| R. Craig Stillwell
Ph.D. Candidate
University of Kentucky
E-mail: rstil2@uky.edu
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Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, December 1999 Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, KY
Research Interests
Evolution of life history traits, geographic variation in body size, adaptation to temperature, phenotypic plasticity
Current Research
Body size of insects (and other ectothermic animals) exhibits clinal variation along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients such that size increases with increasing latitude and altitude. This may be a result of adaptation to different thermal environments or may be an unavoidable consequence of a temperature effect on the physiology of the organism during development (developmental plasticity). Some of my preliminary work has revealed that there is geographic variation in body size of the seed beetle, Stator limbatus. For my dissertation, I hope to determine what factors (temperature, host plant type, seed size, etc.) may be responsible for producing this pattern. In addition, I will investigate patterns of temperature-mediated plasticity.
Grants/Support Funding
2004 University of Kentucky, Dissertation Enhancement Award. Rapid evolution of a latitudinal size cline in the seed beetle Stator limbatus. R. Craig Stillwell. $2850.
2004 University of Kentucky, Graduate Student Travel Support. R. Craig Stillwell. $400.
2003 University of Kentucky, Commonwealth Research Award. R. Craig Stillwell. $1000.
2003 University of Kentucky, Graduate Student Research Support. R. Craig Stillwell. $400.
Publications
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. Complex patterns of phenotypic plasticity: interactive effects of temperature during rearing and oviposition. Ecology in press
Fox, C. W., R. C. Stillwell, A. R. Amarillo-S, M. E. Czesak and F. J. Messina. 2004. Genetic architecture of population differences in oviposition behavior of the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 17:1141-1151.pdf
Research Presentations
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. The adaptive significance of temperature acclimation in the seed beetle Stator limbatus. 2004. 1st Place Ph.D. Student Paper Competition, 17th Annual Forum of the Ohio Valley Entomological Association. Hanover, IN.
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. Genetic vs. non-genetic responses of body size to temperature in a seed beetle: adaptation to local temperature? 2004. Ecolunch, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky.
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. Genetic vs. non-genetic responses of body size to temperature in a seed beetle: adaptation to local temperature? 2004. Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Portland, OR.
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. Thermal evolution of growth and life history traits in a seed beetle: Phenotypic plasticity and the effect of temperature during rearing and oviposition. 2003. Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Cincinnati, OH.
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. Thermal evolution of life history traits: The effect of temperature during development and egg laying. 2003. Annual meeting of the Ecological Society of America. Savannah, GA.
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. Thermal evolution of life history traits: The effect of temperature during development and egg laying. 2003 Spring Research Symposium. Center for Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Kentucky.
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. Temperature effects on life history traits of the desert seed beetle Stator limbatus. 2002. Ecolunch, Department of Biology, University of Kentucky.
Stillwell, R. C. and C. W. Fox. The role of temperature in the life history evolution of the seed beetle Stator limbatus. 2002. Department of Entomology Proposal Seminar, University of Kentucky.
Stillwell, R. C. and L. K. Rieske. Ecological interactions between herbivore feeding guilds: implications for plant productivity. 2001. Sigma Zeta National Convention. Campbellsville, KY.
Stillwell, R. C. and L. K. Rieske. Ecological interactions between herbivore feeding guilds: implications for plant productivity. 1999. Department of Biology Seminar, Campbellsville University.
Laboratory
Dr. Charles Fox
Group
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior, and Insect Systematics