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Dr M. Shawkey
Assistant Professor
Office: ASEC 175
Email: shawkey
Phone: 330 972 8192
Lab Website |
Research Interests
My lab group is interested in the evolution of colorful plumage and antimicrobial defenses in birds. We use a variety of tools such as electron and light microscopy, molecular methods, optical modeling, phylogenetics and fieldwork to examine questions about these fascinating topics. First, we are investigating the mechanics and evolution of structural plumage color, which is created without the use of pigments by structures that are ordered at the scale of nanometers. Many questions remain about both how these structures manipulate light to make many of the brilliant colors we see in birds, and why birds bother to make them in the first place. Sexual selection has been the dominant explanation for the evolution of colorful plumage, and while we continue to investigate sexual selection-based hypotheses, we are also exploring natural and null-selection models. Second, we are addressing how birds interact with environmental microbes, particularly those that make their way onto their feathers and eggs. How do bacteria colonize and grow on these harsh environments? How does their activity affect birds? Do birds manipulate microbial assemblages to their own advantage through chemical means? Finally, we tie these seemingly disparate lines of research into a cohesive whole by examining the potential evolutionary and physiological relationships between plumage color and microbes. Students that are interested in pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. in my lab group in the Integrative Bioscience program should contact me directly by phone or e-mail.
Education
2005 Ph.D. Auburn University 'Feathers at a Fine Scale'
2001 MS university of South Florida 'Proximate causes of high levels of brood reduction in a suburban population of Florida Scrub-Jays (Aphelocoma Coerulescens)'
1997 BA Wesleyan University
Selected Publications
SHAWKEY, M.D., M. Liu, E. Loos, F. Rowher, J.M. Wang, and S.R. Beissinger. 2008. Is differential deposition of anti-microbial proteins in eggs a maternal effect? Behavioral Ecology.
SHAWKEY, M.D., S.R. Pillai, G.E. Hill, L.M. Siefferman and S.R. Roberts. 2007.
Bacteria as an agent for change in structural plumage color: correlational and
experimental evidence. The American Naturalist S112-117.
SHAWKEY, M.D., G.E. Hill, K.J. McGraw, W.R. Hood and K.L. Huggins. 2006.
An experimental test of the relative contribution and condition-dependence of microstructure and carotenoids in yellow plumage coloration. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 273:2985-2991.
SHAWKEY, M.D., M.E. Hauber, L.K. Estep and G.E. Hill. 2006. Evolutionary
transitions and structural mechanisms of avian plumage coloration in grackles and allies (Icteridae). Journal of the Royal Society Interface 3:777-783.
SHAWKEY, M.D. and G.E. Hill. 2005. Carotenoids need structural colours to shine. Biology Letters 1:121-124.
Doucet, S.M., M.D. SHAWKEY, M.K. Rathburn, H.L. Mays, Jr. and R. Montgomerie. 2004. Concordant evolution of plumage colour, feather microstructure, and a melanocortin receptor gene between mainland and island populations of a fairy-wren. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 271:1663-1670.
SHAWKEY, M.D., A.M. Estes, L.M. Siefferman and G.E. Hill. 2003. Nanostructure
predicts intraspecific variation in ultraviolet-blue plumage colour. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 270:1455-60. Commentary on the above article appears in Nature 423:820.
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