DR. TAYLER LASHARR

Education

Ph.D. in Ecology, University of Wyoming; advisor: Dr. Kevin Monteith (2023)

M.Sc. in Zoology, University of Wyoming; advisor: Dr. Kevin Monteith (2018)

B.Sc. in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Conservation Biology,

University of Arizona (2015)

Research background and expertise

Tayler LaSharr is an ecologist whose interest in the natural world is largely driven by her desire to understand mechanisms of animal behavior, decision making, and resource allocation. Much of Tayler’s work has focused on how winter influences population dynamics of a long-lived animal—mule deer. Through intensive field efforts, she’s spent a good portion of her career following the same individuals through time, studying them as they grow up, make decisions, and learn to navigate a world that is often changing rapidly around them. 

Tayler has expertise in animal movement analyses, data management, and scientific communication (including manuscript writing, technical reports, oral presentations). Additionally, she has spent nearly a decade doing intensive field work, including capture and handling of neonate and adult ungulates and habitat focused field work. Her interest in ecology is closely tied to her interest in collaboration and producing science with others. By working with a team of people with multiple and diverse perspectives and ideas, we can move science forward and allow for more nuanced decision making in the management and conservation of wild animals.

Professional Service

Nov 2019 – Nov 2022 President, The Wildlife Society, Wyoming State Chapter (3-year term; President-elect, President, Past President)

Jan 2022 – May 2022 Graduate Student Representative, Zoology and Physiology Department, University of Wyoming

Nov 2019 – Nov 2021 Newsletter Editor, TWS Nutritional Ecology Working Group

Nov 2013 – Nov 2014 Secretary, The Wildlife Society, University of Arizona Student Chapter

Hobbies

When not thinking about science, Tayler likely is outside taking pictures of animals, drawing with pencils, or hanging out with her dogs, Ovis and Gus.

Selected Publications

LaSharr, T. N., B. Bårdsen, T. J. Robinson, S. P. H. Dwinnell, R. P. Jakopak, J. Randall, R. C. Kaiser, M. Thonhoff, B. Scurlock, T. Fieseler, and K. L. Monteith. 2023. Shifts in risk-sensitivity and density alter fat stores for a large mammal following extreme winter conditions.  Functional Ecology 37: 3052–3063.

LaSharr, T. N., S. P. H. Dwinnell, R. P. Jakopak, J. Randall, R. C. Kaiser, M. Thonhoff, B. Scurlock, T. Fieseler, N. Hymas, A. Hymas, C. Baird, N. Roberts, J. Hobbs, J. Short, M. Zornes, D. McWhirter, D. Brimeyer, G. L. Fralick, and K. L. Monteith. 2023. Behavior, nutrition, and environment drive survival of a large herbivore in the face of extreme winter conditions. Ecosphere 14: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4601.

LaSharr, T. N., S. P. H. Dwinnell, B. Wagler, H. Sawyer, R. P. Jakopak, A. C. Ortega, L. R. Wilde, M. J. Kauffman, K. S. Huggler, D. Brimeyer, B. Scurlock, J. Randall, R. C. Kaiser, M. Thonhoff, G. L. Fralick, and K. L. Monteith. 2023. Evaluating risks associated with mule deer capture and handling for individual based, longitudinal studies. Journal of Wildlife Management 87: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.22333.

Ortega, A. C., T. N. LaSharr, M. J. Kauffman, and K. L. Monteith. 2022. Energy expenditure of fat in a large herbivore is non-linear over winter. Ecology 104: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3952.

LaSharr, T. N., R. P. Jakopak, S. P. H. Dwinnell, R. Rafferty, R. C. Kaiser, M. Thonhoff, G. Fralick, and K. L. Monteith. 2022. Maternal effects and the legacy of harsh winters for wild animals. Ecology 104: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3953.

Smiley, R. A., B. Wagler, T. N. LaSharr, K. Denryter, T. R. Stephenson, A. B. Courtemanch, D. Lutz, D. McWhirter, D. Brimeyer, P. Hnilicka, B. Lowrey, and K. L. Monteith. 2022. Heterogeneity in risk-sensitive allocation of somatic reserves in a long-lived mammal. Ecosphere 13: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.4161.

Smiley, R. A., T. N. LaSharr, H. N. Abernathy, Y. Shakeri, R. L. Levine, S. Rankins, R. Jakopak, R. Rafferty, J. Kolek, S. Dwinnell, B. Wagler, T. Robinson, J. Randall, R. C. Kaiser, M. Thonhoff, B. Scurlock, T. Fiesler, J. Short, D. McWhirter, D. Brimeyer, G. L. Fralick, and K. L. Monteith. 2022. Biomarkers of animal nutrition: from seasonal to lifetime indicators of environmental conditions. Invited Paper: Life Special Issue.

Aikens, E. O., S. P. H. Dwinnell, T. N. LaSharr, R. P. Jakopak, G. Fralick, J. Randall, R. Kaiser, M. Thonhoff, M. J. Kauffman, and K. L. Monteith. 2021. Migratory tactic and maternal resource allocation shape timing of reproduction in a large herbivore. Ecology 102: https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3334.

Ortega, A. C., S. P. H. Dwinnell, T. N. LaSharr, R. Jakopak, K. S. Huggler, K. Denryter, M. M. Hayes, E. O. Aikens, T. Verzuh, B. Lamont, A. May, and K. L. Monteith. 2020. Effectiveness of partial sedation to reduce stress in captured mule deer. Journal of Wildlife Management 84: https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21929.

Bowyer, R. T., K. M. Stewart, V. C. Bleich, J. C. Whiting, K. L. Monteith, M. E. Blum, and T. N. LaSharr. 2020. Metrics of harvest for ungulates: misconceptions, lurking variables, and prudent management. Alces 56: 15–38.

LaSharr, T. N., R. Long, J. Heffelfinger, R. T. Bowyer, V. Bleich, P. Krausman, J. Shannon, R. Klaver, C. E. Brewer, M. Cox, A. A. Holland, C. P. Lehman, J. D. Muir, B. Sterling, and K. Monteith. 2019. Horn size and mountain sheep: do current harvest practices affect horn growth? Evolutionary Applications 12: 1823 – 1836.

LaSharr, T. N., R. Long, J. Heffelfinger, R. T. Bowyer, V. Bleich, P. Krausman, J. Shannon, E. Rominger, C. Lehman, M. Cox, and K. Monteith. 2019. Biological relevance of antler, horn, and pronghorn size in records programs. Journal of Mammalogy 100: 1447-1458.

Monteith, K., R. Long, T. Stephenson, V. Bleich, R. T. Bowyer, and T. N. LaSharr. 2018. Horn size and nutrition in mountain sheep: Can ewe handle the truth? Journal of Wildlife Management 82: 67 – 84.  

Walker, R., B. Maitland, T. N. LaSharr, M. Rosling, and M. Ben-David. 2018. Fate of juvenile salmonids stranded in off channel flood ponds. Aquatic Sciences 80: 10.