Jake Kuschel
JACOB E. KUSCHEL
M.S. Student
Graduate Research Assistant
Education:
M.S. Biology, Eastern New Mexico University (in progress)
B.S. Environmental Biology (Zoology), Michigan State University, 2024
Thesis Research: Utilizing environmental DNA surveys to detect imperiled snakes across New Mexico, USA
Research Overview: I am a lifelong herpetology-obsessed individual and am particularly passionate about snakes. At ENMU, I worked on a project funded by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife examining the utility of the environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to detect the presence of two imperiled snake species in New Mexico: the Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques) in the Gila–Cliff Valley and the Plain-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster) along the lower Pecos River. These efforts have resulted in important detections of these species, including detections of T. eques from the Gila River. These surveys have assisted in mapping the distribution and occurrence of these two snake species to inform conservation efforts.
Publications:
Green KE, Kuschel JE, Summo Elias SD, DeWeerd BJ, Davis DR. In review. New distributional records of Hemidactylus aff. malcolmsmithi from south Texas, USA. Herpetological Review.
Kuschel JE, Guadiana CJ, Davis DR. 2025. Coniophanes imperialis (regal black-striped snake). Diet. Herpetological Review 56:446–447. [PDF]
Myers CJ, Genter BW, Green KE, Kuschel JE, Duffendack SJ, Davis DR. 2025. Geographic distribution: Tarentola mauritanica (Moorish gecko). Herpetological Review 56:382–383. [PDF]
Kuschel JE, Davis DR. 2025. Distributional records of herpetofauna from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Herpetological Review 56:44–46. [PDF]
Technical Reports:
Kuschel JE, Davis DR. 2026. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to survey for imperiled snakes in New Mexico. Interim report to New Mexico Department of Wildlife. 18 pp.
Kuschel JE, Davis DR. 2025. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to survey for imperiled snakes in New Mexico. Year 1 report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 29 pp.
Kuschel JE, Davis DR. 2025. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) to survey for imperiled snakes in New Mexico. Interim report to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. 25 pp.
Presentations:
Kuschel JE, Davis DR. Using environmental DNA as a tool for detecting two imperiled snake species in New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico University, Student Research and Creativity Conference; Portales, New Mexico; April 2025
