Episodes
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
167 Resistant Caecilians
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Caecilians are well adapted to a life underground, but a serious threat lives under there with them. All over the world, they have evolved the same means to fight this subterranean threat.
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Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Mancuso M, Zaman S, Maddock ST, Kamei RG, Salazar-Valenzuela D, Wilkinson M, Roelants K, Fry BG. 2023. Resistance Is Not Futile: Widespread Convergent Evolution of Resistance to Alpha-Neurotoxic Snake Venoms in Caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona). International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24:11353. DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411353.
Other Links/Mentions:
https://www.threatenedtaxa.org/index.php/JoTT/article/view/8336/9359
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
166 Emotional Support Rattlesnakes
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
We chat about some new research on the social behaviour of rattlesnakes. Plus a brand new snake species just described from Australia.
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Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Martin CE, Fox GA, Putman BJ, Hayes WK. 2023. Social security: can rattlesnakes reduce acute stress through social buffering? Frontiers in Ethology 2:1181774. DOI: 10.3389/fetho.2023.1181774.
Species of the Bi-Week:
Nankivell JH, Maryan B, Bush BG, Hutchinson MN. 2023. Whip it into shape: Revision of the Demansia psammophis (Schlegel, 1837) complex (Squamata: Elapidae), with a description of a new species from central Australia. Zootaxa 5311:301–339. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5311.3.1.
Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:
Tian, L., Preisser, E. L., Haynes, K. F., & Zhou, X. 2017. Social buffering in a eusocial invertebrate: termite soldiers reduce the lethal impact of competitor cues on workers. Ecology, 98(4), 952-960.
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
165 Toad vs Toad
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Two toad species are wreaking havoc as invaders, but which is worse - and why?
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Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Kelly, C. L., Schwarzkopf, L., Christy, T. M., & Kennedy, M. S. (2023). The toad less travelled: Comparing life histories, ecological niches, and potential habitat of Asian black-spined toads and cane toads. Wildlife Research. doi: 10.1071/WR22111
Other Links/Mentions:
Ingerophrynus parvus call by Zaharil Dzulkafly from: http://bitly.ws/LcAv
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
164 Isolated Indigo Snakes
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Humans get in the way of snakes finding love over long distances, and then we talk about a cool new gecko that glides, or does it paraglide?
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Bauder, J. M., Peterman, W. E., Spear, S. F., Jenkins, C. L., Whiteley, A. R., & McGarigal, K. (2021). Multiscale assessment of functional connectivity: Landscape genetics of eastern indigo snakes in an anthropogenically fragmented landscape in central Florida. Molecular Ecology, 30(14), 3422–3438. doi: 10.1111/mec.15979
Species of the Bi-Week:
Lalremsanga, H. T., Muansanga, L., Vabeiryureilai, M., & Mirza, Z. A. (2023). A new species of Parachute Gecko of the subgenus Ptychozoon (Sauria: Gekkonidae: Gekko) from the Indo-Burma region. Salamandra, 59(2).
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
163 Geckos Understand the Smell of Trouble
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
When surviving in the wilds, maximising all your senses is wise. When you can’t see a threat, maybe you’ll hear one… or smell one? We look at a wonderfully smart gecko looking to dodge snakes using the power of smell.
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Hammond, J. E., Witkowski, S., Wilson, T., Zouvi, C. A., Goetz, N. L., Eck, N. F., & Clark, R. W. (2020). Know Thine Enemy: Predator Identity Influences the Response of Western Banded Geckos (Coleonyx variegatus) to Chemosensory Cues. Journal of Herpetology, 54(4). doi: 10.1670/19-131
Other mentions:
McKnight, D. T., Ard, K., Auguste, R. J., Barhadiya, G., Benard, M. F., Boban, P., ... & Nordberg, E. J. (2023). Nocturnal basking in freshwater turtles: A global assessment. Global Ecology and Conservation, 43, e02444.
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
162 My squeak is as bad as my strike
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Animals make all sorts of noises for all sorts of reasons. Working out what they mean is difficult, especially if the animal is less than honest. This episode is all about the truthfulness of the screams of a little lacertid. Our Species of the Bi-week is a delicate frog.
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Baeckens, S., Llusia, D., García-Roa, R., & Martín, J. (2019). Lizard calls convey honest information on body size and bite performance: A role in predator deterrence? Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 73(6), 87. doi: 10.1007/s00265-019-2695-7
Species of the Bi-Week:
Köhler, J., Venegas, P. J., Castillo-Urbina, E., Glaw, F., Aguilar-Puntriano, C., & Vences, M. (2023). A third species of glassfrog in the genus Chimerella (Anura, Centrolenidae) from central Peru, discovered by an integrative taxonomic approach. Evolutionary Systematics, 7(2), 195–209. doi: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102950
Other Links/Mentions:
Salam, E. (2023, May 12). Chonk the snapping turtle delights locals with Chicago River appearance. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/12/chonk-snapping-turtle-chicago-river
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
161 Do colourful lizards make better battlers?
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Colour morphs exist in many species, but are those colours linked to differences in behaviour or success? We look at a polymorphic lizard and whether combat success is linked to three different colour morphs, and maybe why.
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Brock KM, Chelini M-C, Ayton C, Madden IE, Ramos C, Blois JL, Pafilis P, Edwards DL. 2022. Colour morph predicts social behaviour and contest outcomes in a polymorphic lizard (Podarcis erhardii). Animal Behaviour 191:91–103. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.06.017.
Other Mentioned Papers/Studies:
Boruah B, Raj P, Dutta SK, Das A. 2018. Redescription and geographic distribution of Raorchestes shillongensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology 17:3. DOI: 10.11606/issn.2316-9079.v17i1p3-20.
Other Links/Mentions:
Raorchestes shillongensis call from ti_lamare: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92667238
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
160 Glowing Salamanders
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
This episode we explore the weird world of glowing salamanders and speculate about the possible reasons behind this adaptation. Species of the Bi-week returns with a small seepage specialist.
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Cox JL, Fitzpatrick BM. 2023. Biofluorescent sexual dimorphism revealed in a southern Appalachian endemic salamander, Plethodon metcalfi. Scientific Reports 13:3588. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29051-8.
Species of the Bi-Week:
Fedler MT, Enge KM, Moler PE. 2023. Unraveling Siren (Caudata: Sirenidae) systematics and description of a small, seepage specialist. Zootaxa 5258:351–378. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5258.4.1.
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Monday Jun 05, 2023
159 When Loggerheads come to blows
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Everyone thinks turtles are chill, but they aren't always. They can be competitive when they need to be.
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Schofield G, Papafitsoros K, Chapman C, Shah A, Westover L, Dickson LCD, Katselidis KA. 2022. More aggressive sea turtles win fights over foraging resources independent of body size and years of presence. Animal Behaviour 190:209–219. DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2022.05.006.
Other Links/Mentions:
Kuta S.Lizard Remains Found Inside 2,500-Year-Old Coffins from Ancient Egypt. Available at https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/lizard-remains-found-inside-2500-year-old-coffins-from-ancient-egypt-180982032/ (accessed April 25, 2023).
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy
Other Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.com
Monday Jun 05, 2023
158 Colossal Crocs are Big River Chillers
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
New research on crocodiles sheds light on how these massive beasts interact with each other.
Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights
Merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shop
Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com
Main Paper References:
Barham KE, Baker CJ, Franklin CE, Campbell HA, Frére CH, Irwin TR, Dwyer RG. 2023. Conditional alternative movement tactics in male crocodiles. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 77:31. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-023-03303-z.
Species of the Bi-Week:
Richards SJ, Donnellan SC, Oliver PM. 2023. Five new species of the pelodryadid genus Litoria Tschudi from the southern versant of Papua New Guinea’s Central Cordillera, with observations on the diversification of reproductive strategies in Melanesian treefrogs. Zootaxa 5263:151–190. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5263.2.1.
Editing and Music:
Podcast edited by Emmy – https://www.fiverr.com/emmyk10
Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson
Species Bi-week theme – Michael Timothy