The University of South Dakota

Courses Taught Regularly: BIOL 417 - Field Ecology, BIOL 433 - Environmental Physiology, BIOL 441 - Histology, BIOL 463 - Ornithology, BIOL 481 - Vertebrate Anatomy and Embryology

My research interests are broadly based in the areas of ecological physiology, the evolution of physiological adaptation in animals (particularly vertebrates), and ornithology. Within these broad areas, my specific research foci include patterns and mechanisms of seasonal phenotypic flexibility and adaptation to cold in birds, freezing tolerance and overwintering strategies in amphibians, and woodland and wetland habitat use by migrating and breeding birds in the Northern Prairie region. Research in my laboratory is integrative in nature, and includes ecological (field-oriented), organismal, organ/tissue, biochemical and molecular approaches to gaining answers to questions within these research foci.

• Ph D, Zoology, Oregon State University, 1990
• BS, Biology, George Fox University, 1983

• Post-flood Faunal Survey of the Delta Habitat of Upper Lewis and Clark Lake., South Dakota Game Fish and Parks
• Projecting Long-term Landscape Change along the Missouri River: Implications for Cottonwood Forests and Songbird Populations, Plains and Prairie Potholes Landscape Conservation Cooperative (US Fish and Wildlife Service), (2011)
• Mechanisms of seasonal phenotypic flexibility in passerine birds, NSF, (2010 - 2013)
• Faunal Survey of the Delta Habitat of Upper Lewis and Clark Lake, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/State Wildlife Grants Program, (2010 - 2013)
• Physiological and Ecological Measures of Stopover Habitat Quality in Natural Riparian Corridor Woodlands and Anthropogenic Woodlots in Southeastern South Dakota, Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Region 6 Migratory Bird Program, (2010 - 2012)
• Population estimates, habitat relationships, and movement patterns of turtles in southeastern South Dakota , State Wildlife Grants, (2006 - 2011)
• Assessment of Forest Songbird, Marsh Bird and Frog Community Composition along the Missouri National Recreational River using Auditory and Visual Census Techniques, National Park Service, (2010 - 2010)

• Carlisle, J. D., Richart, C. H., Swanson, D., Olmstead, K. L., (2012), Food Availability, Foraging Behavior, and Diet of Autumn Landbird Migrants in the Boise Foothills of Southwestern Idaho. , Condor, vol. 114, p. In press.
• Swanson, D., Thomas, N. E., Liknes, E. T., Cooper, S. J., (2012), Intraspecific correlations of basal and maximal metabolic rates in birds and the aerobic capacity model for the evolution of endothermy. , PLoS ONE, vol. 7, iss. 3, pp. e34271; 1-9.
• Swanson, D., Bozinovic, F., (2011), Metabolic capacity and the evolution of biogeographic patterns in oscine and suboscine passerine birds, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, vol. 84, pp. 185-194.
• Liknes, E. T., Swanson, D., (2011), Phenotypic flexibility in passerine birds: seasonal variation of aerobic enzyme activities in skeletal muscle, Journal of Thermal Biology, vol. 36, pp. 430-436.
• Liknes, E. T., Swanson, D., (2011), Phenotypic flexibility of body composition associated with seasonal acclimatization of passerine birds, Journal of Thermal Biology, vol. 36, pp. 363-370.
• Swanson, D., (2011), Book Review of Ecological and Environmental Physiology of Birds. J.E.P.W. Bicudo, W.A. Buttemer, M.A. Chappell, J.T. Pearson, and C. Bech, (2010). , Condor, vol. 113, pp. 701-703.
• Swanson, D., Burdick, S. L., (2010), Overwintering physiology and hibernacula microclimates of Blanchard’s cricket frogs at their northwestern range boundary, Copeia, vol. 2010, pp. 248-254.
• Swanson, D., (2010), Seasonal metabolic variation in birds: functional and mechanistic correlates, Current Ornithology, vol. 17, pp. 75-129.
• McKechnie, A. E., Swanson, D., (2010), Sources and significance of variation in basal, summit and maximal metabolic rates in birds, Current Zoology , vol. 56, pp. 741-758.
• Burdick, S. L., Swanson, D., (2010), Status, distribution and microhabitats of Blanchard’s cricket frog Acris blanchardi in South Dakota, Herpetological Conservation and Biology , vol. 5, pp. 9-16.
• Olson, J. R., Cooper, S. J., Swanson, D., Braun, M. J., Williams, J. B., (2010), The relationship of metabolic performance and distribution in black-capped and Carolina chickadees, Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, vol. 83, pp. 263-275.

• Richard and Sharon Cutler Award in Liberal Arts, University of South Dakota College of Arts & Sciences, 2012

• Swanson, D., Thomas, N. E. (2012, January). Are intraspecific correlations between minimum and maximum metabolic output in birds consistent with the aerobic capacity model for the evolution of endothermy? . Presented at the SICB Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2012, January). Does the energetically expensive lifestyle of swallows affect thermogenic capacity? . Presented at the SICB Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC.
• King, M. O., Zhang, Y., Tordsen, T., Swanson, D. (2012, January). Seasonal phenotypic flexibility of muscle aerobic enzyme activities in small birds. . Presented at the SICB Annual Meeting, Charleston, SC.
• Bozinovic, F., Swanson, D. (2011, November). Metabolic capacity and altitudinal distribution in passerine birds: A macrophysiological approach. . Presented at the IX Neotropical Ornithological Congress, Cusco, Peru.
• Swanson, D. (2011, November). A Bird’s-eye View of Habitat Quality of Natural and Anthropogenic Habitats in the Northern Prairie Region.. Presented at the South Dakota State University Biology Seminar Series, Brookings, SD.
• Swanson, D. (2011, October). A Bird’s-eye View of Habitat Quality of Natural and Anthropogenic Habitats in the Northern Prairie Region.. Presented at the University of South Dakota Biology Department Seminar Series, Vermillion, SD.
• Swanson, D. (2011, April). Wildlife Responses to Changing Climates in South Dakota: Case Studies of Birds and Frogs.. Presented at the Dakota State University, Earth Day Keynote Speaker, Madison, SD.
• Swanson, D. (2011, April). Changing climates and changing landscapes in the northern Great Plains symposium: Closing remarks.. Presented at the SD Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, SD.
• Palmer, J. S., Swanson, D. (2011, April). Christmas Bird Count Trends and Climate Change in North Dakota and South Dakota.. Presented at the SD Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, SD.
• Swanson, D., Palmer, J. s. (2011, April). Spring migration timing of birds in the Northern Prairie region is correlated with local climate change.. Presented at the SD Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Chamberlain, SD.
• Thomas, N. E., Swanson, D. (2011, March). Intraspecific correlation between minimum and maximum metabolic output in birds: Do intraspecific data support the aerobic capacity model for the evolution of endothermy?. Presented at the Joint Ornithological Meeting, Kearney, NE.
• Zhang, Y., Swanson, D. (2011, March). Metabolic rates in swallows: Do energetically expensive lifestyles affect metabolic capacities in birds?. Presented at the Joint Ornithological Meeting, Kearney, NE.
• Swanson, D. (2011, March). Ultrasonographic detection of seasonal changes in flight muscle size in small birds.. Presented at the Joint Ornithological Meeting, Kearney, Nebraska.
• Swanson, D. (2010, November). Mechanisms of seasonal phenotypic flexibility in small birds. Presented at the Ohio State University, EEO Biology Department Seminar Series, Columbus, Ohio.
• Dixon, M., Benson, A., Swanson, D. (2010, October). Historical changes and future projections for cottonwood forests of the Missouri River floodplain and their impacts on bird populations. Presented at the South Dakota Ornithologists Union Fall Meeting , Vermillion, SD.
• Liu, M., Swanson, D. (2010, October). Assessment of Stopover Habitat Quality of Native Riparian Corridor Woodlands and Farmstead Woodlots for Landbird Migrants. Presented at the South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union, Vermillion, SD.
• Swanson, D., Zhang, Y. (2010, October). Does an Aerial Lifestyle Impact Metabolic Rates in Swallows. Presented at the South Dakota Ornithologists’ Union, Vermillion, SD.
• Higgins, S., Swanson, D. (2010, October). Preliminary findings on cryoprotection by urea and glycerol in the boreal chorus frog. Presented at the Northern Integrative Biology Society, Decorah, IA.
• Gregor, A. J., Swanson, D. (2010, April). Ecology of smooth softshell, Apalone mutica, and false map, Graptemys pseudogeographica, turtles within the 59-mile segment of the Misssouri River National Recreational River. Presented at the Missouri River Institute Research Symposium, Vermillion, SD.
• Benson, A., Swanson, D., Swanson, D. L. (2010, April). Effects of forest type and age class on songbird populations across a cottonwood successional gradient within the Misssouri River National Recreational River. Presented at the Missouri River Institute Research Symposium, Vermillion, SD.
• Swanson, D. (2010, February). Mechanisms of Phenotypic Flexibility of Metabolism: How do Small Birds Respond to Changing Climates?. Presented at the University of Quebec at Rimouski, Department of Biology, Quebec, Canada.
• Swanson, D. (2010, February). Does metabolic capacity influence biogeography of oscine and suboscine passerine birds?. Presented at the Joint Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Cooper Ornithological Society, and Society of Canadian Ornithologists, San Diego, CA.
• Burdick, S. L., Swanson, D. (2010, January). Overwintering physiology and hibernacula microclimates of Blanchard’s cricket frogs at their northwestern range boundary.. Presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA.