Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone! Well, I am writing this for a variety of reasons, but one major reason. First, let me explain the situation to you. I am currently a junior, studying biology with a concentration in environmental science and a minor in mathematics. I am currently in the process of developing an independent research project, which all biology majors must complete before graduation. Basically, students conduct a research project of his or her choice with the help of professors and such. Usually students spend a semester coming up with a proposal, and planning everything out and hopefully getting a small grant ($500). I am in the planning process right now. My major interests are Ecology, and obviously herpetology. My advisor is an entomologist, and tells me time and time again how he does not know a whole lot about reptiles/amphibians. Well, that won’t dissuade me from researching what I am most interested in. I am sure many people will agree with me (the ones who have experience in the research field) that coming up with an idea is often the part that proves most difficult. I have many ideas for research, but I was hoping that anyone with any reasonable ideas for research would give me some advice. I am open to a wide variety of options, from genetics, diversity studies, behavior studies, feeding habits, ect… The think one must keep in mind is that this is an undergraduate research project. I cannot undertake a project that is too intensive and complicated, yet I want this project to have some meaning. I want this project to help me get into graduate school, or land myself a decent job. So any suggestions would be highly appreciated! Below is some additional information.

I am currently located in Pennsylvania (near Altoona/Johnstown, Mid-western PA)

I can work with only non-venomous snakes, though I am open to conducting research on snake venom, but I would have to order it, and not get it myself from the snake... hehe (though venomous snakes interest me greatly)

I will have only a year to conduct this research experiment

This can be done in the lab, or it can be a field study in the wild

I do own a snake, a Rosy Boa, so I am not oblivious as to the care and requirements of reptiles.

Well, I am sure I have omitted some information that is useful, but it’s late, and my brain is fried. Again, any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much everyone!

I am currently a junior, studying biology with a concentration in environmental science and a minor in mathematics.

One thing to consider, if you are really interested in mathematics might be some mathematical based herp research project. Most herp researchers only have a fundamental grasp of mathematical principles and this could make you stand out as a potential graduate student to a prospective professor/program.

I don't know what your mathematical interests/skills are (and I have none ) but what about mathematical modeling and testing of some environmental variable for herps?

For example, is there a way to mathematically optimize coverboard/pitfall layout in a landscape to increase the chance of successfully finding/studying herps? Might be interesting to mathematically predict optimum placements and then run a few trials and look at success for each layout for a given species. You would have to pick a species about which some things are known (home ranges, activity periods, approximate densities, etc.).

Of course, there would be a whole lot of variables, but you could select a few to focus on. You could do this over a season by developing the optimum model in the spring (NOW!) and then sampling all summer and analyzing and writing in the fall.

This might be too complex (again, my math skills are limited - I learned calculus,...no...really....I did....it's on my transcript,....I must have known it once!), but simplifying the possible variables might make it doable.

Certainly would be good science, of interest to other herp researchers (herp sampling methods are mostly haphazard and based on prior experience rather than principle), and would be publishable. Heck, even an entomologist might be interested in more efficient sampling!

If something like this is not interesting or not practical for your situation, figure out something that demonstrates your interests or strengths.

What about a multivariate analysis of herp densities and some environmental variables? It's been done before, but if you chose the right variables and species/measure of activity, it could be publishable science.
All of these would be good feathers in your cap to move on in academic research.
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Chris Harrison