Katherine (Kit) E. Muma, Instructor
M.Sc. Carleton University, Ottawa

 

Field: Anatomy and Physiology, Behavioral Ecology, Evolution
Specialties: Sexual selection, host-parasite relationships, sensory ecology

Office: Center for Natural Sciences Rm. 158

Phone: (607) 274-3610

Send an e-mail message to Ms. Kit Muma (muma@ithaca.edu)

Mailing address: Biology Dept. Ithaca College, 953 Danby Road, Ithaca, New York 14850 U.S.A.

Here is my schedule.

COURSES:

RESEARCH:

During the summers I conduct research at the Queen's University Biological Station north of Kingston, Canada with James Fullard (Univ. of Toronto at Mississauga). In 2000 we studied the daily flight patterns of moths and butterflies and the defenses these insects have evolved against predation by bats. In 2001, I received a grant from the Provost's office at Ithaca College to study the auditory sensitivity of a diurnal (day-flying) moth (Trichodezia albovittata - Family Geometridae). In 2003, I had support from the Provost's office once again to study the auditory constraints and ultrasound sensitivity of moth ears with a focus on geometrids. Last summer I used a high-speed video camera to document the reaction of moths to ultrasonic pulses.

Summer 2004 - QUBS (Hannah, John, James, Karrianne and Kit)

Here are more photos from QUBS in the summer of 2002 and the summer of 2003, 2004.

During the summers of 1998 and 1999, I was involved in several projects examining host-parasite relationships in collaboration with Mark Forbes (Carleton University) and Bruce P. Smith (Ithaca College). We studied parasitism of two species of Sympetrum dragonflies by Arrenurus water mites. In another study we looked at mating in Arrenurus planus water mites. In 1999 the research was supported by a Summer Faculty Grant from the Provost at Ithaca College.

In my masters research I studied the variation in plumage of female red-winged blackbirds. I examined dominance interactions in a wild population and a captive group. I concluded that the colored epaulets on females serve no functional value and are a consequence of genetic correlation with males.

PUBLICATIONS:

Muma, K.E. and J.H. Fullard. 200X. Persistence and regression of hearing in the exclusively diurnal moths, Trichodezia albovittata (Geometridae) and Lycomorpha pholus (Arctiidae). Ecological Entomology (accepted May 2004)

Forbes, M.R.L., K.E. Muma, B.P. Smith. 2004. Recapture of male and female dragonflies in relation to parasitism by mites, time of season, wing length and wing cell symmetry. Exp. and Applied Acarology. XX 1-15.

Fullard, J.H., K.E. Muma, J.W. Dawson. 2003. Quantifying an anti-bat flight response by eared moths. Can. J. Zool. 81: 395-399.

Forbes, M.R.L., K.E. Muma, B.P. Smith. 2002. Diffuse coevolution: constraints on a generalist parasite favor use of a dead-end host. Ecography 25: 345-351.

Forbes, M.R.L., K.E. Muma, B.P. Smith. 1999. Parasitism of Sympetrum dragonflies by Arrenurus planus mites: host coexistence lessens parasite-host conflict? Intl. J. Parasit. 29:991-999

Weatherhead, P.J., K.J. Metz, D. Shutler, K.E. Muma and G.F. Bennett. 1995. Blood parasites and dominance in captive blackbirds. Journal of Avian Biology.

Muma, K.E. and P.J. Weatherhead. 1991. Plumage variation and dominance in captive female red-winged blackbirds. Can. J. Zool. 69:49-54.

Muma, K.E. and P.J. Weatherhead. 1989. Male traits expressed in females: direct or indirect sexual selection? Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 25:23-31.

Teather, K.L., K.E. Muma and P.J. Weatherhead. 1988. Estimating female settlement from nesting data. Auk 105:196-200.

Muma, K.E. and C.D. Ankney. 1987. Variation in weight and composition of Red-winged Blackbird eggs. Can. J. Zool. 65:605-607.

Ried, M.L., C.G. Eckert and K.E. Muma. 1986(b). Booming odontocetes and deaf cephalopods: putting the cart before the horse. Am. Nat. 128:438-439.

Muma, K.E. 1986(a). Seasonal changes in the hour of oviposition by red-winged blackbirds in southwestern Ontario. J. Field Ornith. 57:228-229.

POSTER:

Muma, K.E., B.P. Smith and M.R. Forbes. 2003. Patterns of Parasitism: Crowding of Arrenurus planus Water Mites on Sympetrum internum and Sympetrum obtrusum Dragonflies. Amer. Soc. of Parasitologists Annual Meeting. Halifax NS Canada. August 1-5.

Over winter break 2003, I went to Cat Island in the Bahamas.

During the of Fall 1998, I went to Australia to assist in a study of water mites. Here are some pictures of the trip!

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Last modified: Aug. 27, 2004