To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Texas Herpetological Society (THS), its members—several who were university professors—conceived a special symposium, Biology of the Pitvipers, which was held at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) from 17-19 November 1989. There were over 300 registrants representing 38 states and 8 foreign countries. This special meeting also paid tribute to two long-time and illustrious members of the THS, Hobart Smith and Ottys Sanders.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nearly 25 years have passed since that memorable first meeting in 1989. Biology of the Pitvipers 2 symposium is long overdue for various reasons but perhaps most significant is the rapid change and advancements in molecular and computational biology. In 1989, mtDNA was in its infancy in phylogenetic inference of pitvipers. No one present was discussing nuclear genes as markers, Bayesian methods, genomics, or venomics. Furthermore, our world is rapidly undergoing climate changes that will affect reptiles and other organisms, including us humans. Indeed, a lot has changed in just two decades.    

 

As organizers of Biology of the Pitvipers 2 symposium, it is our hope that it will be as innovative as its predecessor. 

 

Dr. Warren Booth

Dr. Gordon W. Schuett

Dr. Wolfgang Wüster

Dr. Mats Höggren

Dr. Charles F. Smith 

Bob Ashley

Sheri Ashley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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