Raymond S. Matlack, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Advisor for Wildlife Biology
Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences
WTAMU Box 60808, Canyon, TX 79016

Office: ANS Rm. 333;  Phone: (806) 651-2583
E-mail: rmatlack@wtamu.edu

Palo Duro Canyon - located about 13 miles from WTAMU

Ray with a ringtail in Palo Duro Canyon

Wildlife Program General Information

Wildlife Program Photo Gallery

 

Website

Biology 1406

Biology 1407

Wildlife Conservation (Bio2374)

Wildlife Management (Biol3374)

Natural History of Vertebrates (Bio3420)

Wildlife Management Techniques (Bio3424)

Field Biology (Bio3099/5099)

Ornithology (Bio4433/5433)

Mammalogy (Bio4434/5434)

Biol399/Eng399

Animal Behavior (Biol4335/5335)

Zoogeography (Biol6312)

General interests: Mammalian population and community ecology, landscape ecology, ecology and natural history of reptiles, and influence of land management practices on vertebrates 

Specific research interests: Vertebrate populations vary in abundance/occurrence across space and time. I am interested in the influence of abiotic and biotic factors on the spatial and temporal dynamics of vertebrate populations. I use geographic information systems (GIS) to examine spatial variation in vertebrate populations and communities. My research has examined the influence of climatic variability and fire, grazing, and other land management practices on small mammals, swift fox, and reptiles.

My general interests are very similar to my research interests.  I like to spend time in the field bird watching, capturing reptiles and amphibians, and learning more about the natural history of plants and animals.  I especially like traveling to new places and exploring new ecosystems. 

Gipson, P. S., R. S. Matlack, D. P. Jones, H. J. Abel, and A. E. Hynek.  1995.  Feral pigs, Sus scrofa, in Kansas.  Pp. 93-95 in Proceedings of the Fourteenth North American Prairie Conference: Prairie Biodiversity (D. C. Hartnett, ed.).  Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.

McMillan, B. R., D. W. Kaufman, G. A. Kaufman, and R. S. Matlack.  1997.  Mammals of Konza Prairie: new observations and an updated species list.  The Prairie Naturalist, 29:263-271.

Gipson, P. S., J. K. Veatch, R. S. Matlack, and D. P. Jones.  1999. Health status of a recently discovered population of feral swine in Kansas.  Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 35:624-627.

Matlack, R. S., P. S. Gipson, and D. W.  Kaufman.  2000.  The swift fox in cropland and rangeland: effects on abundance, mortality, and body size.  The Southwestern Naturalist, 45:221-225.

Matlack, R. S., D. W. Kaufman, and G. A. Kaufman.  2001.  Influence of grazing by bison and cattle on small mammals in burned tallgrass prairie.  The American Midland Naturalist, 146:361-368. 

Matlack, R. S., D. W. Kaufman, and R. E. Charlton.  2001.  First record of the cinereus shrew for Riley County, Kansas.  The Prairie Naturalist.  33(2):107-108.

Matlack, R. S., G. A. Kaufman, D. W. Kaufman, and B. R. McMillan.  2002.  Long-term dynamics of Elliot’s short-tailed shrew (Blarina hylophaga) in tallgrass prairie.  Journal of Mammalogy, 83(1): 280-289. 

Matlack, R. S., and R. L. Rehmeier.  2002.  Status of the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) in Kansas.  The Southwestern Naturalist.  47(2): 312-314. 

Rehmeier, R. L., and R. S. Matlack.  2004.  Thamnophis sirtalis Diet.  Journal of Kansas Herpetology.  11:15.

Matlack, R. S., R. L. Rehmeier, B. R. McMillan, D. W. Kaufman, and G. A. Kaufman.  2006.   Unusual disturbance of small-mammal live traps by American crows.  Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Sciences.  109:242-244. 

Poole, M. W. and R. S. Matlack. 2007.  Noteworthy records of the prairie vole and other small mammals from the panhandle of Texas.  Southwestern Naturalist 52(3): 442-445.

Matlack, R. S., D. W. Kaufman, and G. A. Kaufman.  2008.  Influence of woody vegetation on small mammals in tallgrass prairie.  American Midland Naturalist 160:7-19.

Baar, L., R. S. Matlack, W. P. Johnson, and R. B. Barron.  2008.  Migration chronology of non-breeding waterfowl in the Southern High Plains of Texas.  Waterbirds 31:394-401.

  Johnson, W. P., L. Baar, R. S. Matlack, and R. B. Barron.  2009.  Hatching chronology of ducks using playas in the Southern High Plains of Texas.  American Midland Naturalist.  Accepted.

Grants and Contracts

2002               Small mammal community ecology in Palo Duro Canyon: spatial variation in occurrence and abundance.  Raymond S. Matlack.  $4,810 award from Killgore Research Center, WTAMU.

2003               Temperature and relative humidity related to topography in Palo Duro Canyon.  $991 award from Killgore Research Center.

2004               Field identification, status, and habitat associations of the Palo Duro mouse (Peromyscus truei comanche) in Palo Duro Canyon.  Raymond S. Matlack.  $2,900 award from Killgore Research Center. 

2004               Population Survey of the Bats of Clarity Tunnel. Raymond S. Matlack.  $4,800 awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

2004               Use of playas by waterfowl and shorebirds: chronology, abundance, and the influence of landscape features. Raymond S. Matlack.  $3,289. awarded by  Killgore Research Center.

2004               Baseline survey of the mammals of Palo Duro Canyon State Park including Cañoncita Ranch.  Raymond S. Matlack. $4,998 awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

2005               Use of playas by waterfowl and shorebirds: chronology, abundance, and the influence of landscape features. Raymond S. Matlack. $7,400 awarded by Playa Lakes Joint Venture/Conoco Phillips.

2005               Ecological assessment of the Canadian River Breaks Ecoregion of Texas. R. S. Matlack and R. T. Kazmaier.  $95,000 awarded by Bureau of Land Management.

2005               Use of playas by waterfowl and other wetland birds: chronology, abundance, and the influence of landscape features. Raymond S. Matlack.  $30,000 awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 

2005               West Texas Export Seed Grant. Raymond S. Matlack. $8,000 awarded by Texas Tech Health Science Center.

2006                Baseline survey of the mammals of Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Raymond S. Matlack.   $4005 awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 

2006               STEP Phase 1:  Increasing Numbers, Connections, and Retention in Science and Engineering (INCRSE).  R. S. Matlack, CoPI.  $980,204 awarded by National Science Foundation.  

2006               Population survey of the bats of Clarity Tunnel, Caprock Canyons State Park.  Raymond S. Matlack.  $9,940 awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

2007               REU Site: Ecology and Environment of the Southern High Plains.  R. S. Matlack, PI.  $235,404 awarded by National Science Foundation. 

2008               Baseline inventory of mammals at Palo Duro Canyon State Park and population survey of bats at Clarity Tunnel.  Raymond S. Matlack.  $8,587.50 awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 

2008               Wildlife characterization and nuisance management re: population of bobcats.  Raymond S. Matlack.  $54,869 total awarded ($28,363 in FY 2008) by BWXT Pantex, LLC.

2008-2009     Baseline inventory of mammals at Palo Duro Canyon State Park and population survey of bats at Clarity Tunnel.  Raymond S. Matlack.  $9,600 awarded by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.