Robert M. Winokur
Associate Professor
Ph.D. University of Utah, Salt Lake City
General Herpetology; Integumentary Adaptations of Turtles, Other Reptiles, and Amphibians; Comparative Histology of Amphibians and Reptiles
My interests center on the origins and evolution of various organs of reptiles and amphibians that have not been extensively studied at the histological level. These include structures that have been described externally, or even used in the diagnosis of taxa, but are virtually undescribed histologically or functionally. Morphological studies using a comparative approach in which many related taxa are examined by a variety of techniques including light and electron microscopy reveal much about the origins and evolution of these organs. Currently, I am investigating the morphology of a cutaneous muscle found in the pelvic area of toads. These muscles are involved in the functioning of the pelvic seat patch, which takes up water from substrates. The muscle forms a complex latticework of muscle fibers on the posterior pelvic region just under the skin. I also am especially interested in turtle and tortoise biology and have often focused my comparative studies within this group of reptiles.
Selected Publications
- Winokur, R. M., Martin Hicks, and Naomi Chaney (1998) Morphology and Histology of the Digestive System of the Desert Tortoise, Gopherus agassizi. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 3(1)144-145 (Linneaus Fund Research Report)
- V. Lewis-Winokur and R.M. Winokur (1995) Incubation temperature affects sexual differentiation, incubation time and posthatching survival in desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizi). Canadian Journal of Zoology 73:2091-2097.
- Winokur, R. M. and S. Hillyard (1992) Pelvic cutaneous musculature in toads of the genus Bufo. Copeia 1992: 760-769.
- Brekke, D. R., S. Hillyard and R. M. Winokur (1991) Behavior associated with the water absorption response by the toad, Bufo punctatus. Copeia 1991: 393-40
- Winokur, R. M. (1988) The buccopharyngeal mucosa of the turtles (Testudines). Journal of Morphology 196: 33-52.
- Winokur, R. M. (1982) Erectile tissue and smooth muscle in snouts of Carettochelys insculpta, trionychids and other chelonia. Zoomorphology 101: 83-93.
- Winokur, R. M. (1982) Integumentary appendages of chelonians. Journal of Morphology 172: 59-74.