One of my major areas of interest is chemical communication in mammals (e.g. Halpin 1985, 1986). Specifically, my work focuses on individual differences in odors and how mammalian species use individual odors in social situations (Halpin 1980, 1986). My work on individual odors has demonstrated that mammalian odors can function in the discrimination of individuals (e.g. Halpin 1974, 1981, Newman and Halpin 1988), mates (Newman and Halpin 1988), and offspring (Phillips and Tang-M. in prep - in Micorotus). Additionally, individual odors have been shown to affect mating success and litter size in rodents (Tang-M. et al 1993).
A second area of interest is kin recognition and the role of genetic relatedness and social familiarity on social behavior and reproductive success (Halpin 1991). My work on kin recognition focuses on understanding the mechanisms, as well as the cues, by which related individuals recognize one another (Halpin and Hoffman 1987, Barfield et al. - accepted in Ethology) Current studies on the effects of genetic relatedness and social familiarity employ cross-fostering to determine which of these two factors is most important in the preferential behavior seen among kin. Additionally, these studies are also examining the effects of genetic relatedness and social familiarity on dispersal tendencies and in reproductive success, as measured by litter size and weight of pups, in Microtus ochrogaster.
Mammalian dispersal, is another one one of my areas of interest (Chepko-Sade & Halpin 1987 -the book). Dispersal patterns, including philopatry, can influence the genetic structure and mating systems of populations. Additionally, studies on dispersal can be important in establishing realistic estimates of effective population size, as well as in understanding the degree of genetic variabilty within and between populations, and the effects of optimal outbreeding and inbreeding. I have studies aspects of dispersal in Microtus townsendi (Krebs et al 1977), Peromyscus maniculatus (Halpin & Sullivan 1978, Halpin 1981) and Cynomys ludovicianus( Halpin 1987). I am currently planning to initiate a study on life history, social behavior, and dispersal in the eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus.
