2025 CHS

Keynote address

Room: ABP-1160

9.00 am - 10.00 am - David Green (McGill University)
A passion for amphibians → a life in herpetology  abstract

Symposium on assisted reproduction and population recovery

Room: ABP-1160

10.30 am - 11.15 am - Tharusha Wijewardena (University of Toronto Mississauga)
Hope or Hype: Can headstarting recover endangered turtles in urban landscapes?  abstract

11.15 am - 12.00 pm - Vance Trudeau (University of Ottawa)
No More Silent Spring: Amphibian Assisted Reproduction to the Rescue  abstract

Symposium on assisted reproduction and population recovery (continued)

Room: ABP-1160

1.30 pm - 1.45 pm - Emiko Wong (Biodôme de Montréal)
The conservation role of zoological facilities: Quebec's Western chorus frog and Wood turtle as case studies  abstract

1.45 pm - 2.00 pm - Lyne Bouthillier (Québec chorus frog recovery team)
Reversing the decline of the chorus frog in Quebec  abstract

2.00 pm - 2.15 pm - Sophie Tessier (SÉPAQ - Parcs nationaux des Iles-de-Boucherville et du Mont-Saint-Bruno)
Une réintroduction réussie en parc national !  abstract

2.15 pm - 2.30 pm - Thomas Calteau (Agence Parcs Canada)
Le rétablissement de la tortue des bois au parc national de la Mauricie : efforts concertés pour un avenir prometteur  abstract

2.30 pm - 2.45 pm - Éliane Montigny (Zoo de Granby)
Saving Turtles, One Hatchling at a Time  abstract

2.45 pm - 3.00 pm - Teddy Albina (Nature Action Québec)
Acquisition de connaissances pour la conservation de la rainette faux- grillon de l’Ouest  abstract

Climate change, disturbance, and habitat resilience

Room: ABP-1111

1.30 pm - 1.45 pm - Victoria Steblaj (University of Waterloo)
Global research trends in reptile-fire ecology: a systematic review  abstract

1.45 pm - 2.00 pm - Dylan Kaufman (University of Toronto)
The impact of environmental variation on survival for an abundant spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) population near its climatic range limit  abstract

2.00 pm - 2.15 pm - Zira MacFarlane (University of Toronto Mississauga)
Your Pool of Neighbours: Watershed Level Impacts of Urbanization on Amphibian Community Structuring  abstract

2.15 pm - 2.30 pm - Andrea Gómez-Sánchez (Queen's University)
Antagonistic climate-land use change interactions may shape future distributions of the grey ratsnake at the northern range limit  abstract

2.20 pm - 2.35 pm - Anslee Blaikie (Carleton University)
Phototaxis and Social Aggregation in Dispersing Hatchling Freshwater Turtles  abstract

2.25 pm - 2.40 pm - Cory Trowbridge (University of New Brunswick)
Habitat suitability and third order habitat selection by wood turtles in response to timber harvests  abstract

Poster session

James Baxter-Gilbert (Mount Allison University )
A Survivor among Survivors: Measuring Wood Turtle Repatriation Success and Population Status After a Mass Mortality Event   abstract

Daphnée Bernier (Université du Québec en Outaouais, ISFORT)
L'amour est dans le marais - Étude de la structure génétique des tortues mouchetées (Emydoidea blandingii) de l'Outaouais  abstract

Jillyan Birtch (Natural Resource Solutions Inc.)
'Hatching' an artificial nesting structure design for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos)  abstract

Mégan Campeau (Université Laval)
Les impacts de la construction d’une autoroute sur l’occupation de sites par les anoures  abstract

Jonathan Choquette (Wildlife Preservation Canada and University of Windsor)
An experimental translocation of Eastern Massasaugas Sistrurus catenatus at Ojibway Prairie, in Southern Ontario  abstract

Joshua Christiansen (Mount Allison University)
Warming Up to the City? Exploring the Thermal Ecology of a Widespread Plethodontid Salamander Between Urban and Natural Forests  abstract

Kailyn Decker (Scales Nature Park)
Next-Generation Movement Ecology: Developing Affordable GPS Solutions for Comprehensive Turtle Conservation Research   abstract

Derek Duplessis (Univeristé de Sherbrooke)
Effects of environmental predictability on the integration of phenotypic traits in Wood frogs  abstract

Rachelle Fortier (The Toronto Zoo/Adopt-A-Pond)
Modelling long-term population viability to inform recovery strategies for a functionally extinct Blanding’s turtle population in an urban landscape   abstract

Donnell Gasbarrini (Wilder Institute)
Ginawaydaganuc “All is Connected”  abstract

Sienna Gillie (Queen's University)
Evaluating the genetic and environmental factors implicated in the longitudinal range limits of the common five-lined skink across the southern Canadian Shield  abstract

Andrea Gómez-Sánchez (Queen's University)
Predicting the Impacts of Climate Change on the Distribution of Common Five-lined Skinks in the Canadian Shield.  abstract

Kamyl Hornung (Queen's University)
Defining Range Limits: Modelling the Distribution of Three Snake Species at Their Northern Range Edge   abstract

Stephen Lougheed (Queen's University)
Do water courses shape microgeographic genetic connectivity in the rock hole frog in Litchfield National Park, Australia?  abstract

Kurtis, Leah Marleau, Lewis (Scales Nature Park)
Ken Reid Road Ecology Project (KRRE)  abstract

Karolyn McGovern (Laurentian University)
Investigating Recovery of Anuran Communities in Sudbury, Ontario: Biodiversity and Water Chemistry Since the Acid Rain Crisis  abstract

Emma Meadows (Laurentian University)
From Wetlands to Highways to Windfarms: The Multiscale and Multispecies Herpetofauna Conservation Research of the Litzgus Lab  abstract

Alison Ochs (Carleton University)
Evidence of red-backed salamander mobility across anthropogenic barriers and unexpected use of open-canopy habitats  abstract

Vidya Padmakumar (EcoDiversity Research Centre)
On the Edge: Conservation, Connectivity, and Emerging Threats to Western Toads (Anaxyrus boreas) in the Bulkley Valley, British Columbia  abstract

Jessica Poirier (Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources)
Using Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) to Monitor Wood Turtle Populations in Unama’ki-Cape Breton  abstract

Erin Postenka (Laurentian University)
Assessing the impacts of acute wintertime wetland drainage on the demography and persistence of a freshwater turtle community  abstract

Sophie Provencher (Université Laval)
Impact de la compétition et de la réduction d'hydropériode sur le développement larvaire de la Rainette faux-grillon boréale (Pseudacris maculata)  abstract

Chandana Pusapati (Laurentian University)
Using Integrated Integral Projection Model (IPM2) to understand population dynamics of Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario  abstract

Joren Raccio (University of New Brunswick)
Investigating nocturnal movements of wood turtles with accelerometry  abstract

Frederick Schueler (Fragile Inheritance)
Heritage Poster: Turtle Slows Commuter Train Plan (Cheryl Doran, 2006)  abstract

Frederick Schueler (Fragile Inheritance)
Long-term data in Ontario: an update of  “Schueler, Frederick W. 1988.  Fred Schueler cleans house.  Canadian Association of Herpetologists Bulletin 2(1):4-6.”  abstract

Keeghan Stephens (Mount Allison University)
Investigating Habitat Use and Preferences of Juvenile Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) in the Jemseg Grand Lake Region  abstract

Meredith Swartwout (University of Toronto Mississauga)
An Endangered Salamander Population Shifts Movement Directionality Over 45 Years of Increasing Urbanization  abstract

Victoria Tawa (Queen's University)
Investigating the Social System of Gray Ratsnakes at Two Scales: Local Hibernaculum and Landscape-Level Networks  abstract

Charlotte Turenne (Laurentian University )
Nesting Neighbours: Exploring Kinship as a Driver of Nest Clustering in Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta)  abstract

Mary Yu (Laurentian University )
Assessing population viability from long-term mark-recapture data of Wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in Central Ontario.   abstract

Félicia Beaulieu (Université Laval)
A promising strategy for wood turtle conservation - Using headstarting to boost growth and survival in a threatened population  abstract

Andrea Gigeroff (Laurentian University / Mount Allison University)
Farewell to Nova Scotia, Hello to Newfoundland: Preliminary Analyses Suggest a Mainland Origin for Invasive Island Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis)  abstract

Genetics, evolution and biogeography

Room: ABP-1160

9.00 am - 9.00 am - Clare Yang (Mount Allison University)
‘Round the Cape to the Bay: Identification of the Source Population of Eastern Red-Backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus) Introduced to Newfoundland  abstract

9.15 am - 9.15 am - Patrick Moldowan (Algonquin Wildlife Research Station)
Turtles hybridize across deep time: Intergeneric hybridization, with case study of the Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) and Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)  abstract

9.30 am - 9.30 am - Jayna Bergman (University of Ottawa)
Pronounced genetic structure associated with differences in a reproductive trait and climatic barriers in Canadian populations of the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas)  abstract

9.45 am - 9.45 am - Robin Lloyd (University of Toronto)
Genetic influence on the sex ratio of a turtle with temperature-dependent sex determination  abstract

10.00 am - 10.00 am - Meghan Britt (Queen's University)
Rattlesnake Riddle: The Mystery of the Wasaga Massasauga  abstract

10.05 am - 10.05 am - Bailey Ruest (Queen's University)
Past, Present, and Future; Changes in Chytrid Detection Around the Frontenac Region and Beyond  abstract

Road ecology

Room: ABP-1111

9.00 am - 9.00 am - Sabrina Lounsbury (Laurentian University )
An innovative at-grade barrier fence and ecopassage design maintains population connectivity and may reduce road mortality for reptiles   abstract

9.15 am - 9.15 am - Charlotte Galloway (Carleton University)
Human Hustle, Turtle Tussle: Industrial seismic vibrations slow the development of snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) eggs  abstract

9.30 am - 9.30 am - Kari Gunson (Eco-Kare International)
Improving Road Mitigation Projects for Turtles in Ontario  abstract

9.45 am - 9.45 am - Christie Crews (University of Ottawa)
Updates from a resurvey of long-toed salamander use of road underpasses in Waterton Lakes National Park  abstract

10.00 am - 10.00 am - Douglas Strick (Carleton University )
Effects of ground vibration exposure during incubation on the behaviour of hatchling snapping turtles (Chelhydra serpentina).  abstract

Amphibian ecology and behavior

Room: ABP-1160

11.00 am - 11.00 am - Ashton Leal (Mount Allison University)
A specialist surrounded by suburbia: Ecology of a newly described Four-toed Salamander population in New Brunswick  abstract

11.15 am - 11.15 am - Chantal Lurette (University of Ottawa)
Towards a better understanding of trophic diversity in freshwater food webs: What CSIA-AA tells us about phenotypic plasticity in amphibian larvae  abstract

11.30 am - 11.30 am - Joshua Christiansen (Mount Allison University)
Stressful Landscapes or Pockets of Nature? Behavioural Responses of a Plethodontid Salamander in Urban and Natural Forests in Atlantic Canada  abstract

Innovations in sampling methods

Room: ABP-1111

11.00 am - 11.00 am - Serina Tourangeau (University of Waterloo)
Who’s Tracking Who? A Systematic Review of Trends in Freshwater Turtle Telemetry   abstract

11.15 am - 11.15 am - Lauren Dobie (University of Ottawa)
Investigating Basking Time Investment in Painted Turtles Using Drone-Based Surveys  abstract

11.20 am - 11.20 am - Andrea Gigeroff (Laurentian University / Mount Allison University)
It's a Snake-eat-toad World: Stomach Contents of Introduced Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) in Newfoundland  abstract

11.25 am - 11.25 am - Aidan Maloney (Wasauksing First Nation)
Stick-On Science: A Novel Approach to Tracking Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes Using External Transmitters  abstract

Reptile ecology, behavior, and reproduction

Room: ABP-1160

1.30 pm - 1.30 pm - Jordyn Williams (Mount Allison University)
Population Ecology of Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta) and Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) in the Jemseg Grand Lake watershed  abstract

1.45 pm - 1.45 pm - Julia Riley (Mount Allison University )
Studying the Spectrum of Maternal Care in Cordylid Lizards  abstract

2.00 pm - 2.00 pm - Steph Thibeault (Laurentian University)
Pretty woman: The influence of sexual dichromatism on mate choice in Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata)   abstract

2.15 pm - 2.15 pm - Hossam Ehab (Carleton University)
Effects of incubation temperature on duration of incubation, hatch success, body size, and performance of hatchling Eastern Spiny Softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera)  abstract

2.30 pm - 2.30 pm - Heather Van Den Diepstraten (Moose Deer Point First Nation)
Lessons Learned in Mark-recapture of Incubated Turtle Hatchlings and Their Mothers  abstract

2.45 pm - 2.45 pm - Patrick Moldowan (Algonquin Wildlife Research Station)
The Wood Turtle worm stomp: relict behaviour or recently relearned?  abstract

2.50 pm - 2.50 pm - Samantha Howard (Trent University)
Movement ecology of Northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica) in the Trent-Severn Waterway   abstract

2.55 pm - 2.55 pm - Meadows Emma (Laurentian University)
Site-Specific Data Contribute to Global Conservation: Filling a Range Gap with Long-term Mark-recapture Data from Spotted Turtles in Rhode Island  abstract

Partnerships in herp conservation

Room: ABP-1111

1.30 pm - 1.30 pm - Geoffrey Hughes (University of New England)
Nesting Refuge Structures Are Ineffective at Protecting Australian Bell's Turtle (Myuchelys bellii) Nests from Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) Depredation  abstract

1.45 pm - 1.45 pm - Sophie St-Pierre (Conservation de la nature Canada)
Habitat Creation and Restoration to Support Western Chorus Frog Reproduction and Movement  abstract

2.00 pm - 2.00 pm - Frederick Schueler (Fragile Inheritance)
Herpetology at a Random Location: Bishops Mills, Ontario, Patterns & Hypotheses.   abstract

2.15 pm - 2.15 pm - James Baxter-Gilbert (Mount Allison University )
Practical Partnering for Prosperous Projects: How Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Canada is Supporting Herpetofaunal Research   abstract

2.20 pm - 2.20 pm - Heather Fotherby (Natural Resource Solutions Inc.)
On the Brink: Creating a Conservation Action Plan for the Carolinian population of Gray Ratsnake (Pantherophis spiloides)  abstract

2.25 pm - 2.25 pm - Jonathan Choquette (Wildlife Preservation Canada)
Reproductive Traits of Zoo‐Bred and Wild‐Bred Eastern Massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus) at Species Survival Plan® Conservation Breeding Centres and Other Facilities  abstract

2.30 pm - 2.30 pm - Heather A. Fotherby (Natural Resource Solutions Inc.)
Surveying for snakes: Working hard, or just drifting?  abstract