Truman Biology Professor Conducts International Snake Research
Chad Montgomery, associate professor of biology, joined an international group of biologists this past summer as part of a collaborative snake research project in Puerto Rico.
The goal of the project was to discuss current research on species of Boa, including the growing problem of the invasive Boa constrictor in Puerto Rico. Although the group is fairly new, Montgomery has been researching the Boa constrictor in its native range for nine years.
“I have met many of the other Boa researchers over the years at various meetings, but this [was] the first meeting based on Boas and their phylogenetic relatives,” Montgomery said.
During the expedition, the biologists located five endemic Puerto Rican Boas. Montgomery and one of his colleagues also located an invasive Boa constrictor called by its common name in Puerto Rico, “Blonde Boa.” Endemic snakes were captured, measured, marked and released at the site of capture as part of a long term monitoring program. The invasive Boa constrictor was captured, measured and euthanized. The endemic species and the invasive species share much of the same prey base, so it is necessary to determine what type of negative impact the invasive species is having on the endemic species.
Despite this accomplishment, Montgomery gives credit to everyone for the overall research efforts.
“All of us participated by providing information and insight into the biology of Boas. I don’t think any single person had a larger contribution than anyone else,” he said.
Since his undergraduate years at Truman, then Northeast Missouri State University, Montgomery has been fascinated with the study of reptiles. He continued developing research projects on reptiles during his graduate degrees and post-doctorate experience. As a professor, Montgomery enjoys helping undergraduate students build up skills and confidence as they develop into scientists.
“[I enjoy] working with undergraduates and watching their response to finding and capturing a snake,” Montgomery said. “I think passing on knowledge and passion about the wild is one of the best ways to help protect and conserve the wild.”
Montgomery plans to travel to Honduras next summer to work on his own research projects. He also intends to collect data during his travels to Latin America in order to continue helping the international effort to assess the phylogenetic relationships among Boas.
For more information on this research, contact Montgomery at chadmont@truman.edu.
Montgomery with the Blonde Boa in Puerto Rico.
The goal of the project was to discuss current research on species of Boa, including the growing problem of the invasive Boa constrictor in Puerto Rico. Although the group is fairly new, Montgomery has been researching the Boa constrictor in its native range for nine years.
“I have met many of the other Boa researchers over the years at various meetings, but this [was] the first meeting based on Boas and their phylogenetic relatives,” Montgomery said.
During the expedition, the biologists located five endemic Puerto Rican Boas. Montgomery and one of his colleagues also located an invasive Boa constrictor called by its common name in Puerto Rico, “Blonde Boa.” Endemic snakes were captured, measured, marked and released at the site of capture as part of a long term monitoring program. The invasive Boa constrictor was captured, measured and euthanized. The endemic species and the invasive species share much of the same prey base, so it is necessary to determine what type of negative impact the invasive species is having on the endemic species.
Despite this accomplishment, Montgomery gives credit to everyone for the overall research efforts.
“All of us participated by providing information and insight into the biology of Boas. I don’t think any single person had a larger contribution than anyone else,” he said.
Since his undergraduate years at Truman, then Northeast Missouri State University, Montgomery has been fascinated with the study of reptiles. He continued developing research projects on reptiles during his graduate degrees and post-doctorate experience. As a professor, Montgomery enjoys helping undergraduate students build up skills and confidence as they develop into scientists.
“[I enjoy] working with undergraduates and watching their response to finding and capturing a snake,” Montgomery said. “I think passing on knowledge and passion about the wild is one of the best ways to help protect and conserve the wild.”
Montgomery plans to travel to Honduras next summer to work on his own research projects. He also intends to collect data during his travels to Latin America in order to continue helping the international effort to assess the phylogenetic relationships among Boas.
For more information on this research, contact Montgomery at chadmont@truman.edu.
Montgomery with the Blonde Boa in Puerto Rico.
