Daniel H Gist

Biography

We use as a model for most of our studies a reptile, the turtle. Despite their evolutionary importance, reptiles remain a poorly studied group, and for many species, little is known about the reproductive events themselves, much less their synchronization. The turtle is a primitive reptile and thus a good model to study the evolution of vertebrate reproductive mechanisms. Additionally, most turtles inhabit the aquatic environment, are abundant, and widespread in their distribution, and as such can serve as indicator species for environmental studies. Our present interest focuses on spermatogenesis, on the subsequent maturation of sperm within the male excurrent canal system (epididymis), and on the storage of sperm within the female reproductive tract. Our studies involve anatomical, physiological, and life history implications of these processes. Our goal is to understand the early stages in the evolution of vertebrate reproductive systems as exemplified by exant turtles.

Research Interest

Interest in my laboratory is upon the timing of reproductive events in seasonally reproducing organisms. The reproductive events of primary interest to us are the production and maturation of both spermatozoa and eggs as well as their transfer during the mating process; these events must be synchronized for reproductive success.