Yes but M. cataphractus has also been split into two species, one of which has yet to be described. ~Thylo
Just curious, what would they be if they aren't Mecistops sp.? I don't follow croc taxonomy that much so I'm just wondering.
Well they would be Mecistops cataphractus, Mecistops sp., or hybrids of the two. I do believe most of the US population is the first of those, but I'm not sure on all of them. I also believe the European population is currently unknown but believed to be mostly hybrids. ~Thylo
Thanks for the reply. I haven't seen many of these- never paid them much attention in Kansas City, one was hiding in a bush at San Diego, and Maryland's were off exhibit. With the slender-snouted, dwarf, and Nile splits, as well as the orange cave crocodiles, how many species of crocodile are we looking at?
I know I read about this, but it managed to slip my mind. I should have realized that you knew better than that, Thylo. Are the determinations of species held being made based on genetics or on known origin of original specimens (or, as is probably most likely, both?)? I haven't seen anything about any morphological distinctions between the two species - doesn't mean there aren't any - anyone know?
Well I'd make a point to pay more attention to them. They're cool animals and M. cataphractus is potentially the most endangered crocodile species, though more research is needed. Not quite sure how many crocodiles we'll end up with by the end of the splits. From what I've heard there are still several species, particularly the Saltwater Crocodile, who quite possibly represent multiple species. At the moment Mecistops represents two species, Osteolaemus represents three, and only Crocodylus suchus has currently been split from C. niloticus. Not sure if other niloticus splits are in the works or not. This is actually the first I've heard of the "orange cave crocodiles" so I can't really tell you much on that. There are also the "pygmy freshwater crocodiles" in Australia, though I think the current thinking is they're subspecies of C. johnsoni as oppose to full species. ~Thylo
Article about the cave crocs, they are quite fascinating:The Orange Cave-Dwelling Crocodiles of Gabon Back to the point of the thread: Is Crocodylus suchus only found at St. Augustine at the moment? Does St. Augustine have all three species of Osteolaemus?
Thanks for the article. There are probably more C. suchus elsewhere as I don't think the populations have been entirely DNA tested. I know one of Philadelphia's two animals turned out to be suchus but that animal is no longer on-exhibit. Afaik St. Augustine's only known animal is, along with most of the captive population, West African Dwarf Crocodile, Osteolaemus sp. (undescribed species). However, they do also have one unknown animal as photographed here: http://www.zoochat.com/615/id-wanted-389569/ I've emailed the zoo in the past and they've just said they're testing it but don't know what it is. From talking to those more knowledgeable than me, it's likely either O. osborni or a hybrid. ~Thylo
Thanks to all of the information. So far, I have additionally found Assiniboine Park to have P. hastatus and Edmonton Valley & Calgary to have A. jamaicensis. Does anyone know if bulldog bats are at Omaha? When did they split cataphractus into its own genus? I knew they were considering it, just curious when that officially happened.
Any Styan's red pandas (Ailurus fulgens styani) in the US besides at San Diego? I did not get a good look at them when I was there.
I believe they're relatively common. Seen them at the Cincinnati Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Roger Williams Park Zoo myself. The former two are breeding them. ~Thylo
Anybody know who still holds aye-ayes besides the DLC? I believe San Diego, Denver, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati still have them. What about San Francisco and Omaha (or other facilities)?
Omaha does have them, San Francisco does not. Not sure about Denver (haven't been there) but San Diego, Philadelphia, DLC, and Cincinatti all have them, yes. I assume Denver does because it's all over their website.
Calgary no longer holds A. jamaicensis. After the flood they closed down their nocturnal house, and relocated their bats to Edmonton Valley Zoo.
metro richmond zoo has Indian Flying Foxes in their nocturnal house. Indianapolis zoo has Jamaican fruit bats in their bat house. According to websites, Lubee Bat Conservancy also keeps the species and Memphis zoo's website mentions a type of bulldog bat in their nocturnal house but its not mentioned.
