Nature Conservancy – Urban Biotic Assessment Program (UBAP)

Funding received to survey the Alligator Snapping Turtle

UBAP staff Ethan J. Kessler and Michael J. Dreslik received funding from The Nature Conservancy, Indiana to conduct surveying for the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys teminckii). The surveys will be a combined effort of trapping and eDNA sampling in the Patoka and White River watersheds. The project also includes some proof-of-concept work for eDNA work at the… Continue reading Funding received to survey the Alligator Snapping Turtle

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 […]