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Meet the Fisheries and Wildlife Faculty

Dylan Kesler

Dylan Kesler, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Fisheries and Wildlife
  • Phone: 573-882-0848
  • E-mail: KeslerD@Missouri.edu
  • Address: 303N Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building

Education

  • Ph.D., 2005, Oregon State University

Research

  • Conservation biology, behavioral ecology, spatial ecology and dispersal, population biology, endangered species recovery.

Research Summary

  • Kesler is interested in conducting research on the interface of science and conservation utility. Results should address why populations decline and then provide insights that can be used to stop extinction. These approaches are exemplified in investigations of birds on tropical Pacific islands and continental North America. Recent studies of endangered Micronesian Kingfishers focused on the factors underlying social behavior, space use, population demographic processes and dispersal. Modeling was also used to explore broad approaches to conservation management through generalized demographic models for suites of endangered species.
  • Ongoing work on endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in the southeastern United States is providing insights into the effects of landscape structure on dispersal movements and population connectivity. Additionally, population models are being developed to evaluate the potential effects of alternative conservation strategies and future landscape changes on endangered bird populations.
  • Kesler is currently seeking qualified and enthusiastic graduate students with interests in conservation-oriented investigations of avian movement, behavior and demography.

Selected Publications

  • Kesler, D.C. 2007.
    The role of science in avian conservation: examples from Pacific Island Kingfishers. Proceedings of the IV International Symposium on Breeding Birds in Captivity. Toronto, Canada. In press.
  • 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 71:765-772.
  • Kesler, D.C., and S.M. Haig. 2007.
    Territoriality, prospecting, and dispersal in cooperatively breeding Micronesian Kingfishers. Auk 124:381-395.
  • 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.
    Microhabitat thermal characteristics and nest site selection in Micronesian kingfishers. Pacific Science 59:499-508.
  • 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. 2004.
    Thermal characteristics of wild and captive Micronesian kingfisher nesting habitats. Zoo Biology 23:301-308.

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