Brent Palmer: Research

Brent D. Palmer: Research Description

My research program focuses on conservation of wildlife species. I am a comparative reproductive biologist and endocrinologist specializing in lower vertebrates, particularly turtles and tortoises. Reproduction is the critical life stage that enables a species to propagate itself and ensure survival of the species. Anything that impairs reproduction may lead to population decline and ultimately to extinction. Further, in order to successfully propagate threatened and endangered species, it is crucial to understand their reproductive biology and the environmental factors that regulate reproduction.

Tortoise laying egg

Many species of reptiles and amphibians are facing extinction. The global decline of amphibians is well documented. In addition, every species of tortoise in the world is either threatened or endangered, as are the majority of turtles (see Global Turtle Crisis). In order to rescue the most endangered species from extinction, captive reproduction is imperative.

However, reproduction in wildlife is a complex physiological sequence of events that is regulated by environmental factors in order to produce offspring at optimal times for their survival. Successful captive breeding is dependent upon being able to provide the proper environmental clues to stimulate reproduction. These include the role of temporal or circannual environmental factors such as photoperiod, temperature and moisture levels on stimulating reproduction. My research program is investigating reproduction of both wild and captive populations of turtles and tortoises to optimize breeding of endangered species.

Tortoise egg pipping out

Pancake tortoise

Successful captive breeding is dependent upon being able to provide the proper environmental clues to stimulate reproduction. These include the role of temporal or circannual environmental factors such as photoperiod, temperature and moisture levels on stimulating reproduction.

Dr. Palmer catching snapping turtles by hand in the wild

My research program is investigating reproduction of both wild and captive populations of turtles and tortoises to optimize breeding of endangered species.

a Herd of hatchlings

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