Symposia
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Drawing Lines in the Sand: Comparative Phylogeography of the Gulf-Atlantic Coastal Plain
Friday, July 8; 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hilton Minneapolis, Symphony III
Freshwater bound organisms are ideal models for phylogeographic research as population dynamics and genetic structure are expected to closely follow the boundaries between freshwater habitat networks (watershed divides). With the advent and continued refinement of high-throughput genotyping technology, the field of phylogeography is increasingly able to test explicit historical hypotheses. This transition of research focus from geographical pattern to spatiotemporal process is partly responsible for the recent trend toward investigation of upland species, as their "island-like" habitats are more amenable to development and testing of biogeographic hypotheses. As a result, the majority of recent work has focused upon groups such as darters (Percidae), small salamanders (Plethodontidae), and other organisms that inhabit uplifted provinces. Phylogeographic structure of species inhabiting the Gulf-Altantic Coastal Plain remains underappreciated, having been overshadowed since the foundational work of the 1980's. However, recent efforts across numerous institutions show renewed interest in applying modern phylogeographic approaches to understanding this fauna. In addition, an immediate need exists for a renewed interest in phylogeographic structure of lowland species, as many ecosystems within the region are disproportionately affected by anthropogenic impacts (e.g. longleaf pine ecosystems, karst springfed streams, blackwater wetlands). A better understanding of historical gene flow, evolutionarily significant units, and cryptic speciation will contribute to an overall conservation strategy for species that have declined in concert with regional habitat loss.
| Chairs: | Michael Sandel, University of Alabama Andres Lopez, University of Alaska Fairbanks |
| Co-chair: | Jim Williams, Florida Museum of Natural History |
Ranaviruses: An emerging threat to ectothermic vertebrates
Friday, July 8; 8:15 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Hilton Minneapolis, Minneapolis Ballroom F
View the complete schedule (PDF)
This symposium brings together scientists from around the world to learn and share information about a group of viral pathogens that are impacting amphibian, reptile, and fish populations. The symposium will be the first time that the scientific community investigating ranaviruses has gathered to discuss the state of research. Consequently, it will cultivate collaborations that forge new research directions and generate conservation strategies aimed at reducing or preventing the emergence of ranaviruses. There is still much to be learned about ranaviruses and this symposium represents an important step in increasing awareness and moving the field of ranaviral disease ecology forward. In total, there will be 23 presenters from 8 countries with expertise in herpetology, ichthyology, ecology, veterinary medicine, immunology, genetics, and molecular biology. Presentation is by invite only although all conference attendees are welcome to attend. Intellectual products from this symposium will be posted to the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) website (www.parcplace.org) after the meeting.
| Chair: | Matthew Gray, Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee |
| Co-Chairs: | Jesse Brunner, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University Debra Miller, Center for Wildlife Health, University of Tennessee Jason Hoverman, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Andrew Storfer, School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University |
Biology of turtles of the Upper Mississippi River Basin: A symposium in honor of the 80th birthday of John M. Legler and his 50 years of fieldwork with turtles in the USA, Mexico, Central America, and Australia
Sunday, July 10; 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, July 11; 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hilton Minneapolis, Symphony III
This two day symposium will feature long term studies on turtles, historic studies, and present day activities on the Mississippi River, as well as distinguished former students of Legler reminiscing on their days in the field with him, (i.e., Jim Bull, Ed Moll, Jim Christiansen, and Jim Berry, among others). We are planning a dinner celebration, as well as a post meeting day trip on a paddle wheel steamboat down the Mississippi River to Weaver bottoms, a site where Mike Pappas and Justin Congdon have been studying Blandings turtles for over 35 years.
If you are a turtle person this is the place to be this year.
| Chair: | Richard C. Vogt |
| Co-Chairs: | Michael Pappas Justin Congdon |
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Genetic Resource Banking: Tools for Conserving Declining Amphibians
Friday, July 8; 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hilton Minneapolis, Minneapolis Ballroom E
As a response to the global amphibian extinction crisis, captive assurance colonies are rapidly being established by zoos, governmental organizations, and universities for many species. The huge support for these efforts was evident by the response of zoos worldwide to the 2008 Year of the Frog sponsored by the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Furthermore, at the last World Congress of Herpetology held in Manaus, Brazil, numerous recovery plans presented included an ex-situ/captive branch to help complement their overall conservation management plan. Unfortunately though, not all amphibian species breed readily in captivity and assisted reproductive technologies developed in mammalian systems do not always transfer readily to other taxonomic groups. Developing the techniques and protocols to improve captive breeding programs and to increase the numbers of offspring available for reintroduction is necessary if this tool is to reach its full potential. Linked to this is the fact that in many cases, by the time captive breeding programs are started for an endangered species, a great deal of genetic diversity has already been lost from a population. Genetic resource banking can help to preserve genetic diversity that can be reintroduced into a population, but like many other assisted reproductive techniques, researchers must overcome many of the challenges associated with adapting these techniques to amphibians to make them useful and accessible to herpetologists and conservation managers worldwide.
| Chair: | Jennifer Germano, Memphis Zoo |
| Co-Chair: | Andy Kouba, Memphis Zoo |