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Papers by Kate Pocklington

LKCNHM EBooks, 2021

In 1996, the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group assigned the status ‘Regionally Extinct’ to Croc... more In 1996, the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group assigned the status ‘Regionally Extinct’ to Crocodylus porosus in Singapore for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. No study appears for the status review, and Crocodylus porosus is still considered ‘regionally extinct in Singapore’. This paper provides a basis for future amendment, with continuous accounts of both historical and current presence, whilst covering trade, folklore and historical impacts.

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 2018

Crocodilians show a wide range of maximum Total Length (TL) and Crocodylus porosus is considered ... more Crocodilians show a wide range of maximum Total Length (TL) and Crocodylus porosus is considered one of the largest crocodilian species with some individuals attaining more than 6 m in length. Remains of such exceptionally large crocodiles are sometimes found in different countries although details of these individuals such as TL, origin, or date of acquisition have been lost in many cases. Here we measured two exceptionally large but little known skulls found at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore and compared their morphological measurements to other large skulls reported from different countries. We found out in literature that one of the skulls, named "Edgar", had been from one of the largest crocodiles ever reported (6.7 m TL) and brought from Java to the museum in 1887. Details of the other skull, named "Giryu", still remain unknown. Based on the morphological measurements we presented here, it is likely both these crocodiles were C. porosus larger than at least 6 m TL. Given that such large individuals are hardly seen today due to previous hunting and habitat loss, these skulls have significant, biological and cultural values.

Seventeen glass slides (or ‘magic lantern’ slides) were discovered in the Lee Kong Chian Natural ... more Seventeen glass slides (or ‘magic lantern’ slides) were
discovered in the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
(LKCNHM) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in
2015. The slides depict 14 images of various snakes, and three
images of the arboreal gecko Ptychozoon kuhli. These slides were
examined and found to be those taken and owned by Singapore’s
Raffles Museum Director Michael Willmer Forbes Tweedie,
determined by his use of them as photographs in his publications
where they are captioned to himself or noted as such in the front
of his books. All or part of every image was determined to have
appeared in at least one of his many publications in a period
spanning over three decades, from 1950 to the third edition of
The Snakes of Malaya in 1983.
These historic slides are important in preserving an era of
natural history photography. The versatility of Tweedie’s slides
within his publications shows that in an age without digital
technology, photographs had to be carefully planned. Processing
costs and limited post-photographic adjustments all weighed
heavily on the importance of a single image being sufficient, and
Tweedie did indeed make effective use of his photographs.
Today, our photographs come in multitudes, we are able to
choose the ‘best’ in batches of hundreds. Technology allows us
more time, it allows images to be disposable but also places an
emphasis on the ‘perfect image’ where post-capture platforms
are deployed to ensure all details are to perfection. In Tweedie’s
era, there were no methods of digital enhancement, no program
to edit a defect on an image and so, these images bound as
they are between sheets of thin glass, are unique and as objects
themselves. They indicate precision, intention, and longevity.
The importance of this small collection is one that has retained
historical value.

An infestation of scuttle flies, Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866), was found in deteriorating l 9'... more An infestation of scuttle flies, Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866), was found in deteriorating l 9'h century fluid-preserved specimens contained in a glass tank in the Vertebrate Spirit Store at Oxford University Museum of Natural History. A test showed ethanol levels were inadequate to maintain specimen preservation, and a vast amount of fluid had evaporated, leaving the specimens exposed and in a state of decomposition. The conditions provided a suitable habitat for the infestation and subsequent reproduction of M. scalaris. Here, I provide a method for the removal of M. scalaris from infested museum collections, as well as notes on their behavior and the conditions that promote fly infestation. Remedial salvage of the specimen that involves refixation, staging, and final preservation in 75% industrial methylated spirits (IMS/H20) is described.

Two corellas were seen near the top of a starfruit tree, clambering about among the branches and ... more Two corellas were seen near the top of a starfruit tree, clambering about among the branches and
eating starfruit. A squirrel climbed up to the birds and tried to attack one of them. In defence, the bird threatened
to bite the squirrel, sending the rodent scurrying back down (Fig. 1). Thereafter, the birds continued to forage
(Fig. 2). The video, shot by the contributor with her mobile phone, can be viewed at
http://youtu.be/YYCkChpuVc0.

Books by Kate Pocklington

LKCNHM EBooks, 2021

In 1996, the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group assigned the status ‘Regionally Extinct’ to Croc... more In 1996, the IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group assigned the status ‘Regionally Extinct’ to Crocodylus porosus in Singapore for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. No study appears for the status review, and Crocodylus porosus is still considered ‘regionally extinct in Singapore’. This paper provides a basis for future amendment, with continuous accounts of both historical and current presence, whilst covering trade, folklore and historical impacts.

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 2018

Crocodilians show a wide range of maximum Total Length (TL) and Crocodylus porosus is considered ... more Crocodilians show a wide range of maximum Total Length (TL) and Crocodylus porosus is considered one of the largest crocodilian species with some individuals attaining more than 6 m in length. Remains of such exceptionally large crocodiles are sometimes found in different countries although details of these individuals such as TL, origin, or date of acquisition have been lost in many cases. Here we measured two exceptionally large but little known skulls found at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum in Singapore and compared their morphological measurements to other large skulls reported from different countries. We found out in literature that one of the skulls, named "Edgar", had been from one of the largest crocodiles ever reported (6.7 m TL) and brought from Java to the museum in 1887. Details of the other skull, named "Giryu", still remain unknown. Based on the morphological measurements we presented here, it is likely both these crocodiles were C. porosus larger than at least 6 m TL. Given that such large individuals are hardly seen today due to previous hunting and habitat loss, these skulls have significant, biological and cultural values.

Seventeen glass slides (or ‘magic lantern’ slides) were discovered in the Lee Kong Chian Natural ... more Seventeen glass slides (or ‘magic lantern’ slides) were
discovered in the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
(LKCNHM) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in
2015. The slides depict 14 images of various snakes, and three
images of the arboreal gecko Ptychozoon kuhli. These slides were
examined and found to be those taken and owned by Singapore’s
Raffles Museum Director Michael Willmer Forbes Tweedie,
determined by his use of them as photographs in his publications
where they are captioned to himself or noted as such in the front
of his books. All or part of every image was determined to have
appeared in at least one of his many publications in a period
spanning over three decades, from 1950 to the third edition of
The Snakes of Malaya in 1983.
These historic slides are important in preserving an era of
natural history photography. The versatility of Tweedie’s slides
within his publications shows that in an age without digital
technology, photographs had to be carefully planned. Processing
costs and limited post-photographic adjustments all weighed
heavily on the importance of a single image being sufficient, and
Tweedie did indeed make effective use of his photographs.
Today, our photographs come in multitudes, we are able to
choose the ‘best’ in batches of hundreds. Technology allows us
more time, it allows images to be disposable but also places an
emphasis on the ‘perfect image’ where post-capture platforms
are deployed to ensure all details are to perfection. In Tweedie’s
era, there were no methods of digital enhancement, no program
to edit a defect on an image and so, these images bound as
they are between sheets of thin glass, are unique and as objects
themselves. They indicate precision, intention, and longevity.
The importance of this small collection is one that has retained
historical value.

An infestation of scuttle flies, Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866), was found in deteriorating l 9'... more An infestation of scuttle flies, Megaselia scalaris (Loew, 1866), was found in deteriorating l 9'h century fluid-preserved specimens contained in a glass tank in the Vertebrate Spirit Store at Oxford University Museum of Natural History. A test showed ethanol levels were inadequate to maintain specimen preservation, and a vast amount of fluid had evaporated, leaving the specimens exposed and in a state of decomposition. The conditions provided a suitable habitat for the infestation and subsequent reproduction of M. scalaris. Here, I provide a method for the removal of M. scalaris from infested museum collections, as well as notes on their behavior and the conditions that promote fly infestation. Remedial salvage of the specimen that involves refixation, staging, and final preservation in 75% industrial methylated spirits (IMS/H20) is described.

Two corellas were seen near the top of a starfruit tree, clambering about among the branches and ... more Two corellas were seen near the top of a starfruit tree, clambering about among the branches and
eating starfruit. A squirrel climbed up to the birds and tried to attack one of them. In defence, the bird threatened
to bite the squirrel, sending the rodent scurrying back down (Fig. 1). Thereafter, the birds continued to forage
(Fig. 2). The video, shot by the contributor with her mobile phone, can be viewed at
http://youtu.be/YYCkChpuVc0.