B.A. Denison University
M.S. University of Michigan
Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania
phone: (336) 758-5319
da@wfu.edu
Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, Avian Siblicide, Evolution of Reproductive Rates, Sex Allocation, Conservation Biology in the Galápagos Islands
My laboratory's research is on the evolutionary and behavioral ecology of birds. Of particular interest is the evolution of reproductive life histories. We ask questions about the influence of variables such as costs of reproduction, genetic conflicts of interest, and phylogenetic constraints on the evolution of characters like clutch size, offspring sex ratio, and sibling competition. Since 1984 we have pursued a major field research effort in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador on boobies. These birds provide excellent opportunities for experimental approaches to issues in evolutionary and behavioral ecology because they are fearless of humans. They are also ideal for comparative studies since closely related species have different life histories.
More recently we have added a laboratory emphasis, using molecular sexing techniques to test hypotheses dealing with the evolution of sex ratio in birds of prey and a variety of other taxa. We have also been involved in conservation issues in the Galapagos, through studies of the demography and genetics of threatened and endangered bird species.
Selected Publications
D. J. Anderson and R. E. Ricklefs. 1992. Food provisioning and brood size in masked and blue-footed boobies (Sula spp.) on Isla Española, Galápagos Islands. Ecology 73:1363-1374.
D. J. Anderson, C. Budde, J. Martinez Gomez, V. Apanius, W. W. Weathers, and D. M. Bird. 1993. Prey size influences female competitive dominance in nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius). Ecology 74:367-376.
D. J. Anderson and R. E. Ricklefs. 1995. Evidence of kin-selected tolerance by nestlings in a siblicidal bird. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 37:163-168.
D. J. Anderson. 1995. The role of parents in siblicidal brood reduction of two booby species. Auk 12:860-869.
V. L. Friesen and D. J. Anderson. 1996. Phylogeny and evolution in the Sulidae (Pelecaniformes: Aves): A test of alternative modes of speciation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 7:252-260.
D. J. Anderson, D. M. Bird, and J. Reeve. 1997. Sexually dimorphic eggs, nestling growth, and sibling competition in American kestrels Falco sparverius. Functional Ecology 11:331-335.
R. A. Browne, D. J. Anderson, J. N. Houser, F. Cruz, K. J. Glasgow, C. N. Hodges, and G. Massey. 1997. Genetic diversity and divergence of endangered Galápagos and Hawaiian petrel populations. Condor. 99:812-815.D. J. Anderson and F. Cruz. 1997. Biology and Management of the Waved Albatross: A 25-Year Perspective. In Albatross Biology and Conservation (G. Robertson and R. Gales, eds.) Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton
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