737-1539
Science Hall, 2nd floor

Dr. Bran CromerDr. Bran Cromer
Associate Professor

Office: Science Hall E-2017
Phone: 706-667-4573
Email: rcromer@aug.edu


CLASSES TAUGHT AT ASU
  • BIOL 2111: Human Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIOL 2112: Human Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIOL 4100: Principles of Ecology
  • BIOL 3310: Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
  • BIOL 4430: Ornithology

EDUCATIONAL/CAREER BACKGROUND
  • B.S. in Biology - University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken, SC
  • M.S. in Forestry & Wildlife Biology - Clemson University, Clemson, SC
  • M.S. in Forestry & Wildlife Biology - Clemson University, Clemson, SC

FUN FACT(S)
The annual round trip migration of the Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) from pole to pole is over 44,000 miles.

During the course of my field research I have been bitten by many species of animals. These include: over ten species of snakes (none venomous), four lizard species, three turtle species, three bird species, a couple of squirrels, a possum, several shrews, and one frightened beagle.


MEMBERSHIP TO BIOLOGY SOCIETIES
  • Association of Southeastern Biologists
  • Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Wildlife Society
  • TriBeta (Biology Honor's Society)
  • Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles
  • Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
  • Xi Sigma Pi (Forestry Honor's Society)

RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests lie in the field of vertebrate ecology. At ASU I, with at lot of help from my students!, have researched heavy metal presence in freshwater turtles and the home-range and habitat use of freshwater turtles. I also have an ongoing monitoring project investigating the nesting success of red-headed woodpeckers in fire-adapted ecosystems. I have also researched bat ecology and behavior by recording their vocalizations and have ongoing projects using trail cameras to monitory wildlife populations.


CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECTS AND STUDENTS
Currently, I have an undergraduate student evaluating correlations between white-tailed deer and ticks carrying bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. In this research we are using trail cameras to monitor local white-tailed deer populations and various methods to trap ticks. The next phase of research is to use PCR to detect the presence of bacterium associated with Lyme disease. As stated, I am currently monitoring the nesting success of red-headed woodpeckers in fire-adapted ecosystems. In this research, we use wireless cameras attached to telescoping poles to look in woodpecker cavities. We record the number of eggs laid, number of hatchlings, and number of fledgling birds.


FORMER RESEARCH STUDENTS
  • Mathew Coleman
  • Zack Di Iulio
  • Nathaniel Fuller
  • Brigette Haram
  • John Martin
  • Salina Patton
  • Jonathan Stanford
  • Katie Trimble

PUBLICATIONS

Cromer, R.B. 2007. Associations between two bottomland hardwood forest shrew species and hurricane-generated woody debris. Southeastern Naturalist 6(2): 235-246.

Cromer, R.B. In revision. Role of hurricane-generated debris as habitat for herpetofauna.

Cromer, R.B., J.D. Lanham, and H.G. Hanlin. 2002. Herpetofaunal Response to Gap and Skidder-Rut Wetland Creation in a Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forest. In: S. Destefano and R.G. Haight (eds): Forest Wildlife-Habitat Relationships: Population and Community Responses to Forest Management. Society of American Foresters, Bethesda, Maryland. pp. 288.

Cromer, R.B., J.D. Lanham, and H.G. Hanlin. 2002. Herpetofaunal Response to Gap and Skidder-Rut Wetland Creation in a Southern Bottomland Hardwood Forest. Forest Science 48 (2): 407-416.



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