Hi guys,

Well, the black patches is certainly interesting. First off, can someone please post a PDF of the newspaper article, I would love it for my archives.



Okay, here is my wild guess. They are using a bio-control to kill the Coqui frogs on Maui. The product is Citric Acid. Maybe this is causing the skin lesions? I'm not sure what rate they use it at, and IF it can even hurt a vertebrate- but if these Jackos living near gulches with Coqui control...I'd think of that- as we know...Jackos absorb more water in their sking then some other chams that just bounce the water off. I would say that from my experience with pesticides (I work in that field), that this doesn't immmediately jump out at me (from ingestion). Nor would diet seem to be causing it (but I'm not an expert on that end). I wouldn't rule out UV burns however. It really looks like either a) a fungus b) a virus c) burns from either UV or chemicals.



I don't know personally of any bio-control used for Jacksons. And the Veileds also, are not sprayed in any way.



I talked to Mary, but I don't get to the forums much, but I'd love to keep updated. Anyone on Maui willing to give MISC a call and just ask if they have ideas? They may be straight forward. I'm sure the Bishop museum of the HDOA will be looking into it.



Maybe the high densities of chameleons and inbreeding is finally catching up with the species? Sometimes, normal thresholds are reached and crashes occur. This could be one of those times.



Best,

Kenny

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