Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Danta: Association
for Conservation of
the Tropics
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
Tropical Herpetology
July 19, 2007 – Aug 14, 2007
Syllabus
Instructor: Thomas C. LaDuke
Associate Professor: East Stroudsburg University Dept. of Biological Sciences
tcladuke@po-box.esu.edu
Assistant Instructor: Matthew Lattanzio
Graduate Student: University of Oklahoma, Norman
Assistant Instructor: Melissa Stepek
Graduate Student: East Stroudsburg University
Course Description: This class serves
as an introduction to herpetology and
an introduction to tropical biology with
a focus on the amphibians and reptiles
of Costa Rica. Students will learn field
techniques for studying and capturing
amphibians and reptiles in the tropics.
Daily lectures will cover general
herpetology and special topics that
pertain to the tropics. Laboratories will
cover the identification of Costa Rican
amphibians and reptiles and field
techniques. The course includes a two
night class trip to an off site location.
All students are required to design and
carry out a field research project.
Students will not be allowed to handle
venomous snakes in this course.
Red-eyed treefrog, Agalychnis callidryas
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Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
Required Textbook:
Savage, Jay M. 2002. The Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica: A Herpetofauna
between Two Continents, between Two Seas. The University of Chicago Press.
934 pp.
Suggested References (most of these are available in the El Zota library):
Duellman, W. E. and L. Trueb. 1986. Biology of Amphibians. McGraw Hill, New York.
670 pp.
Heyer, W. R., M. A. Donnelly, R. W. McDiarmid, L. C. Hayek, and M. S. Foster, eds.
1994. Measuring and Monitoring Biological Diversity: Standard Methods for
Amphibians. Smithsonian Institution Press. Washington. 364 pp.
Janzen, D. H. 1983. Costa Rican Natural History. University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
816 pp..
Pough, F. Harvey, R. M. Andrews, J. E. Cadle, M. L. Crump, A. H. Savitsky, and K. D.
Wells. 2001. Herpetology, 2nd ed. Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River, NJ. 612 pp.
Ryan, M. J . 1985. The Tungara Frog. A Study in Sexual Selection and Communication.
University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
Savage, J. M. and J. Villa. 1986. Herpetofauna of Costa Rica. SSAR 207 pp.
Zug, G. R. 1993. Herpetology, An Introductory Biology of Amphibians and Reptiles.
Academic Press, San Diego. 527 pp.
Note: Text readings and select resources in the El Zota library will be assigned during
class. Please read pages 1-28 from Savage (2002) before arrival.
Students are required to bring three photocopied articles on tropical herpetology that
they will donate to the El Zota Library. One of these will serve as a presentation topic
during the course.
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Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
Itinerary
Week 1.
Day 1, July 19. Travel from San Jose to field station: get settled in. Evening lesson:
A. General assembly of students. Life in the tropics.
B. Layout of El Zota.
C. Forest etiquette and safety.
Day 2, July 20. 0800: Setting up a field notebook.
0830: Trail orientation – The North River Trail and the Swamp Trail.
1300: Lecture – Geographic features affecting Costa Rican biota. Tropical life.
1500: Class discussion at pulperia.
1930: Lecture – Introduction to the Amphibia: thin skinned vertebrates.
3. July 21. 0800: Trail orientation: Platano Trail and the Amazing Frog Swamp.
1300: Lecture - Caecilians: life underground.
1400: Assignment: literature review on an El Zota herp.
1930: Lecture - Forest structure in the tropics.
4. July 22. 0830: Trail orientation: The Lagoon Trail.
1300: Lecture - Tropical Salamanders: lungless in the tropics.
1500: Laboratory: Costa Rican Caecilians and Salamanders.
1930: Costa Rican Amphibians: slide show.
5. July 23. 0830: Basic behavioral observation techniques: strawberry poison dart frogs
1300: Lecture – Reproductive modes in anurans
1400: Laboratory: Identification and classification of frogs.
1930: Night Hike.
6. July 24. 0830: Sampling techniques: the perils of pitfalls.
1300: Lecture: Reptiles, a place in the sun: ectotherm behavior and physiology
1500: Individual project proposal discussion.
1930: Costa Rican Reptiles: slide show.
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Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
7. July 25. 0830: Group field project: Comparison of two forests - setup.
1300: Literature Review presentation.
1500: Lecture – Turtle biology.
1930: Individual project proposal discussion.
Week 2.
8. July 26. 0830: Group field project: continued.
1300: Literature review presentations.
1500: Lecture: Crocodilians: predatory and reproductive behavior.
1900: Finish individual project proposals.
9. July 27. 0830: Group Field project: continued
1300: Lizard biology.
1500: Laboratory: Identification and classification of turtles and Crocodilians.
1900: Submit individ. proj. proposals
10. July 28. 0830: Group Field project: continued
1300: Lecture: Snakes.
1500: Laboratory: identification and classification of lizards.
1930: Night hike.
11. July 29. 0830: Group Field project: analysis.
1300: Lecture – Thermoregulation and water relations.
1430: Laboratory: identification and classification of snakes.
12. July 30. 0830: Group field project: analysis.
1500: Laboratory Practical exam: identification of amphibians and reptiles.
13. July 31. 0830: Lecture – Reproductive strategies.
1030: Group Field project: presentation(s).
Week 3.
14-16. Aug 1 – Aug 3. Field Trip to Tortuguero – night hike for sea turtles and
Lecture on Marine turtles
Day 17-22, 0830 – 1200: Work on individual research projects every day.
17 Aug. 4. 1300: Lecture – Predation and defense
18. Aug. 5. 1300: Lecture – Biogeography of Central American herps
19. Aug 6. 1300: Lecture - Tropical Herp communities.
20. Aug. 7. 1300: Lecture exam. Short answers and essays.
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Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
Week 4.
21-24. Aug 8 – 11. Finish individual projects, prepare presentations.
26. Aug 12. Project presentations.
27. Aug 13. Final day: Group discussion. Clean up and pack for home.
28. Aug. 14. Depart from El Zota.
Grading:
Lecture exam…………………………….………………..15%
Practical exam…………………..……….……………..…15%
Literature Review presentation………………………….10%
Class Project……………………………...……….……...10%
Field notebook evaluation……………………………..…..5%
Research Proposal………………………………………..10%
Research project presentation………….…………..……10%
Research project write-up……………….………………..25%
100%
DANTA Fees and Deadline:
The cost of the course is $1700, and includes all within-country transportation, room and
board, and expenses for field excursions. It does NOT include your international flight,
airport taxes ($25), accommodation and meals for the first and last nights in San Jose.
The deadline for registration is May 1, 2007.
Academic Credit fees:
You can obtain academic credit for this course through East Stroudsburg University.
Participants enrolled for 3 academic credits will pay a total tuition fee of $204 per credit
(or the current tuition rate) for Pennsylvania Residents or $511 per credit (or the current
tuition rate) for non-residents (or $327 for in-state graduate credit, $523 for out-ofstate graduate credit).
Students who wish to obtain credit directly through East Stroudsburg University should
visit the ESU website at www3.esu.edu and follow the link to summer sessions. This course
is listed as BIOL 493, Biology of Tropical Ecosystems during summer postsession,
instructor: T. LaDuke (not T Master). Application forms can be printed from the site and
mailed in.
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Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
List of Field Gear Required for Tropical Herpetology at El Zota.
Note that many items that are easily and cheaply obtained at local stores in the U.S. are
difficult to get or expensive in Costa Rica. These include things like film, batteries,
camera batteries, wristwatches, compasses, etc.
1. Waterproof digital wristwatch with alarm and stopwatch functions.
2. Headlamp with rechargeable batteries. Any non-rechargeable batteries that a
student brings must be carried back to the states by the student. Enough
backup batteries should be brought to allow for at least 2 hours of continuous
usage. In addition, all students should carry a small, lightweight flashlight, such
as the mini maglite, into the field with them, day and night.
3. Rain gear. A rain slicker or poncho works well. In addition, umbrellas come in handy
for use around the camp.
4. Plastic bags to protect vulnerable equipment are also useful. A box of zip-locks (large
freezer bags are best) and a handful of plastic trash bags large enough to
contain small items of luggage.
5. Canteen or water bottle. [For emergency use in the field, it is a good idea to carry
water purification tablets such as those that backpackers use]
6. Insect repellent and insect protection nets. All students should bring a supply of
repellent. Many will wish to apply insect repellent every day while they are in the
field, so bring a large enough supply. Please do not bring aerosol cans to Costa
Rica. Pump bottles or cremes are preferred. Repellents that contain deet or
other potent chemicals should be applied only in conformance with all warning
provided on the container. Potent insect repellents may damage items made of
plastic and will kill small animals such as amphibians, so please use accordingly.
Students may wish to bring mosquito net hats and bed nets. These are optional.
7. Signal whistle. This safety device can help a student keep in contact with their group
if they get separated in the field.
8. Field bag or day pack. Something to carry field gear and a notebook into the field.
9. Calf-high rubber boots. Be sure that these are broken in and comfortable for
extensive hiking. Inexpensive boots can be had at many discount stores such as
K-mart or Wal-mart. These will often do just as well as much more expensive
brands. Boots that are too tight will cause cramping of the foot and severe
blisters. It is better to have boots that are a bit too loose than too tight. Some
students prefer army style jungle boots (e.g. Altama brand). These can be
purchased at many army-navy surplus stores.
10. Clothing. We recommend the following:
5 light-weight T-shirts or short sleeved shirts
2 or 3 pairs of shorts
10 pairs of cotton socks and underwear
4 pairs of light weight (cotton or nylon) pants
5 long sleeved, button down, cotton work shirts. Light weight shirts are best.
Clothes to sleep in. Nighttime can be cool (to about 60 o F some nights), so bring
a sweatshirt, sweats, or other cozy apparel. The rooms are not heated.
A set of casual clothes to wear in San Jose or in other towns you may have
occasion to visit.
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Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
Accessories: sandals, tennis shoes, bandannas, and a hat with a visor (a
baseball style cap works well). A hat is a critical piece of clothing in the tropics.
One that folds up and can be carried in your day-pack works well.
11. Bring at least two light towels for showering. Fast-drying towels are best.
12. Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, if you wear them. Bring anti-fog coating for
glasses.
13. Sunblock. High rating (#30 or higher) and waterproof.
14. Combination lock or padlock.
15. Personal first aid kit, including:
Band-aids, tylenol or ibuprofen based pain killer, cold tablets, antibiotic ointment,
Anti-itch medication, sting-eze, fungal powder or cream, preventative for yeast
infections, pepto-bismol, tums, anti-diarrhea medication, and any other medicine
or preventative that you find useful in day-to-day living (example, some people
like to carry a sewing needle with them to help with the extraction of slivers or
thorns from the skin). A sting kit or anaphylactic shock kit can come in handy,
especially if you are allergic to bee stings. Moleskin bandaging is helpful for
preventing blisters.
16. Office supplies:
Paper for taking notes and writing your project report on.
Graph paper
Ruler or straight-edge
Notebook or binder.
Small stapler (e.g. “Swingline” brand mini stapler, cost is usually < U.S. $3.00).
A few paperclips.
Solar powered calculator (bring the instruction booklet).
Pencils (hold up well when wet).
17. Miscellaneous field equipment*. All is required.
1. Compass
2. “Rite-in-the-rain” notebook and all-weather pen, available from Forestry
Supplies on the web.
3. Biodegradable flagging – all students should use blue flagging for projects.
4. Waterproof black felt-tipped marker (such as “Sharpie” brand)
5. Binoculars – Highly recommended for Tropical Herpetology. Waterproof
varieties are best.
6. Pocket knife or leatherman tool
7. 10x or 15x hand lens (optional)
8. Snake bags – pillow cases will do, provided they are not old and worn.
* Many of these items can be ordered from the Forestry Suppliers, Inc. catalogue
(800) 647-5368 or (601) 354-3565. The Rite-in-the-rain notebooks and pens are
item # 49318 and 49237, respectively.
DANTA’s Ecotravel Experience (July 12 – July 19, 2007)
As one of our
fund-raising events this year, DANTA is offering a one week ecotravel experience to some of Costa
Rica’s most spectacular sites. The trip includes a visit to an active volcano, Volcan Poas, a day trip to
Sarchi, known for its local artisans, and a 4 night stay at Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa
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Estacion Biologica El Zota, Costa Rica
Tropical Herpetology Syllabus, 2007
Rica’s Pacific coast. Field trips are open to members of the general public. It is particularly suited
to DANTA field course participants who wish to travel before or after their courses. The price of
the trip is $750, and it includes all within country transportation, room and board, park entrance
fee for 2 days at Manuel Antonio National Park, and dolphin or mangrove day trip. The price does
not include international airfare or airport taxes. The deadline for registration is May 1, 2007.
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