BRIAN WYSOR
(Phycological Hairpiece Testpilot)
Left: Lion Rock, New Zealand (Durvillaea sp.)
Right: Montauk Pt., New York, USA (Ascophyllum nodosum)
UL-Lafayette
Seaweeds Home Page | Abstracts
| Acetabularia | Curriculum Vitae| 1997 Fulbright Proposal
| More About Me | Photomicrography
- CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
- I have collected over 1500 specimens of marine macroalgae,
documenting 452 taxa representing an increase in known algal diversity
of over 100% for both coasts of the Republic of Panama. This survey provides
baseline data for elucidation of biogeographic patterns among marine algae
as well as for monitoring the future impacts of shipping traffic through
the Panama Canal.
- New species description
of marine macroalgae from Panama
- I will be employing traditional morphological methods
as well as DNA sequencing to test species concepts among macroalgae which
are not well characterized by current taxonomic descriptions.
- Biogeography of amphi-isthmian macroalgae
- I am trying to understand the current distribution of
algal species which are common to both coasts of Panama. I am testing the
null hypothesis of historical separation following the final closure of
the Central American Seaway, against the alternative of recent introduction
(perhaps mediated by traffic through the Panama Canal). I am employing
DNA sequencing in an attempt to define phylogeographic patterns among amphi-isthmian
macroalgae.
- I am collaborating on current projects to develop taxonomic,
morphological and genetic information databases essential to informed management
of the Marine Sanctuaries within the Gulf of Mexico. This data provides
a framework of seasonal algal composition against which biogeographic and
phylogenetic relationships can be assessed. It also provides baseline data
that is useful for assessing the success of marine sanctuaries at preserving
biodiversity. These projects have focused on repeat trips to the Texas
Flower Gardens and an excursion to the Florida Middle Ground as part of
the National Geographic Society documented Sustainable
Seas Expeditions.
- General Interest: I am interested in the
ecological impact of introduced and invasive species of marine macroalgae
on their "host" environments. Increases in transworld shipping
in the last 200 years have lead to an increase in the extent and diversity
of introduced marine floral and faunal species around the world. The ability
to transport coastal marine organisms across oceans or other barriers over
short periods of time facilitates the introduction of foreign species to
new environments. Because transoceanic ships can serve as temporary microecosystems,
housing a broad diversity of coastal marine organisms, ballast water and
fouled hulls have been implicated as vectors for introductions . When these
ships exchange ballast or simply enter port they may effectively transplant
species from one coastal habitat to another; thus, high traffic shipping
routes are particularly susceptible to marine bioinvasions.
Often, an introduced species becomes well known due to its economic or
ecological devastation to a community or ecosystem. For example, the zebra
mussel introduction into the St. Lawrence estuary created huge problems
for utility companies whose water intakes were choked by the proliferous
growth of the mussels. In the Black Sea the introduction of a comb jelly
reduced annual anchovy landings from hundreds of thousands of tons to just
tens of thousands over the course of only seven years. While much research
may be spawned from such disasters, it may be too late for any significant
recovery to occur, either ecologically or economically. Thus, it is vital
to try to understand the state of an ecosystem in light of sustained ecological
(or economical) balance. However, when and where should we expect the next
successful invasion to occur, and to what extent will it impact its "host"
environment? These questions may be not be directly answerable in themselves,
however, high risk areas can be targeted for studies which seek to investigate
the vulnerability of an ecosystem to bioinvasions. My research at the University
of Louisiana at Lafayette targets such an ideal. I seek to investigate the
biogeography of marine macroalgae on both sides of the Panama Canal in order
to test the null hypothesis that algae on both sides are native. Follow
the links below to learn more about me and my proposed research.
UL-Lafayette
Seaweeds Home Page | Abstracts
| Acetabularia | Curriculum Vitae| 1997 Fulbright Proposal
| More About Me | Photomicrography
Ascophyllum Wreath