Profile
Educational Background
PhD, Ecology and Evolution, Australian National University, 2017
MS, Biology, Western Illinois University, 2012
BM, Music Composition, Ohio Northern University, 2009
BS, Biology, Ohio Northern University, 2009
Research Interests
I study coevolutionary interactions between avian brood parasites (birds that lay eggs in other bird's nests) and their hosts, as well as bird egg coloration and appearance from the bird's point of view.
Courses Taught
Undergraduate courses taught: Vertebrate Biology (BIOL 3030), Behavioral Ecology (BIOL 4700, 6700)
Undergraduate CIs: Research Using Museum Collections #1794
Online Masters courses taught: Understanding Biological Inquiry (BIOL 8400), Understanding Animal Biology (BIOL 8450)
Selected Publications
Abernathy, V.E., L.E. Johnson and N.E. Langmore (in press). An experimental test of defenses against avian brood parasitism in a recent host. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.
Abernathy, V.E. and W. Liang (2020). Empirical evidence of different egg morphs that match host eggs in the brush cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus). Emu 120:322-332.
Abernathy, V.E., J. Troscianko and N.E. Langmore (2017). Egg mimicry by the pacific koel: mimicry of one host facilitates exploitation of other hosts with similar egg types. Journal of Avian Biology 48:1414-1424.
Abernathy, V.E. and N.E. Langmore (2017). The first stages of coevolution between a brood parasite and its new host: are naïve hosts defenceless? Emu 117:114-129.
Abernathy, V.E. and N.E. Langmore (2017). Rates of coevolution between avian brood parasites and their hosts, Chapter 2. M. Soler (Ed.). Avian Brood Parasitism: Behaviour, Ecology, Evolution and Coevolution. Springer.
Peer, B.D. and Abernathy, V.E. (2017). Brown-headed Cowbirds, Chapter 5. G.M. Linz, M.L. Avery, and R.A. Dolbeer (Eds.). Ecology and Management of Blackbirds (Icteridae) in the United States. Taylor and Francis Group.
Abernathy, V.E. and N.E. Langmore (2016). Observations of the breeding behaviour of the pacific koel in relation to its newest host. Canberra Bird Notes 41:124-134.
Abernathy, V.E. and B.D. Peer (2016). Reduced ultraviolet reflectance does not affect egg rejection by northern cardinals. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 128:334-342.
Abernathy, V.E. and B.D. Peer (2015). Mechanisms of egg recognition in brown-headed cowbird hosts: the role of ultraviolet reflectance. Animal Behaviour 109:73-79.
Abernathy, V.E. and B.D. Peer (2014). Intraclutch variation in egg appearance of brown-headed cowbird hosts. The Auk: Ornithological Advances 131:467-475.
Selected Talks
Abernathy, V. and N. Langmore. 2018. The first stages of coevolution between a brood parasite and its new host: are naïve hosts defenceless?
Animal Behaviour Society 2018, Milwaukee, WI
Abernathy, V., J. Troscianko and N. Langmore. 2017 Egg mimicry by the pacific koel: mimicry of one host facilitates exploitation of other hosts with similar egg types.
American Ornithologists’ Society Conference 2017, Lansing, MI
Abernathy, V. 2017. Coevolution in action between a brood parasite and a new host.
Ohio Northern University Department Seminar Speaker, Feb. 6, 2017, Ada, OH
Abernathy, V., L. Johnson and N. Langmore. 2016. Coevolution in action: defences against brood parasitism in a new host of the eastern koel.
The North American Ornithological Conference 2016, Washington, DC
Abernathy, V., L. Johnson and N. Langmore. 2016. Coevolution in action: defences against brood parasitism in a new host of the eastern koel.
The Australasian Society for the Study of Animal Behaviour Conference 2016, Katoomba, NSW
Abernathy, V. and N. Langmore. 2015. Coevolution in action: defences against brood parasitism in new and old hosts of the eastern koel.
Behaviour Conference 2015, Cairns, QLD
Abernathy, V. and N. Langmore. 2015. Coevolution in action: defences against brood parasitism in new and old hosts of the eastern koel.
Joint meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union and the Cooper Ornithological Society, Norman, OK
Abernathy, V. and B. Peer. 2011. Mechanisms of egg recognition in brown-headed cowbird hosts: the role of ultraviolet reflectance.
Meeting of the American Ornithologists’ Union, Jacksonville, FL.
Memberships
• American Ornithological Society 2017-2021, student committee 2017
• American Ornithologists’ Union, 2010-2016
• Animal Behaviour Society, 2010-2021
