Northern Illinois University Department of Biological Sciences
Dr.Lowell K. Nicolaus
Ph.D., 1984, North Dakota State University 
M.S., 1977, Southern Oregon State University 

B. S., 1967, Humbolt State University 
Fields of Interest:Ethology (animal behavior).

Contact: 
Dr. Lowell K. Nicolaus
wolfishnicolaus@earthlink.net 

 
Representative Publications
Research Interests
Nicolaus, L.K., Crowe, M., Lundquist, R. Oral estrogen retains potency as an aversion agent in eggs: Implications to studies of community ecology and wildlife management. Physiol. Behav. 51:1281-1284; 1992. 

Semel, B., Nicolaus, L.K. Estrogen-based aversion to eggs among free-ranging raccons. Ecol. Appl. 2(4):439-449; 1992. 

Dimmick, C.R., Nicolaus, L.K. The efficiency of conditioned aversion in reducing depredation by crows. J. Appl. Ecol. 27:200-209; 1990. 

Nicolaus, L.K., Herrera, J., Nicolaus, J.C., Dimmick, C.R. Carbachol as a conditioned taste aversion agent to control avian predation. Agri. Ecosyst. Environ. 26:13-21; 1989. 

Nicolaus, L.K., Gustavson, C.R., Gustavson, J.C. The Potential of Estrogen- Based Conditioned Aversions in Controlling Depredation: A Step Closer Toward the "Magic Bullet". Appli. Anim. Behav. Sci. 23:1-14; 1989. 

Nicolaus, L.K., Herrera, J., Nicolaus, J.C., Gustavson, G.R. Oral estrogen as an aversion agent to control egg predation by free-ranging predators. Appl. Anim. Behav. 24:313-324; 1989. 

Nicolaus, L.K., Nellis, D.W. The first evaluation of the use of conditioned taste aversion to control predation by mongooses upon eggs. Appli. Anim. Behav. Sci. 17:329-346; 1987. 

Nicolaus, L.K. Conditioned taste aversion in a guild of egg predators: Implications to aposematism and prey defense mimicry. Amer. Midl. Natur. 117:405-419; 1987. 

Nicolaus, L.K., Cassel, J.F., Carlson, R.B., Gustavson, C.R. Taste aversion conditioning of crows to control predation on eggs. Science, 220:212-214; 1983. 

Nicolaus, L.K. , Hoffman, T.E., Gustavson, C.R. Taste aversion conditioning in free-ranging raccoons, Procyon lotor. Northwest Sci. 56 (3):165-169; 1982. 
 
Basic research into the mechanisms of food aversion learning both among captive vertebrates and in the field setting. Primary focus has been on the influence of cholinergic agonists upon the foraging of free-ranging avian predators and other substances on the foraging of mammalian predators. This work has produced interesting results concerning the possible influence of illness-based food aversions upon the evolution of prey toxicity and mimicry. The work also has important implications concerning non-lethal methods that control predation upon endangered species. 
 

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