Oklahoma State University	Department of Zoology

Karen McBee Professor & Curator of Vertebrates Ph.D., 1985, Texas A&M University Email: mcbee@okstate.edu Phone: 405-744-9680

(Mammalogy; Environmental Genetics; Wildlife Toxicology)

Specific Interests

My research interests focus on two different aspects of the role that environmental stressors play in altering the genetic structure of populations. My lab uses several genetic techniques to investigate relationships between exposure to environmental pollutants and induction of genetic damage in wildlife species and to explore how induced genetic damage may translate into long term population demographic effects. We also use molecular techniques to investigate how exposure to environmental stressors may result in selection for specific genotypes leading to reduced genetic variability within populations. I am also interested in mammalian systematics and evolution and my lab uses cytogenetic and molecular tools to investigate phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of mammals.

Selected Publications

• Wilber, P.G., K. McBee, D.J. Hafner, and D.W. Duszynski. 1994. A new coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) and a comparison of oocyst survival rates in hosts from radon-rich versus radon-poor soils. Journal of Wildlife Disease 30:359-364.
• Thies, M.L., K. Thies, and K. McBee. 1996. Organochlorine pesticide accumulation and genotoxicity in Mexican Free-tailed bats from Oklahoma and New Mexico. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 30:178-187.
• Husby, M. P., J. S. Hausbeck, and K. McBee. 1999. Chromosomal aberrancy in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) collected on abandoned coal strip mines. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 18:919-925.
• Whittier, J. B. and K. McBee. 1999. Use of flow cytometry to detect genetic damage in mallards dosed with mutagens. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 18:1557-1563.
• Peakall, D. B., and K. McBee. 2001. Biomarkers for contaminant exposure and effects in mammals. In: Shore, R. F., and B. Rattner, editors. Ecotoxicology of Wild Mammals. John Wiley & Sons. Pp. 551-576.
• Pfau, R. S., K. McBee, and R. A. Van Den Bussche. 2001. Genetic diversity of the major histocompatibility complex of cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) inhabiting an oil refinery complex. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 20:2224-2228
• McBee, K. 2003. vignette 7.1 Chromosome damage, Pp. 137-139, In: Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology, 2nd ed. (M. C. Newman and M. A. Unger) Lewis Publishers.
• French, D. P., K. McBee, M. G. Harmon, and D. Swoboda. 2003. Digital and analog video equipment as assistive technology in dissection-intensive labs: potential benefits to students with disabilities. American Biology Teacher 65:634-641.