Matt Rand

Education & Professional History

Oregon State University, BS; Wichita State University, MS; University of Colorado, PhD

Matt Rand, a vertebrate reproductive biologist, studies the hormonal mediation and function of sexually dimorphic traits. Currently he is looking at the role of genes in determining pigment differences in Sceloporus lizards. He teaches Animal Physiology, Vertebrate Morphology, a seminar on Behavioral Genetics, part of Introductory Biology, and a non-majors course that explores the biological basis of reproduction and sexuality in Humans.

Research Interests

Evolution and reproductive biology of vertebrates. Development, endocrinology, function, and evolution of sexually dimorphic traits (in the broad sense). Specifically, Prof. Rand is interested in the proximate (physiological mechanisms) and ultimate causes (selective pressures) of naturally and sexually selected dimorphic characters. We are currently involved in research concerning the neural mechanisms underlying the differences in male and female reproductive behavior.

Research in Progress:

• Influence of opioids on the reproductive behavior of Cnemidophorus velox.
• Distribution of AVT-ir neurons in the brains of Cnemidophorus velox and Anolis carolinensis.
• Sex steroid-induced changes in AVT-ir neurons in Cnemidophorus velox.
• Sex steroid-induced changes in distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-ir neurons in a sexual and an asexual species of Cnemidophorus.

Rand Lab Group

Rand LabThe Rand Lab at Carleton College studies topics in reproductive neuroendocrinology, using a parthenogenetic species of whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorous velox) as a model system to study the effects of hormones on behavior.

My lab studies vertebrate reproductive biology in the broadest sense. Our interests range from the hormonal mediation and function of sexually dimorphic traits to the genetic variation that influences skin pigmentation. We work with a variety of organisms, but mainly focus on lizards and snakes. I teach Environmental Animal Physiology, Vertebrate Morphology, a seminar on Behavioral Genetics, Comparative Reproduction of Australian Vertebrates, part of Introductory Biology and BIO 101: Human Reproduction and Sexuality.

Publications

Elveton, R.O., K.M. Galotti, L.K. Komatsu, M.S. Rand, and S.R. Singer. (2000) Origins and mind: an integrated academic experience for new students. Liberal Education 86:32-39.

Kendrick, A. M., M. S. Rand and D. Crews. (1995) Electrolytic lesions to the ventromedial hypothalamus abolish receptivity in female whiptail lizards, Cnemidophorus uniparens. Brain Research 680: 226-228.

Morrison, R. L., M. S. Rand and S. K. Frost-Mason. (1995) The cellular and ultrastructural basis of color differences in three morphs of the lizard Sceloporus undulatus erythrocheilus. Copeia 1995:2, 397-408.

Rand, M. S. and D. Crews (1994) The bisexual brain: Sex differences and sex behavior differences in sexual and parthenogenetic lizards. Brain Research 663: 163-167.

Rand, M. S. (1992) Hormonal control of polymorphic and sexually dimorphic coloration in the lizard, Sceloporus undulatus erythrocheilus. General and Comparative Endocrinology 88, 461-468.

Lopez, K. H., R. E. Jones, D. Seufert, M. S. Rand, and R. Dores. (1992) Catecholaminergic cells and fibers in the brain of a lizard (Anolis carolinensis), identified by traditional as well as whole-mount immunohistochemistry. Cell Tissue Research 270: 319-337.

Jones, R. E., C. R. Propper, M. S. Rand, and H. B. Austin (1991). Loss of nesting behavior and the evolution of viviparity in reptiles. Ethology 88: 331-341.

Propper, C. R., R. E. Jones, M. S. Rand, and H. B. Austin (1991). Nesting behavior of the lizard Anolis carolinensis. Journal of Herpetology 25: 484-486.

Smith, H. M., M. S. Rand, J. D. Drew, B. D. Smith, D. Chiszar, and C. M. Dwyer (1991). Relictual intergrades between the northern prairie lizard (Sceloporus undulatus garmani) and the red-lipped plateau lizard (S. u. erythrocheilus) in Colorado. Northwestern Naturalist 72: 1-11.

Rand, M.S. (1990). Polymorphic sexual coloration in the lizard Sceloporus undulatus erythrocheilus. American Midland Naturalist 124: 352-359.

Jones, R. E., D. Orlicke, H. B. Austin, M. S. Rand, and K. H. Lopez. (1990) Indomethocin inhibits ovarian PGE secretion and gonadotropin-induced ovulation in a reptile (Anolis carolinensis). Journal of Experimental Zoology 255: 57-62.

Jones, R. E., H. B. Austin, K. H. Lopez, M. S. Rand, and C. H. Summers. (1988) Gonadotropin-induced ovulation in a reptile (Anolis carolinensis): histological observations. General and Comparative Endocrinology 72: 312-322.

Guillette, L. G., Jr., M. S. Rand, V. DeMarco, and K. Etheridge. (1988) Fixatives and alcohol-induced weight change in eggs from the lizard, Sceloporus undulatus. Journal of Herpetology 22: 115-118.

Jones, R. E., K. H. Lopez, C. H. Summers, H. B. Austin, and M. S. Rand (1987). Development of an avascular region (the stigma) in ovarian follicles of lizards (Anolis). Journal of Morphology 194: 311-322.

Cross, J. K. and M. S. Rand (1979). Climbing activity in wild-ranging Gila monsters, Heloderma suspectum (Helodermatidae). Southwestern Naturalist 24: 703-705.