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(NOTE: Illinois specific lists are marked with 
)
CURATOR & STAFF
Dr.
Christopher A. Phillips, Herpetology Curator
Dr. Michael J. Dreslik, Herpetologist
Andy Kuhns, Aquatic Ecologist
Natalie K. Marioni, Field Herpetologist
Christine A. Mayer, Database Manager
ABOUT THE AMPHIBIAN & REPTILE COLLECTION
The Illinois Natural History Amphibian and Reptile Collection contains approximately 24,000 catalogued specimens, representing 55 families and over 550 species (51% Amphibia, 49% Reptilia). The geographical emphasis is Illinois (66%). This is the result of the efforts of Phil W. Smith, who collected specimens from 1935 to 1949 for his comprehensive study "The Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois," published in 1961. In addition to the Illinois material, the INHS collection also houses specimens from 45 other U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Most notable among these are specimens collected by P.W. Smith from California (1943-1952) and Mexico (1957-1965), specimens of S.A. Minton from Pakistan, Mexico and Texas and specimens from Thailand collected by R.W. Larimore (1963). This collection may be searched by choosing the appropriate link below. The search engine will deliver limited location information. Detailed location data may be obtained by contacting the curator.
We also maintain a tissue collection that contains high quality tissues from a small portion of our vouchered specimens, mostly those collected after 1998. This collection may be searched by choosing the appropriate link below. The search engine will deliver limited location information. Detailed location data may be obtained by contacting the curator.
In addition, we maintain a separate tissue collection for which we do not have corresponding voucher specimens. These tissues are from amphibians and reptiles that are threatened or endangered at some level or represent large series of animals from long-term research conducted in the Phillips Lab at INHS. Examples include several hundred blood samples from our Eastern Massasasuga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) research and several large series of freshwater turtles (Emydoidea blandingii, Trachemys scripta, Chrysemys picta, Pseudemys concinna, Terrapene carolina) and Ozark Hellbenders, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis. Contact the curator for more details.
In October 1997, the INHS took over curation and management of the University of Illinois Museum of Natural History (UIMNH) Amphibian and Reptile Collection. In formation about the UIMNH collection, including a searchable database of holdings and an updated Catalogue of Primary Types, can be found at the University of Illinois Museum of Natural History page.
SPECIES LISTS, DATABASES & DISTRIBUTIONS
- INHS Amphibian & Reptile Type Collection Database
-
Illinois Amphibian & Reptile Distributions
- Illinois Snake Key
- INHS Amphibian & Reptile Collection Database
- INHS Frozen Tissue Collection Database
PUBLICATIONS
OUTREACH
The INHS Herpetology Staff is available for outreach programs at various levels (Grade School through High School, and adult organizations). Call Chris Phillips (217) 369-3495 or Mike Jeffords (217) 333-5986 for more information.
LINKS
- What is Herpetology?
- Illinois Herpetologists
- Threatened & Endangered Species in IL
- Draft ephemeral wetlands pamphlet (downloads a large .pdf file)
- Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)
- Chicago
Wilderness Calling Frog Survey
- Chicago
Herpetological Society
- The TIGR Reptile Database
- Frog calls
- FTHM: Farhang Torki Herpetological Museum