| RESEARCH PROJECTS |
| FLOYD HAYES |
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| Geographic Variation, Hybridization and Taxonomy of Selected Neotropical Birds Initiated in 1992, this project includes analyses of: geographic variation, hybridization and taxonomy of the Suiriri Flycatcher (Suiriri suiriri) complex; geographic variation, hybridization and taxonomy of New World Butorides herons; geographic variation of the White-throated Sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis); geographic variation variation in body mass of the Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola); geographic variation and taxonomy of the Great Pampa-Finch (Embernagra platensis) complex; and variability, hybridization and taxonomy of the Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis) complex. Funded indirectly by numerous grants. [MORE!] Sabre Rattling at the Lek: Status, Ecology and Behavior of the Endangered White-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis) Initiated in 1995, this project includes comprehensive natural history studies of a globally endangered species of hummingbird once thought to have been extirpated in Tobago after Hurricane Flora in 1963. The project includes studies of geographic variation, sexual dimorphism, demography, post-hurricane population recovery, population bottleneck genetics (with collaborator Mark Berres), molt, breeding biology, lek mating system, time budgets, vocalizations and foraging behavior. Approximately 100 students, mostly from Caribbean Union College, have participated in this project. Funded primarily by grants from the American Bird Conservancy (1996), BirdLife International (1995), British Petroleum (1995), Fauna and Flora International (1996), Lincoln Park Zoo (1997), University of the West Indies (1999) and other institutions. [MORE!] Tropical vs. Temperate Life History Traits: Breeding Biology and Mating Systems of the Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) in Trinidad Initiated in 1997 on the campus of Caribbean Union College in Maracas Valley, this project includes comprehensive natural history studies of a color-banded population. Topics studied include sexual dimorphism, demography, nest-site selection, clutch size, nest construction, time budgets, parental care, defense of nest, reproductive success, and genetic studies of parentage (with collaborator Mark Berres) comparing monogamous pairs (male and female) with polygynous trios (male and two females) and polyandrous / cooperative trios (female and two males). Students from both Caribbean Union College and the University of the West Indies participate in the project during laboratory exercises. Funded by a grant from the Linnean Society of London (1999). [MORE!] Status, Ecology and Behavior of the Endangered Trinidad Piping-Guan (Pipile pipile) Initiated in 1998, this project includes natural history studies of a globally endangered species endemic to Trinidad. The project includes point-count surveys along trails in humid rain forests of northeastern Trinidad, and ecological and behavioral studies of group size, home range, habitat use, behavioral time budgets, foraging behavior, vocalizations and displays of a small population at Grande Riviere on the north coast. Students from both Caribbean Union College and the University of the West Indies have participated. Funded by a grant from the St. Louis Zoo (1998). [MORE!] Population Ecology of Birds in Agroforestry Plantations and Agricultural Areas of Trinidad Initiated in 1995, this project initially compared the abundance, diversity and seasonality of birds in an exotic Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea) plantation with an adjacent native broad-leaved forest. A similar study of birds in cocoa (Theobroma cacao) agroforestry plantations at Paria Springs, Trinidad, was conducted by University of the West Indies graduate student Carol Ramjohn. Another study on the effects of rice (Oryza) agriculture on the population and foraging ecology of birds in Caroni, Trinidad, was conducted by University of the West Indies graduate student Lester Doodnath. Funded by grants from Paria Springs Eco Community (1999) and the University of the West Indies (2001). [MORE!] Status, Distribution and Biogeography of Birds in Trinidad and Tobago Initiated in 1993, this project documents the status, distribution and biogeography of birds in Trinidad and Tobago based on personal observations in the field, observations reported by others, a review of museum specimen records and a review of the literature. As a service to the resident and visiting communities of birders and ornithologists in the Lesser Antilles, Trinidad and Tobago, I initiated and compiled a weekly report of bird records freely distributed as the Southeastern Caribbean Bird Alert. I also review reports of rare birds in Trinidad and Tobago that have been submitted to the Trinidad and Tobago Rare Bird Committee. Documentary photographs of many species are presented in the Southeastern Caribbean Birds Photo Gallery. Data on resident bird populations on islands varying greatly in size will be used to test hypotheses on the origins of the avifauna, species-area relationships, the factors affecting species richness and density overcompensation on islands. Funded indirectly by grants for other projects described above. [MORE!] Symbiotic Relationships among Decapod Crabs, Sea Urchins and Sea Anemones Initiated in 1995, this project focused initially on the symbiotic relationships among decapod crabs (primarily Stenorhynchus seticornis and Percnon gibbessi) associating with three species of sea urchins (Diadema antillarum, Eucidaris tribuloides and Echinometra lucunter). Factors studied included the frequency of association and potential factors affecting host selection. Another brief study focused on the frequency of association between the shrimp Alpheus polystictus and the sea anemone Bartholomea annulata. Recent studies documented geographic variation in the association of decapod crabs with Diadema antillarum in the eastern Caribbean. Funded directly by a grant from Sigma Xi (1997) to undergraduate student Victor Joseph, and indirectly by several grants. [MORE!] Effects of Riverine Barriers and Fluctuating Water Levels on Bird Distribution in South America Initiated in 1987, this study examined the effects of fluctuating water levels in the Paraguay River on waterbirds and raptors, and assessed the ecological and historical roles of the Paraguay River and Amazon River as barriers to bird distribution. [MORE!] Abundance and Habitat Use of Coral Reef Fish in Tobago Initiated in 1998, this project examined the abundance and habitat use of selected species of coral reef fishes along the coasts of Tobago (1998). Funded directly by a grant from Sigma Xi (1998) to undergraduate student Neville Trimm. [MORE!] Symptoms of Stress in Primary Students Studying for the Common Entrance Examination in Trinidad Initiated in 1997, this brief project assessed the symptoms of stress in primary students studying for the Common Entrance Examination at four schools in Trinidad. [MORE!] Status, Distribution and Biogeography of the Birds of Paraguay Initiated in1987, this project examined the status, distribution and biogeography of the birds of Paraguay, based on three years of field work with three subsequent short visits, and a summer examining specimens in four major American museums, plus a comprehensive review of the published literature. This project culminated in my Ph.D. dissertation and the publication of a major monograph. [MORE!] Dental Morphology and Taxonomy of Fossil Ground Squirrels from Kansas 1991-1992 Ecology of Birds, Vernal Pools and Oak Woodlands at the Santa Rosa Plateau Preserve, California 1984-1991 Defensive Behavior of Frogs and Toads 1986 Behavior, Ecology and Physiology of Rattlesnakes 1986 Ecology of Seabirds in the Gal�pagos Islands 1984 Defensive and Sleep-like Behavior of the Gal�pagos Tortoise 1984 Abundance and Distribution of Birds in the Eastern Caroline Islands 1981-1982 Abundance and Distribution of Birds in Maryland and the District of Columbia 1975-1982 |
| Hybrid index specimens (USNM) illustrating neck color variation of Butorides spp. from a hybrid zone near the Isthmus of Panam� |
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| Trinidad Piping-Guan (Pipile pipile) Grande Riviere, Trinidad 13 July 2001 |
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| Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea) plantation at Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad 26 May 1995 |
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| White-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis) Bloody Bay, Tobago, 3 October 2001 Photo by William L. Murphy |
| Tropical Mockingbird (Mimus gilvus) Maracas Valley, Trinidad 13 June 2001 |
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| Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) First record for South America Orange Valley, Trinidad 24 September 2000 |
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| Long-spined Urchin (Diadema antillarum) at Secret Harbor, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, 7 January 2003 |
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