Faculty Profile

Dean G. McCurdy

Associate Professor of Biology

B.Sc.(H)., Acadia University, 1995; Ph.D., Carleton University, 2000.

Appointed: 2001

Expertise Areas: Behavioral ecology, zoology, conservation biology, parasitology

_______________________________________________________________________________

Current Courses:

Biology 195: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity

Biology 225: Invertebrate Zoology

Biology 310: Evolution

Biology 368: Behavioral Ecology

LA101: Tidal Life

HSP 123: Great Issues in Science - Biodiversity and Conservation

_______________________________________________________________________________

Research Interests: Dr. McCurdy is a behavioral ecologist with interests that relate to the ecology, evolution, and conservation of vertebrate and invertebrate animals (crustaceans, turtles, polychaete worms, frogs, shorebirds, various parasites). He frequently investigates how life-history strategies of animals are influenced by their parasites, predators, or human disturbance. Most of his research is done in the field (sometimes on-campus and elsewhere in Michigan, but usually at field sites thousands of miles away). Approaches used in his research include observations in the field (e.g., tracking animals via radio-telemetry, use of GPS/GIS technology), experiments in the field and laboratory, mathematical modeling, and the occasional use of molecular and biochemical techniques. For a description of recent student projects and information about joining his research group, please visit http://people.albion.edu/dmccurdy/mccurdy-research.htm

Selected Publications:

Forbes, M.R., McCurdy, D.G., Lui, K., Mautner, S.I., and Boates, J.S. 2006. Evidence for seasonal mate limitation in populations of the intertidal amphipod, Corophium volutator (Pallas). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. In Press.

McCurdy, D.G., Forbes, M.R., Logan, S.P., Lancaster, D., and Mautner, S.I. 2005. Foraging and impacts by benthic fish on the intertidal amphipod, Corophium volutator. Journal of Crustacean Biology 25: 558-564.

McCurdy, D.G., and Moran, B. 2004. Parasitism and soft-bottom community structure: studies in a polychaete-amphipod system. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 84: 165-169.

McCurdy, D.G., and Degel, K.M. 2004. Impacts of temperature on emergence of trematode cercariae from the mud snail Ilyanassa obsoleta (Say). MarSci(http://www.msci.sc.edu/marsci/).

McCurdy, D.G., Forbes, M.R., Logan, S.P., Kopec, M.T., and Mautner, S.I. 2004. The functional significance of intersexes in the amphipod Corophium volutator. Journal of Crustacean Biology 24: 261-265.

McCurdy, D.G. 2001. Asexual reproduction in Pygospio elegans Claparède (Annelida, Polychaeta) in relation to parasitism by Lepocreadium setiferoides (Miller and Northup) (Platyhelminthes, Trematoda). Biological Bulletin 201: 45-51.

McCurdy, D.G., Boates, J.S., and Forbes, M.R. 2001. An empirical model on the optimal timing of reproduction for female amphipods infected by trematodes. Journal of Parasitology 87: 24-30.

McCurdy, D.G., Boates, J.S., and Forbes, M.R. 2000a. Spatial distribution of the intertidal snail Ilyanassa obsoleta in relation parasitism by two species of trematodes. Canadian Journal of Zoology 78: 1137-1143.

McCurdy, D.G., Forbes, M.R., and Boates, J.S. 2000b. Male amphipods increase their mating effort before behavioural manipulation by trematodes. Canadian Journal of Zoology 78: 606-612.

McCurdy, D.G., Boates , J.S., and Forbes, M.R. 2000b. Reproductive synchrony in the intertidal amphipod Corophium volutator. Oikos 88: 301-308.

McCurdy, D.G., Forbes, M.R., and Boates, J.S. 1999a. Evidence that the parasitic nematode Skrjabinoclava manipulates host Corophium behavior to increase transmission to the sandpiper, Calidris pusilla. Behavioral Ecology 10: 351-357.

McCurdy, D.G., Forbes, M.R., and Boates, J.S. 1999b. Testing alternative hypotheses for variation in amphipod behaviour and life history in relation to parasitism. International Journal for Parasitology 29: 1001-1009.

McCurdy, D.G., Mullie, A., Shutler, D., and Forbes, M.R. 1998. Sex-biased parasitism of avian hosts: relations to blood parasite taxon and mating system. Oikos 82: 303-312.

McCurdy, D.G., Boates, J.S., and Forbes, M.R. 1997. Diurnal and nocturnal foraging by Semipalmated Sandpipers Calidris pusilla. Journal of Avian Biology 28: 353-356.

McCurdy, D.G. and Herman, T.B. 1997. Putative anting behaviour in wood turtles. Herpetological Review 12: 128-129.

EMAIL     WEBSITE