USGS researcher at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit tags two pronghorn fawns in Oklahoma.
Robert C. Lonsinger, PhD
Assistant Unit Leader - Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Rob is a mammalian ecologist. Research in the Lonsinger Lab uses a combination of intensive field-based research, laboratory-based methods and ecological modeling. We are broadly interested in conservation genetics, landscape ecology, community ecology, and predator-prey dynamics. We aim to confront applied problems with ecological hypotheses and to elucidate processes driving complex population dynamics. Although our research tends to utilize carnivore species as model organisms, the approaches we employ (e.g., conservation genetic analyses, capture-recapture modeling, and occupancy modeling) are amendable to many taxa and systems. We have found that working closely with management agencies and private landowners has allowed our research to guide management and make lasting contributions to the conservation of species and the habitats on which they depend. We strive to be collaborative with researchers and managers, as well as with private landowners and citizens; only though diversity in collaborators and stakeholders can we expect to tackle some of our most pressing conservation challenges.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Rob earned a B.S. in Biology from Gannon University, a M.S. in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University, and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho.
Professional Experience
Assistant Unit Leader, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2020-
Education and Certifications
PhD, University of Idaho, 2015
MS, New Mexico State University, 2010
BS, Gannon University, 2002
Science and Products
Control of a dominant predator influences the occurrence of a mesocarnivore of conservation concern Control of a dominant predator influences the occurrence of a mesocarnivore of conservation concern
Factors influencing spatial and temporal patterns of Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) occupancy at a grassland-sagebrush ecotone Factors influencing spatial and temporal patterns of Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) occupancy at a grassland-sagebrush ecotone
Harmless tags or hazardous ads? Investigating the potential for ear tags to increase predation on neonatal ungulates Harmless tags or hazardous ads? Investigating the potential for ear tags to increase predation on neonatal ungulates
Predator-induced injury of a neonatal pronghorn cues abandonment of current reproductive investment Predator-induced injury of a neonatal pronghorn cues abandonment of current reproductive investment
Habitat and predator influences on the spatial ecology of nine-banded armadillos Habitat and predator influences on the spatial ecology of nine-banded armadillos
Spatial close-kin mark-recapture models applied to terrestrial species with continuous natal dispersal Spatial close-kin mark-recapture models applied to terrestrial species with continuous natal dispersal
New distributional record of the federally threatened Rabbitsfoot Mussel (Theliderma cylindrica) in Oklahoma New distributional record of the federally threatened Rabbitsfoot Mussel (Theliderma cylindrica) in Oklahoma
Weather, habitat area, connectivity, and number of patches influence breeding ecology of ring-necked pheasants Weather, habitat area, connectivity, and number of patches influence breeding ecology of ring-necked pheasants
Seasonal resource selection of a grassland bird in a dynamic landscape: Importance of a heterogeneous landscape Seasonal resource selection of a grassland bird in a dynamic landscape: Importance of a heterogeneous landscape
White-backed hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus Leuconotus) occurrence in the Oklahoma panhandle White-backed hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus Leuconotus) occurrence in the Oklahoma panhandle
Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma
A fine-scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates A fine-scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates
The factors affecting female black bear harvest rates in Pennsylvania
Nine-banded armadillo and coyote detection data and site-specific data from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge during summer 2023 Nine-banded armadillo and coyote detection data and site-specific data from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge during summer 2023
Co-occurance Simulation Modeling Co-occurance Simulation Modeling
USGS researcher at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit tags two pronghorn fawns in Oklahoma.
Spotted skunks (Spilogale spp.) were historically widespread across much of North America, but long-term harvest trends and anecdotal evidence suggested notable population declines, leading to a petition to list the plains spotted skunk (S. interrupta) under the Endangered Species Act.
Spotted skunks (Spilogale spp.) were historically widespread across much of North America, but long-term harvest trends and anecdotal evidence suggested notable population declines, leading to a petition to list the plains spotted skunk (S. interrupta) under the Endangered Species Act.
Camera traps at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit recently identified a white-backed hog-nosed skunk – the second-known sighting in Oklahoma since 1930!
Camera traps at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit recently identified a white-backed hog-nosed skunk – the second-known sighting in Oklahoma since 1930!
Co-occurance Simulation Modeling Co-occurance Simulation Modeling
Science and Products
Control of a dominant predator influences the occurrence of a mesocarnivore of conservation concern Control of a dominant predator influences the occurrence of a mesocarnivore of conservation concern
Factors influencing spatial and temporal patterns of Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) occupancy at a grassland-sagebrush ecotone Factors influencing spatial and temporal patterns of Lanius ludovicianus (Loggerhead Shrike) occupancy at a grassland-sagebrush ecotone
Harmless tags or hazardous ads? Investigating the potential for ear tags to increase predation on neonatal ungulates Harmless tags or hazardous ads? Investigating the potential for ear tags to increase predation on neonatal ungulates
Predator-induced injury of a neonatal pronghorn cues abandonment of current reproductive investment Predator-induced injury of a neonatal pronghorn cues abandonment of current reproductive investment
Habitat and predator influences on the spatial ecology of nine-banded armadillos Habitat and predator influences on the spatial ecology of nine-banded armadillos
Spatial close-kin mark-recapture models applied to terrestrial species with continuous natal dispersal Spatial close-kin mark-recapture models applied to terrestrial species with continuous natal dispersal
New distributional record of the federally threatened Rabbitsfoot Mussel (Theliderma cylindrica) in Oklahoma New distributional record of the federally threatened Rabbitsfoot Mussel (Theliderma cylindrica) in Oklahoma
Weather, habitat area, connectivity, and number of patches influence breeding ecology of ring-necked pheasants Weather, habitat area, connectivity, and number of patches influence breeding ecology of ring-necked pheasants
Seasonal resource selection of a grassland bird in a dynamic landscape: Importance of a heterogeneous landscape Seasonal resource selection of a grassland bird in a dynamic landscape: Importance of a heterogeneous landscape
White-backed hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus Leuconotus) occurrence in the Oklahoma panhandle White-backed hog-nosed skunk (Conepatus Leuconotus) occurrence in the Oklahoma panhandle
Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma Updated distribution for two freshwater mussel species of conservation concern in Oklahoma
A fine-scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates A fine-scale examination of parturition timing in temperate ungulates
The factors affecting female black bear harvest rates in Pennsylvania
Nine-banded armadillo and coyote detection data and site-specific data from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge during summer 2023 Nine-banded armadillo and coyote detection data and site-specific data from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge during summer 2023
Co-occurance Simulation Modeling Co-occurance Simulation Modeling
USGS researcher at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit tags two pronghorn fawns in Oklahoma.
USGS researcher at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit tags two pronghorn fawns in Oklahoma.
Spotted skunks (Spilogale spp.) were historically widespread across much of North America, but long-term harvest trends and anecdotal evidence suggested notable population declines, leading to a petition to list the plains spotted skunk (S. interrupta) under the Endangered Species Act.
Spotted skunks (Spilogale spp.) were historically widespread across much of North America, but long-term harvest trends and anecdotal evidence suggested notable population declines, leading to a petition to list the plains spotted skunk (S. interrupta) under the Endangered Species Act.
Camera traps at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit recently identified a white-backed hog-nosed skunk – the second-known sighting in Oklahoma since 1930!
Camera traps at the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit recently identified a white-backed hog-nosed skunk – the second-known sighting in Oklahoma since 1930!