Kristopher B. Karsten

Postdoctoral Associate

B.S. (Truman State University), 1997

M.S. (Texas Christian University), 2000

Ph.D. (Oklahoma State University), 2008

Starting 2008

Research Interests

Animal behavior, Comparative animal physiology, Comparative functional morphology, Evolutionary and behavioral ecology, Herpetology, Sexual selection

Curriculum Vita

EDUCATIONAL HISTORY

Ph.D. 2008. Zoology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. “Sexual selection, social behavior, and conservation of chameleons in southwestern Madagascar.” Drs. Stanley F. Fox (Oklahoma State University) and Christopher J. Raxworthy (the American Museum of Natural History), advisers.

M.S. 2000. Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. “The effects of dietary manipulation of vitamin D on behavior of the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) in natural light environments.” Dr. Gary W. Ferguson, adviser.

B.S. 1997. Biology, Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri.

HONORS AND AWARDS

2008: Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University

2008: Runner-up, Best Biological Sciences Paper, 19th Annual Research Symposium, Oklahoma State University

2006: Commendation from Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for teaching service in Animal Biology, University of Central Oklahoma

2004: Wilhm Zoology Teaching Assistantship Award (Comparative Vertebrate Morphology), Oklahoma State University

2000: Graduate Student of the Year, Texas Christian University

1993-1996: Presidential Combined Ability Scholarship, Truman State University

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006-2007: Invited Lecturer, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University

Courses taught: Comparative Vertebrate Morphology Lecture (2007); Evolutionary Ecology Lecture (2007); Advanced Herpetology Lecture (2006); Herpetology Lecture (2006)

2004-2006: Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma

Courses taught: Animal Biology Lecture and Laboratory (2004-2006); General Biology Lecture and Laboratory for majors (2005); General Biology Lecture for non-majors (2004-2005)

2003-2005: Course Instructor, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University

Courses taught: Animal Biology Lecture (2003-2005)

2000-2008: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Zoology, Oklahoma State University

Courses taught: Human Anatomy Laboratory (2008); Evolutionary Ecology Laboratory (2007); Comparative Vertebrate Morphology Laboratory (2002-2003, 2006-2007); Herpetology Laboratory (2002-2006); Ichthyology Laboratory (2002-2006); Animal Biology Laboratory (2001-2002); Introductory Biology Laboratory (2000)

1998-2000: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biology, Texas Christian University

Courses taught: General Biology Laboratory for majors (1998-2000); Introductory Biology Laboratory for non-majors (1998)

GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS

2003: Robberson Fellowship, Oklahoma State University

1999: Adkins Fellowship, Texas Christian University

1999: Grant for Research on Panther Chameleon Behavior, 1999, Upstate Herpetological Society

STUDENT MENTORING/FIELD WORK SUPERVISING

Graduate students: Laza Andriamandimbiarisoa (Univ. of Antananarivo), 2003-2005

Undergraduate students: Audrey Buck (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

Kim Butcher (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

Kristin Combs (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003

Matt Gimmel (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003

Erica Grayson (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003

Joe Hackler (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

Miwa Hara (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002-2003

Josie Hilley (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

T. C. Houston (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

Shelley Kannada (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

Cari Kleinfeldt (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003

Haruko Koike (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002-2005

Stella Machooka (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003

Jessica Milner (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2005

Jamie Nelson (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

Nick Rasmussen (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003-2005

Matt Rouse (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003-2005

Michael Sanders (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2002

Amanda Wallace (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003

Michael Woldridge (Oklahoma State Univ.), 2003

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

Animal Behavior Society

Ecological Society of America

Herpetologists’ League

Sigma Xi

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Society for the Study of Evolution

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

2006-Present: Reviewer for the journals Copeia, Herpetologica, and Southeastern Naturalist

2003-2004: Assistant Collections Manager, Amphibians, Reptiles, & Fishes, Oklahoma State University Collection of Vertebrates, Stillwater, Oklahoma

1999: Environmental Biologist, Carter & Burgess, Fort Worth, Texas

PUBLICATIONS

5. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, and C. J. Raxworthy. 2008. A unique life history among tetrapods: an annual chameleon living mostly as an egg. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105:8980-8984.

4. Ferguson, G. W., W. H. Gehrmann, K. B. Karsten, A. J. Landwer, E. N. Carman, T. C. Chen, and M.F. Holick. 2005. Ultraviolet Exposure and Vitamin D Synthesis in a sun-dwelling and a shade-dwelling species of Anolis: are there adaptations for lower UVB and dietary vitamin D₃ availability in the shade? Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78:193-200.

3. Karsten, K. B. and G. W. Ferguson. 2004. Outdoor enclosure design and technique for studying three-dimensional movement patterns of arboreal lizards. Herpetological Review 35:144-146.

2. Ferguson, G. W., W. H. Gehrmann, K. B. Karsten, S. M. Hammack, M. McRae, T. C. Chen, N. P. Lung, and M. F. Holick. 2003. Do panther chameleons bask to regulate endogenous vitamin D₃ production? Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 17(1):52-59.

1. Ferguson, G. W., W. H. Gehrmann, S. H. Hammack, J. R. Jones, K. B. Karsten, M. F. Holick, and T. C. Chen. 2001. Effect of Dietary Vitamin D on Voluntary UV Light Exposure for the Malagasy Panther Chameleon Furcifer pardalis. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology, & Photomedicine 17(3):141.

PUBLICATIONS IN PRESS

2. Karsten, K. B., G. W. Ferguson, M. F. Holick, and T. C. Chen. 2008. Panther chameleons, Furcifer pardalis, behaviorally regulate optimal exposure to UV depending on dietary vitamin D status. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology.

1. Karsten, K. B. and L. N. Andriamandimbiarisoa. 2008. Furcifer labordi (Labord’s chameleon) reproduction. Herpetological Review.

MANUSCRIPTS IN REVIEW

2. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, and C. J. Raxworthy. Social behavior of two species of chameleons in Madagascar: insights into sexual selection. Herpetologica.

1. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, and C. J. Raxworthy. Population densities for chameleons of the spiny forests in the Toliara region of southwestern Madagascar. Oryx.

MANUSCRIPTS IN PREPARATION

5. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, and C. J. Raxworthy. Sexual selection in two closely related, sympatric chameleons in Madagascar.

4. Karsten, K. B. and R. M. Andrews. Environmental opportunity for sexual selection: phylogenetic patterns within the family Chamaeleonidae.

3. Andrews, R. M. and K. B. Karsten. Phylogenetic patterns in the reproductive biology of chameleons.

2. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, and C. J. Raxworthy. Predation and mortality in two chameleon species inhabiting the spiny forest of southwestern Madagascar.

1. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, and C. J. Raxworthy. Home range use in radio-tracked chameleons in Madagascar.

INVITED SEMINARS

3. Karsten, K. B. Ecology and social behavior of chameleons in southwest Madagascar. Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri. October 26, 2007.

2. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, C. J. Raxworthy, D. Rakotondravony, and S. F. Fox. Statut des populations et écologie de trois espèces de caméléons dans le sud-ouest de Madagascar. Université de Toliara, Toliara, Madagascar. February 16, 2004.

1. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, C. J. Raxworthy, and D. Rakotondravony. Comportements sexuels de deux espèces de caméléons, Furcifer labordi et F. verrucosus, au sud-ouest de Madagascar. Université d’Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar. February 26, 2004.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• Research featured by Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Science News magazine, New Scientist magazine, Chronicles of Higher Education, National Science Foundation, Nature, Science, and popular news outlets including Fox News, The New York Times, and newspapers in Germany, UK, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Netherlands, Denmark, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand, China, Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil
• Radio interview broadcasts featuring research: National Public Radio (NPR), British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
• Multilingual (listed in order of proficiency): French, German, and Malagasy.
• Completed and passed Ph.D. comprehensive exams and was admitted to Doctoral Candidacy in only the third semester of doctoral studies.
• Organized, coordinated, and participated in additional graduate student seminars independent of department curriculum: 2002-2005.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

· 2003-2005: Field research; sexual selection, life history evolution, and conservation of chameleons; Toliara, Madagascar

· 2003-2004: Field research; thermoregulation, microhabitat use, and social organization of collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris; Oklahoma, U.S.A.

· 2002-2004: Field research; population ecology of herpetofaunal communities in the Ouachita Mountains; Arkansas, U.S.A.

· 2000: Field research; behavioral regulation of UV in Caribbean Anolis lizards; Jamaica

· 1998-2000: Behavioral regulation of UV in captive panther chameleons; Texas, U.S.A.

· 1994: Field research; avian community ecology; Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, U.S.A.

PRESENTATIONS AT REGIONAL, NATIONAL, AND INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

15. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, and C. J. Raxworthy. Discovery of a novel tetrapod life history: an annual chameleon living mostly as an egg. Oklahoma State University Research Symposium. Stillwater, Oklahoma. February 20, 2008.

14. Karsten, K. B. Living life like there is no tomorrow: growth, sex, and death in a remarkable chameleon in Madagascar. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. San Antonio, Texas. January 5, 2008.

13. Karsten, K. B. Living life like there is no tomorrow: growth, sex, and death in a remarkable chameleon in Madagascar. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. St. Louis, Missouri. July 14, 2007.

12. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, C. J. Raxworthy, and D. Rakotondravony. Sexual selection in chameleons: implications for the evolution of secondary sexual characters. Lunchtime Seminar Series, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. April 3, 2006.

11. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, S. F. Fox, C. J. Raxworthy, and D. Rakotondravony. Courtship behavior and sexual selection in two species of chameleons in southwest Madagascar. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Tampa, Florida. July 9, 2005.

10. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, C. J. Raxworthy, D. Rakotondravony, and S. F. Fox. Population status of chameleons in southwest Madagascar. Joint Meeting of Ichtyologists and Herpetologists. Norman, Oklahoma. July 29, 2004.

9. Karsten, K. B., L. Andriamandimbiarisoa, C. J. Raxworthy, D. Rakotondravony, and S. F. Fox. Population status and seasonal effects on density in chameleons of southwest Madagascar. Oklahoma Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, Oklahoma. November, 2003.

8. Karsten, K. B. Population densities of three species of chameleons in southwest Madagascar. Lunchtime Seminar Series, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. October, 2003.

7. Karsten, K. B. and J. F. Husak. The effects of age and sex on thermoregulatory behavior in collared lizards, Crotaphytus collaris. 39^th Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. July 13-17, 2002.

6. Karsten, K. B., G. W. Ferguson, M. F. Holick, and T. C. Chen. Behavioral photoregulation of UV light exposure by panther chameleons, Furcifer pardalis, in natural light environments. Joint Meetings of the Herpetologists’ League and The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana. July 27 – 31, 2001.

5. Ferguson, G. W., W. Gehrmann, S. Hammack, J. Jones, K. Karsten, M. Holick, and T. Chen. Dietary vitamin D and voluntary UV light exposure for the Malagasy panther chameleon, Furcifer pardalis. Joint Meetings of the Herpetologists’ League and The Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana. July 27 – 31, 2001.

4. Ferguson, G. W., W. H. Gehrmann, S. H. Hammack, J. R. Jones, K. B. Karsten, M. F. Holick, and T. C. Chen. Effect of dietary vitamin D on voluntary UV light exposure for the Malagasy panther chameleon Furcifer pardalis. Light Symposium of the Photomedicine Society, Boston, Massachusetts. July 15 – 17, 2001.

3. Karsten, K. B., G. W. Ferguson, M. F. Holick, and T. C. Chen. Basking behavior of panther chameleons, Furcifer pardalis: behavioral photoregulation to UV and visible light in natural light environments. 38^th Annual Meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. July 14 – 18, 2001.

2. Karsten, K. B., G. W. Ferguson, M. F. Holick, and T. C. Chen. The Effects of dietary vitamin D manipulation on behavior of the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) in natural light environments. Oklahoma State University Research Symposium, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. March, 2001.

1. Karsten, K. B. The effects of dietary vitamin D manipulation on behavior of the panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) in natural light environments. Lunchtime Seminar Series, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. November, 2000.