A Review of Herpetofaunal Distributions in Arkansas with Special Emphasis on Contributions from Citizen Science: Part I – Snakes

R. Jacobs, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
N. Ortiz, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
J. Jackson, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith
J.D. Willson, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
K.G. Roberts, Rogers High School, Rogers
R. Kannan, University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Keywords

snakes, snake ranges, biodiversity, citizen science, iNaturalist

Abstract

We present a comprehensive updated review of the distributions of the 38 species of snakes in Arkansas. We compare historical and current distributions with citizen science data uploaded and verified in iNaturalist, a leading biodiversity monitoring online citizen science database. The Arkansas Herpetological Atlas, a website maintaining species occurrence records, is also used and compared. We highlight the role played by iNaturalist in enhancing our knowledge of snake distributions in Arkansas. 10,885 verified and vetted Research Grade (RG) observations of Arkansas snakes have been recorded in iNaturalist, expanding the known distributions of 36 of the 38 species. This is the first paper in a planned series documenting the current distribution of all herpetofaunal species in Arkansas.

Recommended Citation

Jacobs, R.; Ortiz, N.; Jackson, J.; Willson, J.D.; Roberts, K.G.; and Kannan, R. (2024) "A Review of Herpetofaunal Distributions in Arkansas with Special Emphasis on Contributions from Citizen Science: Part I – Snakes," Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 78, Article 8.
https://doi.org/10.54119/jaas.2024.7801
Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol78/iss1/8

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