Rori Paloski
PhD Student
Biography
Wildlife and natural resources have been interests of mine for as long as I can remember. My first memory as a child was camping with my parents in Colorado. Over the years I have narrowed my focus to endangered species and herpetology. Amphibians and reptiles have such diverse life histories, I am constantly amazed by their ability to adapt to and survive in their environments. My PhD research is focusing on the state endangered and federally threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) in Wisconsin. With only eight populations remaining in the state, this species is of great conservation importance. In addition to pursuing my Ph.D., I work as a herpetologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Madison. Previous work of mine has included Blanchard’s cricket frog monitoring, malformed frog surveys, researching the effects of urbanization on frog populations, salamander and ephemeral pond surveys, ornate box turtle monitoring, slender glass lizard detection probability research, gartersnake genetic research, and eastern ribbonsnake surveys.
she/her/hers
Contact Information
Email: rapaloski@wisc.edu
Education
- M.S. in Natural Resources (Wildlife Ecology emphasis), University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- B.S. in Biology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Kapfer, J. W., G. W. Schuurman, and R. A. Paloski. 2022. Common Gartersnake, Thamnophis sirtalis. In Kapfer, J. W. and D. J. Brown (eds.), Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, USA.
Paloski, R. A. 2022. Prairie Skink, Plestiodon septentrionalis. In Kapfer, J. W. and D. J. Brown (eds.), Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, USA.
Paloski, R. A., A. F. Badje, and T. L. E. Bergeson. 2022. Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, Acris blanchardi. In Kapfer, J. W. and D. J. Brown (eds.), Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, USA.
Paloski, R. A., S. E. Viernum and T. L. E. Bergeson. 2022. Northern Leopard Frog, Lithobates pipiens. In Kapfer, J. W. and D. J. Brown (eds.), Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, USA.
Badje, A. F., T. J. Brandt, T. L. Bergeson, R. A. Paloski, and J. M. Kapfer. 2021. Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) spring dispersal ecology in Southwestern Wisconsin. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 16:271-280.
Badje, A. F., T. J. Brandt, T. L. Bergeson, R. A. Paloski, J. W. Kapfer, and G. W. Schuurman. 2016. Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) overwintering ecology in Southwestern Wisconsin. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 11:101-111.
Kapfer, J. M., B. L. Sloss, G. W. Schuurman, R. A. Paloski, and J. M. Lorch. 2013. Evidence of hybridization between common gartersnakes and Butler’s gartersnakes in Wisconsin (USA). Journal of Herpetology 47:400-405.
Sloss, B. L., G. W. Schuurman, R. A. Paloski, O. D. Boyle, and J. M. Kapfer. 2011. Novel microsatellite loci for studies of Thamnophis gartersnake genetic identity and hybridization. Conservation Genetics Resources 4:383-386.
Kapfer, J. M. and R. A. Paloski. 2011. On the threat to snakes of mesh deployed for erosion control and wildlife exclusion. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 6:1-9.
Paloski, R. A. 2008. Relationship between lakeshore development and anuran populations in central Wisconsin. In Mitchell, J. C., R. E. Jung Brown and B. Bartholomew (eds.), Urban Herpetology. Herpetological Conservation Volume 3, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Project
Demographics of eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) populations in Wisconsin