[Nhcoll-l] Herpetology - USFWS salamander regulations

[Bentley, Andrew Charles]

Hi all


For those in herpetology - I recently became aware of new regulations put out by the US Fish and Wildlife service regarding interstate movement of salamanders (thanks to Greg Watkins-Colwell).  This new regulation as currently written prohibits interstate transport of any salamander on the list of 201 species, dead or alive or any part thereof.  This new ruling has the potential to disrupt scientific research through prohibition of loaning of preserved salamander specimens or tissues.



As President of SPNHC I recently posted comment on this regulation as follows:



I am President of the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose mission is improve the preservation, conservation and management of natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to society.



On behalf of our many hundreds of members and member organizations of natural history museums, university collections and research organizations we are aware of, and concerned about the potential dangers of the spread of Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal) to natural salamander populations.  However, we would respectfully request that research materials of these species that have been fixed and/or preserved that do not pose a risk due to the nature of the fixation and preservation techniques be exempt from this regulation.  It has been shown in the scientific literature that the fungus is rendered inert through these methods of fixation and preservation - see attached



We would request that specific language to this effect be inserted into the existing regulation to allow the transfer of such materials to ensure that research endeavors are not hindered.  Museum materials of this kind are usually fixed in 4% formaldehyde after which they are transferred to 70% ethanol for long term preservation.  Tissue samples are usually either preserved in liquid nitrogen or 95% ethanol but are always transported in ethanol for transfer of material between institutions.  We would support a requirement of preservation in order to be exempt so that untreated museum materials would still fall under the guidelines.



I am happy to discuss this further if necessary.



Thanks



Andrew Bentley

I would encourage anyone else who is worried by this to do the same - many voices speak louder.  Here are the details of how to do so:


You can download the Interim Rule (when you do, search the PDF for the word "dead")


https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.fws.gov_injuriouswildlife_salamanders.html&d=AwIFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=K1m5oj7bIB5GVlgH0P9dIUjc-7MLS94W4kk3B3O7ce8&s=mZz4aG2QrTcsN64RbauVpszBhsJMLTxILgLwx65-T_M&e= 



The rule talks about permits, but when you look up that part of the regs, there's no mention of specimens, just live stuff.  https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.gpo.gov_fdsys_granule_CFR-2D2001-2Dtitle50-2Dvol1_CFR-2D2001-2Dtitle50-2Dvol1-2Dsec16-2D22&d=AwIFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=K1m5oj7bIB5GVlgH0P9dIUjc-7MLS94W4kk3B3O7ce8&s=iNC3DvS2H5fEDidG7uN2WpHJSIB_PchGfORKU74egwQ&e= 



You may post a comment go to the following URL:

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.regulations.gov&d=AwIFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=K1m5oj7bIB5GVlgH0P9dIUjc-7MLS94W4kk3B3O7ce8&s=TD9xdomUVLRX1buJlNSHVq1aqph9jK5gSshOEKqbGzY&e= 

Search the docket number: FWS-HQ-FAC-2015-0005

You can complete an online form with your comment and it will be delivered directly to the agency in charge.
The comment period is short.  Rule takes effect 28 January 2016 and comments are accepted until 14 March 2016.

Thanks

Andy

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Andy Bentley
Ichthyology Collection Manager
University of Kansas
Biodiversity Institute
Dyche Hall
1345 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS, 66045-7561
USA

Tel: (785) 864-3863
Fax: (785) 864-5335
Email: abentley at ku.edu<mailto:abentley at ku.edu>
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu&d=AwIFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=K1m5oj7bIB5GVlgH0P9dIUjc-7MLS94W4kk3B3O7ce8&s=rmIA0vSJacXhCyzCkrxFHpyCq1QXVB8IRVF09U0dltg&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__ichthyology.biodiversity.ku.edu_&d=AwIFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=K1m5oj7bIB5GVlgH0P9dIUjc-7MLS94W4kk3B3O7ce8&s=CbVTkALx_PLXAifqWYn3M-nZBPS1Gni4I7hJ53OZ-dQ&e= >

SPNHC President
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.spnhc.org&d=AwIFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=K1m5oj7bIB5GVlgH0P9dIUjc-7MLS94W4kk3B3O7ce8&s=yhPI7aVSLq08iC29fJ3hhZRG3Smy-1a2DmWdX1sBLU8&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.spnhc.org_&d=AwIFAw&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=K1m5oj7bIB5GVlgH0P9dIUjc-7MLS94W4kk3B3O7ce8&s=QfwCY9MvRPzZnf99VcNyp7HRnvGrtO3UF0EqIDK-qyE&e= >

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