QSP Student Caitilin McCracken

Master's thesis

My Master’s thesis concerns the chuckwalla (genus Sauromalus), a group of large, iguanid lizards. Under the guidance of Dr. Jim I. Mead, my analysis consists of a comparative osteological description of isolated cranial elements, noting the range of observed variation in the expression of morphological features of Sauromalus spp.. If the analysis reveals discrete morphological characters, this may permit specific-level identification of Sauromalus.

In addition to a comparative osteological description of isolated cranial elements of Sauromalus, an osteological comparison of Sauromalus to Ctenosaura will also be made. Furthermore, I will present an evaluation of Sauromalus fossils, recovered from Rampart Cave located in the Grand Canyon of Arizona. A CT scan of Sauromalus, performed at the High-Resolution X-Ray Computed Tomography Facility at the University of Texas at Austin (UTCT), will also be included.

You can read more about my thesis or download my CV.

Undergraduate degree

Though born and raised a New Englander, I escaped to Texas (it’s a state of mind!) in order to continue my studies at UT Austin. In May of 2001, I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology (heavy emphasis upon archaeology) and a minor in Geology.

Background/experience

Throughout my career as a student, I have had experience with the specifics of an assortment of research areas. While studying archaeology, I learned archeological theory and hands-on technique (survey, surface excavation, grid/profile excavation, GIS/GPS, lab processing, etc.). My undergraduate thesis was an analysis of the use-wear patterns of an obsidian prismatic blade collection from a mayan site on coastal Belize. I have some experience in botany, having been employed at the University of Texas at Austin Herbarium/Plant Resources Center for three and a half years. Once at NAU, I pursued my intrigue with paleontology. Major areas of research have been the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. I have participated as a field assistant in dinosaur, Pleistocene fossil and mammoth excavations, cave prospecting/ surface collection, and packrat midden collection and processing.

Currently, I am a graduate research assistant for Dr. Mead. I am responsible for maintenance of the Laboratory of Quaternary Paleontology and National Park Service Repository fossil collection, in addition to the processing and cataloguing of collection specimens.

Interests

This is a hard one to narrow down. Bones, bones, bones! I see them as these fascinating works of art comparable to the most stunning of artistic masterpieces. And of course SQUAMATES rule! I am very intrigued by evolution and phylogenetic systematics and the forces that drive this phenomenon. Paleoenvironmental reconstructions are equally fascinating. It is sometimes easy to forget that this world is ever-changing and was/will be an entirely different place than what we know today. I am fascinated by the potential and utility of CT scanning (digital morphology) in the field of paleontology. It allows for such amazing insights. I love to cook, eat, drink and be merry (my Italian/Scotch-Irish blood). I am revived by hiking and camping and traveling anywhere and everywhere. Cacti/succulents are my favorite plants. I am in awe of all of the beauty on this earth. More importantly, I think that one should be aware of the environment and be as eco-friendly as possible. Recycle! Compost! Go organic! Ride your bike! And always take time to gaze at the clouds and the stars….

My trip to Seri

In December 2005, I had the good fortune to accompany Dr. Gary Nabhan of NAU's Center for Sustainable Environments on a trip down to the land of the Seri Indian (also known as the Comca’ac). This area extends along the coast of northern Sonora, Mexico and onto the islands in the Sea of Cortés.  We explored this fascinating area, and in particular, visited the Seri villages of Punta Chueca and Desemboque. In each village, we participated in a number of activities with the Seri.  Being the most pertinent to my Master’s thesis, there is a chuckwalla captive breeding exhibit in Punta Chueca. These chuckwallas are Sauromalus varius, from Isla San Esteban, Sea of Cortés, and are an insular endemic deserving of special protection. This exhibit encourages the Seri community to remain involved in the protection and celebration of its reptilian neighbors.  The captive breeding has been a great success and had reached its maximum holding capacity. Therefore, in December 2005, Gary Nabhan, the Seri and I, participated in the organization, removal, and relocation of two chuckwallas from the exhibit.  The pictures on this page are from that trip. It was absolutely amazing.

“And I am struck once again by the unutterable beauty, terror and strangeness of everything we think we know.” — Edward Abbey