Publications | Willson Lab Arkansas

Willson, J.D., E.J. Royal†, J.C. Guzy†, M.C. Swartwout†, and C.S. Kross†. 2024. Ecology of an Insular Snake Assemblage in Coastal Maine. Northeastern Naturalis 31:13-34.

Guzy, J., B. Falk, B. Smith, J.D. Willson, et al. 2023. Burmese pythons in Florida: A synthesis of biology, impacts, and 5 management tools. Neobiota 80:1-119.

Yerdon*, G., E. Royal†, C. Kross†, and J.D. Willson. 2023. Effects of Prairie Degradation and Restoration on Box Turtle Thermal Ecology. J. Herpetology 57:92-98.

Royal†, E., C.T. Winne, and J.D. Willson. 2023. Trap escape as a driver of detection probability in semi-aquatic snakes. Herpetologica 79:57-62.

Swartwout†, M., and J.D. Willson. 2023. Factors influencing tropical lizard reproduction vary by microhabitat but not forest type. Journal of Tropical Ecology 39:e32.

Royal†, E., C. Kross†, and J.D. Willson. 2022. Legacy Land Use Predicts Occupancy Patterns of Prairie-associated Herpetofauna in Western Arkansas. Landscape Ecology.

Swartwout†, M. and J.D. Willson. 2022. Southeastern US Snake Species are Vulnerable to Egg
Predation by Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta). Herpetologica 78:139-144.

Royal†, E., D. Greene, D. Miller, and J.D. Willson. 2022. Influence of landscape and vegetation characteristics on herpetofaunal assemblages in Gulf Coastal Plain pine forests. Journal of Wildlife Management 86:e22199.

Kross†, C. and J.D. Willson. 2022. Land-use alters the form of larval density dependence to increase extinction risk in a grassland amphibian. Animal Conservation 25:771-781.

Kross†, C. and J.D. Willson. 2022. Population Decline and Landscape-Scale Occupancy of the Crawfish Frog (Lithobates areolatus) in Northwest Arkansas. Ichthyology and Herpetology 110:50-58. (Cover Photo)

Guzy, J.C.†, B. Halstead, K. Halloran†, J. Homyack, and J.D. Willson. 2021. Increased growth of stream salamanders following forest harvesting. Ecology & Evolution 11:17723-17733.

Halloran†, K., J.C. Guzy†, J. Homyack, and J.D. Willson. 2021. Effects of Timber Harvest on Survival and Movement of the Ouachita Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus brimleyorum) in a Managed Forest Landscape. Ecosphere 12:e03489.

Kross†, C., A.K. Dodd, P. Mariage*, and J.D. Willson. 2020. Timing of oviposition influences the effects of a non‑native grass on amphibian development. Oecologia 194:113-122.

Swartwout†, M.C., P.N. Vogrinc†, J.A. Baecher*, C. Kross†, and J.D. Willson. 2020. Prey Size and Growth Rate do not Influence Trophic Morphology of Juvenile Water Snakes (Nerodia sipedon). Herpetologica 76:53-60.

Guzy†, J.C., K.H. Halloran†, J. Homyack, J. Thornton-Frost, and J.D. Willson. 2019. Differential responses of amphibian and reptile assemblages to size of riparian buffers within managed forests. Ecological Applications 29(8):e01995.

Guzy†, J., K. Halloran†, J. Homyack, and J.D. Willson. 2019. Influence of riparian buffers and habitat characteristics on salamander assemblages in headwater streams within managed forests. Forest Ecology and Management 432: 868-883.

DuRant, S, J.D. Willson, and R.B. Carroll. 2019. Parental effects and climate change: Will avian incubation behavior shield embryos from increasing environmental temperatures? Integrative and Comparative Biology 59(4):1068-1080.

Willson, J.D., S. Pittman, J. Beane, and T. Tuberville. 2018. A novel approach to estimating densities of secretive species from road-survey and spatial-movement data. Wildlife Research 45:446-456. (Cover Photo)

Vogrinc†, P., A. Durso, C. Winne, and J.D. Willson. 2018. Landscape-scale effects of supra-seasonal drought on semi-aquatic snake assemblages. Wetlands 38:667-676.

Brewster, C., S. Beaupre, and J.D. Willson. 2018. Habitat loss and local extinction: linking declines of eastern Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) to habitat degradation in Ozark glades. Journal of Herpetology 52:352-360.

Baecher*, J., P. Vogrinc†, J. Guzy†, C. Kross†, and J.D. Willson. 2018. Herpetofaunal Communities in Restored and Unrestored Remnant Tallgrass Prairie and Associated Wetlands in Northwest Arkansas, USA. Wetlands. 38:157-168.

Guzy†, J., E. Eskew, B. Halstead, and S. Price. 2018. Influence of Damming on Anuran Species Richness in Riparian Areas: A Test of the Serial Discontinuity Concept. Ecology & Evolution. 2018:1-12.

Schuler, G.A., A.K. Tice, R.A. Pearce, E. Foreman, J. Stone, S. Gammill, J.D. Willson, C. Reading, J.D. Silberman, and M.W. Brown. 2018. Phylogeny and classification of novel diversity in Sainouroidea (Cercozoa, Rhizaria) sheds light on a highly diverse and divergent clade. Protist 169:853-874.

DeGregorio, B.A., G. Blouin-Demers, G.L.F. Carfagno, J.W. Gibbons, S. Mullin, J.D. Willson, K. Wray, and P.J. Weatherhead. 2018. Geographic variation in body size and sexual size dimorphism of North American ratsnakes (Pantherophis spp. sensu lato). Canadian Journal of Zoology 96:1196-1202.

Bush*, C., J. Guzy†, K. Halloran†, M. Swartwout†, C. Kross†, and J.D. Willson. 2017. Distribution and Abundance of Introduced Seal Salamanders (Desmognathus monticola) in Northwest Arkansas, USA. Copeia 105:680-690.

Willson, J.D. 2017. Indirect effects of invasive Burmese pythons on ecosystems in southern Florida. Journal of Applied Ecology. 54:1251-1258.

Willson, J.D. and C.T. Winne. 2016. The predatory role of aquatic snakes in isolated wetlands: A case study in evaluating functional roles of secretive species. Journal of Zoology, London 298:266-273.

Kern, M, J. Guzy†, J. Lovich, J. W. Gibbons, & M. Dorcas. 2015. Relationships of maternal body size and morphology with egg and clutch size in the diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin (Testudines: Emydidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 177:295-304.

DeGregorio, B., S.J. Chiavacci, P.J. Weatherhead, J.D. Willson, T.J. Benson, and J.H. Sperry. 2014. Snake predation on North American bird nests: culprits, patterns, and future directions. Journal of Avian Biology 45:001-009.

DeGregorio, B., J.D. Willson, M.E. Dorcas and J.W Gibbons. 2014. Commercial value of amphibians produced from an isolated wetland. American Midland Naturalist 172:200-204.

Guzy†, J.C., Price, S.J., and Dorcas, M.E. 2014. Using multiple methods to assess detection probabilities of riparian-zone anurans: implications for monitoring. Wildlife Research 41:243-257.

Witczak, L.R, Guzy†, J.C., Price, S.J., and Dorcas, M.E. 2014. Temporal and spatial variation in survivorship of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 13:146-151.

Durso, A.M., C.T. Winne ,and J.D. Willson. 2013. Habitat influences diet overlap in aquatic snake assemblages. Journal of Zoology, London 291:185-193.

Underwood, E.B., S. Bowers, J.C. Guzy†, J.E. Lovich, C.A. TAylor, J.W. Gibbons, and M.E. Dorcas. 2013. Sexual dimorphism and feeding ecology of Diamondbacked terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin). Herpetologica 69:397-404.

Hopkins, B.C.†, S.Y. Chin*, J.D. Willson, and W.A. Hopkins. 2013. Like mother, like offspring: maternal and offspring wound healing correlate in snakes. Journal of Experimental Biology 216:2545-2547.

Willson, J.D., and W.A. Hopkins. 2013. Beyond the wetland: evaluating the effects of anthropogenic stressors on source-sink dynamics in pond-breeding amphibians. Conservation Biology 27:595-604.

Hopkins, B.C., W.A. Hopkins, D.K. Jones, and J.D. Willson. 2013. Mercury exposure is associated with negative effects on turtle reproduction. Environmental Science and Technology 47:2416-2422.

Drewett, D.V.V.*,J.D. Willson, D. A. Cristol, S.Y. Chin*, and W.A. Hopkins. 2013. Inter- and intra-specific variation in mercury bioaccumulation by snakes inhabiting a contaminated river floodplain. Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry 32:1178-1186.

Chin*, S.Y., J.D. Willson, D. A. Cristol, D.V.V. Drewett*, and W.A. Hopkins. 2013. High levels of maternally transferred mercury do not affect reproductive output or embryonic survival of northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon). Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry 32:619-626.

Chin*, S.Y., J.D. Willson, D. A. Cristol, D.V.V. Drewett*, and W.A. Hopkins. 2013. Altered behavior of neonatal northern watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) exposed to maternally transferred mercury. Environmental Pollution 176:144-150.

Steen, D.A., D.J. Stevenson, J.C. Beane, J.D. Willson, M.J. Aresco, J.C. Godwin, S.P. Graham, L.L. Smith, J.M. Howze, D.C. Rudolph, J.B. Pierce, J.R. Lee, B.B. Gregory, J. Jensen, S.H. STiles, J.A. Stiles, N.H. Nazdrowicz, and C. Guyer. 2013. Terrestrial movements of the red-bellied mudsnake (Farancia abacura) and rainbow snake (F. erytrogramma). Herpetological Review 44:208-213.

Willson, J.D., W.A. Hopkins, C.M. Bergeron, and B.D. Todd. 2012. Making leaps in amphibian ecotoxicology: Translating individual-level effects of environmental contaminants to population viability. Ecological Applications 22:1791-1802.

Reed, R.N., J.D. Willson, M.E. Dorcas, and G.H. Rodda. 2012. Ecological correlates of invasion impact for Burmese pythons in Florida. Integrative Zoology 7:254-270.

Dorcas, M.E., J.D. Willson, R.N. Reed, R.W. Snow, M.R. Rochford, M.A. Mille†, W.E. Meshaka, Jr., P.T. Andreadis, F.J. Mazzotti, C.M. Romagosa, and K.M. Hart. 2012. Severe mammal declines coincide with python proliferation in Everglades National Park. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - USA 109:2418-2422. (Cover Aritcle)

Todd, B. D., J.D. Willson, C. M. Bergeron, and W. A. Hopkins. 2012. Do effects of mercury in larval amphibians persist after metamorphosis? Ecotoxicology 21:87-95.

Willson, J.D. and W. A. Hopkins. 2011. Prey morphology constrains the feeding ecology of an aquatic generalist predator. Ecology 92:744-754.

Willson, J. D., C. T. Winne, and B. T. Todd. 2011. Ecological and methodological factors affecting detectability and population estimation in elusive species. Journal of Wildlife Management 75:36-45.

Durso*, A.M., J.D. Willson, C.T. Winne, and J.W. Gibbons. 2011. Needles haystacks: estimating detection probability and occupancy of rare and cryptic snakes. Biological Conservation 144:1508-1515.

Duncan, M. B., S. E. DuRant, B. J. Ostby, J. H. Roberts, and J.D. Willson. 2011. A multi-taxa biological survey of Passage Creek, Virginia. Northeastern Naturalist. 83:357-369.

Willson, J. D., M. E. Dorcas, and R. W. Snow. 2011. Identifying plausible scenarios for the establishment of invasive Burmese pythons (Python molurus) in southern Florida. Biological Invasions 13:1493-1504

Willson, J. D., C. T. Winne, M. A. Pilgrim, C. S. Romanek, and J. W. Gibbons. 2010. Seasonal variation in terrestrial resource subsidies influences trophic niche width and overlap in two aquatic snake species: a stable isotope approach. Oikos 119:1161-1171.

Winne, C. T., J. D. Willson, and J. W. Gibbons. 2010. Drought survival and reproduction impose contrasting selection pressures on maximum body size and sexual size dimorphism in a snake, Seminatrix pygaea. Oecologia 162:913-922.

Dorcas, M. E., J. D. Willson, and J. W. Gibbons. 2010. Can invasive Burmese pythons inhabit temperate regions of the southeastern United States. Biological Invasions 13:793-802.

Eskew*, E. A., J. D. Willson, and C. T. Winne. 2009. Ambush site selection and ontogenetic shifts in foraging strategy in a semi-aquatic pit viper, the Eastern Cottonmouth. Journal of Zoology, London 277:179-186.

Willson, J. D., C. T. Winne, and M. B. Keck. 2008. Empirical tests of biased body size distributions in aquatic snake captures. Copeia 2008:401-408.

Todd, B. D., J. D. Willson, C. T. Winne, R. D. Semlitsch, and J. W. Gibbons. 2008. Ecology of the Southeastern Crowned Snake, Tantilla coronata, in the Upper Coastal Plain. Copeia 2008:388-394.

Todd, B. D., J. D. Willson, C. T. Winne, and J. W. Gibbons. 2008. Aspects of the ecology of the earth snakes (Virgnina valeriae and V. striatula) in the Upper Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist 7:349-358.

Dorcas, M. E., J. D. Willson, and J. W. Gibbons. 2007. Population decline and demographic changes of a diamondback terrapin population over three decades. Biological Conservation 137:334-340.

Todd, B. D., C. T. Winne, J. D. Willson, and J. W. Gibbons. 2007. Getting the drift: examining the effects of timing, trap type, and taxon on herpetofaunal drift fence surveys. American Midland Naturalist 158:292-305.

Winne, C. T., J. D. Willson, B. D. Todd, K. M. Andrews, and J. W. Gibbons. 2007.Enigmatic decline of a protected population of eastern kingsnakes, Lampropeltis getula. Copeia 2007:507-519.

Glaudas, X. A., K. M. Andrews, J. D. Willson, and J. W. Gibbons. 2007. Migration patterns in a population of cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) inhabiting an isolated wetland. Journal of Zoology, London 271:119-124. (Cover Article)

Willson, J. D., C. T. Winne, M. E. Dorcas, and J. W. Gibbons. 2006. Post-drought responses of semi-aquatic snakes inhabiting an isolated wetland: Insights on different strategies for persistence in a dynamic habitat. Wetlands 26:1071-1078.

Winne, C. T., J. D. Willson, and J. W. Gibbons. 2006. Income breeding allows an aquatic snake (Seminatrix pygaea) to reproduce normally following prolonged drought-induced aestivation. Journal of Animal Ecology 75:1352-1360.

Price, S. J., M. E. Dorcas, A. L. Gallant, R. W. Klaver, and J. D. Willson. 2006. Three Decades of Urbanization: Estimating the Impact of Land Cover Change on Stream Salamander Populations. Biological Conservation 133:436-441.

Gibbons, J. W., C. T. Winne, D. E. Scott, J. D. Willson, et al. (4th of 28 authors). 2006. Remarkable amphibian biomass and abundance in an isolated wetland, with implications for wetland conservation. Conservation Biology 20:1457-1465.

Winne, C. T., J. D. Willson, K. M. Andrews, and R. N. Reed. 2006. Efficacy of marking snakes with disposable ophthalmic cautery units. Herpetological Review 37:52-54.

Willson, J. D., C. T. Winne, and L. A. Fedewa. 2005. Unveiling escape and capture rates of aquatic snakes and salamanders (Siren spp. and Amphiuma means) in commercially available funnel traps. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 20:397-403.

Tuberville, T. D., J. D. Willson, M. E. Dorcas, and J. W. Gibbons. 2005. Herpetofaunal diversity of southeastern National Parks. Southeastern Naturalist 4:537-569. (Cover Article)

Willson, J. D., and M. E. Dorcas. 2004. Comparison of aquatic drift fences with traditional funnel trapping as a quantitative technique for sampling amphibians. Herpetological Review 35:148-150.

Willson, J. D., and M. E. Dorcas. 2004. Aspects of the ecology of small fossorial snakes in the western Piedmont of North Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist 3:1-12.

Willson, J. D., and M. E. Dorcas. 2003. The effects of habitat disturbance on stream dwelling salamander populations: implications for buffer zones and watershed management. Conservation Biology 17:763-771.

Willson, J. D., and M. E. Dorcas. 2003. Quantitative sampling of stream salamanders: a comparison of dipnetting and funnel trapping techniques. Herpetological Review 34:128-130.

Books

Dorcas, M. E. and J.D. Willson. 2011. Invasive Pythons in the United States: Ecology of an Introduced Predator. University of Georgia Press.

Edited Book Chapters

Dorcas, M.E., S.E. Pittman, and J.D. Willson. 2017. Burmese Pythons. In: W. Pitt, J.C. Beasley, and G.W. Witmer (eds.). Ecology and Management of Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasive Species in the United States. CRC Press.

Willson, J.D. 2016. Surface-dwelling Reptiles: Coverboards, Drift Fences and Arrays. Pp. 125-138. In: C. K. Dodd, Jr. (ed.). Reptile Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques, Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Dorcas, M.E. and J.D. Willson. 2013. Hidden Giants: Problems Associated with Studying Secretive Invasive Pythons. Pp. 367-385. In: W. Lutterschmidt (ed.), Reptiles in Research: Investigations of Ecology, Physiology, and Behavior from Desert to Sea. Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Hauppauge, NY. (link to book)

Willson, J.D. and M.E. Dorcas. 2013. Effects of invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades National Park. McGraw Hill Science and Technology Yearbook. pp. 101-104.

Willson, J.D. 2013. Aquatic and terrestrial funnel trapping. Pp. 109-114. In Graeter, GJ, KA Buhlmann, LR Wilkinson, and JW Gibbons (Eds.), Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Reptiles and Amphibians. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Technical Publication IM-1, Birmingham, AL.

Willson, J.D. 2013. Automated recording devices. Pp. 109-114. In Graeter, GJ, KA Buhlmann, LR Wilkinson, and JW Gibbons (Eds.), Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Reptiles and Amphibians. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Technical Publication IM-1, Birmingham, AL.

Akre, T. S. B., J. D. Willson, and T. P. Wilson. 2012. Alternative methods for sampling freshwater turtles and squamates. In: McDiarmid et al. (eds). Reptile Biodiversity: Standard Methods for Inventory and Monitoring, pp. 187-192. Univ. California Press.

Todd, B. T., J. D. Willson, and J. W. Gibbons. 2010. The global status of reptiles and causes of their decline. In: Ecotoxicology of Reptiles and Amphibians, 2 edition, D. W. Sparling, G. Linder, and C. A. Bishop (Eds.), pp. 47-67. SETAC Press, Pensacola, FL.

Dorcas, M. E., and J. D. Willson. 2009. Innovative methods for studies of snake ecology and conservation. In: Snakes: Ecology and Conservation, S. J. Mullin and R. A. Seigel (Eds.), pp. 5-37. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. (cover photo)

Willson, J. D., and J. W. Gibbons. 2009. Drift fences, coverboards, and other traps. In: Amphibian Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques, C. K. Dodd, Jr., (Ed.), pp. 229-245. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.

Willson, J. D. 2008. Eastern Fence Lizard, Sceloporus undulatus. In J. Jensen, C. D. Camp, J. W. Gibbons, and M. Elliott, (eds.). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. University of Georgia Press. Athens, GA.

Willson, J. D. and K. M. Andrews. 2008. Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix. In J. Jensen, C. D. Camp, J. W. Gibbons, and M. Elliott, (eds.). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. University of Georgia Press. Athens, GA.

Willson, J. D. and J. W. Gibbons. 2008. Plain-bellied watersnake, Nerodia erythrogaster. In J. Jensen, C. D. Camp, J. W. Gibbons, and M. Elliott, (eds.). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. University of Georgia Press. Athens, GA.

Dorcas, M. E. and J. D. Willson. 2008. Queen Snake, Regina septemvittata. In J. Jensen, C. D. Camp, J. W. Gibbons, and M. Elliott, (eds.). The Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia. University of Georgia Press. Athens, GA.

Natural History Notes

Enge, K. ... J.D. Willson, et al. (8 of 12 authors). 2023. “Cemophora coccinea (Scarletsnake). Phenotypic aberrancies.” Herpetological Review 54:479.

Mortensen, J., A. Saenger, R. King, B. DeGregorio, and J.D. Willson. 2019. “Pituophis melanoleucus (Pinesnake). Diet.” Herpetological Review 50:811.

Deshwal†, A., J.D Willson, and R. Kannan. 2019. “Loxocenus bicolor (Mexican Burrowing Python). Attempted Predation.” Herpetological Review 50:803-804.

Royal†, E. and A. Meinders. 2019. “Terrapene carolina triunguis (Three-toed Box Turtle). Diet.” Herpetological Review 50:775-776.

Swartwout†, M. and S. M. Robertson. 2019. Aspidoscelis tesselatus (Checkered Whiptail). Diet and Scavenging. Herpetological Review 50:569.

Kross†, C.S., M. Carnes-Mason, J. Hickle, B. Singleton*, and J.D. Willson. 2018. Lampropeltis calligaster. Maximum Size. Herpetological Review 49:754-755.

Pelaez*, J, and J. Willson. 2017. “Nerodia sipedon. Diet.” Herpetological Review 48:216.

Vogrinc†, P.N., T. Files, and J. Berven. 2017. “Crotalus cerberus (Arizona Black Rattlesnake). Diet”. Herpetological Review 48:207-208.

Vogrinc†, P. 2017. “Cantoria violacea (Cantor’s Watersnake). Maximum Length”. Herpetological Review 48:205..

Garst, D. and J.D. Willson. 2016. Farancia erytrogramma (Rainbow Snake). Seasonal Activity. Herpetological Review 47:682-683 .

Vogrinc†, P., R. McCleary and T. Benel. 2016. “Ahaetulla prasina (Oriental Whip Snake). Diet”. Herpetological Review. 47:471-472. .

Vogrinc†, P.N and R.J.R. McCleary. 2016. "Cuora amboinensis (Southeast Asian Box Turtle). Diet." Herpetological Review 47:121-122.

Heartle, N., P. Hampton, P.N. Vogrinc†, and J.D. Willson. 2015. Farancia abacura (Reb-bellied Mudsnake). Feeding Behavior. Herpetological Review 46:449-450.

Baecher*, J.A., P.N. Vogrinc†, J.C. Guzy†, J.C. Neal, and J.D. Willson. 2014. Lithobates areolatus (Crawfish Frog). Predation. Herpetological Review 45:681-82.4.

Willson, J.D., R. Snow, R.N. Reed, and M.E. Dorcas. 2014. Python molurus bivittatus (Burmese Python). Minimum Size at Maturity. Herpetological Review 45:343-344.

Vogrinc†, P., J. D. Willson, A.M. Durso, L.A. Bryan, Z Ross, J. Holbrook, and D. Filipiak. 2013. Nerodia floridana (Florida Green Watersnake). Diet. Herpetological Review 44:695.

Luhring, T M., J. D. Willson, and C. T. Winne. 2011. Nerodia fasciata fasciata (Banded Watersnake). Inter-wetland Movement. Herpetological Review 42:100-101.