1961-1962 - American Museum of Natural History

tailed lizards (Cnemidophorus). Mr. Bogert utilized information
derived from the spectrographic analysis of mating calls,
supplemented by studies of breeding behavior, distributions, and
structure to ascertain the systematic status of toads in Mexico
and the adjacent portions of the United States.
At the Kalbfleisch Field Research Station, Dr. Zweifel obtained
preliminary results in an ecological investigation of
Fowler's toad (Bufo woodhousei fowleri). Subadults proved
to be restricted in their movements, seldom traveling farther
than 50 meters. The information thus far gathered suggests
that during the summer months of their second year these toads
increase in body length at a rate approximating 2.5 mm. per
day. Dr. Zweifel was assisted in this work by a member of the
Undergraduate Research Participation Program.
Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Bogert carried out herpetological explorations
in the Sierra de Juarez and other mountains in Oaxaca and
in the lowlands of other portions of southern Mexico. They obtained
more than 500 specimens, many of which were new to
the collection. The collection included such rarities as the blunttailed
horned lizard (Phrynosoma braconnieri), a species previously
known from but two definite localities, and the Oaxacan
rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus oaxacus), individuals of which
had not been seen alive since 1894 when only two specimens
were taken. Mr. and Mrs. Bogert also obtained the fourth specimen
of a small snake recently named Tantalophis discolor.
DEPARTMENT OF ICHTHYOLOGY
Charles M. Breder, Jr., Chairman
The outstanding accession of the year was a specimen of the
coelacanth or lobe-finned fish Latimeria. This is approximately the
fifteenth specimen caught and, like all others except the first, it
came from the deep waters off the Comoro Islands in the Indian
Ocean. It was presented as a gift to the Museum by the President
of the Government Council of the Comoro Islands, Dr. Said
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