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Kari E. Benson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor School of Sciences
Lynchburg College
Courses and Announcements

Experience/Background


I have been on the faculty here since 1998. Prior to my appointment at Lynchburg, I finished my degree at the University of Nebraska. My research has included ecological studies of floodplain fishes in Mississippi, modeling and experimenting on the economics of decision-making in blue jays and starlings, and examining signaling in livebearing fishes. I have been involved with research projects and study on coral reefs in Bermuda, Jamaica, and the coast of Mexico, as well as inland tropical research in Mexico.

Degrees and Certifications

  • B.S. in Biology
    1988
    Muhlenberg College

  • M.S. in Biology
    1992
    University of Mississippi

  • Ph.D. in Biology
    1998
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Professional Interests/Research


My research interests include an investigation of decision making in a variety of organisms with a particular emphasis on decisions related to mating strategies. Currently, I am investigating different aspects of female signaling in the livebearing fish, Gambusia holbrooki. With a number of different undergraduates, I have learned a great deal about a trait called the gravidity spot. First, males court females with larger gravidity spots more frequently than they court females with small spots. Second, females behave differently depending on their reproductive status (specifically, with the size of the spot). I am continuing to examine different aspects of the adaptive value of signaling reproductive status.  Additionally, I am examining similar issues in the fishing spider. There are five congeneric species of fishing spider at Claytor Nature Study Center. In this group of spiders, I am examining male response to female mating status, species recognition, and habitat use.

Information on Courses Taught

The courses that I teach are:

  • Organisms, Ecology, and Evolution

  • General Ecology

  • Marine Biology

  • Biology of West Indian Coral Reef Organisms

  • Animal Behavior

  • Case Studies

The course work includes student and instructor-based research, field collecting and exploration, and web-based communication.

Personal Info/Interests


I am married and my husband (Dr. James Anderson) works with computers. However, James enjoys joining class and club field trips. In our spare time, we enjoy observing fish, birds, plants, and other organisms. We also enjoy cooking, music, and playing with our three sons.

You may contact me at 434/544-8364 or e-mail: benson@lynchburg.edu
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