The UTA Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center (ARDRC) is among the top herpetological collections in the United States. The center has more than 200,000 specimens from about 90 different countries, making it one of the largest reptile and amphibian research collections in the world and the largest in the state of Texas. It contains numerous species which are now extinct. The center’s resources are frequently sought out by scientists from around the world for use in herpetological research. Approximately every 7.2 days, a peer-reviewed publication is released which utilizes specimens from the ARDRC’s collection.
The ARDRC’s resources are available for use by qualified individuals both on-site and by loan. For questions and more information regarding the use of the collection’s resources, please visit our Policies tab or contact us.
A Resource for UTA and Beyond...
Assisting the needs of our students, faculty and colleagues has resulted in an average of
one publication every 7.2 days using material from our collection.
Recent News
UTA Study: Asexual Reproduction Leads To Harmful Genetics Mutations
A team led by biologists at The University of Texas at Arlington has published a study supporting the theory that species that reproduce asexually have more harmful genetic mutations than those utilizing sexual reproduction. Jose Maldonado, a UTA doctoral student in...
Six New Species Of Minature Frog Discovered
Eric Smith, a professor of biology at The University of Texas at Arlington, and a team of international researchers have discovered six new species of miniature frogs in Mexico. These amphibians are so tiny that they fit on top of a Mexican coin with room to spare....
New Genomic Research Explains How Predator-Prey Relationships Drive Extreme Variation In Snake Venom
New research by a team including biologists at The University of Texas at Arlington provides fresh insight on how rattlesnakes evolve to maintain an advantage in the ongoing “arms race” between snake venom and prey...
Welcome to Snake Season
As average temperatures blaze into the mid-90s, Texas residents venturing outdoors may spot a few snakes slithering across their backyards or local walking trails. It’s snake season, and Greg Pandelis, curator of the Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research...
Boa Snakes, Horned Lizards and Lasting Lessons
On a sunny morning at the Arlington Public Library, a Brazilian rainbow boa wrapped itself around Greg Pandelis’ arms. The muscular snake, its eyes cloudy from shedding, stayed close as a classroom of attentive children watched. Pandelis, curator of the Amphibian...
UTA’S ARDRC Partners with Art Class for Specimen Exhibition at Gallery West
https://youtu.be/qa1tJBVfBk0 A new exhibition at The University of Texas at Arlington presents a fascinating glimpse of the intersection between art and science. UTA art students studied specimens from the UTA Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center...