Alexander Cruz

Professor

alexander.cruz@colorado.edu
303-492-6685
Ramaley N306

Ph.D., University of Florida, Gainesville, 1973

Research Interests

Ecological problems with a biogeographical, behavioral, or evolutionary slant, especially through field studies designed to illuminate questions of theoretical importance, application of science to the problems of wildlife conservation. More than half of current work is conducted in the neotropics, especially the West Indies. Current or recently completed research projects include (1) avian brood parasitism; (2) avian community structure in natural and plantation forests in the neotropics; (3) conservation biology; (4) management of forest habitat for wildlife, particularly key species; (5) autoecological, behavioral, and life history studies of landbirds; (6) coevolutionary aspects of plant and animal interactions; (7) fish ecology and behavior and (8) reproductive biology of fishes.

Recent Publications

Post, W., and A. Cruz . 1993. The North American invasion pattern of the Shiny Cowbird. Journal of Field Ornithology 64:32-41.

Cruz , A., and J.W. Wiley. 1989. The decline of an adaptation in the absence of a presumed selection pressure. Evolution 43:55-62.

Cruz , A., J.W. Wiley, T.K. Nakamura, and W. Post. 1989. The Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis in the West Indian region - biogeographical and ecological implications. In: Biogeography of the West Indies: Past, Present, and Future. Sandhill Crane Press, Inc., Gainesville, Florida. 896 pp.

Wiley, R.E., and A. Cruz . 1980. The Jamaican Blackbird: A "Natural Experiment" in socioecology. Evol. Biology 13:261-291.