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Michael M. Webber Doctoral Student School of Life Sciences University of Nevada, Las Vegas 4505 Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-4004 Email: webberm4@unlv.nevada.edu
Advisor: Dr. Javier Rodríguez |
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My name is Michael M. Webber, and I am a doctoral student in the School of Life Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I earned my B.S. in biology from UNLV, and transitioned into the PhD program in the Fall of 2008. I am interested in the behavioral ecology, foraging and feeding ecology, as well as the ecophysiology of squamates (lizards and snakes). My current research focuses on life history tradeoffs and the costs of reproduction in venomous desert ectotherms. Recently, I have expanded my interests to include invertebrates (Bark Scorpions).
What are Life History Tradeoffs? Life History tradeoffs often occur when organisms are faced with conflicting selective pressures. Due to the fact that an organism’s phenotype cannot be optimal under all environmental conditions, compromises must be made involving resource allocation to competing life functions (feeding, reproductive activities, thermoregulation...etc). Research I am currently investigating potential tradeoffs between feeding and reproductive activities for gravid female Sidewinders (Crotalus cerastes), as well as the costs of reproduction for gravid female Arizona Bark Scorpions (Centruroides sculpturatus). I love field work! In my spare time, I love hiking, camping...etc, and searching for rattlesnakes with my 4-legged buddy Klauber.
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