Heather York

I am interested in animal ecology, with particular interests in tropical ecology and plant-animal interactions.  My expertise lies with Neotropical bats — in particular, the leaf-nosed bats — which comprise an ecologically and taxonomically diverse group of mammals that play a number of important roles in tropical ecosystems.  I have addressed the issue of ecological differentiation among the short-tailed fruit bats (Phyllostomidae: Carollia) using a variety of techniques, including stable-isotope and fecal analyses of diet, ecological niche modeling, and examinations of cranial morphology.  Currently, Doane College maintains a collaboration with the Lincoln Children's Zoo, which houses a colony of Carollia that are involved in an ongoing study of dietary assimilation.  I plan to expand my studies to include other genera of leaf-nosed bats in the coming years.  I also have been involved in the development of a field key to the bats of Costa Rica and Nicaragua and a Web site featuring the mammals of the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica, as well as I am working on a project focusing on the identification of new species of Carollia.

Outside of my work with Neotropical bats, I enjoy entomology, ornithology, and mammalogy in general.  As an undergraduate, I studied the effects of high temperatures on development in monarch butterflies (Nymphalidae: Danaus plexippus).  I maintain an insect collection, enjoy bird watching, and look forward to opportunities to observe animals in their natural habitats.

Student Research Advised by Dr. York:

Kyle Lowery (2008-2009).  Effects of prairie management on arachnid and mammal communities.  (Co-advised by Dr. Brad Elder.)

Katherine Talbott (2008-2009).  Patch size and population genetics of tiger beetles.  (Co-advised by Dr. Kate Marley.)

Janelle Weber (2008-2009).  Stable-isotope analysis of differentiation between diet and tissues in short-tailed fruit bats.  This research is being done in collaboration with the Lincoln Children's Zoo.

Courtney Woodman (2008-2009).  Effects of water source on brewing.

Doane College
Zoology (Bio 330)
Mammalogy (Bio 371)
Ornithology (Bio 371)
Organismal Diversity: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (Bio 121)
Research Seminar I (Bio/EVS 351)
Senior Research (Bio 495/496)

University of Kansas
Neotropical Bat Ecology in Costa Rica (Biol 418)
History and Diversity of Life (Biol 413)

Organization for Tropical Studies
Research Mentor for the Native American and Pacific Islander Research Experience (2008)

Lawrence Academy of Groton, Massachusetts
Winterim: Tropical Ecology and Culture in Costa Rica and Nicaragua (2005, 2006)
Winterim: Tropical Ecology in Amazonian Peru (2007)

Publications and Other Texts:

York, H. A.  2007.  Interspecific ecological differentiation in the short-tailed fruit bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia).  Doctoral dissertation, University of Kansas.

York, H. A.  In Press (2008).  Observations of frugivory in Phylloderma stenops (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae).  Caribbean Journal of Science.

York, H. A., P. F. Foster, M. F. Jones, W. H. Schwarz, A. L. Vezeau, and M. S. Zerwekh.  2008.  Observations of cavity-roosting behavior in Costa Rican Lophostoma brasiliense (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae).  Mammalian Biology 73: 230-232.  (Link to article)

York, H. A., and K. S. Oberhauser.  2002.  Effects of duration and timing of heat stress on monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) development.  Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 75: 290-298.  (Link to article) 

York, H. A., and M. Papes.  2007.  Limiting similarity and species assemblages in the short-tailed fruit bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carollia).  Journal of Zoology 273: 249-256.  (Link to article)

York, H. A.  2005.  Introduction to the Wildlife of the La Suerte Biological Station/Introducción a la Vida Silvestre de la Estación Biológica La Suerte.

York, H. A.  "Glaucomys volans"
(http://www.ksr.ku.edu/libres/Mammals_of_Kansas/fly-squir.html ).

York, H. A.  "Neotropical Bat Ecology in Costa Rica"
(http://www.nhm.ku.edu/mammals/bats/).

York, H. A., and R. M. Timm.  "Mammals of La Selva/Mamíferos de La Selva"
(http://www.doane.edu/laselvamammals)

American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Society of Mammalogists
Association for Tropical Biology and Conservation
Ecological Society of America
National Center for Science Education
North American Symposium on Bat Research