacts until lizard populations Or, you can simply donate to a lizard any information on these types are in deep trouble (for example, the conservation program or purchase of projects to yearofthelizard@ San Esteban Chuckwalla—due to lizard merchandise from PARC’s Year gmail.com. hunting and the introduction of feral of the Lizard store. Proceeds from Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 21 Featured Lizard Families By Lawrence L. C. Jones (Larry the Lizard Guy) Each month, two lizard families are featured in this newsletter; each of the six issues will showcase two of the twelve families native to the United States of America. In the last issue of Year of the Lizard News (March), I featured two of the most speciose lizard families ( and Scincidae), while in this issue I feature two of the smallest families: Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards, and night lizards. Although the families are small, they have some of the most interesting species. Gila Monsters are the largest lizards in the United States, while some night lizards are the smallest. Family Helodermatidae, Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards

An adult Gila Monster split into two , but these are out for a stroll. Photo © not universally accepted, and studies LLC Jones. have shown the patterns are less than consistent. The two “subspecies” are H. s. cinctum (banded) and H. s. suspectum (reticulated). The banded pattern consists of broad orange to pink bands with intervening large spots of this light color on a black background. The reticulated pattern has a more complex arrangement of There are only two species in the is found in three of the four deserts light and black scale colors. Juveniles Helodermatidae, Gila (pronounced (Sonoran, Mojave, and Chihuahuan). tend to have the banded pattern. HEE-luh) Monster (Heloderma It is also found in southeastern Nevada Gila Monsters are always a treat suspectum), and Beaded Lizard and extreme southwestern , in to see in the wild. Although they (H. horridum). These species are the . It is probably may be locally abundant, they are well known because they are large, named after the , a good infrequently seen, as they tend to showy, venomous, and researched. location to find Gila Monsters, and be cryptic and spend much of their Much of the information we have together they are responsible for my existence underground. The key to on helodermatids is summarized in license plate and email (“Gilaman”). seeing a Gila Monster in the wild is a fantastic book by Dan Beck (2005. Gila Monsters are impressive to spend enough time in the right Biology of Gila Monsters and Beaded lizards—they reach about 14 inches habitat at the right time of year under Lizards. University of California snout-vent length (360 mm) and 22 the right conditions. Unlike most Press. 211 p.), so I am only scratching inches total length (570 mm), and lizards, they do not bask in the sun the surface on these amazing animals. can weigh nearly two pounds (900 g). on a rock as part of a morning ritual. If you want to know more about these Gila Monsters are thick-bodied, have Instead, you have to intercept them critters, this book is a must-have. Dr. short legs and tail, and Beck also wrote the species account a large, muscular head. for Lizards of the American Southwest The name “Heloderma” (Jones and Lovich, eds., 2009). I comes from the Greek won’t go into too much detail here, roots for “studded or but those references do. beaded skin,” hence the The Gila Monster is the only common name of H. member of the family found in the horridum. The beaded United States. It is primarily a desert- appearance is due to dwelling species that ranges from , which are extreme southeastern California to small bones in the scales. extreme southwestern New Mexico In the literature, Gila and , Mexico. In it Monsters have been Photo © LLC Jones Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 22 when they are on the prowl looking for food or a mate. The best time of year to see one during the day is in the spring when they come out of brumation/hibernation. Typically, April and May are the best months when temperatures are mid-80s F. In much of Arizona, New Mexico, and adjacent Mexico, there is a summer rainy season (the monsoon), and occasionally other areas get summer rains, as well. Areas that are too dry (like most of the California deserts) cannot sustain Gilas. Summer days that are humid, overcast, and not too hot (again, low to mid-80s) are ideal for Gila Monsters (and ). Otherwise, during the hot times of the year, Gilas are mostly nocturnal, often seen crossing roads at night. The right place to see a Gila varies by location, but in general they are found in areas with some sort of shelter structures, such as boulders, burrows, and woodrat middens. In southern Arizona, I tend to find most in rocky foothill situations. During the Southwest PARC meeting in Tucson, Arizona, a tried and true method to find Gila Monsters was successful. All you need are 20 herpetologists who really want to see a Gila Monster, Used with permission from Tell/Ecouniverse. and you set them out into the right place at the right time under the right these animals is quite toxic, although lizard because of its powerful jaws and conditions—that tactic yielded three bites are rarely, if ever, fatal. However, sharp teeth; the longer they bite, the Gilas in one day, much to the delight I have heard the bite can be fatal more venom is introduced into the of the participants (and I was able to if one has a gun…alluding to the victim. Gila Monsters don’t use their save face and not have to deal with an extreme pain associated with a bite. venom to procure prey (e.g., eggs angry mob). Gila Monsters are inoffensive, but and nestling and mammals), Until recently, helodermatids will defend themselves if provoked so it is likely the venom is purely were thought to be the world’s only and handled. Essentially, the only defensive. However, Gila Monster venomous lizards, although it is people bitten by Gila Monsters venom is not just a nasty experience, now known that monitor lizards are the same type usually bitten by as it does more good than harm in the () and some iguanas rattlesnakes—young male yahoos big picture. The venom contains an () are also venomous. with more testosterone and ethanol important medical compound that However, only the Gila Monster in their system than common sense. is being developed for the treatment and Beaded Lizard have an advanced When a Gila Monster bites a young of Type II diabetes (see “Lizards and venom delivery system. The venom of yahoo, it is difficult to remove the Wonder Drugs”, p 14, this issue). Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 23 Gila Monsters are threatened by poaching for the black- a program known as “Project Heloderma” (www.ircf.org/ market pet trade and the usual problems associated with project-heloderm—see the article in the March issue of a burgeoning human population in arid regions. Gilas are Year of the Lizard News). Its goal is to conserve the Motagua protected in every state they occur in, including Mexico. Valley (Guatemalan) Beaded Lizard and its habitat. This Beaded Lizards are found along the Pacific Coast of species was not even described until 1988. It is estimated that Mexico and into Guatemala. There are several species there only are 100-200 individuals remaining in the wild. recognized: Heloderma horridum exasperatum (Escorpión The project conserves the lizards through an “integrated del Río Fuerte, Rio Fuerte Beaded Lizard), H. h. horridum program of research, public awareness and education, (Escorpión Mexicano, Mexican Beaded Lizard), H. h. local capacity building, ecological restoration, head alvarezi (Escorpión Negro, Black Beaded Lizard), and starting and reintroduction, and habitat management.” H. h. charlesbogerti (Escorpión, Motagua Valley Beaded Project Heloderma is one of the conservation successes Lizard, Guatemalan Beaded Lizard). If you think Gila being presented at the PARC symposium, “Conservation Monsters are impressive lizards, you should see a large Successes during Times of Declining Biodiversity.” at the adult Beaded Lizard. In nature, adults can reach about 19 World Congress of Herpetology meeting in Vancouver inches (480 mm) snout-vent length and 34 inches (860 , , in August 2012 (www. mm); they can be even larger in captivity. Beck (2005, worldcongressofherpetology.org). ibid) reports a maximum total length of 39 inches (521 mm) and nearly a whopping 10 pounds (4.5 kg). At first glance, Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards appear very similar, but the latter are more elongate with longer tails, in keeping with their more arboreal tendencies. Gila Monsters have black tongues, while Beaded Lizards have pink tongues. All helodermatids have forked tongues, a feature also found in snakes and monitor lizards. The color of Beaded Lizards is variable, ranging from black or lightly spotted (H. h. alvarezi) to more heavily spotted or reticulated (H. h. horridum and H. h. exasperatum). The Motagua Valley Beaded Lizard, the species in Guatemala, has a very interesting pattern that is dark on the forebody, spotted on the hindbody, and has a tail with paired light The beautiful little Bezy’s , bezyi. Photo © LLC Jones. rings. I am fortunate to live in Tucson, which is not only a Family Xantusiidae, Night Lizards mecca for reptiles, but is within striking distance of Alamos, Sonora, Mexico, another mecca fir reptiles. This The family Xantusiidae is restricted to North and beautiful little town at the south end of the state of Sonora . There are three genera: Xantusia is known as a biodiversity hotspot because it is where the (night lizards), (tropical night lizards), and tropics meet the desert/thornscrub biota. Ecotourists seek Cricosaura (Cuban Night Lizard). In the United States, out the area for the rich cultural history and the tropical only Xantusia is represented; members of this genus are flora and fauna (parrots, Boa Constrictors, outrageously also found in northern Mexico. It should be noted that vivid butterflies, etc.). It is also the one area where Gila the term “night lizard” is not an accurate portrayal of the Monsters (a desert/thornscrub species) and Beaded Lizard family. Some species are nocturnal, some are not, and (a tropical deciduous forest species) co-occur. One can some are not known well enough to determine activity leave Tucson in the morning, set up camp or check into patterns. However, they tend to be cryptic in nature, a hotel in the afternoon, then look for herps at dusk. On usually occurring in microhabitats with low light levels. my first trip to Alamos during the monsoon (summer Those in the genusXantusia have vertical pupils (the other rainy season), we saw a Beaded Lizard within about an genera do not), and most are flattened top to bottom. hour of setting out to look for herps, a second an hour There have been numerous research papers addressing later, and a third later in the trip. the relationship of members of the genus, and these The International Reptile Conservation Foundation has lizards remain a taxonomic challenge, but here I follow Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 24 the PARC standard (Crother et al., 2008. SSAR Herp. Circular #37). The species in the United States are: (X. arizonae), Bezy’s Night Lizard (X. bezyi), (X. gracilis), (X. henshawi), (X. riversiana), Sierra Night Lizard (X. sierrae), (X. vigilis), and Wiggins’ Night Lizard (X. wigginsi). Xantusia vigilis, X. sierrae, and X. wigginsi are all similar to one another and before genetic research became a commonplace taxonomic tool they were all considered to fall within X. vigilis. They are the smallest members of the genus, and can most easily be differentiated by their ranges. They are all dark brown with fine dark spotting. Another group A Granite Night Lizard (X. henshawi) hiding in a rock crevice. includes X. arizonae and X. bezyi. These species are a little Look into the cracks using a mirror or flashlight, butnever larger and tend to be lighter in background color with damage their habitat by prying apart rocks. Photo © LLC Jones. larger dark spots than the X. vigilis group. Both arizonae and bezyi are endemic to small areas of Arizona. They Desert State Park. can usually be differentiated by color patterns, and their Night lizards are difficult to view in nature and their ranges do not overlap. Xantusia henshawi and X. gracilis habitats are prone to destruction by unethical collectors. are also similar to one another and differ from the other Never under any circumstance should you break off cap groups by being larger and having large spots (larger in rocks to search for night lizards. These microhabitats henshawi than gracilis). That leaves us with X. riversiana. have formed over hundreds or thousands of years and This lizard is quite different from all of the others. It is can be . The microenvironments endemic to three small Channel Islands (and one nearby are extremely sensitive, having the right amounts of rocky islet) off the southern California coast. It is the light, moisture, temperature, separation, litter, and prey largest of the bunch, not as flattened, and its color pattern that Xantusia have evolved with. For the species that can be speckled, mottled, reticulated, or striped. dwell under vegetation, the microhabitat is also similarly All of the night lizards are found in cryptic situations, developed. So how does one look for night lizards? One usually under exfoliated cap rocks (X. arizonae, X. bezyi, option is to not look for them (especially X. riversiana, X. X. henshawi, X. sierrae), crevices (X. riversiana, X. gracilis, gracilis, and X. sierra). These are fascinating animals, but the species previously mentioned), or under vegetation, we can certainly let them be and read about them in the especially succulents (X. vigilis, X. wigginsi). Of course, literature and look at photographs of ethically obtained this is not an absolute, so some populations or individuals specimens (NOTE: in Lizards of the American Southwest, may select different cover, but none are found in the open Rob Lovich and I only accepted photographs of night during the day. Xantusia henshawi and X. gracilis do lizards [and other species] if the photographers assured us come out from cover at night and may be seen actively they were collected legally using ethical means). So what moving about the surface. The former is found on large, are the ethical means of observation? For X. henshawi and granitic boulders, while the latter is only found in areas X. gracilis, the species can be viewed when on the prowl with sandstone within a very small area of Anza-Borrego at night using a lantern or flashlight. It is possible that other boulder-dwelling species are active at night, but Closeup of X. this is not well known. Other rock/crevice dwellers can bezyi showing also be viewed during the day in or at the edges of cracks markings. when they are near the interface with the outside world. Photo © LLC Jones. Xantusia are found in this situation in the early spring when they are warming up at the edge of cracks. Later in the year when it is warmer, they tend to stay deeper in the interior of cracks and crevices. Use a mirror or flashlight to peer into cracks. The color patterns of some species (especially X. henshawi and X. gracilis) during the day are Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 25 quite different than at night. To view species that occur Santa Cruz. It has long been known that Xantusia are under vegetation or other surface debris, an observer viviparous—giving birth to live young, rather than can carefully look under cover objects and replace them eggs—but what was not known was that at least one exactly as they were. Of course, this can only be done by species, X. vigilis, has a complex social structure oriented people permitted to do such an activity in an area where around family groups. This sort of social behavior is well it is legal to do so. Never under any circumstance just flip known for many birds and mammals, but few lizards are objects out of the way to see what is underneath. known to be social (mostly viviparous species). Xantusia Because of their cryptic nature, much remains to be vigilis live in family groups, where the offspring can stay learned about night lizard natural history (most research with the mother and father, often under the same , to date has been focused on ). Certainly one for many years. Xantusia spp. also tend to be long-lived, of the more exciting discoveries about Xantusia—or living in excess of ten years, a fact that can help bolster the lizards for that matter—in recent years came from Alison utility of social behavior. Davis and her colleagues at the University of California,

Education Corner Here are some Lizard Lesson Plans in the Public Domain to use with your students or children to celebrate the Year of the Lizard: Suggested Age Description Group Link Students “Take a Trip” to the Greater Antilles to Grades 7-13 http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/ figure out how the Anolis lizards on the islands might (and potentially education/lessons/anolis.html have evolved. They observe characteristics and use applicable for phylogeny to test evolutionary hypotheses. introductory college biology) Introduces students to some characteristics of reptiles Grades 4-6 http://www.desertmuseum.org/center/ including ectothermy, adaptations, and feeding edu/docs/UpperElem_TIP_lizards.pdf habits. Participants describe characteristics Grades 3-6 http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/ of lizards that distinguish them from other animals projects/lizards.pdf and demonstrate how cold-blooded (ectothermic) animals regulate their body temperature. This unit provides an overview of lizard biology Grades 3-12 http://tolweb.org/ culminating in the “Life as a Lizard” role playing treehouses/?treehouse_id=2488 game. The game gives students a chance to move around indoors or outdoors, and use their **Approved by AZPARC movement to learn about lizards and their behavior. A series of activities that will enable students Grades 1-4 http://www.pbs.org/teachers/includes/ to explore the diversity of lizards in terms of content/wildkratts/all_about_lizards. characteristics, behavior, and habitat and help them pdf Photo: Joyce Richards identify special characteristics that help them thrive in their habitat. Are You an Educator or Interpretive Naturalist? We are working to create resources for teachers and naturalists! If you are willing to share, please send your unit materials, educational program information, or PowerPoint presentations to yearofthelizard@gmail. com. Please include your name, the name of your school/nature center or organization, and location. If you did not create the materials, please be sure to tell us where you found the materials. Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 26

International Conservation and Translocation of the Corner Fijian Crested Iguana, vitiensis

the project. The common goal is to ensure the long-term survival of the species. Veterinary input sponsored by the Taronga Foundation is critical to the success of the program. Today Fijian Crested Iguanas survive on just a few remote islands in the west of Fiji, predominately on Yadua Taba, a small sanctuary Fijian Crested Iguana on catching pole. island administered by the National Trust of Fiji Islands. An integral part After capture and sampling, each of the project is to engage with the lizard was returned to its home tree. local people to affirm the common Many had been microchipped during purpose of preserving this critically previous studies, enabling more endangered species. After staying accurate monitoring of the movement overnight in Denimanu Village on of individual animals. Content to spend most of their time in the upper Dr. Peter Harlow with a Fijian Crested Yadua Island and paying their respects Iguana on Yadua Taba. to the chief, Ratu Jone, Drs Johnson canopy of the dry tropical forest, the and Harlow made the short boat trip iguanas usually remain within a small Veterinarian Robert Johnson and to the small offshore island of Yadua area. Herpetofauna Manager Peter Harlow Taba. Dr Harlow has conducted The collection of baseline data from the Taronga Conservation research on the island for over 14 will provide a solid background for Society Australia travelled to Fiji years. Several days were spent catching the assessment of the translocated in September 2010 to evaluate the iguanas for physical examination and population this year, hopefully health of the population of the sample collection (morphometrics, improving their chances of survival. critically endangered Fijian Crested blood and faeces for haematological, Iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) on biochemical and parasitological the iguana sanctuary island of Yadua analysis) in preparation for the Taba. planned translocation. The study Translocation of 100 healthy iguanas area is a small 50 metre by 50 metre to the pest-free island of Namena is section of forest with 591 tagged and planned for early 2012 as part of the numbered trees. International Union for Conservation of Nature Fijian Crested Iguana Species Recovery Plan. The project is Fijian Crested Iguana being undertaken using the protocols at Kulo Eco Park, specified in the IUCN Guidelines Sigatoka, Fiji. for Reintroductions (1998), with input and support from the IUCN Iguana Specialist Group in order to secure the establishment of a second secure population (in 2012) using a large founding genetic base. Nature Fiji/Mareqeti Viti and the National Fijian Crested Iguana Trust of Fiji Islands are overseeing back on its favorite tree. Year of the Lizard News No. 3, May 2012, p. 27

Submit your Articles for Consideration in The Year of the Lizard News We would like to hear about your research projects Upcoming Meetings & Events (local, national, and abroad), citizen science efforts, school projects, folklore, natural area conservation proposals, lizard Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem luminaries (people or animals that have been shining stars Conservation and Management XVII Annual in your life), or other topics related to lizards. Meeting, May 14-18, Santa Fe, New Mexico Please include these components: (Canadian Wildlife Service, US Fish & Wildlife 1) Title Service, and Ministry of Environment and Natural 2) Author name, affiliation, location Resources of Mexico). 3) Text: ~400 words will fill one page, a nice size to consider. Shorter and longer articles are fine. It is an electronic Endangered and Threatened Species of New newsletter, after all! Jersey Workshop, May 16-18, Rutgers University, 4) 1-2 photographs or graphics (with captions and Basking Ridge and Tuckerton, photographer recognition; sometimes we can use more

than 2) per page: 300+ dpi resolution, jpg or tiff. Hands-on Wetland Creation Workshop for Themes of the upcoming newsletters include a Professionals, May 22-24, Barnstable, MA federal focused issue, and a pets/invasives/trade issue (but please do not feel limited). World Congress of Herpetology 7, August 8-14, Submit your potential articles or any questions pertaining 2012, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. to contributing via email to [email protected]. The newsletter will be bi-monthly, with further issues coming out in July, September, and November 2012.

Get your Year of the Lizard 2012 Gear! Simply go online to the PARCStore (http://www.cafepress.com/parcstore). Stay tuned and check out the website periodically...more PARC and Year of the Lizard products will be showing up. Proceeds from sales go to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization that helps support PARC activities, such as public education, publications, and research.

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