The Southwest Association of Naturalists met in San Marcos, Texas, April 12-15 to share research, network and gain new skill sets.  

Presentations 

Several MSU faculty and students presented research at the conference.  

• Dr. Day B. Ligon, Donald T. McKnight and Joshua Harmon. Distribution and habitat associations of Western Chicken Turtles in Southeastern Oklahoma 
• Ciera McCoy and Dr. Brian Greene. Survey of arboviruses in free-ranging cottonmouths 
• Denise M. Thompson, Rebecca Fillmore, Brian M. Fillmore, Kerry G. Graves and Day B. Ligon. Reproductive investment patterns in a captive population of alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) 
• Kristen E. Sardina, Denise Thompson, Brian M. Fillmore, Kerry G. Graves and Day B. Ligon. Increasing alligator snapping turtle head-starting success through captive housing enhancement 
• Chelsea E. Martin and Brian Greene. Conspecific scent trailing in juvenile cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) 
• Alex Meinders and Brian Greene. Behavioral responses of cottonmouths to conspecific cloacal gland secretions 

Greene, associate professor of biology, thinks the conference is helpful for several reasons, one being that graduate students can expand and refine their skill sets. It’s also a great way to get feedback. 

“Scientific conferences provide invaluable opportunities to discuss research activities with colleagues from other institutions,” Greene said.