Dr. Kenneth L. Krysko's Current Research

Senior Biological Scientist
Division of Herpetology
Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA
Telephone: 352 273-1945, Fax: 352 846-0287

Although my research has involved systematic biology, evolution, ecology, reproduction, and conservation biology, I now have numerous other projects taking place throughout the world. Please visit this site in the near future to see updated information.

Madagascar Leaf-nose Snakes

I have completed two studies on the reproduction and feeding behavior of Langaha madagascariensis, which were published in the African Journal of Herpetology (2003, 2005) below. It would be nice to study this species again one day!

Indigo Snake Genetics

I received two grants (FWC and current Project Orianne: The Indigo Snake Initiative) to conduct phylogenetic analyses on the Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi). We have identified two historical genetic lineages of Eastern Indigo Snakes, which likely diverged from each other ca. 1,000,000 years ago during the Pleistocene.

Kingsnake Genetics

I received one grant (FWC) to conduct phylogenetic analyses on the Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula complex, in the eastern United States. Using five entire or partial mitochondrial DNA genes I have revealed three genetic lineages of Kingsnakes east of the Appalachian Mountains. These lineages correspond to historical biogeography (i.e., sea level changes) during the Pleistocene, as well as currently recognized subspecific taxa.

Florida Exotics

Since I was a graduate student in Miami in 1992, one of my main studies concerns introduced herpetofaunal species in Florida. This is a large project in conjunction with Kevin M. Enge and Paul E. Moler (FWC), Ellen Donlan (South Florida Water Management District), Skip Snow (Everglades National Park), and so many other colleagues. Most of our research is conducted throughout southern peninsular Florida and the Florida Keys. Our once pristine state has become home to at least 60 established non-native herpetofaunal species (documented with vouchers) as people continue to illegally release their former pets into the wild.

Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Florida

We received two grants (NSF [HerpNet] and FWC) to georeference specimen localities to create the first "Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Florida."

We completed this project on 15 December 2011, georeferencing 134,404 Florida specimens from 58 institutions.

Georeferenced localities of amphibian and reptile specimens (n = 134,404) in Florida.

For georeferencing purposes, I sometimes think it would be much easier to go back to when there were only two counties!

Pakistan Geckos

Kurt Auffenberg and I are working on a book of the Geckos of Pakistan. Below is the holotype of our Short-limbed Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtopodion brachykolon). More to come later!

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Selected Publications:

Alfonso, Y.U., G. Fajardo, E. Suarez, and K.L. Krysko. 2012. Sexual size dimorphism, ovipositioning, and hatching in Leiocephalus macropus asbolomus (Squamata: Leiocephalidae) in Alexander von Humboldt National Park in eastern Cuba. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:230-236.

Greene, D.U., B. Hille, S. Sprunt, J.G. Duquesnel, and K.L. Krysko. 2012. First report of a Brown Basilisk (Basiliscus vittatus) from the Florida Keys. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:265-266.

Morton, J.J., and K.L. Krysko. 2012. Known hosts of the nematode endoparasite (Ascarididae: Hexametra angusticaecoides), including the Madagascar leaf-nosed snake (Lamprophiidae: Langaha madagascariensis). Management of Biological Invasions 3:57-59

Gillette, C.R., and K.L. Krysko. 2012. New county record for the veiled chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus Duméril and Bibron 1851 (Sauria: Chamaeleonidae), in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:130-131.

Krysko, K.L., N.A. Albury, and D.W. Steadman. 2012. Confirmation of the Southeastern Five-lined Skink, Plestiodon inexpectatus Taylor 1932 (Scincidae), on Grand Bahama Island, Commonwealth of The Bahamas. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:126-127.

Krysko, K.L., and A.P. Borgia. 2012. The Gold Dust Day Gecko, Phelsuma laticauda (Boettger 1880) (Sauria: Gekkonidae), in the Florida Keys. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:217-218.

Krysko, K.L., C.R. Gillette, R.M. Reichart, L.P. Nuñez, N.T. Coutu, J.A. Wasilewski, K.M. Enge, and A.P. Borgia. 2012. Preliminary dietary analysis for the non-indigenous Oustalet's chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard 1894) (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae), in southern Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:280-287.

Krysko, K.L., K.M. Hart, B.J. Smith, T.H. Selby, M.S. Cherkiss, N.T. Coutu, R.M. Reichart, L.P. Nuñez, F.J. Mazzotti, and Ray W. Snow. 2012. Record length, mass, and clutch size in the nonindigenous Burmese python, Python bivittatus Kuhl 1820 (Squamata: Pythonidae), in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:267-270.

Krysko, K.L., L.A. Somma, M.R. Rochford, C.R. Gillette, K.M. Enge, and D. Cueva. 2012. Taxonomic corrections of certain verified non-indigenous reptiles from Florida reported by Krysko et al. (2011). Zootaxa 3199:66-68.

Krysko, K.L., S.J. Walsh, and R.H. Robins. 2012. The native Florida Green Watersnake, Nerodia floridana (Goff 1936), preying upon the nonindigenous African Jewelfish, Hemichromis letourneuxi Sauvage 1880, in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 19:161-162.

Krysko, K.L., and J.A. Wasilewski. 2012. Anolis sagrei (Brown Anole): Saurophagy. Herpetological Review 43:477-478.

Yotsu-Yamashita, M., J. Gilhen, R.W. Russell, K.L. Krysko, C. Melaun, A. Kurz, S. Kauferstein, D. Kordis, and D. Mebs. 2012. Variability of tetrodotoxin and of its analogues in the red-spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens (Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae). Toxicon 59:257-264

Granatosky, M.C., and K.L. Krysko. 2011. Ontogenetic behavioral shifts in habitat utilization of treefrogs (Hydidae) in north-central Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 18:194-201

Holbrook, J.D., and K.L. Krysko. 2011. The Tentacled Snake, Erpeton tentaculatum Lacépède 1800 (Homalopsidae), in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 18:52.

Krysko, K.L., J.P. Burgess, M.R. Rochford, C.R. Gillette, D. Cueva, K.M. Enge, L.A. Somma, J.L. Stabile, D.C. Smith, J.A. Wasilewski, G.N. Kieckhefer III, M.C. Granatosky, and S.V. Nielsen. 2011. Verified non-indigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida from 1863 through 2010: Outlining the invasion process and identifying invasion pathways and stages. Zootaxa 3028:1-64.

Krysko, K.L., K.M. Enge, and P.E. Moler. 2011. Atlas of Amphibians and Reptiles in Florida. Final Report, Project Agreement 08013, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, USA. 524 pp.

Reed, R.N., D. Giardina, T. Pernas, D. Hazelton, J. Giffin-Dozier, J. Prieto, R.W. Snow, and K.L. Krysko. 2011. Python sebae (Northern African Python or African Rock Python). Size. Herpetological Review 42:303.

Rochford, M.R., K.L. Krysko, and K.P. Wray. 2011. The Marbled Treefrog (Dendropsophus marmoratus [Laurenti 1768]) (Hylidae), Another Introduced Amphibian Species in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 18:248

Smith, D.C., K.L. Krysko, T.A. Sorensen, and M.N. Sider. 2011. The Pacific Coast Giant Musk Turtle, Staurotypus salvinii Gray 1864 (Kinosternidae), a New Non-indigenous Species in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 18:55-56.

Gillette, C.R., K.L. Krysko, J.A. Wasilewski, G.N. Kieckhefer III, E.F. Metzger III, M.R. Rochford, and D. Cueva. 2010. Oustalet's Chameleon, Furcifer oustaleti (Mocquard 1894) (Chamaeleonidae), a Non-indigenous Species Newly Established in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 17:248-249.

Krysko, K.L., S.A. Johnson, K.E. Giddens, K.H. Gielow, T.S. Lowke, W.M. Moore, E. Suarez, C.D. Thomas, A.S. Shoelson, J.P. Burgess, C.A. Smith, and B.A. Garner. 2010. The African Five-lined Skink, Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Lichtenstein 1823): a new established species in Florida. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 17:183-184.

Auffenberg, K., K.L. Krysko, and H. Rehman. 2010. Studies on Pakistan Lizards: Cyrtopodion baturense (Khan and Baig 1992) and Cyrtopodion walli (Ingoldby 1922) (Sauria: Gekkonidae). Zootaxa 2636:1-20.

Krysko, K.L., K.M. Enge, E.M. Donlan, E.A. Golden, J.P. Burgess, and K.W. Larson. 2010. The non-marine herpetofauna of Key Biscayne, Florida. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5:132-142.

Reed, R.N., K.L. Krysko, R.W. Snow, and G.H. Rodda. 2010. Is the Northern African Python (Python sebae) established in southern Florida?. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 17:52-54.

Krysko, K.L., M. Granatosky, Z.W. Fratto, J.L. Kline, and M.R. Rochford. 2010. Caiman crocodilus (Spectacled Caiman). Prey. Herpetological Review 41:348-349.

Krysko, K.L., and M.D. Halvorsen. 2010. Osteopilus septentrionalis (Cuban Treefrog). Prey. Herpetological Review 41:339-340.

Krysko, K.L., K.W. Larson, D. Diep, E. Abellana, and E.R. McKercher. 2009. Diet of the nonindigenous Black Spiny-tailed Iguana, Ctenosaura similis (Gray 1831)(Sauria: Iguanidae) in southern Florida. Florida Scientist 72:48-58.

Camposano, B.J., K.L. Krysko, K.M. Enge, E.M. Donlan, and M. Granatosky. 2008. The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in Florida. Iguana 15:212-219.

Krysko, K.L., J.C. Nifong, R.W. Snow, and K.M. Enge. 2008. Reproduction of the Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) in southern Florida. Applied Herpetology 5:93-95.

Avery, M.L., E.A. Tillman, and K.L. Krysko. 2009. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise), Ctenosaura similis (Gray's Spiny-tailed Iguana). Predation. Herpetological Review 40:435.

Krysko, K.L., K.M. Enge, E.M. Donlan, J.C. Seitz, and E.A. Golden. 2007. Distribution, natural history, and impacts of the introduced green iguana (Iguana iguana) in Florida. Iguana 14:142-151.

Krysko, K.L., and A.N. Hooper. 2007. Potential pollination of non-native coconut palms, Cocos nucifera (Arecales: Arecaceae), by non-native Madagascar giant day geckos, Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis (Sauria: Gekkonidae), in the Florida Keys. Gekko 5:33-38.

Owens, A.K., and K.L. Krysko. 2007. Distribution and ecological status of the introduced Texas horned toad, Phrynosoma cornutum (Harlan 1825) (Sauria: Iguanidae: Phrynosomatinae), in Florida. Florida Scientist 70:62-70.

Smith, C.A., and K.L. Krysko. 2007. Distributional Comments on the Teiid Lizards (Squamata: Teiidae) of Florida with a Key to Species. Caribbean Journal of Science 43:260-265.

Snow, R.W., K.L. Krysko, K.M. Enge, L. Oberhofer, A. Warren-Bradley, and L. Wilkins. 2007. Introduced Populations of Boa constrictor (Boidae) and Python molurus bivitattus (Pythonidae) in Southern Florida. Pp. 417-438 In: Henderson, R.W. and R. Powell (eds.). The Biology of Boas and Pythons. Eagle Mountain Publ., Eagle Mountain, Utah.

Krysko, K.L., K. Auffenberg, and W. Auffenberg. 2006. A new species of Cyrtopodion (Gekkonidae: Gekkoninae) from Pakistan. Herpetologica 63:100-113.

Krysko, K.L., and A.N. Hooper. 2006. Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis (Madagascar Giant Day Gecko). Nectarivory; Potential Pollination. Herpetological Review 37:226.

Krysko, K.L., and W.S. Judd. 2006. Morphological systematics of kingsnakes, Lampropeltis getula complex (Serpentes: Colubridae), in the eastern United States. Zootaxa 1193:1-39.

Krysko, K.L., J.C. Seitz, J.H. Townsend, and K.M. Enge. 2006. The introduced brown basilisk, Basiliscus vittatus Wiegmann 1828, in Florida. Iguana 13:24-30.

Krysko, K.L. 2005. Feeding behavior of the Madagascar leaf-nose snake, Langaha madagascariensis (Serpentes: Colubridae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae), with an alternative hypothesis for its bizarre head structure. African Journal of Herpetology 54(2):195-200.

Krysko, K.L. 2005. Ecological status of the introduced yellow-headed gecko, Gonatodes albogularis (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Florida. Florida Scientist 68:272-280.

Krysko, K.L., and K.J. Daniels. 2005. A key to the geckos (Sauria: Gekkonidae) of Florida. Caribbean Journal of Science 41(1):28-36.

Krysko, K.L. and K.M. Enge. 2005. A new non-native lizard in Florida, the Butterfly Lizard, Leiolepis belliana (Sauria: Agamidae). Florida Scientist 68:247-249.

Krysko, K.L., and C.M. Sheehy III. 2005. Ecological status of the ocellated gecko, Sphaerodactylus argus argus Gosse 1850 in Florida, with additional herpetological notes from the Florida Keys. Caribbean Journal of Science 41(1):169-172.

Krysko, K.L., and D.J. Smith. 2005. The decline and extirpation of kingsnakes, Lampropeltis getula, in Florida. Pp. 132-141 In: W. E. Meshaka, Jr., and K. J. Babbitt, editors. Status and conservation of Florida amphibians and reptiles. Krieger Press, Malabar, Florida.

Mulvaney, A., T.A. Castoe, K.G. Ashton, K.L. Krysko, and C.L. Parkinson. 2005. Evidence of population genetic structure within the Florida worm lizard, Rhineura floridana (Amphisbaenia: Rhineuridae). Journal of Herpetology 39(1):118-124.

Owens, A.K., K.L. Krysko, and G.L. Heinrich. 2005. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise). Predation. Herpetological Review 36(1):57-58.

Townsend, J.H., J. Slapcinsky, K.L. Krysko, E.M. Donlan, and E.A. Golden. 2005. Predation of a tree snail Drymaeus multilineatus (Gastropoda: Bulimulidae) by Iguana iguana (Reptilia: Iguanidae) on Key Biscayne, Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 4(2):361-364.

Auffenberg, K., K.L. Krysko, and W. Auffenberg. 2004. Studies on Pakistan lizards: Cyrtopodion stoliczkai (Steindachner, 1867) (Gekkonidae: Gekkoninae). Asiatic Herpetological Research 10:151-160.

Enge, K.M., and K.L. Krysko. 2004. A new exotic species in Florida, the Bloodsucker Lizard, Calotes versicolor (Daudin 1802) (Sauria: Agamidae). Florida Scientist 67(3):226-230.

Enge, K.M., Krysko, K.L., T.S. Campbell, K. Hankins, and F.W. King. 2004. Status of the Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) in southwestern Florida. Southeastern Naturalist 3(4):571-582.

Enge, K.M., K.L. Krysko, and B.L. Talley. 2004. Distribution and ecology of the introduced African Rainbow Lizard, Agama agama africana (Sauria: Agamidae), in Florida. Florida Scientist 67(4):303-310.

Enge, K.M., M.S. Robson, and K.L. Krysko. 2004. Comparison of sampling techniques for pine rockland herpetofauna in Miami-Dade County parks. Florida Scientist 67(3):194-204.

Krysko, K.L., K.M. Enge, and F.W. King. 2004. The Veiled Chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus: a new exotic species in Florida. Florida Scientist 67(4):249-253.

Krysko, K.L. 2003. Reproduction in the Madagascar Leaf-nosed Snake, Langaha madagascariensis (Serpentes: Colubridae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae). African Journal of Herpetology 52:61-68.

Krysko, K.L., A.N. Hooper, and C.M. Sheehy III. 2003. The Madagascar Giant Day Gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis Gray 1870 (Sauria: Gekkonidae): A new established species in Florida. Florida Scientist 66:222-225.

Krysko, K.L., F.W. King, K.M. Enge, and A.T. Reppas. 2003. Distribution of the introduced Black Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura similis) on the southwestern coast of Florida. Florida Scientist 66:141-146.

Krysko, K.L., C.M. Sheehy III, and A.N. Hooper. 2003. Interspecific communal oviposition and reproduction of four species of lizards (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in the lower Florida Keys. Amphibia-Reptilia 24:390-396.

Nickerson, M. A., and K. L. Krysko. 2003. Surveying for Hellbender Salamanders, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Daudin): A review and critique. Applied Herpetology 1:37-44.

Nickerson, M.A., K.L. Krysko, and R.D. Owen. 2003. Habitat differences affecting age class distributions of the hellbender salamander (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis). Southeastern Naturalist 2:619-629.

Townsend, J.T., and K.L. Krysko. 2003. The distribution of Hemidactylus (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in northern peninsular Florida. Florida Scientist 66(3):204-208.

Townsend, J.H., K.L. Krysko, and K.M. Enge. 2003. Introduced iguanas in southern Florida: more than 35 years of establishment and range expansion. Iguana 10:111-118.

Townsend, J.H., K.L. Krysko, and K.M. Enge. 2003. The identity of introduced spiny-tailed iguanas, Ctenosaura (Sauria: Iguanidae), in Florida, USA. Herpetozoa 16:67-72.

Krysko, K.L. 2002. Seasonal activity of the Florida kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula floridana (Serpentes: Colubridae), in southern Florida. American Midland Naturalist 148:102-114.

Krysko, K.L., and F.W. King. 2002. The Ocellated Gecko (Sphaerodactylus argus argus) in the Florida Keys: An apparent case of an extirpated non-native species. Caribbean Journal of Science 38:139-140.

Nickerson, M.A., K.L. Krysko, and R.D. Owen. 2002. Ecological status of the Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) and the Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Journal of the North Carolina Academy of Science 118:27-34.

Means, D.B., and K.L. Krysko. 2001. Biogeography and pattern variation of kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula) in the Apalachicola region of Florida. Contemporary Herpetology No. 5.

Krysko, K.L. 2000. A fishing technique for collecting the introduced knight anole (Anolis equestris) in southern peninsular Florida. Caribbean Journal of Science 36:162.

Krysko, K.L., L.E. Krysko, and C. Hurt. 2000. Reproduction and distribution of the South Florida Mole Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster occipitolineata) from central peninsular Florida. Journal Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society 116:344-347.

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