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
Evaluating airsoft electric guns for control of invasive brown treesnakes
Behavioral differences following ingestion of large meals and consequences for management of a harmful invasive snake: A field experiment
Modeling the distributions of tegu lizards in native and potential invasive ranges
Exotic predators may threaten another island ecosystem: A comprehensive assessment of python and boa reports from the Florida Keys
Inferring the absence of an incipient population during a rapid response for an invasive species
Assessment of two external transmitter attachment methods for Boiga irregularis (Brown Treesnakes)
Parasite spillover: Indirect effects of invasive Burmese pythons
The gold tegu, Tupinambis teguixin (Linnaeus, 1758) sensu lato (Squamata: Teiidae): evidence for an established population in Florida
Passive restoration following ungulate removal in a highly disturbed tropical wet forest devoid of native seed dispersers
Salvator merianae (Argentine Tegu). Attempted Predation.
Ontogenetic and ecological variation in invasion risk of Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam
A validation of 11 body-condition indices in a giant snake species that exhibits positive allometry
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Evaluating airsoft electric guns for control of invasive brown treesnakes
Firearms are often used in lethal control of invasive vertebrates, but safety and regulatory aspects limit the circumstances under which they can be used. During August 2016 at the Brown Treesnake Project laboratory on Guam, we evaluated hobby‐grade Airsoft Electric Guns (AEGs)—a lower powered, less‐hazardous, and less‐regulated alternative to firearms—for capture and control of small animals, witAuthorsAdam J Knox, Bjorn Lardner, Amy Yackel, Robert ReedBehavioral differences following ingestion of large meals and consequences for management of a harmful invasive snake: A field experiment
Many snakes are uniquely adapted to ingest large prey at infrequent intervals. Digestion of large prey is metabolically and aerobically costly, and large prey boluses can impair snake locomotion, increasing vulnerability to predation. Cessation of foraging and use of refugia with microclimates facilitating digestion are expected to be strategies employed by free‐ranging snakes to cope with the demAuthorsShane R. Siers, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Robert ReedModeling the distributions of tegu lizards in native and potential invasive ranges
Invasive reptilian predators can have substantial impacts on native species and ecosystems. Tegu lizards are widely distributed in South America east of the Andes, and are popular in the international live animal trade. Two species are established in Florida (U.S.A.) - Salvator merianae (Argentine black and white tegu) and Tupinambis teguixin sensu lato (gold tegu) – and a third has been recordedAuthorsCatherine S. Jarnevich, Mark Hayes, Lee A. Fitzgerald, Amy Yackel, Bryan Falk, Michelle Collier, Lea Bonewell, Page Klug, Sergio Naretto, Robert ReedExotic predators may threaten another island ecosystem: A comprehensive assessment of python and boa reports from the Florida Keys
Summarizing historical records of potentially invasive species increases understanding of propagule pressure, spatiotemporal trends, and establishment risk of these species. We compiled records of non-native pythons and boas from the Florida Keys, cross-referenced them to eliminate duplicates, and categorized each record’s credibility. We report on 159 observations of six python and boa species inAuthorsEmma B. Hanslowe, James G. Duquesnel, Raymond W. Snow, Bryan G. Falk, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Edward Metzger, Michelle Collier, Robert ReedInferring the absence of an incipient population during a rapid response for an invasive species
Successful eradication of invasives is facilitated by early detection and prompt onset of control. However, realizing or verifying that a colonization has occurred is difficult for cryptic species especially at low population densities. Responding to the capture or unconfirmed sighting of a cryptic invasive species, and the associated effort to determine if it indicates an incipient (small, localiAuthorsAmy A. Yackel Adams, Bjorn Lardner, Adam J Knox, Robert ReedAssessment of two external transmitter attachment methods for Boiga irregularis (Brown Treesnakes)
No abstract available.AuthorsCharlotte J. Robinson, Marijoy C. Viernes, Robert Reed, Amy Yackel, Melia G. NafusParasite spillover: Indirect effects of invasive Burmese pythons
Identification of the origin of parasites of nonindigenous species (NIS) can be complex. NIS may introduce parasites from their native range and acquire parasites from within their invaded range. Determination of whether parasites are non-native or native can be complicated when parasite genera occur within both the NIS’ native range and its introduced range. We explored potential for spillover anAuthorsMelissa A. Miller, John M. Kinsella, Ray W. Snow, Malorie M Hayes, Bryan Falk, Robert Reed, Frank J. Mazzotti, Craig Guyer, Christina M. RomagosaThe gold tegu, Tupinambis teguixin (Linnaeus, 1758) sensu lato (Squamata: Teiidae): evidence for an established population in Florida
Gold tegus, Tupinambis teguixin (Linnaeus, 1758), are generalist predators from South America and are ecologically similar to Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae), a successful invader in Florida. We trapped gold tegus in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, Florida, USA. In Miami-Dade County, collection occurred from 2008 through 2016. We combined new trapping records with previous litAuthorsJake R. Edwards, Jennifer K. Ketterlin, Michael R. Rochford, Rodney Irwin, Kenneth L. Krysko, James G. Duquesnel, Frank J. Mazzotti, Robert ReedPassive restoration following ungulate removal in a highly disturbed tropical wet forest devoid of native seed dispersers
Overabundant ungulate populations can alter forests. Concurrently, global declines of seed dispersers may threaten native forest structure and function. On an island largely devoid of native vertebrate seed dispersers, we monitored forest succession for 7 years following ungulate exclusion from a 5-ha area and adjacent plots with ungulates still present. We observed succession from open scrub to fAuthorsMelia G. Nafus, Julie A. Savidge, Amy A. Yackel Adams, Michelle T. Christy, Robert ReedSalvator merianae (Argentine Tegu). Attempted Predation.
No abstract available.AuthorsEmma Hanslowe, Charles V. Calafiore, Kathryn N. Sykes, Noah Van Ee, Bryan Falk, Amy Yackel, Robert ReedOntogenetic and ecological variation in invasion risk of Brown Treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on Guam
Size structure within populations of invasive species may have consequences for relative risk at all stages of the invasion process, with implications for management interventions such as interdiction, suppression, and eradication. To assess relative distributions of invasive Brown Treesnakes among demographic categories of management interest, we undertook the most comprehensive and controlled saAuthorsShane R. Siers, Julie A. Savidge, Robert ReedA validation of 11 body-condition indices in a giant snake species that exhibits positive allometry
Body condition is a gauge of the energy stores of an animal, and though it has important implications for fitness, survival, competition, and disease, it is difficult to measure directly. Instead, body condition is frequently estimated as a body condition index (BCI) using length and mass measurements. A desirable BCI should accurately reflect true body condition and be unbiased with respect to siAuthorsBryan Falk, Ray W. Snow, Robert N. Reed - News