Erin Muths, PhD
Dr. Erin Muths is a Research Zoologist at the Fort Collins Science Center who specializes in amphibian demography, disease ecology and conservation.
Dr. Muths holds a doctorate in Zoology from the University of Queensland, Australia. Since joining the USGS in 1995, she has studied amphibians in Colorado and around the world. Dr. Muths specializes in amphibian demography, disease ecology and conservation. Current research projects include reintroductions of boreal toads in Rocky Mountain National Park, demography of chorus frog and boreal toad populations in Colorado and Wyoming, and salamander disease and occurrence in the desert southwest and Mexico. She is on several graduate student committees at Colorado State University, the University of Colorado and at the CCMB Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Species in Hyderabad, India.
Professional Experience
U.S. Geological Survey - Biological Resources Division Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, CO, April 1995 - present
University of Queensland Brisbane, Australia; Southwest Queensland, Australia, Ph.D. research, June 1991 - January 1995
Archbold Biological Station Lake Placid, FL, Research Intern, October 1990 - March 1991
Kansas State University, Division of Biology Manhattan, KS, Master's Research, Research Assistant, August 1988 - May 1990
Smithsonian Institution, Conservation Research Center Front Royal, VA, Intern, December 1987 - March 1988
Affiliations and Memberships*
USGS Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative - Principle Investigator, Southern Rocky Mountains, 2000 - present
The Society for Conservation Biology, 1989 – 2011
The American Society of Mammalogists, 1994 – 2002
Colorado Boreal Toad Recovery Team, 1996 – present
Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology 1997 – 2007
Research Associate – Denver Zoological Foundation, 1998 – present
Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, 1999 – present; SW PARC – Steering Committee, 2008 – 2011
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, 2000 – 2014; representative to joint Herpetological Education Committee, 2017 – 2020; Committee chair 2020
Co-Editor, Journal of Herpetology, 2010 – 2015; Section Editor, Journal of Herpetology, 2014 – present
American Society of Ichthyologists & Herpetologists, 2002 – present
Herpetologists’ League 2007 – present; Executive Council 2007 – 2011; Chair, EE Williams Research Grant Committee, 2009-2010
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 14
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 153
First estimates of the probability of survival in a small-bodied, high-elevation frog (Boreal Chorus Frog, Pseudacris maculata), or how historical data can be useful First estimates of the probability of survival in a small-bodied, high-elevation frog (Boreal Chorus Frog, Pseudacris maculata), or how historical data can be useful
In an era of shrinking budgets yet increasing demands for conservation, the value of existing (i.e., historical) data are elevated. Lengthy time series on common, or previously common, species are particularly valuable and may be available only through the use of historical information. We provide first estimates of the probability of survival and longevity (0.67–0.79 and 5–7 years...
Authors
Erin Muths, R. Scherer, S. Amburgey, T. Matthews, A. Spencer, P.S. Corn
Distribution of the Sonora Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi) in Mexico Distribution of the Sonora Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi) in Mexico
The Sonoran Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi Lowe, 1954) was listed as federally endangered in the USA in 1997 (USFWS 1997). In the USA, the distribution of A. mavortium stebbinsi is limited to the San Rafael Valley (approximately 567 km2), between the Sierra San Antonio (called the Patagonia Mountains in Arizona) and Huachuca Mountains, and south of the Canelo Hills...
Authors
Blake Hossack, Erin Muths, James C. Rorabaugh, Julio Lemos Espinal, Brent Sigafus, Thierry Chambert, Gerardo Carreon Arroyo, David Hurtado Felix, Daniel Toyos Martinez, Thomas Jones
Integrating biology, field logistics, and simulations to optimize parameter estimation for imperiled species Integrating biology, field logistics, and simulations to optimize parameter estimation for imperiled species
Conservation of imperiled species often requires knowledge of vital rates and population dynamics. However, these can be difficult to estimate for rare species and small populations. This problem is further exacerbated when individuals are not available for detection during some surveys due to limited access, delaying surveys and creating mismatches between the breeding behavior and...
Authors
Wendy Lanier, Larissa L. Bailey, Erin Muths
Book review: Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna Book review: Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna
Reintroduction, and other forms of moving animals around the landscape, is an established action that has been used in the contexts of mitigation, conservation, and salvage. Advances in Reintroduction Biology of Australian and New Zealand Fauna is more than an update of its predecessor (Serena 1995). This book not only enumerates advances in reintroduction but also provides a cogent road...
Authors
Erin Muths
Quantitative evidence for the effects of multiple drivers on continental-scale amphibian declines Quantitative evidence for the effects of multiple drivers on continental-scale amphibian declines
Since amphibian declines were first proposed as a global phenomenon over a quarter century ago, the conservation community has made little progress in halting or reversing these trends. The early search for a “smoking gun” was replaced with the expectation that declines are caused by multiple drivers. While field observations and experiments have identified factors leading to increased...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, David Miller, Benedikt Schmidt, M. Adams, Staci Amburgey, Thierry Chambert, Sam Cruickshank, Robert Fisher, David Green, Blake Hossack, Pieter Johnson, Maxwell Joseph, Tracy A. G. Rittenhouse, Maureen E. Ryan, J. Waddle, Susan Walls, Larissa L. Bailey, Gary Fellers, Thomas Gorman, Andrew Ray, David S. Pilliod, Steven Price, Daniel Saenz, Walt Sadinski, Erin Muths
Elevational speciation in action? Restricted gene flow associated with adaptive divergence across an altitudinal gradient Elevational speciation in action? Restricted gene flow associated with adaptive divergence across an altitudinal gradient
Evolutionary theory predicts that divergent selection pressures across elevational gradients could cause adaptive divergence and reproductive isolation in the process of ecological speciation. Although there is substantial evidence for adaptive divergence across elevation, there is less evidence that this restricts gene flow. Previous work in the boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata)...
Authors
W. Funk, M.A. Murphy, K. Hoke, Erin Muths, Staci Amburgey, Emily Lemmon, A. Lemmon
Salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) in the United States—Developing research, monitoring, and management strategies Salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) in the United States—Developing research, monitoring, and management strategies
The recently (2013) identified pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), poses a severe threat to the distribution and abundance of salamanders within the United States and Europe. Development of a response strategy for the potential, and likely, invasion of Bsal into the United States is crucial to protect global salamander biodiversity. A formal working group...
Authors
Evan Campbell Grant, Erin Muths, Rachel Katz, Stefano Canessa, M. Adams, Jennifer Ballard, Lee Berger, Cheryl Briggs, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, Matthew J. Gray, M. Camille Harris, Reid N. Harris, Blake Hossack, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Jonathan Kolby, Karen Lips, Robert E. Lovich, Hamish McCallum, Joseph Mendelson, Priya Nanjappa, Deanna Olson, Jenny Powers, Katherine Richgels, Robin Russell, Benedikt Schmidt, Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, Mary Watry, Douglas Woodhams, C. White
An alternative framework for responding to the amphibian crisis An alternative framework for responding to the amphibian crisis
Volumes of data illustrate the severity of the crisis affecting amphibians, where > 32% of amphibians worldwide are threatened with declining populations. Although there have been isolated victories, the current approach to the issue is unsuccessful. We suggest that a radically different approach, something akin to human emergency response management (i.e. the Incident Command System)...
Authors
Erin Muths, Robert Fisher
Restored agricultural wetlands in Central Iowa: habitat quality and amphibian response Restored agricultural wetlands in Central Iowa: habitat quality and amphibian response
Amphibians are declining throughout the United States and worldwide due, partly, to habitat loss. Conservation practices on the landscape restore wetlands to denitrify tile drainage effluent and restore ecosystem services. Understanding how water quality, hydroperiod, predation, and disease affect amphibians in restored wetlands is central to maintaining healthy amphibian populations in...
Authors
Rebecca Reeves, Clay Pierce, Kelly L. Smalling, Robert Klaver, Mark Vandever, William Battaglin, Erin Muths
Non-native and native organisms moving into high elevation and high latitude ecosystems in an era of climate change: new challenges for ecology and conservation Non-native and native organisms moving into high elevation and high latitude ecosystems in an era of climate change: new challenges for ecology and conservation
Cold environments at high elevation and high latitude are often viewed as resistant to biological invasions. However, climate warming, land use change and associated increased connectivity all increase the risk of biological invasions in these environments. Here we present a summary of the key discussions of the workshop ‘Biosecurity in Mountains and Northern Ecosystems: Current Status...
Authors
Anibal Pauchard, Ann Albihn, Jake Alexander, Treena Burgess, Curt Daehler, Franz Essl, Birgitta Evengard, Greg Greenwood, Sylvia Haider, Jonathan Lenoir, K. McDougall, Ann Milbau, Erin Muths, Martin Nunez, Lois Pellissier, Wolfgang Rabitsch, Lisa Rew, Mark Robertson, Nathan Sanders, Christoph Kueffer
Spatial occupancy models for predicting metapopulation dynamics and viability following reintroduction Spatial occupancy models for predicting metapopulation dynamics and viability following reintroduction
The reintroduction of a species into its historic range is a critical component of conservation programmes designed to restore extirpated metapopulations. However, many reintroduction efforts fail, and the lack of rigorous monitoring programmes and statistical models have prevented a general understanding of the factors affecting metapopulation viability following reintroduction...
Authors
Richard Chandler, Erin Muths, Brent Sigafus, Cecil Schwalbe, Christopher Jarchow, Blake Hossack
Non-USGS Publications**
Muths, E. 2015. Dust jacket blurb for book Salamandria by S. Trauth and J. Trauth. Mockingbird Lane Press.
Muths, E. 1999. Dwarf shrew found in Rocky Mountain National Park. Park Science 19(1): 25.
Muths, E., and L.A. Hinds. 1996. Circulating levels of prolactin and progesterone in a wild population of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) Marsupialia: Macropodidae. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 101: 317-3.
Muths, E., and O.J. Reichman. 1996. Kangaroo rat bone compared to white rat bone after short-term disuse and exercise. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 114A(4): 355-3.
Muths, E. 1996. Milk composition in a field population of red kangaroos, Macropus rufus (Desmarest) (Macropodidae: Marsupialia). Australian Journal of Zoology. 44: 165-1.
Muths, E. 1991. Substrate Discrimination in Burying Beetles, Nicrophorus orbicollis (Coleoptera: Silphidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 64(4): 447-450.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 14
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 153
First estimates of the probability of survival in a small-bodied, high-elevation frog (Boreal Chorus Frog, Pseudacris maculata), or how historical data can be useful First estimates of the probability of survival in a small-bodied, high-elevation frog (Boreal Chorus Frog, Pseudacris maculata), or how historical data can be useful
In an era of shrinking budgets yet increasing demands for conservation, the value of existing (i.e., historical) data are elevated. Lengthy time series on common, or previously common, species are particularly valuable and may be available only through the use of historical information. We provide first estimates of the probability of survival and longevity (0.67–0.79 and 5–7 years...
Authors
Erin Muths, R. Scherer, S. Amburgey, T. Matthews, A. Spencer, P.S. Corn
Distribution of the Sonora Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi) in Mexico Distribution of the Sonora Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi) in Mexico
The Sonoran Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma mavortium stebbinsi Lowe, 1954) was listed as federally endangered in the USA in 1997 (USFWS 1997). In the USA, the distribution of A. mavortium stebbinsi is limited to the San Rafael Valley (approximately 567 km2), between the Sierra San Antonio (called the Patagonia Mountains in Arizona) and Huachuca Mountains, and south of the Canelo Hills...
Authors
Blake Hossack, Erin Muths, James C. Rorabaugh, Julio Lemos Espinal, Brent Sigafus, Thierry Chambert, Gerardo Carreon Arroyo, David Hurtado Felix, Daniel Toyos Martinez, Thomas Jones
Integrating biology, field logistics, and simulations to optimize parameter estimation for imperiled species Integrating biology, field logistics, and simulations to optimize parameter estimation for imperiled species
Conservation of imperiled species often requires knowledge of vital rates and population dynamics. However, these can be difficult to estimate for rare species and small populations. This problem is further exacerbated when individuals are not available for detection during some surveys due to limited access, delaying surveys and creating mismatches between the breeding behavior and...
Authors
Wendy Lanier, Larissa L. Bailey, Erin Muths
Book review: Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna Book review: Advances in reintroduction biology of Australian and New Zealand fauna
Reintroduction, and other forms of moving animals around the landscape, is an established action that has been used in the contexts of mitigation, conservation, and salvage. Advances in Reintroduction Biology of Australian and New Zealand Fauna is more than an update of its predecessor (Serena 1995). This book not only enumerates advances in reintroduction but also provides a cogent road...
Authors
Erin Muths
Quantitative evidence for the effects of multiple drivers on continental-scale amphibian declines Quantitative evidence for the effects of multiple drivers on continental-scale amphibian declines
Since amphibian declines were first proposed as a global phenomenon over a quarter century ago, the conservation community has made little progress in halting or reversing these trends. The early search for a “smoking gun” was replaced with the expectation that declines are caused by multiple drivers. While field observations and experiments have identified factors leading to increased...
Authors
Evan H. Campbell Grant, David Miller, Benedikt Schmidt, M. Adams, Staci Amburgey, Thierry Chambert, Sam Cruickshank, Robert Fisher, David Green, Blake Hossack, Pieter Johnson, Maxwell Joseph, Tracy A. G. Rittenhouse, Maureen E. Ryan, J. Waddle, Susan Walls, Larissa L. Bailey, Gary Fellers, Thomas Gorman, Andrew Ray, David S. Pilliod, Steven Price, Daniel Saenz, Walt Sadinski, Erin Muths
Elevational speciation in action? Restricted gene flow associated with adaptive divergence across an altitudinal gradient Elevational speciation in action? Restricted gene flow associated with adaptive divergence across an altitudinal gradient
Evolutionary theory predicts that divergent selection pressures across elevational gradients could cause adaptive divergence and reproductive isolation in the process of ecological speciation. Although there is substantial evidence for adaptive divergence across elevation, there is less evidence that this restricts gene flow. Previous work in the boreal chorus frog (Pseudacris maculata)...
Authors
W. Funk, M.A. Murphy, K. Hoke, Erin Muths, Staci Amburgey, Emily Lemmon, A. Lemmon
Salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) in the United States—Developing research, monitoring, and management strategies Salamander chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans) in the United States—Developing research, monitoring, and management strategies
The recently (2013) identified pathogenic chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), poses a severe threat to the distribution and abundance of salamanders within the United States and Europe. Development of a response strategy for the potential, and likely, invasion of Bsal into the United States is crucial to protect global salamander biodiversity. A formal working group...
Authors
Evan Campbell Grant, Erin Muths, Rachel Katz, Stefano Canessa, M. Adams, Jennifer Ballard, Lee Berger, Cheryl Briggs, Jeremy T. H. Coleman, Matthew J. Gray, M. Camille Harris, Reid N. Harris, Blake Hossack, Kathryn P. Huyvaert, Jonathan Kolby, Karen Lips, Robert E. Lovich, Hamish McCallum, Joseph Mendelson, Priya Nanjappa, Deanna Olson, Jenny Powers, Katherine Richgels, Robin Russell, Benedikt Schmidt, Annemarieke Spitzen-van der Sluijs, Mary Watry, Douglas Woodhams, C. White
An alternative framework for responding to the amphibian crisis An alternative framework for responding to the amphibian crisis
Volumes of data illustrate the severity of the crisis affecting amphibians, where > 32% of amphibians worldwide are threatened with declining populations. Although there have been isolated victories, the current approach to the issue is unsuccessful. We suggest that a radically different approach, something akin to human emergency response management (i.e. the Incident Command System)...
Authors
Erin Muths, Robert Fisher
Restored agricultural wetlands in Central Iowa: habitat quality and amphibian response Restored agricultural wetlands in Central Iowa: habitat quality and amphibian response
Amphibians are declining throughout the United States and worldwide due, partly, to habitat loss. Conservation practices on the landscape restore wetlands to denitrify tile drainage effluent and restore ecosystem services. Understanding how water quality, hydroperiod, predation, and disease affect amphibians in restored wetlands is central to maintaining healthy amphibian populations in...
Authors
Rebecca Reeves, Clay Pierce, Kelly L. Smalling, Robert Klaver, Mark Vandever, William Battaglin, Erin Muths
Non-native and native organisms moving into high elevation and high latitude ecosystems in an era of climate change: new challenges for ecology and conservation Non-native and native organisms moving into high elevation and high latitude ecosystems in an era of climate change: new challenges for ecology and conservation
Cold environments at high elevation and high latitude are often viewed as resistant to biological invasions. However, climate warming, land use change and associated increased connectivity all increase the risk of biological invasions in these environments. Here we present a summary of the key discussions of the workshop ‘Biosecurity in Mountains and Northern Ecosystems: Current Status...
Authors
Anibal Pauchard, Ann Albihn, Jake Alexander, Treena Burgess, Curt Daehler, Franz Essl, Birgitta Evengard, Greg Greenwood, Sylvia Haider, Jonathan Lenoir, K. McDougall, Ann Milbau, Erin Muths, Martin Nunez, Lois Pellissier, Wolfgang Rabitsch, Lisa Rew, Mark Robertson, Nathan Sanders, Christoph Kueffer
Spatial occupancy models for predicting metapopulation dynamics and viability following reintroduction Spatial occupancy models for predicting metapopulation dynamics and viability following reintroduction
The reintroduction of a species into its historic range is a critical component of conservation programmes designed to restore extirpated metapopulations. However, many reintroduction efforts fail, and the lack of rigorous monitoring programmes and statistical models have prevented a general understanding of the factors affecting metapopulation viability following reintroduction...
Authors
Richard Chandler, Erin Muths, Brent Sigafus, Cecil Schwalbe, Christopher Jarchow, Blake Hossack
Non-USGS Publications**
Muths, E. 2015. Dust jacket blurb for book Salamandria by S. Trauth and J. Trauth. Mockingbird Lane Press.
Muths, E. 1999. Dwarf shrew found in Rocky Mountain National Park. Park Science 19(1): 25.
Muths, E., and L.A. Hinds. 1996. Circulating levels of prolactin and progesterone in a wild population of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) Marsupialia: Macropodidae. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 101: 317-3.
Muths, E., and O.J. Reichman. 1996. Kangaroo rat bone compared to white rat bone after short-term disuse and exercise. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. 114A(4): 355-3.
Muths, E. 1996. Milk composition in a field population of red kangaroos, Macropus rufus (Desmarest) (Macropodidae: Marsupialia). Australian Journal of Zoology. 44: 165-1.
Muths, E. 1991. Substrate Discrimination in Burying Beetles, Nicrophorus orbicollis (Coleoptera: Silphidae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society. 64(4): 447-450.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government