Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 156 p. : col. ill., maps (part col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2007. / "Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution." Includes bibliographical references (p. 137-157).

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-35). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

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Numerical statistical methods were used to analyse the species in the genus Sceloporus using cranial osteology, external meristic and numeric characters, karyology, display behavior and geographic distribution. A new phylogeny for the genus is proposed with three main branches or Groups: Group I, a primitive group, evolved from Uta, Urosaurus and Sator in Miocene times. This Group speciated from gadoviae in the south to merriami in the north and contains 7 species in 3 species groups. Group II arose from Group I and evolved from centrally located pictus in all directions throughout Mexico. It contains approximately 19 species in 5 species groups. Group III also arose from the primitive stock of Group I and speciated from several desert refugia created by Pleistocene glaciation. Evolution of this Group in Mexico was generally from north to south with malachiticus extending as far south as Panama. This Group contains approximately 32 species in 5 species groups. It is suggested that the three main divisions of Sceloporus should be given taxonomic recognition.

In collaboration with the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, I collected detailed information on the butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea Latreille, 1802) of the refuge. I produced a comprehensive checklist of butterflies and skippers numbering 60 species. In addition, I collected data on flight periods as well as local plant community associations. Butterfly abundance surveys were conducted to assess seasonal habitat use across six site classes. Special emphasis was placed on pine forest at various stages of management for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). An exploratory analysis of butterfly diversity and abundance was conducted using non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Using a Pearson correlation, I determined that butterfly species richness correlated positively with understory plant morphospecies richness across site classes. A correlation was not found for data solely collected from the pine sites, suggesting factors other than understory morphospecies richness govern butterfly richness within a site class.

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An instantaneous sampling system was used to quantify nest attentiveness and time budget of a pair of Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) nesting at the Moore Creek colony on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in 1977. The amount of time devoted to various activities during each stage of the 4-month reproductive cycle was examined and differences between stages evaluated. During the incubation period an adult was constantly at the nest site and the birds shared equally in the incubation duties. During the first four weeks of the 8-week pre-flight nestling stage, an adult was with the chicks continuously, although the adults discontinued brooding after the first week. In the latter four weeks of the pre-flight stage and 4-week post-flight stage, the amount of time spent in the colony by the adults diminished until the parents only returned to the colony for several minutes per day to feed the young. The time devoted to incubation, brooding, nest maintenance, and sexual displays declined during the breeding season, while the time spent "loafing" and away from the colony increased. Next defense, chick maintenance, and standing at the nest were maximal during the first half of the pre-flight stage.