RESEARCH

            I am currently investigating functions of mate choice and how sexual selection drives phenotypic variation in both abdominal and gular patch size and color in local populations of the Western Fence Lizard Sceloporus occidentalis. In addition to the evident variation in patches expressed by adult males within populations, I am interested in two other factors that may determine reproductive success. One is that females of this species also exhibit patches; S. occidentalis represents a “derived type” within the genus in which both sexes exhibit signal patches and females are characterized as “masculinized.” If females in fact exhibit high levels of aggression (relative to that of most female congeners) during intrasexual encounters during the breeding season, I’m interested in determining the role of that aggression and how it may be correlated with signal patch size. The other factor of interest is whether or not females can visually assess if males hosting the malarial parasite Plasmodium mexicanum are unfavorable mates by the presence of high levels of black pigment surrounding the signal patches. Behavioral characteristics are correlated with the malarial infection, but it is of interest to see if the black pigment alone (through manipulated trials using paint) suffices as a strong enough indicator in mate choice behavior.

CURRICULUM VITAE

 
Jackson D. Shedd
Graduate Student
Department of Biological Sciences
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0515
jackson_shedd@sbcglobal.net

 EDUCATION:

MS—Biology, California State University, Chico (present)

BA—Art Studio; Split emphasis in Drawing and Ceramics, California                                            

          State University, Chico, 2003.

 
AFFILIATIONS:

Altacal Audubon Society

Chico River Partners

Chico State Bird Club

Friends of Bidwell Park

Horned Lizard Conservation Society

Snow Goose Festival

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

 
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

2006 to Present:

Lab Technician, Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory, CSU, Chico Research Foundation.

• Monitoring water quality of freshwater streams throughout California while identifying aquatic invertebrates to order and assessing insect diversity.

 2005 to 2006:

Wildlife Illustrator, Wildlife of the Mid-Atlantic by John Rappole.

• Produced 145 original pen and ink illustrations of amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal species indigenous to the Mid-Atlantic region of eastern U.S.

2005:

Avian surveys, Point Reyes Bird Observatory.

• Conducted surveys and point counts during two week period assessing avian diversity and restoration response in Lassen foothills and Sacramento Valley.

 2004 to 2005:

Naturalist Internship, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.

• Collected data for Refuge Hunt Program, assisted with field surveys conducted by on-staff wildlife biologists, and worked with schools from around northern California in environmental education and wildlife identification.

VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH:

2007: Involvement with Butte Regional Habitat Conservation Plan.

2006: Provided an updated checklist for the herpetofauna of Henry W. Coe State Park

          http://www.coepark.org/herps.html

2004-2005: Spring migration bird point counts in partnership with Chico River Partners.

2004-2005: Provided original illustrations for interpretative use at Sacramento National Wildlife

          Refuge, Willows, CA

2004. Provided original illustrations for publication of CA Waterfowl Association’s junior

          magazine, Sprig Tales.

2004-present: Altacal Audubon Society field trip leader, Chico, CA 2004-present.

2004-present: Snow Goose Festival fieldtrip leader, Chico, CA 2004-present.

2004: Wildlife Art lesson for 1^st annual Flyway Journeys Wildlife Art Camp hosted by CA

          Waterfowl Association.

2004: Migratory Bird Day fieldtrip leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

2004: T-shirt design and logo for the California Raptor Center, University of CA, Davis.

2003-2005: Acting President of the Altacal Audubon Society, Chico, CA.

2002-2004: Wood Duck box monitoring and data collection, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, CA                  

            Dept. Fish and Game.

 
GRANTS:

Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, MS Thesis Research: Effects of female mate choice in sexual selection in the Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis), 2007 ($1,368.89).

 
PUBLICATIONS:

Rappole, J. 2007. Wildlife of the Mid-Atlantic. Univ. Penn. Press, PA. (Illustrator)
           
Shedd, J. 2005. Amphibians and Reptiles of Bidwell Park. Quadco Press, Chico, CA.