David Ribble - Scholarship

David Ribble

Scholarship and Research Interests

I consider myself an evolutionary ecologist interested broadly in ecological adaptations of organisms. Most of my research has focused on the evolution of monogamy in mammals, usually deer mice (Peromyscus) and more recently African sengis (elephant-shrews). I typically use a combination of comprehensive field work with laboratory genetic analysis.

My current projects include the following:

The genetic mating system of Round-eared Sengis (Macroscelides proboscideus). This project seeks to understand the evolutionary reasons for monogamy in Macroscelides proboscideus, the Round-eared Sengi, from South Africa. Melanie Shubert and Carsten Schradin have conducted the field work in South Africa, and along with Trinity undergraduates Laney Redus, Erica Scott, and Madeline Griffin, we are investigating paternity in this presumably monogamous sengi using microsatellite probes.

Thermal ecology of Eastern Rock Sengis (Elephantulus myurus). In the southern-hemisphere winter of 2006, I studied the behavior and body temperatures of rock sengis during their morning warming phase. Trinity student Yesenia Maertinez has helped me make sense of these data and we are working on analyzing these data.

Species Account of Eastern Rock Sengis (Elephantulus myurus). Former Trinity student Libby McConnell and I are working on this description for the American Society of Mammalogy.

The Social and Mating System of the Mexican Volcano Mouse (Peromyscus alstoni). In the summer and fall of 2005, I worked with Trinity Honor's student Sami Hammer, UNAM student Daniela Gasca, and UNAM colleague Victor Sanchez-Cordero to describe the social and mating sytem of this presumably monogamous mouse. My current students are working on examining paternity using microsatellites. More information on this project can be found here.

Biodiversity, Conservation, and Natural History of Central Texas Birds and Mammals. Mostly as an outgrowth of teaching, I have been monitoring the long-term population dynamics of small mammals and birds at several locations in central Texas, including Government Canyon State Natural Area, Bamberger Ranch Preserve, Seven Falls Ranch, and the Ballew Farm.

Biodiversity of Aquative Macroinvertebrates of the Texas Hill Country Rivers. Perhaps from my passion for fly-fishing aquatic vertebrates, I have recently begun surveying aquatic invertebrates and correlating their diversity and abundance with water quality.

Publications (with pdf links)

Rovero, F., Rathbun, G.B., Perkin, A., Jones, T., Ribble, D.O., Leonard, C., Mwakisoma, R.R., and N. Doggart. 2008. A new species of giant sengi or elephant-shrew (genus Rhynchocyon) highlights the exceptional biodiversity of the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania. Journal of Zoology, London 274:126-133. (pdf)

M.C. Kalcounis-Rueppell, and D. O. Ribble. 2007. Phylogenetic Analysis of the Socioecology of Neotomine-Peromyscine Rodents. Pages 68-85 in J.O. Wolff, and P.W. Sherman (eds), Rodent Societies: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective. University of Chicago Press. (pdf)

Coster, S.*, and D.O. Ribble. 2005. Density and cover preferences of Black-and-rufous elephant-shrews (Rhynchocyon petersi) in Chome Forest Reserve, Tanzania. Belgian Journal of Zoology 135 (supplement):175-177. (pdf)

Ribble, D.O., and M.R. Perrin. 2005. Social organization of the Eastern Rock Elephant-shrew (Elephantulus myurus): The evidence for mate guarding. Belgian Journal of Zoology 135(supplement):167-173. (pdf)

Farmer, N.A.*, D.O. Ribble, and D.G. Miller. 2004. Influence of familiarity on shoaling behaviour in Texas and blacktail shiner. Journal of Fish Biology 64:776-782.

Ribble, D.O. 2003. The evolution of social and reproductive monogamy in Peromyscus, evidence from Peromyscus californicus (the California Mouse). Pages 81-92 in U. Reichard and C. Boesh (eds), Monogamy: Mating Strategies and Partnerships in Birds, Humans, and other Mammals. Cambridge University Press.

Mzilikazi, N., B.G. Lovegrove, and D.O. Ribble. 2002. Exogenous passive heating during torpor arousal in free-ranging rock elephant-shrews, Elephantulus myurus. Oecologia 133:307-314. (pdf)

Ribble, D.O., A.E. Wurtz*, E.K. McConnell*, J.J. Buegge*, and K.C. Welch, Jr.*. 2002. A comparison of home ranges of two species of Peromyscus using trapping and radiotelemetry data. Journal of Mammalogy 83:260-266.

Peles, J.D., A.L. Bryan, Jr., C.T. Garten, Jr., D.O. Ribble, and M.H. Smith. 2000. Ecological half-life of 137Cs in fish from a stream contaminated by nuclear reactor effluents. Science of the Total Environment 263:255-262.

Schnepf, K.A.*, J.A. Heselmeyer*, and D.O. Ribble. 1998. Effects of cutting Ashe juniper woodlands on small mammal populations in the Texas Hill Country. Natural Areas Journal 18:333-337.

Ribble, D.O., and Stanley, S.* 1998. A comparison of the home ranges and social organization of syntopic Peromyscus boylii and P. truei. Journal of Mammalogy 79:932-941.

Conditt, S.A.*, and D.O. Ribble. 1997. Social organization of Neotoma micropus, the Southern Plains woodrat. American Midland Naturalist 137:290-297.

Ribble, D.O., and J.S. Millar. 1996. The mating system of northern populations of Peromyscus maniculatus as revealed by radiotelemetry and DNA fingerprinting. Ecoscience 3:423-428.

Lechner, K.A.*, and D.O. Ribble. 1996. Behavioral interactions between red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) and three rodent species of south Texas. Southwestern Naturalist 41:123-128.

Ribble, D.O., and J.S. Millar. 1992. Intraspecific variation in testes size among northern populations of Peromyscus. Functional Ecology 6:455-459.

Ribble, D.O., and J.S. Millar. 1992. Inbreeding effects among inbred and outbred laboratory colonies of Peromyscus maniculatus. Canadian Journal of Zoology 70:820-824.

Ribble, D.O. 1992. Lifetime reproductive success and its correlates in the monogamous rodent, Peromyscus californicus. Journal of Animal Ecology 61:457-468.

Ribble, D.O. 1992. Dispersal in a monogamous rodent, Peromyscus californicus. Ecology 73:859-866.

Ribble, D.O. 1991. The monogamous mating system of Peromyscus californicus as revealed by DNAfingerprinting. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 29:161-166.

Ribble, D.O., and M. Salvioni. 1990. Social organization and nest co‑occupancy in Peromyscus californicus, a monogamous rodent. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 26:9‑15.

Ribble, D.O., and F.B. Samson. 1987. Microhabitat associations of small mammals in southeastern Colorado, with special emphasis on Peromyscus (Rodentia). Southwestern Naturalist 32:291‑303.

ibble, D.O., and M.H. Smith. 1983. Relative intestine length and feeding ecology of freshwater fishes. Growth 47:292‑300.