Terence M. Farrell

Professor Dept. of Biology

Courses Taught

Environmental Biology (BY152)--An introduction to the study of the relationships between humans and their environment. In this class we stress a knowledge of basic ecology as a way to understand and prevent environmental problems. The laboratory section of the class emphasizes understanding the methods scientists use to understand the world. We also take may field trips to gain a better understanding of the natural habitats found in Central Florida

Biostatistical Methods (BY201)--In this class we study the processes involved in Biological Research. We will focus on hypothesis generation, experimental design, data analysis, and the interpretation of data. The class covers a wide variety of techniques used in desciptive and inferential statistics using computers.

General Ecology (BY405)--In this class we study the relationship of organisms to their environment. We emphasis the factors that regulate the distribution and abundance of plants and animals. In the lab section we take field trips to investigate the ecology of freshwater and terrestrial organisms.



Research Interests

I am currently conducting research with Stetson students in two areas. One focus of research is the ecology and behavior of reptiles particularly pigmy rattlesnakes and box turtles. Another focus of my research is the ecology of the marine invertebrates (esp. snails, oysters, and barnacles) that live in the shallow waters of the Indian River Lagoon (on the Atlantic coast east of Stetson). In this reseach students work with me in the field to develop an understanding of the ecology of these fascinating creatures.

Recent Publications with Stetson Students

• 1992 Josh Borntrager and Terry Farrell. The effect of artificial reef size on species richness and diversity in an Florida estuary. Florida Scientist 55:229-235.

• 1993 Lisa Satchell and Terry Farrell. Spatial arrangements of settling larvae in four species of intertidal barnacles. Marine Biology 116:241-245.

• 1994 Jake Schaefer, Steve Heulett and Terry Farrell. Interactions between two poeciliid fishes (Gambusia holbrooki and Heterandria formosa) and their prey in a Florida marsh. Copeia 1994:516-520.

• 1995 Susannah Jemison, Lianne Bishop, Peter May, and Terry Farrell. The impact of PIT-tags on the growth and movement of the rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius. Journal of Herpetology 29:129-132.

• 1996 Lianne Bishop, Terry Farrell and Peter May. Sexual dimorphism in the rattlesnake Sistrurus miliarius. Herpetologica 52:360-364.

• 1996 Ali Rabatsky and Terry Farrell. The effects of age and light level on foraging posture and frequency of caudal luring in the rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius barbouri. Journal of Herpetology 30:558-561.

• 1997 Pilgrim, M.A., T.M. Farrell, and P.G. May Population structure, activity, and sexual dimorphism in a central Florida population of the Box Turtle, Terrapene carolina. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 2:483-488.

• 1999 Roth, E.D., P.G. May and T.M. Farrell. Pigmy Rattlesnakes use prey-derived odors cues to select foraging sites. Copeia 1999:772-774.

• 2001 H.W. Greene, P.G. May, J. Sciturro, D.L. Hardy, and T.M. Farrell. Parental behavior in vipers. A chapter in the Book--The Biology of Vipers.

  A more complete list of publications can be found here.


Send e-mail to Terry Farrell at tfarrell@stetson.edu

Return to the Biology Department Homepage.