| Affiliations: | STEM Research Leadership |
| Project Leader: | Nicole Stevens
Ecology and Conservation Biology |
| Faculty Mentor: | Lee Fitzgerald, Ph.D. |
| Meeting Times: | TBA |
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Team Size:
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3 |
| Open Spots: | 0 |
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Special Opportunities:
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Interested students will have the opportunity to collect and analyze real scientific data with potential for conference presentations and/or manuscript co-authorship. They will gain valuable field skills in ecological data collection. There will also be opportunities for higher-level data analysis if the student has experience in R or expresses interest.
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Team Needs:
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Some basic ecology coursework or experience is highly encouraged, especially related to herpetology and conservation biology. Most importantly, ideal students should have interest and motivation for learning science and conducting fieldwork! Full availability for the duration of fieldwork is required. |
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Description:
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In St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, introduced mammalian predators have changed ecosystems and caused local extinction of reptile species. Yet, the St. Croix anole (Anolis acutus) continues to thrive. How are these lizards coexisting with threats? Are they increasing arboreality to avoid introduced mammals? Project participants will assist with field surveys of A. acutus to answer these questions. Interns should be comfortable with prolonged periods of physical activity in hot weather conditions. Field work will last a total of 18 days and will take place in July/August. |