Graduate Student Profile : Suzanne La Croix
My broad interest is studying what animals do -- especially the ontogeny of behavior. My dissertation research focuses on the morphology and ontogeny of feeding performance in coyotes (Canis latrans). As the most abundant large carnivore on the North American continent, the coyote is the ideal model for a study of successful morphology. By combining behavioral observations of their food processing abilities with a morphometric analysis of their skulls, I am documenting how changes in performance during development are associated with age-related variation in skull morphology. I am also investigating the effect of bone processing opportunities during development on feeding performance and on skull development. This project is being conducted in association with Dr. John Shivik, at the USDA/APHIS National Wildlife Research Center field station in Utah.
lacroixs [at] msu.edu