Sheila Conant
PhD Oklahoma (Zoology), 1972
Chair, Department of Zoology
University of Hawai`i
2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson 152
Honolulu, HI 96822
phone: (808) 956-8617
fax: (808) 956-9812
conant@hawaii.edu
www.hawaii.edu/eecb/FacultyPgs/sheilaconant.html

Currently not accepting any new graduate students

Life history, ecology and conservation biology of endemic Hawaiian birds; island biology
Life history, ecology and conservation of Hawaiian birds have been the focus of my research for the last 40 years. Past research has included studies of altitudinal distribution of birds in relation to environmental factors, ornithological surveys of large natural areas, avian census techniques, and a variety of natural history subjects such as plant and invertebrate distributions. More recently my work has included studies of geographic variation in morphology, genetics and behavior of three species of endangered passerines in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and how birds were used in Hawaiian material culture. My graduate students undertake research on these topics, as well as plant-pollinator interactions, conservation biology of rare plants and invertebrates, impacts of alien species on native Hawaiian biota and seabird behavior and conservation.

Hawai'i has lost more species than any other geographic area on Earth. This extinction crisis continues today, as biologists and managers work to prevent the loss of hundreds of endangered species, including more than 30 birds, 300 plants and at least 150 species of invertebrates. My research and that of my students has sought, among other things, to document the ecologies of some of these threatened species and, through basic ecological research, to provide a sound biological basis for effecting their recovery. We are also interested in environmental conflict resolution and how interactions between science, policy and management affect natural resource conservation.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Amate-Helweg, V, and S. Conant. In press. Cultural Dimensions of Hawaiian Relationships with Forest Birds. In: Pratt, T. (ed) Biology and Conservation of Hawaiian Forest Birds. Yale University Press.

Fleischer, R.C., B. Slikas, J. Beadell, C. Atkins, C. McIntosh, and S. Conant. 2007. Genetic variability and taxonomic status of the Nihoa and Laysan Millerbirds. Condor. In press.

Hays, W. T. and S. Conant. 2006. Biology and Impacts of Pacific Islands Invasive Species. 1. A Worldwide Review of Effects of the Small Indian Mongoose, Herpestes javanicus (Carnivora: Herpestidae) Pac. Sci. 61:3-16.

Conant, S. 2005. Honeycreepers in Hawaiian Material Culture. Pp.278-284. In: The Hawaiian Honeycreepers: Drepanidinae. H. Douglas Pratt, Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Hays, W. S. T. and S. Conant. 2003. A male breeding coalition in the small Indian mongoose, Herpestes javanicus. Acta Theriologica 48: 485-494.

Morin, M. P. and S. Conant. 2002. Laysan (Telespiza cantans) and Nihoa (Telespiza ultima) Finches. No. 639 in: The Birds of North America. (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.; The American Ornithologists' Union.

Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and C. van Riper III (eds.) 2001. Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology, No. 22.

Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and C. van Riper III (eds.) 2001. Introduction. pp. 1-12, In: Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and C. van Riper, III (eds.). Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology, No. 22.

Conant, S. 2001. Introduction to Ecology. pp. 152-153, In: Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and C. van Riper, III (eds.). Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology, No. 22.

Scott, J.M., and S. Conant. 2001. Introduction to Recovery and Management. pp. 305-307, In: Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and C. van Riper, III (eds.). Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology, No. 22.

Morin, M.P. and S. Conant. 2001. Why isn't the Nihoa Millerbird extinct? Pp. 338-346, In: Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and C. van Riper III (eds.). Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology, No. 22.

van Riper, III, C., S. Conant, and J.M. Scott. 2001. Introduction to Historical Perspectives. pp. 13-14, In: Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and C. van Riper, III (eds.). Evolution, Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Hawaiian Birds: A Vanishing Avifauna. Studies in Avian Biology, No. 22.

Tarr, C.L., J.D. Ballou, M.P. Morin and S. Conant. 2000. Microsatellite variation in simulated and natural founder populations of the Laysan Finch (Telespiza cantans). Conservation Genetics 1:135-146.

Roberts, G., T. Male, and S. Conant. 1998. White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus). No. 378 In: The Birds of North America. (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.; The American Ornithologists' Union.

Conant, S. 1998. Birds. Pp. 130-134 In: Juvik, J. and S. Juvik (eds.) Atlas of Hawaii, 3rd edition. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Tarr, C.L., S. Conant and R.C. Fleischer. 1998. Founder events and variation at microsatellite loci in an insular passerine bird, the Laysan Finch. (Telespiza cantans). Molecular Ecology 7:719-731.

Conant, S., H.D. Pratt and R. J. Shallenberger. 1998. Reflections on a 1975 ornithological expedition to the lost world of the Alaka`i and other notes on the natural history, systematics and conservation of Kaua`i birds. Wilson Bulletin 110: 1-22.

Morin, M. P., S. Conant and P. Conant. 1997. Laysan and Nihoa Millerbirds (Acrocephalus familiaris familiaris and A. f. kingi). No. 302. In The Birds of North America. (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.; The American Ornithologists' Union.

Rojek, N.A., and S. Conant. 1997. Food preferences and response to novel native berries by captive-reared Nene Branta sanvicensis goslings. Wildfowl 48:26-39.

Seto, N.W.H. and S. Conant. 1996. The effects of rat (Rattus rattus) predation on the reproductive success of the Bonin Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) on Midway Atoll. Colonial Waterbirds 19(2):171-185.

Whittow, G.C., S. Conant, D.R. Herbst, and T.J. Motely. 1995. Vegetation and seabirds on Manana Island, O`ahu, Hawaii. `Elepaio 55:23-25.

Aguon, C. and S. Conant. 1994. Breeding biology of the White-rumped Shama on Oahu, Hawaii. Wilson Bull. 106:311-328.

Morin, M. P. and S. Conant. 1994. Variables influencing population estimates of an endangered passerine. Biol. Cons. 67:73-84.

Rose, R.G., S. Conant, and E.P. Kjellgren. 1993. Hawaiian standing kahili in Bishop Museum: An ethnological and biological analysis. J. Polynes. Soc. 102:273-304.

Conant, S., R.C. Fleischer, M.P. Morin and C.L. Tarr. 1992. When endangered species are aliens: Some thoughts on the conservation of rare species. Pac. Sci. 46:401-402.

Conant, S., R. B. Clapp, L. Hiruki, and B. Choy. 1991. A new tern (Sterna) breeding record for Hawaii. Pac. Sci. 45:348-354.

Fleischer, R.C., S. Conant and M.P. Morin. 1991. Genetic variation in native and translocated populations of the Laysan Finch (Telespiza cantans). Heredity 66:125-130.

Morin, M.P. and S. Conant. 1990. Nest substrate variation between native and introduced populations of Laysan Finches. Wilson Bull. 102:591-603.

Conant, S., P. Luscomb, M Morin and N. Seto. 1990. Laysan Finches breed at Honolulu Zoo. Hawaii Wildlife Newsletter 5(1):8.

Conant, S. 1988. Geographic variation in the Laysan Finch (Telespyza cantans). Evol. Ecol. 2:270-282.

Conant, S. 1988. Saving endangered species with translocation: Are we tinkering with evolution? Bioscience 34(4):254-257.

Freed, L.A., S. Conant, and R.C. Fleischer. 1987. Evolutionary ecology and radiation of Hawaiian passerine birds. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2:196-203.

Conant, S. 1987. Birds in Paradise. Review of Pratt, H.D. Bruner, P.L., and D.G. Barrett. A field guide to the birds of Hawaii and the tropical Pacific. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2:228.

Duvall, F. P. and S. Conant. 1986. Current status of the Hawaiian Crow. End. Sp. Tech. Bull. Reprint 2(11):1-2.

Conant, S. 1985. Ecosystem monitoring, restoration and management in Hawai`i: A summary. pp. 475-480. In: Stone, C.P., and J.M. Scott (eds.). Hawaiian Terrestrial Ecosystems: Preservation and Management. Proc. of a Symp. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, 5-7 June 1984. University Press of Hawai`i, Honolulu.

Conant, S. 1985. Recent observations on the plants of Nihoa Island, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Pac. Sci. 39:135-149.

Rauzon, M. J., C. S. Harrison, and S. Conant. 1985. The status of the Sooty Storm-Petrel in Hawaii. Wilson Bull. 97:390-392.

Conant, S. 1985. Observations on Hawaiian Monk seals on Necker Island, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. `Elepaio 46:11-12.

Conant, S., and M. S. Kjargaard. 1984. Annotated checklist of birds of Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii. West. Birds 15:97-110.

Conant, S. 1984. First Oahu record of the Warbling Silverbill. `Elepaio 44:116-117.

Conant, S., C.C. Christensen, P. Conant, W.C. Gagné, and M.L. Goff. 1983. The unique terrestrial biota of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. pp. 77-94. Proc. of the Second Symp. on Resource Investigations in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, 25-27 May 1983. University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Report (UNIHI-Sea Grant-MR-84-01), Honolulu, Hawaii.

Conant, S. 1983. Man-made debris and marine wildlife in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. `Elepaio 44:87-88.

Conant, S. 1983. Observations of migrant and vagrant birds on Nihoa Island. `Elepaio 44:23-25.

Conant, S., and D. Herbst. 1983. A record of Nephrolepis multiflora from Nihoa Island, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Newslett. Hawn. Bot. Soc. 22:17-19.

Conant, S., and M.S. Collins. 1983. Frigatebird nests with two chicks. `Elepaio 44:37-38.

Conant, S. 1983. Kaho`olawe birds--including first Warbling Silverbill record. `Elepaio 44:63-65.

Gagné, W.C. and S. Conant. 1983. Nihoa: biological gem of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. Ka `Elele. Newslett. of the B.P. Bish. Mus. Assoc. July 1983. (not refereed)

Conant, S., M.S. Collins, and C.J. Ralph. 1981. Effects of observers using different methods upon the total population estimates of two resident island birds. Stud. in Avian Biol. 6:377-381.

Conant, S. 1981. Recent observations of endangered birds in Hawaii's national parks. `Elepaio 41:55-61.

Conant, S. 1981. Altitudinal distribution of organisms along an island mountain transect: Birds. Chap. 3, pp. 97-105. In: Mueller-Dombois, D., K.W. Bridges, and H.L. Carson. (eds.) Island ecosystems: Biological organization in selected Hawaiian communities. Hutchinson Ross Publishing Co., Woods Hole, Mass.

Berger, A.J., S. Conant, F.J. Radvosky, and D. Mueller Dombois. 1981. Introduction [to community structure and niche differentiation]. Chap. 5, pp. 213-222. In: Mueller-Dombois, K., K.W. Bridges, and H.L. Carson. (eds.) Island ecosystems: Biological organization in selected Hawaiian communities. Hutchinson Ross Publishing Co., Woods Hole, Mass.

Conant, S. 1981. Structural variation of organism groups studied in the Kilauea Forest: Niche differentiation in the avian community. Chap. 6, pp. 291-300. In: Mueller-Dombois, D., K.W. Bridges, H.L. Carson. (eds.) Island ecosystems: Biological organization in selected Hawaiian Communities, Hutchinson Ross Publishing Co., Woods Hole, Mass.

Conant, S. 1981. Niche and life-form integration in island communities: Bird life-form and activity spectrum. Chap. 8, pp. 346-347. In: Mueller-Dombois, D., K.W. Bridges, H.L. Carson. (eds.) Island ecosystems: Biological organization in selected Hawaiian communities. Hutchinson Ross Publishing Co., Woods Hole, Mass.

Conant, S. 1980. Recent records of the `Ua`u (Dark-rumped Petrel) and the `A`o (Newell's Shearwater) in Hawaii. `Elepaio 41:11-13.

Conant, S. 1979. Endangered birds in Hawaii's national parks. Vol. 8:126-145. Proc. Second Amer. Inst. Biol. Sci. Conf. on Sci. Res. in Natl. Parks November 1979, San Francisco.

Scott, J.M., S. Conant, and H.D. Pratt. 1979. Field identification of the Hawaiian Creeper on the Island of Hawaii. West. Birds 10:71-80.

Conant, S. 1979. Hawaiian forest birds: A survey of recent field research. `Elepaio 40:79-84.

Conant, S. 1977. The breeding biology of the Oahu `Elepaio. Wilson Bull. 89:193-210.

Conant, S. 1975. The Hawaii IBP Project. Newslett. Hawn. Bot. Soc. 14:3-11.

Conant, S. 1975. Avian populations in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Kilauea Forest Reserve. `Elepaio 35:137-138.

Conant, S., and P.G. Risser. 1974. Canopy structure of a tall-grass prairie. J. Range Management 27:313-318.

Berger, A.J., C.R. Eddinger, and S.C. Frings [Conant]. 1969. The nest and eggs of the Anianiau. Auk 86:183-187.

Frings [Conant], S. 1967. The natural history of the Hawaiian `Elepaio: A review of the literature. `Elepaio 27:108-111.

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TECHNICAL REPORTS

Morin, M.P. and S. Conant. 2006. Northwestern Hawaiian Island Passerines Prioritization of Translocation Sites Ranking Document. Administrative report for the Ecological Services Office of the U.s. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Morin, M. P. and S. Conant. 1998. Laysan Island Ecosystem Restoration Plan. Administrative report for the Ecological Services Office of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, Hawaii.

VanGelder, E. and S. Conant. 1998. Biology and Conservation of Manduca blackburni. Administrative report for the Ecological Services Office of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Conant, S. 1995. Draft proposed rule for listing the O`ahu `Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis gayi) as an endangered species under the U. S. Endangered Species Act of 1973 (as amended). Administrative report to the Ecological Services Office of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, Hawaii. Order No. 12200-5-0120, 1 February 1995.

Conant, S. and M.P. Morin. 1987. Endangered Species Information Workbook: Nihoa Millerbird. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species, Endangered Species Information Service, Arlington, Virginia.

Conant, S. and M.P. Morin. 1986. Endangered Species Information Workbook: Laysan Finch. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species, Endangered Species Information Service, Arlington, Virginia.

Conant, S. and M.P. Morin. 1986. Endangered Species Information Workbook: Nihoa Finch. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Endangered Species, Endangered Species Information Service, Arlington, Virginia.

Conant, S. 1983. An analysis and comparison of habitat types on Necker and Nihoa Islands, Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, as they relate to the feasibility of establishing the Nihoa Millerbird on Necker Island. Research report prepared under contract for the Office of Endangered Species U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, 20 pp.

Conant, S. 1983. Ecological requirements of the Nihoa Millerbird and the Nihoa Finch, including an analysis of management options for the millerbird. Research report prepared under contract for the Office of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu. 45 pp.

Conant, S. 1981. A survey of the waterbirds of Kawai Nui Marsh. Coastal Zone Management Program, Hawaii State Department of Planning and Economic Development, Honolulu. 63 pp. Prepared under contract to Coastal Zone Management Program.

Conant, S. 1980. Birds of the Kalapana Extension. CPSU/UH Tech. Rept. Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu. 43 pp.

Conant, S., and M. Stemmermann. 1979. Haleakala National Park Crater District Resources Basic Inventory: Birds. CPSU/UH Tech. Rept. 25 Dept. of Botany, Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu. 27 pp.

Conant, S. 1975. Spatial distribution of bird species on the east flank of Mauna Loa, Hawaii. US/IBP Island Ecosystems Integrated Research Project. Tech. Rept. 74. Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu. 99 pp.

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PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, CONSERVATION AND HONOR SOCIETIES
American Ornithologists Union (Elected Fellow, Life Member), Association of Field Ornithologists, Cooper Ornithological Society, Hawaii Audubon Society (Life Member), Hawaiian Botanical Society (Life Member), Hawaiian Academy of Sciences, Mediation Center of the Pacific, Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa, Pacific Science Association, Pacific Seabird Group, Sigma Xi, Society for Conservation Biology, , Wilson Ornithological Society (Life Member).

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HONORS AND AWARDS
University of Hawaii Faculty Award for Outstanding Community Service - 1985
University of Hawaii Fujio Matsuda Research Scholar - 1990
University of Hawaii Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching - 1992
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching: Professor of the Year for Hawaii - 1994
Edwards Prize for the Best Paper in Volume 101 of the Bulletin of the Wilson Ornithological Society - 1999
Invitation to give Weese memorial lectures, Department of Zoology, Univ. of Oklahoma - 1997
Charles Dunn Lifetime Achievement Award - Hawaii Audubon Society, 1999
Honu Award for contributions to Environmental Education and Research - Conservation Council for Hawaii, 2000
Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science, Policy and Management - Secretariat for Conservation Biology, 2002

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COMMUNITY SERVICE SINCE 2002

Friends of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Reserve, Founding President, 2006
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Reserve Council-scientist alternate 2001 to 2003
Hawaii State Natural Area Reserves Commission (UH President's rep.)-2001 to present
Board of Directors, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, 1996 to present
Advisory Sub-Committee on Land Vertebrates for the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture, 1986 to present

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