Field Expedition Connects SWOSU Students with Oklahoma Biodiversity

From left to right: Dr. Marcella Santos, Austin Buchanan, Wake Frymire, Eric Mesta, Darby Elmore, Madi Crisp, and Dr. Renan Bosque during the SWOSU research expedition to Black Mesa State Park.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) faculty and students from the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences recently traveled to Black Mesa State Park for a field expedition focused on collared lizard genetic diversity and coloration. The trip took place in the Oklahoma Panhandle, a region that remains under-explored compared to many other areas of the state.

Participants included Dr. Renan Bosque, Dr. Marcella Santos, Austin Buchanan, Madilyn "Madi" Crisp, Darby Elmore, Eric Mesta, and Wake Frymire. The group conducted fieldwork centered on the eastern collared lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, colorful and behaviorally striking lizard species found throughout parts of Oklahoma.

Students take environmental measurements while Dr. Renan Bosque holds a collared lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, during fieldwork at Black Mesa State Park.

A collared lizard, Crotaphytus collaris, the focal species of the SWOSU research expedition.

A sunset over Black Mesa State Park during the SWOSU research expedition.

The research team surveyed habitats, searched for reptiles, documented species observations, and collected data connected to ongoing research questions. By studying collared lizard populations from Black Mesa State Park, the group hopes to better understand patterns of genetic diversity and coloration variation in collared lizards across the state.

"This area of the state is under-explored compared to the rest of Oklahoma, and having the opportunity to work there with students is incredibly valuable," said Bosque. "Black Mesa gives our students the chance to experience field research in a unique environment while contributing to a better understanding of Oklahoma's biodiversity."

In addition to collared lizards, the group observed several reptile species associated with the Panhandle region, including the common checkered whiptail, Aspidoscelis tesselatus, the plains garter snake, Thamnophis radix, and the prairie rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis. Black Mesa State Park contains some of Oklahoma's most distinctive geological and ecological landscapes, which makes it an important location for biological field research and species observation.

Students lift rocks while searching for collared lizards during field surveys at Black Mesa State Park.

A prairie rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis, observed during the SWOSU field expedition to Black Mesa State Park.

A common checkered whiptail, Aspidoscelis tesselatus, basks on a rock. In Oklahoma, this species is found only in the Panhandle region.

The expedition also gave students hands-on experience in field biology, wildlife surveys, research methods, and natural history. Faculty members worked alongside students throughout the trip, providing training in species identification, environmental data collection, and field research techniques.

The Black Mesa expedition continues SWOSU's emphasis on undergraduate research opportunities and field-based learning experiences connected to Oklahoma's natural history and biodiversity.

For more information about the SWOSU Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, visit https://www.swosu.edu/biological-sciences/.