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Research Interests: population genetics; conservation biology;
herpetology
Dr. Gonser’s primary
research interests focus on conservation of species due to loss of
suitable habitat and continuing habitat fragmentation. More
specifically, he studies proximate and ultimate aspects affecting
population structure. This includes such factors as behavior, ecology,
and evolution. Dr. Gonser is currently studying gene flow and genetic
diversity of the white-tailed deer, Odecoiles virginianus.
White-tailed deer have a large, ubiquitous geographic distribution and
are important to the North American ecosystem, as well as the economy.
He is investigating the genetic structure of a reproductively isolated
population of white-tailed deer in southern Maryland using
mitochondrial DNA sequence. This population was originally colonized
from a few individuals from Virginia
Dr. Gonser’s previous
work examined the genetic structure of the Puerto Rican frog,
Eleutherodactylus coqui, using molecular and behavioral
techniques. He found that coquíes from eastern Puerto Rico are
distinctly different than coquíes from western Puerto Rico, indicating
that the two populations have become isolated over recent evolutionary
time. As part of this research, Dr. Gonser has developed a technique
for the utilization of amphibian toe-clips as important sources of
genetic information (e.g. DNA sequence), which can be collected
without detrimental effects on the population.
Selected Publications:
Reprints are available as
PDF files. By accessing the PDF file, the user agrees to abide by all
copyright laws and education fair-use regulations
Stutchbury, B.J.M., Pitcher, T.E., Norris, D.R.,
Tuttle, E.M., and Gonser, R.A. 2005. Off territory forays and
their relation to extra-pair fertilization success. in review
Gonser, R.A. 2004. Positive
learning experiences: contextual software training workshops with
pre-service teachers. Innovators in Education. Indiana
State University Press, pp. 61-73.
PDF (636 Kb)
Formica, V.A., Gonser, R.A.,
Ramsay, S.M., and Tuttle, E.M. 2004. Spatial dynamics of alternative
reproductive strategies: the role of neighbors. Ecology 85(4):
1125-1136.
PDF (1061 Kb)
Gonser, R.A., Moore, S.W., and
Shimer, S.S. 2003. Mock job application and interview assignment that
is adaptable for students at all levels of education. The Hoosier
Science Teacher. 3: 76-83.
Gonser, R.,
P. Donnelly, G. Nicholson, et al. 2000. Microsatellite mutations and
inferences about human
demography. Genetics 154: 1793-1807.
PDF (391 Kb)
Gonser, R. A.
and R. V. Collura. 1996. Waste not, want not: toe-clips as a source of
DNA. Journal of Herpetology 30: 445-447.
PDF (118 Kb)
Gonser, R. A.
and L. L. Woolbright. 1995. Homing behavior of the Puerto Rican frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui.
Journal of Herpetology 29: 481-484.
PDF (534 Kb)
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