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
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.
Woodley S.K, D. Painter, M.C. Moore, M.L. Wikelski, and M. Romero. (2003). Effect of tidal cycle and food intake on the baseline plasma corticosterone rhythm in intertidally foraging marine iguanas General and Comparative Endocrinology 132: 216-222.
Jennings, D.H., D. Painter and M.C. Moore. 2004. Role of the adrenal in early post hatching differentiation of alternative male phenotypes in the tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 135: 81-89.
Weiss, S.L. and M.C. Moore. 2004. Activation of aggressive behavior by progesterone and testosterone in male tree lizards, Urosaurus ornatus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 136: 282-288.
Painter, D. and M. C. Moore. 2005. In vitro placental steroid hormone metabolism in a viviparous lizard, Sceloporus jarrovi. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, 78:364-372.
Crews, D. and M.C. Moore. 2005. Historical contributions of research on reptiles to behavioral neuroendocrinology. Hormones and Behavior 48: 384-394.
French, S.S., K.S. Matt and M.C. Moore. 2006. The effects of stress on wound healing in male tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus). General and Comparative Endocrinology 145:128-32.
Kabelik, D., S.L. Weiss and M.C. Moore. 2006. Steroid hormone mediation of limbic brain plasticity and aggression in free-living tree lizards, Urosaurus ornatus. Hormones and Behavior, 49:587-597.
Weiss, S.L., G. Johnston and M.C. Moore. 2007. Corticosterone stimulates hatching of late-term tree lizard embryos. Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology 146:360-365.
French, S. S., D. F. DeNardo, and M.C. Moore. 2007. Trade-offs between the reproductive and immune systems: facultative responses to resources or obligate responses to reproduction. American Naturalist 170:79-89.
French S.S., D.F. DeNardo and M.C. Moore. (Submitted). The role of leptin as a permissive factor for energy allocation in female tree lizards.