On Wednesday, May 22 at 3 pm Pacific / 6 pm Eastern, SSAR’s DEI Committee will host a 1.5-hour virtual info session on identifying potential graduate programs and preparing to apply. DEIC members will give short presentations on several relevant topics. We will include time for questions and breakout room discussions.

If you are interested in joining, please mark your calendar, fill out the form, and we will send you a Zoom link about a week before the info session. This event is ideal for people who are thinking about applying to either master’s or PhD programs, as well as for advisors/mentors who want information that they can use to help their mentees find graduate programs.

To access form, use the link or QR code below.

SSAR congratulates the following winners of the Roger Conant Grants-in-Herpetology Awards.  Each receives an award in the amount of $500.

Conservation:

Morgan Thompson (Northern Arizona University), “Expanding the Use of External-Accelerometry to Understand Space Use and Hunting Behaviors of an Endangered Highly-Aquatic Colubrid: Narrow-headed Garter Snakes (Thamnophis rufipunctatus).”

Shanelle A. Wikramanayake (Colorado State University), “Integrating Genetics into Conservation Planning of Tropical Lizards in an Imperiled Ecosystem.”

International:

Renoir J. Auguste (The University of the West Indies), “Using an Elevational Gradient to Investigate the Effects of Climate Change on the Calling Behaviour of an Island Endemic Frog (Pristimantis urichi) from the Southern Caribbean.”

Anastasios Limnios (University of Porto), “One Lizards’ Trash is Another Man’s Treasure: Using Biochemical Tools to Understand the Synergy between Climate Change and Pesticides in Ectotherms.”

Travel:

Céline M. Carneiro (University of Texas at Austin), “Assessing the Evolutionary Potential of a Culturally Iconic Amphibian in Puerto Rico.”

Kira Gangbin (Texas Christian University), “Nest-Site Selection of Texas Horned Lizards: Key to Successful Reintroductions?”

Laboratory research:

Sage Babish (University of Nevada-Reno), “A Genomic Approach to Understanding an Ecological Adaptation in the Sierra Garter Snake (Thamnophis couchii).”

Christopher M. Zobek (University of Missouri), “Comparative Evolution and Mechanics of Muscle Architecture in the Jaw Muscles of Snakes.”

Undergraduate research:

Jessica Dorantes-García (UNAM), “Diet Composition of a Population of Charadrahyla taeniopus in Cuetzalán del Progreso, Puebla, Mexico, and its Relationship with Sexual Dimorphism.”

Kyle Jesse Moxley (University of Texas at Austin), “Using Skeletal Features to Diagnose Metamorphic State in a Species of Mole Salamander (Ambystomatidae:Ambystoma).”

Field Research in Herpetology:

Max Roberts (California Polytechnic State University), “Utilizing a Live-Streaming Camera to Investigate the Basking Behavior of Pregnant Female and Neonate Prairie Rattlesnakes.”

Angelina D. Piette (California State University, Northridge), “Mutual Mate Choice and Courtship Duet Dynamics in a Neotropical Frog.”

Education:

Owen Bachhuber (California Polytechnic State University), “Window to the Wild: Using Livestreaming Cameras to Influence Zoo Visitor Perceptions of a Misunderstood Reptile.”

Satish Paudel (Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Pokhara), “Assessment of Status, Distribution and Identifying Threats to the Turtles of Rupandehi District, Nepal.”

Chair of the Roger Conant Grants-In-Herpetology, Roberto Brenes, would like to sincerely thank the SSAR-Roger Conant GIH Reviewers.  He greatly appreciates their time and effort.

• Delia Basanta (University of Nevada-Reno/UNAM)
• Mirna Garcia (UNAM)
• Carolina Lamberti (University of Pittsburg)
• Todd Levine (Carroll University)
• Bree Putman (Cal State, San Bernardino)
• Veronica Saenz Calderon (University of Pittsburg)
• Molly Womack (Utah State University)

The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR), together with Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and the International Society for the History and Bibliography of Herpetology (ISHBH), will hold a meeting at the main Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan from June 27-30, 2024.

Registration is open and abstract submissions are due April 22, 2024. Registration closes May 15, 2024. Click here for registration!

We are very pleased to announce formation of two membership agreements between the SSAR and the Sociedad Herpetológica Mexicana (SHM) and between SSAR and the Asociacíon para la Investigacíon y Conservación de los Anfibios y Reptiles A.C. (AICAR).

The presidents of SSAR, SHM, and AICAR worked to establish inter-society membership agreements with approvals from their respective boards of directors. In doing so, we aim to foster broader participation in our societies. The negotiated membership fees are reciprocal and mutually beneficial. These agreements make all the services of SSAR, SHM, and AICAR available to more herpetologists.

Any member of SHM or AICAR who is based in Mexico may join SSAR as a professional or student member for $50 or $29 per year. Members of SSAR may join SHM for the discounted fee of $40 ($29 for students) per year. Likewise, SSAR members may join AICAR at the discounted rate of $25 ($20 student) for a two-year membership.

We urge you to take advantage of these opportunities to expand your engagement in Herpetology and support societies that promote the study and conservation of amphibians and reptiles.

Herpetological Review Volume 54, Number 3, is now available! The cover features an image of Dipsas welborni that was photographed by Cristian Torica from near Tarapoto, Peru. Dipsas welborni was only recently described and like other Dipsas, feed on almost exclusively on slugs and snails.

Full contents are available online to SSAR members at https://ssarherps.org/herpetological-review-pdfs/. Natural History Notes, Geographic Distribution Notes, and Book Reviews are Open Access and are available for download at the same link. If you are not a member of SSAR, please consider joining the leading international herpetological society. Student and online-only rates are available. Please visit the membership page for more information: https://ssarherps.org/about-ssar/membership/

The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles will hold Live and Silent Auctions at the stand alone meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan June 27th – 30th, 2024. We are glad to accept any herp-related donations, including but not limited to, frameable art (photographs, paintings, and line illustrations), books, music, glassware, jewelry, clothing, and gift certificates for Ann Arbor area services/events during the meeting week. No live animals or products made from herps (e.g., books bound in snakeskin). The SSAR Student Travel Committee organizes the Annual Silent Auction to raise money to fund the student travel awards to attend the annual meeting. Increasing travel costs each year make it more difficult for students to attend meetings and become involved in societies. However, your continued support through donations to the silent auction helps offset these costs enabling students to attend, network, and present their research. The SSAR Live Auction Committee organizes the live auction which also helps support student travel and provides additional support to the organization. If you have any question about donating items to either auction (tax deductible for U.S. residents), please contact Vincent Farallo (vincent.farallo@scranton.edu) for more information. Ideally donated items will be brought to the meeting directly. However, if transporting the item(s) is not possible, they may be shipped to a local host (Greg Schneider; ges@umich.edu). Please e-mail both Greg Schneider and Vincent Farallo before sending any items to the address below.

Greg Schneider (SSAR)
Division of Reptiles and Amphibians
Museum of Zoology
Research Museums Center
3600 Varsity Drive
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108