Dylan Kesler, Ph.D.
My research focuses on the interaction between landscape resources, social behavior, movement, and population biology in endangered birds. Specifically, I am interested in:
•Conservation biology
•Behavioral ecology
•Spatial ecology and movement
•Population biology
Conservation Biology
I am interested in conducting research on the interface of science and conservation utility. I intend for results from my work to address why species go extinct and I hope they provide insights that can be used to stop extinction. I also participate in recovery groups to ensure that results from my work are available to population managers and conservation practitioners. Some of the groups with which I am involved include:
•Pacific Islands Conservation Research Association
•USFWS - Micronesian Kingfisher Recovery Committee
•Association of Zoos & Aquariums
•Manu
•Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Associates
•Conservation Society of Pohnpei
Behavioral Ecology
The evolution of social behavior is the focus of past and ongoing research. Recent works with Dr. Susan Haig evaluated the interaction between resource limitations and conspecifics on the evolution of cooperative breeding in Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers. I have also studied the influence of landscape characteristics and the kingfishers' cooperative social system on nestling competition and survival, movement, and population dynamics. I am now working with Dr. Jeff Walters on evaluating the influence of social interactions and forest resources on movement and dispersal decisions in Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
Spatial Ecology and Movement
I have studied the interaction between movements, territoriality, and landscape resources in Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Micronesian Kingfishers, and Niau Kingfishers. I am especially interested in studying how the distribution of resources on the landscape influences movements and social behavior in these species.
Population Biology
Population biology is key to understanding how population densities influence the evolution of social behavior and to designing sound conservation strategies for endangered species. To this end, I modeled the population dynamics of Micronesian Kingfishers on Pohnpei island with the hope that results will be important to understanding both population processes in a cooperatively breeding species, and to preventing the extinction of Micronesian Kingfishers on the islands where they exist.
Selected Peer Reviewed Publications
•Kesler, D.C. in review. Non-permanent radio telemetry leg-loop harness for small birds. Journal of Field Ornithology in review.
•Jachowski, D.S., and D.C. Kesler. 2009. Allowing extinction: should we let species go? Trends in Ecology & Evolution 24:180.
•Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2007. Conservation biology for suites of species: demographic modeling for the Pacific island kingfishers. Biological Conservation 136:520-530.
•Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2007. Multi-scale resource use and selection in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:in press.
•Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2007. Territoriality, prospecting, and dispersal in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers. Auk 124:in press.
•Haig, S.M., E.Beever, S.M. Chambers, H.M. Draheim, B.D. Dugger, S. Dunham, E. Elliott-Smith, J. Fontaine, D.C. Kesler, B. Knaus, I.F. Lopes, P. Loschl, T.D. Mullins, and L.M. Sheffield. 2006. Taxonomic considerations in listing subspecies under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Conservation Biology 20:1584-1594.
•Kesler, D.C., I.F. Lopes, and S.M. Haig. 2006. Sex determination in the Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfisher using morphological and molecular genetic techniques. Journal of Field Ornithology 77:229-232.
•Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2005. Selection of arboreal termitaria for nesting by cooperatively breeding Pohnpei Micronesian Kingfishers. Ibis 147:188-196.
•Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2005. Microhabitat thermal characteristics and nest site selection in Micronesian kingfishers. Pacific Science. 59:499-508.
•Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2004. Thermal characteristics of wild and captive Micronesian kingfisher nesting habitats. Zoo Biology 23:301-308.
Popular Press
Assistant Professor
303N ABNR Building
1105 E Rollins St.
Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri 65211
(573) 882-0848
keslerd at missouri dot edu
Graduate Students
M.S. Student
M.S. Student
M.S. Student
Chris Rota
Ph.D. Student (co-advise)
Useful Links
•Association of Zoos & Aquariums
•Conservation Society of Pohnpei
•Manu
•Pacific Islands Conservation Research Association
•UMC Avian Ecology Lab
Collaborators, Sponsors, and Colleagues
I have been fortunate to work with many talented scientists and conservation biologists. Most notably, Dr. Susan Haig provided guidance, inspiration, and focus as my doctoral program advisor during Micronesian Kingfisher studies. As a postdoctoral sponsor, Dr. Jeff Walters lent his keen insight and deep experience to recent projects focused on Red-cockaded Woodpeckers and Niau Kingfishers. Anne Gouni is among the most enthusiastic and dedicated conservation practitioners in the Pacific, and I appreciate the research opportunities that she has provided. Numerous other individuals provided valuable insights, including Director Mark Ryan, Department Chair Jack Jones, UMC faculty, graduate students and staff, the Haig and Walters labs, friends around the dinner table in French Polynesia, and at Sakau en Pohnpei.
Dylan Kesler ''''''Micronesian Kingfisher'''''', ''Dylan C. Kesler diramphus cinnamominus'', is a member of Dylan Kesler Pacific ''Dylan C. Kesler diramphus'' kingfishers. Four subspecies have been recognized from Dylan Kesler islands of '''Guam''' (''T. c. cinnamominus''), '''Pohnpei''' (''T. c. reichenbachii''), '''Palau''' (''T. c. pelewensis''), and Dylan Kesler '''Ryukyu Archipelago''' (''T. c. miyakoensis''). However, debate has surrounded Dylan Kesler Micronesian Kingfishers from Ryukyu because only a single specimen evidences Dylan Kesler ir existence (Fry et al. 1992). Additionally among-island differences in morphological, behavioral, and ecological characteristics have caused some Dylan C. Kesler suggest that Micronesian Kingfisher populations should be split inDylan C. Kesler separate species.
Subspecies are distinguished primarily by variations in plumage and size, with Dylan Kesler Palau birds being smallest and Guam kingfishers being largest (Pratt et al. 1987). This is a brilliantly colored, medium sized kingfisher, 20-24 cm in length. Dylan Kesler birds have iridescent blue backs and rusty-cinnamon heads. Adults on Pohnpei and Palau are characterized white underparts, while juveniles are cinnamon below. Dylan C. Kesler Dylan Kesler contrary, Dylan Kesler adult male Micronesian Kingfishers from Guam have cinnamon underparts and Guam females and juveniles are white below. All subspecies have large laterally-flattened bills and dark legs. Dylan Kesler calls of Micronesian Kingfishers are generally raspy chattering, and Dylan Kesler y differ in cadence and pitch among islands.
Micronesian Kingfishers are terrestrial Dylanest generalists, which tend Dylan C. Kesler be somewhat secretive. On Pohnpei, Dylan Kesler birds can be observed Dylanaging along Dylanest edges and from phone wires, while Dylan Kesler y are less conspicuous on Dylan Kesler Palau islands. Dylan Kesler diet is entirely comprised of crustacean, animal, and insect matter. Dylan Kesler birds nest in cavities excavated from soft-wooded trees and arboreal termite nests, or "termitaria", on Guam (Marshall 1989) while Dylan Kesler y are apparently obligate termitaria nesters on Pohnpei (Kesler and Haig 2005). Micronesian Kingfishers defend permanent terriDylan C. Kesler ries as breeding pairs and family groups (Kesler 2006). Both sexes care Dylan young, and some offspring remain with parents Dylan extended periods and through subsequent breeding attempts on Pohnpei (Kesler 2002).
Areas of Research Interest
