Research

        My research interests focus on the agonistic (aggressive and submissive) behavior of reptiles and amphibians in relation to territorial defense and sexual selection.  I am also interested in behavioral and ecological responses of reptiles and amphibians to stochastic (random) environmental changes.

 


Current Projects

The effects of chigger mite parasitism on behavior of collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) in tallgrass prairie.

Agonistic behavior of the Great Plains skink (Eumeces obsoletus)

Effects of tail autotomy on the behavior of the western slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) - assuming I am ever able to capture enough to work with.


Graduate Research Projects

Effects of fire interval on community and population structure of tallgrass prairie reptiles - with Masters' student Dustin Wilgers, who is currently working on a Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska

- Part of the Long-Term Ecological Research conducted at Konza Prairie Biological Station

 


Undergraduate Research Projects

Suitability of Limestone Outcrops As Habitat For Collared Lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) On Konza Prairie Biological Station
 - Kelsey Reider - 2006 REU student
Antipredator behavior in the Great Plains skink, Eumeces obsoletus - Melinda Williamson - 2006 KSU undergraduate research project
Habitat selection of Texas horned lizard, Phrynosoma cornutum, in Tallgrass Prairie - Alex Betzen - 2006 KSU undergraduate research project
Variations of color morph frequencies and size of the cricket frog, Acris crepitatans, on Konza Prairie - Jessica Hall - 2006 KSU undergraduate research project
  Antipredator behavior of the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana - Andrea Falcetto - 2005 KSU undergraduate research project
Female mate choice in collared lizards: Use of chemical or visual signals in detection of chigger mite ectoparasites on males - Samantha Tolve - 2004 REU student
Territory as a sexual preference in the Great Plains skink, Eumeces obsoletus - Bryant Blank - 2004 KSU undergraduate research project
Dominance and territoriality in the Great Plains skink, Eumeces obsoletus - Melinda Williamson - 2004 REU student

  

Territoriality in male Blanchard's cricket frogs, Acris crepitatans blanchardi - Elizabeth Murray - 2003 REU student
Home range organization and sexual dimorphism in the collared lizard, Crotophytus collaris collaris - Audrey Owens - 2001 REU student
Agonistic behaviors of the Great Plains skink (Eumeces obsoletus) - Natalie Pheasant - 2000 REU student
Effects of Tail Length on Speed in the Western Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) - Michael Anguiano - 2000 McNair Scholars student
Preliminary studies on the foraging behavior of the western slender glass lizard - Amy Toth - 1999 REU student

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Contact Eva Horne:

phone: (785) 532-5929

address: Division of Biology, Ackert Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

EMail Eva Horne
ehorne@ksu.edu