PODCAST

Herpetological Highlights

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

science nature

All Episodes

01:14:55

075 Trading Blows and Trading Reptiles

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/09/29

In a mixed episode, we explore some gruesome ways to eat a toad practiced by kukri snakes, how the reptile trade looks to be a lot larger than what international trade databases report, and the description of a new cylindrical snake. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Bringsøe, H., Suthanthangjai, M., Suthanthangjai, W., & Nimnuam, K. (2020). Eviscerated alive: Novel and macabre feeding

50:41

074 Actual Cannibal Salamanders

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/08/30

This bi-week we are talking about some underwater cannibals, with a very stylish new species of salamander thrown in too. We also answer a patreon question about arboreal snakes, and how they avoid blood rushing out of their heads. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: McLean, K. I., Stockwell, C. A., & Mushet, D. M. (2016). Cannibalistic-morph Tiger Salamanders in Unexpected Ecological Contexts

01:14:42

073 Lizards of the Night

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/08/28

Lizards of the night - Night lizards - Xantusiidae. We take a close look at the genetics of the island night lizards, and explore some new options for reptile home range estimations. Luck would have it, a new night lizard is our Species of the Bi-week. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: O’Donnell RP, Drost CA, Fellers GM, Crabb BA, Mock KE. 2018. Rare long-distance dispersal of the Island Night Lizard, Xantusia riversiana, maintains high diversity in

55:52

072 Sidewinders Sighting Sites

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/07/22

Sidewinders, how do they go about life? From their hunting techniques, to how they view the landscape around them, this episode delves into the lives of these iconic vipers. Our Species of the Bi-Week is of course a recently described viper. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Clark RW, Dorr SW, Whitford MD, Freymiller GA, Putman BJ. (2016) Activity cycles and foraging behaviors of free-ranging sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes): The

01:06:56

071 Don’t count your Sand Boas before they hatch

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/06/30

Like many a fossorial snake, Sand Boas hold many surprises; this episode we explore some of those. First, an investigation into Dollo’s “Law”, then a couple of natural history notes providing some insight into Sand Boa diets. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Lobo, J. V., & Streepada, K. S. (2015). First report on Whitaker’s boa Eryx whitakeri feeding on common vine snake. Reptile Rap, 17. Londei, T. (2015). Arabian sand boa Eryx jayakari (Squamata:

57:30

070 Amphisbaenian Appetites

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/06/19

In this Patreon special episode we delve into the underground lives of the ultimate oddities - worm lizards. Find out how they go about tackling their invertebrate prey, and hear about a brand new species. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Baeckens, S., García‐Roa, R., Martín, J., Ortega, J., Huyghe, K., & Van Damme, R. (2017). Fossorial and durophagous: implications of molluscivory for head size and bite capacity in a burrowing worm lizard. Journal

58:18

069 Freezing Frogs

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/05/22

We’re back and exploring the toughest of frogs; those frogs braving the harsh northern conditions that literally freezes them to the bone. How do they manage this incredible feat? We head south for a Species of the Bi-week because not all frogs are as tough as the Wood Frog. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Costanzo JP. 2019. Overwintering adaptations and extreme freeze tolerance in a subarctic population of the wood frog, Rana sylvatica. Journal

01:17:11

068 Hoplocephalus with Scott Eipper

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/05/08

We had the good fortune to be joined by herpetologist and author Scott Eipper for this special episode on Hoplocephalus. We also talk about Scott and his wife Tie’s new book on Aussie snakes, and of course we have a Species of the Bi-Week - this one is a robust new sand dweller. Grab the new book by Scott and Tie Eipper here: https://bit.ly/2WewX0a FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Shelton, M. B., Goldingay, R. L., & Phillips, S. S. (2018)

01:12:30

067 Flipping Frogs

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/04/14

A selection of papers are discussed in this episode. Starting with a big finding from Central America on the fate of snakes post-frog loss, and ending with a pair of more lighthearted natural history notes. Species of the Bi-week returns with a serpentine ocean dweller. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Anderson, C. V., & Liebl L. A. (2019) MICRURUS ALLENI (Allen’s Coralsnake). DIET. Herpetological Review 50(1), 162-163 Paniagua K. S. & Abarca J.

01:04:19

066 Chelonian Sniffing Canines

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/04/01

Reptiles and amphibians are hard to find, so how can you be sure you haven’t missed any? We explore some reptile detectives, some of which are good boys. The Species of the Bi-Week is coming at you from the rainforests of Sri Lanka. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Boback, S. M., Nafus, M. G., Yackel Adams, A. A., & Reed, R. N. (2020). Use of visual surveys and radiotelemetry reveals sources of detection bias for a cryptic snake at low densities

57:02

065 Viper X Toad

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/03/24

This episode we take a look at the Gaboon Viper… or is that a toad? Looking at a couple of papers, we check out the characteristics of Gaboon Viper skin, and how a smart toad may be harnessing the looks of a viper to stay safe. Species of the Bi-week returns and continues our African toad journey. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Spinner M, Gorb SN, Balmert A, Bleckmann H, Westhoff G. (2014). Non-Contaminating Camouflage: Multifunctional Skin

55:13

064 The Art of Turtle War

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/03/04

Painted turtles - cute, and brightly coloured, but are they harbouring a dark secret? We first discuss identifying their gender, followed by talk of some unusual behaviour. Our Species of the Bi-Week is an Angolan lizard. Main Paper References: Moldowan, P. D., Brooks, R. J., & Litzgus, J. D. (2017). Assessing head morphology dimorphism in the Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) using a photographic questionnaire. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 16(1), 76-82. Moldowan, P. D.,

53:07

063 Croc-o-motion

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/02/20

Crocodiles! What are they doing, running about, biting bones… We take a look at a couple of papers: one examining just how they run, the other examining their role in the study of fossil bones. Species of the Bi-week is back and we finally give the newly rediscovered caiman sub-species the attention it deserves…. And a bonus species! FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Domínguez-Rodrigo, M., & Baquedano, E. (2018). Distinguishing butchery cut marks

01:13:53

062 Step softshell, for you tread upon my turtles

Herpetological Highlights ·

2020/01/21

They’re strange, they’re soft, they’re turtles - but where do they go? This episode is all about the comings and goings of softshell turtles living in the rivers of the USA. Species of the Bi-week is back, where we check out a slender character from Laos. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Plummer, M. V., & O’Neal, C. S. (2019). Aerobic Pushups: Cutaneous Ventilation in Overwintering Smooth Softshell Turtles, Apalone mutica. Journal of Herpetology,

58:12

061 Vertical Herps

Herpetological Highlights ·

2019/12/17

Amphibians can make use of all sorts of places: from underground grottos to the tips of trees –but are there any patterns in where amphibians take to the trees? This episode we discuss a paper exploring just that, followed by an example of some civil serpents. This weeks Species of the Bi-week is tiny and cute. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Oliveira, B. F., & Scheffers, B. R. (2019). Vertical stratification influences global patterns of

01:02:36

060 High-calibre Hydromantes

Herpetological Highlights ·

2019/12/11

Episode 60 is a Patreon episode about salamanders from the genus Hydromantes. These little characters have some interesting adaptations, and evolve nearly as quickly as they can shoot one of their appendages. Our Species of the Bi-Week is a lizard that looks like a crocodilian. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Salvidio, S., Crovetto, F., & Adams, D. C. (2015). Potential rapid evolution of foot morphology in Italian plethodontid salamanders

01:13:04

059 Rediscovered Species Special

Herpetological Highlights ·

2019/11/19

In a slightly shambolic episode we mix up the format, this Bi-week we take a look at some lost species and their recent rediscoveries. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com References: 1) Jackson’s climbing salamander (Bolitoglossa

01:14:40

058 Night of the Gecko

Herpetological Highlights ·

2019/11/05

Geckos! In Hawai'i? We know what you're thinking - not by natural biogeographic processes! And you're right, they are there because they are invasive species brought by humans. In this Patreon-chosen episode, we explore some of the more unusual species the island has to offer. Our Species of the Bi-Week is a splendid lizard with an even more splendid name. Check out the Ross McGibbon reptile calendar: http://rmrphotography.com.au/2020-calendar-1/ FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT:

01:12:50

057 Pit Viper Proportions

Herpetological Highlights ·

2019/10/25

Patreon episode - what’s up with Central American vipers? More specifically how is there size and shape impacted by location and interspecific interactions? We check out a couple of papers looking to explore just that. The Species of the Bi-week is a new moderately small insular viper. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Jadin, R. C., Mihaljevic, J. R., & Orlofske, S. A. (2019). Do New World pitvipers “scale‐down” at high elevations? Macroecological

01:23:07

056 The Ecology of Snakebite

Herpetological Highlights ·

2019/10/10

Snakebite is a worldwide phenomenon which has dramatic consequences for human health. But how does the ecology of snakes influence its incidence and severity? We first look at snakebite globally, and then focus in on a famous island. Our Species of the Bi-Week is a recently described tree-dwelling serpent. FULL REFERENCE LIST AVAILABLE AT: herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Longbottom, J., Shearer, F. M., Devine, M., Alcoba, G., Chappuis, F., Weiss, D. J., … Pigott, D. M. (2018)

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