Department of Biology
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Janet Lanza
Professor
(501) 569-3500
(501) 569-3271 (fax)
jxlanza@ualr.edu
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Ph.D. (Ecology) 1978 University of Connecticut
M.S. (Zoology) 1972 University of Massachusetts
B.S. (Biology) 1972 State University of New York at Stony Brook
Research Interests
Evolutionary Ecology
I am an evolutionary ecologist interested in plant-insect interactions. I have
worked on a variety of systems -- studying ants, butterflies, flies, all-female
fish from Mexico, and plants.
Recently, most of the work done by my students and I has centered on the role of
nectar-borne amino acids. This work has shown that cabbage white butterflies
(Pieris rapae) can detect amino acids in plant nectars and that they
usually prefer sugar-amino acid nectars to sugar-only nectars. Additional work
asks questions about the nutritional significance of the nectar-borne amino acids
on butterfly survival and reproduction. Using sugar-only and sugar-amino acid mimics
of nectars from plants that attract butterflies (Lantana camara and Nepeta
cateria), we have shown that amino acids allow females to produce more eggs and
increase the probability of egg hatching. With lantana nectar, 114 % more larvae
were produced by females fed sugar-amino acid nectar than by females fed sugar-only
nectar. Similarly with catnip nectar mimics, 71 % more eggs were produced by females
fed sugar-amino acid nectar than by females fed sugar-only nectar. Subsequent experiments
have shown that amino acid concentrations can be increased to an extent that they decrease
reproductive rates of the cabbage white butterflies.
Currently, we are beginning to look at the effects of nectar-borne amino acids on
other butterflies -- in particular monarchs (Danaus plexippus) and gulf
fritillaries (Agraulis vanillae). These butterflies are particularly
interesting because they live longer than cabbage whites and therefore may
depend more on adult resources for reproduction.
Many studies await the curious student. New projects can focus on monarchs or
fritillaries, on the effects of other nectars, on the effects of different amino
acids, or on butterfly nectar choice in nature.
A second area of interest revolves around the cost of plant defense against
herbivores. For example, what is the cost of extrafloral nectar vs. that of
chemical compounds that deter herbivory?
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Courses Taught
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BIOL 1400, Evolution and Environmental Biology
BIOL 1401, Science of Biology
BIOL 4399/5399, Plant-animal Interactions
BIOL 4190, Seminar
BIOL 4310/5310, Evolution
IGSC 7301, Higher Order Thinking in Science
SCHL 1320/21, Science and Society I and II
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Teaching Philosophy
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Inquiry and Problem-Based Laboratory Exercises
I am very interested in changing the approach used in many science courses from
"robotic learning" to "creative learning." For example, many laboratory exercises
tell students exactly what steps to take -- thus, students know that there is a
particular answer they are supposed to get. Well, this is not teaching people the
process of science. Instead (as advocated by the National Science Education Standards),
I am developing exercises that allow students to have creative input into their
activities. In these situations, different groups of students may design and conduct
different experiments or take different approaches to solving a problem. The result is
that students have creative control over their activities. My students have responded
well to this approach and have learned both content and an appreciation for the process
of science.
Seven of these lab exercises are available from Pearson Custom Publishing. Faculty
can use selected labs and can add some material of their own. Students therefore
only pay for the labs that are used and the lab books are quite affordable. The labs
are supported by an instructors manual that discusses teaching via inquiry and
instructor manuals dedicated to each individual lab exercise. The exercises can
be viewed at www.bookbuild.com/symbiosis/ph.htm.
Related to these interests is my work with Arkansas STRIVE
(www.ualr.edu/~STRIVE). This program is
funded by grants to provide summer research experience to math and science teachers
of grades 7-12. This experience helps teachers bring inquiry and problem-solving
into their classrooms and develop connections to local business and industry.
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Selected Grants
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1997-03 State of Arkansas, U.S. Department of Education Eisenhower Funds, NSF Teacher Enhancement Program: "Arkansas/STRIVE: a joint venture for math/science enhancement through involvement in research. A project that generates through various sources approximately $300,000 per year.
1998 UALR Blue Ribbon Grant: "Development of readings and labs for 'Evolutionary and environmental biology.'" $4,000.
1996-98 SILO Undergraduate Research Fellowship (for Kristina Chapman): "Genetic control of nectar composition in Impatiens capensis." $3,900.
1996 Arkansas Science and Technology Association Award: "The role of nectar-borne amino acids in the nutrition of cabbage white butterflies, an agricultural pest." Co-P.I.'s: M. Kleve and T. Lynch. $38,463.
1996 College Board Advanced Placement Program: "Train-the-Trainers of AP Environmental Science." $10,700.
1996 Arkansas Department of Higher Education Award: "Science Crusade Course: Higher Order Thinking in Science, Spring 1996." $21,678.
1991-95 NSF REU Award: "The role of nectar composition in plant-animal interactions." $150,000.
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Professional Societies
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American Association for the Advancement of Science
Associates of O.T.S.
Ecological Society of America
Society for the Study of Evolution
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Selected Publications
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New Designs for Bio-explorations. 2002. Pearson Custom Publishing.
Lanza, J., M. Warriner, and M. McHenry. Faculatitve use of nectar-borne
amino acids in butterfly reproduction. In prep.
Holland, J.B.*, and J. Lanza. Pollination of Passiflora lutea. In prep.
Lanza, J., and C. Cress. 2001. Relating enzyme function to concepts of
dominance and recessiveness. The American Biology Teacher. 63:432-436
Musante, S., J. Lanza, and J. D. Winter. 1999. New standards and
approaches in college science teaching. Bulletin of the Ecological
Society of America. 80:129-130.
Lanza, J. 1998. ...Except in the light of evolution. Ecology
79:1119-1121. Book review of Evolutionary Analysis by Scott Freeman
and Jon Herron.
O'Reilly, E.*, and J. Lanza. 1995. Fluorescamine: a rapid and inexpensive
method for measuring total amino acid concentrations in plant nectars.
Ecology 76:2656-2660.
Lanza, J., G. C. Smith, S. Sack*, and A. Cash*. 1995. Variation in nectar
volume and composition of Impatiens capensis at the individual, plant,
and population levels. Oecologia 102:113-119.
Pagano. A.*, and J. Lanza. 1994. The effects of energy and amino acids on
feeling preferences in the flesh fly Sarcophaga bullata. Pennsylvania
academy of Science Journal 68:121-124.
Lanza, J., E. Vargo, S. Pulim+ and Y. Z. Chang+. 1993 Preferences of the fire
ants Solenopsis invicta and S. geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
for amino acid and sugar components of extrafloral nectars. Environmental
Entomology 22:411-417.
Lanza, J., M. Schmitt, and A. Awad. 1992. Comparative chemistry of the
elaiosomes of three species of trillium. Journal of Chemical Ecology 18:209-221.
Lanza, J. 1991. Response of fire ants (Formicidae: Solenopsis invicta
and S. geminata) to artificial nectars with amino acids. Ecological
Entomology 16: 203-210.
Rathman, E.*, J. Lanza, and J. Wilson*. 1990. Feeding preferences of flesh
flies (Sarcophaga bullata) for sugar-only vs. sugar-amino acid nectars.
American Midland Naturalist 124:379-389.
Alm, J.*, T. Ohnmeiss*, J. Lanza and L. Vriesenga*. 1990. Preference of
cabbage white butterflies and honey bees for nectar that contains amino acids.
Oecologia 84:53-57.
Smith, L. L.*, J. Lanza and G. C. Smith. 1990. Amino acid concentrations in
the extrafloral nectar of Impatiens sultani increase after simulated
herbivory. Ecology 71:107-115.
Gunther, R.* and J. Lanza. 1989. Variation in attractiveness of Trillium
diaspores to a seed-dispersing ant. American Midland Naturalist 122:321-328.
Lanza, J. and G. C. Smith. 1988. Undergraduate research: A little experience
goes a long way. J. Coll. Sci Teach. 18:118-120.
* = undergraduate author += high school author
Technical Reports
Biology Department. 2000. Proposal for an M.S. Program. Submitted to
Arkansas Department of Higher Education (approved). Primary author: Janet Lanza.
Lanza, J. 1999, 2000. Evolutionary and environmental biology: lecture readings.
UALR course booklet for Biology 1400. 185 pp.
Lanza, J. 1999, 2000. Evolutionary and environmental biology: laboratory manual.
UALR lab manual for Biology 1400. 44 pp.
Lanza, J. 1999. Chief Faculty Consultant Report for the 1999 Advanced Placement
Environmental Science Grading Session.
Lanza, J. 1998. Chief Faculty Consultant Report for the 1999 Advanced Placement
Environmental Science Grading Session.
Nelson, T. and J. Lanza. 1987. Woodland wildflowers. SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY.
Saulitis, E.* and J. Lanza. 1986. Guide to the trails of Herbert C. Mackie Center.
SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY.
Gunther, R.*, D. Maciejewski*, and J. Lanza. 1985. An illustrated guide to butterfly
natural history. SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY.
Borowski, E*. and J. Lanza. 1985. A garden for butterflies. SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY.
Saulitis, E.*, D. Freeman*, and J. Lanza. 1984. An illustrated guide to the ferns of
the Mackie Camp. SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY.
Saulitis, E.* and J. Lanza. 1984. Wildflower phenology of the Herbert C. Mackie Camp.
SUNY at Fredonia, Fredonia, NY.
* = undergraduate author
Selected Published Abstracts
Lanza, Janet. 2002. "Thermal biology" -- an inquiry lab exercise for first-year
biology students. Ecological Society of America. Tucson, Arizona.
Lanza, Janet, Paul T. Hoover*, and Samuel Nelson*. 1999. Effects of increased concentrations of amino acids in nectar on cabbage white butterflies. Ecological Society of America. Spokane, Washington.
Winter, Jimmy D., and Janet Lanza. 1999. Teaching inquiry to teachers and freshmen. Ecological Society of America. Spokane, Washington.
Paul T. Hoover*, Janet Lanza, Brian Wells*, and Samuel Nelson*. 1999. The effects of varying amino acid concentrations on reproductive success by cabbage white butterflies. Arkansas Academy of Science. Russellville, Arkansas.
Lanza, Janet. 1999. Open-ended inquiry-based laboratories for first-year biology. Arkansas Academy of Science. Russellville, Arkansas.
Winter, Jimmy D., and Janet Lanza. 1999. Experiencing research and learning inquiry-based teaching methods through the Arkansas STRIVE program. Arkansas Academy of Science. Russellville, Arkansas.
Lanza, Janet, and Jimmy D. Winter. 1998. Getting the most from undergraduate research. Invited symposium presentation. Ecological Society of America. Baltimore, Maryland.
Lanza, Janet, Michael D. Warriner, Maurice G. Kleve, and Martha McHenry*. 1997. The physiological effects of nectar-borne amino acids on cabbage white butterflies (Pieris rapae). Invited symposium presentation. Entomological Society of America. Nashville, Tennessee.
Lanza, Janet, Michael D. Warriner, and Martha McHenry*. 1997. Nectar-derived amino acids contribute to butterfly reproduction. Ecological Society of America. Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Martha McHenry*, Janet Lanza, and Michael D. Warriner. 1997. Reproduction by Pieris rapae increases when provided with amino acid-rich nectar. Arkansas Academy of Sciences, Monticello, Arkansas.
Swift, Suzanne, James Bryant*, and Janet Lanza. 1994. Simulated herbivory on Passiflora incarnata causes increased ant attendance. Ecological Society of America. Knoxville, Tennessee.
* = undergraduate author †= high school author
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Selected Invited Lectures
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"Reproductive effects of nectar-borne amino acids on cabbage white butterflies." 1999. Kansas State University.
"Floral and extrafloral nectar: benefits to plant producers and animal consumers." 1997. George Mason University and Towson University.
"Extrafloral nectar production by Passiflora: plant and ant response to simulated herbivory." 1996. University of Arkansas.
"The planned Advanced Placement Environmental Science course." 1995. NABT National Conference, Phoenix, AZ. "AP Environmental Science." 1996. NABT National Conference, Charlotte, NC.
"Plant nectars and animal consumers: opportunities for ecological studies." 1994. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Northeast Missouri State University.
"The REU projects at UALR and SUNY Fredonia." 1993. NSF Workshop for REU Project Directors, Washington, D.C.
"Amino acids in plant nectars: attractant and nutritional roles." 1993. University of Arkansas, Southwest Missouri State University, Arkansas State University.
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Selected Professional Service
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Book Review Editor, Ecology, 1992-present.
Panel Member, NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU),1999.
Chief Faculty Consultant, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, 1996-99.
Panel Member, NSF NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards. 1997, 1998.
Symposium Organizer, Ecological Society of America: "New standards and approaches in college courses." 1998
Ecological Society of America, Nominating Committee, 1996.
Member, Board of Directors, American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), 1994-95.
Consultant, Advanced Placement Biology Committee, concerning development of an Environmental Science course, 1993-94; member of Committee to develop an AP Environmental Science Course, '95-'96 and Chair of the subcommittee on teacher training (1995-96).
Member, Strategic Planning Workshop on Retention and Recruitment of Women and Minorities in Ecology, Ecological Society of America, 1993.
Member, Advisory Panel for NABT project on developing investigative high school biology laboratories, 1992.
President, Education Section of the Ecological Society of America, 1991.
NSF Panel Member, REU awards, 1989, 1990, 1991.
NSF Panel Member, Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Awards, 1991.
Reviewer, Ecology, Ecological Entomology, American Biology Teacher, American Midland Naturalist.
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Selected Undergraduate Student Research Advised
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Eric Rathman and Jeffrey Wilson -- Preferences of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga bullata, for sugar-amino acid vs. sugar-only nectars. (Honorable Mention, Biology Student Papers, Eastern College Science Conference, April, 1989 ).
Megan Blake and Michele Mackey -- The behavioral and nutritional effects of amino acids in nectars on Pieris rapae. (Honorable Mention, Biology Student Papers, Eastern College Science Conference, April, 1989; winner, SUNY Fredonia Sigma Xi Award for Best Student Paper, 1989).
Ava Turnquist --Baseline description of a southwestern New York forest. (winner, SUNY Fredonia Sigma Xi Award for Best Student Paper, 1989).
Tonya Snell. The importance of proline in honeybee nectar preference. (Winner, Best Section Presentation, Regional Tri-Beta Meeting, 1993).
Suzanne Swift. How do Passiflora vines produce more extrafloral nectar after simulated herbivory? (winner, Best Section Presentation, Eastern College Science Conference, 1993)
Peter Orio and John Thorne. The effect of nectar-borne amino acids on the flight stamina of male and female cabbage white butterflies. (John Thorne:2nd Place, Biology Presentations, Regional Tri-Beta Meeting, 1994).
Jennifer Burks. Pollination biology of Passiflora lutea. (Winner: Best Undergraduate Life Science Presentation, Arkansas Academy of Sciences, 1995)
James Bryant. The effect of shading on extrafloral nectar production by Passiflora incarnata.
Erika Schosser. Herbivory and cyanogenic glycoside concentrations in Passiflora incarnata and P. lutea.
Martha McHenry. Hatching rates of eggs from cabbage white butterflies fed sugar-only and sugar-amino acid nectars.
Kristina Chapman. Correlation between generations in sugar and amino acid composition of jewelweed nectars.
Paul Hoover, Brian Wells, and Sam Nelson. The effect of varying amino acid composition in floral nectars on the fitness of cabbage white butterflies.
Theresa Wyrick and Laura Griffin. Protein concentrations of monarch butterfly caterpillars with different diets.
Rebecca Hicklin. Color preferences of monarch butterflies.
April Chamblee. Propagation and introduction of native wildflowers at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Manda Forst. Mating preference of monarch butterfly females for males fed sugar-only or sugar-amino acid nectars
Kara Davis. Energy content of monarch butterflies fed sugar-only and sugar-amino acids.
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