David Weisenbeck | University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences

David Weisenbeck

PhD Candidate, Biology

I study the evolutionary and conservation genomics of leopard frogs in the Northeastern United States. I am particularly interested in unraveling the evolutionary history of hybridization in the group, understanding how urbanization shapes gene flow and genetic diversity, and developing population health measures that are informed by genomics. On the side, I also dabble in biotic inventories and lemur evolution.

Contact Information

David.weisenbeck@uky.edu

Education

B.S. in Biology, James Madison University, 2021.

Research Interests

Phylogenomics
population genomics
Genome Evolution
herpetology
Primate Evolution

Affiliations

Biology

Curriculum Vitae (CV)
ORCiD
Google Scholar

Selected Publications

Selected Publications:

Weisenbeck, D.R., Martin, M.D., Hall, B.J., Jackson, C.C., & B.L. Stuart. 2025. Molecular and Acoustical
Verification of Hybrids of Cope’s Gray Treefrogs (Dryophytes chrysoscelis) and Pine Woods Treefrogs (Dryophytes femoralis) in Virginia and North Carolina. Southeastern Naturalist 24(1): 83–96. https://doi.org/10.1656/058.024.0107
Donohue, M.E., Absangba, A.E., Noromalala, E., Randrianasolo, Randrianirina, L.G.R., Rakotovao, R.,
Weisenbeck, D.R., Stumpf, R.M., Wright, P.C., & A. Lamb. 2015. Why didn’t the sifaka cross the road? Divergence of Propithecus edwardsi gut microbiomes across geographic barriers in Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar. American Journal of Primatology 87(2): e23732. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23732
Weisenbeck, D.R. (2023). Lithobates palustris (Pickerel Frog): Interspecific necrophilic amplexus.
Herpetological Review 54(2): 271.
Batist, C.H., Bliss, M., Weisenbeck, D.R., Rafamantanantsoa, R., Razafindrakoto, G., Ranaivosolo, J.W., Jean
Baptiste, V., Wright, P.C., & M.E. Donohue. 2023. Updated lemur species ranges in Madagascar’s Corridor Forestier d'Ambositra Vondrozo (COFAV). Folia Primatologica 94(4–6): 207–223. https://doi.org/10.1163/14219980-bja10012
Weisenbeck, D.R., Nelson, E.M., & D.S. McLeod. (2022). Herpetological Inventory at Sweet’s Farm in Highland
County, Virginia. Banisteria 56: 118–136.
Graziano, M., D.R. Weisenbeck, & D.S. McLeod. (2019). A herpetological survey of the Edith J. Carrier
Arboretum at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, Virginia). Catesbeiana 39(2): 97-102.
Weisenbeck, D.R., Graziano, M.J., & A.M. Pahides. (2019). County Record Confirmation: Lithobates palustris
(Pickerel Frog) Virginia: Greene Co. Catesbeiana 39(1): 28.
Weisenbeck, D.R. & M.J. Graziano. (2019). Geographic Distribution: Terrapene carolina carolina (Eastern
Box Turtle) USA: Virginia: Greene Co. Herpetological Review 50(2): 327.
Weisenbeck, D.R. & M.J. Graziano. (2019). Geographic Distribution: Hyla versicolor (Gray Treefrog) USA:
Virginia: Madison Co. Herpetological Review 50(2): 522.
Graziano, M.J. & D.R. Weisenbeck. (2019). Geographic Distribution: Anaxyrus americanus (American
Toad) USA: Virginia: Greene Co. Herpetological Review 50(2): 521.
Graziano, M.J. & D.R. Weisenbeck. (2019). Geographic Distribution: Hyla versicolor (Gray Treefrog) USA:
Virginia: Greene Co. Herpetological Review 50(2): 522.