Research Focus
My research focuses on the release of larvae and post-larval behavior in green porcelain crabs, Petrolisthes armatus.
Description of
Research
The green porcelain crab is found in tropical and sub-tropical estuaries in the Atlantic from Florida to Brazil, in West Africa and recently in temperate estuaries in Georgia and South Carolina. Their habitat includes rocky rubble and oyster reefs. Green porcelain crab larvae molt, or shed their shell, three times before reaching the juvenile stage; sometimes this happens in as little as 20 days. Little is know about the behavior of the larval stages of these crabs, especially the mechanism or pattern responsible for their distribution within the water column. The green porcelain crab is an estuarine species, meaning its entire life – hatching of larvae to adulthood – is spent in the estuary. Therefore, the larvae must exhibit a behavior that will promote retention in the estuary and discourage offshore transport. Ebb currents (outgoing tide) would take the larvae out to sea. The larvae probably behave in a way to avoid being transported by ebb tides.
This crab was not found north of Cape Canaveral until 1994. It is has invaded estuaries in South Carolina and Georgia. As adults, these crabs are filter feeders like the Eastern Oyster, Crossostrea virginicus, an ecologically and economically important species to this habitat. Little research has been conducted on the impact of this crab on the oyster community. My research on larval behavior in green porcelain crabs will provide information about its horizontal distribution in estuaries. Understanding the life history of these crabs will also provide a comparison to other retained and transported estuarine species.
Example of How My
Research is Integrated into My GK-12 Experience
Sharing my research in the classroom addresses topics like crustacean behavior, behavior of planktonic larvae and invasive species and their ecological effects which can be devastating to communities. These topics are a common theme across various ecosystems. The students are learning the importance of understanding life histories, the ecological roles that each organism has in a habitat and how all organisms are connected in ecosystems through the flow of energy.
Part of all research includes critical thinking, problem solving and analysis. These skills are brought into the classroom through inquiry-based activities and labs, instruction and presentations. This allows students to become more engaged in the learning process and builds confidence in their ability to understand science. These are cross-disciplinary skills that are utilized everyday by people in every field. Hopefully I can teach and inspire the students to learn about and respect earth’s habitats and ecosystems.
Profile date:
February 14, 2009
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