SEBASTIAN D. SUMMO ELIAS, M.S.
Presidential Graduate Fellow, University of Florida

Education:
Ph.D. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida, in progress
M.S. Biology; Eastern New Mexico University, 2026
B.S. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation; University of Florida, 2022

Thesis Research: Distribution, habitat use, and conservation ecology of the Western Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus) in eastern New Mexico

Research Overview: My thesis research focused on conducting surveys for the state-threatened Western Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus) across eastern New Mexico to validate a habitat suitability model for the species created by the New Mexico Department of Wildlife and generating current distribution and ecological data on this species. These data have helped identify population trends, answer life history and natural history questions, and better understand the threats that this species faces across the region. Though continued monitoring of this species is needed, my work helped to establish baseline information on the species. I also worked on a project mapping core and peripheral populations of the parthenogenic New Mexico Whiptail (Aspidoscelis neomexicanus) across New Mexico.

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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.

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.

Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. 2025. Thamnophis proximus (western ribbonsnake). Diet. Herpetological Review 56:221–222. [PDF]

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]

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Grants:
Snake fungal disease in Thamnophis proximus museum specimens of New Mexico; Eastern New Mexico University, Graduate Student Research Grant ($400); March 2025

Snake fungal disease lab analyses of Thamnophis proximus in New Mexico; Eastern New Mexico University, Graduate Student Research Grant ($400); October 2024

Distribution, habitat use, and conservation ecology of Thamnophis proximus in New Mexico; Southwestern Association of Naturalists, Howard McCarley Award ($3000); April 2024

Distribution, habitat use, and conservation ecology of Thamnophis proximus in New Mexico; Chiricahua Desert Museum, Barney Tomberlin Memorial Herpetological Field Research Grant ($500); March 2024

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Presentations:
Summo Elias SD, Davis DR. Distribution, habitat use, and conservation ecology of the Western Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus) in New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico University, Student Research and Creativity Conference; Portales, New Mexico; April 2026 [poster presentation]

Summo Elias SD, LaDuc TJ, Davis DR. Distribution, habitat use, and conservation ecology of the Western Ribbonsnake (Thamnophis proximus) in New Mexico. 72^nd Annual Southwestern Association of Naturalists Meeting; Albuquerque, New Mexico; April 2025 [oral presentation]

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