NEWSLETTER OF THE

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

DECEMBER 1992 VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SOUTH EAST MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

Do you ever have a question about one of your herps and wonder who might be able to provide an answer? Most who keep pets of any kind have been is this situation at one time or another. A group of MRS members has vOlun ____ _ to provide assistance. Listed below are the people and their specialties. Please be reasonable about the time of d~~ how frequently you call.

CD

Large pythons and constrictors Glen (Jake) Jacobsen 757-8268 Vence Jimerson 869-8547

Lizards Nancy Haig 789-4637 Bill Moss 488-1383 Drew Newman (Iguana) 776-2116

Terrestrial turtles and tortoises John Moriarty 647-1334 Ann Porwoll 489-7853

Other Snakes John Meltzer John Levell Connie Delles

Amphibians John Meltzer Greg K vanbek Drew Newman

Aquatic Turtles Michele Stillinger Dennis Daly

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY

HENNEPIN REGIONAL POISON CENTER (612) 347-3141

MINNESOTA POISON CONTROL SYSTEM

LOCAL (612) 221-2113

OUT OF STATE (800) 222-1222

263-7880 374-5422 374-5422

263-7880 533-7723 776-2116

588-4613 633-8370

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: JANUARY 8, 1993

Copyright Minnesota Herpetological Society. The contents of this newsletter may be reproduced for inclusion in the newsletters of other herpetological societies provided that the material is reproduced without change and proper credits are given to the MHS Newsletter, citing, volume, number, and date.

NEWSLETTER OF THE

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

DECEMBER 1992 VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 10 CHURCH STREET SOUTH EAST MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

Do you ever have a question about one of your herps and wonder who might be able to provide an answer? Most people who keep pets of any kind have been is this situation at one time or another. A group of MRS members has volunteered to provide assistance. Listed below are the people and their specialties. Please be reasonable about the time of day and how frequently you call.

Large pythons and constrictors Other Snakes Glen (Jake) Jacobsen 757-8268 John Meltzer 263-7880 Vence Jimerson 869-8547 John Levell 374-5422

Connie Delles 374-5422

Lizards Amphibians Nancy Haig 789-4637 John Meltzer 263-7880 Bill Moss 488-1383 Greg K vanbek 533-7723 Drew Newman (Iguana) 776-2116 Drew Newman 776-2116

Terrestrial turtles and tortoises Aquatic Turtles John Moriarty 647-1334 Michele Stillinger 588-4613 Ann Porwoll 489-7853 Dennis Daly 633-8370

SNAKEBITE EMERGENCY

HENNEPIN REGIONAL POISON CENTER (612) 347-3141

MINNESOTA POISON CONTROL SYSTEM

LOCAL (612) 221-2113

OUT OF STATE (800) 222-1222

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: JANUARY 8, 1993

Copyright Minnesota Herpetological Society. The contents of this newsletter may be reproduced for inclusion in the newsletters of other herpetological societies provided that the material is reproduced without change and proper credits are given to the MRS Newsletter, citing, volume, number, and date.

INNESOTA ERPETOLOGICAL

MHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The purpose of the Minnesota Herpetological Society is: to further the education' of the membership and the general public in care and captive propagation of reptiles an amphibians; to 'educate the membership and the general public in the ecological role of reptiles and amphibians; and to promote the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

PRESIDENT Glen Jacobsen (612) 757-'8268

VICE-PRESIDENT Bill Moss (612) 488-1383

MEMBERSHIP SECRETAR'y Connie Delles (612) 374-5422

RECORDING SECRETARY Michele Stillinger (612) 588-.4613

TREASURER John Levell (612) 374-5422

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Julie Cherveny (612) 774-6786

MEMBER-AT-LARGE Randy Blasus (612) 688-7709

MEMBER-AT-LARGE Dennis Daly (612) 633-8370

MEMBER-AT-LARGE Nancy Haig (612) 789-4637

MEMBER-AT-LARGE Greg Kvanbek (612) 533-7723

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT John Meltzer (612) 263-7880

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12

O'CIETY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Next meeting update

Dec. Board meeting

Dec. Speaker Reyiew

MHS meeting misc.

A Comment on the Nov. Speaker Review

Article: Newsletter Review

2

3

3

4

5

6

Article: Reptile ID Class. III

MHS Classified 15

Classified . , 16

Corrections 16

CALANDER OF EVENTS

February 5, 1992--MHS White Snake Sale.

PAGEl

Date: Yriday, January 8, 1992 Time: 7:00 PM

Next Meeting

PROGRAM: Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey

SPEAKER: Mike Mossman - Wisconsin DNR

Place: Borlaug Hall St. Paul Campus U of M

Mike Mossman of the Wisconsin DNR will be talking to us about th~ Wisconsin Frog and Toad survey that has been taking place for the last ten years. This it the oldest survey of it's type in the United States. Mike and his survey team have amassed a large network of people from different groups perform this survey and the results are showing some interesting as well as alarming trends with some of the Wisconsin populations of frog~ and toads. .

This meeting will serve a dual purpose in that not only are we interested in what's happening with our neighbor states fauna, but also this will serve to kick off a similar program that we are going to try to establish in Minnesota.

This project will be one of importance to MRS as we will be coordinating the effort along with help from other state and county agencies.

More details specific to the project will be upcoming but I think it is important for us in MHS to attend this meeting and understand the importance of this project to Minnesota fauna.

CRITTER OF THE MONTH: Amphibians.

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 2

DECEMBER SPEAKER REVIEW

Our December guest was Pete Strimple, the President of the Greater Cincinnati Herpetological Society and well renowned expert on the subjects of monitor lizards and the green anaconda.

At the Friday night general meeting, Pete gave us his very comprehensive program on monitor lizards concentrating on the African, Asian and Indonesian species. Pete presented fantastic slides and was very effective in explaining the natural historY,and geographic range of each of the species. He included anecdotal information such as the Yemen monitor being first discovered by Wolfgang Bohme while watching a documentary about the wildlife of Yemen on German television in 1985. Judging by the reaction of the 110 or so people 'at the meeting, Pete was able to explain the Varanid family in a way that captured the attention of even the mor~ casually interested members of the society.

The subject of the green anaconda was the banquet talk on Saturday night. Pete spent time in Venezuela last summer studying the green anaconda in its natural habitat. This program not only presented interesting information about the green anaconda but was also a travelogue into the Apure region of Venezuela during the rainy season. We were privileged to travel, via Pete's slides, into Caracas and then to San Fernando where Pete waited five hours among non-English speaking people for his ride to arrive. He took us cross county into southern Venezuela where due to the close proximity to Columbia, there are armed soldiers on the streets. Along the way, there were iguana's in the tree-tops and electric eels in the waterways.

The anaconda is not as easily found during the wet season due to the larger areas of water in which it can roam but Pete did take many photos of the ones they caught as well as the first one Pete himself captured. Th~se animals are marked, measured, weighed and implanted with radio telemetry devices after which they are released unharmed.

It was found that not only do the anacondas of this region feed on water fowl but preliminary study indicates that its main source of food may be the caiman.

This anaconda research is funded by CITES and well as the New York Zoological Society. The program is scheduled to end next year.

I want to thank Pete for agreeing to come up to the frozen tundra of the north to visit and educate us. It was very worthwhile for all of us in attendance.

HELP A HAPLESS HERP

Anyone with animals to go up for adoption, should contact Glen Jacobsen at (612) 757-8268 prior to the meeting.

DECEMBER BOARD MEETING

There was no Board Meeting this month due to the Holiday Banquet, but there will be one next month.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 3

RAFFLE RESULTS

Thanks to Hans Paulson, Jake Jacobsen, TCR and John Levell for donating raffle items. The winners are listed below:

Joe Auger Karin Rea Dan· Kallhof Nancy Haig Lisa Hoy Bruce Haig

Nick Gidmark Dan Bergquist Julie Cherveny Laura Eliason Jason Nordby Laura Peterson Ben Gerholdt

Tony Gamble Michele Stillinger Tim Mornard

Drew Newman Brian Kallof Daniel Mortensen

Todd Cherveny Jr.

Thanks to all that purchased tickets. Reminder: PLEASE print your name, because I have a hard time reading the names. Thank You.

REFRESHMENTS

Thanks to Becky Helgesen, Toni and John Jesmer Jr for bringing refreshments. If you'd like to help provide treats for a meeting please talk to Candy Ashbach or Nanette Jimerson at the meeting to find out about what's needed.

CRITTER OF THE MONTH

The critter of the month was "Your Carnivorous lizards". The critters and their keepers are listed below.

Brian Lee Asian Water Monitor

Ben Gerholdt Anole

Theresa Kollander Savannah Monitor

Mary Gruman New Guinea Blue Tongue Skink ,/

Jake Jacobsen Australian--Northern Blue Tongue Skink

Brian Grussing West African Savannah Monitor

Bill Moss Nile Monitor

UPCOMING MEETINGS

February: No Program Scheduled due to the White Snake Sale.

March: Dick Buech- Minnesota Wood Turtles.

April: To Be Announced.

MHS NE\VSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 4

A COMMENT ON THE NOVEMBER SPEAKER REVIEW by

James E. Gerholdt

All in all, the comments on Dr. Keyler's program were well written an informative. However, it almost makes it sound like antivenins are antivenins, and not specific antivenins. This is not the case. Worldwide, there are more than 100 different antivenins manufactured by many different firms. Many of these are species specific. Some are polyvalents, and will work for more than one species.

If you keep venomous snakes, you have an obligation to know what antivenins you might need, and where they might be available. While it is true that "I'won't get bit", someone else might. An that someone might be a child, possibly one of yours!

Locally all that is available is Wyeth polyvalent. This is effective for the rattlesnakes (Crotalus and Sistrurus) , Copperhead and Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon) , including the A. halys of Korea and Japan, the Fer-de-Lance and other speci~s of Bothrops, the Cantil CA. bilineatus) , and the Bushmaster (Lachesis muta). These applications were taken from the insert found in the package of this antivenin! If this is not what you may be keeping, where is the nearest source of what you might need?

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGES

NEWSLETTER REVIEW Compiled by

Donna Calander

The Forked Tongue (Cincinnati): November 1992 Volume 17(11) Repair of a Box Turtle's shell after being hit by a car--a prosthetic was "sculpted".

Chicago Herp Society: 1992-1993 membership list.

Chicago Herp Society: November 1992 Volume 27 Number 11 Survey of lizards of the Cayos Siete Hermanos, Dominican Republic, Hispaniola; maps, 'illustrations, graphs. A member's observation of 2 combating male Fox snakes in the wild. A "How-to" article--building an incubator; diagram/illustration.

Sonoran Herpetologist: November 4, 1992 Volume 5 Number 11 Speaker Review--Michael E. Peterson, D.V.M. related his experiences as a herptoculturist; a sharing of ideas.

Pacific NW Herp So'c.: November 1992 Volume 5 Number 11 One members humorous recital of herping on Okinawa (Japan) . Brief account of the successful hatching of Komodo monitors at the National Zoo--Zoo staff were VERY exuberant.

The Tortuga Gazette: November 1992 Volume 28 Number 11 Turtle of the Month--Pancake Tortoise Brief account on twinning desert tortoises--both have so far survived, which is unusual. Brief highlights of the speakers at the First International Congress of Chelonia Pathology held in Gonfaron, France.

Reptile & Amphibian Magazine: November/December 1992 Article on the central Bearded Dragon. Article on Appalachian Salamanders. Article on Blind Snakes (Leptotyphlopidae). Article on Leatherbacks. Article on the Herpetofauna of Costa Rica. Article, by a vet, on the Velvet Disease in amphibians (intended for professionals and advanced amateurs). Article on the husbandry of the Oriental Fire-bellied Toad. Article on the African Horned Adder:

The Monitor (Hoosier Herp Soc. ): October/November 1992 Volume 4 Number 10 There can be a trick to sexing blood pythons; how one couple bred their pythons.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 6

NEWSLETTER REVIEW CONTINUED

Michigan Soc.: November 1992 Article on how to select a reptile for your home. A lizard tells about his role in getting lizard-eating snakes to eat mammals.

Notes from NOAH (No. Ohio): October 29, 1992 Volume 20 Number 1 An article reporting the results of a study of constriction bands for rattlesnake bites. Speaker Review--Ed Oshaben gave a talk on Dendrobatid (Poison Dart) Frogs. Speaker Review--John Hazel gave a talk on dinosaurs.

NY Herp Soc.: July/August 1992 Newsletter #138 Article on Theodore Roosevelt. A list of 10 things one can do to save herps.

Idaho Herp News: November/December 1992 Volume 5 Number 4 Article on breeding & keeping the Madagascan Big-Headed Gecko; if you have any info to share, the author would like to hear from you--very little literature; address in newsletter (Idaho). . Ey~ surgery on a Burmese python hatching; snake eye anatomy.

Herptales (New England)': August 1992 Feature Article: the Radiated Tortoise. "Some Comments on Antibiotic Therapy" by Dr. Martha Lindsay, DVM, MS.

Varanews: December 1, 1992 Volume 2 Number 6 Report of an unidentified parasite in the Green Tree Monitor. One report of breeding of the Water Monitor at the Madras Crocodile Bank. "The Social Hierarchy of the Water Moni tor, V. sal va tor" "Notes on Reproduction in South African Water Monitors, Varanus niloticus niloticus". Translation (from German)--"Care and Reproduction of the Timor Moni tor, Varanus t. timorensis".

T.E.A.M.: November 1992 Volume 5 Number 11 Article on tortoise diets, Part 2--Calcium-phosphorus ratio & protein. !'Clearing impaction in a Central American Wood Turtle". How to treat a small Box turtle with a cold. Article on the Mata Mata turtle.

MHS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 7

I

NEWSLETTER REVIEW CONTINUED

Intermontanus (Utah): January 1992 Volume 1 Number 1 List of the amphibians & reptiles of Natural Bridges National Monument. Update on the scientific nomenclature of Utah herps. Two inexpensive incubator.ideas for reptile eggs.

Intermontanus: March 1992 Volume 1 Number 2 "Raising Salamanders and Newts from embryos to adults". Utah Herp Account: Utah Night Lizard.

Intermontanus: March 1992 Volume 1 Number 3 "Plan to Protect Desert Tortoise, Develop Land Fails". List of common & scientific names of the amphibians & reptiles of Utah. Utah Herp Account: Western Blackneck Garter Snake.

Intermontanus: July 1992 Volume I Number 4 Species list addition--the Lowland "Leopard Frog. Pro & cons of buying captive-born herps.

Intermontanus: September 1992 Volume 1 Number 5 Intro to the Brown House Snake, Lamprophis fuliginosus.

Intermontanus: November 1992 Volume 1 Number 6 Feature--"In search 'of California Cave and Crevice Salamanders".

No. Calif. Herp Soc.: September 1992 Volume 11 Number 9 Article on raising Green Tree Pythons. "Natural History and Ca"ptive Reproduction of the Copperhead".

Gainesville Herp Soc.: November 5, 1992 Volume 9 Number 3 2 related notes--"Pharmacologists turn to Frogs:"

" "Dart-poison Bird".

San Diego Herp Soc.: November 1992 Volume 14 Issue 11 "Too close for Comfort"--make sure your kids know the difference between "pets" and wildlife; 18 month old girl bit by a rattlesnake in her backyard (she's fine).

Cold-Blooded: November 1992 Volume 19 Number 11" A report on the discovery of a communal nest of blue ra"cers.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 8

· 9

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 9

REPTILE CLASSIFICATION: PART 3 EARLY EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY AND THE REPTILIAN ORDERS: COTYLOSAURIA AND MESOSAURIA

By: John P. Levell

In this and future installments of this series, the individual orders of reptiles will be explo~ed more closely. We will look at various aspects of each reptilian order including; just what these animals are, unique features if any, theories on their relationships to other animal groups, evolutionary history, ~tc~ Aspects of the individual systems of classification of each group ~ill also be explored. Obviously, certain orders will be covered more extensively than others due to the lack of information available on many of the extinct forms. Although Porter's arrangement is the basis of the remaining installments of this series, I have not hesitated to depart from his system. when it conflicts with that of other authorities. This is particularly true in t~e coverage of the four reptile orders surviving today, where I've generally followed the work ,of specialists in those groups. While thi~ probably presents a fairly accurate picture, it also probably reflects ~y biases as well. Remember that this all is subject to various interpretations. ,I think that's the beauty of the system however, as by being flexible it allows new research to be intergrated into the "scheme" which increases our overall understanding and knowledge of the various reptile groups.

EARLY EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY:

Before starting to examine each individual order, we should briefly look at the early evolutionary history of the reptiles. As stated in part 2 of this series, just which early fossil forms actually represent reptil~s is unclear. This is du~ to the fact that many fossils exist showing an almost perfect blend of both amphibian and reptilian ch~racteristics. In the absence ,of evidence of the definitive reptile, feature, the'amniotic egg, just where to draw the line between reptile and amphibian is the subject of much debate. It's like a case of having too many "missing links" pr.esent to choose from. Various'researchers have suggested different fossils as the probable "protoreptile". I"10st of these possible reptile ancestors come from the subclass of" amphibians known as the Labyrinthodonts, in particular members of the amphibian order Anthracosauria. Fossils of these animals display a trend toward the development of stout limbs as a possible adaptation to a more terrestrial lifestyle. The 'lower Permian 'fossil, Seymouria (fig.2), often referred to in the literature as a link between amphibian and reptile, is now cohsidered by most researchers to be too recent to really be ancestral to reptiles. These authorities consider the Seymourians to be remmants of a much 'older Anthracosaurian group ~Jhich gave rise to the reptiles. Carroll (1969) feels the fossil, Tseajaia, to be an almost perfect morphological intermediate between the Anthracosaurian amphibians and the earliest reptiles. As usual not all authorities agree with this, but further discussion on this subject here is not possible. I plan on including a bibliography at ~he end of this seri~s, which hopefully will assist interested readers in pursuing this and other subjects-more fully.

MHS NEWSLEITER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 10

Figure 2: Seymouria

While not the direct ancestor of reptiles Seymouria was probably very simi liar in appearance to the original protoreptile from which the true reptiles descended.

adapted from Steel and Harvey (1979).

From the above we ~an speculate that the first reptile evolved from some stout-1 imbed 'J "pseudorepti 1 ell amphi bi an ~"Ji th some t.ype of ter,'-estri al tendencies, somewhere in the neighborhood-of 300 million years ago. One of these "pseudoreptiles ll developed an amniotic., terrestrial egg thus becoming the fi~st true reptile. Whether the development of this egg was" iM response to a drier climate makjng aquatic eggs more susceptible to destruction, competition from other aquatic forms, adaptations to exploit terrestrial habitats, or to some other fact.or is unknown, but happen it did" This is the classic II c hicken or" egg syndrome", e}~cept in this"case it should be phrased l'which came first the terrestrial reptile or the terrestrial egg " ? It is generally believed that the climate was becoming" more dry during this period of the earth's hist.ory and that it was a time of extensive mountain building. Both of these factors are thought to be possibly very important in the evolution of reptiles.

t"1ost authoriti+?s a.gl':'ee th~,:~t ,this "o''''iginal'' r'eptile was the ancestor of all the reptile groups which evolved afterward. For"thisreason the class Reptilia is often referr'ed to ,;'I.S being "monophyletic" (one fTliajor line of d~scent from a single common ancestor). A few researchers have theorized a possiblt:"? IIpolyphletic" <tl.,oJO or more distinct lines of deE;c:ent from tVJO or more different ancestors) origin for the group, but this would involve the development of amniotic eggs by more than one amphibian ancestor, an event that seems highly unlikely. It is agreed by almost everyone, that once they overcame their dependency on the aquatic environment" for the development of thai t- eggs IJ rept i 1 es lIe;·~pl osi vel y" I'~adi a.ted innumerous directions to exploit the virtually untapped resources of the land. Within a few million years of their first appearance, the reptiles had already evolved several distinct lineages with both carnivorous and herbivorous specie~ and that by the Mesozoic Era various reptile groups had successfully conquered either the land, the sea? or the air.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 11

..

As we look at the individual reptile orders, we'll start with the earl i est lI undi sputed /I t-ept:L 1 es and I,.-Jork our lo--Jay ·forlo--Jard in mc)rf.":? or less ch-onological order. We will cover each subclass as a unit however, without jumping back ~nd forth between the subclasses. For this reason some forms that make their appearance in the fossil record later, will be discussed b~fore some earlier appearing groups. As we go along I think ~e'll find some interesting facts such as; how early the tendency toward 1It.'.J~.rm-bl oodness II occ\.trs, hot.'J even though there are many more e}o~ti nct than livi,\g reptilian orders the idea that all reptiles are just evolutionary rel i cts is t.a..1rong'J and just hOI,.-J many of our commonl y accepted "fa<:t.sll regarding the evolutionary history of some of these groups of reptiles are in error~ It should also be pointed out here, that most of the names of extinct reptiles we are all familiar with are actually gene~ic names. For example; Tyrannosaurus is the name of an entire genus containing st:~veral recogni zed speci es" even though 'i tis genera'll y associ ated wi th the species Tyrannosaurus rex. This is true of most of the various extinct reptile groups and should be remembered~ as some of these species may have been as different from one another as Wood Turtles, Clemmys insculpta, are from Spotted Turtles, Clemmys guttata.

COTYLOSAURIA - STEM REPTILES:

The literal translation of the word Cotylosauria is; kotyle cup~ hollow + sauros lizard. What reason this name has been given t~ this group, is unclear to the author. The cotylosaurs are us~ally divided into two suborders; the.Captorhinomorphia containing 3-4, families of early raptiles and the Procolophonia with 5 families of more advanced species. The group makes it's first appearance in the fossil record in the late Carboniferous period, radiates during the Permian, and becomes extinct in the Triassic. This order is of major importance, as all the later reptile orders are believed to have evolved directly or indirectly from some cot~losaurian ancestor. As a whole the cotyiosaurs posses~ed a typical anaspid skull and were lizard-like in appea.rance'J although there are exceptions as we shall see below.

Among the primitive cotylosaurs, the ~amily Romeriidae contains the oldest known reptile, Hylonomus (fig.3). Fossils of this 3 foot lizard-like reptil~, from Carboniferous deposits, have been found in Nova Scotia" While some authorities consider the earliest reptiles to have been semi-aquatic, the remains of Hylonomusare often found in fossilized tree stumps, indicating a terrestrlal existance. 7 to 9 additional genera round out this basically unspecialized fa~ily. The families Captorhinidae with 10-12 genera "from the lower and middlr~ Permian, and Limnosceloides with 1-2 genera from the lower Permian, hav~ more ~pecialized teeth than the Romeriidae with definite enlarged canines and incisors. The largest captorhinomorph~ Limnoscelis, of the latter family reached a length of 5 feet" One other ~amily? Bolosauridae, is ~ometimes included in the Captorhinomorpha. This family with 1 genus, Bolosaurus, was a small reptile of the early Permian period" While in many ways a typical early cotylosaur, it had unique feeth in the cheek and possessed a small lateral temporal skull opening ~imiliar to that of the synapsid reptiles. This genus is considered a side branch of the suborder Captorhinomorpha by most authorities, with no relationship to the synapsid reptiles.

MHS NEWSLEITER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 12

Figure 3. Holonomus

Skeletal reconstruction of the oldest fossil reptile known.

adapted from Steel ~nd Harvey (1979).

The Procolophonia (advanced cotylosaurs) contains 5 families arranged into three major groups or superfamilies. The first of these groups, the Procolphonidea, consists of two families; Nyctiphruretidae with 3 or 4 genera of ' the middle and upper Permian and the Procolophanidae 17 genera from the upper Permian to the late Triassic. These two families contain small (1-2 feet) lizard-like reptiles with slender limbs. Their skull structure shows further modifications from the earlier Captorhinomorphs and the Proccslophonids, ,in particula.r ,the genus Hypsognathus '(fig.4), were the last surviving cotylosaurs. The second superfamily, Pareiasauroidea, were large (up to ten fe~t in length), herbivorous reptiles of the middle and upper Permian period. Besides the obvious modification of their teeth the Pareiasaurs made outstanding structural modifications of their bodies. In both of the families of this group; Rhipaeosauridae with 3 genera, and P~reia~auridae with 8 genera, the shape and placement of the shoulders, pelvis, and limbs has been altered to bring the knees forward and elbows back providing vertical support of the body_ This is best illustrated by examining the genus, Bradysaurus (fig.5). I've always found it interesting that this modification to verti calli mbs '1 so often J"'eferred to as a lIuni qu'e ll feature of the two Dinosaur orders, makes 'it's ~ppearance so early in the ev6lutionary history of the reptiles. The third superfamily, Millerttidae with 4-6 genera, is tentatively placed in the order Cotylosauria. As in the genus Bolosaurus of the previous suborder, th~ Millerosaurs have a temporal skull opening similiar to the synapsids. This condition is thought to be another case of parallel evolution, as in the first group~ and most other features of their anatomy show a relationship to the cotylosaurs. Some authorities feel that this family, which existed in the middle and upper Permian, may have been ancestral to or in actuality primitive diapsids.

, Figure 4. Hypsognathus

One of the last surviving genera of Cotylosaurs known to have existed during the Triassic.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12

adapted from Steel and Harvey (1979).

PAGE 13

Figure 5. Bradysaurus

This and other genera of advanced Cotylosaurs evolved a more efficient limb posture providing vertical support for their bodies.

MESOSAURIA - MESOSAURS:

adapted from Broom (1913)

As stated in ~he checklist in part 2 of this series, the literal translation of the word mesosauria is; meso middle + sauros lizard. As with the cotylosawrs the reason for giving this name, to this group, is unknown to the author. This order ·contains only one family., Mesosauridae, with only one genus, Hesosaurus (fig.6). The mesosaurs were small (2-3 feet), apparehtly fresh-water, fish eating., reptiles known mainly from the 'lower Permian period. As such they were the first reptile group to return to at least a semi-aquatic life style. The exact placement of this order has always been a subject of debate and at various times the mesosaurs have been considered related to such diverse reptilian orders as the Icthyosaurs and the Pelycosaurs. Various aspects of their anatomy make a relationship to either of those two groups unlikely. Most authorities now consider the mesosaurs to be a specialized side-branch, which split off very early, from the main cotylosaurian stock. t~'lesOSaL\r fossils are knoll'Jn ·frolTl Brazil (:\nd southern Africa., ftoJhich 1 ('?nds support. to thl~ thecw"y o·f II cant i nental dr'i f til., as they ~",lc'\-'.l d apparently be unable to cross a vast expanse of open ocean"

Figure 6. Hesosaurus

Small semi-aquatic reptile from the lower Permian period.

adapted from Steel and Harvey (1979)

NEXT II\ISTALU"'IENT - CHELONIANS

MRS NEWSLEITER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 14

MHS CLASSIFIED

RAT SALES

Orders will be taken by Terry Scheiber only! and must be made at least one week before the general meeting. Phone: (612) 440-7482.

MICE

Pinkies----$6.00 doz. Fuzzies----$6.00 doz. Adults-----$9.00 doz.

PRICES

RATS

Pups-----$10.00 doz. Adults---$12.00 for six

$24.00 doz.

Mice and rats must be purchased by the dozen, except for adult rats, which can be purchased in allotments of six. Rat pinkies are unavailable at this time.

CAGE SALES

The MHS will now be selling cages, there will be three basic sizes on display at the monthly meetings. A 50%, non-refundable, down payment will be required on all cages. Custom cages will also be available upon request .

. SPECIFICATIONS

Small Cage 12" X 12" X 24" 1/2" sides, 1/4" back & ceiling an 1/4" melamine floor. Hinges and lockable latch. Door opens down. Glass is double strength.

-Cage will be unfinished. Price $40.00

Medium Cage 12" X 12" X 36" 1/2" sides, 1/4" -back & ceiling and 1/4" melamine-. Hinges and lockable latch. Door opening to the side. Glass is double strength. Cage will be unfinished. Price $60.00

2nd Medium Cage 18" X 18" X 24" 1/2" sides, 1/4" backwall & ceiling and 1/4" melamine-. Hinges and lockable latch. Door opening to the side. Glass is double strength. Cage will be unfinished. Price $60.00

Orders will be taken by Nancy Haig at the meetings. Cages will then be delivered to the next meeting, except on custom orders. The MHS has dropped the large cage, to a custom cage and will be selling the 2nd model of medium cage instead.

MHS NEWSLETTER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 15

"'

CLASSIFIED ADS

1.0.0 = male; 0.1.0 = female; 0.0.1 = un~nown

FOR SALE: Rats and mice - pinkies to adults. Live or frozen. Prices upon request. Don's Rodents - (612) 462-8973.

FOR SALE: HUGE cage, 6' X 5' X 4', will consider trades. Drew (6~2) 776-2116.

FOR SALE: "So Excellent A Fishe" by Archie Carr, 1st ed. H/DJ exc. condo $15.00. "Field Book of Snakes" by K.P. Schmidt + D.D. Davis, good condo hard $15.00. "Our Snake Friends And Foes" by Doris Cochran with paintings by W. Weber, exc. condo complete in Sept. 1954 Nat. Geo. MAG. $10.00 Call John (612) 374-5422.

FOR HIRE: Will build yoUr reptile and/or rodent rooms, your design or ours. Also rack systems and cages including walk in. All types of carpenter work. Reasonable. Call John at 374-5422.

WANTED: Looking for a male, California Coastal Rosy Boa. Call Claude at (612) 824-5308.

WANTED: The Long Lake Conservation Center would like to acquire a snake skeleton for our recently developed snake program. Contact Denise M. Gerdes, at (218) 768-4653.

WANTED: I need all the snake skins in the world - always - to give away at reptile programs and the MN State Fair. Please bring to the State Fair or contact Bob Duerr at (612) 541-9417.

WANTED: The MHS would like to get some better software for the production of this newsletter and other items. Unfortunately this can cost a great deal of money. We are looking for a basic desktop publishing program that is IBM compatible. Please contact a Board Member if you would like to donate something.

CORRECTIONS

Due to the fact that the newletter proofreader went into hibernation early, we had quite a bit of errors made in the last newsletter. I do apologize to everyone, needless to say I have a new proofreader. Also one item of great

~ importance was left out, fig. 1 to John Levell's article, it is printed here. Figure 1. REPTILIAN SKULL TYPES

ne temporal opening

lao Anapsid

single upper opening

le. Euryapsid

single lateral opening

lb. Synapsid

upper and lower openings

Id. Diapsid

adapted from: Webb, Wallwork, and Elgood, (1978) MRS NEWSLETIER VOLUME XII NUMBER 12 PAGE 16

CLASSIFIED AD INSTRUCTIONS: Ads are run as a free service to paid members. Ads for venomous species, illegal species, or sick animals will not be run. MRS takes NO responsibility for legality or health of animal advertised here. Ads may be run for three consecutive months at which time ads may be re-submitted. The editor reserves the right to omit' ads when space is limited so as to allow all members a chance to advertise. Size of ad is limited to four (4) typed lines or one (1) standard size business card. DEADLINE for all newsletter items is the date of the general meeting. Send all newsletter items to: Minnesota Herpetological Society, Attn: Newsletter Editor, Bell Museum of Natural History, 10 Church Street South East, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104.

MEMBERSHIP AND T-SHIRT ORDER FORM

MINNESOTA HERPETOLOGICAL SOCIETY

NAME(S) ______________________________________________________________ ___

ADDRESS, ____________________________________________________________________ __

CITY _______________________ _ STATE _____ __ ZIP CODE ...... ____________ _

PHONE ______________ __ LIST IN MRS DIRECTORY? YES NO __

HERPRELATEDINTERESTS: _______________________________________________ __

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP? NEW ___ RENEWAL __

MEMBERSHIP LEVEL? __ SUST AINING ..... $60.00

__ CONTRIBUTING ..... $30.00

_ _____ INSTITUTION .... $25.00

_-'"'BASIC .... $15.00

Are you currently ( or will be ) a University of Minnesota student? __ (check if yes)

KIDS:

6-8_ 10-12_

OFFICIAL MHS T-SHIRT $7.00 (includes postage)

Indicate how many of each size

ADULTS:

SMALL_ MEDIUM_ LARGE_ X-LARGE_

Please enclose payment. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society. Membership is for 12 months from date of joining. A receipt will be sent only on request. Allow 6-8 weeks for processing. MAIL TO: Minnesota Herpetological Society, Bell Museum Of Natural History, 10 Church Street South East, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0104

MINNESOTA

HERPETOLOGICAL

SOCIETY

BELL MUSEUM OF NATURAL mSTORY

10 CHURCH STREET S. E. MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55455-0104

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+

DELIVER BY DECEMBER 23, 1992

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Non-Profit Bulk Rate

U. S. Postage PAID

Mpls. MN Permit No. 2275