Leila Siciliano-Martina

Courses

pending

Research Interests

Functional Ecology, Ecomorphology, Conservation Biology, Zoo Biology

The research in my lab is focused on the relationship between animal traits and environmental conditions, particularly the ways in which human-modified systems (e.g., captivity, urbanization, changing climates) can influence organismal performance and phenotype. We explore functional traits (related to dietary, locomotor, physiological, and behavioral function) at the population and community-level to understand baseline trait-environment relationships as well as the ways in which traits can be modified by disturbances, and what this can tell us about species ecology, evolution, and conservation. We assess these topics using a combination of morphological size and shape analyses (e.g., traditional and geometric morphometric techniques), spatial analyses, and ecological modeling.

Selected Publications

Siciliano-Martina, L., Martina, J.P., Dohnalik, E., Vielleux, G. 2023. Factors influencing the frequency and timing of litters in captive fennec foxes (Vulpes zerda). Animal Reproduction Science 248:107182. DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107182 

Siciliano-Martina, L., Michaud, M., Scicluna, E., Tanis, B., Lawing, A.M. 2022 Endocranial volume increases across captive generations in the endangered Mexican wolf. Scientific Reports 12:8147. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12371-6

Siciliano-Martina, L., Light, J.E., Riley, D., Lawing, A.M. 2022. One of the wolves in not like the other: Morphological effects and conservation implications of captivity in Mexican Wolves (Canis lupus baileyi). Animal Conservation. 25:77-90. DOI: 10.1111/acv/12724

Siciliano-Martina, L., Light, J.E., Lawing, A.M. 2021. Morphological consequences of captivity: a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Zoology. 18(4):1-13. DOI: 10/1186/s12983-021-00386-0

Siciliano-Martina, L., Light, J.E., Lawing, A.M. 2021. Changes in canid cranial morphology induced by captivity and conservation implications. Biological Conservation. 257:109143. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109143

Light, J.E., Siciliano-Martina, L., Dohnalik, E., Vielleux, G., Hafner, D.J., Lawing, A.M., Greenbaum, I.F. 2021. Morphological differentiation of Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus in east Texas. Therya. 12(2):369-387. DOI: 10.12933/therya-21-1116

Siciliano-Martina, L., J. Martina. 2020. Shifting barriers to the acceptance of evolution in an underrepresented student group. International Journal of Science Education. 42(13):2205-2223. DOI: 10.1080/09500693.2020.1815247

Siciliano-Martina, L. 2020. Multi-institutional survey of causes of maternal-rejection in giraffes Giraffa camelopardalis in North American zoos. International Zoo Yearbook. 54:191-201. DOI: 10.1111/izy.12252

Siciliano-Martina, L., J. Martina. 2018. Stress and social behaviors of maternally-deprived captive giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis). Zoo Biology. 37(20):1-10. DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21405 

Please see faculty member’s CV or website for a complete list of publications and additional information.