Research Training Program

Ryan McCleary
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Roy McDiarmid, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist
Department of Vertebrate Zoology
Division of Reptiles and Amphibians

"I think this is a great opportunity for anyone interested in biological fields. The experience is extremely worthwhile and the people are great."

An account for the Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (Phyllorhynchus decuratus)

The purpose of this project was to compose two accounts for the Catalog of American Amphibians and Reptiles. For this, a complete literature review on the genus Phyllorhynchus (leaf-nosed snakes) and the species Phyllorhynchus decurtatus was done. Using this information, descriptions of the genus, the species, and the subspecies contained in the species were compiled. Along with the descriptions came research of the synonymies and etymologies of the snake's scientific name. Also, requests for information were sent out to other museums with regards to their collections. With this information, distribution maps were created. All this information has been compiled into two accounts and will be added to the Catalogue so that all information pertaining to these snakes can be found (with references) in a few pages. This Catalogue is an excellent reference guide to anyone studying herpetology.

This research was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee.