Fig. 1 from Liner and Cole (2003), where it is also noted that Dessauer’s appearance earned him the nickname “Dr. Sexauer” and invited comparison to “a Greek God.”
Herbert C. Dessauer, whose 1981 report with Dan Shochat on “Comparative immunological study of albumins of Anolis lizards of the Caribbean islands” was among the very first attempts to reconstruct molecular phylogenetic relationships across Anolis, died earlier this month after a brief illnes. For most of his career, Dessauer was professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at LSU’s Medical Center, where he frequently collaborated with scientists at LSU’s Museum of Natural History. In addition to his 1981 classic, Dessauer was an author on numerous reports on molecular genetics of Anolis during the 1970s, often in collaboration with Dan Shochat and George Gorman. These three scientists, together with a handful of others, provided the foundation for modern molecular genetic studies of anoles. The significance of Dessauer’s contributions to anole biology are particularly noteworthy because he built his distinguished career working primarily with other systems. Indeed, Dessauer’s work with anoles doesn’t even warrant mention in a list of his accomplishments that appears in a historical perspective on his career by fellow herpetologists Ernest Liner and Charles Cole.
Nevertheless, Shochat and Dessauer’s results had a range of important implications for anole systematists; for example, they were among the first to convincingly reject reciprocal monophyly of the alpha and beta series diagnosed previously by Etheridge on the basis of morphological variation (and later diagnosed as distinct genera by Savage). Shochat and Dessauer’s results were a topic of debate in the anole phylogenetics community since before they were even published, and featured prominently in the Third Anolis Newsletter from 1977, where Shochat discussed preliminary results and Ernest Williams critiqued this work. Although Willams appreciated Shochat and Dessauer’s efforts, and understood the potential vale of the data they were obtaining, he ultimately concluded by asking”What does the new evidence [from Shochat and Dessauer] explain that the old Etheridgean scheme did not?” and answering “very little” (emphasis in original). In hindsight, I think his critique was unfair. The molecular genetic evidence they provided proved very convincing to many anole biologists of the day and many of the relationships they recovered remain well-supported, including some groups that conflicted with those recovered by previous morphological analyses and favored by Williams in the 1970s.
As I’ve mentioned previously, some biographers believe that Dessauer’s contributions to anole biology barely deserve mention among all of his other accomplishments. In searching the Google Books database for more information on Dessauer’s contributions, you can get sense for the extent of his pioneering influence. In a remembrance of the famous bird systematist Charles Sibley, Alan Brush places Dessauer alongside Sibley and the primate systematist Morris Goodman as the founders of molecular systematics. In his book Parasites and Infectious Disease: Discovery by Serendipity and Otherwise, Gerald Desch relates stories of Dessauer’s early days implementing molecular genetic analyses and teaching to others to do similar work. I didn’t know Herb Dessauer, but given such anecdotes and the remarkable list of collaborative studies he published, it seems clear that he was not only a pioneer, but also a leader, who inspired others and drove them to advance science in new and interesting ways.
In spite of his many accomplishments, I hope that, given how much Dessauer’s work on anoles influenced myself and other anole biologists, that we see it mentioned in the scientific obituaries that are sure to appear in the coming months.
- JMIH 2014: Early Records of Fossil Anolis from the Oligocene and Miocene of Florida, USA - August 13, 2014
- JMIH 2014: Relative Contribution of Genetic and Ecological Factors to Morphological Differentiation in Island Populations of Anolis sagrei - August 7, 2014
- JMIH 2014: The Ultrastructure of Spermatid Development within the Anole, Anolis sagrei - August 5, 2014
James Lazell
I met Herb on several occasions and remember him well. George Gorman, my contemporary, was a great friend; whatever became of him? Ah, time…. Skip
George Gorman
Skip,
Thanks for your inquiry.
I’m alive and well. Sadly, I am a fallen herpetologist. I went over to the dark side. But, seeking redemption, I am currently involved with Ray Huey and others on a study of temperature effects on A. cristatellus reproductive cycles in Puerto Rico (reprising work of 40 years ago) ; and also involved with several conservation organizations that focus on Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Also have done a bit of teaching (conservation seminars). I hope our paths do cross again.
George Gorman
I would like to thank Rich Glor for promptly getting the word out to the Anolis community on the passing of Herb Dessauer, a great friend and mentor.
Rich gives credit to Herb’s role in anolology, but expresses some surprise (or disappointment) that this role was barely mentioned in the Historical Perspective on his career that was published some years ago in Copeia by Jay Cole and Ernie Liner.
Here’s my interpretation. Unlike Charles Sibley who was primarily an ornithologist with a specific abiding interest in the relationships among bird taxa, and who used biochemical techniques in pursuit of specific research interests, Herb was a broadly trained multidisciplinary scientist with a passion for biochemistry, a general interest in herpetology, and a welcoming partner for those who approached him with research problems.
When I first wrote to Herb in 1963 (and Wade Fox, his then very close collaborator and more conventionally known member of the herpetologcial community),
I knew nothing of molecular systematics but knew that their lab had techniques that might help me sort out whether two putative species were different and whether or not they were hybridizing. I had hoped that I could send specimens to L.S.U. and that they would provide me with the answers. Instead, Herb invited me to his lab , and patiently put up with my less than stellar lab techniques. This, in turn led to collaborative studies on broader phylogenetic questions involving Lesser Antillean species groups. Then, in 1970 I met Dan Shochat in Israel where I was spending a post-doctoral year in the genetics department of Hebrew University of Jerusalem primarily working on reptilian cytogenetics. Dan was a zoology grad student , but a biochemist at heart, not particularly happy with his niche at HUJ.
I recommended that he think about applying to Herb’s lab for his Ph.D., and, of course I naturally encouraged a phylogenetic analysis of Anolis. .. All of which happened. (Dan went on to a successful and major career in the biotech industry …looks back fondly on his relationship with Herb, but is even more dropped out of Anolis biology than I).
In sum, Anolis happened to come to Herb’s lab…. but Anolis per se were far less central to Herb’s scientific life than was encouraging and supporting the research of students, post-docs and collaborators….whatever their problem or primary organism. There is an asymmetry in the relationship. Herb played a key role in the history of anolology, but anoles played at best a supporting role in his diverse contributions to herpetology and biochemical systematics.
Willie Patin
So proud to say Herb was my first cousin..
He was a WW ll veteran in USAAir Force
As kids , my brother and I , collected lizards along the River Front at Napoleon Av.
We brought to Herb.
For his studies.
He gave lectures aboard US Navy Air Craft during the war.
Speaking to all upper commanders of the
USN fleet.
Explaining the Nuclear Artillery.
Stayed in touch with him until he passed
In Fayetteville, Ark.
What a brilliant Man!
wuzzfuzzla@att.net