Guinness World Records Official Attempt exhibits the World’s Largest Collection of Amphibians on Postage Stamps
Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), conducted a public outreach event on World Animal Day, entitled “Sarawak Biodiversity Evening” at DeTAR Putra, UNIMAS, on 4 October 2017. The event was sponsored by Shell Chair.
The objectives of the event were to impart conservation message to the general public, offer skills relevant to ecotourism, promote biodiversity as a science, expose students of possibilities of undertaking exciting research on plants and animals, and finally, collaborate and create synergy with other like-minded organisations in nature conservation, research and ecotourism. The conference was officiated by Prof Dr. Gabriel Tonga Noweg, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, who spoke on the University’s commitment to biodiversity research and conservation, starting with the establishment of IBEC as a Research Institute in 1994.
The event was free and open to members of the public. The international highlight of the event was an exhibition of the world’s largest collection of stamps (including postage stamps and other philatelic material) on the theme of amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians, and some of their fossil relatives of the Class Amphibia), which was an official Guinness World Records event (entry number: 161123094024tlco). The exhibition included over 1,500 stamps, issued by 192 countries and other postal agencies from around the world, as well as postal stationery and other philatelic material relevant to amphibians, accumulated over 44 years by Prof. Indraneil Das, from the age of eight years.
Pos Malaysia set up a kiosk, vending personalised stamps to visitors.
The event attracted over 500 visitors.
Sarawak Biodiversity Evening is part of the globally-celebrated World Animal Day, commemorated since 1931. This event on UNIMAS campus is part of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the university and was organised by the students and staff of the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation. It is a timely opportunity for imparting conservation education to the general public, from school children and university graduate students to city folks from Kuching and other part of the State, in a friendly, informal format.
The objectives of the event were to impart conservation message to the general public, offer skills relevant to ecotourism, promote biodiversity as a science, expose students of possibilities of undertaking exciting research on plants and animals, and finally, collaborate and create synergy with other like-minded organisations in nature conservation, research and ecotourism. The conference was officiated by Prof Dr. Gabriel Tonga Noweg, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Datuk Prof. Dr. Mohamad Kadim Suaidi, who spoke on the University’s commitment to biodiversity research and conservation, starting with the establishment of IBEC as a Research Institute in 1994.
The event was free and open to members of the public. The international highlight of the event was an exhibition of the world’s largest collection of stamps (including postage stamps and other philatelic material) on the theme of amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians, and some of their fossil relatives of the Class Amphibia), which was an official Guinness World Records event (entry number: 161123094024tlco). The exhibition included over 1,500 stamps, issued by 192 countries and other postal agencies from around the world, as well as postal stationery and other philatelic material relevant to amphibians, accumulated over 44 years by Prof. Indraneil Das, from the age of eight years.
Pos Malaysia set up a kiosk, vending personalised stamps to visitors.
The event attracted over 500 visitors.
Sarawak Biodiversity Evening is part of the globally-celebrated World Animal Day, commemorated since 1931. This event on UNIMAS campus is part of the 25th Anniversary of the establishment of the university and was organised by the students and staff of the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation. It is a timely opportunity for imparting conservation education to the general public, from school children and university graduate students to city folks from Kuching and other part of the State, in a friendly, informal format.
Czech Republic: Frog Definitive
On 7 September 2016, Czech Republic issued a new definitive stamp of denomination ‘A’ (equivalent to 16 CZK, suitable for postage rate for letters inland up to 50 gm). It features the European Tree Frog (Hyla arborea). The designers are the painters Jaromír and Libuše Knotek. The 19 x 23 mm stamp was printed by the Post Printing House, Prague, using multicoloured offset, in sheets of 100.
This is the only representative of the family Hylidae in the country, and inhabits nearly all of mainland Europe. The frog inhabits moist deciduous forests, and is associated with trees and shrubs. The individual I encountered was in a swimming pool in the French Riviera. |
Guyana. Rocket Frog
Guyana Post Office Corporation, on 30 December 2016, issued a set of stamps entitled ‘Golden Rocket Frog’. The two items from this series include a miniature sheet of two triangular stamps of GYD600 value each, and a small sheetlet of four circular stamps, each of GYD400 value. The Guyanese Dollar (GYD) currently trades for 0.0049 US Dollar.
The Golden Rocket Frog, also known as Beebe’s Rocket Frog (Anomaloglossus beebei), is a member of the family Aromobatidae, the species endemic to the country’s Kaieteur Plateau, at the eastern edge of Mount Pacaraima as well as Mount Ayanganna. It is associated with giant bromeliads (Brocchinia micrantha), where its tadpoles develop in water-filled leaf axils. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.
The Golden Rocket Frog, also known as Beebe’s Rocket Frog (Anomaloglossus beebei), is a member of the family Aromobatidae, the species endemic to the country’s Kaieteur Plateau, at the eastern edge of Mount Pacaraima as well as Mount Ayanganna. It is associated with giant bromeliads (Brocchinia micrantha), where its tadpoles develop in water-filled leaf axils. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List.
Liberia. Frogs
Jersey. Durrell & Darwin
Philippines. Endemic Lizards II
On 27 March 2017, Philippines Post issued a series entitled “Endemic Lizards of the Philippines”, representing the second issue on the theme. The stamps were designed by Victorino Z. Serevo, the series advisers being the husband-wife team of Arvin C. Diesmos (Herpetology Section of the National Museum of the Philippines in Manila) and Mae Lowe L. Diesmos (Department of Biological Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila). They were printed using lithographic offset by Amstar Printing Company, Inc. Perforations are 14. The set includes se-tenant blocks of four, a philatelic sheet of 16 stamps and a miniature sheet of 4 stamps, plus two undenominated labels.
The se-tenant blocks of four stamps are of denomination 12 pesos each, and show the Luzon Bicolored Earth Skink (Brachymeles bicolor), the Philippine False Gecko (Pseudogekko brevipes), the Gigante Limestone Gecko (Gekko gigante) and the Striped Tree Skink (Lipinia pulchella), available as strips.
The philatelic sheet of 16 stamps (comprising four se-tenant blocks of the aforementioned design) is of 48 peso value, each stamp 12 pesos, and shows the Emerald False Gecko (Pseudogekko smaragdinus), the Marbled Agamid Lizard (Bronchocela marmorata), the Spotted Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus sophiae) and the Mindanao Water Skink (Tropidophorus misaminius). Two undenominated labels depict a large, sprawled-out Gray's Monitor Lizard (Varanus olivaceus).
The se-tenant blocks of four stamps are of denomination 12 pesos each, and show the Luzon Bicolored Earth Skink (Brachymeles bicolor), the Philippine False Gecko (Pseudogekko brevipes), the Gigante Limestone Gecko (Gekko gigante) and the Striped Tree Skink (Lipinia pulchella), available as strips.
The philatelic sheet of 16 stamps (comprising four se-tenant blocks of the aforementioned design) is of 48 peso value, each stamp 12 pesos, and shows the Emerald False Gecko (Pseudogekko smaragdinus), the Marbled Agamid Lizard (Bronchocela marmorata), the Spotted Forest Dragon (Gonocephalus sophiae) and the Mindanao Water Skink (Tropidophorus misaminius). Two undenominated labels depict a large, sprawled-out Gray's Monitor Lizard (Varanus olivaceus).
South Korea. Personalized Stamp. Frog
Peru. "Venomous" Frogs
Aruba. Marine Life
Papua New Guinea. Pig-nosed Softshell Turtle
Malaysia. 6th International Bornean Frog Race
UNPA-Romania. Joint Stamp Issue. Endangered Species
On 11 May 2017, the United Nations Postal Administration issued 12 stamps in its Endangered Species series.The set is a joint issue with Romania. The four $1.15 stamps show Masobe Gecko (Paroedura masobe), endemic to Madagascar, the only reptile. Others in the series are the Thresher Shark (Alopias spp.), Clarion Angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis) and Blaine’s Fishhook Cactus (Sclerocactus blainei).
The four 1.50-franc stamps from the post office of Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, depict three animals and one plant. Herpetofauna depicted include the Marbled Rain Frog (Scaphiophryne marmorata), from the rain forests of eastern Madagascar and the African Pygmy Leaf Chamaeleon (Rhampholeon spp.), an endemic of eastern Africa. Other stamps in the series include Grandidier’s Baobab (Adansonia grandidieri) and the Devil Ray (Mobula spp.).
On the €0.80 stamps from the post office of the Vienna International Center, Austria, is Williams' Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi), besides the Caucasian Tur (Capra caucasica), a nautilus (Nautilidae), and the Natal Wild Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus).
On top, the three sheetlets; at the bottom, the first day covers.
The four 1.50-franc stamps from the post office of Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, depict three animals and one plant. Herpetofauna depicted include the Marbled Rain Frog (Scaphiophryne marmorata), from the rain forests of eastern Madagascar and the African Pygmy Leaf Chamaeleon (Rhampholeon spp.), an endemic of eastern Africa. Other stamps in the series include Grandidier’s Baobab (Adansonia grandidieri) and the Devil Ray (Mobula spp.).
On the €0.80 stamps from the post office of the Vienna International Center, Austria, is Williams' Dwarf Gecko (Lygodactylus williamsi), besides the Caucasian Tur (Capra caucasica), a nautilus (Nautilidae), and the Natal Wild Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus).
On top, the three sheetlets; at the bottom, the first day covers.
Dominican Republic. New Lizards
Köhler and Hedges (2016. A revision of the green anoles of Hispaniola with description of eight new species (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae). Novitates Caribaea 9:1–135) divided the four Hispaniolan green anoles into 16 species. Anolis chlorocyanus has now been split into four species, A. coelestinus into five species, and A. aliniger into six species.
Four recent stamps from the Dominican Republic, issued on 23 November 2016, depict four of these. Each is of $50 face value and show A. divius, A. prasinorius, A. viridius and A. eladioi.
Four recent stamps from the Dominican Republic, issued on 23 November 2016, depict four of these. Each is of $50 face value and show A. divius, A. prasinorius, A. viridius and A. eladioi.
Bulgaria. Spur-thighed Tortoise
Under the auspices of World Wide Fund for Nature’s Stamp Issue Programme (http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?86920/WWF-stamp-collection-helps-conservation), Bulgaria released a set of four stamps on 21 October 2016. These show face values of 0.65, 0.80, 1.40 and 3.00 Leva. The stamps measure 43 x 32.5 mm (perforation: 13) and were produced using offset printing on paper with UV thread.
The release includes four sheets of 20 stamps each with an illustrated central gutter, a miniature sheet/souvenir sheet of four stamps without the WWF logo on selvage and one of eight stamps with two stamp set and with the WWF logo on selvage.
The artist is Denitsa Peneva, scientific illustrator at Pensoft Publishers (an independent academic publisher of books and journals, located in Bulgaria: http://pensoft.net/), and a freelance artist. Sample of her other images are reproduced below.
Illustrated here are the stamps, signed (by Denitsa) first day cover, a printed cover and the two miniature sheets/souvenir sheets
The release includes four sheets of 20 stamps each with an illustrated central gutter, a miniature sheet/souvenir sheet of four stamps without the WWF logo on selvage and one of eight stamps with two stamp set and with the WWF logo on selvage.
The artist is Denitsa Peneva, scientific illustrator at Pensoft Publishers (an independent academic publisher of books and journals, located in Bulgaria: http://pensoft.net/), and a freelance artist. Sample of her other images are reproduced below.
Illustrated here are the stamps, signed (by Denitsa) first day cover, a printed cover and the two miniature sheets/souvenir sheets
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croatian Post). Fauna 2016. Frogs
Croatian Post Ltd., Mostar, issued four commemorative frogs stamps as a part of a series entitled ‘Fauna 2016’ on 1 November 2016. These include four species of frogs. Each are of 2.1 BAM (Bosnia-Herzegovina Convertible Mark) face value.
The Greek frog (Rana graeca) inhabits temperate forests, mountainous and highland pastureland near colder rivers and brooks. The European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) is associated with water, including both still and slow-flowing streams in the lowlands. Its relative, the Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) is encountered in both standing and running waters across middle and south-east Europe. Finally, the Moor frog (Rana arvalis) is found in moist meadows and swamps.
The Greek frog (Rana graeca) inhabits temperate forests, mountainous and highland pastureland near colder rivers and brooks. The European fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) is associated with water, including both still and slow-flowing streams in the lowlands. Its relative, the Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) is encountered in both standing and running waters across middle and south-east Europe. Finally, the Moor frog (Rana arvalis) is found in moist meadows and swamps.
St. Eustacius. Four of Every Island (Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire)
St. Eustacius is an eight square mile volcanic island in the Dutch Caribbean (Dutch: Caribisch Nederland), and is also known as Statia. It is situated in the north-eastern Caribbean, east of Puerto Rico. With a population of about 2,000, this municipality of the Netherlands Antilles, has Dutch as its official language. The value of postage stamps was denominated in Netherlands Antillean guilders, and was replaced by US-dollar denominated stamps in 2011. From January 2014, Flamingo Communications N.V. took over postal services on the islands of the Dutch Caribbean. On 14 November 2016, the postal authorities of the Dutch Caribbean, on behalf of St. Eustacius, issued a 99c stamp showing a Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata.
The approximately two mile long Statia's Zeelandia Beach is nesting site of four species of sea turtles: the Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead. Further details of sea turtles and their conservation can be found at: http://world-turtle-trust.org/project03.html. |
Costa Rica. Las Baulas National Marine Park
On 24 August 2016, the Costa Rican Postal Service celebrated National Parks Day by launching a commemorative stamp featuring a famous visitor to the Las Baulas National Park, the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). It is based on a photograph submitted by The Leatherback Trust's Executive Director, Dr. George Shillinger and designed by Cristian Ramirez & MarViva. The face value is 2,100 Costa Rican Colón (CRC). The sheetlet is produced using gravure, and has 14 perforations. Shown above is the stamp's printed face as well as gummed back. A rarer companion is the souvenir sheet depicted below of 1,100 CRC.
For over 15 years, The Leatherback Trust (http://leatherback.org/) has worked with Las Baulas National Park to help protect this endangered population of East Pacific leatherbacks. The mission of the Trust is “..to promote the conservation of leatherbacks and other turtles at risk of extinction”.
For over 15 years, The Leatherback Trust (http://leatherback.org/) has worked with Las Baulas National Park to help protect this endangered population of East Pacific leatherbacks. The mission of the Trust is “..to promote the conservation of leatherbacks and other turtles at risk of extinction”.
Serbia. Children's Stamps – Frogs
Serbian Post released four stamps on 9 November 2016, depicting the story, "The frog is reading newspapers" by Serbian poet, Jovan Jovanović Zmaj (1833–1904). A physician by training, Zmaj composed many genres of poetry, including lyrical, patriotic, political, youth and romance, but is best known for children's poetry.
Each of the stamps are of 23 Serbian Dinar face value and were produced in sheetlets of x 4, and show perforation of 13½.
Each of the stamps are of 23 Serbian Dinar face value and were produced in sheetlets of x 4, and show perforation of 13½.
United States of America. Pets. Booklet
On 2 August 2016, USPS issued a booklet of 20 self-adhesive stamps showing various pets. The First Day Ceremony was held in Las Vegas, NV. Each stamp has a face value of 47 cents, and is part of USPS Forever® stamps, that is equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price. According to the official promotional material, the issue “celebrate(s) the animals in our lives that bring joy, companionship, and love”. The stamps features 20 animals, photographed against white background by Eric Isselée. Individual stamps show Iguana iguana, Testudo hermanni, Pantherophis guttatus and Eublepharis macularius. Non-herpetological species depicted include: dog, fighting fish, hamster, goldfish, parrot, guinea pig, rabbit, cat, mouse, hermit crab, chinchilla, gerbil, dog, parakeet, horse and cat.
Maldives. Lhaviyani Atoll
Lhaviyani Atoll (also known as Faadhippolhu Atoll), an administrative division of the Maldives, is located between 5°15" and 5°35"N and 73°20" and 74°40"E, its capital being Naifaru. The atoll comprises 54 islands, five of which are inhabited (Naifaru, Hinnavaru, Kurendhoo, Olhuvelifushi and Maafilaafushi). The island of Maafilaafushi, resettled in the 1980s, once served as the capital of the separatist Kingdom of Boduthiladhunmathi. The four resorts in the atoll are Kuredhu, Komandoo, Kanuhuraa and Palmbeach.
On 13 June 2016, Stamperija Ltd., which describes itself as “the official representative of Maldives post office the country” issued a stamp and a miniature sheet, both of 10 Maldivian Ruffia face value, commemorating the various atolls of the archipelagic nation. The one for Lhaviani show an Eretmochelys imbricata. |
Honduras. Tourism
On 28 June 2016, Honducor: Empresa de Correos de Honduras, the Honduras Postal Agency, issued a set of 12 stamps, highlighting tourism and tourist highlights of this Middle American nation. One of the stamps of 15 Honduran Lempira face value shows a Chelonia mydas.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (http://www.seashepherd.org/turtles/honduras.html) studies and protects sea turtles of the Honduras. Three species (Greens, Hawksbills and Loggerheads) nest on the beaches on the island of Utila, the smallest of the Honduras Bay Islands. Volunteers from Sea Shepherd spend many nights patrolling these beaches to protect nests from poachers, between August and October every year. |
Samoa. Animals of the World
Samoa Philatelic Bureau (https://pcistamps.com/Samoa.php) issued a set of 20 stamps in a series entitled ‘Animals of the World’ on 7 September 2016.
These depict threatened animals of the world photographed by Joel Sartore, whose work is familiar to readers of National Geographic. Denominations are 60s, 70s, 80s, $1.20 and $3.60, being produced in blocks of four designs. Herpetological species depicted include Epicrates striatus striatus and Ambystoma talpoideum (60s), Agalychnis lemur (80s), Geochelone elegans ($1.20) and Dendrobates tinctorius ($3.60). |
Czech Republic. Nature Protection. Zoological Gardens
The Czech Post, on behalf of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, issued a miniature sheet dedicated to Czech Zoological Gardens on 7 September 2016. The sheet consists of four stamps (and two undenominated ‘coupons’), a 27 Czech Koruna [CZK] 27 stamp showing Przewalski’s horses (representing Zoo Prague), a CZK 16.00 stamp showing Snow Leopards (representing Jihlava Zoo), a CZK 24 stamp, showing black rhinos and hunting dogs (for Zoo Dvůr Králové) and a CZK 20 stamp showing Barbary lions and South African oryx (representing Zoo Olomouc). The two undenominated ‘stamps’ (= coupons) and selvage of the souvenir sheet depict other rare animals that reside in these zoological gardens. The top left of the sheet, on the selvage area, shows a Ganges Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus).
The designers are painters and graphic artists, Libuše and Jaromír Knotek, the engravings of the sheet and FDC are by graphic artist and engraver, Martin Srb.
The souvenir sheets with stamps, sized 40 x 50 mm and coupons are 40 x 23 mm, and have been printed by the Post Printing House in Prague by coloured offset, combined with black engraving.
The designers are painters and graphic artists, Libuše and Jaromír Knotek, the engravings of the sheet and FDC are by graphic artist and engraver, Martin Srb.
The souvenir sheets with stamps, sized 40 x 50 mm and coupons are 40 x 23 mm, and have been printed by the Post Printing House in Prague by coloured offset, combined with black engraving.
Slovakia. Nature Protection - Pol'ana Protected Landscape Area
Poľana Mountains Protected Landscape Area (Slovak: Chránená krajinná oblasť Poľana) is one of 14 protected areas in Slovakia, situated in the Poľana Mountains, and is a part of the Slovenské stredohorie range. It sprawls over the Banská Bystrica, Brezno, Detva, and Zvolen districts of central Slovakia, and was established on 12 August 1981. The highest mountains are Poľana (1,457.8 m asl) and Predná Poľana (1,367 m asl). Poľana was declared a UNESCO biosphere reserve on 27 March 1990.
On 9 October 2015, Slovak Post issued a miniature sheet under the theme ‘Nature Protection’, entitled ‘Pol'ana Protected Landscape Area’, showing a bird (black stork; 0.65€) and a mammal (otter; 0.65€) on the stamps themselves. A couple of amphibians are visible on the undenominated portion (‘coupons’) of the sheet, including Hyla arborea and Salamandra salamandra.
The sheet was printed at the Postal Printing House of Securities Prague.
On 9 October 2015, Slovak Post issued a miniature sheet under the theme ‘Nature Protection’, entitled ‘Pol'ana Protected Landscape Area’, showing a bird (black stork; 0.65€) and a mammal (otter; 0.65€) on the stamps themselves. A couple of amphibians are visible on the undenominated portion (‘coupons’) of the sheet, including Hyla arborea and Salamandra salamandra.
The sheet was printed at the Postal Printing House of Securities Prague.
Uzbekistan. Rare Animals of Uzbekistan
Ascension Island. BBC Atlantic Relay Station 1966–2016
In 1964, a team of BBC engineers sailed on Union Castle line from Southampton in the United Kingdom to Ascension Island to survey for a Short Wave Relay Station for the BBC World Service, to be located on this remote volcanic island. Ascension Island’s location in the centre of the southern Atlantic Ocean made the task easy and a suitable flat site on the northern coast of the island, was found, at English Bay.
On 3 July 2016, the postal authority for Ascension Island released a set of six stamps to commemorate the half-century of the event, one, of 65 pence face value, showing a Chelonia mydas. Stamp size is 42 x 28mm and is produced in sheets of 10. |
Hungary. 150th Anniversary of the Budapest Zoo
Magyar Posta issued on 9 August 2016, a stamp sheetlet entitled ‘Animal Cubs II’ that feature 12 young residents of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, to commemorate its 150th anniversary. Young ones of the following species can be seen in each of the 12 stamps: African Forest Buffalo, Javan Surili, Northern Bald Ibis, Visayan Warty Pig, Greater Rhea, Batty, Lyle's Flying Fox, Dalmatian Pelican, Mhorr Gazelle, Night monkey, Red-fronted macaw, Dhole, and Eyelash Viper.
Városliget - the City Park – is situated in the capital city of Hungary, and opened to public on 9 August 1866. Starting with 500 animals, the zoo is now home to about 10,500 animals, representing over 1,000 species.
Individual stamps are of face value 115 HUF (suitable for local standard letter and postcard) and the 202 x 100 mm sheetlet is produced using four-colour offset. The tab for each stamp carries the name, a colour code indicating gender, range of the species and date of birth of the individual depicted. A map is printed at the bottom.
Városliget - the City Park – is situated in the capital city of Hungary, and opened to public on 9 August 1866. Starting with 500 animals, the zoo is now home to about 10,500 animals, representing over 1,000 species.
Individual stamps are of face value 115 HUF (suitable for local standard letter and postcard) and the 202 x 100 mm sheetlet is produced using four-colour offset. The tab for each stamp carries the name, a colour code indicating gender, range of the species and date of birth of the individual depicted. A map is printed at the bottom.
Tajikistan. Tortoise
The Central Asian Tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) is the only representative of its family in Central Asia. The species is threatened by illegal trade (Smith & Porsch, 2005. Evaluation of the costs and impacts of environmental crime: CITES trade of the Horsfieldii Tortoise. EFFACE Project. Ecologic Institute, Berlin. 27 pp.).
On 1 September 2016, Post Tojikiston, the postal authority of Tajikistan issued two se-tenant stamps of 3.50 Tajikistani Somoni face value, showing the species.
On 1 September 2016, Post Tojikiston, the postal authority of Tajikistan issued two se-tenant stamps of 3.50 Tajikistani Somoni face value, showing the species.
Singapore. Myths and Legends
SingPost, in collaboration with the Singapore National Heritage Board, issued two sets of stamps featuring folktales about the island nation’s Kusu Island and Sisters' Islands on 29 May 2016. Sisters' Islands are named for two sisters who loved each other, and died of drowning in the sea when sea gypsies threatened to separate them. Kusu Island, also known as Turtle Island is named after the legend of a giant turtle that rescued two fishermen caught in a storm. They were taken safely to an island, the turtle itself never to be seen again. The set comes in four denominations - 1st Local, 2nd Local, S$0.50 and S$2.00. The 2nd Local and S$0.50 face value stamps depict Chelonia mydas.
Illustrated here are the stamps, philatelic sheets, miniature sheets, folder, leaflet and FDCs.
Illustrated here are the stamps, philatelic sheets, miniature sheets, folder, leaflet and FDCs.
Malaysia. Seven Wonders of Malaysian Flora & Fauna
‘Seven Wonders of Malaysian Flora & Fauna’ was issued on 23 August 2016 by Pos Malaysia, at Dataran Datuk Ismail Hutson in Zoo Negara, Kuala Lumpur. The series was a collaboration between Pos Malaysia and Zoo Negara in an effort to educate the general public of the importance of environmental conservation. The sheetlet comprises seven self-adhesive stamps of face values in Malaysian Sen and measures 130 x 180 mm.
The two herpetological species depicted are Hylarana erythraea (60 sen) and Amyda ornata (as Amyda cartilaginea, see Fritz et al. 2014. Vert. Zool. 64:229–243; 70 sen). The placement of a QR Code on each stamp, however, is distracting, and reduces the aesthetic appeal of the sheetlet.
There are two versions of the accompanying miniature sheets (perforate and imperforate, of Ringgit Malaysian 2.00 face value each), die-cut in the shape of a panda footprint, also with a QR Code. The issue also coincides with the birthday of the Giant Pandas, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, resident of the zoo and features the baby Nuan Nuan, who appears on the stamps (while the parents are on the selvage). Apart from the stamps is a set of seven postcards (produced in association with Universiti Malaya) and a small folder.
The two herpetological species depicted are Hylarana erythraea (60 sen) and Amyda ornata (as Amyda cartilaginea, see Fritz et al. 2014. Vert. Zool. 64:229–243; 70 sen). The placement of a QR Code on each stamp, however, is distracting, and reduces the aesthetic appeal of the sheetlet.
There are two versions of the accompanying miniature sheets (perforate and imperforate, of Ringgit Malaysian 2.00 face value each), die-cut in the shape of a panda footprint, also with a QR Code. The issue also coincides with the birthday of the Giant Pandas, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, resident of the zoo and features the baby Nuan Nuan, who appears on the stamps (while the parents are on the selvage). Apart from the stamps is a set of seven postcards (produced in association with Universiti Malaya) and a small folder.
Indonesia. Wonderful Indonesia
On 1 January 2016, Pos Indonesia issued a set of four stamps and a miniature / souvenir sheet under the series “Wonderful Indonesia. Indonesian Tourism Destinations” / “Daerah Tujuan Wisata”.
The Derawan Archipelago is located off Borneo, in East Kalimantan, and comprises 31 islands. Besides being the country’s largest nesting sites for Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata, these islands are home to 460 species of corals. The Nature Conservancy and others specialists reported over 870 species of fishes. The stamp for Derawan shows a swimming Chelonia mydas. Other stamps in the series deal with the landscapes of Raja Ampat, Wakatobi and Belitung. Each of the stamps are of 3,000 Rupiah (Rp) face value. Shown here are the 3,000 Rp sea turtle stamp, the full sheet of the four value stamps (with a broad central selvage) and a first day cover. The four stamps, with the associated central selvage, are being incorrectly advertised as miniature sheets online. The real miniature/souvenir sheet with the issue is of 5,000 Rupiah face value. |
Namibia. Pictorial Postcards
Botswana. Okavango Delta, 1,000th UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Okavango Delta (alternately, the Okavango Grassland), situated in Botswana, is a large inland delta formed where the Okavango River reaches the Kalahari, the water evaporating and ultimately, does not flow into the sea. Two, even larger deltas in Africa are the Sudd on the Nile (South Sudan) and the Inner Niger Delta (Mali). The Okavango Delta is regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and on 22 June 2014, Okavango Delta became the 1000th site on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
On 16 July 2015, the President of the Republic of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama launched the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site commemorative stamps series by BotswanaPost. An example of a transboundary park, Botswana works with Angola and Namibia to maintain the integrity of the delta.
A Chamaeleo dilepis is seen on a P3.50 stamp.
Illustrated here is the sheetlet (top), as well as the first day cover (bottom), showing the P3.50 stamp, and a close-up of the chamaeleon.
On 16 July 2015, the President of the Republic of Botswana, Seretse Khama Ian Khama launched the Okavango Delta World Heritage Site commemorative stamps series by BotswanaPost. An example of a transboundary park, Botswana works with Angola and Namibia to maintain the integrity of the delta.
A Chamaeleo dilepis is seen on a P3.50 stamp.
Illustrated here is the sheetlet (top), as well as the first day cover (bottom), showing the P3.50 stamp, and a close-up of the chamaeleon.
Sri Lanka. Kumana National ParkLocated 391 km from Colombo, on the island’s southeastern coast, Kumana National Park is contiguous with the more famous Yala National Park (and in fact, was known as Yala East National Park, till 5 September 2006). Kumana is well-known for its avifauna, particularly migratory species and waders. This sheetlet shows an assemblage of wetland species around some of the 20 lagoons and tanks of the Park, that otherwise lies within the dry zone tropical thorn forest.
Issued by Sri Lanka Post on 26 January 2016, this set includes sheets of 20 stamps of seven values, two of them herpetological (Sri Lankan Rupee, LKR 10.00; Dermochelys coriacea and LKR 20; Crocodylus porosus). Shown here are the two stamps, the miniature sheet of LKR 152.00 face value, two first day covers and philatelic sheets of LKR 10 and LKR 25 value stamps. |
Republic of South Africa. XIV World Forestry CongressBetween 7–11 September 2015, the XIV World Forestry Congress was held in the Republic of South Africa, at Durban. The main theme for the Congress was “Forests and people: investing in a sustainable future”. Held every six years, the objectives of the World Forestry Congress are to “inform, direct and influence international action in forestry; to elevate the sector’s role in global development and to project a new vision for the future”.
The set of five stamps, that were issued on 20 September 2015, was designed by Annemarie Wessels, who worked with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, South Africa. The stamps cover the main topics to be discussed at the congress- transforming livelihoods and forest governance, as well as indigenous forest plants, trees and animals. A Knysna Dwarf Chamaeleon (Bradypodion damaranum) features on a stamp appropriate for large postcards (B4 rate of Rand 5.65). The species is endemic to the Afromontane forests near Knysna and elsewhere. Shown here are the two miniature sheets, the lower one being a CTO, and an first day cover of the stamps. |
São Tomé and Príncipe. Turtles
The agent for São Tomé and Príncipe issued a set of two philatelic items for MonacoPhil in 2015, which was organised jointly by the Club de Monte-Carlo and the OETP (the Monegasque Office for Stamp Issues), in Monaco from 3–5 December 2015. The date of issue was 18 November 2015. Visitors to MonacoPhil 2015 witnessed 100 worldwide philatelic rarities from 100 world famous collections belonging to His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, from 10 national postal museums, and from members of the Club de Monte-Carlo.
The turtle on the miniature sheet (face value 96,000 Db) is Emydoidea blandingii. Those on the sheetlet are Chelonia mydas, Graptemys ernsti, Caretta caretta and Dermochelys coriacea (each of face value 31,000 Db). Additional images of Chelonia mydas and Chrysemys picta are on the selvage.
The turtle on the miniature sheet (face value 96,000 Db) is Emydoidea blandingii. Those on the sheetlet are Chelonia mydas, Graptemys ernsti, Caretta caretta and Dermochelys coriacea (each of face value 31,000 Db). Additional images of Chelonia mydas and Chrysemys picta are on the selvage.
Niger. Turtles
On 26 October 2015, the philatelic agency for Niger issued a sheetlet showing a collection of turtles from around the world (but leaving out Niger or even Africa). Four stamps on the left half of the sheet (of 750 franc face value) illustrate Carettochelys insculpta, Graptemys nigrinoda, Platysternon megacephalum and Heosemys spinosa. The single stamp on the right half of the sheetlet (of 2,700 franc face value) shows Emydura subglobosa. The central gutter is dominated by a pair of Chelonoidis nigra.
Central African Republic. Snakes and Lizards
While CAR may have a rich herpetofauna, the set here from 2015, a product of IGPC, is no indicator of that. Instead, the two items depict species common in the (western) pet trade. The sheetlet of four stamps of 750 franc each show Pituophis catenifer vertebralis, Cyclura lewesi, Chlamydosaurus kingii and Oreocryptophis porphyraceus laticinctus. The miniature sheet has a single stamp of face value 2,650 franc, and shows Furcifer pardalis and Pantherophis guttatus. The broad selvage to the right illustrates a Boa constrictor constrictor and a nearly invisible Pogona vitticeps.
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Maldives. Marine FaunaFinally, real stamps from the Maldives! This rare (to outside collectors) set of two stamps, probably for local postal use (as a definitive), was issued in 2013, and has a face value of “15 MVR” (= Maldivian Ruffia). Probably issued by Maldives Post, rather than their European agent, the turtle species depicted is Eretmochelys imbricata.
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Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. Fauna and Flora - Frog and WaterlilySaint Pierre and Miquelon (in French, Collectivité d'Outre-mer de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon) is a an overseas territory of France, located in the north-western Atlantic Ocean, at the entrance of Fortune Bay, which extends into the southern coast of Newfoundland, near Canada. It has a population of 6,080 at the January 2011 census.
On 7 October 2015, Service des Postes de Saint Pierre et Miquelon issued a single stamp, printed by Philaposte, entitled “Green and yellow water lily Frog” of face value 0.76 €, showing the island’s only amphibian species, Lithobates catesbeianus. It was produced using a combination of offset and gravure. |
New Caledonia. Marine Turtles
A die-cut, self-adhesive miniature sheet from this French colony, showing its marine turtle fauna. These were issued on 6 November 2016, the stamps perforate (perf 13), each of the four stamps of 110 franc value, showing as many species of marine turtles known from New Caledonia.
Several other species of marine life are illustrated on the bottom of the selvage of this attractive sheetlet. |
Brazil. Personalised Stamp
Solomon Islands. Protected Species in Taiwan
A miniature sheet from Solomon Islands, issued in 2015, shows four circular stamps, each of $5 face value. One of these is Chelonia mydas. It was issued during Taipei 2015 (the 30th Asian International Stamp Exhibition), held at Taipeh, Taiwan, between 24–28 April 2015.
A news item (“Taiwan creates “Facebook” for sea turtles!”) has been making its rounds. It talks of the success of Taiwanese sea turtle workers in developing a photo identification kit for Chelonia mydas at Liuchiu Island (of Pentung County). A total of 43 turtles were photographed more than once, while 77 were photographed “very frequently” throughout the study, suggesting these are residents. Six percent of all turtles were male, the rest female or belong to indeterminate sex. In being able to identify individual turtles, biologists are now able to estimate their population densities more accurately, including differentiate visitors from residents of Taiwanese waters. The full story can be found in: Su, C.M., Huang, C.T. & Cheng, I.J. (2015). Applying a fast, effective and reliable photographic identification system for green turtles in the waters near Luichiu Island, Taiwan. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. & Ecol. 467:115–120. |
Burundi. Sea Turtles
Issued by Stamperija, the Lithuanian agent for Burundi, this set of two sheetlets is entitled “Les Tortues de Meer”. Release date is given as 21 December 2012. The sheetlet of four stamps shows Dermochelys coriacea (1,180 franc), Trachemys scripta (1,190 franc), Natator depressus (3,000 franc) and Chelonia mydas (3,000 franc). The sheetlet of a single stamp shows Eretmochelys imbricata (7,500 franc), with an additional large image of an Aldabrachelys gigantea on the top of the selvage.
Philippines. Wildlife
Hydrosaurus pustulatus, the Philippine Sail-fin Lizard, is one of four species selected for a miniature sheet from the Philippines. The others are the Visayas Flowerpecker (Diceum haematostictum), Philippine Pangolin (Manis culionensis) and Purple Crab (Insulamon palawanense), on 11 November 2015. Each has a face value of 15 Pesos.
The Philippine Sail-fin Lizard is omnivorous, consuming fruit, leaves, flowers and small animals, inhabiting mangrove forests, coastlines, and coastal river systems, and are adept swimmers. Males have larger dorsal crests than the females. The lizard is subject to both habitat loss and hunting, including collecting for the pet trade. The recent study by Siler et al (2014. Biol. Conserv. 169:100–108) indicates additional species can be expected within this complex, from Australasia. |
Taiwan. Centenary of Taipei Zoo
Chunghwa Post Co. Ltd, issued, on 16 October 2014, a sheetlet entitled “Centenary of Taipei Zoo”, depicting several species of megafauna on its $5 (x 2), $10 (x 2) and $12 (x 2) stamps.
None of these are herpetofaunal species. Nonetheless, a Tomistoma schlegelii occupies a prominent place at the bottom of the selvage. |
Albania. Mediterranean Games, Mersin, Turkey
The XVII Mediterranean Games was held at Mersin, Turkey, from 20-30 June 2013. A total of 24 countries participated in 27 different sports.
The official logo of these Games features Karetta, a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta), shown emerging from the sea, with water underneath. The orange hue above its back represents the subtropical climate of Mediterranean. The 6 November 2013 philatelic release from Posta Shqiptare includes two stamps (of face value 90 and 150 Albanian Lek) and a miniature sheet (of face value 200 Albanian Lek).
The official logo of these Games features Karetta, a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta), shown emerging from the sea, with water underneath. The orange hue above its back represents the subtropical climate of Mediterranean. The 6 November 2013 philatelic release from Posta Shqiptare includes two stamps (of face value 90 and 150 Albanian Lek) and a miniature sheet (of face value 200 Albanian Lek).
Turkey. Mediterranean Games, Mersin, Turkey
Miniature sheet dated 20 June 2013 from Turkey on the theme above. This sheetlet contains four stamps of 1.10 Turkish lira face value each. Selvage shows the Games mascot (Caretta caretta).
Burundi. Frogs
A sheetlet of four stamps from the “Les Grenouilles du Burundi” series (face values 1,000 franc, 1,120 franc, and two of 3,000 francs), issued on 1 December 2011, showing Hyperolius viridiflavus, Kassina senegalensis, Xenopus laevis and Hyperolius marmoratus. These species are also shown on the selvage.
A set of four stamps in the same series shows an additional four frog species- Leptopelis kivuensis (1,020 franc), Hyperolius discodactylus (1,090 franc), Hyperolius castaneus (3,000 franc) and Phrynobatrachus versicolor (3,000 franc).
A set of four stamps in the same series shows an additional four frog species- Leptopelis kivuensis (1,020 franc), Hyperolius discodactylus (1,090 franc), Hyperolius castaneus (3,000 franc) and Phrynobatrachus versicolor (3,000 franc).
Burundi. Turtles
A sheetlet of four stamps from the “Tortues du Burundi” series (face values 1,000 franc, 1,020 franc, and two of 3,000 francs), issued on 1 December 2011, showing Stigmochelys pardalis, Pelusios subniger, Pelomedusa subrufa and Pelusios sinuatus. These species are also shown on the selvage.
A set of four stamps in the same series shows an additional four turtle species- Pelusios sinuatus (1,020 franc), Stigmochelus pardalis (1,120 franc), Pelomedusa subrufa (3,000 franc) and Pelusios subniger (3,000 franc).
A set of four stamps in the same series shows an additional four turtle species- Pelusios sinuatus (1,020 franc), Stigmochelus pardalis (1,120 franc), Pelomedusa subrufa (3,000 franc) and Pelusios subniger (3,000 franc).
St Kitts. Marine Life of Taiwan
On 24 March 2015, the IGPC, on behalf of St. Kitts, issued a sheetlet of stamps and a miniature sheet under the series “Marine life of Taiwan”. The sheetlet shows a Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) on a $3.15 stamp, the sheetlet bearing a total of six stamps of the same value.
These were sold at “Taipei 2015”, the 30th Asian International Stamp Exhibition held in Taipeh, between 24–28 April 2015. A major connection between these two distant nations is the joint venture debuting St. Kitts first solar farm, a 1.0-megawatt solar powered energy grid, in 2013. Created to “provide operational power to the St. Christopher Air, Sea and Ports Authority” the farm is an unusual example of green energy partnership.
These were sold at “Taipei 2015”, the 30th Asian International Stamp Exhibition held in Taipeh, between 24–28 April 2015. A major connection between these two distant nations is the joint venture debuting St. Kitts first solar farm, a 1.0-megawatt solar powered energy grid, in 2013. Created to “provide operational power to the St. Christopher Air, Sea and Ports Authority” the farm is an unusual example of green energy partnership.
St. Vincent. Reptiles
Shown here are two minisheets, from IGPC for its client state of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (an island nation in the Lesser Antilles archipelago) issued in 2015. The first, a miniature sheet with a single $10 stamp, showing a Gekko gecko (identified as Hemidactylus mabouia). The second comprises six stamps, each of $3.15 face value, showing Eretmochelys imbricata, Iguana iguana, Thecadactylus rapicauda, Lepidochelys olivacea (identified as Dermochelys coriacea), Chelonoidis carbonaria and Anolis sagrei.
Thailand. Zoo. Personalised Stamps
Honduras. Environmental Protection
On 10 April 2015, Honducor, the Honduras Mail Service, issued a set of eight stamps on its endangered species and habitats. Included in the set is a 10 Honduran Lempira stamp, showing a Lepidochelys olivacea. An account of the species in Honduras can be found in Minarik (1985. Mar. Turtle Newsl 33:3–4). The species inhabits the Gulf of Fonseca, on the Pacific side of Honduras, shared with El Salvador and Nicaragua, and is protected locally by the Honduran Fish Law (1959).
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Ghana. Snakes
Ghana, in west Africa, has a rich herpetofauna. Therefore, it is inexplicable why Ghana Post (under Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission) permitted the issue of these two sheetlets of stamps on snakes, showing exotic species. The first, of GHc9 (Ghanaian Cedi) value, shows a Zamenis longissimus (from Europe). The second, comprising four stamps, each of face value GHc4 shows Coronella austriaca (from Europe), Boiga dendrophila (from south-east Asia), Pantherophis guttatus (from North America) and Thamnophis sirtalis (also from North America). Ghana is the first client of the Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation, of New York.
Cuba. Fauna
Cuba, on 6 May 2011, issued an imperforate miniature sheet under the theme “Flora y Fauna Cubanas”. Depicted in the 1 Cuban Peso stamp is the Cuban Crocodile, Crocodylus rhombifer, while a larger image of the West Indian Manatee, Trichechus manatus, appears on the selvage.
The Cuba Crocodile is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Redlist. Reasons for its decline include reduction of habitat, hybridization (with Crocodylus acutus) and hunting for meat. Moreover, the species has been described as having the smallest distribution amongst the extant crocodilians (Milian-García et al. 2011. J. Exp. Zool. 315:358–375). |
Central African Republic. Frogs
Stamperija, based on Lithuania, is the official agent for the postal department of the Central African Republic. On 15 December 2015, the agency issued two items under the theme “Les Grenouilles” for CAR. The first is a minisheet comprising a single stamp, of 3,000 franc (CFA Franc) face value, showing a Phyllomedusa sauvagii. The selvage shows two more frogs of the same species. Also known as the “Waxy Monkey Tree Frog, the species is a native of the Chaco region, Argentina, besides Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. The second minisheet shows four stamps of 900 franc face value, each, depicting Lithobates pipiens (from North America), Dendrobates azureus (from South America), Oophaga pumilio (also from South America) and Agalychnis callidryas (another South American frog). The selvage shows Phyllomedusa sauvagii and Oophaga pumilio.
Solomon Islands. Turtles
Solomon Island, via IGPC, contributed to herpetology with two octagonal minisheets, entitled “World of Turtles” on 5 August 2014. The first with a single stamp of face value $35.00, showing a Centrochelys sulcata, the stamp itself hexagonal. Visible on the selvage are Astrochelys radiata and an unidentifiable species of Trachemys. The second comprises four hexagonal stamps, each of $7 face value, and depicting Chelonoidis nigra, Gopherus polyphemus, Emys orbicularis and Trachemys scripta elegans. Species on the selvage are Eretmochelys imbricata and Terrapene carolina.
Togo. Threatened Species
From Togo in 2014, this sheetlet (entitled “Les espèces menacées”) of four stamps, each of 750f value. One of these show a Caretta caretta. The Loggerhead Turtle is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List (version 2015-4) for showing decreasing population trend. The large circular image on the selvage is of a Panthera tigeris.
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Togo. Snakes
On 1 June 2015, IGPC, one behalf of its client state of Togo, issued a number of sheetlets, bearing circular stamps. Two of these show snakes of the world, entitled “Les Serpents”. The first, of 2,500f value, shows a Crotalus ruber, other species on the selvage being a spitting Naja mossambica, both images dwarfed by an image (also circular) of a Crotalus molossus. The second contains four stamps of face value 750f each, depicting Bothriechis schlegelii, Crotalus oreganus helleri, Heterodon platirhinos and Corallus caninus. The images on the stamps are considerably smaller than the large, circular image of an Agkistrodon contortrix (misidentified as Heterodon platirhinos) swallowing a rodent.
Togo. Frogs
Also on 1 June 2015, IGPC issued a couple of sheetlets with circular stamps for Togo, entitled “Les Grenouilles”. The first one, of 2,500f face value, shows a Lithobates catesbeianus, while other species on selvage are Afrixalus brachycnemis and a large image of a Agalychnis callidryas in circular format dominates the sheetlet. The second comprises four circular stamps, each of 750f face value, showing Dendrobates tinctorius, Litoria chloris (misidentified as Agalychnis callidryas), Oophaga pumilio and Pseudacris cadaverina. The species on the selvage is Dendrobates leucomelas, in circular format.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Fauna (Reptiles)Collectivité d'Outre-mer de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, is an overseas territory of France, located in the north-western Atlantic Ocean.
These islands are named for Saint Peter (Saint-Pierre in French), the patron saint of fishermen. It has a human population of 6,080 (2011 census). On 18 October 2014, Service des Postes de Saint Pierre et Miquelon, the postal authority of territory, issued a €0.69 stamp depicting a Dermochelys coriacea, under the theme “Fauna (Reptiles)” and printed by Philaposte. |
French Southern and Antarctic Lands. 60th Anniversary of French Southern & Antarctic Lands
On 14 July 2015, this overseas territory of France issued a three set stamp series entitled “"60th Anniversary of French Southern & Antarctic Lands”. A Chelonia mydas is visible in one of these stamps. Each of the stamps are of €0.80 face value.
Cuba. Marine Fauna
Cuba. 20th Anniversary of the Natural History MuseumLocated in the Plaza de Armas, in Old Havana, the Natural History Museum of Cuba presents four exhibition: Inside the Museum; mammals, birds and reptiles from around the world; History of the Earth, Cuban Life and Nature; in addition to an area of transitory exhibitions, the Almiquí show room, and the Colibrí games room. A 75c stamp issued on 26 May 2014, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Museum shows an Anolis equestris.
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Cuba. Domesticated AnimalsOn 12 March 2013, Cuba Postal issued a six value set on the theme “Domesticated Animals”. The pigeon, rabbit, dog and cat may fall under the category, but a Trachemys decussata (on a 65 Cuban Peso stamp)?
This species is restricted to Cuba, Isla de Pinos and Cayman Islands. The species is locally referred to as 'Jicotea'. On the right is the 65 peso stamp, at the bottom, the first day cover. |
Canada. Canadian Geographic’s Wildlife Photography of the YearCanadian Geographic runs an online competition where participants upload their best images: the chosen few are reproduced in a special issue of the magazine. See http://wpy15.canadiangeographic.ca.
A miniature sheet issued on 22 May 2010, containing five 57c stamps has no herpetofaunal species, but on the selvage of the sheetlet is an image of a Lithobates catesbeianus, within a collage of images. |
Tuvalu. Sea Turtles
Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, between Hawaii and Australia, and has a total land area of 26 sq km. It comprises three reef islands and six true atolls and has about 11,000 human inhabitants. Tuvalu achieved independence in 1978, and in 2000, became the 189th member of the United Nations. The postal authority is the Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau, and Tuvalu is a client state of the New York-based Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation (IGPC) that is responsible for its stamp issue programme.
The Funafuti Conservation Area is a marine conservation area of 33 sq km of reef, lagoon and islets on the western side of Funafuti Atoll. The islets offer nesting beaches for the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the subject of four sheetlets by Tuvalu issued on 3 September 2014. Denomination is in (Australian) Dollars (A$) 1.40 for each of the four stamps of two of these sheetlets, and A$ 2.25 for the two stamps in each of the two sheetlets.
The Funafuti Conservation Area is a marine conservation area of 33 sq km of reef, lagoon and islets on the western side of Funafuti Atoll. The islets offer nesting beaches for the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), the subject of four sheetlets by Tuvalu issued on 3 September 2014. Denomination is in (Australian) Dollars (A$) 1.40 for each of the four stamps of two of these sheetlets, and A$ 2.25 for the two stamps in each of the two sheetlets.
Ecuador. All You Need is EcuadorSince 14 July 2009, Ecuador has been issuing stamp booklets with eight adhesive stamps in each, of face values between 25 cents to US$1, adding to US$5, per booklet. These are on thematic topics (such as animals, flowers, trains and landscapes), target tourists, and consequently, are in high in demand. The number of copies produced is also low, rumored to be between 1,000–10,000 per booklet.
On 11 November 2015, the country issued a set of stamps, a miniature sheet and a pair of booklets under the series “All you need is Ecuador”. The five value stamp series contain three herpetological species (Chelonia agassizii, Paleosuchus trigonatus and Amblyrhynchus cristatus), each of US$1.00 face value (perf: 13½). The $5.00 miniature sheet is in the shape of a cigar band, and shows two herpetological species (Chelonoidis nigra and Paleosuchus trigonatus). Finally, the two booklets show three herpetological species (Amblyrhynchus cristatus on one, Ceratophrys stolzmanni and Corallus batesii on the other), of respective face values 0.25c, 0.25c and 0.75c. |
Zimbabwe. Frogs and their Habitats
On 9 December 2014, Zimbabwe Posts (Pvt) Ltd issued a four value stamp series, entitled “Frogs and their Habitats”. The stamps measure 28 x 40 mm. The same designs were used for a miniature sheet of dimensions 97 x 106 mm, available in an imperforate (14.25 x 14 mm) version, and are the work of the artist Joan Soriano. These were printed using lithography at NatPrint, Harare. Species depicted include Hyperolius synnertoni (30c), Pyxicephalus adspersus (75c), Breviceps adspersus (85c) and Amietia inyangae ($1).
The most recent treatment of the amphibian fauna of Zimbabwe is that of Lambiris (1989. The Frogs of Zimbabwe. Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino, Monografia X. 247 pp.). |
Tanzania. Zanzibar The Mystical IslandOn 26 April 2013, Tanzania Posts Corporation issued a series of 11 stamps entitled “Zanzibar The Mystical Island”. Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous portion of Tanzania, and composed of the Zanzibar Archipelago, located 25–50 km off the coast, consisting of a number of small islands and two large ones. The capital is Zanzibar City, located on Unguja, and famous for its historic center of Stone Town, a World Heritage Site.
One of the stamps from the set is of 900 Tanzanian Shillings face value, and shows the Aldabran Giant Tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea). Originally from the islands of the Aldabra Atoll, in the Seychelles, it is one of the largest tortoises in the world. Once widespread in the western Indian Ocean, they were extensively hunted for food by seafarers, and most populations were extinct by 1840. In 1919, Eustace Edward Twistleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (1864–1943), the British governor of Seychelles gifted four tortoises to Changuu in Zanzibar from Aldabra. By the year 2000, the population had grown to 17 adults, 50 juveniles and 90 hatchlings. |
Colombia. Endangered Fauna“4-72 La Red postal de Colombia”, the postal authority of this South American country, released a set of seven stamps on the topic “Endangered Fauna” on 14 July 2015. Four of these are herpetological species, with values in Colombian Pesos (given as $), and show a couple of amphibians (Epipedobates machalilla, $200 and Phyllobates terribilis, $10,000), a turtle (Mesoclemmys dahli, $20,000) and a crocodilian (Crocodylus intermedius, $2,000). These definitives are self-adhesive, perforate stamps, produced by offset lithography.
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Uganda. Reptiles of Africa
On 1 April 2014, IGPC, for its East African client state, Uganda, issued a set of two items under the series “Reptiles of Africa”. The first miniature sheet (Stanley Gibbons MS2642) is composed of four stamps, each of face value 3,000 Shillings, and shows a lizard (Agama agama), a crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), a tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) and a snake (Dendroaspis angusticeps). The second miniature sheet (SG MS2643), of 8,800 Shilling face value shows a Naja nivea.
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Poland. Electronic Stamps
A number of names have been used for print-on-demand stamps, including Automatenmarken (in Germany), ATM or Autopost stamps (in USA), Electronic stamps (in Poland) and Frama labels (in Europe). The Stanley Gibbons catalogues refers to them as machine labels. Also known as variable value stamps, they may be gummed or self-adhesive stamps of a common design, the value shown selected by the user and printed at the time it is dispensed. The denomination may be variable or from a selection of postal rates. Variable value stamps are issued by a growing number of countries, for their sheer convenience for users. These stamps may also be ordered from specialised vendors. Kiosks of Poczta Polska produced these labels (locally called ‘electronic stamps’) in 2015. The values indicated are in Polish złoty. Stamps shown here are of the denomination 1.75 złoty (Bufotes viridis, Rana dalmatina and Duttaphrynus melanostictus) and 5.20 złoty (Bufo japonicus and Bufotes viridis).
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Serbia. Children’s Postage Stamp – FablesAesop (Ancient Greek: Αἴσωπος, Aisōpos; c. 620–564 BCE) was a fabulist and slave, credited with a number of tales now collectively known as Aesop's Fables (or the ‘Aesopica’). Most are characterized by animals that speak or otherwise have human characteristics, and are used to transmit a particular societal value.
On 24 November 2014, Post Serbia issued a series of four stamps on the theme of fables, one of which, of 70 Serbian Dinar (D) value, depict the story “The Tortoise and the Eagle” from Aesop. The complete story is here taken from a website dedicated to the Aesopica (http://www.aesop-fable.com/tortoise/the-tortoise-and-the-eagle). The tortoise is assumed to be Testudo hermanni, the only species of the Testudinidae in the country. “A Tortoise, lazily basking in the sun, complained to the sea-birds of her hard fate, that no one would teach her to fly. An Eagle, hovering near, heard her lamentation and asked what reward she would give him if he would take her aloft and float her in the air. “I will give you,” the Tortoise said, “all the riches of the Red Sea.” “I will teach you to fly then,” said the Eagle; and taking her up in his talons he carried the Tortoise almost to the clouds. Suddenly the Eagle let the Tortoise go, and she fell on a lofty mountain, dashing her shell to pieces. The Tortoise exclaimed just before she died: “I have deserved my present fate; why did I think I was meant for wings and clouds, when I have such difficulty moving about on the earth?’ Moral: Think about the consequences before you wish for something”. Other stamps in the series are of the stories “The Dog and his Shadow” (23 D), “The Fox and the Crow” (35 D) and “The Rooster and the Precious Stone” (46 D). Also shown here is a Hellenistic statue, claimed to depict Aesop, from the Art Collection of Villa Albani in Rome. |
Turkey. Natural Conservation Areas and National ParksTurkey has 33 official national parks, and 16 additional areas recognised as natural parks or nature reserves, preserved for their aesthetic, biological and/or scientific value. A miniature sheet issued on 9 July 2015 by Posta Telgraf Teşkilatı, entitled “Natural Conservation Areas and National Parks” (in Turkish) shows some of the diverse landscapes of the country, with a number of species, including two lizard species: Laudakia caucasia and Lacerta media. It is of 125 Turkish lira face value.
The Caucasian Agama (Laudakia caucasia) is known from eastern Turkey, besides Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and northern Pakistan and India. The Three-lined Lizard (Lacerta mesia) is distributed over central, southern and eastern Anatolia (Turkey) into the Caucasus of north-western Iran, Armenia, north-eastern Azerbaijan, north-eastern Georgia and southern Russia, while also occurring south of Turkey in Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Jordan. I thank Wolfgang Böhme for identifying the lizards. |
Maldives. Reptiles of the Indian OceanOn 1 April 2014, IGPC, on behalf of the Maldives, issued a set of two philatelic items under the series “Reptiles of the Indian Ocean”. The Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf) 60 miniature sheet shows a Caretta caretta on the stamp, while other species depicted on the sheet include Varanus komodoensis and Calotes versicolor. The companion to the miniature sheet is a sheetlet of four stamps, each of Rf 20 face value, showing Calotes versicolor, Varanus komodoensis, Lycodon aulicus and Dermochelys coriacea.
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Maldives. FrogsThe archipelago of the Maldives is not rich in amphibian fauna, with just a couple of native species known- Duttaphrynus melanostictus and Sphaerotheca breviceps (Das 2014. Amphibians of the Maldives Archipelago. In: Conservation biology of amphibians of Asia. Amphibian biology. Vol. 11(3). Decline in the Eastern Hemisphere. pp:173–176. H. Heatwole & I. Das (Eds). Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn Bhd., Kota Kinabalu). Thus, it was somewhat surprising to see a release from IGPC on behalf of the country on 1 April 2014, entitled “Frogs”. The miniature sheet of Maldivian rufiyaa (Rf) 60 face value shows a Mantella expectata (a species native of Madagascar), the sheet also showing Dyscophus antongilii (also from Madagascar) and Litoria maini (from Australia). The series also includes a sheetlet of four stamps (each of Rf 20 face value), showing Mantidactylus madecassus (another Madagascar endemic), Sooglossus thomasseti (from the Seychelles), Litoria maini and Dyscophus antongilii.
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New Zealand. Stamp Booklets
Personalised postage booklets are issued by the New Zealand Post on behalf of various organisations. These need to be classified, not as stamps but as labels, for not containing the words ‘New Zealand’ or carrying the official New Zealand Post unique identifier- the fern. Not being stamps, they do not have a specific issue date.
Shown here are the front and back covers of two booklets, one of 20 cent stamps (New Zealand Iconic Images Regional $2.00 Label Booklet, containing 10 labels) and the other of 80 cent stamps (Wellington Regional 80c Label Booklet, containing 10 labels). These are sold by the New Zealand Post Shop (https://stamps.nzpost.co.nz/shop/other-products/regional-postage). Both show the Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). |
Lithuania. Chinese New Year. Year of the SnakeOn 9 February 2013, Lithuania Post issued a minisheet with four identical stamps of 2.90 Lithuanian Litas face value, to commemorate the Chinese New Year. Being the Year of the Snake, the species depicted is the Brown-spotted Pit Viper or Chinese Habu (Protobothrops mucrosquamatus).
This venomous species has a distribution from north-eastern India and Bangladesh, Myanmar, southern China, including Taiwan, to Okinawa, in Japan, where it has been introduced. A species of medical importance, the bite can cause serious envenomation in humans. Chen et al. (2009. American J Trop. Med. Hyg. 80:28–32) reported that bites by this species carries a high risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, cellulitis, necrosis and skin graft. |
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Italy. Asinara IslandOn 12 August 2015, Poste Italiane issued a stamp on Asinara Island. The third largest island of Sardinia, Asinara shows a variety of habitats. Also known as “Isola del Diavolo” (or “Devil’s Island”), it was used as a prison camp during World War I. In 1997, a National Park (Parco Nazionale Asinara) was established on the island. Asinara National Park is the last island of this size within the Mediterranean without any residential areas. Vegetation represented is the Mediterranean maquis that covers the island, which suffers from fires. A smaller area of Holm oaks (Quercus ilex), near the island’s northernmost point, is all that remains of the original vegetation. The highest peak, at 408 m, is the Punta della Scomunica. The island is home to small albino donkeys, whose origins are unknown.
Located in the south of the island is the Loggerhead Sea Turtle Recovery Center of Asinara, whose goal is the recovery and rehabilitation of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta). The Center is part of Project Tartanet, funded by the European Commission. A €0.95 imperforate stamp shows a small image of Caretta caretta, along with an unidentifiable fish and an albino donkey. |
Ivory Coast. Frogs
Stamperija Ltd., based in Lithuania, is the authorised representative of La Poste de Côte d’Ivoire, the Ivory Coast postal authority.
On 3 October 2014, a series of stamps, entitled “Les Grenouilles” were issued by the Ivory Coast, including four stamps in a sheetlet of cumulative face value 1,850 francs, and a 2,500 franc miniature sheet. Frog species represented in the former are Hylarana occidentalis, Hildebrandtia ornata, Hyperolius fusciventris and Phrynomantis microps. The stamp on the miniature sheet shows a Kassina arboricola; the sheet, additionally, shows a Leptopelis macrotis. |
Spain. Protected Fauna
Sociedad Estatal de Correos y Telégrafos, S.A., trading as Correos, is the national postal service of Spain, and is recognized by the Universal Postal Union. On 1 July 2015, it issued a set of four stamps featuring protected fauna that are in danger of extinction. Two of these are die cut stamps (on left and right of the sheet shown here). The animals covered are the dragonfly, leatherback sea turtle, sturgeon and long-fingered bat. The denomination for each stamp is 0.55€.
The Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is a species of superlatives. It is the largest (> 2 metres) as well as heaviest (over 900 kilos) living turtle in the world. It also shows the smallest egg relative to body size, in a vertebrate animal. The Leatherback may be the most widespread of all turtles, capable of inhabiting both warm tropical and cold temperate seas. |
French Antarctic Territories. DefinitiveTerritoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises (TAAF, in English, Territory of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands) is an overseas territory of France, consisting of Kerguelen Islands (in southern Indian Ocean), St. Paul and Amsterdam islands (north of Kerguelen), Crozet Islands (in southern Indian Ocean), Adélie Land (French portion of Antarctica) and Scattered Islands (islands around Madagascar).
TAAF’s 2015 four value definitive includes one with the outline of a Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) of face value €0.01. Shown here is the philatelic sheet of 100 stamps. |
The Gambia. Turtles and Tortoises
The Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation (IGPC), produced for the Gambia on 20 February 2013, two stamps on turtles and tortoises. The sheetlet with four stamps of Gambian Dalasi (D) 35 face value, and shows Aldabrachelys gigantea, Stigmochelys pardalis, Astrochelys radiata and Centrochelys sulcata. The miniature sheet is of D110 face value, and shows a Pelomedusa subrufa. Both have Stanley Gibbons catalogue numbers (SG MS5533 and MS5534, respectively).
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The Gambia. Snakes of AfricaThe Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation (IGPC), based in New York, claims to be the “World’s largest Philatelic Network” (being agents for a large number of postal authorities in developing countries of Africa, America, Asia and Oceania). It produces countless thematic items annually, and is responsible for the offering from 31 December 2014.
Entitled “Snakes of Africa”, the series includes two miniature sheets of one stamp each, of face value Gambian Dalasi (D) 150, showing Naja nivea and N. pallida). Also in the series are two sheetlets of four stamps each (stamps with face value D 50). The first shows the following species: Dispholidus typus, Bitis gabonica, Ophiophagus hannah and Dendroaspis polylepis. All, except the King Cobra, are native of Africa. The second sheetlet shows the following species: Atheris squamigera, Dasypeltis scabra, Bitis arietans and Dendroaspis angusticeps. |
Monaco. 50 Million Visitors to Monaco Oceanographic MuseumOn 1 July 2015, La Poste de Monaco issued a €0.76 stamp to celebrate 50 million visitors to the Monaco Oceanographic Museum. The Musée Océanographique at Monaco-Ville, Monaco was inaugurated in 1910, and is home to the Mediterranean Science Commission, as well as part of the Oceanographic Institute. It is committed to sharing knowledge of the world’s oceans. Between 1957–1988, its Director was the celebrated marine biologist, Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910–1997).
The museum showcases collections of an enormous diversity of marine life, invertebrates as well as vertebrates, in addition to sea-related objects, including model ships, tools and weapons. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1913 by the French physiologist, Dr. Charles Richet (1850–1935) was for the understanding of the phenomenon of anaphylaxis, based on observations made here. A marine aquarium at the basement shows four thousand species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates, and also, a presentation of Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystems. A Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) appears on the stamp. |
Kenya. East Africa Natural History SocietyNature Kenya, formerly, the East Africa Natural History Society (http://www.naturekenya.org/) is the oldest and probably the most well-known conservation NGO in the country. Established in 1909, the goals of the society are “to promote the study and conservation of nature in eastern Africa” through “connecting nature and people to take action for biodiversity conservation”.
To commemorate the century of foundation of the Society, Posta Kenya issued a series of four hexagonal-shaped stamps, showing Kenya’s lesser known but threatened biodiversity, each linked to a particular locality. Face values in parentheses are in Kenyan Shillings (KS). Taita Hills, Eastern Arc Forest and Taita African Violet (Saintpaulia teitensis) and Amegilla Bee (Amegilla sp.) (25 KS); Shimba Hills and Reed Frog (Hyperolius rubrovermiculatus) (65 KS); Kakamega forest and Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) (75 KS) and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and Golden-rumped Sengi or Elephant Shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) (95 KS). The sole herpetological representative is Hyperolius rubrovermiculatus, a species described in 1975 and listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List on account of its small range and few known localities, all in the Shimba Hills, south of Mombassa, coastal Kenya. The species inhabits dry forests, dense humid savannahs as well as degraded farm bush, breeding in marshes and temporary pools (Schiøtz & Drewes 2004. Hyperolius rubrovermiculatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T56200A11435701. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/iucn.uk.2004.rlts.t56200a11435701). |
Honduras. Flora, Fauna and Landscapes
On 10 June 2014, Industria Postal de Correos de Honduras issued a eight set of stamps entitled “Flora, Fauna and Landscapes”, alternately “Conservation of Life in Forests”. It included two items of herpetological interest, a Honduran Lempira (L) 5 face value Iguana iguana and a L10 face value Bothriechis schlegelii.
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Croatia. University of Zagreb Botanical Gardens
A miniature sheet was issued by Croatia on 1 April 2014, commemorating the 125th Anniversary of the University of Zagreb Botanical Gardens, Zagreb.
Located in the middle of Zagreb, the Botanical Garden of the University of Zagreb covers a 4.7 hectare area, most of which is occupied by the arboretum, where woody plants from many parts of the world are grown. Other sections of the Garden include those for indigenous plants (grown in groups according to geological requirements, etc) and marsh plants (in the artificial waterbodies). In the south-east of the Gardens are plants grown specially for systematic research. The 11 Croatian Kuna issue has a tiny Testudo hermanni to the extreme bottom left of the sheetlet. |
Marshall Islands. Sea Wonders
On 12 April 2015, Marshall Islands Postal Service released a sheetlet of 15 stamps entitled “Sea Wonders”. Each of the stamps is of 15 cent value, and one shows a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta). Other species shown on these stamps include Foureyed Butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus), Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus), Commerson’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus commersonii), Peale’s Porpoise (Lagenorhynchus australis), Flying Gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans), Blue Shark (Prionace glauca), Hammerhead Shark (family Sphyrnidae), Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Blue Tang (Paracanthurus hepatus), Spotted Trunkfish (Lactophrys bicaudalis), Sea Anemone (order Actiniaria), Seahorse (Hippocampus sp.), Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). All stamps are printed in shades of blues and grey.
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Japan. The 60th Anniversary of the Local Government Law- TokushimaJapan Post Service Co., Ltd., or 日本郵便, issued a sheetlet on 2 June 2015, entitled “The 60th Anniversary of the Local Government Law - Tokushima”. Commemorative coins were also sequentially released from each of the 47 prefectures, the 40th series featuring Tokushima. Each of the five stamps are of ¥82 face value, and printed in photogravure in six colours.
A Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) features in one of the stamps. Sea turtles nest at Ohama beach, on the southern coast of Tokushima, between May and late August. A local museum (Caretta, Ohama-Kaigan, Minami-cho, Kaifu-gun) provides information on sea turtles. Other stamps from the sheet shows other tourism destinations, including the Naruto Whirlpools (tidal whirlpools in Naruto Strait, in Hyōgo), Awa Odori (the largest dance festival in the country, comprising groups of choreographed dancers who dance through the streets typically accompanied by the shamisen lute, taiko drums, shinobue flute and the kane bell) and Sudachi flowers (Citrus sudachi; Japanese: スダチ or 酢橘, a small, rounded, green Japanese citrus fruit); the Awa Puppet Theater (an early performance using narration and music with puppet show, starting around early 17th century, during the Edo period); Yoshino River (also known as Shikoku Saburou, and one of Japan's three important rivers) and Mount Bizan (a mountain in Tokushima, literally meaning eyebrow, as the mountain looks like an eyebrow from all views); and finally, Vine Bridges in the Iya Valley (a suspension bridge, 45 m long and 2 m wide). |
Guatemala. Endangered LizardsCorreo de Guatemala SA issued a set of four stamps under the “Endangered Lizards” series. The face value range is from 1-10 Guatemalan Quetzal and four species of Abronia are depicted: Abronia vasconcelosi, Abronia fimbriata, Abronia meledona and Abronia frosti. Commonly known as Arboreal Alligator Lizards, they are generally slow-moving, tree-dwellers from Guatemala and Mexico. All are live-bearers, producing a single litter annually. Usually inhabiting high trees (and sometimes on the ground), they are associated with rotting wood, or within clumps of moss, ferns, orchids and especially bromeliads.
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France. Animal Eyes
La Poste France issued 12 self-adhesive stamps in a booklet on 31 July 2015. Entitled “Les animaux nous regardent” which translates to “the animals are watching”, each stamp shows the eyes of an animal (six birds, two fishes, three reptiles and an amphibian). The name of the species is inscribed on each eye. Images were from different photographers, sourced from Biosphoto, a photographic stock agency, and printed by gravure. All stamps are nondenominated, and cover the rate (currently € 0.76) for first-class letters weighing up to 20 grams.
The four herpetological species are Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas), Bornean Crested Lizard (Gonocephalus bornensis), Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) and Philippines Warty Gecko (Gekko monarchus).
The four herpetological species are Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas), Bornean Crested Lizard (Gonocephalus bornensis), Fiji Banded Iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) and Philippines Warty Gecko (Gekko monarchus).
Bangladesh. Rare Animals of BangladeshBangladesh Post, on 17 July 2011, issued a miniature sheet in the series “Rare Animals of Bangladesh”, showing four species threatened in the country. Printed by lithography by Security Printing Corp., Gazipur, the sheet was sold for Taka 100 (although the four stamps therein have a combined face value of only Taka 40). Animals depicted are the Green frog (Euphlyctis hexadactylus), the Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei), Susu or the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) and the Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).
The plant diet of Euphlyctis hexadactylus is unusual amongst the amphibians (Das 1996. Folivory and seasonal changes in diet in Rana hexadactyla (Anura: Ranidae). Journal of Zoology, London 238(4):785–794). |
Joint Issue. Sea Turtle
Six nations from the Indian Ocean, all French-speaking, issued a sea turtle stamp, depicting the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) on 9 October 2014, to commemorate World Post Day. These are Comoros, France (La Reunion), French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Madagascar, Mauritius and the Seychelles.
A folder containing these stamps (mixed 'pochette') was also released. The face values of each of these stamps are: Fra150 (Comoros), €0.98 (France), €0.98 (French Southern and Antarctic Territories), 1,500A (Madagascar), R54 (Mauritius) and R50 (Seychelles). Illustrated here are the stamps within a presentation pack and a folder with cancellations from each of the six postal authorities. |
Malaysia. Islands and Beaches of Malaysia. Series III
Pos Malaysia issued a series of four stamps (in two se-tenant pairs) and one miniature sheet on 17 November 2015, entitled “Islands and Beaches of Malaysia. Series III”. A Chelonia mydas is visible in one of the stamps of face value 70 sen. Tourism is one of the major income generating industries in Malaysia, tourist arrival averaging 1,570,450 monthly (data from www.tradingeconomics.com/malaysia/tourist-arrivals) between the years 1999–2015.
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Japan. Overseas World Heritage Series No. 2
The second series of Japan Post’s Overseas World Heritage Sites includes Galápagos (in Ecuador), the Taj Mahal (in India), Venice and its lagoons (Italy), Victoria Falls (Republic of Zambia and Zimbabwe Republic) and the Cathedral of Cologne (Germany). A listing of UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found at: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list. Each of the five stamps are of 80 yen face value.
The Galápagos was registered as a Natural Heritage Site in the year 1978, and extended in 2001. This World Heritage Site is a volcanic archipelago, oceanic islands and associated reefs, and is famously associated with Charles Darwin (1809–1882) and the Theory of Evolution through natural selection. The Galápagos stamp illustrates the eponymous Chelonidis nigra (see Woram 2011. On the origin of species “Galápago”. Rockville Centre, NY: Online ms. http://www.galapagos.to/texts/galapago.htm). |
Japan. Harmony with Nature Series No. 4On 15 May 2014, Japan Post issued the fourth series of self-adhesive stamps in the series “Harmony with Nature”. Each of the five designs is of 82 yen face value, and a booklet pane has five designs of 10 stamps. Each of the species shown are threatened in the country, the herpetological representative being the Chinese Box Turtle, Cuora flavomarginata. Widespread in eastern Asia, from central to eastern China, in addition to Taiwan, the populations on Japan are restricted to the southern islands of Ryukyus, Ishigaki and Iriomote. Listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List.
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Ecuador. Yasuni ITT InitiativeOn 8 June 2011, Pos Ecuador issued a series of two self-adhesive booklets, each with eight stamps, entitled “Yasuní ITT”. Yasuní National Park is in Ecuador’s Amazon portion, and the country’s largest protected area (covering about 962,000 hectares), comprising tropical rainforests, and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, since 1989.
The Yasuni-ITT Initiative was a proposal from the government of Ecuador to stop exploiting oil reserves of the Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini (ITT) oil field within the Park. In exchange, the Government wanted half its value ($3.6 billion over 13 years) from the international community. In 2013, however, an executive order from the President liquidated the Yasuni-ITT trust fund, ending the initiative, blaming poor follow through by the donor communities (only $200 million had been pledged by the year 2012). The biodiversity, as well as indigenous human inhabitants of the Park are thus threatened by extraction of oil from the Park, and protest groups continue to campaign to stop oil explorations in this part of the Amazons. One of the two booklet depicts eight herpetological species: Kinosternon scorpioides, Anolis trachyderma, Thecadactylus solimoensis, Epicrates cenchria, Dendropsophus bifurcus, Osteocephalus taurinus, Ranitomeya ventrimaculata and Melanosuchus niger |
Aruba. Forest AnimalsOn 16 December 2013, Post Aruba issued a beautiful series of eight stamps entitled “Forest Animals”, and depicting as many Neotropical vertebrate species. Two amphibians find place in the series- Agalychnis calidryas (of course!) and Ranitomeya benedicta. The philatelic sheet is shown here, each stamp of 175c face value, the sheet bearing two of each design, separated by an illustrated border.
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Aruba. Aruban NaturePost Aruba issued a sheet of 10 stamps entitled “Aruban Nature” on 12 November 2013. Individual stamps show photographic images of both endemic species of plants and animals as well as landscapes of the country. The endemic lizard, Cnemidophorus arubensis, is one of these. This whiptail lizard has been studied intensively, and a study by Goessling et al. (2015. J. Herpetol. 49:358–363) reports increased density of the lizard following introduction of Boa constrictor. Although the snake regularly feeds on the lizard, these authors suggest that its introduction represents ecological facilitation of the lizard.
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Gibralter. Endangered Animals, Series IIIGibralter Philatelic Bureau, on 14 September 2013, issued the third set of stamps from the Endangered Animals series. The six taxon covered include the Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), Atlantic Bluefun Tuna (Thunnus thynnus), Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis), and of interest to herpetologists, the Chinese Alligator (Alligator sinensis) and the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
The Chinese Alligator is restricted eastern China at present, while once widespread in the country, its population now numbering between 100–200 individuals, known from along Lake Tai and the lower Yangtze River. Prime reason for its endangerment is conversion of wetland habitat to agricultural land. The second species of interest, the Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest of living species of turtle in the world. Populations worldwide are threatened by fishing (mostly as incidental take, the flesh being not much in demand), fishing, pollution (especially floating plastic bags that are ingested) and beach development. This distinctive series of stamps is the work of Jonathan Pointer, the stamps produced using offset lithography, and are of 42 p value. |
Netherlands. Flora and Fauna of the NaardermeerOn 28 April 2015, PostNL issued a minisheet with 19 stamps, each of € 0.69 value, inscribed “Flora en Fauna van het Naardermeer”. One of the stamps show a Natrix natrix. The sheetlet illustrates one plant or animal species on each stamp, along with landscapes they are associated with, as typical of Naardermeer, a park comprising large lakes, such as the Great Lake and the Wijde Blik, that are surrounded by swamps and marshy meadows with shallow pools. Naardermeer was the first Nature Reserve in the Netherlands (established 1906), established through the efforts of Natuurmonumenten.
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Jersey. Protected Species
Jersey Post, in collaboration with Eco-Active Jersey (http://www.gov.je/Environment/ProtectingEnvironment/GetInvolved/Pages/BiodiversityChampion.aspx), issued on 18 February 2015, a set of six stamps depicting some of the island’s threatened species. Species covered include the Puffin (Fratercula arctica), Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina), Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), Green Lizard (Lacerta lineata), European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and Barn Owl (Tyto alba).
These are part of Jersey Post’s Post & Go range of self-adhesive stamps, dispensed from a dedicated Post & Go kiosk located at Broad Street Post Office, and single stamps or strips of six can be vended from the kiosk using a debit or credit card. The series was designed by Andrew Beckett, and printed using four colour gravure, in the form of coil strips. Denomination is in six tariff weight steps. Shown here are the stamps from the presentation pack. |
Marshall Islands. Endangered Amphibians and ReptilesAt the APS Stamp Show, held at Hartfort, Connecticut, USA on 21 August 2014, Marshall Islands issued an attracting sheetlet of 12 stamps, each of 49c face value,
depicting a rather random selection of herpetofaunal species. Choice of species is odd- most are colourful and / or familiar in the pet trade, rather than a considered selection of those truly threatened. Species illustrated are as follows: Mantella aurantiaca, Furcifer lateralis, Corallus caninus, Dendrobates tinctorius, Phyllobates vittatus, Epicrates cenchria, Furcifer pardalis, Dyscophus antongili, Oophaga pumilio, Chamaeleo dilepis, Corallus hortulanus and Dendrobates leucomelas. |
Bangladesh. Critically Endangered Animals of BangladeshOn 30 July 2013, Bangladesh issued a perforate and an imperforate versions of a miniature sheet, entitled “Endangered Animals of Bangladesh”. One of the four stamps, rather strangely, is of the Indian Spectacled Cobra, Naja naja, perhaps on account of its relative rarity in Bangladesh. Image of the snake is also appears on the borders of the miniature sheet. The value of the perforate miniature sheet is Taka 80 that of the imperforate one, Taka 80, although the cumulative face values of the four stamps contained therein are only Taka 36.
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Canouan. Wildlife of South America
An island in the Grenadines Islands and a territory of St Vincent, Canouan measures just 5.6 x 2 km. Along the Atlantic side of the island is a barrier reef, and the highest point is Mount Royal. Between 1871 to 1969, the island was part of the British Windward Islands. At present, it has about 1,200 human inhabitants.
At Brasiliana 2013, the World Stamp Exhibition, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 19 to 25 November 2013, Canouan issued a series of stamps entitled “Wildlife of South America”. Included are a $9 sheetlet showing a Dendrobates azureus and a series of eight stamps, each of $1 value, showing Phyllobates bicolor, Dendrobates azureus, Ranitomeya reticulata, Ranitomeya imitator, Dendrobates auratus, Oophaga histrionica, Dendrobates leucomelas and Oophaga pumilio. |
On 14 February 2015, the Ascension Island Post Office released of a series of stamps of the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas), whose second largest nesting population in the Atlantic Ocean is located here. Over 25,000 nests are produced every year, although harvest of females over the past two centuries have had an effect on populations. The images were captured by Sam Weber, Glen Yon and Johnny Hobson, the stamps produced by lithography in sheetlets of 10 of six designs, and the souvenir sheet with illustrated border shows all six designs. Each stamp is undenominated, for an airmail postcard.
Marine turtle monitoring on Ascension has been ongoing since the year 1977 by a number of parties, and most recently, by the Ascension Island Government Conservation Department. Further information on marine turtle conservation in the Ascension is available from www.ascension-island.gov.ac/conservation. |
Liechtenstein. Reptiles
Continuing the series from 2014, on the local fauna, on 1 June 2015, Liechtenstein Post released a set on the reptiles native to the country. Liechtenstein’s reptile fauna comprises just seven species, of which three, including two lizards and a snake, find pride of place in its most current philatelic release. The CHF 1.80 value stamp shows a Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis), a 22 cm species sometimes associated with humans, but categorised as endangered. The CHF 5.00 value stamp depicts the Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), that grows to only 15 cm, and is a live-bearer. Finally, the CHF 2.00 stamp shows a Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca), a non-venomous species that reaches 65 cm and associated with the Rhine embankment.
Illustrated here are the stamps and first day cover. |
Australia "Things that Sting"
“Things that Sting” stamps were issued by Australia Post on 23 September 2014 for the annual Stamp Collecting Month, and features six terrestrial and marine species- the European Wasp, Bull Ant, Tiger Snake, Reef Stonefish, Common Lionfish and the Bluespotted Fantail Ray.
Apart from the six value stamp sets are collectibles such as a minisheet, first day cover, stamp pack, set of six maxicards, booklet of 20 x 70c self-adhesive stamps and six gutter strips of 10 x 70c stamps with designs. Special collectables include a Land and Sea stamp pack, Bull Ant postal and numismatic cover, two medallion covers and a board game stamp pack. The only herpetofauna in the dubious category of "Things that Sting" is the Tiger Snake (Notechis species), known from south-eastern Australia (including islands of Bass Strait and Tasmania) and south-western Australia. Two species of Tiger Snakes are known- Notechis ater and N. scutatus. Easily recognised by their black and yellow cross bands, they have large semi-smooth scales, and attains between 1–2 m in length. Their venom is amongst the most potent of all snake venoms, containing presynaptic and postsynaptic neurotoxins (causing paralysis or muscle weakness), procoagulants (causing consumption of clotting protein, fibrinogen, putting victims at risk of major bleeding), as well as myotoxins (linked to muscle damage) and renal (kidney) failure. See Isbister et al. (2012). Medical J. Australia 197(3):173–177. |
Samoa. Pacific Tree Boa
In collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature’s Stamp Issuing Programme, Samoa Post Office issued a series of four stamps and a miniature sheet on 24 February 2015 on the Pacific Tree Boa (Candoia bibroni). Individual stamps were issued in small sheetlets of four stamps. The WWF issue is printed as a conventional set of four values, in sheets of 20, the stamps with white edges. On the other hand, the four sheetlets, each with four identical stamps, have the same design, except the edges are coloured rather than white. The white-edged version have design as well as text scaled down by ca. 4%. A miniature sheet, comprising the same four stamps have coloured edges. The logo of WWF is printed at the bottom right hand corner of each stamp, and are centred around the meeting point of the stamps in the sheet.
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Belarus. Amphibians
On 16 October 2015, the Belarus Ministry of Communications and Information issued a set of four definitive stamps entitled “Amphibians”, designed by Alexander Mityanin. They are printed in offset, on chalk-surfaced, gummed paper, and have 12/12 perforation.
Species depicted include the European tree frog (Hyla arborea), the Common frog (Rana temporaria), the Pool frog (Rana lessonae) and the Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina). The European Tree Frog is restricted to the south and south-west of Belarus, usually inhabiting forests, bushes and meadows, and also, human settlements. The Common Frog inhabits a wide variety of habitats within forests, and rarely in open areas. The Pool Frog can be encountered throughout Belarus, and being adaptable, found in nearly all types of standing waterbodies, in addition to forested habitats and meadows. The Fire-bellied Toad can be seen in much of the country, excluding the north, and is associated with shallow, vegetation-chocked warm waters. The face values are indicated not using currency values, but alphabets, as follows: Face value A is for letter up to 20 gram within country. Face value N is for surface mail for an international postcard. Face value M is for airmail for an international postcard. Face value H is for international surface letter up to 20 gram. A sheetlet was also issued, comprising the four stamps with illustrated borders, of dimensions 100 x 85 mm. A pictorial cancellation on a first day cover was available at Post Office No. 1 (Philately, 16 Moskovskaya Street, Minsk). Additionally, there were four outstanding maximum cards, also designed by Mityanin, that are worthy of framing. |
Vietnam. Endangered Tree Frogs
On 1 April 2014, Vietnam Post issued a five-value definitive set featuring its rhacophorid frogs, “to call attention to the need to protect tree frogs negatively affected by habitat loss, water pollution and excessive hunting”. This is significant, given that this is the country’s first philatelic issue for 2014. The stamps were designed by To Minh Trang and Vu Kim Lien, based on material supplied by Nguyen Thien Tao of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources. The Wildlife at Risk (perhaps inappropriately acronymed “WAR”), an NGO based in Ho Chi Minh City (http://aapn.org/wildlife-at-risk), and Vietnam Post organized a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City to release these stamps, as well as the “call on people to join hands to protect tree frogs”. The five tree frog represented include Rhacophorus puerensis, Rhacophorus annamensis, Rhacophorus robertingeri, Rhacophorus kio and Rhacophorus rhodopus, all endemic to the country (see Orlov et al., 2012. Russian J. Herpetol. 19:23–64).
Illustrated here are the perforate stamp sheets, a set of imperforate stamps, First Day Cover, maximum cards and a set of stamps postally used on a cover to Malaysia. |
Bulgaria. PetsBulgarian Posts issued a souvenir sheet of 0.65 leva value on 28 April 2015, entitled “Pets”. On the stamp is a Dachshund, also known by the name Dackel. The exotic to Bulgaria, Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) appears on the sheet. Illustrated here is the regular issue, as well as black-and-white and brown essays on UV paper, without a value indicated.
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Uruguay. Lavalleja Tourism
Correo Uruguayo issued a sheet with eight stamps of two designs, each of 15 peso value, showing an amphibian (Melanophryniscus sanmartini) and the common vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)!
These commemorate tourism of the region of Lavalleja, a department of Uruguay, whose capital is Minas. Lavalleja is located to the south-east of the country, and is named in honor of Brigadier Juan Antonio Lavalleja (1784–1853), a distinguished military and political personality linked with the country's independence. Described as the department with the most scenic variations, it is recognized as the centre of mountain tourism in Uruguay. The Neotropical bufonid genus Melanophryniscus is represented by 26 species, and known from southern Brazil, southern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay and central and northern Argentina. Melanophryniscus sanmartini is listed as Near Threatened in the IUCN Red List, showing a fragmented distribution. |
Uruguay. Ramsar International Convention for Wetlands
To commemorate the Conference of Parties (COP)12 of RAMSAR, the Convention on Wetlands (http://www.ramsar.org/) at Punta del Este, Uruguay, 1–9 June 2015, Correo Uruguayo issued a sheet of 10 stamps, each of 15 peso value, showing a number of local wetland species. Amongst these are two herpetological species, the Brazilian Green Racer Snake (Philodryas aestivus) and the Montevideo Red-Belly Toad (Melanophryniscus montevidensis).
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Taiwan. Centenary of Taipeh Zoo
On 16 October 2014, Chunghwa Post issued a miniature sheet with six stamps to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Taipei Zoo. Established in 1914 in Yuanshan, Taipei, it is the oldest zoo in the country, and 72 years later, was relocated to Muzha in Wenshan. Species depicted include the Serow (NT$5), the Chinese Pangolin (NT$5), the Asian Elephant (NT$10), the Formosan Black Bear (NT$10), Bengal Tiger (NT$12) and the Giant Panda (NT$12).
The species of interest to us occurs, not on one of the stamps, but within the sheet, at the bottom. A Malayan False Gharial, Tomistoma schlegelii. |
Singapore. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
SingPost commemorated the opening of the nation state’s first natural history museum by releasing a stamp set entitled “Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum” on 18 April 2015. Formerly called the Raffles Museum for Biodiversity Research, the new museum is located within the rolling campus of the National University of Singapore. The four commemorative stamps feature an unnamed sauropod dinosaur (1st Local), the Giant Hawker Dragonfly (S$0.70), the Black and Yellow Broadbill (S$0.90) and the Leatherback Turtle (S$1.30).
The only record of the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) from Singapore is represented by a specimen at the Museum, from Siglap (ZRC 2.179). It was captured in December 1883 and presented by Allan Maclean Skinner, Inspector of Schools of the Straits Settlement (Hanitsch 1908. Guide to the zoological collections of the Raffles Museum, Singapore. The Straits Times Press, Limited, Singapore. iv –111 pp.). |
Republic of South Africa. Animal Poaching Awareness
The South African Post Office issued a sheetlet of six self-adhesive stamps on the subject of "Animal Poaching Awareness" on 3 March 2015. The Sungazer (Smaug giganteus) is one of six species selected to represent animals in demand by poachers in South Africa. Other threats to the species include habitat loss from the expansion of agriculture. The series was conceptualised by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (https://www.ewt.org.za), a South African charity founded in 1973.
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Namibia. Poisonous Snakes of Namibia
Namibia Post issued a set of four stamps on 4 June 2014, illustrating the four major venomous snakes of the country. They were designed by the Namibian painter, Helge Denker, of the Wildlife Society of Namibia, whose other philatelic art can be viewed at: http://helgedenker.com/philately-slideshow.htm. The official title of the series is, of course, incorrect, and need to be “Venomous Snakes”. All species depicted are presumably perfectly edible but pose a threat when they bite!
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Macau. Wetlands of Macau
Macao Post issued on 5 May 2015, a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet entitled "Wetlands of Macao”. One of the stamps of face value 4.50 Macanese pataca depicts a Microhyla fissipes (using an earlier name, Microhyla ornata), set against a backdrop of the wetlands of Macao.
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Japan. “Heartwarming Animal Scene Series No. 2”
The ‘Heartwarming Animal Scene Series’ comprises self-adhesive stamps, each with five designs, issued by Japan Post, showing babies of the cute and cuddy, among the world’s fauna. Each set consists of two stamps of each of the five designs, of ¥52 value. First issued to commemorate the ‘Be Kind to Animals Week’ (20–26 September) in 2013, and organized by the Ministry of the Environment and major animal welfare charities at the Ueno Park. The event consists of booths of displays by animal welfare groups, and private corporations. The second series, issued 19 September 2014, shows Geochelone platynota, an endangered Burma-endemic, but common (and illegal) pet in Japan.
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Albania. Fauna
A Balkan country of area 28,748 sq km, and formerly under the influence of the erstwhile USSR, Albania is home to a rich plantlife now mostly extirpated from the region. The countrys’ landscape is mostly rugged, the highest mountain, Korab, situated in the district of Dibër, reaching 2,764 m asl. The coastal climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, wet winters and warm and dry summers. On 22 November 2014, Postashqiptare (the official postal authority of the country, issued a set of two stamps in a released on the country’s fauna. They depict a reptile (Caretta caretta) and an amphibian (Hyla arborea) of face value 80 lek and 170 lek, respectively. An account of the herpetofauna can be found in Jablonski (2011. Acta Soc. Zool. Bohemicae 75:223–238).
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Ghana. African Frogs
Singapore. City in a GardenAt the launch of the Festival of Biodiversity (jointly organised by Singapore National Parks and the Biodiversity Roundtable) at VivoCity, Singapore, on 13 July 2013, a special set of biodegradable stamps, affixed with seeds, were released to commemorate 50 years of greening of Singapore. The initiative enables schools to assess and enrich the biodiversity in their school compounds.
The four biodegradable stamps are a first for Singapore Post Limited. Titled “Our City in a Garden”, the stamps comprise 1st local, S$0.50, S$0.80 and S$1.10, and show the city-state’s urban landscape. The 1st local stamp is affixed with the seeds of Portulaca grandiflora (the Moss-rose) for planting. A small herbaceous creeper, it grows widely in Singapore, the attractive flowers blooming year round and attract butterflies. Instructions on how to plant the seeds are printed on the back of the self-adhesive sheetlet. A Bronchocela cristatella, a familiar agamid in Singapore, is seen on the S$5 stamp. This species has been subject to taxonomic and other studies by Diong and Lim (1998. Raffles Bull. Zool. 46:345–359). Shown here are the stamps, both sides of the self-adhesive sheetlet and of the presentation pack. |
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Posted on Wednesday, October 29 2014 at 3.25 pm by Indraneil Das
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Sri Lanka. World Wildlife Day
3 March will be celebrated annually as the World Wildlife Day, based on a resolution made at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, the primary intention being to “celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora”.
The United Nations website (http://www.un.org/en/events/wildlifeday/) notifies us of the following: “World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts”. On this day in 2014, Sri Lanka issued a single stamp of Rupees 5 value, showing the endemic rhacophorid frog, Taruga eques, commonly known as Günther's whipping frog or the montane hour-glass tree-frog, and formerly allocated to the genus Polypedates (see Meegaskumbura et al., 2010. Ceylon Journal of Science. Biological Sciences 39:75–94). Shown here is the stamp sheet and First Day Cover. |
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Posted on Wednesday, October 29 2014 at 02.35 pm by Indraneil Das
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North
Korea. Marine Animals
North Korea released in 2013 a sheetlet and
other products entited “Marine Animals”, showing a loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), great white shark (Charcharadon carcharias), the Pacific
harvestfish (Peprilus medius) and spiny
sea horse (Hippocampus histrix).
Combinations of the same basic design include a booklet pane, containing one of
each value, adding to 280 won, a sheetlet of two sets of the four value stamps,
of 560 won value, and a miniature sheet of value 280 won. All, except the
circular shark stamp, are rectangular in shape.
The improved quality of the current issue over previous herpetological ones (including the “Frogs and Toads”, SG N3194–3199, from 1992 and “Reptiles”, SG N4882–4885, from 2009) probably is the result of improved technology employed. Stamps of the country are prefixed with an “N” in the Stanley Gibbons catalogues. Postally used examples of stamps of this reclusive nation are hard to come by, although CTOs are plentiful, as are MNH from dealers and online auction sites. Illustrated here are the booklet pane, the sheetlet and a printed envelope. |
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Posted on Tuesday, October 28 2014 at 11.25 am by Indraneil Das
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Thailand. Amphibians Thailand Post joins hands with the Natural History Museum, as the National Science Museum Thailand officially released amphibious stamp sets and invites visitors to explore various frog species through postal stamp exhibition
and educational activities. Mr. Sakorn Chanapaitoon, acting President of the National Science Museum Thailand (NSM) explained that the Natural History Museum of the NSM, exhibits the evolution and biodiversity of life. The museum is also a research center for taxonomy and biodiversity in Thailand providing collection of specimens for academic references. The images for the stamps, have been provided by NSM’s Natural History Museum by specialists; Mr. Sunchai Makchai, Mr. Wachara Sanguansombat and Mr.Yutthapong Ratchamee. They prepared the images and information relating to the selected frog species determined by their scientific names, posture, behaviors and their colors. The frog species displayed on the stamps, were chosen for their beauty and unique characteristic in order to create a positive view and to raise public’s awareness the importance of this group of animal to the ecological system. In the future, NSM and Thailand Post hope to continue the collaboration designing more stamps, especially related to natural history. The aim is to spark curiosity in those who see the stamps; about these creatures as well as to call for the conservation of plants and animals and their habitat. Mr. Somrak Hemvimol, Executive Vice President Thailand Post (THP) presided over the opening of the event “Mission: The Frog Hunt, Frogs on postal stamps” at the Natural History Museum, NSM, Khlong 5, where the official release of the amphibians stamp set and opening of the semi-aquatic amphibians exhibition and activities took place. “The stamps set consist of 4 species of amphibians which could be found in Thailand; the Big-eared Toad, the Long-nosed horned frog, tree frog and Green Paddy frog. This marks the first time in Thailand presenting these creatures on stamps. A special SPOT UV printing technique has been used on the stamps to create a more vibrant and realistic look, bringing the 4 amphibians to life. Anyone can purchase the stamp set from today onward (10 July 2014) at a price of 5 baht per stamp. The whole set as a souvenir costs 35 baht” |
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Posted on Tuesday, October 28 2014 at 3.25 pm by Indraneil Das
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Liechtenstein. Amphibians
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a German-speaking country, landlocked and located within the Alps. A little over 160 sq km in area, the country is host to a small and threatened amphibian diversity. On 2 June 2014, Liechtensteinische Post AG issued a three-value set of stamps to draw attention to this fauna, which, despite its protection by law, is showing sharp population decline.
These self-adhesive commemorative stamps have been designed by Silvia Ruppen, and feature Bombina variegata, Triturus cristatus and Salamandra atra. The toad mentioned inhabits sun-exposed sites including vernal ponds, quarries, landfills and floodplains of the Rhine. The most serious risk factor for this species is the scarcity of small bodies of water as well as fragmentation of population. The newt inhabits valley areas, occasionally being encountered in ponds and small, vegetation-choked water bodies. The salamander is associated with humid gorges, ravines, alpine meadows, scree and deciduous and mixed forest areas, between 1,200–2,000 m, and exceptionally, in lower-lying slopes of the Rhine valley. Illustrated here are the three-value stamps, First Day Cover and maximum cards. |
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Posted on Monday, October 11 2014 at 3.25 pm by Indraneil Das
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Slovenia. Marine Life
The three value set of stamps in this series on marine life from Slovenia, a small country in southern Central Europe, must be unique- they are coated with trace amounts of salt on their face! A Caretta caretta appears on the 0.92€ value stamp, while others feature the damselfish (Chromis chromis) and a cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). The salt itself was mined from the Piranske Soline, a natural Adriatic saltpan in Slovenia, that dates back to the 14th century (Anon. 2013. Stamp Mag. 79(11):9), and is also used in gourmet Italian food. This is yet another innovative product from the French printer, Cartor, that promotes “adventurous philatelic products”.
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Posted on Thursday, July 31 2014 at 5.25 pm by Indraneil Das
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Israel. Amphibians
On 23 June 2014, Israel Post issued a four value series of amphibian species known from the country. All are either endangered locally or globally, threatened in the country by habitat destruction as well as spread of infectious diseases. Species depicted include the Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates syriacus), found along edges of winter pools in the Mediterranean area, and only about 40 known populations survive. The second species is the Southern Banded Newt (Ommatotriton vittatus), from similar habitats. The Near Eastern Fire Salamander (Salamandra infraimmaculata) is restricted to edges of winter pools, streams and springs on Mount Hermon, in the Galilee and in the Carmel mountains. And finally, the Hula Painted Frog (Latonia nigriventer), from the Hula Valley, first described in the 1940s, and reported extinct, till rediscovered in the Hula Nature Reserve in 2011.
The offset printed sheetlet bears two stamps of each value, forming a total value of 16 Israeli new Shekels, and shows habitats associated with these species, and contains four illustrated tabs, each with an additional image of these amphibians. Tabs associated with sheetlets, incidentally, have been made popular by Israel Post. Illustrated here is the sheetlet of stamps, first day covers as well as maximum cards. |
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Posted on Thursday, July 31 2014 at 4.55 pm by Indraneil Das
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São Tome. Snakes
An island situated on the Atlantic coast off Africa, São Tome and Principé is a Portuguese-speaking nation in the Gulf of Guinea, and with a population of 172,000 human inhabitants (2012 census). A member of the Universal Postal Union (since 1977), it does not have a designated postal operator, and its philatelic needs are met by a private agency. Consequently, a number of thematic issues have been produced, assuming for collectors rather than for postal use. To commemorate the Chinese Lunar Year in 2013, São Tome issued two minisheets, showing a chaotic representation of snakes, real, imaginary as well as composites of several species. I thank Van Wallach for putting names to some of these.
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Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 9.46am by Indraneil Das
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New Caledonia. Marine Life
A booklet of 10 self-adhesive stamps, entitled “Le Lagon Caledonien” (Caledonian Lagoon) was produced for priority letters up to 20 gm within Zone 2, by New Caledonia’s postal authority. The byeline is “Symbole de la Biodiversite marine” (Symbol of Marine Biodiversity). Apart from a Chelonia mydas on an 110F stamp, keen observers will also notice a Laticauda species on the lower edge of the front cover. The booklet is a collaborative project between ‘OPT-NC (l’Office des Postes et Télécommunications- Nouvelle-Calédonie) and CPS (Secrétariat Général de la Communauté du Pacifique).
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Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 9.03am by Indraneil Das
Saint Maarten. Jakarta Exhibition
Saint Maartin (‘Sint Maarten’ in Dutch) is the north-east Caribbeans, is a 87 sq km island divided between France and the Netherlands. The population comprises 77,741 inhabitants. At Indonesia 2012- International Philatelic Exhibition, Jakarta, Saint Maarten issued an 820c minisheet featuring a number of Indonesian icons, cultural as well as natural. The former include Borobudur, the 9th century Buddhist temple in Magelang, Central Java, and Prambanan, a Hindu temple also from the 9th century in Central Java. Herpetological items in this sheet include a 300c stamp of a Varanus komodoensis, and an image of this Indonesian iconic species on the gutter.
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Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 2.30pm by Indraneil Das
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Ecuador. Lonesome George
Unidad Postal- Correos del Ecuador (www.correosdelecuador.gob.ec) issued a stamp and a sheetlet recently to mark the passing of perhaps its most famous herpetological citizen, Lonesome George. Referred to in Spanish as El Solitario Jorge, Lonesome George, a male Pinta Island Tortoise, Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii, was born before 1912, and is generally thought to be the last known individual of his subspecies. Late in his life, George achieved fame as a symbol for the Galápagos Islands and for conservation generally. Edwards (2012. Biol. Conserv. 157:225–228) identified 17 tortoises that are partially descended from the same subspecies, raising speculation that related purebred individuals may still be extant.
Modern Ecuador stamps show face value in US dollars, and this particular set, especially the miniature sheet, is of exceptional high value, at US$25. A date of 24 June 2012 is indicated on the stamp, the date of death of Lonesome George. A total of 200,000 stamps have been printed, of which 150,000 will be sold in the Galápagos, the remainder sold on the Ecuadorian mainland. The high design quality of the stamps is the result of the technical skill of its French printer, Cartor (www.cartor.com), that promotes its “adventurous philatelic products”. |
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Posted on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 2.19pm by Indraneil Das
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Uganda. Endangered and Vulnerable Species of the World. Turtles
Expect more high-value philatelic products from Uganda, now that its stamps are produced by their Lithuanian agents, Stamperija. Recent herpetological items include a 7,500Sh miniature sheet and a 20,000Sh sheetlet with four stamps (issued 8 July 2013) on the theme “Endangered and Vulnerable Species of the World. Turtles”, depicting a number of turtle species exotic to Uganda. One (Astrochelys radiata) is an obvious misidentification (identified as Pyxis arachnoides). On the same day, Uganda released another series of miniature sheets, entitled “Endangered and Vulnerable Species of the World. Predators”. A 4,000Sh issue depicts an Alligator sinensis.
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Posted on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 5.19pm by Indraneil Das
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Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica. Yagorlyk Nature Reserve
Transnistria, better known as Pridnestrovie - Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublica (PMR), is a breakaway republic of Moldova. Stamps of the PMR may not be listed by standard philatelic catalogues, not being a member of the Universal Postal Union. An excellent online site is at: http://www.pmrstamps.org. Nonetheless, the stamps serve an estimated 546,400 people (1989 census), and Stamps of Pridnestrovie, a state enterprise, is responsible for producing its stamps.
On 3 August 2013, PMR commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Yagorlyk Nature Reserve with the issue of five stamps on its herpetofauna. Yagorlyk is located in the Dubasari Region of Transnistria, in the Dniester River Basin, and comprises large areas of wetlands. The plant communities of limestone slopes are noteworthy. A recent project, ‘Sustainable Management of the Yagorlyk Natural Reserve’ was supported by the European Commission and UNDP Moldova. There are four value stamps and a souvenir sheet in this series, each showing a herpetofaunal species. Illustrated here are the four minisheets, the combination minisheet and the souvenir sheet, each with a print run of 600. |
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Posted on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 4.50 pm by Indraneil Das
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Czech Republic. Nature Protection - Karlštejn RegionCzech Post (http://www.ceskaposta.cz) has released a number of miniature sheets in the recent past, showing its Nature Reserves. Its 4 September 2013 (of 62 Czech Koruna value) release covers the Karlštejn National Nature Reserve, a 1,547 ha area that was established in 1955. The landscape consists of limestone rocks, with jagged karstic features. The thermophilic plants include the pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) and the Austrian dragonhead (Dracocephalum austriacum). Animal life includes Triturus cristatus and Triturus alpestris. Illustrated on the four stamps are several species of plants, the Karlštejn castle, insects, a snail and several species of birds. Set se-tenant to these stamps are four ‘coupons’ without values indicated, one of which depicts a pair of Lacerta agilis. Additional herpetofaunal species depicted on the gutter area of the sheet include Anguis fragilis, Bufotes viridis and Coronella austriaca.
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Posted on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 2.50 pm by Indraneil Das
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Turkey. Europa. Visit Turkey
Turkey’s two stamp set in the series “Europa”, was issued on 9 May 2013. One of these, a €2 stamp, shows a Chelonia mydas, within a collage of images, also including a fresco, dervish dancers, the blue mosque and Antiochus’ tomb (the largest man-made mound) at the summit of Nemrut Dağı.
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Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10.34 am by Indraneil Das
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Sri Lanka. Yala National Park overprint
The World Stamp Exhibition 2013 was held at the Siam Paragon Shopping Mall, Bangkok, Thailand, between 2–14 August 2013. It was hosted by Thailand Post, a state enterprise, to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the launching of Thailand's first stamp. Significantly, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn gave her personal collection to be put on display. The theme of the Exhibition was "Art and Happiness", showcasing art related to stamp collections from around the world, and over 2,400 stamp collections (worth about US$ 32 million) were on display. Sri Lanka’s three Yala miniature sheets (issued 28 July 2013) were released with the Thailand overprint, showing the dual mascots for the event, Kinnaree and Kinnorn. The former is a half-woman, half-avian character from the Thai and Sanskrit literature, while the latter is the masculine equivalent, both associated with Himmaparn (Himalayas, in Sanskrit) forests, and embody happiness, for which they appear in Thai architecture, especially at entrances of buildings to indicate welcome and hospitality.
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Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10.24 am by Indraneil Das
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Sri Lanka. Yala National Park
Sri Lanka Post (http://www.slpost.gov.lk/philatelic) issued a set of six stamps and three souvenir sheets to commemorate 75 years of the establishment of the country’s Nature Reserves. Apart from two herpetological species (Eretmochelys imbricata and Crocodylus palustris), are mammals (spotted deer, wild boar and elephant) and a bird (black-necked stork). The souvenir sheets follow the shapes of an elephant, a sloth bear and a leopard.
Yala National Park lies in the Southern and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka, and is of 97,881 hectares extant. Ecosystems represented include moist monsoon forests, dry monsoon forests, semi deciduous forests, thorn forests, grasslands, fresh water and marine wetlands and sandy beaches. Yala is the most visited National Park in the country, and an important conservation area for waders (being an Important Bird Area, with 215 bird species recorded) and at least 44 species of mammals and 46 species of reptiles. Conservation issues have been described by Fernando et al. (2006) Curr. Sci. 90:1531–1534. |
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Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 10.10 am by Indraneil Das
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China. Little Tadpoles Looking for Their Mother
Here, we illustrate a philatelic sheet and a booklet showing a pane of stamps issued by China Post on 1 June 2013, that narrates a famous Chinese tale by Fang Huizhen and Sheng Lude, entitled “小蝌蚪找妈妈” that translates to “Little Tadpoles Looking for their Mother”. Originally a water-ink animation executed via hand painting and produced (in 1960) by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio (a first for China), the storyline dwells on the adventures of a swarm of tadpoles searching for their mother. After mistaking shrimps, a fish, a crab and turtles for their mother, the tadpoles eventually find their frog mother. The story teaches children several things at the same time- new words through the use of repetitive script, the importance of will and determination, and in biology, of life histories (and metamorphosis) and morphology. A children’s book cover on the story is also shown here, and the original film (with English subtitles) can be watched on Youtube (YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRZknl3flRw).
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Posted on Monday, September 23, 2013 at 9.59 am by Indraneil Das
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Palestinian Authority. Wildlife in Palestine
The Palestinian National Authority, which maintains relations with the Universal Postal Union (while not a member nation), established post offices and started issuing stamps from 1994, and since 2007, is authorized to manage postal operations, including issue postal stamps and stationery. On 3 June 2013, Palestinian Authority issued a six value set of stamps and two miniature sheets, all from the Fatah-controlled West Bank, entitled “Wildlife in Palestine”. Besides a Spur-thighed Tortoise, Testudo graeca are the Caracal (Caracal caracal), Nubian Ibex (Capra nubiana), Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis), Short-toed Snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) and three plant species.
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Posted on Friday, September 3, 2013 at 3:37 pm by Indraneil Das
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French Polynesia. Marine Fauna
The highlight of the biodiversity of the oceanic nation of French Polynesia must be its marine life. To commemorate the World Oceans Day 2013, the Post and Telecommunications Office issued a miniature sheet entitled “Marine Fauna of French Polynesia” shows the rich animal life of the waters, with four stamps. Prominent in the sheet are a pair of swimming green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), that feature prominently in Polynesian lore and is treated as culturally significant species (Rudrud, 2010. Conserv. & Soc. 8:84–97).
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Posted on Friday, August 23, 2013 at 9:50 am by Indraneil Das
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French Polynesia. Flora and Fauna
An overseas territory (‘Pays d'outre-mer’) of France, French Polynesia comprises several groups of Polynesian islands. Arguably the most famous of these is Tahiti, in the Society Islands group. The terrestrial biodiversity of these islands is not rich, but contains some interesting elements, both indigenous and introduced. The new release from the Philatelic Center of French Polynesia depicts a lemon (Citrus x limon, an evergreen tree from Asia), a bird (the chestnut-breasted mannikin, Lonchura castaneothorax, also known as ‘Bully bird’, and a native of Australia, New Caledonia and New Guinea) and the moth skink, Lipinia noctua (a cosmopolitan Pacific species). I thank Ivan Ineich for identification of the lizard.
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Posted on Friday, August 23, 2013 at 9:33 am by Indraneil Das
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Niger. Fauna of Niger. Crocodiles
The two minisheets released in 2013 from Niger deal with crocodiles. The west African crocodilians have seen major nomenclatural changes. For instance, the widespread Crocodylus niloticus is no longer considered to occur in west Africa. Rather, it is the West African or Desert Crocodile, C. suchus. The species was named by the famous French taxonomist, Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire (1772–1844) as long ago as 1807, based on an examination of the skull of a mummified crocodile, but for over two centuries, the name was treated as a synonym of C. niloticus. Hekkala et al. (2011. Mol. Ecol. 20:4199–4215) demonstrated that Egyptian mummified crocodiles were different from C. niloticus, and resurrected the name C. suchus.
The crocodilian species once referred to as C. cataphractus (as on these stamps) is currently allocated to the genus Mecistops (see Meredith et al., 2011. Mol. Phylogen. & Evol. 60:183–191). |
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Posted on Monday, August 19, 2013 at 13:57 pm by Indraneil Das
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Great Britain. Freshwater Life. Lakes
The second issue of the Post & Go Pictorial Faststamps series was released on 25 June 2013. This set depicts six animals associated with lakes, of interest to us being Bufo bufo. A central element in witchcraft in mediaeval Europe, even the presence of a toad in house was taken as proof of the presence of practitioners of the black art (see Das 2011. Man meets frog: perceptions, use and conservation of amphibians by indigenous people. In: Amphibian biology. Vol. 10. pp:3383–3468. H. Heatwole & M. Wilkinson (Eds). Surrey Beatty & Sons, Baulkham Hills, New South Wales).
Other stamps in this series include the perch (Perca fluviatilis), European eel (Anguilla anguilla), Arctic char (Carassius carassius), larval caddisfly (order Trichoptera) and Salvelinus alpinus. Post & Go terminals allow customers to weigh their letters, pay for and print postage labels and stamps without the need to visit the postal counter. The labels can be obtained with six different service indicators, as in the first series. |
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Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 13:40 pm by Indraneil Das
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The Netherlands. Burgers’ Zoo Centennial Stamps
Burgers’ Zoo (http://www.burgerszoo.com) opened on 31 March 1913. It was the private collection of Johan Burgers, called Faisanterie Buitenlust at the time, and located in the town of 's-Heerenberg in Gelderland, near the German town of Emmerich. Burgers himself was inspired by the famous Carl Hagenbeck, owner and founder of Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg, Germany. In 1923, Burgers moved to a wooded area north of Arnhem, opening the zoo to the public the following year. During World War II, the zoo was hit by Allied bombing, resulting in the death of many animals as well as several zookeepers. At present, this 110-acre zoo in Arnhem is one of the biggest zoos in the country. On 25 February 2013, PostNL issued a set of 10 stamps celebrating the centenary of Burgers' Zoo, on the theme ‘Mother and Her Young’. Each of the 10 stamps shows a mother animal and her young. When scanned with the Chameleon eXplorer app on a smartphone, further information on Burger’s Zoo can be obtained. The designation on the stamps is ‘Nederland 1’, implying they are for mail weighing up to 20 gm for addresses within the Netherlands. Apart from Iguana iguana, the series illustrates a fish, two bird and six mammal species.
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Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 13:23 pm by Indraneil Das
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Tonga. Nuku'alofa National Cultural Centre
The Kingdom of Tonga is a sovereign state, comprising an archipelago of 176 islands, scattered over 700,000 square kilometres in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is also known as the Friendly Islands (on account of the warm reception given to Captain James Cook [1728–1779] on his visit in 1773). Tonga’s new stamp release is currently managed by Philatelic Collector Inc. of New York, that may explain their high values.
The Nuku'alofa National Cultural Centre (http://www.thekingdomoftonga.com/things-to-do/search-results/tonga-national-cultural-centre), situated at Tofoa, Tonga, has been described as “a one stop opportunity to experience Tongan culture, past and present...". The Centre’s Eretmochelys imbricata are depicted in the two turtle-shaped sheetlets issued in February 2013. Each sheetlet contains four stamps ($4 and $5 each). |
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Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 12:43 pm by Indraneil Das
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Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Reptiles of the Caribbean
A 2012 miniature sheet from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a British Colony in the Windwards Islands, shows four herpetological stamps, each of $3.50 value, showing two lizards, a turtle and a snake, all endemic to the Caribbean.
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Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 12:33 pm by Indraneil Das
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Liechtenstein. Year of the Snake
The self-adhesive souvenir sheetlet of Liechtenstein commemorating the Chinese Lunar Year for 2013 depicts two snakes. This annual series is also issued as an indication of friendly relations between the Principality of Liechtenstein and the People’s Republic of China. As in previous issues commemorating the Lunar Year, the current one is in the form of a silhouette, and employs laser technology. The sheetlet bears four stamps, set in landscape format. The illustration and inscriptions in Chinese characters referring to the legend of two thousand year old snakes, one white, one green, that transform into beautiful women in order to live on earth as humans. Also known as ‘Madam White Snake’, the story apparently preexisted written compilations, and has inspired operas, films and television series in China.
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Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 16:57 pm by Indraneil Das
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Montenegro. Nature Conservation
A life buoy may be symbolic with saving a drowning human, but ingeniously, this device has featured in two stamps from Montenegro, on nature protection. In both cases, the target species are aquatic- a frog and a duck! Illustrated here is the former, represented by a Rana (temporaria or dalmatina). Posta Crne Gore and its designer, Ana Pajovic-Kljajic, are to be commended for this novel theme. I thank Sam Shonleben for hazarding a guess on the species’ identity.
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Posted on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 16:33 pm by Indraneil Das
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Russia. Newt FDC and cancellation
In the April issue of Stanley Gibbons Monthly (43[11]:169), Russia’s stamp issue, entitled “Newts” (issued 25 June 2012) received their SG catalogue numbers (see below details of the Belarus and Russian joint issue). Illustrated here are the Russian First Day Cover, and its cancellation mark, from a Moscow post office, issued on 25 June 2012.
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Posted on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 17:33 pm by Indraneil Das
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Croatia. Amphibians
On 8 April 2013, Hrvatska Pošta issued three stamps on the amphibians of Croatia, within the ‘Croatian Fauna’ series. The species depicted are Bombina bombina (1.60HRK), Salamandra salamandra (3.10HRK) and Proteus anguinus (4.60HRK).
The European Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina) is native to mainland Europe. It shows a black-spotted green dorsum, and when threatened, displays the bright orange or red belly as warning. Hofman et al. (2007. Molecular Ecology 16:2301–2316) discussed the phylogeographic patterns shown by extant populations. The fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is widespread in central Europe. It is black with yellow spots or stripes, some individuals being nearly all black, while others are predominantly yellow. The common name is derived from its association with fire. Steinfartz et al. (2000. Molecular Ecology 9:397–410) showed ancient (5–14 Ma) splits of major lineages in the genus Salamandra. The olm (Proteus anguinus) is a cave-dwelling species, restricted to the Dinaric karst of central and south-eastern Europe. Adaptations to a life in darkness include undeveloped eyes and lack of skin pigmentation. It also exhibits neoteny, retaining larval characteristics such as external gills into adulthood. It is referred by locals as the ‘human fish’. Details on its biology can be found in the book by Aljančič et al. (1993), entitled “Proteus: the mysterious ruler of the karst darkness” (Vitrium, Ljubljana [Slovenia]. 75 pp.) For further details, see the Hrvatska Pošta website at: http://www.posta.hr/default.aspx?id=3622&m=53101 Illustrated here are the three philatelic sheets, maxicards, as well as a cover showing postal transmission to Borneo. |
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 15:33 pm by Indraneil Das
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Australia. Australian Zoos
Australian Zoos’ series of seven stamps (60c each) are based on nominations from seven zoos from around Australia. The one for Australia Zoo, Sunshine Coast, carries a Crocodylus porosus, the only herpetofaunal species to be illustrated (the others being Diceros bicornis, Giraffa camelopardalis, Aquila audax, Panthera tigris sumatrae, Ailuropoda melanoleuca and Pongo abelii). Australia Post's Australian Zoos stamp issue is also the theme for Stamp Collecting Month 2012 (http://auspost.com.au/about-us/australian-zoos-new-stamp-issue-release.html). Illustrated here are the relevant crocodile stamp (se-tenant to Aquila audax) and the miniature sheet.
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 13:44 pm by Indraneil Das
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Amphibians on the Stamps of the World. Poster and Postcard
On the occasion of ‘Save the Frogs Day’ and the Bornean Frog Race (27 April 2013), we produced a poster entitled ‘Amphibians on Stamps of the World’. A postcard on the theme was subsequently produced. Images depicting identifiable species of amphibians have been issued by at least 118 countries, protectorates and postal authorities of the world. A few are obvious Cinderella labels (issued by a non postal authority- including Batum and Kuril Islands, but included here as these are collectibles). These include: Angola, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Barbados, Batum, Belgium, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, German Democratic Republic, Great Britain, Grenada, Guernsey, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jersey, Korea (North), Korea (South), Kuril Islands, Laos, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nevis, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rio Muni, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, San Marino, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Surinam, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trieste, Trinidad, Turkey, Uganda, the United States of America, Uganda, Uruguay, Venda, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zil Eloigne Sesel, in addition to the United Nations, in New York, Geneva and Vienna. The World Wide Fund for Nature has an active programme of collaboration with global postal offices in bringing out stamps on nature.
Additionally, images of usually unidentifiable species of amphibians appear in postal stamps to depict stories, fables, mythologies, or within the broader context of biodiversity/habitat conservation. Illustrated here are the poster and the postcard that commemorate the Bornean Frog Race 2013. |
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 13:19 pm by Indraneil Das
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Romania. Fauna Flowers II
Poșta Română’s 19 January 2012 release, entitled “Fauna Flowers”, part 2 includes a Hierophis caspius, adjacent to the foliage of Eritrichum nanum. Like others in this four value series, it depicts plants and their namesakes (in Romanian). Technical advice for this innovative series was rendered by Sorin Stefanut, Ecology, Taxonomy and Nature Conservation Department of the Romanian Academy Institute of Biology. I am grateful to Klaus-Dieter Schulz for identification of the snake.
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 12:39 pm by Indraneil Das
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Great Britain. Freshwater Life - Ponds
In 2013, the theme for Post & Go Pictorial Faststamps series of Great Britain is freshwater life. Although freshwaters cover 1% of the Earth’s surface, 10% of the world’s species inhabit such environment. Pictorial Faststamps: Freshwater Life are being issued in a series of three, and feature representative fish, amphibians and invertebrates that live in ponds, lakes and rivers of the United Kingdom. ‘Ponds’ (22 February) is the first issue, to be followed by ‘Lakes’ (20 June) and ‘Rivers’ (20 September).
Post & Go labels can be obtained with six different service indicators: 1st class, up to 100g & 1st class Large, up to 100 gm, Europe, up to 20 gm, Worldwide, up to 10 gm and 20 gm, and the new Worldwide, 40 gm. The stamps are dispensed singly or in strips of up to five of the same value or various values. Thus, there are 36 different value/design combinations. The six 56 x 25 mm stamps are printed in gravure, with two phosphor bars. The stamps in the pack have service indicators and other detail printed in gravure, and the labels can be used in Post & Go machines at Post Offices around the UK, and from the Hytech machines at Spring Stampex (http://www.norphil.co.uk/2013/02c-pondlife_pictorial_faststamps.htm). The current series shows the Smooth Newt, Lissotriton vulgaris, a species widespread in Europe, except the far north, southern France and the Iberian peninsular. During the breeding season, males develop a continuous wavy crest that runs from head to tail, and spots become distinct. They are also distinguishable by their toes that bear fringes. Other labels in the current release include the Lesser Silver Water Beetle (Hydrochara caraboides), the Three-Spined Stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), Fairy Shrimp (Chirocephalus diaphanous), Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) and Glutinous Snail (Myxas glutinosa). |
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 13:09 pm by Indraneil Das
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New Caledonia. Parc Zoologique & Forestier Michel Corbasson
Opened in 1972, Parc Zoologique & Forestier Michel Corbasson is situated on a 36 acre area near the centre of Nouméa. The Park plays host to an exceptional fauna and flora (http://www.province-sud.nc/environnement/parcs-et-reserves-naturels/terrestres/parc-zoologique-et-forestier).
This miniature sheet carries three stamps of 110F value, one of which is the New Caledonian Giant Gecko, Rhacodactylus leachianus. This species was described in 1829 by the leading French zoologist of the time, Georges Cuvier (1769–1832). At 360 mm, it is the world’s largest extant gecko, and lives in the high canopy. Bauer et al. (2012. Zootaxa 3404:1–52) provided a revision of the giant geckos of New Caledonia, recognising several genera, all restricted to these remote islands. |
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Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 12:09 pm by Indraneil Das
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Malaysia. Bornean Earless Monitor Personalized Stamp
As the sole living representative of the family Lanthanotidae, the Bornean earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis) is an endemic of Borneo. It is associated with streams within forested habitats, and shows a number of adaptations for burrowing and swimming (including nostrils moved backwards and upwards; reduced eyes with moveable lids; lower lid transparent; ear-opening absent and short limbs). McDowell and Bogert (1954. Bull. American Mus. nat. Hist. 105:1–142) provided a monographic treatment of the morphology and anatomy of the species, and Rieppel (1980. Amphibia-Reptilia 1:95–112) showed that the species forms the sister-taxon of Varanus, the two lineages together forming the sister-taxon of the New World Heloderma. This issue under SetemKu’s personalized stamps programme is a 30c stamp. Here, we show both the stamp and the sheet, which, we believe, is the first appearance of this species on a postage stamp.
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Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 11:09 am by Indraneil Das
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Malaysia. The Bornean Frog Race 2013
For the Bornean Frog Race 2013, the image selected for the stamp for release on 27 April 2013 is from Pos Malaysia’s SetemKu programme, showing a species of Rhacophorus. The image was captured by Pui Yong Min of IBEC, and the stamp is of a 30c value. It is se-tenant to a stamp that shows a Bunga Raya (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Malaysia’s national flower, and the ‘Jalur Gemilang’, Malaysia’s national flag, set over the Songket (a pattern of traditional woven fabric).
Two designs were produced but not selected for the Bornean Frog Race 2013. These were also issued under Pos Malaysia’s SetemKu programme. The first one shows a Feihyla kajau. Originally described as Rhacophorus kajau, this small rhacophorid is widespread in the lowlands and midhills of western Borneo. Hertwig et al. (2013. Mol. Phylogen. & Evol. 38: in press) reallocated it to Feihyla, whose members were previously known only from Indo-China. Also not considered for the Bornean Frog Race 2013 was the ‘winking Calluella’ stamp, showing two images of the face of an undescribed species of Calluella, issued under the SetemKu programme (30c). |
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Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 11:04 am by Indraneil Das
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Austria. Amphibians and Reptiles
Austrian Post (http://www.post.at/img/ALBUM_2012_09.pdf) issued a folder with 20 adhesive stamps, entitled “Amphibiens & Reptilien”, in collaboration with the Wiener Naturhistorische Museum (the Vienna Museum of Natural History, abbreviated ‘NMW’). This issue comprises 15 stamps of 62 cents value, and five stamps of 70 cents value. Established in 1889, the Museum curates 30 million objects, including a vast herpetological collection. Relevant to us here on Borneo, NMW (http://www.nhm-wien.ac.at/en/museum) has the Franz Steindachner (1834– 1919) collection, including the holotype of Lanthanotus borneensis.
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Posted on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 4:26 pm by Indraneil Das
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Ukraine. Amphibian
Ukraine, a country in Eastern Europe, was a part of the Soviet Union (till 1991). On 22 November 2011, Ukrainian State Enterprise of Posts (‘Ukrposhta’) issued a minisheet depicting five species of local amphibians, each on a diamond-shaped stamp. On 22 November 2012, Ukrposhta issued another minisheet in a similar, green-dominated design, depicting five more amphibian species.
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Posted on Friday, April 12, 2013 at 3:56 pm by Indraneil Das
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United Nations. Endangered Species
Since the establishment, in 1993, of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), now ratified by 177 nations (see http://www.cites.org), the Endangered Species stamps, produced in collaboration with the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA, based in New York, Geneva and Vienna) try to raise awareness of animal and plant species on the verge of extinction. A new group of species has been featured each year since the programme began, depicting 12 species in three commemorative sheets, one by each of the three UNPA. Special postmarks are also designed for first day covers. The stamps are sold individually and in special booklets that contain information on each of the depicted species, in English, French and German.
The 2012 issue from the series (representing the 12th Series) includes three species of herpetofauna- Ambystomma mexicanum (€0.70), Iguana iguana (FS1.00) and Calumma brevicorne (45c), all issued on 19 April 2012. Further information on the UNPA and its postal issues can be obtained from: United Nations Postal Administration (http://unstamps.un.org). |
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Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 5:00 pm by Indraneil Das
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Solomon Islands. Frogs
Two minisheets from the Solomon Islands, issued on 15 February 2013, purport to show the faunas of these islands. One is on a herpetological topic. This issue shows Phyllomedusa sauvagii, a species from the Chaco region of south America, and unknown from the Solomon Islands. An inhabitant of savannas, this species has ecological adaptations such as producing eggs surrounded by vesicles in nests of leaves for avoiding desiccation (Alcaide et al. 2011. South American J. Herpetol. 6:20–26). The minisheet does illustrate a Solomon Islands endemic, the skink, Corucia zebrata.
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Posted on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 4:50 pm by Indraneil Das
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UAE. Desert snakes of the United Arab Emirates
On 1 November 2012, the Emirates Post issued a series of stamps entitled: “Desert Snakes of the UAE”. These were in five denominations of Dh1, 150 fils, Dh 3, Dh4 and 550 fils, along with a souvenir sheet of Dh25.
Species depicted include the Arabian horned viper, the carpet viper, the Arabian rearfang, Sochurek's saw-scaled viper and the sand boa. |
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Posted on Monday, November 19th, 2012 at 5:35 pm by Indraneil Das
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Bosnia & Herzegovina. Snakes of Bosnia & Herzegovina
On 1 November 2012, Bosnia and Herzegovina issued a commemorative sheet illustrating four snake species, including the non-venomous Grass snake (Natrix natrix) and Aesculapian snake (Zamenis longissimus), and the venomous Horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes) and Common Viper (Vipera berus).
Bosnia-Herzegovina. Vipers
On 10 September 2012, Bosnia-Herzegovina issued two stamps of 1.00M and 1.50M, showing two viper species: Vipera ammodytes and V. berus bosniensis. We illustrate the philatelic sheets of both, as the gutters are also of herpetological interest.
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Posted on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 4:22 pm by Indraneil Das
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Belarus-Russia Joint Issue. Newts
On 25 June 2012, Belarus and Russia released a joint issue, entitled “Newts”. The sheets contain two designs, depicting the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) and the Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris), issued se-tenant. Russia issued a single sheet, of four (x 2 value) stamps, while Belarus issued two sheets of eight stamps, each with its own design. Belarus also issued these two designs in a 2 value sheetlet, their respective values indicated by ‘H’ (3,300 Rubles, equivalent to surface tariff up to 20 gm) and ‘P’ (5,100 Rubles, equivalent to airmail tariff up to 20 gm). At the time of writing (1 December 2012), the Belarus ones have received Stanley Gibbons (SG) catalogue numbers. Illustrated here are the single Russian sheet, the two Belarus sheets and the Belarus sheetlet. Postal cancellation for Belarus “Newts” issue
This interesting postal cancellation was used for the Belarus “Newts” issue by the Main Post Office of Belarus at Minsk, on the date of issue (25 June 2012).
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Posted on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 5:10 pm by Indraneil Das
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India. Endemic Biodiversity of Hotspots
On 16 October 2012, India issued a sheetlet entitled “Endemic Species of Indian Biodiversity Hotspots”. One of the four stamps is the Venated Flying Frog (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus), of Rupee 5 face value. Two birds and a mammal, each endemic to one of India’s four biodiversity hotspots, complete the series. The sheetlet commemorates the XI Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Hyderabad.
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Posted on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 4:22 pm by Indraneil Das
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Solomon Islands. Reptiles and Amphibians
In 2012, Solomon Islands issued this extraordinary sheet, in a series entitled “Reptiles and Amphibians of Solomon Islands”, itself following part of the shape of a Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), and depicting five local species- four reptiles (Acrochordus granulatus, Crocodylus porosus, Corucia zebrata and Cyrtodactylus biordinis) and one amphibian (Ceratobatrachus guentheri). The sheet includes an additional reptile- Lepidodactylus guppyi.
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Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 12:33 pm by Indraneil Das
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Micronesia. Marine Turtles
On 27 June 2012, Republic of Micronesia issued two souvenir sheets depicting marine turtles. The first, “Turtles of Micronesia” shows four species, each of $1.25 face value- Eretmochelys imbricata, Dermochelys coriacea, Chelonia mydas and Lepidochelys olivacea. The second, “Turtles of the Pacific Ocean” shows two species, also of $1.25 face value- Caretta caretta and Natator depressus.
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Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 13:47 pm by Indraneil Das
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Israel. Marine Turtles
Israel’s ATM labels are unusual philatelic products. ‘Endangered Sea Creatures’, released on 1 January 2012 (from ATM 001) shows the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Also issued here are two versions of “Green Sea Turtle”, released on 26 June 2012 (from ATM 001 and 008).
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Posted on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 10:33 am by Indraneil Das
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Macedonia. Hermann’s Tortoise
On 3 April 2012, Macedonia issued a series of stamps entitled “Domestic Pets”. Included in this series is 100MKD value issue depicting Testudo hermanni, a species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, as well as in the IUCN Red List (and therefore not really a ‘domestic pet’).
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Posted on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 10:43 am by Indraneil Das
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Latvia. Tree Frog
Latvia’s sole herpetological stamp was issued in 2012, as part of a 4 value series commemorating the centenary of the Riga Zoo (established 14 October 1912). The 60c value one from this set illustrates Hyla arborea, which was the subject of a reintroduction programme by the Riga Zoo. Other stamps in this series depict a lion, a kiang, and the Riga zoo buildings. Further information on the zoo can be found at: http://www.latvia.travel/en/riga-zoo.
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Posted on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 10:54 am by Indraneil Das
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Serbia. Reptiles
Republic of Serbia’s herpetological issue from 21 May 2012 depicts four reptiles- a snake (Coronella austriaca), two lizards (Podarcis tauricus and Lacerta viridis) and a turtle (Emys orbicularis). The sheet’s central gutter depicts a variety of landscape, presumably associated with these species.
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Posted on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 11:16 am by Indraneil Das
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Nepal. Biodiversity
On 29 July 2012, Nepal’s Department of Postal Service issued eight stamps of Rupees 10 denomination, under the “Bio-Diversity Series”. They depict four threatened species, each of plants and animals, including the gecko, Cyrtodactylus marcuscombaii. Endemic to eastern Nepal’s Mechi Province, it was described in 1997, and is named for Marcus Comba (1955–), a Swiss antiquarian book dealer. A million copies of the sheet were reportedly issued (each carrying two sets of the eight values in the series).
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Posted on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 11:00 am by Indraneil Das
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Israel. Wildlife Conservation Special Sheet
The three value series (x 2 in each miniature sheet, separated by a broad gutter, depicting the landscape of Israel, along with each of the three species also on the stamps), commemorates the Israeli Wildlife Hospital. Co-founded by the Zoological Center Tel Aviv - Ramat Gan (Safari Israel and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority), the Wildlife Hospital has four objectives- treating, rehabilitating and returning animals to the wild; education; monitoring and research. The stamp series illustrates Testudo graeca, besides Aquila heliaca and Gazella gazella.
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Posted on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 04:21 pm by Indraneil Das
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Togo. Biodiversity of Indonesia
Togo released two philatelic sheets at Indonesia 2012 – International Philately Exhibition (held between 18–24 June 2012). The first, containing four 750F stamps, include Carettochelys insculpta. Other species in this sheet are Orcaella brevirostris, Macaca fascicularis and Panthera tigris. The second sheet has a single 3,000F value stamp, showing Varanus komodoensis. The sheet also shows a Panthera tigris, a mother Pongo pygmaeus clutching its baby and a Gracula religiosa.
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Posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:00am by Indraneil Das
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Mascot of Indonesia 2012
Indonesia 2012 – International Philately Exhibition was held between 18–24 June 2012 at the Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia. The theme was “Bridging the World of Peace Through Stamps”. The mascot of Indonesia 2012 was a Varanus komodoensis, wearing a ‘kain tenunan ikat’ (a traditional hand-woven dress) and holding a magnifying glass.
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Posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:20am by Indraneil Das
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Solomon Islands. Sea Turtles
A companion to the ‘Reptiles and Amphibians of the Solomon Islands’ sheet, this sheet illustrates five of the region’s sea turtles in as many stamps. The sheet also shows turtle habitats (sandy beach, breakers, mangrove fronted backwaters) as well as phases in the life of marine turtles (hatchling emergence, ridley arribada).
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Posted on Wednesday, January 29, 2013 at 11:30am by Indraneil Das
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Greece. Riches of the Greek Seas
Hellenic Posts issued a 10 value series of definitives, entitled “Riches of the Greek Seas” on 21 February 2012. Apart from a €0.20 stamp showing a swimming Caretta caretta are other marine life of the warm seas surrounding Greece, including Palinurus elephas, Octopus vulgaris, Anemonia viridis, Epinephelus marginatus, Dentex dentex, Hippocampus guttulatus, Aurelia aurita, Dasyatis pastinaca and Charcharias taurus. Further information can be obtained from the Hellenic Philotelic Society (http://www.hps.gr/).
Illustrated here are two versions of the 0.20€ Caretta caretta stamp from this series that were issued on 21 February 2012:
A strip of imperforate x 13.5 perforation stamps and two perforation 14 x 14 stamps. I thank Peter Gerondis for the gift of the latter. |
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Posted on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 10:44am by Indraneil Das
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Malaysia. Save the Frogs Day
“Save the Frogs” (http://www.savethefrogs.com), a US organisation, helps coordinate a “Save the Frogs Day” on the last weekend of April annually, to draw public attention to the world’s threatened amphibians. Nearly 40 countries have taken part in the last edition, and the first for Malaysia and Borneo was organised in 2012 by the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, UNIMAS. Entitled “The Bornean Frog Race 2012”, the event was held at the Permai Rainforest Resort, on 28 April 2012. The event comprised exhibitions, talks and a race to document amphibians on Gunung Santubong, Sarawak. The personalised sheet (and a stamp in close-up) shown here was issued under Pos Malaysia’s SetemKu programme for the event. It shows the Bornean Rainbow Toad, Ansonia latidisca, se-tenant to a Bunga Raya (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), Malaysia’s national flower, and the ‘Jalur Gemilang’, Malaysia’s national flag, set over the Songket (a pattern of traditional woven fabric). For details on the upcoming Frog Race (27 April 2013), visit: http://www.savethefrogs.com/frogblog/events-frogs/borneo-frog-race-2013.
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Posted on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 10:50am by Indraneil Das
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Malaysia. Second Currency Series
The Second Series of Malaysian Currency on stamps (featuring the 3rd series of coins and 4th series of currency notes) was issued by Pos Malaysia on 16 July 2012. The coins were released by Bank Negara Malaysia on 25 July 2011, and are depicted on a series of four value stamps. The currency notes (of denomination Ringgit Malaysian 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100) were released also by Bank Negara Malaysia, on 21 December 2011, and are depicted in a series of two miniature sheets. The dimensions of the latter are unusual, and possibly unique among miniature sheets: the twin sheets are gigantic at 180 x 270 mm, and bear three stamps (40 x 60 mm) each. On the broad gutter of one are two sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea and Eretmochelys imbricata), and the RM 20 currency note (partially visible on a RM 5 stamp) shows an Eretmochelys imbricata (and just the tail and part of the right hind limb of the Dermochelys coriacea visible).
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Posted on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 10:57am by Indraneil Das
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Malaysia. Exotic Pets
On 5 February 2013, Pos Malaysia issued a 3 value series of stamps, showing non-indigenous animals that are commonly kept as pets in the country. The common iguana, Iguana iguana is part of the series (the others are sugar glider and hedgehog). The two accompanying perforate miniature sheets show the African ball python, Python regius, issued with (RM5) and without (RM3) a gold foil hologram. Illustrated here are the iguana stamp sheet, snake miniature sheets in two designs and first day covers for each of the three items, issued by the Kuching Post Office. Issuance of the twin miniature sheets of snakes commemorates the Lunar Year of the Snake, starting under a week’s time.
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Posted on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 12:27pm by Indraneil Das
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Indonesia. Year of the Snake
A number of countries have issued snakes on stamps in 2012 and 2013, to mark the Lunar Year of the Snake, starting February 2013. A majority of these are stylized (and not relevant for our purpose, being unrecognizable to species) snakes
(see http://www.nsotw.info/t2013_year_of_the_snake_stamp_issues.html). Indonesia’s release from 22 January 2013, however, shows one identifiable species, the king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah, issued as a single stamp in a series also showing snake-like (or perhaps dragon-like, mythical) animals, as well as in a miniature sheet. Both are of the same design, and bear a 2,500Rp value. |
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Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 2:27pm by Indraneil Das
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French Polynesia. Giant Tortoise at the Botanical Gardens
The Harrison W. Smith Botanical Gardens at Papeari, Tahiti, was established by its namesake, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology physics professor, in 1919. Two Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra), a male and a female, that lives in the Gardens, were offered to the American yachtsman, Charles Nordhoff in 1928 by the then Governor of Pennsylvania and first Chief of the United States Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot (1865–1946), a friend of the US President, Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919). In 1938, they were entrusted to the care of the Museum at Tahiti. During a fire in 1965, they escaped into the mountains and were eventually found. Later, they were transferred to the Botanical Gardens at Papeari. Each tortoise now weighs about 200 pounds (http://www.tahitiheritage.pf/fiche-tortues-des-galapagos-du-jardin-botanique-73.htm).
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Posted on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 3:00pm by Indraneil Das
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