KRAG secretary Rick Hodges has been nominated for a major wildlife award after discovering a synergistic relationship between a mollusc and a thistle species on the north downs.  Algal populations in the mantle of giant clams are well known but pale into insignificance against this unique ‘ménage a deux’ between a higher plant that provides the majority of the foot and forward sense organs and snail that contributes a shell and digestive system (see picture).

These amazing observations have been made towards the end of August, a time of year when reptiles are generally out of view so herp news is in short supply.  KRAG, like the newspapers and the TV, has its silly season.