The Herpetology Lab
Eastern Illinois University
image of SJM  
cartoon frog
Stephen J. Mullin, Ph.D.

Department of Biological Sciences
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL  61920.3099
tel: 217.581.6234
fax: 217.581.7141
e-mail: <sjmullin@eiu.edu>

       
Professional Activities
 (Mullin's webpage)
Courses Offered
Research Projects
  :  Graduates
  :  Undergraduates


Former graduate students

Student publications
Graduate
  Herpetology (Bio4952)
  Ethics Seminar (Bio5150)

Undergraduate
  Animal Diversity (Bio1300g)
  Honors Environmental Life Science (Bio3092g)
  Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (Bio3620)
  Vertebrate Natural History (Bio3950)
Sociobiology (EIU4118g)


On-going research projects
  The framework for my research interests is centered on predator-prey interactions and has two focal concepts:  the ecological influence of physical structure on interspecific interactions; and, the environmental and developmental cues that stimulate the expression of behavior.  Subtle changes in the structural complexity of a microhabitat may influence not only the expression of animal behavior, but also patterns of habitat selection and the frequency of organismal interactions.  Studies of this type can elucidate the factors regulating the population dynamics of species within particular habitat types, and have implications in conservation biology where the choice of sites appropriate for preservation is often debated.

: Graduate Students

Kathryn Hale

-- predatory behavior in neonate Two-striped Gartersnakes (Thamnophis hammondii).
Hale image
 Lee Gross

-- conservation and repatriation of pond-breeding amphibians.
image of Gross
Lorin Neuman-Lee

-- effects of in utero toxicant transfer on histology and behavior in neonate Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon).
  Neuman-Lee image
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  Former Graduate Students
Beth Flitz  (1999-2003)

-- demography and nesting ecology of the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) in a fragmented habitat.

Presently employed by the McHenry County Conservation District , Illinois Department of Natural Resources
  image of Terrapene carolina
Angela Fornell (2006-2008)

-- foraging ecology of Prairie Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis c. calligaster) in response to different environmental cues.

Presently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in the Dept. of Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington.
 image of angela f.
C. Drew Foster (2002-2004)

-- performance of Two-striped Gartersnakes (Thamnophis hammondii) following ingestion of toxic and non-toxic prey types.

Presently employed as a keeper, Penguins/Seabirds/Pinnipeds, Lincoln Park Zoo.		 image of Drew Foster
 
Sarabeth Klueh (2003-2005)

-- demography and population modeling of Jefferson Salamanders (Ambystoma jeffersonianum).

Presently employed as the Herpetologist, Wildlife Diversity Section, Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources.
image of Klueh
Melanie Olds (2005-2007)

 -- habitat selection and over-wintering site fidelity in Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon).

Presently employed as a Field Naturalist for the Orange County Dept. of Education Inside the Outdoors program.
image of Olds

J. Brian Towey (2001-2007)

-- recovery of pond-breeding amphibian populations following predator removal.

Presently employed as a Staff Ecologist at the Richardson Wildlife Foundation (Illinois).
image of Towey
Lee Walston (2003-2005)

-- conservation ecology of pond-breeding
amphibian communities.

Presently employed as a Staff Ecologist at Argonne National Laboratories.
image of Walston

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Student Publications
Dunn, S.J.  2004.  Foraging and prey handling behaviors of the generalist Thamnophis hammondii offered various prey types.  Bios 75:58-64.

Flitz, B.A.  2003. Nest-site Selection in the Eastern Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina carolina , in a population in central Illinois.  M.S. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University.

Fornell, A.M.  2008.  Foraging site selection in Prairie Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis c. calligaster): An experimental approach.  M.S. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University.
Foster, C.D.  2004. Physiological performance of Thamnophis hammondii is not affected after eating the toxic frog Xenopus laevis .  M.S. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University.

Foster, C.D. and P.M. Hampton.  2003.  Reptiles and amphibians of three state parks in east-central Illinois.  Transactions of the Illinois Academy of Sciences 96:219-228.

Foster, C.D., P. Hampton, & J.B. Towey.  2004.  Natural history notes: Scincella lateralis (predation).  Herpetological Review 35:269-270.

Klueh, S.  2005.  Size and reproductive activity of a geographically-isolated population of Ambystoma jeffersonianum in east-central Illinois.  M.S. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University.

Olds, M.J.  2007.  Habitat use and overwintering ecology of the Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) on an artificial levee in central Illinois.  M.S. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University.

Towey, J.B.  2007.  Influence of fish presence and removal on woodland pond breeding amphibians in central Illinois.  M.S. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University.
Walston, L.J.  2005.  Resilience of an amphibian community following the removal of introduced fish.  M.S. Thesis, Eastern Illinois University.

Walston, L.J., and K.J. Register.  2004.  Natural history notes: Ambystoma opacum (frequency of albino life stages).  Herpetological Review 35:365.

For other publications of the lab's work, please see Mullin's website .
For reprints of any of these articles, feel free to e-mail your request to <sjmullin@eiu.edu>

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