Research Interests

Courses Taught

Publications

Theses Directed

Presentations

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Department of Biology

Floyd (Butch) Weckerly, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Biology

Phone: 512-245-3353

Fax: 512-245-8713

E-mail: fw11@txstate.edu

Mailing Address


Department of Biology
Texas State University
601 University Drive
San Marcos, TX 78666

Research Interests

Responses of wildlife to a changing world are often influenced by strategies animals use to select resources at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. One facet of my research program examines morphological, behavioral, and environmental influences on resource selection and population processes. In many animal species, understanding resource selection requires understanding the roles and interactions of morphology and behavior in the variety of environmental contexts that they occur. An understanding of how environmental variation is coupled to morphological and behavioral influences on resource selection and population processes is needed for informed conservation and management decisions.

Another facet to my research program is designing and implementing long-term monitoring programs to tract responses of animal populations to a changing world. Most of my projects have involved estimating population states (abundance, density, or occupancy) using protocols that are designed to provide reliable information and are practical. Developing monitoring programs that offer reliable estimates and are practical means that resource agencies responsible for monitoring wildlife populations can collect scientifically defensible data within the constraints institutions have in personnel, time, and money.

Courses Taught

Graduate level: Statistical methods for biologists I [Syllabus]

Graduate level: Statistical methods for biologists II [Syllabus]

Graduate level: Natural History and Conservation of large mammals [Syllabus]

Publications

  • Watson, C. A., F. W. Weckerly, J. S. Hatfield, C. C. Farquhar, and P. S. Williamson. 2009. Presence – Nonpresence surveys of golden-cheeked warblers: detection, occupancy, and survey effort. Animal Conservation 12:In press.
  • Krejca, J. K., and B. Weckerly. 2008. Detection probabilities of Karst invertebrates. Proceedings of the 2007 Cave and Karst Management Symposium. In Press.
  • Ferguson, A. W., F. W. Weckerly, J. T. Baccus, and M. R. J. Forstner. 2008. Evaluation of Predator Attendance at Pitfall Traps in Texas. Southwestern Naturalist In press.
  • [pdf]Jones, R. L., F. W. Weckerly, and D. R. McCullough. 2008. Influence of age and sex on dressed–whole weight relationships in a California black-tailed deer population. California Fish and Game 94:137-142.
  • [pdf] Shelton, S. L., and F. W. Weckerly. 2007. Inconsistencies in historical geographic range maps: the gray wolf as example. California Fish and Game 93:224-227.
  • [pdf] Richardson, K. E., and F. W. Weckerly. 2007. Intersexual social behavior of urban white-tailed deer and its evolutionary implications. Canadian Journal of Zoology 85:759-766
  • [pdf] Ramzinski, D. M., and F. W. Weckerly. 2007. Scaling relationships between body weight and fermentation gut capacity in Axis deer. Journal of Mammalogy 88:415-420.
  • [pdf] Weckerly, F. W. 2007. Constant proportionality in the female segment of a Roosevelt elk population. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:773-777
  • [pdf] Longoria, M. P., and F. W. Weckerly. 2007. Estimating detection probabilities from sign of Collared Peccary. Journal of Wildlife Management 71:652-655.
  • [pdf] Jackson, J. T., F. W. Weckerly, T. M. Swannack, and M. R. J. Forstner. 2006. Inferring absence of Houston Toads given imperfect detection probabilities. Journal of Wildlife Management 70:1461-1463.
  • [pdf] Weckerly, F. W., M. L. Kennedy, and S. Stephenson. 2006. Hunter effort-harvest size relationships among hunt types of white-tailed deer. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33:1303-1311.
  • Keifer, S. J., and F. W. Weckerly. 2005. Population density and body weight influences on home range size of feral hogs. California Fish and Game 91:136-142
  • [pdf]Weckerly, F. W. 2005. Grass and supplemental patch selection in a population of Roosevelt elk. Journal of Mammalogy 86:630-638.
  • [pdf] Weckerly, F. W., K. A. McFarland, M. A. Ricca and K. P. Meyer. 2004. Cropping rates, social affinity and sexual segregation in Roosevelt elk when population density changes. American Midland Naturalist 152:386-399.
  • Small, M. F., R. Rosales, J. T. Baccus, F. W. Weckerly, D. N. Phalen and J. A. Roberson. 2004. A comparison of effects of radiotransmitter attachment techniques on captive white-winged doves. Wildlife Society Bulletin 32:627-637.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 2004. Movement of male and female black-tailed deer foraging on acorns. Northwestern Naturalist 85:16-19.
  • [pdf] Weckerly, F. W., V. C. Bleich, C. B. Chetkiewicz, and M. A. Ricca. 2003. Body weight and rumen-reticulum capacity in tule elk and mule deer. Journal of Mammalogy 84:659-664.
  • [pdf] Weckerly, F. W., Ricca, M. A., and K. P. Meyer. 2001. Sexual Segregation in Roosevelt Elk: Cropping Rates and Aggression in Mixed-sex Groups. 82:825-835.
  • [pdf] Weckerly, F. W. 2001. Are large male Roosevelt elk less social because of aggression? Journal of Mammalogy 82:414-421.
  • Weckerly, F. W., and M. A. Ricca. 2000. Using the presence of sign to measure habitats used by Roosevelt elk. Wildlife Society Bulletin 28:146-153.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1999. Social bonding and aggression in fiale Roosevelt elk. Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:1379-1384.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1998. Sexual segregation and competition in Roosevelt elk (Cervus elaphus roosevelti ). Northwestern Naturalist 79:113-118.
  • Weckerly, F. W., and K. E. Kovacs. 1998. Using military helicopters to survey elk in north coastal California. California Fish and Game 84:44-47.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1998. Sexual size dimorphism: influence of mass and mating systi in the most dimorphic mammals. Journal of Mammalogy 79:33-52.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1996. Roosevelt elk along the Prairie Creek drainage: an evaluation of estimating abundance and herd composition. California Fish and Game 82:175-181.
  • Ricca , M. A., F. W. Weckerly, and R. D. Silitsch. 1996. The effects of soil moisture and tiperature on overwinter survival of Curculio larvae (Coleoptera:Curculionidae). The American Midland Naturalist 136:203-206.
  • Main , M. M., F. W. Weckerly, and V. C. Bleich. 1996. Sexual segregation in ungulates: new directions for research. Journal of Mammalogy 77:449-461.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1994. Selective feeding behavior of black-tailed deer: forage quality or abundance? Journal of Mammalogy 75:705-713.
  • Massey, B. N., F. W. Weckerly, C. E. Vaughn, and D. R. McCullough. 1994. Correlations between fecal N and diet composition in free-ranging black-tailed deer. The Southwestern Naturalist 39:165-170.
  • McCullough, D. R., F. W. Weckerly, P. I. Garcia, and R. R. Evett. 1994. Sources of inaccuracy of deer herd composition counts. Journal of Wildlife Managient 58:319-329.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1993. Intersexual resource partitioning in black-tailed deer: a test of the body size hypothesis. Journal of Wildlife Managient 57:475-494.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1992. Territoriality in North American Odocoileus: a call for a common definition. Wildlife Society Bulletin 20:228-231.
  • Weckerly, F. W., and M. L. Kennedy. 1992. Examining hypotheses about feeding strategies of white-tailed deer. Canadian Journal of Zoology 70:432-439.
  • Kennedy, M. L., J. P. Nelson, Jr., F. W. Weckerly, D. W. Sugg, and J. C. Stroh. 1991. An assessment of selected forest factors and lake level in raccoon managient. Wildlife Society Bulletin 19:151-154.
  • Weckerly, F. W., and J. P. Nelson, Jr. 1990. Age and sex differences of white-tailed deer diet composition, quality, and calcium in Tennessee. Journal of Wildlife Managient 54:532-538.
  • Weckerly, F. W., K. E. Nicholson, and R. D. Semlitsch. 1989. Experimental test of discrimination of insect infested and noninfested acorns by squirrels. American Midland Naturalist 122:412-415.
  • Weckerly, F. W., D. W. Sugg, and R. D. Semlitsch. 1989. Germination success of acorns (Quercus): insect predation and tannins. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 19:811-815.
  • Weckerly, F. W. 1989. Plasticity in length of hindgut segments of white-tailed deer. Canadian Journal of Zoology 67:189-193.
  • Weckerly, F. W., A. L. Gennaro, and T. L. Best. 1988. Description of a new rock pocket mouse, Chaetodipus intermedius, from New Mexico lava fields. The Southwestern Naturalist 33:100-102.
  • Weckerly, F. W., P. L. Leberg, and M. L. Kennedy. 1987. Density estimates of the Virginia Opossum (Marsupialia:Didelphidae) in western Tennessee. Tennessee Acadiy of Science 62:108-110.
  • Weckerly, F. W., P. L. Leberg, and R. A. Van Den Bussche. 1987. Variation of weight and chest girth in white-tailed deer. Journal of Wildlife Managient 51:334-337.
  • Pfaffenberger , G. S., F. W. Weckerly, and T. L. Best. 1986. Male pseudohermaphroditism in a population of kangaroo rats, Dipodomys ordii. Southwestern Naturalist 30:124-125.
  • Weckerly, F. W., and T. L. Best. 1985. Morphological variation among rock pocket mice, Chaetodipus intermedius, from New Mexico lava fields. Southwestern Naturalist 30:491-501.

Theses Directed

  • Longoria, Meredith. 2004. Validation study of using motion sensitive cameras to estimate habitat use for Javelina. M. Sc. Thesis, Texas State University.
  • Terwillinger , Robert, B. 2002. Resource selection and presence of Roosevelt elk sign: use versus size of meadows. M.Sc. Thesis, Humboldt State University . (Co-chair with Dr. David Kitchen, Department of Wildlife)
  • Baker, Cyndee. (co-chair: Dr. Paula Williamson) In progress. Estimating detection probabilities of Golden-cheeked Warblers. M. Sc. Thesis, Texas State University.
  • Francis, Deena. 2005. Roosevelt elk in NW California: I. Evaluating three models that assess suitable habitat. II. Validating sign surveys. M.Sc. Thesis, Texas State University.
  • Ferrell, Dawn. In progress. Scaling relationships between body size and gut capacity in Axis Deer. M. Sc. Thesis, Texas State University
  • Richardson, Katie. In progress. Sexual segregation in urban white-tailed deer: social incompatibility or predation risk? M. Sc. Thesis, Texas State University.
  • Myrick, Kaci. (Co-chair: Dr Jeff Hatfield.) In progress. Plant and vertebrate species in eastern National Parks. M. Sc. Thesis, Texas State University.
  • Stevenson, Sarah In progress. Resource partitioning by exotic ungulates in central Texas. M. Sc. Thesis, Texas State University.
GRADUATE STUDENT COMMITTEES

Texas State University
  • Burpo, Nicole. 2004. Dietary protein and growth trajectories of Graptemys nigrinoda denticola (Black knob Alabama map turtle). M. Sc. Thesis.
  • Cryer, Gregory. 2004. Temporal and spatial patterns of parasitoid attack on a root-galling Cynipid. M. Sc. Thesis.
  • Dufault, Deirdra. 2004. Habitat occupancy by the Black-capped Vicero (Vireo atricapillus) following prescribed burns at Kerr Wildlife Management Area. M. Sc. Thesis
  • Gumm, Jennifer. 2004. Species and mate quality recognition in Poecillia lattipinna. M. Sc. Thesis.
  • Schafer, Cynthia, L. 2004. Whitewing distribution, movements and reproduction in a recently colonized urban environment. M. Sc. Thesis.
  • Shelton, Stephanie, L. 2004. Annual and temporal population characteristics of Area, Kendall County, Texas. M. Sc. Thesis.
  • Thaker, Maria. 2004. Sensory cues, association preferences, and social interactions in the San Marcos salamander. M. Sc. Thesis.
  • Mostyn, Christopher. 2003. Overabundant white-tailed deer and Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat, M.Sc. Thesis.
  • Egan, Scott. 2003. Abundance and distribution of a gall-forming herbivore: variation in host plant quality or deme formation? M.Sc. Thesis. Texas State University.
  • Morris, Susannah R. 2003. Systematics of locally endemic short-tailed shrews, Blarina (Insectivora: Soricidae), in Bastrop and Aransas Counties, Texas. M.Sc. Thesis, Texas State University.
  • White, Clay J. 2003. Avian habitat affinity in the Lost Pines region of Bastrop County, Texas. M.Sc. Thesis
Humbolt State University
  • Lanning, Chris. 1998. Modeling sign-station data and pellet-group count data using the negative binomial distribution: bias and efficiency. M.Sc. Thesis.
  • Popham, Gail, P. 2000. Sage grouse nesting habitat in NE California. M.Sc. Thesis.
  • Savage, Anya. 2001. Behavioral model of Roosevelt elk. M.Sc. Thesis.

Presentations

  • Weckerly, F. W. Polygyny, resource selection, and detection-nondetection sampling: what do they have in common? Presentation, BIO 7102, How to be a scientist: Perspective, Texas State University, October 2005.

  • Weckerly, F. W. Adult sex ratio and meadow selection in a Roosevelt elk population. American Society of Mammalogists, SW Missouri State University, June 2005.

  • Forstner, M. R. J., M. Jones, J. Jackson, K. Greuter, T. Swannack, B. Weckerly, and J. Baccus. Aspects of Houston toad ecology critical to management options. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Bastrop, Texas. June 1, 2005. (Invited presentation and workshop participant).

  • Forstner, M. R. J., M. Jones, J. Jackson, K. Greuter, F. Weckerly, J. Baccus, and T. Swannack. Collaborative restoration of Houston toad habitat. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Austin, Texas. April 2005.

  • Francis, D. R., and F. W. Weckerly. Influence of opening weekend and weather on white-tailed deer harvests at Milan Army Ammunition Plant, Tennessee. Texas Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, Texas, February 2005.

  • Longoria, M. P., and F. W. Weckerly. Using motion-triggered cameras to estimate habitat use by Collared Peccaries. Texas Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Amarillo, Texas, February 2005.

  • Weckerly, F. W. Ongoing study of a Roosevelt elk population: adult sex ratio variation and meadow selection. Seminar, Department of Biology, Texas State University - San Marcos, February 2005.

  • Weckerly, F. W. Bald Hills elk survey. Seminar, Redwood National and State Parks. Orick, California, January 2005.

  • Weckerly, F. W., C. A. Baker, J. S. Hatfield, C. Sexton, C. G. Farquhar, and J. A. Ott. Estimating detection probabilities of Golden-cheeked warblers. Golden-cheeked Warbler Symposium and Recovery Workshop. Austin, Texas, November 2004.

  • Population size, sex ratio and constant proportionality of indices for an elk population: preliminary findings. Southwestern Association of Naturalists, San Antonio, TX, April 2004.

  • Comments and discussion on Golden-Cheeked Warbler Protocol. USFS, Austin, TX, Golden-Cheeked Warbler Workshop, March 2004.

  • Relationships between Roosevelt elk density and meadows in north coastal California. Texas Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Kerrville, TX , February 2004.

  • Relationships of Roosevelt elk with size and proximity of forage patches. American Society of Mammalogy. Texas Tech University , Lubbock , TX , June 2003.

  • Body weight and gut capacity in Tule elk and Mule deer. Southwestern Association of Naturalists. University of Oklahoma , April 2003.

  • Hunter effort and harvest relationships of white-tailed deer on Milan Ammunition Plant, Tennessee. Texas Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Waco, TX , February 2003.

  • Sexual segregation in Roosevelt elk: can the sexes coexist in the same group? Seminar-University of Louisiana-Lafayette, November 2002.

  • Sexual segregation in Roosevelt elk: behavior of genders in mixed-sex groups. Seminar- Southwest Texas State University , San Marcos , TX. March 2002.

  • Sexual segregation in large herbivores: voracious females and bossy males. USFS Redwood Science Laboratory. Arcata, CA. October 2001.

  • Body size, social behavior, and sexual segregation in Roosevelt elk. Seminar-Oklahoma State University. February 2001

  • Agreement in age estimates from pairs of incisorform teeth of mule deer. Western Section, The Wildlife Society, Sacramento , CA. February 2001.

  • Can functional relationships in habitat use be estimated from presence of elk sign? Seminar-University of Alaska-Fairbanks. June 2000.

  • Social dimensions to segregation among Roosevelt elk. Seminar-Oregon State University. May 1999.

  • Roosevelt elk and habitat use: What does all the sign mean? Seminar-West Virginia University. October 1998.

  • Using presence of sign to measure habitat use in Roosevelt elk. Seminar-Department of Mathematics, HSU. September 1998.

  • The social dimension in sexual segregation of Roosevelt elk. University of Alaska-Fairbanks. May 1998.

  • Sexual segregation and social behavior in Roosevelt elk. Eastern New Mexico University. March 1998

  • The evolution of stable groups of female-juvenile Roosevelt elk. Texas Tech University. October 1997.

  • Density and stability of female-juvenile groups of Roosevelt elk. The Wildlife Society. Snowmass, CO. September 1997.

  • Is selective feeding behavior correlated to sexual segregation among black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk? The Wildlife Society. September 1997.

  • Sexual segregation in black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk is not correlated with selective feeding behavior. Seminar, University of Rhode Island. July 1997.

  • Monitoring elk in northern California. Eureka Rotarians. November 1996.

  • Sexual segregation in black-tailed deer and Roosevelt elk: is it correlated with selective feeding behavior? Seminar, University of Alaska-Fairbanks. October 1996.

  • Developing a reliable monitoring program from Roosevelt elk populations occupying dense coniferous forests. Western Section Wildlife Society, Symposium on Ecological Monitoring, Reno , NV. February 1996.

  • Sexual segregation in ruminants: Can selective feeding explain sexual segregation? Seminar, Kent State University. Kent , OH. June 1995.

  • Is sexual size dimorphism correlated with selective feeding behavior in deer? Seminar, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign , IL. April 1995.

  • Delineating trade-offs to efficient foraging in ungulates. Seminar, Department of Zoology and Physiology. University of Wyoming. November 1994.

  • Selective feeding by black-tailed deer: is searching or handling the dominant process? The Wildlife Society, Albuquerque , NM. September 1994.

  • Are intersexual home range patterns linked to foraging processes in deer? Seminar, Department of Biology, Frostburg State University , MD. April 1994.

  • Sexual segregation deer: ecological and management implications. Seminar, Division of Biology, Kansas State University. November 1993.

  • Influence of fertilized pastures on movements by black-tailed deer. American Society of Mammalogy, Bellingham, WA. June 1993.

  • Sexual segregation in free ranging black-tailed deer: a lack of intersexual differences in feeding behavior. American Society of Mammalogy, Salt Lake City, UT. June 1992.

  • Biodiversity: how much is enough? (member panel discussion) Eighteenth Annual Fish and Wildlife Conference, Humboldt State University. April 1992.

  • Deer Research at Hopland Field Station. (invited speaker) Student Chapter, The Wildlife Society, Humboldt State University. March 1992.

  • Factors that bias herd composition counts of black-tailed deer in coastal California. Western Section Conference, The Wildlife Society. San Diego , CA. February 1992.

  • Intersexual resource partitioning in deer: a test of the body size hypothesis. Seminar, Department of Wildlife, Humboldt State University. September 1991.

  • Intersexual resource partitioning in deer: how important is body size? Seminar, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley. May 1991.

  • New use of radio telemetry in wildlife management. Columbian black-tailed deer workshop. (invited speaker) Hopland Field Station. April 1991.

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