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Biology - Faculty & Staff

Bradley Carlson

  • Associate Professor of Biology

Photo of Carlson, Bradley


My research and teaching interests include ecology, zoology, and animal behavior. Most of my research focuses on two related questions: why do animals differ from each other in phenotypic traits, and what are the ecological consequences of these differences? I’ve emphasized behavioral diversity within species (‘animal personality’), but I also explore variation in other traits – such as body size and shape – and differences between species. I’m especially interested in how natural enemies affect and respond to diversity in the behavior, morphology, and physiology of their prey. I primarily examine these questions in two groups of organisms: ‘herps’ (amphibians and reptiles), and arthropods (especially scorpions). For example, I’ve studied behavioral variation in tadpoles and their interactions with predators, the effects of morphological variation on locomotion in newts, and sex differences in aggression in scorpions. I'm also interested in studies of natural history on poorly-described species, supporting our capacity to protect them and their habitats as well as furthering basic science. Interested students can become involved in many aspects of my research, including field work, experimental ecosystems, behavioral observations, physiological analyses, and morphometrics.

Outside of the academic setting, I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, especially hiking and camping. I also enjoy nature photography, and I’m slowly trying to develop competency in woodworking.


Education

Ph.D. in Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, May 2014
B.S. in Biology, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN, Dec 2008


Recent Course Offerings

BIO 103 – Environmental Science

BIO 112 – General Biology

BIO 213 – Ecology

BIO 321 – Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy

BIO 313 - Advanced Ecology

BIO 401 – Senior Seminar


Recent Presentations

2024. Box Turtle Conservation Workshop. Gainesville, GA.

2022. Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Spokane, WA.

2021. Animal Behavior Society. Virtual Meeting.

2017. Invited speaker. Indiana State University.

 

 


Recent Publications

***Denotes Wabash student co-author

Carlson, BE, Carter, SE, Hulbert, AC, Hyslop, NL, Kashon***, EAF, Kimble, SJA, Lisk, J, McElroy, C, Mook, JL, Refsnider, JM, Roe, JH, Tetzlaff, SJ, and B Windmiller. 2024. Intrapopulation variation in boldness differs while average boldness is similar across populations of a widespread turtle. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 78:64.

 

Glore***, DA, Kay***, TM, Michael***, JS, To***, JM, and BE Carlson. 2024. Effects of metolachlor and fish cues on tadpole antipredator behaviors. Ethology Ecology & Evolution. 36:323–342.

 

Mettler***, CA, and BE Carlson. 2023. Direction of Alliaria petiolata (Garlic mustard) leachate’s effect on early litter mass loss is dependent upon saprotrophic community composition. BIOS 94:20-29.

 

Rhodes***, C, Haunfelder***, W, and BE Carlson. 2023. Citizen science reporting indicates geographic and phenotypic drivers of road use and mortality in a threatened rattlesnake. Current Zoology 69:264–276.

 

Carlson, BE, and Robinson***, WL. 2022. Trait covariances in Eastern Box Turtles do not support pleiotropic effects of the melanocortin system on color, behavior, and stress physiology. Journal of Herpetology 56:478-488.

 

Mettler***, C, Aguirre-Morales***, M, Harmeson***, J, Robinson***, WL, and BE Carlson. 2021. Effects of the herbicide metolachlor and fish presence on pond mesocosm communities. The American Midland Naturalist 186:199-214.

 

Carlson, BE, Klein***, K, and C Rhodes***. 2020. First report of rapid eye color change in a non-avian tetrapod. Ethology 126:942-946.

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