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PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Biologists at The Wildlife Project collect and interpret data in as scientifically rigorous a fashion as possible. This not only values the data and justifies the handling of wildlife species, it creates results that are often peer reviewed (outside of our company) for publication, and are open to scrutiny by all.  We feel that our work quality must reflect a level of scientific rigor to support the sharing of data whenever possible.  

We also frequently present new information on wildlife natural history and technique development to conferences and groups of scientists whenever we can.  We believe that sharing "discoveries" promotes best practices in management and protection of wildlife species and populations.

bat trap, tuttle trap, harp trap
Bat Trap. Alvarez (2004).
Publications

SALAMANDERS/NEWTS:

Alvarez, J. A., and J. T. Wilcox. In Prep. The ecological context of size extremes at metamorphosis in the California tiger salamander.

Alvarez, J. A., J. T. Marty, K. Christopherson, P. Craig, D. Weber, and C. D. Vang. 2021. An unanticipated ecological trap: entrapment of the California tiger salamander in technogenic structures as a confounding stressor for a thretened species.  Herpetological Review (In Press - Ocotober 2021).

Alvarez, J. A., and A. Meisel. 2021. Ambystoma californiense (California tiger salamander). Predation.  Herpetological Review. (In Press - June 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., M. A. Shea, J. T. Wilcox, and S. M. Foster. 2021. Use of atypical aquatic breeding habitat by the threatened California tiger salamander. California Fish and Wildlife Journal. (In Press - Jan 2021)

Wilcox, J. T., C. D. Vang, B. R. Muller, and J. A. Alvarez. 2017. Drought influences reproductive timing in two next (Taricha) congeners. Herpetology Notes 10:585–587. PDF 

Alvarez, J. A., and S. M. Foster. 2016. Variability in the larval coloration of the California tiger salmander. Herp Nation 19:28–30. PDF

Wilcox, J. T., G. E. Padgett-Flohr, J. R. Johnson, and J. A. Alvarez. 2015. Possible phenotypic influence of superinvasive alleles on larval California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense). American Midland Naturalist 173:168–175. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., M. A. Shea, J. T. Wilcox, M. L. Allaback, S. M. Foster, G. E. Padgett-Flohr, and J. L. Haire. 2013. Sympatry in California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog breeding habitat within their overlapping range. California Fish and Game 99:42–48.  PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2004. Overwintering California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) larvae. Herpetological Review 35:344. PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2004. Use of artificial egg laying substrate to detect California tiger salamanders (Ambystoma californiense). Herpetological Review 35: 45–46. PDF

FROGS/TOADS:

Alvarez, J.A., and J.T. Wilcox. 2022. Anaxyrus boreas (Western Toad). Opportunistic scavenging. Herpetological Review. (In Press - March 2022)

Alvarez, J. A., K. M. Garten, and D. G. Cook. 2021. Limb malformation in a foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) from Sonoma County, California. Northwestern Naturalist (In Press - Dec 2021)

Pierce, M. T., J .T. Wilcox, A. L. Erway, V. L. Brunal, and J. A. Alvarez. 2021. Rana draytonii (California red-legged frog). Atypical Habitat. Herpetoloigical Review (In Press - Dec 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., K. Garten, J. T. Wilcox, Z. Cava, A. Engstrom, J. Litteral, M. Olson, M. Peterson, H. Sardiñas, and M. Stake.  2021.  Rana draytonii (California red-legged frog). Diet. Herpetological Review. (In Press - Sept 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., E. Lopez, T. Collins, A. Herman, J. Jelincic, M. L. Olsen, B. Piontek, A. Ives Ringstad, and J. T. Wilcox. 2021. Misdirected amplexus between a Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla) and a western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) in a Northern California upland. Northwestern Naturalist. (In Press - Sept 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., M.A. Shea, and J. T. Wilcox. 2021.Upwardly mobile: vertical movement of California red-legged frogs (Rana draytonii) within it's habitat, and its management implications.  Herpetology Notes (In Press - June 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., and J. T. Wilcox. 2021. Observations of atyipical habitat use by foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii) in the Coast Range of California. Western North American Naturalist. (In Press - Mar 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., A. Ives Ringstad, and J. T. Wilcox. 2020. Rana draytonii (California red-legged frog). Diet. Herpetological Review 51:824. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., S. M. Foster, B. R. Muller, and C. D. Vang. 2020. Davian behaviour in the threatened California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii): more than just a waste of time. The Herpetological Bulletin 154:41–42. PDF

Wilcox, J. T., and J. A. Alvarez. 2019. Wrestling for real estate: Male-male interations in breeding foothill yellow-legged frogs (Rana boylii).  Western Wildlife 6:14–17. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., D. G. Cook, J. L. Yee, M. G. van Hattem, D. R. Fong, and R. Fisher. 2013. Comparative microhabitat characteristics as oviposition sites of the California red-legged frog. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 8:539–551. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., M. A. Shea, J. T. Wilcox, M. L. Allaback, S. M. Foster, G. E. Padgett-Flohr, and J. L. Haire. 2013. Sympatry in California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog breeding habitat within their overlapping range. California Fish and Game 99:42–48.  PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2013. Rana draytonii (California red-legged frog). Cannibalism. Herpetological Review 44:126–127. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., M. A. Shea, and S. M. Foster. 2013. Rana draytonii (California red-legged frog). Association with Beaver. Herpetological Review 44:127–128. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., E. Solana, and S. M. Foster 2013. Agalychnis callidryas (Red-eyed tree frog). Predation. Herpetological Review 44: 117–118. PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2011. Bufo boreas (Western toad). Davian Behavior. Herpetological Review 42:408–409. PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2005. Unanticipated predation of California red-legged frog at constructed wetlands (California). Ecological Restoration 21:66–67. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., C. Dunn, and A. Zuur. 2004. Response of California red-legged frogs to removal of non-native fish. Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 38/39:9–12. PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2004. Rana aurora draytonii (California red-legged frog) Microhabitat. Herpetological Review 35:162–163. PDF

Fellers, G. M., A Launer, G. Rathbun, S. Bobzien, J. Alvarez, D. Sterner, R. Seymour, and M. Westphal. 2001. Overwintering tadpoles in the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii). Herpetological Review 32:156–157. PDF

TURTLES:

Alvarez, J. A. 2021. Actinemys marmorata (Northwestern pond turtle). Nesting after injury. Herpetological Review 52:124. PDF

Davidson, K. A., and J. A. Alvarez. 2020. A review and synopsis of nest site selection and site characteristics of western pond turtle. Western Wildlife 7:412–49. PDF

Davidson, K. A., L. M. Asseo, DVM, and J. A. Alvarez. 2020. Actinemys marmorata (Northern Pond Turtle) and Actinemys pallida (Southwestern Pond Turtle). Spectacle retention. Herpetological Review 51:307–308. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., and K. D. Davidson. 2018. Actinemys marmorata (Northwestern Pond Turtle). Atypical Nests. Herpetological Review 49:101–103. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., G. Kittleson, K. A. Davidson, and L. M. Asseo. 2017. Potential injury and mortality to the southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida) during restoration and maitenance activites. Western Wildlife 4:81–85. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., K. A. Davidson, and S. M. Foster. 2014. Actinemys marmorata (Western Pond Turtle). Nest predation. Herpetological Review 45:307–308. PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2006. Actinemys marmorata. (Pacific Pond Turtle) Refugia. Herpetological Review 37:339–340. PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2006. Use of artificial basking substrate to detect and monitor Pacific pond turtles (Emys marmorata). Western North American Naturalist 66:129–131. PDF

LIZARDS:

Alvarez, J. A., J. H. Valdez-Villavicencio, J. T. Wilcox, and A. Peralta Garcia. 2020. Bifurcation in the tail of the Black-tailed Brush Lizard (Urosaurus nigricaudus) in northern Baja California, Mexico. Sonoran Herpetologist 33:81. PDF

SNAKES:

Jansen, D. S., and J. A. Alvarez. In Prep. Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus (Alameda whipsnakes). Entrapment. Herpetological Review.

Alvarez, J. A., and C. D. Vang. 2021. Distribution of the western black-headed snake, Tantilla planiceps, in California: implications for management. Herpetological Review. (In Press - October 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., and A. Murphy. 2021. Masticophis lateralis (California whipsnake). Food items. Herpetological Review (In Press - June 2021)

Garten, K. M., J. A. Alvarez, and Z. A. Cava. 2021. Crotalus scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake). Predation. Herpetological Review (In Press - June 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., D. S. Jansen, C. Shafer, and J. DiDonato. 2021. Observations of the phenology of the threatened Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euyxanthus). California Fish and Wildlife Journal. (In Press - Mar 2021)

Alvarez, J. A., K. A. Davidson, F. Villalba, D. Amador, and A. V. Sprague. 2021. Atypical habitat use by the threatened Alameda whipsnake in the eastern Bay Area of California. Western Wildlife 8:8–12.

Wilcox, J. T., J. C. Dittes, J. E. Howard, and J. A. Alvarez. 2021. Opportunism and dietary extremism leading to mortality in the gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer). Sonoran Herpetologist. 34:13–14. PDF

Miller, A., and J. A. Alvarez. 2017. Habitat use and management considerations for the threatened Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus) in Central California. Western Wildlife 3:29–32. PDF

Allaback, M. L., D. M. Laabs, J. A. Alvarez, and J. Anderson. 2016. Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia (San Francisco garter snake). Upland habitat use.  Herpetological Review 46:278. PDF

Alvarez, J. A. 2006. Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus (Alameda whipsnake) Habitat. Herpetological Review 37:233. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., M. A. Shea, and A. Murphy. 2005. A compilation of observations of Alameda whipsnakes outside of typical habitat. Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society 41:21–25. PDF

RODENTS:

Polvorosa Kline, M., J. A. Alvarez, and N. Parizeau. 2018. Kleptoparasitism of harvester ants by the giant kangaroo rat in the Carrizo Plain, California. Western North American Naturalist 78:208–211. PDF

Alvarez, J. A., M. A. Shea, and S. M. Foster. 2013. Rana draytonii (California red-legged frog). Association with Beaver. Herpetological Review 44:127–128. PDF

BATS:

Alvarez, J. A. et al. In Prep. Bat roosts in California: a review and implications for management. California Fish and Wildlife Journal

Alvarez, J. A. 2004. An easily constructed Tuttle trap for bats. Wildlife Society Bulletin 32:264–266. PDF

CARNIVORES:

Alvarez, J. A. In Prep. Historic and current distribution of wolves in California. California Fish and Wildlife Journal


Selected Presentations

"Response of California red-legged frogs to predatory fish removal". Western Section of the Wildlife Society Conference, 2000.

"Colonization and use of constructed wetlands by California red-legged frogs". Western Section of the Wildlife Society Conference, 2000.

"Review of five years of California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) survey results at the Los Vaqueros watershed: is there an optimal time to survey?"
Western Section of the Wildlife Society Conference, 2004.

"Diet of Bullfrogs in Kellogg Creek California". Western Section of the Wildlife Society Conference, 2004.

"Extirpation as a management tool: can controlling bullfrogs benefit a population of red-legged frogs? A preliminary report". Western Section of the Wildlife Society Conference, 2007.


Invited Presentations and Workshops

Rare Pond Species (CTS, CRLF, WPT) Survey Techniques Workshop. The Laguna Foundation and The Wildlife Project, Sonoma, CA, 2000–2016.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Lecture Series—Managing California tiger salamanders and California red-legged frogs in real-work landscapes. 2014.

Mammals: a review of the worldwide orders. East Bay Zoological Society, Oakland Zoo, CA. Presented annually
1997-2010.

"California tiger salamander management at the Los Vaqueros Watershed". San
Francisco Bay Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Sonora, CA, 1999.

"Managing California tiger salamanders in a drinking water watershed—a five-year
update". San Francisco Bay Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Sonoma, CA, 2003.

"Western pond turtle management: lessons learned and recommendations for the
future". San Francisco Bay Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Sonoma, CA, 2005.