A5036384729- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Marine and fisheries research
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Plant Virus Research Studies
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2012-2023
Florida Museum of Natural History
2004-2009
University of Florida
2004-2009
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory
2004
University of Miami
2004
Eckerd College
2002
Earlham College
1997
The evidentiary basis of the currently accepted classification living amphibians is discussed and shown not to warrant degree authority conferred on it by use tradition. A new taxonomy proposed correct deficiencies old one. This based largest phylogenetic analysis Amphibia so far accomplished. We combined comparative anatomical character evidence Haas (2003) with DNA sequences from mitochondrial transcription unit H1 (12S 16S ribosomal RNA tRNAValine genes, ≈ 2,400 bp sequences) nuclear...
A new species of Calamaria Boie, 1827 is described based on a single specimen collected in evergreen forest at 1240 m elevation Ta Dung Nature Reserve Dak Nong Province, Central Vietnam. The characterized by (1) rostral wider than high; (2) paraparietal surrounded six shields and scales; (3) eye diameter larger eyemouth distance; (4) preocular present; (5) supralabials 5/4, 3-4/2-3 entering orbit; (6) maxillary teeth nine, modified; (7) infralabials first three touching anterior chin...
The Alligator Snapping Turtle, Macrochelys temminckii, is a large, aquatic turtle limited to river systems that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. Previous molecular analyses using both mitochondrial and nuclear DNA suggested exhibits significant genetic variation across its range includes three distinct assemblages (western, central, eastern = Suwannee). However, no taxonomic revision or morphological have been conducted previously. In this study, we test previous hypotheses geographic by...
The alligator snapping turtle ( Macroclemys temminckii ) is a long‐lived, slow‐growing chelydrid found in Gulf of Mexico drainages from Florida to Texas (U.S.A.). Populations are thought be depleted throughout the range due part an increased harvest 1960s through 1980s. To identify population and evolutionary units, 420 base pairs were sequenced within mitochondrial DNA control region 158 specimens 12 drainages. Results indicate substantial phylogeographic structuring strong population‐level...
The Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is a large freshwater turtle endemic to river systems that drain into the Gulf of Mexico. populations were sharply reduced by commercial harvest in 1970s and 1980s; however, species has yet be protected under Endangered Species Act. While anthropogenic stressors such as habitat fragmentation degradation illegal capture continue threaten populations, degree which disease may contributing any decline unknown. Data collected from 97...
When the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) was declared endangered in 1975, scant data were available for making management decisions. Results of intensive studies conducted during late 1970s and early 1980s by National Park Service, Florida Game Fresh Water Fish Commission, Power Light Company resulted an optimistic outlook crocodiles. However, new issues face crocodiles today. Biscayne bays have undergone changes that caused concern health these ecosystems. The purpose this paper is...
Abstract Previous studies have revealed considerable genetic variation, geographic localization, and genealogical depth for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes within each of several species freshwater turtles in the south‐eastern United States America. Here we report a notable exception to such phylogeographic patterns. In control‐region sequences 66 snapping ( Chelydra serpentina ) collected from 10 states, single mtDNA haplotype predominated two rare variants detected were nearly...
The Rana catesbeiana species group consists of seven species, each variously distributed across eastern North America. We estimated the evolutionary relationships among 31 exemplars and used phylogenetic hypothesis to examine potential modes speciation relative role dispersal in evolution zoogeography this group. Phylogenetic based on 1554 combined base pairs cytochrome b ND2 mitochondrial genes suggest that are closely related, having undergone rapid radiation from a common ancestor during...
Abstract Wiens (2007 , Q. Rev. Biol. 82, 55–56) recently published a severe critique of Frost et al.'s (2006, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 297, 1–370) monographic study amphibian systematics, concluding that it is “a disaster” and recommending readers “simply ignore this study”. Beyond the hyperbole, raised four general objections he regarded as “fatal flaws”: (1) sampling design was insufficient for generic changes made taxonomic were without including all type species; (2) nuclear gene most...
The Amphiumidae contains three species of elongate, permanently aquatic salamanders with four diminutive limbs that append one, two, or toes. Two the species, Amphiuma means and A. tridactylum, are among largest in world, reaching lengths more than one meter, whereas third (A. pholeter), extinct amphiumids, closely related salamander families relatively small. tridactylum widespread live a wide range lowland habitats on Coastal Plain southeastern United States, pholeter is restricted to very...
Little is known about the impact that pathogenic amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), has on fully aquatic salamander species of eastern United States. As a first step in determining impacts Bd these species, we aimed to determine prevalence wild populations salamanders genera Amphiuma, Necturus, Pseudobranchus, and Siren. We sampled total 98 salamanders, representing nine from sites Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana. Overall, infection was found be 0.34, with...
When a widespread species is sympatric with rare, geographically restricted conspecific, recurrent gene flow can pose the risk of extinction for latter. This occur via genetic swamping, where occurrence hybrids eventually replaces numerically less abundant species. We took molecular approach to quantify and degree contemporary hybridization between two frog co-occurring in small geographic area northwest Florida, USA. The Florida bog Lithobates okaloosae ranid limited distribution few acidic...
Two species of Hepatozoon, i.e., H. sauritus and horridus n. sp., were present in 1 8 timber rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus. The narrow gamonts are 15.0-19.0 x 3.5-5.0 microm, with LW 58-86 microm2 L/W 3.2-4.7, a narrow, rounded anterior end. spherical to slightly ovoid oocysts produce elongate sporocysts, 21-43 12-24 1.20-2.7, containing on average 22.1 (10-34) sporozoites. This is the first report natural cross-familial transfer Hepatozoon species. Gamonts sp. 13.0-17.0 4.0-6.0 63-102...
This study of the female reproductive cycle Apalone ferox in south Florida was based on 220 tracts salvaged from females butchered for meat. Some mature at sizes as small 24 cm plastron length (PL; ca. 31 carapace length), but some may not until 30 PL. When compared to data other parts species range, body size and maturity show no evidence geographic variation. Follicles first reach ovulatory late February, bear oviducal eggs early March. Nesting season apparently lasts March August, during...
The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is beset by a variety of conservation problems, including habitat loss and persecution. Effective management plans require an understanding rangewide population structure intraspecific evolutionary subdivisions. Northern southern populations have been recognized as distinct subspecies, but this classification remains controversial. A proposed alternative arrangement recognizes southern, northern, western morphotypes. To resolve partitions, we...
Pine Barrens treefrog (Hyla andersonii) in Okaloosa County, Florida, 21 July 1982, I heard a distinctive but unfamiliar frog call. Investigation disclosed small Rana sitting shallow water along clear stream. Through the remainder of evening, similar calls were at five additional sites, and more specimens collected. It soon became apparent that these frogs represented an undescribed species. A total 34 adults, three recently transformed juveniles numerous tadpoles are now available. Specimens...
The Suwannee alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys suwanniensis) was first described in 2014. species is thought to occur blackwater and spring-fed streams of sufficient size throughout the River drainage, but we have limited detailed information regarding its range. To clarify distribution M. suwanniensis, compiled 111 museum, 16 literature, 40 other credible records trapped drainage Georgia Florida, plus 8 Big Bend region Florida (total 1893 trap nights). We documented from Willacoochee...