Archives for 2022

The 30th annual Seibert Awards were presented at the 63rd Annual Meeting of SSAR held in conjunction with the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, hosted by Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University, 27-31 July 2022. For the first time since 2019 we returned to a fully in-person format. The SSAR Seibert awards are named in honor of Henri C. Seibert, an early and tireless supporter of SSAR who served as an officer for more than 20 years. In recognition of outstanding student presentations at the annual meeting, a single award was given in each of the following categories: Evolution/Systematics (6 presentations), Ecology (4 presentations), Physiology/Morphology (5 presentations) and Conservation (5 presentations). All awardees received a check for $200 and a book courtesy of Chuck Crumley of Taylor and Francis Publishing. Both winners and honorable mentions will be formally announced in an upcoming issue of Herpetological Review.

The Winners

Systematics/Evolution: Cynthia Carter (University of Georgia), “Genomic Data Reveal Patterns of Hybridization in Appalachian Salamanders”

Ecology: Sierra Smith (Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, “Venomous Snakes Reveal Ecological and Phylogenetic Factors Influencing Variation in Gut and Oral Microbiomes”

Conservation: Christopher Cousins (Oregon State University), “Evaluation the Efficacy of Environmental DNA Sampling for Two Cryptic Species of Torrent Salamanders”

Physiology/Morphology: Analisa Shields-Estrada (The University of Texas at Austin, “Spectral Reflectance as a Thermoregulatory Mechanism in Hyla Tree Frogs”

Honorable Mentions

Systematics/Evolution: Daniel Doucet (Sam Houston State University), “Major and Minor Scales: Thorough Investigation of Integumentary Characters Across Squamate Reptiles”

Ecology: Kannon Pearson (University of California, Berkeley), “A Review of Chemical Defense in Harlequin Toads (Bufonidae: Atelopus)”

Conservation: Jessica Yates (Stephen F. Austin State University), “Sneak Snakes: Detection and Occupancy of Sympatric Waternakes (Colubridae: Nerodia) in the Brazos River Watershed, Texas”

Physiology/Morphology: Savannah Weaver (California Polytechnic State University), “Sweating it Out in the Sauna: Heat and Humidity Increase Cutaneous Evaporative Water Loss in Lizards”

SSAR thanks this year’s Seibert Committee for their service: Betsy Bancroft, Umilaela Arifin, André Luiz Carvalho, Michelle Koo, Robert Burroughs, R. Graham Reynolds, Hardin Waddle, Scott Parker, Rory Telemeco, J. Tom Giermakowski, John Rowe, and Gareth Hopkins (Chair).

By category

Systematics/Evolution

1) Winner: Cynthia Carter (University of Georgia), “Genomic Data Reveal Patterns of Hybridization in Appalachian Salamanders”
2) Honorable Mention: Daniel Doucet (Sam Houston State University), “Major and Minor Scales: Thorough Investigation of Integumentary Characters Across Squamate Reptiles”

Ecology

1) Winner: Sierra Smith (Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, “Venomous Snakes Reveal Ecological and Phylogenetic Factors Influencing Variation in Gut and Oral Microbiomes”
2) Honorable Mention: Kannon Pearson (University of California, Berkeley), “A Review of Chemical Defense in Harlequin Toads (Bufonidae: Atelopus)”

Conservation

1) Winner: Christopher Cousins (Oregon State University), “Evaluation the Efficacy of Environmental DNA Sampling for Two Cryptic Species of Torrent Salamanders”
2) Honorable Mention: Jessica Yates (Stephen F. Austin State University), “Sneak Snakes: Detection and Occupancy of Sympatric Waternakes (Colubridae: Nerodia) in the Brazos River Watershed, Texas”

Physiology/Morphology

1) Winner: Analisa Shields-Estrada (The University of Texas at Austin, “Spectral Reflectance as a Thermoregulatory Mechanism in Hyla Tree Frogs”.
2) Honorable Mention: Savannah Weaver (California Polytechnic State University), “Sweating it Out in the Sauna: Heat and Humidity Increase Cutaneous Evaporative Water Loss in Lizards”.

Exemplary Practices in Herpetological Education

A Symposium to be held at JMIH 2022 in Spokane, WA, USA

Sunday, July 31, 2022

We are excited to present the list of talks along with information on speakers! For a full program including abstracts, please see the JMIH 2022 website: https://burkclients.com/JMIH/meetings/2022/program/index.php

This symposium is sponsored and financially supported by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR), with additional sponsorship by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) and the Herpetologists’ League (HL). Come, listen, and learn from past recipients of the Meritorious Teaching Award in Herpetology (MTAH) in the morning, then join one of our afternoon workshops to help us build a best practices instructional tool kit!

Symposium co-organizers: Theodora Pinou & Brad Shaffer

Introduction to the Symposium

Theodora Pinou, Past Chair of MTAH Committee

Research While Teaching: Implementing a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) in the Herpetology Classroom.

Emily Taylor | Professor of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, MTAH ‘16

https://perl.calpoly.edu/

Student Centered, Active Learning Models in Herpetology

John Maerz | Carey Distinguished Professor of Natural Resources, University of Georgia, MTAH ‘17

https://www.maerzlab.com/john-maerz-bio

The Importance of Community Building Around the Use of Natural History Collections in Education

Randy Singer | Collection Manager, Division of Fishes, Assistant Research Scientist, LSA Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan

https://randchovy.wixsite.com/randalsinger

Using Long-term Herpetological Data Sets in the Undergraduate, Graduate, and Public Education Classroom

Fredric Janzen | Professor, Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, MTAH ‘18
https://www.kbs.msu.edu/research/labs/janzen/

Building a Better Herpetology Course that (Hopefully) Works for Everyone

Brad Shaffer | Distinguished Professor, UCLA, MTAH ‘15

https://sites.lifesci.ucla.edu/eeb-shafferlab/; https://www.ioes.ucla.edu/lakretz/; https://www.ccgproject.org/

Using Scientific Specimens and Their Digital Surrogates in Teaching Herpetology

David Blackburn | Curator of Herpetology, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/blackburn-lab/

Authentic Research Experience: Integrating Real Data and Student-led Experimental Design in Herpetology Courses

Alison Davis Rabosky | Assistant Professor in ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Assistant Curator, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan, MTAH ‘21

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~ardr/index.html

Going Live: The Benefits and Challenges of Incorporating Live Animals in Herpetology Courses

Robert E. Espinoza | Professor of Biology and Curator of Amphibians and Reptiles, California State University

https://www.espinozalab.com/

Self – Directed Learning in the Herpetology Classroom

Theodora Pinou | Professor of Biology, H.G. Dowling Herpetological Collection Faculty Curator, Western Connecticut State University

https://sites.wcsu.edu/pinout/; https://www.wcsu.edu/biology/surf/faculty-mentors/pinou/

Concluding Remarks and Preparing for the Afternoon Workshop

Brad Shaffer, Past Chair of MTAH Committee

Workshops:

1. Multi-campus Projects

Facilitators: Brad Shaffer, Fredric Janzen, Robert Espinoza

2. Comparative Phylogenetics/Biogeography

Facilitators: Alison Davis Rabosky, Randy Singer, David Blackburn

3. Flipped Classrooms & Active Learning Wildcard

Facilitators: John Maerz, Emily Taylor, Theodora Pinou

Workshop Summary and Dissemination

co-organizers

Biogeography and Diversification of Amphibians and Reptiles of the Pacific Northwest and California Floristic Province

A Symposium to be held at JMIH 2022 in Spokane, WA, USA

Saturday, July 30, 2022

We are excited to present the list of talks along with information on speakers. For a full program including abstracts, please see the JMIH 2022 website: https://burkclients.com/JMIH/meetings/2022/program/index.php 

This symposium is sponsored by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR).

Symposium co-organizers: R. Bruce Bury and Chris R. Feldman

Introduction: Biogeography and Diversification of the Pacific Northwest Herpetofauna

Bruce Bury, Herpetological Conservation and Biology;  clemmys@gmail.com

200 Million Years of Violence: How Geologic Upheaval and Glaciation Shaped the Pacific Northwest

Nicholas Geist, Sonoma State University;  nick.geist@sonoma.edu

Phylogeography of Endemic Stream Amphibians in the Pacific Northwest Reveal Distinct Species or Clades in Need of Conservation Attention

Karen Kiemnec-Tyburczy, Cal Poly Humboldt; kmk877@humboldt.edu

Variation in the mouth parts of the Coastal Tailed Frog (Ascaphus truei)

Mark Leppin, Oregon State University;   leppinm@oregonstate.edu

Amphibian Occupancy Modeling of an Inland Northwest Farmed Ecosystem: A Surprising Predictor of Occupancy

Erim Gomez, University of Montana   erimgomez@gmail.com

Fraying edges and holes in the fabric: How range disintegration influences genetic structuring in the California red-legged frog Rana draytonii

Jonathan Richmond, U.S. Geological Survey; jrichmond@usgs.gov

Plethodontid Salamander Species Formation and Lineage Boundaries within California’s North Coast Ranges and the Klamath Mountains

Sean Reilly, University of California;  sreilly@ucsc.edu

Aridification and the Diversification of Slender Salamanders (genus Batrachoseps) in Western North America

Elizabeth Jockusch, University of Connecticut;  elizabeth.jockusch@uconn.edu

Against “Speciation”: David Wake on Species and the Biogeography of the Salamander Ring Species Ensatina eschscholtzii

Shawn Kuchta, Ohio University;  kuchta@ohio.edu

 Morphological Species Delimitation of the Cryptic Northern and Southern Pacific Pond Turtles (Actinemys marmorata, Actinemys pallida)

Robert Burroughs, Seattle Children’s Research Institute; robert.w.burroughs@gmail.com

Exploring phenotype divergence among incipient species: A case study from the Southern Alligator Lizard species complex (Elgaria multicarinata spp)

Rory Telemeco, California State University Fresno; telemeco@mail.fresnostate.edu

Biogeography and Diversification of Western Fence Lizards at their Northern Extreme in the Pacific Northwest.

Hayden Davis, University of Washington; hrdavis1@uw.edu

Genomic data reveal local endemism in Southern California Rubber Boas and the critical need for enhanced conservation actions

Jesse Grismer, La Sierra University;  jgrismer@lasierra.edu

Colonization history and lineage diversification for three lizard taxa inhabiting the California Channel Islands

Lauren Chan, Pacific University;  chan5416@pacificu.edu

Genetics versus genomics and what each tells us about western US reptile and amphibian phylogeography

Brad Shaffer, UCLA; Erin Toffelmier, UCLA;  brad.shaffer@ucla.edu

The Melting Pot, interpreting the origin of the admixed herpetofauna of coastal southern California

Robert Fisher, USGS; rfisher@usgs.gov

Landscape patterns of adaptive and neutral variation match between predator (Thamnophis couchii) and prey (Taricha sierrae) in the Sierra Nevada

Chris Feldman, University of Nevada, Reno;  ophis@unr.edu

Historical isolation and connectivity influence coevolutionary patterns of toxin resistance in the aquatic garter snake (Thamnophis atratus)

Chris Feldman, University of Nevada, Reno;  ophis@unr.edu

Genomic Approaches to Detecting Signals of Local Adaptation with Application using Western Herpetofauna

Tereza Jezkova, Miami University; jezkovt@miamioh.edu

Applying genetics to inform the three R’s (resiliency, redundancy, and representation) for conservation of California’s rich diversity of herpetofauna

Amy Vandergast, USGS Western Ecological Research Center;  avandergast@usgs.gov

Conservation of Endemic Old-Growth Forest-Associated Amphibians in the US Northwest

Deanna Olson, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station   deanna.olson@usda.gov

Projected threats of climate change to stream amphibians of the Pacific Northwest

Gwen Bury, US Forest Service   gwen.bury@gmail.com

Predicting Future Hotspots of Squamate Diversity in the Pacific Northwest as the Climate Changes

David S Pilliod, U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center;  dpilliod@usgs.gov

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Ichthyology and Herpetology

A Symposium to be held at JMIH 2022 in Spokane, WA, USA

Saturday, July 30, 2022

We are excited to present the list of talks along with information on speakers! For a full program including abstracts, please see the JMIH 2022 website:
https://burkclients.com/JMIH/meetings/2022/program/index.php

This symposium is sponsored by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH), Herpetologists’ League (HL) and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR), with additional support from the National Science Foundation (award #2016872, $46,586) for several supplemental events and programs, including:

• A mentorship luncheon to be held on Friday, July 29
• A lunchtime workshop to be held on Saturday, July 30
• Funding to cover conference-related costs for ten students from underrepresented groups

Symposium co-organizers:
Itzue Caviedes-Solis, Jennifer Deitloff, Robert Denton, Lori Neuman-Lee, and Jessica Tingle

Introduction to the symposium
Symposium organizers

Finding the great balance: Family and science
Lorin Neuman-Lee | Assistant Professor, Arkansas State University
http://neumanleelab.weebly.com/ | @CheloniaGirl

How can higher education live up to our diversity, equity, and inclusion goals?
Jennifer Deitloff | Associate Professor, Lock Haven University
https://lockhaven.edu/biologydep/faculty/JenniferDeitloff.html | @SalamanderJenn

An ecological approach to disabilities in science
Krista Koeller | Unaffiliated Researcher
https://kkoeller3115.wixsite.com/kristakoeller | @KristaLerista

Zoos, herpetology, and the scientific community: An international perspective
Sinlan Poo, | Senior Research Scientist, Memphis Zoo
sheilapoo.com | @SinlanPoo

Code-switching: Countering identity-based discrimination in fieldwork
Brittany McCall | PhD Candidate, Arkansas State University
www.brittanylatricemccall.weebly.com | @McCallMeB

#FINDTHATLIZARD: Ecology, science outreach, and supporting underrepresented groups in herpetology and natural resources
Earyn McGee | Unaffiliated Researcher
https://earynmcgee.com/

Turtle camp research and education in ecology program
Fredric Janzen | Professor, Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University
https://www.kbs.msu.edu/research/labs/janzen/

Promoting positive experiences in nature through bird education
Jeramie Strickland | Manager of Education and Community Outreach, Openlands
https://openlands.org/about/staff/jeramie-strickland/

Natural history museums as incubators for student engagement and diversifying skills
Michelle Koo | Biodiversity Informatics and GIS Staff Curator, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California Berkeley
https://mkoo.github.io/ | @koomapper

Spheres of influence: Being a queer mentor, advocate, and activator in biology and higher education
M. Rockwell Parker | Associate Professor, James Madison University
https://www.jmu.edu/biology/people/current-people/faculty/faculty-parker.shtml | https://www.jmu.edu/biology/ridge/about.shtml

“It’s completely erasure”: A qualitative exploration of experiences of transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and questioning students in biology courses
Sarah Eddy | Assistant Professor, Florida International University
https://myweb.fiu.edu/seddy/

Global Women in Herpetology Project
Umilaela Arifin | Marie Curie Research Fellow, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change & the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California Berkeley
https://umilaelaarifin.wixsite.com/homepage | https://de.linkedin.com/in/umilaela-arifin-23138244

Stereotype threat as a barrier to belonging, and what we can do about it
Jessica Tingle | Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Akron
Scientific interests: Evolution, biomechanics, limbless locomotion
jleetingle.com

Concluding remarks
Itzue W. Caviedes-Solis | Assistant Professor, Swarthmore College
https://www.itzuecs.com/