Ralph Saporito
Professor
Areas of Expertise
- Research Interests Ralph A Saporito's research is broadly focused on the ecology
- Evolution of antipredator adaptations in animals
- With a particular emphasis on chemical defenses
- Aposematism. He is especially interested in studying these defensive adaptations in vertebrates
- Mainly amphibians
- Reptiles
Education & Awards
Oophaga pumilioResearch Interests
My research is broadly focused on understanding the ecology and evolution of chemical defenses (toxins) and warning coloration in animals. Most of my research involves the study of brightly colored poison frogs from tropical rainforests, and the alkaloid toxins they acquire from a diet of mites, ants, and millipedes. I am particularly interested in how poison frogs use alkaloids to defend themselves against predators and pathogens, as well as their use of bright coloration and behavior as a warning signal of their toxicity. My research is highly integrative, involves field-work in the tropics and lab experiments at John Carroll, and incorporates aspects of behavior, physiology, natural history, and frog/arthropod chemistry.
