Publications

Check out my ResearchGate page for PDFs and the most up-to-date content. And, for kicks, here's my ORCID.

co-author(s): **grad student, *undergraduate, †field assistant(s)

Submitted/In Review/In Revision: 

• Kent, Q.**, J.B. LaPergola, and C. Riehl. Spatial organization and breeding biology of communally nesting Palmchats (Dulus dominicus). in revision, Journal of Field Ornithology

In-prep (selected):

• LaPergola, J.B.  Architectural structural failure as a unifying principle: a conceptual framework and case study in a colonially nesting woodpecker

• LaPergola, J.B., S. Hagler**, B. Harrington**, J. Wang*, C. Riehl. Working title: Decisions under duress: personal vs. social information use in a communally breeding bird

• Ursino, C., M.E. Mermoz, J.B. LaPergola, M. Smith**, N. Lois, and C. Riehl. Reciprocal helping is directed towards kin in a cooperatively breeding bird, the Brown-and-yellow Marshbird (Pseudoleistes virescens).

Published/In press (see links below for PDF's): 

18 .  LaPergola, J.B., G.M. Leighton, and C. Riehl. 2026. Fine-scale genetic structure in cooperatively breeding Palmchats (Dulus dominicus) suggests mixed kinship in compound nests. Ibis. DOI: 10.1111/ibi.70051

associated data publication: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YHA2Q

17 .  LaPergola, J.B., J.E. Martínez-Gómez, and R.L. Curry. 2024. Confirmed nesting of Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) on Isla Cozumel, Quintana Roo, México. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 136(2) DOI:10.1676/23-00032

16 .  Smith, M.G.**, J.B. LaPergola, and C. Riehl. 2024. Workload inequality increases with group size in a cooperatively breeding bird. Animal Behaviour. 207:87-99. DOI:10.1016/j.anbehav.2023.10.015

15 .  Riehl, C., and J.B. LaPergola. 2023. Commentary: Inclusive fitness explains behavioral diversity in a social bird. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 120(21): e2305610120. DOI:10.1073/pnas.2305610120. 

14 .  LaPergola, J.B. 2023. Life-stage and sex influence Philornis ectoparasitism in a Neotropical woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus) with essential male parental care. Ibis. 165(4):1235-1250. DOI:10.1111/ibi.13221

associated data publication: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/HGU5Q

preprint: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.22.473830v3.abstract 

13 .  LaPergola, J.B., A.G. Savagian**, M.G. Smith**, B.L. Bennett**, M. J. Strong, and C. Riehl. 2023. Referential signaling in a communally breeding bird. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 120(19): e2222008120. DOI:10.1073/pnas.2222008120 

Press coverage: https://insights.princeton.edu/2023/08/avian-alarm-system-communication/

12 .  LaPergola, J.B., C. J. Proctor, H. Almonte, and K. Wallace. 2023 Mortality of an adult Antillean Palm-Swift (Tachornis phoenicobia) associated with Philornis sp. parasitism in the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic.  Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. 36:36-44. DOI: 10.55431/jco.2023.36.36-44

11 .  LaPergola, J.B., C. Riehl, J.E. Martínez-Gómez, B. Roldán-Clarà, and R.L. Curry. 2022. Extra-pair paternity correlates with genetic diversity, but not breeding density, in a Neotropical passerine, the Black Catbird. Journal of Avian Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jav.03034

associated data publication: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2bvq83btg

My watercolor of the Black Catbird is featured on the journal cover for this issue (see above)!

10 .  LaPergola, J.B. and C. Riehl. (2022). Opportunity is not everything: genetic monogamy and limited brood parasitism in a colonial woodpecker. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 76(5):1-10. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-022-03178-6

associated data publication: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/FNU5K

9 .  LaPergola, J.B., J.G. Marina-Hipolito*, J.E. Martínez-Gómez, and R.L. Curry. 2021. Nesting of the Yucatan Vireo, Vireo magister, in mainland Mexico and on Isla Cozumel, with details of breeding phenology. Ornitología Neotropical. 32(2):192-197. DOI: 10.58843/ornneo.v32i2.917

8 .  LaPergola, J.B. 2019. First record of albinism in the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Caribbean Naturalist. 64:1-5. [https://www.eaglehill.us/CANAonline/CANA-access-pages/CANA-regular/CANA-064-LaPergola.shtml]

associated video: https://youtu.be/bblQfhoR2ng

7 .  Gilbert, N.A.†, M.R. Angelucci†, A.E. Janik†, K.L. Kauffman†, and J.B. LaPergola. A rare observation of breeding activity of the White-collared Swift (Streptoprocne zonaris) in Hispaniola. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. 31(1):12-16. [https://www.jco.birdscaribbean.org/index.php/jco/article/view/478]

6 .  Garrod, H.M.† and J.B. LaPergola. 2018. Overlap in molt and breeding phenology in the Hispaniolan Woodpecker (Melanerpes striatus). Ornitología Neotropical. 29:S29-S36. [https://journals.sfu.ca/ornneo/index.php/ornneo/article/view/160]

5 .  Roldán-Clarà, B., J.B. LaPergola, and J. Correa-Sandoval. 2018. Características biológicas del dzibabán (Melanoptila glabrirostris) en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka’an, México. Huitzil, Revista Mexicana de Ornitología. 19(1):100-108. DOI: 10.28947/hrmo.2018.19.1.312

4 .  Roldán-Clarà, B., J.B. LaPergola, L. Chapa-Vargas, and S. Calmé. 2013. Nest survival in the Neotropical Black Catbird (Melanoptila glabrirostris). Journal of Ornithology. 154(2):491-499. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-012-0917-0

3 .  LaPergola, J.B., J.G. Marina-Hipolito*, J.E. Martínez-Gómez, and R.L. Curry. 2012. First description of the nest and eggs of the island-endemic Cozumel Vireo, Vireo bairdi. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 124(4):743-749. DOI: 10.1676/1559-4491-124.4.743

2 .  LaPergola, J.B., J.L. Mortensen, and R.L. Curry. 2011. Nest, eggs, and nesting behavior of the Gray Trembler (Cinclocerthia gutturalis) on St. Lucia, West Indies. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology. 123(2):390-395. DOI: 10.1676/10-086.1

1 .  Holbrook, L., and J. LaPergola. 2011. A new genus of Perissodactyl (Mammalia) from the Bridgerian of Wyoming, with comments on basal Perissodactyl phylogeny. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 31(4):895-901. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2011.579669