ASU SoLS Faculty: Michael C Moore

Physiological Ecology and Ethology, Behavioral Endocrinology, Vertebrate Reproductive Biology

Dr. Moore is an integrative systems biologist working at the interface between behavior, neuroscience, physiology and ecology. He is interested in the reproductive biology of vertebrates, especially the neuroendocrine control of reproductive behavior and aggression. He believes that these processes must be studied in natural populations of free-living animals, especially if we are to understand the neuroendocrine regulation of the complex social interactions that only occur under natural conditions. His research combines elements of behavioral neuroendocrinology and behavioral ecology. He is currently working on these problems in a reptile, the tree lizard, that has multiple reproductive phenotypes. Male tree lizards exhibit different color phenotypes that also differ in a number of other phenotypic traits, including behavior. He is trying to understand how neuroendocrine mechanisms regulate these differences in phenotype and how these different mechanisms arise during development. Current studies focus on influences of early hormones on development of neuroendocrine mechanisms, neuroanatomical and neurochemical differences underlying differences in behavior and the distribution of binding sites in the brain for various neurochemicals The specific goals of his research program are to understand (1) the neuroendocrine integration of cues from the social and physical environment regulating reproductive physiology and behavior and (2) the interaction of influences exerted during early development and during adulthood to influence expression of various phenotypic traits associated with reproduction. Ultimately, he expects to contribute to our understanding of the selective forces that have shaped the evolution of neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate behavior.

Selected Publications | CV (PDF)

Jennings, D.H., D.K. Painter and M.C. Moore. 2004. The role of the adrenal gland in early posthatching differentiation of alternative male phenotypes in the tree lizard. General and Comparative Endocrinology 135:81-89.

Knapp, R., Hews, D. K., Thompson, C. W., Ray, L., and Moore, M. C. (2003). Environmental and endocrine correlates of tactic switching by non-territorial male tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus). Hormones and Behavior, 43: 83-92.

Summers, C.H., Summers, T.R., Moore, M.C., Korzan, W.J., Woodley, S.K., Ronan, P.J., Hoglund, E and N. Greenberg. (2003). Temporal Patterns Of Limbic Monoamine And Plasma Corticosterone Response During Social Stress. Neuroscience 116: 553-563.

Painter, D., Jennings, D. H., and Moore, M. C. (2002). Placental buffering of maternal steroid hormone effects on fetal and yolk hormone levels: a comparative study of a viviparous lizard, Sceloporus jarrovi, and an oviparous lizard, Sceloporus gracious. General and Compartive Endocrinology 127: 105-116.

Woodley, S.K. and M.C. Moore. (2002). Plasma corticosterone response to an acute stressor varies according to reproductive condition in female tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 128: 143-148.

Weiss, S.L., D.H. Jennings, and M.C. Moore. (2002). Effect of captivity in semi-natural enclosures on the reproductive endocrinology of female striped plateau lizards (Sceloporus virgatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 128: 238-246.

Jennings, D. H., Moore, M. C., Knapp, R., Matthews, L., and Orchinik, M. (2000). Plasma steroid-binding globulin mediation of differences in stress reactivity in alternative male phenotypes in tree lizards, Urosaurus ornatus. General and Compartive Endocrinology 120, 289-299.

Woodley, S. K., Matt, K. S., and Moore, M. C. (2000). Neuroendocrine responses in free-living female and male lizards after aggressive interactions. Physiology and Behavior 71, 373-381.

Moore, M.C., D.K. Hews and R. Knapp. 1998. Evolution and hormonal control of alternative male phenotypes. American Zoologist 38: 133-151.