My primary research focus has recently become amphibian conservation biology, emphasizing the establishment of aquatic and upland buffer zones for pond breeding amphibians, specifically tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum . I'm also studying vernal pool restoration and mitigation practices using metapopulations of Ambystoma maculatum . Radiotelemetry and the use of GIS and GPS are fundamental techniques in these studies.

My secondary research focus is (1) to define more precisely the prey defenses of red-backed salamanders, Plethodon cinereus (pictured) toward predatory eastern garter snakes, Thamnophis sirtalis , and (2) to identify the chemical cues and their sources that are used in these interactions. Behavioral bioassays are used in the laboratory (using petri dishes in experimental arrays as pictured) and field to identify the chemical fractions important in recognizing those snakes that pose the most imminent threat to P. cinereus.

Histological (see picture of P. cinereus tail cross-section to the right showing the diverse gland types along the ventral surface and the predominance of defensive adhesive glands on the dorsal surface) and microbiological studies were initiated because P. cinereus appear to place chemical warning labels on snakes during predation attempts, and we wanted to look for possible sources of these chemical labels: (1) in the integument glands of P. cinereus , (2) sequestered from prey eaten by salamanders, and (3) from symbiotic bacteria living on P. cinereus skin.

For breadth of understanding of chemically mediated predator defense mechanisms, we developed an aquatic model focusing on the avoidance of conspecific alarm substances (tissue extracts) released by eastern red-spotted newts ( Notophthalmus viridescens ) when attacked by predators (see image below and to the left). We now have inventoried the chemosensory responses of over 2000 newts in lab and field experiments, which include over 3000 hours of trapping using scented minnow traps in Binghamton University 's Nature Preserve. This parallel study of an aquatic amphibian has had phenomenal success, and has helped us to anticipate and avoid problems that we might have otherwise encountered in our terrestrial Plethodon/Thamnophis system.

PAST RESEARCH SPECIALIZATIONS (from historical to most recent)

• Animal Orientation Emphasizing Chemical Mechanisms: amphibians and fishes (1965-1977)
• Mammalian Population Regulation: emphasizing social spacing, seasonal shifts in behavioral organization, and social modification of ultradian rhythms; microtine rodent models (1977-1990)
• Habitat Utilization: Seasonal patterns in vertebrate behavioral ecology, emphasizing rodents, amphibians and reptiles (1977-present)
• Chemical Mechanisms of Predator Defense: emphasizing amphibian/reptilian systems (1993-present)
• Conservation Biology: emphasizing amphibian buffer zones and vernal pool restoration (1990-present)
  

EXTERNAL FUNDING