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Course Description:

In this course we will focus on the ecology, evolution, and conservation of tropical herpetofauna. We will explore organismal, population and community dynamics within the context of the larger ecosystem-landscape level processes. An emphasis will be placed upon biodiversity inventory, assessment, and monitoring methodologies, as well as experimental design and student-directed investigations. Authentic scientific investigations will be part of the course and may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: herpetofaunal-habitat relationships, behavioral ecology, life histories, population and community ecology, and the impacts of tropical habitat land conversion and restoration upon herpetofauna. Data collected during the course will
contribute to an understanding of tropical herpetofaunal ecology and the development of conservation & management strategies.

Course Goals:

• Develop and demonstrate an understanding of the ecology and evolution of amphibians and reptiles.
• Develop and demonstrate a basic understanding of the biological processes that operate in the Neotropics.
• Develop awareness and demonstrate an understanding of the ecological significance and conservation of amphibians and reptiles of the tropics.
• Develop awareness and demonstrate an understanding of taxonomic
identification of amphibians and reptiles of the tropics.
• Develop and refine skills in critiquing scientific literature, designing and conducting experimental investigations, gathering and analyzing data, writing scientific reports and giving oral presentations

Grading:

2 lecture exams: 20%
2 Practical exams: 20%
Literature review presentations: 10%
Class projects: 10%
Research proposal: 10%
Research project written report: 15%
Research project oral presentation: 10%
Field notebook: 5%

A Typical Day:

• 7:00 am Breakfast
• 8:00 am Lecture
• 10:00 am Field Activities
• 12:00 pm Lunch
• 1:00 pm Lecture
• 3:00 pm Field Activities
• 4:00 pm Study Time (use it!)
• 6:00 pm Dinner
• 7:00 pm Lecture or Field Activities or Study or Social Time

Tentative Schedule:

Note: The following schedule is presented as a general guideline only. The
class will have an adaptive schedule in order to work around weather conditions,
equipment problems, and local opportunities as they arise.
• Day 1: Arrival and orientation.
• Day 2: Lectures: Tropical Ecosystems; History, Geology & Geography of
Costa Rica; Large forest orientation hike; Evening hike
• Day 3: Lectures: Introduction to the Reptiles & Amphibians of Costa Rica;
Ecological methods – visual encounter surveys; Small forest orientation
hike; Evening hike
• Day 4: Lectures: Evolution & Ecology of herptiles; Forest macro- & microhabitat
quantification sampling exercise; Set up drift fences and pitfall
traps; Night hike to swamp
• Day 5: Lectures: Amphibian classification & diversity I; Biodiversity survey
methodology & field exercise; Check pitfalls, collect and ID organisms
• Day 6: Lectures: Amphibian classification & diversity II; Biodiversity survey
methodology & field exercise; Check pitfalls, collect and ID organisms
• Day 7: Lectures: Reptile classification & diversity I; Biodiversity survey
methodology & field exercise; Check pitfalls, collect and ID organisms
• Day 8: Lectures: Reptile classification & diversity II; Temperature & water
relations + relevance of climate change; Biodiversity survey methodology
& field exercise; Check pitfalls, collect and ID organisms
• Day 9: Lectures: Reptile classification & diversity III; Energetics &
performance; Biodiversity survey methodology & field exercise; Check
pitfalls, collect and ID organisms
• Day 10: Lectures: Reproduction & Life Histories; Behavioral ecology &
methodology; field activities
• Day 11: Lectures: Population ecology; Foraging ecology; field activities
• Day 12: Lecture: Spatial ecology; field activities
• Day 13: Lecture: Mating systems & sexual selection; field activities
• Day 14: Lectures: Conservation of herptiles; Community ecology; field activities
• Day 15: Day off: optional field trip- Rain forest aerial tram?
• Day 16: Scientific writing & mini research proposal workshop: students
design a research project & present
• Day 17: Implement individual research projects
• Day 18: Morning: data collection for research projects
Afternoon: data collection for research projects
Evening: data collection for research projects.
• Day 19: Morning: data collection for research projects
Afternoon: data collection for research projects
Evening: data collection for research projects.
• Day 20: Morning: data collection for research projects
Afternoon: Basic statistics workshop I
Evening: data collection for research projects.
• Day 21: Morning: data collection for research projects
Afternoon: Basic statistics workshop II
Evening: data collection for research projects.
• Day 22: Day of rest: possible field trip.
• Day 23: Analyses and write-up of research projects.
• Day 24: Presentation of research projects.
• Day 25: Presentation of research projects; end of course party.
• Day 26: Depart from La Suerte.