A5012865573- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Marine Ecology and Invasive Species
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Marine and environmental studies
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Neurovascular Disturbances
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Echinoderm biology and ecology
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Tardigrade Biology and Ecology
- Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
University of Massachusetts Lowell
2016-2025
Virginia Military Institute
2015
University of Pittsburgh
2014
Queensland Museum
2001-2007
Smithsonian Marine Station
2004-2005
University of New Hampshire
2000-2001
Humboldt State University
1998
Accurate assessments of biodiversity are crucial to advising ecosystem-monitoring programs and understanding ecosystem function. Nevertheless, a standard operating procedure assess accurately consistently has not been established. This is especially true for meiofauna, diverse community (>20 phyla) small benthic invertebrates that have fundamental ecological roles. Recent studies show metabarcoding cost-effective time-effective method estimate meiofauna biodiversity, in contrast...
Background Within an evolutionary framework of Gastrotricha Marinellina flagellata and Redudasys fornerise bear special interest, as they are the only Macrodasyida that inhabit freshwater ecosystems. Notwithstanding, these rare animals poorly known; found once (Austria Brazil), currently systematised incertae sedis. Here we report on rediscovery fornerise, provide account morphological novelties present a hypothesis its phylogenetic relationship based molecular data. Methodology/Principal...
Gastrotricha is a phylum of aquatic microinvertebrates counting about 850 species divided into the two orders Chaetonotida and Macrodasyida. Currently, includes 8 families 31 genera while Macrodasyida 9 32 genera; however, systematics in state flux due to phylogenetic incongruences classical systematization. The process re-systematization will benefit from additional surveys insufficiently known taxa especially discovery new bearing novel characteristics that could help recognize...
Accurate identification of species is key to understanding their ecological roles and evolutionary history. It also essential in cataloging biodiversity for comparisons among habitat types, responses climate change, effective management practices, more. The paucity taxonomic expertise increasing with it the ability competently identify species, this particularly true small taxa including rotifers. In an effort improve situation, we collated information on morphological characters from...
Onychophorans are carnivorous, terrestrial invertebrates that occur in tropical and temperate forests of the Southern Hemisphere around Equator. Together with tardigrades, onychophorans regarded as one closest relatives arthropods. One most peculiar features is their hunting feeding behavior. These animals secrete a sticky slime, which ejected via pair slime-papillae, to entangle prey. After prey has been immobilized, its cuticle punctured using jaws located within mouth. constitute...
Understanding the general biology, biodiversity, ecology, and evolutionary history of organisms necessitates correct identification. Found worldwide in fresh, brackish, some marine waters, rotifers can be difficult to identify due their small size, complex characteristics, dearth keys Moreover, many species lack a hard body wall (i.e., illoricate species), thus they are nearly impossible when preserved. As result detailed study is wanting. This especially acute for sessile where quality...
Genome size is an important correlate of many biological features including body size, metabolic rate, and developmental can vary due to a variety mechanisms, incorporation repetitive elements, duplication events, or reduction selective constraints. Our ability understand the causes genome variation are hampered by limited sampling non-model taxa, monogonont rotifers. Here we used high throughput Nanopore sequencing flow cytometry estimate sizes nine species rotifers representing seven...
Abstract. A cladistic analysis based on 33 morphological characters was performed for the 31 genera currently assigned to order Macrodasyida (Gastrotricha). Outgroup indicated that is monophyletic and it defined by structure of pharynx complex distribution duo‐gland adhesive organs. Of 6 recognized families in Macrodasyida, our confirmed 4 are monophyletic: Dactylopodolidae, Macrodasyidae, Thaumastodermatidae Turbanellidae. Dactylopodolidae further as most basal family within retention...
Abstract Macrodasyida (phylum Gastrotricha) comprises 365 species distributed across 34 genera and 10 families. However, current classification is under revision due to the contradictory results of molecular morphological cladistic analyses. Studies aimed at bridging gaps took advantage supplementary assessments poorly known particularly from observations new taxa showing original traits that could help identify plesiomorphic character states in these anatomically diverse micrometazoa. We...
The gastrotrich muscular system is characterized by band‐like muscles arranged in orientations that reflect both function and phylogeny. To better understand the evolution of Dactylopodolidae, a putative primitive lineage potential sister group to other extant macrodasyidans, we have used fluorescent phalloidin stain visualize muscle patterns marine Dactylopodola baltica eight species Macrodasyida from four families. musculature D. as series circular, helicoidal longitudinal bands around...
A new marine gastrotrich species of the genus Cephalodasys is described from shallow sublittoral coralline sand sampled between Lee Stocking Island and Norman's Pond Cay (Exuma Cays), Bahamas. interinsularis n. sp. reaches a body length 471 µm characterized by combination characters including six total anterior adhesive tubes five pairs ventrolateral tubes. The morphologically similar to C. swedmarki but can be distinguished different number tubes, spatial arrangement shorter pharynx. We...
Two new species of marine Gastrotricha, Musellifer reichardti sp. nov. and tridentatus (Chaetonotida: Paucitubulatina: Muselliferidae), are described from the Atlantic coast Florida (USA) west Tobago (Trinidad Tobago), respectively. Both peculiar in that they lack a muzzle bearing mouth, which is diagnostic character genus. They correspond well to diagnosis other morphological features, genetic data 18S rDNA gene M. further support inclusion genus Musellifer. distinguished by following...
Abstract Arthropods are well known to biomineralize and metallize their exoskeletons with naturally occurring elements that function stabilize the protein component add hardness surfaces endure wear. In this study, we provide first description of trace in cuticle a marine intertidal pseudoscorpion, Halobisium occidentale , using energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy. We characterized element composition six regions on four specimens: prosoma, opisthosoma, tarsal claws, arolia, chelicerae,...
Abstract Increasing habitat modification and species loss demand consistent efforts to describe understand biodiversity patterns. The BIOTA/FAPESP Program was created in this context it has been a successful initiative promote studies on conservation Brazil. BIOTA/Araçá is an interdisciplinary project that provided detailed evaluation of the Araçá Bay, coastal seascape located North coast state São Paulo, Southeast bay encompasses multiple habitats, such as beaches, mangroves, rocky shores,...
Correct identification of species is necessary if we are to understand their biology, ecology, and evolutionary history, as well catalog global biodiversity. This acutely critical for many micrometazoans like rotifers, which often difficult identify because small size complicated morphologies. Rotifers ubiquitous that found worldwide in fresh, brackish, some marine waters. However, study hindered by a lack both taxonomic expertise concomitantly adequate guides the taxa. These deficiencies...
Abstract The nervous systems of three macrodasyidan gastrotrichs, Dactylopodola baltica , Macrodasys caudatus and Dolichodasys elongatus were investigated using immunocytochemistry electron microscopy. Labelling neural structures against serotonin revealed the presence two pairs cerebral cells, a dorsal connective, paired ventral nerve cords in D. . In M. immunoreactivity was present single pair cells cords; connective also immunoreactive to acetylated α‐tubulin. paired, serotonin‐like other...