Research lab of Darryl L. Felder

Biology of Marine Decapod Crustaceans
Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Biodiversity

University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Department of Biology

Brent P. Thoma

Where I call home:
Central Missouri, USA

Education:
B.A. Biology - University of Missouri at Columbia M.Sc. Coastal Sciences - The University of Southern Mississippi

E-mail: brent.thoma@gmail.com
Website:http://www.brentthoma.info

Research Interest: My research is focused on the evolutionary relationships and taxonomy of the mud crabs (Xanthoidea) with an emphasis on the Panopeidae. Current projects and collaborations include multi-gene phylogenies for several groups that are usually assigned to the Xanthoidea sensu lato (i.e. Xanthoidea, Eriphioidea, and Pilumnoidea), as well as multipart revisions of the genera Hexapanopeus and Micropanope. Manuscripts in preparation include the description of several new panopeid taxa from the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Emma Palacios Theil

Where I call home:
Spain

Education:
B.Sc. Biology - Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany M.Phil. Applied biology to the management and sustainability of natural resources - Universidad de Oviedo, Spain

E-mail: emma@ull.edu

Research Interest: My research at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette focuses on the taxonomy of the brachyuran crab family Pinnotheridae, commonly known as pea crabs. At present I am focused primarily on the phylogenetic relationships at all levels (i.e. from family to species) within the group. In addition, I am interested in aspects of evolutionary ecology, especially in marine ecosystems; therefore, additional aspects of my research focus on the evolutionary ecology of some selected pinnotherids.

 

Research Interest: My work here builds on previous experience in crustacean ecology studying thermoregulation in Uca pugulator.  My dissertation research centers on questions related to spider crabs of the superfamily Majoidea and relationships between families within this group. Thus far, I have published on a species complex that includes Mithrax hispidus as part of this work and I’m currently preparing chapters on the familial relationships within the Majoidea, the genus and species relationships within the Mithracidae, and genus and species relationships within the Inachoididae. Anticipated completion of this research and dissertation defense is August 2010.  My career goal is to continue towards an understanding of the natural groupings among the Majoidea with with a focus on specimen-based analyses of DNA and morphology.