Patrick Owen, Assistant Professor EEOB

Ph.D. (Ecology), University of Connecticut

B.S. (Biological Sciences), Butler University

Contact Information:

Office:  Science 330

Phone: 419-995-8237

Email: owen.133@osu.edu

Mailing address:

            4240 Campus Dr.

            Lima, OH  45804

Teaching:

I have been at OSU-Lima since 2003, and I am currently part of the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology in the College of Biological Sciences.  I specialize in behavioral ecology and organismal diversity.  I currently teach Biology 101 recitation, Biology 102 (Human Biology), Biology 114, EEOB 405 (Diversity and Systematics of Organisms), and EEOB 413.03 (Ecology).  The focus of the Lima ecology course is on vernal wetlands in the Tecumseh Natural Area on campus.  I have also co-taught an honors seminar in Animal Communication with Dr. Juterbock, and I participate in the honors biology trip to the Everglades.  Please see our courses page for examples of my past syllabi.

Research:

My primary focus is on herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles) and animal behavior.  I specifically study aggressive vocalizations (their structure, function, and evolution) in frogs.  I continue to work with both green frogs (Rana clamitans) and several species of chorus frogs (genus Pseudacris).  I also have interests in animal physiology, and my work in these areas includes calling physiology in adult frogs and digestive physiology in tadpoles.

Western Chorus Frog (Pseudacris triseriata)

Student Research:

I currently have undergraduate students involved in both field and laboratory research projects.  Some past and current collaborations with students include:

• digital photography for recognizing individual frogs

• calling behavior of frogs and underwater bioacoustics

• the influence of hormones on behavior and coloration of frogs

• gut microorganisms of tadpoles

• visual communication in green frogs

I welcome student participation in research, and students may suggest their own ideas.  Helping other students currently conducting research is a good way to get started.  Stop by my office for details on active projects or to begin a new experiment of your own.  Also see our undergraduate research page for examples of student projects at OSU Lima.

Recently Jessica Geiger-Hayes presented a poster on her research:

Geiger-Hayes, J. and L. Regula-Meyer.  2006.  Examination of the intestinal contents of Rana clamitans and Rana catesbeiana tadpoles for symbiotic, cellulose digesting bacteria.  Denman Undergraduate Research Forum at the Ohio State University, Columbus.

Recent Publications:

Owen, P. C. and J. K. Tucker.  2006.  Courtship calls and behavior in two species of chorus frogs, genus Pseudacris.  Copeia 2006:137-144.  Link to article

Owen, P. C. and N. M. Gordon.  2005.  The effect of perceived intruder proximity and resident body size on the aggressive responses of male green frogs, Rana clamitans (Anura: Ranidae).  Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 58:446-455.  Link to article

Recent Presentations/Posters:

Owen, P. C.  2006.  Responses of male green frogs (Rana clamitans) to acoustic and visual stimuli.  Presented at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists at New Orleans. 

Regula-Meyer, L. K., J. R. Dicus, and P. C. Owen.  2006.  Behavior and variation in yellow ventral coloration in the green frog, Rana clamitans.  Presented at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists at New Orleans.

Good Links:

Ohio Vernal Pool Organizations:

Ohio Vernal Pool Partnership

Herpetology Organizations:

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

Herpetologists' League

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Animal Behavior Organizations:

Animal Behavior Society

International Society for Behavioral Ecology

Biology Teaching Organizations:

Association of College and University Biology Educators

National Association of Biology Teachers