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Thomas M. Luhring
University of Georgia
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Drawer E, Aiken SC 29802
Office Phone: (803) 725-0422 E-mail: tluhring@uga.edu
Cell Phone: (706) 614-0649
1 August 2007


Education

  • M.S. Ecology – In Progress - University of Georgia - School of Ecology, Athens , GA. Thesis title: Population ecology and natural history of greater siren, Siren lacertina, and two-toed amphiuma, Amphiuma means. Advisor: Dr. J. Whitfield Gibbons. Degree expected: Spring 2008.
  • B.S. Ecology – May 2005 - University of Georgia – Institute of Ecology, Athens, GA. Thesis title: The Nesting Ecology of the Golden Mouse, Ochrotomys nuttali. Thesis advisor: Dr. Gary W. Barrett.
  • B.S. Biology – May 2005 - University of Georgia – Department of Biology, Athens, GA.  


Research Interests

·         Cross-disciplinary approaches to vertebrate natural history and population ecology, with a special interest in amphibian and reptiles

  • Population genetics of amphibians and reptiles inhabiting isolated wetlands
  • Aquatic amphibian and reptile community assemblages

·         Improvising new techniques for field research

 

Professional Experience

Summer 2006 – Present – Graduate Research Assistant, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), University of Georgia (UGA)

  • Investigating aquatic vertebrate distribution within isolated wetlands with an emphasis on Siren lacertina and Amphiuma means population ecology
  • PIT-tagging snakes and large salamanders
  • Identifying and extracting reproductive and GI tracts from Siren lacertina
  • Extracting DNA from animal tissue, and developing sex-specific markers
  • Uploading data from and programming I-buttons (data loggers)
  • Guide and assistant for visiting video documentary on frog calls
  • Fieldwork for the Land-use effects on Amphibian Populations (LEAP) project including: nocturnal salamander tracking using fluorescent powder and black lights, data entry into palm pilots, marking, measuring and sexing amphibians and snakes and identifying all species of reptiles and amphibians occurring in the region
  • Fieldwork for a long-term study on diamondback terrapins on Kiawah Island, South Carolina including:  population sampling, measuring, marking and sexing turtles, and operating small boats

3-5 June 2007 – Consultant, Palmetto Bluff Conservancy

  • Instructed personnel on how to set and maintain traps for small mammal trapping
  • Gave hands-on training to personnel on how to handle, weigh, mark, and sex small mammals

Summer 2005 – Research Technician, Savannah River Ecology Lab (SREL)

  • Fieldwork for the Land-use effects on Amphibian Populations (LEAP) project including: radio telemetry, fine-scale habitat sampling, tree frog egg collection, testing desiccation susceptibility of two similar salamander species and testing snake reactions to vehicles
  • Fieldwork for a long-term study on diamondback terrapins on Kiawah Island South Carolina

22-28 May 2005 – Research Technician

  • Surveyed Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta (Copper-bellied watersnake) populations, a state-listed species for Indiana, at the Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

Fall 2003 – Spring 2005 – Undergraduate Research, HorseShoe Bend Experimental

Site, University of Georgia

  • Fieldwork focusing on the nesting and population ecology of golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) including: trapping, handling, marking, and sexing of mice and southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans), and database creation and management

Summer 2004 – Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)

  • Conducted research at SREL under the tutelage of Dr. Whitfield Gibbons
  • Funded by the REU program through the National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Participated in the LEAP project under the supervision of Dr. Betsie Rothermel at the SREL 
  • Studied the effects of forestry techniques on the desiccation rates of mole salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum)
  • Research resulted in publication (Rothermel and Luhring 2005)


Teaching Experience

Summer of 2004 – Present – Outreach presenter, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

·         Give talks with live animals to schools, the general public and other groups on the natural history of and need for conservation of reptiles, amphibians, mammals and their habitats.

·         Approximately 35 talks to date to >3000 members of the general public

Fall 2005 - Spring 2006 – Graduate Laboratory Assistant, Biological Sciences, University of  Georgia (UGA)

  • Instructed two introductory biology laboratories for science majors each week
  • Taught during the first year of a newly implemented writing-intensive and inquiry-based format
  • Assigned, graded, reviewed and made suggestions for revisions for assignments
  • Co-authored the revised laboratory manual for the next year

Summer 2003 - Ecology Director, Boy Scout Summer Camp, Augusta, Georgia

  • Raised money to assist in the building of a new Ecology pavilion and assisted in its construction
  • Created syllabi for classes
  • Managed five staff members
  • Collected, exhibited and maintained select native species of flora and fauna to public
  • Instructed several classes each day during camp season on various subjects pertaining to the area of Ecology

Spring 2003 - Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, University of Georgia

·         Worked with a graduate teaching assistant as an assistant for an introductory science course for non-science majors  

·         Duties included assisting in setting up laboratory, helping students with lab work, being responsible for giving a lecture and quiz during the semester and grading various assignments.

Summers 2001& 2002 – Jimmie Dyess First Year Camper Director, Boy Scout

Summer Camp, Augusta, Georgia

  • Instructed 20-50 eleven-year olds per class period
  • Managed three staff members
  • Created a broad syllabi integrating other program areas

Summers 1995-1997 & 1999 - Staff, Boy Scout Summer Camp, Augusta, Georgia


Students Supervised

Christopher M. Schalk. 2007. SREL Research Experience for Undergraduates Participant.  State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY.  Project Title: Dispersal capabilities of large aquatic salamanders among isolated wetlands.

 

Ongoing Collaborative Projects

·         Development of sex-linked markers in greater siren, Siren lacertina, using the RAPD technique. Collaborators: Lucy Dueck and Travis Glenn. Funded, in part, by the American Museum of Natural History’s Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund ($2000)

 

·         Reproductive development and activity of greater siren, S. lacertina, at three isolated wetlands. Collaborator: Hugh Hanlin (University of South Carolina, Aiken)

 

·         Parasite ecology of greater siren, S. lacertina. Collaborator: Derek Zelmer (University of South Carolina, Aiken)

 

·         Phenotypic plasticity in amphibians: A phylogenetic approach. PI: Rick A. Relyea (University of Pittsburg). Project Funded by National Science Foundation ($411,657)

 

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Luhring, T. M. In review. “Problem species” of the Savannah River Site such as Brimley’s chorus frog, Pseudacris brimleyi, demonstrate the hidden biodiversity concept on an intensively-studied government reserve. Southeastern Naturalist.

 

Luhring, T. M. In review. Siren lacertina (greater siren) Diet Record. Herpetological Review.

 

Luhring, T. M. In review. Siren lacertina (greater siren) Predation. Herpetological Review.

 

Luhring, T. M. In press. Reptiles and amphibians of boy scout camp Linwood-Hayne: Results from an undergraduate-initiated three year opportunistic inventory. Georgia Journal of Science (expected publication date: September 2007).

 

Todd, B. D., B. B. Rothermel, R. N. Reed, T. M. Luhring, K. Schlatter, T. Trenkamp, and J. W. Gibbons. In Press. Habitat alteration increases invasive fire ant abundance to the detriment of amphibians and reptiles. Biological Invasions.

 

Luhring, T. M. and C. A. Young. 2006. Innovative techniques for sampling stream

salamanders.  Herpetological Review 37:181-183.

 

Rothermel, B. R. and T. M. Luhring. 2005 Burrow availability and desiccation risk of

mole salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum) in harvested versus unharvested forest stands.  Journal of Herpetology 39:619-626. 

 

Book Chapters and Encyclopedia Articles

Luhring, T. M., and G. W. Barrett. In press. Nesting ecology of the golden mouse: An oikos engineer.

In: G. W. Barrett and G. A. Feldhamer, eds. The Golden Mouse: Ecology, Behavior and Conservation. Springer. New York, NY.

 

Gibbons, J. W., and T. M. Luhring. In press. Reptiles of Inland Waters. In: Encyclopedia of Inland Waters.

Elsevier Ltd. Oxford.

 

Technical Literature and Other Publications

Luhring, T. M. In press. Auditory surveys. In: Graeter, G. J., K. A. Buhlmann, L. R.

Wilkinson, and J. W. Gibbons, eds. Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Amphibians and Reptiles. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Technical Publication Series. Aiken, SC.

 

Luhring, T. M. In press. Leaf-litterbag surveys. In: Graeter, G. J., K. A. Buhlmann, L.

R. Wilkinson, and J. W. Gibbons, eds. Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Amphibians and Reptiles. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Technical Publication Series. Aiken, SC.

 

Reed, R. N., T. M. Luhring, and A. D. Tucker. In press. Appendix III: Determination of

age, sex and reproductive condition. In: Graeter, G. J., K. A. Buhlmann, L. R.

Wilkinson, and J. W. Gibbons, eds. Inventory and Monitoring: Recommended Techniques for Amphibians and Reptiles. Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Technical Publication Series. Aiken, SC.

 

Darley, M., A. Howard, C. Flaute, K. Miller, T. Luhring, L. Martin and C. Ketter. 2006. A laboratory manual for principals of biology II: Biology 1108L. Fourth Edition. Contemporary Publishing Company of Raleigh. Raleigh, NC.

 

Manuscripts In Preparation

Luhring, T. M. and C. A. Jennison. A new technique for sub-surface sampling of aquatic

vertebrates. Target Journal: Journal of Freshwater Ecology.

 

Luhring, T. M., J. D. Willson, and C. A. Young. Amphibian and reptile distribution records from Georgia. Target Journal: Herpetological Review.

 

Schalk, C. M. and T. M. Luhring. Dispersal capabilities of large aquatic salamanders among isolated wetlands.

 

Presentations at Scientific Meetings

Luhring, T. M. 233g/m2, And we still know very little about our giant salamanders.  Institute of Ecology Graduate Student Symposium. University of Georgia. February 3, 2007. Platform presentation.

 

Luhring, T. M. Stratified aquatic trapping technique for aquatic vertebrates. 3rd Annual Graduate Student Symposium. SREL. June 2006. Platform presentation.

 

Luhring, T. M. and G. W. Barrett.  Nesting Ecology of the Golden Mouse, Ochrotomys nuttalli, in the Piedmont of Georgia.  85th Annual American Society of Mammalogists Meeting.  June 2005.  Poster.

 

Luhring, T. M., B. R. Rothermel and J. W. Gibbons.  Desiccation Rates of Mole Salamanders (Ambystoma talpoideum) in Harvested vs. Unharvested Forest Stands.  SREL REU Symposium.  July 2004.  Platform presentation.

 

Luhring, T. M., and C. A. Young.  Innovative Techniques for Sampling Spring-Inhabiting Salamanders in Richmond County, Georgia.  Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference (SEEC).  March 2004.  Poster.

 

Luhring, T. M., and C. A. Young.  Innovative Techniques for Sampling Spring-Inhabiting Salamanders in Richmond County, Georgia.  Ecology Graduate Student Symposium, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia.  January 2004.  Poster.

 

Other Selected Presentations

Luhring, T. M. Reptiles and amphibians of Reed Creek. Reed Creek Interpretive Center. Evans, Georgia. Invited Speaker. June 16, 2007. One-hour live animal presentation.

 

Luhring, T. M.  Wildlife in photography, photography in wildlife. The Wildlife Society, University of Georgia Student Chapter.  Athens, Georgia.  Invited speaker. February 21, 2007.  One-hour platform presentation.

 

Luhring, T. M.  The reptiles and amphibians of Georgia.  White Elementary School (K-5).  White, Georgia. Invited speaker. January 30, 2007. Fifty-minute live animal presentations (six consecutive talks).

 

Luhring, T. M.  Ecology and biology of Georgia’s reptiles, amphibians and mammals.  South Gwinnet High School (9th grade biology classes).  Gwinnet, Georgia. Invited speaker. January 29, 2007. Fifty-minute live animal presentations (six consecutive talks).

 

Luhring, T. M.  Marking techniques for lizards, snakes and crocodilians.  Inventory and Monitoring Workshop, Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC).  Aiken, South Carolina. Invited speaker. September 23, 2006. Fifteen-minute platform presentation.

 

Luhring, T. M.  Undergraduate research and graduate school.  Junior Seminar, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia.  Invited speaker. Fifteen-minute talk. Fall 2005 and 2006 semesters. Platform presentations.

 

 

Conferences Organized

2005 Southeastern Ecology and Evolution Conference (SEEC)

·         Student-run conference in the Southeastern United States that rotates between universities

 

2001 Arrow Tech, Order of the Arrow, Southern Region 5 (SR-5), Boy Scouts of America (BSA)

  • SR-5’s semi-annual weekend training conference patterned after university courses

 

Grants and Stipends Awarded

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund ($2000), American Museum of Natural History.  Project Title: Unveiling the secret lives of greater siren, Siren lacertina, through multi-year mark recapture studies and the development of sex-linked markers. May 2, 2007.

 

Josh Laerm Memorial Outstanding Ecology Undergraduate Award ($300), Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia, Undergraduate recipient for 2005, April 22, 2005.

 

Joshua Laerm Academic Support Award ($600), Georgia Museum of Natural History, Undergraduate recipient for 2005, March 7, 2005

 

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), National Science Foundation (NSF), Summer 2004

 

Other Honors & Awards

·         1st Place Black and White Photography, The Wildlife Society (TWS), Southeastern Wildlife Conclave 2006

·         1st Place Non-Game Calling, TWS, Southeastern Wildlife Conclave 2005 and 2006

·         Wood Badge, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), July 2004

·         National Program of the Month, PUP Week, Residence Hall Association, October 200

·         Founder’s Award, Order of the Arrow (OA), BSA, Winter 2000

·         2nd Bronze Palm, BSA, December 199

·         Vigil Honor, OA, BSA, Fall 199

·         Silver Palm, BSA, September 199

·         Gold Palm, BSA, June 199

·         Bronze Palm, BSA, March 1999

·         Eagle Scout, BSA, October 1998

 

Other Experiences

Spring 2002 – Spring 2005 - Residential Assistant, University of Georgia          

  • Mediated peer conflicts
  • Initiated and coordinated programming for residents
  • Oversaw approximately 900 residents
  • Directly monitored and mentored 28-42 residents per semester

 

Fall 1998-Fall 2000 - Lodge Chief, Bob White Lodge, Order of the Arrow (BSA)

  • Oversaw the daily running of an organization with a body of 500 members

 

Journal Referee

·         Herpetological Review

·         Southeastern Naturalist

 

Memberships

  • American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
  • American Society of Mammalogists (ASM)
  • Boy Scouts of America (BSA)
  • Ecological Society of America (ESA)
  • National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) (Lifetime)
  • Order of the Arrow (OA)
  • Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)
  • Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
  • The Wildlife Society, University of Georgia Chapter (TWS)
  • The University of Georgia Herpetological Society (UGHS)

 

Photogaphy Featured In:

  • The Golden Mouse: Ecology, Behavior and Conservation. Springer. New York, NY. (G. W. Barrett and G. A. Feldhamer, eds).

 

  • Venomous Snakes of Georgia (GADNR, in prep)

 

  • The Frogs and Toads of North Carolina: Field guide and recorded calls. Raleigh, NC. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. (Dorcas, M. E., Price, S. J., Beane, J. C., and S. C. Owen. 2007).

 

  • Fundamentals of Ecology. 5th ed. Belmont, CA. Thomson Brooks/Cole. (Odum, E. P. and G. W. Barrett. 2005).

 

  • HorseShoe Bend: A center for ecological teaching, research, and service at the University for Georgia. (Blesh, J. and M. Williams. 2003).


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