Vertebrates

The WYNDD Vertebrate Zoology Program collects and disseminates information regarding the distribution, conservation status, and habitat associations Wyoming’s amphibian, bird, fish, mammal, and reptile taxa. This information is obtained through field research, literature review, and data received from our partners across the state. Information generated by the Vertebrate Zoology Program is disseminated through WYNDD’s database, web applications, and project reports.

View Highlights

Hand holding field mouse

Program highlights

  • Implemented white-nose syndrome vaccination efforts in Wyoming
  • Recorded first confirmed occurrence of Canyon Bat (Parastrellus hesperus) in Wyoming  

Expertise

  • Species inventory
  • Population monitoring
  • Acoustic monitoring of bats, amphibians, and owls
  • Disease surveillance for White-nose Syndrome and amphibian chytrid fungus
  • Taxonomy of Wyoming’s vertebrates
  • Study design
  • Statistical analysis
  • Species distribution modeling

2024 Program Focus

  • Develop species accounts for Wyoming’s native reptile species for the Wyoming Field Guide
  • Update predictive species distribution models for Wyoming’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need
  • Model species distributions into the future under potential climate change scenarios
  • Continue white-nose syndrome vaccination efforts
  • Conduct a large-scale analysis of NABat data