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Robin Vaughn |
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 I received a B.A. in Psychology from Miami University in 1996, a B.S. in Organismal Biology from Adams State College in 2004, and am currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University under the advisorship of Bernd Würsig. My Ph.D. research focuses on dusky dolphin ( Lagenorhynchus obscurus) foraging behaviors and multi-species benefits in relation to prey patchiness. I am using above-water behavioral observations and spatial analyses concurrently with underwater behavioral observations and video camera analyses to investigate how prey patchiness determines A) when it is beneficial to dusky dolphins to herd prey into stationary balls at the surface, B) differences in complexity of dolphin foraging behaviors used to locate, herd, and capture prey, and C) benefits to seabirds, pinnipeds, and sharks. We have recently completed research and analyses in Admiralty Bay, New Zealand, and we are currently preparing for a comparative study in Golfo San José, Argentina. My broad research interests include conservation biology, biology of marine mammals, and behavioral ecology. In the long term, I would like to combine research that facilitates conservation with education or outreach work. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking with my dogs, yoga, sledding, and kayaking. |
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Publications Accepted: |
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Vaughn, R., Shelton, D., Timm, L., Watson, L., & Würsig, B. Dusky dolphin feeding
tactics and multi-species associations in different seasons. New Zealand Journal of
Marine and Freshwater Research. |
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Vaughn, R., Shelton, D., Timm, L., Watson, L., & Würsig, B. Dolphins decrease prey
depth and mobility: how important is this to seabirds? Journal of Mammalogy. |
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Publications In Preparation: |
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Vaughn, R., Shelton, D., Timm, L., Watson, L., & Würsig, B. Dolphin feeding
efficiency: influences of group size, prey ball size, and other predators. To be
submitted to Marine Mammal Science. |
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Vaughn, R. & Würsig, B. Foraging in daylight: duskies corralling prey. In: Würsig, B. &
Würsig, M. (eds.). Dusky Dolphins: Master Acrobats Off Different Shores. Elsevier
Press. |
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Pearson, H., Srinivasan, M., Vaughn, R., Würsig, B., Markowitz, T., Duprey, N., & Weir,
J. The dusky dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) as an example of cetacean
conservation needs: potential effects of aquaculture, fisheries, and climate change in
Admiralty Bay, New Zealand. To be submitted to Aquatic Conservation: Marine and
Freshwater Ecosystems. |
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