Field Herpetology
EEB 3898 Special Topics: Field Herpetology
May Term, 2015
May 11th - May 29th
Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm in TLS 179
Depending on weather conditions some classes will be held at night 7:00pm - 10:00pm instead, allowing us to observe nocturnal amphibians.
Field Photos!
Contents
Instructor
Andrew Frank
Email: andrew.frank@uconn.edu
Office: Biology/Pharmacy 322
Phone: (845) 728-6551
Office hours: by appointment, often right after class.
Course Description and Objectives
Course Description
Herpetology is the scientific study of the amphibians and reptiles. In this course, we will examine the diversity of both groups, and learn about their basic biology. Students will learn about the diversity, ecology, physiology, behavior, adaptation and identification of the local herpetofauna through direct field experience. There will be various opportunities to observe these animals in the field during the day and at night, through which students will become familiar with standard methods for surveying for and handling these species. Students will apply this knowledge by developing and carrying out a short independent research project.
Course Objectives
After completing this course the student will be able to:
- Identify Connecticut’s amphibians and reptiles by sight, and in the case of frogs by sound as well.
- Describe the biology of local species
- Effectively use standard field techniques and methods for studying herpetofauna
- Apply with proficiency the scientific method to assess questions and design and carry out a project pertaining to herpetofaunal biology.
Assignments
Project
Students will formulate and carry out an instructor-approved group research project using local Connecticut herpetofauna. Students are expected to identify a research question, develop a hypothesis, and test this hypothesis using field methods learned in class.
- Students will independently prepare a report about their research project (5-7 pages, double spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font, 1 inch margins), including relevant background information, the materials and methods used, results of the experiment, results of any data analysis performed, and a discussion of the results.
- Students will prepare a 15-minute presentation about their project with and present on the final day of class.
- Students may work on the project independently, or with a partner. NOTE: Student who choose to work with a partner are required to submit separate and original project reports, but may give their presentation to the class together.
- Both the paper and presentation will be graded on content, quality, and clarity.
Midterm
The midterm exam will be composed of short-answer questions based on Connecticut herpetofauna identification, the natural history of Connecticut herpetofauna, predicting occupancy of particular habitat types, field techniques, and lecture content.
Field Notebooks
Students are expected to keep a formal notebook for observations of Connecticut herpetofauna in the field. Field notebooks will be graded based on format (we will use the Grinnellian field notebook system), completeness, degree of detail in observations, and relevancy of details noted.
Course Procedures and Policies
Grades
- Paper on project: 100 pts total
- Project Proposal: 10 pts
- Introduction & Methods Draft: 10 pts
- Final Paper: 80 pts
- Presentation on project: 100 pts
- Midterm: 100 pts
- Field notebook entries: 75 pts
- Participation: 25 pts
- TOTAL: 400 pts
Attendance
Due to the accelerated and intensive nature of this summer course (3 hours, 5 days a week, 3 weeks), full attendance is expected, barring any illnesses or emergency. Missing a single class is roughly the equivalent of missing an entire week of a course during a standard semester, so it’s very important that you attend every class.
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism and cheating are violations of the student conduct code, and may be punished by failure in the course or, in severe cases, dismissal from the University. For more information, see Appendix A of the Student Conduct Code.
Disabilities
If you have a disability for which you may be requesting an accommodation, you should contact the course instructor and the Center for Students with Disabilities (Wilbur Cross Building, Room 201) on the first day of the semester.
Course Materials
Required
- A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America 4th edition; R. Conant and J. Collins ISBN-10: 0395904528
- Field Notebook – Bound field notebook (composition book is fine and cheap, or the “Rite in the Rain” notebooks)
- Clothes you are willing to ruin
Recommended
- Boots
- Waders (Will be provided if you don't have any)
- Headlamp (Will be provided if you don't have one)
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
Tentative Schedule
Date | Lecture | Field Agenda | Additional Materials |
---|---|---|---|
May 11 | Introduction, Syllabus, IACUC Training, Field Notebooks | Red & Green Trails into UConn Forest | Archived UC Berkeley Field Notebooks Miller 1942, Field Notebook Guidelines (pg. 4-5 most important) |
May 12 | Amphibians of Connecticut | Hillside Environmental Education Park HEEP Trail Map |
|
May 13 | Reptiles of Connecticut | Fenton River / UConn Forest | |
May 14 | Environments and Field Techniques | Mansfield Hollow | |
May 15 | PROJECT PROPOSALS DUE Herpetology Systematics |
Bigelow Hollow | |
May 18 | Amphibian Physiology | Albert E. Moss Sanctuary | |
May 19 | Reptile Physiology | Fenton River / UConn Forest | |
May 20 | INTRO / METHODS DRAFT DUE Locomotion |
Mansfield Hollow | |
May 21 | Feeding | Fenton River / UConn Forest | |
May 22 | MIDTERM Importance of Biological Collections |
UConn Collections | |
May 25 | Memorial Day, No Class | Memorial Day, No Class | |
May 26 | Reproduction | Bigelow Hollow | |
May 27 | Social Behavior | Mansfield Hollow | |
May 28 | Conservation | Bone Mill Pond / Bicentennial Pond | |
May 29 | PAPERS DUE PRESENTATIONS |
Web Resources
General Herpetology
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
The Herpetologists' League
The Center for North American Herpetology
EMYSystem Online Turtle Resource
HerpNET
eNature Online Field Guides
Local
Snakes of CT
Online Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of CT
Reptiles and Amphibians of CT
New England Herpetological Society
Amphibians
Video about Amphibian Extinction
Amphibiaweb
AMNH's Amphibian Species of the World
Amphibian Portal from USGS-NBII
Conservation
Turtle Conservation Project - New England
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
New England Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Sea Turtle Conservancy
Turtle Conservation Fund
Amphibian Conservation Alliance
Most Threatened Turtles and Tortoises