The first project is on sexual selection, nepotism, and demography
of Washington ground squirrels (Spermophilus washingtoni),
social rodents that occur only in a few populations in northern
Oregon and eastern Washington. I also am investigating ecological,
behavioral, and historical hypotheses to explain the animal's rarity,
the species population genetic structure (using allozymes and DNA
microsatellites), and helping State and Federal agencies develop
conservation and management programs for this seriously threatened
mammal. I am especially interested in whether populations are declining
due to an "ecological trap," resulting from human-induced
changes in plant communities that breaks a long-standing correlation
between availability of green vegetation in the spring and copious
production of the seeds necessary for overwinter survival in the
summer.
Wood Ducks
My second project, on wood ducks (Aix sponsa), examines the behavioral
ecology of conspecific brood parasitism. Manipulative experiments
are currently in progress to see how the placement and density of
nest boxes affects parasitic behavior, individual reproductive success,
and population dynamics; studies of host-parasite relatedness and
parasitism as nest site competition are underway.
Naked Mole-Rat
My third project is on naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber).
These are nearly hairless and sightless colonial rodents that inhabit
subterranean tunnel labyrinths in eastern Africa. They are eusocial:
within a colony only one female and 1-3 males reproduce, and their
70-75 closely-related colony-mates cooperate to maintain and defend
the colony. Long-term studies of captive colonies are yielding information
about how colonies are organized, the behavioral development of
individuals, dispersal, foraging recruitment, communication, and
colony homeostasis. Some of my animals are over 23 years old and
counting -- already older than the maximum life spans of 99% of
rodent species.
This
newly-emergent, interdisciplinary field takes an evolutionary perspective
on human health. Practitioners ask whether behaviors and symptoms
that normally are considered pathological (e.g., fever, allergies,
and anemia) might sometimes serve useful purposes. Whereas traditional
medicine studies how symptoms are brought about (their underlying
mechanisms) and designs more effective ways to eliminate them, Darwinian
medicine studies why particular symptoms occur (their reproductive
consequences) and the advisability of eliminating them. These approaches
are complementary, not mutually exclusive. Recently my students
and I have investigated spice use and morning sickness. Both appear
to serve prophylactic functions. Spices contain antimicrobial compounds
and they may be used to destroy foodborne pathogens, especially
in hot climates. Nausea and vomiting early in pregnancy also may
protect women and their embryos from foodborne pathogens and other
toxins.
The first project is on sexual selection, nepotism, and demography
of Washington ground squirrels (Spermophilus washingtoni),
social rodents that occur only in a few populations in northern
Oregon and eastern Washington. I also am investigating ecological,
behavioral, and historical hypotheses to explain the animal's rarity,
the species population genetic structure (using allozymes and DNA
microsatellites), and helping State and Federal agencies develop
conservation and management programs for this seriously threatened
mammal. I am especially interested in whether populations are declining
due to an "ecological trap," resulting from human-induced
changes in plant communities that breaks a long-standing correlation
between availability of green vegetation in the spring and copious
production of the seeds necessary for overwinter survival in the
summer. 
My second project, on wood ducks (Aix sponsa), examines the behavioral
ecology of conspecific brood parasitism. Manipulative experiments
are currently in progress to see how the placement and density of
nest boxes affects parasitic behavior, individual reproductive success,
and population dynamics; studies of host-parasite relatedness and
parasitism as nest site competition are underway. 
My third project is on naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber).
These are nearly hairless and sightless colonial rodents that inhabit
subterranean tunnel labyrinths in eastern Africa. They are eusocial:
within a colony only one female and 1-3 males reproduce, and their
70-75 closely-related colony-mates cooperate to maintain and defend
the colony. Long-term studies of captive colonies are yielding information
about how colonies are organized, the behavioral development of
individuals, dispersal, foraging recruitment, communication, and
colony homeostasis. Some of my animals are over 23 years old and
counting -- already older than the maximum life spans of 99% of
rodent species.