The Mates get into the evolution of Ambystoma, whether or not to use subspecies, and the fantastically diverse and oft maligned gymnophthalmids (gymmies!). Episode notes can get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references and beautiful pictures), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Episode Citations Boccia, C.K., Swierk, L., Ayala-Varela, F.P., Boccia, J., Borges, I.L., Estupiñán, C.A., Martin, A.M., Martínez-Grimaldo, R.E., Ovalle, S.,...

The Mates are joined this month by Hiral Naik, a snake ecologist from South Africa! We talk turtles, skinks, crocodiles, neocolonialism in science, and Lamprophiidae! Episode notes can get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references and beautiful pictures), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Episode Citations Thomson, R.C., Spinks, P.Q. & Shaffer, H.B. (2021) A global phylogeny of turtles reveals a burst of climate-associated...

After a corona-induced hiatus, the Mates are back with a looser format and some deep dives on tiny chameleons, glowing geckos, and the much debated Lacey act! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references and beautiful pictures), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Works in Froggress National Geographic Article featuring Gabriel’s illustrations Get ready for the superstars of the story of life ⏲🌍 The first three...

Here’s episode 18, a Works in Froggress episode, featuring the Mates, Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talking about what’s going on in their new lives stuck inside—Ethan’s setting off on a freelancing lifestyle, Gabriel has been tweaking the same illustration forever, and Mark is working on FIIIIIIIIIISH! The Mates then dive into a discussion about Uroplatus geckos! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes...

We’re back with Episode 17! In this Breaking Newts episode, the Mates, Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talk about the coolest new research in herpetology and Gabriel’s extremely squeaky chair! Featuring a few controversial new bits of science, some amazing turtles, diverse salamanders, and glowing, bony amphibians! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references), go to...

Episode 16 is here, in this episode we—Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak—feature an interview with Professor Emily Taylor of Cal Poly, and two of her students, Isabelle Barnes and Katie Rock, talking about their amazing dataset about sex biases in publishing in herpetology, recorded at the 9th World Congress of Herpetology in Dunedin, New Zealand. Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references), go...

We’re back with Episode 15! In this Works in Froggress and Discussion episode, the Mates, Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talk about what they’ve been up to since October 2019, and discuss the event of the year, the 9th World Congress of Herpetology in Dunedin, New Zealand. Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Episode Citations Ratsoavina, F.M.,...

Dr Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak are back for a new start in 2020 and a small change to our episode format! In this Breaking Newts episode, we highlight important herpetological papers published since October 2019! Episode Citations Post, Y., Puschhof, J., Beumer, J., Kerkkamp, H.M., de Bakker, M.A.G., Slagboom, J., de Barbanson, B., Wevers, N.R., Spijkers, X.M., Olivier, T., Kazandjian, T.D., Ainsworth, S., Iglesias, C.L., van de Wetering, W.J., Heinz, M.C., van Ineveld,...

We are the worst, but at least we have an Episode 13, unlike a certain podcast we know. In this long-delayed episode, it’s just two of your normal co-hosts, Dr Mark D. Scherz and Gabriel Ugueto, in a more laid-back, chatty format than the usual! In this thirteenth episode, the structure of the show is a bit different, but we do talk about biogeography and conservation of some geckos and frogs from Madagascar, how exciting we find turtles, and some really cool new science. Works in...

Here it is, Episode 12! In this episode, the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, have some hot takes on wasp taxonomy (wtf?) and lizard functional groups! In this twelfth episode, we talk sailing frogs, how fast you have to walk to find the most snakes, lizard skulls, and flying geckos, and have a somewhat impassioned discussion of wasp taxonomy and a reductionist approach to lizard functional grouping! Our #HERper is Dr. Meg Stewart, and our main discussion is about...

We’re back for our belated anniversary episode, episode 11! In this episode, the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talk about the hottest new research in herpetology since April 2019! In this eleventh episode, we talk about salamander feet, burrowing lizard eyes, and the incredible gecko family Sphaerodactylidae. Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references), go...

Belated and disorganised, but it is finally here! Episode ten, with the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talking about the hottest new research in herpetology since March 2019! In this tenth episode, we talk about glowing frogs, diving snakes, twitter’s greatest HERpetologists, and New Caledonian geckos! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes (and references), go to http://www.squamatespod.com Works...

What? Another episode? So soon after the last? yes indeed! Episode nine is here, with the Mates, Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, talking about the hottest new research in herpetology since December 2018! In this ninth episode, we talk about Eleutherodactylus, yellow anacondas, painting with snake pee, and blind snakes in a great deal of detail! Our featured #HERper is Joan Beauchamp Procter, a visionary woman of the early 20th century! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on...

After a work-frenzied hiatus, the SquaMates are back with an eighth episode! And it’s a special episode devoted to discussing the recent Anolis Newsletter! The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, and we are joined by a special guest host, Dr. James T. Stroud! In this eighth episode, we fail to talk about anything but the newsletter, but it is packed with fun anecdotes and amazing observations—there should be enough entertainment for everyone! Episode notes...

The seventh episode of the SquaMates podcast—more amazing news, including five new herp genomes and a new siren, and a discussion that focusses on taxonomy! The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak. In this seventh episode, we talk about a selection of new and newsworthy papers, including a new siren, five new reptile genomes (Lonesome George and the high-quality tegu genome!), and lizards in the Andes. Our main discussion is all about taxonomy, which we have a...

The sixth episode of the SquaMates podcast—featuring some amazing new stories, including new iguanas and crocodiles, high-elevation herps, and some spectacular sea serpents! The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak. In this sixth episode, we talk about the many newsworthy papers published in the last month, from complex genomic modelling to some really amazing new species, including one crocodile that is new, and one that is not! Our main discussion is about sea...

The fifth episode of the SquaMates podcast—with cool new papers, and a special surprise. The show is hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, and this week we’re joined by guest host, #HERper Helen Plylar! In this fifth episode, we talk about amphibian genome size evolution, the speciation of dusky salamanders (Desmognathus), and the Great Anolis Debate. We talk with Helen about her experience as a #HERper, and our main topic of discussion is her research on heat ‘vision’...

The fourth episode of the SquaMates podcast! You wanted more snake genomes? You got them! You wanted more controversy? Double dose! This show is rife with bad puns and brilliant science, hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak! In this fourth episode, we revisit the Toxicofera, whinge about how busy we all are, mourn the loss of priceless collections, and bring you some hot new science from the last month! These breaking newts include some new snake genomes, some shockingly...

The third episode of the SquaMates podcast—bigger, better, and much, much longer than ever before! The show is rife with bad puns and brilliant science, and hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak! In this third episode, an unplanned drinking game is introduced, as well as a new section title! We talk about cobras, leafblowers, synapomorphic skull loss among stem Serpentes, and the ridiculous diversity of the Gymnophthghshmhalmidae, before diving into our main topic (by...

The much-anticipated second episode of the SquaMates podcast, hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak, here for your ears at last! The this second episode, we give an overview of some of the biggest new research in herpetology since the start of 2018, and the topic of the week is axolotls and their enormous genomes. The featured #HERper is Prof. Marvalee Wake! Episode notes sometimes get clipped on your device or by your podcast provider; for full (extensive) notes, go to...

It’s finally here! The first episode of SquaMates, the totally serious herpetology podcast, hosted by Mark D. Scherz, Gabriel Ugueto, and Ethan Kocak! In this first episode, we introduce you to the show and its format, then cover all of herpetological history, and then discuss all reptiles and amphibians ever. Show References: Caruso, N. & Rabaiotti, D. (2018) Does it fart? The definitive field guide to animal flatulence. Quercus, 144 pp. Cope, E.D. (1895) The classification of the...