Indigo Short with Dr. Whit Gibbons

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RoleSREL's

world of herpetologyin the

Past, Present, and Future

September 2013

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SREL’s Role in the World of Herpetology:Present, Past, and Future.

Savannah River Ecology LaBWhere have more rainbow snakes, one of the rarest and most beautiful snakes in America, been caught than anywhere else in their entire geographic range?

2 ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG Indigo short

By: Dr. Whit Gibbons

University of Georgia’s

photo: Margaret Wead

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ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG indigo short 2013 3

SREL’s Role in the World of Herpetology:Present, Past, and Future.

Where is a framed Guinness Book of Records Cer-tificate recognizing the longest on-going field research project (Rainbow Bay, initiated in 1978) on amphibians in the world? Where have the most and hottest radioac-tive turtles in the world been discovered in the wild? Only one place: the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Savan-nah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL). SREL goes uncontested as being one of the world’s premier herpetological research centers and the record holder for the most books and peer-reviewed scientific publications (approaching 1000) in which reptiles and amphibians have been the study organisms. SREL’s re-nowned history of long-term herpetological research on the SRS spans more than a half century with most stud-ies having been conducted on the U.S. Department of En-ergy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) near Aiken, SC, 125 miles from UGA’s main campus in Athens.

Most of the reptile and amphibian research was performed under the direction of SREL faculty and staff and supported by the Atomic Energy Commission (1951-1975), Energy Research and Development Admin-istration (1975-1977), and DOE (1977-2013). Since the 1960s, numerous other government organizations have contributed to SREL herpetological research, analysis, and writing, including the U.S. Geological Survey, Na-

tional Science Foundation, National Park System, Fish and Wildlife Service, and For-est Service. Non-profit and private organizations such as Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund, Donnelly Foundation, International Paper Company, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Golf As-sociation, National Audubon Society, and the Smithson-ian Institution have provided intermittent support as well for special projects. State depart-ments of natural resources (e.g., Alabama, Florida, Geor-gia, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, South Caro-lina, and California) have also helped fund SREL herpeto-logical efforts. UGA has been a primary source of support of SREL continually, from 1951 to the present, an association

Savannah River Ecology LaBWhere have more rainbow snakes, one of the rarest and most beautiful snakes in America, been caught than anywhere else in their entire geographic range?

By: Dr. Whit Gibbons

4 ORIANNESOCIETY.ORG indigo short 2013

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that promotes leveraged support from a variety of external fund-ing sources.

Collectively, due to these many agencies and organiza-tions, more than 700 individu-als from over 200 colleges and universities have been associated with SREL research programs in herpetology, most becoming con-tributing authors on publications in basic and applied herpetologi-cal research.

Because of the high herpe-tofaunal biodiversity of the Up-per Coastal Plain and the SRS’s reputation as a protected re-search site for field studies, SREL

SREL

has attracted “herp” researchers from all over. The intensity of effort coupled with the high biodi-versity within a prescribed region for several decades has document-ed more native species of reptiles and amphibians (n = 101) from the 315-square-mile SRS than reported from any national park or wildlife refuge in the United States.

Because of the attraction of the site’s endless herpetological opportunities, SREL graduate stu-dents have completed 46 Master’s theses and 28 doctoral disserta-tions on reptiles and amphibians based on graduate research con-ducted at SREL. Most have been

UGA students, but the list includes degrees from Auburn, Duke, Flor-ida International, Michigan State, Ohio University, SUNY at Buffalo, Texas Christian, Florida, Michi-gan, Missouri, South Carolina, and Wake Forest.

SREL continues as a viable off-campus UGA research facility, and the SRS remains unparalleled as a herpetologically diverse study site. Hence, research on reptiles and amphibians remains in full swing, involving more than two dozen investigators in projects at SREL.

In 2012, five SREL faculty members, (Kurt Buhlmann, Stacey

photo: J.D. Willson

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Lance, Gary Mills, Gene Rhodes, and Tracey Tuberville) engaged in herpetological research direct-ly or with student projects. Many projects are overlapping and col-laborative among SREL faculty, postdoctoral associates, students, and technical staff as well as with scientists at UGA in Athens and from other universities, govern-ment agencies, and private foun-dations.

Herpetological opportuni-ties at SREL are made possible by combinations of professional expertise and facilities that per-mit effective themed research based at SREL but conducted partly offsite. One such study was initiated by Gene Rhodes (SREL Director) and Shem Unger (SREL postdoctoral associate). Gene’s background includes research in wildlife management and con-servation. Shem’s doctoral dis-sertation at Purdue was on con-servation genetics and ecology of hellbenders. Gene and Shem are examining the effects of sedi-mentation on early life history stages of one of North America’s giant salamanders, the eastern hellbender. The field research in northern Georgia will focus on assessing juvenile habitat as it pertains to sediment load and will inform Georgia DNR with vital management information for juvenile hellbenders. Brandy Bossle (undergraduate, Univer-sity of South Carolina, Aiken) is an intern working with Shem to conduct respirometry experi-ments with aquatic salamanders to measure oxygen uptake and

breeding behavior under differ-ent variables including high lev-els of sediment and temperature. The project will directly relate to the hellbender studies in prog-ress.

Stacey Lance (SREL As-sistant Research Scientist) is a molecular ecologist whose work involves several reptile and am-phibian species. On the SRS her research focuses on the effects of anthropogenic stressors. Cur-rently she advises four graduate students, all of whom are con-tributing to this research. Wes Flynn (UGA doctoral student) is taking a genomics approach to study the evolutionary response of amphibians to metal contami-nants. Cara Love (UGA doctoral student) will also be taking a genomics approach to determine how exposure to metals, radionu-

clides, or both can affect am-phibian immune responses. She and Megan Winzeler (UGA MS student) are conducting an SRS-wide study to determine the extent of Ranavirus and chytrid fungus across amphibian and reptile populations at contami-nated and natural sites. Megan also examines effects of con-taminants on amphibian sus-ceptibility to Ranavirus. Caitlin Rumrill (UGA MS student) is studying contaminant expo-sure at multiple life stages and their effects on the long-term persistence of amphibian popu-lations. She is also comparing stress tolerance between native (southern toads) and invasive (cane toads) species. Stacey also is working on several herpetol-ogy projects off site including nesting ecology of South Caro-lina alligators, and population

SREL

“Herpetological opportunities at SREL are made possible by combinations of professional expertise and facilities that permit effective themed research based at SREL but conducted partly offsite.”


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d you know?

Southern hognose snakes are active by day and are often

seen on warm mornings in the spring and fall. They are highly fossorial (living underground) and are most often encountered crossing roads that pass through sandy habitats. When confronted, hognose snakes often put on an elaborate threat display: they hiss; spread the skin around their head and neck (like a cobra), and feign striking. Eventually, they will even play dead, rolling on their back and opening their mouth. Despite this fairly convincing show, southern hognose snakes virtually never bite.

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genetics of racers, bullsnakes, and gopher frogs.

Gary Mills (SREL Associ-ate Research Scientist) studies transport of organic compounds and metal-organic interactions. Rebecca R. Philipps (UGA MS Student) collaborates with Gary to conduct research on met-als and toxicity monitoring by examining the bioaccumulation of copper in southern toads. The study uses amphibian larvae bioaccumulation to test the effectiveness of a monitoring

technique known as diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT).

Tracey Tuberville (SREL Assistant Research Scientist) focuses on conservation and management of reptile and am-phibian populations, with spe-cial emphasis on translocation and reintroduction. She also uses genetics as a tool to un-derstanding individual behav-ior, population dynamics, and landscape processes. Among her current projects are research on gopher tortoises and American

alligators. Matt Hamilton (UGA graduate student) and Brian Metts, who received his doctor-ate working on amphibian eco-toxicology at SREL, are working with Tracey on a long-lived rep-tile project investigating the bio-logical effects of trace elements and radionuclide contamination in alligators.

Kimberly Andrews (SREL researcher and Research Coordinator on Jekyll Island) and her graduate students conduct research on human

photo: Whit Gibbons

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SREL

impacts on reptiles and amphib-ians and collaborate with Tracey on management assessments of herpetofauna through com-bined field and modeling ap-proaches. Kimberly is editor of a major book on road ecology that focuses on impacts of highway systems on reptiles and amphib-ians.

Kurt Buhlmann (SREL Associate Research Scientist) continues his research on life history and evolutionary ecology of herpetofauna, with applica-

tion to conservation and habitat management. Kurt’s primary re-search focus is on tortoises and freshwater turtles with special emphasis on gopher tortoises, including the most northern populations of the species, in Aiken County on and near the SRS. Kurt also contributes to other national (Blanding’s turtles and desert tortoises) and international (reintroduction of rare African toads) conserva-tion efforts from his SREL base. His interests include long-term stewardship of the SRS through documentation of rare species occurrences and restoration of key habitats.

Several SREL Research Professionals have contributed significantly to SREL herpetol-ogy programs for many years, especially David Scott and Judy Greene. David conducts population- and landscape-level salamander research and eco-toxicology studies examining the effects of contaminants in wetlands. David collaborates with Stacey Lance on a variety of projects including studying the effects of climate change on amphibian community dynam-ics, population ecology, and population genetics. David also manages the Rainbow Bay study and is working with Stacey to determine metal effects on gene expression in several species. He also collaborates with her in advising her students.

Judy managed the “herp lab” for many years and has

been involved in long-term stud-ies on the ecology of freshwater turtles on the SRS and at other localities. She continues to main-tain and analyze SREL’s histori-cal and long-term herpetological data sets. A strength of SREL’s herpetological research has been not only scientists in residence but visitors from near and far. Students and faculty on sabbati-cal from other universities take advantage of the many research opportunities with reptiles and amphibians at SREL. Former SREL students return and retired SRELians continue their former research programs. All have con-tributed in great measure to her-petology over the years and will continue to do so in the future.

Brett DeGregorio (doctor-al student, University of Illinois) examines the indirect effects of climate change in a fascinating project that addresses whether songbird nest predation by rat snakes has potential to become more nocturnal. The experimen-tal field study uses an array of wildlife cameras, temperature modeling, and personal obser-vations to quantify avian nest success as related to activity pat-terns of rat snakes and other nest predators. Brett hopes to gather data that will help predict how rat snake activity patterns may shift with warming temperatures.

J. D. Willson (former SREL doctoral student; assis-tant professor, University of


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About Dr. Gibbons

Arkansas) is continuing with his earlier research as an SREL visiting scientist with projects to study SRS aquatic snake popu-lation and community dynam-ics. His long-term population monitoring of snakes in aquatic sites is being augmented with field studies by Phil Vogrinc (MS student, University of Ar-kansas) who is completing his research in residence at SREL. Melissa Pilgrim (former SREL postdoctoral associate; associate professor, University of South Carolina Upstate), Chris Winne (former SREL doctoral student), and Tracey Tuberville are col-laborators with J.D. in another research project that uses stable isotope techniques at SREL to assess resource allocation in snakes.

Michael Dorcas (former SREL postdoctoral associate; professor, Davidson College) whose expertise is in physiol-ogy, ecology, and conservation of amphibians and reptiles, is also collaborating with J.D. in studies evaluating behavior, diet selection, and cold-tolerance of invasive Burmese pythons in temperate climates. The stud-ies can be undertaken at SREL because of several large enclo-sures suitable for conducting outdoor laboratory experiments with snakes. Russell Burke (pro-fessor, Hofstra University), in collaboration with Tracey Tu-berville, is conducting research at SREL on SRS lizards that carry ticks that can potentially be vectors for Borrelia bacteria,

the agent for Lyme disease.

I. Lehr Brisbin (SREL Se-nior Research Ecologist Emeri-tus) conducted research on a variety of topics in vertebrate ecology, including radiation ecology, ecotoxicology, and ani-mal behavior. Bris remains ac-tive with his long-term research programs on radio telemetric studies of the movement and behavior of eastern box turtles and is involved in measurement of radioactive contaminant turnover in large alligators. Both projects are done in collab-oration with Tracey Tuberville.

In addition to conducting research on freshwater turtles for more than 30 years, Justin Congdon (SREL Senior Re-search Ecologist Emeritus) did research on physiological ecol-ogy and ecotoxicology of herpe-tofauna, including effects of coal fly ash waste on amphibians. Justin continues to analyze and publish papers based on long-term data sets on freshwater turtles.

The road between Athens and Aiken has been traveled many times by UGA faculty and students who have real-ized the numerous advantages of conducting research on the SRS with one of the most di-verse assemblages of reptiles and amphibians in the country. UGA’s future in herpetology appears solid with ongoing and proposed projects showing great promise and relevance that can

be expected to rival or surpass the successes and accomplish-ments of past decades. This article on SREL herpetology is coming to an end but herp re-search at SREL is definitely “to be continued.” *

J. Whitfield (Whit) Gibbons is Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia, and has served as Head of the Environmental Out-reach Program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) from 1991 - 2013. Whit received degrees in biology from the University of

Alabama (B.S.-1961; M.S.-1963) and in zoology from Michigan State University (Ph.D. - 1967). In 1967 he came to SREL as a postdoctoral associate and aside from two sabbatical years (University of Michigan; Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian Institution) spent his career in residence at SREL. He commuted to Athens to teach Herpetology intermittently at UGA from 1976 until his retirement in 2008.

Whit is author or editor of 20 books on herpetology and ecology and has published more than 250 articles in scientific journals. He has had commentaries on National Public Radio (Living on Earth, Science Friday, and others), and has had more than 1,000 popular articles on ecology published in magazines and newspapers, including a weekly environmental column distributed by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group. His encyclopedia articles have appeared in World Book, Compton’s, and for 30 years he wrote the annual summary of Zoology for the Encyclopedia Britannica Year Book. He wrote the merit badge booklet, “Reptile and Amphibian Study,” for the Boy Scouts of America. Whit’s books include the best-selling series on reptiles and amphibians of the Southeast published by the University of Georgia Press: Snakes of the Southeast. 2005. (with Mike Dorcas). Winner: National Outdoor Book Award; Turtles of the Southeast. 2008. (with Kurt Buhlmann and Tracey Tuberville); Frogs and Toads of the Southeast. 2008. (with Mike Dorcas); Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast. 2009. (with Judy Greene and Tony Mills); Salamanders of the Southeast. 2010. (with Joe Mitchell). Whit’s latest book is the 30th year anniversary edition of Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians, first published in 1983 by the University of Alabama Press.

NATUR AL HISTORY / REP TILES AND AMPHIBIANS / MEMOIR

Their Blood Runs Cold is entertaining and informative reading that not only enhances our understanding of a unique group of animals, but also provides genuine insight into the mind and character of a renowned research scientist.

“A superbly written, personalized narrative on amphibians and reptiles. This book can be read and enjoyed by almost everyone with interests in people, research, and/or animals.” —Choice

“Reading this funny and, at times, profound and moving book will at least help to revise many a misconception about these surprising ani-mals.” —Royal Society of New Zealand

“A good source of general information and marvelous stories about reptiles and amphibians for herpetologists, nonherpetologists, nonher-petologically oriented scientists, and nonscientists. It is an outstanding attempt at educating the general public about these animals and lays to rest many of the common myths and misconceptions concerning not only reptiles and amphibians, but herpetologists as well.” —Herpetologica

WHIT GIBBONS is a professor emeritus of ecology, University of Geor-gia, and head of the Environmental Outreach Program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. He is the author or coauthor of more than ten popular books, including Poisonous Plants and Venomous Animals of Alabama and Adjoining States, Ecoviews, Biology of the Snapping Turtle, Snakes of the Southeast, and Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast.

Cover art: The red-bellied subspecies of the plain-bellied water-snake (Nerodia erythrogaster); courtesy of J. D. Willson.Cover design: Michele Myatt Quinn

The University of Alabama PressTuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0380 www.uapress.ua.edu

THEIR BLOOD RUNS COLDADVENTURES WITH

Reptiles and Amphibians

WHIT GIBBONS

30th Anniversary Edition

THEIR B

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UN

S COLD

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NT

UR

ES

WIT

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Reptiles and Am

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About Dr. GibbonsJ. Whitfield (Whit) Gibbons is Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University of Georgia, and has served as Head of the Environmental Out-

reach Program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) from 1991 - 2013. Whit received degrees in biology from the University of Alabama (B.S.-1961; M.S.-1963) and in zoology from Michigan State University (Ph.D. - 1967). In 1967 he came to SREL as a postdoctoral associate and aside from two sabbatical years (University of Michigan; Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian Institution) spent his career in residence at SREL. He commuted to Athens to teach Herpetology intermittently at UGA from 1976 until his retirement in 2008.

Whit is author or editor of 20 books on herpetology and ecology and has published more than 250 articles in scientific journals. He has had commentaries on National Public Radio (Living on Earth, Science Friday, and others), and has had more than 1,000 popular articles on ecology published in magazines and newspapers, including a weekly environmental column distributed by the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group. His encyclopedia articles have appeared in World Book, Compton’s, and for 30 years he wrote the annual summary of Zoology for the Encyclopedia Britannica Year Book. He wrote the merit badge booklet, “Reptile and Amphibian Study,” for the Boy Scouts of America. Whit’s books include the best-selling series on reptiles and amphibians of the Southeast published by the University of Georgia Press: Snakes of the Southeast. 2005. (with Mike Dorcas). Winner: National Outdoor Book Award; Turtles of the Southeast. 2008. (with Kurt Buhlmann and Tracey Tuberville); Frogs and Toads of the Southeast. 2008. (with Mike Dorcas); Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast. 2009. (with Judy Greene and Tony Mills); Salamanders of the Southeast. 2010. (with Joe Mitchell). Whit’s latest book is the 30th year anniversary edition of Their Blood Runs Cold: Adventures with Reptiles and Amphibians, first published in 1983 by the University of Alabama Press.

NATUR AL HISTORY / REP TILES AND AMPHIBIANS / MEMOIR

Their Blood Runs Cold is entertaining and informative reading that not only enhances our understanding of a unique group of animals, but also provides genuine insight into the mind and character of a renowned research scientist.

“A superbly written, personalized narrative on amphibians and reptiles. This book can be read and enjoyed by almost everyone with interests in people, research, and/or animals.” —Choice

“Reading this funny and, at times, profound and moving book will at least help to revise many a misconception about these surprising ani-mals.” —Royal Society of New Zealand

“A good source of general information and marvelous stories about reptiles and amphibians for herpetologists, nonherpetologists, nonher-petologically oriented scientists, and nonscientists. It is an outstanding attempt at educating the general public about these animals and lays to rest many of the common myths and misconceptions concerning not only reptiles and amphibians, but herpetologists as well.” —Herpetologica

WHIT GIBBONS is a professor emeritus of ecology, University of Geor-gia, and head of the Environmental Outreach Program at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. He is the author or coauthor of more than ten popular books, including Poisonous Plants and Venomous Animals of Alabama and Adjoining States, Ecoviews, Biology of the Snapping Turtle, Snakes of the Southeast, and Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast.

Cover art: The red-bellied subspecies of the plain-bellied water-snake (Nerodia erythrogaster); courtesy of J. D. Willson.Cover design: Michele Myatt Quinn

The University of Alabama PressTuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0380 www.uapress.ua.edu

THEIR BLOOD RUNS COLDADVENTURES WITH

Reptiles and Amphibians

WHIT GIBBONS

30th Anniversary Edition

THEIR B

LOO

D R

UN

S COLD

AD

VE

NT

UR

ES

WIT

H

Reptiles and Am

phibiansG

IBB

ON

Salabam

a

photo: Judy Greene

SREL


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Bird-Voiced TreefrogEastern

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Hyla avivoca ogechiensis

photo: J.D. Willson

Indigo Short with Dr. Whit Gibbons

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