Walter E. Meshaka, Jr.

Walter E. Meshaka, Jr.
Born (1963-01-11) January 11, 1963[1]
Worcester, Massachusetts
Residence Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
Nationality United States
Fields Biology
Institutions State Museum of Pennsylvania
Alma mater

Walter E. Meshaka, Jr. (born January 11, 1963 in Worcester, Massachusetts)[1] is an American herpetologist and natural historian. He was the supervisory curator for the four National Parks in southern Florida from 1995 to 2000.[2] In 2000 he became the Senior Curator of Zoology and Botany at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.[3] His research has been covered by Lawrence Journal-World,[4] among other news outlets.

He is known for his enthusiasm for amphibians and reptiles.[5]

Early life and education

Meshaka was born in Worcester to Lebanese-American parents of Eastern Orthodox Christian heritage. He earned a B.S. in biology in 1985 from the University of South Florida. Then, he earned a M.S. in Biology in 1988 from Arkansas State University,[6] and completed his Ph.D. in 1994 at the Florida International University[7]

Research

His focus is on exotic amphibians and reptiles.[3][8]

J. Whitfield Gibbons noted, "Meshaka’s thoughtful afterword on exotic species introductions to Florida offers some achievable solutions for controlling the influx of more herpetofauna.".[9] He published four pocket field guides with Joseph T. Collins largely "intended to raise public awareness".[5] Their "Pocket Guide to Lizards and Turtles" is said to be "useful for all naturalists to carry with them in eastern Canada. It is especially ideal for junior naturalists as a “starter” guide."[10]

Meshaka has collaborated with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's Powdermill Nature Reserve on field herpetology research.[11] A long-term mark-recapture study of the ten species of snakes occurring at the preserve has ensued since 2002.[11] He has resurrected and continued a long-term study on Eastern Box Turtles and Wood Turtles that was established by Graham Netting in 1958 and continued until Netting's death in 1996.[11]

Selected Bibliography

Books

Monographs

References

  1. 1 2 http://www.worcesterma.gov/e-services/search-public-records/birth-certificates/search-results?field1=Meshaka&field2=Walter&B1=Search
  2. ↑ "CNAH: The Center for North American Herpetology". cnah.org.
  3. 1 2 Meshaka, W.E., Jr. et al. 2006. STATUS AND GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN GECKO, HEMIDACTYLUS TURCICUS, IN LOUISIANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 1:45-50, Pp. 50
  4. ↑ "Gecko migrates north to Kansas". LJWorld.com.
  5. 1 2 "New booklet aims at public ‘awareness’ about snakes in Pennsylvania". PennLive.com.
  6. ↑ Meshaka, W.E. 1988. Reproductive cycles of the Ozark Zigzag Salamander (Plethodon angusticlavius) from northcentral Arkansas. Arkansas State University Masters Thesis. Jonesboro, Arkansas. (Cover page lists advisor and committee members)
  7. ↑ Adler, Kraig, ed. (2012). Contributions to the History of Herpetology. Volume 3. Vancouver, British Columbia: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. ISBN 9780916984823.
  8. ↑ W.E., Jr. et al. 2006. STATUS AND GEOGRAPHIC EXPANSION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN GECKO, HEMIDACTYLUS TURCICUS, IN LOUISIANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 1:45-50, Pp. 50
  9. ↑ Gibbons, J.W. 2004. Book Review: The Exotic Amphibias and Reptiles of Florida. The Quarterly Review of Biology 79:436-437
  10. ↑ Cook, F.R. 2013. A Pocket Guide to Lizards and Turtles of Pennsylvania. by Walter E. Meshaka, Jr., and Joseph T. Collins. 2012. [book review]. Canadian Field Naturalist 126:345-346.
  11. 1 2 3 "Herpetology : Carnegie Museum of Natural History". carnegiemnh.org.
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