Kaitlyn Mathis, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Department of Biology
Clark University
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
Office: #234; Lab #210
Phone: 508.793.7514
Email: kmathis@clarku.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Research Laboratory Website
Education
Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
B.A. Hampshire College
Current Research
My research uses an integrated approach, combining observational studies, manipulative field experiments, chemical ecology techniques, and lab experiments to examine the dynamics of complex species interactions and how they are shaped by managed systems. Within the last 100 years, most theoretical and empirical research has examined populations, communities and ecosystems by identifying and studying individual components in isolation from the complicating influence of a larger system. However, recent work has illustrated the importance of studying species interactions beyond a pair-wise context. To address this gap in our knowledge, I examine how the underlying mechanisms and drivers of species interactions can reveal the context dependency of these interactions in nature. Ants are an excellent model for studying complex species interactions. They dominate most terrestrial habitats in terms of abundance, biomass, and energy turnover. They frequently live in large colonies that provide well-protected and resource-rich environments. Furthermore, ants have complex communication systems. For these reasons, organisms at a range of trophic levels seek close associations with ants to access protection or resources. Ants also provide important ecosystem services. Ants are voracious predators and frequently act as biological controls in agroecosystems, by defending plants against herbivores. Thus, understanding the dynamics of species interactions involving ants in agroecosystems can have important real-world management implications.
Selected publications
Mathis, K. A., N. Tsutsui (2016) “Dead Ant Walking: A beetle predator benefits ants by preferentially consuming parasitized individuals.” Proceedings of the Royal Society: B. 238: 20161281.
Mathis, K. A., S. Ramirez, S. M. Philpott (2016) “Variation in spatial scale of competing polydomous twig-nesting ants in coffee agroecosystems.” Insectes Sociaux 63: 447-456.
Mathis, K.A., N. Tsutsui. (2016) “Cuticular hydrocarbon cues are used for host acceptance by Pseudacteon spp. phorid flies that attack Azteca sericeasur ants.” Journal of Chemical Ecology 42: 286-293.
Mathis, K. A., K. T. Eldredge (2014) “Descriptions of two new species of Myrmedonota Cameron (Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from Mexico with comments on the genus taxonomy and behavior.” Zootaxa 3768(1): 095-100.
Mathis, K. A., S. M. Philpott (2012) “Current Understanding and Future Prospects of Host Selection, Acceptance, Discrimination and Regulation of Phorid Fly Parasitoids that attack Ants” Psyche. 2012: 1-9.
Smith, C., E. Abouheif, R. Benton, E. Cash, V. Croset, C. Currie, E. Elhaik, C. Elsik, M. J. Favé, V. Fernandes, J. Gadau, J. Gibson, D. Graur, K. Grubbs, D Hagen, M. Helmkampf, J. A. Holley, C. Holt, H. Hu, A. S. I. Viniegra, B. Johnson, R. Johnson, A. Khila, J. Kim, J. Laird, K. Mathis, J. Moeller, M. Munoz-Torres, M. Murphy, R. Nakamura, S. Nigam, R. Overson, J. Placek, R. Rajakumar, J. Reese, H. Robertson, C. Smith, A. Suarez, G. Suen, E. Suhr, S. Tao, C. Torres, E. van Wilgenburg, L. Viljakainen, K. Walden, A. Wild, M. Yandell, J. Yorke, A. Zimin, N. Tsutsui. (2011) “The Draft Genome of the Globally Widespread and Invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile)” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108: 5673-5678.
Smith, C., C. Smith, H. Robertson, M. Helmkampf, A. Zimin, M. Yandell, C. Holt, H. Hu, E. Abouheif, R. Benton, E. Cash, V. Croset, C. Currie, E. Elhaik, C. Elsik, M. J. Favé, V. Fernandes, J. Gibson, D. Graur, W. Gronenberg, K. Grubbs, D. Hagen, A. S. I. Viniegra, B. Johnson, R. Johnson, A. Khila, J. Kim, K. Mathis, M. Muñoz-Torres, M. Murphy, J. Mustard, R. Nakamura, O. Niehuis, S. Nigam, R. Overson, J. Placek, R. Rajakumar, J. Reese, G. Suen, S. Tao, C. Torres, N. Tsutsui, L. Viljakainen, F. Wolschin, J. Gadau. (2011) “A draft genome of the red harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 108: 5667-5672.
Mathis, K. A., S. M Philpott, R. F. Moreira. (2011) “Parasite lost: Chemical and visual cues used by Pseudacteon in search of Azteca instabilis” Journal of Insect Behavior. 24: 186-199.