Sterrett Lab at Monmouth University
Wildlife Population Ecology, Conservation Biology and Herpetology
Refereed Publications
Fisher-Reid, M.C., K.L. Grayson, S.R. Grouleff, M.A. Hair, T.J. Hawley Matlaga, A.K. Ireland, L.S. Mead, A. St John, M. Starr, S.C. Sterrett, and K. Streeter. 2024. Eastern red-backed salamanders: A comprehensive review of an undervalued model in evolution, ecology, & behavior. Herpetological Monographs 38(1):74-121. https://doi.org/10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-21-00003.1
Grant, E.H.C., J.E. Fleming, D. Muñoz, C. Sutherland, T. Matlaga, S.C. Sterrett, K. Grayson, L. Thompson, C. Fisher-Reid, A. Hyde, C. Devlin, A. Warwick, L. Meade, K. Epp, K. Yureqicz, M. Losito, E. Bastiaans, W. Peterman, V. Puza, B. Gratwicke, M. Evans, D.J. Hocking, and D.A.W. Miller. 2024. Range-wide densities of red-backed salamanders reveal a key component of terrestrial vertebrate biomass in eastern North American forests. Biology Letters 20(8) :20240033. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2024.0033
Craft, H., G. Fouad and S.C. Sterrett. 2023. Statewide prioritization of vernal pools for pond-breeding amphibians in New Jersey. Journal of Environmental Management. 339: 117847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117847
Haydt, N.T., D.J. Hocking and S.C. Sterrett. 2022. Spatial capture-recapture derived turtle capture probabilities and densities in the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Journal of Herpetology 56(2): 203-210. https://doi.org/10.1670/21-026
Sterrett, S.C., T.D. Dubreuil, M. O’Donnell, A. Brand, Evan H.C. Grant. 2022. Testing assumptions in the use of PIT tags to study movement of Plethodon salamanders. Journal of Herpetology 56(2): 146-152. https://doi.org/10.1670/20-006
*I am happy to provide reprints of any papers. Email ssterret@monmouth.edu
Sterrett, S.C., A.H. Roy, P. Hazelton, B. Swartz, E. Nedeau, J. Carmignani, and A. Skorupa. 2022. Standard Operating Protocol for Mark and Recapture Monitoring of Brook Floater in Streams. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-142-2022, Washington, D. C. https://doi.org/10.3996/css67282137.
Fleming, J., C. Sutherland, S.C. Sterrett, E.H.C. Grant. 2021. Experimental evaluation of spatial capture-recapture study design. Ecological Applications 31(7): e02419. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.2419
Sterrett, S.C., Kirk, T.J. and L.L. Smith. 2020. Evidence of a dietary shift in female Barbour’s Map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) to an invasive mollusk. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. Special Issue on Graptemys Biology 19 (2): 298–301. https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1431.1
Fleming, J., C. Sutherland, S.C. Sterrett, E.H.C. Grant. 2020. Improving the utility of indicator species with latent ecological variables. Oikos. 129(12):1753-1762. https://doi.org/10.1111/oik.07334
Levasseur, P., Sterrett, S.C. and C. Sutherland. 2019. Visual head counts: a promising method for efficient monitoring of diamondback terrapins. Diversity. Special Issue: Advances in the Biology and Conservation of Turtles. PDF.
Ingram, T.R., Sammons, S.M., Kaeser A.K., Katz, R.A. and S.C. Sterrett. 2019. Spatial ecology of Shoal Bass (Micropterus cataractae) in the Ichawaynochaway Creek, Georgia. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. PDF.
Sterrett, S.C., R. Katz, A. Brand, W. Fields, D. Hocking, A. Dietrich, T. Foreman, A. Wiewel and E. Grant. 2019. Proactive conservation management for amphibians: Biological Conservation. Special Issue: "Amphibian Conservation in the Anthropocene" 404-410. PDF.
Sterrett, S.C., R.A. Katz, W. Fields, E.H.C. Grant. 2019. The contribution of road-based citizen science to the conservation of pond-breeding amphibians. Journal of Applied Ecology DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13330 PDF.
Sterrett, S.C., A. Roy, P. Hazelton, B. Watson, B. Swartz, T.R. Russ, L. Holst, M. Marchand, J. Wisniewski, M. Ashton, and B. Wicklow. 2018. Brook Floater Rapid Assessment Monitoring Protocol. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Cooperator Science Series FWS/CSS-132-2018, Washington, D.C. PDF.
Sterrett, S.C. and A. Roy. 2017. The Brook Floater Working Group: A Collaborative Initiative Aimed at Regional Population Restoration and Conservation. Ellipsaria 19(3):20-21.
Vanni, M. J., P. B. McIntyre, D. L. Arnott, J. P. Benstead, D. J. Berg, Å. B., S. Brosse, P. A. Bukaveckas, A. Caliman, K. A. Capps, L. S. Carneiro, N. E. Chadwick, A. D. Christian, A. Clarke, J. D. Conroy, W. F. Cross, D. A.Culver, C. M. Dalton, J. A. Devine, L. M. Domine, M. A. Evans-White, B. Faafeng, A. S. Flecker, K. B. Gido, C. Godinot, R. Guariento, S. Haertel-Borer, R. O. Hall, R. Henry, B. R. Herwig, B. J. Hicks, K. A. Higgins, J. M. Hood, M. E. Hopton, T. Ikeda, W. F. James., H. M. Jansen, C. R. Johnson, B. J. Koch, G. A. Lamberti, S. Lessard-Pilon, J. C. Maerz, M. E. Mather, R. A. McManamay, J. R. Milanovich, D. K.J. Morgan, J. M. Moslemi, R. Naddafi, J. P. Nilssen, M. Pagano, A. Pilati, D. M. Post, M. Roopin, A. T. Rugenski, M. H. Schaus, J. Shostell, G. E. Small, C. T. Solomon, S. C. Sterrett, Ø. Strand, M. Tarvainen, J. M. Taylor, L. E. Torres-Gerald, C. B. Turner, J. Urabe, S.-I. Uye, A.-M. Ventelä, S. Villéger, M. R. Whiles, F. M. Wilhelm, H. F. Wilson, M. A. Xenopoulos, K. D. Zimmer. 2017. A global database of nitrogen and phosphorus excretion rates of aquatic animals. Ecology. 98:1475. PDF
Sterrett, S.C., A.B. Brand, W.R. Fields, R.A. Katz and E.H.C. Grant. 2016. Plethodon cinereus (Eastern Red-backed Salamander). Movement. Herpetological Review. 46(1):71.
Kosnicki, E., Sefick Jr. S.A., Paller, M.H., Jerrell, M.S., Prusha, B.A., Sterrett, S.C., Tuberville, T.D. and J.W. Feminella. 2016. A stream Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index (MMI) for the Sand Hills Ecoregion of the Southeastern Plains, USA. Environmental Management 58:741–751. PDF
Paller M., E. Kosnicki, S. Sefick, M. Jarrell, D. Fletcher, S.C. Sterrett, T. Tuberville, A. Grosse and J. Feminella. 2016. Factors Influencing Stream Fish Species Composition and Functional Properties at Multiple Spatial Scales in the Sand Hills of the Southeastern United States. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 145:545-562. PDF
Sterrett, S.C., L.L. Smith, A. Kaeser, R.A. Katz, J.C. Brock and J.C. Maerz. 2015. Spatial ecology of female Barbour’s map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) in Ichawaynochaway Creek. Copeia. 2015(2):263-271. PDF
Graham, S.P, C.K. Ward, J. Shelby, S.C. Sterrett and M.T. Mendonca. 2015. Sexual dimorphism and seasonal variation of reproductive hormones in the Pascagoula Map Turtle, Graptemys gibbonsi. Copeia. 2015(1): 42-50. PDF.
Sterrett, S.C., R.A. Katz and J.C. Maerz. 2015. What can turtles teach us about ecological stoichiometry? Freshwater Biology. 60(3): 443-455. PDF
-Special Issue on “Synthesizing ecosystem-level effects of consumer-driven nutrient dynamics in freshwaters”
-Featured on the Front Cover - Eastern Loggerhead Musk Turtle (Sternotherus minor)
Kosnicki E., S.A. Sefick, M.H. Paller, M.S. Jarrell, B.A. Prusha, S.C. Sterrett, T.D. Tuberville, and J.W. Feminella. 2014. Defining the reference condition for wadeable streams in the Sand Hills of the Southeastern Plains ecoregion, USA. Environmental Management. 54:494-504. PDF
Sterrett, S.C., J. Jensen and B. Folt. 2014. Graptemys barbouri (Barbour's map turtle). Basking Height. Herpetological Review. 45:314-315.
Ryan, T.J., W.J. Peterman, J.D. Stephens and S.C. Sterrett. 2014. Movements and habitat use of the common snapping turtle in an urban landscape. Urban Ecosystems. 17:613-623. PDF
Sterrett, S.C. and A. Crain. 2014. Trachemys scripta elegans (Red-eared Slider). Movement. Herpetological Review. 45:321.
Paller, M.H., S.C. Sterrett, T.D. Tuberville, D.E. Fletcher and A.M. Grosse. 2014. Effects of disturbance at two spatial scales on macroinvertebrate and fish metrics of stream health. Journal of Freshwater Ecology. 29:83-100. PDF
Sterrett, S.C. and V. K. Terrell. 2013. Sternotherus minor (Loggerhead Musk Turtle). Diet. Herpetological Review. 44(1):133-134.
Sterrett, S.C., L.L. Smith, S.W. Golladay, S.H. Schweitzer, and J.C. Maerz. 2011. The conservation implications of riparian land use on river turtles. Animal Conservation. 14:38-46. PDF
Davis, A.K. and S.C. Sterrett. 2011. Prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of haemogregarine parasites in three freshwater turtle species in a population in northeast Georgia, USA. International Journal of Zoological Research 7:156-163. PDF
Steen, D.A., S.C. Sterrett, A.M. Heupel and L.L. Smith. 2010. Common snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, movements near the southeastern extent of its range. Georgia Journal of Science. 68(4):196-201. PDF
Sterrett, S.C., L.L. Smith, S.H. Schweitzer and J.C. Maerz. 2010. An assessment of two methods for sampling river turtle assemblages. Herpetology Conservation and Biology 5(3): 490-497. PDF
Grosse, A.M., S.C. Sterrett and J.C. Maerz. 2010. The effect of turbidity on the foraging success of a freshwater turtle (Chrysemys picta). Copeia 2010: 463-467. PDF
Paller M., J. Feminella, E. Kosnicki, S. Sefick, M. Jarrell, D. Fletcher, S. Sterrett, T. Tuberville, A. Grosse, and B. Prusha. 2010. Ecological Reference Models for Blackwater Streams: a Prerequisite for Successful Ecosystem Recovery and Management. Proceedings of the South Carolina Water Resources Conference, Columbia, South Carolina. PDF
Sterrett, S.C. and A.M. Grosse. 2009. Graptemys barbouri (Barbour’s Map Turtle). Range Extension. Herpetological Review. 40(1):110.
Sterrett, S.C. and A.M. Grosse. 2009. Apalone spinifera (Eastern Spiny Softshell). Range Extension. Herpetological Review. 40(1):110.
Ryan, T. J., C. A. Conner, B. A. Douthitt, S. C. Sterrett, and C. M. Salsbury. 2008. Movement and habitat use of two aquatic turtles (Graptemys geographica and Trachemys scripta) in an urban landscape. Urban Ecosystems. 11: 213-225. PDF
Grosse, A.M., A.R. Ferrerira, K.L. Holcomb and S.C. Sterrett. 2008. Malaclemys terrapin (Diamondback Terrapin). Range Extension. Herpetological Review. 39(3):365.
Sterrett, S.C., L.L. Smith, M.B. Howze, A.M. Heupel and C.L. Atkinson. 2008. Pseudemys concinna (Eastern River Cooter). Movement. Herpetological Review. 39(4): 464.
Steen, D.A., S.C. Sterrett, S.A. Miller, and L.L. Smith. 2007. Terrestrial movement and microhabitat selection of overwintering juvenile eastern mud turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum) in Southwest Georgia. Journal of Herpetology. 41(3): 532-535. PDF
Steen, D.A., G.J. Miller, S.C. Sterrett and L.L. Smith. 2007. Masticophis flagellum flagellum (Eastern Coachwhip). Growth and movement. Herpetological Review. 38(1): 90.
Steen, D.A., L.L Smith, G.J. Miller and S.C. Sterrett. 2006. Post breeding terrestrial movements of eastern tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum. Southeastern Naturalist. 5(2):285–288. PDF
Sterrett, S.C., D.A. Steen and L.L. Smith. 2006. Ambystoma tigrinum (Eastern Tiger Salamander). Burrow use. Herpetological Review. 37(4): 435.
Steen, D.A., G.J. Miller, S.C. Sterrett and L.L. Smith. 2005. Gopherus polyphemus (Gopher Tortoise). Juvenile use of Geomys pinetis (southeastern pocket gopher) tunnel. Herpetological Review. 36(4): 442.
Manuscripts in review or advanced stages
Sterrett, S.C., A. Mehring, C. Oakley, and J.C. Maerz. Compensatory indirect effects of predators on litter stoichiometry dampens a trophic cascade. In prep. Journal of Animal Ecology.
Barrett K., Steen, D.A., S.C. Sterrett, W.B. Sutton, S. Graham. The ecological roles of reptiles. In prep. BioScience.
Theses
Sterrett, S.C. 2009. Master's thesis. The ecology and influences of land use on river turtles in southwest Georgia. University of Georgia.
Sterrett, S.C. 2014. Doctoral dissertation. Nutrient dynamics and ecological roles of freshwater turtles. University of Georgia.
Professional Reports
Sterrett, S.C. (Key personnel) 2009. Final Report to Georgia Department of Natural Resources: The influence of land use on aquatic turtles in streams in the lower Flint River Basin, Georgia. Principle Investigators: Lora L. Smith, Sara H. Schweitzer, and John C. Maerz.
Popular Media and Research Related Press
Keim, B. 2020. With the World on Pause, Salamanders Own the Road. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/18/science/salamanders-amphibians-wildlife-migration.html
Preston, E. 2017. Who’s peeing in the global pool. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/04/fish-pee/522684/
Ratios Matter Newsletter Board. 2017. "Turtle Stoichiometry". Volume 1, Issue 1. https://ratiosmatter.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/ratios-matter-jan-2017.pdf
Gorman, J. 2016. Stalking a newt to avoid outbreak. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/31/science/salamanders-newts-fungus-extinction.html?_r=0
Becker, R.A. 2016. The Problem with Pythons. BioGraphic. California Academy of Science. http://www.biographic.com/posts/sto/the-problem-with-pythons
Sweeney, C. 2016. Snake Hunt: Stalking Pythons in Florida with a Team of Cold-blooded Killers. Popular Science. http://www.popsci.com/snake-hunt
Martin, S. 2012. Unusual Challenge Funds Dissertation Research. The Log. An article about Sean Sterrett successfully crowdfunding freshwater turtle research. http://www.warnell.uga.edu/alumni/mag/logF12.pdf
Sterrett, S.C. 2011. The Chemistry of Turtles. A guest blog on Living Alongside Widlife
Sterrett, S.C. and L.L. Smith. 2008. Spring is on its way in Baker County, Georgia and turtles are on the move! State of Baker Newspaper, Baker County Georgia.
Sterrett, S.C. 2008. Nature Notes: Barbour’s map turtle. State of Baker Newspaper, Baker County Georgia.