A5015967956- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Wildlife-Road Interactions and Conservation
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Archaeology and Natural History
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- scientometrics and bibliometrics research
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Marine animal studies overview
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
2023-2025
University of Arkansas System
2024
Louisiana Tech University
2016-2023
University of Central Arkansas
2014-2016
Conway School of Landscape Design
2015-2016
Illinois Archaeological Survey
2004-2012
University of Minnesota
2012
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
2012
University of Oklahoma
2005-2011
City University of New York
2009-2011
Abstract Roads can act as barriers to animal movement through mortality during crossing attempts or behavioral avoidance. This barrier effect has negative demographic and genetic consequences that ultimately result in local regional extinction. Here we use radio‐telemetry data on three terrestrial vertebrates (eastern massasauga Sistrurus catenatus , eastern box turtle Terrapene carolina ornate ornata ) test whether roads acted movement. Specifically, individuals avoided by comparing the...
Among vertebrates, most of the largest genomes are found within salamanders, a clade amphibians that includes 613 species. Salamander genome sizes range from ∼14 to ∼120 Gb. Because size is correlated with nucleus and cell sizes, as well other traits, morphological evolution in salamanders has been profoundly affected by genomic gigantism. However, molecular mechanisms driving expansion this remain largely unknown. Here, we present first comparative analysis transposable element (TE) content...
Abstract Aim The aim was to examine the links between past biome stability, vegetation dynamics and biodiversity patterns. Location South America. Time period Last 30,000 years. Major taxa studied Plants. Methods We classified America into major biomes according their dominant plant functional groups (grasses, trees shrubs) ran a random forest (RF) classification with data on current climate. then fitted algorithm predict distributions for every 1,000 years back 21,000 yr BP estimated...
Abstract Sky islands provide ideal opportunities for understanding how climatic changes associated with Pleistocene glacial cycles influenced species distributions, genetic diversification, and demography. The salamander Plethodon ouachitae is largely restricted to high‐elevation, mesic forest on six major mountains in the Ouachita Mountains. Because these are separated by more xeric, low‐elevation valleys, salamanders appear be isolated sky where gene flow among populations different may...
Climatic changes associated with Pleistocene glacial cycles profoundly affected species distributions, patterns of interpopulation gene flow, and demography. In restricted to montane habitats, ranges may expand contract along an elevational gradients in response environmental fluctuations create high levels genetic variation among populations on different mountains. The salamander Plethodon fourchensis is high-elevation, mesic forest five isolates the Ouachita Mountains. We used DNA sequence...
Abstract Local adaptation is often invoked to explain hybrid zone structure, but empirical evidence of this generally rare. Hybrid zones between two poeciliid fishes, Xiphophorus birchmanni and X. malinche, occur in multiple tributaries with independent replication upstream‐to‐downstream gradients morphology allele frequencies. Ecological niche modelling revealed that temperature a central predictive factor the spatial distribution pure parental species their hybrids explains temporal...
Identification of mechanisms that promote variation in life-history traits is critical to understand the evolution divergent reproductive strategies. Here we compiled a large data set (674 lizard populations, representing 297 species from 263 sites globally) test number hypotheses regarding lizards. We found significant phylogenetic signal most traits, although was not particularly high. Climatic variables influenced many with clutch frequency being positively related precipitation and...
Roads have numerous negative ecological effects on terrestrial fauna, and vehicular mortality can significant demographic consequences for some species. We studied road of reptiles around Carlyle Lake, Clinton County, Illinois, USA, from April 2000 through November 2002, to assess the impact traffic identify influential factors. a popular tourism/recreation area, is situated in larger agricultural landscape home largest Illinois population endangered Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)....
Abstract Aim To investigate the influence of climate variables in shaping species distributions across a steep longitudinal environmental gradient. Location The state Oklahoma, south‐central United States. Methods We used Geographical Information Systems (GIS) niche‐based models to predict geographic six pairs closely related amphibian and reptile compared results from modelling with actual determine whether were primarily limited by factors, assess potential roles competition historical...
We describe a new species of Leptophis (parrot snake) from the Cerrado ecoregion Brazil. The species, L . mystacinus sp. nov., differs all other congeners in following unique character combination: two Spectrum Green (129) to Light Parrot (133) dorsolateral stripes separated by Buff (5) vertebral stripe, usually continuous onto tail; loreal scale absent; postocular stripe Jet Black (300), wide and long (up 11 scales nuchal region); maxillary teeth 21–25; ventrals 158–173; subcaudals 141–164;...
Predators use characteristics such as pattern and shape in forming search images of prey, thereby influencing the evolution prey morphology. In lizards, sit-and-wait foraging species are thought to have body shapes that enhance their ability remain cryptic predators. Structurally complex habitats provide more opportunities for avoid detection, thus predator efficiency is predicted be higher structurally simple habitats. I used clay lizard models test whether predation varies among lizards...
A total of 107 leptodactylid frogs representing 6 species, Leptodactylus fuscus (n = 15), leptodactyloides 9), mystaceus 2), ocellatus 31), petersii and pustulatus 19), collected in the Brazilian state Tocantins, were examined for helminths. One species Digenea (Catadiscus marinholutzi), Nematoda (adults Cosmocerca podicipinus, Ochoterenella scalaris, Oswaldocruzia proencai, Schrankiana larvata larvae Brevimulticaecum sp. Physaloptera sp.), 1 Acanthocephala (as cystacanths) found. The mean...
Knowledge of mating system characteristics can elucidate forces driving sexual selection. In male pitvipers, both movement tactics and body size are predicted to be important determinants reproductive success. We used radio telemetry monitor free-ranging Sistrurus catenatus (Eastern Massasauga) from 2000 through 2002 determine whether affect mate acquisition. Reproductive behaviors peaked in late July early August. Females were accompanied by multiple males per season (up seven); however,...
We studied the ecology of Anolis nitens brasiliensis during late-dry and early-wet season 2005 in a Cerrado habitat Tocantins state, Brazil. Most lizards were found on tree trunks or leaf litter non-flooded igapó forest. shade filtered sun both cloudy sunny days. Body temperatures (Tbs) averaged 30.6°C did not vary among microhabitats. Microhabitats exposed to direct consistently reached extremely high whereas microhabitats provided throughout day allowing lizard activity. Nineteen prey...
Abstract Decisions affecting wildlife management and conservation policy of imperiled species are often aided by population models. Reliable models require accurate estimates vital rates an understanding how vary geographically. The eastern massasauga ( Sistrurus catenatus ) is a rattlesnake found in the Great Lakes region North America. Populations fragmented only few areas harbor multiple, sizable populations. Eastern research has typically focused on single populations or local...
Abstract We tested three non‐exclusive hypotheses that the lizard, Gymnodactylus carvalhoi , lives in termitaria to avoid thermal extremes, predators, or because of an abundance food (dietary specialist). first confirm these geckos are restricted region studied. Body temperatures ( T b ) averaged below environmental during day outside and above at night; only slightly higher than inside termitaria. conclude constraints Cerrado habitats lacking rocks restrict termite nests. High frequencies...
Montane regions are centers of endemism and species richness for many taxa, including plethodontid salamanders. The forces creating maintaining species' elevational range limits have been extensively studied in members the genus Plethodon. However, mechanisms underlying these still poorly understood. Prior work has often focused on from a single perspective, testing ideas niche conservatism climatic sensitivity or interspecific competitive interference. Range complex interaction both...
Rhinella ocellata is a relatively unknown species of toad that occurs in Brazilian cerrado, savanna-like biome. We studied home range and calling behavior population this the state Tocantins, Brazil, 2004. Unlike most other bufonids, male R. did not migrate to ponds or aquatic sites form choruses for reproduction. Instead, had prolonged breeding period during which males called from terrestrial typically on bare sandy soil near grass clumps shrubby vegetation. Calling were within open...
Abstract Aim The Interior Highlands (Ouachita Mountains and Ozark Plateau) are major physiographical regions of eastern North America harbour many endemic species. Despite their close proximity, the Ozarks Ouachitas have different geological histories relatively distinct species pools. Few studies tested biogeographical origins this region's fauna, most researchers treated as a single unit. Here, we inferred sources timing colonization by analysing biogeography three genera plethodontid...
Accurate knowledge of species distributions is necessary for research and conservation. Slimy Salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus complex) are similar in appearance, tend toward small geographic ranges, have a propensity hybridization, necessitating genetic analysis fine-scale sampling accurate representation distributions. Our current understanding the some based on coarse sampling. Several recent studies question validity species, calling more to confirm this group better define their Toward...