Brian Keane
Contact Info
Education
- Ph.D., Biology, Purdue University
- B.S., Biology, Rutgers University
Biographical Information
Since joining the faculty at 黑料社区 – Hamilton, the primary focus of my research has involved combining the use of molecular genetic techniques with field studies to address questions in evolutionary biology and behavioral ecology.
Most recently I have been conducting mechanistic studies examining ecological and neurogenetic factors that may underlie individual differences in social and reproductive behavior among prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Although the prairie vole is a popular laboratory model for studying social monogamy, prairie voles show considerable variation in the degree of social and genetic monogamy within and between populations.
Ongoing research involves examining the effects of polymorphism in the gene encoding a receptor for vasopressin affects sociosexual behavior in prairie voles in field settings.
I am also involved in a project to assess the role of variation in neural estrogen receptor alpha expression on sociosexual behavior in male prairie voles within a population-based and ecologically relevant framework to test the hypothesis that estrogen receptor alpha expression is a biologically important mediator of male behavior in nature.
Courses Taught
- Biological Concepts: Ecology, Evolution, Genetics, and Diversity (BIO 115)
- Biological Concepts: Structure, Function, Cellular, and Molecular Biology (BIO 116)
- Environmental Biology (BIO 121)
- Vertebrate Zoology (BIO 311)
- Environmental Education: Focus on Natural History (BIO 351)
Selected Publications
- Solomon, N.G. and B. Keane. 2018. Dispatches from the field: sociality and reproductive success in prairie voles. Animal Behaviour 143:193–203.
- Adams, N.E., K. Inoue, N.G. Solomon, D.J. Berg and B. Keane. 2017. Range-wide microsatellite analysis of the genetic population structure of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). American Midland Naturalist 177:183-199.
- Keane, B., F.R. Castelli, H. Davis, T.O. Crist and N.G. Solomon. 2017. Effects of avpr1a length polymorphism on male social behavior and reproduction in semi-natural populations of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Ethology 123:675-688.
- Collier, M.H., S.A. Boughter, M.A. Dameron, K.M. Gribbins, B. Keane, J.R. Shann and S.H. Rogstad. 2016. Uptake and distribution of Cu, Pb, and Zn in dandelions (Taraxacum officinale; Asteraceae) sampled from polluted and non-polluted soils. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 144:47-57.
- Graham, B.M., N.G. Solomon, D.A. Noe and B. Keane. 2016. Male prairie voles with different avpr1a microsatellite lengths do not differ in courtship behaviour. Behavioural Processes 128:53-57.
- Solomon, N.G. and B. Keane. 2016. Rodent sociality: a comparison between caviomorphs and other rodent model systems, pp. 201-227. In: Sociobiology of Caviomorph Rodents: An Integrative Approach, L. Ebensperger, and L.D. Hayes, editors. Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, New York, NY.
- Keane, B., S. Ross, T.O. Crist and N.G. Solomon. 2015. Fine scale spatial patterns of genetic relatedness among resident adult prairie voles. Journal of Mammalogy 96:1194-1202.
- Lucia, K.E. and B. Keane. 2015. Alternate mating strategy compensates for inbreeding depression in male prairie voles. Behavioral Ecology 26:1060-1070.
- Keane, B., S. Parsons, B.J. Smucker and N.G. Solomon. 2014. Length polymorphism at the avpr1a locus is correlated with male reproductive behavior in a natural population of prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 68:1951-1964.
- Harris, M.N, R. Alvarez, B. Keane, A.D. Talib, M.J. Eiswerth and N.G. Solomon. 2014. The role of avpr1a microsatellite length on reproductive success of female Microtus ochrogaster. Behaviour 151:1185-1207.
- Solomon, N.G. and B. Keane. 2014. Make space enough between you: Intraspecific variation in animal spacing, pp. 221-256. In: Animal Behavior: Function and Evolution of Animal Behavior, K. Yasukawa and Z. Tang-Martinez editors. ABC-CLIO, LLC, Santa Barbara, CA.