Classes Taught
- Marine Biology (Bio 118)
- General Biology (Bio 192)
- Animal Behavior (Bio 301)
- Biostatistics (Bio 206)
- Aquatic Biology (Bio 317)
- Field Studies in Marine and Estuarine Biology (Bio 318)
- Topics in Ecology (Bio 315/415)
- Topics in Behavioral Parasitology (Bio 319/419)
- Biology Capstone Seminar (Bio 395)
- Introduction to Graduate Studies (Bio 402)
Research Interests
Sparkes works on behavioral ecology in several different aquatic systems. His local research focuses on behavior in the parasite-host relationship that occurs between the acanthocephalan parasite (Acanthocephalus dirus
) and the intermediate host (Caecidotea intermedius). Sparkes also has ongoing projects examining factors that influence the dynamics of mating patterns in both freshwater and marine systems of North America and Europe.
Select Publications
Park T, Sparkes TC (2017) Multidimensionality of modification in an isopod-acanthocephalan system.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 5:103
Caddigan SC, Pfenning AC, Sparkes TC (2017) Competitive growth, energy allocation and host modification in the acanthocephalan
Acanthocephalus dirus: field data.
Parasitology Research 116:199-206
Korkofigas E, Park T, Sparkes TC (2016) Acanthocephalan-related modification of energy storage of a behaviorally- and physiologically-modified host: field data.
Parasitology Research 115: 339-345
Kopp DA, Bierbower SM, Murphy AD, Mormann K, Sparkes TC (2016) Parasite infection, mating behavior and refuge use in the isopod
Caecidotea intermedius: neurological correlates.
Behaviour 153: 947-961
Caddigan SC, Barkauskas RT, Sparkes TC (2014) Intra-population variation in behavior modification by the acanthocephalan
Acanthocephalus dirus: are differences mediated by host condition?
Parasitology Research 113:4307-4311.