Undergraduate Program :: URAP (Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program)

Research Projects in the Department of Zoology

Osoregulation in marine and freshwater snakes
Contact: Leslie Babonis, babonis@zoo.ufl.edu
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Harvey Lillywhite

Broadly, I am interested in the evolution of marine habitat use in reptiles. For my dissertation work I am conducting comparative studies of osmoregulation in several species of marine and freshwater snakes. These studies involve examination of both physiological and behavioral means of osmoregulating from the level of the whole animal down to tissue and cellular-level comparisons. I will need two undergraduate volunteers to help me with my project beginning ASAP. Major responsibilities will include: weekly maintenance of live animals (feeding/cleaning), preparing tissue samples for analysis (you will learn several laboratory techniques including histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology), and participating in collecting trips (out to Seahorse Key and to local freshwater marshes). Interested individuals should plan to commit a minimum of 6 hours per week (preferably in one or two blocks) and should be comfortable handling live (non-venomous) snakes. For more information, please contact Leslie S. Babonis.

Our research program broadly examines the processes that determine the abundance, distribution, and diversity of tropical forest animals and trees in the Republic of Congo.  We have ongoing studies on specific subjects such as:  1) the role of seed dispersal, herbivory, and seed predation in generating community patterns of seedling and tree distribution, 2) the factors that limit or promote seedling regeneration, 3) the relative roles of seed and establishment limitation to plant population abundance an plant community structure, and 4) the effects of disturbance (particularly logging and hunting) on animal abundance (approximately 40 species) and ecological processes.   We are currently looking for two motivated, flexible, and hard-working undergraduate research assistants to assist in this research.   We prefer a commitment of 2 semesters, but are open to less.   Initially, most of the assistants time will be spent analyzing digital photos to quantify the strength of herbivory on tropical seedling communities.  However, additional tasks may include some data entry, verification and database management.  Research assistants that demonstrate a high level of performance could potentially use the herbivory data for an undergraduate thesis and be involved in the publication of a manuscript.

Florida manatee photo IDs and some tracking of tagged animals (Field Work).
Contact: Dr. Iske Larkin, LarkinI@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu, 392-4700 ext5168
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Iske Larkin

I study reproduction in Florida manatees, both captive and wild. We are currently focusing on collecting photo IDs from wild manatees, and monitoring behavioral and hormonal data from tagged manatees that inhabit Kings Bay, Crystal River throughout different seasons. I have room for 2 students, to work as a team, who would have a full day available for field work each week, week day or weekend, with a limited number of weeks off. The study would include taking photographs of manatees with identifiable scar patterns for photo IDs and some tracking of tagged manatees around Kings Bay. Please be prepared by packing food, proper sun protection (i.e. sunglasses, sun block, and hat), and appropriate clothes to keep warm and dry. Conducting field work would include using a kayak or canoe and willingness to provide your own travel out to Crystal River, Florida (~1 hr 30 min drive from Gainesville) once a week. I need a minimum 2 semester commitment, 3 semesters preferred. Any boating and/or field experience a plus. Please contact Dr. Larkin via e-mail, office phone or cell: 494-1742.

Comparitive behavior of dendrobatid frogs
Contact: Seabird McKeon, mckeons@ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Gustav Paulay

I'm looking for a motivated, responsible undergraduate to help with a comparative behavioral project with Dendrobatid frogs.  The initial project will be the set up and maintenance of the frog breeding program, so prospective students can expect a lot of  practice with the husbandry of frogs and fruit flies.   This would be a good project for students interested in behavior, amphibians, and reproductive biology.  Good attitude, and responsibility most important.  Enthusiasm and reliability are more important than your background.  Must be willing to keep detailed notes to be posted on the web.  If the right person comes along, I'd consider developing an independent project with the goal of publication.  If interested, please send a cover letter, CV, and the names of two Zoology professors who will provide verbal references when I ask.

Differential fecundity of coral symbionts
Contact: Seabird McKeon, mckeons@ufl.edu
Faculty supervisor: Dr. Gustav Paulay

I'm looking for a motivated, responsible undergraduate to help with a study of coral ecto-symbionts- mostly coral guard crabs of the genus Trapezia and Alpheus lottini,  a large snapping shrimp.  The position will entail detailed work in the lab and learning molecular methods.  This would be a good project for students with interests in ecology, biodiversity, or marine biology.  Good attitude, and responsibility most important.  If the right person comes along, I'd consider developing an independent project with the goal of publication.  If interested, please send a cover letter, CV, and the names of two Zoology professors who will provide verbal references when I ask.

Polyandry in the Horseshoe Crab, Limulus polyphemus
Contact: Dr. Sheri Johnson, slj@zoo.ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Sheri Johnson

The Brockmann Lab is currently looking for undergraduate volunteers to assist with laboratory and/or field work for a project examining the costs/benefits of multiple mating in horseshoe crabs.  Lab work will consist of rearing horseshoe crab offspring and/or genetic work for paternity analysis. Field work is conducted at the UF field station on Seahorse Key (an island 3 miles off Cedar Key). Field work will involve behavioral observations, mating observations, digging and counting eggs, tagging and measuring adult horseshoe crabs. Volunteers must be willing to dedicate at least 3 hours per week in the laboratory and/or full weekends (six weekends total during the Spring semester) in the field.  Preference will be given to students who are willing to take part in both laboratory and field work. Please contact Sheri Johnson for more information.

Evolution of Venom Variation in the Florida Cottonmouth
Contact: Ryan McCleary, mccleary@zoo.ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Harvey Lillywhite

My main interest is the evolution of venom in snakes.  I am conducting research examining the correlations between venom composition, geographic location, genetic relatedness, and diet in the Florida cottonmouth, a venomous viperid snake.  I am seeking two individuals who are interested in several aspects of my study.  Tasks include simple dissections of road-killed and museum specimens for gut content collection, identification of organisms found in gut contents, help with road and field collection of snakes, and DNA extraction from blood.  There will be opportunities to help with blood drawing, venom collection, and measurements of live, anesthetized animals; and, there are possibilities for conducting analysis of venom components through mass spectrometry and/or enzyme assays.  I am requesting a minimum time commitment of 6 hours per week in either 1 (field) or 2 (lab/museum) blocks.  I also have preference for someone who will be in Gainesville over the summer.  All inquiries should be sent to Ryan McCleary.

Patterns of nest predation and parasitism of songbirds in a fragmented landscape
Contact: Christine Stracey, cstracey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Scott Robinson

We are investigating the factors, such as nest predation and parasitism by cowbirds, that influence reproductive success of birds in relation to habitat fragmentation. We are currently seeking a number of assistants to convert twenty years of nesting data into a new format for re-analysis. Responsibilities include entering and managing data in Excel. Interested individuals should plan to commit at least 5 hours per week. Students will gain experience in data entry and management. Inquiries should be sent to Christine Stracey.

Bibliography of crocodilian biology
Contact: Kent Vliet, kent.vliet@zoo.ufl.edu, Carr Hall B-15
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Kent Vliet

I am working on an extensive bibliography of crocodilian biology. I need assistance in library work and data base entry of reference material. Assistants will also have some opportunity to work with captive collections of crocodilians at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Zoology research projects in other departments