Karen McBee, Professor Emeritus & Curator of Vertebrates
Mammalogy, Environmental Genetics, Wildlife Toxicology
Ph.D., 1985, Texas A&M University
Phone: 405-744-9680
Email: mcbee@okstate.edu
Specific Interests
My research interests focus on two aspects of the role that environmental stressors play in altering the genetic structure of populations. We use several techniques to investigate relationships among exposure to environmental pollutants, induction of genetic damage in wildlife species, and long-term population demographic effects. We also are interested in how exposure to environmental stressors may result in selection for specific genotypes leading to reduced genetic variability within populations. I am also interested in developing ways that collections-based data and vouchered specimens can be used to investigate impacts of environmental stressors such as pollutants on wildlife populations. Members of my lab work primarily with mammals and reptiles.
Selected Publications
- Phelps, K. L., and K. McBee. 2009. Ecological characteristics of small mammal communities at a Superfund Site. American Midland Naturalist. 161:57-68.
- Hays, K. A., and Karen McBee. 2009. Ontogenetic melanism in three Oklahoma populations of red-eared slider turtles (Trachemys scripta). The Southwestern Naturalist. 54:82-85.
- McBee, K. 2009. Vignette 7.1, Chromosome Damage, pp. 199-201 in Newman, M.C., Fundamentals of Ecotoxicology, 3rd ed., CRC Press, Boca Raton.
- Hays, K. A., and K. McBee. 2010. Population demographics of Red-Eared Slider Turtles (Trachemys scripta) from Tar Creek Superfund Site. Journal of Herpetology 44:441-446.
- Phelps, K. L., and K. McBee. 2010. Population parameters of white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus) inhabiting a heavy metal contaminated Superfund Site. The Southwestern Naturalist 55: 363-374.