People

Davis Herpetology Lab

DREW R. DAVIS, PH.D.
Principal Investigator

Assistant Professor of Wildlife Biology
Director, Gennaro Natural History Museum
Associate Curator of Herpetology, ENMU Natural History Museum
Department of Biology, Eastern New Mexico University

Research Affiliate, Biodiversity Collections
Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin

Editor, Herpetological Review
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Google Scholar
ResearchGate
Curriculum Vitae (updated 2 September 2025)

Office: Roosevelt Science Center 258
Lab: Roosevelt Science Center 237
E-mail: drew.davis (at) enmu.edu
Phone: 575.562.2723

Education:
Ph.D. Biological Sciences: University of South Dakota
M.S. Population and Conservation Biology: Texas State University
B.S. Biology (Ecology, Evolution, Behavior): The University of Texas at Austin

SEBASTIAN SUMMO ELIAS
M.S. Student
Graduate Research Assistant

E-mail: sebastian.summoelias (at) enmu.edu

Research Project: Validating a species distribution model for the Western Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus) in eastern New Mexico

Education:
M.S. Biology; Eastern New Mexico University (in progress)
B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida, 2022

Research Overview: My thesis research is based on conducting surveys for the state-threatened Western Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus) in eastern New Mexico in order to validate a habitat suitability model for the species created by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. While doing these surveys, additional data will be collected on the snakes to identify population trends, answer ecological questions, and better understand threats facing this species across the region. I am also working on a project mapping core and peripheral populations of the parthenogenic New Mexico Whiptail (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus) across its range in the southwestern USA.

Publications:
Caeiro-Dias G, Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. In review. Evaluating occurrence of Aspidoscelis neomexicanus (Squamata: Teiidae) across New Mexico, USA, with the identification of new isolated populations. Herpetological Review.

Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. In press. Thamnophis proximus (western ribbonsnake). Diet. Herpetological Review.

Summo Elias SD, Freitas KA, Travieso RE, Davis DR. 2024. Phelsuma grandis (Madagascar giant day gecko). Diet. Herpetological Review 55:569. [PDF]

Hutcherson ZA, Green KE, Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. 2024. Geographic distribution: Hemidactylus turcicus (Mediterranean gecko). Herpetological Review 55:371–372. [PDF]

Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. 2024. Tantilla nigriceps (plains black-headed snake). Predation. Herpetological Review 55:290–291. [PDF]

Summo Elias SD, Cuevas-Hernandez J, Davis DR. 2024. Geographic distribution: Hemidactylus mabouia (wood slave). Herpetological Review 55:218–219. [PDF]

KEVIN E. GREEN
M.S. Student
Graduate Research Assistant

E-mail: kevin.e.green (at) enmu.edu

Research Project: Assessing the distribution and conservation status of imperiled aquatic turtles in southwestern Indiana

Education:
M.S. Biology; Eastern New Mexico University (in progress)
B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; Eastern New Mexico University, 2025

Research Overview: I am conducting surveys for four species of imperiled turtles in southwestern Indiana: River Cooter, False Map Turtle, Smooth Softshell, and Eastern Mud Turtle. Additionally, I will estimate population sizes and summarize demographic data on these focal species, identify high-quality nesting sites and hot-spots of species abundance and diversity for future conservation action, and engage with the public to generate observations of focal species that will help guide sampling efforts. I am also working on projects documenting the spread of the Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) along the Ohio River, the diet and parasites of non-native house geckos (Hemidactylus) in south Texas, and the prevalence of amphibian pathogens in an introduced population of Rio Cauca Caecilians (Typhlonectes natans) from south Florida.

Publications:
Green KE, Davis DR. In press. Extending the known range of Hemidactylus aff. malcolmsmithi: new records from Louisiana and Mississippi, USA. Herpetological Review.

Rooney B (and 260 others, including Green KE). In review. SNAPSHOT USA 2024: the sixth year of data for a collaborative camera trap survey. Global Ecology and Biogeography.

Green KE, Davis DR. 2024. Rana pipiens (northern leopard frog). Defensive behavior. Herpetological Review 55:549–550. [PDF]

Green KE, Davis DR. 2024. Historic amphibian and reptile records from the Natural History Museum, Eastern New Mexico University. Herpetological Review 55:531–532. [PDF]

Green KE, Power JG, Davis DR. 2024. Osteopilus septentrionalis (Cuban treefrog). Predation. Herpetological Review 55:411–412. [PDF]

Hutcherson ZA, Green KE, Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. 2024. Geographic distribution: Hemidactylus turcicus (Mediterranean gecko). Herpetological Review 55:371–372. [PDF]

JAKE E. KUSCHEL
M.S. Student
Graduate Research Assistant

E-mail: jake.kuschel (at) enmu.edu

Research Project: Evaluating the distribution of two imperiled snakes in New Mexico using environmental DNA

Education:
M.S. Biology; Eastern New Mexico University (in progress)
B.S. Environmental Biology (Zoology); Michigan State University, 2024

Research Overview: I am a lifelong herpetology-obsessed individual and am particularly passionate about snakes. At ENMU, I am working on a project funded by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and will be using environmental DNA to survey for the presence of two imperiled snake species: the Mexican Gartersnake (Thamnophis eques) and the Plain-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster). These surveys will assist in mapping the habitat distribution of these snakes to inform conservation efforts.

Publications:
Kuschel JE, Guadiana CJ, Davis DR. In review. Coniophanes imperialis (regal black-striped snake). Diet. Herpetological Review.

Kuschel JE, Davis DR. 2025. Distributional records of herpetofauna from the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Herpetological Review 56:44–46. [PDF]

ZOE A. HUTCHERSON
M.S. Student
Graduate Teaching Assistant

E-mail: zoe.hutcherson (at) enmu.edu

Research Project: Using eDNA to assess the distribution of the Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) in the Pecos River

Education:
M.S. Biology; Eastern New Mexico University (in progress)
B.S. Biology (EEOB); Eastern New Mexico University, 2024
B.S. Forensic Science (Biology); Eastern New Mexico University, 2024

Research Overview: I am a dedicated and well-rounded biologist with a passion for research that deepens our understanding of biodiversity and informs conservation. At ENMU, I am using environmental DNA to survey for the presence of imperiled Rio Grande Cooters in New Mexico and Texas. During my undergraduate, I worked on several projects, including investigating range expansion of the Mediterranean Gecko in New Mexico and pathogen prevalence in Sacramento Mountain Salamanders. I will continue to work on some of these projects alongside my thesis research, aiming to support conservation and ecological understanding through a multidisciplinary approach.

Publications:
Hutcherson ZA, Green KE, Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. 2024. Geographic distribution: Hemidactylus turcicus (Mediterranean gecko). Herpetological Review 55:371–372. [PDF]

SPENCER J. DUFFENDACK
M.S. Student
Graduate Teaching Assistant

E-mail: spencer.duffendack (at) enmu.edu 

Research Project: Investigating the physiological and environmental factors influencing the distribution of the Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi)

Education:
M.S. Biology; Eastern New Mexico University (in progress)
B.S. Biology; Truman State University, 2025

Research Overview: I am a biologist interested in leveraging ecological research to inform conservation and management, especially as applied to herpetofauna. During my undergraduate studies, I led research investigating the presence of chytrid fungus in an amphibian community in northern Missouri, thermal ecology of Checkered Whiptail Lizards (Aspidoscelis tesselatus) in the Chihuahuan Desert, and the chemoreceptive response of Copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix) to seasonally abundant prey. At ENMU, I am working on a project investigating the physiological and environmental factors that influence the distribution of the Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi), a species of greatest conservation need in New Mexico and Texas, and am co-advised by Dr. Corey Green.

BENJAMIN W. GENTER
Undergraduate Researcher

E-mail: bgenter (at) ufl.edu

Research Project: Investigating range expansions for non-native amphibians and reptiles in the southeastern US

Education:
B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida (in progress)
B.S. Statistics; University of Florida (in progress)

Research Overview: I am making collections of amphibians and reptiles across the southeastern USA, with an emphasis on non-native species, to document their distribution and spread. With the rapid expansion of the ranges of many of these non-native species, particularly geckos, collections are crucial to monitor their spread and verify their identifications. Recently, I have helped document new state records of Hemidactylus aff. malcolmsmithi and H. mabouia. I am also working to publish new distributional records in Indiana and beginning to investigate the distribution of Nerodia erythrogaster in south Texas.

Publications:
Madison JD, Davis DR, Genter BW, LaDuc TJ, Muletz Wolz C. In review. Microbiome varies by body site in the yellow mud turtle, Kinosternon flavescens, from the Chihuahuan Desert. Microbiology Spectrum.

Salmon GT, Genter BW, Davis DR. In press. Nerodia erythrogaster (plain-bellied watersnake). Mortality. Herpetological Review.

Genter BW, Davis DR. In review. Geographic distribution: Hemidactylus mabouia (wood slave). Herpetological Review.

Genter BW, Davis DR. In review. First records of Hemidactylus aff. malcolmsmithi in Florida and Alabama, USA. Reptiles & Amphibians.

Genter BW, Davis DR. 2025. Smilisca baudinii (Mexican treefrog). Diet. Herpetological Review 56:62–63. [PDF]

Genter BW, Davis DR. 2025. New county records of non-native herpetofauna in Florida, USA, from 2023 and 2024. Herpetological Review 56:40–43. [PDF]

Davis DR, Genter BW, LaDuc TJ. 2024. Invasion history of the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica (Squamata: Phyllodactylidae), in the USA, with new records of an established population in Texas. Reptiles & Amphibians 31:e21502. [PDF]

Genter BW, LaDuc TJ, Davis DR. 2023. Crotalus scutulatus (Mohave rattlesnake). Defensive behavior. Herpetological Review 54:482. [PDF]

Genter BW, Davis DR. 2022. Geographic distribution: Hemidactylus turcicus (Mediterranean gecko). Herpetological Review 53:629. [PDF]

Genter BW, Davis DR. 2022. Geographic distribution: Haldea striatula (rough earthsnake). Herpetological Review 53:264. [PDF]

CADEN J. MYERS
Undergraduate Researcher

E-mail: cadenmyers (at) ufl.edu

Research Project: Diet and ecology of non-native Moorish Geckos from Texas, USA

Education:
B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida (in progress)

Research Overview: I am an undergraduate researcher who has been assisting graduate students with fieldwork and research on projects studying Western Ribbonsnakes, Plain-bellied Watersnakes, Mexican Gartersnakes, and Rio Grande Cooters across New Mexico and Texas. I am also developing an independent project examining the diet of the non-native Moorish Geckos (Tarentola mauritanica) in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. Additionally, I am also expanding this to investigate both external and internal parasites found in these non-native lizards. Throughout all of this, I have been actively collecting voucher specimens of amphibians and reptiles to document species occurrence. Outside of academia, I enjoy field herping and photography.

Publications:
Myers CJ, Davis DR. In press. Terrapene ornata (ornate box turtle). Diet. Herpetological Review.

You?

Send me an e-mail to inquire about student position availability. I am recruiting students for the positions listed below:

  • M.S. students: I am currently advertising a M.S. position in my lab for Spring 2026 to conduct research on imperiled frogs (e.g., Blanchard’s Cricket Frogs, Plains Leopard Frogs, Rio Grande Leopard Frogs), as well as non-native American Bullfrogs, along the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico. Questions related to the project includes conducting call surveys using autonomous recording units, examining habitat correlates with species occurrence, and helping to manage American Bullfrog populations, both through the removal of individuals and public engagement. More information is available here; open until filled
  • Undergraduate/Post-Bac Technician: I will be recruiting one (possibly two) undergraduate or post-baccalaureate technicians to assist with field projects in New Mexico and Texas over Summer 2026 involving surveys for imperiled frogs, turtles, and snakes along the Pecos River in eastern New Mexico. Techniques include using acoustic surveys, trapping, and eDNA-based methods to survey for focal species. These efforts are associated with new or on-going research projects in my lab. More information is available here; open until filled
  • M.S. students: Motivated students are encouraged to contact me if they are interested in developing a graduate research proposal for external funding (e.g, NSF GRFP). I am happy to help sponsor student research on topics where our interests overlap or share a common theme.
  • Undergraduate and pre-college students: I am recruiting undergraduate students (at ENMU or elsewhere) and pre-college (high school) students to participate with on-going research in the lab or to begin independent research projects. I strongly encourage participation in research by students of all ages and am happy to help facilitate this whenever possible. Opportunities specific to pre-college (high school) students exist and I’m happy to help direct you to these.

Previous Students

Graduate Students

  • Sean M. Collins (M.S. Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2022): Examination of amphibian community and environmental relationships in South Texas using environment DNA (eDNA)
  • Rebecca T. Chastain (M.S. Biology; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2022): The potential impact of climate change on the distributions of Eleutherodactylus cystignathoides and E. planirostris (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae)
  • Padraic S. Robinson (M.S. Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2021): Status, distribution, and conservation of the Black-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus meridionalis) in south Texas
  • Krista M. Ruppert (M.S. Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2020): Development and assessment of an environmental DNA (eDNA) assay for the Rio Grande siren and review of eDNA metabarcoding applications (website)
  • Amy P. Bogolin (M.S. Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences; The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 2020): Comparing novel and traditional sampling methodologies to analyze the population status of the Rio Grande cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi)

Undergraduate Students

  • Reagan N. Moritomo (B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; Eastern New Mexico University, 2025): Behavioral responses of explosive-breeding anurans to invertebrate predators
  • Joshua T. Gonzalez (B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; Eastern New Mexico University, 2023): Mapping the distribution of the Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica) in the Canadian River
  • Kalie M. Leonard (B.S. Biology; University of South Dakota, 2018): The effects of the neonicotinoid clothianidin on larval Western Tiger Salamanders
  • Rachel E. Johannsen (B.S. Biology; University of South Dakota, 2017): Curating and georeferencing voucher specimens of amphibians and reptiles in South Dakota
  • Andrew D. Koch (B.S. Biology; University of South Dakota, 2017): Effects of agricultural contaminants and ranavirus infection on stress hormone levels in Plains Leopard Frogs (Rana blairi)
  • Gabrielle A. Maltaverne (B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences; South Dakota State University, 2016): Establishing amphibian and reptile teaching collections at South Dakota State University and Oak Lake Field Station
  • Katie J. Ferguson (B.S. Biology; University of South Dakota, 2014): Examining the influence of agricultural tile drainage on water-borne hormone levels of larval Western Tiger Salamanders
  • Dominic L. DeSantis (B.S. Wildlife Biology; Texas State University, 2013): Predator avoidance in the Barton Springs Salamander, Eurycea sosorum
  • Michael J. Edwards (B.S. Biology; Texas State University, 2012): Mosquitofish predation on Eurycea salamander eggs and larvae