Thomas O'Shea, PhD
Tom O'Shea is a Scientist Emeritus at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center.
Tom O'Shea has conducted research on bats, sirenians, and other mammals in the U.S., Africa, South and Central America, Asia, and Oceania. Dr. O'Shea is the author or co-author of about 140 scientific publications. He was formerly a researcher with the USGS, National Biological Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. His current research emphasis is on bats (after a long hiatus in marine mammal studies and federal research management), particularly topics related to diseases, population biology, natural history, and environmental contaminants.
Professional Experience
Scientist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 2009-present
Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 2001-2009
Branch Chief, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center 1996-2001
Assistant Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/National Biological Survey, National Ecology Research Center/Midcontinent Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins 1992-1996
Research Wildlife Biologist, Sirenia Project Leader, Field Station Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Fish and Wildlife Laboratory/National Ecology Research Center, Gainesville, Florida 1979-1992
Research Zoologist, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, Maryland 1977-1979
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Zoology, Northern Arizona University, 1977
M.S. Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 1973
B.S. Zoology, Colorado State University 1970
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Society of Mammalogists
National Museums of Kenya
Florida Museum of Natural History
Museum of Southwestern Biology (University of New Mexico)
California Academy of Sciences
Colorado State University
University of Florida
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wildlife-At-Risk (Vietnam)
Advisory committees of a number of national and international conservation organizations and agencies, including the Committee of Scientific Advisors to the US Marine Mammal Commission.
Science and Products
Book review of The pinnipeds: seals, sea lions, and walruses
An epizootic of Florida manatees associated with a dinoflagellate bloom
Belize--a last stronghold for manatees in the Caribbean
Distribucion y abundancia del manati, Trichechus manatus, en Venezuela
Encephalization quotients and life-history traits in the Sirenia
Florida manatees: distribution, geographically referenced data sets, and ecological and behavioral aspects of habitat use
An evaluation of bone growth- layer counts as an age-determination technique in Florida manatees
Regional brain morphometry and lissencephaly in the Sirenia
Myxomatous transformation of heart valves in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
Distribution and status of manatees (Trichechus manatus) in Panama
Three years operational use of satellite transmitters on Florida manatees: tag improvements based on challenges from the field
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Book review of The pinnipeds: seals, sea lions, and walruses
An epizootic of Florida manatees associated with a dinoflagellate bloom
Belize--a last stronghold for manatees in the Caribbean
Distribucion y abundancia del manati, Trichechus manatus, en Venezuela
Encephalization quotients and life-history traits in the Sirenia
Florida manatees: distribution, geographically referenced data sets, and ecological and behavioral aspects of habitat use
An evaluation of bone growth- layer counts as an age-determination technique in Florida manatees
Regional brain morphometry and lissencephaly in the Sirenia
Myxomatous transformation of heart valves in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)
Distribution and status of manatees (Trichechus manatus) in Panama
Three years operational use of satellite transmitters on Florida manatees: tag improvements based on challenges from the field
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government