Joe Hackler
M.S. Student
Advisor: Dr. Stanley F. Fox and Dr. Ron Van Den Bussche
General Research Interests: Herpetology, Chelonian ecology, Conservation Biology, Conservation Genetics, Phylogeography, Natural History, Evolution
Thesis: For my thesis, I am examining levels of genetic variation within and among natural and captive populations of alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii). I am assessing variation within the mitochondrial genome by sequencing about 500 bp of the tRNAPro gene and adjacent 5’ end of the control region. These data will be analyzed for levels of within and among population genetic variation using a hierarchical analysis of molecular variance. Results of this research will provide critical base-line data of genetic variation of natural and captive populations in Oklahoma, and will be integral in the development of a management plan for this species of conservation concern.
Other Research:
The ecology of Texas Horned Lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) on Tinker
Air Force Base with Dr. Eric Hellgren, Dr. Stan Fox, and Raymond Moody.
The ecology and population demography of alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii) on Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge with Daren Riedle, Dr. Stan Fox, and Dr. David M. Leslie Jr.
Inventory of Reptiles and Amphibians on Sequoyah National Wildlife
Refuge with Daren Riedle.
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