Department of Biology
University of Toronto Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Road
Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6
EDUCATION
Ph.D in Population Biology , September 2011
University of California, Davis, CA
Dissertation advisors: H. Bradley Shaffer and Thomas Schoener
Dissertation committee: Sharon Lawler
GPA 3.98/4.0
Email: christopher.searcy@utoronto.ca
AB in Biology , June 2005
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Honors Thesis advisor: James Hanken
GPA 3.89/4.0
Summa Cum Laude
CURRENT POSITION
Post-doctoral Fellow , Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga
POSITIONS HELD
Post-doctoral Researcher (with H. B. Shaffer) 2011-2013
PUBLICATIONS
Phone: (905) 569-5767 (lab)
(647) 745-3386 (cell)
Refereed Papers
Searcy, C. A. and H. B. Shaffer. (Accepted) Field validation supports novel niche modeling strategies in a cryptic endangered amphibian. Ecography.
Searcy, C. A.
, L. N. Gray, P. C. Trenham, and H. B. Shaffer. (2014) Delayed life history effects, multilevel selection, and evolutionary tradeoffs in the California tiger salamander. Ecology 95:68-77.
Polich, R. L.*, C. A. Searcy , and H. B. Shaffer. (2013) Evaluating the effects of tail-clipping on larval survivorship and growth. Journal of Wildlife Management 77:1420-1425.
Searcy, C. A.
, E. Gabbai-Saldate*, and H. B. Shaffer. (2013) Microhabitat use and migration distance of an endangered grassland amphibian. Biological Conservation 158:80-87.
Searcy, C. A.
and H. B. Shaffer. (2011) Determining the migration distance of a vagile vernal pool specialist: how much land is required for conservation of California tiger salamanders? Pages 73-87 in D. G. Alexander and R. A. Schlising (Editors), Research and Recovery in Vernal Pool Landscapes. Studies from the
Herbarium , California State University, Chico, CA.
Searcy, C. A.
and H. B. Shaffer. (2008) Calculating biologically accurate mitigation credits: insights from the
California tiger salamander. Conservation Biology 22: 997-1005.
Non-refereed Papers/Reports
Sellheim, K. L. and C. A. Searcy . (2010) Conserving biodiversity in the endangered species assemblage of
California vernal pools. Final Report, California Department of Fish and Game. 143 pages.
* Undergraduate collaborator

Completed Manuscripts
Ersan, J. S. M.*, C. A. Searcy , and H. B. Shaffer. Aggressive behavior and conspecific recognition in a tiger salamander hybrid swarm.
Searcy, C. A.
, H. Snaas*, and H. B. Shaffer. Determinants of size at metamorphosis in an endangered amphibian and their projected effects on population stability.
Searcy, C. A.
, H. B. Rollins, and H. B. Shaffer. Ecological equivalency of pure, hybrid, and superinvasive tiger salamander genotypes.
Searcy, C. A.
and H. B. Shaffer. Discovering the climatic niche: a combined spatial and temporal approach.
GRANTS/FELLOWSHIPS
US Department of the Interior: “Adult movement behavior and long term trends in the population dynamics of the central population of the California tiger salamander” ( $268,600 ). 2010-2013. (Co-PI with H. B. Shaffer)
UC Davis Dissertation Year Fellowship ( $33,800 ). 2010-2011.
UC Davis NSF Match-Year Fellowship: “Trophic cascades and the diversity-stability debate: insights from the
California tiger salamander” ( $41,000 ). 2009-2010.
California Department of Fish and Game: “Conserving biodiversity in the endangered species assemblage of
California vernal pools” ($40,500 ). 2008-2009. (Co-PI with K. L. Sellheim)
Solano County Water Agency: “Identification of critical habitat for California tiger salamanders in Solano County”
( $35,100 ). 2007-2011. (Co-PI with H. B. Shaffer)
Center for Population Biology Research Grant: “Trophic cascades and the diversity-stability debate: insights from the California tiger salamander” ( $6,800 ). 2006-2010.
National Science Foundation Graduate Student Fellowship: “Trophic cascades and the diversity-stability debate: insights from the California tiger salamander” ( $123,000 ). 2006-2009.
UC Natural Reserve System Mildred E. Mathias Graduate Student Research Grant: “Trophic cascades and the diversity-stability debate: insights from the California tiger salamander” and “Conservation of terrestrial habitat for California tiger salamanders” ( $5,000 ). Two grants in two years: 2006-2007 & 2007-2008.
UC Davis Dean’s Fellowship ( $48,900 ). 2005-2006.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Assistant : EVE 134 (Herpetology), EVE 134F (Field Herpetology), and EVE 134L (Herpetology
Laboratory). 2011.
MENTORING EXPERIENCE
Independent projects
Adam Clause , University of California, Davis (Research Assistant, 2008-2010)
Differences in trophic niche across California tiger salamander age classes and localities
Julia Ersan , University of California, Davis (Research Assistant, 2009-2010)
Territorial behavior of native California tiger salamanders compared to that of invasive hybrids
Emilio Gabbai-Saldate , University of California, Davis (Research Assistant, 2005-2006)
Habitat selection by California tiger salamanders based on microhabitat parameters
Rebecca Polich , University of California, Davis (Research Assistant, 2009-2012)
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Evaluating the effect of tail-clipping on survivorship and growth of larval salamanders
Robyn Screen , University of California, Davis (Research Assistant, 2009-2013)
Effectiveness of visual implant elastomer as a marking method in California’s amphibians of special concern
Helen Snaas , Hogeschool HAS Den Bosch (Research Assistant, 2012)
Prey preferences of California tiger salamander adults and larvae
Field training
(From 2005-2013 I supervised a team of undergraduates and environmental consultants as part of a large drift fence study looking at landscape ecology and conservation of the endangered California tiger salamander; this involved leading field teams every rainy morning of the year and all mornings during the spring metamorph emergence)
Undergraduates:
California State University, Sacramento : Anthony Barley (2008)
Sacramento City College : Michael Starkey (2010-2012)
State University of New York : Joseph Svoboda (2005)
University of California, Davis : Rizvan Azimzade (2007), Evan Bare (2010-2013), Will Bauer (2011),
Charlsie Berg (2011), Sarah Bonnar (2009-2010), Nicole Carbonne (2009-2010), Zacharia Costa (2006-
2007), Kendall Davidek (2012-2013), Sean Farmer (2012-2013), Michael Garland (2009-2010), Martin Gil
(2012-2013), Natalie Goddard (2011), Levi Gray (2005-2006), Jennifer Hopkirk (2009), Timothy Hyles
(2006-2007), Zafir Javeed (2008), Anna Jordan (2011-2012), Rebecca Koch (2011-2012), Alexa Kownacki
(2011-2012), Kelsey Long (2010), James Mizuguchi (2011), Bailey Morrison (2012-2013), Genevieve
Mount (2008-2010), Angelica Munguia (2011-2012), Charles Norton (2010-2012), Mollie Ogaz (2012-
2013), Brendan O’Sullivan (2011), Katelyn Peterson (2012-2013), Samuel Porras (2012-2013), Grant Reed
(2012-2013), Laura Richstone (2012-2013), Galena Robertson (2011-2012), Joseph Rogers (2012-2013),
Hilary Rollins (2008-2012), Monique Sanchez (2011-2012), Samuel Schoevaars (2012-2013), Robyn
Screen (2009-2013), Kevin Shaw (2012-2013), Rajiv Shetty (2008), Clara Shiu (2008-2009), Anna Smith
(2012-2013), Meredith Smith (2011-2012), Weston Stauffer (2012), Monica Stupaczuk (2011), Katherine
Szelong (2009-2010), Karen Tercero (2012-2013), Catrina Terry (2013), Colin Turcotte (2009-2010), Beck
Wehrle (2006-2009), Rachel Wong (2009), Catherine Yasuda (2009-2010), George Zaragoza (2012), Elise
Zarri (2012-2013)
University of Uppsala : Vide Ohlin (2009)
Environmental Consultants:
AECOM : Charles Battaglia, Tammie Beyerl, Shannon Hickey, Ellen Pimentel
Analytical Environmental Services : Ona Alminas
California Department of Fish and Game : Stacey Martinelli, Laura Patterson
California State Parks : Heather Reith
Cardno ENTRIX : Carlos Alvarado, Chris Battey, Chris Loomis, Amy Poopatanapong, Danica Schaeffer-
Smith
Center for Natural Lands Management : Chris Clifford
CHM2Hill : Shawn Lockwood
Department of Water Resources : Rachel August, Katherine Bandy, Lesley Hamamoto, Katherine
Marquez, Analisa Martinez, Danika Tsao
East Bay Municipal Utilities District : James Jones
ETIC Engineering : Ryan Burdette, Chris Fivecoat, Brett Hanshew, Mason Holmes, Philip Lappe, Lauren
Ross, Bryce Winsor
Garcia and Associates : Meghan Bishop
Live Oak Associates : Geoff Cline
Maristics: Michael McGowan
Pacific Gas and Electric Company : Tyson Read
Stillwater Science : Holly Shepley
Sycamore Environmental : Jessica Easley
Travis Air Force Base : Raymond Hasey
URS : Gilda Barboza, Matthew Bettelheim, Michael Dempsey, Jessie Golding, Fletcher Halliday, Jolie
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Henricks, Jim Hornback, Tammy Lim, Erin Maroni, Melissa Newman, Jan Novak, Ivan Parr, Danielle
Pena, Rebecca Verity, Justin Whitfield
US Geological Survey : Brian Halstead, Richard Kim, Brianna Larsen
INVITED SEMINARS/SYMPOSIA
California Department of Fish and Wildlife , Sacramento CA (2013)
“Conservation and management of the California tiger salamander”
San Francisco State University , Dixon CA (annually, 2012-13)
“Field research on California tiger salamanders”
California Department of Fish and Wildlife , Sacramento CA (2013)
“Ecology and conservation of California tiger salamanders”
The Wildlife Society , Davis CA (annually, 2010-2013)
“California tiger salamander biology”
Jepson Prairie Docent’s Seminar , Davis CA (annually, 2009-2013)
“California tiger salamander biology”
San Francisco State University , Tiburon CA (2012)
“Ecology and conservation of California tiger salamanders”
URS Corporation , Oakland CA (2012)
“Ecology and conservation of California tiger salamanders”
Center for Population Biology , Davis CA (2011)
“Conservation and landscape ecology of California tiger salamanders”
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology , Berkeley CA (2011)
“Conservation and landscape ecology of California tiger salamanders”
Vernal Pool Conservation Conference , Chico CA (2010)
“Conservation of terrestrial habitat for California tiger salamanders”
California State University , Sacramento CA (2010)
“The California tiger salamander: an amphibian on the edge”
Mathias Symposium , Bodega Bay CA (2010)
“Mass-dependent survival and dispersal in the California tiger salamander”
Mathias Symposium , Bodega Bay CA (2008)
“Conservation of terrestrial habitat for California tiger salamanders”
Symposium on Population Ecology in Vernal Pool Systems , Davis CA (2007)
“Conservation of terrestrial habitat for California tiger salamanders”
Symposium for Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Undergraduates , Cambridge MA (2006)
“Calculating biologically accurate mitigation credits: insights from the California tiger salamander”
CONTRIBUTED ORAL PAPERS
Amphibian Population Task Force , Arcata CA (2013)
“Delayed life history effects and population stability in the California tiger salamander”
World Congress of Herpetology , Vancouver BC (2012)
“Delayed life history effects, multilevel selection, and evolutionary tradeoffs: mass and date of metamorphosis in the California tiger salamander”
Ecological Society of America , Portland OR (2012)
“Delayed life history effects, multilevel selection, and evolutionary tradeoffs: mass and date of metamorphosis in the California tiger salamander”
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Ecological Society of America, Austin TX (2011)
“Problematic generalizations: variation across time, space, and taxa shows amphibian landscape ecology requires a closer look”
Ecological Society of America , Pittsburgh PA (2010)
“Finding localities for an endangered salamander using ecological niche models: a local versus global approach”
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists , Providence RI (2010)
“Mass-dependent survival and dispersal in the California tiger salamander”
Ecological Society of America , Albuquerque NM (2009)
“Terrestrial landscape ecology of a fossorial salamander based on long term recapture efforts”
Society for the Study of Evolution , Minneapolis MN (2008)
“Patterns of continuous trait evolution during adaptive radiation”
The Wildlife Society , Monterey CA (2007)
“Calculating biologically accurate mitigation credits: insights from the California tiger salamander”
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists , New Orleans LA (2006)
“Conservation of terrestrial habitat for California tiger salamanders”
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND SOCIETIES
Reviewer for: Biological Conservation , Biology Letters , Ecological Modeling , Ecosphere, Herpetological Review ,
Hydrobiologia , Journal of Herpetology , Sommerfeltia, Wetlands
Professional Society Memberships: Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution (CSEE), Ecological Society of
America (ESA), The Wildlife Society (TWS)
Conservation and Outreach Activities:
Member of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California Tiger Salamander Recovery Plan Scientific Advisory
Board (2013)
Recorded training lecture for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife on “Conservation and Management of the California tiger salamander” (2013)
Reviewed “Technical Review of California Tiger Salamander: Habitat, Impacts, and Conservation” at the invitation of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (2013)
Graduate student/post-doc representative on the Jepson Prairie Advisory Committee (2006-2013)
Reviewed “Endangered Species Act Five-Year Review for the California tiger salamander” at the invitation of the
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2012)
Assisted U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service with CTS Ambassadors program, in which former experimental animals were adopted out to zoos and NGOs (2012)
Contributed article on California tiger salamanders to revised Jepson Prairie Handbook and provided figures for new
Jepson Prairie Visitor Center (2012)
Invited editor for “Managing rangelands to benefit the California red-legged frog and California tiger salamander”
(2012)
Pro bono consulting for U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service on lawsuit dealing with illegal development of California tiger salamander habitat (2011-2012)
Advised California Department of Fish and Game on new survey protocols for detecting and monitoring California tiger salamander populations (2011)
Conference with California Department of Fish and Game on hybrid California tiger salamander management
(2011)
Visit to JFK High School to discuss California tiger salamander conservation with AP Biology classes (2010-2011)
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Pro bono consulting on California tiger salamander conservation, Travis Air Force Base (2009-2011)
Picnic Day Community Outreach: Herpetology Booth (2009-2010)
Led workshop “Biology and Management of the California Tiger Salamander” for the Alameda County
Conservation Partnership (2008)
Conference with California Department of Transportation on potential future directions for research on habitat use by California tiger salamanders (2007)
Presented research on California tiger salamanders to children and parents of the Davis Community at the Putah
Creek Lodge (2006)
Conference with California Department of Fish and Game on possible institution of new methods for calculating mitigation credits for projects impacting California tiger salamanders (2006)
Pro bono consulting on proposed expansion of the Potrero Hills Landfill into California tiger salamander habitat
(2006)
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