University Distinguished Professor
Director, Ecology Research Center

372 Pearson Hall (Oxford) or 538 Mosler Hall (Hamilton)
513-785-3238
rypstral@MiamiOH.edu
Miami's Ecology Research Center

Biographical Information

Our research group explores the behavior, ecology and diversity of arthropod predators. We employ a broad array of approaches aimed to understand the mechanisms behind species coexistence patterns.  Spiders are the focus of most of the research in our group because they are a common, but very diverse, group of generalist predators and are relatively easy to manipulate both in the laboratory and the field.  On-going projects explore the competitive success of invasive predators, the effects of anthropogenic stressors on spider abundance and activity, the sensory priorities of spiders and their prey, and the behavioral versatility of spiders in response to predators, prey and conspecifics.  Creativity is encouraged in our research team and many students have initiated their own independent investigations that have led to new and interesting research directions. 

Courses Taught

• BIO 115 and 116: Biological Concepts
• BIO 206W: Evolutionary Biology (Writing Intensive)
• BIO 400W: Contemporary Issues in Environmental Biology
• BSC 415: Problem Solving and Research

Selected Publications

 (Undergraduate authors indicated with * and graduate students with **)

• Behrend*, J.E., & A.L. Rypstra (2018) Contact with a glyphosate-based herbicide has long-term effects on activity and foraging of an agrobiont wolf spider.  Chemosphere 194:714-721   doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.12.038 
• Godfrey**, J.A., & A.L. Rypstra  (2018)  Impact of an atrazine-based herbicide on an agrobiont spider.  Chemosphere 201: 459-465   doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.03.023 
• Rypstra, A.L., C.D. Hoefler, & M.H. Persons (2017) Predation on reproducing wolf spiders: access to information has differential effects on male and female survival.  Animal Behaviour 128:165-173  doi:  10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.03.032  
• Hoffman*, C.R., M.I. Sitvarin**, & A.L. Rypstra (2016) Information from familiar and related conspecifics affects foraging in a solitary wolf spider.  Oecologia 181:359-367 doi: 10.1007/s00442-015-3460-x 
• Rypstra, A.L.. S.E. Walker, & M.H. Persons (2016)  Cautious versus desperado males: predation risk affects courtship intensity but not female choice in a wolf spider.  Behavioral Ecology 27: 876-885   doi:  10.1093/beheco/arv234  
• Hutton*, B.A., & A.L. Rypstra (2016)  Courtship and the use of pheromones by Pholcus manueli. Journal of Arachnology  44:92-95.    doi: 10.1636/J15-38.1
• Sitvarin**, M.I., A.L. Rypstra, & J.D. Harwood (2016) Linking the green and brown worlds through nonconsumptive predator effects.  Oikos 125:1057-1068 doi 10.1111/oik.03190