iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Atelopus ignescens (the jambato) is a sentinel for environmental health. Please help us protect it from construction that doesn't follow local environmental regulations givebutter.com/XNVdrL If you are a geologist/engineer who could help advise on alts to dynamite for road construction pls DM me.

givebutter.com

Help Save the Jambato: Ecuador’s Last Population Is at Risk

By ALIANZA JAMBATO

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Do I know any journalists interested in covering a story about a highway and the last population of a frog? Please message me

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Valeria RC @vramirezc.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Part of our work was highlighted here: "Animals that eat poisons and don’t die". Take a look and enjoy the great Amazonian snakes that feed on poisonous frogs 🐸🐍!! @rdtarvin.bsky.social knowablemagazine.org/content/arti...

knowablemagazine.org

Animals that eat poisons and don’t die

Critters consuming species that contain deadly toxins have evolved a suite of clever strategies to keep out of harm’s way

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Reposted by Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin

Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

The new Wiley journal review system is an absolute nightmare. Editorial assistants have been replaced by a clunky, AI-enabled website that makes it harder to find and invite reviewers. Associate editor workloads have increased. I'm not convinced the invitations to reviewers are even going through.

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

Why are amphibian genomes soooo big? Let’s ruminate at 4pm #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 24/06/2025

After lunch, come digest and think about frogs eating toxins — 2:45 today #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Tonight! Toxic flies?! Come to the poster session to chat about flies adapting to nicotine #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Advances in understanding harlequin frog ttx defenses - today at 5:15 🐸

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Snakes that were once on a plane! 4pm today Monday 🐍 #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 22/06/2025

Today! A complex history of adaptations to high altitude in hummingbird hemoglobin genes from Maia Goel and Ammon Corl. B14 poster (Sunday) #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Informal @systbiol.bsky.social meet up on Monday evening! maps.app.goo.gl/hUB5PzhFX1Xm...

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Stand alone conference for @systbiol.bsky.social is going to be held Jan 9-11 2026 at LSU with a focus on natural history collections #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 21/06/2025

Hoy! Today! No herp skills required ! Come at 5:30 and do some fun networking & win prizes. See you there froggos 😎

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

if you're thinking of going to the science in solidarity event, which is at the same time, I think we can squeeze bingo into the first 30 min of the time slot :) come by!

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Calling all herpetologsts and friends at #Evol2025 — @amphibiaweb.org is hosting a meetup on Saturday from 5:30-6:30 in Oconee River 1. Come play herpetology bingo with us 😂 and win amazing prizes! 😮 please share or I will have to take all the prizes myself 🥹 🐸🧬

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Later that day I’ll tell you about why dendrobatid poison frogs have the largest and smallest anuran genomes measured to date! 🐸🧬 Tues June 24 4:00 pm Parthenon 2 7/7 #Evol2025 link to paper: doi.org/10.1093/evol...

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Tuesday we have two talks. First is Adri Jeckel who will provide an enticing first look at toxin feeding experiments in Epipedobates poison frogs. Can juveniles 👶 sequester as much toxins as adults? Come find out! Tues June 24 2:45 pm Parthenon 2 6/7 #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Monday evening during the poster session Sophie Draper will share some of the results from our mad scientist project to evolve chemical defense in fruit flies 🤯🪰 Mon June 23 5:45 pm Grand Hall 2-7 D17 (23rd) 5/7 #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Then in the same session María José Navarrete Méndez will present NEW data exploring the evolution of chemical defenses in the increíble harlequin frogs 🐸and the possible involvement of bacteria 🤔🧫 Mon June 23 5:15 pm in Parthenon 2 4/6 #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

We have two talks on Monday. First Valeria Ramírez Castañeda @mvzucb.bsky.social will talk about the complex ways that Amazonian snakes 🐍 deal with poisonous frogs, featuring previously unknown resistance mechanisms for some alkaloids. Mon June 23 4:00 pm in Parthenon 2 3/6 #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

First talk is by Leticia Ochoa Ochoa, visiting prof from UNAM. Leti is presenting some of her sabbatical research at @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social —what is known about estivation in amphibians?? 🐸 Come find out how it might relate to conservation😮 Sat June 21 10:00am Parthenon 2 2/6 #Evol2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Heading to #Evol2025 with the lab. We have four talks and one poster this year! Come chat with us about chemical defenses. Talk details below 🐍🐸🧬🧪🪰☠️ 1/6 @mvzucb.bsky.social @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

"Your reps (esp. dems) are cut off from info. coming from fed agencies under the executive branch. They are learning about science cuts from us, or from the media, so when you learn about terminated grants, interference in free speech, etc, call or mail your reps to inform them." 4/4

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

"Focus your letter writing and phone calling wisely, on those in power (GOP), and on those who need to be persuaded (GOP). So those of you in “red states” are most important in advocating for science. Find common ground with opponents of science funding to try to persuade them." 3/4

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

"Send your representatives specific, personal, heart-warming stories of the benefits of science funding, and also examples of the harm done by cuts to science. Be sure it connects with everyday lives in ways anyone can relate to." 2/4

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Being a field biologist means embracing uncertainty, rolling with the punches, and keeping up a positive demeanor. That's why field biologists are so fun!! Cheers to y'all <3 🐸🌿🧪

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Reposted by Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin

Dr. David Miller 🏳️‍🌈 @davidimiller.bsky.social · 31/05/2025

🚨🚨 Friday night news drop from National Science Foundation!! 🧪 NSF just released its detailed budget request for next year: nsf-gov-resources.nsf.gov/files/00-NSF... We knew it was going to be bad...and it lives up. Guts direct NSF support for a **quarter million people** 🧵 on some highlights...

Senior Researchers 60,400 --> 16,900
Other Professionals 14,400 --> 4,100
Postdoctoral Associates 5,500 --> 1,000
Graduate Students 41,500 --> 12,400
Undergraduate Students 37,300 --> 8,000
PreK-12 Teachers 42,900 --> 8,200
PreK-12 Students 128,100 --> 39,400
Total Number of People 330,100 --> 90,000

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

"It’s a remarkable quarter-century arc for an infotech company to go from revolutionizing search by using PageRank as a way of prioritizing results from influential and trusted sites, to grabbing any old random bullshit from the web and offering that up to its users in the guise of an AI Overview."

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Reposted by Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin

Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 23/05/2025

Very pleased that our online course about how to learn and thrive in an online world (thebullshitmachines.com) is mentioned in @johnthornhill.bsky.social's latest Financial Times piece.

thebullshitmachines.com

Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines: Introduction

A free online humanities course about how to learn and work and thrive in an AI world.

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Reposted by Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin

Andrew Curry @andrewcurry.com · 02/05/2025

It's great to see research on this is growing. I wrote about a case study in Indigenous persistence from California a few years ago. @lmpanich.bsky.social and others have shown local communities outlasted the arrival of Spanish missions: archaeology.org/issues/may-j...

archaeology.org

Letter from the Bay Area - California's Coastal Homelands - Archaeology Magazine - May/June 2022

How Native Americans defied Spanish missionaries and preserved their way of life

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 30/04/2025

Hello Quito! We are here to film our field sites to make a virtual field trip for Ecuadorian and US students to learn more about fieldwork and scientific collection in the classroom 🐸🧪

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Reposted by Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin

Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Two more! 🐸 The activity involved both building dating profiles and then SPEED DATING among participants. It was very funny. 4/4

rana boylii: Shy guy, looking to start a large family, likes singing in groups but is quiet on my own. Must love water and the outdoors, rock climbing. Fashionistas preferred

Rana catesbeiana: Large and heavy-bodied, I am a mottled king of the lower foothills and mountains. I am large, in charge, and loud.

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Reposted by Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin

Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

I really loved the creativity of the participants & look forward to doing the activity again with different groups! At some point we will post it on @amphibiaweb.bsky.social for everyone to use! 🐸 Warnings: some content is for adults only. Some content not scientific or validated! 3/4

Oophaga sylvatica: Poisonous but charming. I’m a vibrant Oophaga sylvatica—jungle-born, rain-soaked, and dangerously cute. I wear my heart (and toxins) on my skin. Looking for a mate who’s bold, bright, and not afraid of a little risk. Bonus points if you love leaf litter and long hops on the forest floor.

Ensatina eschscholtzii: I am a medium-sized salamander. I have big eyes and beautiful colors that may vary with your mood

Ambystoma mexicanum: I am the most adorable amphibian you will find. I retain some characteristics from my early development in my adult life. Neotenia, it’s called.
I’m Mexican, and because it’s Semana Santa, Holy Week, you should know that some nuns from a monastery were involved in restoring some of my populations. I’ve always been perceived as sacred and holy. I only live in Xochimilco and another lake, and mostly in zoo, Aquaria and people’s homes cause they keep me as a pet.
I’ve always been a sacred animal for the Aztecs! Also the most charismatic stuffed amphibian you’ll buy online.

Andrias japonicus: My pronouns are they/them. I may be a big muscular salamander, but I like to lay low. I’m a creature of the night. Seeking open relationships. Come visit my mansion - it’s fully paid off.

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

Two more! 🐸 The activity involved both building dating profiles and then SPEED DATING among participants. It was very funny. 4/4

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

This was so fun to design. Here are the learning goals: 1. Learn how to find reliable information about amphibians 2. Learn some unforgettable amphibian fun facts 3. Learn what species of amphibians live in the Bay Area 4. Gain some intuition about amphibian biology based on their morphology 2/4

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 20/04/2025

This weekend I demo'd a learning activity in which participants make dating profiles for an amphibian dating app called SlimeMates 🐸🌿🧪 1/4

icon for pretend dating app called SlimeMates. cartoon frog with heart-shaped pupils smiling at you. coral pink background

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Reposted by Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin

American Museum of Natural History @amnh.org · 17/04/2025

Join us at the next SciCafe on Wednesday, May 7! Jessica Goodheart, assistant curator in the Museum’s Division of Invertebrate Zoology, will be talking about sea slugs & nudibranchs! SciCafe is 21+ and free with RSVP. For more details and to reserve tickets, visit: bit.ly/4ipH4WC

bit.ly

Sea Slugs: Using Toxin for Defense - May 7 | AMNH

Discover how sea slugs steal toxins to survive, rewriting the rules of survival in their underwater world.

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

This Saturday, the California National Geographic Explorer's Hub is putting on an event in collaboration with Sports Basement and NerdNite SF! There will be >20 lightning talks about all sorts of things! Click here to learn more and RSVP: sites.google.com/view/wonderf...

Why newts are cool and you should go see them

An illuminated newt under the night sky sitting upright

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Dr. Rebecca (Becca) Tarvin @rdtarvin.bsky.social · 13/04/2025

Shout out to the Turtle Frog, Myobatrachus gouldii, from Australia. Image from Vertucci et al. 2017 journals.plos.org/plosone/arti... 🌿🐸🧪

four images of the front, top, and side a small globular frog with large black and alien-like eyes, smooth purple-brown body in the shape of a turtle

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