ENHS Nature Trails Feb. 98 Article 1

Amphibians and reptiles of Oregon, a bioregional perspective.
by Tom Titus
Department of Biology, University of Oregon

This month's speaker: Tom Titus

1981: Received a B.S. from Western Oregon State College.

1982-84: Worked as a naturalist at the Sunriver Nature Center.

1984: Began graduate work at the University of Kansas.

1987: Received a Master's from KU for work on population genetics of Northwestern Salamander (Amblystoma gracile).

1992: Finished Ph.D. at the University of Kansas on evolutionary relationships of lungless salamanders (Plethodontidae) inferred from DNA sequences.

1992-94: Postdoctoral research at Washington University in St. Louis, evolutionary relationships of "true" salamanders and newts (Salamandridae), continued research on lungless salamanders.

1994-present: Adjunct Asst. Professor at University of Oregon, researching evolutionary relationships of iguanian lizards and lungless salamanders, teach courses on Amphibians and Reptiles of Oregon and Phylogeny Reconstruction.

Nature Trails>1. How did you become interested in herpetology?
TT: I took a class in 1979-80 as an undergrad at Western Oregon State entitled "Natural History of Oregon" part of which included learning the herps of Oregon. I became fascinated by their obscurity. I was also afraid of snakes until I took that class, but reprogrammed myself.î

Nature Trails>2. Who were the people who influenced this interest (if any stand out) & how?
TT: I would say that Dr. Kenneth Walker (instructor for the above class) was instrumental in that he transmitted his enthusiasm for the animals to anyone that would listen. Dr. Jim Kezer was also an important influence because he took me on my first "serious" herpetology adventure--a salamander collecting trip to Costa Rica in 1982.

Nature Trails>3. Childhood interests?
TT: I was uninteresting, I mean uninterested.

Nature Trails>4. Current family status? Kids interested in same?
TT: Wife Kim, son Alex (age 9) and daughter Laurel (age 7). Both kids are avid herpetologists!

Nature Trails remembers that Tom and his wife were featured attractions at the Eugene Natural History Society's Nature Hut at the 1997 Lane County Fair. These are people that care about snakes and frogs. This month's lecture and the follow up field trip are sure to be highlights of our season.

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For the field trip:
Let's meet at the University of Oregon in the western-most parking lot between Onyx Bridge and Franklin Blvd. at 9 AM on Saturday. We can caravan/car pool out to the salamander place when we figure out how many are going. Our destination will be the covered bridge at the confluence of Wildcat Creek and the Siuslaw River. I will plan on spending 4-5 hours out there, returning late afternoon, but people are free to return as they need to, provided we have enough transportation to get everyone home. Bring lunch, waterproof footwear, and rain gear. We will spend the day close to the cars--no rigorous hiking is planned.
(For more information call Tom at 484-4877)

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