Quarterly Bulletin of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club January – March 2018 Issue No: 1/2018 Not Just A Book Launch, April 20 2018 “A FIELD GUIDE TO THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO” by Danielle Morong “The important thing in science is not The act of discovery and the sharing of this so much to obtain new facts as to discover knowledge are, in many ways, the heartbeat of a new ways of thinking about them.”― Sir scientist. However, every now and again, a text William Bragg. comes along which can revolutionize a field, create opportunities for further research and exploration and even help stimulate a cultural shift. ‘A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad & Tobago’, the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club (TTFNC) newest publication is one such example. On a cool April evening, an eclectic mix of naturalists and the constantly curious gathered in Lecture Theatre B of the Frank Stockdale Building, UWI, St. Augustine, to celebrate the launch of the first ever comprehensive field guide to Trinidad and Tobago’s diverse ‘herpetofauna’. While the term might seem strange to some, it refers to all the reptiles (snakes, lizards, caimans, turtles and tortoises) and amphibians (frogs and toads) in a given area or region, in this case – our twin island Republic. With our warm tropical climate and unique mix of continental and island ecology, it can be of no surprise that documenting our herpetofauna was a monumental task that had been over 5 years in the making. Some 16 authors spread across the U.S., U.K. Europe and T&T, contributed towards the creation of this book. Photographs were provided from numerous sources, a fact which lead author and U.S. based herpetologist John C. Murphy mentioned in his live video feature address. Such a collaborative effort, and the detailed Cover: A male Streak Lizard, Gonatodes output which it produced, has the possibility of vitattatus. Photo by Bryan E. Reynolds (Continued on page 3) Page 2 THE FIELD NATURALIST Issue No. 1/2018 Inside This Issue Quarterly Bulletin of the Not just a Book Launch Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club 1 A FIELD GUIDE TO THE AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO January - March 2018 - Danielle Morong Editors 4 A Collaboration between TTFNC & FOBG Laura Baboolal, Stephanie Warren-Gittens MAPPING OF TREES IN THE ROYAL BOTANIC Associate Editor: Rupert Mends GARDENS - Roma Wong Sang Contributing writers Marianna Rampaul, Laura Baboolal, Roma Wong Sang, Amy Bird Trip Report 7 Deacon, the Edwards family (Sheldon, Sharon & Gabrielle), FIELD TRIP TO TOBAGO Danielle Morong, Matt Kelly, Stephanie Warren-Gittens, Renoir - Matt Kelly Auguste and Michelle Cazabon-Manette. Marine Trip 12 MATURA BEACH CLEAN-UP 2018 Photographs Renoir Auguste, Matt Kelly, Laura Baboolal, Marianna Rampaul, - Marianna Rampaul Stephanie Warren-Gittens, Aidan Farrell, Bryan E. Reynolds, 13 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE Roma Wong Sang, Edward Barrow, Kris Sookdeo, Vijay Ragoo. - Compiled by Amy Deacon Design and Layout 14 YOUR IDEAS AND OBSERVATIONS Eddison Baptiste and Amy Deacon Club Trip Report 16 MERMAID POOL - the Edwards Family 2016/2017 UWI AWARDS CEREMONY The Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club 18 Compiled by Stephanie Warren-Gittens is a non-profit, non-governmental organization Mammal Group Trip Report Management Committee 2018/2019 20 TAMANA CAVE - Laura Baboolal President ……………... Renoir Auguste 761-9197 NATURE IN THE NEWS Vice-President ……….. Palaash Narase 751-3672 23 - Compiled by Kris Sookdeo Treasurer…………….. Selwyn Gomes 624-8017 Secretary ………...…... Amy Deacon 390-0826 23 Management Notices Assist-Secretary ……... Danielle Morong 768-7666 Committee members ... Dan Jaggernauth 659-2795 24 Notes to Contributors Kris Sookdeo 647-5556 Laura Baboolal 705-8716 Contact us! Email: [email protected] Website: www.ttfnc.org Editors’ note : Many thanks to all who contributed and Facebook: www.facebook.com/ttfieldnaturalistsclub assisted with articles and photographs. YouTube: www.tinyurl.com/ttfnc Disclaimer : The views expressed in this bulletin are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion and views Postal: The Secretary, TTFNC, c/o P.O. Box 642, of the Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago Page 3 THE FIELD NATURALIST Issue No. 1/2018 A FIELD GUIDE TO THE AMPHIBIANS AND Ryan’s early childhood fear of amphibians and REPTILES OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO reptiles is perhaps one which many in T&T can (Continued from page 1) identify with. ‘stimulating more research into herpetology of the islands’. It affords naturalists and researchers alike For the layperson, the Field Guide to the the opportunity to put knowledge into action by learning more about species that can now be much more easily identified. It is not limited, however, to use only by the herps at heart. A deeper understanding of the life histories and habitats of different species can allow for more informed decision-making, especially when it comes to land use planning. The simple act of trimming the vegetation along a stream’s edge can completely decimate the preferred habitat for a vulnerable species such as the Tobago glass frog (Hyalinobatrachium orientale tobagoense), which lays its eggs on the underside of streamside vegetation. While impossible to showcase all our herpetofauna in one evening, TTFNC president and An avid reader leafs through his copy of the book managing editor of the publication, Renoir Auguste while attendees congregate around the UWI was able to highlight several species in a vivid Zoology Museum display Photo by Aidan Farrell slideshow display. For some, the collection of bottled specimens of frogs and snakes and the Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago skeletal remains of sea turtles was their closest remains an easy to use instrument to satisfy a encounter with herpetofauna. This can be of little gurgling curiosity about an aspect of our local surprise as, for many people, a cultural dislike and wildlife. For others, it can be used as an educational phobia towards frogs and snakes in particular has tool to stifle old fears. This guide coupled with been ingrained through custom and religion. This online platforms such as iNaturalist can also be used was captured by local contributor Ryan S to enhance community identification and verification Mohammed’s recollection of his own experiences. of species as well as stimulate further research, as expounded upon by UWIZM Curator Mike G. Rutherford. Indeed, it is the collective hope of all involved in its publication, including local contributor Dr Jo- Anne Sewlal, that this Field Guide will not be viewed “as just another book”, but instead Jo-Anne articulated on behalf of her co-authors that as citizens and as custodians of nature, they want this Field Guide to “grace the bookshelves of persons in the country and those outside of it.” If there is any book that can spark a change in thinking and a call to action, it is a Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago. Copies available via the club and at local bookstores. Those abroad can order via www.ttfnc.org Mating Tobago Glass Frogs Photo by Renoir Auguste Page 4 THE FIELD NATURALIST Issue No. 1/2018 (Left) From left to right: Local Authors Jo-Anne Sewlal, Renoir Auguste, Mike Rutherford and Ryan S. Mohammed (Above) Attendees grabbing a copy of the book. Photos by Aidan Farrell A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Trinidad and Tobago can be purchased in most leading bookstores, or directly via the TTFNC (email [email protected] for more information). A Collaboration between the TTFNC Botany Group with Friends of the Royal Botanic Gardens MAPPING AND IDENTIFYING THE TREES IN THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO by Roma Wong Sang On Sunday 22nd October 2017, the the Brazilnut, Cemetery, Mabola, Ebony, Ironwood, Trinidad and Tobago Field Naturalists’ Club Prunus, Upas, Anthurium Lawns, names given to Botany Group (TTFNCBOTG) provided sections of the Botanical Gardens. assistance to the Friends of the Botanical A small group of botanists and plant enthusiasts Gardens (FOBG) in the mapping and led by Lester W. Doodnath, Coordinator of identification of trees on Lookout Hill in the TTFNCBOTG, showed up early that Sunday Gardens. FOBG has been involved in mapping the morning and were briefed by Pat McGaw, Secretary, trees of the gardens to build an up-to-date, FOBG. We learnt of the mapping project and the interactive inventory for eventual public access for process involved in the mapping exercise. We were the 200th anniversary of the Gardens in 2018. provided with suitable Global Positioning System Most of the lower sections of the Gardens have (GPS) equipment and guidance on its use. Also already been mapped by the FOBG. These include Page 5 THE FIELD NATURALIST Issue No. 2/20171/2018 Map of the Botanic Gardens provided were the listing of trees and maps which had been compiled by the Friends in 1999 under the leadership of Roger Barnes. The following information was recorded for the trees: Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) tree number for already existing trees Waypoint number Coordinates Identity of tree - scientific name or common name, noting if there was uncertainty about the identity of any of the trees. Approximate physical location on a drawn map, as a guide for future reference Photographs were also taken, particularly of trees (bark, leaves, flower) needing further identification. A preliminary floral list of trees identified was compiled. By midday, the joint team were able to complete the mapping of trees of the eastern section of Look And off we go...from the bottom of the Look-out -out Hill, along the trail from the Folly to the top, Hill Photo by Roma Wong Sang Page 6 THE FIELD NATURALIST Issue No.