Individual identification of Crocodylus intermedius (Orinoco crocodile) using tail spot patterns

Introduction: The Conservation Action Plan of the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) includes in its activities the release of captive-bred specimens back into the wild. By monitoring these specimens in their natural habitat their adaptability is assessed. However, an accurate identification system is necessary to recognize the individuals when they are recaptured. Objetive: Determinate if Swanepoel or Boucher et al. for crocodile identification for the Orinoco crocodile is useful. Methods: A total of 543 Orinoco crocodiles were photographed and each photo was vectorized by drawing dark spots greater than 25% for each scute, in the first 10 lines of double caudal scales of the tail on the right side. Two system codes were evaluated, one is a numeric code described by Swanepoel and the other is an additive code described by Boucher et al. Results: A total of 464 Swanepoel codes and 537 Boucher et al. codes based on the dark spot pattern of the scales on the right side of the tails were generated for the 543 specimens. Both methods yielded high code values, however, the one developed by Boucher et al., with a 98.90% differentiation of the analyzed specimens, worked better. Conclusion: The study confirms that using the method of spots in the tail of crocodiles is an effective tool for identifying individual crocodiles.

TOWARDS DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE TOURISM AND CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN FOR IRBID’S HISTORIC CORE

Tal (mount) Irbid in Irbid city, Jordan, with its continuous human occupation from the Bronze Age until the present, demonstrates the main landmark that has guided the spread of the urban growth of the city. The outcome of studies carried out at Irbid’s historic core, in relation to assessing the loss and degradation of the core’s cultural heritage, shall be analyzed, investigated, and discussed, as also concerns, obstacles, and issues of sustainability to this urban heritage conservation and tourism planning. The paper starts by defining the urban heritage for the historic core, which tends to be set aside, in the city’s rapid development. Actually, the remaining historic buildings can also provide the necessary inter-relationships between the historic core areas and the wider urban context to achieve a sustainable and integrated tourism and conservation action plan for the three heritage neighborhoods around the Tal, while building on tourism opportunities and taking into consideration the needs and the vital role of the local community. The paper concludes that urban heritage conservation and protection of the integrity and identity of the historic core city fabric can assist in its branding, promotion, and management in ways that could enhance the local community belonging, quality of everyday lifestyle, and visitors' experience.

Alternative strategies for amphibian conservation: a response to Muths & Fisher

The so-called amphibian crisis is mostly managed by IUCN through the Species Survival Commission Amphibian Specialist Group in collaboration with the Amphibian Survival Alliance, and its management is considered to be the most important implementation of the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan (Gascon et al., 2007). In the Amphibian Conservation Action Plan meeting held in 2005 several actions were planned and the investment needed for amphibian conservation was estimated. More than a decade later, however, much remains to be done, especially in response to heterogeneous emergencies that could cause amphibian extinctions. In this context Muths & Fisher (2015) suggest an alternative approach.