Team DeNardo

Mike Malawy

Education:

B.S. Biology, Arizona State University, 2003

Research Interest:

My research intrests lies within the interactions between organisms and their environment as mediated through environmental constraints; thermal biology and spatial ecology in rattlesnakes.

Current Work:

My current research interests are focused on identifying how the Western Diamond-backed rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox, has evolved to cope with its environment. Life history patterns have been identified but are not well understood in this species. I am attempting to describe the thermal biology of the rattlesnakes at our study site in order to determine seasonal shifts in selected body temperatures in two distinct microhabitat regions. By examining these thermal preferences, I am attempting to demonstrate the importance of temperature in observed behavioral patterns and seasonal migrations.

Past Research:

As an ASU undergraduate, I worked with Emily Taylor in examining the effects of supplemental feeding on our field rattlesnake population. This research helped me to become familiar with the lab and field techniques and develop the questions that are the focus of my present Master's thesis.

Email: malawy@asu.edu