Exotic Zoology - Vol 3 No 3 - 1996

Magazine Overview

Title: EXOTIC ZOOLOGY
Issue: Vol. 3., #3
Date: May/June 1996
Editor: Matthew A. Bille
Publisher: Matthew A. Bille
Type: The Bimonthly Magazine of Cryptozoology

This issue of Exotic Zoology is dedicated to "Catching Up With The Crypto-News," aiming to update readers on recent developments concerning new or rediscovered species, as well as reader comments and reviews.

Recent Discoveries: New Animals Around the World

The editor emphasizes that while not every new animal discovery is newsworthy to cryptozoologists, it's important to note that new species are found daily across the globe. This section presents a selection of recent finds:

Mammals

• New Rat: An unclassified type of rat has been discovered in Hong Kong. The diminutive rodent with white paws was described as "quite cute."
• New Bat Species: Charles Critchley, head ranger of Britain's Forest Enterprise, marvels that a new species of bat has been identified within Britain's common pipistrelle. Scientists discovered this by noting that pipistrelles used two different frequencies for their sonar. Morphological and DNA studies confirmed the distinction between bats from Yorkshire and Lancaster.
• New Tarsier: A new tarsier, named *Tarsius syrichta*, has been reported from Indonesia. It is gray with a golden-brown stripe on its back. The species name is provisional, with suspicion that it might be a hybrid.

Fish

• 'Monster' Fish: A new fish from South America, measuring only 1cm long, is described as a transparent vertebrate. It is a parasite that fastens inside the gills or other openings of larger creatures to drink their blood. It possesses two specialized hook-shaped teeth. This finding was reported in *New Scientist*.

Invertebrates

• New Crayfish/Rock Lobster: A new species of crayfish, *Jasus caveorum*, has joined the zoological lists in the South Pacific. It is the first new species added to its genus in a century and was found on a seamount southwest of Easter Island. The discovery was published in the *New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research*.

News and Comment

This section covers various recent reports and discussions related to cryptozoology and zoological oddities:

• Eastern Cougar: Chris Bolgiano's book, "Mountain Lion: An unnatural history of pumas and people," is discussed. A 1994 *Audubon* magazine picture of a purported Eastern cat was identified as a Western cougar. A 1981 cougar sighting in Seattle was initially dismissed but later confirmed. Bolgiano reports that the new genus *Puma* has been accepted by the American Society of Mammologists, with the author commenting that the classification is correct as the animal's ancestry is still under study.
• Puma Problem: Bolgiano also reviews the puma issue in an article in *Wildlife Conservation*. An anecdotal report from Don Bille describes a sighting of a large, long-tailed black cat in Eastern Maine in 1954, which he believes was not part of the state's known fauna.
• Onza: Frank Dobie's 1947 travelogue, "Tongues of the Monte," is mentioned for its account of an onza killed in Mexico. The animal is described as puma-like, enormous, with huge paws and legendary ferocity. DNA evidence suggests it is a puma, though a "strange animal."
• Extinctions: A United Nations report states that 486 animal species have gone extinct in the past four centuries. In the U.S., 450 species are of unknown status, in addition to 101 known extinctions.
• Ocean Biodiversity: Estimates for marine life on the sea floor have risen to 10 million species, primarily tiny invertebrates. A 30cm long sea louse was found off Australia. Subterranean waters also teem with life, with new arthropod species found beneath Montana's Flathead River.
• Marine Worms: The Access Excellence Biotech database reported marine worms six feet (2m) long captured in the Pacific at a depth of over 8500 feet (2600m). Further information is unavailable.
• Rediscovered Monkey: A report from China's Xinhua news agency claims a tiny monkey, long thought extinct, has been rediscovered in the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian Province. It weighs 7 ounces and was reputedly trained in ancient China. The species is not identified, and it does not match known species like the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey.
• Mystery Cats in Peru: There is reportedly evidence for large mystery cats in Peru. Two skulls, one from a "striped tiger" and another from a "speckled tiger," were obtained. Dr. Karl Shuker describes the skulls as distinct from known cat species, with the latter being heavily built with tusk-like canine teeth. Witnesses describe it as a montane forest dweller with a gray, black-flecked coat.
• Tricolored Panda: Chinese police confiscated a panda pelt with an elliptical golden stripe, unusual as pandas are only recorded in black, white, and gray.
• Maneless Lion: The first photograph of a completely maneless male lion has been taken in Zimbabwe.
• Endangered Frog: *Rana subaquavocalis*, a frog that calls underwater, is down to 25 individuals and faces extinction six years after its discovery.

Resources

This section lists and reviews books and periodicals relevant to cryptozoology:

Books

• Explorations by Robert D. Ballard (1995): Discusses undersea discoveries, including a new ecosystem of deep-sea hydrothermal vent colonies and the animals found there.
• The Lost Grizzlies by Rick Bass (1995): A book on the possible survival of grizzly bears in Colorado, focusing on people searching for them. Bass believes he glimpsed one.

Periodicals

• “Cryptozoological Quests” and “Cryptozoologists: an Endangered Species” by Paul McCarthy (1993): Articles in *The Scientist* discussing the International Society for Cryptozoology and the challenges scientists face in supporting their research.
• “The Lost World, Part II” by William Stolzenburg (1996): A review in *Nature Conservancy* of new animal kingdom discoveries.
• “First Adult Saola Sighted” by Etter and Ruggeri (1996): A report in *Wildlife Conservation* on the first adult Vu Quang ox (saola) captured alive.

Publications

• The Gate: A quarterly publication that includes zoological and cryptozoological news clippings and book reviews, focusing on reputable sources.
• Steven Simpson Natural History Books: Stocks a wide array of new and used books on zoology, including cryptozoology.
• Paul Gritis Natural History Books: Specializes in used and out-of-print books on natural history, including cryptozoological interest.
• The Cryptozoology Review: A new quarterly publication planned to be 10-15 pages per issue.
• Science Frontiers: A newsletter from The Sourcebook Project that collects unusual data from reliable sources, often including cryptozoology items.

Organizations

• The Bigfoot Research Project: An organization with an internet site describing its efforts, assisted by the Academy of Applied Science, and presenting pro-sasquatch evidence.
• Centre de Cryptozoologie: Led by Dr. Bernard Heuvelmans, considered the founder of cryptozoology. His landmark book, "On the Track of Unknown Animals," has been republished.

Reader Comments

• Chad Arment suggests that Exotic Zoology's definition of cryptozoology as "the subspecialty of finding new or supposedly extinct species" is too broad. He notes Dr. Heuvelmans defines it as focusing on animals "unexpected in time or place." The editor responds that a broader definition provides scientific credibility and avoids the narrow exclusion seen in past critiques.
• Arment also suggests referencing primary sources directly rather than news articles. The editor acknowledges this is a valid point and will try to improve.
• Nobuyuki Masuya of Japan sent a postage stamp depicting the Iriomote cat (*Felis iriomotensis*), a species facing extinction. He also corrected the spelling of the cat's local name to "yamaneko."

Editor's Page

• Purpose: The editor defines cryptozoology as the zoological subspecialty of finding new or supposedly extinct species, aiming to restore its proper usage as a science focused on evidence, distinct from sensationalized accounts.
• In Closing: The International Society of Cryptozoology (ISC) is mentioned as a significant organization in the field, but its financial status is uncertain. Contact information for J. Richard Greenwell, Secretary, is provided. Subscription details for Exotic Zoology are given, along with information on back issues and guest articles.
• Business Manager's Niche: An offer is made to current subscribers for a discount on renewals for referring new subscribers. Trivia: Germany has the most non-U.S. subscribers (5).
• Book Promotion: The editor promotes his book, "Rumors of Existence," and offers autographed copies.
• Logo Illustration: The logo features the cetacean *Delphinus rhinoceros*, described by French naturalists in 1819 and not reported since.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently emphasizes the scientific pursuit of cryptozoology, distinguishing it from sensationalism. The editor's stance is to broaden the definition of cryptozoology to include all new animal discoveries, thereby lending scientific credibility to the search for more unusual or extinct species. The magazine actively promotes new research, reviews relevant publications, and engages with reader feedback, aiming to establish cryptozoology as a legitimate scientific field. The recurring theme is the ongoing discovery of new life forms and the potential for uncovering previously unknown or extinct animals.