Kirsten E. Nicholson
Kirsten E. Nicholson, Ph.D August 2014
Curriculum Vitae
Department of Biology Museum of Cultural and Natural History
217 Brooks Hall 103 Rowe Hall
Central Michigan University Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859 Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859
Phone: 989-774-3758 Phone: 989-774-3829
Fax: 989-774-3462 Fax: 989-774-2612
Email: kirsten.nicholson@cmich.edu
webpage: http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/nicho2ke/Site/Home.html
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Research Interests
Biogeography, phylogenetics and systematics, taxonomy, vertebrate zoology (particularly herpetology), evolution of morphology/ecology/behavior, natural history and evolution of vertebrates, museology, museum collections care and management
Education
2001 Ph.D., Biology; University of Miami, Florida
1995 M.S., Zoology; Auburn University, Alabama
1991 B.S., Biology/Vertebrate Zoology; University of Memphis, Tennessee
Academic Appointments
2012 – present Associate Professor of Biology and Curator of Natural History, Central Michigan
University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
2009 – present Research Associate, Michigan State University Museum, East Lansing, MI.
2006 – 2012 Assistant Professor of Biology and Curator of Natural History, Central Michigan
University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
2001 – 2006 Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
2000 Research Assistant, USGS Inventory and Monitoring Program
1995 – 1999 Assistant Curator, Univ. of Miami Herpetology Collection (CRE)
1995 – 2001 Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, University of Miami
1995 (summer) Teaching Assistant, La Suerte Biological Station, La Suerte, Costa Rica
1991 – 1995 Assistant Curator, Museum of Herpetology Collection, Auburn University
1994 – 1995 Research Assistant, Georgia Nature Conservancy and Department of
Natural Resources, Ft. Benning, Georgia, through Auburn University.
1988 (summer) Research Assistant to Dr. Art Dunham and Dr. Karen Overall,
Big Bend National Park, Texas
1986 – 1991 Museum Technician, Museum of Mammalogy, University of Memphis
Publications
Phillips, J.G., J. Sunyer, L.A Obando, B.M Aleman, S.J. Robleto, J.A. Gubler, and K.E. Nicholson. In Review.
Leptodrymus pulcherrimus coloration. Herpetological Review.
Nicholson, K.E. and G. Köhler. In review. A new species of the genus Norops from
Darién, Panama with comments on N. sulcifrons (Cope 1899) (Reptilia, Squamata, Dactyloidae). Zootaxa.
Phillips, J.G., K.E. Nicholson, S. Huetteman, J. .Deitloff, and C. Guyer. In review. A
novel phylogeographic pattern and status of the mainland Norops humilis species group. (Squamata: Dactyloidae). Journal of Biogeography.
Triezenberg, E. L. K.E. Nicholson, E.W. Linton, and B.J. Swanson. In Review. Evidence of
multiple genetic populations of siamangs (Symphalangus syndactylus) and
the consequences for captive breeding. American Journal of Primatology.
Nicholson, K.E., B.I. Crother, C. Guyer, J.M. Savage. 2014. Anole classification: a response to Poe.
Zootaxa 3814:109-120.
Igleski, M.J. and K.E Nicholson. 2014. Spacial pattern of Batrachochyrtrium dendrobatidis infection in
Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans) in Michigan, USA. Herpetological Review 45:34-40.
Sunyer, J., K.E. Nicholson, J.G. Phillips, J.A. Gubler, and L.A. Obando. 2013. Lizards of the Corn
Islands, Caribbean Nicaragua. CheckList 9:1383-1390.
Solano, L., J. Sunyer, and K.E. Nicholson. 2013. Dendrosophus phlebodes – Geographic Distribution.
Herpetological Review 44:471-472.
Phillips, J.G. and K.E. Nicholson. 2013. Bolitoglossa lignicolor (Camron Mushroom-tongue Salamander)
Prehensility. Herpetological Review 44(3):489.
Nicholson, K.E., B.I. Crother, C. Guyer, J.M. Savage. 2012. It is time for a new classification of Anolis
(Sauria: Dactyloidae). Zootaxa 347:1-108.
Phillips, J.G. and K.E. Nicholson. 2011. Anolis laeviventris defense behavior. Herpetological Review 42(3):
426-427.
Nicholson, K.E. and P. M. Richards. 2011. Home Range Size and Overlap Within an Introduced
Population of the Cuban Knight Anole, Anolis equestris. Phyllomedusa 10:65-73
Nicholson, K.E. and D.M. Smith. 2010. The utility of chicken broth in the preparation of skeletons
from fresh and fluid preserved vertebrate specimens. Collections Forum 24:80-85.
Nicholson, K.E. 2010. Systematics and biogeography of mainland Norops clade Anolis lizards. National
Science Foundation grant, $135,000.
Nicholson, K.E., L. Harmon, and J.B. Losos. 2007. Evolution of dewlap morphology in Caribbean
Anolis lizards. PLoSONE 2:e274
Barros, T.R., L.F. Esqueda, A. Mijares-Urrutia, and K.E. Nicholson. 2007. The lost link
rediscovered: variation and distribution of Norops annectens (Squamata: Polychrotidae). Tropical Zoology 20:41-53.
Nicholson, K.E., A. Mijares-Urrutia , A. Larson. 2006. Molecular phylogenetics of the
Anolis onca series: a case history in retrograde evolution revisited. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution 306B:450-459.
Losos, J.B., R.E. Glor, J.J. Kolbe, and Kirsten E. Nicholson. 2006. Adaptation,
Speciation, and Convergence: a hierarchical analysis of adaptive radiation in Caribbean Anolis lizards. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 93:24-33.
Nicholson, K.E., R.E. Glor, J.J. Kolbe, A. Larson, S. Blair Hedges, and J.B. Losos. 2005.
Mainland colonization by island lizards. Journal of Biogeography 32:1-10.
Nicholson, K.E. 2005. Historical biogeographic relationships within the tropical lizard
genus Norops. Chapter 14 in Ecology and Evolution in the Tropics: essays in honor of Jay M. Savage. Donnelley et al., eds. University of Chicago Press.
Gutsche, A., J.R. McCranie, and K.E. Nicholson. 2004. Field observations on the natural
history of Norops utilensis Köhler 1996 (Reptilia, Squamata) with comments about its conservation status. Salamandra 40:297-302.
Köhler, G., J.R. McCranie, K.E. Nicholson, and J. Kreutz. 2003. Geographic variation in
hemipenis morphology in Norops humilis (Peters), and the status of N. quaggulus (Cope) (Squamata: Polychrotidae). Senckenbergiana Biologica 82:213-222.
McCranie, J.R., F.E. Castañeda, and K.E. Nicholson. 2002. Preliminary results of
herpetofaunal survey work in the Rus Rus region, Honduras: a proposed biological reserve. British Herpetological Society Bulletin 81:22-29
McCranie, J.R., K.E. Nicholson, and F.E. Casteñeda. 2002. Eleutherodactylus diastema.
Herpetological Review 33:220.
Nicholson, K.E. 2002. Phylogenetic analysis and a test of the current infrageneric
classification of Norops (beta Anolis). Herpetological Monographs 16:93-120.
McCranie, J.R., K.E. Nicholson, and G. Köhler. 2001. A new species of Norops (Sauria:
Polychrotidae) from northwestern Honduras. Amphibia-Reptilia 22(4):465-473.
Gillespie, T. K.E. Nicholson, and J. McCrary. 2001. Patterns of diversity and conservation
in Nicaragua. Natural Areas Journal 21:159-167.
Nicholson, K.E., R. Ibañez, C Jaramillo, and K.R. Lips. 2001. Geographic variation and
brief natural history notes in the tropical anole, Anolis casildae (Squamata: Polychrotidae). Revista Biologia Tropical 49(2):709-714.
Köhler, G., J.R. McCranie, and K.E. Nicholson. 2000. Eine herpetologische expedition in
den Patuca-Nationalpark, Honduras. Natur und Museum 130(12):421-425.
Nicholson, K.E., J.R. McCranie, and G. Köhler. 2000. Herpetofaunal expedition to Parque
Nacional Patuca: a newly established park in Honduras. British Herpetological Society Bulletin 72:26-31.
Nicholson, K.E., A.V. Paterson, and P.M. Richards. 2000. Anolis sagrei Cannibalism.
Herpetological Review 31(3):173.
Nicholson, K.E. 1999. Phylogenetic analysis of Norops (Beta Anolis) species: preliminary
data. Anolis Newsletter V:89–94.
Nicholson, K.E. and P.M. Richards. 1999. Observations of a population of Cuban Knight
Anoles, Anolis equestris. Anolis Newsletter V:95-98.
Nicholson, K.E. 1999. Anolis casildae Foraging. Herpetological Review 30:96.
Nicholson, K.E. 1998. Enyalioides heterolepis. Herpetological Review 29:174.
Nicholson, K.E. and D.T. Nicolson. 1997. Norops pachypus. Herpetological Review 28:96-97.
Guyer, C., K.E. Nicholson and S. Baucom. 1996. Effects of tracked vehicles on gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) at Fort Benning Military
Installation, Georgia. Georgia Journal of Science 54:195-203.
Weckerly, F.W., K.E. Nicholson, and R.D. Semlitsch. 1989. Experimental test of discrimination by squirrels for insect infested and noninfested
acorns. American Midland Naturalist 122:412‑415.
Teaching Experience
Instructor/Teaching Assistant/Lecturer
2014, SpringInstructor, General Zoology, Introduction to Museums
2012, FallInstructor, General Zoology, Evolution
2011, FallInstructor, General Zoology, Phylogenetics
2010, FallInstructor, General Zoology, Introduction to Evolution
2010, SpringInstructor, General Zoology
2009, FallInstructor, Introduction to Museum Studies, Phylogenetics
2009, SpringInstructor, General Zoology, Introduction to Museum Studies
2008, FallInstructor, Introduction to Evolution
2008, SpringLab Instructor, General Zoology
2008, SpringInstructor, Museum Collections Care and Management
2007, Fall Instructor, Phylogenetics
2007, SpringInstructor, Introduction to Museum Work, Museum Collections Care and Management
2001 (Spring)Lecturer, General Biology Laboratory, University of Miami
1995 - 2000 Comp. Vertebrate Anatomy & General Biology, Univ. of Miami
1995 Summer Tropical Biology & Primate Ecology, Costa Rica
1991 - 1994Human Anatomy, Auburn University
Student Supervision
Undergraduate Research (* Honors Student)
Randi Bennett*
Gracie Booth
Sarah Burton (403 Research Project)
Aaron Clark (403 Research Project)
Jaime Coon* (403 Research Project)
Daedre Craig (403 Research Project)
Jenny Gubler
Sara Huetteman
Megan Karrick
Holly Mester
Chris Morabito
Chasse Okorowski (403 Research Project)
Jessica Partin*
John Phillips* (403 Research Project)
Evan Pulver* (403 Research Project)
Parker Reitler*
Sarah Staton
Meghan Sullivan*
Ryan Strye
Graduate Student (*completed; )
Katie Belknap (thesis committee)
*Jenny Gubler (advisor)
*Matt Igleski (advisor)
*Kristen Malone (thesis committee)
*Phillip Mathias (thesis committee)
Madhavi Mihirangi (thesis committee)
*Matt Rowe (thesis committee)
*Renae Sattler (thesis committee)
*Eric Triezenberg (thesis committee)
Michelle Weaver (thesis committee)
*Elizabeth Kierepka (thesis committee)
*Rachel Kropiewnicki (thesis committee)
*Jon Pawlak (thesis committee)
*Matt Rowe (thesis committee)
*Alicia Selden (thesis committee)
*Stephanie Sell (thesis committee)
Shannon Torstrom (thesis committee)
*Matthew Walters (thesis committee)
Funded Grants
2010 NSF – DEB Grant ($135,000)
2009 Faculty Research and Creative Endeavors ($5000)
2008 CST Faculty Development Funds, ($500)
2008 President's Research Investment Fund ($10,000)
2007 Faculty Research and Creative Endeavors ($750)
2007 President's Research Investment Fund ($15,000)
2007 MEEMIC Foundation for the Future of Education
1999 Gaige Award, Assn. for the Study of Ichthyology and Herpetology ($500)
1999 National Science Foundation, Dissertation Improvement Grant ($10,000)
1998 Graduate Assn. Funds Allocation Committee, University of Miami ($300)
1998 Graduate Research Award, University of Miami ($300)
1997-1998 Tropical Biology Fellowship, University of Miami ($12,000)
1994 Organization for Tropical Studies, Pilot Award ($1,500)
Intramural Service
Departmental Service
2013-2015 Seminar Committee
2012-2013 Seminar Committee, Chair
2011 Search Committee – Lab Preparator
2010 Search Committee – Director of Museum, (with Dept. of History)
2010 Pregrad-Preprofessional Program Review Committee,
2010 Biology Seminar Committee,
2008-2010 Neithercut Committee
University Service
2008-present Museum Advancement Board
2008-present RSO Faculty Advisor, The Herpetological Society of CMU
2006-present Museum Studies Advisory Council
Extramural Service
2014 – present Associate Editor, Taxonomic Board, and founding journal member: Mesoamerican
Herpetology
2007 - 2013 Treasurer: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
2005 – 2007 Meeting Organizer: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles’ 50th
Anniversary meeting (in St. Louis, 2007)
2005 – 2010 Board of Governors: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
2003 – 2009 Chair: Nominating Committee for the Society for the Study of Amphibians and
Reptiles
1999 – 2014 Reviewer: Amphibia-Reptilia, Biology Letters, Caribbean Journal of Science, Copeia,
The Herpetological Journal, Herpetological Review, Herpetologica, Herpetological Monographs, Journal of Herpetology, Salamandra, Senckenbergiana Biologica
2004-2006 Grant Proposal Reviewer: ASIH Gaige Award
2002-03, 2005 Grant Proposal Reviewer: SSAR Grants in Herpetology
2001-2004 Judge: SSAR Seibert Award
2001, 2002 Coordinator: Graduate Student Reprint Grab, joint Herpetological meetings
Professional Presentations
Scientific Meetings
2014 “One Species or Two? Investigating the Status of Norops lionotus and N. oxylophus in Central America”, with David Laurencio and
Craig Guyer (Auburn University), Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies, Chattanooga, TN.
2013 “Biogeography of Norops capito” 2nd example of a contradictory pattern”, with undergraduate student Sarah Burton and
former CMU undergraduate John Phillips, Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
2012 “Investigation of the evolutionary relationships among species of the Anolis cupreus complex”, with graduate student Jenny Gubler
and undergraduate Megan Karrick, World Congress of Herpetology, Vancouver, British Colombia, CANADA.
2011 “Evolutionary and Biogeographic Relationships Among Species of the Anolis humilis Complex”, with undergraduate John Phillips,
Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies, Minneapolis, MN.
“Investigation of the Evolutionary Relationships Among Species of the Anolis limifrons Complex”, with graduate student Jenny
Gubler, Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies, Minneapolis, MN.
2010 “Evolution and Biogeography of the Anoles of Gorgona Island, Colombia”, with undergraduate John Phillips, Joint Meeting of the
Herpetological Societies, Providence, RI.
“What environmental variables affect Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection of Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans melanota) in
Michigan”, with graduate student Matt Igleski, , Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies, Providence, RI.
“Testing biogeographic hypotheses with the Anolis limifrons group”, with graduate student Jenny Gubler, Joint Meeting of the
Herpetological Societies, Providence, RI.
2009 “Endemic and Esoteric Pacific Island Anole, Anolis medemi”, with several coauthors, Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies,
Portland, OR.
“Range extensions, genetic variation, and biogeography of Anolis limifrons” with Jenny Gubler, Joint Meeting of the
Herpetological Societies, Portland, OR.
2008 “Ecology and Natural History of the Giant Knight Anole, Anolis equestris”. With Dr. Paul M. Richards, Joint Meetings of the
Herpetological Societies, Montreal, Canada.
2007 “The Anolis Hemipenis As A Taxonomic Tool”, with Daedre Craig, Joint Meetings of the Herpetological Societies, St. Louis, MO.
“Phylogenetic Relationships of Pacific Island Anoles: Anolis townsendi", with Evan Pulver, Joint Meetings of the Herpetological
Societies, St. Louis, MO.
2006 "Between Two Continents, Between Two Seas: The Evolution of Neotropical Anolis Lizards". Southern Illinois University,
Edwardsville
"The Evolution of Neotropical Anolis Lizards and Other Herpetological Stories..."Central Michigan University, MI; Denver
Museum of Nature and Science, Denver, CO, and Pomona University, California
2004 “Pacific Island Anolis and Adventures in Colombia”. Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville; Washington University in
St. Louis
“Distribution, Dewlaps, and Toes: three stories of Anolis evolutionary biology”. The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
“Magnificent Obsession with Anolis lizards”. Washington University, St. Louis, MO
2004 “Support for Williams’ Hypothesis of Retrograde Evolution for the Anolis onca series”. Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies
in Norman, OK
2003 “Are dewlaps like snowflakes? Exploring the evolution of Anolis dewlap morphology”. Joint Meeting of the Herpetological
Societies in Manaus, Brazil
2002 “Further Evolutionary Investigations of Mainland Anoles”. Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies (ASIH, SSAR) in Kansas
City, MO
1999 “The effects of tail autotomy of territory establishment by brown anoles (Anolis sagrei)”. Poster presented with A.V. Paterson (first
author), Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies (ASIH, SSAR, HL). Penn State, PA
1994 “Mate choice or food limitation: testing the alternatives in Norops humilis”. Joint Meeting of the Herpetological Societies (SSAR,
ASIH). Athens, GA
1992 “RAPD analysis of four populations of eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus)” (poster with Michael C. Wooten). Annual
meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. El Paso, TX
1988 “Experimental test of discrimination by squirrels for insect infested and noninfested acorns”. Student presentation. Annual meeting
of the Tennessee Academy of Sciences. Memphis, TN
Invited Presentations
2004 “Pacific Island Anolis and Adventures in Colombia”. Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville; Washington University in St. Louis
“Distribution, Dewlaps, and Toes: three stories of Anolis evolutionary biology”. The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
“Magnificent Obsession with Anolis lizards”. Washington University, St. Louis, MO
2002 “Evolutionary Biology of Anolis lizards in mainland and Caribbean habitats”. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
“What about the other half? Evolutionary investigations of Norops, the mainland counterpart to Caribbean Anolis lizards”.
University of Illinois, Carbondale
2000 “Phylogenetics and Classification of Norops: examination of the series”. Washington University in St. Louis
“Mainland biogeography: testing the hypotheses with Anolis phylogenetics”. La Paz, Mexico
1999 “Phylogenetics and Biogeography of beta Anolis”. Anolis Symposium, joint meeting of herpetological societies (ASIH, SSAR, HL).
Penn State, PA
Professional Societies
American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association of Museums
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Association for Women In Science
Michigan Educator's Association
Herpetologists League
Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
Society for the Study of Evolution
Society of Systematic Biologists
Willi Hennig Society
