Diario de rinaturalist

Hey y'all! I've identified many Atocion armeria observations outside of Europe, but recently I wanted to give Europe and the Middle East a shot and learn more about the rest of the species in Atocion. I've compiled some info here for my own reference and just in case anybody else is interested. Please note that I am not an expert and this is not comprehensive, based on the information that I've found. It's likely that I will tweak some stuff as I see errors.

For an incomplete(?) key and range maps, consult this doc:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OTcut7iJGeAPwsHiZm5Cf7mvGVEy6g32U59Wd4WZqZo/edit?usp=sharing

Atocion armeria:

• Sympatric with A. compactum, A. hypanicum, A. lerchenfeldianum, A. lithuanicum, A. rupestre, and A. scythinicinum
• For identification, consult the range map in the doc and compare species.

Atocion compactum:

• Sympatric with A. armeria, A. scythicinum, and A. reuterianum
• Inflorescence densely congested and capitate (versus A. armeria and A. scythicinum with inflorescence lax to slightly congested).
• Flower pedicels 0–2(3) mm long (versus A. armeria and A. scythicinum with flower pedicels 2–15(20) mm long).
• (20–)30–80(−120) cm high (versus A. reuterianum (60–)80–100(−120) cm high).
• Distinct stem internodes (6–)8–12(−14), stems rarely branching in lower portion, sometimes in upper portion, branches not twiggy, without solitary flowers (versus A. reuterianum with distinct stem internodes three to six, stems sometimes branching in lower portion, often in upper portion, branches usually twiggy, often with solitary flowers).
• Bracts subtending the inflorescence 10–30 mm long, (3–)5–15 mm wide (versus A. reuterianum with bracts subtending the inflorescence 4–10 mm long, 2–4 mm wide).
• Petal claw (4.5–)5.0–8.5(−9.0) mm long (versus A. reuterianum with petal claw 8–10 mm long).
• Capsules 6–8 mm long, 2.5–3.5 mm wide (versus A. reuterianum with capsules 8–10 mm long, 4–6 mm wide).
• Found throughout South-eastern and eastern Europe, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq (versus A. reuterianum, restricted to Lebanon).

Atocion hypanicum (possibly synonymous with A. compactum):

• Sympatric with A. armeria and A. lithuanicum
• Inflorescence densely congested and capitate (versus A. armeria and A. lithuanicum with inflorescence lax to slightly congested).
• Flower pedicels 0–2(3) mm long (versus A. armeria and A. lithuanicum with flower pedicels 2–15(20) mm long).
• Restricted to South Bug in Ukraine (versus A. armeria found throughout Europe and A. lithuanicum found in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Belarus).

Atocion lerchenfeldianum:

• Sympatric with A. armeria
• Stem procumbent, decumbent or ascending (versus A. armeria, growing erect).
• Stem 0.5–1.5 mm wide (versus A. armeria stem 1-10 mm wide).
• Upper portion of the upper internodes not glutinous (versus A. armeria, with upper portion of the upper internodes glutinous).
• Anthophore (3.0–)4.0–6.5(−7.5) mm long (versus A. armeria with anthophore (6–)7–9(−10) mm long).
• Calyx cylindrical–clavate, (6.5–)7.0–11.0(−12.0) mm long (versus A. armeria with calyx long and tubular, (11–)12–17(−18) mm long).
• Petal limb entire, rarely slightly emarginated (versus A. armeria with emarginate petal limb).

Atocion lithuanicum (possibly synonymous with A. armeria):

• Sympatric with A. armeria and A. hypanicum
• Narrower stem leaves with abaxially folded margins (versus A. armeria with wider stem leaves and margins not folded abaxially).
• Slightly longer carpophores and capsules (versus A. armeria with slightly shorter carpophores and capsules).
• Petals with a less distinguished notch (versus A. armeria with noticeable emarginate petals).
• Smaller seeds without papillae (versus A. armeria with larger seeds with papillae).
• Inflorescence lax to slightly congested (versus A. hypanicum, inflorescence densely congested and capitate).
• Flower pedicels 2–15(20) mm long (versus A. hypanicum with flower pedicels 0–2(3) mm long).
• Found in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Belarus (versus A. hypanicum, restricted to South Bug in Ukraine).

Atocion reuterianum:

• Sympatric with A. compactum
• (60–)80–100(−120) cm high (versus A. compactum, (20–)30–80(−120) cm high).
• Distinct stem internodes three to six, stems sometimes branching in lower portion, often in upper portion, branches usually twiggy, often with solitary flowers (versus A. compactum with distinct stem internodes (6–)8–12(−14), stems rarely branching in lower portion, sometimes in upper portion, branches not twiggy, without solitary flowers).
• Bracts subtending the inflorescence 4–10 mm long, 2–4 mm wide (versus A. compactum with bracts subtending the inflorescence 10–30 mm long, (3–)5–15 mm wide).
• Petal claw 8–10 mm long (versus A. compactum with petal claw (4.5–)5.0–8.5(−9.0) mm long).

• Capsules 8–10 mm long, 4–6 mm wide (versus A. compactum with capsules 6–8 mm long, 2.5–3.5 mm
  wide).

• Restricted to Lebanon (versus A. compactum, found throughout South-eastern and eastern Europe, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq).

Atocion rupestre:

• Sympatric with A. armeria
• Anthophore 0.6–1.5 mm long (versus A. armeria with anthophore (6–)7–9(−10) mm long).
• Petals white, rarely pink (versus A. armeria with petals pink, rarely white).
• Calyx campanulate, 3.5–5.5 mm long (versus A. armeria with calyx long and tubular, (11–)12–17(−18) mm long).
• Upper portion of the upper internodes not glutinous (versus A. armeria, with upper portion of the upper internodes glutinous).

Atocion scythicinum:

• Sympatric with A. armeria and A. compactum
• Anthophore 5–7 mm long (versus A. armeria with anthophore (6–)7–9(−10) mm long).
• Calyx 10–12 mm long (versus A. armeria with calyx (11–)12–17(−18) mm long).
• Basal leaves are persistent (versus A. armeria with basal leaves soon withering).
• Restricted to Rize, Turkey (versus A. armeria spread throughout Europe, north-eastern Anatolia, and the rest of the world, and A. compactum found in South-eastern and eastern Europe, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq).
• Inflorescence lax to slightly congested (versus A. compactum, inflorescence densely congested and capitate).
• Flower pedicels 2–15(20) mm long (versus A. compactum with flower pedicels 0–2(3) mm long).

References:
Martynyuk, Viktoria & Karpenko, Nataliia & Tarieiev, Andrii & Kostikov, Igor. (2018). Differences of Atocion lithuanicum from A. armeria (Sileneae, Caryophyllaceae) and their hybrid by ITS1-ITS2 sequences and secondary structure of their transcripts. Ukraïnsʹkyĭ botanichnyĭ z︠h︡urnal. 75. 322-334. 10.15407/ukrbotj75.04.322.

Frajman, Božo & Thollesson, Mikael & Oxelman, Bengt. (2013). Taxonomic revision of Atocion and Viscaria (Sileneae, Caryophyllaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 173. 10.1111/boj.12090.

Martynyuk, Viktoria & Tyshchenko, Oksana & Karpenko, Nataliia & Tarieiev, Andrii & Kostikov, Igor. (2014). Taxonomic status of Atocion hypanicum (Klokov) Tzvelev (Caryophyllaceae) inferred from analysis of ITS1 and ITS2 secondary structure. Chornomorski Botanical Journal. 10. 416-425. 10.14255/2308-9628/14.104/1.

https://powo.science.kew.org

https://inaturalist.org

Blindsnakes are a group of fossorial worm-like snakes. This guide should help with identification regarding species in the Bahamas. There are four Typhlopidae species and one Leptotyphlopidae species found in the Bahamas. Most are endemic to only certain islands in the Caribbean. The species are listed here:

• Cubatyphlops biminiensis, the Bahaman slender blindsnake.
• Cubatyphlops paradoxus, the Inagua blindsnake.
• Epictia columbi, the San Salvador blindsnake.
• Indotyphlops braminus, the Brahminy blindsnake.
• Typhlops lumbricalis, the Earthworm blindsnake.

For more info regarding Bahamian herps, see: http://www.caribherp.org/index.php?p=i&val=2

Species Identification:

Cubatyphlops biminiensis
Range: Andros, New Providence, Bimini Island, Cay Sal, and Ragged Island.
Distinguishing Features: Preocular contacts supralabials 2 and 3 and one postocular is present (versus preoculars only contacting supralabial 3 and two postoculars present on Typhlops).
Similar Species: Typhlops lumbricalis

Cubatyphlops paradoxus
Range: Great Inagua Island.
Distinguishing Features: Similar morphologically to Cubatyphlops biminiensis.
Similar Species: None, only species on Great Inagua.

Epictia columbi
Range: San Salvador Island.
Distinguishing Features: 2 supralabials, large supraoculars, 4 infralabials, apical spine a laterally compressed cone.
Similar Species: None, only species on San Salvador.

Indotyphlops braminus
Range: Recorded in New Providence and Abaco Island, but likely introduced to other islands.
Distinguishing Features: Small, jet black snake. Dissimilar to native blindsnakes. Check the Reptile Database for comprehensive species identification.
Similar Species: Could be confused with Cubatyphlops or Typhlops.

Typhlops lumbricalis
Range: Grand Bahama, Abaco Islands, Berry Islands, Bimini, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Exuma Islands, Long Island, and Ragged Island.
Distinguishing Features: 2 postoculars present and preocular only contacts supralabial 3 (instead of only one postocular and with preoculars contacting supralabials 2 and 3 as in Cubatyphlops).
Similar Species: Cubatyphlops biminiensis

Hope you guys found this useful! If you have any questions/observations you're not sure of, please tag me or leave a comment!

Just a journal so I can keep track of organisms I've caught in pitfall traps. Pay no attention to this journal.

August 24, 2023

• Tetramorium immigrans
• Pangaeus bilineatus
• Armadillidum vulgare
• Scutigera coleoptrata

Many users on iNaturalist are fantastic photographers. I'm making this journal post to inspire others users on here to pick up a camera. Since I'm curious to what others are using for wildlife photography, this journal will also act as a library to see how different camera equipment can be used to take photos.

This journal will be organized like this:
User - Camera, lenses, and equipment (if provided/used) - Observation in which the equipment was used.

@mason_s - Canon 90D, Laowa 60mm, Godox V860II Flash - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/141821961

@sheilamp - Canon PowerShot SX420 IS - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/156526336

@williamwisephoto - Nikon D500 (formerly D80 and D7000), Sigma 150-600mm - Most recent observations, information pulled from profile page.

@sumeriandemon - Canon EOS 60D, EF-S 60mm Macro Lens - https://www.reddit.com/r/isopods/comments/14tyq0a/nom_nom_nom/

@amybirder - Canon EOS R5, 100-500mm Telephoto Lens - Most observation excluding those taken with a macro.

@friedsonoma - Nikon D5100, Sigma 105mm Macro Lens - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/151980871

@lma82 - Nikon 7500, Nikon 80-400mm with a Nikon 1.4x teleconverter - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180525537

@shreyes - Nikon D500 with 200-500mm and a spare 105mm lens with a Altura Photo Flash. Formerly Nikon D5100, 55-300mm Lens - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/154892225, https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/152623133

@rinaturalist - Canon EOS Rebel T7, EF 75-300mm - https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/155533527, borrowed camera between 3/7/23-3/27/23

tielgee (not an iNatter, but has great photos regardless) - Canon 80D, Canon 8-15mm Fisheye Lens, Godox V860III Mounted Flash, Cygnustech Diffuser - https://www.reddit.com/r/herpetology/comments/14we7ly/eastern_spiny_tailed_gecko_strophurus_williamsi/

If you'd like to add on your equipment or want me to remove your name from here, please add a comment or message me. Thanks!

An online guide to the reptiles of Michigan. I originally made this for @misopods, but feel free to use it as well.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yIuHiQUtTArLuHUM-6rrlqwR3QVHOEMxe4Aa6QbIZqM/edit#slide=id.p

Hey everyone! I figured that a herp list would be useful for users, so here's a complete list for Rhode Island. If I'm missing anything or if any information is incorrect/has been updated, please tell me!

Snakes

• Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis
• Northern Watersnake, Nerodia sipedon sipedon
• Dekay's Brownsnake, Storeria dekayi
• Northern Ring-necked Snake, Diadophis punctatus edwardsii
• Eastern Milksnake, Lampropeltis triangulum
• Northern Black Racer, Coluber constrictor constrictor
• Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platirhinos (Imperiled)
• Smooth Greensnake, Opheodrys vernalis
• Eastern Ratsnake, Pantherophis alleghaniensis (Imperiled)
• Eastern Ribbon Snake, Thamnophis saurita saurita (Vulnerable)
• Northern Red-bellied Snake, Storeria occipitomaculata occipitomaculata (Imperiled)
• Eastern Wormsnake, Carphophis amoenus amoenus (Critically Imperiled)

Freshwater Turtles

• Eastern Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta picta
• Common Snapping Turtle, Chelydra serpentina
• Spotted Turtle, Clemmys guttata
• Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina
• Pond Slider, Trachemys scripta (Introduced)
• Northern Diamondback Terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin terrapin (Imperiled/Vulnerable, but Not Listed in NatureServe)
• Eastern Musk Turtle, Sternotherus odoratus
• Wood Turtle, Glyptemys insculpta (Imperiled)

Sea Turtles

• Leatherback Sea Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea (Critically Imperiled, but Not Listed in NatureServe)
• Green Sea Turtle, Chelonia mydas (Critically Imperiled, but Not Listed in NatureServe)
• Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Lepidochelys kempii (Critically Imperiled, but Not Listed in NatureServe)
• Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Caretta caretta (Critically Imperiled, but Not Listed in NatureServe)

Frogs and Toads

• Eastern American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus americanus
• Wood Frog, Lithobates sylvaticus
• Green Frog, Lithobates clamitans
• American Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus
• Gray Treefrog, Hyla versicolor
• Spring Peeper, Pseudacris crucifer
• Pickerel Frog, Lithobates palustris
• Fowler's Toad, Anaxyrus fowleri (Vulnerable)
• Eastern Spadefoot, Scaphiopus holbrookii (Critically Imperiled)
• Northern Leopard Frog, Lithobates pipiens (Imperiled)

Salamanders

• Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Plethodon cinereus
• Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum
• Red-spotted Newt, Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens
• Northern Two-lined Salamander, Eurycea bislineata
• Four-toed Salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum (Vulnerable)
• Marbled Salamander, Ambystoma opacum (Imperiled)
• Northern Dusky Salamander, Desmognathus fuscus
• Northern Spring Salamander, Gyrinophilus porphyriticus porphyriticus (Critically Imperiled)