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I would like to understand the evolution of gliding locomotion.  Gliding locomotion is a relatively common theme in vertebrate evolution, and has at times been viewed as a precursor to powered flight.  However, there have been few attempts to understand the selective advantage of gliding.  Hypotheses for the evolution of gliding include 1) Cost of Transport - that is, gliding is energetically less expensive than quadrupedal locomotion, 2) Predator Avoidance - gliding presumably enables animals to escape or avoid predators, and 3) Foraging Optimization - gliding enables the animals to reduce travel time between foraging patches and thus reduce patch occupancy time.  At present, my research is focused on the first 2 hypotheses.

Cost of Transort:    We use models to estimate the energetic cost of moving about. Parameter values for the models are derived from performance trials in the lab and field.  To date, we have investigated the cost of gliding (relative to quadrupedal locomotion) in Southern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys volans), Northern Flying Squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus), Flying Geckos (Ptychozoon kuhli), and Sugar Gliders (Petaurus breviceps).  We have also used published data to reanalyze the cost of locomotion in the Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista).

Predator Avoidance:    It is difficult to measure predation pressure in small animals, and more difficult to assess how effectively animals avoid predation.  However, if gliding provides an escape from predation, we would expect morphological and/or performance attributes that promote predator avoidance.  These might include rapid acceleration during the launch into a glide (so that the glider can get away from the predator as quickly as possible) , or maximal ballistic range (so that the glider can get as far away from the predator as possible).  We use geometric morphometrics to explore shape/architecture of the propulsive machinery in gliders, and performance trials in a lab setting together with stroboscopic photography and computerized measurement systems to evaluate ballistic and aerodynamic performance.  To date, we have completed work on Glaucomys volans, and are in the process of analyzing data on Petaurus breviceps and Glaucomys sabrinus.

Publications:

1. Scheibe, J. S.  1984.  The effects of weather, sex and season on the nocturnal activity of Peromyscus truei (Rodentia).  Southwestern Naturalist, 29(1): 1-5.

2. Scheibe, J. S.  1984.  Sexual differences in the home ranges of Peromyscus truei and Dipodomys panamintinus (Rodentia).  Southwestern Naturalist, 29(1): 7-13.

3. Scheibe, J. S.  1985.  Ecological characteristics of small mammals at three sites in southeast Missouri.  Transactions, Missouri Academy of Science, 19:31-40.

4. Scheibe, J. S.  1987.  Climate, competition and the structure of temperate zone lizard communities.  Ecology, 68(5): 1424-1436.

5. Kullberg, R. G. and J. S. Scheibe.  1989.  The effects of succession on niche breadth and overlap in a hot spring algal community.  American Midland Naturalist, 121: 21-31.

6. Scheibe, J. S., D. Figgs, and J. Heiland.  1990.  Morphological attributes of gliding rodents: a preliminary analysis.  Transactions, Missouri Academy of Science, 24: 49-55.

7. Abner, S. R., C. L. Frazier, J. S. Scheibe, R. A. Krol, R. M. Overstreet, W. W. Walker, and W. E. Hawkins.  1994.  Chronic inflammatory lesions in two small fish species, Medaka (Oryzias latipes) and Guppy (Poecilia reticulata), used in carcinogenesis bioassays.  pp 219-233 in Modulators of Fish Immune Responses.  Volume 1.  Models for Environmental Toxicology, Biomarkers, Immunostimulators. (J. S. Stolen and T. C. Fletcher eds.).  SOS Publications.  Fair Haven, NJ.

8. Journet, A. R. P., C. M. Stanley, C. C. Young, and J. S. Scheibe.  1994.  Cognitive development in college biology laboratory in relation to course design and gender.  Transactions, Missouri Academy of Science, 28:39-54.

9. Scheibe, J. S., and M. J. O’Farrell.  1995.  Habitat dynamics in Peromyscus truei: eclectic females, density dependence, or reproductive constraints?  Journal of Mammalogy, 76(2):368-375.

10. Essner, R. L. Jr., A. J. Hendershott, and J. S. Scheibe.  1995.  LCTA Wets Site, Wapapello, Butler County, Missouri.  Missouri Herpetological Association Newsletter, 8:14.

11. Scheibe, J. S.  1997.  The effects of daily and seasonal temperature variation on a model of competing lizard species.   Pages 157-171 In Life Among the Muses: Papers in Honor of James S. Findley.  (T. L. Yates, W. L. Gannon, and D. E. Wilson eds.).  The Museum of Southwestern Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque.

12. Scheibe, J. S. and J. H. Robins.  1998.  Morphological and performance attributes of gliding mammals.  Pp 131-144 in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology of Tree Squirrels (M. A. Steele, J. F. Merritt, and D. A. Zegers, eds.).  Virginia Museum of Natural History, Special Publication 6. 310pp.

13. Addington, T., J. S. Scheibe, and A. J. Hendershott.  2000.  Planar surface area and launch performance in Glaucomys volans.  Pages 199-212 in The Biology of Gliding Mammals (R. Goldingay and J. S. Scheibe eds.).  Filander Press, Germany. 287pp.

14. Essner, R. L. Jr. and J. S. Scheibe.  2000.  A comparison of scapular shape in flying squirrels using relative warp analysis (Rodentia: Sciuridae).  Pages 213-228 in The Biology of Gliding Mammals (R. Goldingay and J. S. Scheibe eds.).  Filander Press, Germany. 287pp.

15. Keith, M. K., J. S. Scheibe, and A. J. Hendershott.  2000.  Launch dynamics in Glaucomys volans.  Pages 185-198 in The Biology of Gliding Mammals (R. Goldingay and J. S. Scheibe eds.).  Filander Press, Germany. 287pp.

16. Robins, J. H.,  J. S. Scheibe, and K. Laves.  2000.  Sexual size dimorphism and allometry in southern flying squirrels, Glaucomys volans.  Pages 229-248 in The Biology of Gliding Mammals (R. Goldingay and J. S. Scheibe eds.).  Filander Press, Germany. 287pp.

17. Scheibe, J. S. and R. L. Essner Jr.  2000.  Pelvic shape in gliding rodents: implications for the launch.  Pages 167-184 in The Biology of Gliding Mammals (R. Goldingay and J. S. Scheibe eds.).  Filander Press, Germany. 287pp.

18. Dundee, H. A., and J. S. Scheibe.  2000.  Bolitoglossa yucatana.  Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. 702:1-3.  Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

19. Scheibe, J. S. and E. Lenihan.  2001.  Morphometric analysis of anomalurid rodents.  Journal of Morphology 248(3): 281.

20. Scheibe, J. S. and R. Henson.  2003.  The distribution of swamp rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) in southeast Missouri.  Southeastern Naturalist 2:327-334.

21. Barko, V. A., D. P. Herzog, R. A. Hrabik, and J. S. Scheibe.  2004.  Relationship among fish assemblages and main channel border physical habitats in the unimpounded Upper Mississippi River.  Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 133:371-384.

22. Crosland, M. J., John S. Scheibe, and Nan-Yao Su.  In press.  Soldier production strategy in lower termites: a simpler alternative                 hypothesis. Journal of Theoretical Biology.

23. Scheibe, J. S., W. P. Smith, J. Bassham, and D. Magness.  In review.  Locomotor performance in the northern flying squirrel, Glaucomys     sabrinus.  Acta Theriologica.