Robert Reed
Robert N. Reed is a Supervisory Ecologist who currently serves as Deputy Center Director at the Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center based in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. His past research focused on prevention, control, and containment of invasive reptiles.
Professional Experience
2020-present - Deputy Center Director, USGS-PIERC
2012-2020 - Chief, Invasive Species Science Branch, USGS-FORT
2006-2012 - Research Wildlife Biologist, Brown Treesnake Project, USGS-FORT
2003-2006 - Assistant Professor (Biology), Southern Utah University, Cedar City UT
2001-2003 - Post-doctoral Associate, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Aiken SC
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Auburn University, Biological Sciences, 2001
Fulbright Fellow, University of Sydney, Australia, 2000-2001
M.S. Arizona State University, Zoology, 1995
B.A. University of California at Berkeley, Zoology/English, 1991
Science and Products
Challenges to a molecular approach to prey identification in the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus
Detection rates of geckos in visual surveys: Turning confounding variables into useful knowledge
Observations of two non-native snake species in the same remote area of southern Florida
Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling improves occurrence and detection estimates of invasive Burmese pythons
Geographic distribution: Boiga irregularis (Brown treesnake)
Marsh rabbit mortalities tie pythons to the precipitous decline of mammals in the Everglades
Invasive Species Science Branch: research and management tools for controlling invasive species
The influence of disturbed habitat on the spatial ecology of Argentine black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae), a recent invader in the Everglades ecosystem (Florida, USA)
Tupinambis merianae as nest predators of crocodilians and turtles in Florida, USA
Stability of detectability over 17 years at a single site and other lizard detection comparisons from Guam
Brumation of introduced Black and White Tegus, Tupinambis merianae (Squamata: Teiidae), in southern Florida
Factors affecting defensive strike behavior in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) provoked by humans
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Challenges to a molecular approach to prey identification in the Burmese python, Python molurus bivittatus
Molecular approaches to prey identification are increasingly useful in elucidating predator–prey relationships, and we aimed to investigate the feasibility of these methods to document the species identities of prey consumed by invasive Burmese pythons in Florida. We were particularly interested in the diet of young snakes, because visual identification of prey from this size class has proven diffAuthorsBryan Falk, Robert N. ReedDetection rates of geckos in visual surveys: Turning confounding variables into useful knowledge
Transect surveys without some means of estimating detection probabilities generate population size indices prone to bias because survey conditions differ in time and space. Knowing what causes such bias can help guide the collection of relevant survey covariates, correct the survey data, anticipate situations where bias might be unacceptably large, and elucidate the ecology of target species. We uAuthorsBjorn Lardner, Gordon H. Rodda, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Julie A. Savidge, Robert N. ReedObservations of two non-native snake species in the same remote area of southern Florida
No abstract available.AuthorsEmma B. Hanslowe, Bryan G. Falk, Michelle A. McEachern, Robert N. ReedEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) sampling improves occurrence and detection estimates of invasive Burmese pythons
Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods are used to detect DNA that is shed into the aquatic environment by cryptic or low density species. Applied in eDNA studies, occupancy models can be used to estimate occurrence and detection probabilities and thereby account for imperfect detection. However, occupancy terminology has been applied inconsistently in eDNA studies, and many have calculated occurrence pAuthorsMargaret E. Hunter, Sara J. Oyler-McCance, Robert M. Dorazio, Jennifer A. Fike, Brian J. Smith, Charles T. Hunter, Robert N. Reed, Kristen M. HartGeographic distribution: Boiga irregularis (Brown treesnake)
Rota: Rota Seaport (14.136502°N, 145.135351°E; WGS84). 3 September 2014. Shelwyn Taisacan, Robert Ulloa. Verified by G. Zug. USNM 581745. Snake (42 g, 810 mm SVL, 1020 mm total length) captured in a mouse-baited trap hung on the fence perimeter of the Rota Seaport. Because the Northern Marianas Islands are historically snake-free, these traps are used around ports and airports for early detectionAuthorsAdam Knox, Elden Holldorf, Robert N. Reed, Sylvan Igisomar, Steve W. GotteMarsh rabbit mortalities tie pythons to the precipitous decline of mammals in the Everglades
To address the ongoing debate over the impact of invasive species on native terrestrial wildlife, we conducted a large-scale experiment to test the hypothesis that invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) were a cause of the precipitous decline of mammals in Everglades National Park (ENP). Evidence linking pythons to mammal declines has been indirect and there are reasons to question wAuthorsRobert A. McCleery, Adia Sovie, Robert N. Reed, Mark W. Cunningham, Margaret E. Hunter, Kristen M. HartInvasive Species Science Branch: research and management tools for controlling invasive species
Invasive, nonnative species of plants, animals, and disease organisms adversely affect the ecosystems they enter. Like “biological wildfires,” they can quickly spread and affect nearly all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Invasive species have become one of the greatest environmental challenges of the 21st century in economic, environmental, and human health costs, with an estimated effect in tAuthorsRobert N. Reed, Katie D. WaltersThe influence of disturbed habitat on the spatial ecology of Argentine black and white tegu (Tupinambis merianae), a recent invader in the Everglades ecosystem (Florida, USA)
The threat of invasive species is often intensified in disturbed habitat. To optimize control programs, it is necessary to understand how degraded habitat influences the behavior of invasive species. We conducted a radio telemetry study to characterize movement and habitat use of introduced male Argentine black and white tegus (Tupinambis merianae) in the Everglades of southern Florida from May toAuthorsPage E. Klug, Robert N. Reed, Frank J. Mazzotti, Michelle A. McEachern, Joy J. Vinci, Katelin K. Craven, Amy A. Yackel AdamsTupinambis merianae as nest predators of crocodilians and turtles in Florida, USA
Tupinambis merianae, is a large, omnivorous tegu lizard native to South America. Two populations of tegus are established in the state of Florida, USA, but impacts to native species are poorly documented. During summer 2013, we placed automated cameras overlooking one American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) nest, which also contained a clutch of Florida red-bellied cooter (Pseudemys nelsonAuthorsFrank J. Mazzotti, Michelle A. McEachern, Michael Rochford, Robert Reed, Jennifer Ketterlin Eckles, Joy Vinci, Jake Edwards, Joseph WasilewkiStability of detectability over 17 years at a single site and other lizard detection comparisons from Guam
To obtain quantitative information about population dynamics from counts of animals, the per capita detectabilities of each species must remain constant over the course of monitoring. We characterized lizard detection constancy for four species over 17 yr from a single site in northern Guam, a relatively benign situation because detection was relatively easy and we were able to hold constant the sAuthorsGordon H. Rodda, Kathryn Dean-Bradley, Earl W. Campbell, Thomas H. Fritts, Bjorn Lardner, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Robert N. ReedBrumation of introduced Black and White Tegus, Tupinambis merianae (Squamata: Teiidae), in southern Florida
An established population of Tupinambis merianae (Black and White Tegu) in southeastern Florida threatens the Everglades ecosystem. Understanding the behavioral ecology of Black and White Tegus could aid in management and control plans. Black and White Tegus are seasonally active and brumate during the winter in their native range, but brumation behavior is largely unstudied in either the native oAuthorsMichelle McEachern, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Page E. Klug, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Robert N. ReedFactors affecting defensive strike behavior in Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) provoked by humans
Striking is a typical antipredator defense exhibited by many species of snakes. While trapping Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam, we observed that snakes most frequently struck at an approaching person at a site where snakes had been trapped, marked, and handled in the past. Using a combination of between-sites and within-site comparisons, we assessed if the propensity to strike was corAuthorsMcKayka M. Spencer, Bjorn Lardner, M.J. Mazurek, Robert N. Reed - News