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
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
On the left: estimates of migration. On the right: dispersal routes using genetic data (a) vs field capture-mark-recapture techniques (b).
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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
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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 - Website feature
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 - Website feature
