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N-543 SBS Bldg.
SUNY at Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY
11794-4364
631.632.9440
Fax: 631.632.7692
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Marina Blanco

Education:

2004, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, M.A. in Biological Anthropology
1998, National University of La Plata, School of Natural Sciences and Museum, Argentina, Bachelor degree “Licenciatura” in Biological Anthropology

Current Position:

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, PhD candidate in Biological Anthropology

Advisor:

Dr. Laurie R. Godfrey

Email:

mbblanco(at)anthro.umass.edu

Research Sites:

Ranomafana National Park
Tsinjoarivo, continuous and fragmented forests

Research Project:

Reproductive biology and population dynamics of cheirogaleids (Microcebus and Cheirogaleus) in two eastern rain forests of Madagascar

Research Focus:

I am interested in cheirogaleid reproductive ecology. My current project aims to explore the reproductive biology and ecology of eastern rain forest Microcebus and Cheirogaleus in a variety of environments. Most of the data collected to date on the reproductive biology of mouse and dwarf lemurs are derived from studies conducted in captivity. It has been shown that photoperiod is the main cue to trigger reproductive activation; however, we know a little about the extent to which additional environmental cues (i.e., temperature minima and maxima, rainfall, rainfall periodicity, predation, resource availability, edge conditions, etc.) affect reproductive schedules. It has been increasingly recognized that greater variation exists in the wild than in captivity, possibly providing a buffer against environmental unpredictability, but the extent to which such variation exists, and what influences it, are poorly understood. Ultimately, I believe that understanding the dynamics of lemur reproduction in different habitats is critical if we are to ensure their long-term survival.
At Ranomafana National Park I have been collaborating with other researchers and Malagasy students in a long term project on capture/mark/recapture of Microcebus since 2004. At Tsinjoarivo, I am collaborating with Dr. Mitchell Irwin and his Malagasy team to study the dwarf and mouse lemur populations in both the continuous and fragmented areas.

Research
Assistants:

at Ranomafana, Victor Rasendrinirina; at Tsinjoarivo, Edmond Razanadrakoto; Malagasy students: Mamihasimbola Rakotondratsima, Vololonirina Rahalinarivo.

Publications:

Papers

Blanco MB (In press) Reproductive schedules of female brown mouse lemurs (Microcebus rufus) at Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. International Journal of Primatology.

Blanco MB, Godfrey LR, Rakotondratsima M, Samonds, KE, Raharison, J-L and Irwin, MT (submitted) Discovery of sympatric dwarf lemur species in the high-altitude rainforest of Tsinjoarivo, eastern Madagascar: Implications for biogeography and conservation. Journal of Zoology.

Blanco MB, Godfrey LR. 2006. Craniofacial sexual dimorphism in Alouatta palliata, the mantled howling monkey. Journal of Zoology 270: 268-276.

Abstracts

Blanco MB and Godfrey LR. 2007. Effects of daily torpor and hibernation on reproductive and growth parameters in two groups of strepshirrine primates (Galagidae and Cheirogaleidae). Clocks and Rhythms Symposium. Cold Spring Harbor, NY.

Blanco MB. 2007. Reproductive schedules of brown mouse lemurs (Microcebus rufus) at Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. American Journal of Physical Anthropology Suppl. 44:75-76.

King SJ, Blanco MB and Godfrey LR. 2005. Dietary reconstruction of Archaeolemur using dental topographic analysis. American Journal of Physical Anthropology Suppl. 40: 129.

Blanco MB, Godfrey LR. 2003. Can heterochrony explain patterns of craniofacial growth in three species of howler monkeys? A test using a multivariate tool. American Journal of Physical Anthropology Suppl. 36: 67-68.

Project Sponsors:

Conservation International Primate Action Fund; National Science Foundation; Primate Conservation, Inc.; Rufford Foundation, Sigma XI, University of Massachusetts

N-543 SBS Bldg, SUNY at Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364
631.632.9440 Fax: 631.632.7692