World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
James R. Spotila

James R. Spotila

D-Index & Metrics

Ecology and Evolution

D-Index
72
Citations
14529
World Ranking
1261
National Ranking
463

James R. Spotila publications per year

1970: 2 publications 1971: 0 publications 1972: 2 publications 1973: 1 publications 1974: 1 publications 1975: 2 publications 1976: 4 publications 1977: 4 publications 1978: 7 publications 1979: 4 publications 1980: 4 publications 1981: 1 publications 1982: 3 publications 1983: 2 publications 1984: 5 publications 1985: 3 publications 1986: 1 publications 1987: 7 publications 1988: 1 publications 1989: 6 publications 1990: 2 publications 1991: 0 publications 1992: 3 publications 1993: 1 publications 1994: 13 publications 1995: 0 publications 1996: 2 publications 1997: 1 publications 1998: 4 publications 1999: 1 publications 2000: 4 publications 2001: 8 publications 2002: 8 publications 2003: 2 publications 2004: 10 publications 2005: 6 publications 2006: 9 publications 2007: 10 publications 2008: 10 publications 2009: 5 publications 2010: 5 publications 2011: 9 publications 2012: 12 publications 2013: 4 publications 2014: 3 publications 2015: 15 publications 2016: 7 publications 2017: 7 publications 2018: 1 publications 2019: 3 publications 2020: 5 publications 2021: 5 publications 2022: 0 publications 2023: 2 publications 2024: 4 publications 2025: 3 publications
1970 2025

244 publications in total across all disciplines

James R. Spotila publication distribution in Ecology and Evolution in 2026

The chart shows the distribution of publications by all Research.com ranked scientists in the field of Ecology and Evolution in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where James R. Spotila sits on this spectrum.

37–41 publications: 2 scientists 42–46 publications: 9 scientists 47–51 publications: 10 scientists 52–56 publications: 31 scientists 57–61 publications: 56 scientists 62–66 publications: 91 scientists 67–71 publications: 92 scientists 72–76 publications: 127 scientists 77–81 publications: 173 scientists 82–86 publications: 236 scientists 87–91 publications: 227 scientists 92–96 publications: 240 scientists 97–101 publications: 333 scientists 102–106 publications: 280 scientists 107–111 publications: 300 scientists 112–116 publications: 285 scientists 117–121 publications: 305 scientists 122–126 publications: 287 scientists 127–131 publications: 278 scientists 132–136 publications: 289 scientists 137–141 publications: 273 scientists 142–146 publications: 262 scientists 147–151 publications: 246 scientists 152–156 publications: 235 scientists 157–161 publications: 205 scientists 162–166 publications: 199 scientists 167–171 publications: 174 scientists 172–176 publications: 164 scientists 177–181 publications: 173 scientists 182–186 publications: 189 scientists 187–191 publications: 170 scientists 192–196 publications: 139 scientists 197–201 publications: 128 scientists 202–206 publications: 117 scientists 207–211 publications: 115 scientists 212–216 publications: 107 scientists 217–221 publications: 124 scientists 222–226 publications: 81 scientists 227–231 publications: 82 scientists 232–236 publications: 85 scientists 237–241 publications: 75 scientists 242–246 publications: 66 scientists 247–251 publications: 81 scientists 252–256 publications: 69 scientists 257–261 publications: 70 scientists 262–266 publications: 55 scientists 267–271 publications: 64 scientists 272–276 publications: 49 scientists 277–281 publications: 48 scientists 282–286 publications: 44 scientists 287–291 publications: 45 scientists 292–296 publications: 36 scientists 297–301 publications: 39 scientists 302–306 publications: 38 scientists 307–311 publications: 30 scientists 312–316 publications: 34 scientists 317–321 publications: 25 scientists 322–326 publications: 22 scientists 327–331 publications: 28 scientists 332–336 publications: 30 scientists 337–341 publications: 22 scientists 342–346 publications: 30 scientists 347–351 publications: 26 scientists 352–356 publications: 22 scientists 357–361 publications: 29 scientists 362–366 publications: 21 scientists 367–371 publications: 12 scientists 372–376 publications: 18 scientists 377–381 publications: 17 scientists 382–386 publications: 13 scientists 387–391 publications: 21 scientists 392–396 publications: 13 scientists 397–401 publications: 10 scientists 402–406 publications: 15 scientists 407–411 publications: 8 scientists 412–416 publications: 9 scientists 417–421 publications: 8 scientists 422–426 publications: 4 scientists 427–431 publications: 10 scientists 432–436 publications: 10 scientists 437–441 publications: 5 scientists 442–446 publications: 4 scientists 447–451 publications: 10 scientists 452–456 publications: 2 scientists 457–461 publications: 4 scientists 462–466 publications: 7 scientists 467–471 publications: 7 scientists 472–476 publications: 6 scientists 477–481 publications: 6 scientists 482–486 publications: 3 scientists 487–491 publications: 3 scientists 492–496 publications: 4 scientists 497–501 publications: 4 scientists 502–506 publications: 8 scientists 507–511 publications: 5 scientists 512–516 publications: 4 scientists 517–521 publications: 5 scientists 522–526 publications: 4 scientists 527–530 publications: 5 scientists 531+ publications: 100 scientists
37 publications 531+

This scientist: 235 publications — 82nd percentile

82% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 531 publications or more.

James R. Spotila D-index placement in Ecology and Evolution in 2026

The chart shows the D-index (discipline H-index) distribution of Ecology and Evolution scientists ranked by Research.com in 2026. The highlighted bar marks where James R. Spotila sits on this spectrum.

30 D-Index: 95 scientists 31 D-Index: 123 scientists 32 D-Index: 191 scientists 33 D-Index: 245 scientists 34 D-Index: 252 scientists 35 D-Index: 244 scientists 36 D-Index: 249 scientists 37 D-Index: 244 scientists 38 D-Index: 254 scientists 39 D-Index: 254 scientists 40 D-Index: 280 scientists 41 D-Index: 274 scientists 42 D-Index: 266 scientists 43 D-Index: 233 scientists 44 D-Index: 248 scientists 45 D-Index: 208 scientists 46 D-Index: 201 scientists 47 D-Index: 213 scientists 48 D-Index: 207 scientists 49 D-Index: 172 scientists 50 D-Index: 209 scientists 51 D-Index: 199 scientists 52 D-Index: 153 scientists 53 D-Index: 169 scientists 54 D-Index: 163 scientists 55 D-Index: 148 scientists 56 D-Index: 120 scientists 57 D-Index: 146 scientists 58 D-Index: 137 scientists 59 D-Index: 140 scientists 60 D-Index: 104 scientists 61 D-Index: 119 scientists 62 D-Index: 118 scientists 63 D-Index: 99 scientists 64 D-Index: 77 scientists 65 D-Index: 100 scientists 66 D-Index: 86 scientists 67 D-Index: 83 scientists 68 D-Index: 75 scientists 69 D-Index: 94 scientists 70 D-Index: 57 scientists 71 D-Index: 68 scientists 72 D-Index: 59 scientists 73 D-Index: 63 scientists 74 D-Index: 66 scientists 75 D-Index: 60 scientists 76 D-Index: 42 scientists 77 D-Index: 49 scientists 78 D-Index: 39 scientists 79 D-Index: 37 scientists 80 D-Index: 43 scientists 81 D-Index: 41 scientists 82 D-Index: 45 scientists 83 D-Index: 34 scientists 84 D-Index: 40 scientists 85 D-Index: 35 scientists 86 D-Index: 55 scientists 87 D-Index: 24 scientists 88 D-Index: 24 scientists 89 D-Index: 30 scientists 90 D-Index: 23 scientists 91 D-Index: 25 scientists 92 D-Index: 27 scientists 93 D-Index: 27 scientists 94 D-Index: 13 scientists 95 D-Index: 23 scientists 96 D-Index: 12 scientists 97 D-Index: 14 scientists 98 D-Index: 19 scientists 99 D-Index: 16 scientists 100 D-Index: 14 scientists 101 D-Index: 5 scientists 102 D-Index: 21 scientists 103 D-Index: 16 scientists 104 D-Index: 10 scientists 105 D-Index: 7 scientists 106 D-Index: 7 scientists 107 D-Index: 7 scientists 108 D-Index: 6 scientists 109 D-Index: 9 scientists 110 D-Index: 11 scientists 111 D-Index: 12 scientists 112 D-Index: 9 scientists 113 D-Index: 7 scientists 114 D-Index: 3 scientists 115 D-Index: 8 scientists 116 D-Index: 5 scientists 117 D-Index: 11 scientists 118 D-Index: 4 scientists 119 D-Index: 2 scientists 120 D-Index: 5 scientists 121+ D-Index: 100 scientists
30 D-Index 121+

This scientist: 72 D-Index — 86th percentile

86% of scientists in this discipline score the same or lower.

The last bar groups every scientist with 121 D-Index or more.

Overview

James R. Spotila is affiliated with Drexel University in the United States. Their research focuses on environmental science, with specific attention to nature and landscape conservation, ecology, global and planetary change, genetics, and virology. The primary topics of their work include turtle biology and conservation, amphibian and reptile biology, wildlife ecology and conservation, rabies epidemiology and control, animal behavior and reproduction, animal behavior and welfare studies, and physiological and biochemical adaptations.

Spotila has collaborated frequently with several coauthors, including Frank V. Paladino, Pilar Santidrián Tomillo, Jacob R. Owens, Wenlei Bi, and Dunwu Qi. The research has been published in a variety of scientific venues, with Marine Biology and Scientific Reports being the most frequent. Other notable journals where their work appears include Chelonian Conservation and Biology, BioEssays, and Biological Conservation.

Selected recent papers by Spotila include:
Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Sea Turtles in the Context of Climate Change: Uncovering the Adaptive Significance, 2020, published in BioEssays.
Enhanced, coordinated conservation efforts required to avoid extinction of critically endangered Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles, 2020, published in Scientific Reports.
Short-term gain, long-term loss: How a widely-used conservation tool could further threaten sea turtles, 2021, published in Biological Conservation.
Body size constrains maternal investment in a small sea turtle species, 2020, published in Marine Biology.
Free-roaming dogs limit habitat use of giant pandas in nature reserves, 2020, published in Scientific Reports.

  • Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Sea Turtles in the Context of Climate Change: Uncovering the Adaptive Significance (2020, BioEssays)
  • Enhanced, coordinated conservation efforts required to avoid extinction of critically endangered Eastern Pacific leatherback turtles (2020, Scientific Reports)
  • Short-term gain, long-term loss: How a widely-used conservation tool could further threaten sea turtles (2021, Biological Conservation)
  • Body size constrains maternal investment in a small sea turtle species (2020, Marine Biology)
  • Free-roaming dogs limit habitat use of giant pandas in nature reserves (2020, Scientific Reports)

  • Frank V. Paladino
  • Pilar Santidrián Tomillo
  • Jacob R. Owens
  • Wenlei Bi
  • Dunwu Qi

  • Marine Biology
  • Scientific Reports
  • Chelonian Conservation and Biology
  • BioEssays
  • Biological Conservation

  • Turtle Biology and Conservation
  • Amphibian and Reptile Biology
  • Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
  • Rabies epidemiology and control
  • Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
  • Physiological and biochemical adaptations

  • Nature and Landscape Conservation
  • Ecology
  • Global and Planetary Change
  • Genetics
  • Virology

The range of journals, coauthors, and interdisciplinary topics reflect a multifaceted approach toward understanding and conserving wildlife, particularly sea turtles and other species affected by environmental change. The work spans both field-based conservation strategies and broader ecological and genetic analyses within the field of environmental science.

Best Publications

  • Global research priorities for sea turtles: informing management and conservation in the 21st century

    M. Hamann;M.H. Godfrey;J.A. Seminoff;K. Arthur

  • Thermal melanism in ectotherms

    Susana Clusella Trullas;Susana Clusella Trullas;Johannes H. van Wyk;James R. Spotila

  • Pacific leatherback turtles face extinction.

    James R. Spotila;Richard D. Reina;Anthony C. Steyermark;Pamela T. Plotkin

  • Role of Temperature and Water in the Ecology of Lungless Salamanders

    Unknown

  • Metabolism of leatherback turtles, gigantothermy, and thermoregulation of dinosaurs

    Frank V. Paladino;Michael P. O'Connor;James R. Spotila

  • Persistent leatherback turtle migrations present opportunities for conservation.

    George L Shillinger;Daniel M Palacios;Daniel M Palacios;Helen Bailey;Steven J Bograd

  • Temperature dependent sex determination in sea turtles

    Edward A. Standora;James R. Spotila

  • Determination of skin resistance and the role of the skin in controlling water loss in amphibians and reptiles

    James R. Spotila;Evan N. Berman

  • Nesting Ecology of the Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, at Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, Costa Rica: 1988–1989 to 1999–2000

    Richard David Reina;Philippe A Mayor;James R Spotila;Rotney Piedra

  • Sea Turtles: A Complete Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation

    James R. Spotila

  • The effect of the El Niño Southern Oscillation on the reproductive frequency of eastern Pacific leatherback turtles

    Vincent S. Saba;Pilar Santidrián‐Tomillo;Richard D. Reina;James R. Spotila

  • Migration Corridor for Sea-Turtles

    Stephen J. Morreale;Edward A. Standora;James R. Spotila;Frank V. Paladino

  • Low reproductive success of leatherback turtles, Dermochelys coriacea, is due to high embryonic mortality

    Barbara A. Bell;James R. Spotila;Frank V. Paladino;Richard D. Reina

  • Physiological constraints on organismal response to global warming: Mechanistic insights from clinally varying populations and implications for assessing endangerment.

    Joseph Bernardo;James R Spotila

  • Sequence and Expression Analysis of WT1 and Sox9 in the Red-Eared Slider Turtle, Trachemys scripta

    Loretta D. Spotila;Loretta D. Spotila;James R. Spotila;Sarah E. Hall

  • Seasonal variation in heat shock proteins (hsp 70) in stream fish under natural conditions

    Susan C. Fader;Zhongmo Yu;James R. Spotila

  • Temperature dependent sex determination in the green turtle (Chelonia mydas): effects on the sex ratio on a natural nesting beach

    James R. Spotila;Edward A. Standora;Stephen J. Morreale;Georgita J. Ruiz

  • A Mathematical Model for Body Temperatures of Large Reptiles: Implications for Dinosaur Ecology

    James R. Spotila;Paul W. Lommen;George S. Bakken;David M. Gates

  • Sex Determination and Sex Ratios of Pacific Leatherback Turtles, Dermochelys coriacea

    Christopher A. Binckley;James R. Spotila;Kathryne S. Wilson;Frank V. Paladino

  • Alien plant threatens Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) breeding in Lake St. Lucia, South Africa.

    A.J. Leslie;A.J. Leslie;J.R. Spotila

  • Biology of the Reptilia

    James R. Spotila

Frequent Co-Authors

Frank V. Paladino
Frank V. Paladino Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne
Richard D. Reina
Richard D. Reina Monash University
Bryan P. Wallace
Bryan P. Wallace Duke University
Helen Bailey
Helen Bailey University of Maryland Center For Environmental Sciences
Vincent S. Saba
Vincent S. Saba National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Steven J. Bograd
Steven J. Bograd National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Barbara A. Block
Barbara A. Block Stanford University
Peter H. Dutton
Peter H. Dutton National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Jeffrey A. Seminoff
Jeffrey A. Seminoff National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
John A. Musick
John A. Musick Virginia Institute of Marine Science

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Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

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Finally, strong quantitative skills are essential in ecology, and earning a math degree online can prepare you for analytical roles in research and data-driven conservation.

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