Millersville University Biology Department

	David A. Zegers, Ph.D Professor

	Education: B.S., University of Illinois M.A. and Ph.D., University of Colorado Courses Taught: BIOL 211 -- Concepts of Zoology BIOL 241 -- Ecology BIOL 346 -- Ornithology BIOL 443 -- Conservation Biology BIOL 415 -- Mammalogy Areas of Specialization: Mammalian and avian ecology and behavior, conservation biology.
	Research Interest(s): The ecology and conservation of small mammals and birds are the major focuses of my research. Students and I have examined 1) predation rates on birds' nests in different habitats; 2) the predator communities of forest interior and edge; 3) the impact of roadways on the daily movements of small mammals; and 4) nest box preferences of bluebirds. In addition we have studied the impact of parasitic botfly larvae on white-footed mice, and the impact of house cats on wildlife. Currently, we are studying the impact of meadow voles in riparian restoration, the impact of that restoration on avian communities, and the role of small mammals in forest dynamics. I am also interested in the use of deer-modified habitats by small mammals, the relationship between small mammals and barn owls, and the local distribution of mammalian predators. Dr. Joseph Merritt of the Illinois Natural History Survey, students, and I have examined the winter adaptations of small mammals, including the role of nonshivering thermogenesis in shrews and mice and the energetic value of communal nesting by flying squirrels.

	Selected Publication(s): 2005. Long-term patterns of botfly parasitism in Peromyscus maniculatus , P. leucopus , and Tamias striatus . Journal of Mammalogy 86: 39-45. (with G. Jaffe, J.F Merritt, and M.A. Steele) 2002. Maximizing survivorship in cold: thermogenic profiles of non-hibernating mammals. Acta Theriologica 47, Supplement 1: 221-234. Merritt, J.F. and D. A. Zegers. 2001. Seasonal thermogenesis of southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans). Journal of Mammalogy 82:51-64. Merritt,J.F., D.A. Zegers, and L. R. Rose. 2001. Behavioral responses of the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus, to the vocalizations of four common North American raptors. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 75:13-18. Tompkins, B.J. and D. A. Zegers. 2000. Identification of nest predators at farm/forest edge and forest interior sites. Journal of Field Ornithology 71:207-216. (with S. May and L.J. Goodrich). 2000. Nest box preferences and productivity by eastern bluebirds and tree swallows. Bluebird, the journal of the North American Bluebird Society 22:14-17. (with S.G. Somershoe). 1998. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of Tree Squirrels. Virginia Museum of Natural History, Special Publication # 6, 384 pp. (Co-edited with M.A. Steele and J.F. Merritt). 1994. At the Crossroads: A Natural History of Southcentral Pennsylvania (editor). Millersville University (publisher). 1993. An expermental study of nest predation in adjacent deciduous, coniferous and successional habitats. Condor 95: 297-304. (with L. C. Seitz). 1991. Seasonal thermogenesis and body mass dynamics of Clethrionomys gapperi. Can. J. Zool. 69:2771-2777. (with J.F.Merritt). 1991. Seed selection of Peromyscus leucopus. J. Pa. Acad. Sci. 65:31-34.(with A. Antipas and L. Bowman). 1988. Winter survival adaptations of Peromyscus in an Appalachian montane forest. J. of Mammal. 69:516-523. (with J.F.Merritt). 1988. Effect of photoperiod and ambient temperature on nonshivering thermogenesis of Peromyscus maniculatus. Acta Theriologica 33:273-281. (with J.F. Merritt). 1986. Tree use by Peromyscus leucopus in a sugar maple forest. J. Pa. Acad. Sci. 60:43-46. (with A.J. Antipas).

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