The Massasauga has been a subject of intensive study by researchers throughout the species’ range. As Ohio is 95% privately-owned, our work is only possible with the cooperation of willing landowners. If you have seen a Massasauga in Ohio, please let us know. Note that in all of our work, snakes are released unharmed, at their point of capture.
Below are brief overviews of past and ongoing research at OSU.
Genetics
Collecting blood from an Ohio Massasauga.
Research in the laboratory of Lisle Gibbs addresses problems in evolutionary biology, molecular ecology, and conservation genetics through a combination of field work, lab analyses of genetic and protein variation, and statistical modeling of genetic data. This includes evolution of adaptive variation at the molecular level using snake venom proteins as a model system, as well as phylogeography, population genetic structure, and conservation genetics of Massasaugas. Genetic analyses can guide the conservation and management of wildlife species by providing information on how demographically ‘connected’ and genetically variable populations are in space and time, by identifying genetically distinct populations and/or taxa of special conservation concern.
Population Status
Measuring and collecting samples from Massasaugas is only done after snakes have been coaxed into a clear plastic tube, to protect the snake and the researcher.
How are Massasauga populations doing in Ohio and what are the threats to the viability of their populations? To answer these question, we conduct field surveys to determine the distribution and occurrence of the species. When they are captured, we take a variety of measurements, including their length, mass, and sex. We also insert into each snake a small Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT), identical to the microchips that are placed into dogs and cats to permanently identify them. By analyzing the total number of animals captured and the number of recaptured snakes, we can estimate the population size. Our measurements also provide information on the body condition of the snakes in the population and demographic values, such as the sex ratio and percentage of juveniles. Together, all of this information is used to determine the overall status of populations.
Habitat
Recording habitat conditions.
Research on Massasauga habitat at OSU has taken both a landscape (big picture) and local approach. At the landscape scale, areas where Massasaugas are found have been examined using satellite imagery and geographic information systems (GIS). This information was used to build a model of what Massasauga habitat “looks like” and predict where other areas of suitable habitat may exist. At the local scale, 5-m circular plots placed randomly throughout fields are used to examine the composition and structure of the vegetation. Like the landscape approach, this data is used to build a model in an attempt to understand what factors play a role in population densities and body condition of Massasaugas.