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Jillian M Josimovich, M.Sc. (Former Employee)

Science and Products

USGS Biological Science Technician Michelle Collier holds an invasive Argentine Tegu lizard.

Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program

Invasive reptiles like the Burmese python ( Python bivittatus) and black and white tegu lizard ( Tupinambis merianae) are exerting tremendous harm on Everglades ecosystems, but these problematic species present an excellent opportunity to engage the next generation in science. Since entering into an agreement with Everglades National Park in late 2013, the Invasive Species Science Branch of the U...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program

Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program

Invasive reptiles like the Burmese python ( Python bivittatus) and black and white tegu lizard ( Tupinambis merianae) are exerting tremendous harm on Everglades ecosystems, but these problematic species present an excellent opportunity to engage the next generation in science. Since entering into an agreement with Everglades National Park in late 2013, the Invasive Species Science Branch of the U...
Learn More
Everglades National Park

USGS Everglades Research Office - Florida

The Daniel Beard Center in Everglades National Park provides the base for most of the field work done on the control of invasive reptiles by USGS Fort Collins Science Center staff. The team works in Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and other parts of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem focusing on, among other species of concern...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
USGS Everglades Research Office - Florida

USGS Everglades Research Office - Florida

The Daniel Beard Center in Everglades National Park provides the base for most of the field work done on the control of invasive reptiles by USGS Fort Collins Science Center staff. The team works in Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and other parts of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem focusing on, among other species of concern...
Learn More

Diet of invasive Burmese Pythons (Python molorus bivittatus) in southern Florida, 1995-2020 Diet of invasive Burmese Pythons (Python molorus bivittatus) in southern Florida, 1995-2020

Digestive tract contents were identified to provide an account of Burmese python diet. Diet contents came from 1716 pythons collected by cooperators during 1995-2020 from public and private lands across southern Florida, primarily within the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Burmese pythons consumed 76 species of fauna across three taxonomic classes (Aves, Mammalia, and Reptilia).
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Size distribution and reproductive data of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA, 1995-2021 Size distribution and reproductive data of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA, 1995-2021

This dataset contains morphometric information from Burmese pythons collected from an invasive population in southern Florida between 1995-2021. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service curated this dataset as a repository for records of Burmese pythons found on or nearby federal lands in southern Florida, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Hatchling Growth Experiment Dataset from Invasive Burmese Pythons Captured in 2015 in Southern Florida Hatchling Growth Experiment Dataset from Invasive Burmese Pythons Captured in 2015 in Southern Florida

This dataset contains information about 58 hatchling Burmese pythons collected in 2015 from an invasive population in southern Florida. These hatchlings were used in an experiment that assessed the effects of food availability, clutch, and sex on their growth in captivity. The hatchlings were collected as eggs from the nests of two wild pythons, assigned to High or Low feeding treatments...
By
Fort Collins Science Center
Burmese python hatchling
Burmese python hatchling
Burmese python hatchling
Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling

By
Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling

By
Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center, Communications and Publishing

Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and management tools Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and management tools

Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted native species and ecosystems in Florida and represent one of the most intractable invasive-species management issues across the globe. The...
Authors
Jacquelyn Guzy, Bryan G. Falk, Brian J. Smith, John Willson, Robert Reed, Nicholas Aumen, Michael Avery, Ian A. Bartoszek, Earl Campbell, Michael Cherkiss, Natalie Claunch, Andrea Currylow, Tylan Dean, Jeremy Dixon, Richard Engeman, Sarah Funck, Rebekah Gibble, Kodiak Hengstebeck, John Humphrey, Margaret Hunter, Jillian Josimovich, Jennifer Ketterlin Eckles, Michael Kirkland, Frank J. Mazzotti, Robert McCleery, Melissa Miller, Matthew McCollister, M. Parker, Shannon Pittman, Michael Rochford, Christina Romagosa, Art Roybal, Ray Snow, McKayla Spencer, Hardin Waddle, Amy Yackel Adams, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Divergent Serpentoviruses in free-ranging invasive pythons and native colubrids in southern Florida, United States Divergent Serpentoviruses in free-ranging invasive pythons and native colubrids in southern Florida, United States

Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is an invasive snake that has significantly affected ecosystems in southern Florida, United States. Aside from direct predation and competition, invasive species can also introduce nonnative pathogens that can adversely affect native species. The subfamily Serpentovirinae (order Nidovirales) is composed of positive-sense RNA viruses primarily found in...
Authors
Steven Tillis, Jillian Josimovich, Melissa Miller, Hoon-Hanks L., Arik Hartmann, Natalie Claunch, Marley Iredale, Tracey Logan, Amy Yackel Adams, Ian A. Bartoszek, John Humphrey, Bryan Kluever, Mark Stenglein, Robert Reed, Christina Romagosa, James Wellehan, Robert Ossiboff
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Size distribution and reproductive phenology of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Size distribution and reproductive phenology of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

The design of successful invasive species control programs is often hindered by the absence of basic demographic data on the targeted population. Establishment of invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida USA has led to local precipitous declines (> 90%) of mesomammal populations and is also a major threat to native populations of...
Authors
Andrea Currylow, Bryan Falk, Amy Yackel Adams, Christina M. Romagosa, Jillian Josimovich, Michael R. Rochford, Michael Cherkiss, Melia Gail Nafus, Kristen Hart, Frank J. Mazzotti, Ray Snow, Robert Reed
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Egg retention in wild-caught Python bivittatus in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Egg retention in wild-caught Python bivittatus in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

Retention of eggs in oviducts beyond the normal oviposition period is a common problem for captive reptiles, but the occurrence of egg retention in wild populations is largely unknown. The Burmese python (Python [molurus] bivittatus; Kühl 1820) is an oviparous snake native to south-eastern Asia that is now established in southern Florida. From 2011–2019, invasive Burmese pythons were
Authors
Gretchen Anderson, Frank Ridgley, Jillian Josimovich, Robert Reed, Bryan G. Falk, Amy Yackel Adams, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Face-off: Novel depredation and nest defense behaviors between an invasive and a native predator in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Face-off: Novel depredation and nest defense behaviors between an invasive and a native predator in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

We describe several photo-documented novel interactions between intraguild predators in southern Florida—the native bobcat (Lynx rufus) and the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Over several days we documented a bobcat's depredation of an unguarded python nest and subsequent python nest defense behavior following the return of both animals to the nest. This is the first...
Authors
Andrea Currylow, Matthew McCollister, Gretchen Anderson, Jillian Josimovich, Austin Fitzgerald, Christina Romagosa, Amy Yackel Adams
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Agkistrodon conanti (Florida Cottonmouth) and Python bivittatus (Burmese Python). Diet and Predation Agkistrodon conanti (Florida Cottonmouth) and Python bivittatus (Burmese Python). Diet and Predation

Python bivittatus is established in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem in southern Florida, USA. Documented predators on pythons in Florida include Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator; Snow et al. 2006. Herpetol. Rev. 37:81–81), Drymarchon couperi (Gulf Coast Indigo Snake; Andreadis et al. 2018. Herpetol. Rev. 49:341–342), Lynx rufus (Bobcat; McCollister et al. 2021. Southeast...
Authors
Ian Bartoszek, Gretchen Anderson, Ian Easterling, Jillian Josimovich, Alex Furst, Frank Ridgley, Austin Fitzgerald, Amy Yackel Adams, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Clutch may predict growth of hatchling Burmese pythons better than food availability or sex Clutch may predict growth of hatchling Burmese pythons better than food availability or sex

Identifying which environmental and genetic factors affect growth pattern phenotypes can help biologists predict how organisms distribute finite energy resources in response to varying environmental conditions and physiological states. This information may be useful for monitoring and managing populations of cryptic, endangered, and invasive species. Consequently, we assessed the effects...
Authors
Jillian Josimovich, Bryan G. Falk, Alejandro Grajal-Puche, Emma Hanslowe, Ian A. Bartoszek, Robert Reed, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Identifying negative sentiment polarity in the Judas technique Identifying negative sentiment polarity in the Judas technique

In the context of conservation science and management, the Judas technique refers to outfitting an animal (a Judas animal) with a radio transmitter or other identifier so that its movements can be tracked to locate conspecifics. Although this term is commonly used, some consider it offensive due to historical associations of the word Judas with anti-Semitic sentiments. Thus, the term has...
Authors
Austin Fitzgerald, Jillian Josimovich, Charlotte Robinson, Robert Reed, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Native mammalian predators can depredate adult Burmese Pythons in Florida Native mammalian predators can depredate adult Burmese Pythons in Florida

Invasive predators are of conservation concern because they contribute to species declines and extinctions worldwide. Interactions of native fauna and invasive predators can be complex, but understanding these relationships can guide management and restoration. Observations of these interactions are especially important for invaders with low detectability like Python bivittatus (Burmese...
Authors
Matthew McCollister, Jillian Josimovich, Austin Fitzgerald, Deborah Jansen, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles

Reptiles utilize a variety of environmental cues to inform and drive animal behavior such as chemical scent trails produced by food or conspecifics. Decrypting the scent-trailing behavior of vertebrates, particularly invasive species, enables the discovery of cues that induce exploratory behavior and can aid in the development of valuable basic and applied biological tools. However...
Authors
M. Parker, Andrea Currylow, Eric Tillman, Charlotte Robinson, Jillian Josimovich, Isabella Bukovich, Lauren Nazarian, Melia Nafus, Bryan Kluever, Amy Yackel Adams
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

First record of invasive Burmese Python oviposition and brooding inside an anthropogenic structure First record of invasive Burmese Python oviposition and brooding inside an anthropogenic structure

We discovered an adult female Python bivittatus (Burmese Python) coiled around a clutch of 25 eggs in a cement culvert in Flamingo, FL, in Everglades National Park. To our knowledge, this is the first record of an invasive Burmese Python laying eggs and brooding inside an anthropogenic structure in Florida. A 92% hatch-success rate suggests that the cement culvert provided suitable...
Authors
Emma Hanslowe, Bryan Falk, Michelle A. M. Collier, Jillian Josimovich, Thomas Rahill, Robert Reed
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti (Florida cottonmouth) Diet Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti (Florida cottonmouth) Diet

Agkistrodon piscivorus is a generalist predator that feeds on a variety of prey, including snakes (Gloyd and Conant 1990. Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex: A Monographic Review. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Oxford, Ohio. 614 pp.; Lillywhite et al. 2002. Herpetol. Rev. 33:259–260; Hill and Beaupre 2008. Copeia 2008:105–114). Cemophora coccinea (Scarletsnake) is not...
Authors
Alejandro Grajal-Puche, Jillian Josimovich, Bryan Falk, Robert Reed
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Science and Products

USGS Biological Science Technician Michelle Collier holds an invasive Argentine Tegu lizard.

Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program

Invasive reptiles like the Burmese python ( Python bivittatus) and black and white tegu lizard ( Tupinambis merianae) are exerting tremendous harm on Everglades ecosystems, but these problematic species present an excellent opportunity to engage the next generation in science. Since entering into an agreement with Everglades National Park in late 2013, the Invasive Species Science Branch of the U...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program

Mentoring the next generation: USGS, NPS, and University of Florida Cooperative Research Unit Invasive Reptile Intern Program

Invasive reptiles like the Burmese python ( Python bivittatus) and black and white tegu lizard ( Tupinambis merianae) are exerting tremendous harm on Everglades ecosystems, but these problematic species present an excellent opportunity to engage the next generation in science. Since entering into an agreement with Everglades National Park in late 2013, the Invasive Species Science Branch of the U...
Learn More
Everglades National Park

USGS Everglades Research Office - Florida

The Daniel Beard Center in Everglades National Park provides the base for most of the field work done on the control of invasive reptiles by USGS Fort Collins Science Center staff. The team works in Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and other parts of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem focusing on, among other species of concern...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
USGS Everglades Research Office - Florida

USGS Everglades Research Office - Florida

The Daniel Beard Center in Everglades National Park provides the base for most of the field work done on the control of invasive reptiles by USGS Fort Collins Science Center staff. The team works in Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and other parts of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem focusing on, among other species of concern...
Learn More

Diet of invasive Burmese Pythons (Python molorus bivittatus) in southern Florida, 1995-2020 Diet of invasive Burmese Pythons (Python molorus bivittatus) in southern Florida, 1995-2020

Digestive tract contents were identified to provide an account of Burmese python diet. Diet contents came from 1716 pythons collected by cooperators during 1995-2020 from public and private lands across southern Florida, primarily within the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Burmese pythons consumed 76 species of fauna across three taxonomic classes (Aves, Mammalia, and Reptilia).
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Size distribution and reproductive data of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA, 1995-2021 Size distribution and reproductive data of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA, 1995-2021

This dataset contains morphometric information from Burmese pythons collected from an invasive population in southern Florida between 1995-2021. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service curated this dataset as a repository for records of Burmese pythons found on or nearby federal lands in southern Florida, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress...
By
Fort Collins Science Center

Hatchling Growth Experiment Dataset from Invasive Burmese Pythons Captured in 2015 in Southern Florida Hatchling Growth Experiment Dataset from Invasive Burmese Pythons Captured in 2015 in Southern Florida

This dataset contains information about 58 hatchling Burmese pythons collected in 2015 from an invasive population in southern Florida. These hatchlings were used in an experiment that assessed the effects of food availability, clutch, and sex on their growth in captivity. The hatchlings were collected as eggs from the nests of two wild pythons, assigned to High or Low feeding treatments...
By
Fort Collins Science Center
Burmese python hatchling
Burmese python hatchling
Burmese python hatchling
Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling

By
Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center, Communications and Publishing
Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Burmese python hatchling

Non-native Burmese pythons have established a breeding population in South Florida and are one of the most concerning invasive species in Everglades National Park. This photograph is of a Burmese python hatchling

By
Ecosystems, Fort Collins Science Center, Communications and Publishing

Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and management tools Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and management tools

Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) are native to southeastern Asia, however, there is an established invasive population inhabiting much of southern Florida throughout the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Pythons have severely impacted native species and ecosystems in Florida and represent one of the most intractable invasive-species management issues across the globe. The...
Authors
Jacquelyn Guzy, Bryan G. Falk, Brian J. Smith, John Willson, Robert Reed, Nicholas Aumen, Michael Avery, Ian A. Bartoszek, Earl Campbell, Michael Cherkiss, Natalie Claunch, Andrea Currylow, Tylan Dean, Jeremy Dixon, Richard Engeman, Sarah Funck, Rebekah Gibble, Kodiak Hengstebeck, John Humphrey, Margaret Hunter, Jillian Josimovich, Jennifer Ketterlin Eckles, Michael Kirkland, Frank J. Mazzotti, Robert McCleery, Melissa Miller, Matthew McCollister, M. Parker, Shannon Pittman, Michael Rochford, Christina Romagosa, Art Roybal, Ray Snow, McKayla Spencer, Hardin Waddle, Amy Yackel Adams, Kristen Hart
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Divergent Serpentoviruses in free-ranging invasive pythons and native colubrids in southern Florida, United States Divergent Serpentoviruses in free-ranging invasive pythons and native colubrids in southern Florida, United States

Burmese python (Python bivittatus) is an invasive snake that has significantly affected ecosystems in southern Florida, United States. Aside from direct predation and competition, invasive species can also introduce nonnative pathogens that can adversely affect native species. The subfamily Serpentovirinae (order Nidovirales) is composed of positive-sense RNA viruses primarily found in...
Authors
Steven Tillis, Jillian Josimovich, Melissa Miller, Hoon-Hanks L., Arik Hartmann, Natalie Claunch, Marley Iredale, Tracey Logan, Amy Yackel Adams, Ian A. Bartoszek, John Humphrey, Bryan Kluever, Mark Stenglein, Robert Reed, Christina Romagosa, James Wellehan, Robert Ossiboff
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

Size distribution and reproductive phenology of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Size distribution and reproductive phenology of the invasive Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

The design of successful invasive species control programs is often hindered by the absence of basic demographic data on the targeted population. Establishment of invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida USA has led to local precipitous declines (> 90%) of mesomammal populations and is also a major threat to native populations of...
Authors
Andrea Currylow, Bryan Falk, Amy Yackel Adams, Christina M. Romagosa, Jillian Josimovich, Michael R. Rochford, Michael Cherkiss, Melia Gail Nafus, Kristen Hart, Frank J. Mazzotti, Ray Snow, Robert Reed
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Egg retention in wild-caught Python bivittatus in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Egg retention in wild-caught Python bivittatus in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

Retention of eggs in oviducts beyond the normal oviposition period is a common problem for captive reptiles, but the occurrence of egg retention in wild populations is largely unknown. The Burmese python (Python [molurus] bivittatus; Kühl 1820) is an oviparous snake native to south-eastern Asia that is now established in southern Florida. From 2011–2019, invasive Burmese pythons were
Authors
Gretchen Anderson, Frank Ridgley, Jillian Josimovich, Robert Reed, Bryan G. Falk, Amy Yackel Adams, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Face-off: Novel depredation and nest defense behaviors between an invasive and a native predator in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA Face-off: Novel depredation and nest defense behaviors between an invasive and a native predator in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida, USA

We describe several photo-documented novel interactions between intraguild predators in southern Florida—the native bobcat (Lynx rufus) and the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus). Over several days we documented a bobcat's depredation of an unguarded python nest and subsequent python nest defense behavior following the return of both animals to the nest. This is the first...
Authors
Andrea Currylow, Matthew McCollister, Gretchen Anderson, Jillian Josimovich, Austin Fitzgerald, Christina Romagosa, Amy Yackel Adams
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Agkistrodon conanti (Florida Cottonmouth) and Python bivittatus (Burmese Python). Diet and Predation Agkistrodon conanti (Florida Cottonmouth) and Python bivittatus (Burmese Python). Diet and Predation

Python bivittatus is established in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem in southern Florida, USA. Documented predators on pythons in Florida include Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator; Snow et al. 2006. Herpetol. Rev. 37:81–81), Drymarchon couperi (Gulf Coast Indigo Snake; Andreadis et al. 2018. Herpetol. Rev. 49:341–342), Lynx rufus (Bobcat; McCollister et al. 2021. Southeast...
Authors
Ian Bartoszek, Gretchen Anderson, Ian Easterling, Jillian Josimovich, Alex Furst, Frank Ridgley, Austin Fitzgerald, Amy Yackel Adams, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Clutch may predict growth of hatchling Burmese pythons better than food availability or sex Clutch may predict growth of hatchling Burmese pythons better than food availability or sex

Identifying which environmental and genetic factors affect growth pattern phenotypes can help biologists predict how organisms distribute finite energy resources in response to varying environmental conditions and physiological states. This information may be useful for monitoring and managing populations of cryptic, endangered, and invasive species. Consequently, we assessed the effects...
Authors
Jillian Josimovich, Bryan G. Falk, Alejandro Grajal-Puche, Emma Hanslowe, Ian A. Bartoszek, Robert Reed, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Identifying negative sentiment polarity in the Judas technique Identifying negative sentiment polarity in the Judas technique

In the context of conservation science and management, the Judas technique refers to outfitting an animal (a Judas animal) with a radio transmitter or other identifier so that its movements can be tracked to locate conspecifics. Although this term is commonly used, some consider it offensive due to historical associations of the word Judas with anti-Semitic sentiments. Thus, the term has...
Authors
Austin Fitzgerald, Jillian Josimovich, Charlotte Robinson, Robert Reed, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Native mammalian predators can depredate adult Burmese Pythons in Florida Native mammalian predators can depredate adult Burmese Pythons in Florida

Invasive predators are of conservation concern because they contribute to species declines and extinctions worldwide. Interactions of native fauna and invasive predators can be complex, but understanding these relationships can guide management and restoration. Observations of these interactions are especially important for invaders with low detectability like Python bivittatus (Burmese...
Authors
Matthew McCollister, Jillian Josimovich, Austin Fitzgerald, Deborah Jansen, Andrea Currylow
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles Using enclosed Y-mazes to assess chemosensory behavior in reptiles

Reptiles utilize a variety of environmental cues to inform and drive animal behavior such as chemical scent trails produced by food or conspecifics. Decrypting the scent-trailing behavior of vertebrates, particularly invasive species, enables the discovery of cues that induce exploratory behavior and can aid in the development of valuable basic and applied biological tools. However...
Authors
M. Parker, Andrea Currylow, Eric Tillman, Charlotte Robinson, Jillian Josimovich, Isabella Bukovich, Lauren Nazarian, Melia Nafus, Bryan Kluever, Amy Yackel Adams
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center

First record of invasive Burmese Python oviposition and brooding inside an anthropogenic structure First record of invasive Burmese Python oviposition and brooding inside an anthropogenic structure

We discovered an adult female Python bivittatus (Burmese Python) coiled around a clutch of 25 eggs in a cement culvert in Flamingo, FL, in Everglades National Park. To our knowledge, this is the first record of an invasive Burmese Python laying eggs and brooding inside an anthropogenic structure in Florida. A 92% hatch-success rate suggests that the cement culvert provided suitable...
Authors
Emma Hanslowe, Bryan Falk, Michelle A. M. Collier, Jillian Josimovich, Thomas Rahill, Robert Reed
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti (Florida cottonmouth) Diet Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti (Florida cottonmouth) Diet

Agkistrodon piscivorus is a generalist predator that feeds on a variety of prey, including snakes (Gloyd and Conant 1990. Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex: A Monographic Review. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Oxford, Ohio. 614 pp.; Lillywhite et al. 2002. Herpetol. Rev. 33:259–260; Hill and Beaupre 2008. Copeia 2008:105–114). Cemophora coccinea (Scarletsnake) is not...
Authors
Alejandro Grajal-Puche, Jillian Josimovich, Bryan Falk, Robert Reed
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
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