Division of Herpetology Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA Telephone: 352 392-1721 x. 479, Fax: 352 846-0287
Madagascar leaf-nosed snake (Langaha madagascariensis) hooding
Dr. Kenneth Krysko's Current Research
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Senior Biological Scientist Division of Herpetology Florida Museum of Natural History University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, USA Telephone: 352 392-1721 x. 479, Fax: 352 846-0287 |
Madagascar leaf-nosed snake (Langaha madagascariensis) hooding |
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.
| 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 (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), Dr. Todd S. Campbell (University of Tampa), and Florida State and National Parks. Most of our research is conducted throughout southern peninsular Florida and the Keys. One of my most interesting study sites is at Crandon Park (aka iguana heaven), Key Biscayne. We are in the process of completing a paper documenting the history of the park along with the species that are found there. Additionally, my colleagues down the street at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, removed >800 Iguana iguana from their park in 2003! |
 Black spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura similis) preparing to nibble on Kevin Enge, Crandon Park, Key Biscayne. Kenney and some of his students recently completed a diet study of C. similis in southern Florida. We documneted this species eating an endangered plant species, as well as possibly competing for food and microhabitat with the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, another protected species. |
 Vieled chameleon, Chamaeleo calyptratus, Lee County, Florida. |
| My colleagues and I study what exotic species are in Florida at the present time, which ones have been extirpated, as well as their current geographic distributions and ecological impacts. |
 Gecko eggs found under loose bark of Australian pine tree on Upper Sugarloaf Key. |
 Coleman Sheehy collecting Sphaerodactylus and Hemidactylus eggs on Upper Sugarloaf Key. Watch out for that Centruroides gracilis! |
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One goal is completing a desperately needed updated book with dichotomous keys distinguishing each species.
At the same time, we are writing smaller papers with the data we have collected, some of which have already been published.
Also see Kevin Enge's exotics website
I have recently joined the Risk Assessment Subworking Group of the Invasive Species Working Group (ISWG) with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to create species risk assessments and regulated lists. |
 Gecko illustrations by Keidra Daniels. |
 Gekko gecko collected on Key Largo. |
 Note the male Agama agama on the limestone wall. Although many lizards are accustomed to vehicles, they retreat quickly when approached by humans walking. We fish with live crickets from our vehicle to collect wary lizards! |
 Kenney holding a male Agama agama collected with his fishing technique. Note the bait bucket-o-crickets! This technique was published in the Caribbean Journal of Science (2000). |
 Kenney holding a butterfly lizard, Leiolepis belliana while fishing in Kevin Enge's truck. The paper documenting this new exotic species in Florida will be published soon. |
 Todd Campbell and I are completing a paper on species turnover of Hemidactylus geckos in Florida. |
 Kenney and Esther Langan holding a 9 foot gravid female Boa constrictor collected at Deering Estate, Miami. A paper documenting this species here is nearly completed-we're waiting on you Alicie! |
 Anolis chlorocyanus, Broward County. |
 Chalcides ocellatus, Broward County. |
 Ptychozoon lionotum, Broward County. |
 One of my favorites to study, the Madagascar giant day gecko, Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis. I have now recorded this species from 5 different islands in the Florida Keys. |
 Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis high above ground in a mangrove tree. |
 Kenney noosing an adult green iguana, Iguana iguana, Crandon Park, Key Biscayne. |
 Of course, we have to do a little fishing while in the Keys! Sean Morey & Nichole Hooper with bonefish. Yes, even I caught 3 on my flyrod! |
 Andy Borgia canepoling for red-eared sliders, Trachemys scripta elegans, Fairchild Tropical Gardens. |
Exotics Update!
Pakistan geckos (Cyrtopodion) coming soon!
Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) salamanders coming soon!
You can download the papers below and view them using the free
Publications with PDFs:
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 In Press.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Krysko, K. L., and F. W. King. 2002. Leiocephalus carinatus armouri (Curly-tailed
Lizard). Geographic Distribution. Herpetological Review 33:148.
Krysko, K. L., B.E. Eady, and K. R. Abdelfattah. 2001. The occurrence of a malformed smallmouth salamander (Ambystoma texanum) from Indiana. Bulletin Maryland Herpetological Society 37:21-23.
Submitted
K. L. Krysko, J. C. Nifong, R. W. Snow, and K. M. Enge. Reproduction of the Burmese Python (Python molurus bivittatus) (Burmese Python) in southern Florida. Applied Herpetology Submitted
K. L. Krysko, D. Diep, E. Abellana, E. R. McKercher, and K. W. Larson. Diet and natural history of the introduced
black spiny-tailed iguana, Ctenosaura similis (Sauria: Iguanidae) in southern Florida.
Caribbean Journal of Science Submitted.
Krysko, K.L., J.C. Seitz, K.M. Enge, E.M. Donlan, and E.A. Golden. Geographic Distribution and Natural History of the Introduced Green Iguana (Iguana iguana) in Florida. Iguana Submitted
Krysko, K.L., K.M. Enge, E.M. Donlan, and E.A. Golden. The non-marine herpetofauna of Key Biscayne, Florida. Caribbean Journal of Science Submitted
Warren-Bradley, A., K. L. Krysko, and K. M. Enge. An established population of boa constrictor, Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae), in Florida. Caribbean Journal of Science Submitted
Blunden, T. K., and K. L. Krysko. Agama agama africana (African Rainbow Lizard). Reproduction. Herpetological Review. Submitted.
In Preparation
Krysko, K. L., K.M. Enge, and J.H. Townsend. The Introduced Herpetofauna of Southern Florida: The Next Century.
Wasilewski, J. A., K. M. Enge, and K. L. Krysko. Solving the enigma of the Javan File snake, Acrochordus javanicus Hornstedt 1787 (Serpentes: Acrochordidae), in Florida. Florida Scientist.
Krysko, K.L. and A.N. Hooper. Palm nectivory and pollination by lizards (Squamata: Lacertilia). Palms.
Campbell, T. S., and K. L. Krysko. Species turnover of introduced Hemidactylus geckos (Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Florida.
For all publications see bottom of Online CV
In March 2004, Kenney and Coleman Sheehy collected "two" ocellated geckos, Sphaerodactylus argus on
Stock Island and Key West. These are the first known specimens found in 26 years!
Pakistan geckos!
Hellbenders!
Langaha!
I recently completed two studies on the reproduction and feeding behavior of Langaha madagascariensis, which were
published in the African Journal of Herpetology (2003, 2005).
Courtship in Langaha madagascariensis.
Male Langaha madagascariensis
hatching.
Newborn Langaha madagascariensis,
female (above) and two males (below).
I have also just completed another study on the feeding behavior of Langaha madagascariensis and hypothesize an alternate use
for its unusual nasal appendage. This paper was recently submitted to the African Journal of Herpetology.
Langaha madagascariensis hooding.
Langaha madagascariensis feeding on a
brown anole, Anolis sagrei.
For a list of all publications see end of Online CV
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., 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., and K. J. Daniels. 2005. A key to the geckos (Sauria: Gekkonidae) of Florida. Caribbean Journal of Science 41(1):28-36.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.M. Enge. 2005. A new non-native lizard in Florida, the butterfly lizard, Leiolepis belliana (Sauria: Agamidae).
Florida Scientist 68:247-249.
Owens, A. K., K. L. Krysko, and G. L. Heinrich. 2005. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise).
Predation. Herpetological Review 36(1):57-58.
Krysko, K. L., K. M. Enge, J. H. Townsend, E. M. Langan, S. A. Johnson, and T. S. Campbell. 2005.
New county records of amphibians and reptiles from Florida. Herpetological Review 36(1):85-87.
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.
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.
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., 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. 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.
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.
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(4):619-629.
Krysko, K. L. 2003. Reproduction in the Madagascar leaf-nosed snake, Langaha madagascariensis (Serpentes: Colubridae: Pseudoxyrhophiinae).
African Journal of Herpetology 52(1):61-68.
Nickerson, M. A., and K. L. Krysko. 2003. Surveying for hellbender salamanders,
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis (Daudin): A review and critique. Applied Herpetology 1(1):37-44.
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(1/2):67-72.
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(3):390-396.
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(3):222-225.
Townsend, J. T., and K. L. Krysko. 2003. The distribution of Hemidactylus (Sauria: Gekkonidae)
in northern peninsular Florida. Florida Scientist 66(3):204-208.
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(2):74-79.
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(1-2):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.
Townsend, J. H., K. L. Krysko, A. T. Reppas, and C. M. Sheehy III. 2002. Noteworthy
records of introduced reptiles and amphibians from Florida, USA. Herpetological Review 33(1):75.
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 K. R. Abdelfattah. 2002. Micrurus fulvius (Eastern Coral Snake): Prey. Herpetological Review 33(1):57-58.
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. Available: http://www.calacademy.org/research/herpetology/ch/ch/2001/5/index.htm
Krysko, K. L., and A.T. Reppas. 2000. The occurrence of a malformed leopard frog (Rana sphenocephala) from Florida. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society 36(2):40-41.
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.
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 B. Dierking. Lampropeltis getula floridana: Combat ritual. Herpetological Review 29(2):104.