Staff Member
Dr. Kevin Loope
Research Scientist
Email: kjloope@vt.edu
Email: kjloope@vt.edu
Areas of Expertise
Behavioral Ecology, Conservation Genetics/Genomics, Entomology, Invasive Species, Wildlife Management
Taxon Groups Studied
Invertebrates/Insects, Nongame Fish/Wildlife, Reptiles
| Research Publications | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| Walden, M.A., K.J. Loope, E.A. Hunter, S.J. Divers, J.R. Comolli, T.C. Esque, K.T. Shoemaker. 2023. Testosterone identifies hatchling sex for Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii). Scientific Reports 13: 14818. | May 2023 |
| Loope, K.J., R.A. Cozad, D.B. Breakfield, M.J. Aresco, and E.A. Hunter. 2024. Unexpected effect of geographic origin on post-translocation survival in a long-lived reptile. Animal Conservation DOI: 10.1111/acv.12946. | June 2024 |
| Loope, K.J., J.N. Desha, K.T. Shoemaker, M.J. Aresco, and E.A. Hunter. 2024. Common garden experiment reveals outbreeding depression and region-of-origin effects on reproductive success in a frequently translocated tortoise. Animal Conservation. DOI: 10.1111/acv.12977 | August 2024 |
| Project | Completion Date |
|---|---|
| Assessing at-risk turtle species' population status to inform conservation and management | December 2026 |
| Gopher tortoise conservation through translocations | October 2026 |
| Climate change impacts to gopher tortoise demography | July 2023 |
| Presentations | Presentation Date |
|---|---|
| Loope, K.J., M.J. Aresco, D.B. Breakfield, R.A. Cozad, and E.A. Hunter. 2023. Unexpected effect of geographic origin on post-translocation survival in the gopher tortoise. The Wildlife Society 30th Annual Conference, Louisville, KY. November 5-9, 2023. | November 2023 |
| Loope, K.J., M.J. Aresco, D.B. Breakfield, R.A. Cozad, and E.A. Hunter. 2022. Survival analysis of carcasses indicates limited role of geography in translocated tortoise mortality. Gopher Tortoise Council 44th Annual Meeting, Freeport, FL. | November 2022 |
| Loope, K.J., K.T. Shoemaker, J.N. DeSha, D.C. Rostal, B.B. Rothermel, M.J. Aresco, and E.A. Hunter. 2024. How does translocation affect the reproductive rate of female gopher tortoises? Gopher Tortoise Council Annual Meeting, St. Petersburg, FL, Nov 15-17, 2024. | November 2024 |
| Loope, K.J., J. Nicole DeSha, R.A. Cozad, D.B. Breakfield, M.J. Aresco, K.T. Shoemaker, and E.A. Hunter. 2023. Survival and reproduction in translocated tortoises: region-of-origin effects and outbreeding depression. Gopher Tortoise Council Annual Meeting, Tifton, GA. November 17-19, 2023. | November 2023 |
| Hunter, E.A., Loope, K.J., and K.T. Shoemaker. 2023. Indirect effects of climate change on habitat management drive population declines in Gopher Tortoises. The Wildlife Society 30th Annual Conference, Louisville, KY. November 5-9, 2023. | November 2023 |
| Hunter, E.A., K.J. Loope, J.N. DeSha, B.B. Rothermel, L.L. Smith, D.C. Rostal, A.G. Arneson, and K.T. Shoemaker. 2024. Gopher tortoise nesting decisions and outcomes across the latitudinal range and implications for climate change. Gopher Tortoise Council Annual Meeting, St. Petersburg, FL, November 15-17 2024. | November 2024 |