Department of Zoology

Biographical Information:

Jon Costanzo's research explores the physiological ecology of ectothermic animals inhabiting harsh environments, with primary focus on the overwintering biology of temperate-zone amphibians and reptiles. Costanzo uses field and laboratory approaches to investigate the hibernation physiology and ecology of cold-hardy frogs and turtles. Supported by the National Science Foundation, these studies focus on the roles of supercooling and freeze tolerance in winter survival, behavioral and physiological aspects of cold hardening, and interactions between the animal and the winter microenvironment.

An adjunct Professor/Senior Research Scholar in the Department of Zoology, Costanzo is a full-time researcher who is strongly committed to training undergraduate and graduate students. To learn more about current research topics, visit the Laboratory for Ecophysiological Cryobiology web site: http://www.units.muohio.edu/cryolab/

Recent Publications:

Costanzo JP, Baker PJ, Dinkelacker SA, Lee RE (2003) Endogenous and exogenous ice-nucleating agents constrain supercooling in the hatchling painted turtle. J Exp Biol 206:477-485
Costanzo JP, Baker PJ, Lee RE (2006) Physiological responses to freezing in hatchlings of freeze-tolerant and -intolerant turtles. J Comp Physiol B 176:697-707
Costanzo JP, Dinkelacker SA, Iverson JB, Lee RE (2004) Physiological ecology of overwintering in the hatchling painted turtle: multiple-scale variation in response to environmental stress. Physiol Biochem Zool 77:74-99
Dinkelacker SA, Costanzo JP, Lee RE (2005) Anoxia tolerance and freeze tolerance in hatchling turtles. J Comp Physiol B 175:209-217
Muir TJ, Costanzo JP, Lee RE (2007) Osmotic and metabolic responses to dehydration and urea-loading in a dormant, terrestrially-hibernating frog. J Comp Physiol B 177:917-926