Michael Forstner

Courses

Genetics (BIO 2450)
Biosystematics (BIO 4369)
Herpetology (BIO 4434/5434)
Phylogenetic Methods (BIO 5466)
Molecular Field techniques (BIO 7402)
Advanced Phylogenetic Methods (BIO 7466)

Research Interests

Vertebrate systematics and population genetics.  The majority of projects comprise genetic and physical surveys of endangered or threatened species and/or genera.  Much of the labs' current work is turtle phylogenetics and population biology.  However, other projects include phylogenetic investigations in squamates and primates, as well as, population level examinations in the lizard genera Cnemidophorus and Heloderma and the frog Syrrophus.

Selected Publications

Mali, I., F.W. Weckerly, T.R. Simpson, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2016. Small scale-high resolution terrestrial activity of Trachemys scripta elegans, harvest intensity, and immediate movement responses following harvest events. Copeia 104:677-682.

Crow, J.C., M.R.J. Forstner, K.G. Ostrand, and J.R. Tomasso. 2016. The role of temperature on survival and growth of the Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum). Herpetological Conservation and Biology 11:328-334.

Brown, D.J., M.C. Jones, J. Bell, and M.R. J. Forstner. 2015. Feral hog damage to endangered Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis) habitat in the Lost Pines of Texas. Texas Journal of Science 64:73-88.

Brown, D.J., T.M. Swannack, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015. Using calling activity to predict calling activity: a case study with the endangered Houston toad. Journal of North American Herpetology 2015:12-16.

Gomez, A.V., W. Farr, D. Hahn, J.R. Dixon, D. Lazcano, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015. Absence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in eighteen species of amphibians from a variety of habitats in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Herpetological Review 46:34-37.

Mali, I., A. Villamizar-Gomez, T.M. Guerra, M.W. Vandewege, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015. Population genetics of Texas Spiny Softshell turtles (Apalone spinifera emoryi) under various anthropogenic pressures in two distinct regions of their range in Texas. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 14:148-156. 

Preston, D.B. and M.R.J. Forstner. 2015.  Aggregation status and cue type modify tadpole response to chemical cues. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 6:199-207. 

Duarte, A., D.J. Brown, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Documenting extinction in real time: decline of the Houston Toad on a primary recovery site. Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management 5:363-371. 

Brown, D.J., A. Duarte, I. Mali, M.C. Jones, and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Potential impacts of a high severity wildfire on abundance, movement, and diversity of herpetofauna in the Lost Pines ecoregion of Texas. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 9:192-205.

McCracken, S.F. and M.R.J. Forstner. 2014. Oil road effects on the anuran community of a high canopy tank bromeliad (Aechmea zebrina) in the Upper Amazon Basin, Ecuador. PLOS ONE 9, Article Number: e85470.  

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