A5041755833- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Innovative Teaching Methods
- Education and Critical Thinking Development
- Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Student Assessment and Feedback
- Evaluation of Teaching Practices
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Outdoor and Experiential Education
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Turfgrass Adaptation and Management
- Educational Assessment and Pedagogy
- Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration
- Geography Education and Pedagogy
- Problem and Project Based Learning
- Educational Strategies and Epistemologies
Truman State University
2018-2023
University of Colorado Boulder
2010-2021
Anchorage School District
2019
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
2015-2018
William & Mary
2011
Glucocorticoid hormones (CORT) are predicted to promote adaptation variable environments, yet little is known about the potential for CORT secretion patterns respond selection in free-living populations. We assessed heritable variation underlying differences hormonal phenotypes using a cross-foster experimental design with nestling North American barn swallows ( Hirundo rustica erythrogaster ). Using bivariate animal model, we partitioned variance baseline and stress-induced concentrations...
Assessments represent an important component of undergraduate courses because they affect how students interact with course content and gauge student achievement objectives. To make decisions on assessment design, instructors must understand the affordances limitations available question formats. Here, we use a crossover experimental design to identify differences in multiple-true-false (MTF) free-response (FR) exam questions reveal thinking regarding specific conceptions. We report that...
Complex signals, involving multiple components within and across modalities, are common in animal communication. However, decomposing complex signals into traits their interactions remains a fundamental challenge for studies of phenotype evolution. We apply novel network approach studying signal evolution the North American barn swallow ( Hirundo rustica erythrogaster ). integrate model testing with correlation-based networks to infer contributions female mate choice male–male competition...
Abstract Population divergence in geographic isolation is due to a combination of factors. Natural and sexual selection may be important shaping patterns population differentiation, pattern referred as ‘isolation by adaptation’ ( IBA ). can complementary the well‐known distance’ IBD ), which closely related populations (via any evolutionary process) associated with isolation. The barn swallow Hirundo rustica complex comprises six subspecies, where divergent phenotypic differentiation among...
By having students select one answer among several plausible options, multiple–choice (MC) questions capture a student's preferred but provide little information regarding thinking on the remaining options. We conducted crossover design experiment in which similar groups of introductory biology were assigned verbatim MC format or multiple–true–false (MTF) format, requires to separately evaluate each option as either true false. Our data reveal that nearly half who correct likely hold...
Phenotypic differences among individuals are often linked to differential survival and mating success. Quantifying the relative influence of genetic environmental variation on phenotype allows evolutionary biologists make predictions about potential for a given trait respond selection various aspects variation. In particular, environment experience during early development can have lasting effects later in life. Here, we used natural full-sib/half-sib design as well within-individual...
Previous studies have shown that sexual signals can rapidly diverge among closely related species. However, we lack experimental to demonstrate differences in trait-associated reproductive performance maintain trait between populations, support for a role of selection speciation. Populations Northern Hemisphere distributed barn swallows Hirundo rustica are related, yet differ two plumage-based traits: ventral color and length the outermost tail feathers (streamers). Here provide evidence...
Sexual selection plays a key role in the diversification of numerous animal clades and may accelerate trait divergence during speciation. However, much our understanding this process comes from phylogenetic comparative studies, which rely on surrogate measures such as dimorphism that not represent wild populations. In study, we assess sexual pressures for multiple male visual signals across four barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) Our sample encompassed 2400 linear km two described subspecies:...
Carotenoids can confer somatic and reproductive benefits, but most evidence is from captive animal experimentation or single time-point sampling. Another perhaps more informative means by which to assess physiological contributions performance tracking an individual's ability increase sustain carotenoids other health-related molecules over time, as these are likely be temporally variable.In a field study of North American barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster), we analyzed...
Understanding the role of green space in urban—suburban landscapes is becoming critical for bird conservation because rampant habitat loss and conversion. Although not natural habitat, golf courses could play a if they support breeding populations some native species, yet scientists remain skeptical. In 2003–2009, we measured reproduction Eastern Bluebirds (Siala sialis) Virginia on surrounding reference habitats, type that would have been present had developed these sites (e.g.,...
Many closely related populations are distinguished by variation in sexual signals and this is hypothesized to play an important role reproductive isolation speciation. Within populations, there considerable evidence that provide information about the incidence severity of parasite infections, but it remains unclear if communities across space could a initiating or maintaining trait divergence. To test for parasite-associated selection, we compared three barn swallow subspecies with divergent...
Abstract The 4 th International Polar Year featured a range of large international research projects and included focus on Education Public Outreach (EPO). ANDRILL (the ANtarctic geological DRILLing Project) was (USA, New Zealand, Italy, Germany) multidisciplinary project investigating the sedimentary record Cenozoic ice sheet dynamics that brought approximately 160 scientists to McMurdo Station in 2006 2007 field seasons, during which two > 1000 m sediment cores were successfully...
Coloration has evolved to serve diverse functions, including communication. In species with discrete color polymorphisms, the extent which variation exists within morphs and communicates multiple messages often remains unclear. We employed reflectance spectrometry study in coloration dimorphic White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis), exhibits a “white” “tan” morph both sexes. explored whether distinct traits distinguish between sex classes, classes that might reflect differences...
Muchos estudios sobre coloración animal y del plumaje utilizan la espectrometría para obtener medidas objetivas de rasgos color. Las color son particularmente importantes debido a que el sistema visual las aves es distinto nuestro evaluación subjetiva por parte los investigadores puede omitir algunas variaciones o en señales A medida se ha convertido uno métodos preferidos medir color, metodologías apropiadas estándares reportarlo han ido refinando mejorando su técnica, además incrementar...
Vaquero-Alba and colleagues published a study in The Auk: Ornithological Advances comparing objective color measurements of plumage taken the field directly on bird's body to those lab collected feathers arranged emulate appearance natural plumage. Although measures were less repeatable than measures, authors concluded that more representative "true color." Accordingly, they recommend researchers should bring spectrophotometers into measure live birds. We question assumption their represent...
The evolution of colonial breeding remains an outstanding question in evolutionary biology due to our limited understanding the costs and benefits group living. We document 85 cases Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) laying, subsequently abandoning, eggs empty, unclaimed nests located adjacent active during a 6 y study. frequency this behavior was positively correlated with total available nests, metric that increases colony size. In addition, two female swallows were observed...
Infanticide, the killing of dependent offspring, often provides direct or indirect fitness benefits to perpetrator. Infanticide in socially monogamous systems, like that many passerine birds, is typically performed by males an attempt gain access potential mates. We observed infanticide a female Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) North America and, best our knowledge, this first documentation behavior. A pecked and threw out nestlings belonging neighboring pair swallows. There were no obvious...
Biology instructors use concept assessments in their courses to gauge student understanding of important disciplinary ideas. Instructors can choose administer based on participation (i.e., lower stakes) or the correctness responses higher stakes), and students complete assessment an in-class out-of-class setting. Different administration conditions may affect how engage with perform assessments, thus influencing should interpret resulting scores. Building a validity framework, we collected...