A5050480746- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Environmental Toxicology and Ecotoxicology
- Plant and animal studies
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Radioactive contamination and transfer
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Neonatal Health and Biochemistry
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Heavy metals in environment
- Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
- Education and Critical Thinking Development
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Coal and Its By-products
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
University of Georgia
2015-2023
Savannah River National Laboratory
2015-2023
The Jones Center at Ichauway
2021
Ecological Society of America
2016
New York Blood Center
2016
Carrion is a valuable nutrient resource used by diversity of vertebrates across the globe. However, vertebrate scavenging ecology remains an understudied area science, especially in regards to how biotic and abiotic factors influence community composition. Here we elucidate fundamental interact modulate efficiency composition scavengers investigating dynamics large gradient carcass sizes habitat types representative many temperate ecosystems, as well between two seasons reflecting...
Abstract Understanding the distribution of biodiversity across Earth is one most challenging questions in biology. Much research has been directed at explaining species latitudinal pattern showing that communities are richer tropical areas; however, despite decades research, a general consensus not yet emerged. In addition, global patterns being rapidly altered by human activities. Here, we aim to describe large‐scale richness and diversity terrestrial vertebrate scavenger...
The organization of ecological assemblages has important implications for ecosystem functioning, but little is known about how scavenger communities organize at the global scale. Here, we test four hypotheses on factors affecting network structure terrestrial vertebrate and its functioning. We expect to be more nested (i.e. structured): 1) in species‐rich productive regions, as nestedness been linked high competition carrion resources, 2) regions with low human impact, because most efficient...
Abstract Species assemblages often have a non‐random nested organization, which in vertebrate scavenger (carrion‐consuming) is thought to be driven by facilitation competitive environments. However, not all species play the same role maintaining assemblage structure, as some are obligate scavengers (i.e., vultures) and others facultative, scavenging opportunistically. We used database with 177 from 53 22 countries across five continents identify functional traits of key network structure....
The ecological implications of coyote Canis latrans colonization the eastern USA have drawn considerable interest from land managers and general public. ability to predict how these ecosystems, which lacked larger predators for decades, would respond invasion this highly adaptable species needs an understanding foraging behavior given local resource availability. Therefore, we examined diet coyotes in a longleaf pine Pinus palustrus ecosystem 2007–2012. We 673 scats collected on Joseph W....
Abstract Invasive species have significantly affected ecosystems, particularly islands, and invasions continue with increasing globalization. Largely unstudied, the influence of invasive on island ecosystem functions, especially scavenging decomposition, could be substantive. Quantifying carcass utilization by different scavengers shifts in community dynamics presence animals is particular interest for understanding impacts nutrient recycling. benefit greatly from resources within highly...
Abstract As carrion feeders competing for a limited and ephemeral resource, avian scavengers are ideal model organisms to study mechanisms of niche partitioning. Previous work has focused on observations species’ interactions at carcasses, although fruitful, the inclusion behavior beyond that such as movement patterns, could yield more comprehensive understanding foraging Our goal was assess how differences in physiological, morphological, social characteristics between sympatric black...
Abstract Scavenging is an influential ecosystem process, providing many weak, but stabilizing food web links. Amphibians and reptiles (i.e., herpetofauna) utilize land/water interfaces can have large biomasses concentrated here, making them important vectors of nutrients between aquatic terrestrial systems a valuable resource to scavengers. There are limited data on the fate herpetofauna carrion, thus, it unknown how such carcasses incorporated into webs or habitat carcass characteristics...
Abstract Carrion is a valuable resource used by facultative scavengers across the globe. Due to conflicts with humans, many vertebrate have experienced population declines due direct persecution or indirect effects of human activities. However, little known about implications altered scavenger community composition on fate and efficiency carrion removal within ecosystems. In particular, mammalian mesopredators are efficient that often subjected control, thus, it important understand how...
Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) are rare winter residents in eastern North America, with most found along the Appalachian Mountains and few reported on coastal plain of Carolinas. We used remote cameras baited wild pig (Sus scrofa) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) carcasses to detect, age, individually identify U.S. Department Energy's Savannah River Site South Carolina. identified eight individual during winters 2013–2014 2014–2015, one detected both winters. eagles for 19 66...
The introduction of Brown Tree Snakes (BTS; Boiga irregularis) on Guam has had devastating impacts native wildlife and human infrastructure, resulting in concerted efforts to control populations prevent the spread this invasive species other islands. These efforts, particularly aerial drops acetaminophen, can eradicate BTS within target areas, but snakes repopulate those areas via compensatory immigration. Therefore, understanding how gene flow corresponds dispersal add critical information...
Anthropogenic contamination from coal-fired power plants and nuclear reactors is a pervasive issue impacting ecosystems across the globe. As result, it critical that studies continue to assess accumulation effects of trace elements radionuclides in diversity biota. In particular, bioindicator species are powerful tool for risk assessment chemically contaminated habitats. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) auto-gamma counting, we analyzed element radiocesium...