Research Background and Interests
~ My background encompasses the ecology, behavior,
physiology, and evolution of terrestrial arthropods. I am primarily
interested in how spiders solve
the everyday problems that they face
within their respective habitats. My research has focused primarily in the
areas of Behavioral and Physiological Ecology, and includes or has
included work on mating and reproductive strategies (in flies and
spiders), parasite foraging, anti-predator strategies, host-parasite
interactions, cocoon architecture, and evolution and adaptation. I have a
number of publications relating
to these interests.
Current Research
~ I am currently involved (1986 to present)
in a number of research projects, and my senior research students are
engaged in various parts of these. These projects include:
- a study (started in
the Fall of 1995) on the distribution and abundance of ground dwelling
spiders (and other predaceous
arthropods) in the various habitats on campus.
- studies using the spider
Achaearanea tepidariorum with regard to:
- decision making in locating and giving up patches;
- the relationship between prey
decline and alteration of metabolic rate;
- the cues used by spiders to locate suitable prey sites.
- on going collaborative writing
with Dr.
George W. Uetz, University of Cincinnati. George and I are currently
writing and submitting articles to journals from the nine years of
collaborative research we did in Mexico (see below).
Past Research Experience
- MEXICO, 1985-94:
Research on the relationship between colony size and parasitoid load in
two species of colonial Metepeira spiders; on the relationship
between the spider Metepeira incrassata (Araneidae) and its
dipteran cocoon predator Arachnidomyia lindae; on
attack-abatement mechanisms in colonial spiders; on the hymenopteran
predators of Metepeira incrassata, and on the costs and
benefits of group living.
- FLORIDA, 1979-85: Research
on spider cocoon architecture and cocoon predators; on dipteran mating
strategies; on the use of chemical mimicry by spiders; on specialized
spider webs.
- COSTA RICA, 1981:
Organization for Tropical Studies course: "Tropical Biology: An Ecological
Approach".
- NORTH DAKOTA, 1977-79:
Research on web orientation in the orb-weaving spiders Araneus
diadematus and A. gemmoides.
- ARIZONA, NEW MEXICO, and
MEXICO (Sonoran Desert), 1975: Roanoke College Course, "Desert
Ecology".
- Parasitic Hymenopteran
Training Session IV, 1983: Maryland Center for Systematic Entomology,
University of Maryland.
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