Jerry Husak
Ph.D. Candidate
Advisor: Dr. Stanley F. Fox
General Research Interests: Evolutionary ecology, behavioral ecology, the comparative method, ecomorphology, herpetology, lizard ecology
Dissertation: My dissertation involves understanding the ecological and evolutionary significance of locomotor performance in collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris). I am examining field-realized sprint speed in various ecologically and behaviorally relevant contexts. I am also examining individual, sexual, and seasonal variation in sprint speed and hormone levels. I will relate these findings to territory size and mating success (which I will determine via genetic parentage analyses in Dr. Ron Van Den Bussche's lab) to discern what roles natural and sexual selection have played in the evolution of collared lizard performance and morphology.
Other Current Projects:
Behavioral ecology of the reticulate collared lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus) in south Texas and the venerable collared lizard (Crotaphytus antiquus) in northern Mexico.
Performance conseqences of asymmetry in collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) and sub-population differences in collared lizard coloration with Matt Rouse.
The roles of natural and sexual selection in the evolution of collared lizard display behavior, morphology, and coloration with Joe Macedonia (Rutowski Lab, Arizona State University) and Yoni Brandt (Andrade Lab, U Toronto Scarborough).
The physiological costs (metabolic, hormonal, thermal) imposed upon dominant and subordinate male collared lizards with Kris Karsten and Day Ligon (Lovern Lab, OSU).
Population variation and ontogeny of sexual dimorphism in bite-force performance of collared lizards with Kris Lappin (Nishikawa Lab, NAU).
Ontogeny of resting metabolic rates in collared lizards; metabolic costs of reproduction in collared lizards with Day Ligon (Lovern Lab, OSU).
The effects of incubation environment on performance, survival, territory acquisition, and reproductive success in collared lizards with Day Ligon (Lovern Lab, OSU) and Kris Karsten.
Steroid hormone profiles of female collared lizards during the breeding season with Dr. Matt Lovern (OSU).
Publications:
Husak, J. F. and J. K. McCoy. 2000. Diet composition of the collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) in west-central Texas. Texas Journal of Science 52:93-100.
Husak, M. S., and J. F. Husak. 2002. Low frequency of site fidelity by Golden-fronted Woodpeckers. Southwestern Naturalist 47:110-114.
Husak, J.F. and S.F. Fox. 2003. Adult male collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) increase aggression towards displaced neighbours. Animal Behaviour 65:391-396.
Husak, J.F. and S.F. Fox. 2003. Spatial organization and the dear enemy phenomenon in adult female collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris. Journal of Herpetology 37:211-215.
Husak, J. F. and E. N. Ackland. 2003. Foraging mode of the reticulate collared lizard, Crotaphytus reticulatus. Southwestern Naturalist 48:282-286.
Husak, J. F. 2004. Signal use by collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris: the effects of familiarity and threat. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 55:602-607.
Husak, J. F., J. K. McCoy, S. F. Fox, and T. A. Baird. 2004. Is coloration of juvenile male collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) female mimicry?: an experimental test. Journal of Herpetology 38:156-160.
Macedonia, J. M., J. F. Husak, Y. M Brandt, A. K. Lappin, and T. A. Baird. 2004. Sexual dichromatism and color conspicuousness in three populations of collared lizards (Crotaphytus collaris) from Oklahoma. Journal of Herpetology 38:340-354.
Lappin, A. K., and J. F. Husak. Weapon performance, not size, determines mating success and potential reproductive output in the collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris). Accepted, American Naturalist.
Courses:
Advanced Herpetology - Fall 2004
Evolutionary Ecology - Spring 2005
Miscellaneous Links:
Department of Biology, Angelo State University - my alma mater
Mike Husak - Department of Biological Sciences, Cameron University
Terry Ord - Indiana University (Now at UC Davis)
Jim McGuire - UC Berkeley
Ordination Methods for Ecologists - Dr. Mike Palmer's page (OSU)
Zoology Graduate Student Society - OSU
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