Herpetology of Robert Jadin

My research is motivated by my passions in herpetology, evolutionary biology, conservation, natural history, and invasive species. Although most of my research has been focused on phylogenetics, morphological evolution, new species descriptions, distribution of invasive species, and natural history of herpetofauna (see below), my interests in biology are broad and I enjoy learning and studying different aspects of ecology, evolutionary biology, historical biogeography, behavior, physiology, and many other fields of study. Additionally, I am also highly interested in phylogenetic theory and morphological evolution of non-herpetological organisms.

Current Research:

(1) Pitviper Systematics and Evolution:
Pitvipers are my favorite organisms and I have spent a lot of time searching for and observing these organisms in the wild just for the fun of encountering them. I am very fascinated by understanding what they eat, where they are found, what type of habitat they prefer, what their role in the ecosystem is, how they are related to other species, and many other interesting questions. However, I am also interested in pitvipers as model organisms to better understand broader questions in evolutionary biology. Therefore I incorporate Middle American, South American, and Asian pitvipers into my research to investigate their morphological evolution, phylogenetics, species diversity, natural histories, and ecological niches.
For my master's thesis, I used morphology to study the phylogenetic relationships of a Middle American pitviper clade known as the Porthidium group (i.e., genera Atropoides, Cerrophidion, and Porthidium).

Relevant Articles:
Jadin, R.C. (in press) Morphological phylogeny of the montane pitvipers (Crotalinae: Cerrophidion) with comments on the conservation of Middle American highlands. In: L.D. Wilson and J.H. Townsend [eds.]. Conservation of Mesoamerican Amphibians and Reptiles. Eagle Mountain Publishing.
Jadin, R.C., R.L. Gutberlet, Jr., and E.N. Smith. (online early, 2010) Phylogeny, evolutionary morphology, and hemipenis descriptions of the Middle American Jumping Pitvipers (Serpentes: Crotalinae: Atropoides). Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research.
Guo, P., R.C. Jadin, A. Malhotra, and C. Li. (online early, 2009). An investigation of the cranial evolution of Asian pitvipers (Serpentes: Crotalinae), with comments on the phylogenetic position of Peltopelor macrolepis. Acta Zoologica: Morphology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-6395.2009.00413.x

A hognose pitviper (Porthidium nasutum) that my friend Josh and I found in Costa Rica. Photo by: Joshua R. Engelbert

(2) Hemipenial Morphology and Evolution:

Relevant Articles:

Jadin, R.C., J.R. Velasco, and E.N. Smith. 2010. Hemipenes of the long-tailed rattlesnakes (Serpentes, Viperidae) from Mexico. Phyllomedusa: Journal of Herpetology 9(1):69–73.

Jadin, R.C., and E.N. Smith. 2010. The hemipenis of Trimorphodon quadruplex. Herpetological Review 41(2):157–159.

King, R.B., R.C. Jadin, M. Grue, and H.D. Walley. 2009. Behavioural correlates with hemipenis morphology in New World natricine snakes. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 98(1):110–120.

(3) Gecko Distribution:

Relevant Articles:

Jadin, R.C., M.A. Altamirano, M.H. Yánez-Muñoz, and E.N. Smith. 2009. First record of the Common House Gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus) in Ecuador. Applied Herpetology 6(2):193–195.

Jadin, R.C., and J.L. Coleman. 2007. New county records of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) in northeastern Texas with comments on range expansion. Applied Herpetology 4(1):90–94.

Jadin, R.C., J.L. Coleman, A.M. Modra, and S.A. Orlofske. 2006. Hemidactylus turcicus. G.D. Herpetological Review 37(4):495.

(4) New Species:

Relevant Articles:

Myers, C.W., G.R. Fuenmayor, and R.C. Jadin. 2009. New species of lizards from Auyantepui and La Escalera in the Venezuelan Guayana, with notes on "microteiid" hemipenes (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae). American Museum Novitates 3660:1–31.

(5) Herpetological Natural History:

Like most herpetologists I find amphibians and reptiles exciting and enjoy seeing them in their natural habitat. I also enjoy reading about them and learning about their natural history and distribution. These two passions have led me to observe and report some interesting findings about some species that was previously unreported.

Relevant Articles:

Jadin, R.C., and S.A. Orlofske. 2010. Xenopholis scalaris. Diet. Herpetological Review 41(1):101.

Pruett, J.A., and R.C. Jadin. 2010. Tantilla gracilis. Predation. Herpetological Review 41(1):99.

Flores, E., R.C. Jadin, and S.A. Orlofske. 2010. Helicops polylepis. Diet. Herpetological Review 41(1):93–94.

Jadin, R.C. 2010. Cerrophidion tzotzilorum Campbell, Tzotzil Montane Pitviper. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles 880:1–2.

Jadin, R.C., and U.O. García-Vázquez. 2009. Sibon nebulatus. G.D. Herpetological Review 40(3):366–367.

Orlofske, S.A. and R.C. Jadin. 2009. Phyllomedusa camba. Maximum Size. Herpetological Review 40(2):207.

Jadin, R.C. 2008. Caracolera Jaspeada (Sibon nebulatus): Segundo registro para la municipio de La Huerta en Jalisco, México. Boletín de la Sociedad Herpetológia Mexicana 16(2):46.

Jadin, R.C., and U.O. García-Vázquez. 2008. Natural history notes. Salvadora mexicana (Male Combat). Herpetological Bulletin 104:39–40.

Jadin, R.C. 2007. Prey items of the Tzotzil Montane Pitviper (Cerrophidion tzotzilorum). Southwestern Naturalist 52(3):437–438.

Jadin, R.C., and J.L. Coleman. 2007. New county records of amphibians and reptiles from Rains county, Texas. G.D. Herpetological Review 38(2):246–247.

Jadin, R.C., and J.L. Coleman. 2006. Farancia abacura reinwardtii. G.D. Herpetological Review 37(1):108–109.

Jadin, R.C., and J.R. Engelbert. 2005. Pseudacris feriarum feriarum. G.D. Herpetological Review 36(2):200.

Robert Jadin's Herpetology Journal

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