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

Dr. 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
Ph.D. Environmental & Evolutionary Biology - University of Louisiana Lafayette

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

Research Interest: Broadly speaking, I am interested in exploring the evolution of aquatic invertebrates, both freshwater and marine, with particular emphasis on understanding the diversity of form and function within Crustacea. My research integrates data from diverse fields of biology including molecular phylogenetics, morphology (adult and larval), ecology, bioinformatics, and biogeography to infer phylogenetic relationships of crustaceans and:

1) guide systematic revisions that reflect natural groupings

2) better understand patterns of biodiversity, speciation, and level of connectivity among populations, especially those lacking planktonic larval stages

3) understand the role differential gene expression plays in shaping patterns of speciation using next-generation sequencing (NGS) of transcriptomes

  

Cate W. Craig

Where I call home: Spokane, WA

Education:
B.S. Organismal Biology - Montana State University
M.S. Zoology - Washington State University

E-mail: cwc2929@ull.edu

Research Interest: I originally come from eastern Washington state. My undergraduate degree is from Montana State University where I studied general biology and became fascinated with evolutionary history and processes. In my Masters work at Washington State University, I focused on the broad scale phylogenetics of Metazoa with an emphasis on understanding the secondary structure and base composition of ribosomal RNA.

I am currently preoccupied with the biodiversity and global distribution of marine hermit crabs (superfamily Paguroidea). This diverse group has many taxonomical conundrums and morphological mysteries waiting to be resolved. I believe it is crucial to combine evidence from morphology, ecology, biogeography and genetics to develop a full picture of the evolutionary history of hermit crabs. Modern phylogenetic methods based on genetics can provide a sound foundation for taxonomy, but the work does not end there. I hope my dissertation work in hermit crab systematics will pave the way for future investigations of population-level evolutionary dynamics as well as the pursuit of questions about unique physiological traits within the group.

  

Andy Savage

Where I call home: Columbus, Ohio

Education:
B.S. Biology - Bowling Green State University

E-mail: andysavage79@gmail.com

Research Interest: My interests focus on small gobiod fish of the genus Microdesmus that often parasitism ghost shrimp. I am looking at histological factors that allow for this fishes unusual burrowing ability. I also plan to look at the genetics of this fish and the potential that one species may actually be several species.

  

Simon Pecnik

Where I call home: Lafayette, LA

Education:
B.S. Biology - University of Louisiana Lafayette

E-mail: sjp5661@louisiana.edu

Research Interest: As an undergrad at ULL, where I had the opportunity to work as the collections manager in the UL Lafayette Zoological Collection, I was fortunate to be able to participate in field expeditions, research cruises, and special topics classes taught abroad. These experiences fueled my fascination with invertebrates, especially crustaceans, and ultimately drove my decision to pursue a Masters degree and one day a Ph.D. in crustacean biology.

My current research revolves around North American representatives of the brachyuran family Palicidae. Using morpohology and molecular, I am currently working on resolving the phylogenetic relationships within the family and examining these relationships within the context of possible variations in their ontogeny.

Emma Palacios Theil - May 2014

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
Ph.D. Environmental & Evolutionary Biology - University of Louisiana Lafayette

E-mail: emma@ull.edu

Research Interest: My research at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette was focused on the taxonomy of the brachyuran crab family Pinnotheridae, commonly known as pea crabs. This work 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 focused 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.