SUMMARY OF THE MEETINGS
The 85th annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) was held at the Marriott Tampa Waterside Hotel in Tampa, Florida from 6-11 July 2005, in conjunction with the 21st annual meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society (AES), the 63rd annual meeting of the Herpetologists' League (HL), and the 47th annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR). Henry Mushinsky and Phil Motta served as co-chairs of the local committee.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING: 6 JULY 2005
The meeting of the ASIH Board of Governors (BOG) was called to order by President Lynne R. Parenti at 1700 h on 6 July 2005. Forty-eight governors and two guests were in attendance. President Parenti appointed Governor Roy McDiarmid as Parliamentarian for the BOG meeting. Secretary Donnelly conveyed messages of regret from Governors James Atz, Reeve Bailey, Paulo Buckup, Frances Cashner, Robert Cashner, Tony Echelle, Harry Greene, David Greenfield, Arnold Grobman, Karsten Hartel, Gene Helfman, Fred Janzen, Nathan Kley, Joe Pechmann, Frank Pezold, Kyle Piller, Tod Reeder, Richard Rosenblatt, Jay Savage, Tom Turner, Marvalee Wake, and Kent Wells. Secretary Donnelly announced the passing of George Dalrymple, Guido Dingerkus, Michael Ewert, Raymond Laurent, Kristina Louie, Peter Lutz, Jack Moyer, Arthur Myrberg, Barbara Stahl, Patricia Stocking-Brown, and William Taylor. The minutes as published in Copeia 2004 (4):978-991 and the agenda for the meeting were approved unanimously.
Late reports (Special Publications, Policy on Meeting Location from Meetings Management, Complete Candidate Information, and Representative to the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections [SPNHC]) were distributed to the governors.
President Parenti announced that Adam Summers will serve as the chair of the 2005 resolutions committee. Hank Bart, Todd Campbell, and Karen Warkentin are members of the committee.
President Parenti then announced that Michael Ghedotti and Darrel Frost are co-chairs of the 2005 Student Awards Committee. The names of judges will be announced during the banquet.
FUTURE ANNUAL MEETINGS
President Parenti called on Henry Mushinsky, member of the Meetings Management Committee to describe future meeting sites. In 2006, the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists will be held in New Orleans (12-17 July 2006). The 2007 meeting will be held in St. Louis and our sister society, the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles will celebrate their 50th anniversary. In 2008 we will meet in Montreal but not in conjunction with the World Congress of Herpetology. For 2009 we have an invitation from Vancouver, Long Beach and other sites. The Meetings Management Committee will propose a rotation that will move the meeting around North America. If a rotation can be established, negotiations for sites can be initiated early to secure venues that best serve the membership. Competition for our meeting can accrue savings to the societies. The Meetings Management Committee works closely with the group from Kansas State Conference Services. Governor Mushinsky, the co-host of the 2005 Joint Meeting, described his working relationship with this group as exceptional. Governor Cannatella asked Governor Mushinsky to speak about the situation with the World Congress of Herpetology. Governor Mushinsky explained that we plan to meet in Montreal without the World Congress, but we have not yet signed a contract with a hotel. Governor Mushinsky explained that the ASIH was not willing pay costs for the World Congress of Herpetology and hotels wanted financial assurance from the ASIH that the costs of the World Congress would be covered. The members of the Meetings Management committee agreed that we could not spend ASIH funds to support the World Congress. Governor Mushinsky indicated that the recent World Congress meeting in South Africa generated a slight profit. Governor Wassersug asked if the World Congress would be able to enter negotiations for 2008. Governor Green explained that the venue for the World Congress was no longer available and a lack of fiscal support from ASIH led to the withdrawal of the invitation to the World Congress from the original meeting site. The Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists is invited to Montreal for 2008.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
President Parenti asked Secretary Donnelly to read the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting that was held earlier in the day. The Executive Committee meeting was called to order by President Parenti at 8:58 am. First, EXEC discussed issues related to our relationship with Allen Press. We signed a three year printing contract with Allen Press and are currently in the first year of that contract. Several issues related to electronic publishing of Copeia were discussed and EXEC has determined that the Silo site offered by Allen Press best suits the needs of the ASIH. The silo site will provide individuals and institutions the ability to receive Copeia electronically.
Second, the ASIH charges authors who are not members page charges for publishing in Copeia. Editor Schaefer will copy Treasurer to these invoices so that she can follow up to ensure that these invoices are paid.
Third, the ASIH is happy to announce that all back issues of Copeia are now available on JSTOR. The complete holdings of Copeia became available on 1 July 2005. EXEC unanimously voted to pay JSTOR to provide individual access to JSTOR documents.
Fourth, the Executive Committee commended Editor Schaefer and the members of the Copeia Review committee for their exceptionally thorough report on the status of Copeia.
Fifth, the Executive Committee agreed to support the recommendations from the Copeia Review Committee to change the page size, page layout, outside front cover and other aspects of format to stimulate interest in the journal. President Parenti will appoint an ad hoc committee to develop an action plan for implementing these changes and suggests that these changes to our journal be coupled with changes in our website.
Sixth, the cost of printing colored figures is currently $800 per figure. Based on the recommendation from the Copeia Review Committee Exec voted unanimously to reduce to the cost of publishing color from $800 to $300 for members. Non-ASIH members will continue to pay $800 per figure.
Seventh, The Copeia Review Committee suggested a reorganization of the sectional editors. EXEC voted unanimously to accept this recommendation as well as the recommendation that the Editor seek sectional editors as needed. This necessitates a constitutional change that will come before the membership in 2006.
Eighth, Hank Bart and Nelson Rios presented a proposal to host the ASIH website at the Tulane Museum of Natural History. There has been substantial dissatisfaction with the website and this proposal is a remedy to our problems. EXEC unanimously accepted the proposal from Tulane and we will work to move the website as soon as possible because our website is extremely important to our society.
Ninth, members of EXEC noted that there have been declines in membership of the ASIH. EXEC voted to approve the formation of an ad hoc committee to investigate these declines. President Parenti will appoint the committee. EXEC also charged LRPP to consider our relationships with our sister societies to determine how our interactions may affect membership in the ASIH.
Tenth, the Secretary Historian, David Smith, presented a proposal to EXEC to add a second historian. President Parenti appointed Joe Mitchell to be the herpetological historian. President Parenti will form a committee to determine what w need to document the history of the ASIH, write obituaries, and continue to produce the Historical Perspectives.
Eleventh, there will be some clean up of the Constitution next year. If any of you detect any problems, please submit them to Secretary Donnelly so we can take care of them in 2006.
Twelfth, EXEC discussed meeting issues. The decision by Cornell to withdraw their invitation was unfortunate. We have located a substitute site for 2007 and we will be meeting in St. Louis. Rick Mayden has agreed to serve as the chair of the local committee. We also discussed university versus hotels as meeting sites and EXEC endorsed the activities of the Meetings Management Committee to secure future meeting sites.
Thirteenth, EXEC decided that Gaige and Raney certificates will be presented each year at the Annual Business Meeting. We hope this will increase attendance at this important meeting.
Fourteenth, EXEC authorized President Parenti and Mel Warren, Chair of ENFC, to write letters from our life members and encourage them to make a financial donation to the ASIH.
Fifteenth, EXEC voted to accept appropriate advertisements in Copeia as a way to generate funds.
Sixteenth, President Parenti had communicated with members of the Graduate Student Participation Committee about what they wanted from the ASIH. The students expressed an interest in panel discussions and workshops rather than one-on-one mentoring.
Seventeenth, Secretary Donnelly reported that she discovered that student participation in our meetings over the last ten years varies from 40% to over 50%. Student participation is extremely high this year.
Eighteenth, President Parenti announced that the Newsletter of Systematic Ichthyology is now co-sponsored by ASIH and Deepfin and the newsletter is available on the Deepfin website.
Nineteenth, President Parenti announced that AFS special publication #6, the common names of fishes, is being sold to ASIH members for $42 + shipping and handling. This price represents a 30% discount from the list price. The AFS donated two copies of the book to the ASIH student book raffle.
The executive committee was adjourned at 1328 h.
REPORTS TO THE BOARD
President Parenti exempted reports from the Meetings Management Committee, the Meetings Planning Committee, the Nominating Committee, the report from the Copeia Review Committee, and late reports from the Special Publications Committee and from the Representative to the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections. President Parenti asked the Governors for exemption of additional reports. Hearing no requests, it was moved and seconded that all other reports be accepted. The motion passed unanimously.
President Parenti called on Henry Mushinsky to describe the policy for selection of meeting sites. The policy calls for moving meeting sites in a predictable way among regions. The sequence begins with the 2009 meeting on the Pacific Coast, a 2010 meeting for the East Coast, a 2011 meeting in the Midwest, a 2012 meeting in the Southwest, and a 2013 meeting in the Southeast. The sequence can be interrupted by an opportunity to hold our meeting in Central or South America. Governor Collette moved to accept the report, the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
President Parenti then called on Deanna Stouder, chair of the Meetings Planning Committee, to describe the three proposals described in the report from the committee which were considered in three votes. Stouder described the proposal to limit the number of symposia held each year. Scheduling symposia is complicated and the proposal limits the number held in any year to 8. Each of the four JMIH societies will have one symposia and other proposals will be considered to balance interest and accommodate the needs of any additional societies that meet with the JMIH. Governor Steve Ross asked how the symposia will be selected. Stouder replied that the review process used by the ASIH Meetings Planning Committee will be used wherein proposals for symposia are reviewed and ranked will be expanded to include a review of all proposals. Governor Neighbors asked if our sister societies agreed with this policy. Governor Mushinsky, speaking on behalf of the Herpetologists' League and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, indicated that these societies had adopted the policy. Governor Burgess indicated that the American Elasmobranch Society had adopted the policy. The governors moved to accept the policy, the motion was seconded and carried unanimously.
Stouder then described the rationale for the second policy which is related to a process to review workshop proposals. Last minute requests for workshops are difficult to honor because they require space and equipment that are not cost neutral. To assist local hosts committees in coping with these requests, a policy was developed that mirrors the current policy for symposium proposals. The proposals would be due to on 1 March for the meeting in the following calendar year. For example, a workshop proposal for the 2007 meeting would be due on 1 March 2006. A motion to approve the proposal was made, the motion was seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
Stouder then described the third policy which is one that would limit the total number of oral presentations for the annual meeting to 700. Seven hundred and thirty oral papers were scheduled this year and it strained the limits of capacity. The only way to accommodate more presentations would be to add a room which is often difficult or add a day which is not acceptable to the membership. The first 700 oral papers will be accepted; poster presentations will make up the rest of the presentation slots. A total of 1142 abstracts were received in 2005 and the committee tried to prevent overlap between oral papers and posters to emphasize the importance of poster presentations. Governor Collette asked if presenters were still restricted to giving a single paper and a single poster. Stouder replied that this was the current policy. Governor McCormick asked if there was some limit to the number of posters. Stouder indicated that the number of posters is limited by the exhibitor space and hallway space to handle the poster boards. Governor Johnson asked how the limit was determined. Stouder replied that this was decided based on this year's submissions. Governor Wassersug indicated that if we move to presenting posters, we might need to provide technology for poster presenters interested in using such technology for dynamic presentations. The governors moved to adopt the policy, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President Parenti then called for approval of the Nominating Committee report. Governor Ross noted that one of the nominees for the Board of Governors is already a governor. Once Christopher Taylor was removed from the ballot, the governors moved to approve the report and the ballot, the motion was seconded and it passed unanimously. The governors then moved acceptance of the ballots for the Robert H. Gibbs, Jr. Memorial Award Committee, the Henry S. Fitch Committee, and the Robert K. Johnson Committee, the motion was seconded, and the ballots were unanimously approved.
President Parenti then turned to discussion of the report presented by the ad hoc Copeia Review Committee. Governor Buth mentioned that elements of the report were discussed during the Editorial Policy Committee Meeting. Governor Buth then explained that currently Sectional Editors are elected and there was a proposal in the report that would change that structure and have sectional editors appointed by the editor. Governor Buth suggested that Sectional Editors might want to be elected because it is more prestigious to be elected rather than being appointed. Governor Schultz wanted clarification among the subjects depicted in the report; he asked how population biology differed from Ecology. Scott Schaefer replied that this was the current distribution to balance the workload. Governor Hutchinson mentioned that it would be more functional to appoint editors. President Parenti pointed out that nothing has changed but she will appoint a committee to examine an implementation plan for the most serious recommendations offered by the Copeia Review Committee. Governor Mayden mentioned that the ad hoc committee should contact the membership for additional input. Governor Green pointed out that the acceptance of the report from the committee did not bind us to action but provides a point for discussion. Governor Collette moved acceptance of the report, Governor Phillips seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
President Parenti then turned to two late reports. The report from the Representative to the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections was discussed, a motion for acceptance was made, the motion was seconded, and it passed unanimously.
President Parenti then called on Governor Armbruster to discuss the report from the Special Publications Committee. The sales of special publications has increased but are still lagging behind expectations. We have only made a profit on Special Publication number 4 (Fishes of Bermuda). Jon also reported that Special Publication Number 5 can be downloaded as a PDF file from the NAO site. Jon described the recommendations from his committee regarding future special publications. Secretary Donnelly reported that the Executive Committee approved advertising the Allen Press Buyer's Guide in 2007. A motion was made to accept the report, the motion was seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
President Parenti then turned to items of Old Business. Parenti described the status of electronic publishing and delivery of Copeia. We currently produce an electronic version of Copeia that is available from BioOne and JSTOR. President Parenti reminded the governors that they were asked to vote on the establishment of a silo site to provide electronic access to all members of ASIH. The governors approved that motion by a vote of 40 for, 8 against, and 1 abstention. Since this motion was approved the society has been bombarded by proposals to publish Copeia electronically. President Parenti called on Al Savitzky to elaborate on some of these proposals. Carl Ferraris asked what will happen to old issues of BioOne. Julian Humphries asked how many folks needed individual access. Governor Savitzky described how the silo site carries the least amount of risk for us at this point in time because it provides access to libraries.
President Parenti asked for any other items of old business, hearing none she turned to new business. She informed the governors that we have received a proposal from the Tulane Natural History Museum to sponsor the ASIH website. The Executive Committee voted unanimously to accept the proposal. Hank Bart described the elements of the proposal that includes a server, maintenance of the server, and a portion of the salary for a web developer. President Parenti called for a motion to approve the proposal which was made, the motion was seconded, and it carried unanimously.
President Parenti called for other items of new business and hearing none she called on the governors to cast their ballots for the Gibbs, Fitch, and Johnson committees. Carter Gilbert was elected to a three year term on the Robert H. Gibbs, Jr. Memorial Award Committee. H. Bradley Shaffer was elected to a three year term on the Henry S. Fitch Committee. Frank H. McCormick was elected to a three year term on the Robert K. Johnson Committee. All newly elected members will serve as chairs of these committees in 2008.
President Parenti adjourned the BOG meeting at 1836 h.
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING: 10 JULY 2005
The Annual Business Meeting (ABM) was called to order at 1801 h in Room 9-10 of the Marriott Tampa Waterside Hotel.
President Parenti called for a motion to approve the minutes of the annual business meeting held on 30 May 2004 at the NCED Center in Norman, Oklahoma as published in Copeia 2004:980-985. The minutes were unanimously accepted. President Parenti called on Secretary Donnelly to read the minutes from the Board of Governor's meeting held on 6 July 2005. President Parenti called for motion to approve the minutes of the BOG meeting; the motion was made, seconded, and carried unanimously.
President Parenti then announced the appointment of chairs for four ad hoc committees: Secretary Historians David Smith and Joe Mitchell will co-chair the ad hoc Committee on the History of the Society; Matthew Parris will chair the ad hoc Committee charged with implementation of the ideas presented in the Copeia Review Committee report; Hank Bart is the chair of the ad hoc Web Content Advisory Committee; Dawn Wilson and Larry Page will co-chair the ad hoc committee on Declining Membership.
President Parenti then called on Adam Summers to read the serious resolution presented to his committee. The resolution for Steven J. Beaupre was passed by acclamation. Frank McCormick came forward to read two resolutions from the Conservation Committee and three resolutions from AES. Following a reading of the resolutions, Jay Savage moved, and Brian Crother seconded the motion to approve all five resolutions. The motion carried unanimously.
SUBSTANTIVE RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION FOR STEVEN J. BEAUPRE--WHEREAS Steven J. Beaupre has served three years as Sectional Editor for Physiology and Physiological Ecology, and
Whereas Steve put his own research projects aside while he helped our members improve their manuscripts, and
Whereas this dedicated service is essential for the production of Copeia,
Therefore be it resolved that the ASIH extends its thanks to Steve for his generous service as the Sectional Editor of Physiology and Physiological Ecology.
RESOLUTION FOR TURKEY CREEK DARTERS--Whereas the Turkey Creek Basin, Alabama contains populations of two imperiled fish species, the federally endangered Vermilion Darter (Etheostoma chermocki) and the imperiled Rush Darter (E. phytophilum), a candidate species for federal listing, and
Whereas both species are also protected by the State of Alabama as Priority 1 species (Highest Conservation Concern), and
Whereas habitat degradation has increased throughout the basin over the last decade, with the most serious aquatic habitat destruction being directly attributable to subdivision development that increased sedimentation in Turkey Creek and resulted in the decline of Vermilion Darters, and
Whereas the request to rezone property in the Turkey Creek Basin near Pinson, Alabama from industrial/commercial to single family homes will negatively impact two newly discovered populations of Vermilion and Rush Darters in an unnamed tributary of Turkey Creek (33o40'56"N, 86o41'35"W; T15S, R2W, Sec. 36 SE 1/4 and (33o40'7"N, 86o42'18"W; T16S, R2W, Sec. 1 SW 1/4),
Therefore be it resolved that the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urges the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission to decline the above mentioned rezoning request and suspend any planned modifications to streams in the Turkey Creek watershed.
RESOULTION FOR THE PALLID STURGEON.-- Whereas the Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) is a federally endangered species found in large river habitat in the Missouri and Mississippi river systems, and
Whereas Pallid Sturgeon from the upper Missouri River system (Recovery-Priority Management Areas 1 and 2) differ from Pallid Sturgeon in the lower Missouri River (RPMA 4), Mississippi River (RPMA 5), and Atchafalaya River (RPMA 6) in both genetic and morphological characters, and
Whereas the Pallid Sturgeon is being propagated at a number of hatcheries using broodstock from the upper Missouri River System (RPMA 1 and 2) and progeny from these captive rearing activities are being stocked in the lower Missouri River system (RPMA 4), and
Whereas Pallid Sturgeon have been observed to move from the lower Missouri River system (RPMA 4) into the Mississippi River proper (RPMA 5) where they have an opportunity to exchange genetic material with distinctive pallid sturgeon resident to this area,
Therefore be it resolved that the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urges the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to discontinue these stocking activities and if captive rearing and stocking activities are to be continued, that the introduction of progeny into RPMA's with resident pallid sturgeon should be restricted to individuals with the same morphological and genetic characteristics as the broodstock from which they were produced.
Resolution regarding the conservation of the United states West Coast Spiny Dogfish.--WHEREAS the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Pacific Fishery Management Council are considering measures to limit participation and catch in a developing fishery for Spiny Dogfish (Squalus acanthias) off Washington, Oregon, and California, and
Whereas the exceptionally low intrinsic rate of increase associated with Spiny Dogfish sharks is well documented and warrants a cautious management approach, and
Whereas management action came to late to conserve United States Atlantic Spiny Dogfish and resulted in serious depletion of record high populations and recruitment failure within just ten years, and
Whereas Northeast Pacific Spiny Dogfish grow even more slowly than those in the Northwest Atlantic, and
Whereas Spiny Dogfish stock assessment will not occur until 2007 and the status of the Puget Sound Spiny Dogfish population is already of concern, and
Whereas Spiny Dogfish cross state and national boundaries off the United States West Coast,
Therefore be it resolved that the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urges the PFMC and NMFS to work cooperatively with the Pacific states and Canada to impose precautionary limit on participation and catch in West Coast Spiny Dogfish fisheries in order to conserve populations while comprehensive assessments and management programs are developed.
Resolution regarding the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Management and Conservation Act Reauthorization.--WHEREAS scientists nationwide, and the United States Commission on Ocean Policy, have found that many of our nation's fish populations are persistently overfished and in some cases, in danger of collapse, and
Whereas sound science is critical to successfully managing fish populations and ensuring their long-term sustainability, and
Whereas the scientific committees convened by the nation's eight Regional Fishery Management Councils are responsible for developing stock assessments and providing scientific advice on appropriate catch levels and identification of essential habitat for federal fish populations, and
Whereas the Regional Fishery Management Councils, responsible for managing federal fisheries, face intense political pressure to improve short-term economic conditions of fisheries and often downplay or ignore recommendations from their scientific committees in favor of decisions that result in overfishing, and
Whereas the United States Commission on Ocean Policy recommended amending the Magnuson-Stevens Act to strengthen the role of the Councils' scientific committees and to require the Councils to conform their management decisions to the scientific determinations and recommendations of these committees,
Therefore be it resolved that the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urges the United States Congress to pass legislation reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act that serves to strengthen the role of science in fisheries management by requiring Councils to adhere to the advice of their scientific committees.
Resolution regarding Amendment two to the Fishery Management Plan for United States Atlantic Sharks.--whereas the United States National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is in the process of amending its fishery management plan (FMP) for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) including sharks, and
Whereas NMFS considers the large coastal shark complex to be both overfished and experiencing overfishing, while the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN; World Conservation Union) Shark Specialist Group (SSG) has proposed two Atlantic large coastal shark species, the Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran) and Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), as endangered under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and
Whereas the IUCN SSG and Canada have both proposed the Porbeagle Shark (Lamna nasus) for endangered status, based on a Canadian stock assessment that reveals an 89% decline in the Northwest Atlantic population since the 1960's, and
Whereas exceptionally slow growing deepwater sharks have been severely depleted by fisheries in other parts of the world, and at least five populations of gulper sharks, including two species also found in the Northwest Atlantic (Centrophorus uyato and Centrophorus granulosus), are included on the IUCN Red List, and
Whereas the NMFS has yet to address any of these species in the ongoing process to amend the Atlantic HMS FMP, and
Whereas NMFS has taken action in the past to prohibit the take of 19 other shark species considered especially vulnerable and/or poorly understood in terms of exploitation risk.
Therefore be it resolved that the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urges the National Marine Fisheries Service to include Draft Amendment 2 to the Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan options for stopping overfishing of large coastal sharks and prohibiting directed fishing for other vulnerable and/or depleted shark species, particularly porbeagle and deepwater sharks.
PRESENTATION OF GAIGE AND RANEY AWARDS
President Parenti called on Secretary Donnelly to present the 2005 certificates for the Raney and Gaige award winners.
In 2005, the Gaige Fund Award Committee was chaired by Christopher Phillips. Kirsten Nicholson and Adam Summer served on the 2005 committee. The committee received 24 applications and made the following 10 awards of $500 to: Lelena Avila, Indiana University, "Why do Thamnophis sirtalis eat toxic newts?"; Nathan Calder, University of Central Oklahoma, "Do neuropeptides mediate alternative reproductive tactics in male collared lizards?";
Jena Chojnowski, University of Florida, "Identifying candidate genes for temperature-dependent sex determination in the red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta"; Paula Kahn, Auburn University, "Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) relocation: Effects of stress, immunocompetence, and reproduction"; Daria Koscinski, University of Western Ontario, "Comparative phylogeography of Andean frogs"; Gregory Pauly, University of Texas, "Sexual selection and mating signal evolution in the western toad, Bufo boreas"; Daniel Rabosky, Cornell University, "Rampant parallel evolution of color pattern in a clade of Australian skinks';
Jennifer Sheridan, University of California San Diego, "Reproductive variation across latitude for a wide-ranging tropical species"; Justin Touchon, Boston University, "Does an embryo's environment alter later tadpole interactions with predators?"; Jessa Watters, University of New Hampshire, "A test of optimal foraging theory in two lizard species: Sceloporus virgatus and Sceloporus jarrovii." Justin Touchon received a warm round of applause as he came forward to accept his certificate.
The Raney Fund Award Committee was chaired by Cheryl Wilga in 2005. Andrew Simons and Kent Carptenter also served on the committee in 2005. The committee received 42 applications of which 39 were evaluated. The five winners each received $1000 to support their research as follows: Benjamin Ciotti, University of Delaware, "Spatial variability in growth and diet of juvenile plaice: Predator-prey linkages in dynamic nursery environments"; Donovan German, University of Florida, "What does it take to eat wood: Mechanisms of digestion in closely related armored catfishes (Loricariidae) representing algivory, herbivory, and xylophagy"; Shannon Gerry, University of Rhode Island, "A comparison of feeding morphologies and behaviors in a generalist and specialist shark species"; Erin Reardon, McGill University, "Effects of hypoxia on the life history and energetics of the African Cichlid Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor"; Takashi Maie, Clemson University, "Relationships of feeding morphology and performance to habitat distribution in Hawaiian stream gobies: Awaous guamensis and Lentipes concolor."
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
President Parenti then moved to the election of ASIH officers, including the President Elect, two new sectional editors, new members of the Board of Governors (Class of 2010), the Nominating Committee Chair, and members of the Nominating Committee. The slate of nominees as provided by the Nominating Committee and the BOG are posted on the website. Nominations from the floor were invited and Michael E. Douglas, F. Douglas Martin, and Jacqueline F. Webb were added to the ballot (Board of Governors - Ichthyology). All candidates nominated from the floor provided a signed statement indicating they would serve if elected. A motion was made to close nominations, the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Kristen Bell, Alessandro Catenazzi, Ralph Saporito, Matthew Warren, James Watling, and Steven Whitfield distributed and tallied the ballots.
Results of the elections were announced at the banquet and are listed here (an asterisk [*] denotes re-election of an incumbent officer): President-Elect: Richard L. Mayden; Secretary: Maureen A. Donnelly*; Treasurer: Margaret A. Neighbors*; Editor: Scott A. Schaefer*; Ecology and Ethology Editor: Stanley F. Fox*; Ecology and Ethology Editor: Christopher M. Taylor*; General Ichthyology Editor: Donald G. Buth*; General Ichthyology Editor: Jonathan W. Armbruster*; General Herpetology Editor: Michael J. Lannoo*; General Herpetology Editor: Tod W. Reeder*; Genetics, Development and Morphology Editor: Robert M. Wood*; Genetics, Development and Morphology Editor: Joseph M. Quattro*; Physiology and Physiological Ecology Editor: Robert Mason; Physiology and Physiological Ecology Editor: Eric Schultz; Subject Index Editor: Frances Cashner*; Taxonomic Index Editor: Jay W. Orr*; Book Review Editor Ichthyology: Marlis R. Douglas*; Book Review Editor Herpetology: Kentwood D. Wells*; Board of Governors Class of 2010 Herpetology: Richard E. Glor, Craig Guyer, Kirsten E. Nicholson, Melissa A. Pilgrim, Jennifer B. Pramuk; Board of Governors Class of 2010 Ichthyology: Henry L. Bart, Michael E. Douglas, Bernard R. Kuhajda, Joseph S. Nelson, and Mark S. Peterson. The chair of the Nominating Committee is Maureen Kearney, and members of the nominating committee are: Karen R. Lips, Larry M. Page, and Deanna J. Stouder.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
President Parenti called on Al Savitzky to describe old business that deals with the electronic access to Copeia. Savitzky described that the only way institutions can get Copeia electronically is through BioOne. Al mentioned that EXEC wanted to provide all of our members individual access and BioOne would do it for members but not for institutions. Allen Press has a silo site for Copeia that allows AP to deliver Copeia electronically to several institutions. The cost is approximately $15,000/year. Carl Ferraris asked if institutions will get both print and electronic versions for free. Al mentioned that this year it is a single charge for electronic and print but next year, we will charge extra for electronic and print. Carl then said we will be paying $15,000/year for the silo site and he wondered if we make money would we lower costs? Al said that this will all be reconsidered 2 or 3 years out.
President Parenti then called for other items for old business, hearing none, she called on Hank Bart to come forward to describe the move of the website from Allen Press to Tulane. Hank described how the Tulane Natural History Museum recently got a dedicated T1 line and they offered to sponsor our website. For the price of a server, a one-time upfront cost of $5000, and a monthly charge of $296 (to cover future changes to the server, and part of the salary of a web developer, and the web development software), Tulane could host our website. The website will be redesigned, it will be installed on a dedicated ASIH file server. The web developer will redesign and add other functionalities. Hank pointed out that he will work closely with the web content committee to continually improve the ASIH website. Hank is certain we will soon have a website we are proud of and we can get it out to the world. Eric Schultz thanked Hank for his willingness to do this but voiced concerns over security. Hank responded that they currently deal with security issues and Nelson Rios is in charge of these functions at Tulane. Tulane hosts a large portal, they are collaborators on FishNet2, and they are part of a georeferencing consortium. Hank feels his team is knowledgeable enough to handle security. Bruce Collette asked how the costs compare with what we pay Allen Press. Hank said that he is open to suggestions for the website and asked interested persons to contact him. There will be a full-time web developer that will be supported on soft money and the web developers first project will be to move the site. Doug Martin said we are going to move the domain name and Margaret Neighbors controls the domain name. Barbara Savitzky asked if we would face $5000 cost every four years and Hank explained that the server cost was a one-time cost. Brian Crother thanked Hank and the audience applauded.
President Parenti called for additional new business. Hearing none, Lynne called on Bob Cashner to describe future meetings. The city of cafe au lait and beignets, and the city that says, 'When in New Orleans, please pretend you are in Tampa'. The co-hosting institutions are University of New Orleans, Tulane University with strong support from other Louisiana institutions including Southeastern Louisiana University. The 2006 meeting will be held 12-17 July and although Phil warned you not to walk to Ybor City, you can take a cab across Canal Street to the French Quarter. There are new services, an expanded trolley line service to the zoo and museums. There are 134 bistros near the meeting venue. The audience applauded.
President Parenti then called on Larry Page to discuss the LINNE initiative. Larry described two workshops held in 2003 at the University of Florida and the New York Botanical Garden which resulted in the new initiative called LINNE. Larry informed the membership that a proposal has been submitted to NSF which includes a series of workshops. There will be several workshops on taxonomy and LINNE is asking for money to support biological collections. Larry urged interested parties need to get behind this new initiative. LINNE is comparable to NEON, the national observatory network, Page believes that LINNE is ahead of NEON in terms of organization.
President Parenti then called for other announcements. Jay Savage moved adjournment which was seconded by Brian Crother. The meeting adjourned at 1920 h.
ANNUAL BANQUET: 11 JULY 2005
Emcee Larry Page called the banquet to order and informed the assembled body that the banquet was the final event of the Joint Meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society, the Herpetologists' League, and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Larry proposed a toast to the attendees of the joint meetings for doing important research and belonging to important societies. Larry then told a joke about a man with a gator, a woman, and a bar. He then introduced ASIH representatives seated at the head table: President Lynne Parenti and her partner Tina Ramoy, Secretary Maureen A. Donnelly, Treasurer: Margaret Neighbors, Herpetologists' League President: Henry Mushinsky and his wife Pat Yarnot, American Elasmobranch Society President Jeff Carrier and his wife Carol, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles President Robin Andrews and SSAR Secretary Marion Preest.
Larry then described the meeting statistics for 2005: There were a total of 1,361 attendees and over half of these were students (636 students). Sixty-seven accompanying persons, 5 members of the Press, and 19 exhibitors also attended the meeting. Larry read the list of represented countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, PR China, Portugal, R.O.C. , Scotland UK, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan/Taiwan R.O.C., United Kingdom, United States, and Venezuela.
Larry then asked all past-presidents of AES, HL, SSAR, and ASIH to stand and be recognized. The audience applauded as the past leaders of the societies were acknowledged.
The committee on Graduate Student Participation raised $3910 during the book raffle, and the ASIH will provide a match of $2000 to bolster the travel award fund.
Larry Page called on the presidents of AES and SSAR presented their awards and then Henry Mushinsky came forward as the President of the Herpetologists' League. Henry pointed out that we had a tornado last year, a hurricane this year, and he called on Bob Cashner to meet the challenge in 2006. Henry announced the results of the Jaeger student competition. Larry Page then called on Mo Donnelly to present the certificates of appreciation. Mo presented a certificate to Steve Beaupre in appreciation for his years of service as the Physiology and Physiological Ecology Editor and to Pat Gregory for his year of service as ASIH President.
PRESENTATION OF STOYE AND STORER AWARDS
Larry then called the Chair of the Student Awards Committee, Michael Ghedotti to the podium to present the 2005 Stoye and Storer Award winners. Mike, Chair of the 2005 Student Awards Committee and President-Elect Frost brought together 24 judges to work with them during the 2005 competitions. Each Stoye/Storer winner receives a cash award of $250, a certificate, and all existing back issues. Kevin Tang chaired the subcommittee for the Stoye Award for Conservation. Tomas Near and Dawn Wilson served on the committee. Tanya Darden, University of Southern Mississippi won the Stoye Award in Conservation for her talk entitled "Dispersal in Enneacanthini sunfishes: A test of wetland regulatory assumptions". Andrew Kinziger chaired the Stoye Ecology and Ethology subcommittee that included Pablo Delis, Mark Pyron, Christopher Shiel and John Switzer served as judges with Andrew. M. Rockwell Parker, Oregon State University, won the Stoye Award in Ecology and Ethology for his talk entitled "Revealing greater complexity in rattlesnake chemical ecology: Change is in the air." Michael Ghedotti chaired the General Ichthyology Subcommittee; Jason Knouft, Bernard Kuhajda, and Nathan Lovejoy served as judges. Rebecca Blanton, Tulane University, won the Stoye Award in General Ichthyology for her talk entitled "The geographic distribution of genetic diversity in the Etheostoma flabellarespecies complex (Percidae, Catonotus) from the lower Atlantic Slope River drainages of North and South Carolina." Jacqueline F. Webb chaired the Genetics, Morphology, and Development subcommittee. Jim Bogart, David Cundall and Paula Mabee served as judges for the subcommittee and Lisa Lobel, University of Massachusetts, won the Stoye Award for Genetics, Development, and Morphology for her talk "Field studies evaluation of developmental and reproductive effects of chemical exposure in the coral reef fish, Abudefduf sordidus (Pomacentridae)." Steve Beaupre was the chair of the Physiology and Physiological Ecology subcommittee; Steve Kaijura and Frederick Zaidan served as judges. Rita Mehta, University of Tennessee, won the Stoye Award in Physiology and Physiological Ecology for her talk entitled "Comparative epaxial motor patterns in snakes during constriction." Carol Spencer served as the chair of the subcommittee for the Storer Award in Herpetology; Darrel Frost and Maureen Donnelly served as judges. Krista Larson, Purdue University, won the Storer Award in Herpetology for her poster entitled "Call complexity in northern leopard frogs: Are males advertising beauty or brawn?" Nancy Holcroft Benson served as the chair of the subcommittee for the Storer Award in Ichthyology. Hank Bart and Eric Hilton served as judges; Kurtis Gray, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, won the Storer Award in Ichthyology for his poster entitled "Population genetic structure of the marlinsucker, Remora osteochir (Perciformes: Echeneidae) inferred from mitochondrial control (D-loop) DNA sequence analysis."
Larry then called on Mo Donnelly to present the Robert K. Johnson Award, Stan Fox to present the Henry S. Fitch Award, and Joe Nelson to present the Robert H. Gibbs Award.
PRESENTATION OF THE ROBERT K. JOHNSON AWARD
The Robert K. Johnson Award was formalized by the ASIH membership during the 2004 meeting in Norman, Oklahoma. Bob was a very dedicated ASIH member and devoted much of his time to improving the quality of our professional lives through his service to ASIH. Bob served the ASIH as the editor of our journal Copeia, as the chair of the Long Range Planning and Policy Committee, and as Secretary. His legacy is large. Bob's development of the policy manual has improved the quality of life for all those volunteers who govern the society. Constitutional changes formalized the Robert K. Johnson Committee that is charged with the review of nominations. The Johnson Committee consists of three members with three year terms. Each elected member serves as chair during their last year. Each year a replacement member is elected to serve on the committee by the Board of Governors.
The award is given annually and the first Robert K. Johnson Award was presented to Clark Hubbs in 2004. In even years the award is given to a deserving ichthyologist and in odd years, the award is given to a deserving herpetologist.
This year's winner, like our winner in 2004, has a long, distinguished record of service to the ASIH. The winner has served as a reviewer for our journal Copeia, has reviewed books for Copeia, has served on the Editorial Board, and served a three-year term as General Herpetology Editor. This year's winner served on the nominating committee, served 10 years on the time and place committee, and served a five year term on the Environmental Quality Committee. This year's winner attended several ASIH meetings, gave contributed papers, participated in ASIH symposia, and co-hosted an annual meeting. Our winner has been an active participant in our annual meetings which I believe are the best among those sponsored by academic societies. This year's winner greatly contributes to the spirit of what makes the joint meeting a great experience, and I personally was made to feel like a true member of ASIH because of my interactions at annual meetings with the 2005 winner. This year's winner has served several stints as session moderator, as a Stoye judge, and was honored by an ASIH-sponsored symposium in 1997.
The 2005 winner of the Robert K. Johnson award not only served the ASIH, the winner served her department, her university, and several other professional societies. Over 100 seminars and popular lectures were presented to a variety of professional and civic groups during the winner's academic career, and countless lives were touched in the process.
The winner served several years on the ASIH Board of Governors, served as the President, and most importantly served five years as the Historian. Our professional lives are better because of the efforts she put forth capturing the stories of our members. The 2005 winner of the Robert K. Johnson award is Margaret McBride Stewart.
PRESENTATION OF THE HENRY S. FITCH AWARD
First of all, I would like to thank the other members of the Henry S. Fitch Award Committee: Al Savitsky and Julian Lee. It was a pleasure to work with them, I wish Al the best of luck as he serves as the chairperson of the committee for next year.
The Henry S. Fitch Award for Excellence in Herpetology from the ASIH is awarded to an individual for long-term excellence in the study of amphibian and/or reptile biology, based principally on the quality of the awardee's research, with consideration given to educational and service impacts of the individual's career in the field of herpetology. It honors individuals who in a loose way carry on the powerful contribution that Henry Fitch made to our field, especially in the field of natural history, taken in the broad sense.
The Henry S. Fitch Award is a relatively new award for ASIH; we have only 6 past recipients since the first in 1999. They are: A. Stanley Rand, David B. Wake, Jay M. Savage, Robert F. Inger, Richard Shine, and Harry W. Greene.
The 2005 winner of the Henry S. Fitch Award for Excellence in Herpetology is a past- President of ASIH and has made her career as an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor, and now Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York at Albany. Her most famous research was a long string of herpetological field studies conducted in Puerto Rico. Ingenious, clever, careful studies of a small, abundant, vociferous anuran. There are but two words that sum up her long and industrious career: [Co-qum whistle]. This distinguished herpetologist published a long string of papers not just in Copeia, Herpetologica, and Journal of Herpetology, but also in Science, Oecologia, Ecology, Animal Behavior, Physiological Zoology, and many others. This string of papers on the biology of Eleutherodactylus coqui is legendary and a powerful contribution to herpetology, but she has also published widely on other topics.
This 2005 Fitch Award recipient has been extremely active in professional societies and outreach activities. She has been past president of ASIH and also SSAR and served on many of their committees, board of governors, editorial positions, etcetera. She has been ASIH historian since 1999 and instituted and authored the popular (I hope not just among the old codgers) Historical Perspectives in Copeia.
In closing just let me say that this esteemed herpetologist served as a role model for young women with a passion and desire for field biology, for field herpetology--and this in a time when that was not such an easy thing to be. She has been a role model and mentor for many sitting in this room today. Times have changed--look around you--and this changed environment of herpetology is due in large part to this 2005 award winner and those like her.
For this lifetime commitment to excellence in herpetology in the tradition of Henry Fitch, ASIH makes the 2005 Henry S. Fitch award to Margaret "Meg" Stewart.
PRESENTATION OF THE ROBERT H. GIBBS AWARD
It is a pleasure for me to present this year's award to an outstanding ichthyologist. Ichthyology is alive and well as we have seen with the wonderful talks at this meeting. These are very exciting times.
Our thanks to all those who have submitted nominations for the Gibbs award.
The Robert H. Gibbs, Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence in Systematic Ichthyology is presented by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) to a citizen of a Western Hemisphere nation (the Americas) for "an outstanding body of published work in systematic ichthyology". The award is offered annually and consists of a plaque and a cash award [and this year-a book!].
The award is in memory of Bob Gibbs (1929-1988), a truly wonderful person. I encourage all young members to read Bob's obituary in Copeia for 1989 written by Vic Springer and Bruce Collette.
The first winner of the Gibbs Award was Bruce B. Collette in 1989-and there have to date been a total of 16 winners.
This year's award committee consisted of Larry Page, myself, and David Greenfield and was ably chaired by Larry Page. Larry is this years Master of Ceremonies, so to bring some diversity to the program I will present the award (thanks Larry for this privilege)! It is exciting to win this prestigious award and also to present it!
This years winner had educational training in Indiana, Michigan, California, & Massachusetts (Harvard).
Those familiar with the history of collection builders will know these states as home to many outstanding ichthyologists!
This years winner [he or she-you do not yet know their sex!] has worked on many diverse fish taxa and been involved with many international expeditions. Although the winner is truly a person of honor & integrity, [ a good ambassador for the US-I have witnessed this first hand-of course this is not relevant to the award & I digress!] the winner seems to have shown a particular, peculiar, AND perverse interest in male sexual parasites.
The winner is a near neighbor of myself, hailing from Seattle Washington-please join me in congratulating Dr Ted (Theodore) W. Pietsch.
Congratulations Ted-I know what a thrill it is to have this award bestowed on you by your peers.
Ted came forward and said "I'm not worthy" and then expressed his gratitude for the special honor.
Larry then called on Mo Donnelly to announce the results of the election which were reported earlier in the summary. Larry then called on Adam Summers to come forward and read the Banquet Resolutions.
BANQUET RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION FOR THE LOCAL HOSTS.--Whereas the Tampa meeting was a great success, and
Whereas the local color was interesting, tasty, and, in Ybor City even titillating,
Therefore be it resolved that the society heartily and sincerely thanks Phil Motta and Henry Mushinsky for their hard work as local committee chairs.
RESOLUTION ON MATURATION.--Whereas 20 years ago Henry Mushinsky, then a callow assistant professor hosted a meeting of SSAR and HL in Tampa, and
Whereas the information packet for that meeting contained a list, complete with extensive reviews, of the local topless bars,
Therefore be it resolved that the society recognizes Henry for having matured and mellowed into a politically correct, tactful, and tasteful full professor.
RESOLUTION OF GRATITUDE.-- Whereas the society recognizes that a substantial portion, some would say all, of the work associated with the meeting was accomplished by the many students associated with the Motta, McCoy and Mushinsky labs, and
WHEREAS these students put their own research efforts aside while they helped run the meeting,
Therefore be it resolved that the society recognizes and thanks them for their efforts.
RESOLUTION ON WEATHER.-- WHEREAS, the timing of the Joint Meetings of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists coincides with the tropical hurricane season, and
WHEREAS, Hurricane Dennis caused some anxious moments for participants at this year's meeting, altering plans for yet another outdoor picnic, preventing most participants from venturing from the meeting hotel for two full days, overwhelming hotel's restaurants and bars at the hotel, and stranding those brave enough to dine elsewhere, but causing no harm to anyone, and
WHEREAS, Floridians have had to deal with far too many Hurricanes in the past few years, with many people losing their life and homes or were otherwise massively inconvenienced, and
WHEREAS, the Florida Keys and Panhandle had to endure the wrath of Hurricane Dennis,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that participants at the Joint Meetings of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists send well wishes to Floridians affected by Hurricane Dennis and previous hurricanes, and hopes that the state will be spared from future hurricanes.
RESOLUTION FOR CLARK HUBBS.--Whereas Clark Hubbs, Past-President of ASIH and long term managing editor of Copeia was unable to our annual meeting for health reasons, and
Whereas no one at this meeting could remember, or was indeed alive, the last time Clark missed an ASIH meeting, and
Whereas it is simply not the same without him,
Therefore be it resolved that we wish Clark Hubbs a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him at an annual meeting next year in New Orleans.
RESOLUTION ON STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN JMIH.--Whereas these meetings are greatly enhanced, and even defined by the contributions of our student members, and
Whereas student members made up more than 50% of our total attendance, and
Whereas students rather than professors brought the vast majority of the captured herps to the hotel bar,
Therefore be it resolved that the society thanks the students for their presence and reminds them to attend business meeting and volunteer their service to the society.
RESOLUTION ON THE VALUE OF GLOBALIZATION.-- Whereas many foreign members have attended this meeting, and
Whereas these members endure greater expenses, and border crossing indignities, and
Whereas on their return they are likely to encounter further border related indignities, in the case of herpetologists perhaps not even stopping short of cavity searches, and
Whereas the meeting is greatly enhanced by their participation, and perspectives
Therefore be it resolved that we express our heartfelt gratitude for your unfailing attendance at these meetings.
RESOLUTION ON WEATHER II.-- Whereas last year in Oklahoma the picnic was moved indoors on account of a tornado, and
Whereas this years picnic was moved indoors on account of a hurricane, and
Whereas God, if she exists, has shown either poor aim or a desire to scare the bejabbers out of us, and
Whereas in Tampa the temperature was 90 degrees, the humidity 90% and the winds 90 MPH,.
Therefore be it resolved that next year the annual meeting will be held in someplace cool, calm, dry, safe, quiet, sober, and grey like New Orleans in hurricane season!
To conclude the banquet, Larry Page called Bob Cashner to the podium. Bob invited all of us to New Orleans for 2006. We look forward to seeing you there.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen A. Donnelly
ASIH Secretary
