Taylor Peltier
I am broadly interested in understanding the adaptive capacity of wildlife populations to environmental change. Specifically, my research in the Pauli lab focuses on the adaptive capacity of snowshoe hares to climate change. Snowshoe hares are a winter adapted species that change color seasonally to maintain camouflage and efficient thermoregulation. Previous research has indicated the phenotypic mismatch (picture a white hare on a brown background) has substantial impacts to survival. As the climate rapidly changes, including snow regimes, snowshoe hares are mismatched with their environment more frequently. My masters’ research focuses on the variation of snowshoe hare molt timing across a latitudinal gradient in the Midwest region. This research will bring to light whether or not this seasonally adapted species will be able to keep up with a rapidly changing climate. This is a collaborative research effort between the National Park Service, Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, US Forest Service and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources along with multiple museums.
Drop me a line to chat. I enjoy meeting new people and trying new things!
email: tpeltier@wisc.edu