Herpetology B/C

[Froggie]

Per a rule FAQ we will NOT have to identify individual species. I'm assuming this still means we will need to be able to identify prominent species, species that have a special conservation status, etc.

Why do I feel like a question on an invitational test is going to say "What is the species of this?"

Also:

if two species has different information, which one should we put?

I asked this some days ago but no one has answered so...

[drcubbin]

I noticed that it says "or" rather than "and" in reference to a binder and field guide. In previous taxonomy competitions I believe both have been allowed simultaneously; teams would be allowed to have a binder AND a field guide. Why the change?

I'm guessing the national committee wants to change the way ID events are done. I mean for biologic ID events it was always 1 sheet of notes and a field guide but they changed that with invasives because there was no field guide. I'm guessing they liked how the event turned out with the binder and want to change the strategy for ID events. The only events that used to have the field guide and binder were the geologic ID event and in 2017 they got rid of the field guide for rocks. Personally, I think it's a very interesting change to the rules because now teams have to decide which resource they want to use and how they are going to deal with the shortcomings of each resource.

I agree. Using the a field guide, they might just as well have an I-Pad an just search away. Our best medallers always have their own notes.

[heyimben]

I know it says that the national competition will be using the national list but what about the other competitions?

[Froggie]

I know it says that the national competition will be using the national list but what about the other competitions?

Check your state website; if it doesn't say anything, the state should use the national list. All invitationals should use the national list (I think).

[whovian11]

What is the best way to study, other than make a binder and do identification?

[Kyanite]

What is the best way to study, other than make a binder and do identification?

Take tests, make flashcards, powerpoints with photos, make sure to look at different photos of the same genus, go to your local zoo to look at live specimens, read through a field guide etc.

[alleycat03]

So on the official list, it gives the Class, Order, Family. and (some) genus. If there is a station about the Family Alligatoridae (alligators and caiman), would the test be able to ask questions about species, like ask questions specifically about the American Alligator? I think the rules try to clarify this, but I am still a little confused, so if anybody could clear that up, that would be great.

[Froggie]

So on the official list, it gives the Class, Order, Family. and (some) genus. If there is a station about the Family Alligatoridae (alligators and caiman), would the test be able to ask questions about species, like ask questions specifically about the American Alligator? I think the rules try to clarify this, but I am still a little confused, so if anybody could clear that up, that would be great.

They aren't supposed to, but you should probably still learn about each species as much as you can. You never know what'll happen.

[ScottMaurer19]

So on the official list, it gives the Class, Order, Family. and (some) genus. If there is a station about the Family Alligatoridae (alligators and caiman), would the test be able to ask questions about species, like ask questions specifically about the American Alligator? I think the rules try to clarify this, but I am still a little confused, so if anybody could clear that up, that would be great.

They aren't supposed to, but you should probably still learn about each species as much as you can. You never know what'll happen.

Problem there is that there are hundreds if not thousands of species in total included on the official list. The FAQ that said we would not have to know any species (except in the case of identifying sounds and probably other prominent species) so in theory we should almost never face a test question based upon a species.

[Froggie]

So on the official list, it gives the Class, Order, Family. and (some) genus. If there is a station about the Family Alligatoridae (alligators and caiman), would the test be able to ask questions about species, like ask questions specifically about the American Alligator? I think the rules try to clarify this, but I am still a little confused, so if anybody could clear that up, that would be great.

They aren't supposed to, but you should probably still learn about each species as much as you can. You never know what'll happen.

Problem there is that there are hundreds if not thousands of species in total included on the official list. The FAQ that said we would not have to know any species (except in the case of identifying sounds and probably other prominent species) so in theory we should almost never face a test question based upon a species.

I was saying that you might want to learn about the most common species, just in case (experience tells me that some proctor at some invitational is going to ask some species-related question).