Scott Thomas
@scottathomas.bsky.social
PhD biologist studying population ecology of pond-breeding amphibians (he/him)
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Jaws came out 50 years ago this summer.
In my latest for The Revelator, I discuss what’s happened to sharks and shark conservation since then, and how much can be attributed to the movie.
therevelator.org/jaws-at-50-s... 🧪🌎🦑🦈
In my latest for The Revelator, I discuss what’s happened to sharks and shark conservation since then, and how much can be attributed to the movie.
therevelator.org/jaws-at-50-s... 🧪🌎🦑🦈
Jaws at 50: Was the Terrifying Movie Really to Blame for Worldwide Shark Declines? • The Revelator
Sharks have experienced the worst declines in history. Can we trace that decline to their villainous portrayal in this influential movie?
therevelator.org
June 9, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Jaws came out 50 years ago this summer.
In my latest for The Revelator, I discuss what’s happened to sharks and shark conservation since then, and how much can be attributed to the movie.
therevelator.org/jaws-at-50-s... 🧪🌎🦑🦈
In my latest for The Revelator, I discuss what’s happened to sharks and shark conservation since then, and how much can be attributed to the movie.
therevelator.org/jaws-at-50-s... 🧪🌎🦑🦈
Reposted by Scott Thomas
As an ecologist who moved to the UK for studies during the worst of the Brexit chaos, seeing a peer-reviewed(!) article compare international scholars to invasive pests, brought back unpleasant memories. Words have power & it is important to speak up even if we simply need to spell out the obvious!
A very diverse bunch of scholars - from across biology, conservation, and migration studies - wrote this piece on the very obvious, yet not quite obvious enough for some, dangers of comparing invasive species and human migration. academic.oup.com/bioscience/a...
Parallels between biological invasions and human migration are flawed and undermine both disciplines. Response to Ahmed et al.
A recent article by Ahmed and colleagues (2025) attempt to draw parallels and assess distinctions between biological invasions and human migration. This co
academic.oup.com
June 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
As an ecologist who moved to the UK for studies during the worst of the Brexit chaos, seeing a peer-reviewed(!) article compare international scholars to invasive pests, brought back unpleasant memories. Words have power & it is important to speak up even if we simply need to spell out the obvious!
The 'gazillions' of lizards in Cincinnati could actually guard us from Lyme disease | Cincinnati Enquirer 🦎
The 'gazillions' of lizards in Cincinnati could actually guard us from Lyme disease
Cincinnati has a vast Lazarus lizard population, and they could lessen the threat of Lyme disease.
www.cincinnati.com
June 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The 'gazillions' of lizards in Cincinnati could actually guard us from Lyme disease | Cincinnati Enquirer 🦎
Reposted by Scott Thomas
🚨 URGENT RESPONSE CALL 🚨
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Sign The Open Letter to Stand Up For Science Now!
Science is under siege. Trump’s latest Executive Order calls for politically appointed science commissars to evaluate research. Join us in adding your name to our open letter condemning Trump’s escala...
actionnetwork.org
May 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🚨 URGENT RESPONSE CALL 🚨
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Trump’s Fool’s Gold Science EO is a dangerous sham.
It gives his appointees the power to dismiss entire bodies of research and punish researchers who fail to fall in line with his agenda.
We’ve launched an open letter.
SIGN & SHARE NOW: actionnetwork.org/petitions/op...
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Today is the last day to oppose the gutting of the Endangered Species Act, I just did and it’s not hard:
May 19, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Today is the last day to oppose the gutting of the Endangered Species Act, I just did and it’s not hard:
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Science Communicators! I need your HELP! I am a turtle biologist, and I have the potential to do some much needed work locally to look at how our one and only native freshwater turtle shares space with non-native red-eared sliders in pond systems. Here is my problem: 1/
May 14, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Science Communicators! I need your HELP! I am a turtle biologist, and I have the potential to do some much needed work locally to look at how our one and only native freshwater turtle shares space with non-native red-eared sliders in pond systems. Here is my problem: 1/
Reposted by Scott Thomas
A nicely written article, and I agree that museums must reach younger generations. But unfortunately the renovated exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History mask the fact that the museum has gutted a large part of their research on the natural world over the last few years.
in a world of galloping AI, we’re going to need real nature more than ever.
My op-ed in CLE Plain Dealer today about the transformed Cleveland Museum of Natural History & what it tells us about real, tangible nature in the dawning era of artificial intelligence. www.cleveland.com/opinion/2025...
My op-ed in CLE Plain Dealer today about the transformed Cleveland Museum of Natural History & what it tells us about real, tangible nature in the dawning era of artificial intelligence. www.cleveland.com/opinion/2025...
May 5, 2025 at 1:51 AM
A nicely written article, and I agree that museums must reach younger generations. But unfortunately the renovated exhibits at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History mask the fact that the museum has gutted a large part of their research on the natural world over the last few years.
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Job opportunity! Excited to share that we have an opening for a research technician position to help with our research on phenological shifts & species interactions in amphibian communities. (please help spread the word!)
More details here:
emdz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
More details here:
emdz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Research Technician II
Dr. Volker Rudolf’s research groups in the Department of BioSciences are looking to hire a Research Technician II in the field of biology/ecology. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working outdo...
emdz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com
May 1, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Job opportunity! Excited to share that we have an opening for a research technician position to help with our research on phenological shifts & species interactions in amphibian communities. (please help spread the word!)
More details here:
emdz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
More details here:
emdz.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Do you like clean water? Then you’ll like this slimy, hellish creature.
But it is in danger of extinction.
But it is in danger of extinction.
April 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Do you like clean water? Then you’ll like this slimy, hellish creature.
But it is in danger of extinction.
But it is in danger of extinction.
Reposted by Scott Thomas
An extinction is not typically a single catastrophic event, where, poof, a species is suddenly gone.
But the threats against the Eastern hellbender, decimated by Helene and now facing Trump, have been stacking up with frightening speed. @jackiefmogensen.bsky.social reports:
But the threats against the Eastern hellbender, decimated by Helene and now facing Trump, have been stacking up with frightening speed. @jackiefmogensen.bsky.social reports:
Legend has it this salamander came from hell. We’re about to send it back.
Climate disasters, human sprawl, and now Trump: This is how extinctions happen.
www.motherjones.com
April 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
An extinction is not typically a single catastrophic event, where, poof, a species is suddenly gone.
But the threats against the Eastern hellbender, decimated by Helene and now facing Trump, have been stacking up with frightening speed. @jackiefmogensen.bsky.social reports:
But the threats against the Eastern hellbender, decimated by Helene and now facing Trump, have been stacking up with frightening speed. @jackiefmogensen.bsky.social reports:
Prima Donna Species Just Has To Have Every Part Of Natural Habitat Intact
double April Fools: That's not a California tiger salamander in the photo
theonion.com/prima-donna-...
double April Fools: That's not a California tiger salamander in the photo
theonion.com/prima-donna-...
April 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Prima Donna Species Just Has To Have Every Part Of Natural Habitat Intact
double April Fools: That's not a California tiger salamander in the photo
theonion.com/prima-donna-...
double April Fools: That's not a California tiger salamander in the photo
theonion.com/prima-donna-...
🐸
One of our impressive unisexual Ambystoma salamanders from the 2025 breeding season, which has largely wrapped up at our sites in northeast Ohio.
March 23, 2025 at 1:46 AM
🐸
Reposted by Scott Thomas
While it feels like silly to promote papers while the world burns, it is a exciting to see the first MS student thesis published from the lab! Jessica examined factors influencing paedomorphosis in mole #salamanders 🧪🌎 esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
Drivers of life history variation in a paedomorphic mole salamander
We assessed abiotic and biotic factors influencing life history outcomes in the facultatively paedomorphic salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, across natural populations. Our results indicate that paed...
esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
March 21, 2025 at 11:58 AM
While it feels like silly to promote papers while the world burns, it is a exciting to see the first MS student thesis published from the lab! Jessica examined factors influencing paedomorphosis in mole #salamanders 🧪🌎 esj-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....
For #worldfrogday, these wood frogs are showing off the wide variety of coloration in their species. They are identifiable by their white upper lip and dark "mask" around their eyes. They are famous for freezing solid during the winter and reanimating each spring! 🐸
March 20, 2025 at 9:41 PM
For #worldfrogday, these wood frogs are showing off the wide variety of coloration in their species. They are identifiable by their white upper lip and dark "mask" around their eyes. They are famous for freezing solid during the winter and reanimating each spring! 🐸
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Folks, exactly 5 years ago today I made this offer, & I'll do it again.
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
March 19, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Folks, exactly 5 years ago today I made this offer, & I'll do it again.
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
Many graduate students are in danger of losing their one field season for collecting data- in March 2020 because of the pandemic, now because of Musk-Trump BS. This means that many won't be able to finish graduate school. 🧪🧵
🐸
March 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
🐸
It's #toadallytuesday? Here are some boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas) tadpoles freshly reintroduced to a Rocky Mountain site where they have historically been found. The reintroduction was led by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and will be monitored by my research group. Toadlets emerged a week later! 🐸
March 11, 2025 at 7:49 PM
It's #toadallytuesday? Here are some boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas) tadpoles freshly reintroduced to a Rocky Mountain site where they have historically been found. The reintroduction was led by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and will be monitored by my research group. Toadlets emerged a week later! 🐸
Reposted by Scott Thomas
I assembled a team of experts to write this how-to guide for how scientific professional societies can improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. It's structured around my society's budgets and bylaws, but is broadly applicable.
Please share. 🧪
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Please share. 🧪
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Frontiers | What Can Professional Scientific Societies Do to Improve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A Case Study of the American Elasmobranch Society
Scientific professional societies are reviewing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices and policies in response to recent calls for much-needed cha...
www.frontiersin.org
March 11, 2025 at 6:56 PM
I assembled a team of experts to write this how-to guide for how scientific professional societies can improve their diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. It's structured around my society's budgets and bylaws, but is broadly applicable.
Please share. 🧪
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Please share. 🧪
www.frontiersin.org/journals/edu...
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Bluetorial: Women, courage, and leadership
What follows will include some generalizations based on population averages of what I have experienced over the course of my career. There are, of course, exceptions in every group who are substantially more to one extreme or the other.
What follows will include some generalizations based on population averages of what I have experienced over the course of my career. There are, of course, exceptions in every group who are substantially more to one extreme or the other.
a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
ALT: a cartoon says hey everybody an old man 's talking while bart simpson looks on
media.tenor.com
March 9, 2025 at 4:33 AM
Bluetorial: Women, courage, and leadership
What follows will include some generalizations based on population averages of what I have experienced over the course of my career. There are, of course, exceptions in every group who are substantially more to one extreme or the other.
What follows will include some generalizations based on population averages of what I have experienced over the course of my career. There are, of course, exceptions in every group who are substantially more to one extreme or the other.
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Please enjoy this adorable picture of a marine sculpin taken by collaborator @emilykane.bsky.social to break up your doomscrolling! Excited to debut the first paper resulting from our collaboration on this cool topic
New paper alert! For the first time, we (@agarner.bsky.social and colleagues) record microscopic features on sculpin fins that we think help fish stay put in breaking waves. There could be implications for new bio-inspired designs! 🧪🐟🌊
New paper on sculpin fins!
New features observed on sculpin fins might help enhance friction during station-holding.
www.thekanelab.com
March 5, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Please enjoy this adorable picture of a marine sculpin taken by collaborator @emilykane.bsky.social to break up your doomscrolling! Excited to debut the first paper resulting from our collaboration on this cool topic
Reposted by Scott Thomas
Today, a broad coalition of scientific professional societies who represent over 92,000 scientists are speaking out against the politicization and demonization of Federally funded science and government scientist jobs.
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
48 Scientific Societies Representing Almost 100,000 Scientists Ask Congress to Protect the Future of Science
48 scientific societies representing almost 100,000 scientists signed on to a letter asking Congress to protect the future of science
www.ucsusa.org
March 3, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Today, a broad coalition of scientific professional societies who represent over 92,000 scientists are speaking out against the politicization and demonization of Federally funded science and government scientist jobs.
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
It was an honor to help the Union of Concerned Scientists with this! 🧪🌎
Reposted by Scott Thomas
If you have experienced direct harm to your work/lab/job due to recent changes at US NSF, & are willing to share this on behalf of the Am. Society of Naturalists and NSF, please DM/ email me ASAP (this is time-sensitive) or submit story here sites.google.com/view/scienti...
Please share widely
Please share widely
Scientists' Stories - How to Contribute
How to contribute a Story
sites.google.com
March 2, 2025 at 6:24 PM
If you have experienced direct harm to your work/lab/job due to recent changes at US NSF, & are willing to share this on behalf of the Am. Society of Naturalists and NSF, please DM/ email me ASAP (this is time-sensitive) or submit story here sites.google.com/view/scienti...
Please share widely
Please share widely
Also in Costa Rica! 🐍
February 28, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Also in Costa Rica! 🐍