Difference between revisions of "Herpetology"

From EEBedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(34 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Herpetology2013.jpg|thumb|right|Herpetology Class Spring 2013. First Night Field Trip]]<br>
 
[[Image:Herpetology2011.JPG|thumb|right|Herpetology Class Spring 2011. Photo by A. Shepack]]<br>
 
 
 
<span style="font-size: x-large">EEB 3265/5265 Herpetology</span><br>
 
<span style="font-size: x-large">EEB 3265/5265 Herpetology</span><br>
<span style="font-size: large">Spring 2013</span><br><br>
+
<span style="font-size: large">Spring 2015</span><br><br>
<span style="font-size: small">'''Lecture Meeting Time:''' Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00 - 11:50 in TLS 181<br>
+
<span style="font-size: small">'''Lecture Meeting Time:''' Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:15 - 12:05 in TLS 181<br>
<span style="font-size: small">'''Lab Meeting Time:''' Mondays 1:00 - 5:00 in TLS181<br>
+
<span style="font-size: small">'''Lab Meeting Time:''' Mondays 1:25 - 5:30 in TLS181<br>
<span style="font-size: small">'''Textbook:''' Pough F. H., et al. 2004. ''Herpetology'' 3rd Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. <br> Additional readings will be assigned from the primary journal literature.<br><br><br>
+
<span style="font-size: small">'''Textbook:''' Pough F. H., et al. 2004. ''Herpetology'' 3rd Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. <br> Additional readings will be assigned from the primary journal literature.<br><br>
  
[[Image:Wells.jpg|thumb|right|Dr. Wells being honored for the impact of his 1977 paper in the field of Animal Behavior. Photo by P. Morenus/UConn Photo]]<br>
+
==News and Announcements==
  
==News!==
+
<span style="font-size: medium"> Take-Home Midterm Exam was handed out today. If you don't have it, please e-mail Dr. Wells for a digital copy. The exam is due on Monday March 30th.
 
+
Additional Open Lab Sessions will start after the snakes come out.  
[[Image:STF2013.jpg|center|frame|Save the Frogs Day @ UConn. April 20th, 2013. SU Lawn (12pm - 3 pm).]]<br>
+
 
+
<span style="font-size: large"><font color="#800080">Open Lab for Study: April 19th, 2013 (2-5 pm)</font></span><br><br>
+
<span style="font-size: large"><font color="#800080">Open Lab for Study: April 20th, 2013 (2-5 pm)</font></span><br><br>
+
 
+
[[Image:Meandspotted.jpeg|thumb|right|Johana (TA) having some bonding time with a spotted salamander. Photo by A. Shepack]]<br>
+
  
 
==Instructors==
 
==Instructors==
 +
[[Image:Wells.jpg|thumb|left|Dr. Wells being honored for the impact of his 1977 paper in the field of Animal Behavior. Photo by P. Morenus/UConn Photo]]
 +
 +
[[Image:Meandspotted.jpeg|thumb|left|Johana (TA) having some bonding time with a spotted salamander. Photo by A. Shepack]]
  
[[Image:Sarah.jpg|thumb|right|This is what happens when you stay too long in the herpetology lab....The skulls come back to life]]<br>
 
  
'''[mailto:kentwood.wells@uconn.edu Dr. Kentwood Wells]'''<br>
+
<span style="font-size: medium">'''[mailto:kentwood.wells@uconn.edu Dr. Kentwood Wells]'''<br>
 
Email: kentwood.wells@uconn.edu<br>
 
Email: kentwood.wells@uconn.edu<br>
 
Office: Torrey Life Sciences Building 312<br>
 
Office: Torrey Life Sciences Building 312<br>
 
Phone: (860) 486-4319<br>
 
Phone: (860) 486-4319<br>
Office hours: by appointment<br><br>
+
Office hours: by appointment<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
  
'''[mailto:johana.goyes@uconn.edu Johana Goyes Vallejos]''' (Teaching Assistant)<br>
+
<span style="font-size: medium">'''[mailto:johana.goyes@uconn.edu Johana Goyes Vallejos]''' (Teaching Assistant)<br>
 
Email: johana.goyes@uconn.edu<br>
 
Email: johana.goyes@uconn.edu<br>
 
Office: Torrey Life Sciences Building 379 <br>
 
Office: Torrey Life Sciences Building 379 <br>
 
Phone: (860) 486-6215<br>
 
Phone: (860) 486-6215<br>
 
Office hours: by appointment<br><br><br><br><br>
 
Office hours: by appointment<br><br><br><br><br>
 +
 +
 +
 +
[[Image:Sarah.jpg|thumb|right|This is what happens when you stay too long in the herpetology lab....The skulls come back to life]]<br>
  
 
==Course Procedures and Policies==
 
==Course Procedures and Policies==
 +
 
[[Image:Girls4.jpg|thumb|right|The Frog Girls]]
 
[[Image:Girls4.jpg|thumb|right|The Frog Girls]]
 
[[Image:Lizg.jpg|thumb|right|Liz and the spotted turtle]]
 
[[Image:Lizg.jpg|thumb|right|Liz and the spotted turtle]]
[[Image:Rachel.jpg|thumb|right|Rachel and the spotted turtle]]
+
[[Image:Rachel.jpg|thumb|right|Rachael and the spotted turtle]]
 
<br>
 
<br>
  
Line 44: Line 42:
  
 
'''Field Trips:'''<br>
 
'''Field Trips:'''<br>
There will be a scheduled field trip to the Yale Forest during lab time Monday, April 29th. There will be additional evening field trips once the weather is warm enough.  We will begin evening field trips as soon as the first amphibians start breeding, which could be as early as late March.  Many of these will be arranged on short notice.  We will try to do enough of these so that everyone has a chance to get out in the field a few times.<br><br>
+
There will be a scheduled field trip to the Yale Forest during lab time Monday, April 27th, 2015. There will be additional evening field trips once the weather is warm enough.  We will begin evening field trips as soon as the first amphibians start breeding, which could be as early as late March.  Many of these will be arranged on short notice.  We will try to do enough of these so that everyone has a chance to get out in the field a few times.<br><br>
  
 
'''Readings:'''<br>
 
'''Readings:'''<br>
Line 81: Line 79:
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Jan 23 || Amphibians: Diversity and Morphological Evolution || Ch. 2, 3, 10 ||||
+
| Jan 21 || Amphibians: Diversity and Morphological Evolution || Ch. 1, 2, 3, 8 ||||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| Jan 28 || Reptiles: Diversity and Morphological Evolution || Ch. 4, 10, 11 || Caecilian and Salamander Taxonomy ||[http://www.rockedge.org/files/CT_salamandersfinal.pdf Salamanders of CT.pdf]<br>[http://ctamp.homestead.com/ctamphibians.html Amphibians of CT website]  
+
| Jan 26 || Reptiles: Diversity and Morphological Evolution || Ch.1, 4, 10, 11 || Caecilian and Salamander Taxonomy ||[http://www.rockedge.org/files/CT_salamandersfinal.pdf Salamanders of CT.pdf]<br>[http://ctamp.homestead.com/ctamphibians.html Amphibians of CT website]  
 
|-   
 
|-   
  
| Jan 30 || Amphibian Skin and Water Relations || Ch. 6 ||||  
+
| Jan 28 || Amphibian Skin and Water Relations || Ch. 6 ||||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Feb 4 || Amphibian Excretion and Osmoregulation || Ch. 6 || Salamander Taxonomy; '''Video''': ''Amphibians'' ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/f/f6/Ctsalamanders.pdf}} Connecticut Salamanders
+
| Feb 2 || CLASSES CANCELLED. SNOW DAY! || ||LAB CANCELLED. SNOW DAY!||
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/b6/CeciandSala.pdf}} Caecilians/Salamanders Practice Quiz
+
|-
|-  
+
  
| Feb 6 || Reptile Water Relations || Ch. 6 ||||  
+
| Feb 4 || Amphibian Excretion and Osmoregulation || Ch. 6 ||||
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Feb 13 || Behavioral Thermoregulation in Reptiles || Ch. 6 ||||
+
| Feb 6 ||Reptile Water Relations ||Ch. 6|| Salamander Taxonomy; '''Video''': ''Amphibians'' ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/f/f6/Ctsalamanders.pdf}} Connecticut Salamanders
 +
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/b6/CeciandSala.pdf}} Caecilians/Salamanders Practice Quiz
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Feb 18 || Amphibian Thermoregulation and Freeze Tolerance || Ch. 6 ||Frog Taxonomy ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/b6/Anuranfamilies.pdf}} Anuran Families of the World  
+
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/a/a9/Phylofrogs.pdf}} Phylogeny of frogs
+
| Feb 9 || Behavioral Thermoregulation in Reptiles (Lectured Cancelled, "No-Snow Day") || Ch. 6 ||Frog Taxonomy||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/b6/Anuranfamilies.pdf}} Anuran Families of the World  
 +
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/c5/CTfrogs.pdf}} Connecticut Frogs and Toads
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Feb 20 || Physiological Temperature Adjustments || Ch. 6 ||||
+
| Feb 11 || Amphibian Thermoregulation and Freeze Tolerance || Ch. 6 ||  ||
 +
|-
 +
 
 +
| Feb 16 || Physiological Temperature Adjustments || Ch. 6 ||Frog Taxonomy; '''Video''' ''Cane Toads''||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/c5/Anuraquiz.pdf}} Anura Practice Quiz
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Feb 22 || Make-up Lab (Thanks Nemo!) || || Frog Taxonomy; '''Video''': ''Cane Toads''||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/c5/Anuraquiz.pdf}} Anura Practice Quiz
+
| Feb 18 || Gas Transport and Metabolism in Amphibians || Ch. 7||||
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/c5/CTfrogs.pdf}} Connecticut Frogs and Toads
+
 
|-
 
|-
  
| Feb 25 || Gas Transport and Metabolism in Amphibians || Ch. 7 || Turtles and Crocodilians; Amphibian Review; '''Video''': ''Crocodiles & Alligators, Turtles''<br> ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d4/Turtlefamilies.pdf}} Turtle Families of the World
+
| Feb 23 || Respiration and Circulation in Reptiles || Ch. 7 || Turtles and Crocodilians; Amphibian Review; '''Video''': ''Crocodiles & Alligators, Turtles''<br> ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/d/d4/Turtlefamilies.pdf}} Turtle Families of the World
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/01/CTturtles.pdf}} Connecticut Turtles <br>
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/0/01/CTturtles.pdf}} Connecticut Turtles <br>
{{pdf|http:hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6e/Turtlequiz.pdf}} Turtle Practice Quiz
+
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/6/6e/Turtlequiz.pdf}} Turtle Practice Quiz
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Feb 27 || Activity Metabolism of Amphibians || Ch. 7 ||||
+
| Feb 25 || Activity Metabolism of Amphibians || Ch. 7 ||||
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Mar 4 || Reptile Metabolism, Energetics, and Diet || Ch. 7 || <span style="font-size: small"><font color="#FF3300">'''FIRST LAB PRACTICAL (Amphibians)'''</font></span> || {{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/4/46/Crocfamilies.pdf}} Crocodylian Families of the World
+
| Mar 2 || Reptile Metabolism, Energetics, and Diet || Ch. 7 || <span style="font-size: small"><font color="#FF3300">'''FIRST LAB PRACTICAL (Amphibians)'''</font></span> ||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Mar 6 || Energy Budgets and Energy Allocation || Ch. 7 ||||  
+
| Mar 4 || Energy Budgets and Energy Allocation || Ch. 7 ||||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Mar 11 || Amphibian Reproductive Modes || Ch. 8 || Lizard Taxonomy ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/a/a6/Lizardfamilies.pdf}} List of Lizard Families of the World
+
| Mar 9 || Amphibian Reproductive Modes || Ch. 8 || Lizard Taxonomy ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/a/a6/Lizardfamilies.pdf}} List of Lizard Families of the World
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/1/19/USAlizards.pdf}} Important North American Lizards
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/1/19/USAlizards.pdf}} Important North American Lizards
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Mar 13 || Biology of Amphibian Larvae || Ch. 8, 11 ||||
+
| Mar 11 || Biology of Amphibian Larvae || Ch. 11 (385-393) ||||
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Mar 18 || <font color="#FF00FF"><b>SPRING BREAK (Go somewhere warm!)</b></font>  ||-----||----- ||
+
| Mar 16 || <font color="#FF00FF"><b>SPRING BREAK </b></font>  ||-----||----- ||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| Mar 20 || <font color="#FF00FF"><b>SPRING BREAK (Go somewhere warm!)</b></font> ||-----||----- ||
+
| Mar 18 || <font color="#FF00FF"><b>SPRING BREAK </b></font> ||-----||----- ||
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Mar 25 || Ecological Aspects of Amphibian Metamorphosis || Ch. 8 || Lizard Taxonomy; '''Video''': ''Lizards'' || {{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/c9/Lizardstudyguide.pdf}} Lizard Study Guide
+
| Mar 23 || Ecological Aspects of Amphibian Metamorphosis || Ch. 8 (pp. 321-329) || Lizard Taxonomy; '''Video''': ''Lizards'' || {{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/c/c9/Lizardstudyguide.pdf}} Lizard Study Guide
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/e1/Lizardquiz.pdf}} Lizard Practice Quiz
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/e/e1/Lizardquiz.pdf}} Lizard Practice Quiz
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Mar 27 || Reptile Eggs and the Evolution of Viviparity || Ch. 9 ||||
+
| Mar 25 || Reptile Eggs and the Evolution of Viviparity || Ch. 9 ||||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| Apr 1 || Reptile Life History Strategies || Ch. 9 || Snake Taxonomy ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/File:Snakeslist.pdf}} Snake Families of the World
+
| Mar 30|| Reptile Life History Strategies || Ch. 9 || Snake Taxonomy ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/File:Snakeslist.pdf}} Snake Families of the World
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/3/31/CTSnakes.pdf}} Connecticut Snakes
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/3/31/CTSnakes.pdf}} Connecticut Snakes
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
   
 
   
| Apr 3 || Communication and Mating Systems of Salamanders || Ch. 13, 14 ||||  
+
| Apr 1 || Communication and Mating Systems of Salamanders || Ch. 13, 14 ||||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Apr 8 || Frog Vocal Communication: Behavioral Aspects || Ch. 13 || Snake Taxonomy; Evolution of Snake Dentition ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/File:Snakedentition.pdf}} Snake Dentition <br>
+
| Apr 6 || Frog Vocal Communication: Behavioral Aspects || Ch. 13 || Snake Taxonomy; Evolution of Snake Dentition ||{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/File:Snakedentition.pdf}} Snake Dentition <br>
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/b0/Snakesquiz.pdf}} Snake Practice Quiz
 
{{pdf|http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/images/b/b0/Snakesquiz.pdf}} Snake Practice Quiz
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Apr 10 ||  Frog Vocal Communication: Call Production and Reception || Ch. 13 ||||  
+
| Apr 8 ||  Frog Vocal Communication: Call Production and Reception || Ch. 13 ||||  
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Apr 15 || Mating Systems and Sexual Selection in Anurans || Ch. 14 || Reptile Review '''Video''': ''Snakes''||
+
| Apr 13 || Mating Systems and Sexual Selection in Anurans || Ch. 14 || Reptile Review '''Video''': ''Snakes''||
 
|-  
 
|-  
  
| Apr 17 || Modes of Communication in Squamate Reptiles || Ch. 13 ||||
+
| Apr 15 || Modes of Communication in Squamate Reptiles || Ch. 13 ||||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| Apr 22 || Mating Systems and Sexual Selection in Squamates || Ch. 14||<span style="font-size: small"><font color="#FF3300">'''SECOND LAB PRACTICAL (Reptiles)'''</font></span> ||
+
| Apr 20 || Mating Systems and Sexual Selection in Squamates || Ch. 14||<span style="font-size: small"><font color="#FF3300">'''SECOND LAB PRACTICAL (Reptiles)'''</font></span> ||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| Apr 24 || Social Behavior and Communication in other Reptiles || Ch. 13, 14 ||||
+
| Apr 22 || Social Behavior and Communication in other Reptiles || Ch. 13, 14 ||||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| Apr 29 || Ecology of Terrestrial Amphibian and Reptile Communities || Ch. 15, 16 || AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP (Yale Forest)||
+
| Apr 27 || Ecology of Terrestrial Amphibian and Reptile Communities || Ch. 15, 16 || AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP (Yale Forest)||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| May 1 || Competition and Predation in Aquatic Amphibian Communities || Ch. 15, 16 ||||
+
| Apr 29 || Competition and Predation in Aquatic Amphibian Communities || Ch. 15, 16 ||||
 
|-
 
|-
  
| May 8 || <span style="font-size: small"><font color="#FF3300">'''FINAL EXAM'''</font></span> ||  ||||
+
| May 6 || <span style="font-size: small"><font color="#FF3300">'''FINAL EXAM'''</font></span> ||  ||||
 
|-
 
|-
  
Line 183: Line 184:
 
|}
 
|}
 
<br><br><br>
 
<br><br><br>
 +
 +
==Herps in the News (and other fun Stuff!)==
 +
 +
[[Image:greenfrog.jpg|thumb|left|<i>Lithobates clamitans.</i> Photo by J. Goyes]]
 +
 +
February 9, 2015: [http://www.livescience.com/49698-new-frog-species-bangladesh.html Newfound Frog Has Strange Breeding Habits]<br>
 +
Jan 26, 2015: [http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/06/science/frogs-that-give-birth-to-live-tadpoles.html?_r=0 Rare Frogs Give Birth to Live Tadpoles]<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
  
 
==Additional Resources==
 
==Additional Resources==
Line 191: Line 199:
  
 
'''Websites:'''<br>
 
'''Websites:'''<br>
 
 
''Local''<br>
 
''Local''<br>
 
[http://www.peabody.yale.edu/collections/vz/her_guide.html Online Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of CT]<br>
 
[http://www.peabody.yale.edu/collections/vz/her_guide.html Online Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of CT]<br>
Line 215: Line 222:
 
[http://www.enature.com/home/ eNature Online Field Guides]<br><br>
 
[http://www.enature.com/home/ eNature Online Field Guides]<br><br>
  
 
==Herps in the News (and other fun Stuff!)==
 
 
[[Image:greenfrog.jpg|thumb|left|<i>Lithobates clamitans.</i> Photo by J. Goyes]]
 
  
  
April 10, 2013: [http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/05/pythons-are-still-a-little-venomous/ Pythons are a little venomous]<br>
 
April 4, 2013: [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130404072916.htm One Extinct Turtle Less: Turtle Species in the Seychelles Never Existed]<br>
 
March 18, 2013: [http://m.smh.com.au/environment/animals/extinct-frog-hops-back-into-the-gene-pool-20130315-2g68x.html Extinct frog hops back into the gene pool]<br>
 
March 12, 2013: [http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2013/03/video-giant-salamanders-are-supe.html?ref=hp Giant Salamanders are Supersuckers (Thanks Lyndsay)]<br>
 
Feb 18, 2013: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBkWhkAZ9ds&feature=player_embedded What the Frog!? The Namaqua Rain Frog (Family Brevicipitidae)]<br>
 
Feb 7, 2013: [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130207141657.htm The Amazing Amphibians and Reptiles of the Philippine Island Luzon]<br>
 
Jan 31, 2013: [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130108122951.htm Genetic Matchmaking Saves Endangered Frogs]<br>
 
Jan 25, 2013: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9h1tR42QYA The Tiktaalik Song! so you don't forget the first tetrapod]<br>
 
Jan 23, 2013: [http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2013/01/uconn-biologist-honored-for-seminal-paper-on-social-behavior-of-frogs/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+uconn-today+%28UConn+Today%29 UConn Biologist Honored for Seminal Paper on Social Behavior of Frogs]<br>
 
  
 
[[Category:EEB Courses]]
 
[[Category:EEB Courses]]

Revision as of 21:00, 4 April 2015

EEB 3265/5265 Herpetology
Spring 2015

Lecture Meeting Time: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:15 - 12:05 in TLS 181
Lab Meeting Time: Mondays 1:25 - 5:30 in TLS181
Textbook: Pough F. H., et al. 2004. Herpetology 3rd Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall.
Additional readings will be assigned from the primary journal literature.

News and Announcements

Take-Home Midterm Exam was handed out today. If you don't have it, please e-mail Dr. Wells for a digital copy. The exam is due on Monday March 30th. Additional Open Lab Sessions will start after the snakes come out.

Instructors

Dr. Wells being honored for the impact of his 1977 paper in the field of Animal Behavior. Photo by P. Morenus/UConn Photo
Johana (TA) having some bonding time with a spotted salamander. Photo by A. Shepack


Dr. Kentwood Wells
Email: kentwood.wells@uconn.edu
Office: Torrey Life Sciences Building 312
Phone: (860) 486-4319
Office hours: by appointment







Johana Goyes Vallejos (Teaching Assistant)
Email: johana.goyes@uconn.edu
Office: Torrey Life Sciences Building 379
Phone: (860) 486-6215
Office hours: by appointment





This is what happens when you stay too long in the herpetology lab....The skulls come back to life

Course Procedures and Policies

The Frog Girls
Liz and the spotted turtle
Rachael and the spotted turtle


The lecture portion of this course will deal with various aspects of the biology of amphibians and reptiles, including physiological ecology, communication, social behavior, reproduction, parental care, and community ecology. The laboratories will focus on the classification and distribution of the major families of amphibians and reptiles of the world, as well as identification of Connecticut species. There will be some evening field trips toward the end of the semester to see breeding of local amphibians and daytime field trips to see other species. Students are expected to attend the field trips.

Field Trips:
There will be a scheduled field trip to the Yale Forest during lab time Monday, April 27th, 2015. There will be additional evening field trips once the weather is warm enough. We will begin evening field trips as soon as the first amphibians start breeding, which could be as early as late March. Many of these will be arranged on short notice. We will try to do enough of these so that everyone has a chance to get out in the field a few times.

Readings:
The emphasis in this course in on readings from original literature. I will be handing out detailed reference bibliographies with each lecture; assigned readings will be marked with * on each bibliography. Those marked with † are available online and will not be supplied in hard copy. Xeroxed copies of papers not available online will be in the green filing cabinet in my outer office (TLS 380) and can be signed out. Please do not monopolize these readings for long periods of time, since it is impossible for me to make enough copies for the entire class. The course textbook is Herpetology (3rd ed.) by F. H. Pough, R. M. Andrews, J. E. Cadle, M. L. Crump, A. H. Savitzky, and K. D. Wells (Prentice Hall, 2004). An illustrated guide, Amphibians and Reptiles in Connecticut: A Checklist with Notes on Conservation Status, Identification, and Distribution by Michael Klemens (Connecticut DEP, 2000), may be useful as an additional reference for local species and can be ordered if students are interested.

Exams:
There will be two lecture exams. The midterm will be given sometime in March, perhaps as a take-home exam. The final exam will be essay format, given on May 8. For the final, I will hand out ten questions two weeks in advance, which you can prepare using class notes and readings. Several of these questions will appear on the final exam given during the scheduled exam period. You will not be able to bring any reference materials or notes to the exam. There will be two lab practicals covering taxonomy, distribution, and natural history of amphibians and reptiles.

Grades:
Grades will be determined approximately as follows:
Lab Practicals: 20% each
Midterm: 20%
Final: 40%

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 a course instructor and the Center for Students with Disabilities (Wilbur Cross Building, Room 201) within the first two weeks of the semester.




Lecture and Lab Schedule & Materials



Date Lecture Topic Readings Lab Supplemental Materials
Jan 21 Amphibians: Diversity and Morphological Evolution Ch. 1, 2, 3, 8
Jan 26 Reptiles: Diversity and Morphological Evolution Ch.1, 4, 10, 11 Caecilian and Salamander Taxonomy Salamanders of CT.pdf
Amphibians of CT website
Jan 28 Amphibian Skin and Water Relations Ch. 6
Feb 2 CLASSES CANCELLED. SNOW DAY! LAB CANCELLED. SNOW DAY!
Feb 4 Amphibian Excretion and Osmoregulation Ch. 6
Feb 6 Reptile Water Relations Ch. 6 Salamander Taxonomy; Video: Amphibians Pdficon small.gif Connecticut Salamanders

Pdficon small.gif Caecilians/Salamanders Practice Quiz

Feb 9 Behavioral Thermoregulation in Reptiles (Lectured Cancelled, "No-Snow Day") Ch. 6 Frog Taxonomy Pdficon small.gif Anuran Families of the World

Pdficon small.gif Connecticut Frogs and Toads

Feb 11 Amphibian Thermoregulation and Freeze Tolerance Ch. 6
Feb 16 Physiological Temperature Adjustments Ch. 6 Frog Taxonomy; Video Cane Toads Pdficon small.gif Anura Practice Quiz
Feb 18 Gas Transport and Metabolism in Amphibians Ch. 7
Feb 23 Respiration and Circulation in Reptiles Ch. 7 Turtles and Crocodilians; Amphibian Review; Video: Crocodiles & Alligators, Turtles
Pdficon small.gif Turtle Families of the World

Pdficon small.gif Connecticut Turtles
Pdficon small.gif Turtle Practice Quiz

Feb 25 Activity Metabolism of Amphibians Ch. 7
Mar 2 Reptile Metabolism, Energetics, and Diet Ch. 7 FIRST LAB PRACTICAL (Amphibians)
Mar 4 Energy Budgets and Energy Allocation Ch. 7
Mar 9 Amphibian Reproductive Modes Ch. 8 Lizard Taxonomy Pdficon small.gif List of Lizard Families of the World

Pdficon small.gif Important North American Lizards

Mar 11 Biology of Amphibian Larvae Ch. 11 (385-393)
Mar 16 SPRING BREAK ----- -----
Mar 18 SPRING BREAK ----- -----
Mar 23 Ecological Aspects of Amphibian Metamorphosis Ch. 8 (pp. 321-329) Lizard Taxonomy; Video: Lizards Pdficon small.gif Lizard Study Guide

Pdficon small.gif Lizard Practice Quiz

Mar 25 Reptile Eggs and the Evolution of Viviparity Ch. 9
Mar 30 Reptile Life History Strategies Ch. 9 Snake Taxonomy Pdficon small.gif Snake Families of the World

Pdficon small.gif Connecticut Snakes

Apr 1 Communication and Mating Systems of Salamanders Ch. 13, 14
Apr 6 Frog Vocal Communication: Behavioral Aspects Ch. 13 Snake Taxonomy; Evolution of Snake Dentition Pdficon small.gif Snake Dentition

Pdficon small.gif Snake Practice Quiz

Apr 8 Frog Vocal Communication: Call Production and Reception Ch. 13
Apr 13 Mating Systems and Sexual Selection in Anurans Ch. 14 Reptile Review Video: Snakes
Apr 15 Modes of Communication in Squamate Reptiles Ch. 13
Apr 20 Mating Systems and Sexual Selection in Squamates Ch. 14 SECOND LAB PRACTICAL (Reptiles)
Apr 22 Social Behavior and Communication in other Reptiles Ch. 13, 14
Apr 27 Ecology of Terrestrial Amphibian and Reptile Communities Ch. 15, 16 AFTERNOON FIELD TRIP (Yale Forest)
Apr 29 Competition and Predation in Aquatic Amphibian Communities Ch. 15, 16
May 6 FINAL EXAM




Herps in the News (and other fun Stuff!)

Lithobates clamitans. Photo by J. Goyes

February 9, 2015: Newfound Frog Has Strange Breeding Habits
Jan 26, 2015: Rare Frogs Give Birth to Live Tadpoles








Additional Resources

Plethodon cinereus. Photo by J. Goyes
Eurycea bislineata. Photo by J. Goyes


Websites:
Local
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
Deban Lab Amphibian Feeding

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
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
New England Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
EMYSystem Online Turtle Resource
HerpNET
eNature Online Field Guides