Education

• Ph.D. 1996 Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA., Department of Zoology and Physiology.
• Dissertation: "Analysis of cospeciation: The effects of spatial and temporal scale."
• M.S. 1990 Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA., Department of Zoology and Physiology.
• Thesis: "Host-parasite coevolutionary relationships in two assemblages of pocket gophers and chewing lice."
• B.S. 1982 Secondary Science Education (biology major, chemistry minor), Auburn University, Auburn, AL.

Teaching Interests

Mammalogy and Field Zoology have been my main responsibilities but I am also very interested in any class dealing with evolution, the nature of science, and critical thinking (all of which I try to incorporate into any class). Thus I enjoy teaching both Life: The Natural World and Capstone. As an evolutionary biologist, I am also enjoying the challenge of teaching the sophomore-level course, Ecological and Evolutionary Theory.

Research Interests

My research interests focus on host-parasite coevolution and zoogeography. My research in coevolution involves long-time collaborations with several researchers at other universities. We have been studying pocket gophers (Rodentia: Geomyidae) and their ectoparasitic chewing lice (Pthiraptera: Trichodectidae) for over 15 years. Our current work involves a gopher-louse assemblage distributed across much of Mexico.

Students in my lab have also been working with the zoogeography and conservation genetics of the Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale). Recent findings include the potential for the existence of two Pleistocene refugia (one midwestern and one near New England) resulting in an east-west genetic break that has also been demonstrated in mammals. Preliminary analysis of microsatellite data indicate historical bottlenecks in salamander populations in Iowa. Theresa Spradling and I are currently working to secure funding to extend this study to include other vertebrates (including lemmings and star-nosed moles) distributed across southern Canada to complete the first comparative phylogeographic analysis of Northeastern North America.

Professional Accomplishments

2009 Hafner, M.S. , D.J. Hafner, J.W. Demastes, T. A. Spradling, G. L. Hasty, and J. E. Light. Evolutionary Relationships of pocket gophers of the Genus Pappogeomys (Rodentia: Geomyidae). Journal of Mammalogy, in press.

2008 Richtsmeier, R.J.*, N.P. Bernstein, J.W. Demastes, and R. W. Black. Migration, gene flow, and genetic diversity within and among Iowa populations of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata ornata). Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 8: In press. (*UNI M.S. student)

2008 Hafner, D.J., M.S. Hafner, G.L. Hasty, T.A. Spradling, and J.W. Demastes. Evolutionary relationships of pocket gophers (Cratogeomys castanops species group) of the Mexican Altiplano. Journal of Mammalogy, 89:190-208.

2007 Eastman, J.M.* , T.A. Spradling, J.W. Demastes, and H. Hadow. Conservation genetic assessment of the blue-spotted salamander in Iowa. American Midland Naturalist, 158:233-239.

2007 Demastes, J. W., J. M. Eastman*, J. S. East*, and C. Spolsky. Phylogeography of the blue-spotted salamander, Ambystoma laterale (Caudata: Ambystomatidae). Am. Mid. Nat., 157:149-161.

2005 Hafner, M. S., J. E. Light, D. J. Hafner, S. V. Brant, T. A. Spradling, and J. W. Demastes. Cryptic species in the Mexican pocket gopher Cratogeomys merriami. Journal of Mammalogy, 86:1095-1108.

2003 Demastes, J. W., A. L. Butt, M. S. Hafner and J. L. Light. Systematics of a rare species of pocket gopher, Pappogeomys alcorni. Journal of Mammalogy, 84:753-761.

2003 Sinatra, Gale, Sherry S. Southerland, Frances McConaughy, and James W. Demastes. Intentions and beliefs in students' understanding and acceptance of biological evolution. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 40:510-528.

2003 Demastes, J. W., T. A. Spradling, and M. S. Hafner. Effects of spatial and temporal scale on cospeciation. Pp. 221-239 in "Tangled trees: Phylogeny, Cospeciation, and Coevolution". (R. D. M. Page, ed.). The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

2003 Hafner, M. S., J. W. Demastes, T. A. Spradling, and D. L. Reed. Cophylogeny in pocket gophers and chewing lice. Pp. 195-220 in "Tangled trees: Phylogeny, Cospeciation, and Coevolution". (R. D. M. Page, ed.). The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

2002 Demastes, J. W., T. A. Spradling, M. S. Hafner, D. J. Hafner, and D. L. Reed. Systematics and phylogeography of pocket gophers in the genera Cratogeomys and Pappogeomys. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 22:144-154.

International Experience

I have conducted fieldwork in both Costa Rica (1 trip) and Mexico (7 trips). Future work will include Canada.

Grants History

2004-2008 “Molecular Studies of Cospeciation Enhanced by Exhaustive Sampling and GIS Technology” (with M.S. Hafner at Louisiana State University), National Science Foundation ($300,000)

1999-2000 Iowa Distributed Wind Generation Project (IDWGP), “Avian Risk, Fatality and Disturbance at the IDWGP Wind Farm, Algona, IA” ($24, 505).

1999 Iowa Department of Natural Resources contract for “Inventory of the bats of White Pine Hollow State Preserve” ($1587).

Community Engagement

I speak regularly with local groups such as The Audubon Society and the UNI Museum.  I am also the faculty advisor for the student group, Green Project UNI, which engages the community on issues of sustainability.

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