Newsletter June 2001 |
NEWSLETTER CONTENTS:
Volume 4: Number 1 |
June 2001
|
The Nova Scotia Herpetofaunal Atlas Project Newsletter |
Page 1
|
The Nova Scotia Herpetofaunal Atlas Project Newsletter |
Page 2
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PROGRESS
AND OUTLOOK FOR THE NS HERP ATLAS PROJECT
The map and tables below
summarize
our progress as of June 28, 2001. Each circle in the map gives
the
number of species recorded for that square. Unfortunately, our
mapping
program has a bug that miscalculated the number of species observed for
some squares. Corrections for some of the squares with higher
species
numbers include: 09C2=10, 09C3=14, 14E1=10, 15A4=9, 15C4=11,
22A3=14,
23B2=14, 23D2=11, 24A4=10, 34D2=9. We will rectify this as
soon as we can. Until then, on the website, be sure to use the
table
information to count the species for squares that may be of particular
interest to you. Most of the tables below are the same as
those
from the previous newsletters (please compare!), but there are a couple
of new tables (*). The table just below shows the number of
records
actually atlassed and the person hours put into atlassing for each
month
|
The Nova Scotia Herpetofaunal Atlas Project Newsletter |
Page 3
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YOUR
RECORDS
Already this season it appears that we might double the number of records that were submitted last year (see tables on page 3). In making these records part of a reliable database, it is essential to screen entries and sightings for errors or missing information. If possible, to prevent a backlog of records that I’ll need to screen and/or input, please either send me your sightings right away or in small chunks throughout the season. By doing so, you’ll be helping to keep the database as current as possible. This not only helps for reporting our progress to you through the newsletters, it also helps individuals who are keeping track of the project using the search capabilities on the website. Ideally, we want the searchable online database to be a tool that will allow atlassers to determine what areas need to be visited and what species still need to be found in certain squares. The more current this data is, the more useful the website becomes as a tool. If you can, I’d really appreciate it if you could send me or enter (online) your records as soon as possible. Thanks in
advance,
Sonja Teichert
NEW
MEMBER AND PARTNER
NOVA
SCOTIA MAPBOOK
|
2001
EVENTS CALENDAR!
We have filled the season with events to train our volunteers and increase the public’s awareness about herps and this project. If you would like to participate in a workshop but are unable to attend, please contact the coordinator and we’ll try to schedule a talk to your area.
IDENTIFICATION
TIPS
Recently transformed juveniles of these two frogs can be confusing because they don’t always have the same colours and markings as the adults. However, according to John Gilhen there are two characters that are reliable for both juveniles and adults if you have the frog in your hand, or can get close enough to clearly see the webbing on the hind feet: First, bring the frog up close to your nose and smell
it. Mink
Frogs, when handled, release a distinctive skunky odour as a defense
mechanism.
If you smell this odour, you definitely have a Mink Frog. If you
have a cold or sinus problems this might not help, so the second thing
to do is check the hind foot webbing. In Green Frogs the 2nd and
3rd toes (counting from the left in the diagram) are unwebbed for about
the last fourth of their length; in Mink Frogs these two toes are
webbed
right to their tips.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments about the NS Herp Atlas Project please be in touch with us. |
The Nova Scotia Herpetofaunal Atlas Project Newsletter |
Page 4
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