Curriculum Vitae

David C. Rostal, Ph.D.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Zoology (May 1991). Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

Major Professor: Dr. David W. Owens

M.S. in Biology (June 1986). Portland State University, Portland, Oregon.

B.S. in Biology (May 1980). Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 2004-Present: Professor, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia.

1998-2004: Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia. Tenure awarded August 01, 1998.

1998-Present: Collaborating Scientist, Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Conducting research on sex determination in Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone nigra) and reproductive physiology of Galapagos land iguanas (Conolophus sp.) and marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus).

1993-1998: Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia.

1991-1993:Post-doctoral Research Associate, Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species (CRES), San Diego Zoo, San Diego, California.

1989-1991:University Marine Fellowship (Competitive), Texas A&M Sea Grant College Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

1988-1989:Teaching / Research Assistant, Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.

1986-1988:Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas. Courses taught: Introductory Biology and Marine Biology.

1983-1986:Research Assistant, Division of Reproductive Biology and Behavior, Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, Beaverton, Oregon.

1983-1985: Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

 Reproductive endocrinology and regulation of seasonal reproductive cycles.

Physiological ecology and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

Temperature dependent sex determination in reptiles.

AWARDS AND HONORS

2003 Georgia Southern University Award for Excellence in Research

2003 GSU College of Science and Technology Excellence in Research Award

1991 Best Student Poster Presentation, Sea Turtle Symposium.

1990 University Marine Fellow, Texas A&M Sea Grant Program.

1989 University Marine Fellow, Texas A&M Sea Grant Program.

1989 Texas A&M University Graduate College Mini-grant Award.

PUBLICATIONS (Peer-reviewed)

David C. Rostal and G. Gray Eaton. (1983) Puberty in male Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata): Social and sexual behavior in a confined troop. American Journal of Primatology 4:135-141.

David C. Rostal, Barbara B.Glick, G. Gray Eaton, and John A. Resko. (1986) Seasonality of adult male Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata): Androgens and behavior in a confined troop. Hormones and Behavior 20:452-462.

David C. Rostal and Leonard Simpson. (1988) The influence of salinity on the distribution of two Oregon chiton species (Katharina tunicata Wood and Mopalia hindsii Reeve). Veliger 31:120-126.

David C. Rostal, Todd R. Robeck, David W. Owens, and Duane C. Kraemer. (1990) Ultrasound imaging of ovaries and eggs in Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempi). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 21: 27-35.

Robeck, T.R., David C. Rostal Patrick M. Burchfield, David W. Owens, and Duane C. Kraemer. (1990) Ultrasound imaging of reproductive structures and eggs in Galapagos tortoises, Geochelone elephantopus spp. Zoo Biology 9: 349-359.

 David C. Rostal , Jo Anne Williams, and Paul J. Weldon. (1991) Rathke's gland secretion by loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi) sea turtles. Copeia 1991:1129-1132.

Thane Wibbels, David W. Owens, and David C. Rostal. (1991) Soft plastra of adult male sea turtles: An apparent secondary sexual characteristic. Herpetological Review 22:47-49.

 David C. Rostal, Valentine A. Lance, Janice S. Grumbles, and Allison C. Alberts. (1994) Seasonal reproductive cycle of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the eastern Mojave desert. Herpetological Monographs 8:72-82.

David C. Rostal Janice S. Grumbles, Valentine A. Lance, and James R. Spotila. (1994) Non-lethal sexing techniques for hatchling and immature desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). Herpetological Monographs 8:83-87.

James R. Spotila, Zimmerman, L.C., Binckley, C.A., Janice S. Grumbles, David C. Rostal, Albert List, Jr., Eva C. Beyer, Kelly M. Phillips, and Stanley J. Kemp. (1994) Effects of incubation on sex determination, hatching success, and growth of hatchling desert tortoises, Gopherus agassizii. Herpetological Monographs 8:103-116.

Allison C. Alberts, David C. Rostal and Valentine A. Lance (1994) Studies on the chemistry and social significance of chin gland secretions in the desert tortoises. Herpetological Monographs 8:116-124.

Hope A. Niblick, David C. Rostal, and Thomas Classen. (1994) Role of male-male interactions and female choice in the mating system of the desert tortoise. Herpetological Monographs 8:124-132.

Pamela T. Plotkin, Richard A. Byles, David C. Rostal, and David W. Owens (1995) Independent versus socially facilitated oceanic migrations of the olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea. Marine Biology 122: 137-143.

David C. Rostal, Frank V. Paladino, Rhonda M. Patterson, and James R. Spotila (1996) Reproductive physiology of nesting leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) at Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Park, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2:230-236.

Anthony C. Steyermark, Kris Williams, James R. Spotila, Frank V. Paladino, David C. Rostal Steve Morreale, Koberg, M.T., and Randal Arauz, R. (1996) Nesting leatherback turtles at Las Baulas National Park, Costa Rica. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2:173-183.

Pamela T. Plotkin, David C. Rostal Richard A. Byles, and David W. Owens (1997) Reproductive and developmental synchrony in female Lepidochelys olivacea. Journal of Herpetology 31:17-22.

Hugh Lefcort, Kevin A. Hancock, Kishwar M. Maur, and David C. Rostal. (1997) The effect of used motor oil, silt and water mold Saprolegnia parasitica on the growth and survival of mole salamanders (Genus: Ambystoma). Arch. Env. Contam. Toxicol. 32: 383-388.

Jennifer Heck, Duncan S. MacKenzie, David C. Rostal,, Katherine Medlar, and David W. Owens. (1997) Estrogen induction of plasma vitellogenin in the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). General and Comparative Endocrinology 107:280-288.

 David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, Richard A. Byles, Rene Marquez-M., and David W. Owens (1997) Nesting physiology of wild Kemp's ridley turtles, Lepidochelys kempi, at Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2: 538-547.

David C. Rostal , David W. Owens, Janice S. Grumbles, Duncan S. MacKenzie, and Max S. Amoss. (1998) Seasonal reproductive cycle of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). General and Comparative Endocrinology 109: 232-243.

Kevin S. Palmer, David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, and Margaret Mulvey. (1998) Long-term sperm storage in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Copeia 1998: 702-705.

Thane Wibbels, David C. Rostal, and Richard A. Byles. (1998) High pivotal temperatures in the sex determination in the olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) from Playa Nancite, Costa Rica. Copeia 1998: 1086-1088.

 David C. Rostal, Todd R. Robeck, Janice S. Grumbles, Patrick M. Burchfield, and David W. Owens (1998). Seasonal reproductive cycle of the Galapagos tortoise (Geochelone nigra) in captivity. Zoo Biology 17: 505-517.

Isabella M. Schumacher, David C. Rostal, Richard Yates, Daniel R. Brown, Elliott R. Jacobson, and Paul A. Klein. (1999) Persistence of maternal antibodies against Mycoplasma agassizii in desert tortoise hatchlings. American Journal of Veterinary Research 60:826-831.

Kohel, K.A., MacKenzie, D.S., David C. Rostal Janice S. Grumbles, and Valentine A. Lance (2001) Thyroid hormones in the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii. General and Comparative Endocrinology 121: 214-222.

Valentine A. Lance, Janice S. Grumbles, and David C. Rostal. (2001) Sex differences in plasma corticosterone in desert tortoises, Gopherus agassizii, during the reproductive cycle. Journal of Experimental Zoology 289: 285-289.

 David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, Kevin S. Palmer, Valentine A. Lance, James R. Spotila, and Frank V. Paladino. (2001) Changes in gonadal and adrenal steroid levels in the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) during the nesting cycle. General and Comparative Endocrinology 122: 139-147.

Valentine A. Lance, Al Place, and David C. Rostal. (2002) Seasonal patterns in plasma lipids of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Journal of Experimental Zoology 293:703-711.

Valentine A. Lance, and David C. Rostal. (2002) The annual reproductive cycle of the male and female desert tortoise: Physiology and endocrinology. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4: 302-312 .

David C. Rostal and Douglas N. Jones, Jr. (2002) Population biology of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in southeast Georgia. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4: 479-487.

David C. Rostal, Thane Wibbels, Janice S. Grumbles , Valentine A. Lance, and James R. Spotila. (2002) Chronology of sex determination in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4: 313-318.

David C. Rostal. (2005) Seasonal Reproductive Biology of the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii): Comparison of Captive and Wild populations. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4:788-800.

BOOK CHAPTERS (Peer-reviewed)

G. Gray Eaton, David C. Rostal, Barbara B. Glick, and John W. Senner. (1987) Seasonal behavior in a confined troop of Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata). In:Progress in Biometeorology, Vol. 5: Seasonal Effects on Reproduction, Infection and Psychoses, pp 29-40. SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, The Netherlands.

Janice S. Grumbles and David C. Rostal. (1997) Diagnostic Imaging: Ultrasonography. In: (L. Ackerman, ed.) The Biology, Husbandry and Health Care of Reptiles, Vol. 3: The Health Care of Reptiles, pp 613-627. T.F.H. Publications Inc., New Jersey.

David C. Rostal. (2007) Reproductive Physiology of the Ridley Sea Turtle. In: (Pamela Plotkin, ed) Ridley Sea Turtles, pp 151-165. Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, MD.

 TECHNICAL PROCEEDINGS & REPORTS(Not peer-reviewed)

David C. Rostal, David W. Owens, Edward E. Louis, Jr. and Max S. Amoss. (1988). The reproductive biology of captive Kemp's ridleys (Lepidochelys kempi): Pilot studies. In: Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-214:91-96.

Edward E. Louis, David C. Rostal, and David W. Owens (1988) Observations on the care of captive Kemp's ridleys (Lepidochelys kempi). In: Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-214:51-53.

Patrick M. Burchfield, Richard Byles, Javier V. Mongrell, Morgan Bartlett, and David Rostal (1989) Report on the Republic of Mexico / United States of America Conservation Effort on Behalf of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle at Playa de Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, 1988. Final report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pp. 83.

David Rostal, Todd Robeck, David Owens, Edward Louis, and Duane Kraemer. (1989) Ultrasonic imaging of ovaries and eggs in sea turtles. In: Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-232:257-259.

David W. Owens, Thane Wibbels, Diana Comuzzie, David Rostal, and Colin J. Limpus. (1989) Sea turtle reproductive chronology: The model and the questions. In: Proceedings of the Ninth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-232:135-137.

David C. Rostal, Todd R. Robeck, and Patrick M. Burchfield. (1989) Reproductive physiology of Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone elephantopus) at the Gladys Porter Zoo. In: AAZPA 1989 Annual Conference Proceedings: 473-479.

Patrick M. Burchfield, Richard Byles, R., Javier V. Mongrell, David Rostal, and Morgan Bartlett. (1990) Report on the Republic of Mexico / United States of America Conservation Effort on Behalf of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle at Playa de Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, 1989. Final report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pp. 60.

David Rostal , Javier Alvarado, Janice Grumbles , and David Owens (1990) Observations on the reproductive biology of the black turtle, Chelonia agassizi, at Playa Colola, Michoacan, Mexico. In: Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-278:255-258.

Janice Grumbles , David Rostal , Javier Alvarado, and David Owens (1990) Hematology study on the black turtle, Chelonia agassizi, at Playa Colola, Michoacan, Mexico. In: Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-278:235-239.

David Rostal , Janice Grumbles, and David Owens (1991) Physiological evidence of higher fecundity in wild Kemp's ridleys: Implications to population estimates. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-302:180.

Pamela T. Plotkin, Richard A. Byles, David C. Rostal, and David W. Owens (1991) Arribadas: Social events or simply aggregations? Preliminary results from satellite telemetry. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-302:95.

David Rostal , Heather Kalb, Janice Grumbles , Pamela Plotkin, and David Owens (1991) Application of ultrasonography to sea turtle reproduction. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-302:181.

Patrick M. Burchfield, Richard Byles, Javier V. Mongrell,., David Rostal , Richard, N., Tapia, G.R., and Gonzalez, X.H. (1992) Report on the Republic of Mexico / United States of America Conservation Effort on Behalf of the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle at Playa de Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, 1990. Final report to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pp. 87.

Richard Byles, Javier Alvarado, and David Rostal (1992) Preliminary analysis of post-nesting movements of the black turtle (Chelonia agassizi) from Michoacan, Mexico. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-361:12-13.

Janice Grumbles , Michael O'Connor, Lynn Zimmerman, David Rostal , Valentine Lance, and Lori Jackintell. (1993) Occurrence and treatment of upper respiratory tract disease at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. In: Proceedings of the 1992 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium. Palm Desert, California, p. 38-46.

David C. Rostal Frank V. Paladino, Rhonda M. Patterson, and James R. Spotila (1994) Observations on the reproductive physiology of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). In: Proceedings of the Fourteenth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-351:128.

Valentine A. Lance, David C. Rostal Janice S. Grumbles, and Lori Morici. (1996) Endocrine profiles of the reproductive cycle of male and female desert tortoises. In: Proceedings of North American Tortoise Conference. Publicaciones de la Sociedad Herpetologica Mexicana No. 2 (ISSN 0188-6835).

David C. Rostal Ruth Elsey, and Valentine A. Lance. (2003) Ultrasonography of reproductive structures and hormonal correlates in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis: Application to population studies. Proceedings of the 16 th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group (ISBN: 2-8317-0550-9)

UNIVERSITY / DEPARTMENTAL SEMINARS

David C. Rostal From Chelonians to Archosaurs: Studies in Reproductive Biology. 2003 Focus on Excellence Seminar Series. Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia. Sept. 30, 2003.

David C. Rostal. Reproductive Biology of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus) in the SE United States: Population Characteristics, Endocrine Patterns, and TSD . Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia. Sept. 23, 2003.

David C. Rostal. Reproductive Biology of Galapagos Tortoises or The Ups and Downs of Research in the Galapagos Islands. Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia. August 22, 2005.

INVITED PRESENTATIONS

David C. Rostal. Reproductive biology and behavior of sea turtles. San Diego Zoological Society, Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species, San Diego, California. March 1991.

David C. Rostal, Valentine A. Lance, Janice S. Grumbles, and Isabella Schumacher. Short term effects of upper respiratory tract disease on reproduction in the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii: Hormones, egg production and hatching success. Conference on Health Profiles, Reference Intervals, and Diseases of Desert Tortoises, Soda Springs, California. October 1996.

David C. Rostal. The reproductive biology of the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). Special Symposium on the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle, Nintenth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. South Padre Island, Texas. March 1999.

David C. Rostal. The Reproductive Biology of Sea Turtles. The 1 st International Symposium on Assisted Reproductive Technology. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska.. January 17-18, 2001.

David C. Rostal. The Reproductive Biology of Sea Turtles. 21 st Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. February 24-28, 2001.

David C. Rostal Janice S. Grumbles, and Valentine A. Lance. Reproduction, URTD and stress in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii): Current understanding and future research. Conference on Desert Tortoise Health and Disease, Soda Springs, California. November 2002.

David C. Rostal. Reproductive Physiology of Sea Turtles. Sea Turtle Husbandry Symposium at the 2003 Regional Aquatics Workshop, Columbia, South Carolina. June 2003.

David C. Rostal. Reproductive Biology Of The Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) In The SE United States: Population Characteristics, Endocrine Patterns, And TSD . Charles Darwin Research Station, Santa Cruz, Galapagos, Ecuador. March 2004.

David C. Rostal. Reproductive Biology of Galapagos Tortoises. 2005 National Reptile Breeders Expo, Daytona Beach, Florida. August 19, 2005

David C. Rostal. Reproductive Physiology of Sea Turtles: Observations from Captive and Wild Populations. Sea Turtle Husbandry Symposium at the 2006 Regional Aquatics Workshop, Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas. May 20-21, 2006.

CONTRIBUTED PRESENTATIONS

David C. Rostal, Barbara B. Glick, G. Gray Eaton, and John A. Resko. Seasonality of adult male Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata): Androgens and behavior in a confined troop. 1985 Annual meeting of the Animal Behavior Society. Charleston, South Carolina. July 1985.

David C. Rostal, David W. Owens, Fern E. Wood, and Max S. Amoss. Seasonal changes in reproductive behavior and testosterone of Kemp's ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys kempi). Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. New Orleans, Louisiana. December 1987.

David C. Rostal David W. Owens, Edward E. Louis, Jr., and Max S. Amoss. The reproductive biology of captive Kemp's ridleys (Lepidochelys kempi): Pilot studies. Eighth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology. Fort Fisher, North Carolina. February 1988.

David Rostal , Todd Robeck, David Owens, Edward Louis, and Duane Kraemer. Ultrasonic imaging of ovaries and eggs in sea turtles. Ninth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology. Jekyll Island, Georgia. February 1989.

David C. Rostal, Todd R. Robeck, and Patrick M. Burchfield. Reproductive physiology of Galapagos tortoises (Geochelone elephantopus) at the Gladys Porter Zoo. AAZPA 1989 Annual Conference. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. September 1989.

David C. Rostal, David W. Owens, Fern E. Wood, and Max S. Amoss. Seasonal reproduction in the Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi): Testosterone and behavior. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. Boston, Massachusetts. December 1989.

David Rostal , Javier Alvarado, Janice Grumbles, and David Owens. Observations on the reproductive biology of the black turtle, Chelonia agassizi, at Playa Colola, Michoacan, Mexico. Tenth Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Hilton Head, South Carolina. February 1990.

David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, and David W. Owens (1990) Nesting physiology of wild Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi). Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. San Antonio, Texas. December 1990.

David Rostal , Janice Grumbles, and David Owens. Physiological evidence of higher fecundity in wild Kemp's ridleys: Implications to population estimates. Eleventh Annual Workshop on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Jekyll Island, Georgia. February 1991.

David C. Rostal, Valentine A. Lance, and Allison C. Alberts. Seasonal reproductive cycles of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in the Las Vegas Valley. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. Vancouver, British Columbia. December 1992.

David C. Rostal Paladino, F.V., Patterson, R.M., and James R. Spotila Observations on the reproductive physiology of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Fourteenth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Hilton Head, South Carolina. February 1994.

David C. Rostal Binckley, C.A., Janice S. Grumbles, and James R. Spotila. Temperature profiles, hatching success and sex determination in natural nests of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). 1994 Joint Meeting of the Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Athens, Georgia. July 1994.

David C. Rostal Paladino, F.V., Patterson, R.M., and James R. Spotila Observations on the nesting physiology of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Joint Meeting of the Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Athens, Georgia. July 1994.

David C. Rostal Valentine A. Lance, Janice S. Grumbles, and Isabella Schumacher. Reproduction in the desert tortoise: Effects of upper respiratory tract disease. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. St. Louis, Missouri. January 1995.

Katherine A. Kohel, Duncan S. MacKenzie, David C. Rostal, and Valentine A. Lance. Thyroxine in the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. St. Louis, Missouri. January 1995.

Brad Winn, Douglas N. Jones, David C. Rostal and Canalos, C.G. Identification of sandhill communities using remote sensing in Georgia: Management implications for declining species. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Boone, North Carolina. August 1995.

Thane Wibbels, Duong, H., and David Rostal. Gonadal differentiation in the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizi. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Boone, North Carolina. August 1995.

Douglas N. Jones and David C. Rostal. Population biology of the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, in southeast Georgia. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Boone, North Carolina. August 1995.

Kelly M. Phillips and David C. Rostal. Natural history observations of the Carolina gopher frog, Rana capito capito, in southeast Georgia. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Boone, North Carolina. August 1995.

David C. Rostal, Kimberly Hicks, Douglas N. Jones, Margeret Mulvey. Allozymic variation in populations of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in southeast Georgia. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Boone, North Carolina. August 1995.

Hugh Lefcort, Kevin A. Hancock, Kishwar M. Maur, and David C. Rostal The effects of motor oil, silt and fungus on the growth and survival of eastern tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum tigrinum. 38th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Boone, North Carolina. August 1995.

Lynch, M., Place, A.R., David C. Rostal Janice Grumbles , Patton, L., and Valentine A. Lance Analysis of plasma lipid fractions during the female reproductive cycle of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. Washington, D.C., December 1995.

John Cowan, Thane Wibbels, David Rostal , David Owens, and Richard Byles. BKM DNA fingerprint analysis of the olive ridleysea turtle, Lepidochelys olivacea. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Zoologists. Washington, D.C., December 1995.

Kevin S. Palmer, Carlos Delgado, and David C. Rostal Nesting correlates of the black turtle (Chelonia agassizi) at Playa Colola, Michoacan, Mexico. Sixteenth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Hilton Head, South Carolina. February 1996.

Valentine A. Lance, David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, and Lori Morici. Reproductive cycle of the desert tortoise. Third Congress of the Asia and Oceania Society for Comparative Endocrinology. Sydney, Australia. 1996.

Janice S. Grumbles, David C. Rostal, William Hicks, and Kelly M. Phillips. Reproductive characteristics and movement patterns of the gopher frog, Rana capito capito, in southeast Georgia. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. New Orleans, Louisiana. June 1996.

David C. Rostal Thane Wibbels, Janice S. Grumbles, and James R. Spotila. Chronology of sex determination in the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. New Orleans, Louisiana. June 1996.

Kevin S. Palmer, David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, and Kimberly Hicks. Allozyme evidence for multiple insemination and long-term sperm storage in the desert tortoise, Gopherusagassizii. Annual Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. New Orleans, Louisiana. June 1996.

David Rostal C, Christopher A. Binckley, C.A., Michael R. Walden, Kevin S. Palmer, Lora L. Kohnke, Dirk J. Stevenson, and Steve P. Vives. Comparison of herpetofaunal biodiversity from five temporary wetlands in southeast Georgia. Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Seattle, Washington. June 1997.

Christopher A. Binckley and David C. Rostal. Sex ratios in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Seattle, Washington. June 1997.

Kevin S. Palmer, David C. Rostal and Margaret Mulvey. Genetic variation between three species of Testudines with different reproductive strategies. Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Seattle, Washington. June 1997.

Valentine A. Lance, David C. Rostal and Janice S. Grumbles. Plasma corticosterone and androstenedione in male and female desert tortoises during the reproductive cycle. Desert Tortoise Council Meetings, Tucson, Arizona. April 1998.

David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, Kevin S. Palmer, Valentine A. Lance and Frank V. Paladino. Reproductive endocrinology of the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Twentieth Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Orlando, Florida. March 2000.

Karla K. Drake, David C. Rostal, Thane Wibbels, and Valentine A. Lance. Reproductive parameters of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting on Wassaw Island , Georgia . 21 st Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. February, 2001.

David C. Rostal Janice S. Grumbles, and Valentine A. Lance. Reproduction and URTD in the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii): an eight year follow‑up. 2001 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium. Tucson, Arizona March 16-18, 2001.

Karla K. Drake, David C. Rostal, Kris Williams, Michael G. Frick, David Veljacic, Debra Barnard, and Valentine A. Lance. Reproductive physiology and nesting fecundity of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting on Georgia’s barrier islands. 22 nd Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation. Miami, Florida. March, 2002.

David C. Rostal, Janice S. Grumbles, and Valentine A. Lance. Seasonal Reproductive Patterns in Two Latitudinally Distinct Populations of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus). Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Kansas City, Missouri. July 2002.

Adam B. Safer and David C. Rostal Movement patterns and larval development in the flatswoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) in the southeast coastal plain. Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Kansas City, Missouri. July 2002.

David C. Rostal, Ruth Elsey, and Valentine A. Lance. Ultrasonography of reproductive structures and hormonal correlates in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis: Application to population studies. 16 th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group SSS/IUCN, Gainesville, Florida. October 7-10, 2002.

David C. Rostal. Studies on the population biology of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) on Fort Stewart Army Reservation, Georgia from 1994 to 2002. 2002 Gopher Tortoise Council Meetings, Thomasville, Georgia. October 17-18, 2002.

David C. Rostal, Thane Wibbels, Roy C. Averill-Murray, Eric W. Stitt, E.W., and Jay D. Riedle. Temperature-dependent Sex Determination in North American Tortoises, Gopherus agassizii and Gopherus polyphemus. 2003 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium. Las Vegas, Nevada. February 21-23, 2003

David C. Rostal and Valentine A. Lance. The History of Upper Respiratory Tract Disease in the Eastern Mojave Desert Tortoise: Observations from the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center, Las Vegas, Nevada. 2003 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium. Las Vegas, Nevada. February 21-23, 2003

David C. Rostal, Ruth Elsey, and Valentine A. Lance. Ultrasonography of reproductive structures and hormonal correlates in the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis: Application to population studies. Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Manaus, Brazil. June 2003.

Anne Marie Leblanc, David C. Rostal, and Thane Wibbels. Temperature-dependent sex determination in the loggerhead sea turtle ( Caretta caretta ) nesting on two Georgia barrier islands . Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Manaus, Brazil. June 2003.

Maggie M. Mitchell and David C. Rostal Homerange, habitat characteristics, and reproduction of the female gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southeast Georgia . Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Herpetologist League and Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. Manaus, Brazil. June 2003.

David C. Rostal, Thane Wibbels, Roy C. Averill-Murray, Eric W. Stitt, and Jay D. Riedle. Temperature-dependent Sex Determination in North American Tortoises, Gopherus agassizii and Gopherus polyphemus . 2003 Gopher Tortoise Council 25 th Anniversary Meeting. Wekiva Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida. October 2003.

Maggie M. Mitchell and David C. Rostal. Homerange, habitat characteristics, and reproduction of the female gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southeast Georgia . 2003 Gopher Tortoise Council 25 th Anniversary Meeting. Wekiva Springs State Park, Apopka, Florida. October 2003.

David C. Rostal. Studies on the Reproductive Biology of Galapagos Tortoises, Plus Observations on Marine and Land Iguanas . 2004 Gopher Tortoise Council Meetings on Jekyll Island, Georgia. October 2004.

Maggie M. Mitchell and David C. Rostal. A Day in the Life of a Female Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus): Homerange, habitat characteristics, and reproduction in Southeast Georgia . 2004 Gopher Tortoise Council Meetings on Jekyll Island, Georgia. October 16, 2004.

David C. Rostal and Thane Wibbels. Temperature-dependent Sex Determination and Embryonic Development of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus): A Latitudinal Investigation. 2005 Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Diego, CA. January 6-9, 2005

Kimberley A. Goodwin and David C. Rostal . Georgia Southern University; Georgia Southern University: Maternal Investment in Offspring of Gopherus agassizii: The Consequences of Infection by Mycoplasma agassizii. 2005 Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Diego, CA. January 6-9, 2005

Anne Marie LeBlanc, David C. Rostal and Thane Wibbels. Georgia Southern University; Georgia Southern University; University of Alabama at Birmingham: Natural Pivotal Temperature and Sex Ratios of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Nesting on Two Georgia Barrier Islands. 2005 Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Diego, CA. January 6-9, 2005

Anne M. Leblanc, David C. Rostal, Thane Wibbels, Kristina Drake, John Robinette, Kris Williams, Mike G. Frick, and Debra Barnard-Keinath. Female-Biased Sex Ratios of Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Nesting on Two Georgia Barrier Islands: Natural Pivotal Temperatures and Sex Ratios. 2005 Annual meeting of the International Sea Turtle Symposium, Savannah, GA. January 18-22, 2005.

David C. Rostal, Anne Marie LeBlanc, Kristina Drake, Mike Frick, Kris Williams, Debra Barnard-Keinath, John Robinette, and Val Lance. Reproductive Physiology of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Nesting on Two Georgia Barrier Islands: Understanding Population Patterns and Fecundity . 2005 Annual meeting of the International Sea Turtle Symposium, Savannah, GA. January 18-22, 2005.

Anne Marie Leblanc; David C. Rostal, and Thane Wibbels. Predicting Loggerhead Sex Ratios: Confounding Effects Of Temperature Variation And Thermosensitive Period. 2006 Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Orlando, FL, January 4-8, 2006.

David C. Rostal, Anne Marie Leblanc, Karla K. Drake, Michael Frick, Kris Williams, Debra Barnard-Keinath, John Robinette, and Valentine A. Lance. Reproductive Physiology Of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Nesting On Two Georgia Barrier Islands: Understanding Population Patterns And Fecundity. 2006 Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Orlando, FL, January 4-8, 2006.

Caroline S. Woods and David C Rostal. Identifying Sex in Juvenile and Immature Gopher Tortoises Gopherus polyphemus, a Species with Delayed Sexual Maturation. 2006 Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Orlando, FL, January 4-8, 2006.

Jacob A. Tuttle and David C. Rostal. Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta Nesting On A Georgia Barrier Island: Effects Of Nest Relocation. 2006 Annual meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Orlando , FL, January 4-8, 2006.

Jacob A. Tuttle and David C. Rostal. Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) Nesting On A Georgia Barrior Island: Effects of Nest Relocation. 26th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Consrvation and Biology, Capsis Beach Hotel and Bungalows, Island of Crete, Greece. April 2-8, 2006.

David C. Rostal, Caroline S. Woods, and Thane Wibbels. Natural Sex Ratios from Field Nests of Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in Southeast Georgia. 2007 Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Phoenix, AZ, January 3-7, 2007

Heather Cason, Anne Marie LeBlanc, Jacob Tuttle, Kristi Drake, Debra Barnard-Keinath, and David Rostal. Demography of Female Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) on Blackbeard NWR. 27th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology, Embassy Suites, Myrtle Beach, S.C. February 24-28, 2007.

Tina S. Davis, Rachel Bowden and David Rostal. Maternally Derived Egg Yolk Hormones of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta): comparisons within a Clutch and Across the Nesting Season . 27th Annual Symposium on Sea Turtle Conservation and Biology, Embassy Suites, Myrtle Beach, S.C. February 24-28, 2007.

Heather L. Cason, Anne Marie LeBlanc, Jacob Tuttle, Kristina Drake, Debra Barnard, and David C. Rostal. Demography of Female Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) on Blackbeard Island NWR and Estimates for Georgia’s Nesting Population. 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, TX, January 4-6, 2008.

John C. Callaway, David C. Rostal, Philip H. Marley, and Jackie W. Entz. Demography of two populations of Gopherus polyphemus:size, age, growth and habitat quality. 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, TX, January 4-6, 2008.

Jackie W. Entz, Philip H. Marley, John B. Callaway, and David C. Rostal. Effects of habitat quality on maternal investment in two Georgia populations of Gopherus polyphemus. 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, TX, January 4-6, 2008.

David C. Rostal, Tina S. Davis, Ryan T. Paitz, Lynn Zimmerman, and David C. Rostal. Seasonal patterns in maternal and yolk hormones in the loggerhead sea turtles Caretta caretta. 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, TX, January 4-6, 2008.

Joseph C. Waddell, Lance D. McBrayer, and David C. Rostal. The ontogeny of carapace morphology in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, TX, January 4-6, 2008.

GRADUATE STUDENTS (Past and Present):

Ms. Kelly M. Phillips (M.S. 1995) Rana capito capito, the Carolina gopher frog, in southeast Georgia: Reproduction, early growth, adult movement patterns and tadpole fright response. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp.85).

Mr. Douglas Jones (M.S. 1996) Population biology of the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, in southeast Georgia. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp.100).

Mr. Mike Walden (M.S. 1998) - Seasonal activity and diversity of snakes utilizing temporary wetlands in southeastern Georgia. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp.88).

Ms. Ginger Perdue (M.S. 2000) - The effect of forage quality on reproduction and growth of the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp.60).

Mr. Adam Safer (M.S. 2001) – Natural history and ecology of the Flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum) on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp.64).

Ms. Kristina Drake - (M.S. 2001) - Reproductive parameters of nesting Caretta caretta on Georgia’s Barrier Islands. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp.110).

Ms. Anne Marie LeBlanc – (M.S. 2004) - Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in Caretta caretta on Two Georgia Barrier Islands. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp. 170).

Ms. Maggie Mitchell – ( M.S. 2005) Homerange, reproduction and habitat characteristics of the female gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in southeast Georgia. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp. 97).

Mr. Jacob Tuttle – (M.S. 2007) Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting on a Georgia barrier Island:Effects of nest relocation. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp. 33)

Ms. Tina Davis - (M.S. 2007) Maternal Plasma and corresponding Egg Yolk Hormones Variation within a Clutch and Across the Nesting Season of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Carretta carretta). M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (pp. 59)

Ms. Heather Cason - Demography of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nesting in Georgia. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (planned completion – Fall 2008)

Ms. Caroline Woods – Validation of sexing techniques in the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a species with delayed sexual maturation. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (planned completion – Summer 2008)

Ms. Jackie Entz - The adaptive reproductive differences due to habitat quality between two Georgia populations of Gopherus polyphemus. M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (planned completion – Spring 2009)

Ms. Amber Teare - . Reproductive cycle of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (planned completion – Spring 2010)

Ms. Tiffany Klein - Reproduction and maternal investment in the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). M.S. Thesis, Georgia Southern University (planned completion – Spring 2010)