Edward J. Buskey 

Professor, Department of Marine Science Research Professor, Marine Science Institute Research Coordinator, Mission Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Ph.D., Biological Oceanography, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island (1983)  M.Sc., Zoology, University of British Columbia (1976)  B.A., Biology, Brown University (1974)  Home page

Zooplankton Ecology

Behavior and sensory perception of zooplankton; bioluminescence of marine plankton; predator-prey interactions; photobehavior; role of zooplankton grazers in phytoplankton bloom dynamics

Research Interests

My research interests in marine science have focused on studies of the behavioral ecology of marine zooplankton, and how sensory perception mediates behavioral adaptations for locating food resources, avoiding predators and finding mates. Much of this research makes use of video microcinematography and automated video-computer methods for image and motion analysis. I am particularly interested in the role of photoreception in mediating potential predator-prey interactions within the plankton, including the role of bioluminescence in nocturnal predator-prey interactions, the role of vision in the feeding of larval fish on zooplankton and the role of sunlight in vertical migration of oceanic plankton to avoid visual predators. I am presently involved in studies of escape behavior of copepods using high speed video, and in studies of the adaptive value of swarming and schooling behavior to zooplankton living in mangrove habitats in Belize. I am also interested in the role of planktonic grazers in harmful algal bloom dynamics; several ongoing studies are investigating the role of grazers in bloom dynamics of the toxic red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis.

Diagram of computer-controlled hydrodynamic disturbance used to stimulate copepod escape jumps (left) and speed and acceleration records for a single escape jump of the copepod.  Acartia tonsa (right).
 

Created: Tue Dec 19 11:28:10 CST 2000