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Monthly newsletter of the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society
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October 2012 volume 27, issue 10
Next Meeting:
Sunday, October 21, 2012
6:00 p.m. Upcoming Events… 2
General PNHS info……. 3
Letter from the
President………..…….
4
New Abstract: Ade-
novirus in Sulawesi
Tortoises……...……...
6
Wisconsin taking
some herps off the
endangered list……….
7
Urbanization , para-
sitism & disease …….....
9
Frogs : the Cure
for Glaucoma?........
12
Classifieds………………. 13
Contacts &
Vets…………………..
13
Membership
Application….……...
14
Inside this issue:
November PNHS
Newsletter Deadline:
Oct. 30, 2012
Pacific Northwest
Herpetological Society
Meeting Location:
Highline Community College Doors Open: 5:30 p.m.
2400 S. 240th Street, Bldg. 12 General Meeting: 6:00 p.m.
Des Moines, WA
Speaker Presentation: “All About Cresties”
Lynett Robertson of Lashed Dragons
Www.LashedDragons.com
Herp-of-the-Month:
King Snakes & “Halloween” Herps
(black &/or orange herps)
Left: Happy
Halloween! A
beautiful Blair’s
King Snake,
photo courtesy
of Wikipedia
.Commons.
Pa g e 2
Upcoming PNHS Events
Kitsap Branch Fall Meetings 2012:
Contact Troy Barnhart 360-908-8766 if interested.
October 21, 2012: PNHS General Meeting
Herp-of-the-Month: King Snakes & “ H alloween-
colored Herps ” ( black and/or orange herps )
November 3-4, 2012: PNHS Outreach: “ America ’ s Family Pet Expo ”
Puyallup Fairgrounds. Contact Outreach Coordina
tor, Brandon Winter, if interested in joining the fun.
Hours: Saturday 11/3: 10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
Sunday, 11/4: 10:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
November 11, 2012: PNHS Annual Potluck/Auction
Casual potluck & auction! ( No speaker, herp-of-
the-month, or general meeting )
Bring your favorite dish to share!
Doors open: 5:00 p.m.
Auction begins: 6:00 p.m.
Questions? Donations? Please contact
Brenda Huber
( B [email protected] )
Page 2
General Information
The Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society (PNHS) is a non-profit organi-
zation registered with the State of Washington. PNHS is dedicated to the
education of its members and the public, as well as the conservation, ecol-
ogy, and captive care and breeding of reptiles and amphibians. The society
also takes an active role in legislative and environmental issues affecting
these animals and their habitats.
Meeting Information
PNHS holds its general meeting on the second Sunday of every month
(with exceptions for holidays) at 6:00pm at Highline Community College in
Des Moines, Building 12 Room 101. Doors open at 5:30. Other business
and socialization occurs between 5:30 and 6; then the General Meeting
starts. Meetings are open to the public, and the society encourages anyone
with an interest in herpetology to attend. Please purchase a membership to
show your support for the society.
Animal Donations
Looking to adopt, release an animal or donate cages and equipment?
Please contact the Adoptions Committee by email at adop-
[email protected], or by voicemail at 206- 583-0686. We will contact you
and make arrangements.
Other Donations
The Adoption Committee receives minimal financial support from the Soci-
ety, so donations of money, food, cages, and equipment are always needed
and appreciated. Please contact the Adoption Chair to make a donation.
Adoptions
To adopt an animal that is in the care of the Committee, you must be pre-
sent at the meeting, be a current member (of at least one month), and be
over 18 years of age or have parental consent. For more details see the
web site or contact the Adoption Chair.
Newsletter Information
A monthly newsletter absorbs the lion’s share of the price of a PNHS mem-
bership. In order to keep it interesting, we encourage contribution of origi-
nal articles, book reviews, letters, ads, and cartoons for publication.
Items for incorporation into articles are also welcome, though with no guar-
antee of their use. Submissions may be sent to the Newsletter Committee
or to the Society through the contacts listed on our Contacts page.
Editorial Policy
The views expressed in this publication are solely the views of the authors
and not necessarily the views of the Society, its members, or the Newsletter
Committee. The Newsletter Committee reserves the right to edit all submis-
sions including advertisements.
General information &
guidelines
re PNHS’ Monthly
Meetings are a great
place to learn
something new,
purchase feeders at a
discount, and meet new
people
V o l . 2 7 N o . 1 0
Above: Both Green Tree Python
Photos courtesy of the Adams’
Family.
Page 4
Letter from the President By Brenda Huber Vol. 27, No.10
Continued...
PNHS just finished up a fun weekend at the 18th annual
Seattle Reptile Expo at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. Once again,
Paula, Giovanni & Marco Fagioli of the Bean Farm put on a fabu-
lous show that drew record crowds.
I managed to snap a few pictures that truly captured the spirit of
PNHS’ mission to promote educational outreaches with the general
public. Here are a few of my favorites:
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the many PNHS members
who came out to help put on a great weekend outreach. Thank you to
“The Many Joys of Outreach”
Above: The best “Wow!” expressions: PNHS member
Jennifer Lovett introduces her box turtle; Right: Jenni-
fer’s 8 year old niece, Taylor, was an eloquent and preco-
cious outreach star with her aunt’s uromastyx.
V o l . 2 7 , N o . 1 0
Letter From The President Continued….
.
To the Robertson family, to new member Darcy Davis, to Lash Watson
and wife, Dorothy, to Jennifer Lovett and niece, Taylor, to Eli Nossen,
Tanya Emerson & her mother, and to Norm Hill. I would also like to
extend a huge thank you to Elise Erickson of Integrated Reptiles who
lent us her sweet Albino Burmese Python, “Thor,” for the entire day on
Saturday….he was a huge hit. Our own board member, Brandon Win-
ters of Winter’s Reptiles, brought his own sweet Albino Burmese Py-
thon, “Dexter,” for us to use on
the second day of outreaches.
Thank you one and all!
Brenda Huber
President
Counter-clockwise from above: The
Robertson Family, Darcy Davis & Thor;
Lash Watson & Thor; the Seattle Turtle
& Tortoise Club members & fabulous
display; Eli Nossen & a Kenyan Sand
Boa; the best silly tortoise sticker ever (I
got one for Mr. Nigel Edinburgh.)
V o l . 2 7 , N o . 1 0
Vanessa L. Schumacher, D.V.M., M.S., Dipl. A.C.V.P., Charles J. Innis, V.M.D., Dipl. A.B.V.P. (Reptile and Am-
phibian Practice), Michael M. Garner, D.V.M., Dipl. A.C.V.P., Guillermo R. Risatti, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D., Robert
W. Nordhausen, B.A., M.A., Kelly Gilbert-Marcheterre, James F. X. Wellehan, Jr., D.V.M., Ph.D., Dipl. A.C.Z.M.,
Dipl. A.C.V.M. (Virology, Bacteriology/Mycology), April L. Childress, and Salvatore Frasca, Jr., V.M.D., Ph.D.,
Dipl. A.C.V.P.
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 43(3):501-510. 2012 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1638/2011-0228R.1
From the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Pathobiology
and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, Connecticut
06269-3089, USA (Schumacher, Risatti, Gilbert-Marcheterre, Frasca); New England Aquarium,
1 Central Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, USA (Innis); Northwest ZooPath, 654 West
Main, Monroe, Washington 98272, USA (Garner); California Animal Health and Food Safety
Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616,
USA (Nordhausen); and Zoological Medicine and Wildlife Disease Laboratory, University of
Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 S.W. 16th Avenue, Gainesville, Florida 32608,
USA (Wellehan, Childress). Present address (Schumacher): Institut für Tierpathologie, Vetsuisse
Fakultät, Universität Bern, Längassstrasse 122, 3012 Bern, Switzerland. Correspondence should
be directed to Dr. Schumacher ([email protected]).
Abstract:
Sulawesi tortoise adenovirus-1 (STAdV-1) is a newly discovered virus infecting endangered and
threatened tortoises. It was initially described from a confiscated group of 105 Sulawesi tortoises
(Indotestudo forsteni) obtained by the Turtle Survival Alliance and distributed to five sites with
available veterinary care across the United States. In a 3-yr period from the initial outbreak, one
multi-species collection that rehabilitated and housed adenovirus-infected Sulawesi tortoises ex-
perienced deaths in impressed tortoises (Manouria impressa) and a Burmese star tortoise
(Geochelone platynota). Impressed tortoises that died had evidence of systemic viral infection
with histopathologic features of adenovirus. Adenovirus was identified by consensus nested poly-
merase chain reaction (PCR) testing and subsequent sequencing of PCR products. Sequencing
indicated that the adenovirus infecting these impressed tortoises and Burmese star tortoise was
STAdV-1. In one impressed tortoise, viral infection was confirmed using transmission electron
microscopy. In situ hybridization using a semiautomated protocol and fluorescein-labeled ribo-
probe identified STAdV-1 inclusions in spleen, liver, kidney, and testis of one impressed tortoise.
The impact of this virus on captive and wild populations of tortoises is unknown; however, these
findings indicate that STAdV-1 can be transmitted to and can infect other tortoise species, the
impressed tortoise and Burmese star tortoise, when cohabitated with infected Sulawesi tortoises.
New Abstract: Sulawesi Tortoise Adenovirus-1
in Two Impressed Tortoises (Manouria impressa) &
a Burmese Star Tortoise (Geochelone Platynota)
Reprinted with Permission from Herpdigest Vol. 12, Issue #47, 10/07/12
V o l . 2 7 , N o . 1 0
Wisconsin Proposes Taking 16 Species Off
the Protected List and Adding 8 New Ones...
By Meg Jones , Journal Sentinel
Reprinted with permission from Herpdigest Vol. 12, Issue #47, 10/07/12
Canada horse-balm, pygmy snaketails and Blanding's turtles are about to get the boot. Kirtland's
warbler, fawnsfoot mussel and beach-dune tiger beetle could soon get their ticket punched.
Four decades after the Wisconsin Legislature created a list of its endangered and threatened spe-
cies, flora and fauna continue to move on and off the list. The proposal is to subtract 16 plants
and animals and add eight animals. Jumping on or dropping out are several critters that fly, swim,
creep or slither, as well as plants and flowers most people probably wouldn't think twice about
driving over with their riding lawnmower.
It takes awhile to change the list, and stakeholders get a chance to weigh in on just what is endan-
gered or threatened in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources is seeking public com-
ments about the potential economic impact of the latest proposed listing and delistings; the dead-
line is Oct. 24 for written comments.
There are 239 species on Wisconsin's protected lists ranging from the northern cricket frog, pip-
ing plover and American marten to the Pecatonica River mayfly, queen snake and northern wild
monkshood. No need to look those up - respectively, they're an amphibian, bird, mammal, insect,
reptile and a flowering plant in the buttercup family.
While there are plenty of successes for endangered species that bounced back once on the list -
the wolf for one, the bald eagle for another - not all have happy endings.
Are they even here?
Barn owls, Bewick's wrens and snowy egrets are proposed to get bumped off the list because few,
if any, are still in Wisconsin. And there are only two native sites for the Canada horse-balm, a
medicinal herb in the mint family. Findings were recorded in 1865 and 1940, so experts figured
there's no point keeping it on the list because it's probably not here.
One other plant recommended for delisting - hemlock parsley, recorded in the 1800s by famous
Wisconsin naturalist Increase Lapham - also hasn't been seen and probably isn't here.
"We have success stories where either the populations are expanding or responding well to resto-
ration efforts," said Terrell Hyde, a biologist in the DNR's Endangered Resources Program. "And
then we have species like the Bewick's wren where we find out that they never really established
populations in the state."
As much of Wisconsin's native prairies and savannas were bulldozed to make way for communi-
ties and subdivisions, many of the native grasses and plants disappeared. But through prairie res-
Pa g e 8
Wisconsin, Continued…
.
"A lot of these plants have very specific microhabitats or they may be on the edge of their range here
in Wisconsin," said Kelly Kearns, a DNR botanist. "So to have lost one of these species is not neces-
sarily that surprising. A huge percent of our landscape has been transformed from what it originally
was. Even in forests there's been logging or grazing, which has a significant impact on the flora."
The Butler's garter snake, a small reptile that has stalled some real estate projects in southeastern Wis-
consin, is recommended for delisting because new genetic analysis found that there are more than
originally believed. And when biologists looked for the Blanding's turtle, they discovered large stable
populations widely distributed around the state.
Ornithologist Noel Cut right, founder of the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, doesn't
have a problem with delisting the barn owl, Bewick's wren and snowy egret. Since the Kirtland's war-
bler is already on the federal endangered species list, it makes sense to add it to Wisconsin's list, espe-
cially since the yellow-breasted songbird has been found breeding here, Cutright said.
And black terns also are proposed for gaining endangered species status because of dwindling num-
bers. If the black tern gets the green light, it would bring the number of terns to four on Wisconsin's
list.
"If you knew where to go you could find" black terns, said Cutright, who lives near Newberg in Ozau-
kee County. "I had them breeding within a mile of where I live, but now I would have to go to maybe
Horicon to find them in breeding numbers."
List offers a boost
Tod Highsmith, a member of the Southern Wisconsin Butterfly Association, has never seen the elu-
sive ottoe skipper butterfly. There are only a few places in the state to see it. But landing on the endan-
gered species list might give the ottoe skipper a chance to rebound.
"It's always nice when the little fluttery things get attention as well as the big furry things," Highsmith
said.
Though nine plant species are recommended to be taken off the list, none are proposed for addition.
Kearns said it's not that no additional plant species need protection in Wisconsin, it's because there is
not enough staff or funding to determine which plant species in the state should be put on the pro-
tected list.
Plus, folks don't seem to get as jazzed up about grasses and flowers as they do wolves and eagles.
"Plants don't usually drive the same passion as megafauna. People would just as soon mow it as look
at it," said Justin Ellis, treasurer of the Botanical Club of Wisconsin.
Vol. 27, No. 10
P a g e 9
Vol. 27, No. 10
Rhodes Studies: How Urbanization can influence
Parasitism & Disease Transmission in Wildlife
Reprinted with permission from HerpDigest, Vol. 12, Issue #47, 10/07/12
By Caroline Ponseti,
October 3, 2012, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Adiha Khan, a Rhodes College senior, and Germantown resident, has been study-
ing snakes in Overton Park to examine how urbanization can influence parasitism
and disease transmission in wildlife.
When Khan was a freshman, she approached Rhodes biology professor Laura Lu-
que de Johnson about the possibility of doing research and was placed on the snake
parasite project. Researchers in the project study snake parasitism in Overton Park
as a bioindicator for the health of the ecosystem.
"When you think about it, Overton Park is a fragmented forest surrounded by both
urban and residential areas," Khan explains. "Our creation of these urban and resi-
dential areas is affecting the ecological balance between the snakes and parasites."
Khan has become passionate about the project, that she has been working on dur-
ing her entire time at Rhodes. "It's been a wonderful and exciting experience be-
cause I've had the opportunity to involve myself in all the aspects of the study, in-
cluding GIS (geographic information system) work, microscopy, molecular analy-
sis and snake-catching."
Outfitted in her peacock rain boots for protection, Khan
has embarked on several snake hunts in Overton Park, the
project's main study site. She laughs, "My mom makes
fun of me for catching snakes but being too afraid to kill a
spider."
Khan and Luque de Johnson once traveled to a nearby
swamp for a snake-catching exploit. She laughs about her
experience trudging through the swamp water in search of
snakes. "I fell in six or seven times and forgot a change of
clothes," she recalls. "When I met my brother's fiancee
that night, I looked like a swamp monster."
Continued…...
The research team is
in the process of
confirmed their dis-
covery of an
unidentified
hepatozoon
species of blood
parasite that they
have isolated from
the snakes.
P a g e 1 0
Vol. 27, No. 10
Snake Studies Continued….
The research team is in the process of confirming their discovery of an unidenti-
fied hepatozoon species of blood parasite that they have isolated from the snakes.
If they are able to prove it, they will be able to name the new species, a task that
has gotten Khan excitedly playing around with potential names.
"Adiha not only thrives in the field but in the lab as well," says Luque de Johnson.
"By her sophomore year she was able to run and troubleshoot molecular assays."
At the end of that year, Khan presented her research at the American Society of
Parasitology conference in Anchorage, Alaska, alongside mostly graduate and
Ph.D. students.
Khan credits her liberal arts education for her diversity of skills and interests. Her
dual love of biology and English has enabled her to develop her writing skills
through many outlets.
"I co-authored a publication that was published last March in the Journal of Urban
Ecosystems," Khan says. "It involved a lot of writing, editing and reviewing.
These are skills that I was able to develop through a fiction-writing seminar with
Professor Mark Behr."
In addition to her work in the lab, Khan has been working on a paranormal fiction
novel since her freshman year. She hopes to use her free time after she graduates in
December to fully develop the story.
Khan currently serves as the unit coordinator of the oral surgery unit of the Re-
gional Medical Center at Memphis and the president of Tri-Beta Honor Society at
Rhodes. She plans to enter dental school next fall to pursue a career in oral surgery
and facial reconstruction.
"I have never regretted taking a chance on this enthusiastic, intelligent, young
woman," Luque de Johnson says. "Four years later, I do not see Adiha as my stu-
dent, I see her as a partner in research."
Caroline Ponset is a Rhodes student associate in the communications office.
Pa g e 1 1
Could Frogs Hold Cure for Glaucoma & Blindness?
Washington & Lee Researchers Exploring
Reprinted with permission from HerpDigest, Vol. 12, #47, 10/07/12
Vol. 27, No. 10
By: Tim Ciesco | WSLS10, Published: September 25, 2012
They may not be not princes in disguise, but researchers at Washington & Lee University believe frogs
hold a different kind of secret -- the secret to curing degenerative eye conditions, like glaucoma, in hu-
mans.
"We're doing some really new stuff," said Luke Deary, a Senior at Washington & Lee who is working on
the project. "I hope it can spawn into something that really helps a lot of people."
When a frog's optic nerve -- the connector between the eye and the brain that allows it to see -- is dam-
aged, it's able to regenerate that nerve. In other words, the frog can regain its sight. That is not the case
in humans or other mammals.
"The question is why frogs?" said Dr. Fiona Watson, an Assistant Professor of Biology and Neuroscience
at Washington & Lee, who is leading the project. It's a question she and a group of undergraduate stu-
dents want to answer. Specifically, they want to figure out what genes in a frog turn on or off during that
regeneration process.
"What we hope is we'll be able to figure out how the frogs can do it and see if there may be some therapy
we can apply to the clinic," said Watson.
The frogs they're using in the study have been altered so that a group of cells in their eyes called retinal
ganglion cells give off a green glow when observed through a special microscope. Watson says they do
that to help distinguish these cells they want to study from other cells.
They begin by giving the frog an anesthetic, then very carefully go through its mouth to "crush" or dam-
age the optic nerve in one eye. After about 35 days, when the optic nerve regenerates, they collect tissue
samples from the frogs, which they study further. Finally, they send the samples off for gene sequenc-
ing.
"The frog genome and the human genome are very similar," said Watson.
While there's still a lot of research that has to take place before they're able to reach the end goal, the
group says they're excited about what they're doing and what the future holds for their work.
"Just being a part of that is pretty great," said Bayan Misaghi, a sophomore at Washington & Lee, who is
also working on the project.
Watson and her team are working with another group from Johns Hopkins University where researchers
want to recreate the regeneration process in mice.
http://www2.wsls.com/news/2012/sep/25/could-frogs-hold-cure-glaucoma-blindness-wl-resear-ar-
2232511/ for video version of story.
Classifieds
Join the Global Gecko Association Today!
The GGA is a six year old international organization dedicated to the needs of all people interested in geckos.
Members receive the twice-yearly, full-color journal, “Gekko”, plus “Chit-Chat”, our quarterly newsletter.
Annual Membership is $32 US, $34 Canada/Mexico, $36 Overseas.
Email: [email protected] (503)-436-1064 or www.gekkota.com
Pa g e 1 2
Advertise in the PNHS Newsletter!
Business Card .............................$5
Quarter Page................................$10
Half Page ....................................$15
Full Page .....................................$25
If you would like to place an ad
in the PNHS newsletter, please contact:
GET PUBLICITY FOR YOUR BUSINESS
& SUPPORTING PNHS!
Feeder Insects & Rodents
I have superworms, giant mealworms, and lots more!Plus, I now carry frozen rodents.
Order in advance: special pricing for PNHS
members,,as well as quantity discounts!
For pick up and PNHS meeting delivery.
Jennifer Sronce (425) 750-0477
Bean Farm’s Creative Habitats
Slide-Top Aquariums
Various sizes available.
We can deliver the cages to the meetings, as well as any other item from the Bean Farm catalogue.
Please contact us by the Friday before the meeting in order for items to be delivered. Thank you!
Paula & Giovani Fagioli (877) 708-5882
Email: [email protected]
www.beanfarm.com
Screaming Roaches!*** Dubia Roaches For Sale
All sizes available -Our roaches are gutloaded with Re-
pashy “Superload” as well as a mixture of fresh fruits
and vegetables. Your herps will love them!
*** They’re roaches; I’m screaming. Please save me by
contacting: [email protected]
Contact Information
PNHS
P.O. Box 27542 General information: 206-628-4740
Seattle, WA 98165 Email: [email protected]
www.pnwhs.org Adoptions:206-583-0686
Area Representatives
N King & Snohomish Brenda Huber 206-334-7168 [email protected]
S King & Pierce Dale Drexler 253-606-4328 [email protected]
Greater Seattle Brenda Huber 206-334-7168 [email protected]
Kitsap, Island Troy Barnhart 360-908-8766 [email protected]
Oregon Elizabeth Freer 503-436-1064 [email protected]
Officers for 2012
President Brenda Huber [email protected]
Vice President Brandon Winter [email protected]
Treasurer Dale Drexler [email protected]
Secretary Teresa Montoya [email protected]
Members-At-Large Ted Adams [email protected]
David Brunnelle [email protected] Carol Dean [email protected]
Matt Lee [email protected]
Julie Sharkey [email protected]
Event Coordinator Norm Hill [email protected]
Newsletter Editor Marian Huber [email protected]
Webmaster Geoff Sweet [email protected]
Find us on
FACEBOOK!
V o l . 2 7 , N o . 1 0
Recommended EXOTIC VETS
Dr. Tracy Bennett
Dr. Daniel Lejnieks
Bird & Exotic Clinic of Seattle
4019 Aurora Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 783-4538
www.birdandexotic.com
Dr. Elizabeth Kamaka
Kamaka Exotic Animal Vet-
erinary Services
23914—56th Ave. W. #3
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
(425) 361-2183
www.kamakaexoticvet.com
Dr. Adolf Maas
The Center For Bird & Exotic
Animal Medicine
11401 NE 195th St.
Bothell, WA 98011
(425) 486-9000
www.avianandexoticanimalhospit
al..com
To join PNHS, please print & complete the following application,
enclose your yearly or multi-yearly membership fee and return to:
PNHS Membership Secretary
P.O. Box 27542
Seattle, WA 98165
Membership applications and fees may also be received at the monthly meetings by the Membership Secretary. With your yearly or multi-year membership fee you will receive the monthly PNHS E-Newsletter, access to membership pricing for adoption ani-mals, and the opportunity to participate in the many outreaches and special “Members Only” events held throughout the year.
Please select one of the options below:
Please select your preferred membership category:
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(One person) (1-2 parents + Children)
Institutional Membership Correspondence Membership
(Institutions/Organizations) (E-Newsletter Only)
Please select the format in which you would like to receive your newsletter:
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Name(s) (please print clearly): ______________________________________________
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Please make checks payable to PNHS. Thank you!
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