Curator of Mammalogy and Ornithology
Associate Professor of Integrative Biology
BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action
Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program
Research Interests/Experience
Dr. Lundrigan’s research integrates data from a variety of sources (behavior, morphology, and molecules) to address questions in mammalian evolution. Recent examples include a comparative study of behavioral and morphological ontogeny in carnivores (with K. Holekamp), a comparative study of brain morphology and temporal niche evolution in rodents (with L. Smale), and exploration of climate-induced changes in the small mammal communities of the Northern Great Lakes region (with P. Myers).
Dr. Lundrigan encourages her graduate students to work on projects of their own devising within the broad realm of ecology, behavior, morphology, and systematics of mammals. Current graduate students are studying the influence of skull ontogeny on life-history strategies in carnivores and temporal niche evolution in rodents.
Selected Publications
- Moscarella, R., S. Hoffman, P. Myers, C. Yahnke, and B. Lundrigan (2019) Genetic and demographic analysis of invasive Peromyscus leucopus in the northern Great Lakes Region. Journal of Mammalogy 100(2):345-353.
- Sakai, S.T., B. Whitt, B. Arznov, and B. Lundrigan (2018) Endocranial development in the coyote (Canis latrans) and gray wolf (Canis lupus): a computed tomographic study. Brain, Behavior, and Evolution 91:65-81.
- Sakai, S.T., B.M. Arznov, A.E. Hristova, E.J. Yoon, and B.L. Lundrigan (2016) Big Cat Coalitions: A comparative analysis of regional brain volumes in Felidae. Frontiers in Neuroscience 10(99): 1-12.
- Tanner, J.B., M. Zelditch, B. Lundrigan, and K.E. Holekamp (2010) Ontogenetic change in skull morphology and mechanical advantage in the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Journal of Morphology 271: 353-365.
- Myes P., B. Lundrigan, S. Hoffman, A. Haraminac, and S. Seto (2009) Climate-induced changes in the small mammal communities of the northern Great Lakes. Global Change Biology 15: 1434-1454.
- Zelditch, M., B. Lundrigan, and T. Garland, Jr. (2004) Developmental regulation of skull morphology I: Ontogenetic dynamics of variance. Evolution and Development 6: 194-206.
- Lundrigan, B.L., S. Jansa, and P.K. Tucker (2002) Phylogenetic relationships in the genus Mus based on maternally, paternally, and bi-parentally inherited characters. Systematic Biology 51: 410-431.
- Lundrigan, B. (1996) Morphology of horns and fighting behavior in the family Bovidae. Journal of Mammalogy 77: 462-475.
- Tucker, P.K. and B.L. Lundrigan (1993) Rapid evolution of the sex-determining locus in Old World mice and rats. Nature 364: 715-717.
- Zelditch, M.L., F.L. Bookstein, and B.L. Lundrigan (1992) Ontogeny of integrated skull growth in the cotton rat Sigmodon fulviventer. Evolution 46: 1164-1180.
Selected Exhibitions
- “The Social Brain Drain: New Application of 3-D Modeling Technology,” with S. Sakai and E. Yoon, MSU Museum
- “POW-erful Design; Adaptation & Comics as Inspiration,” with S. Thomas, MSU Museum
- “Animal Weapons: Nature’s Arms Race,” with M. Gottfried, MSU Museum
Degrees
Ph.D., Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Michigan
M.A., Biology, Smith College