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Christopher
R. Tracy
Advisor: Warren
Porter
Ph.D. Title: "Pattern
and theory of geographic
variation in physiology
and body size in Sauromalus
obesus."
Research projects/interests:
My primary interests
are in physiological,
biophysical, and evolutionary
ecology of desert
reptiles and amphibians,
including the implications
of variation in life
history and body size.
I am also interested
in digestive physiology
and thermal biology
of terrestrial vertebrate
ectotherms, as well
as general ecology
of desert systems.
My past research has
included studies of
digestive abilities
of desert tortoises,
desert iguanas and
chuckwallas (a desert-dwelling,
iguanid lizard), studies
of the effects of
herbicides on growth
and metamorphosis
of tadpoles, a study
on biogeography of
western toads, and
thermoregulatory abilities,
preferences and controls
of several species
of frogs, toads, snakes
and lizards. These
studies have included
field work in northern
Michigan, the Negev
desert in Israel,
and throughout much
of the Sonoran and
Mojave deserts of
the United States.
My current research
is on the evolution
and ecological implications
of variation in physiology,
body size and life
history in chuckwallas,
including: (1) geographic
patterns of body size
in chuckwallas and
desert iguanas, (2)
geographic variation
in active nutrient
uptake rates across
the intestinal membrane
(in collaboration
with Jared Diamond),
(3) metabolic and
anatomical changes
in the digestive tract
of herbivorous lizards
following a meal,
(4) variation
and ontogeny of sexual
dimorphism in chuckwallas.
CURRICULUM
VITAE
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