Minot State / Biology / Alexandra Deufel
Biology

Dr. Alexandra Deufel, Ph.D.

Photo of Dr. Alexandra Deufel

Professor

Office: 215 Cyril Moore
Email: alexandra.deufel@minotstateu.edu

Education
I received a B.Sc. in Zoology from the University of Calgary, AB, Canada in 1996. I then earned a Ph.D. in Behavioral and  Evolutionary Biology from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA in 2002 for my research on the feeding mechanics and evolution of elapid snakes (cobras, mambas, taipans, death adders etc.). I joined the Biology faculty of Minot State University in 2002.

Courses

  • BIOL 111 - Concepts of Biology
  • BIOL 115 - Concepts of Anatomy & Physiology
  • BIOL 151 - General Biology II
  • BIOL 335 - Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy
  • BIOL 346 - Developmental Biology
  • BIOL 470 - Histology

Publications (email me for reprints)

  • Cundall D, Deufel A, Pattishall A. 2024. How anatomy influences measurements of snakes. Journal of Morphology. 285(8):e21758
  • Cundall D, Deufel A. 2022. Dorsal root ganglia, neural crest migration, and spinal cord form in snakes. Journal of Morphology. 283(6):867-874
  • Deufel A. 2017. Burrowing with a kinetic snout of a snake (Elapidae: Aspidelaps scutatus). Journal of Morphology 278:1706-1715.
  • Cundall D, Deufel A, MacGregor G, Pattishall A, Richter M 2016. Effects of Size, Condition, Measurer, and Time on Measurements of Snakes. Herpetologica 72
  • Cundall D, Brainerd EL, Constantino J, Deufel A, Grapski D, Kley NJ.
    2012. Drinking in snakes: resolving a biomechanical puzzle. J. Exp. Zool. 317:152–172.
  • Deufel  A. and Cundall D. 2010. Functional morphology of the palato-maxillary apparatus in ‘‘palatine dragging’’ snakes (Serpentes: Elapidae: Acanthophis, Oxyuranus). Journal of Morphology 271:73–85.
  • Cundall D., Deufel A. and Irish F. 2007. Feeding in Boas and Pythons: Motor Recruitment Patterns During Striking. pp:315-343 IN: Biology of the Boas and Pythons. Eagle Mountain Publishing.
  • Deufel A. and Cundall D. 2006. Functional Plasticity of the Venom Delivery System in Snakes with a focus on the post-strike prey release behavior. Zoologischer Anzeiger 245:249-267.
  • Cundall D. and Deufel A. 2006. Influence of the venom delivery system on intraoral prey transport in snakes. Zoologischer Anzeiger 245:193-210.
  • Deufel A and Cundall D. 2003. Prey transport in "palatine-erecting" elapid snakes. Journal of Morphology 258:358-375.
  • Deufel A and Cundall D. 2003. Feeding in Atractaspis (Serpentes: Atractaspididae): a study in conflicting functional constraints. Zoology 106:43-61.
  • Deufel A and Cundall D. 1999. Do booids stab prey? Copeia 1999:1102-1107.
  • Cundall D and Deufel A. 1999. Striking patterns in booid snakes. Copeia 1999:868-883.
  • Russell AP, Bauer AM and Deufel A. (transl.) 1997. Comparative osteological examinations of geckonids, eublepharids and uroplatids by V. Wellborn. Bibliomania! Logan, UT.

Cool Links
Eye evolution: Dawkins
National Library of Medicine Dream Anatomy
National Center for Science Education