Douglas W. Morrison

Associate Professor, Rutgers
Director of Undergraduate Studies

Contact Info

Office: 407 Boyden Hall
Office Phone: (973) 353-1268/5347
E-mail: dmorrison@andromeda.rutgers.edu

Personal/Lab Web Sites

http://

Educational Background

Research Interests

My studies of communally roosting bats and birds have examined the role of predation pressure and the availability of critical resources (feeding and roosting sites) on the evolution of social foraging and mating systems. I use radio-tracking to monitor the responses of individuals to natural and experimental changes in the availability of feeding and roosting sites. For example: (a) Comparative studies of tropical fruit bats in the rain forests of Central America and West Africa (1972-1980) explained foraging patterns and (harem) mating systems in terms of the energetic costs involved in search, feeding, and defense. (b) Studies of communal roosting by starlings, grackles, and robins in rural/suburban New Jersey (1981 - 88) revealed that it is the diurnal feeding area rather than the nocturnal roost that is the central base of operation for these birds. This contradicts the long-standing "information center hypothesis" and lead to the formulation and testing of an alternative ("patch sitting") hypothesis.

Current research projects

My research interests include developing ways to expand and humanize computer-aided instruction in undergraduate education. General Biology 101-102, my course of 600 mixed majors, has been a test site for several BioQUEST computer simulations. I am currently collaborating with the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) program to develop CD-ROM and video-based catalysts for small group discussions in ecology.

Selected Publications

• Morrison, D.W. and Caccamise, D.F. 1991. Comparison of roost use by three species of communal roostmates. Condor 92:405-412.
• Morrison, D.W. and C.O. Handley, Jr. 1991. Roosting behavior. In: Demography and natural history of the common fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis, on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C.
• Collins, A. and D.W. Morrison. 1992. Computer-based problem solving in an undergraduate biology course. Proceedings of the American Educational Research Association.
• Morrison, D.W. 1996. Laboratory Guide for General Biology. Avery Publishing Co. Garden City Park, NY. 380 pp. (Laboratory manual and computer simulations)