Lee A. Fuiman 

Professor, Department of Marine Science and School of Biological Sciences, Section of Intergrative Biology Research Professor, Marine Science Institute Ph.D., University of Michigan (1983)  M.S., Cornell University (1978)  B.S., Southampton College of Long Island University (1974)  Home page

Behavioral and Developmental Ecology

Behavior, sensory ecology, morphology, and physiology of fish larvae and marine mammals.

Research Interests

The past few decades have seen the biology of fish larvae blossom into an exciting field of research. These tiny, usually transparent early life stages had been neglected because of the difficulties in collecting, identifying, and maintaining them. With many of these problems solved, research is directed toward understanding how processes affecting larval fishes have serious consequences for populations of adults. Survival of larvae is a prerequisite for sustained populations, and like adults, larvae must find food and avoid predators. However, unlike adults, they must do so while their abilities vary due to dramatic morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes caused by development. 

Our research includes both laboratory and field experiments on the behavioral and sensory capabilities of fish larvae. Much of it involves frame-by-frame motion analysis of video taped experiments. This approach has led to important insights into the change in vulnerability of larvae to predators during early life. We combine the behavioral approach with detailed studies of changing sensory and locomotor morphology to understand how behavior may be constrained. We also study the effects of environmental variables (e.g., temperature and salinity) on a larva's capabilities. We incorporate field experiments to form ecological interpretations for the laboratory results. Our research has now expanded to include assessment of sublethal effects of pollutants and their ecological interpretation. 

Selected Publications

Alvarez, M. C., and L. A. Fuiman.  2005.  Environmental levels of atrazine and its degradation products impair survival skills and growth of red drum larvae.  Aquatic Toxicology 74:229-241.

Fuiman, L. A., J. H. Cowan, Jr., M. E. Smith, and J. P. O'Neal.  2005.  Behavior and recruitment success in fish larvae: Variation with growth rate and the batch effect.  Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 62:1337-1349.

Smith, M. E., and L. A. Fuiman.  2004.  Behavioral performance of wild-caught and laboratory-reared red drum Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus) larvae.  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 302:17-33.

Fuiman, L. A., D. M. Higgs, and K. R. Poling.  2004.  Changing structure and function of the ear and lateral line system of fishes during development.  American Fisheries Society Symposium 40:117-144.

Williams, T. M., L. A. Fuiman, M. Horning, and R. W. Davis.  2004.  The cost of foraging by a marine predator, the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii): Pricing by the stroke.  Journal of Experimental Biology 207:973-982.

Fuiman, L. A., and J. H. Cowan, Jr.  2003.  Behavior and recruitment success in fish larvae: Repeatability and covariation of survival skills.  Ecology 84:53-67.

Fuiman, L.A., and R.G. Werner, eds.  2002.  Fishery Science: The Unique
Contributions of Early Life Stages.  Blackwell Science, Oxford. 
(more information and order form) 

Myrberg, A.A., Jr., and L.A. Fuiman. 2002.  The sensory world of coral reef fishes.  In: Peter F. Sale, editor. Coral Reef Fishes: New Insights into Their Ecology.  Academic Press, San Diego.

Fuiman, L. A., R. W. Davis, and T. M. Williams.  2002.  Behavior of midwater fishes under the Antarctic ice: Observations by a predator. Marine Biology 140:815-822. 

complete publication list...

The early life of fish larvae is characterized by a variety of changes in body structure and physiological and behavioral capabilities.  This depiction of the development of red drum shows some of the changes that take place in this species. Most of this information is from research conducted at our institute.

Contact: Lee A. Fuiman
Modified: Mon Dec 31 11:04:52 EST (Eastern Standard Time) 2001