I study the ecology, evolution, behavior and conservation of vertebrates (primarily amphibians). Some of my projects are in my local area (Ohio, USA) but others are international (so far including: Costa Rica, Madagascar, Taiwan, and Trinidad and Tobago). Below are some of my ongoing projects:
Projects
- Taxonomy and Systematics of Frogs from Madagascar. My focus here has been on the primarily plant-breeding frogs of the genus Guibemantis (subgenus Pandanusicola). To date, my collaborators and I have described six new species in this group (including Guibemantis annulatus below) and resurrected another. (see Publications)
Guibemantis annulatus from Sainte Luce, Madagascar
- Terrestrial salamander ecology. In my local area, my students and I have been engaged in studies on hybridization, long-term dynamics and the effects of invasive species on terrestrial salamanders.
Evolutionary ecology, conservation and behavior of glass frogs. In 2015, I embarked on a number of projects on Central American glass frogs. So far, I’ve worked at five study sites in Costa Rica pursuing projects on parental care behavior, ecological and acoustic niche partitioning, and other topics.
- Ecology of Blanchard’s cricket frog (Acris blanchardi). My students and I have conducted studies on larval defenses against predators, longevity and survivorship in adults, disease ecology, and the conservation status of this species in Ohio (see Publications). I continue to work on cricket frogs at the Resthaven Wildlife Area in Erie Co. and in the Findlay area.
