Disease – Urban Biotic Assessment Program (UBAP)

Midwest Fish and Wildlife Meeting

UBAP herpetologist Sarah Baker co-organized a symposium “Advances and Challenges in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation and Management” and presented “Impact of Snake Fungal Disease on Population Viability” at the 78th Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Milwaukee, WI. Jan 28-31. Student Kelsey Low presented a poster on “Ranavirus Effects on Body Condition and Growth of… Continue reading Midwest Fish and Wildlife Meeting

Illinois team tackles mysterious disease afflicting wild and captive snakes

INHS scientists are collaborating to understand Snake Fungal Disease and its impacts on endangered snakes in Illinois. “We’re trying to protect an endangered species,” said INHS herpetologist and postdoctoral researcher Sarah Baker, a collaborator with Allender on several studies. “A lot of pit viper populations are declining – not only in Illinois, but nationwide. Snake… Continue reading Illinois team tackles mysterious disease afflicting wild and captive snakes

Edmonds’ newest paper on illicit amphibian trade
Recent PhD graduate Devin Edmonds’ recent paper “Tracking the hidden trade of non-native pet amphibians in the United States,” was the subject of an ACES news release “Where’d you get that frog? Illinois study traces illicit online amphibian trade.” Abstract The global wildlife trade is contributing to biodiversity loss, with amphibians especially vulnerable and […]
Turtle Research at Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference 2026
Half of the INHS PaCE Lab presentations at this year’s Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference were about turtles, with 5 oral presentations and 1 poster presentation. Devin Edmonds presented “Ditch Turtles: Movement and Habitat Selection of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) at the Southern Edge of their Distribution” co-authored with Ethan Kessler and Michael Dreslik. Habitat […]
Snakes in Winter at Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference 2026
Three of the 10 presentations by the INHS PaCE Lab were part of the Snakes in Winter Symposium organized by Bruce Kingsbury. Dr. Dreslik presented “Fidelity to Over-wintering Refugia in the Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)” with co-authors Emily L. Sunnucks and Zander E. Perelman. Colder seasons associated with latitude or elevational changes often influence the […]