A5016712574- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Botany, Ecology, and Taxonomy Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Archaeology and Natural History
Clemson University
2020-2025
University of Michigan
2025
Illinois Archaeological Survey
2018-2020
Significance A central question in biology is whether trait differences are the result of variation gene number, sequence, or regulation. Snake venoms an excellent system for addressing this because their genetic tractability, contributions to fitness, and high evolutionary rates. We sequenced assembled genome Tiger Rattlesnake determine simplest rattlesnake venom was product a simple complex genotype. The number genes greatly exceeded proteins producing phenotype, indicating regulatory...
Synopsis Selection on heritable phenotypic variation has played a prominent role in shaping the remarkable adaptations found across Tree of Life. Complex ecological traits, such as snake venoms, are thought to be products selection because they directly link fitness and survival. Snake venom increases efficiency prey capture processing is thus likely under intense selection. While many studies have investigated relationship between diet, primarily focused medically relevant front-fanged...
Novel phenotypes are commonly associated with gene duplications and neofunctionalization, less documented the cases of phenotypic maintenance through recruitment novel genes. Proteolysis is primary toxic character many snake venoms, ADAM metalloproteinases, named venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), largely recognized as major effectors this phenotype. However, by investigating original transcriptomes from 58 species advanced snakes (Caenophidia) across their phylogeny, we discovered that a...
The migration-selection balance often governs the evolution of lineages, and speciation with gene flow is now considered common across tree life. Ecological a process that can facilitate divergence despite due to strong selective pressures caused by ecological differences; however, exact traits under selection are unknown. transition from freshwater saltwater habitats provides targeting osmoregulatory function. Several lineages North American watersnakes (Nerodia spp.) known occur in habitat...
Abstract Despite the medical significance to humans and important ecological roles filled by vipers, few high-quality genomic resources exist for these snakes outside of a genera pitvipers. Here we sequence, assemble, annotate genome Fea’s Viper (Azemiops feae). This taxon is distributed in East Asia belongs monotypic subfamily, sister The newly sequenced resulted 1.56 Gb assembly, contig N50 1.59 Mb, with 97.6% assembly contigs >50 Kb, BUSCO completeness 92.4%. We found that A. feae...
Abstract The introduced smooth-billed ani Crotophaga has become widespread across the Galápagos archipelago in past half-century. It is known to predate upon a range of native and endemic species, potential vector for spread invasive plants parasites. Here we report previously undocumented examples predation Galápagos, including that an racer snake scorpion. We highlight possibility anis having serious impact on carpenter bee, major pollinator, as well Lepidopterans other invertebrates. In...
Annotated checklist of the snakes Bengaluru Urban District, Karnataka, India with notes on their natural history, distribution, and population trends over last 150 years
The montane pitvipers (Cerrophidion spp.) consist of five recognized species that disjunctly occupy high elevational habitats from southern Mexico to western Panama. However, two these were recently delineated, leaving previously published natural history data on Cerrophidionoutdated and in need a re-examination. To gain more information, we investigated the stomach contents Cerrophidion specimens housed University Illinois Museum Natural History Herpetology Collection (UIMNH) report our...
The Mexican small-headed rattlesnake (Crotalus intermedius) is composed of three recognized subspecies that occur disjunctly in the central and southern highlands Mexico. Only four species-specific prey items are reported literature for C. intermedius at present. To gain further insights, we dissected museum specimens housed University Illinois Museum Natural History Herpetology Collection stomach contents report discovered. Of 23 examined, seven contained prey, all which were lizards genus...
The Venezuelan forest pitviper (Bothrops medusa) is an endangered viperid endemic to the central range of Cordillera de la Costa in Venezuela. Little known regarding its natural history. We examined stomach contents museum specimens housed University Illinois Museum Natural History Herpetology Collection and report first prey items for species. arboreal habits both support notion that B. medusa may be semi-arboreal. This exposes need further studies on this rare showcases value history...