SCOTT M. MOODY, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Associate Professor
Systematic Biology and Herpetology
Research Interests
His research and teaching interests include phylogenetic systematics, vertebrate
paleontology, comparative and functional anatomy, zoogeography, evolutionary
biology and herpetology. He has undertaken a longterm project to comprehensively
review within lizards several poorly known anatomical systems; glandular
and sensory structures of the epidermis; arterial branching patterns; musculature
of the trunk, girdle and limbs, including innervation; comparative anatomy
of the lung, nose and middle ear) which will be compared with the well
documented character variation of the skeleton. His methodology is comparative
anatomy with cladistic analysis of the character state distribution among
taxa. In addition, Dr. Moody is collaborating with other laboratories to
corroborate or falsify the morphologically based hypotheses with molecular
comparisons. DNAxDNA hybridization, immunological distance, and mitochondrial
DNA sequences are the comparisons of choice. Together with Dr. Matthew
White, Dr. Moody is studying the geographic molecular variation of two
widespread species, the Eastern Spadefooted Toad Scaphiopus holbrooki and
the Racer (a snake) Coluber constrictor in an attempt to unravel their
evolutionary history in relationship to glaciational cycles, vegetation
and soils. Dr.Moody is also reviewing the conservation biology and historical
biogeography of all amphibian and reptilian species found in the State
of Ohio.
Recent Publications:
Wei, Yin-Min, Moody, S.M., Hwang, Bing-Ming (1994) Classification and inheritance:
Through a lattice hierarchy of classes. Proc. 7th Annual Workshop on Conceptual
Graphs (In press).
Moody, S.M. (1988) Rediscovery and taxonomic identity of Oreoderia gracilipes
Girard 1857 (Lacertilia, Agamidae). Herpetologica 44: 108-113.
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