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About Diane:
About Diane:
My dedication to animal conservation began as a child while reading through hundreds of animal articles in Encyclopedia Britannica and finding that a lot of those species were nearing extinction. As I've grown, my passion for conservation remained, and since 2018, I've begun documenting the introduction of non-native Anolis lizards across San Diego County and investigating their modes of introduction. Although I have been a proud member of the CSUSM ecomorph lab, helping out with both the Loggerhead Shrike and salt marsh harvest mouse projects in the field and lab, my heart is with lizards and being in the rainforest. In the fall, I will be embarking on a PhD program to study problem-solving and cognition in various Puerto Rican lizards.
Contact: dianev.cordero@gmail.com
Diane's Research
My role in the Ecomorph Lab has revolved mostly around helping out with the San Clemente Loggerhead Shrike prey capture performance study. Outside of lab, my research in San Diego involves discovering and monitoring populations of non-invasive Anolis lizards around the county. In my doctoral studies, I plan to explore various aspects of cognitive behavior in lizards, particularly tropical anoles. Specifically, I aim to understand if and how enrichment that incorporates both visual and chemical stimuli affects problem-solving in tropical lizards in captive settings. This could have implications for animal welfare in research, zoological, and even private household settings, particularly for reptilians, which are potentially more behaviorally complex than we appreciate, and vastly understudied in this regard.
Western fence lizard taking a nap after a hard day at the office. (no lizards were harmed)
Western fence lizard taking a nap after a hard day at the office. (no lizards were harmed)
One of many Anolis carolinensis populations around San Diego County (Spring Valley).
One of many Anolis carolinensis populations around San Diego County (Spring Valley).
During the Summer of 2021, I studied the diving behavior of Anolis aquaticus to research its preferred microhabitat characteristics.
During the Summer of 2021, I studied the diving behavior of Anolis aquaticus to research its preferred microhabitat characteristics.
Diane in action...
The slippery situations we get into to catch Anolis aquaticus.
The slippery situations we get into to catch Anolis aquaticus.
A happy Diane and a grumpy Island Night Lizard.
A happy Diane and a grumpy Island Night Lizard.
Helping work the shrike data "command center" on San Clemente Island, CA
Helping work the shrike data "command center" on San Clemente Island, CA
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