Hobbies And Interests
Riparian Invertebrate Ecology
Logging practices in the Pacific Northwest have lead conservation biologists to look into the riparian headwater communities there, which could be affected by harvesting. Riparian zones reflect ecological areas with a high diversity of forest-floor invertebrates. These "buffer" areas between streams and the shore are the perfect breeding ground for microscopic aquatic biota, which is the reason for the unique array of invertebrates living there. Their interactions with one another and ability to live in an area categorized by frequent tremulous activity is of interest to biologists, zoologists and ecologists, as is their effects on surrounding ecologies.
Caribbean Sponge Relationships
There is a strong symbiotic relationship between Caribbean sponges and various types of photosynthetic organisms. These associations may be mimicked in the Mediterranean Sea or Indo-Pacific region, but more research is necessary. At least two species of dendroceratid sponges, for instance, have filamentous algae embedded in their skeletons. At least 21 species of large shallow-water sponges contain a type of unicellular blue-green algae. Sponges obtain food or body support from these relationships, while the plants gain important nutrients and protection from grazing animals.
Scale Worms and Starfish
In the shallow coastal waters of Vietnam there is a relationship between scale worms and starfish. These worms live on the underside of starfish. This relationship exists commonly among starfish and scale worms in tropical waters. In Vietnam, research into this relationship has yielded new species of scale worms as recently as 2005.These scale worms, which are found in ambulacral grooves, are not found in the majority of starfish, but their prevalence is enough to suggest a regularly-occurring relationship.
Gametogenesis in Sponges
Gametogenesis, or the process that creates new cells related to sexual reproduction, in sponges is linked with the temperature of the water and, thus, to the climate the sponges live in. Each species of sponge, however, is likely to respond differently to these temperature changes. When waters warm, oocyte and sperm production are most likely to increase, while the opposite is true during seasonal cooling periods. While this generalization is typically true, a closer look at each species needs to be taken because responses to temperature change vary. Studying these changes can predict how sponge reproduction will be altered due to upcoming climate change.