UA Herpetology 2008 Symposium
The third annual UA Herpetology symposium is fast-approaching. We already have four speakers confirmed that they would be coming out to the event. Also, to make up for the lack of invertebrate academic talk, we are bringing in two speakers from the hobby circle. The event will be running from 5PM to 8PM, officially starting at 5:15PM. There will be an intermission halfway through the event with beverages, food and live displays provided. The event is free to attend for everyone, however we do ask that a RVSP is sent to us so we can gauge how many people will be coming. This year should be interesting with topic involving mud and musk turtles, our first amphibian topic, numerous static real-life examples of limb reduction in a genus of skinks that resemble the progression in snakes, and habitat use by reptiles.
We have the following people (not in order):
Dr. Don Brinkman - The fossil record of kinosternoid turtles
John Andrew Clark - Life in the Fast Stream: Evolution, distribution, and husbandry of mountain stream salamanders
Steve Kary - Lerista: A Leg up on Limb Reduction
Dr. Tony Russell - Between a rock and a soft place -- Locomotor habitat use by Namibian day geckos
We also have Joe Villebrun from ERAS giving a talk on centipedes during the intermission, and Ollie Meidinger from ERAS doing a segement on tarantulas.
The three-hour symposium will be taking place at the University of Alberta campus in Edmonton, Alberta. As the date approaches, a map and directions will be given.
We are also looking for volunteers to bring in live displays of their reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. We ask that the animals are legit to keep in captivity and secured. It would be wise to send the display dimension so we can make the most efficent use of limited space. Fossils, peserved specimen and others are more than welcome to be shown off. If you do wish to bring them, please send an e-mail to ua.herps@hotmail.com.
Watch this thread for updates as abstracts will be provided, and possible instructions for volunteers.
Photograph usage from other people (that are not my own):
Plethodon idahoensis © J. Andrew Clark
Sternotherus odoratus © Seth Jenkins
Sternotherus salvinii © Miguel
Rhoptropus bradfieldi © Hans Millewaert
All RVSP and volunteers should e-mail ua.herps@hotmail.com. I will not respond to PMs or my alternative e-mails for logistic reasons.
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=76657255313
By the way its Staurotypus salvini
