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Posts
The Life of a Gartersnake
Published:
Reptile species such as the Plains gartersnake (Thamnophis radix) live quietly among us. From suburban backyards to university campuses, these adaptable snakes offer unique insights into how wildlife is responding to ongoing environmental change.
Endlings and Beginnings
Published:
On this day in 2016, the world quietly lost a species. “Toughie,” the last known Rabb’s Fringe-limbed Leaf Frog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum), passed away in captivity, marking the extinction of his kind.
Cicada Super Emergence
Published:
A mass emergence of cicadas is occurring across the Midwest. What can we learn from these insects?
Pitvipers in Peril
Published:
Despite their fearsome reputation, numerous rattlesnake species are in decline throughout the United States. Why should we care?
portfolio
Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)
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Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes)
Published:
Pristimantis frogs of the Eastern Andes
Published:
Ambystomatid Salamanders of Illinois
Published:
.PNG)
Biodiversity of Illinois
Published:
Texas Horned lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum)
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Illinois Dragon & Damselflies
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publications
Ophiotaenia sp. nov. (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea), a parasite of Telmatobius marmoratus (Anura: Telmatobiidae) in Eastern Peru
Published in upcoming, 2025
A novel tapeworm belonging to the genus Ophiotaenia is described from the small intestine of the Andean aquatic frog Telmatobius marmoratus Duméril and Bibron, 1841 (Anura: Telmatobiidae).
Recommended citation: Karl, K.M., Jiménez A., Catenazzi, A.M. (2025). "Ophiotaenia sp. nov. (Eucestoda: Proteocephalidea), a parasite of Telmatobius marmoratus (Anura: Telmatobiidae) in Eastern Peru." Parasitology (in prep). 1(2).
Climate-driven shifts in overwintering behavior of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) in the Sonoran Desert
Published in upcoming, 2025
Here, we examined the seasonal movements of a population of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) in the Suizo Mountains of southern Arizona over a decade (2001–2010). Specifically, we investigated the seasonal timing of ingress and egress (the entry and exit from winter shelters) in relation to daily temperature and precipitation.
Recommended citation: Karl, K.M. Martinez, A. Davis, M.A. Repp, R. and Schuett, G.W. (2025). "Climate-driven shifts in overwintering behavior of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) in the Sonoran Desert." Proceedings of the Royal Society B (in prep) . 1(3).
talks
Characterization of Helminth Diversity in Peruvian Anurans
Published:
There is currently a limited amount of information available on the helminths of Peruvian anurans, with emphasis on lowland species. The focus of this project is to document and identify the helminth species that infect frogs in the Eastern slopes of the Andes, with a focus on anuran species belonging to Telmatobius, Pristimantis, Rhinella, and Boana. Nematode, cestode, and trematode specimens were collected from the digestive tracts and internal organs of 66 individual frogs comprising 12 different species found in Manu National Park in Peru. These amphibian species exhibit a diverse range of life history strategies and ecological niches, and information concerning their helminth diversity will be helpful in further understanding the anuran species’ roles in the ecosystem and as parasitic hosts. The helminth species are currently being identified using both morphological and molecular methods. These parasite specimens are undergoing the process of DNA extraction and amplification, followed by characterization through the sequencing of genetic fragments, including Cox1, Cytochrome b, and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS). The species identity and abundance will be used to determine if parasite load varies with host species, geographic elevation, habitat, and amphibian life history strategy. The results of this research project will help broaden our scientific understanding of this subject by providing further information on the prevalence and diversity of helminth species from the Andean region and describing the parasites’ presence in multiple anuran host species that have not previously been recorded.
A time-series analysis of winter shelter ingress and egress in Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox), Suizo Mountains, Arizona
Published:
Long-term studies of individual organisms are critical for understanding movement patterns, behavior, and responses to environmental change. Despite their relevance, longitudinal field studies of long-lived reptiles remain limited, especially in the context of shifting climatic conditions. Here, we examined the seasonal movements of a population of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) in the Suizo Mountains of southern Arizona over a decade (2001–2010). Specifically, we investigated the seasonal timing of ingress and egress (the entry and exit from winter shelters) in relation to daily temperature and precipitation. We employed a time-series analysis to assess how the timing of seasonal movement may reflect broader behavioral and phenological responses to shifting climatic conditions, particularly in the context of ongoing drought in the Arizona-Sonora Desert.
teaching
Teaching experience 1
Undergraduate course, University 1, Department, 2014
This is a description of a teaching experience. You can use markdown like any other post.
Teaching experience 2
Workshop, University 1, Department, 2015
This is a description of a teaching experience. You can use markdown like any other post.