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Alan M. Richmond
Lecturer/Curator
alanr@bio.umass.edu
Education
B.S., University of Massachusetts, 1987
M.S., Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Massachusetts, 1990
M.S., Biology, University of Massachusetts, 1995
Ph.D., University of Massachusetts, 1999
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Research Interests
Massachusetts has at best a modest diversity of amphibians and reptiles. With only 10
species of frogs, 12 species of salamanders, 10 species of turtles, 14 species of snakes,
and no lizards, our herpetological diversity pales when compared to the diversity of the
southern and western regions of the county.
Virtually all of the New England flora and fauna was erased during the last glaciation.
All of the animals and plants that now populate the region have become established since
the last glacial recession began, about 17,000 years ago. The relatively low species diversity
and the recent re-colonization of the region makes New England a particularly good area for
the study of amphibian populations and their phylogeography.
During the last 200 years New England amphibians and reptiles have been studied by many
noted naturalists: Storer, Thompson, Allen, Linsley, Agassiz, Babcock, and a host of more
recent researchers and naturalists. Although a few of these researchers gathered natural
history data, most simply catalogued occurrences and distribution of the amphibians and
reptiles of the region. Even so, using their information we can comfortably state that
throughout 7000 years of human occupation not a single species of amphibian or reptile has
been extirpated from the region. Unfortunately we can be equally certain that many species
have suffered enormous declines during this period. Of the 44 species of terrestrial
amphibians and reptiles found in Massachusetts, 18 are listed as state rare.
Massachusetts has the most aggressive state rare species laws in the country. One, the state
Endangered Species Act, not only protects the organisms but also their habitats.
Unfortunately biologists still do not understand basic life history strategies and biological
requirements of many of the Commonwealth's rare amphibians and reptiles. Before the full
power of the state's Endangered Species Act can be enforced, biologists need answers to
such basic questions as: how far do adults migrate from nesting habitat; how large is an
individual's home range; and how large an area needs be preserved to maintain a long-term
viable population?
I have three equally important goals as a herpetologist. My first is to instill in future
generations of biologists an enthusiasm and understanding of herpetology. This is accomplished
by offering a classical, upper level course in herpetology. The lecture portion of this
course provides an overview of the anatomy, evolution, systematics and behavior of the major
living lineages of amphibians and reptiles, with a special emphasis on the herpetology of
Eastern North America and New England. The laboratory portion of the course is organized
around three approaches: anatomical studies; studies of live organisms; and studies of regional
and global amphibian and reptile diversity. Collateral support for this lab requires the
maintenance of a large assemblage of living amphibians and reptiles as well as an extensive
collection of preserved and osteological material.
My second goal is to better understand the natural history of amphibians and reptiles within
Massachusetts. With a better understanding of specific life history requirements of various
rare species, state agencies will be better able to identify and protect critical habitat thus
ensuring the future well being of these animals.
My third goal is to try to understand phylogeography of amphibians and reptiles within the
New England Geographic Province. Because all species of amphibians and reptiles were
extirpated from New England during the last ice age, this goal essentially asks how did the
current species re-colonize New England after the last ice sheet receded? I am interested
in learning whether species now found in New England returned from southern and western
refugia or if other refugia provided nuclei for repopulation. Many researchers have
speculated about this, but solid evidence of multiple refugia has been difficult to obtain.
With the simplification and sophistication of modern DNA analysis it will be possible to
compare various populations within a given species and determine possible pathways of
recolonization. This truly is an exciting time to study herpetology in New England.
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Representative Publications
Herrel, A, J,C. O'Reilly and A. Richmond. 2002. Evolution of Bite Performance
in Turtles. J. Evol. Biol. 15 (2002: 1083-1094.
Mandica, M. and A. Richmond. 2000. Scaphiopus holbrookii (Eastern Spadefoot)
Distribution Record. Herpetological Review. Vol. 31 (2) 110.
Richmond, A. M., T. F. Tyning and A. P. Summers. 1999. Bufo americanus (American Toad)
depth record. Herpetological Review.
Richmond, A. M. 2000. The Mudpuppy: our largest salamander. Massachusetts Wildlife.
Vox XLX: 9 - 15.
Richmond, A. M. 1999. Contributions to the herpetology of New England. Ph.D.
dissertation. Univ. MA. p 305.
Richmond, A. M.. 1997. A catalogue of turtles of northeastern North America
with State, Federal, I.U.C.N., and Cites assignations. Pages viii-ix. In: Status and
Conservation of Turtles of the Northeastern United States, T.F. Tyning, ed. Serpents Tale Press, Lanesboro, MN.
Richmond, A. M. and B. Kynard. 1995. Ontogenetic behavior of shortnose sturgeon
Acipenser brevirostrum. Copeia: 172-182.
Richmond, A. M.. 1990. Ontogenetic Shifts in the Behavior of Eleutheroembryonic, Larval
and Juvenile Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum: a laboratory study. MS Thesis, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, USA. 31 pp.
Smith, D. G. and A. M. Richmond. 1986. Two fish species, Prosopium cylindraceum and Lota
lota, in: Connecticut: native or introduced? Natural History Notes Conn. Geol. and Nat. History Survey 2: 1-3.
Summers, A. P., K. F. Darouian, A. R. Richmond and E. L. Brainerd. 1998. Kinematics of
aquatic and terrestrial prey capture in Terrapene carolina, with implications for the evolution of feeding in cryptodire turtles. Journal of Experimental Zoology 281: 280-287.
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