WWW.IRCF.ORG/REPTILESANDAMPHIBIANSJOURNALTABLE OF CONTENTS IRCF REPTILES & IRCF AMPHIBIANS REPTILES • VOL &15, AMPHIBIANS NO 4 • DEC 2008 • 189 19(4):254–262 • DEC 2012 IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS CONSERVATION AND NATURAL HISTORY TABLE OF CONTENTS FEATURE ARTICLES Herpetological. Chasing Bullsnakes (Pituophis catenifer Ecotourism sayi) in Wisconsin: and Conservation: On the Road to Understanding the Ecology and Conservation of the Midwest’s Giant Serpent ...................... Joshua M. Kapfer 190 . The Shared History of Treeboas (Corallus grenadensis) and Humans on Grenada: A HypotheticalReserva Excursion ............................................................................................................................ Amazónica, PerùRobert W. Henderson 198 RESEARCHSarah A.ARTICLES Orlofske1, Hayden D. Hedman1, José E. Koechlin2, and Robert C. Jadin1 . The Texas Horned Lizard in Central and Western Texas ....................... Emily Henry, Jason Brewer, Krista Mougey, and Gad Perry 204 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA ([email protected]) . The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in Florida 2 .............................................Brian J. Camposano, KennethInkaterra, L. Krysko, Lima, Kevin Peru M. Enge, Ellen M. Donlan, and Michael Granatosky 212 CONSERVATION ALERTPhotographs by Robert C. Jadin, except where noted. World’s Mammals in Crisis ............................................................................................................................................................. 220 . More Than Mammals ...................................................................................................................................................................... 223 . The “Dow Jones Index” of Biodiversity ........................................................................................................................................... 225 he TambopataHUSBANDRY region of Perù yields the highest biodiver- et al. 2007). At the epicenter of this diversity lies one of the Tsity of reptiles and. Captive amphibians Care of the Central in the Netted world Dragon and ....................................................................................................... includes world’s most prominent Shannon facilities Plummer for 226 ecotourism and conser- more than 210 amphibianPROFILE and reptilian species (Doan and vation, Reserva Amazónica, formerly Cusco Amazónico. Arizábal 2002). Previous. Kraig surveysAdler: A Lifetime of thePromoting region’s Herpetology biodiversity ................................................................................................ Since 1975, Inkaterra Michael (www.inkaterra.com), L. Treglia 234 the orga- have been used to categorize the IUCN and CITES status nization that operates Reserva Amazónica and several other of species and contributedCOMMENTARY to future reserve design (von May Peruvian tourism lodges, has promoted ecological research . The Turtles Have Been Watching Me ........................................................................................................................ Eric Gangloff 238 BOOK REVIEW . Threatened Amphibians of the World edited by S.N. Stuart, M. Hoffmann, J.S. Chanson, N.A. Cox, R. Berridge, P. Ramani, and B.E. Young .............................................................................................................. Robert Powell 243 CONSERVATION RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Conservation Research Reports ................................. 245 NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCH REPORTS: Summaries of Published Reports on Natural History ................................. 247 NEWBRIEFS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 248 EDITORIAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................................................................... 251 FOCUS ON CONSERVATION: A Project You Can Support ............................................................................................... 252 Front Cover. Shannon Plummer. Back Cover. Michael Kern Totat et velleseque audant mo Totat et velleseque audant mo estibus inveliquo velique rerchil estibus inveliquo velique rerchil erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus erspienimus, quos accullabo. Ilibus aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum aut dolor apicto invere pe dolum fugiatis maionsequat eumque fugiatis maionsequat eumque moditia erere nonsedis ma sectiatur moditia erere nonsedis ma sectia- ma derrovitae voluptam, as quos tur ma derrovitae voluptam, as accullabo. Figure 1. The canopy walk at Reserva Amazónica is more than 30 m high and 344 m long and has two towers, eight platforms, and seven bridges. Recently, National Geographic Adventure recognized Reserva Amazónica as possessing the “Most Extraordinary Canopy Walkway” (Davis 2009), which even includes a private cabin for adventurous guests. Tourists take early morning hikes in search of the many species of impressive birds that have been recorded — but herpetologists can see other species such as Green Thornytail Iguanas (Uracentron azureum, insert). Copyright © 2012. Sarah Orlofske. All rights reserved. 254 ORLOFSKE ET AL. IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 19(4):254–262 • DEC 2012 Figure 2. Typical riverboat on the Madre de Dios River during sunset taken from the boat dock at Reserva Amazónica. and conservation supported by tourism. The mission state- Tambopata region, facilitate these excursions. Visitors can ment of Inkaterra is “conserving the environment, preserv- walk along well established trail systems, including a wet- ing the native cultures, and developing sustainable tourism lands boardwalk; they can take canoe excursions around lakes in Perù.” Inkaterra’s strategy for implementing this mission Valencia and Sandoval, as well as Gamitana Creek; or they is to conserve the region’s biodiversity while also educating can take a tour to a river island, a large butterfly house, orchid tourists about the natural environment. Reserva Amazónica and medicinal plant gardens, and more. The packages reso- has received awards from organizations and praise in many nate with all levels of biological and travel enthusiasts. Beyond international travel magazines for its conservation efforts the natural marvels, the resort encompasses full bar services, and ecotourism (Fig. 1). Inkaterra’s mission for conservation exquisite three-course cuisine (vegetarian options included), remains evident through various collaborations with research and river front massage therapy. scientists. In particular, collaborations with herpetologists at Our personal expeditions described in this article were the University of Kansas have resulted in Reserva Amazónica focused on amphibians and reptiles (Fig. 3). Not only were being one of the most well studied areas in South America we visiting Reserva Amazónica to observe these species, but for amphibians and reptiles. In particular, Duellman’s book to study their diversity, abundance, habitat use, and species Cusco Amazónico (2005) extensively documents the region’s interactions. Through our monitoring study in collabora- biogeography and herpetofaunal diversity. tion with Reserva Amazónica, we help fill a critical need for Within four hours by boat to Bolivia, Reserva Amazónica long-term population data on tropical species (Fig. 4), while sits along the Amazon Basin in Tambopata, Perù. The exclu- simultaneously equipping the interpreters and tourists with sive resort resides within a one-hour boat ride from the near- information about these important organisms. est city, Puerto Maldonado (Fig. 2). Reserva Amazónica allows each guest personalization of their rainforest excursions Up Close and Personal regardless of weather conditions and length of stay. Bilingual Around the bungalow area during the day, Amazon nature interpreters, specialized in the flora and fauna of the Racerunners (Ameiva ameiva) commonly sprint from beneath 255 ORLOFSKE ET AL. IRCF REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS • 19(4):254–262 • DEC 2012 Figure 3. The Black-spotted Skink (Mabuya nigropunctata) is the only skink in the region; it is bronze and black with smooth and shiny scales. This species is frequently seen on trails at Reserva Amazónica but, like this individual, can also be found on the walk to Lago Sandoval. The canoe tour around Lago Sandoval is very popular as visitors often encounter monkeys, macaws, river otters, and even Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger). bungalow steps to nearby bushes and pace across the foot- Rainfrogs (Leptodactylus [Adenomera] spp.), and several spe- paths. At night, the bungalow porches are illuminated with cies of large Leaf Frogs in the genus Phyllomedusa. The calls of individual kerosene lanterns. The lighting helps avoid step- the Bolivian Sheepfrogs are unmistakable, sounding remark- ping on the abundant Cane Toads (Rhinella marina) forag- ably like sheep. ing along the paths. Numerous treefrogs (e.g., Gunther’s A large bridge elevated above a small swamp connects Banded Treefrog, Hypsiboas fasciatus, and Milky Treefrog, the bungalow area to the main lodge. This swampy area is Trachycephalus typhonius [formerly Phrynohyas venulosa]; home to numerous species of frogs that call in the evening Fig. 5) commonly perch on the vegetation around the cab- and can easily be observed with a flashlight. On more than ins. From