Department of

Biology

Dr. James Huggins

University Professor of Biology
108C White Hall, Box 3145
Union University
Jackson, Tennessee 38305
(731) 661-5144
jhuggins@uu.edu
Personal web page

Education

• B.S.A. and M.S.; Arkansas State University
• Ph.D.; University of Memphis
• Additional Studies; University of Tennessee, Memphis
• Additional Studies; Mid-American Baptist Theological Seminary
• Additional Studies; University of Memphis
• Additional Studies; University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Raptor Center

Courses Commonly Taught

• Undergraduate
• • BIO 110: Global Biology
  • BIO 200: Wildlife Biology
  • BIO 214: Vertebrate Zoology
  • BIO 305: Conservation Techniques
  • BIO 312: Comparative Anatomy
  • BIO 322: Human Gross Anatomy
  • BIO 336: Ecology & Conservation of the Vertebrates
  • BIO 355: Environmental Ethics
• Graduate
• • BIO 505: Applied Anatomy & Physiology I
  • BIO 507: Applied Anatomy & Physiology II
  • BIO 509: Applied Gross Anatomy
  • BIO 585: Immunological Response to Infectious Disease

Research/Scholarship Interests

• Vertebrate biology, natural history, and ecology
• Comparative vertebrate anatomy & physiology
• Wildlife rehabilitation, Creation/Evolution issues
• Cougar Sightings - please report your findings

Undergraduate Research Projects 

• Amber Rabun. A preliminary survey of the frequency of deformities in anurans at agricultural and non-agricultural sites in Madison, Chester, and Gibson counties in Tennessee.
• Isaac Lisle. Bat biodiversity in different levels of light pollution.
• Whitney Loftis. Effect of modification of entrance hole size on habitation of next boxes in Beech Bluff, TN.
• Brooklin Byrd. Investigation of occupancy rates of modified and unmodified nesting boxes.
• Nar'Asha Randall. Detection of hydrogen sulfide production by Sarcina lutea. Co-mentor C. Huggins.
• Adrian Cain. Occurrence and variance of external parasites on raptor species.
• Chelsea Cothran. Investigating the escape response to auditory and visual stimuli in American crows. Co-mentor J.R. Kerfoot, Ph.D.
• Virginia Warren: Grazing Preferences of Free-ranging Zebra
• David Hamilton: Maximum Nest Box Construction for Screech Owls
• Amanda Atkinson: Mammalian Ear Ossicles and Niche Placement
• Abby Parker: Shiloh’s Nesting Eagles
• Amanda Ellis: Worm medication Regimes for Stabled Horses
• Scott Hawley: Owl Pellets as a Form of Monitoring Small Mammal Populations
• Laura Finley : Using Molecular Techniques to Determine the Presence of Potential Pathogens in Raptors
• Matthew Bershires: Scent Station Attractants in West Tennessee
• Jordan Hughey: Home Ranges and Movements in Box Turtles
• Brian Bodnarchuk: Establishing Artificial Colonies of Louse Flies
• Daniel Cathey: Comparison of Various Attractants at Scent Stations when Estimating Mammalian Populations
• John Hawley: Survival of Relocated Terrapenes
• Phillip Mitchell: Comparisons of Small Mammal Communities in Suburban Woodlands.
• Josh Mann: A Comparison of Species Diversity of Owl Pellet Contents and the Specimens Captured by Conventional Mammal Trapping Techniques.
• Robert Wadley: An Analysis of the Feeding Patterns for Barn Owls Using Owl Pellets Collected in Southwestern Henderson Co., TN.
• Luke Grant: Determination of the Effect of Bobcat Urine on Wildlife Populations in West Tennessee by Use of Scent Stations.
• Josh Smith: Effects of Temperature and Precipitation on the and summer Movements ofTerrapene carolinea
• Dexter Rich: Measuring the Effects of Amoxicillen and Fosfomycin Combinations by Disk Diffusion Against E. coli Growth

Scholarship

• Smith, M.E., M.L. Kennedy, and J.A. Huggins. 2002. Habitat Use by Three Species of Shrew in Western Tennessee. J. of Tenn. Acad. of Sci.
• Gilley, L.M., M.L. Kennedy, J. A. Huggins, H.L. Hopkins, and K. Hopper. 2001. A comparison of small mammal capture success in untreated and lysol-treated Sherman live traps. J. of Tenn. Acad. of Sci. 76 (1): 34 (abstract)
• Grigg, A., J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 2000. The frequency and occurrence of aggressive behavior in a male lion-tail macaque (Macaca silenus) population and an examination of the effects of kava kava (Piper methysticum) on aggression levels. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 75 (3-4): 91 (abstract)
• Tillery, M., J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 2000. Aggressive interactions and behaviors of three, male western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla ). J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 75 (3-4): 91 (abstract)
• Heathcott, G., G. C. Brady, J. A. Huggins and H.W. Wofford. 1999. The effects of captivity on the social and behavioral patterns of meerkats. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 74 (3-4): 107 (abstract)
• Wood, L., J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 1999. Utilization of mineral licks by mammals with special emphasis on white-tailed deer. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci 74 (3-4): 103 (abstract)
• James, L. J. A. Huggins and W. H. Wofford. 1997. Home range dynamics of field mice in diverse habitats as determined by powdertracking. J. of Tenn. Acad. Of Sci. 72(3-4): 81 (abstract)
• Beck, M. L., C. J. Biggers, and J. A. Huggins. 1992. Variation in chromosome number in the southern short-tailed shrew Blarina carolinensis. Mammalogica 256:511-512.
• Huggins, J. A. and M. L. Kennedy. 1989. Morphological variation in the masked shrew (Sorex cinereus) and the smokey shrew (S. fumeus). Amer. Midland Naturalist, vol. 122:11-25.
• Burkett, R. D. and J. A. Huggins. 1985. Nerodia rhombifera twinning. Herp. Review, 16 (2): 56.
• Burkett, R. D. and J. A. Huggins. 1985. Nerodia rhombifera coloration. Herp. Review, 16 (2): 56.
• Huggins, J. A. and V. R. McDaniel. 1984. Intraspecific variation within a southeastern population of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster (Rodentia). The Southwest. Natur., 29 (4): 403-406.
• Tabatabai, F. R., J. A. Huggins, and R. A. Smith. 1983. Mallard food habits in western Tennessee. Tn Acad. Sci., 58: 24-26.
• McDaniel, V. R., J. C. Huggins, J. A. Huggins, and M. W. Hinson. 1978 A summary of the status of Harvest mice, Cricetidae: Reithrodontomys in Arkansas. Ar Acad. Sci., 32: 63-64.