RESEARCH: My research interests lie in the broad area of population biology, especially the genetic, demographic, and behavioral parameters of populations of species -- in other words, life history or natural history. This includes traditional studies of single populations using capture-mark-recapture (via telemetry, visual surveys, trapping, drift fences, cover boards, etc.), but also documenting the distribution of genetic variation within and among populations, or population structure, an often-overlooked component of a species' life history. I am also interested in inventory and monitoring of populations, especially as it relates to issues of statistical rigor and design of protocols.
Specific projects that are currently being addressed in my lab include: 1) Population biology of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus c. catenatus, in Illinois; 2) Baseline inventory and development of a monitoring protocol for the Ozark hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi; 3) Age structure and population size of cave-dwelling salamanders (Plethodon sp.) on the Edwards Plateau of Texas; 4) Population biology of two endangered turtles in a landscape undergoing rapid urbanization; 5) Feasibility of head-starting as a conservation tool for the Blanding's turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, in an urban landscape; 6) Effects of terrestrial habitat degradation on the health and conservation of freshwater turtle communities; 7) Wetland Occupancy and Connectivity Patterns of Blanding’s and Western Painted Turtles in the Green River Valley; 8) Factors influencing anuran breeding and recruitment success.
Curriculum Vitae - Christopher Alan Phillips
Mailing address:
Illinois Natural History Survey
Center for Biodiversity
1816 S. Oak Street
Champaign, IL 61820
Office Address:
185 Natural Resources Bldg
607 E. Peabody Drive
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 244-7077
chrisp@inhs.uiuc.edu
EDUCATION:
Ph.D., Population Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, 1989.
Dissertation Title: Breeding Pond Fidelity, Population Structure and Phylogeography in the Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. Advisers: Owen Sexton and Alan Templeton.
B.S., with honors, Environmental Biology and Zoology, Eastern Illinois University, 1983.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Present - Assistant Professional Scientist-- Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois.
1997-2002: Associate Research Scientist--Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois.
1993-present: Adjunct Associate Professor--Departments of Animal Biology, Animal Sciences, and NRES, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
1993-1997: Assistant Research Scientist--Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois.
1992-1993: Lecturer and Research Associate--Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
1989-1991: Postdoctoral Research Associate--Department of Ecology, Ethology and Evolution, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
1989-1991: Curatorial Assistant--University of Illinois Museum of Natural History, Urbana.
1983-1989: Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant--Department of Biology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
1982: Summer Intern--Illinois Natural History Survey, Urbana.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
FULL LENGTH ARTICLES & BOOKS
J. Jakubanis, M.J. Dreslik, and C.A. Phillips. Nest Ecology of the Southern Two-lined Salamander in Illinois. Northeastern Naturalist 15 (1):131-140.
Readel, A.M., C.A. Phillips, and M.J. Wetzel. Leech parasitism in a turtle assemblage: effects of host and environmental characteristics. Copeia 2008 (1): 227-233.
Aldridge, Robert D., Benjamin C. Jellen, Matthew C. Allender, Michael J. Dreslik, Donald B. Shepard, Jason M. Cox and Christopher A. Phillips. Reproductive Biology of the Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) from South-central Illinois. Biology of the Rattlesnakes (symposium proceedings). In Press.
Readel, A.M., M.J. Dreslik, J.K. Warner, W.J. Banning, and C.A. Phillips.. A quantitative method for sex identification in emydid turtles using secondary sexual characters. Copeia. In Press.
Hedtke, S.M., K.R. Zamudio, C.A. Phillips, J. Losos, and P. Brylski. 2007. Conservation genetics of the endangered Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard (Uma inornata) Herpetologica 63(4): 411-420.
Jellen, B., D.B. Shepard, M.J. Dreslik , and C.A. Phillips. 2007. Male movement and body size affect mate acquisition in the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus). Journal of Herpetology 41(3): 451-457.
Allender, M. C., M. A. Mitchell, C. A. Phillips, K. Gruszynski, and V. R. Beasley. 2006. Hematology, plasma biochemistry, and antibodies to select viruses in wild-caught eastern massasauga rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) from Illinois. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 42(1):107-114. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Sexton, O.J., J.E. Bramble, I.L. Heisler, C.A. Phillips, and D.L. Cox. 2005. Eggshell composition of squamate reptiles: Relationship between eggshell permeability and amino acid composition. Journal of Chemical Ecology 31(10):2391-2401. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Dreslik, M. J., A.R. Kuhns, and C. A. Phillips. 2005. Structure and function of a southern Illinois freshwater turtle assemblage. Northeastern Naturalist 12(2):173-186. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Dreslik, M. J. and C. A. Phillips. 2005. Turtle communities in the Upper Midwest, USA. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 20:149-164. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Reeder, A.L., M.O. Ruiz, A. Pessier, L.E. Brown, J.M. Levengood , C.A. Phillips, M.B. Wheeler, R.E. Warner, and V.R. Beasley. 2005. Intersexuality and the cricket frog decline: Historic and geographic trends. Environmental Health Perspectives 113(2):261-265. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Dreslik, M. J. and C. A. Phillips. 2005. Turtle communities in the Upper Midwest, USA. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 20:149-164. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Shepard, D.B., C.A. Phillips, M.J. Dreslik, and B.C. Jellen. 2004. Prey preference and diet of neonate eastern massasaugas (Sistrurus c. catenatus). American Midland Naturalist 152:360-368. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Dreslik, M. J., A. R. Kuhns, C. A. Phillips, and B. C. Jellen. 2003. Home range and movement of the river cooter (Pseudemys concinna). Chelonian Conservation and Biology. 4(3):706-710. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A., J.R. Johnson, M.J. Dreslik, and J.E. Petzing. 2002. Effects of hydroperiod on recruitment of mole salamanders (genus Ambystoma) at a temporary pond in Vermilion County, Illinois Transaction of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences 95(2):131-139. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
C.A. Phillips, M.J., Dreslik. J.R. Johnson, and J.E. Petzing. 2001. Application of population estimation to pond breeding salamanders. Transaction of the Illinois State Academy of Sciences 94(2):111-118. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Serb, J.M., C.A. Phillips, and J.B. Iverson. 2001. Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Kinosternon flavescens based on complete mitochondrial control region sequences. Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution 18(1): 149-162. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A., G. Sau and A.R. Templeton. 2000. Effects of Holocene climate fluctuation on mitochondrial DNA variation in the ringed salamander, Ambystoma annulatum. Copeia 2000 (2):542-545. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A., R.A. Brandon, and E.O. Moll. 1999. Field guide to amphibians and reptiles of Illinois. Illinois Natural History Survey Manual 8. 300 pp. Click here to view a .pdf version of this book.
Szafoni, R.E., C.A. Phillips, and M. Redmer. 1999. Translocations of amphibian species outside their native range: A comment on Thurow (1994, 1997). Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 92(3,4):277-283. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Burbrink, F.T., C.A. Phillips, and E.J. Heske. 1998. A riparian zone in southern Illinois as a potential dispersal corridor for reptiles and amphibians. Biological Conservation 86:107-115. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A., T. Uzzell, C.M. Spolsky, J.M. Serb, R.E. Szafoni, and T.R. Pollowy. 1997. Persistent high levels of tetraploidy in salamanders of the Ambystoma jeffersonianum complex. Journal of Herpetology 31(4):530-535. Click here to view .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A., W.W. Dimmick, and J.L. Carr. 1996. Conservation genetics of the common snapping turtle. Conservation Biology 10(2):397-405. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Templeton, A.R., E. Routman, and C.A. Phillips. 1995. Separating population structure from history: A cladistic analysis of the geographical distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in the tiger salamander, Ambystoma tigrinum. Genetics 140:767-782. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Sexton, O.J., C.A. Phillips, and E. Routman. 1994. The response of naive breeding adults of the spotted salamander to fish. Behaviour 130:113-121. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A. 1994. Geographical distribution of mitochondrial DNA variants and the historical biogeography of the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. Evolution 48:597-607. Click here to view .pdf version of this paper.
Spolsky, C., C.A. Phillips, and T. Uzzell. 1992. Gynogenetic reproduction in hybrid mole salamanders (genus Ambystoma). Evolution 46:1935-1944. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A. 1992. Variation in metamorphosis in spotted salamanders, Ambystoma maculatum from eastern Missouri. American Midland Naturalist 128:276-280. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Spolsky, C., C.A. Phillips, and T. Uzzell. 1992. Antiquity of clonal salamander lineages revealed by mtDNA. Nature 356:706-708. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Sexton, O.J., C.A. Phillips and J.E. Bramble. 1990 The effects of temperature and precipitation on the breeding migration of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum). Copeia 1990:781-787. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A. and O.J. Sexton. 1989. Orientation and sexual differences during the breeding migration of the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. Copeia 1989:17-22. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Sexton, O.J. and C. Phillips. 1986. A qualitative study of fish-amphibian interactions in three Missouri ponds. Transactions of the Missouri Academy of Science 20:25-35. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS
Shepard, D.B., M.J. Dreslik, C.A. Phillips, and B.C. Jellen. 2003. Sistrurus catenatus catenatus: Male-male aggression. Herpetological Review 34(2):155-156. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Anton, T.G., D. Mauger, C.A. Phillips, M.J. Dreslik, J.E. Petzing, A.R. Kuhns, and J. Mui. 2003. Life History Notes: Clonophis kirtlandii (Kirtland's snake): Aggregating behavior and site fidelity. Herpetological Review. 34(3):248-249. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Petzing, J.E. and C.A. Phillips. 1999. Rana sphenocephala (Southern Leopard Frog). Reproduction (Fall Breeding). Herpetological Review 30(2):93-94.
BOOK CHAPTERS:
Murphy, J.E. , C.A. Phillips, and V.R. Beasley. 2000. Aspects of amphibian ecology. Chapter 4A (pages 141-178) in Ecotoxicology of Amphibians and Reptiles. D.W. Sparling, et al., eds. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
Sexton, O.J., C.A. Phillips, M. Parks, J.F. Stinn, and R.E. Preston. 1998. Cooperative resolution of an environmental dilemma: A case study. in Status and Conservation of Midwestern Amphibians. M.J. Lannoo. ed. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City.
Sexton, O.J., C.A. Phillips, T.J. Bergman, E.B. Wattenburg, and R.E. Preston. 1998. Abandon not hope: Status of repatriated populations of the spotted salamanders and wood frogs at the Tyson Research Center, St. Louis County, Missouri. in Status and Conservation of Midwestern Amphibians. M.J. Lannoo. ed. University of Iowa Press, Iowa City.
BOOK REVIEWS:
Phillips, C.A. 1990. R. M. Dawley and J. P. Bogart, Eds. Evolution and Ecology of Unisexual Vertebrates. New York State Museum, Albany, New York. Copeia 1990:1195-1196.
Phillips, C.A. 1993. I.F. Spellerberg, F.B. Goldsmith, and M.G. Morris, Eds. The Scientific Management of Temperate Communities for Conservation. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. Zoo Biology 12:567-569.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS:
Szafoni, R.E., C.A. Phillips, S.R. Ballard, R.A. Brandon, and G. Kruse. 2002. Illinois Landowner's Guide to Amphibian Conservation. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication 22. 26 pp.
Phillips, C.A. and K.M. Shank. 2000. Endangered Species Consultation. Illinois Environmental Policy Review 2(2):1-2.
Petzing, J.E., M.J. Dreslik and C.A. Phillips, et al. 2000. New amphibian and reptile county records in Illinois. Herpetological Review 31(3):189-194. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A. 2000. The Eastern Massasauga. Illinois Natural History Survey Reports 363:1,8.
Phillips, C.A. 1999. Are Amphibian and Reptile Populations Declining? The Illinois Steward 8(2):25-28. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper. Warning!! 92 mb
Phillips, C.A. 1998. Anuran Call Surveys. Illinois Natural History Survey Reports 350:4-5.
Petzing, J.E., C.A. Phillips and M.J. Dreslik, et al. 1998. New amphibian and reptile records in Illinois. Herpetological Review 29(3):179-182. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Phillips, C.A. and H. Korab. 1998. Eastern Massasauga A Rare Rattlesnake in Illinois. The Illinois Steward 7(3):2-6. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper. Warning!! 114 mb
Dreslik, M.J, E.O. Moll, C.A. Phillips, and T.P. Wilson. 1997. The endangered and threatened turtles of Illinois. Illinois Audubon. Winter 1997-98 (263):10-15. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
Frankie, W.T., R.J. Jacobson, B.G. Huff, M.B. Thompson, K.S. Cummings, and C.A. Phillips. 1996. Guide to the geology of the Mount Carmel area, Wabash County, Illinois. Field Trip Guidebook 1996D. 71 pp.
Phillips, C.A. 1994. Amphibians and reptiles of Illinois' prairie habitats. Pages 56-63 in: Proceedings of the Fourth Central Illinois Prairie Conference. T.E. Rice, ed. Milliken University, Decatur, Illinois. Click here to view a .pdf version of this paper.
MANUSCRIPTS IN PROGRESS:
Phillips, C.A., S.J. Taylor, J.M. Mui, J.K. Krejca, and M.L. Denight. Slimy salamanders (Caudata: Plethodontidae) from karst features of south-central Texas. In prep.
Potential Reduction in Thermal Constraints for Sistrurus catenatus catenatus at its Southern Range Limit. Multiple authors. In prep.
Body Size, Sexual Size Dimorphism, and Growth in the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus). Multiple authors. In prep.
Seasonal Differentiation in the Movement Patterns Between Sexes and reproductive
States in a North American Viper (Sistrurus c. catenatus).
Multiple authors. In prep.
Tracking the continued decline of a critically endangered species; the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in Illinois. Primary Authors M. J. Dreslik, T. G. Anton, C. A. Phillips. In prep.
GRANTS:
2007: Status of Blanding’s turtles in Lake County Forest Preserve District and feasibility of initiating a head-starting program at Rollins Savanna; Year 4. Lake County Forest Preserve District. $30,000. With A. Kuhns.
2007: Monitoring listed species in association with the I-355 South Tollway Extension. Illinois Toll Highway Authority. Year 3. $151,438.
2007: Proposal to conduct biotic surveys in Illinois Toll Highway study corridors of I-294/94 & I-90 . Illinois Toll Highway Authority. Year 3. $20,554.
2007-2008. Statewide biological survey and assessment program. Illinois Department of Transportation, Springfield. Duration of Project: current and renewed annually. Current annual funding level: $1,500,000. With J. Taft and J. Hofmann.
2007-2010: Strategies for recovery of an amphibian and a reptile inhabiting sand areas in Mason and Tazewell Counties. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. State Wildlife Grant Program. $136,000.
2007-2010: Utility of anuran call-survey data for estimating occupancy, abundance, and reproductive success in the Cache River Basin. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. State Wildlife Grant Program. $40,000.
2006: Monitoring listed species in association with the I-355 South Tollway Extension. Illinois Toll Highway Authority. Years 1-2. $151,438.
2006: Proposal to conduct biotic surveys in Illinois Toll Highway study corridors of I-294/94 & I-90 . Illinois Toll Highway Authority. Years 1-2. $383,274.
2007: Response to habitat management by the eastern massasauga rattlesnake at Carlyle Lake Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service- Section 6 Funds. $34,673. With M. Dreslik & S. Baker.
2006-2007: Life history of the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake, IL. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. $9,900.
2006: Status of Blanding’s turtles in Lake County Forest Preserve District and feasibility of initiating a head-starting program at Rollins Savanna; Year 3. Lake County Forest Preserve District. $48,822. With A. Kuhns.
2006-2007: Status Assessment of the Illinois Mud Turtle (Kinosternon flavescens spooneri) in Illinois. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. $6,658. With A. Readel.
2005-2006: Inventory and Monitoring of Two State-listed Snakes (Kirtland’s Water Snake and the Eastern Massasauga) in Piatt County, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Preservation Fund. $8,313.
2005-2006: Ecology of the threatened Blanding’s Turtle, Emydoidea blandingii, in the Chicago Wilderness Area. Chicago Wilderness. $14,982 for two years. With A. Kuhns & M. Dreslik.
2005. Mark/Recapture Study of Plethodon sp. at Fort Hood, Texas. Steven J. Taylor and Christopher A. Phillips. Agency: U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. $95,582.
2004-2006: Kankakee Sands Herpetological Survey. IDNR U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cost-share Grant through the IDNR. $2,496.
2005-2006. Status of Blanding’s turtles in Lake County Forest Preserve District and feasibility of initiating a head-starting program at Rollins Savanna; Year 2. Lake County Forest Preserve District. $39,364. With A. Kuhns.
2004-2005: Development and Expansion of the Natural Resources Data and Information Systems in Support of the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, Job 2.5; Re-evaluation of Historical Illinois Threatened and Endangered Species Occurrences. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. $60,000.
2005: Role of the Blanding's Turtle (Emys blandingii) in the Freshwater Turtle Community at Lockport Prairie Nature Preserve, Will County, Illinois. Forest Preserve District of Will County. $ 24,994. With M. Dreslik.
2005: Ecology of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake, Clinton County, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. $9,900.
2004-2006: Habitat Mapping, Bbaseline Inventory, and Development of a Monitoring Protocol for the Ozark Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. National Park Service. $50,995.
2004-2005: Field Surveys for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) in Cook and Will Counties. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. $20,000 for one year. With M. Dreslik.
2004: Chelonian Community Composition of Lockport Prairie North with an Emphasis on the Ecology of the State Threatened Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingi). Forest Preserve District of Will County. $22,000. With M. Dreslik.
2004: Chelonian Community Composition of Lockport Prairie North With an Emphasis on the Ecology of the State Threatened Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingi). IDNR Wildlife Preservation Fund. $7,000. With M. Dreslik.
2004-2005: Population Estimates and Age Class Structure of Plethodon sp. (Plethodontidae) Salamanders at Ft. Hood, Texas. U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. $97,011 for 19 months. With S. Taylor.
2003-2004. Status of Blanding’s turtles in Lake County Forest Preserve District and feasibility of initiating a head-starting program at Rollins Savanna. Lake County Forest Preserve District; Year 1. $34,382. With A. Kuhns.
2003-2004: Development of a Distributed Information Network of North American Herpetological Databases (HerpNET). National Science Foundation. $32,884. Subcontract with the University of Kansas.
2003-2004: Development and expansion of the Natural Resources Data and Information Systems in Support of the Illinois Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, Job 1; Re-evaluation of Historical Illinois Threatened and Endangered Species Occurrences. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. $212,588.
2003-2004: A Proposal to Conduct Biological Inventories of C2000 Ecosystem Program Grant Project Sites. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. $10.002. With K.S. Cummings and C.A. Mayer.
2003-2004: Massasauga Surveys in Piatt County, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Preservation Fund. $990.
2003-2004: Field Surveys of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) at Selected Will County Forest Preserve District properties. Forest Preserve District of Will County. $19.965. With M. Dreslik.
2003-2004: Ecology of the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake, Clinton County, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. $34,856. With M .Dreslik.
2002-2003: Ecology of the Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. $43,000 for one year. With M. Dreslik, and D. Shepard.
2002-2003: Amphibian and Reptile Survey of Sangamon River Corridor Restoration Project. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Preservation Fund. $990 for one year.
2002-2003: Amphibian Colonization of a Mitigation Wetland in Perry County, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Preservation Fund. $990.
2002-2003: Kankakee Sands Ornate Box Turtle Population & Ecosystem Assessment. Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Preservation Fund & TNC. $10,000.
2002: A survey of Plethodon sp. (Plethodontidae) salamander populations in caves and sinkholes at Fort Hood, Texas. U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. $39,069. With S. Taylor.
2001-2002: A proposal to conduct biological inventories of C2000 ecosystem program grant project sites. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. $27,270. With K.S. Cummings and C.A. Mayer.
2001-2002: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Preservation Fund: Amphibian and Reptile Survey of Calamus Lake Nature Preserve, Macon County, Illinois. $990.
2001: A survey of Plethodon sp. (Plethodontidae) salamander populations in caves and sinkholes at Fort Hood, Texas. U. S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Champaign, Illinois. $39,069. With S. Taylor.
2000-2001: A radio-telemetry study of the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. $76,054.
2000-2001: A Survey for the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) at Carlyle Lake, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. $29,662.
1999-2000: Survey for populations of the mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) and salamander mussel (Simpsonaias ambigua) in Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. $4,400. With K.S. Cummings, C.A. Mayer, and J.E. Petzing.
1999-2000: A proposal to conduct biological inventories of C2000 ecosystem program grant project sites. Illinois Department of Natural Resources. $19,249. With K.S. Cummings, C.A. Mayer, and L.M. Page.
1998: A survey for the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) at South Shore State Park, Clinton County, Illinois. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Preservation Fund. $3,119.
1998: Using skeletochronology to determine the age-size relationship of the silvery salamander, Ambystoma platineum, at Kickapoo State Park. Illinois Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Preservation Fund. $993.
1997: Reproductive ecology, home range, and dispersal of the river cooter, Pseudemys concinna, in Illinois. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. $3,916. With M.E. Dreslik.
1996: Intraspecific phylogenetic analysis of Kinosternon flavescens and the taxonomic significance of the Illinois mud turtle, K. f. spooneri. Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. $5,000. With J.M. Serb.
1995: A biological survey of the Peabody Coal Lands near Humrick, Vermilion County, Illinois. Illinois Department of Conservation Wildlife Preservation Fund: $986.
1994: Genetic variation within and among Cottus hypselururs and Cottus bairdi in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation Small Projects Grant: $950.
1990: Reproduction, survival, and genetic constitution of the polyploid mole salamanders of Kickapoo State Park. Illinois Department of Conservation Non-game Check-off Grant: $1,000.
1988: Survey of the amphibians and aquatic plants of selected sinkhole ponds in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation Small Projects Grant: $1,500.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS:
2005: Ecology and conservation of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus. A species on the edge. Bowling Green State University.
2002: Ecology and Conservation of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus. A Species on the Edge. Illinois State University.
2001: Ecology and Conservation of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus. A Species on the Edge. University of Missouri, Columbia.
2000: Amphibian habitat management: creation, enhancement, and management of breeding ponds. Meeting of the Department of Defense Fish and Wildlife Association, Chicago, Illinois.
2000: Declining Amphibian Populations: Implications for Illinois. Illinois State Museum, Springfield.
1999. Ecology and evolution of unisexual salamanders (Genus Ambystoma). Department of Biological Sciences. Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville.
1997: The distribution of genetic variation in mole salamanders from the Ozark Highlands: The effects of population structure and history. Department of Biological Sciences. University of Missouri, Columbia.
1997: Unisexual Ambystoma: Why bother with males? Department of Zoology. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
1996: Recent climatic change in the Ozark Highlands and its effect on population structure in mole salamanders. Department of Zoology. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
1996: The distribution of genetic variation in mole salamanders from the Ozark Highlands: The effects of population structure and history. Department of Biological Sciences. Northern Illinois University, DeKalb.
1995: The distribution of genetic variation in the spotted salamander: The effects of population structure and history. Department of Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
1994: Population changes in amphibians and reptiles of Illinois' prairies. Fourth Central Illinois Prairie Conference, Decatur, IL.
1992: Mitochondrial DNA variation in the spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum. Canadian Herpetologists Association Symposium, Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists and The Herpetologist's League, Champaign, Illinois.
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS HELD:
Board of Governors, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. 2002 to present.
Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board. 2002 to present.
Associate Editor, Herpetological Review. 2005 to present.
Publications Secretary, Herpetologists’ League. 1997 to 2005.
Coordinator, United States Central Division Working Group of the Declining Amphibian Population Task Force. 1995 to 2005.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
Herpetologists' League
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Sigma Xi
Illinois State Academy of Science