Biological Sciences

Jeanette A. Thomas, Professor (WIU Quad Cities)
Coordinator of the Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Zoo & Aquarium Studies*

Marine & Terrestrial Mammalogy, Bioacoustics, Zoo Animal Enrichment

*IMPORTANT: Those students wishing to conduct research with Dr. Thomas MUST live in the Quad Cities, near the Quad Cities campus. NO students from the Main WIU Campus are advised by Dr. Thomas.

Dr. Jeanette Thomas

Contact Information:
Western Illinois University-Quad Cities
3561 60th St., Moline, L  61265
E-mail:  J-Thomas@wiu.edu
tel:  309-762-9481, ext 311

Personal Homepage: n/a

Degree:
B. S. in Zoology, B. S. in Botany
M. S. in Ecology & Behavioral Biology
Ph.D. in Ecology & Behavioral Biology

Curriculum Vitae

Courses Taught:

Research Interests:
Bioacoustics of terrestrial and marine mammals, including effects of noise on mammals, echolocation, communication, hearing, playbacks, and behavioral enrichment.  Research includes both field and captive animal studies. IMPORTANT: Those students wishing to conduct research with Dr. Thomas MUST live in the Quad Cities, near the Quad Cities campus. NO students from the Main WIU Campus are advised by Dr. Thomas.

Additional Resources

Recent Publications:
Au, W. W. L., Thomas, J. A., and K. T. Ramirez.  2007. Characteristics of the auditory brainstem evoked potential of a Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens).  Aquatic Mammals 33(1): 76-84.

Fuhs, V. S., Wells, R. S., and J. A. Thomas (in preparation).  Spatial relationships of mother-calf pairs within Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris). Marine Mammal Science.

Hasselberg, B. and J. A. Thomas (accepted).  Using a laser thermometer for remotely monitoring microhabitat selection in California sea lions at Glen Oak Zoo in Peoria, IL.  Aquatic Mammals.

Heinemeyer, H., and J. A. Thomas (submitted, under review).  Patterns of echolocation in a group of semi-captive Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Roatan, Honduras.  Aquatic Mammals.

Nester, A., Alcevedo,  A.  and J.A. Thomas (accepted).  Influence of ambient on underwater whistles from wild false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens).  Aquatic Mammals.

Southhall, B. and multiple authors including J. Thomas.  Establishing Noise Criteria for Exposure of Marine Mammals to Anthropogenic Noise.  J. Acoust. Society of America, 33(4): 411-625..

Mattson, M. C. and J. A. Thomas 2005.  Effects of boat traffic on bottlenose dolphins near Hilton Head, South Carolina.  Aquatic Mammals. 31(1): 133-140.

Thomas, J. A., C. F. Moss, and M. Vater. 2004. (Eds.) Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins. The University of Chicago Press.

Awbrey, F.T., J.A. Thomas, and W.E. Evans.  2004.  Ultrasonic sound production in a captive leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx).  in Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins. Pp. 535-541 The University of Chicago Press.

Evans, W.E., J.A. Thomas, and R. Davis.  2004.  Sounds used during underwater navigation by a Weddell seal, (Leptonychotes weddellii). in Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins.  Pp. 541-547.  The University of Chicago Press.

Fahner, M.A., J.A. Thomas, K. Ramirez, and J. Boehm.  2004.  Acoustic properties of a Pacific white-sided dolphin, (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), echolocation signals.  in Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins.  Pp. 53-59.  The University of Chicago Press. J.A., C. Moss, and V. Vater, eds. 

Thomas, J.A. and M. Jalili.  2004.  Review of echolocation in insectivores and rodents.  in Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins.  Pp. 547-564.  The University of Chicago Press.

Fenton, B. M. and J. A. Thomas.  2003.  Sensory Ecology in Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia.  Mammals volume 6.

Stirling, I. and J. A. Thomas.  2003.  Relationships between underwater vocalizations and mating systems in phocid seals.  Aquatic Mammals 29 (2):227-246.

Dudzinski, K., J.A. Thomas, and E. Douaze.  2000.  Communication.  in Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals.  Academic Press. Pp.  248-268.

Thomas, J.A.  2000.  Species Account of the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii).  in Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals.  Academic Press.  Pp. 1300-1302.

Thomas, J.A.  2000.  Species Account of the Ross Seal (Ommatophoca rossii).  in Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals.  Academic Press.  Pp. 1053-1055.

Mossbridge, J.A. and J.A. Thomas.  1999.  An acoustic niche for Antarctic killer whales (Orcinus orca) and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx).  Marine Mammal Science 15:1351-1356.

Peterson, L.M. and J.A. Thomas.  1999.  Performance of Trailmaster infrared sensors in monitoring activity of captive coyotes.  Wildlife Society Bulletin 26(3):592-596.

Tremel, D.P., J.A. Thomas, K.T. Ramirez, G.S. Dye, W.A. Bachman, A.N. Orban, and K.K. Grimm.  1998.  Underwater hearing sensitivity of a Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens.  Aquatic Mammals 24(2):63-69.

Graduate Student Research:
Michael Oliver-Analysis of insect diversity and abundance at sunset in three habitats in northern Illinois

Shani Gitter-Analysis of acoustic behavior of striped dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea

Alexandria Rose-Noise mapping of fish tanks at the Shedd Aquarium

Laura McCrery-Underwater vocalizations of Antarctic crabeater seals

Walter, Emily.  Discrimination of Visual Stimuli by an Asian Elephant. 

Coulombe, Charisse.  Diel patterns in Weddell seal underwater vocalizations.

Mindach, Deborah.  Silence as an anti-predation strategy by Weddell seals in response to leopard seals and killer whale sounds.

Behr, Jennifer.  Comparison of feeding rates detected by echolocation of bats at Volo Bog State Park, an agricultural field, and an urban area in northern Illinois.

Rushing-Anderson, Katrina. Use of water hoses and sprinklers for behavioral enrichment in California sea lions.

Loeding, Erin.  Monitoring the integration of sable antelope into a social group through fecal hormone assays at Lincoln Park Zoo

Crowell, Sara.  Diel patterns in underwater sound production by bottlenose dolphins at the Brookfield Zoo

Kuberski, Melissa.  Ultrasonic sound production in belugas and Pacific white-sided dolphins at the Shedd Aquarium

Undergraduate Student Research:
Time constraints and distance do not allow me to advise undergraduate research projects.

Former Student Projects:
Meghan Clark-Analysis of underwater vocalizations of harbor seals at Brookfield Zoo

Feltenberer Ostrego, Lisa.  Behavioral enrichment of harbor seals at the John G. Shedd Aquarium.

Fuhs, Virginia.  Spatial relationships of mother-calf pairs within Hawaiian spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris).

Bergren, Rachel.  Spatial relationships of mother and pup Weddell seals over the breeding  season.

Stacey, Rita.  Vocalizations of Antarctic Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii).

McGee, Jennifer.  Standards of care for captive California Sea Lions (Zalophus californicus).

Hasselberg, B.  Use of a laser thermometer for monitoring microhabitat selection in captive California sea lions (Zalophus  californicus)

Richlen, Michael.  Antarctic killer whale vocalizations: Preliminary analysis of McMurd Sound killer whale (Orcinus orca) repertoire.
       
Potter-Hensen, Jackie.  Analysis of behavior and vocalizations in captive mountain  lions at  Wildlife Prairie Park.

Mohan, Heather.  Foraging behavior in white-tailed kites.

Brickman, Jon. 2003.  Factors influencing call usage of the Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens, at the John G. Shedd Aquarium. Master of Science.

Tanchez, Erin.  2003.  Diel patterns in underwater sounds of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) at the John G. Shedd Aquarium.  Master of Science.
                  
Augustine, A.  2003.  The Cat’s Meow:  relationships between domestic cat vocalization features and physical characteristics.  Master of Science.

Baggett Miller, Rebecca.  2002.  Variations in locomotor behavior of two primate species, Hapalemur griseus and Galago moholi.

Heinemeyer, H., and J. A. Thomas 2002.  Patterns of echolocation in a group of semi-captive Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Roatan, Honduras.  Master of Science.

Noe, Beth.  2000.  Analysis of surface vocalizations from mother and pup Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii).  31 pp.  Master of Science.

Cope, Megan Rae.  2000.  Effects of boat activity on bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, in the near shore waters of South Beach, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.  70 pp., Master of Science

Fahner, Margaret Anne.  1999.  Acoustic properties of echolocation signals by captive pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens).  19 pp., Master of Science

Schneider, Theresa Mary.  1999.  Survey of small mammals at Manikowski Prairie, Clinton County, Iowa.  64 pp., Master of Science

Nester, Amy Elizabeth.  1999.  The underwater sound repertoire of wild false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens).  38 pp., Master of Science

Gunther, Michelle Lee.  1999.  Collection of mammal specimens in the Western Illinois University Museum of Natural History.  247 pp., Master of Science

DeMarr, Michael Arthur.  1998.  Microtopographical influences on thirteen-lined ground squirrel (Spermophilus tridecemlineatus) burrow placement in West Lake Park, Iowa.  28 pp., Master of Science

Welling, Jamie Donald.  1997.  An acoustic survey of bats in Lake Argyle State Park.  22 pp., Master of Science

Tremel, Donald Paul.  1996.  Underwater hearing sensitivity of Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens.  37 pp., Master of Science.

Bachman, Wendy Ann.  1996.  Performance of three marine mammal species during underwater audiometric tests as examined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots.  34 pp., Master of Science.

Peterson, Leahann Marie.  1995.  Effectiveness of using a Trailmaster infrared sensor for monitoring activity of captive coyotes.  48 pp., Master of Science.

Hollis, Karmen Marie.  1994.  Comparison of implanted transponder chips and toe clips as marking techniques for small mammals.  26 pp., Master of Science

Rothering, Anthony August.  1994.  Home range of adult raccoons pre- and post- removal of a same-sex neighbor in West-Central Illinois.  49 pp., Master of Science

Presley, Steven James.  1994.  Small mammals of McDonough County, Illinois.      148 pp., Master of Science

Chapman, Elizabeth Suzanne.  1993.  Older sibling care in prairie voles, Microtus ochrogaster.  61 pp., Master of Science

Yochem, Pamela.  1985.  Haulout behavior in pinnipeds on Channel Islands, California.  Master of Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA (publication format)

Kastelein. Ronald.  1984.  Hearing thresholds measurements and responses to Belukha whales to playbacks of underwater drilling noise.  Doctorate of Philosophy, Agricultural University, Amsterdam, Holland (publication format)