VANYA ROHWER
Undergradutate (2007): University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Masters (2010): Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
PhD (2015): Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
email: vgr7@cornell.edu
office phone: (607) 254-1148
Undergradutate (2007): University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Masters (2010): Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
PhD (2015): Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario
email: vgr7@cornell.edu
office phone: (607) 254-1148
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BioSketch
I’ve brought my interests in the natural world to the study of biology approaching the discipline as both a naturalist and scientist. My research interests examine how resource and life history trade-offs effect the ecology and evolution of birds. Current work explores two themes: (i) the links between molt biology, feather quality, and the evolution of molt strategies across birds, and (ii) the selective mechanisms shaping nest morphologies within and across species of birds. To tackle these questions I use a combination of natural history collections, experiments, and comparative analyses. In addition to research, I’m also interested in promoting the use and awareness of natural history collections by involving students in museum activities, teaching museum workshops and specimen preparation courses, and building scientifically valuable collections. |
Students interested in working in the museum or on research projects should contact me to discuss opportunities.
Selected publications
Nests
Rohwer V. G., Pauw A, & P. R. Martin. 2017. Fluff-thieving birds sabotage seed dispersal. Royal Society Open Science 4:160538. (pdf)
Patrick A. M. K., Rohwer V. G., & P. R. Martin. 2017. Evidence for individual consistency in nest building behavior in a population of yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia). Wilson Journal of Ornithology 129:469–480. (pdf)
Rohwer V. G., F. Bonier, & P. R. Martin. 2015. Conflict between biotic and climatic selective pressures acting on an extended phenotype in a subarctic, but not temperate, environment. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 282:20151585. (pdf)
Molt/feathers
Rohwer S., & Rohwer V. G. 2018. Breeding and multiple waves of primary molt in common ground doves of coastal Sinaloa. PeerJ. doi10.7717/peerj.4243. (pdf)
Rohwer V. G., & S. Rohwer. 2013. How do birds adjust the time required to replace their flight feathers? Auk 130:699–707. (pdf)
Nests
Rohwer V. G., Pauw A, & P. R. Martin. 2017. Fluff-thieving birds sabotage seed dispersal. Royal Society Open Science 4:160538. (pdf)
Patrick A. M. K., Rohwer V. G., & P. R. Martin. 2017. Evidence for individual consistency in nest building behavior in a population of yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia). Wilson Journal of Ornithology 129:469–480. (pdf)
Rohwer V. G., F. Bonier, & P. R. Martin. 2015. Conflict between biotic and climatic selective pressures acting on an extended phenotype in a subarctic, but not temperate, environment. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 282:20151585. (pdf)
Molt/feathers
Rohwer S., & Rohwer V. G. 2018. Breeding and multiple waves of primary molt in common ground doves of coastal Sinaloa. PeerJ. doi10.7717/peerj.4243. (pdf)
Rohwer V. G., & S. Rohwer. 2013. How do birds adjust the time required to replace their flight feathers? Auk 130:699–707. (pdf)
Splendid nests
Yellow Warbler nests from northern Manitoba (left) and southern Ontario (right) differ in ways that optimize them to local breeding conditions.
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Common Waxbill nests have a false cup ontop of their bulky dome and nest walls constructed with carnivore scat, which reduces predation.
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Gray Catbirds have spectacular blue eggs and often line their nests with dark rootlets making their eggs appear even bluer.
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Grove-billed Anis line their nests with green plant material, which may reduce nest ectoparasites, optimize humidity, or provide a social signal.
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Cape Penduline Tits build deceptive nests with false entrances and can open and close the actual entrance.
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This Karoo Prinia nest has been cut in half. The white material is fluff that surrounds Wild Rosemary seeds, which prinias manage to gather while avoiding the plant seeds.
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