Llewellyn D. Densmore

Llewellyn D. Densmore is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University, where he conducts research in vertebrate molecular systematics, population genetics, and molecular toxicology of crocodylians. He is also the Associate Program Director for Research at the Center for the Integration of STEM Education and Research (CISER).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Louisiana State University Medical Center (1981)
• M.S. in Biology, University of Houston (1977)
• B.S. in Biology, University of Houston (1975)

His research focuses on the genetic and ecological dynamics of crocodiles and alligators across Central and South America, including Belize, Panama, Bolivia, and Colombia. He specializes in phylogeography, conservation genetics, dietary ecology, and species distribution modeling, with a strong emphasis on using molecular tools to inform wildlife management and conservation policy. His lab has trained numerous graduate students who have conducted field research in diverse tropical ecosystems.

The recent publications reflect a consistent trend in crocodylian biology, emphasizing population ecology, genetic differentiation, hybridization, and conservation status assessments using advanced molecular and ecological modeling techniques. Research spans from mitochondrial DNA phylogeography to dietary ontogeny and population estimation methods.

Scientific Recognition:

• Research on Morelet’s crocodile genetics featured in National Geographic Magazine (March 2007)

Densmore has advised multiple PhD students and secured funding from major agencies including the National Geographic Society, NSF, and Panama’s SENACYT. He is currently establishing international collaboration with the University of Ibagué in Colombia to expand research on Neotropical crocodilians. His work integrates field ecology with molecular biology to address pressing conservation challenges.

His research group is active within the Ecology & Environmental Biology, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Systematics & Evolution research clusters at Texas Tech.