Stanley

Zoology Lab Syllabus Zoology Lab Supplement

Herpetological ecology

I am using electron microscopy to conduct research on the sperm of water snakes. Particularly, I am looking to see if there is a relationship between the size of the individual, the size of its sperm, its health, and its habitat. This has implications for the reproductive ecology of the species because females will mate with multiple males and the sperm of one male must compete with the sperm of another male to fertilize the eggs. Sperm size is important in competition because larger sperm should be able to swim faster than smaller sperm.

Back	JONATHAN W. STANLEY
		BS - 2005 - Biology (Environmental Science), Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TN
		Office: LSW 533 Phone: (870) 972-3177 Email: jonathanw.stanley@smail.astate.edu Advisor: Stan Trauth Curriculum Vitae Homepage
	Zoology Lab Syllabus Zoology Lab Supplement Herpetological ecology I am using electron microscopy to conduct research on the sperm of water snakes. Particularly, I am looking to see if there is a relationship between the size of the individual, the size of its sperm, its health, and its habitat. This has implications for the reproductive ecology of the species because females will mate with multiple males and the sperm of one male must compete with the sperm of another male to fertilize the eggs. Sperm size is important in competition because larger sperm should be able to swim faster than smaller sperm.