Iguana b&w text 184 IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 The distribution of Guatemalan Black Iguanas (Ctenosaura palearis), also known as Paleate Spiny-tailed Iguanas, is restricted to the Motagua Valley. Populations are known to be sparse and the species stands to benefit from the preservation of this unique ecoregion. NÁJERA ACEVEDO JO H N B IN N S. A N IM A L C O U R TE SY O F W ES T C O A ST IG U A N A R ES EA R C H Iguana 13.3 b&w text.QX6 9/17/06 3:02 PM Page 184 IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 185 The semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley in northeastern Guatemala has been classified as an ecoregion in the classi- fication developed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (Dinerstein et al. 1995) based on its biodiversity and high degree of endemism, among other unique qualities. Because the region is also highly threatened, the Guatemalan NGO Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza (FDN), with the support of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Dutch cooperation, are leading a participatory and interinstitutional conservation program. Description of the Area The small (approx. 200,000 ha), semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley is in the departments of El Progreso, Zacapa, and Chiquimula, and contains two habitat zones: Subtropical thorn scrub and subtropical dry forest (TNC and FDN 2003). The valley is surrounded by the Sierra Las Minas, with peaks reaching to 3000 m above sea level creating a natural barrier to The Conservation of Thorn Scrub and Dry Forest Habitat in the Motagua Valley, Guatemala: Promoting the Protection of a Unique Ecoregion1 Andrea Nájera Acevedo Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, City of Guatemala (anajera@defensores.org.gt) Photographs by author unless otherwise indicated. HABITAT CONSERVATION IN THE MOTAGUA VALLEY � The semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley is seriously threatened. Despite its importance and singularity, it is barely represented in the Guatemalan Protected Areas System. 1 Translated by AJ Gutman Iguana 13.3 b&w text.QX6 9/17/06 3:02 PM Page 185 186 IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 NÁJERA ACEVEDO the moisture originating from the Atlantic (TNC and FDN 2003). With annual precipitation of approximately 500 mm per year, the area has the lowest annual precipitation recorded for any part of Central America (Powell and Palminteri 2001), whereas the surrounding mountains receive up to 3000 mm of annual precipitation (Powell and Palminteri 2001). Precipitation data indicate a rainy season extending from May to September. The average relative humidity ranges from 60–72%, and the average temperature varies from 22–28 °C (Castañeda 1997), reaching a maximum of 45 °C during the warmest months of March and April, and a minimum of 7 °C in December (Valle et al. 1999). Vegetation The climatic conditions of the region have resulted in the devel- opment of caducous vegetative communities, in which leaves fall at the beginning of the dry season and appear at the beginning of the rainy season (TNC and FDN 2003). Thorn-bearing species make up approximately 50% of the plant life, hence the descriptive habitat name of “thorn scrub” (Castañeda and Ayala 1996). With the exception of the gallery forests, in which the constant flow of water permits the development of very differ- ent and much greener vegetative communities, which provide a refuge to many animal species, the lower elevations of the region are dominated by thorny species such as the Cactaceae, Acacia, and leguminous shrubs (Powell and Palminteri 2001). Recent studies of the thorn scrub in the Motagua Valley have documented the presence of 107 families and 598 species of plants, of which 140 are trees, 89 shrubs, 273 grass, 74 lianas, Several bromeliads and species of cacti, such as this Melocactus, are threatened by illicit extraction. Geographic location of the semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley, Guatemala. JO H N B IN N S JO H N B IN N S Iguana 13.3 b&w text.QX6 9/17/06 3:02 PM Page 186 12 epiphytes, 4 parasitic species, and 3 aquatic species (Véliz et al. 2005). The most diverse families are Asteraceae and Euphorbiaceae with 46 species each, Fabaceae with 41, Poaceae with 39, Mimosaceae with 28, Caesalpiniaceae with 20, Convolvulaceae with 18, and Boraginaceae, Cactaceae, and Solanaceae with 15 species each. Geologic processes affecting the region have created isola- tion that has favored plant speciation, producing a number of new species with distributions restricted to the Motagua Valley, for example, various Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Mimosaceae (Castañeda 1997, Valle et al. 1999, Morales 2003). The endemic bromeliad, Tillandsia xerographica, is in danger of extinction. It, along with species of cacti in the genera Mammillaria and Melocactus, are extracted illegally for the orna- mental plant trade. Among the most common and typical species in the thorn scrub of Guatemala are Guaiacum coulteri, Caesalpinia velutina, Cassia emarginata, Cassia skinneri, Haematoxylon brasileto, Leucaena collinsii, Ximenia americana, Bursera schlenthendali, B. graveolens, Acacia farnesiana, Prosopis juliflora, Juliania adstrin- gens, Stenocereus pruinosus, Pereskia lychnidiflora, Nopalea guatemalensis, Pilosocereus leucocephala, Cordia dentata, and Cordia truncatifolia (Véliz et al. 2005). Many important tree and shrub species are used by the local inhabitants for firewood, wood for small and medium- sized industry or crafts, and as a source of medicinal plants, food, and ornamentals (Castañeda 2004). The main species that make up the cover in the thorn scrub, recognizing the limitations of the zone, are the Ceibillo (Ceiba aesculifolia), Orotoguaje (Acacia deamii), Yaje (Leucaena diversifolia), Aripín (Caesalpinia velutina), Mountain Oak (Bucida macrostachya), Jiote (Bursera simarouba), Caraño (Juliana adstringens), Guayacán (Guaiacum sanctum), and the Barreto (Plocosperma buxifolium) (Castañeda 2004). The Barreto and the endemic Motapino (Mimosa zaca- pana) also have ornamental uses (Castañeda 2004). Fauna The semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley is home to a greater diversity of species in some groups of vertebrates compared with other types of forest, largely due to the interactions between the riverine and semi-arid forests (TNC and FDN 2003). The pres- ence of 48 species of mammals and 101 species of birds has been reported (Valle et al. 2003), some of which make use of the gallery forest that provides them with food and sites for reproduction (TNC and FDN 2003). The bird families Columbidae, Tyrannidae, Icteridade, and Fringilidae are sufficiently abundant IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 187HABITAT CONSERVATION IN THE MOTAGUA VALLEY Gallery forest and dry forest in the Motagua Valley, showing the river basin during the dry season and the gallery forest that remains green. Iguana 13.3 b&w text.QX6 9/17/06 3:02 PM Page 187 188 IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 NÁJERA ACEVEDO as to be considered characteristic of the region (Land 1970). The valley is the only site in Central America where the Russet Crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus) is found, a species that is considered to be a reliable indicator of high-quality habitat. Nevertheless, recent studies (Perez 2003, Nájera 2004) indicate that most bird species whose presence was recorded in the valley are habitat generalists and little affected by disturbed habitat. The threatened mammalian species in the region include the bats Pteronotus dhabi, P. parnelli, and Leptonycteris curasoae, the Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), which is endangered due to hunting, the skunks (Conepatus semistriatus, Mephitis macroura) due to exploitation for medicinal uses, Cacomistle or Bassarisk (Bassariscus sumichrasti), and the Water Possum (Chironectes minumus), which is threatened by the advance of the agricultural border (Valle et al. 2003). Sixteen species of amphibians and 54 reptiles have been reported in the Motagua Valley (Acevedo 2004). The frog, Craugastor inachus, that was only recently described (Campbell and Savage 2000) is endemic, and the salamander, Oedipina tay- lori, is a regional endemic (Acevedo 2004). Among the reptiles is the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Heloderma horridum charles- bogerti), an endemic subspecies that is in serious danger of extinction. Recent studies of this species (Masaya 2005, Ariano 2003) report that, even in the most optimistic scenario, the sur- viving population of H. h. charlesbogerti is only around 174 indi- viduals (Masaya 2005). The Conservation Plan In 2003, the FDN and TNC undertook the task of creating a Conservation Plan for the semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley, in view of the importance of biodiversity in this area and of the urgency to initiate formal actions for its preservation. In 2005, the plan was updated based on new findings and lessons learned during the first years of work in the Motagua Valley (FDN and TNC 2005). The Conservation Plan is based on the methodology of Planning for the Conservation of Areas (PCA), proposed by TNC (TNC 1999) and which takes into account all available ecological and social data on the area in question. The method- ology is based on the identification and selection of conservation elements, and an analysis and prioritization of the threats and advantages affecting those elements. The next step is the defini- tion of strategies to reduce the threats and maximize advantages. The final step is to define indicators that can be used to meas- ure the success of the proposed strategies. The application of this methodology to the region permits an approach to the initiative from a local perspective, recogniz- ing the region’s inhabitants as stakeholders in the conservation process. To date, the FDN has focused on promoting the decla- ration of both private and municipal protected areas, environ- mental education, incentives for forest conservation, ecotourism, and the enforcement of existing conservation legislation. Conservation Elements The conservation elements identified for the semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley are: (1) Thorn scrub and dry forest, (2) Tillandsias and cacti threatened by extraction, (3) Guatemalan Beaded Lizards (Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti), (4) gallery forests, and (5) the fluvial system. These five elements and the key ecological processes by which they are connected are the focus of the conservation efforts undertaken since 2004 at the field level. Threats and Advantages The most serious threat identified to date is agricultural prac- tices inconsistent with conservation. Areas of thorn scrub and dry forest converted for agricultural use have led to the destruc- tion of 60,000 ha (ca. 30% of the land in the region; Secaira 2004). Also considered serious threats are incompatible forestry Cacti in the Valley are threatened by extraction. The Russet Crowned Motmot (Momotus mexicanus) is a species that is considered to be a reliable indicator of high-quality habitat. C ES A R Q U EM E Iguana 13.3 b&w text.QX6 9/17/06 3:02 PM Page 188 practices, the elimination and extraction of H. h. charlesbogerti, and non-sustainable selective forest product extraction. The most threatened elements within the thorn scrub and dry forest ecosystem are the Beaded Lizards and the fluvial system, because the factors threatening them are severe and could eliminate them entirely in the near future if no action is undertaken. Investigations in the area have identified further factors leading to the degradation of the ecosystem, including decreases in the amount of forest, an overall reduction in biodiversity, and contamination of the rivers. Another element to consider is the implementation of monoculture systems and the pressures that the impoverished human populations exert on the local flora and fauna (Valle et al. 1999). Nevertheless, factors also exist that favor the conservation of biodiversity in the Motagua Valley. Among the most significant of these is the presence of diverse institutions and local govern- ments that are actively increasing awareness of the importance of the region and of conservation projects centered on the thorn scrub and dry forest. Also, since the formal implementation of the PCA in 2004, an increasing interest in scientific research and ecotourism in the Motagua Valley has served to directly and indi- rectly promote the conservation of biodiversity. Strategic Objectives and Advances The strategic objectives for the reduction of threats and an increase in the positive factors affecting the conservation ele- ments are set for a term of five years from the update of the Conservation Plan in 2005. One of the main objectives is to establish formal conservation mechanisms in at least 10% of the present natural cover, which amounts to having at least 10,000 ha of thorn scrub and dry forest under protection by 2010. With the collaboration of local governments, communities, and private landowners, the first protected areas have been estab- lished in the region adding up to a total of 934 ha, comprised of municipal regional parks and private natural reserves. Disputes over land ownership have inhibited further progress on this objective. In some instances, well-preserved areas with coop- erative and enthusiastic owners could not be declared as pro- tected areas due to the lack of property registries. In many other cases, a lack of realization of the importance of the ecosystem on the part of local property owners, communities, and govern- ments works against the creation of new protected areas, thus the intense focus on environmental education for adults and children in the region. One factor stimulating efforts to conserve thorn scrub and dry forest has been the recent inclusion by the Guatemalan National Forest Institute of these types of habitat into their Forest Incentives Program (Programa de Incentivos Forestales, PINFOR). This program provides economic incentives to pri- vate and municipal owners to maintain the existing natural veg- etative cover on their properties or to reforest them with native species. To date, five private owners have been provided with economic assistance for choosing to conserve the forest on their property. The goal for 2010 with regard to Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti is to maintain existing population numbers IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 189HABITAT CONSERVATION IN THE MOTAGUA VALLEY Guatemalan Beaded Lizards (Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti) are endemic to the Motagua Valley. Iguana 13.3 b&w text.QX6 9/17/06 3:02 PM Page 189 190 IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 NÁJERA ACEVEDO (Masaya 2005, Ariano 2003). Beaded Lizards are seriously threatened by destruction of their habitat, elimination due to false suppositions regarding the dangers posed by this venomous animal, and illegal extraction for the exotic pet trade. Various institutions have initiated their own environmental education programs to sensitize the local population to the need for pro- tection. Recently, the national strategy for Heloderma conserva- tion was developed (Zootropic and TNC 2005), and work moves forward on the telemetry studies initiated in 2004 (Masaya 2005), as well as environmental education efforts within the distribution of Heloderma to ensure the protection of the remnant population of this species. The strategic objectives for the gallery forests and the flu- vial system are largely the purview of the FDN team that works in the adjacent Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve (SMBR). Since the water supply of the Motagua Valley comes almost entirely from the Sierra de las Minas, in which 63 permanently flowing rivers originate, an initiative for the integrated manage- ment of the water supply has been created (“Fondo del Agua” = Water Fund). The objective of this project is to ensure the vol- ume and quality of the water originating in the SMBR for the long term by providing technical and financial assistance to improve water management and the river basins (FDN 2004). For the semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley, the strategic objective for 2010 is to maintain the quality and volume of water produced annually by the SMBR, and to ensure the preservation of the gallery forests of three high-priority river basins between the Motagua Valley and the SMBR. Work toward these objectives has been accomplished primarily through the Water Fund project with the formation of river basin committees and through education emphasizing the importance of sustainable usage of hydro resources in the region. To improve progress towards the fulfillment of the pro- posed objectives, a plan for the conservation of cultural patri- mony has been developed and integrated into the existing PCA in an effort to take advantage of synergies between nature and culture to increase local and institutional support, education, and the promotion of sustainable tourism. This Natural and Cultural Conservation Plan (FDN and TNC 2005) tries to inte- grate the diverse stakeholders and local institutions through the formation of an “alliance for the conservation of the semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley.” The objective of this alliance is to promote and coordinate activities for the conservation of the natural and cultural resources of the region, and to extend man- agement support to national and international organizations for the implementation of the PCA. The alliance also seeks to gen- erate political support and to establish strategic alliances with participating institutions and local governments, to continue working on the application of effective environmental legisla- tion, the conservation and recovery of high-priority areas, social organization, and environmental education, with the purpose of promoting and consolidating mechanisms likely to preserve the natural and cultural resources of the Motagua Valley. Since early 2004, we have made discernible progress on all proposed strategic objectives, and have learned many lessons. One of the latter is the necessity and importance of a combina- tion of interinstitutional alliances and local support to develop a more integrated and sustainable long-term initiative. Promoting conservation in this region of Guatemala has been a challenge, but the participating institutions truly hope that the conservation efforts that are being implemented will ensure the permanence of this important ecosystem, as well as fortify and consolidate diverse areas of conservation in the semi-arid region of the Motagua Valley. Acknowledgements I thank the staff of the Defensores de la Naturaleza, all of whom have worked and continue to work directly and indirectly for the conservation of this region. I also thank the communities, municipal governments, private landowners, participating insti- tutions, and donors, who have provided incalculable assistance. Colleagues from TNC have provided us with technical and planning support since the very beginning. References Acevedo, M. 2004. Herpetofauna de la región semiárida del valle del Motagua. Seminario de Investigaciones para la Conservación de la Región Semiárida del Valle del Motagua. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza y The Nature Conservancy. Guatemala. Ariano, D. 2003. Distribución e historia natural del Escorpión, Heloderma hor- ridum charlesbogerti Campbell y Vannini (Sauria: Helodermatidae) en Zacapa, Guatemala y caracterización de su veneno. Tesis Departamento de Biología. Universidad del Valle del Guatemala. Castañeda, C. 1997. Impacto de los diferentes sistemas de producción en la biodiversidad de las regiones semiáridas de Guatemala. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Dirección General de Investigación. Programa Universitario de Investigación en Recursos Naturales y Ambiente, Facultad de Agronomía. Castañeda, C. 2004. Ecología del bosque seco y muy seco. Seminario de Investigaciones para la Conservación de la Región Semiárida del Valle del Motagua. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza y The Nature Conservancy, Guatemala. Castañeda, C. y H. Ayala. 1996. Vida en la región semiárida de Guatemala. Cuadernos Chac. No. 3. Facultad de Agronomía. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Dinerstein, E., D.M. Olson, D.J. Graham, A.L. Webster, S.A. Primm, M.P. Bookbinder, y G. Ledec. 1995. Una evaluación del estado de conser- vación delas ecoregiones terrestres de América Latina y el Caribe. Banco Mundial. Fondo Mundial para la Naturaleza. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza. 2004. Sistema de organización por cuencas hidrográficas. Fondo del Agua del Sistema Motagua-Polochic. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, Guatemala. The archaeological sites of the Motagua Valley, such as this one called Guaytán, are among the cultural elements in need of conservation. Iguana 13.3 b&w text.QX6 9/17/06 3:02 PM Page 190 Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza & The Nature Conservancy. 2005. Plan de conservación del patrimonio natural y cultural de la región semiárida del valle del Motagua. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza. Guatemala. Land, H. 1970. Birds of Guatemala. Livingston Publ. Co., Narberth, Pennsylvania. Masaya, L. 2005. Ecología, ámbito de hogar y abundancia de una de las fuentes de alimento de Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti en Cabañas, Zacapa, Guatemala. 2005. Tesis, Departamento de Biología, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala. Morales, J. 2003. Segundo Informe de Vegetación. Línea base para el moni- toreo de la subcuenca del Río Colorado, cuenca del Río Hondo, Zacapa. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza. Nájera, A. 2004. Avifauna en cuatro sitios de la región semiárida del Valle del Motagua: Palo Amontonado, San Agustín Acasaguastlán, Río Hondo y Uyús. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, Guatemala. Pérez, S. 2003. Aves del valle semiárido del Motagua. Propuestas para moni- toreo de las fluctuaciones en las poblaciones a largo plazo como investi- gación deductiva. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, Guatemala. Powell, G. and S. Palminteri. 2002. Terrestrial Ecoregions. Motagua Valley Thornscrub (NT1312). WWF, http://www.worldwildlife.org. Secaira, E. 2004. Plan de Conservación de la Región semiárida del Valle del Motagua. Seminario de Investigaciones para la Conservación de la Región Semiárida del Valle del Motagua. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza y The Nature Conservancy. Guatemala. The Nature Conservancy. 1999. Planificación para la Conservación de Sitios. Un Proceso para la Conservación de Sitios Prioritarios. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, Virginia. The Nature Conservancy y Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza. 2003. Plan de Conservación de la Región Semiárida del Valle del Motagua. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza y The Nature Conservancy. Guatemala. Valle, L., R. Soto, P. Negreros, S. Pérez, y C. Castañeda. 1999. Áreas priori- tarias para la conservación en el sector norte del monte espinoso del Valle del Río Motagua, Guatemala. Fundación Defensores de la Naturaleza, Programa Ambiental Regional para Centroamérica/Central American Protected Areas System, Guatemala. Véliz, M., M. García, A. Cóbar, y F. Ramírez. 2004. Diversidad Florística del Monte Espinoso. Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Dirección General de Investigación, Guatemala. Zootropic y The Nature Conservancy. 2005. Estrategia nacional de conser- vación del Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti. Zootropic y The Nature Conservancy, Guatemala. IGUANA • VOLUME 13, NUMBER 3 • SEPTEMBER 2006 191HABITAT CONSERVATION IN THE MOTAGUA VALLEY Dear Donors and Volunteers, On behalf of Zoo Atlanta and the IRCF, we extend our sincere gratitude to you for your help in making this year’s NRB Expo auction to benefit the Guatemalan Beaded Lizard a tremendous success. Thanks to your generosity and hard work, we raised $18,000 to help this deserving species. These funds will help save some of the most critically endangered lizards in the world. Our sincere thanks to each of you. Brad Lock, Zoo Atlanta, and John Binns, IRCF Zoo Atlanta and IRCF acknowledge the following donors and Volunteers: Collette Adams; Alan Bosch Reptiles; Alligator Adventures; Alligator Farm; Luis Alvarado; Amazing Blue Reptiles; Anacafe; Jeremy Anderson; Animal Zone; Aquarium at Moody Gardens; Daniel Ariano; ARS Caging; Artscard – Jennifer Langley; Paul Auerbach; Al Baldago; Andy Balk; Ball Python Club; Ball Room Pythons; David and Tracy Barker; BCI Joe; Silas Beach; Dan Beck; Daniel Benbo; Marvin Bennett; BHB Enterprises; Jane Billette; John Binns; Sandra Binns; BoaMaster.com; Rodrigo Botran; Tina Bouse; Carl Peiter Brest Van Kempen; Bright Albino; Brock’s (Jason) Hippie Herps; Bronx Zoo; Will Brown; Joe Burgess; Burke Reptiles; Alitha Butler; Bynum Family, Michelle Bynum; Bill Cagle Reptiles; Camlon Reptiles; John Campbell; Jason Cantos; Marc Cantos; CapitalColor.com; Marty Capron; Captive Born Creatures; John Chapo; Nancy Chretien; Bob Clark; Ben Cole; Columbus Zoo; Darry and Ted Conner; Constrictors Unlimited; Cornutopia; Creative Pet; Sandra Cruz; Cryptic Creatures; Maurice Cullen; Custom Reptile Enclosure; Cutting Edge Herps; Cypress Creek; D & M Breeders; Dallas World Aquarium; Andy Daneault; Renee DiResta; Disney’s Animal Kingdom; Doug Dix; Donna Doherty; TonyDongarra; Dragon Attack; Dragons 4 You; East Coast Reptiles; Ebclosion S.A.; ECO; Eco Uninterupted; Ectotherms; Kevin Enright; Everybody Loves Albinos; ExoTerra; Richard Fife; Greg Fleming; Flora & Fauna; Ardith Fowler; Joel Friesch; Silas Gatewood; Geckos Unlimited; Geiselle; Glades Herp; Glynn & Jerry’s; Gourmet Rodents; Karen Graham, Sedgwick County Zoo; Graziani Reptiles; Aminah Grefer; Griselle; AJ Gutman; Happy Hollow Park & Zoo; HBH Pet Products; H-D P Qilippon/B. McCord; John Heidecker; Herp Hobby Shop; Herps Limited; Heuman Solar Reptiles; Tell Hicks; High Plains Herpetoculture; Mae Hill; Wayne Hill and Peggy Smith; Hogle Zoo – Utah; Pat Holman; Eric Holt; HorridumAngeli Reptiles; Houston Zoo; Rick Hudson; Incredible Pets; Indian River Reptiles; IRCF; Andy Kaukainen; Kingsnake.com – Jeff Barringer; Kim Klausen; Kobylka Reptiles; Bert Langerwerf; David Lee; Lenay at Sirata; LLL Reptile; Brad Lock; Lowry Park Zoo; Lucky Lure Crickets; Donald MacAulay; Nicole MacAulay; Douglas Mader; Marathon Vet Hospital; Karen McAdams; Meco/Samsonite; Jeff Meyer; MFEZI.com; Michael Kern Photographer; Mid-Atlantic Morphs; Mid-Michigan Reptile Rescue; Theresa Moran; Vic Morgan; Natural Selections; NERD; Rob Nimmo; North American Reptile Connection; North Carolina Zoo; NYS; Ogleby Zoo; Oklahoma City Zoo; Chris Olson Reptiles; Osborne Exotics; Outback Steakhouse; Sam Passcucci; Richard Cary Paul; Russell Pearl, M.D.; Dan Pearson; Jen Periat; Prestige Products; Ricardo Pusey; Quality First Pets; Ralph Curtis Publishing; Ralph Davis Reptiles; Rare Geckos; RBM Reptles by Mac; Regal Reptiles; RepCal; ReptiGreens; Reptile Wearables; Reptiles Magazine – BowTie Publishing; ReptileUV.com – Bob MacCargar; Reptilian Dreams; Ridgeway Reptiles; RJ Reptiles; Ken Robertson; Richard Rooker; Russ Gurley Living Art; S+M Reptiles; Sallas; San Diego Zoological Society; Sandfire Dragon Ranch; Carole Saucier; Russ Saucier; Chuck Schaffer; Albert Scholl; Alex Seiss; Selective Origins; Seneca Park Zoo; Mark Seward; Shedd Aquarium; Shelby Reptile Ranch; Wade Sherbrooke; Bob Shumaker; Bruce Shwedick; Simply Natural Dart Frogs; Six Flags; Daniel Slagel; Michelle Smith; Snake Arts.com; Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles; Sooner State Reptiles; Ssnakes; Tom Stevens; Sticky Tongue Farms; Sunshine Serpents – Daniel Parker; Susquehanna Reptiles; Tattoo Pete; Taylor & Assoc; The Rainforest Room; The Rep Room; The Snake Keeper; Theraphosid; Timerberline; Toronto Zoo; Kathryn Tosney; T-Rex; Tim Trout; Craig Trumbower; Turtle Hospital; Dennis Uhris; UNAKA; Underground Reptiles; Upscale Reptiles; Paul Vanderschouw; George Vesper; W Worp; Joe Wasilewski; Waterland Tubs; George Waters; Don Wheeler; White Oak Conservation Center; Randy Whittington; Wholesale Vivarium Supply; Wide Mouth Herps; Jim Widows; Wild Horizons – Tom Wiewandt; Wildlife Design by Linda; Byron Williams; Linda Williams; Brad Wilson; Desiree Wong; World Chelonian Trust; Xtreme Reptiles; Zeigler Bros.; Zoo Atlanta; Zoo Books; ZooMed; Zootropic. 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