It is well-known that women are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), but the extent of this underrepresentation varies among STEM fields. Analyzing gender demographics of publications within a field is an effective means of quantifying representation because of the importance of publications to scientists' careers and to the scientific community. We created a data set consisting of all publications accessed with a database search on each taxonomic order of herpetofauna (Anura, Caudata, Gymnophiona, Testudines, Crocodylia, Rhynchocephalia, and Squamata) as well as squamate suborders (Amphisbaenia, Lacertilia, Serpentes) from 2010 to 2019, and another data set with all publications on Lacertilia and Serpentes from 1970 to 2019, and used these data sets to estimate the genders of authors. During the past decade, our estimates show that male authors outnumbered female authors 2.24:1, with especially low levels of authorship by females in studies on Gymnophiona, Crocodylia, and Squamata. However, female authorship increased steadily during the decade. While male first authors also outnumbered females 1.95:1, male last authors outnumbered females 3.30:1, and male sole authors outnumbered females 5.29:1. Papers with female first authors or last authors were more likely to have female coauthors than were papers with male first authors or last authors. Papers with female first authors were more likely to be cited than papers with male first authors, and papers with female last authors were less likely to be cited than those with male last authors. Finally, qualitative analysis of authorship estimates in studies on lizards and snakes over the past 50 yr show that female authors represented about 10–15% of authors from 1970 to 2000, followed by a rapid rise in female authorship over the past 20 yr to current rates of >30% female authorship. Our data suggest that the gender gap in herpetology, which has traditionally appeared to be a male-dominated field, is slowly narrowing.

Metachrosis, or color change, in reptiles is used for thermoregulation, crypsis, and many other purposes. The mechanism and function of metachrosis remain unknown for many species, however, especially snakes. Anecdotal observations suggest that some snake species, including rattlesnakes, undergo varying degrees of color change when captured and confined. A possible explanation for this color change is the increase in plasma levels of the primary stress hormone, corticosterone (CORT). In this study, we implanted Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus helleri ) with either CORT or sham silastic implants and photographed them under standardized lighting in a curtained box at the time of implant and 2 and 4 wk postimplant. We quantified light value (brightness or darkness) of the dark and light bands of the subjects' tails and examined the relationships of these variables to baseline CORT levels (CORT level at time of capture) as well as CORT levels after 1 h of acute confinement stress. CORT-treated snakes had higher baseline CORT than control snakes, but treatment had no direct effect on color. Regardless of treatment group, baseline CORT was positively correlated with lighter light bands, but had no relationship with the dark bands. Additionally, the magnitude of the CORT increase during acute stress was related to greater increase in contrast between light and dark bands. Defensive behavior was negatively correlated with contrast. We discuss potential reasons for the relationship between stress, defensive behavior, and color change.