Overview:
My research addresses theoretical and applied questions in terrestrial ecology primarily through a combination of strategically designed experiments and field studies. I am particularly interested in predator-prey interactions and seek to understand ecological and evolutionary mechanisms which operate at the interface of behavioural ecology and population biology. While not restricting my research to any specific taxonomic group I have worked primarily with amphibian and insect systems. These groups are particularly amenable to manipulations in both the field and laboratory and thereby facilitate comprehensive investigations of the underlying ecological processes which govern survival and reproduction. Moreover, both of these taxonomic groups face a number of emerging threats posed by rural and urban landscapes including habitat loss, novel predators, warming climate, and pollutants. As a result my research has increasingly adopted a conservation theme, and in 2015 I began a long-term research program on Pelee Island which seeks to better understand the ecology and population dynamics of an endangered community of Ambystoma salamanders. Outlined below are the active themes which make up my current research program.
Amphibian Conservation:
I am currently leading a team of researchers studying small-mouthed salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) on Pelee Island, Ontario. This species is listed as endangered in Canada, but we know little about their ecology or abundance. Alongside the small-mouthed salamanders exists a unique variety of all-female "unisexual" salamanders, that reproduce by "stealing" sperm from sympatric males (of A. texanum or A. laterale). The intimate relationship among these three players means that I also examine the nature and consequences of their interactions. Our work combines a mark-recapture program with genetic analyses enabling us to track growth, survival, habitat use, and to estimate population size. Find out more here:
Predator-Prey Interactions:
Much of my research has focused on understanding the ecology and evolution of predator-prey interactions. Broadly, I am interested in understanding the factors that influence predator kill rate, how prey protect themselves from predation, and the consequences of predation over ecological and evolutionary timescales. Specific topics that I have worked on extensively include: the ecology and evolution of eyespots, the functional response, and understanding plastic responses to predation risk.
Dennis Murray and I are currently co-editing a Research Topic in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution about the predator functional response. To see the articles published as part of that topic so far, or to contribute your own work, follow the link below:
My research addresses theoretical and applied questions in terrestrial ecology primarily through a combination of strategically designed experiments and field studies. I am particularly interested in predator-prey interactions and seek to understand ecological and evolutionary mechanisms which operate at the interface of behavioural ecology and population biology. While not restricting my research to any specific taxonomic group I have worked primarily with amphibian and insect systems. These groups are particularly amenable to manipulations in both the field and laboratory and thereby facilitate comprehensive investigations of the underlying ecological processes which govern survival and reproduction. Moreover, both of these taxonomic groups face a number of emerging threats posed by rural and urban landscapes including habitat loss, novel predators, warming climate, and pollutants. As a result my research has increasingly adopted a conservation theme, and in 2015 I began a long-term research program on Pelee Island which seeks to better understand the ecology and population dynamics of an endangered community of Ambystoma salamanders. Outlined below are the active themes which make up my current research program.
Amphibian Conservation:
I am currently leading a team of researchers studying small-mouthed salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) on Pelee Island, Ontario. This species is listed as endangered in Canada, but we know little about their ecology or abundance. Alongside the small-mouthed salamanders exists a unique variety of all-female "unisexual" salamanders, that reproduce by "stealing" sperm from sympatric males (of A. texanum or A. laterale). The intimate relationship among these three players means that I also examine the nature and consequences of their interactions. Our work combines a mark-recapture program with genetic analyses enabling us to track growth, survival, habitat use, and to estimate population size. Find out more here:
- Pinegrove Productions: The Pelee Island Salamander Complex [Educational Video]
- Pelee Island Research Webinar hosted by Ontario Nature [T. Hossie starts @ 53:54]
- Provincial Report: Trent University’s Pelee Island salamander inventory and monitoring projects
- The Arthur [Trent University] article: TRENT FUNDED TO STUDY ENDANGERED SALAMANDER SPECIES
Predator-Prey Interactions:
Much of my research has focused on understanding the ecology and evolution of predator-prey interactions. Broadly, I am interested in understanding the factors that influence predator kill rate, how prey protect themselves from predation, and the consequences of predation over ecological and evolutionary timescales. Specific topics that I have worked on extensively include: the ecology and evolution of eyespots, the functional response, and understanding plastic responses to predation risk.
Dennis Murray and I are currently co-editing a Research Topic in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution about the predator functional response. To see the articles published as part of that topic so far, or to contribute your own work, follow the link below: