Wildlife, Fish, & Conservation BiologyTim M. Caro:
Professor of Wildlife Biology
tmcaro@ucdavis.edu
Office: 1395 Academic Surge
Phone: 530-752-0596
Dr. Caro's CV
Research Interest:
I have interests that span both behavioral ecology and conservation biology. These are the projects in which I am actively involved.
Evolution of coloration in mammals
Unlike birds, the adaptive significance of coloration in mammals is poorly understood. I am exploring the evolution of black and white coloration in selected mammalian species – Burchell’s zebra, the giant anteater and striped skunk – using a combination of observations and simple experiments in the field. This involves fieldwork on three continents. The work is at an early stage (Caro 2005). I am interested in a postdoc working on anteaters.
Ecology and biodiversity of an African ecosystem
I use my long term field site in Katavi in western Tanzania to understand the effects of different forms of protection on animal and plant groups. Over the last 4 years we have conducted an intensive biological inventory of birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and trees (see link). These enable us to explore umbrella, indicator and flagship concepts in conservation biology (Caro 2003) and I am writing a monograph on this topic.
Evolution of antipredator defenses
I have written a monograph Antipredator Defenses in Birds and Mammals and have collaborated on phylogenetic comparative analyses of defenses in carnivores, ungulates and lagomorphs. These are wide ranging conceptual and synthetic reviews of different taxa and I would like to continue these with other students (Caro et al 2004).
Interspecific competition in North American carnivores
We are trying to understand the role that carnivores play in constraining the distribution of other carnivores. Jen Hunter has examined carnivores in North and South America to discover which species face competition from larger, meat eating carnivores that share the same habitat. We are particularly interested in the extent to which skunks interact with other carnivores so as to understand the adaptive significance of their black and white coloration.
Linking two disciplines: animal behavior and conservation biology
Since my 1998 book on Behavioral Ecology and Conservation Biology, I have been working on developing conceptual links between animal behavior and conservation. Many students are keen to apply the insights gained in animal behavior over the last 25 years to contemporary loss of species but there are few people who know how to link these disciplines (Caro & Eadie 2005).
Academic History:
Ph.D., 1979, University of St. Andrews, U.K.
Selected Publications:
Caro, T.M. (2003). Umbrella species: critique and lessons from East Africa. Animal Conservation 6: 171-181.
Caro, T.M., Engilis Jr, A., Fitzherbert, E. & Gardner, T. 2004. Preliminary assessment of the flagship concept at a small scale. Animal Conservation 7: 63-70.
Caro, T. 2005. The adaptive significance of coloration in mammals. BioScience 55: 125-136
Caro, T., and Eadie, J. (2005). Animal Behaviour and Conservation Biology. In The Study of Animal Behaviour, edited by Bolhius, J.J. and Giraldeau, L-A. Blackwell Science.