PODCAST

Herpetological Highlights

Bringing you the recent scientific advancements in the field of Herpetology.

science nature

All Episodes

26:51

115 Tag! You’re Envenomated

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/06/24

Venoms are complex, and researchers are constantly discovering new intriguing uses. But this episode we look at a fascinating new venom use for the snakes themselves. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Saviola AJ, Chiszar D, Busch C, Mackessy SP. 2013. Molecular basis for prey relocation in viperid snakes. BMC Biology 11:20. DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-11-20. Other Mentioned

31:34

114 Not All Retics Are The Same

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/06/21

A phylogenetic paper focused episode looking at the longest snake of them all: Reticulated pythons. Are all reticulated pythons part of one big happy whole, or do the hundreds of islands they inhabit mean pythons represent just as many sub-species? Species of the Bi-week is a wonderfully lemon-soaked lizard. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Murray-Dickson G, Ghazali M, Ogden R,

26:15

113 Bearded Dragons Dodgy Dinners

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/06/09

Bearded dragons love to eat bugs, but pesticide use means they aren't always as good as they look. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Contador-Kelsall I, Maute K, Story P, Hose GC, French K. 2022. Sublethal pesticide exposure influences behaviour, but not condition in a widespread Australian lizard. Conservation Physiology 10:coac024. DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac024. Other Mentioned

31:39

112 Intoxicated Crocs

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/06/01

Freshwater crocs are classic predators of the water's edge - but when prey changes, can they keep up? Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Aiyer A, Shine R, Somaweera R, Bell T, Ward-Fear G. 2022. Shifts in the foraging tactics of crocodiles following invasion by toxic prey. Scientific Reports 12:1267. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03629-6. Species of the Bi-Week: Marques MP, Ceríaco LMP,

29:12

111 Steps Towards Turtle Rehabilitation

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/05/24

Sometimes turtles can get caught up in nets and other sticky situations. Rehabilitation can help out these injured or exhausted turtles… but how do they fare when they are released back into the big wide ocean? Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Robinson DP, Hyland K, Beukes G, Vettan A, Mabadikate A, Jabado RW, Rohner CA, Pierce SJ, Baverstock W. 2021. Satellite tracking of

34:16

110 Snakes - Ant-mothers or Ant-Eaters

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/05/19

We’ve talked about ants being the victims of herpetofauna depredation, but what about snakes that are friends to ants? This episode we chat about a paper detailing the antics of an “ant-mother”. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Jono T, Kojima Y, Mizuno T. 2019. Novel cooperative antipredator tactics of an ant specialized against a snake. Royal Society Open Science 6:190283. DOI:

31:35

109 Accelerating Python Research

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/05/10

We find out what Burmese pythons get up to when no one is watching. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Whitney, N. M., White, C. F., Smith, B. J., Cherkiss, M. S., Mazzotti, F. J., & Hart, K. M. (2021). Accelerometry to study fine-scale activity of invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) in the wild. Animal Biotelemetry, 9(1), 1–13.

33:34

108 In The Hall of The Mountain Kingsnake

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/05/03

Are mountain kingsnakes multiple species? We try to decide. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available at: www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Myers, E. A., Rodríguez-Robles, J. A., Denardo, D. F., Staub, R. E., Stropoli, A., Ruane, S., & Burbrink, F. T. (2013). Multilocus phylogeographic assessment of the California Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis zonata) suggests alternative patterns of diversification for the California Floristic

26:04

107 ROBO-TOADS

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/04/26

What’s the best way to explore toad mate choice… create hyper-realistic robo-toads of differing colours. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Gardner KM, Mennill DJ, Savi LM, Shangi NE, Doucet SM. 2021. Sexual selection in a tropical toad: Do female toads choose brighter males in a species with rapid colour change? Ethology 127:475–483. DOI: 10.1111/eth.13156. Other

29:18

106 New Python Alert

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/04/19

We take a look at a frog that bucks the classic frog diet, and explore the confusing world of small Australian pythons. A new python here, a lost python there. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: da Silva HR, de Britto-Pereira MC. 2006. How much fruit do fruit-eating frogs eat? An investigation on the diet of Xenohyla truncata (Lissamphibia: Anura: Hylidae). Journal of Zoology

24:33

105 Creative crab eating snakes

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/04/12

Snakes eat crabs, and they eat them in some pretty unusual ways. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Jayne, B. C., Voris, H. K., & Ng, P. K. L. (2018). How big is too big? Using crustacean-eating snakes (Homalopsidae) to test how anatomy and behaviour affect prey size and feeding performance. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 123(3), 636–650.

27:17

104 Unrequited sea snake love

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/04/07

This episode focuses on some confused sea snakes and their amorous intentions, with a wild Species of the Bi-Week. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Lynch, T. P., Alford, R. A., & Shine, R. (2021). Mistaken identity may explain why male sea snakes (Aipysurus laevis, Elapidae, Hydrophiinae) “attack” scuba divers. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1–8.

51:10

103 Endangered Giants

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/03/30

What can we learn about Endangered Giant herpetofauna from observing their movements? We take a look at some monster tortoises and gargantuan salamanders from opposite sides of the world. Later on hear the calls of our very red Species of the Bi-week. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Pike KN, Blake S, Cabrera F, Gordon IJ, Schwarzkopf L. 2021. Body size, sex and high philopatry influence the

42:14

102 War of the Worms

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/03/22

Slow worm combat and snake fungal disease are the topics of this episode - turns out slow worms are savages. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Capula, M., Anibaldi, C., Filippi, E., & Luiselli, L. (1998). Sexual combats, matings, and reproductive phenology in an alpine population of the slow worm, Anguis fragilis. Herpetological Natural History, 6(1), 33–39. Romer, A. S., Grinath, J. B., Moe,

45:32

101 Monitor Lizards

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/03/08

One of our favourite groups of lizards is the topic of this episode. They are truly incredible beasts capable of learning, adapting, and apparently creating fantastic metropolis fir for all sorts of creatures to co-exist. Of course Species of the Bi-week is back, this time with a stunning South American lizard. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Doody JS, Soennichsen KF, James H, McHenry C,

51:58

100 Episode 100

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/02/21

It's episode 100! We talk a bit about the effects of pesticides on frogs before having some fun testing our knowledge of herpetofauna. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Hua, J., Wuerthner, V. P., Jones, D. K., Mattes, B., Cothran, R. D., Relyea, R. A., & Hoverman, J. T. (2017). Evolved pesticide tolerance influences susceptibility to parasites in amphibians. Evolutionary Applications, 10(8),

49:07

099 I hope it is a dry bite

Herpetological Highlights ·

2022/02/03

Snakes can bite; and when venomous, these bites can cause serious harm. But how frequently do snakes actually deploy that venom? We look at a review breaking down current knowledge. We also check out a paper looking at local names for herpetofauna, and whether that is connected to the danger those species pose. Species of the Bi-week returns with another venomous beastie. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper

47:15

098 Kingsnake Squeeze

Herpetological Highlights ·

2021/12/22

Renowned for their habit of eating other snakes, just how do colourful kingsnakes manage to tackle prey almost their own size? We delve into this mystery, and find out just how much these snakes can eat. To top it off, there is a serpentine Species of the Bi-Week. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Penning DA, Moon BR. (2017). The king of snakes: performance and morphology of intraguild

01:23:07

097 Picky Pink Panthers

Herpetological Highlights ·

2021/12/01

Chameleons! Specifically Panther Chameleons. We look at the decisions made by female chameleons, what are they looking for in a male chameleon, are they capable of forward planning? And a double-species Species of the Bi-week. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Dollion, A. Y., Herrel, A., Marquis, O., Leroux-Coyau, M., & Meylan, S. (2020). The colour of success: Does female mate choice rely on

49:14

096 Livid Lizards

Herpetological Highlights ·

2021/10/27

This time we chat about the mighty Australian dragons of genus Ctenophorus. These little dragons have some serious personality, but how does it affect their lives, and can their colour give us clues about how aggro they can be? There's also a brand new dragon species. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Johnstone, K. C., McArthur, C., & Banks, P. B. (2021). Catch me if you can: Personality

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