My students and I are
organismal
biologists at heart. Therefore, we let our intense interest in
the
life histories of amphibians and reptiles guide us to appropriate
questions
to ask of these animals rather than allowing an interest in a
particular
question force us to examine organisms
for which we have no passion. All levels of scientific inquiry
are
encouraged, from descriptive to experimental and from field to
laboratory.
Additionally, broad experiences within the field of herpetology are
encouraged.
These experiences include access
to a number of fine field sites in Alabama and Costa Rica (regions with
unusually rich herpetofaunas), participation in curation of a notable
herpetological
collection within the Auburn University Museum, and opportunities to
influence
the local populace about amphibians and reptiles through school and
community
programs.
The primary goal of activities
in my lab is to provide new knowledge to the scientific community in
the
form of research publications. While the scope of this research
is
limited taxonomically, all graduate-level projects are expected to
explore
patterns of broad interest to the fields of ecology, evolution, and/or
conservation biology. In this respect, students are expected to
know
enough about current trends in the latter fields to understand how
their
herp-oriented research projects might shape theory-based research.
Auburn is a member of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and,
therefore, our graduate students are eligible for the field course in tropical
biology offered by OTS. I try to encourage all of my students to take
advantage of this exceptional educational opportunity.
INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE GRADUATE STUDENTS
I am always interested
in
recruiting bright, motivated students and typically take on 1-2
students
each year. Those working in my lab are expected to generate their
own projects. I do not provide students with projects because
this
usually stifles their scientific curiosity and because I find that my
students
ask much more interesting questions than I do! Typically, there
are
more applicants for entry
into my lab than I can accept, so the competition is stiff. Those
interested in entering my lab need to apply to the Department of
Biological
Sciences (see
departmental web page) before Feb 1. During the first week of
February, I select the application(s) that I will sponsor. Those
not chosen are informed of my decision so they can withdraw their
applications
and avoid the application fee required by the Graduate School.
Once
I sign my support of an applicant, the file is sent to the Graduate
Admissions
Committee of the Department of Biological Sciences for
evaluation.
This committee screens applicants and assigns teaching assistantships
(TA).
TA assignments are guaranteed for two years for masters students and
five
years for doctoral students. Generally, new TA assignments are
offered
starting in mid-February (for students beginning their programs the
following
fall semester) and high GRE scores are needed for selection. Most
students score 1100 or better for verbal + quantitative and have a GPA
of 3.4 or better. If you are selected for a TA assignment, then
this
completes the admissions process for getting into my lab. Most
students
teach for a year, while taking courses and establishing their research
program. Then we work towards finding support for the research
project.
This may be in the form of a graduate research assistantship on one of
my funded research projects or a grant that the student garners.
GRADUATE
Ecology in urban areas, diversity-stability relationships,
the effect of
cross ecosystem flow of materials on communities
Shannon Hoss
Spatial Ecology and Reproductive Biology of the
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake,
Crotalus adamanteus
Christina Romagosa
John
Steffen
Dewlap Pigments and Behavior of the Brown Anole,
Norops sagrei
Austin Nelson
Cottonmouth
Ecology: Collectively, students in our lab are monitoring a
local
population
of
Cottonmouths
(Agkistrodon piscivorus). This project was initiated in
the
Spring of 2001
and includes
mark-recapture, measuring growth rates, and documenting reproductive
patterns.
Gopher
Tortoise Ecology: This is a long-term project.
The
roots of the project date back
to 1988 and
has expanded to include mulitple field sites located in Alabama,
Georgia
and
Mississippi.
Research focuses include movement patterns and home range analysis,
growth,
population
dynamics, social interations, reproductive ecology, foraging ecology,
tortoise
influence
on microhabitat and vegetation structure, and effects of
forestry/military
activites.
Population dynamics of Neotropical amphibians and reptiles
Evolution of body size in vertebrates
The role of cottonmouths as vectors of equine encephalitis
Herpetofaunal diversity in urban and rural landscapes
Ty W. Bryan. 1987. Effects of Black Creek seed orchard establishment on a population of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) (Daudin) in southeastern Mississippi
Emmett L. Blankenship. 1989. The effects of diet on the predatory larva of the smoky jungle frog (Leptodactylidae: Leptodactylus pentadactylus)
Kirsten E. Nicholson. 1995. A phylogenetic analysis of beta anoles
Brian Butterfield. 1996. The pattern of morphological variation of selected members of the introduced herpetofauna of Florida
Marilyn Herrington. 1996. Effects of stand thinning on gopher tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus (Testudines: Testudinidae)
Karan Schnuelle. 1997. Effects of food availability on flattened musk turtle populations
Mathew Aresco. 1998. Growth and burrow abandonment of the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus, in slash pine plantations of southern Alabama.
Melissa Boglioli. 1999. Burrow dispersion and occupancy patterns as they relate to habitat parameters and social behavior in the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus
Jeannine Ott. 2000. Patterns of movement, burrow use, and reproduction in a population of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus): applications to the conservation and management of a declining species.
Kristin Bakkegard. 2001. Natural history and behavior of Red Hills salamanders (Phaeognathus hubrichti) at their burrow entrances
Robert Reed. 2001. Macroecology of Australian and New World reptiles, with emphasis on life history, geographic range, and conservation
Roger Birkhead. 2001. Foraging ecology and seed dispersal in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) Michelle Durflinger. 2001 Demography and habitat requirements of the Black Warrior Waterdog, Necturus alabamensis
Valerie M. Johnson. 2004.
Abigail M. Sorenson. 2004.
Alternative Measures of Population Viability and a Reproductive
Trade-off in Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus
polyphemus)
Scott Boback. 2005. Body size and head size evolution in island snakes.
Herbert 'Tug' Kesler. 2006. Conservation of a Florida endemic carnivorous plant: Godfrey's butterwort, Pinguicula ionantha.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS (LAST 5 YEARS)
Durflinger, M.C., C. Guyer, and M.A. Bailey. 2006. Distribution, habitat use, and population ecology of the Black Warrior Waterdog, Necturus alabamensis. Southeastern Naturalist 5:69-84.
Guyer, C. 2006. Phrynosoma douglasii (Pygmy Short-horned Lizard: Copulatory position. Herpetological Review 37:91-92.
Birkhead, R.D., C. Guyer, S.M. Hermann, and W.K. Michener. 2005. Patterns of folivory and seed ingestion by Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) in a southeastern pine savanna. American Midland Naturalist 154:143-151.
Guyer, C. and M.A. Donnelly. 2005. Amphibians and reptiles of La Selva, Costa Rica, and the Caribbean slope: A comprehensive guide. University of California Press.
M.A. Donnelly, B.I. Crother, C. Guyer, M. Wake, and M. White. 2005. Ecology and Evolution of Tropical Vertebrates. University of Chicago Press.
Guyer, C. 2005. Necturus beyeri Viosca, 1937: Gulf Coast Waterdog. Pp. 867-868 in (M. Lannoo, ed.) Amphibian Declines: The conservation status of United States species. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Guyer, C. 2005. Necturus cf. beyeri: Loding’s Waterdog. Pp. 873 in (M. Lannoo, ed.) Amphibian Declines: The conservation status of United States species. University of California Press, Berkeley.
Ress, S. and C. Guyer. 2004. A retrospective study of mortality and rehabilitation of raptors in the southeastern United States. Journal of Raptor Research 38:77-81.
Bakkegard, K. and C. Guyer. 2004. Sexual size dimorphism of the Red Hills Salamander, Phaeognathus hubrichti. J. of Herpetology 38:8-15.
Guyer, C. and M.A. Donnelly. 2004. Patterns of co-occurrence of hylid frogs at a temporary wetland In Costa Rica. In (M.A. Donnelly, B.I. Crother, C. Guyer, M. Wake, and M. White, eds.), Ecology and Evolution of Tropical Vertebrates. University of Chicago Press (in press)
Aresco, M.J. and C. Guyer. Gopher Tortoise. 2004 Pp. 82-83 in (R.E. Mirachi, ed.) Animals of Alabama in need of Attention, Vol. 3, University of Alabama Press.
Bailey, M.A. and C. Guyer. Black Warrior Waterdog. 2004 Pp. 36-37 in (R.E. Mirachi, ed.) Animals of Alabama in need of Attention, Vol. 3, University of Alabama Press.
Guyer, C. and M.A. Bailey. Speckled Kingsnake. 2004 Pp. 66-67 in (R.E. Mirachi, ed.) Animals of Alabama in need of Attention Vol 3., University of Alabama Press.
Savage, J.M. and C. Guyer. 2004. Application of anole lizard generic names proposed by Wagler, 1830 and Fitzinger, 1843. Amphibia-Reptilia 25:303-305.
Cupp, E.W., D. Zhang, X. Yue, M.S. Cupp, C. Guyer, T.R. Sprenger, and T.R. Unnasch. 2004. Identification of reptilian and amphibian blood meals from mosquitos in an eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus focus in Central Alabama. Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg. 71:272-276
Boback, S.M. and C. Guyer. 2003. Empirical evidence for an optimal body size in snakes. Evolution 57:345-351.
Ott, J., W.K. Michener, C. Guyer. 2003. Patterns of movement and burrow use in a population of Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). Herpetologica 59:311-321.
Boglioli, M.D., C Guyer, and W.K. Michener. 2003 Mating Opportunities of Female Gopher Tortoises, Gopherus polyphemus. Copeia 2003: 846-850.
Hermann, S.M., C. Guyer, J.H. Waddle, and M.G. Nelms. 2002. Sampling on private property to evaluate population status and effects of land use practices on the gopher tortoise, Gopherus polyphemus. Biological Conservation 108:289-298.
Ott, J.A., J.W. Hollister, C. Guyer, and W.K. Michener. 2002. Area requirements of gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus): An evaluation of guidelines for estimating reserve size. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4:464-471.
ORGANIZATION FOR TROPICAL STUDIES (OTS)
What is OTS?
The
Organization
for Tropical Studies is a non-profit consortium of 64 research institutions
and universities from around the world. It was created in 1963 to focus on
education, research, and management of natural resources in the tropics. Auburn
University has been an OTS member institution since 1987.
As a member, Auburn students and faculty have access to
educational, research, and funding opportunities that are not available to
non-member institutions. OTS is involved in teaching more than 15 different
graduate and undergraduate courses, environmental education, facilitating
tropical research, and operating three biological research stations in Costa
Rica.
What courses are available to Auburn Students?
- Field Tropical Biology
- Introduction to Field Ethnobotany
- Research Experience in Tropical Biology
Advanced Courses: (for postdoctoral scholars, junior faculty, and advanced graduate students)
What does participation in OTS do for you?
Participation in OTS courses provides Auburn students
with a complete foundation in tropical biology. In addition students have
interactions with faculty who have considerable tropical experience, students
and researchers currently doing research in the tropics, and peers on courses
who are likely to form the next generation of tropical biologists. Once
students have completed the course, there are considerable opportunities for
continued research (including logistical and financial assistance) in the
tropics.
OTS offers research fellowships that are open to all
students enrolled at Auburn as well as all OTS course alumni. Through Pilot
Awards and Research Fellowships, Auburn graduate students have access to up to
$6500 for research projects in the tropics.
OTS Undergraduate Minority Scholars Program:
Minority undergraduate students at Auburn are
eligible to apply for scholarships that can be used for the full semester abroad
as well as the summer abroad courses offered through OTS. Through this program
students receive a full scholarship.
Auburn OTS Alumni: 
Auburn Faculty Participants:
Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
Biological Sciences
Entomology and Plant Pathology
For more information contact the Auburn OTS Delegates:
Dr. J. Wayne Brewer (wbrewer@acesag.auburn.edu)
Department of Entomology
Dr. Craig Guyer (cguyer@acesag.auburn.edu)
Department of Biological Sciences
Return to Top
Auburn
University Natural History Museum
