Alfred Dufty

Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Associate Dean, Graduate College
Year arrived at BSU: 1988
 
Mailing Address:
Graduate College
Boise State University
Boise, ID 83725-1110
 
Office Location: Business 117
Office Number: 208-426-3263
Office Fax: 208-426-2789 
E-Mail Address: adufty@boisestate.edu

In order to donate to the Dr. Alfred M. Dufty, Jr. Memorial Fund visit the link below:

 http://giving.universityadvancement.org/default.aspx?page=GIVEInformationGift&DesignationID=28

ACADEMIC DEGREES

• A. B., Princeton University
• M.S., State University of New York at Binghamton
• Ph.D., State University of New York at Binghamton
• Postdoctoral Positions: The Rockefeller University, with Drs. Peter Marler and John Wingfield

TEACHING

• BIOL 227 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
• BIOL 228 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
• ZOOL 401 Human Physiology
• ZOOL 515 Avian Physiology
• ZOOL 535 Behavioral Endocrinology
• BIOL 595 Readings and Conference
• BIOL 598 Graduate Seminar

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Behavioral endocrinology – One general focus of my research is the relationship between hormones and behavior. I study this relationship both in the field and in the laboratory. Free-living animals are observed closely to determine their mating status, breeding stage,and/or social rank. These animals are captured and a blood sample is taken quickly. My radioimmunoassay laboratory can measure plasma steroid hormones levels, such as testosterone, estradiol and corticosterone. Additional nutritional and metabolic parameters from the blood can be assessed with an autoanalyzer. Further manipulation and testing can be done on captive animals. Using these tools I can obtain an indication of an animal’s body condition, its level of stress, and hormonal correlates of aggressive, territorial or reproductive behavior, etc. Aspects of my work are applicable to conservation biology, through exploration of the ecological and physiological responses of animals to environmental perturbation.

Feathers, breeding sites, and stable isotopes – Two of my current graduate students are using stable isotope analysis of feathers to link raptors (Northern goshawks and red-tailed hawks) to their breeding grounds. The process works like this: Elements occur in multiple forms, or isotopes, which differ in the number of neutron they contain. For example, the most common form of hydrogen, 1H, has a single neutron, whereas the deuterium isotope, 2H, has two. The ratio of these isotopes in the environment varies with latitude. When animals feed, stable isotopes of an element are incorporated into their tissues in the same ratio as in the environment. For most tissues this is a dynamic process, and the isotope signature of a tissue changes as the animal moves to new areas and ingests nutrients containing different isotopic ratios. But feathers become inert after they develop. Thus, the isotopic signature of the environment in which the feather developed is locked into the feather and remains constant, even if the bird migrates to a different latitude. The stable isotope ratios of feathers collected during migration or on wintering grounds can be determined by mass spectrometry, and the general latitudinal range in which the bird grew the feather, which is usually the breeding grounds, can be estimated.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

• Whitman, B. A., C. W. Breuner, and A. M. Dufty, Jr. 2011. The effects of neonatal handling on adrenocortical responsiveness, morphological development and corticosterone binding globulin in nestling American kestrels (Falco sparverius).  General and Comparative Endocrinology 172:260-267.
• Butler, M. W., L. L. Leppert, and A. M. Dufty, Jr. 2010. Effects of small increases in corticosterone levels on morphology, immune function, and feather development.  Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 83:78-86.
• Rogers, H. W., M. J. Bechard, G. S. Kaltenecker, and A. M. Dufty, Jr. 2010. The adrenocortical stress response in three North American Accipiters during fall migration.  Journal of Raptor Research 44:113-119.
• Butler, M. W., B. Whitman, and A. M. Dufty, Jr. 2009. Nest box temperature and nesting success of American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) varies with nest box orientation.  Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121:778-782.
• Dufty, A. M., Jr. 2008. Stress responsiveness in nestlings: a comparison of two sampling techniques. Auk 125:225-229.
• Smith, A. D., K. Donohue, and A. M. Dufty, Jr. 2008. Intra-feather and intra-individual variation in the stable-hydrogen isotope (δD) content of raptor feathers. Condor 110:500-506.
• Leppert, L. L., A. M. Dufty, Jr., S. Stock, M. D. Oleyar, and G. S. Kaltenecker. 2008. Survey of blood parasites in two forest owls, Northern saw-whet owls and flammulated owls, of Western North America. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 44:475-479.
• Dufty, A. M., Jr. and E. Danchin. 2008. Development of the phenotype. Pp. 186 – 228. In: Behavioural Ecology: An Evolutionary Perspective on Behaviour. Oxford University Press, London.
• Butler, M. W. and A. M. Dufty, Jr. 2007. Captivity, but not investigator handling, affects nestling immunocompetence. Condor 109:920-928.
• Staley, A. M., J. M. Blanco, A. M. Dufty, Jr., D. E. Wildt, and S. L. Monfort. 2007. Fecal steroid monitoring for assessing gonadal and adrenal activity in the golden eagle and peregrine falcon. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 177:609-622.
• Vercken, E., M. de Fraipont, A. M. Dufty, Jr., and J. Clobert. 2007. Mother’s timing and duration of corticosterone exposure modulate offspring size and natal dispersal in the common lizard (Lacerta vivipara). Hormones and Behavior 51:379-386.

Dufty CV Complete

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Current Graduate Students

• Korte, Allison – Thesis topic: The effects of urbanization on avian abundance and diversity along the Boise River
• Laskowski, Michelle – Thesis topic: Haemosporidian parasites in migrating raptors: a molecular approach
• O’Keeffe, John – Thesis topic: Flight strategy and oxidative stress in migrating raptors
• Porterfield, Chris – Thesis topic: Phaemelanin pigment as a measure of body condition in migrating raptors
• Sherburne, Jessie – Thesis topic: PBDEs and feathers in American kestrels
• Wonder, Erin – Thesis topic: The effects of handling on adrenoresponsiveness in kestrels: Is there a sensitive developmental period and how general is the effect?  To see a short video about Erin’s work and to help her with her study, go here.

Previous Graduate Students

• Berg, Melanie (2009) – Teaching middle school in Arizona
  • Thesis title: Yolk Androgens and Development in American Kestrel Nestlings
• Butler, Mike (2006) – Finishing his PhD at Arizona State University; accepted a position as Assistant Professor at Lafayette College in Easton, PA
  • Thesis title: Effects of Corticosterone on Growth, Food Consumption, Body Condition, Feather Development, and Immune Function in American Kestrels and European Starlings
• Donohue, Kara (2009) – Currently an Avian Protection Specialist for Southern California Edison
  • Thesis title: Exploring Red-tailed Hawk Migration using Stable Isotope Analysis and DNA Sexing Techniques
• Hallingstad, Eric (2008) – Currently an environmental consultant with Bio-West, Inc.
  • Thesis title: Seasonal Variation in Immunocompetence and Other Physiological Parameters of the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
• Holman, Shanie (2001) – Currently in the Biology Department at Lake Washington Technical College, Kirkland, WA
  • Thesis title: The Adrenocortical Response to Handling Stress in Two Temperate-Breeding Blackbird Species
• Leppert, Lynda (2002) – Currently a Veterinary Technician with the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta
  • Thesis title: Heterophil to lymphocyte ratios and DNA sexing in fall migrating northern saw-whet owls and flammulated owls in Idaho
• Marzot, Vittoria (2007) – Currently is the Site Director – Outdoor Environmental Education at SCOPE/Western Suffolk BOCES, on Long Island, NY
  • Thesis title: Seasonal Variation in Immunocompetence and Other Physiological Parameters of the American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)
• Smith, Adam (2006) – Currently in a doctoral program in the Department of Natural Resources Science at the University of Rhode Island
  • Thesis title: Exploring Raptor Migration using Stable Isotope Analysis: the Northern Goshawk in Western North America
• Staley, Airica (2003) – Currently a Research Technician in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University
  • Thesis title: Noninvasive Fecal Steroid Measures for Assessing Gonadal and Adrenal Function in the Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaetos) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
• Whitman, Buddy (2006) – Currently in a doctoral program in the School of Medicine, Curriculum in Neurobiology, at the University of North Carolina
  • Thesis title: The Effects of Neonatal Handling on Adrenocortical Responsiveness, Morphological Development, and Corticosterone Binding Globulin in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) and European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Prospective Graduate Students

I seek self-motivated students who are interested in investigating the physiology and/or behavior of vertebrates, and who would like to learn field and laboratory techniques. I enjoy working with students and will spend the time that is necessary to train them to conduct their research projects. I do not micro-manage my students, and I expect them to be mature and responsible about completing their studies. I allow them latitude in developing their projects, and my door is always open to discuss questions and to solve problems.