This seminar was by Tom Major. At the beginning of the talk phenotypic colour changes in chameleons were discussed. An individual was placed into a coloured chamber.
‘Fast fourier’ filtering showed the extent of the colour change in each test subject.
To make the experiment as realistic as possible a model bird’s eye was used so that the predator’s view of the colour change was emulated
The results of this project actually showed no correlation between the two variable, therefore they had to reject their hypothesis.
Introduction of a snake
The Aesculapian snake is native to mainland Europe. However the species was reintroduced to London and in Colwyn Bay in the 1960’s and 1980’s respectively.
Toms study surveyed the population of this species and aimed to better understand the population distribution of the snake as well as population numbers.
Faecal analysis was obtained and each individual captured was marked and measured
The aim of the study was also to determine the main habitat types of the snake.
Individual thoughts and opinions
I found this talk interesting as the species in question, although native to mainland Europe, is inhabiting areas of the UK. A lot of conservation work is thought of as work mainly done in foreign countries.
It is exciting to hear about conservational work being done in the UK.
As this species is to native to the UK it is important to discover whether the population of this species of snake are controlled.
The species could be having an effect on native British species such as the grass snake.
Oliver Stoakes Zoology 