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People:
- Principal Investigator
- Post-Doctoral Research Scientists
- Graduate Students and Research Associates
- Former Post-Docs and Graduate Students
- Collaborators
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Principal Investigator |
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Dr. Jay R. Rooker |
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Position:
McDaniel Chair of Marine Fisheries, Associate Professor, Texas A&M
University, Department of Marine Biology (Galveston), Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (College Station)
Education:
Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin (1997)
M.S. University of Puerto Rico (1991)
B. A. Gustavus Adolphus College (1985)
Research Interests:
My research centers on the community and population ecology of aquatic
organisms, with a special emphasis on marine fishes. I am particularly
interested in linkages between habitat selection, individual responses,
and survival. My work is both laboratory and field-based, and I
typically use both quantitative and experimental approaches to elucidate
the importance of biotic and abiotic factors that influence growth,
condition, and survival. In addition, we are currently using a variety
of natural markers to solve ecological problems. Otolith chemistry is
being used to retrospectively determine the environmental histories of
marine fishes. The premise of otolith chemistry is that certain elements
or isotopes are incorporated into otoliths in proportion to their
concentrations in the environment, and thus we use these elemental
fingerprints to distinguish individuals from different environments or
regions. We also use dietary tracers (stable isotopes, fatty acids) to
investigate marine food web structure since consumer tissues reflect the
isotopic and fatty acid composition of prey in a predictable manor. These
natural biomarkers provide time-integrated or long-term measures of
diet, and both approaches afford information on source(s) of organic
matter supporting local food webs as well as trophic relationships of
associated consumers. Recent work also involves the use of sophisticated
electronic tags to investigate movement and population connectivity of
coastal and pelagic fishes.
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Post-Doctoral Research Scientists |
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Dr. R. David Wells |
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Position:
Post-doctoral Research Associate
Education:
Ph.D. Louisiana State University, 2007
M.S. Texas A&M University, 2002
B.S. Oregon State University, 1998
Research Interests:
My research interests focus on the conservation and ecology of marine
fishes. I am specifically interested in understanding the mechanisms
responsible for survival and long term sustainability of marine fishes
and in determining the effects of fishing on marine ecosystems. I try to
utilize multiple techniques to better understand process-oriented
questions. This approach not only provides information on the target
species, but also integrates the associated biological community,
habitat, and environmental parameters. We are currently using pop-up
archival transmitting (PAT) tags and otolith microchemical fingerprints
to better understand movement, mixing rates, and population connectivity
of highly migratory species (HMS). In addition, we are combining both
stable isotopes and traditional stomach content analysis to determine
the feeding dynamics and connectivity of fishes that utilize multiple
habitat types. Ultimately, these methods provide the ability to identify
essential fish habitat (EFH) and delineate both top-down and bottom-up
effects that fishing activities have on marine food webs.
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Graduate Students and Research Associates |
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Jennifer R. Purviance |
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Position:
Ph.D. Student
Education:
M.S. Texas A&M University – Kingsville (2006)
B.S. Texas A&M University – Kingsville (2001)
Research Interests:
My research interests include early life ecology of fishes
especially nursery dependant species and their ontogenetic shifts in
diet and habitat; connectivity between marine biotopes (i.e. seagrass,
mangrove, and coral reef habitats). My dissertation research focuses on
the early life ecology of the snapper-grunt complex and exploring
linkages (direct and indirect) between marine biotopes of St. Croix, US
Virgin Islands. It will attempt to identify back-reef nursery habitats (seagrasses,
mangroves) and assess their relative contribution to the adult
populations on the coral reef system using both natural tracers (stable
isotopes in tissue; stable isotopes/trace elements in otoliths) and
tagging methods (coded wire, acoustic).
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Mike Dance |
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Position:
Ph.D. Student
Education:
M.S. University of West Florida (2007)
B.S. Auburn University (2004)
Research Interests:
My research interests are mainly in community structure, population,
dynamics, and
ecology of marine fishes, specifically fishery-exploited reef fishes and
pelagic fishes. |
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Ryan Scholessor |
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Position:
M.S. Student
Education:
B.S. Texas A&M University at Galveston (2006)
Research Interests:
For my thesis, I am investigating the stable isotope composition of
Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunns thynnus) otoliths. Using δ13C and
δ18O
stable isotope signatures within T. thynnus otoliths, I am attempting to
determine the percent contribution of Mediterranean Sea and Gulf of
Mexico stocks to northwest Atlantic fisheries. Otoliths are secreted by
alternating protein and calcium deposition on a daily basis, therefore
they reflect the composition and conditions of the surrounding water.
Juvenile T. thynnus otoliths from nursery grounds provide an isotope
signature specific to each stock and by comparing these signatures to
those of adult fish it is possible to determine an individuals’ natal
origin. Since the concentration of δ18O varies with temperature and
salinity, I am also examining
δ18O values in transects across otolith
annuli to estimate at what age and how frequently T. thynnus enter Gulf
of Mexico spawning grounds.
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Jeffery Simms |
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Position:
M.S. Student
Education:
B.S. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (2003)
Research Interests:
The main goals of my thesis work, “Early Life Ecology of Sailfish in the
NW Gulf of Mexico,” are to determine the growth rate of larval sailfish,
the influence of environment on growth and identify spawning/nursery
grounds of larval billfish. A better understanding of early life history
will help determine what influences the production, retention,
recruitment and survival of billfish larvae and juveniles. Sailfish
larvae have been collected using neuston net gear during annual surveys.
I extract otoliths (ear bones) to determine larval ages and hatch dates
since otoliths accrete material daily which results in daily growth
increments, allowing age calculation. With age data one can determine
growth rates and compare growth between seasons and years. We can also
examine the influence environmental conditions, such as water
temperature, have on larval growth. Hatch date information is used to
look for peaks in adult spawning. Additionally, spawning locations can
be determined using catch location and age data combined hydrodynamic
modeling techniques. This information will paint a clearer picture of
the importance of the Gulf of Mexico as a sailfish spawning and nursery
ground as well as ideal conditions for larval survival, growth and
recruitment.
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Lynne Wetmore |
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Position:
M.S. Student
Education:
B.A. Biology from Occidental College (2007)
Research Interests:
My thesis research focuses on the life history, reproductive biology and
ecology of the coney, Cephalopholis fulva, and the red hind, Epinephelus
guttatus, two grouper species that are heavily exploited throughout the
Caribbean artisanal fishery. Like many serranids, both fish are
sequential protogynous hermaphrodites and haremic or aggregate spawners,
making them particularly susceptible to intensive fishing pressure.
Further information on the biological parameters of both species is
necessary in order to develop appropriate strategies to manage the
fishery stocks.
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Lindsey Godlove
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Position:
Research Assistant
Education:
B.S. Texas A&M University at Galveston (In Progress)
Research Interests:
I am currently working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine
Biology at Texas A&M University at Galveston. After graduation I plan to
continue my education by pursuing Graduate studies through the Marine
Resources Management Program at TAMUG. I am interested in focusing on
environmental law and policy geared towards the management of ocean and
coastal resources. I feel that combining a strong biology background
with current management strategies will provide a valuable perspective
when addressing policy issues.
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Former Post-Docs and Graduate Students |
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Jessica L. Beck (Ph.D. 2008)
Contrasting survival strategies of hatchery
and wild red drum: implications for stock enhancement
Current Position: Knauss Fellow, Washington, DC.
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Joseph J. Mikulas (M.S. 2007)
Habitat use, growth, and mortality of
post-settlement lane snapper (Lutjanus synagris) on natural banks in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico
Current Position: Secondary Science Teacher, Katy ISD, TX |
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Lindsay A. Glass (M.S. 2006)
Distribution, condition, and growth of
newly settled southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) in the
Galveston Bay Estuary, TX
Current Position: Ph.D. Student, North Carolina State University |
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Richard T. Kraus (Post-doc 2003-2006)
Current Position: Assistant Professor, George Mason University |
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Yan Cai (M.S. 2005)
Bioaccumulation of mercury in NW Gulf of Mexico
Current Position: Research Associate, Xiamen University |
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Jason P. Turner (Ph.D. 2004)
Utilizing Fatty Acids as Dietary
Indicators: Lab Trials and Field Applications
Current Position: Assistant Professor, University of Hilo |
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R.J. David Wells (M.S. 2002)
Patterns of habitat use by fishes associated with sargassum mats in the Gulf of Mexico, with an emphasis
on the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili)
Current Position: Post-doctoral Fellow, Texas A&M University |
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Matt W. Johnson (M.S. 2000)
Effects of variable ration levels on direct and indirect measures of growth in juvenile red drum (Scianops occellatus)
Current Position: Post-doctoral Fellow, University of South Alabama |
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Bert W. Geary (M.S. 2000)
Utilization of Salt Marsh Edge Habitats by
Newly Settled Sciaenids in a Subtropical Estuary |
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Collaborators |
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Dr. Dave Secor, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, University of Maryland
Dr. John Graves, Virginia Institute of Marine
Science
Dr. Gregorio De Metrio, University of Bari,
Italy
Dr. G. Joan Holt, University of Texas Marine
Science Institute
Mr. Scott Holt, University of Texas Marine Science
Institute
Dr. John Neilson, Department of Fisheries and
Oceans, Canada
Dr. Jay Kaufman, University of Maryland
Dr. Enrique Rodriquez-Marin, Spanish Institute of
Oceanography, Spain
Dr. Eric Prince, NOAA Fisheries-SEFSC
Dr. Barbara Block, Stanford University
Dr. Greg Stunz, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi
Dr. Will Heyman, Texas A&M University
Dr. John Hollihan, University of Miami
Mr. Dave Itano, University of Hawaii
Mr. Bill Lyons, McDaniel Charitable Foundation
Mr. Mark Lyons, McDaniel Charitable Foundation
Capt. John Cochrane, Freeport, TX
Capt. Brett Falterman, Venice, LA
back to top
Dr. Jay R. Rooker · Department of Marine Biology
Texas A&M University @ Galveston
5007 Ave U, Galveston, Texas 77551
rookerj@tamug.edu · 409-740-4744
Site by Third Coast
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