A5049285827- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Retinal Development and Disorders
- Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Neural dynamics and brain function
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Robotic Locomotion and Control
- Tactile and Sensory Interactions
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquatic life and conservation
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
Union College
2020-2023
University of Minnesota
2020-2021
University of Cambridge
2019-2020
University of Bristol
2016-2020
Marine Biological Laboratory
2019
Grass Foundation
2019
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
2011-2014
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
2009
Motor behavior results in complex exchanges of motor and sensory information across cortical regions. Therefore, fully understanding the cerebral cortex's role requires a mesoscopic-level description regions engaged, their functional interactions, how these interactions change with behavioral state. Mesoscopic Ca2+ imaging through transparent polymer skulls mice reveals elevated activation dorsal cortex during locomotion. Using correlations between time series fluorescence from 28 (nodes)...
Opaque screening pigments are a fundamental requisite for preserving resolution in image-forming eyes. Possession of any type eye transparent, pelagic animal will thus undermine the ability that to be invisible water column. Transparent, animals must therefore deal with trade-off between see and other them. Stomatopod larvae, like many transparent crustaceans, possess specialized optics their compound eyes minimize volume opaque retina. Though volumes these retinas reduced, opacity remains...
Many animals use structural coloration to create bright and conspicuous visual signals. Selection of the size shape optical structures defines both colour intensity light reflected. The material used these reflectors is also important; however, are restricted a limited number materials: commonly chitin, guanine protein, reflectin. In this work we highlight that particular set properties can be under selection in order increase functionality reflectors. Specifically, polarization properties,...
Abstract The polarization of light provides information that is used by many animals for a number different visually guided behaviours. Several marine species, such as stomatopod crustaceans and cephalopod molluscs, communicate using visual signals contain polarized information, content often part more complex multi-dimensional signal. In this work, we investigate the evolution in species Haptosquilla, widespread genus stomatopod, well related protosquillids. We present evidence pre-existing...
Freshwater fishes exhibit a high diversity of colors and color patterns. In particular, the genus Etheostoma have perceived by humans as red, orange, yellow, green, blue in variety combinations. We used reflectance spectrophotometry to evaluate quantitatively among four species E. baileyi, coosae, zonale, zonistium. Three spectral types were identified, corresponding ‘blue’ or ‘green,’ ‘red’ ‘orange,’ ‘yellow.’ Species differences peak wavelengths ‘green’ spectra observed, these complex also...
Alima pacifica and A. orientalis are stomatopods commonly found at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. There currently no descriptions that link the larvae to adult morphotype despite frequent occurrence of last larval stage these two species. We used DNA barcoding cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene respective morphotype. Detailed morphological late larva each species provided compared other described last-stage larvae. These data support previous studies suggest paraphyly genus Alima.
ABSTRACT The relationship between genotype and phenotype is non-trivial because of the often complex molecular pathways that make it difficult to unambiguously relate phenotypes specific genotypes. Photopigments, comprising an opsin apoprotein bound a light-absorbing chromophore, present opportunity directly amino acid sequence absorbance peak (λmax). We examined this by conducting series site-directed mutagenesis experiments retinochrome, non-visual opsin, from two closely related species:...
Both vertebrates and invertebrates commonly exploit photonic structures adjacent to their photoreceptors for visual benefits. For example, use of a reflecting structure (tapetum) behind the retina increases photon capture, enhancing vision in dim light [1Loew E. Light, photoreceptor degeneration Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.).Proc. R Soc. Lond. B Biol. Sci. 1976; 193: 31-44Crossref PubMed Scopus (82) Google Scholar, 2Warrant E.J. McIntyre P.D. Strategies retinal design arthropod...
Many biophotonic structures have their spectral properties of reflection 'tuned' using the (zeroth-order) Bragg criteria for phase constructive interference. This is associated with a periodicity, or distribution periodicities, parallel to direction illumination. The polarization these reflections are, however, typically constrained by dimensional symmetry and intrinsic dielectric biological materials. Here we report linearly polarizing reflector in stomatopod crustacean that consists 6-8...
Larval stomatopod eyes appear to be much simpler versions of adult compound eyes, lacking most the visual pigment diversity and photoreceptor specializations. Our understanding larval stomatopods, however, is based on four species, which severely limits our eye ontogeny. To investigate several poorly understood aspects function, we tested two hypotheses surrounding spectral absorption pigments. First, examined a broad range species determine if larvae generally express single, class...
We review the species of Brachymeles bonitae Complex (B. and B. tridactylus) describe an additional two new in this highly specialized, limb-reduced, endemic Philippine clade fossorial lizards. For more than 4 decades, has been recognized as a single “widespread” species, perception that persisted result limited sampling similar overall morphology (body sizes, scale pigmentation) among populations. However, on basis collections we note consistent morphological differences between...
Abstract Stomatopods (Crustacea, Stomatopoda) are well studied for their aggressive behavior and unique visual system as commercial importance in Asian European countries. Like many crustaceans, stomatopods undergo indirect development, passing though several larval stages before reaching maturity. Adult can be difficult to catch due inaccessible habitats cryptic coloration. By sampling larvae from the planktonic community, less effort is required obtain accurate measures of species richness...
Studies of the diversity Philippine amphibians and reptiles have resulted in continued description cryptic species. Species formerly thought to range across multiple recognized faunal regions are now considered be assemblages unique species, each restricted a single region. This pattern continues hold true when considering skinks genus Brachymeles. Recent studies numerous species with many exhibiting various degrees digit loss or limb reduction, as well suggesting that lineages still present...
Mantis shrimp strikes are one of the fastest animal movements, despite their occurrence in a water medium with viscous drag. Since strike is produced by latch-mediated spring-actuated system and not directly driven muscle action, we predicted that performed air would be faster than underwater as result reduction medium's Using high-speed video analysis stereotyped elicited from
ABSTRACT Motor behavior results in widespread activation of the cerebral cortex. Therefore, fully understanding cortex’s role motor requires a mesoscopic level description engaged cortical regions and their functional interactions. Mesoscopic imaging Ca 2+ fluorescence through transparent polymer skulls implanted on transgenic Thy1-GCaMP6f mice reveals cortex during locomotion, including not only primary somatosensory but also secondary motor, retrosplenial, visual cortices. Using time...
A new species of slender skink is described from the Philippines. The endemic to Lubang Island, and assigned Brachymeles bonitae Complex based on phenotypic genetic data. Specimens were collected Island between 1991 2012, examined morphological data (qualitative traits, meristic counts, mensural measurements). Published sequence phylogenetic studies genus reveal be highly divergent congeners. ligtas sp. nov. differentiated other members a number distinct features, including small body size...