WELCOME TO THE CFZ BLOG NETWORK: COME AND JOIN THE FUN

Half a century ago, Belgian Zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans first codified cryptozoology in his book On the Track of Unknown Animals.

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) are still on the track, and have been since 1992. But as if chasing unknown animals wasn't enough, we are involved in education, conservation, and good old-fashioned natural history! We already have three journals, the largest cryptozoological publishing house in the world, CFZtv, and the largest cryptozoological conference in the English-speaking world, but in January 2009 someone suggested that we started a daily online magazine! The CFZ bloggo is a collaborative effort by a coalition of members, friends, and supporters of the CFZ, and covers all the subjects with which we deal, with a smattering of music, high strangeness and surreal humour to make up the mix.

It is edited by CFZ Director Jon Downes, and subbed by the lovely Lizzy Bitakara'mire (formerly Clancy), scourge of improper syntax. The daily newsblog is edited by Corinna Downes, head administratrix of the CFZ, and the indexing is done by Lee Canty and Kathy Imbriani. There is regular news from the CFZ Mystery Cat study group, and regular fortean bird news from 'The Watcher of the Skies'. Regular bloggers include Dr Karl Shuker, Dale Drinnon, Richard Muirhead and Richard Freeman.The CFZ bloggo is updated daily, and there's nothing quite like it anywhere else. Come and join us...

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Tuesday, January 22, 2013

JUST IN CASE YOU THOUGHT THAT I HAD FORGOTTEN... The 2013 Yearbook is under construction


Journal of Herpetology volume 46 issue 4


Journal of Herpetology volume 46 issue 4
Published by SSAR
Bibliography Provided by HerpDigest & Zen Scientist.

Contents:
Anderson, Matthew L., Cybil N. Cavalieri, Felipe Rodriguez-Romero and Stanley F. Fox. 2012. The differential effect of tail autotomy on sprint performance between the sexes in the lizard Uta standburiana. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 648-652. [ matt.anderson@okstate.edu]
Avila, Robson W., Andre Pansonato and Christine Strüssmann. 2012. A new species of Proceratophrys (Anura: Cycloramphidae) from midwestern Brazil. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 466-472. [ robsonavila@gmail.com]
Beaupre, Steven J. and Frederic Zaidan, III. 2012. Digestive performance in the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) with reference to temperature dependent and bioenergetic cost of growth. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 637-642. [ sbeaupre@uark.edu]
Block, Carolina, Laura E. Vega and Oscar A. Stellatelli. 2012. Vegetation refuges of a sand lizard assemblage in temperate coastal sand dunes. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 608-613. [ cblock@mdp.edu.ar]
Burger, Joanna, Robert T. Zappalorti, Michael Gochfeld, Emile DeVito, David Schneider, Matt McCort and Christian Jeitner. 2012. Long-term use of hibernacula by Northern Pinesnakes (Pituophis melanoleucus). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 596-601. [ burger@biology.rutgers.edu]
Correa, Claudio L., Marco A. Méndez, Alberto Veloso and Michel Sallaberry. 2012. Genetic and reproductive evidence of natural hybridization between the sister species Rhinella atacamensis and Rhinella arunco (Anura, Bufonidae). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 568-577. [ ccorreasp@gmail.com]
Crnobrnja-Isailovic, Jelka, Srecko Curcic, Dragana Stojadinovic, Natasa Tomasevic-Kolarov, Ivan Aleksic and Zeljko Tomanovic. 2012. Diet composition and food preferences in adult Common Toads (Bufo bufo) (Amphibia: Anura: Bufonidae). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 562-567. [ jelka.c.i@gmail.com]
Daversa, D. R., E. Muths and J. Bosch. 2012. Terrestrial movement patterns of the Common Toad (Bufo bufo) in cenral Spain reveal habitat of conservation importance. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 658-664. [ bosch@mncn.csic.es]
Davis, Melanie J., Jennifer L. Purrenhage and Michelle D. Boone. 2012. Elucidating predator-prey interactions using aquatic microcosms: Complex effects of a crayfish predator, vegetation, and Atrazine on tadpole survival and behavior. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 527-534. [ melanie.davis@colostate.edu]
Dawson, Beth and Michael J. Ryan. 2012. Female preferences are not altered by early acoustic experience in the neotropical frog Physalaemus pustulosus. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 535-538. [ mary.dawson@sjsu.edu]
Garcia-Gonzalez, Claudia and Eva Garcia-Vazquez. 2012. Urban ponds, neglected Noah's Ark for amphibians. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 507-514. [ claudiacgg@yahoo.es]
Gomes, Felipe Bittioli R., Diogo B. Provete and Itamar A. Martins. 2012. Description of the tadpole of Hylodes magalhaesi (Bokermann, 1964) (Anura: Hylodidae). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 614-619. [ felipebrgomes@yahoo.com.br]
Hamilton, Bryan Tyler, Rachel Hart and Jack W. Sites, Jr. 2012. Feeding ecology of the Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum, Colubridae) in the western United States. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 515-522. [ bryan_hamilton@nps.gov]
Heath, Stacy, Aaron W. Schrey, Kyle G. Ashton, Henry R. Mushinsky and Earl D. McCoy. 2012. Contrasting genetic differentiation of a poorly dispersing lizard in connected and fragmented scrub habitats. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 602-607. [ aaron.schrey@armstrong.edu]
Henle, Klaus, Bela Mester, Szabolcs Lengyel and Miklos Puky. 2012. A review of a rare type anomaly in amphibians, tail duplication and bifurcation, with description of three cases in European species (Triturus dobrogicus, Triturus carnifex, and Hyla arboreai). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 451-455. [ klaus.henle@ufz.edu]
Hesed, Kyle Miller. 2012. Uncovering salamander ecology: A review of coverboard design. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 442-450. [ kylemh@umd.edu]
Hibbitts, Troy J., William E. Cooper, Jr and Martin J. Whiting. 2012. Spatial distribution and activity patterns in African Barking Geckos: Implications for mating system and reproduction. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 456-460. [ martin.whiting@mq.edu.au]
Humphries, W. Jeffrey and Michael A. Sisson. 2012. Long distance migrations, landscape use, and vulnerability to prescribed fire of the Gopher Frog (Lithobates capito). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 665-670. [ jeff.humphries@ncwildlife.org]
Kaefer, Igor L., Anelise Montanarin, Rosangela S. da Costa and Albertina P. Lima. 2012. Temporal patterns of reproductive activity and site attachment of the Brilliant-Thighed Frog Allobates femoralis from Central America. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 549-554. [ igorkaefer@hotmail.com]
Kleinhenz, Peter, Michelle D. Boone and Gary Fellers. 2012. Effects of the amphibian chytrid fungus and four insecticides on Pacific Treefrogs (Pseudacris regilla). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 625-631. [ boonemd@muohio.edu]
Kubisch, Erika, Carla Piantoni, Jorge Williams, Alejandro Scolaro, Carlos A. Navis and Nora R. Ibargüengoytía. 2012. Do higher temperatures increase growth in the nocturnal gecko Homonota darwini (Gekkota: Phyllodactylidae)? A skeletochronological assessment analyzed at temporal and geographic scales. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 587-595. [ erikubisch@gmail.com.ar]
Langkilde, Tracy and Katherine E. Boronow. 2012. Hot boys are blue: Temperature-dependent color change in male Eastern Fence Lizards. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 461-465. [ tll30@psu.edu]
Lunde, Kevin B. and Pieter T. J. Johnson. 2012. A practical guide for the study of malformed amphibians and their causes. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 429-441. [ klunde@berkeley.edu]
Mendelson, Joseph R., III, Daniel G. Mulcahy, Sara Snell, Manuel E. Acevedo and Jonathan A. Campbell. 2012. A new Golden Toad (Bufonidae: Incilius) from northwestern Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 473-479. [ j.mendelson@zooatlanta.org]
Oliveira-Junior, Nelson G., Osmar N. Silva, Vanesa C. Oliveira, Simoni C. Dias and Octavio L. Franco. 2012. Toxicological and histological evaluation of Bothrops itapetiningae venom. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 653-657. [ ocfranco@pos.ucb.br]
Oliver, Paul M. and Stephen J. Richards. 2012. A new species of small Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus: Gekkonidae) from the huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 488-493. [ paul.oliver@adelaide.edu.au]
Reynolds, R. Graham and Glenn P. Gerber. 2012. Ecology and conservation of the Turks Island Boa (Epicrates chrysogaster chrysogaster: Sqamata: Boidae) on Big Ambergris Cay. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 578-586. [ rgraham@utk.edu]
Righi, Alexandre F., Luciana B. Nascimento and Conrado A. B. Galdino. 2012. Seasonal reproduction in the Rock Gecko Phyllopezus pollicaris from a rock field habitat in southeastern Brazil. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 632-636. [ galdinoc@pucminas.br]
Rowley, Jodi J. L., Dao Thi Anh Tran, Huy Duc Hoang and Doung Thi Thuy Le. 2012. A new species of large flying frog (Rhacophoidae: Rhacophorus) from lowland forests in souurthern Vietnam. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 480-487. [ jodi.rowley@austmus.gov.au]
Salice, Christopher J. 2012. Multiple stressors and amphibians: Contributions of adverse health effects and altered hydroperiod to population decline and extinction. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 675-681. [ chris.salice@ttu.edu]
Sasaki, K., S. F. Fox and D. Duvall. 2012. Reproductive ecology and human-caused mortality in the Japanese Mamushi Snake (Gloydius blomhoffii) on the northernmost main island of Japan. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 689-695. [ kiyoshisasaki@yahoo.com]
Scholnick, David A., Nathan T. Gilpin and Richard V. Manivanh. 2012. Disruption to recovery metabolism in the Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis infected with the Malarial parasite Plasmodium mexicanum. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 643-647. [ david.scholnick@pacificu.edu]
Shew, Justin J., Brian D. Greene and Francis E. Durbian. 2012. Spatial ecology and habitat use of the Western Foxsnake (Pantherophis vulpinus) on Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge (Missouri). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 539-548. [ briangreene@missouristate.edu]
Streicher, Jefrey W., Michael B. Harvey, Coleman M. Sheehy, III, Ben Anders and Eric N. Smith. 2012. Identification and description of the tadpole of the Parachuting Frog Rhacophorus catamitus from southern Sumatra, Idonesia. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 503-506. [ streicher@uta.edu]
Wagner, Philipp, Donald G. Broadley and Aaron M. Bauer. 2012. A new Acontine skink from Zambia (Scincidae: Acontias Cuvier, 1817). Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 494-502. [ philipp.wagner.zfmk@uni-bonn.de]
Walguarnery, Justin W., Rachael M. Goodman and Arthur C. Echternacht. 2012. Thermal biology and temperature selection in juvenile lizards of co-occurring native and introduced Anolis species. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 620-624. [ justinww@hawaii.edu]
Weaver, Robert E., William H. Clark and Daniel C. McEwen. 2012. Prey chemical discrimination by the Desert Nightsnake (Hypsiglena chlorophaea): A comparison of invertebrate and vertebrate prey. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 523-526. [ weaverro@cwu.edu]
Williams, Perry J., Joseph R. Robb and Daryl R. Karns. 2012. Habitat selection by Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates areolatus) in a large mixed grassland/forest habitat. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 682-688. [ pwill@rams.colorstate.edu]
Xuereb, Amanda, Jeffrey R. Row, Ronald J. Brooks, Carrie MacKinnon and Stephen C. Lougheed. 2012. Relation between parasitism, stress, and fitness correlates of the Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis gloydi) in Ontario. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 555-561. [ stephen.lougheed@queensu.ca]
Yosef, Reuven, Juan Ramirez Roman and Piotr Zduniak. 2012. Habitat choice of Palestine Saw-Scaled Viper (Echis coloratus) in an extreme environment. Journal of Herpetology. 46 (4): 671-674. [ ryosef@eilatcity.co.il]

SOMETIMES I AM ASHAMED TO HAVE BEEN A JOURNALIST


RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)RSPCA makes formal complaint to PCC over Daily Telegraph articles

 
 

Tuesday, 22 January 2013 10:12 AM

The RSPCA has started the formal process of making a complaint against the Daily Telegraph newspaper to the Press Complaints Commission in connection with a series of defamatory articles which are factually incorrect and reflect a bias unbalanced reporting style. The articles show clear support for the Countryside Alliance and appear to be politically motivated and sustained and are not consistent with the high standards of journalist practise.
The RSPCA has started the formal process of making a complaint against the Daily Telegraph newspaper to the Press Complaints Commission after it failed to print an apology or offer a right to reply after printing a series of potentially defamatory articles.
The RSPCA says the stories are factually incorrect and reflect biased and unbalanced reporting style.
The articles show clear support for the political agenda of the Countryside Alliance in seeking the return of blood sports. In their factual inaccuracies and bias they are not consistent with high standards of journalism
The RSPCA is referring in particular to the stories claiming the RSPCA broke charity rules over the successful prosecution of a hunt and saying that the RSPCA was warned on hunt prosecutions by the Charity Commission. The Charity Commission has been clear that no rules have been broken, no warning has been issued and at no stage have they been investigated by the RSPCA.
RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: “These stories are a sustained attack on the RSPCA. The facts are that we have always and will continue to only act in the interests of the animals. We simply want the truth to be heard. The Daily Telegraph is entitled to its editorial position in support of blood sports despite the overwhelming public rejection of that view.
They are not entitled to produce factually inaccurate articles that smear the good name of the RSPCA”
-ends-

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288  Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel  08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk  Website: www.rspca.org.uk
Dogs come in all shapes, sizes and breeds! Check out our top tips for
canine care: http://blogs.rspca.org.uk/insights/2013/01/03/meeting-your-dogs-welfare-needs/

IS IT JUST ME, OR.....

A new monkey species from The Congo may have a relative in Holsworthy...



THE BEST THING I HAVE SEEN IN AGES (Thank you Caitlin)



http://www.walltowatch.com/view/10266/Bad+Little+Children%E2%80%99s+Books

KARL SHUKER - SHUKERNATURE'S TOP TEN LIVING DINOSAURS OF CRYPTOZOOLOGY


Karl Shuker presents his personal Top Ten of alleged living dinosaurs in cryptozoology.

Read more...

FORTEAN BIRD NEWS FROM THE WATCHER OF THE SKIES (CFZ)

In an article for the first edition of Cryptozoology Bernard Heuvelmans wrote that cryptozoology is the study of 'unexpected animals' and following on from that perfectly reasonable assertion, it seems to us that - whereas the study of out of place birds may not have the glamour of the hunt for bigfoot, or lake monsters - it is still a perfectly valid area for the Fortean Zoologist to be interested in. So, after about six months of regular postings on the main bloggo, Corinna has taken the plunge and started a 'Watcher of the Skies' blog of her own as part of the CFZ Bloggo Network.



I'M YER GONZO BLOG DOO-DAH MAN

I am still feeling fairly insane today, but - bizarrely - this is when I am at my most productive. Go figure. It is raining, but not hard enough to wash away the remnants of the snow, so we have the worst of all worlds. Our frogspawn experiment is progressing nicely, with the spawn that was laid in running water developing far faster than the other. We shall go and check whether the wild spawn has survived the cold snap sometime this week. I am still enjoying the Keith Richards book, but it is getting a little too showbizzy for my liking aw we approach the end. Interesting, though.
We know how to deal with guitar virtuoso types here at Gonzo Daily. Do we just let them sit back and play magnificent guitar licks all day? We, most of the time, yes. However, other times we get them to sing or rather write for their supper. Paul May from the magnificent Atkins/May Project wrote us a great review of Evanescence last year, and when we heard he was going to see Jools Holland, we asked him very nicely for another one...
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/out-and-about-with-paul-may-jools.html
In the great traditions of British journalism I spend much of my time nicking stuff from people's facebook pages. Look what I found on Alan Davey's...
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/look-what-i-found-on-alan-daveys.html
The latest news from the world of the lovely Mimi Page. Her first album was a delight. I am very much looking forward to seeing what comes next.
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-message-from-mimi.html
More news from Wilko Johnson who is a very brave man indeed.
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/wilko-johnson-confirms-second-london.html
Today's Gonzo Track of the Day is from the lovely Gilli Smyth
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-gonzo-track-of-day_22.html
Another of our daily visits to the incomparable Thom the World Poet
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2013/01/thom-world-poet-daily-poem_22.html

*  The Gonzo Daily is a two way process. If you have any news or want to write for us, please contact me at  jon@eclipse.co.uk. If you are an artist and want to showcase your work, or even just say hello please write to me at gonzo@cfz.org.uk. Please copy, paste and spread the word about this magazine as widely as possible. We need people to read us in order to grow, and as soon as it is viable we shall be invading more traditional magaziney areas. Join in the fun, spread the word, and maybe if we all chant loud enough we CAN stop it raining. See you tomorrow...

*  The Gonzo Daily is - as the name implies - a daily online magazine (mostly) about artists connected to the Gonzo Multimedia group of companies. But it also has other stuff as and when the editor feels like it. The same team also do a weekly newsletter called - imaginatively - The Gonzo Weekly. Find out about it at this link:
http://gonzo-multimedia.blogspot.com/2012/11/all-gonzo-news-wots-fit-to-print.html

* We should probably mention here, that some of our posts are links to things we have found on the internet that we think are of interest. We are not responsible for spelling or factual errors in other people's websites. Honest guv!

*  Jon Downes, the Editor of all these ventures is an old hippy of 53 who - together with his orange cat - puts it all together from a converted potato shed in a tumbledown cottage deep in rural Devon which he shares with various fish and batrachians. He is ably assisted by his lovely wife Corinna, his bulldog/boxer Prudence, his mother-in-law, and a motley collection of social malcontents. Plus.. did we mention the orange cat?
__________________________________

OLL LEWIS: Yesterday's News Today

Yesterday’s News Today

On this day in 2008 the actor Heath Ledger died. Ledger was nominated and subsequently won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as the Joker in Batman: The Dark Knight after his death.
And now the news:

  • Wild and Woolly: Deer Joins Sheep Flock
  • Stampeding Dinosaurs Were Actually Swimming
  • Leopards and Tigers in India: New Genetics Researc...
  • Wild Animals May Contribute to the Resurgence of A...
  • Climate Events Drive High-Arctic Vertebrate Commun...
  • Jackalope honored in Wyoming
  • Eight firefighters and RSPCA worker still can't ge...
  • Quebec snowmobiler dies after driving under a moos...

  • The awarding of Ledger's posthumous Academy Award: