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Research
Research in the Warner Lab examines interactions between organisms and their environments across several life-history stages (from embryos to adults). Our work also integrates aspects of ecology, behavior, physiology and genetics to understand how natural selection has shaped the phenotypic variation that we observe. We use a variety of techniques and combine field and lab studies to gain a comprehensive understanding of adaptive evolution. Our research focuses on reptiles (mostly lizards and turtles) because these animals have several characteristics that make them excellent models for addressing fundamental questions in evolutionary ecology. |
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Most of our research focuses on the brown anole lizard (Anolis sagrei), which is native to The Bahamas and Cuba but has been introduced to the southeast United States (and elsewhere). This species is extremely abundant and sometimes occurs at densities >1 lizard per square meter! This species has also be the subject of many foundational studies in the fields of ecology, behavior and evolution. Our field work takes place in Florida on small islands in the Intracoastal Waterway near Palm Coast. These islands offer unique opportunities to study replicated populations in the wild. We have been conducting research at this site since 2011. More details about our research can be found at the Warner Lab website.
Scope of research projects for STEER fellows in 2023
During the STEER program, teacher fellows will attend an informal workshop about the scientific method and hypothesis development, assist the Warner Lab with local field work, and devise a research project based on observations from the field work. Members of the Warner Lab will help fine-tune the research questions and help develop methods and protocols. Our hope is to spend 1-2 days implementing the project and collecting data. Some example research questions are: 1) Is habitat preference by lizards dependent upon their morphology? 2) How does salamander density vary across habitat types? 3) Do frogs differ in size or shape depending upon the wetland habitat they are found in (e.g., stream vs pond). By addressing questions like these, teacher fellows will be immersed in scientific conversations. Consequently, teacher fellows should start to view science as a creative and exciting (and sometimes simple) endeavor that can also be performed by their students.
The teacher fellows will also develop a lesson plan for teaching the process of science to middle school students. This lesson plan will be "tested" during the Junior Curator Camp, which is a outreach program in natural history aimed for middle school students (organized through the Auburn University Museum of Natural History). After implementing the lesson plan, teacher fellows will have time to reflect on the experience and improve their lesson plan to use in their own classroom after summer. See more details on the Lesson Plan page.
During the STEER program, teacher fellows will attend an informal workshop about the scientific method and hypothesis development, assist the Warner Lab with local field work, and devise a research project based on observations from the field work. Members of the Warner Lab will help fine-tune the research questions and help develop methods and protocols. Our hope is to spend 1-2 days implementing the project and collecting data. Some example research questions are: 1) Is habitat preference by lizards dependent upon their morphology? 2) How does salamander density vary across habitat types? 3) Do frogs differ in size or shape depending upon the wetland habitat they are found in (e.g., stream vs pond). By addressing questions like these, teacher fellows will be immersed in scientific conversations. Consequently, teacher fellows should start to view science as a creative and exciting (and sometimes simple) endeavor that can also be performed by their students.
The teacher fellows will also develop a lesson plan for teaching the process of science to middle school students. This lesson plan will be "tested" during the Junior Curator Camp, which is a outreach program in natural history aimed for middle school students (organized through the Auburn University Museum of Natural History). After implementing the lesson plan, teacher fellows will have time to reflect on the experience and improve their lesson plan to use in their own classroom after summer. See more details on the Lesson Plan page.
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