Kurt J. RegesterVertebrate EcologistAssistant Professor TrainingB.S. Biology, Clarion University M.S. Biology, Middle Tennessee State University Ph.D. Zoology, Southern Illinois University Contact:(W): 814-393-1936 Email: kregester@clarion.edu Office: 267 STC |
 |
Professional Associations
Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Herpetologists League
National Audubon Society: Seneca Rocks Chapter Member
The Wildlife Society: Pennsylvania Chapter Member
Course taught
BIOL 166 Principles of Biology Lab
BIOL 258 Anatomy and Physiology Lab
BIOL 305 General Zoology
BIOL 411 / 511 Wildlife Ecology and Management
BIOL 428 / 528 Ornithology
BIOL 494 / 594 Population Biology
BIOL 500 Graduate Seminar
Research Interests
Quantifying ecological roles of amphibians is important in light of global declines in biodiversity. Amphibians are among the most imperiled organisms, with ~33% of the 6,000 species threatened with extinction. The ecological consequences of this massive loss of biodiversity have rarely been studied, yet these losses are expected to have large-scale and long-lasting effects on all ecosystems in which they occur. To assess the ecological importance of amphibians, I have been investigating how hydroperiod, community composition, and population interactions influence energy and material fluxes associated with their complex life cycles. Using pond-breeding salamanders as a focal group, I recently quantified energy flow and aquatic-terrestrial food web interactions between ponds and adjacent forest habitats. This research suggests that the loss of amphibians will greatly affect certain aspects of ecosystem function and structure, that the global loss of amphibians is likely impacting many other species and habitats. Quantifying ecological roles of amphibians furthers our understanding of the consequences of population losses and is relevant to conservation of biodiversity, protection of water quality, and management of adjacent terrestrial habitats. Students with interests in vertebrate ecology (particularly field work involving amphibians, birds, or mammals) should feel free to discuss their interests with me or ask about current opportunities for field experience and independent projects.
Recent Publications
Whiles M.R., M.I. Gladyshev, N.N. Sushchik, O.N. Makhutova, G.S. Kalachova, S.D. Peterson, and K.J. Regester. (In press). Fatty acid analyses reveal high degrees of omnivory and dietary plasticity in pond-dwelling tadpoles. Freshwater Biology.
Regester, K.J., M.R. Whiles, and K.R. Lips. 2008. Variation in the trophic basis of production and energy flow associated with emergence of larval salamander assemblages from forest ponds. Freshwater Biology 53:1754-1767.
Regester, K.J. and M.R. Whiles (2006) Decomposition rates of spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) life stages and associated energy and nutrient fluxes in ponds and adjacent forest in southern Illinois. Copeia 2006:640-649.
Regester, K.J., K.R. Lips, and M.R. Whiles (2006) Energy flow and subsidies associated with the complex life cycle of ambystomatid salamanders in ponds and adjacent forest in southern Illinois. Oecologia 147:303-314.
Regester, K.J. and L.B. Woosley (2005) Marking salamander egg masses with Visible Florescent Elastomer: retention time and effect on embryonic development. American Midland Naturalist 153:52-60.
Regester, K.J. (2001) Intradermal mite, Hannemaina sp. (Acarina: Trombiculidae), infestations differ in populations of syntopic plethodontids in central Tennessee. Herpetological Natural History 8:69-73.
Regester, K.J. (2000) Plethodon richmondi. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. pp. 707.1 -707.3.
Regester, K.J. (2000) Plethodon electromorphus. Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. pp. 706.1-706.3.
