Herpetology Range Students
Brian Camposano
School of Natural Resources and Environment
Division of Herpetology
Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA
Telephone: 352 273-1945, Fax: 352 846-0287
E-mail: biscuit1@ufl.edu
Research Interests
I have a very broad set of interests related to ecology and natural history. My primary research interests focus on the morphology and distribution of native and introduced Anoles (Anolis spp.) in the state of Florida. Florida has a unique problem in that there are more non-native herp species established in Florida than anywhere else in the world. Anoles represent a very diverse clade of animals, in which morphological identification can very extremely difficult. I aim to discern the differences between all of Florida's Anoles in such a way that they are easily diagnosed and identified by researchers and the layman alike.
Through the use of field collection and preserved museum specimens, I am diagnosing over 35 morphometric and meristic characters for each of the Florida species of anoles. Differences between characters are diagnosed using various multivariate statistical packages, including MANCOVA, ANCOVA, and discriminate function analyses. From this I will create a dichotomous key to ease in the discerning of the different species in Florida. This research should help to identify current population trends in the state as well as providing reference to determine when and if new species of anoles establish themselves in Florida. Distribution maps are also being created with locality data from multiple research museums around the country through ArcGIS to determine relative sizes and expansion patterns of each species in Florida over time (i.e. expansion of range in time since detection).
I am also very interested ecology and natural history of Florida's native amphibians and reptiles. I have spent 2.5 years sampling herp diversity as a biologist at Goethe State Forest to determine species richness and abundance on State lands. I additionally have interests in fisheries ecology and management. Furthermore, I also currently manage RCW populations at Goethe State Forest in regards to the established Federal Recovery Guidelines.
Dissertation Title
M.S. Thesis: M.S. Thesis: Morphology and Distribution of Anoles (Anolis spp.) in Florida
Primary Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kenneth Krysko & Dr. Steve JohnsonDr. Todd Campbell
Dr. Jeffrey Hill
