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Posted by Dave Beamer on November 09, 1998 at 23:47:29:
In Reply to: Re: Very Serious Flaws With Proposed Guidelines posted by W. Khan on November 09, 1998 at 19:08:24:
The fact that many species are broad ranging doesn't change the fact that it is still the same animal with the same evolutionary fate. In herpetocultural circles there tends to be an emphasis on color variations. While clinal variation is fascinating it has nothing to do with coherent taxonomic units. The vast majority of subspecies are arbitrarily defined slices of this clinal variation. There is just as much reason to recognize box turtles from parts of Michigan as T. c. michiganensis because they have high yellow as there is to recognize any othere arbitrarily defined slice. In continental species variation is sometimes so great that indeed individuals from one coast can be distinguished from those from the other coast by color pattern. In IN those animals are treated as color morphs just like an albino ect. In you triangulum example I suggest that at least nine species will be recognized from this complex and the snakes from Central America ect. will not be recognized as conspecific. Until then DNR has to wait until they have some data to base there regulations on.
I would be interested to hear what facets of teh animals biology has rivalled or surpassed academics. This is a fairly common claim but I have yet to see it substantiated. I do agree that there is a tremendous potential for hobbyiest to help in ensuring the survival of herp populations. In IN at least I would say that not only are such people allowed they are encouraged by both herpetologist and the DNR.
I did not imply that hobbyiest should generate the population data but rather that they should base their proposal on data that has already been collected. While data on herpetoculture effects on populations is sparse it does exist. More importantly there is a wealth of metapopulation data that addresses the removal of individuals from the population. There are countless papers dealing with recruitment and mortality ect. It is important to realize that when an animal is removed from the population by a hobbyiest or dealer the effect is the same as if the animal was removed by being eaten by a predator or dying due to disease or getting run over by a semi. If you need help in locating this kind of data let me know and I will help you locate it.
Dave Beamer
