Foto- und Videomaterial zum Paarungsverhalten von Krokodilen 23.04.2005

Die folgende Anfrage wurde unserer AG über den DGHT-Vorstand zugeleitet. Es geht dabei um die Bitte, Bild- und Videomaterial über das Paarungsverhalten von Reptilien, hier speziell Krokodilen, für eine wissenschaftliche Arbeit zur Verfügung zu stellen. Kontaktadresse :   Tim Isles                                    ethologist@gmail.com Crocodile Breeder Query It is my understanding that your organisation is involved in the captive breeding of a wide variety of reptile species and in that respect I am wondering if you could offer some degree of help with the following situation. I am currently in the initial stages of a masters level research project investigating reproduction in extinct taxa and have been trying to contact any zoos, private individuals or breeders who may have unreleased photographs or videofilm of crocodilian mating behaviour in their archives. As I am sure you can see, such records would be a valuable resource for behavioural comparisons. See for a brief example : http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~kmitoh/zaturoku/megane/megane.html ... though the bottom underwater picture of caimans mating has been censored. In that respect, would your organisation be able to direct me to any of its members ( eg., zoos, private individuals, commercial breeders ) who may have in their archives similar photographs or even videofilms describing copulation in crocodilians. I am aware of footage taken by Rick Hudson of Phillipine Crocodiles (C. mindoriensis) at the Fort Worth Zoo, tough am wondering if such similar data exists elsewhere. Any information provided would be for comparative and research purposes only and of course would not be distributed or duplicated in any form. Anyhow, any assistance (or redirection) you could offer would be GREATLY appreciated as I am sure you can imagine how difficult it is to find such visual records. I thank you very much in advance for your time and shall be looking forward to your reply. Kindest Regards, Tim E. Isles, BSc (Hnrs), B.I.T. MPhil Candidate