HerpDigest.org: The Only Free Weekly Electronic Newsletter That Reports on The Latest News on Herpetological Conservation and Science

HerpDigest.org: The Only Free Weekly Electronic Newsletter That Reports on The Latest News on Herpetological Conservation and Science
Volume # 9 Issue #37 - 8/17/09
Publisher/Editor- Allen Salzberg
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TWO NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE AT HERPDIGST

FOLLOWING THE WATER: A HYDROMANCER'S NOTEBOOK
New Book by MacArthur Genius Award winner David M. Caroll,author Of the now classics, "The Year of the Turtles," Self-Portrait with Turtles, and Swampwalker's Journal (Limited number of Autographed Copies Will Be Available, Herpdigest has exclusive on autographed copies. Orders are already coming in.)

LIZARDS OF THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, (Includes 5 Mexican States) edited by Lawrence Jones and Robert Lovich, (6 Autographed Copies Left. When They Are Gone All Orders Will Be Filled With Non Autographed Copies.)

For more information on books and how to order see below
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Table of Contents

1) David Carroll Talks About His Life With Turtles. (Short Video)
2) Latent Mortality of Juvenile Snapping Turtles from the Upper Hudson River, New York, Exposed Maternally and Via the Diet to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
3) Gaffney Turtle Symposium (Study Of Fossil Turtles)
4) Center for Biodiversity Alerts for Help to Stop Commercial Collection of Turtles in Tennessee and Arkansas
5) Hundreds Of New Species Discovered In Fragile Eastern Himalayas- Decade Of Discovery Includes Prehistoric Gecko, Flying Frog And World's Second Smallest Deer
6) So Snappy Together - Close Encounter ... Chico And His Best Mate 17 Foot Crocodile
7) The Wild's Creeping Killer - Cancer
8) Bibliography of Issues of - IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History 16 (1) & (2) Two Issues Published So Far This Year. It's A Quarterly - Next Issue - Due Out Soon.
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Still Available from Herpdigest -
TURTLES OF THE US & CANADA BY Carl Ernst and Jeffrey Lovich$95.00 plus $ 5 shipping media mail.
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Addendum, to article 5 issue 36Secretary Treasurer of "African Journal of Herpetology" -Herpetological Association of Africa - is nowMandi Alblas/Stellenbosch University/Dept of Biomedical SciencesDivision of Anatomy & Histology/P.O. Box 19063/Tygerberg, 7505Tel: +27 21 938 9394/Fax: +27 21 938 9317Mobile: 0825771645MandiEmail aa2@sun.ac.za
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1) David Carroll Talks About His Life With Turtles. (Short Video)WBUR, 90.9 /February 16, 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB56v9nSMiwhttp://www.wbur.org/news/local/turtle/

In recognition of his work with turtles, Carroll was named a 2006 MacArthur Fellow. The Foundation said: "His understanding of the plants and animals that comprise these natural systems makes him a valuable resource for herpetologists, ecologists, and conservationists, providing a meticulous chronicle of life in areas threatened by human encroachment..." (MacArthur Foundation.)_______________________________________________________________________________
2) Latent Mortality of Juvenile Snapping Turtles from the Upper Hudson River, New York, Exposed Maternally and Via the Diet to Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Karen M. Eisenreich, Shannon M. Kelly and Christopher L. Rowe*University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, PO Box 38, Solomons, Maryland 20688Environ. Sci. Technol., 2009, 43 (15), pp 6052-6057DOI: 10.1021/es9008344Publication Date (Web): July 2, 2009* Corresponding author phone: (410) 326-7227; fax: (410) 326-7302; e-mail: rowe@cbl.umces.edu.

Abstract
We conducted a factorial experiment to compare sublethal and lethal responses of juvenile snapping turtles exposed maternally and/or through the diet to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) over 14 months posthatching. Maternal exposure did not affect embryonic development or hatching success. Thyrosomatic indices were not influenced by treatments, although hepatosomatic indices were lower in animals having been exposed to PCBs maternally relative to those having been exposed both maternally and via the diet. Dietary PCB exposure reduced metabolic rates of juveniles in two of three assays conducted. Approximately eight months after hatching, high rates of mortality began to emerge in individuals having been exposed maternally to PCBs, and mortality rate correlated with [PCB]total in eggs. Prior to death, individuals that died experienced lower growth rates than those that survived, suggesting chronic effects prior to death. By 14 months posthatching, only 40% of juveniles derive!d from females in the contaminated area had survived, compared to 90% from the reference area. Such latent effects of maternally derived contaminants suggest that assessments of environmental impacts based upon shorter-term studies may provide very conservative estimates of the severity of effects, as they cannot capture responses that may emerge later in the life cycle.
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3) Gaffney Turtle Symposium (Study Of Fossil Turtles)

On October 17 & 18, 2009, the Royal Tyrrell Museum will recognize the contributions of Gene Gaffney to the study of fossil turtles by bringing together paleontologists, geologists, and science enthusiasts from around the world to share the results of recent research on fossil turtles. Keynote speakers are Richard Moody and Robert Carroll, as well as Gene Gaffney, who will not only speak about his own research, but also on the history of fossil turtle studies. A published abstract volume of the symposium will be available, along with a separate Festschrift volume in honour of Gene Gaffney, after the symposium.

After the sessions and presentations, a special field trip to Dinosaur Provincial Park is being offered. Please see below for more information.

Symposium Events
* Friday evening (October 16) Icebreaker at the Royal Tyrrell Museum with cash bar
* Saturday & Sunday (October 17 & 18) talks, scientific posters, and viewing of new turtle specimens
* Saturday evening (October 17) BBQ supper
* One-day field trip to Dinosaur Provincial Park on Monday, October 19 (there is a separate fee for the field trip)

Contact Us
Toll free in North America (outside Alberta) 1-888-440-4240
Toll free in Alberta 310-0000 then (403) 823-7707
Outside North America 1-403-823-7707
Emailtyrrell.info@gov.ab.ca
Please ask for the Bookings Office.
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4) Center for Biodiversity Alerts for Help to Stop Commercial Collection of Turtles in Tennessee and Arkansas

Canter for Biodiveristy has created an online action alert regarding Tennessee turtle harvest, to make it easier for individuals to send a message to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission.

See http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=27781

Please have your conservation organization send in your own letter rather than a form letter - this will be much more effective with the commission. It is especially important for groups in Tennessee and neighboring states to weigh in.

Arkansas
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will also discuss our turtle harvest ban petition on Thursday, August 20th in Little Rock. See http://www.agfc.com/commission/commission-agenda.aspx. If you are in Arkansas, please attend this meeting and speak out for turtle protection!

Please write to the Arkansas Commission and urge a complete ban on commercial turtle harvest in Arkansas.

Commissioners:
shenderson@agfc.state.ar.us
brettmorgan@att.netlburns@stephensgroup.com
gdunklin@dunklingrain.com
ronpierce@suddenlink.net
Rick@TheWatkinsCompany.com
rduncan@agfc.state.ar.usemahony@suddenlinkmail.com

Talking points:
Contaminated turtles harvested in Arkansas are being sold domestically as food, and are exported in increasing numbers to international food markets. Many of these turtles are harvested from streams under fish advisories due to aquatic contaminants that are carcinogenic or harmful to humans, such as DDT, PCBs, pesticides, mercury, and other heavy metals. Turtles can bioaccumulate much greater levels of aquatic contaminants than fish. The consumption of contaminated turtles is a substantial public health risk.

Freshwater turtles cannot sustain any significant level of harvest from the wild without population crashes, because commercial collecting of wild turtles intensifies the effects of water pollution, road mortality, incidental take from fishing, and habitat loss, which are already causing turtle declines.

Interstate and international wildlife exporters and dealers are exploiting Arkansas laws allowing turtle harvest. State wildlife agencies in Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Alabama have recently prohibited commercial take of freshwater turtles from the wild due to turtle population crashes. Wildlife biologists from these states are recommending that neighboring states also prohibit harvest, since wildlife traffickers are stepping up harvest in unregulated states and illegally trapping turtles in states where they are protected and claiming they were collected in states where harvest is still legal.

Please act immediately to end all commercial harvest, sales and export of wild turtles, both from public and private waters, for wildlife protection and health reasons.

From - Jeff Miller/Conservation Advocate/Center for Biological Diversity351 California Street, Suite 600/San Francisco, CA 94104/Phone: (415) 436-9682 x303Fax: (415) 436-9683/Web site: www.biologicaldiversity.org
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5) Hundreds Of New Species Discovered In Fragile Eastern HimalayasDecade Of Discovery Includes Prehistoric Gecko, Flying Frog And World's Second Smallest Deer

FULL REPORT can be found at the following address: http://www.divshare.com/download/8102140-6fa

PICTURES can be downloaded at the following address (Password: flying frog): https://intranet.panda.org/wwf_photos/index.cfm?albumId=3346

Press Release: 8/10/009Lee Poston , lee.poston@wwfus.org /(202) 495-4536

Washington, DC - Over 350 new species including the world's second smallest deer, a "flying frog" and a 100 million-year old gecko have been discovered in the Eastern Himalayas, a biological treasure trove now threatened by climate change.

A decade of research carried out by scientists in remote mountain areas endangered by rising global temperatures brought exciting discoveries such as a bright green frog that uses its red and long webbed feet to glide in the air.One of the most significant findings was not exactly "new" in the classic sense. A 100-million year-old gecko, the oldest fossil gecko species known to science, was discovered in an amber mine in the Hukawng Valley in the northern Myanmar.
The WWF report The Eastern Himalayas - Where Worlds Collide details discoveries made by scientists from various organizations between 1998 and 2008 in a region reaching across Bhutan and north-east India to the far north of Myanmar as well as Nepal and southern parts of Tibet Autonomus Region (China).

"The good news of this explosion in species discoveries is tempered by the increasing threats to the Himalayas' cultural and biological diversity," said Jon Miceler, Director of WWF's Eastern Himalayas Program. "This rugged and remarkable landscape is already seeing direct, measurable impacts from climate change and risks being lost forever."

In December world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to reach an agreement on a new climate deal, which will replace the existing Kyoto Protocol.The Eastern Himalayas- Where Worlds Collide describes more than 350 new species discovered - including 244 plants, 16 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 14 fish, 2 birds, 2 mammals and at least 60 new invertebrates.

The report mentions the miniature muntjac, also called the "leaf deer," which is the world's oldest and second smallest deer species. Scientists initially believed the small creature found in the world's largest mountain range was a juvenile of another species but DNA tests confirmed the light brown animal with innocent dark eyes was a distinct and new species.

The Eastern Himalayas harbor a staggering 10,000 plant species, 300 mammal species, 977 bird species, 176 reptiles, 105 amphibians and 269 types of freshwater fish. The region also has the highest density of Bengal tigers in the world and is the last bastion of the charismatic greater one-horned rhino.WWF is working to conserve the habitat of endangered species such as snow leopards, Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, red pandas, takin, golden langurs, Gangetic dolphins and one-horned rhinos.

Historically, the rugged and largely inaccessible landscape of the Eastern Himalayas has made biological surveys in the region extremely difficult. As a result, wildlife has remained poorly surveyed and there are large areas that are still biologically unexplored.

Today further species continue to be unearthed and many more species of amphibians,
Reptiles and fish are currently in the process of being officially named by scientists.
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6) So Snappy Together - Close Encounter ... Chico And His Best Mate 17 Foot CrocodileBy Virginia Wheeler, The Sun (U.K.), 8/17/09

IF you thought the legend of the horse whisperer was impressive, here's an animal tale with even more bite.

Rather than trying to tame wild stallions, fearless Costa Rican fisherman Chito prefers a playful wrestle in the water with his best pal Pocho - a deadly 17ft crocodile.

The 52-year-old daredevil draws gasps of amazement from onlookers by wading chest-deep into the water, then whistling for his 980lb buddy - and giving him an affectionate hug.

Crazy Chito says: "Pocho is my best friend. This is a very dangerous routine but we have a good relationship. He will look me in the eye and not attack me.

"It is too dangerous for anyone else to come in the water. It is only ever the two of us."

Chito made friends with the croc after finding him with a gunshot wound on the banks of the Central American state's Parismina river 20 years ago.

He had been shot in the left eye by a cattle farmer and was close to death.

But Chito enlisted the help of several pals to load the massive reptile into his boat.

He says: "When I found Pocho in the river he was dying, so I brought him into my house.

"He was very skinny, weighing only around 150lb. I gave him chicken and fish and medicine for six months to help him recover.

"I stayed by Pocho's side while he was ill, sleeping next to him at night. I just wanted him to feel that somebody loved him, that not all humans are bad.

"It meant a lot of sacrifice. I had to be there every day. I love all animals - especially ones that have suffered."

It took years before Chito felt that Pocho had bonded with him enough to get closer to the animal.

He says: "After a decade I started to work with him. At first it was slow, slow. I played with him a bit, slowly doing more.

"Then I found out that when I called his name he would come over to me."

At one point during his recovery, Chito left the croc in a lake near his house. But as he turned to walk away, to his amazement Pocho got out of the water and began to follow him home.

Chito recalls: "That convinced me the crocodile could be tame." But when he first fearlessly waded into the water with the giant reptile his family was so horrified they couldn't bear to watch. So instead, he took to splashing around with Pocho when they were asleep.

Four years ago Chito showed some of his tricks to friends, including getting the animal to close his eyes on command, and they convinced him to go public with a show.

Now he swims and plays with Pocho as well as feeding him at the lake near his home in the lowland tropical town of Sarapiqui.

The odd couple have now become a major tourist attraction, with several tour operators, including Crocodile Adventures, taking visitors on touring cruises to see the pair.

On the Crocodile Adventures website it describes the spectacle as: "One of the most amazing things that no cruise ship passenger will want to miss, the adventure show between the man and the crocodile."

American crocodiles, which inhabit North, Central and South America, can live to around 70 years old. It is estimated that Pocho is around 50 - almost the same age as his owner.

They are also said to be less aggressive than their Nile or Australian counterparts.

Chito, whose real name is Gilberto Shedden, was given his nickname by friends, who also call him "Tarzan Tico" - Tico being a familiar word for a Costa Rican.

And he certainly plays up to the name, wearing a tattered pair of leopard-print shorts for his half-hour performances with Pocho.

A keen conservationist, he also offers boat tours, where he eagerly points out a variety of wildlife.

But he only charges a few dollars to watch the breathtaking crocodile show, claiming he does not want to cash in on Pocho.

He says: "He's my friend, I don't want to treat him like a slave or exploit him.

"I am happy because I rescued him and he is happy with me because he has everything he needs."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/2589865/Blokes-best-mate-is-a-crocodile.html

For photos and a video.
________________________________________________________________________7) The Wild's Creeping Killer - Cancer
Jul 27, 2009 , Newsweek

In 1999, wildlife disease specialist Thierry Work looked over the bow of his small whaler as it cut through a lagoon on the south side of Molokai, an island in Hawaii. On an emergent rock he saw a listless sea turtle, waiting to die.

"This guy was so weak that he just let us pick him up," says Work, who runs the National Wildlife Health Center'sHonolulu field station. "He was so emaciated that his ventral was completely disked in. You could fill him up with water and use him as a bowl." Like more than quarter of the green turtles Work has plucked from the water or found stranded on Hawaii's beaches, this one was covered with tumors on its eyes and mouth, dying from a poorly understood form of cancer.

Work's turtle is one of a wide array of species afflicted by a range of cancers, according to a paper published in the July and August editions of Nature Reviews Cancer. "Wildlife Cancer: a conservation perspective summarizes mounting evidence of human's contribution to carcinogenesis in wild-animal populations across the globe, thanks to man-made toxins dumped into wildlife's natural habitats. (For references to the specific articles see bottom of article)
"I am concerned that we as humans continue to impact the environment quite significantly," says Denise McAloose, the report's lead author and chief pathologist for the Wildlife Conservations Society's (WCS) Global Health Program. "As the human population continues to grow and utilize resources and damage the environment, I do believe that we will continue to see the emergence of disease, including cancer in wildlife."

On San Francisco's touristy Pier 39, the incessant barking of male sea lions and their harems of smaller females fills the air. Periodically Frances Gulland, the director of veterinary science at the Marine Mammal Center in neighboring Sausalito, receives calls from the pier reporting a sea lion crippled by tumors. Despite huge swelling on and around their hind flippers and anus, Gulland says the animals "mask their pain" in a last ditch effort to elude opportunistic predators. "You see that they have been struggling and struggling."

According to Gulland, 17 percent of the sea lions brought to the center die of renal failure or paralysis, caused when tumors linked to Otarine herpesvirus-1 travel up the genital tact and push against the kidney and spine. According to the Nature Reviews Cancer article, sea lions that died of genital carcinoma had an 85 percent higher concentration of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their system than other sea lions. (PCBs are toxic compounds used in coolants and electrical transformers.) Gulland points out that blubber samples of sea lions who died of cancer also show high concentrations of the pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), in part because many are born near the Channel Islands where 1,700 tons of the toxin were dumped prior to its ban in 1972.

For more information:
Nature Reviews Cancer 9, 517-526 (July 2009)
Science and society: Wildlife cancer: a conservation perspective
Denise McAloose1 & Alisa L. Newton1 s

Until recently, cancer in wildlife was not considered to be a conservation concern. However, with the identification of Tasmanian devil facial tumour disease, sea turtle fibropapillomatosis and sea lion genital carcinoma, it has become apparent that neoplasia can be highly prevalent and have considerable effects on some species. It is also clear that anthropogenic activities contribute to the development of neoplasia in wildlife species, such as beluga whales and bottom-dwelling fish, making them sensitive sentinels of disturbed environments.

(* In the version of this article initially published online and in print, table 1 on page 521 mistakenly indicated papillomavirus as the associated virus for flatback turtle (Natator depressus), olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Kemp's ridley turtle (L. kempii) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). These entries have therefore been removed from the table.
Reference 154 has also been removed from the article because other references in the main text discuss the virus association in specific turtle species. Accordingly, references 155-162 have been renumbered as references 154-161. These errors have been corrected for the HTML and PDF versions of the article.)

Nature Reviews Cancer 9, 605 (August 2009)
Science and society : Wildlife cancer: a conservation perspective
Denise McAloose & Alisa L. Newton

Nature Reviews Cancer 9, 517-526 (2009)
In table 1 on page 521 of the above article, the associated virus for flatback turtle (Natator depressus), olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Kemp's ridley turtle (L. kempii) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) was mistakenly indicated as papillomavirus. These entries have therefore been removed from the table. Reference 154 has also been removed from the article because other references in the main text discuss the virus association in specific turtle species. Accordingly, references 155-162 have been renumbered as references 154-161.

Author affiliations
1. Denise McAloose and Alisa L. Newton are at Pathology and Disease Investigation, Global Health Program, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York, New York 10460, USA.

Correspondence to: Denise McAloose1 Email: dmcaloose@wcs.org
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8) Bibliography of Issues of - IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History 16 (1) & (2) Two Issues Published So Far This Year. It's A Quarterly - Next Issue - Due Out Soon.

Copies of these two issues are available for sale ($8.00 each). Email Breck Batholomew at Breck Bartholomew, Bibliomania: breck@herplit.com

To subscribe and/or become a member go to http://www.ircf.org/

IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History 16 (1)
Ariano-Sanchez, Daniel and Lester Melendez. 2009. Arboreal alligator lizards in the genus Abronia : emeralds from the cloud forests of Guatemala. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 24-27.

Burton, Fred. 2009. One species that will be saved: The Grand Canyon Cayman Blue Iguana. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 38-41.

Colon Achilla, Alfredo D. 2009. Turning the tables: Lizard eats snake. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 28.

Gagliardo, Ron. 2009. Beyond 2008 "Year of the Frog": The challenges facing amphibians and the amphibian ark. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 29-37.

Grismer, Jesse L. 2009. Battle of the sexes: asexuality versus sexuality. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 2-5.

Gutman, Al. 2009. Book Review: Animals Make Us Human. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 54.

Mathis, Alicia and Adam Crane. 2009. Saving a giant salamader. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 18-23.Perry, Gad and Robert Powell. 2009. The herpetofauna of Guana Island: an annotated checklist and treavelogue. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 6-17.

Pieper, Lynner, Stesha Pasachnik and Kirsten Hines. 2009. Profile: John Iverson: Reseacher, Teacher, Friend. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 48-53.

Rudman, Seth. 2009. Madagascar. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (1): 42-47.

IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History 16 (2)

Alvarado Z., Luis F. 2009. Project heloderma and project palearis: progress toward an In-situ reproduction center. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 110-115.

Benton, Thomas H. 2009. Revisiting natural science. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 102-106.

Brock, Jason. 2009. Keeping and breeding impressed tortoises (Manouria impressa). IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 98-101.

Germano, Jen and Lisa Daglish. 2009. The plight of the world's most archaic frogs. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 66-73.

Grismer, L. Lee, Norhayati Ahmad and Chan Kin Onn. 2009. New faces from ancient places: uncovering peninsular Malaysia's hidden lizard diversity part I: Geckos. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 90-97.

Kacoliris, Federico P. 2009. Biology and conservation of the sand dune lizard (Liolaemus multimaculatus). IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 74-81.

LaFee, Scott. 2009. Dead reckoning: Calculating the costs of an ongoing mass extinction. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 106-109.

Mendelson III, Joseph R. 2009. Discovering and naming new species ofamphibians. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 82-89.

Powell, Robert. 2009. Book Reviews: Mean and Lowly Things. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 116.

Powell, Robert. 2009. Book Reviews: Wet Places. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians: Conservation and Natural History. 16 (2): 117.
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MORE ON BOOKS ----
Following the Water: A Hydromancer's NotebookNew Book by MacArthur Genius Award winner David M. Caroll, (author of the now classics, "The Year of the Turtles," Self-Portrait with Turtles, and Swampwalker's Journal (Author And Illustrator)
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009, 208 pages,

HerpDigest will have available a limited number of autographed copies. Only $24.00 plus &7.50 for S&H within the U.S.

Synopsis
The writer, naturalist, and artist David Carroll illuminates the ecology and life histories the tree frogs, hawks, foxes, and the increasingly rare wood and spotted turtles he has been tracking for decades with the precision and passion that won him a 2006 MacArthur "genius" award.

Following the Water is the intensely observed chronicle of Carroll's annual March-to-November wetlands immersion-from the joy of the first turtle sighting in March to the gorgeously described, vibrant trilling of tree frogs ("lichen with eyes") in late May to the ancient sense of love and loss Carroll experiences each autumn when it is time once again to part with open water.

Illustrated with the author's fine pen-and-ink drawings, Following theWater is a gorgeous evocation of nature, an utterly unique "admission ticket to a secret corner of the world" (Bill McKibben).

REVIEW
From Publishers WeeklyIn this sensuous nature journal, MacArthur genius award winner Carroll (The Year of the Turtle) follows the inhabitants of his local New Hampshire wetlands through a season of turtle life from March thaw, when the turtles wake from hibernation, to November, when ice puts them back to sleep, along the way celebrating such personal holy days as the Return of the Red-winged Blackbird. Wearing camouflage and waders, he meets wildlife on its own terms. At the sudden appearance of a red doe, he wonders, to have those senses-would I trade my thinking, dreaming, imagining mind for them for one full day... would I ever want to come back? He watches a thirsty turtle hatchling encountering water for the first time: he extends his neck full length, immerses his head, closes his eyes and drinks for 21 minutes. Accompanied by Carroll's own exquisite drawings, this poetic recording of his season of loving observation is subdued by Carroll's dread of habitat destruction and nostalgia for a !boyhood when I entered waters that, if not alive themselves, were so filled with light and life that my binding with them was as much metaphysical as physical.

Biography
DAVID M. CARROLL is the author of The Year of the Turtle, Trout Reflections, Self-Portrait with Turtles, and Swampwalker's Journal, which won the prestigious John Burroughs Medal. In 2006 he won a MacArthur "genius" award for his work as a writer, artist, and naturalist. Carroll has been featured on Today (where he reached down into swampy water, miraculously pulled up a turtle he knew, and told her history), in numerous newspapers and magazines, and in the most popular documentary in the history of New Hampshire public television. He is an active lecturer and consultant to conservation institutions throughout New England.

AND

Lizards of the American Southwest, (Includes 5 Mexican States) edited by Lawrence Jones and Robert Lovich,560 pages, Rivo Neuvo Publishers, Tucson, AZ, Official publication date -September 2009, English, Over 400 color photos,

An amazing bargain at only $24.95 Plus $5.00 for shipping and handling in the U.S. (sent media mail, delivery confirmation).

Order now. HerpDigest has a limited amount of copies autographed by the editors. Do it now to insure you get one of the copies.

Product DescriptionLizards of the American Southwest covers all 96 species found in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Texas west of the Pecos River. Also four Mexican states: Baja California, Baja California sur, Sonora and Chihuahua.

Learn where to find lizards and how to identify them. Includes detailed information on habitat, natural history, taxonomy, viewing tips, laws and regulations, conservation, plus hundreds of photos, illustrations, and maps.

77 experts contributed to this book making it the most comprehensive guide to Lizards of the Southwest.

Includes checklist by state (U.S. and Mexico) which lizards by scientific name, common English name and Spanish Standard vernacular. Mexican vernacular.

About the AuthorsLawrence Jones has a BS and MS in zoology from California State University, Long Beach, and has worked for 25 years in the research and management branches of the USDA Forest Service and other public agencies. Larry has over 60 scientific and popular publications, including two books on amphibians of the Pacific Northwest.

Robert Lovich is a herpetologist with over a decade of experience working in the southwestern United States. He will soon complete his PhD. at Loma Linda University on the conservation genetics of the endangered Arroyo Toad. Robert has strong interests in the natural history and evolution of reptiles and amphibians, and a long list of peer-reviewed publications.

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