Direct vs indirect estimates of migration and dispersal routes in the marbled salamander, Ambystoma opacum
For my Master's thesis, I compared direct (field capture-mark-recapture) and indirect (multilocus microsatellite genotypes) estimates of migration and dispersal routes between subpopulations within a metapopulation of marbled salamander in Augusta County, Virginia. Comparing these different methods revealed they are in fact not congruent. While direct measures are more accurate estimates of the movement of individuals, indirect measures more accurately reflect gene flow. Furthermore, these different estimates predict different least-cost path dispersal maps, and field data likely represent biologically plausible habitat costs and therefore more accurate dispersal routes. Thesis, PDF
For my Master's thesis, I compared direct (field capture-mark-recapture) and indirect (multilocus microsatellite genotypes) estimates of migration and dispersal routes between subpopulations within a metapopulation of marbled salamander in Augusta County, Virginia. Comparing these different methods revealed they are in fact not congruent. While direct measures are more accurate estimates of the movement of individuals, indirect measures more accurately reflect gene flow. Furthermore, these different estimates predict different least-cost path dispersal maps, and field data likely represent biologically plausible habitat costs and therefore more accurate dispersal routes. Thesis, PDF
The role of olfactory cues in female mate selection in Tungara frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus
As an undergraduate, in the summer of 2006, I spent a couple weeks in the rainforests of Gamboa, Panama at STRI collecting mating pairs of Tungara frogs and testing female mating preferences. PDF
As an undergraduate, in the summer of 2006, I spent a couple weeks in the rainforests of Gamboa, Panama at STRI collecting mating pairs of Tungara frogs and testing female mating preferences. PDF
In Panama
Artificial selection and defense advantage of trichomes in Brassica rapa
Over the course of a couple summers during my undergraduate career, I participated in studies examining the role of trichome hairs in herbivory defense in the Wisconsin fast plant. Presentation
Over the course of a couple summers during my undergraduate career, I participated in studies examining the role of trichome hairs in herbivory defense in the Wisconsin fast plant. Presentation