Recent Publications and Presentations

Books and Symposium volumes edited

Andrea Mess, Daniel G. Blackburn, and Ulrich Zeller (2003).  Symposium on Evolutionary Transformations of Fetal Membranes and Reproductive Strategies, (Sixth International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, University of Jena, Germany).  Journal of Experimental Zoology 299A.  Table of contents

Blackburn, D.G. (1996). Editor Methods in Neuroscience. Trinity College Press, Hartford, Connecticut.

Papers and Book chapters

* denotes publications with Trinity undergraduates

*Knight, S.M. Knight and Daniel G. Blackburn (2008).  Scanning electron microscopy of the fetal membranes of an oviparous squamate, the corn snake Pituophis guttatus (Colubridae).  Journal of Morphology (in press). 

*Blackburn, D.G. et al.  Histology and ultrastructure of the placental membranes of the viviparous brown snake, Storeria dekayi (Colubridae: Natricinae).  Journal of Morphology (under review). 

Blackburn, D.G. (2008).  The creationist attack on science and secular society.  In: Secularism and Science in the 21st Century (A. Keysar and B.A. Kosmin, eds.).   Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture. 

Blackburn, D.G. and A. Flemming (2008).  Morphology, development, and evolution of fetal membranes and placentation in squamate reptiles.  Journal of Experimental Zoology B.  Molecular and Developmental Evolution (under review).

Blackburn, D.G. (2006).  Squamate reptiles as model organisms for the evolution of viviparity.  Herpetological Monographs 20: 131-146.   PDF

Thompson, M.B. and D.G. Blackburn.  (2006).  Evolution of viviparity in reptiles: introduction to the symposium.  Herpetological Monographs 20: 129-130.  PDF

Blackburn, D.G.  (2005).  Evolutionary origins of viviparity in fishes.  In: Viviparity in Fishes (H. Grier and M.C. Uribe, eds.), pp. 303-317.  New Life Publications, Homestead, Florida.     PDF

Blackburn, D.G. (2005).  Amniote perspectives on the evolution of viviparity.  In: Viviparity in Fishes (H. Grier and M.C. Uribe, eds.), pp. 319-340.  New Life Publications, Homestead, Florida.    PDF

Ecay, T.W., J.R. Stewart, and D.G. Blackburn (2004).   Expression of calbindin-D28K by yolk sac and chorioallantoic membranes of the corn snake, Elaphe guttata.  Journal of Experimental Zoology 302B: 517-525.  Abstract   PDF

Stewart, J.R., T.W. Ecay, and D.G. Blackburn (2004).   Sources and timing of calcium mobilization during embryonic development of the corn snake Pantherophis guttatus.  Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 139: 335-341.   Abstract   PDF

* Blackburn D.G., A. R. Johnson, and J. L. Petzold (2003).  Histology of the extraembryonic membranes of an oviparous snake: towards a reconstruction of basal squamate patterns.  Journal of Experimental Zoology 299A: 48-58.  Abstract

* Blackburn, D.G. and R.L. Lorenz (2003a).   Placentation in garter snakes.  Part  II.  Transmission EM of the chorioallantoic placenta of Thamnophis radix and T. sirtalis.  Journal of Morphology 256: 171-186. Abstract  PDF

* Blackburn, D.G., and R.L. Lorenz (2003b).  Placentation in garter snakes.  Part  III.  Transmission EM of the omphalallantoic placenta of Thamnophis radix and T. sirtalis.  Journal of Morphology 256: 187-204.  Abstract  PDF

Blackburn, D.G., and A. Mess (2003).  Preface to the Symposium on Evolutionary Transformations of Fetal Membranes and Reproductive Strategies (Sixth International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, University of Jena, Germany).  Journal of Experimental Zoology 299A: 1-2.

Mess, A., D.G. Blackburn, and U. Zeller (2003).  Evolutionary transformations of fetal membranes and reproductive strategies.  Journal of Experimental Zoology 299A: 3-12.   Abstract

Flemming, A.F. and D.G. Blackburn (2003).  Evolution of placentotrophy in viviparous African and South American lizards.  Journal of Experimental Zoology 299A: 33-47.  Abstract

Blackburn, D.G.  (2003).  Use of phylogenetic analysis to distinguish adaptation from exaptation.  Behavioral and Brain Sciences 25: 507-508.   PDF  full article + commentary

* Blackburn, D.G., K.K. Weaber, J.R. Stewart, and M.B. Thompson (2003).  Do pregnant lizards reabsorb or abort inviable eggs?  Morphological evidence from an Australian skink, Pseudemoia pagenstecheri.  Journal of Morphology 256: 219-234.  Abstract    PDF

Blackburn, D.G. and L.J. Vitt (2002).  Specializations of the chorioallantoic placenta in the Brazilian scincid lizard, Mabuya heathi:  A new placental morphotype for reptiles.  Journal of Morphology 254:121-131.  Abstract

Blackburn, D.G., J.R. Stewart, D.C. Baxter, and L.H. Hoffman (2002).   Placentation in garter snakes.  Scanning EM of the placental membranes of Thamnophis ordinoides and T. sirtalis.  Journal of Morphology 252:263-275.  Abstract

Blackburn, D.G. (2000a). Classification of the reproductive patterns of amniotes. Herpetological Monographs 14: 371-377.  Abstract  PDF

Blackburn, D.G. (2000b). Reptilian viviparity: Past research, future directions, and appropriate models.  Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology -- Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology 127: 391- 409.  Abstract    doi link

Blackburn, D.G. (1999a). Are viviparity and egg-guarding evolutionarily labile in squamates? Herpetologica 55: 556-572.  Abstract    PDF

Blackburn, D.G. (1999b). Placentas, placental analogues, and fetal nutrition in reptiles and amphibians.  Pages 840-847, in Encyclopedia of Reproduction. T.E. Knobil and J.D. Neill, eds. Academic Press.  Abstract  PDF

Blackburn, D.G. (1999c). Viviparity and oviparity: evolution and reproductive strategies.  Pages 994-1003, in Encyclopedia of Reproduction. T.E. Knobil and J.D. Neill, eds. Academic Press, New York.   Abstract  PDF

Blackburn, D.G.  (1999d).  Why race is not a biological concept.  In: Race and Racism in Theory and Practice (Berel Lang, editor), Rowman & and Littlefield, New York.

Blackburn, D.G. (1998a). Structure, function, and evolution of the oviducts of squamate reptiles, with special reference to viviparity and placentation. Journal of Experimental Zoology 282: 560-617.  Abstract

Blackburn, D.G. (1998b). Reconstructing the evolution of viviparity and placentation. Journal of Theoretical Biology 192: 183-190.  Abstract 

Blackburn, D.G. (1998c). Resorption of oviductal eggs and embryos in squamate reptiles. Herpetological Journal 8: 65-71.  Abstract

Blackburn, D.G. (1998d).  New perspectives on the history of life.  Invited review of Biology as History. Vol. 1. Systematic Biology as Historical Science, edited by G. Pinna and M.T. Ghiselin. Vol 2. New Perspectives on the History of Life: Essays on Systematic Biology as Historical Narrative , edited by M.T. Ghiselin and G. Pinna. Quarterly Review of Biology 73: 73.   PDF

Blackburn, D.G., S. Kleis-San Francisco, and I.P. Callard (1998). Histology of abortive eggs sites in the uterus of a viviparous, placentotrophic lizard, the skink Chalcides chalcides. Journal of Morphology 235: 97-108.  Abstract

* Blackburn, D.G. and V.A. Bernardo (1998). Sexual dimorphism and testosterone responsiveness in hypaxial muscles of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens. Amphibia - Reptilia 19: 269-279.    Abstract

Blackburn, D.G. (1997). Invited Review Essay on River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life, by Richard Dawkins. Reports of the National Center for Science Education 17 (2).

Blackburn, D.G. and I.P. Callard (1997). Morphogenesis of the placental membranes in the viviparous, placentotrophic lizard Chalcides chalcides (Squamata: Scincidae). Journal of Morphology 231: 35-55.  Abstract

* Epstein, M.S. and D.G. Blackburn (1997). Histology and histochemistry of androgen-stimulated nuptial pads in the leopard frog, Rana pipiens, with notes on nuptial gland evolution. Canadian Journal of Zoology 75: 472-477.  Abstract

* Sidor, C. and D.G. Blackburn (1997). Effects of testosterone administration and castration on the forelimb musculature of male leopard frogs, Rana pipiens. Journal of Experimental Zoology 280: 28-37.  Abstract

Reprints: daniel.blackburn at trincoll.edu

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Recent Abstracts / Symposium Presentations

*   denotes presentations with Trinity College undergraduates

Blackburn, D.G. and A.F. Flemming (2007).  Evolution of fetal membranes and placentation in reptiles.  Invited presentation,  Symposium on Trends in Evolution of Amniote Embryos.  Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, p. 12.  Pierre and Marie Curie University, and Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; July 2007.

 

* Knight, S.M. and D.G. Blackburn (2007).  Scanning electron microscopy of the fetal membranes of an oviparous snake.  Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, p. 67.  Pierre and Marie Curie University, and Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; July 2007. 

 

* Gavelis, G.S., Kent. D. Dunlap, and Daniel G. Blackburn (2007).  Placental specializations in the viviparous lizard Sceloporus jarrovi.  Proceedings of the 8th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, p. 44.  Pierre and Marie Curie University, and Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France; July 2007. 

 

Blackburn, D.G. (2006).  Evolution of matrotrophy in vertebrates.  Third International Symposium on Live-Bearing Fishes.  Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo (UMSNH), Morelia, Mexico;  November, 2006.

 

Ecay, T., M. Gustafson, J. Stewart, and D. Blackburn (2006).  Mechanism of calcium transport by the chorioallantoic membrane of an oviparous snake, Pantherophis guttatus.   American Physiological Society Intersociety Conference.  Virginia Beach Convention Center; Oct. 2006. 

 

Blackburn, D.G. (2005).    The reptilian model for the evolution of viviparity: its potential and limitations.  Fifth World Congress of Herpetology, Univ. of Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa;  June 2005, Conference Proceedings, p. 30.

 

Flemming, A.F. and D.G. Blackburn (2005).  Close contacts of the giant kind: on placental interfaces in matrotrophic lizards.  Fifth World Congress of Herpetology, Univ. of Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa;  June 2005, Conference Proceedings, p. 30.Conference Proceedings, p. 44. 

 

* Blackburn, D.G., A.R. Johnson, and J.L. Petzold (2005).  Fetal membranes as exaptations for viviparity: evidence from ultrastructural studies of the corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus.  International Herpetological Congress, University of Stellenbosch, Republic of South Africa, 2005.

 

Ecay, T.W., J.R. Stewart, and D.G. Blackburn (2005).   Timing and mechanism of calcium mobilization during embryonic development of the corn snake.  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Diego, California; January 2005.  Integrative and Comparative Biology 44: 692.

 

* Blackburn, D.G.,  A.R. Johnson, and J.L. Petzold (2005).  Ultrastructure of the fetal membranes in the oviparous corn snake, Pantherophis guttatus.  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Diego, California; January 2005.  Integrative and Comparative Biology 44: 678. 

 

Stewart, J.R., T.W. Ecay, and D.G. Blackburn (2004).  Developmental expression of calbindin-D28k in extraembryonic membranes of the corn snake Elaphe guttata.   Proceedings of the Joint Annual Meeting: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, the Herpetologists’ League, and the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.  Norman, Oklahoma; May 2004.

 

Ecay, T.W., J.R. Stewart, and D.G. Blackburn (2004).  Mobilization of calcium is coincident with expression of calbindin-D28K in the extraembryonic membranes of the corn snake.   American  Society for Cell Biology, Washington DC; December 2004.

 

* Blackburn, D.G., A.R. Johnson, and J.L. Petzold (2003).  Placental ultrastructure in the brown snake Storeria dekayi.   Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Toronto Canada, January 2003.   SICB 2002 (abstracts of the annual meeting).  Abstract

 

Blackburn, D.G., and A.F. Flemming (2002).  Evolution of placentotrophy in African and South American lizards.  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, regional meeting of the Division of Vertebrate Morphology, Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts, September 2002.).  

 

* Johnson, A.R., J.L. Petzold, and D.G. Blackburn (2002).  Morphology and evolution of fetal membranes in snakes.   Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, regional meeting of the Division of Vertebrate Morphology, Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts, September 2002.  

* Blackburn, D.G.,  K. K. Weaber, J.R. Stewart, and M.B. Thompson (2001).  Do pregnant lizards reabsorb or abort inviable eggs?  Morphological evidence from an Australian skink, Pseudemoia pagenstecheri.   Annual Meeting, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Anaheim, California, January, 2002.  SICB 2002, p. 128. 

Blackburn, D.G. (2001).  Evolution of specializations of the extraembryonic membranes of reptiles and birds.  Symposium on Evolutionary Transformations of Fetal Membranes and Reproductive Strategies, Sixth International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology.  University of Jena, Germany, July, 2001.   Journal of Morphology 248: 207.

Mess, A., D.G. Blackburn, and U. Zeller (2001).  Evolutionary transformations of fetal membranes and reproductive strategies.  Symposium on Evolutionary Transformations of Fetal Membranes and Reproductive Strategies, Sixth International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology.  University of Jena, Germany, July, 2001.  Journal of Morphology (in press).

 

* Blackburn, D.G., J. L. Petzold, and A. R. Johnson (2001).  Cytology of the developing extraembryonic membranes of an oviparous snake (Elaphe guttata).  Sixth International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology.  University of Jena, Germany, July, 2001.  Journal of Morphology 248: 261.

 

Flemming, A. F. and D.G. Blackburn (2001).  Evolution of placentotrophy in viviparous African lizards. Symposium on Evolutionary Transformations of Fetal Membranes and Reproductive Strategies, Sixth International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology.  University of Jena, Germany, July, 2001.  Journal of Morphology 248: 230.

 

Blackburn, D.G.  (2001).  Development of an undergraduate neuroscience program:  Issues, challenges, and strategies.  .  Presentation to the Project Kaleidoscope Workshop in Undergraduate Neuroscience Education: From the Enchanted Loom to the World Wide Web.  Trinity College, June, 2001.

 

Blackburn, D.G. and S. Raskin (2001).   Building and revitalizing undergraduate neuroscience programs.  Presentation to the 5th Annual NEURON symposium, Wellesley University, April 2001.

* Blackburn, D.G., A. R. Johnson, and J. L. Petzold (2000).  Histology of the extraembryonic membranes of the oviparous corn snake, Elaphe guttata.  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Chicago, Illinois (January 2001).  American Zoologist 39 (5): 115-116. 

* Charlesworth, T., A.H. Lehman, and D.G. Blackburn (2000).  Cytology and ultrastructure of the extraembryonic membranes of the quail, Coturnix coturnix.  Society  for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Chicago, Illinois (January 2001).  American Zoologist 39 (5): 141. 

Blackburn, D.G.  (1999).  Viviparity: past research, future directions, and appropriate models. Invited presentation.  Symposium on The Evolution of Viviparity: the Physiological Issues, Recent Research, and Future Directions.  Fifth International Congress of Comparative Physiology & Biochemistry.  University of Calgary, Canada.

Blackburn, D.G. (1999).  The role of liberal arts colleges in science education and scholarship.  Presentation to the symposium: "The Liberal Arts College in the 21st Century: Challenges and Responsibilities."  Trinity College, February, 1999.

Blackburn, D.G. (1998). A phylogenetic analysis of viviparity in fishes. Invited presentation , International Symposium on Viviparity in Fishes. Cuernevaca, Mexico, February, 1998.

* Blackburn, D.G., and K.K. Weaber (1998).  Stress-induced termination of pregnancy in the viviparous lizard Pseudemoia pagenstecheri. NEURON, 2nd Annual Symposium, Trinity College, May 1998.

* Blackburn, D.G., E.E. Fifield, S. Kleis-San Francisco, and I.P. Callard (1998). Effects of reproductive hormones on the uterus and liver of a viviparous placentotrophic lizard. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Boston MA; January, 1998. American Zoologist 37(5): 200.

* Lishnak, T., D.G. Blackburn, S. Kleis-San Francisco, and I.P. Callard (1998). Oviductal histology in viviparous water snakes Nerodia during the reproductive cycle. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Boston MA; January, 1998. American Zoologist 37(5): 200.

Translations

  • denotes publications with Trinity undergraduates

 

"Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Plazentation­ bei Haien und Rep­tilien.  B.  Die Plazentation von Seps chalcides", by N. J. ten Cate-Hoedemaker.  Z. Zellforsch. mikrosk. Anat. 18: 299-345 (1933).

"Ueber die Entwicklung von Seps chalcides", by E. Giacomini.  Anat. Anz. 6: 548-551 (1891).

* with M. Roth. "Rapports anatomo-histologiques établis au cours de la gestation entre l'oeuf et l'oviducte maternel chez le lézard ovovivipare Zootoca vivipara W. (Lacerta vivipara J.), by M. Panigel.  Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr. 76: 163-170 (1951).

* with M. Roth.  "Materiaux pour l'etude du developpement du Seps chalcides", by E. Giacomini.  Arch. Ital. Biol. 16: 332-359 (1891).

"Ueber eine neue Art uterinaler Brutpflege bei Reptilien", by W. Haacke, Zool. Anz. 8: 435-439 (1885).

"Riesenzellen im Chorion laeve des Kaninchens", by G. Petry and W. Kühnel.  Experientia 22: 443  (1966). 

"Ueber mehrkernige Riesenzellen im Chorion laeve des Kaninchens", by W. Kühnel.  Anat. Anz., Jena 150: 235-238 (1981).

"Zur näheren Kenntnis des Mammarorgans von Echidna", by. C. Gegenbaur.  Morphologische Jahrbuch 9: 604 (1884).

 

"In der Uteruswand während der Gravidität auftretende metachroma­tische granulierte Zellver­bände und ihre Stellung zur 'Glandula myometrali­s'," by J. Asplund, U. Borell, and H. Holmgren.  Z. Mikrosk. Anat. Forsch. (Leipzig) 48: 478-528  (1940). [excerpts]

"Untersuchungen über Physiologie und Histologie des Eileiters der Reptilien und Vögel: nebst einem Beitrag zur Fasergenese", by H. Giersberg.  Zeitschr. f. wissensch. Zoologie 70: 1-97 (1923) [excerpts].

with L. Miller:  "Sulla maniera di gestazione e sugli annessi embrionali del Gongylus ocellatus Forsk", by E. Giacomini.  Mem. R. Accad. Sci. Inst. Bologna (VI) 3: 401-445 (1906). [ongoing]

 

with L. Miller:  "L'oolisi della Seps chalcides, by P. Mingazzini (1892).  Atti Acc. Lincei (Rend V) 1: 41-45.

with L. Miller:  "Osservazioni sui riassorbimento degli embrioni nella Seps chalcides", by G. Domini (1928).  Arch. zool. ital. (Torino) 12: 191-218.

Reprints: daniel.blackburn at trincoll.edu

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